"I am not Yang Guang, and I will not put tens of thousands of Anton's troops in danger just to start a war with Tubo."
Li Zhi sat on the dragon couch, with a sneer on his cold face: "Letting the army continue to be stationed in Maixiao City will only waste money and food. But if the army retreats rashly, tens of thousands of troops will be annihilated by Silla, and the Western Expeditionary Army will The strategy will also be affected, and I can still weigh the severity of these."
The emperor's attitude was not reflected on the faces of the ministers below, but they could not help but heave a sigh of relief in their hearts.
The DPRK and the Central Government have been planning to withdraw troops from the Silla front line for a long time and end the war on the East Island. This is not only to save food consumption, but also to mobilize a large number of generals and soldiers from the Andong Governor's Palace to the Western Front.
The territory of the Western Front is vast. If these soldiers who have fought in Silla for a long time can be transferred there, the overall strength of the Western Front Army will be greatly enhanced, thereby increasing the chance of winning the war with Tubo.
But if the East Island is defeated, not only the morale of the army will be damaged, but the soldiers on the western front will also need to make up for it from other places, and money and food may not be saved.
Because once Silla wins in the East Island, it will definitely seize the former homeland of Goguryeo.
Once the old land of Goguryeo falls into the hands of Silla, it will inevitably threaten the entire Liaodong Road again.
At that time, the entire Liaodong Road will be on alert, re-recruiting soldiers, and sorting out food, grass and weapons will also be a huge expense.
It may even affect Hebei Road.
Therefore, we cannot withdraw our troops easily.
"Your Majesty!" Zhongshu Ling Hao Chujun handed over his hand again and continued: "But if the frontline troops do not withdraw, I am afraid that the Tubo will be fulfilled. This time Silla suddenly takes action, it may not be because the Tubo people are instigating behind."
The important ministers present, including Li Xuan behind him, all nodded in agreement subconsciously.
Nowadays, the only one who least wants to see Tang Dynasty preparing for war on the Western Front is Tubo.
Therefore, in order to hinder the armament of the Tang Dynasty, Tubo secretly colluded with Silla and tried to put the Tang Dynasty into a dilemma between east and west.
Li Zhi's face gradually faded, his body leaned back slightly, and then he looked at Hao Chujun indifferently: "Zhongshu Ling, do you have any good ideas to solve the current predicament?"
As the Secretary of the Central Committee, it was Hao Chujun's duty to propose solutions to problems for the emperor to accept advice from.
Now, the west has to prepare for war with Tibet, and the east front has to successfully withdraw its troops. However, the Tibetans don't want you to withdraw. Forced withdrawal will easily cause losses to the army.
But the emperor's intention was very clear. Not only did the Western Front have to go to war with Tibet, but the Eastern Front also had to successfully withdraw its troops.
Especially now, time is very tight. It is now late September, the weather has turned cold, and by the end of October, heavy snow will block the mountains on Liaodong Road. Even if you want to evacuate, you will not be able to evacuate at all.
Hao Chujun seemed to have had an idea, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, both Tibet and Silla know that our army is going to withdraw north, and they think they are grabbing our army by the throat and trying to destroy it. Therefore, I thought that I wanted to successfully withdraw my army. Originally, The old method is no longer feasible, and what is needed now is to withdraw the troops through a new road."
"Waterway?" Li Zhi's eyes lit up. He understood the meaning of Hao Chujun's words instantly.
The Tang Dynasty and Silla fought countless times, and the navy was used countless times. However, because the old land of Baekje fell into the hands of Silla, the Tang Dynasty navy had no foothold on the west coast of the East Island. Therefore, the navy has become very weak over the years. Changshui fought against Silla.
"Now that the northwest wind is blowing, it is very convenient to travel by sea, and there is no need to worry about the withdrawal time. Even if it is December, the troops can withdraw safely." Hao Chujun stood there and talked, and the emperor and officials listened very seriously.
This also included Li Xuan, but deep down in her heart, Li Xuan couldn't help but feel a little absurd and funny, and at the same time a little wary.
Hao Chujun's words sounded easy. He went to sea in winter and went to the East Island to pick up people, but in fact the operation was quite difficult.
The Tang Dynasty had no foothold in the homeland of Baekje. If it wanted to withdraw its troops, it had to establish a foothold on the east coast of the island and on the west coast, and it had to open up the same road to Maishao City.
Not only that, although Dengzhou is a winter port that does not freeze, sailing in winter is not that easy.
Compared with spring and summer, the sea in autumn and winter is
The wind and waves are several times bigger.
Even when there is not much wind and waves, you must be careful of the sudden fog that rises from the sea.
The heavy fog that permeates the sea for tens of nautical miles will definitely make you completely lose control of your course.
On the vast sea, accompanied by heavy fog and wind and waves, there is also a cold wave.
The soldiers on the ship were prone to stiffness in their hands and feet due to the cold wave, which required a large amount of firewood to be carried on board.
Once the firewood is exhausted and the destination cannot be reached, a large number of casualties among soldiers are absolutely inevitable.
It's even possible that they all died at sea.
Finally, there is sea ice.
Dengju Port and several nearby ports may be ice-free ports, but in the hometown of Silla and Baekje, ports are difficult to find. An ice-free port that can provide a large number of soldiers to land must be captured. This is even more difficult. problem.
Li Xuan immediately became vigilant. The withdrawal of troops by sea proposed by Hao Chujun was not a strange move.
Maybe people didn't think of it at first, but now they should all think of it...
Or maybe they all knew it from the beginning.
Li Zhi turned to look at Liu Rengui and asked in a deep voice: "Prime Minister Zuo, how long will it take to mobilize the navy? Where to mobilize the navy? How long will it take to reach Silla, land ashore, and how long will it take to coordinate the evacuation of the army? ?」
Liu Rengui fought at the Baijiangkou naval battle. Tens of thousands of Japanese and Baekje coalition forces were killed and injured in the first battle. He was the most proficient in water warfare in the Tang Dynasty.
After thinking for a while, Liu Rengui said: "If the navy wants to go to Silla, it must arrive before the end of October. Otherwise, the risk of sea navigation will increase several times later. Therefore, your Majesty, please order the Dengzhou immediately tonight." The navies of Yangzhou and Hangzhou are preparing at the same time to set off in early October. If everything goes well, they will arrive at the hometown of Baekje on the 15th to 20th."
Li Xuan was surprised when she heard this. Does it take that long to get from Qingdao to South Korea?
Just listen to Liu Rengui continue to say: "After the army arrives at Incheon of Silla, they can go all the way east from Incheon and reach the gate of Qichongcheng."
Li Zhi nodded suddenly, and his eyes couldn't help but fall on Li Xuan's head.
He remembered that when he was in Luoyang, talking to Li Xuan, he mentioned the many ports in South Korea.
Li Xuan also felt his scalp numb for a while.
"Silla will definitely besiege Maisho City and Qichong City with a large army. Therefore, after arriving in Silla, they need to severely damage them, and then easily withdraw from the sea. If the weather goes well and the spring flowers bloom, the army will be able to do so by the end of January next year. Return to the Tang Dynasty and rest for a while, which will not delay His Majesty's Western Expedition." After Liu Rengui finished speaking, he took a breath.
Hao Chujun and Liu Rengui, two important ministers, one civil and one military, were able to resolve the sudden dilemma in a short period of time.
Li Zhi nodded with satisfaction, glanced at Empress Wu on one side, and then said, "That's it. Do you have anything else to add?"
"Your Majesty." Pei Xingjian, Minister of War, walked out from among the important ministers. He cupped his hands to Li Zhi and then said: "Dengzhou Navy, Hangzhou Navy, and Yangzhou Navy have not conducted long-sea operations for several years. Although warships It is not only in disrepair, but also needs to be repaired and reinforced. If you want to travel without any problems, I am afraid that you will not be able to travel in early October, and you will have to wait at least five more days."
The maintenance of warships has never been an easy task. At sea, if something happens to one part of the ship, it is very likely that the entire ship will be completely submerged.
"Three days, I can only give you three days. On the fourth day of October, the fleet must set off." Li Zhi had to compromise. This was a practical problem, but he followed up and said, "You can dispatch the Ministry of Works and the general supervisor. The craftsmen went to assist."
"Here!" Pei Xingjian bowed and agreed, and then continued: "Your Majesty, the naval forces are now only 70% of their full strength. In addition, there are old soldiers retiring and other things to do. This Eastern Aid also requires a large number of conscription... Send senior officials to deal with it in person, so that the departure will not be delayed."
"I took note of it." Li Zhi nodded. He took note of Pei Xingjian's words, but it was hard to say who to send to handle these matters.
Li Zhi looked at everyone present, and finally glanced at Li Xuan, then looked at Honglu Temple
Qing Liu Boying.
Without the slightest hesitation, Liu Boying, the minister of Honglu Temple, immediately stood up, raised his hands to Li Zhi and said: "Your Majesty, since the withdrawal of troops is appropriate, after that battle, the vassal relationship between Tang Dynasty and Silla also needs to be defined. Now Silla Please forgive me for being still in Chang'an."
"Let him leave Chang'an tomorrow and escort him to Dengzhou, and then bring the army back to Silla." A slight sneer appeared on the corner of Li Zhi's mouth, and the disgust deep in his eyes was undisguised.
Qin Dujiaogan's identity as Silla's envoy to plead guilty is really annoying. He petitioned for punishment in Chang'an, but Silla was actively renovating its army and defense, and even secretly instigated the betrayal of Baekje's surrender and attacked the garrison of the Andong Protectorate. , Li Zhi didn't kill him immediately, it was already the emperor's mercy.
But this person may not be completely useless.
With his knowledge of Silla, he should be able to help the army advance and evacuate quickly.
Although the Tang Dynasty had Jin Renwen, the younger brother of King Wenwu of Silla, Jin Renwen had been away from Silla for many years and did not know much about the changes in the political situation at the top of Silla. However, it was different for Qin Zhenwen, who had just arrived from Silla at the beginning of the year.
"Your Majesty, I am requesting you to send a large number of people to negotiate with Silla and define the vassal relationship when the army retreats. At the same time, Silla will be held back so that it does not dare to act arbitrarily." Liu Boying slightly arched his hand towards Li Zhi. , and then returned to the train.
After hearing what Liu Boying said, Li Zhi looked at Li Xuan.
Many ministers and workers present also looked at Li Xuan at the same time.
Today is such a big event, but Li Xuan, a young minister from Honglu Temple who is inspecting the school, is called here. Naturally, he has a difficult problem to hand over.
Everyone even understood that the emperor had already had this idea when he first received the report from Anton. Liu Boying, the minister of Honglu Temple, just said these words on his behalf.
Even if the battlefield is invincible, someone must be able to hold Silla back. Li Xuan, who performed well at Meiling Pass in Wuzhou, fell into Li Zhi's eyes.
However, when everyone looked at Li Xuan, they saw that he was frowning, as if he was thinking about something.
The whole hall was suddenly silent, but at this moment, Li Xuan's face showed a trace of joy, a trace of uncontrollable joy. No one knew what he had thought.
"King of Nanchang." Li Zhi's majestic voice sounded throughout the hall.
Li Xuan came to her senses instantly, stood forward, and at the same time cupped her hands and said, "Your Majesty."
Li Zhi nodded, and then spoke: "I order you to return to the southeast immediately, integrate the navy, repair the warships, recruit soldiers, and lead the army to Dongdao on the fifth day of next month. Arrive at Incheon Port in late October and join the army. We gathered together and listened to the orders of Li Jinxing, the governor of Andong, to assist in the evacuation of the army and to negotiate with Silla about the vassal status and tribute of the two countries."
"I accept the decree." Li Xuan immediately solemnly handed over his hands without any hesitation.
Li Zhi nodded with satisfaction, and then asked seemingly casually: "I saw that you were thinking about it just now, and you seemed to have gained something. I don't know what you thought of, can you tell me."
Li Zhi's voice was very calm, but Li Xuan did not dare to slack off at all. He quickly raised his hands and said: "I am guilty and have violated the etiquette in front of the palace. Please forgive me."
Li Zhi waved his hand nonchalantly: "It doesn't matter, you say."
"Here!" Li Xuan took a breath and said, "I was actually thinking before, whether there is a way to resolve the withdrawal of the Anton Governor's troops without the need for a large army to cross the sea to Dongdao?"
"Oh?" Li Zhi's face lit up, and he suddenly became interested.
Thinking of Li Xuan's happy face just now, Li Zhi quickly asked: "Did the King of Nanchang gain something?"
"I have just one or two delusional thoughts." Li Xuan smiled bitterly, but under Li Zhi's expectation, he still said slowly: "Your Majesty, the reason why Silla invaded our army at this time is just the instigation of Tubo. , let them have the hope of profit, but if they are not allowed to have any hope of profit, and even find it difficult to survive, they will naturally confess their sins and not dare to start a fight. "
"In addition to mobilizing the army, does the King of Nanchang have other methods?" After being silent for a while, Empress Wu finally couldn't help but speak.
