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

Chapter 606: In This Battle, I Want to Use My Body to Hurt Others (Part )

In the Liangyi Hall, countless officials were walking back and forth.

One memorial after another was delivered to Xu Jingzong, Li Yifu and Pei Yan who were standing on the right side of the hall.

After the three people quickly selected them, they handed three of them to Zhang Ananda.

After Zhang Ananda quickly read through them, he handed one of the books to the emperor who was standing in front of the Goguryeo sand table map.

Li Chengqian opened it and took a look, then retracted his gaze and turned sideways to look at Li Jing, Li Ji, Changsun Wuji and Cui Dunli beside him.

Su Dingfang stood a little behind.

"When marching and fighting, there's no need to worry too much. Just do what needs to be done." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "I'm only responsible for your logistics, food, fodder, and weapons. I'll do everything possible to deliver them to the front line. Fight as you need to, with the ultimate goal of capturing Pingrang City."

"I understand." Li Ji bowed solemnly.

"Use the right tactics to unite and the unexpected to win." Li Jing stood aside, looking at the sand table in front of him, and said softly, "We must make Goguryeo understand that the Tang Dynasty is not in a hurry this time. We have plenty of time to slowly wear them down, and then, when the opportunity arises, we will strike back and pierce Pingrang City."

"Yes!" Li Ji nodded seriously.

The most detailed battle strategy for the Tang Dynasty's war against Goguryeo has been released.

The army was divided into three routes, with Li Ji as the commander-in-chief, Niu Jinda as the chief of the central army, Su Dingfang as the chief of the left army, Liu Demin as the chief of the right army, and Yuchi Jingde as the chief of the rear army.

Li Ji led his army to Junbi City, opposite Pingrang City, and commanded all the troops.

Niu Jinda led the attack on Rangcheng.

Su Dingfang commanded more than a dozen armies to charge into the mountains on the east side, then encircled Pingrang City from the back and attacked Pingrang City from behind.

Liu Demin led the navy to clear out all ships that appeared along the coast of Goguryeo, including Baekje.

Finally, the army was divided into two groups, land and sea. One group went up along the Taedong River and attacked the city of Pyeongrang, while the other group surrounded the city from behind by land.

Any force that threatens the army will be eliminated, including the Baekje people.

……

"All military strategies, including the Goguryeo Jiangbei Military Governor's Office, the strategy of dividing people's hearts, and other various military equipment, should be used when necessary and discarded when not." Li Chengqian looked at Li Ji and said decisively, "Don't let anything interfere with your capture of Pingrang City."

"I obey your command." Li Ji took a deep breath and nodded.

This time the military strategy was led by the Ministry of War, led by Li Ji, who would check for deficiencies and fill in the gaps, and would be discussed together with dozens of generals in the army.

Almost every weakness of Goguryeo and every direction of attack were analyzed.

However, all of this still depends on the impromptu command of the army.

Today's Tang Dynasty, after Li Chengqian's management over the past few years, has gained the confidence to hurt others with its own strength.

"All authority regarding the generals and personnel transfers at the front of the army is now entirely yours. Act as you see fit and report back later." Li Chengqian looked at Li Ji and said, "I will not make any demands. Everything is premised on the capture of Pingrang City."

"I understand." Li Ji nodded. If he took Pingrang City, nothing would happen. If he failed to take Pingrang City, all the blame would be on him.

"Although you, my dear, have the final say on military strategy, I still want to give you a special reminder: don't jump into battle." Li Chengqian pointed to both sides of the Taedong River and said, "Make sure your reinforcements can keep up. Don't take any risks lightly."

"Yes!" Li Ji bowed seriously, without any dissatisfaction because Li Chengqian had said before that everything would be left to him, but now he was imposing restrictions.

Li Chengqian nodded gently and said, "This war between the Tang Dynasty and Goguryeo is a national war. For Quan Gaisuwen, it is even more fatal."

All the ministers nodded in agreement.

"If I were Quan Gaisuwen, I would mobilize all the soldiers and civilians of Goguryeo, set up obstacles and traps in every mountain and river in the territory, and make the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty pay a huge price for every step forward." Li Chengqian looked back at the sand table.

"Goguryeo's territory was vast, and even along the banks of the Taedong River, there were countless landing spots. Therefore, Quan Gaisuwen would relax his guard a bit in areas he couldn't plan for, setting traps later in more favorable terrain." Li Chengqian looked at Li Ji and said seriously, "In order to win a particular battle, Quan Gaisuwen would definitely sacrifice something upfront and lure the enemy deeper..."

"I understand." Li Ji nodded seriously.

"Especially the navy, they must exercise proper discipline. When the navy infantry go ashore, they are not allowed to go beyond the coverage range of the crossbows." Li Chengqian expressed his greatest concern.

"I obey your order." Li Ji bowed solemnly.

……

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Don't worry about Liaodong. Shenzhou Governor Su Xu will take care of all the transportation of military supplies and weapons. Further back in Hebei Province, Lord Zhang is personally in charge of Jizhou. Also in charge are Cui Renshi of Dingzhou, Duke Lu of Youzhou, Zhang Yanshi of Yingzhou, Fang Yizhi of Weizhou, Wang Dali of Zhengzhou, the Duke of Susong County in Luoyang, and me."

Li Chengqian and Zheng Rentai are in Luoyang, and military supplies will be transported all the way from Zhengzhou, Weizhou, Jizhou, Dingzhou, Youzhou, Yingzhou, Liaodong to Andong. Each place will be guarded by important officials to ensure that there will be no problems.

"The other Tang minister, Yan Qing, is responsible for the grain collection throughout the country." Li Chengqian looked at Li Ji and said with a smile, "The Tang Dynasty's preparations for Goguryeo actually began in the 20th year of Zhenguan, when my father returned from Goguryeo.

Although there have been severe floods in the past two years, the military needs of a 100,000-man army for three years, although somewhat tight, are fully prepared."

Li Ji didn't know what to say except to bow.

"Also, the rainfall so far this year has been confirmed to be much less than last year, so this year is very likely to be a year of good harvest." Li Chengqian looked at the ministers and said, "In just two years, the Tang Dynasty will have three years of war reserves, so six years..."

Li Chengqian stared at Li Ji and finally said, "Your Excellency has six years of food reserves. You don't have to be so nervous, but you must remember that after six years, the Tang Dynasty will not be able to produce a single drop of food."

"I understand." Li Ji nodded and said, "I will never let everything drag on until that time." Six years is just a maximum number. Once there is a major disaster in the world and the Tang Dynasty needs these grains to provide disaster relief, these grains must be moved.

Of course, later on, both the Tang army and the Goguryeo army suffered considerable casualties, and there was not enough food left for the army.

To be more precise, Li Ji had to create an appearance in the army that there was sufficient food to support six years of war preparations in order to scare Quan Gaisuwen and the Goguryeo people.

After all, this is still part of the psychological warfare strategy.

Of course, when it comes to a fight involving hundreds of thousands of people, any means that can increase the odds of victory is the best means.

……

Li Chengqian nodded, turned to look at Li Jing on the other side, and said, "I don't really have much to worry about in the entire world. The only one who could cause the situation to collapse is Ashina Helu of the Western Turks. Therefore, the Duke of Weiguo will leave later and leave Chang'an with Helu after the Crown Prince's wedding."

"Yes!" Li Jing bowed solemnly.

"After you return, Duke, please stay in Xituyuhun for a while. The terrain there is low, the air is good, and it's warm, perfect for recuperation." Li Chengqian smiled and said, "As long as the Duke is in Xichang Prefecture, I and the Tang Dynasty can rest easy."

"I obey your command." Li Jing bowed solemnly.

Li Chengqian turned to look at Li Ji and said, "Duke Ying, please leave in a few days. You don't have to wait for the Crown Prince's wedding. As the Minister of the Right, you will dispatch officials from various departments in Chang'an City to Luoyang first to transport food, fodder, and military equipment."

"I obey your order." Li Ji bowed solemnly. The emperor had not removed Li Ji from his position as Shangshu You Pushe over the years because it made it easier for him to do things.

"As for your dear family, Jingye has been studying with the prince. After the prince's wedding, I will appoint him as a proofreader in the prince's Chongwenguan, so that he can stay with the prince for a few more years." Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly. Li Jingye is sixteen years old this year and has been studying with Li Xiang for several years.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Ji understood Li Chengqian's meaning, which was to allow him to serve in the army with peace of mind, and the emperor would take care of his family, studies and future.

Li Chengqian's eyes flickered slightly. Li Jingye's future rebellion did have his own ambitions, but the ultimate reason was the weakness of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian glanced at Pei Yan behind him, then looked back at the sand table. His expression was serious as he said, "The most important reason why Prime Minister Fang and Prime Minister Wei opposed the Tang Dynasty's eastern expedition to Goguryeo was that after the destruction of Goguryeo, we couldn't afford to take care of the millions of people there. We didn't have enough food and fodder."

The ministers nodded silently, the people in the occupied areas are also people.

"So, remember this: after taking Pingrang City, seize their food and wealth, then withdraw to the north bank. Leave Pingrang City and Southern Goguryeo to Gao Baozang, letting him handle the rest on his own. Put all the pressure on him." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "At most, we'll build a few porridge stalls on the north bank. Do you understand?"

"We obey your orders." The ministers bowed solemnly.

Don't be a good person with a bad heart. The army doesn't need such people.

"Destroying Goguryeo is my father's long-cherished wish, as well as mine and the wish of the entire Tang Dynasty." Li Chengqian sighed and said, "But we can't rush. Taking Pingrang City and dismantling all of his arrangements to the north will complete 70% of Goguryeo's destruction. The rest is to gradually force civil unrest among the three kingdoms, ultimately leading to their mutual annihilation."

"Yes!" The ministers looked stern.

The Tang Dynasty wanted to destroy Goguryeo, and this has never changed.

"Let's leave it at that for today. Everyone go back and get busy. The busier we are today, the less pressure the Tang Dynasty will have." Li Chengqian turned around and looked straight at the ministers.

"Yes!" The ministers bowed solemnly to Li Chengqian.

It has been their long-cherished wish for the Tang Dynasty to destroy Goguryeo, and they will definitely do it.

……

"Your Majesty, the prince has arrived." Cen Changqian stood at the door of the palace and bowed solemnly to the emperor in the center of the magnificent hall.

"Let him in." Li Chengqian finished reviewing the memorial in his hand and then looked up.

Li Xiang, standing before the Danbi, immediately bowed and said, "Greetings to the Emperor, may the Emperor live in peace!"

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "I have already had the Eastern Palace cleaned up. Before the wedding, someone will move all your things in. From now on, you will sit in the Eastern Palace."

"Yes!" Li Xiang bowed solemnly, with excitement in his eyes.

Li Chengqian smiled and continued, "After the wedding, you will become an adult, and you will have to deal with many things in the future."

"Yes!" Li Xiang suddenly felt a heavy pressure coming, and even a little fear in his heart.

"You will continue to study in the Inner Academy every day, but afterward, when you return to the Eastern Palace, you will be taught by the teachers there. Also," Li Chengqian said after a brief pause, "After my eastern tour, you will be acting as regent. You are still young and unfit to handle major political affairs. I will have Li Yanshou, Zhao Zhiman, and Feng Yandao go to the Ministry of Justice to hear cases and select cases to bring back to the Eastern Palace."

"Yes!" Li Xiang already understood.

"Yes, this is the power your royal grandfather once gave me, and I am giving it to you now." Li Chengqian looked at Li Xiang and said seriously, "First, the Ministry of Justice, then the Dali Temple, the Censorate, and finally the Secretariat. Gradually accumulate the ability to handle the affairs of the world and increase your understanding of the world's political affairs.

When you realize how heavy the world is, it will be time for your father to relax. When that happens, don't hide."

"Yes!" Li Xiang bowed solemnly.

"Finally, when you're alone in the Eastern Palace, you must exercise restraint and not act recklessly." Li Chengqian's expression grew serious, and he said earnestly, "Your eldest son must be the Crown Princess's son. This point must not be mistaken, otherwise it will be a path to disaster."

"Your son obeys your order." Li Xiang's expression suddenly became serious.

Li Chengqian smiled softly.

(End of this chapter)