On the banks of the Weishui River, 300,000 troops camped for hundreds of miles, and civilians gathered like clouds of snails, horses, and ants. Someone looked down from Zhongnan Mountain and saw that this large military camp was as big as Chang'an!
Fang Xuanling and others in charge of logistics know best. For this personal expedition, the emperor brought out all the grain and grass stored in Taicang, Chang'an. Just the food and grass alone, if all piled up, would be almost as big as the entire Tai Chi Hall. This does not include other weapons, armor, equipment and supplies! -And this food and grass is not enough to feed the 300,000 troops and 180,000 civilians for the first half of the year.
There have been many wars in recent years, and Chang'an's granary has almost been emptied. However, the prosperity and solid family background of the Tang Dynasty showed its value at this time.
Li Shimin quoted words from the "Book of Sui" compiled by Wei Zheng and others, and said to the ministers: "A country without a reserve of nine years is said to be insufficient; a country without a reserve of six years is said to be in a hurry; a country without a reserve of three years is said to be without a country. Don't use the excuse of "insufficient money and food" to prevent my imperial commander from marching in person - isn't there still countless food and grass stored in the Heluo area? Even the former Sui Dynasty still had food and grass stored in Mengjin's Heyangcang, Huiluocang and Baiya. I have also stored grain in Henan Granary and Hanjia Granary in Luoyang. What is the purpose of storing grain? Now that the country is in trouble, do we still let the soldiers go into battle hungry? The power of the Central Plains and the richness of the Tang Dynasty are unimaginable to them! Fang Xuanling once said that all that is needed in a war is money and food. If he abandons his clan and becomes a praiseworthy person, what will he do to fight with me? If you go to Luoyang to collect food, you must ensure that the army brings three years of food and grass!"
No one was speechless.
After so many years of founding the country, it can be said that Li Shimin, the emperor, has always been very 'diligent and diligent in running the family'. But now, he has actually decided to "squander" his fortune!
In the face of major events, Li Shimin once again demonstrated his unparalleled determination and courage.
If the general is doubtful, the army will be timid; if the emperor is confused, the officials will be frightened.
vice versa.
Even though they still had different thoughts and opinions in their hearts, no one jumped out to criticize or stop this war from happening. The whole government and the people of the country have worked together to deal with this unprecedented "national war"!
There were only two days left before the expedition date set by the emperor. The grain and grass in the warehouses in the Heluo area were finally shipped in time; the fighting horses and the troops were also properly prepared; the officers and soldiers of the three armies and the accompanying officials were also at their posts. Just waiting for Li Shimin's order to be issued, the 300,000-strong army was about to set off and rush to The Great Battle of Kansai.
In the Wude Hall of Tai Chi Palace, in the Imperial Study Room.
Li Shimin asked his attendant to fetch his favorite Mingguang battle frame, propped it up on the armor stand, and was wiping it carefully himself.
At first glance, one can tell that this armor seems to have been around for some time, and is quite inferior to any pair of bright light armor stored in the Ordnance Department. But Li Shimin only loved this armor and kept it as a treasure. He took it out from time to time to watch and wiped and maintained it himself, and never passed it on to others.
At that time, it was wearing this armor that he defeated Wang Shichong in Luoyang and established Li Tang's hegemony in one fell swoop. It was also wearing this armor that he, Qin Shubao, Cheng Zhijie and other tiger generals, carried only 3,500 soldiers. The Xuanjia Army rushed into Dou Jiande's 100,000-strong army at Hulao Pass and killed many of them, and finally defeated Dou Jiande's 100,000-strong army and captured him alive!
Now, the young genius commander who led the way in front of Hulao Pass and created a shocking military myth is now the king of a country, and he also has the trademark poop belly and long flowing beard of middle-aged and elderly men.
But the armor still retains the scars of the sword from the fight that year.
"In peace, don't forget about martial arts. I'm not old yet, and the Tang Dynasty will never be old." While wiping his armor, Li Shimin chanted softly, and Xu Xu said, "The armor is still there, but the people have gone... Back then, they followed me in the south and north. How many of the old friends who fought in the battle are still alive? ... Shubao, I want you to behead a general out of a million soldiers, are you willing to accept it?"
Li Shimin was the only one in the Imperial Study Room, speaking quietly to himself, as if he was sad but heroic.
At this moment, someone suddenly broke into the door.
"Bold!" Li Shimin was furious. He was so unreasonable and really disgraced the scenery!
The intruder was also startled, and hurriedly knelt down and said in panic: "Your Majesty, forgive me! Forgive me!... I was so excited that I forgot the gift of the king and my minister. Please be generous and forgive me for the death penalty!"
"Chu Suiliang?" Li Shimin saw the person coming clearly, and half of his anger subsided immediately. Because Chu Suiliang was not only his confidant, but also always steady and sophisticated, never a reckless person who did not know etiquette. What could make him so panicked and indescribable must be a shocking event!
"Your Majesty, please—" Chu Suiliang knelt on the ground, trembling with excitement, and his voice changed a bit. He didn't care about begging for mercy at the moment, and said anxiously, "Weichen just received a... one from Lanzhou. Military News!"
After saying that, Chu Suiliang raised a memorial wrapped in yellow silk high above his head.
When Li Shimin saw this memorial for the first time, his expression froze on the spot, and his pupils narrowed sharply.
Yellow silk memorials have always been presented exclusively to the emperor for inspection, and even the prime minister has no right to read them. However, not everyone can do this. The emperor must personally grant the privilege of "direct petition" - and the entire In Lanzhou, Li Shimin only gave Qin Mubai such power! !
As a close confidant of the emperor, Chu Suiliang certainly knew this very well.
"Bah!"
Li Shimin threw away the cloth and silk used to wipe his armor with one hand, strode forward, stretched out his hand, and almost snatched the memorial from Chu Suiliang's hand.
The yellow silk was removed, and a thick stack of military reports and memorials were contained in a brocade wooden box. Just when he saw the words Qi Zhang raised his head, Li Shimin couldn't stop breathing rapidly -
"The guilty minister, Qin Liang, the general manager of the Guanxi Road March, Fu Weibai paid homage to His Majesty the Emperor, paused and cried -"
…
Chu Suiliang knelt on the ground, raised his head cautiously, and saw Li Shimin standing like this, his eyes as wide as bells, reading the memorial word for word, reading it at least three times. During this period, Li Shimin's beard kept trembling slightly, and his expression was ever-changing.
Chu Suiliang knew that this was most likely a military report sent by Qin Mubai, but wasn't Qin Mubai dead? ... He was pounding in his heart, but he didn't dare to ask, and he didn't dare to get up from his knees. This kneeling lasted for half an hour.
"Chu Suiliang, get up." Li Shimin finally came to his senses, and there was a person kneeling in front of him.
"Thank you... Your Majesty." Chu Suiliang struggled to get up and smiled bitterly.
"There is a reason for everything. I have just punished you for breaking into the palace." Feeling a little bit out of place, Li Shimin laughed at himself, his demeanor and tone had returned to normal, and he said to Chu Suiliang, "Immediately pass on the decree, all officials Go to court!"
"Now?"
"immediately!"
"Wei Chen obeys the order!!"
When leaving the Imperial Study Room, Chu Suiliang felt that his knees were weak and his whole body was weak, but there was a storm in his heart that could not be calmed down. Although he couldn't guess what was written in this yellow silk memorial, he was sure that today's court meeting would be another - earth-shattering!
An hour later, inside the golden palace of Wude Hall.
Li Shimin, who was wearing a dragon robe, sat high under the dragon chair, glanced at the ministers below who were holding their breath and suspicious, and broke the silence and said loudly -
"I suddenly summoned all the ministers here because I have something important to announce. Moreover, it must be announced now, and it cannot be delayed for a moment."
All the ministers were stunned - the emperor was actually betraying him
Everyone raised their eyes slightly in confusion, and cautiously took a peek at the aloof emperor. They saw that his face was red and full of energy, and in his hand, he was holding a thick memorial - a yellow silk memorial!
"Listen up." Li Shimin suddenly spoke in a high-pitched voice, which frightened the ministers in the hall.
"What I want to announce is that I will not go to the imperial chariot to fight in person."
"ah?-"
The whole hall exclaimed; except Chu Suiliang, almost everyone was dumbfounded.
There were hundreds of people present, and everyone had guessed several reasons in their minds, but no one guessed this one correctly!
Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne with a mysterious and playful smile on his face, watching the surprised expressions of the civil and military officials of the court.
Although the crowd was filled with doubts and speculations, Li Shi did not stop him and looked quite satisfied. After a long time, the court finally became quiet. Everyone's eyes widened and their ears pricked up, waiting for the emperor to give a reasonable reason for first ordering the world to commit to a decisive battle, and then suddenly canceling the imperial conquest.
If this reason is unreasonable, even if Li Shimin's power has reached its peak, it will inevitably arouse resentment and anger!
"I know that all the ministers are waiting for me to give a reason for breaking my promise." Li Shimin reached out and patted the yellow silk memorial on the imperial case, and said, "Actually, my reason is very simple - to kill the chicken. Why do you need to add more to a weak sword? Someone has already beaten the Gar Qinling to death and destroyed half of the fate of Tubo. Why should I join in the fun and strive for credit? "
"ah?!"
Once again, the whole house was in an uproar!
Li Shimin raised his hand to signal the ministers to stop making noise, then stood up from the dragon chair, walked down to the Golden Palace with the yellow silk memorial in hand, and said: "Just like when Li Yaoshi defeated the Turks and captured Jieli Khan alive. At that time, have I ever left this Tai Chi Palace? - Now even Medicine Master Li has not left Chang'an. There are still people who can achieve such unparalleled achievements! There are many talented people in the Tang Dynasty, such as Li Medicine Master. There is more than one rare hero? Therefore, even the ministers and generals can do it, why do I need to do it myself? - So, I will not go to the imperial conquest."
Li Shimin is determined to sell out today. The ministers were confused and anxious, and they all seemed to have their hearts scratched. Everyone stared at the yellow silk memorial in his hand, and finally someone couldn't help but ask - "I wonder who the 'rare hero' your Majesty refers to is?"
"The general manager of the Guanxi Road March, Qin Mubai."
Eleven words, earth-shattering! …
"Chu Suiliang!"
"Wei Chen is here!"
"You have a good voice, come and recite this memorial in public." Li Shimin's expression was full of joy and heroism, and it could even be said that he was a bit elated, except for the words "I'm so shameless this time." It's written on his face. He said, "Let everyone present hear it clearly and clearly; then, spread the praise to all people in the world!"
"I obey the order!!" Chu Suiliang got out of the train and took the memorial from Li Shimin respectfully and carefully.
"Although I have read it word for word for countless times, I am still willing to share it with you and listen attentively one more time!" After saying that, Li Shimin walked back to his Majesty and sat down on the dragon chair, and said loudly, " Because I have been on the throne for more than ten years and have never seen such a shocking military memorial!"