In the Cuiwei Hall, Li Yuan was leaning on the bamboo couch, beside him was the unconvinced King Qi, listening to Li Shimin's talk.
Li Shan, who was opposite, didn't seem to care much. He sat on the bench, put Xu Wang Li Yuanjia on his lap, and ate mung bean smoothie with a spoon, avoiding Li Yuanjia's little hands from time to time.
"Therefore, if we cannot complete our work, there is no need to start a war. If we want to complete our work, we must destroy the Eastern Turks." Li Shimin finally said: "Father, you should know that to destroy the Eastern Turks, relying solely on the Daizhou Army is far from enough."
Li Yuan nodded slightly. He knew what his son meant. When Li Huairen discussed the strategy of destroying the Eastern Turks, he and Erlang were both present.
If you want to destroy the Eastern Turks, the main force is indeed the Daizhou Army led by Li Yaoshi, but they must advance separately, sending partial divisions from Lingzhou, Longyou, and even Hebei to cut off the Turks' retreat, and then use the Daizhou Army as the main force to send troops across the border. Hetao was a surprise force, gathering the main force to annihilate the Eastern Turks.
Therefore, only the Daizhou Army is not enough.
After a pause, Li Shimin continued: "The lack of food and grass does not refer to the east of the river, but to the interior of the pass. The Liang division was wreaked havoc twice, and the Turks plundered Yuanzhou and Huizhou. In addition, the government troops fought for many years and suffered many losses. Last year there was heavy snow and the grain harvest was poor. This year, grain prices in Guanzhong are likely to rise again, so recuperation is the top priority."
Li Yuanji glanced at Li Yuan's face and hesitated for a moment without speaking... Although he was stupid, he also knew that when it came to national affairs and military strategy, the distance between him and Li Shimin was greater than the distance between him and the throne. Far.
And Li Yuan looked at Li Shan, "Huairen?"
Li Shan hugged Li Yuanjia and said in a chattering tone: "Last year, I was ordered to lead the army on the expedition, and the food and grass were safe. However, the Duke of Xihe mentioned that it was quite difficult to raise food and grass."
This is indeed true, but at that time Li Shanji lured the Turks and attacked fiercely without establishing a stronghold, so he supplemented the soldiers with full meals and even meat to stabilize the morale of the army. Wen Yanbo's tired hair at that time did not know how many gray hairs he had.
But then Li Shan stationed troops near Baiquan County for several months. Later, after the Yuanzhou War, Su Dingfang did not attack immediately. He also stationed troops for several months. At that time, the pressure on logistics was indeed great. Wen Yanbo privately told Li Shan Shan and Su Dingfang were quite dissatisfied with the two Lingzhou Road marching commanders.
As Li Shimin said, there is already a shortage of food and grass in the pass, and private food prices are at least 30% higher than those in Hedong. This is even more exaggerated during the lean period. Last year and this year, there were several consecutive wars, which consumed a lot of food and grass, and we also have to consider the recapture of Xiazhou, Yan Zhou, Suizhou, Yinzhou, as well as Huizhou and Lingzhou, which were all occupied by the Liang division and plundered by the Turks, needed food and grass to stabilize the place.
Therefore, at least for this year, the defense of the Tang Army in the pass is okay, but it will definitely not be able to organize a large army for an expedition to the grasslands.
Therefore, it is impossible to ask for a war on behalf of the Duke Li Jing. Although Li Jing is not stupid, he only asked for a fight to attack Yunzhou, but this is inconsistent with the current overall strategy of the Tang Dynasty against the Turks.
"Your Majesty, if the Eastern Turks cannot be destroyed, there is really no need to send troops." Li Shan shook his head and said: "And now Tuli Khan and Dubu Khan are fighting fiercely. Once they attack Yunzhou, I am afraid that the two khans will Let’s join forces again.”
After a pause, Li Shan added: "I have made some malicious speculations, and please forgive me for this."
"Malicious speculation?" Li Yuan smiled, as if he had guessed Li Shan's thoughts, and waved his hand: "Huairen will tell you everything."
Li Shan put Li Yuanjia on the ground and said hesitantly: "I defeated the Turks in Guanzhong. I am afraid that I will do something on behalf of the country..."
Considering the relationship between Li Shan and Li Jing, it is inevitable that he would be suspected of telling lies behind his back when he said such a thing. To put it bluntly, Li Shan was maliciously speculating that he had no choice but to return to Chang'an, but by mistake, he led the army to defeat Hu again... ...And Li Jing waited impatiently for more than two years after taking control of the Daizhou Army, but in the end he didn't even touch a hair. How could he be willing to do so?
This is the reason why Li Jing suddenly and inexplicably asked for a fight.
"It is indeed possible." Li Shimin nodded in agreement, "Although my father was ordered to control the army on behalf of the Duke, after all, the commander-in-chief of the Liang Kingdom was destroyed, Lingnan was conquered, and Jianghuai was leveled."
Li Shimin supports Li Shan's point of view from a relatively objective standpoint. Li Jing has been around for most of his life and is regarded as a famous general in the world, but he has not been able to get an opportunity to make a contribution as a coach. Naturally, he can't wait. .
Well, being appointed as the general manager of Daizhou is a good general... It is a pity that when he first took office, the most dazzling military achievements were taken away by the angry Li Huairen, not even a hair was left to him.
Li Yuan looked at Li Shan with a smile, "Huairen is honest."
After finishing the mung bean smoothie, Li Shan looked at the plates of dried fruits on the table. He missed the bayberry a little bit and wondered when he could go to Jiangnan. He said casually: "If there is anything I am not honest about, I can just say whatever comes to mind." .”
The attitude of a trusted minister is the most reassuring to the superior. Li Yuan smiled and scolded: "He is quite thick-skinned!"
Li Shan chuckled, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Li Shimin's eyes looking a little strange... Hey, I forgot that this guy was there!
Even though Li Shan was thick-skinned, he felt his face was a little hot. He had fooled Li Yuan a lot... If others didn't know, how could Li Shimin not know?
Li Shan coughed twice and picked up a dried longan, peeled it open and stuffed it into Li Yuanjia's mouth. The latter lay on Li Shan's knees and tried to climb up again... He was still thinking in his mind, he had done so many things to fool Li Yuan. It seems that there are many things to fool Li Shimin, such as this time.
Li Yuanjia, the child, liked Li Shan the most. Li Yuan looked a little jealous and said with a smile: "Since Huairen has accepted Daosheng as his disciple, he will also teach King Xu in the future."
"Okay." Li Shan said casually: "When King Xu leaves the palace, I can go to the palace to make a long history."
"Nonsense!" Li Yuan scolded with a smile: "Are you the heir to go to the Prince's Mansion to be a long history?"
At this time, Chai Shao's eldest son Chai Zhewei ran out from the back hall. This time Li Yuan came to Renzhi Palace to escape the summer heat. Chai Shao, who controlled the Beiya Imperial Army, must have followed him and brought his eldest son with him. Princess Pingyang stayed in Chang'an. Take care of your young son and daughter.
Seeing his cousin of similar age sitting on his uncle's lap, Chai Zhewei frowned and crawled to Li Shan's other knee, which made Li Yuan laugh for a while.
Li Shan helplessly held one hand and walked out. Li Shimin behind him smiled and said, "Huairen is particularly popular with children. Chengqian and Qingque both like him."
"Huairen once mentioned that he also likes to play with children." Li Yuan didn't know what he thought of, and sighed quietly: "Maybe it's because children have pure minds."
Li Shan left Cuiwei Hall, took out a slingshot from his sleeve, and asked Chai Zhewei to pick up a few pebbles while waving to Fan Shiyi who was not far away.
Fan Shiyi is Li Shan's personal guard, often a scout, and a spy. He was not allowed to come here. However, he was granted the title of County Marquis a few days ago, and the palace people knew that he was a close associate of King Wei Si, so they did not stop him.
"Alang."
"Bring He Lou Xingshu to his residence later...be careful."
He Lou Xingshu was originally assigned to be in charge of Ma Yin in Xia City, and he also had an official position of seventh grade in the Sixteenth Guards. Later, Ma Yin was taken back by the court, and he was unwilling to enter Taipu Temple. After Li Shan became Sinong Qing, he was Entering Sinong Temple is a nail in Sinong Temple.
