Upon hearing the voice, all the ministers turned their heads to the side of the princes. The one who came out to speak was the sixth prince Situ Biao. No one was surprised by his speech this time. After all, with the outstanding surprise of the last time, All the ministers knew that there was another strong challenger among those competing for the throne.
"But Your Highness, although those Tang people belong to the same clan as us, they are foreign citizens after all. If there are any problems, they can only be solved through diplomatic channels, not military means. What's more, are these Tang people racially affected? The threat of purges and whether he asked for protection from the empire are just Li Wufeng's words. We can't confirm it now. However, it is an irrefutable fact that Li Wufeng sent troops without the permission of His Majesty the Emperor. This is extremely bad. If we don't deal with it seriously, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public." There was silence in the hall for a while, and none of the ministers spoke, but the Minister of the Interior, Lu Wenfu, stood up and retorted, which surprised everyone else.
"Yes, what Mr. Lu said is true. Using a flimsy reason as an excuse to send troops to a foreign country and creating a powerful enemy out of thin air for the empire, Li Wufeng's behavior is really audacious. This time we sent troops to Luzon, we are here Although we do not understand the local situation, we can also analyze that there will be two results. The first one is that the Kingdom of Pasha and the Principality of Komini have already planned and caught Luzon by surprise, which may lead to the destruction of Luzon. If Li Wufeng intervenes at this time, he will undoubtedly seize food from the tiger's mouth, which will definitely lead to a bad relationship between the empire and these two countries, seriously affecting our diplomatic situation in the northwest. Another possibility is that Luzon has been prepared for it and its national strength is not weak. Withstanding the attacks of the two countries, the war situation is in a stalemate. Maybe Li Wufeng can take advantage at this time, but once Luzon and the two countries make peace and end the war, then the Luzon people will definitely turn their guns and aim at this backside. If Li Wufeng inserts the knife, we will also face hostility and military pressure from the Luzon people." The one who agreed with Lu Wenfu's opinion was Vice Minister of Military Affairs Peake who had just spoken.
What Peake said was reasonable and well-founded, and many ministers in the palace who did not know much about military issues nodded in agreement.
"As far as I know, Li Wufeng is domineering in the northwest region, causing anger and resentment. I heard that his relationship with the surrounding Luobi people and the countries in the Western Regions is not harmonious. On the contrary, his relationship with the traitor Sun Yuanliang seems to be somewhat ambiguous. I don't know about him. What the hell are you doing?" The next person to come out to denounce was the Minister of Justice, Sidon. He had long been dissatisfied with Li Wufeng's rapid rise to the top. In addition, Li Wufeng's fierce fighting with the lower-level people in the empire made the traditional tradition represented by him and Ning Yuanwang even more difficult. The aristocracy was deeply disgusted. "He also granted citizenship rights to the Gaoyue barbarians living in the Hengduan Mountains without authorization, saying that these barbarians enjoy the same rights as citizens of other ethnic groups in his territory. This is simply lawless."
Seeing Situ Mingyue's face darken, Minister of Military Affairs He Zhiqiu interrupted Sidon: "Master Sidon, today we are discussing Li Wufeng's sending troops to Luzon. We can leave other matters for later. Let's get down to business."
After saluting Situ Mingyue, He Zhiqiu continued: "I also think that Li Wufeng's matter is a bit out of line. The use of force against foreign countries is the core power of the central government of the country. It must be decided by His Majesty the Emperor. No one else has the right to do so at any time." This power. Let’s not talk about whether the Tang people and other ethnic minorities in Luzon request the protection of the empire. Even if they do, it is their own country’s affairs and has no direct relationship with the empire. Of course, as Tang people who are of the same line as us, if Its interests have been threatened or violated, and we should pay moral attention to it, but we can only solve it through diplomatic means or other means, and we must not resort to force. What's more, the current surrounding situation of the empire is not optimistic. It can be said that with The word "sinister" is not an exaggeration to describe it, but it is ridiculous to make enemies for no reason. I sincerely request that your majesty punish Li Wufeng's behavior resolutely and severely."
After saying that, He Zhiqiu quietly retreated, and there was a deathly silence in the hall. The only thing that could be heard was the breathing of the ministers.
Situ Mingyue, who had been silent for a long time, slowly asked: "Do you still have different opinions?"
"Father, I will never agree with what everyone just said!" Situ Lang, who had been silent for a long time, finally stood up again. Originally, he wanted to observe the situation. If the situation was not right, he would no longer argue for Li Wufeng, but he He found out that his sixth brother Situ Biao spared no effort to defend Li Wufeng, which made him change his mind again.
"Tell me your reasons." Situ Mingyue still looked that unhurried.
"Just now, all the ministers said that Li Wufeng used the army without authorization and used force against foreign countries. He not only despised the power of your father, but also made enemies out of thin air. I hold negative opinions on both of the charges they said. The so-called contempt of the power of my father. , using the army without authorization depends on the situation. If an enemy invades our country and retreats under our counterattack, will our army be helpless and wait for the central government's decision because the enemy has retreated to one side of their border? I'm afraid that by then It has already passed the third autumn, not to mention that Li Wufeng is the military and political envoy of a county. The so-called military and political affairs refer to military affairs and government affairs, which means that he has certain temporary disposal rights within a certain range. As far as I know, Li Wufeng He did not declare war on Luzon on behalf of the empire, so there is no such thing as overstepping his authority, and he also reported the situation to the empire at the same time, so I think the first charge is not true at all."
His eloquent rebuttal, detailed and credible arguments, and amiable tone immediately won the approval of some ministers. Situ Lang continued his efforts: "As for invading other countries and establishing strong enemies for the empire, it seems that we have not received any advice from Lu so far. The Grand Duchy of Song Dynasty said in its diplomatic negotiations that it had invaded their country, and there was nothing to protest against it. Even the master didn’t object to it, so why are we making a fuss there?!"
As soon as these words came out, they immediately caused a discussion among the officials in the palace. Yes, if even the Luzon people themselves did not object or protest, and a group of them were quarreling over there, wouldn't it be a bit unfounded? Everyone looked at the Imperial Foreign Minister Saliden, who was standing fifth from the left.
"Sa Ai Qing, I wonder if there is any reaction from the diplomatic envoys of the Grand Duchy of Luzon to our country?" Situ Mingyue also turned his attention to Saliden.
Salidon hurriedly came out: "Your Majesty, the envoy of the Grand Duchy of Luzon to our country has no response. I have talked to him personally. He only said that he was invaded by the Kingdom of Pasha and the Principality of Komini. He hopes that we can win international recognition. The public called for an armistice and settlement of disputes through diplomatic channels, but there was no mention of Li Wufeng's march into Northern Luzon. I don't know if he didn't understand the situation or if he was instructed by their central government to not mention it on purpose."
"It's been happening for so long. It's impossible to say that he didn't know about it. In my opinion, it's probably because their government didn't ask him to get involved in this matter. Maybe there's something else involved that I can't tell." He then added: Deputy Foreign Minister Jing Zezhong.
"In this case, we are thousands of miles away and don't know much about the situation there. Anyway, the end of the year is approaching. I suggest that we recall Li Wufeng and let him return to the imperial capital to report on his duties. At the same time, let him explain the reasons and reasons for sending troops to Northern Luzon. The situation will be dealt with later." Seeing the stalemate between the two sides, even His Majesty the Emperor was a little embarrassed, so Finance Minister Tian Yi, who was very good at guessing his superiors, came out to smooth things over.
The ministers in the palace also felt that the matter was difficult to decide for the moment, so they all turned their attention to Situ Mingyue, who was sitting high on the throne. After thinking for a moment, Situ Mingyue nodded, "Tian Aiqing's opinion is in my opinion. The General Administration of Administration issued a document to recall Li Wufeng back to the imperial capital. Report on the work, wait for him to understand the situation after returning to the imperial capital, and then deal with it according to the actual situation."
Seeing that His Majesty the Emperor had made a decision, Ning Yuanwang and Xidun on the left, and He Zhiqiu and Lu Wenfu, all exchanged feelings with each other. The former had some regrets and was full of unwillingness, while the latter was full of regrets and worries.
In Mengdan City, the capital of the Pasha Kingdom, there is the splendid Jixiang Palace.
"The Tanghe people have occupied Vito City?!" Paul I, who had his hands behind his back, frowned and slowly walked around the room covered with precious Jeral jacquard embroidered carpets. There were two other people standing in the room. There was no sound from the side, "This Li Wufeng has a very sensitive nose, and he moves fast enough. He actually captured Vito City in a week."
"Your Majesty, in order to defend us, the people of Luzon have mobilized all their elite troops to the south along the Salween River. Northern Luzon is already relatively remote and has a more complicated population composition. In contrast, the central and southern parts of Luzon are Maybe they think that even if they lose the north, it won't matter to the overall situation. Once the Salween River defense line is lost, the destruction of Luzon will be imminent. Brundtland still knows who is more important and who is less important." Kutuzov, with a solemn face, said solemnly.
"According to the opinion of the general, should we temporarily slow down the intensity of the attack from the north so that the people of Luzon can have more energy to deal with the people of Tanghe?" asked another middle-aged man standing next to him. He is Pasha. Haig, the Kingdom's Minister of State, was also the right-hand man of King Paul I like Kutuzov. This civil and military power plus the king formed the power triangle at the top of the Pasha Kingdom's politics.
"No, now the people of Luzon have been scared out of their wits by our army. In addition, the Comini people are attacking fiercely in the west, and Li Wufeng's strength is limited and it is impossible to drive south, so no matter how we behave, they will not Draw troops and go north." Shaking his head, Kutuzov said with a wry smile, "And I estimate that the Luzon people may still make peace with the Tanghe people in order to concentrate their efforts on us and the Komini people."
At this point, Kutuzov's expression suddenly changed, "No!"
"What's wrong?" the other two asked in unison.
"I overlooked one point. Li Wufeng will definitely not only send troops into Northeast Luzon. I suspect that he will definitely send troops into Northeast Luzon. That would put the Komini people in danger." Kutuzov's face suddenly became a little ugly. .
"With the Green Sea Swamp as a barrier, even if the Tanghe people enter the northwest, they will not pose much of a threat to the Komini people." Haig was not very good at military affairs and was a little confused.
"Lord Haig, you don't know something. Now the Komini army has penetrated hundreds of kilometers west of Luzon, and its supply line is also very long. Once the Tanghe people sneak attack their supply line, and the Komini people are unprepared, At this point, I'm afraid there will be serious consequences." The more Kutuzov thought about it, the more frightened he became.
"Then will Li Wufeng attack the Comini people for the Luzon people? At least at this stage, the Luzon people are still their enemies. It will probably take some time for them to form an alliance." Haig also thought of this, but he I don’t think the two sides will collude so quickly.
"No, this Li Wufeng's behavior cannot be based on ordinary theories. I have carefully studied this person and found that this person has unexpected actions whether he is marching, fighting or governing the place." Kutuzov shook his head and replied.
"Immediately send someone to inform the Komini people as quickly as possible, asking them to be careful about their supply lines and beware of sneak attacks by the Tanghe people." The king, who had been silent all this time, made a quick decision.
"Report! Urgent report from the front line!" There was a rapid knock on the door.
The three people in the room looked at each other in surprise. The door opened. Kutuzov took the letter presented by the guard and glanced at it. Although his face did not change color, it was not difficult to tell that he was shocked.
"The Komini people's important supply station on the western front was attacked and burned down by an army of unknown origin three days ago, causing heavy losses in food, grass, and siege equipment."
Just two sentences, but it was like a heavy hammer falling on the hearts of three people.
"It seems that we have all underestimated this guy." He sighed softly, and the king, who had always been free and easy, was also a little frustrated.