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

Chapter 465: Li Jing: Why not divide Goguryeo into North and South? (Part )
The light is clear and transparent, and the glass is shining.

In the Chongde Hall of the Eastern Palace in the afternoon, colorful beams of light shone on the ground and at Li Chengqian's feet.

A wooden shelf was placed in front of Li Chengqian, on which was placed the map of Xichang Prefecture brought back by Li Jing.

The area from the middle section of southern Qinghai in the north to Tongtian River in the south, from Guzhou in the east to the west side of Dafeichuan in the west is all within the map.

All of it is Tang Dynasty land.

Li Chengqian looked at the map, his fingers involuntarily stroking it gently, with a hazy light in his eyes.

Li Jing stood behind Li Chengqian. He was not surprised by this scene, because when he destroyed the Eastern Turks, the emperor had the same expression when he saw the map of Eastern Turks he brought back.

"The last time we destroyed Tuyuhun, the court did not have enough food and grass to support the entire Tuyuhun population of more than 600,000. So in the end the court was forced to abandon Tuyuhun and chose to re-establish Tuyuhun and return Tuyuhun to the Murong family. However, the Murong family was too incompetent, and there was unrest within Tuyuhun. Some people even sent troops to Shanzhou..." Li Jing couldn't help shaking his head.

Li Chengqian nodded and agreed, "The Tang Dynasty is very tolerant of Tuyuhun. They can disobey the Murong clan, but they cannot disobey the Tang Dynasty. Unfortunately, the Murong clan can't even see through this. If they hadn't prepared in advance this time, I'm afraid Fuxi City would have sent troops to assist Tubo in attacking the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chengqian's eyes turned cold.

The reason why Xue Rengui suffered a defeat at Dayechuan was that Guo Daifeng disrupted the situation. He failed to see the strength of Tuyuhun and was ambushed and surrounded from behind. This was the real reason for the defeat.

The loss of control over Tuyuhun was the final result of Murong's incompetence.

"I'm not trying to annex Tuyuhun, but the area from Dayichuan to Shanzhou is too important. The Tubo can rush down the plateau and attack Shanzhou at any time." Li Chengqian looked at the map and said softly, "Especially if the Murong family loses control of Tuyuhun, then the Tubo can threaten the entire northwest, and Chang'an will be in danger."

"Yes!" Li Jing bowed solemnly.

During their time, Tubo had not yet developed to its current level.

Who could have imagined that just two years after they destroyed Tuyuhun, the Tubo actually came down from the deeper plateau.

The Tuyuhun, which was re-supported by the Tang Dynasty, was no match for the Tubo and was forced to march to Songzhou.

Some of them even deeply believed that if they wanted to take Tuyuhun back from the hands of the Tang Dynasty, they could only rely on Tubo.

So over the years, some people from Tuyuhun really tried their best to help Tubo, but unfortunately, Li Chengqian did not give them any more chances.

"After this battle, the northwest will be peaceful for a while." Li Chengqian smiled softly and said, "Of course, the Eastern and Western Tuyuhun will have to fight for a while."

"Before I returned, I had already arranged for Eastern Tuyuhun to gather troops and prepare to march westward to Delingha, the gateway to Western Tuyuhun." After a brief pause, Li Jing said, "Once Eastern Tuyuhun captures Delingha, they will have a geographical advantage over Western Tuyuhun. The initiative will then fall entirely into Eastern Tuyuhun's hands, and Western Tuyuhun will not give up."

"That's perfect, isn't it?" Li Chengqian smiled, then suddenly turned serious. He turned to look at Li Jing and said, "My dear, do you still remember where you are the chief military commander?"

"Northwest Road!" Li Jing fell silent as soon as he finished speaking.

"Don't just focus on Tubo and Tuyuhun. Look to the northwest, the Western Regions, the Western Turks, and the Uighurs. You will have to keep an eye on them in the next few years." Li Chengqian looked deeply at Li Jing.

"Your Majesty!" Li Jing looked surprised.

If he is confirmed as the commander-in-chief of the Northwest Road, he will be able to take charge of military affairs from Anxi to Huihe and Eastern Turks.

"I need Western Turkestan to settle down, at least in the next few years. I must first resolve the issue of Goguryeo." Li Chengqian's focus was on Western Turkestan, and Li Jing immediately understood.

……

Li Chengqian smiled slightly, looked at Li Jing, and said seriously: "My dear, you are not young anymore. Even if you are on the plateau, you must learn to take care of your health."

Li Jing smiled at this time, and bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "For me, being with the army is the best way to maintain my health."

Li Chengqian looked at Li Jing in a daze, then nodded and said, "Alright, there's not much I can do. Let's make Erlang, the Duke's son, an earl. He's still a member of the Qianniu Guard. Let the Duke choose a place and let him serve as the chief secretary."

A rare hint of joy appeared on Li Jing's face. He then bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. The one I am most worried about is Erlang."

After a moment's hesitation, Li Jing bowed and said, "Is it possible to go to Hangzhou?"

"Jiangnan?" Li Chengqian looked at Li Jing in surprise and said, "Why would the Duke allow his second son to go to Jiangnan?"

Although Li Jing's son cannot be as capable as Li Jing in making plans and winning battles thousands of miles away, he should at least choose a place where he can gain good experience.

Jiangnan is a luxurious place. A person who is truly ambitious for a future will not go to Jiangnan.

Although it is prosperous there, it is too far from the central area.

Even Yangzhou is fine.

Li Jing said with a wry smile: "My second son is a playboy and has a bad reputation in Chang'an City. Fortunately, his nature is good, otherwise..."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly. Although Li Jing was born into the Sanyuan Li family, he did not have close ties with his family.

After defeating Tuyuhun, Li Jing submitted a letter of resignation, but the emperor did not agree. In the end, he allowed him to go home to recuperate, but he was specially kept here.

At that time, in order to protect himself, he allowed his second son to be more dissolute.

Although there will be impeachment by court officials, nothing will happen as long as you don't break the law.

Even in this situation, the more others impeached Li Jing, the more disgusted Li Shimin became.

Li Jing had already shut himself in, but there were still people who would not let him go. Li Shimin was naturally disgusted and demoted several people. Only then did Chang'an City quiet down.

However, Li Jing's second son, Li Dejiang, developed some bad habits.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "That's fine. However, Hangzhou is an upper-level prefecture, so it's not difficult to transfer there, but it won't be easy to do well either.

In this way, let Erlang be the Imperial Cook for a while, and then be transferred to the post of Chief Clerk of Hangzhou, and no one will say anything."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Jing bowed deeply to Li Chengqian. He could see Li Chengqian's purpose.

Li Chengqian still had some expectations for Li Dejiang, so he made him the Shangshi Fengyu. Although the time he spent with the emperor was not long, it was already the rarest opportunity for people in the world.

……

"Regarding matters concerning the northwest, the Duke will make his own decisions. Regarding the Goguryeo issue, does the Duke have any opinions?" Li Chengqian examined the map of Xichang Prefecture on the shelf, then turned and walked to the short couch, inviting Li Jing to sit down. A eunuch was already serving tea. Li Jing lowered his head, then looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "Your Majesty, do you have any questions?"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "I have various plans for Goguryeo. I believe it will not be difficult to destroy the country with some time. But for some reason, I always feel a sense of emptiness and uneasiness in my heart."

Li Jing looked at Li Chengqian deeply, then lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty's feeling is correct. In fact, Your Majesty should understand that destroying Goguryeo and destroying Tubo are based on the same principle."

Li Chengqian sat there, chewing on every word Li Jing said.

"Tuba is remote, and there are plateau wildernesses blocking the way. Therefore, we need to use Tuyuhun as our base, consolidate our foundation, and then annex Western Tuyuhun, Subi, and Yangtong. This is the strategy that Your Majesty and I have decided on before." Li Jing looked up at Li Chengqian seriously.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Separate the Suobei and Yangtong tribes, and then suppress Tubo south of the Tanggula Mountains, and force them into internal rebellion."

"That's right." Li Jing looked at Li Chengqian and said, "This is the correct military strategy, but why did Your Majesty lose his mind when he was in Goguryeo?"

"Are you confused? But the three kingdoms of Dongdao are Goguryeo in the front, Baekje and Silla in the back..." Li Chengqian seemed to understand something when he was halfway through his words. He whispered, "The Duke is talking about Liaodong and Northern Goguryeo."

The area south of the Yalu River and north of the Taedong River is called Northern Goguryeo.

"Your Majesty is wise." Li Jing smiled and nodded, saying, "Liaodong originally belonged to the Han Dynasty. It is not difficult to retake it and govern it again. But the problem lies with Northern Goguryeo. They have belonged to Goguryeo for hundreds of years and are not close to the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, both the Emperor and Your Majesty are pursuing the path of extermination, using the direct means of conquering Goguryeo, but..."

"what?"

"Both your Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus want to completely incorporate the people of Goguryeo into the Tang Dynasty." Li Jing shook his head and said, "That's why everything is so awkward."

Either completely destroy Goguryeo and kill all the people in Goguryeo, or completely incorporate them into the Tang Dynasty.

"My father destroyed the Eastern Turks, but he didn't kill all the Turks. Naturally, I don't have such a murderous nature as to kill all the Goguryeo people." Li Chengqian shook his head.

"So, I suggest, Your Majesty, that you divide Goguryeo into two. Not just North Goguryeo and South Goguryeo in name only, but completely separate North Goguryeo from Goguryeo." Li Jing looked up at Li Chengqian and said, "Liaodong is Tang territory, so you can manage it with peace of mind. Meanwhile, North Goguryeo can be re-established as a state, its people can be taken in, and its land can be nurtured, so that we can attack South Goguryeo."

Li Chengqian listened quietly. Based on Li Jing's analysis, a feasible strategy to destroy Goguryeo had emerged.

This is even the same strategy used by Tuyuhun and Tubo.

Once it is proven feasible, the Tang Dynasty can use this method in future battles in all directions.

"Furthermore, this method will place very little burden on the people of the court." After a brief pause, Li Jing looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Otherwise, even if Your Majesty destroyed Goguryeo, it would still take thirty to fifty years to completely stabilize it. The investment involved would definitely be substantial, and even a single mistake could lead to its downfall."

Li Chengqian fell silent.

The Tang Dynasty's foundation for conquering Goguryeo was unstable.

Or to be more precise, people's hearts have not been devoted to it.

The people of Goguryeo had no regard for the Tang Dynasty.

In his previous life, it took Li Zhi nearly twenty years to conquer Goguryeo, but Goguryeo's restoration movement continued to rise and fall.

In the end, Goguryeo and Baekje were swallowed up by Silla, and the Tang Dynasty withdrew from the Eastern Island countries.

Therefore, the method of destroying Goguryeo in one go is not feasible, as the foundation for doing so is too unstable.

In order to make Goguryeo completely integrated into the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty split the north and the south, and made them fight against each other and hate each other. Then North Goguryeo would take the initiative to integrate into the Tang Dynasty. In this way, the Tang Dynasty could completely control the area north of the Taedong River, and the people of Goguryeo could also be used by the Tang Dynasty.

They even pay taxes.

pay taxes.

Li Chengqian's heart was completely settled. He nodded and said, "It is not difficult to establish a country in Northern Goguryeo. We can just use Gao Baozang's name. He happens to have someone in Chang'an."

"Your Majesty, you are sending Gao Baozang to death!" Li Jing looked at Li Chengqian in surprise.

"The King of Goguryeo has never had a favorable impression of the Tang Dynasty, otherwise he would have started building the Great Wall in Liaodong as soon as my father ascended the throne." Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Let Li Yifu and his men handle the specifics. As for Liu Rengui, the Duke has met him. What do you think?"

"That's right." Li Jing thought for a moment and said, "He's better than me in some ways. Although he's a resolute man, he's very humble. His knowledge of how to handle things is a hundred times better than mine."

"There are still some talented people in the court when it comes to handling affairs." Li Chengqian smiled and said, "The new top scholar Lou Shide is also very good in this area. People from humble backgrounds are good at this..."

A burst of hurried footsteps suddenly interrupted Li Chengqian's voice, and Li Chengqian subconsciously looked up.

……

"Your Majesty!" Cen Changqian stood in front of the palace gate and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Princess Wencheng requests an audience."

Li Chengqian frowned, then looked at Li Jing and sighed, "Duke, trouble is coming."

"Princess, is this about Tubo?" Li Jing looked at Li Chengqian uncertainly.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "The Tibetan envoy came to Chang'an. I have had him secretly detained because I don't want Wencheng to see him."

"Your Majesty, are you worried that the Tibetans will influence Her Royal Highness the Princess?" Li Jing asked with certainty.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Songzan hopes that Wencheng will return to Luoxie and use her and the Tang Dynasty's power to suppress the internal situation. At the same time, he also hopes that in the future, when his son grows up, he can rebel and kill Wencheng and the Tang Dynasty. How can I let him do this?"

"But Your Majesty is worried that the princess wants to take it back." Li Jing saw through it very simply.

"Wencheng and Songtsen are married, so it's hard for her not to be influenced by Tubo." Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Forget it, let's postpone it for now and let the princess go see the queen. I have important matters to attend to."

"Yes!" Cen Changqian turned around and was about to leave.

"Wait a moment." Li Jing stopped Cen Changqian and said, "Your Majesty, this matter must be resolved eventually. Your Majesty should meet the princess in person."

Li Chengqian turned and looked at Li Jing.

Li Jing nodded slightly.

(End of this chapter)