Zhenguan Crown Prince Li Chengqian

Chapter 22
Hongwendian

"Master, Master, Mayi fell, and General Dugu Yanyun was killed in battle, in the city." Before he could finish speaking, the soldier who delivered the letter passed out.

"Cough cough, hurry up, send it to a doctor," Du Ruhui ordered while coughing.

Li Chengqian, who heard that Mayi had fallen, hurried to Hongwen Hall, but when he was about to enter the hall, Wei Zheng and other ministers were arguing.

"Your Majesty, Jieli invaded our border and killed my people. We can't let this beast continue to be arrogant."

"Wei Zheng, I think you don't feel pain in your back when you stand up and talk. The imperial court has no money at all to fight you." Liu Zhenghui, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, immediately retorted after hearing Wei Zheng's words.

"No money, what's the matter if you don't have money, how could you fight before, didn't you still defeat Li Xiaochang and Liang Shidu a while ago?"

Xiao Yu's words immediately got Wei Zheng's approval: "That is, our great country depends on the king's righteousness, and Jieli provoked border provocations for no reason. If he does not fight, how will His Majesty face the people of the world."

Li Chengqian, who walked to Changsun Wuji's side, stabbed Changsun Wuji quietly, motioning him to give him the battle report in his hand.

Mayi City fell in only five hours, the guard Dugu Yanyun was killed, 3 people in the city were massacred, and [-] people were looted by the Turkic army.

"Okay, Keming, what do you think?" Li Shimin stopped Wei Zheng and others from arguing and asked Du Ruhui.Du Ruhui was in charge of the Ministry of War, so it was reasonable to ask him.

"Ahem. Your Majesty, judging from Li Ji's battle report, Jieli's attack this time is only for the purpose of plundering money and food. Right now, our army has only [-] troops in Dingxiang area, most of them are infantry, and their combat power is far inferior to that of Jieli's army. .cough cough.”

Fang Xuanling handed the tea in his hand to Du Ruhui, and let him drink it to suppress his throat: "Your Majesty, it usually takes three of us soldiers to fight a barbarian cavalry, and our army has just fought with Liang Shidu for half a year. Li Xiaochang in Lizhou It also consumed a lot of energy, so I thought I had to find another way."

"You are in the prime minister's office, and you are in the Taiwan Pavilion. When the country is in danger, you are sluggish, fearing the enemy like a tiger, and I, Wei Zheng, disdain to be with you." Wei Zheng's emotions became more and more agitated.

Turning around, he said to Li Shimin, "If your Majesty does not send troops to attack, the veteran will commit suicide on the bridge tomorrow to comfort the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty who have died there."

Li Shimin said softly: "Xuancheng, what kind of emotional dispute is going on, so it would be good to discuss this matter with the officials tomorrow morning." Li Shimin was not afraid of Wei Zheng, he knew that Wei Zheng was pleading for the lives of those people, and he did not blame him The reason for the previous faux pas.

Chengqing Hall

"Keming, I know we haven't finished talking with Xuanling, let's talk now."

Du Ruhui wiped the cold sweat off his forehead: "Your Majesty, I think this battle cannot be fought now. Now our army is exhausted, our combat strength is low, our equipment is insufficient, and the number of cavalry is too small. There is no way to confront Xieli head-on."

"Your Majesty, there is not much military rations, and the court has resettled a large number of refugees. Right now, there is really no money and food to fight a war, let alone a big one. If there is a war, the war will not last long, and the Tang Dynasty is in danger of subjugation."

After hearing Fang Mou's decision, Li Shimin pondered for a while, and asked Li Chengqian: "I heard this from Hongwen Palace, tell me what you think."

Li Chengqian also wants to fight, but he knows that Guanzhong has just settled down, and the people don't have much food in their hands. This war requires tax collection. If there is no food, people will starve to death. At that time, Xieli will not be used to fight. His anger can burn Datang to ashes.

"Father, the two lords are right. Your ministers do not agree with the decisive battle with Jieli at this time. The court has no money to fight at all. The money and food are first of all the difficulties on the face.

Secondly, the powerful mobility of the Jieli cavalry is beyond our comparison. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, a large-scale cavalry unit was formed to defeat the Xiongnu at last, so a large number of cavalry is a top priority.

There are also people who have only lived in peace for a few days, and their stomachs are not full. Now let them fight the enemy with an empty stomach, and I am afraid that disaster will happen.”

Li Chengqian's answer made Li Shimin very satisfied. As a qualified prince, calmness and calmness are the necessary conditions. It is obvious that Li Chengqian has such a good character.

"That's the truth, but those who are in the middle of the battle can agree, it's very difficult to suppress it," Changsun Wuji looked embarrassed.

"Chengqian, since you understand so well, then you should pay attention and suppress this matter. The current national strength is weak, and I can't gamble with the country's community."

"I thought that as long as Wei Shizhong said it, it would be fine. Who doesn't know that the old servant is a strong order, and I am willing to persuade him."

Li Shimin thought for a while, it would be much easier if Wei Zheng could change his mouth, and then said: "Okay, I will leave this to you."

Chang'an Chongdefang Wei Mansion

"Wei Shizhong, I am here this time to ask for your help." Li Chengqian smiled and took Wei Zheng's hand, stopping Wei Zheng who wanted to salute.

"Why does Your Highness ask the old minister to help?" Wei Zheng couldn't figure it out, he didn't have much contact with the prince, but if he had something to do, he didn't go to Changsun Wuji, so why did he come to him.

"The servant's words in the Hongwen Palace today really make me admire. Chengqian respects those who dare to plead for the people. However, Chengqian has some doubts at the moment, and I hope you will give me some advice." Li Chengqian's words praised Wei Zheng very much. high.

He is the counselor of King Xi. Since he was used by Li Shimin, many people have said behind his back that he is a second minister who betrayed the master, and he is often poked in the back by others.Although he doesn't care how to say it on the face, but in his heart this is a thorn deeply pierced in his heart.

Li Chengqian's words showed that the crown prince understood himself, he knew what it was to be a national scholar who pleaded for the people, so it would be false to say that Wei Zheng was not moved.

"Your Highness has any doubts, just say it, as long as the old minister knows, he will know everything."

Seeing that Wei Zheng agreed so happily, Li Chengqian knew that today's matter was already half successful.

"Currently, our army has suffered heavy losses in Jieli's invasion of the border. Tens of thousands of people have been brutally murdered. The restlessness in the border affairs is not good for the country. Therefore, Cheng Qian believes that the words of the minister today's main battle are true."

Li Chengqian's words made Wei Zheng flick his beard in satisfaction: "Your Highness is so smart, the Tang Dynasty is also a blessing."

"Wei Shizhong, but the imperial court has just resettled the refugees in Hebei and Guanzhong, just like what Liu Shangshu said today, there is no money left in the treasury to fight. Secondly, the Jieli army is powerful, and our army is fighting with it with exhausted troops. Is it not the pebble that strikes the stone?
In addition, spring plowing is about to start. If there is a war, the farming season will be delayed. If there is no military rations, even the common people will have no food.

The rivers and mountains laid down by the father and the ministers and workers for more than ten years will also be crumbling. If this is the result, what should the Tang Dynasty do? Please teach me. "

"Your Highness, this, this old minister didn't expect it, so according to Your Highness, what should we do?"

Li Chengqian's words made Wei Zheng, who was planning to remonstrate, panicked. As Li Chengqian said, then Wei Zheng is a sinner through the ages, and his crime will not be forgiven even if he dies.

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(End of this chapter)