Chang'an City, Imperial Palace, Ganlu Hall.
After going down to court, Li Shimin summoned Zuo Shefang Xuanling, Duke Wei Li Jing, Duke Chang Sun Wuji of Qi, Minister of War Hou Junji, Minister of Hubu Dai Zhou, and Prince of Hejian County Li Xiaogong to Ganlu Hall.
Discuss together the issue of sending troops to support Lanzhou.
During this period, officials and generals were constantly being summoned to the Manna Palace, and then after receiving the order, they hurried out of the palace!
Almost all the officials looked ugly.
After all, since the defeat of the Turks two years ago, the Tang Dynasty has never paid attention to those neighboring countries, from the nobles in the court to the common people.
Moreover, the Central Plains Dynasty has always regarded itself as the supreme kingdom of heaven, and this was even more true in the Tang Dynasty. It has always regarded its surrounding neighbors as barbarians!
The Tang people, who defeated the Turks and solved the foreign invasion, exuded pride from the bottom of their hearts and looked down on all foreigners.
Tang law stipulates that foreigners are not allowed to marry Tang Dynasty women, even the richest people!
Even the ladies in brothels cannot see foreigners clearly and do not do business with foreigners.
Foreigners who want to have fun can only go to Orchid Restaurant.
Therefore, Tuyuhun's invasion and the rebellion of the Dangxiang people completely angered most officials and all the proud soldiers of the Tang Dynasty.
They were gearing up one by one, wishing they could rush to the front line now and hack to death those barbarians who drank raw hair and drank blood.
But who is the most angry in the Tang Dynasty now? Of course it is the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin!
The actions of Tuyuhun and Dangxiang were simply a slap in the face of Li Shimin, the Heavenly Khan!
Li Shimin was really angry this time. If Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji hadn't tried their best to dissuade him, Li Shimin would have gone on a personal expedition!
Although the imperial commander was dissuaded from the idea of conquest personally, the angry Li Shimin did not want to make things easier for Tuyuhun and the Dangxiang people.
He appointed Li Jing, Duke of Wei, as the general manager of the march to Xikai Road.
Duan Zhixuan is the general manager of Jishi Road Marching, and Xue Wanche is the deputy general manager of Jishi Road Marching.
Li Daozong was the general manager of the Shanshan Road March, and Yuchi Jingde was the deputy general manager of the Shanshan Road March.
It is no exaggeration to say that Li Shimin sent such a luxurious lineup of generals to destroy Tuyuhun and Dangxiang.
Compared with the battle to destroy Tuyuhun in history, the lineup of military commanders changed slightly, and the time was also three years earlier.
After much discussion.
In the end, it was decided to appoint Chi Jingde, Duke of Hubei, as the vanguard general. He would lead the 10,000 light cavalry of the Youwu Guards and set off five days later to clear the way for the Chinese army in advance.
The remaining 20,000 troops of the Youwu Guard and the Zuo Xiaowei army will serve as the central army and will set off no later than ten days later.
By the time the march plan was agreed upon, it was already the second quarter of the day.
At this time, the Manna Hall was brightly lit.
Most of the officials have now left the Manna Hall.
Li Shimin only left five people, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Changsun Wuji, Dai Zhou, and Hou Junji.
Li Shimin was sitting on the dragon chair, his eyes fixed on Dai Zhou, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
"Xuan Yin, I will give you seven days at most. No matter what method you use, within seven days, the food and grass needed for this expedition must be prepared."
Dai Zhou, the Minister of Household Affairs, looked bitter when he heard this.
I have been fighting for so long, but I didn't expect that His Majesty only gave me one more day.
War consumes most money and food. Now the tax revenue from various places in the Tang Dynasty has just been collected into the Treasury of the Ministry of Revenue not long ago!
The good days are only a few days away, and now it seems that we have to tighten our belts again and live a better life.
[I feel so miserable! ]
Compared to this time last year, the Ministry of Revenue does have a lot more money and food, but this money and food is only enough to maintain the expenses of an army of 100,000 for three months!
Judging from the current fighting situation, it is impossible for this war to end within three months.
And it’s the beginning of the year now. If all the money and food from the Ministry of Revenue is consumed in this war, how will the court spend the next six months or so?
Drink the northwest wind?
Of course, he just thought about these words. Now that His Majesty is angry, he dare not touch this bad luck.
So Dai Zhou stood up, saluted Li Shimin and said:
"I obey the order."
Li Shimin nodded slightly, then looked at Fang Xuanling aside and said:
"Xuanling, I know that it is spring plowing now. Recruiting farmers at this time will definitely affect this year's harvest, but you also know the situation in Lanzhou now."
"If we don't provide timely support, I'm afraid most of the people in Longyou Road will suffer persecution from the enemy!"
"So you need to work with the Ministry of War to recruit farmers. Within nine days, enough farmers must be recruited."
Fang Xuanling sighed after hearing this, stood up and saluted Li Shimin:
"I understand, my Majesty, please rest assured."
Hou Junji, Minister of War, stood up and expressed his loyalty to Li Shimin.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will fully cooperate with the Prime Minister."
Li Shimin nodded slightly and said:
"The auxiliary engine and the pharmacist will stay, and everyone else should leave."
"Here."
When Fang Xuanling and others left the Manlu Hall.
Li Shimin withdrew his gaze from the door, looked at Li Jing and Changsun Wuji, and said:
"Pharmacist, auxiliary machine, tell me the truth. What do you think is the chance of holding Lanzhou before the imperial reinforcements arrive?"
Before Li Shimin ascended the throne, he was titled King of Qin and General Tiance.
His ability to command an army and his grasp of war are no worse than those of Duke Wei, Li Jing.
In the fourth year of Zhenguan, if it hadn't been for the fact that he had just ascended the throne and the throne was still unstable, it might not have been Li Yaoshi who led the army to destroy the Turks.
With his war experience, how could he not see through the current situation in Lanzhou!
The reason why I asked this was just to seek comfort.
Changsun Wuji is such a shrewd person. Telling the truth at this time will only cause His Majesty's displeasure. Telling lies will also show that there is a problem with his ability.
So after hearing Li Shimin's words, he decisively chose to bow his head and remain silent.
On the contrary, Duke Wei Li Jing was a down-to-earth man. After hearing Li Shimin's question, he expressed his thoughts without hesitation.
"Your Majesty, with all due respect, General Yuchi's vanguard army only has 10,000 light cavalry. The most they can do is open the road from Chang'an to Lanzhou. It will be difficult to stop the enemy's attack on Lanzhou."
"And the Chinese army will set off in ten days. It will take at least fourteen days to reach Lanzhou. Even if it is just a day of repairs, Lanzhou will have to hold on for at least another twenty-five days."
"Besides, you have also read the report from Deputy General Niu. Tuyuhun and Dangxiang are still sending more troops to Lanzhou, so I think Lanzhou is in danger."
Although Li Jing didn't say it explicitly, his meaning was already obvious. The possibility of holding Lanzhou City was extremely slim.
Although Li Shimin had predicted this, he was still very angry when he heard Li Jing's words!
I wish I could give Li Jing a big fight that day.
[Soldier! ]
At this moment, a young eunuch suddenly walked in at the door of the palace.
Wu Shi didn't wait for Li Shimin to ask, then he went up to him and waited for the reason to be clarified.
Wuji quickly walked up to Li Shimin, bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, Qin Ming, a man from Lantian County, asked for an audience outside the palace. He said that there is a way for the imperial reinforcements to arrive in Lanzhou at least seven days in advance."
Li Shimin, Li Jing, and Changsun Wuji were all stunned when they heard this.
[Impossible, absolutely impossible! ]
.....
