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

Chapter 598 I Have Some Good Things (Part )

In the Tai Chi Hall.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a black dragon robe, sat on the imperial couch and looked at the ministers in the hall.

On the left are important officials of the court such as Zhangsun Wuji, Tang Jian, Yu Zhining, Ma Zhou, Lai Ji, Zhang Xingcheng, Yan Lide, Liu Dewei, Cui Dunli, and Zhangsun Xiang.

On the right are generals such as Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie, Zhang Shigui, Qiu Xinggong, Chang He, Xue Rengui, Li Anyan, Zhishisili and Qibi Heli.

Su Dingfang, dressed in a purple official robe, walked into the hall with a solemn expression.

Many of the important officials on both sides of the left side had participated in the eastern expedition to Goguryeo.

Although many of them will be transferred to this war, more of them will stay in Chang'an.

However, Su Dingfang noticed that there were quite a few young people behind the columns on both sides.

Pei Xingjian, Dai Zhide, Li Yifu, Liu Rengui, Xu Jingzong, Pei Yan and others stood behind on the left.

Xue Wanche, Qiu Xiaogong, Qin Shandao, Cheng Chubi, Yuchi Baolin, Wei Daijia, Duan Baoxuan, Wang Fangyi, Feng Zhidai, Liu Shenli and other young generals stood behind on the right side.

Su Dingfang vaguely understood in his heart that in the future, these young people would probably all have to go to the battlefield to gain experience.

Talent is cultivated through hard work.

……

Walking to the center of the hall and standing, Su Dingfang bowed to the emperor on the steps, then knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Su Dingfang, the General of the Right Garrison and the Earl of Qinghe County, pay my respects to you. May your Majesty live a long and healthy life."

"Hmm." Li Chengqian nodded, looked to the side and said, "Announce the decree."

"Yes!" Yu Zhining bowed and stepped forward, saying loudly, "General Su Dingfang of the Right Garrison, Earl of Qinghe County, is known for his bravery and wisdom. He has been in the battlefield for a long time and has always been known for his military talents. His talents are suitable for his situation, and we should follow the rules according to etiquette. He should be reinstated and assigned to defend the border.

You may be made General of the Left Garrison Guard, and Duke of Qinghe County. I decree this."

"I thank Your Majesty for your great grace." Su Dingfang couldn't help but kowtow deeply.

Being promoted from General of the Right Tunwei to General of the Left Tunwei was nothing. What really surprised him was that the emperor promoted him from County Earl to County Marquis, skipping over County Marquis.

This is a bit excessive.

"Since ancient times, the greatest achievement has been to destroy a nation." Li Chengqian looked at Su Dingfang and said, "This battle won't destroy Goguryeo directly, but we must completely eliminate all Goguryeo forces that block the Tang Dynasty from crossing the Taedong River and prepare for the destruction of the nation. My advance reward is nothing. If you want to achieve the rank of Duke, it depends on your management after the battle."

"I obey your order." Su Dingfang bowed heavily. He could hear that after the capture of Pingrang City, it would be him, Su Dingfang, who would be stationed in the front to command the army.

"Stand up." Li Chengqian nodded slightly and said, "I already know everything about the military. What I want to ask now is what is Quan Gaisuwen's reaction now? He shouldn't be able to see the army's movements."

"Yes!" Su Dingfang stood up and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, ever since the establishment of the Goguryeo Jiangbei Protectorate, people within Goguryeo have been stirring. Although Quan Gaisuwen killed many people and managed to calm the situation, he was ultimately forced to relax his stance and allow many civilians and soldiers to cross the Taedong River into Jiangbei."

"Among these people, there are probably quite a few Quan Gaisuwen spies." Li Chengqian waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Duke Yingguo can handle these matters, so I won't ask in detail. The key is the Taedong River. The Taedong River has always been difficult to cross. What is the current situation?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, the Taedong River is difficult to cross." Su Dingmian nodded solemnly and said, "The Taedong River is already extremely wide and difficult to cross. In recent years, Quan Gaisuwen has actively destroyed all easy landing points on the south bank of the Taedong River. He then leveled the ground between Rangcheng and the Taedong River, laid countless traps, and strengthened the city defenses, making it difficult to attack the city."

Li Chengqian leaned back slightly and said, "Go on."

Su Dingfang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Quan Gaisu Wen defended Ping Rang City with only one fundamental strategy, which was to drag it out. He only needed to drag it out from March to October, and he would have won."

The weather in Liaodong is bitterly cold, so although troops can be mobilized in March, the scale will not be too large.

September is the final time for siege, and in October we have to prepare to retreat.

"I understand." Li Chengqian nodded.

Liaodong is a vast area with a sparse population. Even in later times, even with a population of hundreds of millions and unlimited industrial development, the temperature is still terribly low.

Today, the population in Liaodong and Jiangbei is pitifully small, there is basically no industrialization, and the temperature is terrifyingly low.

"South of the Taedong River, Quan Gaisu Wen has made sufficient defenses in several cities. They even have a considerable number of cavalry in the rear, ready to provide reinforcements at any time." After a brief pause, Su Dingfang continued, "Although Baekje has reduced its food and fodder support to Goguryeo since last year, it hasn't completely cut it off. A Baekje army of 3,000 men is already stationed northwest of Pyeongrang City."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "After the war begins, these 3,000 men will likely disregard the Baekje king's orders and join the battle. I know this, but as long as Baekje doesn't ask the entire nation to aid Gaesomun, I'll have already accomplished my goal."

"Yes!" Su Dingfang nodded, then continued, "Also, in the eastern mountains, at the source of the Taedong River, the flow of water upstream has decreased significantly since this year. I suspect they are building a dam upstream to block the flow. If a war breaks out, if sharp wooden stakes are mixed in, the water and trees will be undermined, which will be a huge threat."

"So you didn't find the place to build the dam, nor did you destroy them." Li Chengqian understood the meaning of Su Dingfang's words.

"Yes, they hid too deeply, and there are more mountainous areas than plains in Goguryeo. Not only are the mountains vast and difficult to travel through, but they also have many fortresses. I and others sent people to look for them several times, but they were killed every time." Su Dingfang sighed lightly. This battle was not easy!

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded surprisingly calmly and said, "My dear, please continue."

"Yes!" Su Dingfang bowed and said, "Gai Suwen has sent many people from the mountains into Jiangbei, lurking in the wider mountains. Once a war breaks out in the future, they will inevitably rush out of the mountains to cut off the army's food supply. If Goguryeo in Jiangbei Protectorate helps at this time, the situation will be even more serious." "Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded indifferently. This was not a problem. At the critical moment, it was just a matter of killing more people in Jiangbei Protectorate.

"There's more." Su Dingfang looked up and said, "Quan Gai Suwen sent people to contact the Turks, Khitans, Mohe and other tribes, hoping that they would respond to the rebellion from the rear. Fortunately, Li Jinxing Gao Kan is very capable and can suppress it for the time being."

……

"This is the difficulty Liaodong is facing right now." Li Chengqian looked at Su Dingfang, smiled softly, and said, "The court is also facing difficulties. There have been great floods in the past two years. We have raised food and fodder several times, but there are still many shortages. Uncle, tell me, what is the current situation?"

"Yes!" Zhangsun Wuji stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, although there have been severe floods this year, Your Majesty has reduced taxes in many areas. However, the actual situation is much better than expected. After counting, we find that there is a shortage of approximately 5,000 people."

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded. He basically did not do anything big to the local area in the past two years, maintaining the situation during the Zhenguan period, and grain production continued to increase.

"Among them, Guangzhou is particularly important. The amount of grain sent to Luoyang from Guangzhou has been increasing year by year over the past two years. If this trend continues, the shortage of 5,000 men might be made up by next year or the year after." After a brief pause, Changsun Wuji said, "But we might need to send these 5,000 men by sea. That way, the grain and fodder shipped from Guangzhou can make up for the shortfall."

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian's expression remained calm, but the ministers were a little stern.

Du Zhenglun remained in his post as governor of Guangzhou during this matter.

The emperor had no intention of transferring his close confidant back to the central government.

Du Zhenglun has been providing more and more food and fodder in Guangzhou over the years. It must be said that the emperor has a very sharp vision.

"As long as there is no major disaster in the world next year or the year after, the food and grass will be enough." Changsun Wuji breathed a sigh of relief. He and the Ministry of Revenue calculated for several months before finally getting enough.

At this moment, all the court officials in the hall relaxed.

Food and grass are the heart of soldiers.

Without sufficient food and supplies, the morale of the army will immediately be shaken.

"This winter's snowfall was less than last year's, so while there will still be rain next year, it will be less than this year." Li Chengqian looked up and said, "Therefore, all regions must still take precautions against flooding."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Chengqian looked at Su Dingfang and said, "During the past few months that Su Qing has been in the court, you can discuss with the Ministry of War some specific strategies for conquering Pingrang City."

"Yes!" Su Dingfang bowed and nodded.

"As for this battle, the biggest problem is actually how to quickly capture Pingrang City." Li Chengqian smiled gently and said, "The Hundred Cavalry Division and the General's Office have produced some useful information in the past two years. I will take you all to take a look when I have time. I believe it will be useful in capturing Pingrang City."

"Yes!" The ministers bowed with curious eyes. They knew that the emperor had devoted his efforts to the innovation of military equipment in recent years, but they did not know how many good things he had produced.

Li Chengqian looked at Su Dingfang and said gently, "My dear minister, you have returned to the court. Besides resting on weekdays, please also take part in the palace guards... With you here, I can sleep more peacefully."

"Yes!" Su Dingfang looked up in surprise. What the emperor said...something happened in the court.

"Okay, that's all for today. It's the end of the year, and it's time to finish everything we did before the New Year." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian pointed to Pei Xingjian, Dai Zhide, Liu Rengui, Pei Yan, Qin Shandao, Cheng Chubi, Yuchi Baolin, Wei Daijia, Duan Baoxuan, Wang Fangyi, Feng Zhidai, Liu Shenli and others standing by and said, "My dear, take these guys with you for the next few months and see if you can bring anyone to Liaodong. Give me a list of names."

"Yes!" Su Dingfang bowed solemnly.

"Let's adjourn the court." Li Chengqian stood up directly.

The ministers bowed and said, "We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian walked out of the hall. At the side hall door, Li Chengqian looked at Zhang Ananda and asked, "Where is the King of Jing?"

Zhang Ananda bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the King of Jing will arrive in the capital in three days."

……

Princess Gaoyang's Mansion.

The household steward bowed to Princess Gaoyang, who was sitting in the central hall in men's attire, and said, "Your Highness, the Prince of Jing just went to burn incense for the Duke and then took his leave. However, the Prince Consort also left through the back door."

"They're having a secret meeting!" Princess Gaoyang stood up, picked up the long sword beside her, and said with a cold look in her eyes, "Let's go and see what they're discussing."

"Yes!" The housekeeper bowed.

After leaving the mansion, Princess Gaoyang went directly through Pingkangfang, and finally left the city and appeared in her own manor.

With a "bang", Princess Gaoyang kicked the door open.

The four people in the room were stunned.

Princess Gaoyang was also stunned.

four people?
(End of this chapter)