Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 310 Li Chengqian’s Bad Idea (Part )
Li Chengqian's expression grew serious as he pondered, "Since the fifteenth year of the Zhenguan era, my father has been stockpiling food, fodder, and military equipment in Hebei. It took him three years to complete preparations for the Liaodong campaign.

But after the war broke out, within just one year, most of the food reserves had been consumed... This was mainly due to the 400,000 people in Liaodong. The court barely managed to hold on the following year, but in the autumn, Liaodong had a good harvest, which balanced the situation."

Listening to what Li Chengqian said, the expressions of the ministers in the hall gradually became serious.

"So, Father, the Tang Dynasty will have two to three years to prepare for the Goguryeo invasion. Defeating them won't be difficult, and even conquering Pingrang City won't be difficult. The difficult part is what to do with the three million people after conquering Goguryeo."

Li Chengqian couldn't help but shake his head with some difficulty and said, "If the Tang Dynasty were to provide all the food and fodder for these three million people for a year... Father, this would be too difficult."

It was not difficult for the Tang Dynasty to destroy Goguryeo, but the difficult part was to provide the food and fodder needed to govern the people after destroying Goguryeo.

"Your Highness is biased." Li Ji bowed and stepped forward, looking at Li Chengqian and said, "Goguryeo also has production. Its annual output is enough to support its three million people. Therefore, the Tang Dynasty will not need to support that much in the end."

"What the Duke of Ying is saying is basically correct." Li Chengqian turned and looked at Li Ji, then at the other generals, and said seriously, "All of this is premised on Goguryeo not burning its food supplies at the last moment. Otherwise..."

When Goguryeo retreated, in order to prevent its food and grass from falling into the hands of the Tang Dynasty and becoming the basis for the Tang Dynasty to conquer Goguryeo, they would often burn the remaining food and grass as much as possible before retreating.

Such things were common when the Tang Dynasty attacked Liaodong.

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch, nodded slightly, and said: "My lords, when we attack in the future, unless it is absolutely necessary, we must still pay attention to the protection of food and grass."

"Here!" The officials held their hands in awe.

The civil and military officials who are still able to stand in the hall at this moment have long transcended the ordinary matters of war and killing. They also have a deep understanding of logistics and future governance.

After all, many of the Tang Dynasty’s military generals had to be transferred to become local governors, or even hold both positions concurrently.

They also have considerable understanding of local governance.

Li Chengqian looked at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, based on the wars of the past two years, the court has prepared enough food and fodder to support 300,000 civilians for a year, in addition to supporting the fighting. Of course, if the elderly, weak, women, and children in Goguryeo are fed only half as much, just enough to keep them from starving, then this number can be raised to 500,000."

Li Shimin nodded slightly and said, "In other words, in addition to the spoils captured from the Goguryeo battlefield, the court can support 500,000 people who are short of food."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian cupped his hands and said, "The rest depends on whether the spoils from Goguryeo can support the needs of Goguryeo's three million people for a year."

After the Tang Dynasty occupied Goguryeo, it organized production in the second year. Even though the autumn harvest was not abundant, it was enough for Goguryeo to be barely self-sufficient.

All that remains is a matter of governance and harvesting.

"Three million isn't enough," Li Shimin shook his head. "I've already ordered the complete destruction of production between the Yalu and Taedong Rivers. All the people in between will be driven south of the Taedong River. Therefore, Goguryeo will be lucky to be able to support two million people in the next few years."

"It's more than that." Zhangsun Wuji bowed, glanced at Li Chengqian, and then looked at Li Shimin and said, "Just as the Crown Prince said, as long as the elderly, the weak, women and children eat less, the people of Goguryeo can still barely survive."

"But my Tang Dynasty can't do that." Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said seriously, "Some people eat more, some eat less, especially in a place that has just been destroyed. If even a small number of people are involved, there will be a huge backlash... millions of people!"

"So what does the prince think?" Li Shimin looked up at Li Chengqian.

"Father!" Li Chengqian bowed and said, "I have analyzed the terrain of Goguryeo."

"Originally, the coastal plains north of Pingrang had a population of almost 500,000. Due to the war, these people were forced to migrate to the coastal plains south of Pingrang, the eastern mountains, and the narrow plains further east." Li Chengqian waved his hand, and the eunuch beside him took out the map of Goguryeo drawn by the Ministry of War.

All the ministers looked at the map at the same time.

"According to the current situation, the western coastal plains of Goguryeo, including Pingrang, now have a population of nearly one million, or even one and a half million; the remaining population of more than one million is distributed in the cities in the mountains." Li Chengqian paused for a moment and glanced at Li Ji.

Li Ji stood up and saluted, saying, "After Yang Guang's three campaigns, Goguryeo became very adept at building mountain fortifications for defense. Furthermore, they stored large quantities of food and civilians in their mountain fortifications, and they also relied on wild game for survival. Therefore, it's not surprising that they had a population of one million in such a vast country."

"Also, the plains along the eastern coast also have a population of several hundred thousand. Goguryeo even deliberately relocated quite a few people because of the war." Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Of course, Father, there are bound to be some inaccuracies, but the general idea is correct."

Li Shimin nodded slightly, looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "So?"

"My suggestion is to give up attacking the eastern mountainous areas of Goguryeo first, and concentrate on taking over the northern and southern coastal plains, and of course, Pingrang." Li Chengqian bowed seriously.

"That's a population of 1.5 million." Li Shimin nodded slowly and said, "With the grain production in the southern coastal plains of Goguryeo, even after deducting some, it can still feed quite a few people."

"Your Majesty, more than one and a half million." Li Ji bowed and said, "The mountain cities outside the Goguryeo Mountains, especially those at the exits, must also be captured. If some of those cities voluntarily surrender, the number will be almost two million."

"This is the largest scale of war that the court can support after two or three years of accumulation." Li Chengqian bowed slightly, and then summed up the matter in one sentence.

The ministers in the palace immediately understood that given the current situation in the court, it was unrealistic to completely exterminate Goguryeo.

Therefore, the best way is to capture Pingrang first, then occupy the few grain-producing areas of Goguryeo, and at the same time block the attack from the mountains.

This is the best way for Datang.

"It seems that it is really unrealistic for me to destroy Goguryeo in one breath!" Li Shimin sighed lightly.

"If it doesn't work once, we can try again." Li Chengqian bowed sincerely, then said, "As long as there are no disasters in the world and Liaodong and Goguryeo can have a good harvest, after the emperor conquers them, we only need to wait another two or three years. Then we can completely penetrate the mountains of Goguryeo, completely destroy it, and make it our territory."

"Okay, let's do this." Li Shimin felt a little emotional, but also comforted and reassured.

His mind, which had been somewhat confused due to the illness, became completely clear at this moment.

What Li Chengqian said was indeed the best way for the Tang Dynasty.

Although he was unwilling, he was Li Shimin after all, and he could still distinguish the pros and cons here. ...

"However, looking at the entire war, if we want to successfully defeat Goguryeo according to my father's intention, we need to weaken Goguryeo's strength. At the same time, there is another area that we must pay attention to..." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly.

"Baekje!" Li Shimin's face turned slightly cold.

Li Ji stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, in this battle, Baekje has sent a total of 50,000 soldiers, 100,000 civilians, and hundreds of large and small ships. This has had a significant impact on our army."

The total number of troops Li Shimin sent to Goguryeo was only 100,000 by land and sea, and Baekje sent 50,000 troops to support Goguryeo. Although it was not the entire country's support, it was definitely all they could give.

"So I tried to sow discord between Baekje and Goguryeo by selling grain." Li Shimin shook his head and said, "Unfortunately, Baekje is south of Goguryeo, and a naval attack is unrealistic. This is the only way."

Yang Guang learned from the previous experience that if it was just the navy, it would be too easy to be ambushed.

Of course, this is also because the current Tang Dynasty navy is actually not strong enough.

Therefore, the only way to deal with Baekje now is to indirectly sow discord among the people.

The emperor hoped to sow discord between Baekje and Goguryeo by having Baekje resell the Tang Dynasty's grain at high prices.

Of course, for the upper class of Goguryeo and Baekje, this high price was nothing.

What he really provoked was the relationship between the Goguryeo people and Goguryeo nobles, and the Baekje nobles and Baekje people.

Naturally, the meticulous operation of the Baiqi Division and the Military Affairs Division is also indispensable.

"Prince, do you have any good ideas?" The emperor looked up at Li Chengqian and asked with a smile, "I see that you have a lot of ideas every day. Do you have any good ideas now?"

Li Chengqian raised his head, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

"Huh?" Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Do you really have a solution?"

"I have a bad idea, but I'm a little hesitant to say it out loud." Li Chengqian bowed and said, "How about I discuss it privately..."

"No need, just say it directly." Li Shimin waved his hand, becoming more and more interested.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian bowed, then said carefully and thoughtfully, "In Pingkangfang, Chang'an, some people are colluding with people from Goguryeo and Baekje to sell maids from Goguryeo and Baekje to the Tang Dynasty. This is legal in the court."

Naturally, the abduction of Tang Dynasty women was prohibited by Tang law, but the abduction of women from other ethnic groups was beyond the Tang Dynasty's control.

After entering the Tang Dynasty and following the Tang Dynasty procedures, the person registered on the procedures was a maidservant or a slave, and that was legal.

"Go on!" Li Shimin raised his hand slightly.

"The Military Affairs Department of the Ministry of War may be able to join forces with those people and let them carry out this matter in Goguryeo through Baekje people. However, this time the target is not ordinary Goguryeo civilians, but nobles, even Gaesomun's daughter and granddaughter, and then expose this matter." When Li Chengqian finished speaking, the ministers suddenly became solemn. Goguryeo and Baekje would fight.

"It's a bad idea, but if it really works, Goguryeo and Baekje will definitely turn against each other completely." Li Shimin nodded slowly.

Li Chengqian bowed carefully and said, "I think we can give it a try. If so, it can reduce the number of soldiers killed on the battlefield and reduce the consumption of treasury and grain in this war. Although I think it is a bit unwise, it can be done."

The ministers in the hall looked at Li Chengqian in surprise, with expressions full of emotion and admiration.

Almost all of the people in the hall had fought with the emperor on the battlefield and did not have those pedantic ideas.

Li Chengqian's method is much more feasible than Li Shimin's, and if the two can be combined, they will almost certainly succeed.

"Duke Ying, arrange for the Ministry of Personnel to carry out the order." After a brief pause, Li Shimin said, "What we say today is limited to this palace today. No one is allowed to leak a single word to others, otherwise..."

"We obey your orders." All the ministers bowed in unison.

Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Li Chengqian, and asked, "Prince, if you have any other ideas, just say it directly."

"Baekje." Li Chengqian bowed and said, "Father, the Tang Dynasty should consider its attitude towards Baekje. Operating covertly is one thing, but openly we also need to have an attitude towards Baekje. Baekje has a large population. The Tang Dynasty cannot destroy Baekje after destroying Goguryeo. We don't have the power to do that."

"Yes!" Li Shimin nodded, then looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Wuji, get ready. After returning to the court, summon the Baekje envoys. I should confer a title on the King of Baekje later."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Chengqian felt a little relieved.

In his previous life, Li Zhi worked hard to destroy Baekje and then Goguryeo, but in the end Silla took advantage of the situation and unified the entire peninsula.

This is what Li Chengqian doesn't want to see.

Therefore, his plan was to destroy Goguryeo, maintain a balance, and then let Silla and Baekje fight each other and weaken each other.

Finally, destroy Silla first and then Baekje.

This is best for the Tang Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)