Li Zhi, who gave up questioning Zhang Jianzhi, glanced dissatisfied at Li Hong, who followed the example of the old ministers who closed their eyes and meditated in the main hall, and lightly hummed: "Why?"
When the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty asked questions, it was obvious that every minister in the palace knew who he was asking. Someone also knew who he was asking. He took a step forward and walked out from between Zhongshu Ling and the provincial ministers. He first saluted his father Long. , and then started talking.
"I know that many people here hope that we, the Tang Dynasty, can send troops to help the country recover, thereby demonstrating the majesty of our country, but have you ever thought about it? Even I escaped in embarrassment from the cavalry of the white-robed and rich people. Colleagues, do you think that with the current strength of the Tang Dynasty, can we really help it recover? Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla in Liaodong are now like a mudflat that we are trapped in and cannot extricate ourselves from. If We are continuing to use troops to fight against the invaders. How long do you think it will take? How many troops will be needed? How much money will it cost? The last one is what you are most concerned about. Even if we help the Tang Dynasty recover, Can the reputation really be higher than it is now? Will this cause Anxi, which has not really settled down, to rebel against the Tang Dynasty again? "
"Don't talk too long, just be simple and express your opinion." Li Zhi was very dissatisfied with Li Hong's unwillingness to send troops to help Belus recover his country.
The Tang Dynasty is now at its peak, and it is also the best time for me, as the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, to show off his civil and military skills in front of the world. However, he, the unsatisfactory prince, has always been against him on this matter. .
As the Protectorate of Anxi, he does have a certain say, and what he says is indeed worthy of careful reference and consideration. However, in the past few years, Anxi has been unstoppable under his rule, with its military strength at its peak, and its influence on other foreign countries. With the power of words, is it so difficult to help Belus regain his kingdom and make the Tang Dynasty's prestige further flourish
"My son disagrees." Li Hong looked at Father Long's dissatisfied look and said briefly and clearly.
Feeling the pair of dragon eyes staring at him, he had no choice but to add again: "One: No money. Two: No soldiers. Three: The time, place and people are favorable, and we don't take advantage of it. Let me tell my father, the reason is over."
"No money? Yesterday, who kicked out 1.8 million taels of silver notes in his pocket! A hundred gold leaves! Went to participate in a leisurely poetry meeting? Who spent 80,000 taels of silver to buy that Chang'an flower shop? The four great courtesans gave it to their favorite woman to serve as a maid? One million eight hundred thousand taels! Even if I leave the palace, I have never brought that much money! And you have no soldiers, and Anxi is now under the rule of Tubo. The strength of the army is almost 100,000. Is this because the right time, place and people are right? We, the mighty Tang Dynasty, are helping the Prince of Persia to restore the country. How can we not take advantage of the right time, place and people? Li held the ink pen and asked coldly.
"The four towns of Anxi are empty-handed and look majestic, and Tubo is even more so. It seems that it has surrendered to the territory of the Tang Dynasty, but it is still eager to break away and counterattack the Tang Dynasty. Dai Zhide, Ma Zai, and Pei Xingjian The three of them are now struggling in Tubo, and they are often constrained and squeezed by others in the Tubo court. The people are in dire straits due to the conquest of Tubo, and they are now about to become angry and resentful. Liu Zhao is happy for this, hoping to be able to control it when the Tang Dynasty cannot effectively control it. , can enter Tubo, and even some princes and nobles in Tubo have secretly contacted Liuzhao and want to join forces to drive away our Tang garrison. Therefore, given that Tubo is now unstable, it is really impossible for me to help it recover. " Li Hong. Not giving in an inch, the ministers were frightened. This was the first time they saw His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince having such a verbal exchange in the court hall.
Li Zhi lost his temper after Li Hong's words. It's not like he didn't know that Tubo is currently surrounded by crises and is unstable. Princess Wencheng seems to be eating fast and chanting Buddha in Chang'an, and has no ears to hear about the world's affairs. Transporting food, sending money, and even some glass, cement and other craftsmanship are enough to show that when the people don't have enough to eat, all crises exist.
"Your Highness, please forgive me for being presumptuous. If Tubo and Anxi are really as unstable as Your Highness said, can we temporarily give up on Tubo and instead devote all our efforts to restoring the kingdom of the Prince of Persia?" Yan Zhaofu suddenly stood up and said .
"Impossible! As for the reason, you are not qualified to know. It is enough for you to take care of your Imperial College and Hongwen Hall. Matters in the court should be handled by ministers who participate in political discussions."
"Your Highness, I am of the third rank under Tong Zhongshu, whom Your Majesty receives. I... I have the right to..."
"Isn't it good to focus on your studies? Why do you have to participate in politics? Yan Zhaofu, you are now in charge of the Imperial College and the Hongwen Hall at the same time. Shouldn't you focus more on how to cultivate people with lofty ideals for the Tang Dynasty? Instead of participating in the political affairs of the court? If you specialize in martial arts, have you ever fought in a war, or have you been to Anxi, or have you traveled across the mountains and ridges of Tocharo, and reached Jiling City controlled by Bai Yi Da Shi? I mean, you come back and you only care about the Tang Dynasty and take it as your mission to educate and enrich the people of the world. So tell me, do you know what the average age of the largest military force in the Tang Dynasty is? How old are they, and how old is the youngest? Do you know this? You have only seen the vast number of soldiers in our Tang Dynasty, but have you ever thought about the remaining soldiers in our Tang Dynasty after years of fighting? , most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled? When these people go to the battlefield, do you intend to let the enemy perform meritorious service, or do you want to reduce the burden of our country's food shortage and let more of these soldiers die on the battlefield? Yan Zhaofu was so angry that he had no words to refute the unreasonable and heart-breaking words, his lips were trembling but he didn't know what to say!
Especially the last sentence, which almost made Yan Zhaofu faint with anger. The old minister has been conscientious and conscientious all his life. He has spent his whole life making suggestions and suggestions for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Now he is slandered by His Highness the Crown Prince as a violent and immoral person. , how can I bear it!
But Li Hong seemed to be unable to see Yan Zhaofu's livid expression, and continued to press forward: "To be a scholar, it is not enough to be a person who only knows how to understand, but it is to make use of the students in your hands and the knowledge in your mind to help me. The Tang Dynasty cultivates people with lofty ideals, and at the same time, it also allows you to analyze the flaws and shortcomings of the Tang Dynasty's current prosperity! It is not for you to stand on the court and not understand the people's livelihood and soldiers. Under such circumstances, it is a place to talk nonsense! Not only Yan Zhaofu, but also all of you officials who have been in the court for a long time are all pampered. In the court, how many of you really know the sufferings of the people? After the famine, what will the people use to sow seeds? What will they eat to satisfy their hunger? The canal is now filled with silt and the river is frozen. Have you ever thought about how to solve the problem of transporting grain from Jiangnan to Guanzhong? What should the people of Guanzhong eat after the spring begins? What should they plant? Have you ever thought about this? Don’t always wait until something happens before you think of a solution. What I want is to predict and solve it in advance, so that I can truly show myself. The majesty of the Tang Dynasty and the loyal behavior of all officials!"
Including Li Zhi, everyone couldn't help but fall into deep thought after hearing Li Hong's series of urgent and angry words. Yes, this year's autumn harvest has caught up with the drought. Thanks to the emergency mechanism jointly formulated by Chongwen Museum and the Ministry of Household Affairs, This will not lead to a situation in Guanzhong where the people have nothing to eat.
But as His Highness said, will the grain transported from the south to the three warehouses in Luoyang be able to sustain the coming year? Even if it can last until the canal thaws and the silt is cleared
If it's okay, but if it can't be sustained until the canal thaws, what should we do then? What will it be like in Guanzhong? People are in dire straits? Or wealthy and healthy
Li Zhi looked at Li Hong, who was standing proudly, with a gloomy look. The corners of his mouth moved, but in the end he didn't speak anymore. As for the matter of Belus, it seems that it can only be postponed later. It cannot be done when the people of Guanzhong are in dire straits. , but also use up all the troops to restore the country!
"Dismiss the court!" Li Zhi snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and was the first to get up and walk out.
Li Hong glanced at the angry figure of Father Long walking away quickly, and said loudly: "Everyone, what I said is not a sensational lie. If you don't believe me, go and see for yourselves. Run two hundred miles out of Chang'an City. , look at other states and counties, don’t always sing praises in Chang’an, or you will all be dismissed by His Majesty.”
After saying that, someone irresponsibly rushed out. Father Long's injured heart was comforted. I don't know why these days, I have been thinking about martial arts and martial arts. I don't want to be the emperor in Chang'an and command the world. I always think about it. Wear armor and go into battle to expand your territory.
"Father, father, father, stay, stay, stay." Li Hong ran two steps quickly, looked at Hua Ji who was standing in front of him, and kicked him away without saying a word.
"What do you mean, Father, you are really angry. I know that I was having fun just now and what I said was a bit serious, but..."
"How dare I be angry with Lord Shangshu Ling? Only you, Lord Shangshu Ling, think of and plead for the people in the court. I and other ministers are all people who have no regard for the common people in the world. They are all sinners." Li Zhi groaned and said sourly after being stopped by Li Hong.
"Look, aren't you still angry? That's not what I meant. It's not that you don't understand me. What I want to say is that now is not the time to expand our territory to the west. Just like the Tang Dynasty, it was at its peak. Wouldn't it be ridiculous to try to attack others without knowing them at this time? Moreover, it is freezing cold in Liaodong, and the soldiers on the frontier are suffering from severe cold. There is no sign of this battle being over anytime soon..."
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me what you want to tell me!" Li Zhi pushed away Li Hong who was blocking him and continued to walk forward. He wanted to complain to the queen.
(End of chapter)