After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 15

This young man, Li Qingge, is really an amazing person. Her existence is like a fairy descending to the earth, bringing a touch of extraordinary color to the mortal world. Emperor Li Shimin was so curious. He kept wondering where Li Qingge came from and how she could be so knowledgeable. She seemed to know everything in the world and even predict the future. It was really unbelievable. While thinking, Li Shimin looked at Li Qingge carefully. There was a little more exploratory light in his eyes, as if he wanted to see through her appearance and explore the secrets deep in her heart.

In fact, Li Shimin had already made up his mind secretly. He wanted to use Li Qingge's mysterious energy to conquer the Turks in one fell swoop, pacify the world, and let the reputation of the Tang Dynasty resound far and wide.

Looking at the distant Turkic people, Jie Li Khan was like a raging beast, cruelly exploiting and oppressing the herdsmen. He didn't care about the lives of the herdsmen at all, and only cared about his own power and wealth. The herdsmen complained and suffered terribly, and their lives seemed to be shrouded in darkness. However, Jie Li's mind was all on those small tribes. He turned a blind eye to the plight of the herdsmen and exploited them even more, as if their pain and wailing were just a pawn in his game of power.

The Tang Dynasty did not move a single soldier or general, nor did it send envoys to negotiate, but the tribes on the grassland had already begun to waver. They were thinking about submitting to the Tang Dynasty and seeking refuge and peace. However, Jie Li had no sense of crisis at all and continued to collect heavy taxes, as if his power was eternal and his rule was indestructible.

However, retribution is inevitable. The tribes' rebellious sentiments became stronger and stronger, and they began to unite and seek a way to get rid of the Turkic rule. Although Yi Nan was also afraid of the Turkic's strong military forces, he still united several small tribes and privately sent a message to Li Shimin, seeking the protection and help of the Tang Dynasty.

As soon as the envoy arrived at the palace of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin showed the demeanor of the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. He was warm and polite to Yi Nan, and treated him like a distinguished guest. Yi Nan was moved by this sincerity, and he said honestly: "I came here not only to pay tribute, but also to hope that Your Majesty can forget the past grievances and create a new situation together. I am willing to pay tribute and only ask that the Tang Dynasty can protect us and help us get rid of the oppression of Jie Li."

When Li Shimin heard this, he did not look down on him, but was happy that he could surrender on his own initiative. He said: "Since you are here, you are a guest. Seeing your sincerity, I will naturally not let you down." After saying this, his face became serious, as if he was making an important decision.

"Pass on my decree to confer Yinan the title of Zhenzhuchiga Khan. From now on, when the Tang Dynasty prospers, we will definitely protect your safety." Li Shimin's voice was firm and powerful, as if every word he said contained infinite power and determination.

Yi Nan was worried that Li Shimin would not agree, but he did not expect that he agreed so readily and even gave him a reward. He was really surprised and happy, thinking that this request for peace not only won the protection of the Tang Dynasty, but also got rid of the threat of the Turks, which was really a double happiness. He thanked and left with tears in his eyes, feeling so excited in his heart that he felt that the kindness of the Tang Dynasty was deeper than the sea.

Li Qingge listened to all this quietly. She didn't say a word, but in her heart she was thinking about every decision and action of Li Shimin. She secretly admired: "Li Shimin is indeed a wise monarch of the Tang Dynasty. His broad mind is rare in ancient and modern times. In the past, this tribe relied on the Turks to challenge the Tang Dynasty, but now they have taken the initiative to bow their heads and submit. In the end, it was all for help. It is really admirable that Li Shimin can accept them with generosity without holding grudges."

However, she also had some worries in her heart. She thought: "I think that although the emperor seems to be generous, taking the princess as a hostage is not a long-term solution. How can we just throw away the blood relationship between family and country? The princess is also a person with feelings and dreams."

Li Shimin seemed to have heard Li Qingge's inner voice, but he thought he had heard it wrongly. After all, he had been dealing with government affairs with Li Qingge for so long, and he was used to her outspokenness. He was still a little uncomfortable hearing the praise suddenly.

"Good, good!" Li Shimin couldn't help laughing and praising. His smile was full of satisfaction and relief, as if he saw the future glory and prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

Yi Nan and Li Qingge were both stunned, not knowing why he suddenly laughed like that. They looked at each other, their hearts filled with confusion and curiosity.

……

Li Shimin realized that he had lost his composure and quickly said, "You have made great contributions to the country. The Tang Dynasty keeps its word. Since we promised to protect you, we will definitely do it." These words were powerful and eased the awkward atmosphere. His eyes were full of determination, as if he was proving his promise and oath with his actions.

Yi Nan thanked the emperor again with tears in his eyes and left. His heart was filled with gratitude and admiration for the Tang Dynasty. After returning, he thought about how to repay the Tang Dynasty's kindness. So he sent his sons to meet Li Shimin with heavy gifts to express their loyalty and gratitude.

When Li Shimin saw this, he was overjoyed. He simply betrothed his princess to Yi Nan's son, and the two families became relatives. This move not only demonstrated the tolerance and inclusiveness of the Tang Dynasty, but also built a bridge of friendship between the grassland and the Tang Dynasty.

However, Li Qingge looked at this scene, and although she knew that this was inevitable in history, she still felt bad. She sighed secretly and said, "Li Shimin, Li Shimin, I just praised you for your generosity, and your decision to marry me makes me feel bad again. How can I easily bear the pain of separation from my family? I just hope that the princess can live well on the grassland."

Thinking of this, Li Qingge couldn't help but sigh, her face full of heartache and worry. Her eyes were full of sympathy and blessings for the princess, as if she was praying and blessing her with her heart.

Actually, Li Qingge is a modern person. She has a deep yearning for equality and freedom in her soul. She despises the old-fashioned practice of marrying off daughters to buy peace. In her opinion, marriage should be the fruit of love, not a political bargaining chip. So, when she saw Emperor Taizong of Tang using the princess' marriage as a diplomatic means, she felt very uncomfortable, as if a stone was pressing on her, making her breathless.

"..."

As for Emperor Taizong of Tang, as an upright minister of the Tang Dynasty, he was a little puzzled: "I am marrying off my daughter, why does this kid Li Qingge have an opinion again? Doesn't he understand that this is not only the need of the country, but also about finding a good home for the princess?" On second thought, he comforted himself: "Since ancient times, parents have the final say on major matters of marriage. Marrying my daughter is beneficial to both the country and individuals. What's so strange about it?" Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind, and he glanced at Li Qingge meaningfully, thinking: "Maybe this kid has fallen in love with my daughter... Otherwise, why is he so concerned about this matter?" Thinking of this, the corners of Emperor Taizong's mouth rose unconsciously, and a cunning light flashed in his eyes. He secretly calculated in his heart that when he had the chance, he must find a good wife for Li Qingge, either my princess or the daughter of the Liu family of the previous dynasty, so that he could better win over this genius.

Li Qingge was completely unaware of what was going on in Emperor Taizong's mind. She was just wondering why he kept staring at her. There seemed to be something hidden in his eyes, which made her feel a little uncomfortable. She couldn't help but mutter in her heart: "What is Emperor Taizong up to? Did he misunderstand me for what I did?"

On the other side, in Jie Li Khan's tent, the atmosphere was so depressing that it made people breathless. He was not afraid of the tribes surrendering to the Tang Dynasty, after all, he still had a lot of soldiers and horses in his hands, enough to protect himself. But he was afraid that Tuli Khan would also surrender to the Tang Dynasty, which would make his situation even more dangerous. Although Tuli had lost the war before and seemed a little unfair, he still had soldiers in his hands. Jie Li hated and feared him and did not dare to act rashly. In addition, his position as Khan was not legitimate, so he was quite afraid of Tuli's orthodox identity. Seeing more and more tribes defecting to the Tang Dynasty, Jie Li's psychological pressure was getting greater and greater. He felt like he was sitting on the crater of a volcano and could be swallowed by the erupting magma at any time. So he sent a confidant to Tuli's camp, saying that he was going to assist him, but in fact he was going to monitor him, fearing that he would turn against the enemy.

Tuli Khan was not a pushover. On the surface, he remained calm and expressed a warm welcome to Jie Li's envoy, but secretly he was preparing armaments and strengthening defenses. At the same time, he also secretly sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty to seek the protection and support of Emperor Taizong of Tang.

When Emperor Taizong of Tang saw the Turkic envoy coming, he was extremely happy. He received the envoy warmly, just like receiving an old friend who had not seen him for a long time. The envoy was also surprised by Emperor Taizong's generosity. He kowtowed repeatedly to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for putting aside past grudges and accepting the peace talks of Turkic people. Your tolerance and wisdom are really admirable!"

Emperor Taizong of Tang smiled and replied: "Since Tuli sincerely seeks peace, how can I refuse? If the war continues, the common people will suffer, which is not what I want to see. Besides, there is no deep hatred between our two countries, and it is the right way to develop together. I hope that through our efforts, the people of this land can live and work in peace and contentment."

The envoy nodded repeatedly after hearing this: "Your Majesty is really broad-minded. The prosperity of the Tang Dynasty is just around the corner! Tuli is particularly grateful for your Majesty's kindness. He wants to become your brother with you and share the joys and sorrows. What do you think?"

Emperor Taizong readily agreed: "Okay! Tuli Khan is a brave and resourceful man, I admire him very much. Becoming brothers with different surnames is also a good choice, so that we can cooperate more closely."

The envoy was extremely happy and kowtowed several times to express his gratitude. He thought to himself: "The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is such a magnanimous monarch! I must tell Tuli Khan this news so that he can also surrender to the Tang Dynasty without any worries."

Li Qingge was watching this scene from the side, muttering in her heart, "Li Shimin is such a broad-minded guy, Tuli wanted to fight us before, but now he accepts it so easily. But it's understandable, peace is always better than war. It's just..." She looked at Emperor Taizong of Tang again, "Is he going to use the princess to consolidate the alliance this time? The princess is not a cabbage, how can he give it away so casually?" Thinking of this, she couldn't help but frowned with some worry.

Emperor Taizong of Tang seemed to have heard Li Qingge's thoughts. He looked at the young woman with a smile. Although he had some utilitarianism in marrying his daughter before, he also believed that the other party was a good person who could bring happiness to his daughter. Although Tuli asked for peace, he was not brave enough to marry his daughter to him easily. However, Li Qingge's words also made him start to reflect on whether he should respect his daughters' opinions more. After all, they are also people with their own thoughts and feelings!
The news of the alliance between the Tang Dynasty and the Tuli spread quickly to every corner of the grassland and the Central Plains. How could Jie Li Khan not know? But the envoys he sent were all secret operations and did not leave any clues. This made Jie Li even angrier. He felt like he was kept in the dark and knew nothing. Thinking that the situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable to him, Jie Li could neither eat nor sleep. In the end, he decided to send an envoy to the Tang Dynasty to discuss the previous marriage agreement to see if the situation could be saved. After all, in this chaotic world, having one more ally is always better than having one more enemy!

Emperor Taizong of Tang was very upset about this matter. He felt like he was being pressed down by an invisible stone, which made him breathless. However, after all, the other party was an envoy, representing the Turks, and Emperor Taizong, who had always ruled the world with benevolence and righteousness, would naturally not embarrass him. So, Emperor Taizong met the envoy in a grand inn in the capital. Outside the inn, the autumn wind was bleak and the fallen leaves were flying, adding a heavy atmosphere to the meeting.

Taizong, wearing a dragon robe, sat at the head of the table, showing his broad mind as an emperor. He spoke gently, revealing his concern for the Turks. He also comforted the envoys and expressed his understanding of their situation. But, as a king, how could he be easily led by the nose? Whenever the envoys mentioned the marriage, Taizong was vague and did not give a straight answer, as if he was playing a game of Tai Chi.

Seeing Taizong practicing Tai Chi, the envoy was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, and begged again and again. Sweat dripped down his face, and his eyes revealed anxiety and helplessness. However, Taizong was still playing marbles, and just refused to give in. In the end, the envoy had no choice but to go back in disgrace and discuss the next step with the Turks. When he walked out of the inn, his back looked particularly lonely, like a fallen leaf swept away by the autumn wind.

[Haha, I didn't expect that Emperor Taizong of Tang also had such a cunning side!] Li Qingge, who was watching the battle, couldn't help laughing. She was wearing an elegant dress, and her eyebrows revealed a heroic spirit, which was completely different from ordinary palace women.

[This skill of evading is simply amazing. I wonder how Taizong came up with this idea.] She secretly admired Taizong's wit.

[Great! This trick really pleases me!] She couldn't help but praise it again.

Li Qingge was watching from the side, and he couldn't help but speak out his admiration. Taizong was stunned when he heard this novel comment. He turned to look at Li Qingge, his eyes revealing some doubts and curiosity. He thought to himself: "Evasion, cunning? Is this kid praising me or insulting me?" He carefully studied Li Qingge's expression, trying to find the answer.

"But from his tone, it seems like he is praising me, but why do these words sound strange?" Taizong wondered in his heart, but he didn't delve into it. After all, there was a bigger problem to solve - how to deal with the Turks. He put away his smile, and his eyes became deep and sharp.

As soon as the envoy left, Taizong turned to look at the civil and military officials in the court. Some of them were standing or sitting, with different expressions, but all of them were silent. Taizong smiled and said, "My dear ministers, when I fought the Weishui River, I made the Turks retreat without moving a single soldier. The marriage was decided by the previous two emperors, and I had already said it was invalid during the Weishui River Battle. Now the Turks are bringing up this matter again, wanting to form an alliance through marriage. What do you think?" His voice echoed in the empty hall, sounding particularly powerful.

After saying this, Taizong's eyes became sharp, as if he could see through everyone's mind. At this time, a newly promoted minister, Ma Zhou, stood up. He was dressed in official uniform and had a handsome face, but his eyes revealed a bit of lack of confidence. After saluting, he said: "Your Majesty, the Turks have been a major concern for our dynasty since the founding of the country. They are very good at riding and archery, and although our Central Plains has developed for thousands of years, there are only a few generals who can compete with them. Therefore, I think we should agree to the Turks' request for marriage to avoid another war." His voice trembled slightly, and it was obvious that he was not very firm in his opinion.

Li Qingge almost laughed out loud when she heard this. She thought to herself: "This Ma Zhou is really confused! How can we be afraid of the Turks just because they are good at riding and shooting? We in the Tang Dynasty also have excellent soldiers and generals!" She couldn't help but complain in her heart.

[Just now I thought Taizong had made progress, why did he come up with such an idea now? ] She muttered to herself.

[What Ma Zhou said is simply a joke! It would be strange if he didn't offend a bunch of generals. I really don't know how he got the appreciation of His Majesty.] She felt very disdainful of Ma Zhou's idea.

[Alas, it seems that Taizong can also make mistakes! ] She shook her head helplessly, with a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

The generals looked uglier and uglier after hearing Ma Zhou's words. They frowned or glared, as if Ma Zhou's words had touched a sore spot in their hearts. They thought to themselves: "We Tang generals are not vegetarians! How can we encourage others and destroy our own prestige just because the Turks are good at riding and shooting?" They felt like they were slapped in the face and felt very uncomfortable.

Seeing this, Taizong was about to say something to comfort the generals. At this time, Li Jing stood up. He was wearing armor, with a burly figure, and his eyes revealed firmness and courage. After saluting, he said in a resounding voice: "Your Majesty, I have a different opinion. Lord Ma's words have boosted the ambitions of others and destroyed our own prestige. I dare not agree with it. Although the Turks are good at riding and shooting, our Tang Dynasty is not a vegetarian. In recent years, we have worked hard to govern the country, and there are good things like sweet potatoes to feed the people. The soldiers practice riding and shooting every day. Now the country is strong and there are countless elite soldiers and generals. How can those exhausted Turkic troops compare? I believe that Your Majesty will definitely lead us to conquer the Turks and achieve a great cause for thousands of years!" His voice was sonorous and powerful, as if it could penetrate people's hearts.

After Li Jing finished speaking, he glared at Ma Zhou, his eyes were cold enough to freeze. Ma Zhou was frightened and shivered, his face as pale as paper. This was exactly what Taizong wanted, and he became excited when he heard it. He thought to himself: "Li Jing is right! Our Tang Dynasty is now extremely powerful, how can we surrender because of the threat of the Turks? We should take the opportunity to conquer them!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Taizong said three good words in a row, his face full of joy. He turned to Li Qingge and asked: "Cheng Qing, what do you think is the chance of my victory if I conquer the Turks?" His eyes revealed expectation and trust.

Li Qingge bowed and smiled as she replied, "Your Majesty is the emperor. If you personally go to the battlefield, you will win every battle." Although she did not completely believe in the "supreme emperor", based on historical experience, she knew that Taizong would definitely win this battle. She thought:

【Taizong's decision is absolutely right! Now is a good time to attack the Turks. The Turkic Khan is cruel and ruthless, and there is a snowstorm. The herdsmen have a hard time, and the small tribes have all surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. The Turks are in chaos. Although Tuli is on good terms with Taizong for the sake of interests, it is enough to give Jie Li a headache. Besides, the Turkic treasury is empty, and the elite soldiers are getting fewer and fewer. If not now, when will we fight?】She secretly admired Taizong's wise decision.

Taizong became more determined after listening to Li Qingge's analysis. He thought to himself: "Cheng Qing is right! Now is a good time to attack the Turks! I can't miss this opportunity!" His eyes sparkled, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

"Mr. Cheng is right. I know what to do now." Taizong nodded repeatedly, smiling. He turned to the civil and military officials and said, "My dear ministers, I have decided to conquer the Turks! What do you think?" His voice was sonorous and powerful, full of determination and confidence.

Most of the civil and military officials in the court were silent and looked solemn. They all knew that now was a good opportunity to attack the Turks, but who was willing to talk about war easily? After all, those in the Xiande Hall were all generals with great military achievements! They had experienced the cruelty and bloodiness of war and knew the pain and destruction it brought. However, in the face of Taizong's firm decision, they could only accept it silently and prepare for the upcoming war.

Although the Turkic power seems to be precarious, it is actually deeply rooted. It is not easy to completely eradicate it. In this vast land, they are like tenacious weeds, which cannot be burned out by wildfires and will grow again in the spring breeze.

The atmosphere in the court was solemn. A civil official, dressed in gorgeous court robes, with an elegant face but a bit of bookish air, stood out tremblingly. Facing the emperor who was high above him, his voice was trembling a little, but he still tried his best to remain calm: "Your Majesty, I usually express my ambitions with writing, and I really have only a superficial understanding of military affairs. As for how to deal with the Turks, I really dare not speak rashly. However, Your Majesty, have you heard of the Huang family at the foot of Mount Tai? They had an alliance with the Turks and agreed to coexist peacefully. If we act rashly now, I am afraid we will lose our credibility and be ridiculed by the world."

[Alas, how could there be so many people in this court who are not afraid of life and death? It really makes people look at them with new eyes. ]

[Speaking of Li Shimin, he had so many counselors and generals under his command, why did someone shrink back at such a critical moment? Don't they know that opportunities are rare and can never come back? ] [The Art of War says, 'Warfare is the art of deception', which emphasizes flexibility. How could this person be so stubborn and not know how to adapt? How could there be such a mediocre person under Taizong's command! ]

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, sat on the dragon throne with a frown on his face. His heart was filled with frustration and unwillingness. Defeating the Turks had been his long-cherished wish. Now that the opportunity was right in front of him, how could he give up so easily? What's more, there was Li Qingge next to him, the woman who could always see through people's hearts. The doubts and dissatisfaction revealed in her eyes made him even more angry.

Emperor Taizong stared at the civil official and said in a thunderous voice: "What you said is totally wrong! Although the previous emperor had an alliance with the Turks, they broke their promise, invaded my borders, and captured my cities. How can I forget the shame of Weishui?" His eyes were like cold stars, flashing with a cold light, "If I hadn't carefully planned the Battle of Weishui and defeated the enemy, the Tang Dynasty would have been in the hands of the Turks long ago. Do you still have the honor of standing here and seeing the peaceful and prosperous times today? You keep talking about benevolence, righteousness, and morality, do you want to take the safety of me and the people as a joke?"

When the civil officials heard this, they trembled with fear and knelt on the ground without daring to look up. Other ministers also knelt down one after another for fear of being implicated. Only Li Qingge, the tall and elegant woman, still stood there, standing out.

Emperor Taizong of Tang turned to look at Li Qingge, with a hint of admiration in his eyes: "Lord Cheng, do you think we should fight this war?"

Li Qingge saluted respectfully, his voice clear and firm: "Your Majesty, I think we should send troops. After nearly two years of recuperation, the Tang Dynasty has become prosperous, the army is strong, and the treasury is full. The Turkic people are torn apart internally, and have suffered natural and man-made disasters. This is the perfect time for us to march north and quell the border troubles. Moreover, they were the first to betray the alliance. It is a just act for us to fight back. Why should we be afraid of others' comments?"

"Well said! I think so too!" When Emperor Taizong of Tang heard what Li Qingge said, the depression in his heart was immediately swept away and he stood up happily.

"I have accumulated too much anger in my heart because of the invasion of the Turks. I get up early every day to practice sword fighting just to vent this anger. I have been holding it in before just to wait for this opportunity. Now I have decided to send troops immediately to save the people from the dire situation and let the reputation of the Tang Dynasty spread throughout the world!"

After saying this, the ministers knelt down one after another and shouted "Long live the emperor".

Li Qingge looked at Emperor Taizong's excited expression, but secretly thought in his heart: [In fact, fighting is not the only way. Strategies can be changed. For example, if we treat Zhishisi Li well and send an envoy to send him back, maybe we can solve the border problem peacefully. ]

Emperor Taizong of Tang seemed to have heard Li Qingge's thoughts, and was surprised when he remembered the shame at Weishui. Li Qingge continued to think in his mind: [The military strategy is right, 'wisdom overcomes strength'. We can learn from the ancients, and maybe we will get better results. ]

【Emperor Taizong wants to fight the Turks, and Jie Li Khan is also eyeing the Tang Dynasty. His greed is no less than Emperor Taizong's. He asks for marriage and peace, but in fact he is just trying to delay time. If we use a trick against the Turks, pretending to agree to the marriage, let the Turks relax their vigilance, and then take advantage of their unpreparedness to destroy them in one fell swoop. This will not only avoid unnecessary losses, but also achieve the goal of pacifying the border troubles.】

Li Qingge was thinking about these strategies in her mind, but she didn't tell Emperor Taizong. However, Emperor Taizong seemed to have seen through her thoughts. He looked at Li Qingge's calm and wise expression, and was secretly happy in his heart: [Although Li Qingge is a little greedy for comfort, he does have a lot of wisdom and is of great benefit to the country. ]

[This strategy is really brilliant, much better than a direct attack. It can preserve strength and achieve the goal. Li Qingge, you are really my think tank! ]

So Emperor Taizong decided to act according to Li Qingge's plan. He asked Li Qingge again: "Cheng Aiqing, who do you think is suitable to lead the army?"

Li Qingge was originally leaning against a pillar pretending to take a nap, but when she heard the call from Emperor Taizong, she immediately stood up. She saluted calmly, ready to wait for orders. She already had a suitable candidate in mind, and she only needed to wait for Emperor Taizong's order to make plans and win a victory thousands of miles away.

"Your Majesty, there are many capable and brave generals in our court. I believe that Your Majesty knows what is going on and can make the most wise decision." Li Qingge's words were filled with respect and expectation. Her bright eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, yet they were gentle.

When Taizong heard this, his expression froze slightly, as if he was both pleased and somewhat helpless about Li Qingge's expectations. He knew that although there were many brave generals in the court, only a few could truly take on the responsibility of commanding. He swept his eyes over the ministers and pondered in his heart.

"..."

This sounded like a casual response, and Taizong's face suddenly darkened. Li Qingge was also muttering in her heart. She thought:

[Your Majesty, why do you have to ask me about everything? When it comes to choosing a commander-in-chief, General Li Jing is the most suitable person! No one in the court can compare to him. Although he doesn't talk much, he always leads the troops in battle, and he is both wise and brave, and no one can defeat him. ]

[Although there are a few who are not so good, such as Yuchi Jingde, who is too impatient and easily impulsive; Qin Shubao, who is too rigid and does not know how to adapt; Dao Zong, who is still a little lacking in strategy. But there are still talents, and the only one who is the best candidate is General Li Jing. ]

Taizong couldn't help but raise his lips slightly after hearing what Li Qingge said, and nodded secretly in his heart. These generals have been with him for so many years, and he naturally knows their strengths and weaknesses. However, these weaknesses also limit them to being generals, not commanders. He needs someone who can both plan and stabilize the morale of the army.

Taizong coughed lightly, and the sound echoed in the empty hall. He said to everyone: "My dear ministers, you all know that I came from the battlefield and fought countless battles. Especially in the Battle of Feishui, 30,000 weak soldiers defeated an enemy that was ten times larger than themselves. This is not a miracle, it is all thanks to our unity and solidarity! As long as we think in one direction and work together, nothing is impossible! Today, I have decided to appoint Li Qingge as the Grand Marshal of the Northern Expedition and Li Jing as the Deputy Marshal. All generals will be under their command!"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the court. Li Qingge's eyes widened, her heart filled with doubts and confusion. She thought:

[What is your Majesty trying to say? I have never led an army, why did you suddenly let me become a marshal? General Li Jing's talent is recognized, why bother? Now I don't even have time to drink with friends. Hey, Your Majesty, when will you stop paying so much attention to me? This attention is too high, I am also very helpless. ]

Although she was not happy about it, she had to accept the imperial order. She thought to herself that since the emperor trusted her so much, she would go all out and live up to his trust.

When Taizong saw Li Qingge accept the order, he smiled even more happily. He knew Li Qingge's talent and courage very well and believed that she would be able to handle this position. As the king of a country, Taizong naturally had to ask about military affairs. He turned to look at Wei Pan, who was in charge of horse training, and asked, "Wei Qing, how is the horse I asked you to train a few months ago?"

Wei Pan bowed respectfully and replied: "Your Majesty, rest assured. How dare I slack off? The number of purebred horses in the Imperial Horse Administration has increased by more than 200,000. We are fully prepared for this expedition to the Turks!"

Taizong was overjoyed when he heard this. He imagined the spectacular scene of 200,000 horses galloping on the battlefield, and his heart was filled with lofty ambitions. Then, he began to deploy according to Li Qingge's plan.

There was another thing that made Taizong even happier. The next day, Tuli personally came to the Tang Dynasty and respectfully met Taizong. He was dressed in gorgeous clothes, holding a valuable gift, and kneeling before Taizong with a pious look on his face.

When Emperor Taizong saw this, he was delighted. He thought to himself: "Tuli is really aware of the times! It seems that he has realized the strength of our Tang Dynasty." So Emperor Taizong immediately gave Tuli and his soldiers and civilians generous treatment, and also appointed him to a high position, making him equal to the ministers in the court.

When Tuli saw this, he felt a great pressure in his heart! He quickly sent another envoy to negotiate peace. Zhishishili saw that Tuli was doing well in the court, and he couldn't help but feel a little scared. However, Taizong was still very polite to him and even gave him a beauty. Zhishishili then felt at ease to negotiate peace.

Taizong hesitated for a moment before agreeing to Zhishisili's request for peace. He thought to himself: "Although the Turks are powerful, they are no longer my opponents. Why don't I take this opportunity to show the tolerance and strength of my Tang Dynasty?"

When Zhishisili saw that Emperor Taizong agreed to the peace request so readily, he was extremely happy. He even forgot to say thank you and ran out. On the way, he saw the Tang army walking in groups of three or four as if they were strolling on the street, and he couldn't help feeling puzzled.

"General Li, General Cheng, why don't your troops train? They look so leisurely." Zhishisili couldn't help but ask.

Li Qingge smiled and replied: "Your Excellency is really observant! However, the people of our Tang Dynasty live and work in peace and are self-sufficient. Now that Jie Li has asked for peace, there is no need to rush to train. Besides, some soldiers are eager to go home and reunite with their families as soon as they heard the news of peace!"

When Zhishisili heard this, he was even happier. He thought that the Tang army had really slacked off, and Tuli could take this opportunity to rest and recuperate. When the snowstorm was over, they would deal with these Tang troops!

However, Li Jing saw the smugness and underestimation in Zhishishili's eyes. He laughed in his heart: "These Turks are really easy to deceive! It seems that our plan has been half successful!" He was waiting for Zhishishili to go back and tell Tuli the good news. As for the Tang army, they took advantage of their inattention to suddenly attack the Turks, and the effect would definitely be great!
As Zhishisili walked away, Li Qingge looked at his back and smiled. She turned to the soldiers around her and said, "Pass the order, the whole army is on alert! When the Turks let down their guard, we will give them a surprise attack!"

The guards immediately blew the trumpet. The battle horn suddenly sounded, and the whole army immediately went on alert. The leisurely mood just now disappeared, replaced by a spirited and ready-to-go momentum. The soldiers held their weapons tightly, their eyes revealing a firm determination and belief in victory. They knew that this battle would determine the fate of the Tang Dynasty and the Turks, and would also determine their own glory and life and death!
"Soldiers, are you ready?" Li Jing stood beside Li Qingge, his voice as loud as thunder, every word was resounding, as if it could penetrate the cold wind and reach people's hearts. He was tall, his majestic face was full of traces of time, and his pair of bright eyes flashed with a determined light.

"We are ready!" The warriors responded in unison, their voices full of excitement and passion. They were wearing heavy armor, holding sharp weapons, and their faces were filled with excitement. When they thought of the upcoming battle, their hearts were filled with endless pride and fighting spirit.

Li Qingge looked at the vast white snow in front of her and sighed in her heart. She was wearing a tight battle robe, heroic and heroic, with an extraordinary heroic spirit between her eyebrows. Unexpectedly, an occasional thought of hers was actually seen through by Emperor Taizong in advance and adopted without hesitation. Such a coincidence made her secretly speculate, could Taizong really understand her mind? But soon she reflected on herself and felt that this idea was too absurd. Although Taizong was an emperor, he was an ordinary person after all, and she was often scolded by him. If Taizong really knew her thoughts, how could he treat her so well?
Thinking of this, Li Qingge put away her thoughts and devoted herself to the preparations for the war. She knew the importance of this battle, which not only concerned the safety of the country, but also the life and death of thousands of people. Therefore, she had to go all out and not slack off in the slightest.

At night, thick fog suddenly descended, as if the heavens were helping them. The night and the thick fog intertwined, covering the mountains and rivers tightly, as if covering the Tang army with a mysterious veil. Tuli was indeed unprepared and rushed into battle. But the Turks were born to be a nation on horseback, brave and good at fighting. Relying on the advantage of horseback archery, they launched a fierce counterattack.

Li Jing saw this and knew he had encountered a strong enemy. He was stunned for a moment. An indescribable sense of pride surged in his heart, but also mixed with a bit of worry. After all, the fighting power of the Turks should not be underestimated, and the victory or failure of this battle would directly affect the fate of the country.

Seeing this scene, Li Qingge's mouth curled up slightly, and her eyes sparkled with wisdom. She said to the soldiers: "Soldiers, we will march north now and attack Tuli's nest directly!" Her voice was steady and powerful, and her analysis was very clear, as if everything was under her control.

Although the soldiers were surprised, they believed in Li Qingge's ability and followed her without hesitation, thinking of her previous achievements in resolving crises in the court. They seemed to see the dawn of victory, and their hearts were filled with endless expectations and pride.

As a result, the Tang army advanced northward in a mighty manner, just like a tiger with wings. Their steps were firm and powerful, as if they could break through all obstacles. The Turkic army was horrified when they saw this, and their defense line collapsed instantly. The soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, forgetting even the basic fighting and defense. Under the swords of the Tang army, the Turkic soldiers fell one after another, and their blood dyed the white snow red, forming a shocking picture.

The troops led by Li Qingge and Li Jing were even more valiant. They swept across the northern border of the Turks like a violent storm. Under their leadership, the Tang army was unstoppable. The northern border of the Turks was soon occupied by them, and the victory flags fluttered in the cold wind.

As the fog gradually dissipated, the situation on the battlefield became clearer. The Tang army pursued the victory, while the Turkic army was defeated and fled in all directions. Their morale had collapsed, leaving only endless fear and despair. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Jie Li could only flee with the others. However, he made an unjust decision: he let his confidants and nobles flee in front, leaving the people behind.

Li Qingge watched all this with cold eyes, feeling very disdainful of Jie Li's behavior. She sighed and said, "Jie Li really has no martial ethics, and he actually used the people as a shield. How can this be done by a real man? If we kill innocent people indiscriminately, we will definitely be criticized and blamed by the world." Her voice revealed deep helplessness and regret, as if she was crying for those innocent people.

The Turkic people had long been fed up with Jie Li's rule and oppression. Now seeing that the Khan had abandoned them and fled, they stopped and stopped moving forward. Their eyes were full of confusion and helplessness, as if they had lost their direction. After the Tang army saw this scene, Li Qingge and Li Jing smiled at each other and nodded in tacit understanding to continue chasing the defeated enemies. They knew that the victory of this battle already belonged to them.

The Turkic army had lost their fighting spirit and morale at this time, and they only cared about escaping; while the Tang army was extremely brave and killed the enemy generals and captured the enemy flags. Their fighting power seemed to have reached its peak, and no one could defeat them. In the end, Jie Li led the elite troops to break out and escaped alone. The battle lasted for two hours. Li Qingge and Li Jing killed nearly 10,000 enemies and captured more than 100,000 Turkic people with only 3,000 elite soldiers. Their military exploits were illustrious and awe-inspiring.

The two men thus made great military achievements, and Emperor Taizong was very pleased, and gave them 1,000 taels of gold and 10,000 taels of silver to commend their achievements. He also personally hosted a banquet for them to show his favor. At the banquet, Emperor Taizong was all smiles, and he praised Li Qingge and Li Jing's military exploits. He praised them for their wisdom and courage, their bravery and their good fighting skills, and their immortal contributions to the peace of the country and the happiness of the people.

After the threat of the Turks was completely eliminated, Emperor Taizong's worries were also resolved. So he generously rewarded all the accompanying generals to commend their bravery and loyalty. When the people of Chang'an heard the good news, the whole city celebrated that the threat of the Turks had finally been eliminated forever and they could farm and live in peace. The prosperity of the market reached an unprecedented level.

However, these rewards were like floating clouds to Li Qingge. She thought to herself: "Although Taizong is generous, his temperament is unpredictable. Gold and silver are good, but how can they compare to a free and easy life?" She even complained in her heart: "I hope the emperor can pay less attention to me so that I can have time to drink and appreciate flowers." What she longed for was a free and unfettered life.

Although Emperor Taizong heard her criticism, he did not show anger on his face. Instead, he was relieved by the joy of victory. He smiled and praised all the ministers, including Li Qingge. He knew the importance of Li Qingge's talent and wisdom to the country, and understood her yearning for a free life. Therefore, he did not blame her but appreciated her honesty and straightforwardness.

After this battle, Li Qingge did not stop. She continued to work for the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people. She promoted sweet potato planting so that the people no longer had to worry about food; she proposed reforms to make the court more transparent; she also worked in the fields herself and shared the joys and sorrows with the people. Her dedication and hard work made the people of Chang'an City admire and love her even more.

Emperor Li Yuan was also very pleased. The shame of the Turks was finally washed away, and his son Li Shimin finally achieved great success. This made him look at Li Shimin, the second son, with a new eye and even began to like him a lot. This was the first time that Li Shimin had received real recognition and praise from his father since he ascended the throne. He knew that all this was inseparable from the efforts of Li Qingge and others, so he trusted and valued them more.

(End of this chapter)