People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 575 Discussing Silla, drawing salary from the bottom

"I am not Yang Guang, and I will not put Anton's tens of thousands of troops in danger just to start a war with Tubo."

Li Zhi sat on the dragon couch, with a sneer on his cold face: "Let the army continue to be stationed in Xiaocheng, but it will only waste money and food, but if the army retreats rashly, tens of thousands of troops will be wiped out by Silla. The strategy will also be affected, and I can still measure the severity of these."

With the emperor's attitude, although the faces of the officials below did not show it, they couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

The DPRK and China have long planned to withdraw troops from the front line of Silla and end the East Island war, not only to save food consumption, but also to transfer a large number of generals and soldiers from the Andong Governor's Mansion to the western front.

The western front has a vast territory. If these soldiers from the Jiuli war in Silla can be transferred there, the overall strength of the western front army will be greatly enhanced, thereby increasing the chances of winning the war with Tubo.

But if the East Island is defeated, not to mention the damage to the morale of the army, the soldiers on the western front will also need to make up for it from other places, and money and food may not necessarily be saved.

Because once Silla wins in the East Island, it will definitely seize the old place of Goguryeo.

Once the old Goguryeo land falls into the hands of Silla, it will surely threaten the entire Liaodong Province again.

At that time, the entire Liaodong Road will be on alert, recruiting soldiers again, and sorting out food, grass and armaments will also be a huge expense.

It may even affect Hebei Road.

Therefore, it is not easy to withdraw troops.

……

"Your Majesty!" Zhongshu ordered Hao Chujun to bow his hands again, and continued: "But if the front line doesn't withdraw, I'm afraid it will follow Tubo's will. This time Silla's sudden attack may not be because of the Tubo people's instigation."

The important ministers present, including Li Xuan behind, all subconsciously nodded in agreement.

Now the one who is most unwilling to see Datang go all out to prepare for the war on the western front is Tubo.

Therefore, in order to hinder Datang's armament, Tubo secretly colluded with Silla, trying to make Datang fall into a dilemma between east and west.

Li Zhi's face gradually turned pale, he leaned back slightly, and then looked at Hao Chujun indifferently: "Zhong Shuling, what good strategy do you have to solve the current predicament?"

As the order of Zhongshu, it was Hao Chujun's duty to propose a solution to the problem for the emperor to accept advice.

Now, the west has to prepare for war with Tubo, and the east has to withdraw troops successfully, but the Tubo people don't want you to withdraw, and forcibly withdrawing troops will easily cause damage to the army.

But the emperor's meaning is very clear, not only must the western front fight against Tubo, but the eastern front must also successfully withdraw troops.

Especially now that the time is very tight, now it is late September, the weather turns cold, and at the end of October, Liaodong Road is blocked by heavy snow, even if you want to evacuate, you will not be able to evacuate at all.

Hao Chujun seemed to have an idea long ago, and immediately cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, both Tubo and Silla now know that our army is going to retreat north, and they think they are choking our army and trying to destroy our army. The previous method is no longer feasible, what is needed now is to withdraw troops from a new route."

"Waterway?" Li Zhi's eyes lit up, and he understood the meaning of Hao Chujun's words in an instant.

Datang and Silla fought countless times, and the navy used it countless times. However, because the old place of Baekje fell into the hands of Silla, the Datang navy had no foothold on the west coast of the East Island. Changshui and Silla.

"Now that the northwest wind is blowing, it is very convenient to travel by sea, and you don't have to worry about the time to withdraw the troops. Even in December, you can withdraw the troops safely." Hao Chujun stood there talking eloquently, and the emperor and all the officials listened very seriously.

This also includes Li Xuan, but deep down in his heart, Li Xuan couldn't help feeling a little absurd and funny, and at the same time, a little wary.

Hao Chujun's words sounded easy, go to sea in winter, go to the East Island to pick up people, but in fact the action is quite difficult.

Datang has no foothold in the old place of Baekje. If it wants to withdraw its troops, it must establish a foothold on the west coast of the East Island, and it must open up the same road to Maixiao City.

Not only that, although Dengzhou is a winter port that does not freeze, it is not so easy to sail in winter.

Compared with spring and summer, the sea wind and waves are several times stronger in autumn and winter.

Even when there is not much wind and waves, be careful of the sudden fog on the sea.

The thick fog pervading tens of nautical miles above the sea will definitely make you completely lose control of the course.

On the vast sea, accompanied by heavy fog and wind and waves, there is also a cold wave.

Soldiers on board are prone to stiff hands and feet due to the cold wave, which requires a lot of firewood to be carried on board.

Once the firewood is exhausted and the destination cannot be reached, a large number of casualties of soldiers are absolutely unavoidable.

It is even possible that they all died at sea.

Finally, there is sea ice.

Dengzhou Port and several nearby ports may be ice-free ports, but in the old place of Baekje in Silla, ports are hard to find, and it is even more difficult to find an ice-free port that can supply a large number of soldiers to land. problem.

Li Xuan immediately became vigilant, Hao Chujun's proposal to withdraw troops by sea was not a strange move.

Maybe people couldn't think of it at the beginning, but now they should all think of it...

Or maybe they both knew from the start.

Li Zhi turned his head to look at Liu Rengui, and asked in a deep voice: "Master Zuo, if you want to mobilize the navy, how long will it take, where will the navy be mobilized, how long will it take to reach Silla, land, and how long will it take to evacuate the army?" ?”

Liu Rengui fought in the sea battle at Baijiangkou. The tens of thousands of Japanese and Baekje allied forces fought in World War I. He was the most proficient in water warfare in the Tang Dynasty.

After a little thought, Liu Rengui said: "If the navy wants to go to Silla, it must arrive before the end of October. Otherwise, the risk of sailing at sea will increase several times. , Yangzhou, and Hangzhou naval divisions are preparing at the same time, and they will set off in early October. If everything goes well, they will arrive at the old place of Baekje in [-] to [-] days."

Li Xuan was surprised when she heard it from behind. Did it take so long to get from Qingdao to South Korea?

I heard Liu Rengui continue to say: "After the army arrives in Incheon, Silla, travel eastward from Incheon all the way, and you will reach the city of Qichongcheng."

Li Zhi nodded suddenly, his eyes fell on Li Xuan's head involuntarily.

He remembered that when he was in Luoyang, he talked with Li Xuan and mentioned many ports in South Korea.

Li Xuan also felt scalp numb for a while.

……

"Silla's army will besiege Maixiao City and Qichong City. Therefore, after arriving in Silla, it needs to be severely damaged, and then withdraw from the sea calmly. If the weather is smooth and the spring is warm, the army will be ready at the end of January next year. Return to the Tang Dynasty and rest for a while, so as not to delay your majesty's western expedition." After Liu Rengui finished speaking, he took a light breath.

Hao Chujun, Liu Rengui, two important ministers, one civil and one military, within a short period of time, solved the sudden dilemma properly.

Li Zhi nodded in satisfaction, glanced at Empress Wu on one side, and then said: "That's it, do you have anything else to add?"

"Your Majesty." Pei Xingjian, Minister of the Ministry of War, walked out from among the important officials. He bowed his hands to Li Zhi, and then said: "Dengzhou Navy, Hangzhou Navy, and Yangzhou Navy have not conducted long-distance combat for several years. Although the warships It is not in disrepair for a long time, but also needs to be repaired and reinforced. If you want to travel safely, I am afraid that you will not be able to travel in early October, and you will have to wait at least five days."

The maintenance of warships has never been an easy task. If something happens to one part of the ship at sea, it is very likely that the entire ship will be completely submerged.

"Three days, I can only give you three days. On the fourth day of October, the fleet must set off." Li Zhi had to compromise. craftsmen to assist."

"Here!" Pei Xingjian bowed to promise, and then continued: "Your Majesty, the naval forces are now only [-]% of their full strength, and there are other things to do such as the retirement of old soldiers. This time, the Eastern Aid still needs a lot of conscription... Send senior officials to deal with it in person, so as not to delay the departure."

"I've made a note." Li Zhi nodded, and he took note of Pei Xingjian's words, but it's really hard to say who will be sent to handle these matters.

Li Zhi's eyes looked at the people present, and finally his eyes passed over Li Xuan, and then he looked at Liu Boying, Minister of Honglu Temple.

Without the slightest hesitation, Liu Boying, the Minister of Honglu Temple, immediately stood up, cupped his hands to Li Zhi and said, "Your Majesty, since the withdrawal of troops is appropriate, after the war, the vassal relationship between Datang and Silla also needs to be defined. Now Silla Please the criminal envoy is still in Chang'an."

"Order him to leave Chang'an tomorrow, escort him to Dengzhou, and then bring the army back to Silla." A slight sneer appeared on the corner of Li Zhi's mouth, and the disgust deep in his eyes was undisguised.

The identity of Qin Dujiao, the Silla pleading envoy, is really annoying. He pleaded guilty in Chang'an, but Silla actively repaired its military defenses, even secretly instigating the betrayal of Baekje's surrender and attacking the garrison of the Andong Governor's Mansion. , Li Zhi didn't behead him immediately, it was his emperor's kindness.

It's just that this person may not be completely useless.

Based on his understanding of Silla, he should be able to quickly help the army advance and evacuate.

Although Datang has Jin Renwen, the younger brother of King Wenwu of Silla, Jin Renwen has been away from Silla for many years, and he doesn't know much about the political changes in Silla's high-level officials.

"Your Majesty, I request you to send a large group of people to negotiate with Silla to define the vassal relationship when the army is retreating, and at the same time hold back Silla's footsteps so that it does not dare to act rashly." Liu Boying cupped his hands slightly to Li Zhi , and then returned to the train.

After hearing Liu Boying's words, Li Zhi followed the trend and looked at Li Xuan.

Many ministers present also looked at Li Xuan at the same time.

Today is such an important event, but Li Xuan, the inspector of the Honglu Temple, is called over, so naturally there are problems to be handed over to him.

Everyone even understood that the emperor had already thought about what he said now when he first received Anton's report, and now Liu Boying, Minister of Honglu Temple, was just saying it on his behalf.

Even if the battlefield is invincible, there must be someone who can hold Silla back. Li Xuan, who performed well at Meiling Pass in Wuzhou, fell into Li Zhi's eyes.

However, when everyone looked at Li Xuan, they saw that he was frowning tightly, as if he was thinking about something.

The entire hall was suddenly silent, but at this moment, a trace of joy appeared on Li Xuan's face, a trace of uncontrollable joy, who didn't know what he thought of.

"King of Nanchang." Li Zhi's majestic voice resounded throughout the hall.

Li Xuan regained consciousness in an instant, stepped forward, and at the same time cupped her hands and said, "Your Majesty."

Li Zhi nodded, and then said: "I order you to return to the southeast immediately, integrate the navy, repair the warships, and recruit soldiers. On the fifth day of the next month, lead the army to the East Island, and arrive at Incheon Port in late October. Congregate and listen to orders under Li Jinxing, the ambassador of Andong Township, to assist the evacuation of the army, and negotiate with Silla on the vassal and tribute matters of the two countries."

"The minister leads the decree." Li Xuan immediately bowed his hands in a solemn manner without any hesitation.

Li Zhi nodded in satisfaction, and then asked seemingly casually: "I saw that you thought about it just now, and you seem to have gained something. I don't know what you thought of, can you tell me?"

Li Zhi's voice was very calm, but Li Xuan didn't dare to slack off, he hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "I'm guilty, I've lost my manners in front of the palace, please forgive me."

Li Zhi waved his hand indifferently: "It's okay, you say it."

"Here!" Li Xuan took a light breath and said, "The minister was actually thinking before, whether there is no need for the army to cross the sea and go to the East Island, so that the withdrawal of the Anton Governor's Mansion can be solved?"

"Oh?" Li Zhi's face brightened, and he became interested immediately.

Thinking of Li Xuan's happy face just now, Li Zhi hurriedly asked: "Does the King of Nanchang get something?"

"I'm just delusional." Li Xuan smiled wryly, but under Li Zhi's expectation, he still said slowly: "Your Majesty, the reason why Silla invaded our army at this time was just instigated by Tubo. , let him have the hope of profit, but if let him lose the hope of profit, and even find it difficult to survive himself, he will naturally plead guilty and dare not lightly provoke war."

"Besides mobilizing the army, does the King of Nanchang have other methods?" Empress Wu, who was silent for a while, finally couldn't help but speak.

(End of this chapter)