Datang Lingnan King

Chapter 97
In fact, everyone knew that today was not just for dinner, so no one said goodbye, went into the study, sat down according to their status, and served tea.

"Dingfang, tell me how your trip to the Western Regions is going," Li Shimin asked after everyone sat down.

"Returning to the saints, my ministers, etc. This trip went quite smoothly. I have been to 18 countries in the Western Regions. I had to return because I had no goods. I left people in 12 places to collect information. Many countries in the Western Regions have few people and are weak. To be called a country, there are tens of thousands of soldiers, and thousands of troops, and the supplies are poor," Su Dingfang replied honestly.

"So it seems that only one strong army can wipe out the Western Regions?" Li Yuan asked curiously.

"I don't think so. The countries in the Western Regions have many ethnic groups, but they have always been xenophobic. If I invade the Western Regions in the Tang Dynasty, not to mention the supply in the later period, the Western Regions will definitely report to the regiment to resist. Even if they are defeated, it will not be easy to govern. It is better to lure them. Controlling barbarians with barbarians is the long-term solution." Feng Daiwen objected.

"Ai Qing is right. There is no rush for this matter. Su Qing's family will record the Western Regions in detail and give it to me. It will not be too late to make a decision after discussion." Li Shimin concluded.

"How's the harvest?" Feng Daiwen asked everyone's most concerned question.

"Hui Shengren's trip has brought a lot of harvest. Except for cotton, the rest are gold, silver, jewelry, tea and porcelain. Frost sugar is exchanged for 18 stones of cotton, and there will be a total of 98 guan," Yuchi Baolin said happily.

"Not bad, not bad," Li Shimin said with a happy grin.

"The sage also overlooked one point. According to the original registration, there should be more than 20 yuan in taxes, plus the taxes returned by the Western Regions merchants this time." Feng Daiwen added.

"Haha, yes, yes, it seems that this business route will continue." Li Shimin said happily.

"Saint, I think the opportunity to break the Turks has come," Feng Daiwen thought for a while, and said after Li Shimin calmed down.

"Oh, didn't Weiguo say that the time for spring next year has not yet come?" Li Shimin asked suspiciously.

"Sage Rong, at this time and at that time, I didn't expect the merchant group from the Western Regions to come back so early. I thought it would have to come back before the New Year. The large amount of cotton brought back this time, plus the tens of thousands of stones harvested by Shuofang, There are also woolen clothes, which can completely form elite soldiers, and when Xieli and Tuli decide the winner, they can directly attack." Feng Daiwen explained.

"How to solve the problem of food and grass? Although this year's autumn harvest is good, it is not enough to support this big battle. I want to destroy the Turks in one battle." Li Shimin asked.

"Of course we have to win a battle. The food and grass are very simple, and there is enough food without the official warehouse," Feng Daiwen said with a smile.

"What's the plan?" Li Yuan asked impatiently.

"This time, many aristocratic families and businessmen from the Western Regions have made a lot of money, and they are escorted by the army, so there is no risk. How can others not be jealous? The saint only needs to Xu Ruo to conquer the Turks, pay the debts with cattle and sheep, and let all pay in advance. Merchants of food and grass can follow the army." Feng Daiwen said.

"What do you mean?" Li Shimin still didn't quite understand.

"First let the merchants deliver food to the front line in advance, and then let the merchant group follow the rear army. You can buy cattle and sheep and other spoils of war to the merchants on the spot. The price is of course cheaper, and you can let the soldiers sell the spoils to the merchants so that they will not be taken away. I think the soldiers should be very willing to waste it." Feng Daiwen explained carefully.

Li Shimin's eyes became brighter the more he listened, he got up and walked around a few times, raised his head and said: "Wei Guo and others are saying, please invite Li Jing, Changsun Wuji, Xiao Yu, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui to discuss matters." Several confidantes of Chang'an have all been summoned,
It was already night and the curfew started. The guards took the token and went out quickly. The emperor summoned them at night. Several people arrived on horseback. Fortunately, several houses were not far from each other. However, even Xiao Yu walked away with the support of the guards during the cup of tea. came in.

Without waiting for a few people to salute, Li Shimin asked everyone to sit down, Li Shimin left behind Feng Daizhi, Su Dingfang, and the others were driven out to be vigilant, and then said: "Guo Wei, let me tell you your thoughts."

"Yes, saint," Feng Daiwen said again about what happened just now.

Everyone silently thought about Feng Daiwen's suggestion. After a long time, Li Jing said, "It's feasible. How to march to defend the country can be considered."

Feng Daiwen took out a map. This map was secretly drawn by someone when he was in Shuofang. There were grassland maps, Shuofang maps, grassland maps presented by Huihe people, and Xue Yantuo's. The last one was a world map, but it was very simple. , only the countries surrounding the Tang Dynasty are marked, and the others are just a few signs, such as Rome, Australia, America, and Egypt.

"The last general has only a little opinion, and I still want to ask Wei Gong to correct me. The last general wants to form an elite army to make a direct surprise attack. First, let a group of people pretend to escort the caravan to the Western Regions, and then go forward to contact Xue Yantuo. Huihe outflanks the Turkic back road, and the Chinese army divides The three roads leave Youzhou, Shuofang, and Yunzhong and go straight to the Turkic main force," Feng Daiwen introduced to Li Jing modestly pointing to the map.

Li Jing showed a rare smile when discussing military matters: "That's right, it's perfect. As long as the three armies cooperate well, the Turks will be doomed. It's just that it's difficult to go to war on the grasslands before the spring begins. Marching before the ice and snow have melted is difficult, and a surprise attack is very difficult."

"There are also cotton and woolen clothes for this general. You are not afraid of the cold. Does Duke Wei know about snow rakes?" Feng Daiwen introduced.

"That's right, why didn't the general think of it, it's really a sharp weapon in the snow." Li Jing suddenly realized and clapped his hands and sighed.

"After the snow falls, General Mo is teaching the pawns a sharp weapon for running. Put wooden planks on their feet, and use the weapon to support them on the ground, so they can move forward easily and quickly." Feng Daiwen said with a smile.

"Really?" Li Shimin asked in disbelief.

"Of course, it's the same as snow rakes. You'll know after a try after the snow falls." Feng Daiwen thought that he should not have a big problem with roller skating master flatland skiing.

"If this is the case, I, Tang Dynasty, will be able to walk together on foot and quickly wipe out the Turks," Li Jing said excitedly.

"Okay, Duke of Wei Li Jing!" Li Shimin stood up and said firmly.

"The minister is here!" Li Jing solemnly responded with cupped fists.

"Let the Duke of Wei, Li Jing, be the commander-in-chief of the march to the west, commanding the three armies, assigning and training troops," Li Shimin ordered decisively.

"Minister! Obey the order." Li Jing gave the order loudly.

"Sun Wuji, Duke of Zhao, is in charge of allocating supplies, Duke of Lai, Fang Xuanling, General Anxi, Feng Daiwen, is in charge of coordinating logistics and armaments," Li Shimin continued the appointment.

"Minister, obey the order," Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Feng Daiwen hurriedly gave orders loudly.

"I'll leave everything to you guys. Be sure to make proper preparations before the beginning of spring. The Turks will be defeated in the First World War. Just this morning, other personnel will appoint the Weiguo Gazette to me." Li Shimin bowed solemnly.

"The ministers will fight to the death," several people were so moved that they quickly avoided clasping their fists and bent down to respond.

(End of this chapter)