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

Chapter 621: Military expenses of eight million strings of cash. Every day, I feel like I’m walking on thin ice! (Part )
As soon as the emperor entered Luoyang, all preparations for the eastern expedition began to accelerate.

Ships carrying large amounts of food, fodder and military equipment sailed eastward along the Luo River.

Teams of well-trained soldiers, led by their captains, joined the crowds and headed eastward along the banks of the Luo River.

Behind them, there were countless soldiers gathered in the forbidden garden north of Ziwei Palace to receive training.

According to the deployment of the Ministry of War, thousands of soldiers took the lead in heading to Liaodong every day. Those who left on the first day of August were the last batch.

……

It's already the end of July.

In the Zhenguan Hall, Li Chengqian stood on the Andong sand table, with Tang Jian, Yan Lide, Liu Dewei, Cui Dunli and others on his left, and Li Ji, Liang Jianfang, Cheng Zhijie, Yuchi Jingde and Ashina Zhong and others on his right.

Countless dense red lines spread out across the entire sand table, and the most detailed war plan of the entire Tang Dynasty against Goguryeo was all here.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief, turned to look at Li Ji and said, "From the army's attack and march to the logistical supply, the court has already planned for three years. No matter what problems arise, the court has the ability to remedy them."

Li Ji bowed earnestly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you all."

The ministers bowed in return.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "This is basically all the court can do. What remains is to identify and address any shortcomings and adapt to changing circumstances... However, I believe that Goguryeo will never be able to plot like the Tang Dynasty. With this advantage and overwhelming national strength, as long as they remain cautious and avoid any unforeseen events, this battle will be unstoppable."

"Your Majesty is absolutely right." Li Ji bowed to Li Chengqian respectfully.

In the last month, while the DPRK was making final adjustments in all aspects, it also conducted the most comprehensive review of this battle.

The Tang Dynasty will undoubtedly win.

However, even so, the emperor could accurately see the possible crises in this battle.

Carelessness, the world changes suddenly.

Carelessness is a matter of military morale.

The sudden changes in heaven and earth actually refer more to winter, which is extremely cold beyond imagination. That kind of situation is simply beyond human control.

Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly, then walked towards the imperial bed.

The ministers stood on both sides of the hall.

"Andong is bitterly cold. I will do everything possible to mobilize woolen clothes and various medicinal herbs to be sent to the front line. For the rest, I will rely on you to arrange for hunting and harvesting in the mountains in the various prefectures and counties of Andong." Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "Finally, we will try to gather the soldiers together in winter. With more people, it will be less cold."

"Yes!" Li Ji nodded suddenly. After many years of military career, he knew that the more winters gathered, the less cold it became.

Li Chengqian smiled, then looked at Li Chunfeng standing behind him and said, "Mr. Li, please explain this to the Duke of Ying in detail."

"Yes!" Li Chunfeng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Duke Yingguo, everyone, this is because people are inherently hot. When they gather together and light a fire, they become warmer. However, the cold wind blows from all directions, and the outermost layer blocks the coldest. Then, the further inward you go, the less cold wind you feel. This is the principle of a city."

The ministers in the hall nodded in sudden realization.

Li Chunfeng continued to bow and said, "So, the more people there are, the colder it is for those outside, but in the middle, the deeper and more central the place, the higher the temperature."

"It's like a warm island suddenly popping out from the pitch-black, cold ocean." Li Chengqian smiled, then waved his hand and said, "That's basically the principle. So, even if there's no city, surrounding the army with vehicles and fences, and then having soldiers take turns guarding it, that's enough to keep the warmth inside."

After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "I admire ancient books. Some people even use snow to build houses, and it doesn't feel cold inside. I think this is the same principle."

"Your Majesty is wise." All the ministers bowed in unison.

"Okay, that's it for today. The army will set out in three days." Li Chengqian's expression grew serious, and he said earnestly, "Shaofujian!"

"I'm here!" Shaofu Supervisor Qiu Xingyan stood up and bowed.

"Take out all the wine and meat in the palace!" Li Chengqian said seriously. "Except for some wine for the sacrifice three days later when the army sets out, the rest will be used to reward the soldiers over the next three days."

"Yes!" Qiu Xingyan bowed and accepted the order.

"Alright, go and rest now." Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "I won't keep you any longer."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed and said, "We will take our leave."

"The Duke of England, please stay!"

……

Under the cover of night, in the Zhenguan Palace.

Li Chengqian and Li Ji sat opposite each other, with a low table in front of each of them, on which were placed a few plates of side dishes and a pot of fine wine.

"Three days later, I will grant you the authority to command the army. All military affairs will be under your control. If the general disobeys military orders, he will be arrested immediately and sent back to Chang'an. If any general below the rank of general, general, lieutenant general, or lieutenant general violates military law and disobeys military orders, you can execute him directly." Li Chengqian looked up at Li Ji.

Li Ji looked surprised. You know, even in the past few years, Li Ji only had military generals at the level of Lang Jiang who could be beheaded, and the rest had to be taken back to Chang'an for disposal.

Now it has been directly raised by two levels.

Li Ji immediately stood up, walked to the side, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed, saying: "I thank your majesty for your great grace."

"Stand up." Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly and said seriously, "The annual expenditure of the court for this Andong Campaign is six million strings of cash. This is because we have Liaodong as a base and the Goguryeo Jiangbei Protectorate can provide some support. Otherwise, the expenditure would have to reach eight million strings of cash."

"Yes!" Li Ji's expression became serious.

War is about money.

In the past few years, Goguryeo was almost destroyed. The reason why he still supported it was nothing more than Quan Gaisuwen's pride.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Ji seriously and said, "So, my dear, in the past few years, sometimes you should not be too rigid. When it is necessary to be ruthless, be ruthless. Even if some methods are criticized, you still have to do what you should do. Don't forget that in Western Turkestan, there is Ashina Helu who is watching covetously."

"I understand." Li Ji nodded vigorously.

Li Chengqian raised his cup and said to Li Ji, "Come, Duke Ying, drink this cup to the bottom. I wish you great victory."

"May the Tang Dynasty win a great victory, and may Your Majesty win a great victory." Li Ji raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

This time, Li Ji drank a lot and got very drunk.

Watching the eunuchs helping Li Ji down, Li Chengqian couldn't help but sigh.

Glancing at Xu An standing to the side, Li Chengqian asked, "What do you think? Do you think I'm being too cautious?"

Xu An thought for a moment, then bowed and said, "I see Your Majesty handling a vast amount of official business daily, mobilizing as many people and materials as possible to Liaodong, and granting the Duke of Ying almost uncontrollable power. Even so, Your Majesty still wants the Duke of Ying to abandon some of his principles as a general. This does give people the impression of being overly cautious."

"Do you want to know why?" Li Chengqian raised his head slightly.

"A humble question?" Xu An bowed solemnly. Li Chengqian sighed, looked toward Goguryeo, and said softly, "Because I've never been to Goguryeo, never seen the vast Taedong River, which almost became an obstacle, and never seen Pyeongrang City, where Quan Gaisuwen depended on his life. The unfamiliarity of it all makes me uneasy."

Xu An lowered his head solemnly.

Li Chengqian looked up and said, "When my father was on the Eastern Expedition, I was in charge of the logistics. The annual military expenditure of eight million strings of cash lasted for two years, almost consuming most of the accumulation of the Zhenguan period. This is why my father allowed the country to recuperate in the following years."

The autumn wind swept past, bringing with it waves of uncontrollable worry.

"Later, I established the Goguryeo Jiangbei Protectorate and decided to withdraw our troops after capturing Pingrang City because the Tang Dynasty could not afford to support the millions of people who would be affected after conquering Goguryeo. This is why Prime Minister Fang and Wei Shang strongly opposed it all those years ago."

Li Chengqian gave a wry smile and said, "Even if the Tang Dynasty ultimately triumphs and seizes a vast amount of Goguryeo's wealth, it will take quite some time to convert this wealth into state use. This means that after this battle, the imperial court will have to make adjustments for two to three years."

"Your Majesty has a long-term vision, which I cannot compare to." Xu An bowed solemnly.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "This is actually nothing. It's nothing more than recuperation. But unfortunately, in the Western Regions, there is still Ashina Helu watching covetously... Only if Songtsen is dead, it will be easier."

Xu An could hear the heavy pressure even if he listened.

"You don't know how expensive firewood and rice are until you manage a household." Li Chengqian raised his head, looked at the dark night sky above, and said softly, "Every day I feel like I'm walking on thin ice!"

……

The autumn wind is biting and the flags are rustling.

Luoyang, Upper East Gate.

Pay homage to the general.

Five human heads are hung on the flagpole on the left. These are local grain officials who were found to have stolen military rations during the past month.

According to military law, beheading in public.

Twenty thousand infantry and cavalry, holding long spears, swords and shields, stood on the banks of the Luo River, their eyes all looking towards the general's platform.

Li Ji, dressed in red and golden armor, half-knelt on the platform for worshipping generals, took the imperial seal from the emperor's hand, and then kowtowed solemnly.

All the soldiers looked awed when they saw this scene.

If a general violates military orders, he will be dismissed and escorted back to the capital for punishment; if a general or a lieutenant general violates military orders, he will be beheaded.

As for the other Lang Jiang, Du Wei, and Xiao Wei, they are not worth mentioning.

Li Ji's authority in the army was completely consolidated at this moment.

Li Chengqian was wearing a scarlet dragon robe, with a long sword in a black sheath hanging from his waist. He stood on the platform for the general's appointment, looking at the tiger talisman on one side and the imperial axe in Li Ji's hand.

He nodded slightly.

Li Chengqian raised his head and looked around.

Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie, Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, Xue Wanche, Ashina Zhong, Qiu Xiaogong and others stood on horseback.

Behind them, Pei Xingjian, Wang Fangyi, Duan Baoxuan, Liu Shenli, Wei Daijia, Feng Zhidai and other young generals bowed their hands.

These people, together with Niu Jinda, Liu Demin, Gao Kan, Li Jinxing and others who are already in the front of the army, are all the military generals in the entire Andong combat sequence.

There are also many generals in other rear areas. If the army needs them in the future, they will go to the front to provide support as soon as possible.

Li Chengqian's eyes swept over Pei Xingjian and Wang Fangyi.

These two people will become the new generation of talents who will replace Li Jing, Li Ji and Su Dingfang in the future.

I hope they can be thoroughly tempered in this battle.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, withdrew his gaze from the generals, and then, in full view of everyone, he took off the Qianniu Sword from his waist and handed it forward.

Li Ji knelt on one knee with a look of astonishment on his face.

Li Chengqian looked at the Qianniu Knife in his hand, smiled softly, and then said, "Duke Yingguo, I'm afraid I will never be able to go to Goguryeo in this lifetime, and I won't be able to witness your heroic performance in conquering Pingrang City."

Tens of thousands of soldiers, as well as countless civilians farther away, all listened quietly to what the emperor said.

"This Qianniu Sword isn't a masterpiece, but it's the one that's been with me the longest." Li Chengqian handed it forward, saying, "Let it go to the Taedong River on my behalf and watch you breach it, slay Quan Gaisuwen, and bring Gao Baozang to his knees before the great banner."

There was something Li Chengqian didn't say.

Wherever the sword goes, it is like the presence of a king.

It's not that he didn't dare to grant Li Ji this power, but he was worried that if he granted him too much power, he would suffer backlash in the future.

Li Ji was such a smart man, how could he not understand what Li Chengqian meant.

He bowed his head heavily to the ground and said gratefully, "I will definitely capture Pingrang City, kill Quan Gaisuwen, and make Gao Baozang kneel before the Tang Dynasty flag."

Li Chengqian raised his head and said in a deep voice, "Get up and go to the battle."

"Go, go, go!"

The loud sound of trumpets rang out from all directions.

As the military flag waved, everyone turned around.

"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"

Amidst shouts, the soldiers at the front began to move forward, followed closely by the others.

Li Chengqian stood on the platform, watching the soldiers marching forward with great cheers. Suddenly, he couldn't help but clench his fists, waving them impulsively and shouting, "Ten thousand victory, ten thousand victory, ten thousand victory, ten thousand victory for the Tang Dynasty..."

All the soldiers shouted in unison: "Victory, victory, victory, victory! Victory to the Tang Dynasty! Victory to Your Majesty!"

……

After a long time, Li Chengqian looked at the soldiers going away, and his heart felt inexplicably heavy.

Zeguo Jiangshan entered the war map, Shengmin He Jile Qiaosu.

Relying on Junmo's words to seal the affairs of the princes, one will succeed in a thousand bones.

How many people can come back alive from this battle?

(End of this chapter)