freenovelworld Chapter 419 Showing the enemy to be weak
Chapter 419 Showing the enemy to be weak
Chapter 419 Showing the enemy to be weak
Many people know the rule of Zhenguan, which laid the foundation for the later Kaiyuan prosperity.
The Zhenguan period can be divided into three periods.
In the early stage, Li Shimin had just succeeded to the throne, stabilized the situation, and recuperated.
This period is about the first year of Zhenguan to the eighth year of Zhenguan.
And it was from the ninth year of Zhenguan to the eighteenth year of Zhenguan that really made Datang strong and prosperous.
Anyone who is familiar with history knows that during this period, wars in Datang were very frequent.
Many foreign battles made the Tang Dynasty's prestige spread far and wide, and the guests from all over the world were convinced.
Not only weakened the surrounding forces, but also made the surrounding forces respect Datang like a tiger.
From the first year of Zhenguan to the sixth year of Zhenguan, except for the war against the Eastern Turks and the response to the rebellion of some ethnic minorities, nothing major happened in the Tang Dynasty.
Therefore, Datang at this time is not as strong as imagined.
At the beginning to destroy the East Turks, it seemed that the Tang Dynasty only dispatched 10,000+ people, but in fact it was only possible to destroy the East Turks by taking advantage of the civil strife in the East Turks.
It is not very appropriate to say that the Eastern Turks were wiped out.
You must know that there were hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses in East Turkistan at that time, and all of them were cavalry. Datang dispatched 10,000+ people, at least half of which were infantry.
There are countless cases of the Central Plains dynasty winning more with less, but it was based on the right time, place and people.
It would be no problem if 10,000+ wiped out hundreds of thousands with the help of geographical advantages.
And the grassland is flat, what can the infantry use to fight against it?
Rather than saying that the Tang Dynasty destroyed the Eastern Turks, it is better to say that the Tang Dynasty destroyed Jieli Khan.
In fact, Xue Yantuo was established on the basis of Eastern Turks.
And Xue Yantuo has more than 20 soldiers and horses. Although it is not as good as the heyday of the Eastern Turks, it is not much worse.
The Great Tang's extermination of the Eastern Turks did not actually weaken the power of the grasslands much.
It's just that because of the demise of the Eastern Turks, the situation in the grassland was turbulent and gave Datang time to develop.
"I know that now is not the time to mobilize troops, but if I do nothing, what will the people of the world think of me? I have decided to send [-] more troops to the border to deter Western Turks and Xue Yantuo. What do you think?" Li Shimin said in a deep voice.
As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, Cheng Yaojin and Yu Chigong came out and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army."
Although I know that there is definitely no battle to fight now, but it is very likely to launch troops on the grassland every year, so going now will take the lead.
There is no way, there are too many famous generals in the Tang Dynasty, if you don't fight for them sooner, who knows if it will be their turn at that time.
Rather than saying that heroes create the current situation, it is actually better to say that the current situation creates heroes.
Why do many famous officials and generals emerge when the world is in chaos?
As the saying goes: Troubled times produce heroes, rulers produce famous ministers, and emperors fail to produce traitors.There is a certain reason.Because in the autumn of troubled times, the timid will be starved to death, and the bold will be supported to death.All kinds of chaotic situations provide "places to use their talents" for those who dare to think and do, and also create opportunities for reckless people to stir up trouble in the chaos.
Leaving aside the famous generals during the founding period, Datang has existed for more than 200 years, and the number of famous generals that appeared during this period may not be comparable to that in the early Tang Dynasty.
Famous generals are not born. When the world is in chaos, many famous ministers and generals will naturally emerge after the big waves wash the sand.
As far as the current generals of the imperial court are concerned, the Tang Dynasty is stable and there is no war at all, so they will naturally fight for it whenever they have the opportunity.
"Your Majesty, I don't think we should send more troops to the border now." Changsun Wuji said.
"Fart, people are calling at the door of the house, so why don't we remain indifferent?" Cheng Yaojin shouted.
Yuchi Gong agreed: "That's right, the duty of our generals is to defend our home and country, you civil servants can let the people be robbed, we are not as cruel as you."
He was already at odds with Changsun Wuji, so naturally he would not give Changsun Wuji face.
Although Yu Chigong was talking about Changsun Wuji, many people turned ugly when they heard this.
They are also civil servants.
Seeing this scene, Li Shimin didn't scold Yu Chigong.
If a country wants to be strong and prosperous, it needs a wise ruler and ministers.
But if all the military officials in North Korea and Chinese were in harmony, then Li Shimin wouldn't be able to sleep.
As long as it's not too much, Li Shimin is happy to watch them fight.
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Listen to what the auxiliary machine says first."
Changsun Wuji was not angry at what Cheng Yaojin and Yu Chigong said, at least not on the surface.
"Your Majesty, the people on the frontier have almost been plundered by the nomads. What's the use of sending troops at this time?" Changsun Wuji said.
Although Cheng Yaojin and his generals did not agree with Changsun Wuji's words, they were speechless to refute.
The people on the border have all been robbed, and it is impossible for Western Turks and Xue Yantuo to go deep into the Tang Dynasty to plunder.
Sending troops at this time is really useless.
Changsun Wuji said: "I understand that your majesty's increase of troops to the border is to frighten the nomads, and also to give an explanation to the people of the world. But sending troops is too expensive, so it is better to change the method."
"What do you think the auxiliary machine should do?" Li Shimin asked.
"Your Majesty, I feel that we should send envoys to the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo to tell them that if they go to the Tang Dynasty to plunder, the Tang Dynasty will send troops to them." Changsun Wuji said.
Li Shimin frowned, sending envoys to condemn him like this is meaningless, and it will lose his momentum.
But he knew that Changsun Wuji must have other intentions, so he thought carefully.
As an emperor, although you need to know people and make good use of them, and brainstorm, it is impossible to rely on your courtiers for everything.
If so, becoming a puppet is not far away.
Occasionally, you still have to show a certain amount of wisdom to let your courtiers know that the emperor is not easy to fool.
Therefore, Li Shimin did not ask Changsun Wuji to explain, but began to think for himself.
Soon, Li Shimin's eyes lit up, and he understood Changsun Wuji's intentions.
Changsun Wuji said that sending envoys to Western Turks and Xue Yantuo was actually to show the enemy weakness.
Now the people outside the border city have been looted, and the rest of the people have already lived in the city, so sending troops is of little significance.
The reason why Li Shimin wanted to send troops was to give an explanation to the people of the world.
Another purpose is to tell Western Turks and Xue Yantuo that the Tang Dynasty is not powerless.
The purpose of Changsun Wuji is to let Xi Turk and Xue Yantuo know that Datang really has no food to send troops now.
If we did this in previous years, it would only make the nomads think that Tang was weak and bully, and would intensify it, but it is different now.
The goal of Western Turks is to annex Xue Yantuo and dominate the grasslands, but Xue Yantuo is now thinking about guarding against Western Turks.
At this time, neither the Western Turks nor Xue Yantuo will come to provoke Datang.
Although Datang had traded a lot of grain to Western Turks and Xue Yantuo before, they would definitely have doubts and be on guard against Datang.
But Datang has always been strong, and now they are looted, but they just send envoys to condemn them, what will they think?
Datang ran out of food and could not send troops at all.
Although by doing so, they will not be defenseless against Datang, but before next year's autumn harvest, their defense against Datang will definitely be reduced to the minimum.
In this way, Datang can wait for them to fight and reap the benefits of fishing.
"How to give an explanation to the people of the world?" Li Shimin said in a deep voice.
When Li Shimin said this, everyone else knew that Li Shimin had actually agreed.
Just worry about what the people think.
It has to be said that Li Shimin is very concerned about face.
"Your Majesty, isn't there the "Zhenguan Monthly Report"? As long as the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo plundered the border people, and the imperial court is going to launch troops on the grasslands, and publish it in the newspaper, wouldn't there be an explanation?" Changsun Wuji said.
"Isn't this deceiving the people? If the people find out, what is the prestige of the court?" Cheng Yaojin said.
Changsun Wuji smiled lightly and said, "Who said you deceived the people? Didn't you say it was preparation? It's freezing cold now, so it's definitely not suitable for sending troops. When the weather warms up every year, we will slowly transport the military equipment, food and grass. The situation should be clarified."
"You've already been published in the newspaper, won't those Huns know about it? How can they fight?" Yu Chigong said.
Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "So what can we do if we know? They will only think that we are bluffing when they see that we are not moving."
(End of this chapter)