Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 624 Strategy

Chapter 620 Three

"War is a continuation of politics, and politics is inseparable from economic interests. Of course, this also includes geopolitics, religion, ethnic conflicts, etc., but in the end it is interests. As long as there are conflicts of interests, there will be conflicts."

"And the essence of war is the conflict of interests among interest groups..."

His Majesty Li Er looked serious, looking at Fang Jun who was talking eloquently in front of him, there was a twinkle in his eyes, and an indescribable shock!

He is already looking up to Fang Jun. After all, the improvement that this kid has shown in the past two years is far beyond his expectations. In the past, who would have believed that this dull, ignorant dude could suddenly become A supernova that attracted the attention of the entire Tang Shilin?

Such a turn around is so gorgeous that it blinds people's eyes!
But His Majesty Li Er only now knows that he still underestimated Fang Jun's strength...

Throughout history, human society has been accompanied by wars.It can even be said that almost all history books use war as the outline. Without war, there would be no history.

But from ancient times to the present, which sages and philosophers can analyze the essence of war so clearly?
Simply brilliant!

This kid really has the talent of Zaifu!What kind of brilliance will it radiate if one can reach such a level at such an age?

Sandalwood was burning in the Dragon Hall, and the fine rain outside beat on the glass window, making a slight sound, and the rain gathered into a stream, rendering the scenery outside the window distorted and abstract.

This is the first rain this spring, fine and long.

Fang Jun straightened his back, knelt and sat opposite His Majesty Li Er, and carefully described his strategy for the Western Regions and Tubo.

"The ancient silk road in the Western Regions, linking the east and the west, is the main road between the Tang Dynasty and the western countries. It must be firmly in the hands of the empire, and it must not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Turks. However, I do not recommend directly sending troops. It is extremely costly to station in the countries of the Western Regions, and the treasury cannot bear the military supplies of a large number of troops, even if the countries of the Western Regions bear part of it, it is far from enough."

His Majesty Li Er nodded slowly, and asked: "So, you devised two plans, 'Sheep Shearing' and 'Highland Barley Wine', targeting the countries of the Western Regions and Tubo respectively, hoping to use economic interests to win them over to the Tang Dynasty ?”

Fang Jun sent a flattery: "Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and his candle shines thousands of miles away. This little trick of this humble minister can only fool those barbarians. It is all under His Majesty's control."

His Majesty Li Er gave Fang Jun an angry look.

This little bastard has outstanding talent, it is no exaggeration to say that he has the talent of "the world", but he does not have the strength of character of those famous officials in the history books, and he speaks flattering words as soon as he opens his mouth. This is simply a sycophantic official!
Of course, he didn't get carried away by Fang Jun's flattery, and there was another reason that made him feel rather depressed...

"In your opinion, if I conquer Goguryeo in the future, I will have to use this method to achieve control?"

His Majesty Li Er's face was a little gloomy.

He wanted to conquer Goguryeo so that he could achieve the unfinished feat of Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty and achieve the eternal supremacy of one emperor through the ages. Finally, step on Goguryeo under your feet, and let Goguryeo become the territory of Datang for generations!
Although he also admits that Fang Jun's strategy is a strategy for seeking the country, His Majesty Li Er, who is so happy with his achievements, is not at ease...

How could Fang Jun not know His Majesty Li Er's thoughts?
His Majesty the emperor wanted to take Goguryeo for himself...

Quickly said: "No, no, I think that Goguryeo is completely different from the Western Regions and Tubo. If you occupy the whole Goguryeo, you can support a branch of the royal family as king, or even a certain minister with a certain status as king, and form a puppet court. Accept the command of the Tang Dynasty. It can even completely abolish the Goguryeo royal family, and merge Goguryeo as a whole into the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Since then, there will be no Goguryeo in the world.”

His Majesty Li Er was puzzled and asked: "No matter what it is, a large number of troops need to be stationed in Goguryeo. Isn't it the same hidden danger as stationing troops in the Western Regions?"

Fang Jun shook his head and said, "It's completely different, Your Majesty."

When His Majesty Li Er heard that he could occupy Goguryeo, his mood improved, and he beckoned his servants to serve him and Fang Jun with tea, and then he said seriously: "I would like to hear more about it."

The sound of rain outside the window is like the sound of nature.

The old eunuch Wang De offered the tea in person. Hearing His Majesty Li Er's words, he looked at Fang Jun in surprise and was shocked in his heart.

He has served His Majesty Li Er for many years and knows the emperor's temperament very well.

Such a proud emperor said to Fang Jun, a yellow-mouthed child who had not yet been crowned weak, such obvious words as "I would like to hear more about him", which meant that in the emperor's heart, Fang Jun was equated with Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng and other important court officials looked at it.

This Fang Erlang is really not easy...

Fang Jun didn't drink tea, he secretly rubbed his numb legs, kneeling and sitting in this position, he is really not used to it...

"Your Majesty clearly learned that Goguryeo is not the same as the Western Regions. The Western Regions are vast, with 36 countries operating independently and relying on each other. From the Central Plains to the Western Regions, there are poor mountains, bad waters, swamps and deserts. The road is too long and harsh. Once the troops are stationed, they must be guaranteed. The smooth flow of grain roads, such a long distance, such a difficult environment, is really too difficult. And once the situation changes and the grain roads are cut off, all the troops stationed in the Western Regions will be left alone and the Central Plains will be cut off. It is easy to cut off the grain roads , but it is even more difficult to get through, and you have to pay ten times and a hundred times the price. Therefore, the Western Regions are not suitable for garrisoning troops."

Fang Jun explained patiently.

He will never forget that in history, during the Anshi Rebellion, the grain roads of the Western Regions were cut off by the Turks, which left the Protectorate of the Western Regions alone for 45 years, and eventually the entire army was wiped out.

At that time, the rebel army was powerful and powerful, and within half a year they captured Luoyang and Chang'an one after another, forcing Xuanzong to flee.During the escape of the Tang royal family, Prince Li Heng launched a mutiny in Maweipo, killed Prime Minister Yang Guozhong and Concubine Yang, and then ascended the throne in Lingwu, known as Tang Suzong in history.In order to quell the rebellion, Tang Suzong transferred the Northwest Frontier Army back to the division, and the troops under Anxi and Beiting Jiedushi who guarded the Western Regions were also transferred to the inland in large numbers.

The return of the frontier army played a major role in the Tang Dynasty's final victory in the Anshi Rebellion, but doing so also caused the Tang Dynasty to lose control of the Hexi area.Tubo has coveted the Hexi region for a long time. When the Tang Dynasty transferred the defenders in the Hexi region back to the Central Plains, Tubo took the opportunity to send troops to attack the Hexi Corridor. Under such circumstances, the Western Regions farther away from the Tang Dynasty were preserved instead. The prosperous Hexi area fell into the hands of Tubo.

At that time, there were still defenders of the Tang Dynasty in the Western Regions. After the fall of Hexi, their connection with the Central Plains court was cut off by Tubo, and they became a lone army.However, the defenders of the Western Regions still followed Tang Zhengshuo, stood firm in the Western Regions, and resolutely refused to surrender to Tubo.

After 783, there was another rebellion in the Tang Dynasty. In order to borrow troops from Tubo to quell the rebellion, Tang Dezong ceded the Western Regions to Tubo.This order did not spread to the Western Regions, and the defenders of the Tang Dynasty still insisted on performing their duties and stationed in the Western Regions.The defenders of the Western Regions fought alone without the help of reinforcements, and finally lost to the Tubo army, and the whole army was wiped out...

What Fang Jun didn't say clearly is that once the Central Plains changes and the national power is exhausted, there will be no spare power to control the Western Regions, and it makes no difference if it is occupied or not.

Seeing His Majesty Li Er's pensive expression, Fang Jun said again: "What's more, compared with the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, all the tribes in the Western Regions are better at cavalry combat. The entire road from the Central Plains to the Western Regions is under the control of the Western Regions. Once there is a change, it will be too dangerous to use the weaknesses of the Tang army to resist the strengths of the cavalry of the Western Regions."

His Majesty Li Er nodded in agreement: "It is true that there are many hidden dangers. But why is Goguryeo different? If you garrison troops in Pyongyang, wouldn't it still be a long road with many mountains and rivers?"

During this period, Liaodong was not developed. Although it was occupied by Goguryeo, such a group of ethnic groups originated from the mountains and forests of the Northeast.

It may be closer from the Central Plains to Goguryeo than to the Western Regions, but the conditions along the way are not much better.Especially the bitter cold in Liaodong, half of the year is extremely cold, which especially affects the transportation of military resources.

(End of this chapter)