The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 176 What is the gentleman's intention?
He first defined the nature of the conflict and stated his position, which eased the tension among the pro-war faction.

Then, he changed the subject.

"However, as Fang Xiang, my uncle and Gao Gong said, the expedition to Goguryeo is no ordinary one."

"The mountains are high and the roads are long, and logistics are difficult. The lessons of the Sui Dynasty are still fresh in our minds. Although our dynasty is strong, we must act according to our capabilities."

He paused, glancing at Cheng Zhijie and Li Ji, noticing their slightly furrowed brows, but did not interrupt.

"In particular... the imperial court has been issuing bonds continuously in order to raise funds and provisions."

"The development of Xizhou and disaster relief in various places all depend on this."

"If a major war were to break out suddenly at this time, the military expenditure would be enormous, which may not be able to be supported by the current national treasury and bonds."

“If additional taxes are imposed forcibly, or bonds are issued indiscriminately, it may damage the people’s livelihood and undermine the foundation of the bond’s credibility.”

"At that time, the external war will not be over, and internal troubles will arise first, which will be undesirable."

He directly raised the most practical issues of "bonds" and "fiscal risk".

This caused the ministers who had initially advocated for a swift victory to fall into deep thought.

Even Cheng Zhijie opened his mouth, but couldn't immediately refute it.

They understand the principle that war is about securing resources and supplies better than anyone else.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin one last time, his tone sincere.

"Therefore, I believe that this matter is of great importance, and that a single move could have far-reaching consequences. It is not advisable to make a decision immediately, but rather to consider it carefully."

"I humbly request Your Majesty to allow me some time to carefully examine the financial and grain aspects, weigh the pros and cons, and then report back."

He did not directly oppose sending troops, but instead made a seemingly reasonable request—

A more detailed financial assessment will take time.

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

Li Shimin's deep gaze fell on Li Chengqian, carrying an indescribable sense of inquiry.

He hadn't expected the Crown Prince to make such a suggestion.

He had assumed that, given the Crown Prince's recent display of vigor, even if he did not advocate for war, he would at least support limited punishment.

Instead of being so cautious, he was even... somewhat worried.

Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise and deep thought in each other's eyes.

The Crown Prince's perspective on issues is increasingly resembling that of a mature ruler.

Cheng Zhijie and Li Ji frowned. Although they felt that the Crown Prince's words made sense, their military intuition told them that the opportunity to fight was fleeting.

Gao Shilian nodded slightly, seemingly acknowledging the Crown Prince's composure.

Li Shimin remained silent for a moment.

Finally, he spoke slowly, his voice calm and even.

"Granted. Your Highness, please carefully consider this matter and provide me with a plan as soon as possible."

"My son, I obey."

Li Chengqian bowed and accepted the order, but felt no relief whatsoever.

He had to find a viable path between his father's and his courtiers' desire for war and the financial risks his teacher had warned him about.

Li Chengqian left the Liangyi Hall and returned to the Xiande Hall, but he did not immediately summon anyone.

He dismissed his attendants and sat alone in the empty hall.

The fire in the charcoal brazier crackled occasionally, only amplifying the deathly silence within the hall.

He needs to think things through first and sort out his chaotic thoughts.

Goguryeo must be punished. Yeon Gaesomun murdered the emperor and betrayed the Tang Dynasty; if the court does nothing, what face will the Celestial Empire have left?

The surrounding barbarian tribes will surely look down on the Tang Dynasty, and border troubles may arise from this point.

On this point, he had no disagreement with his father or the pro-war faction.

The disagreement lies in the timing and the method.

Should we immediately launch a full-scale expedition?

This undoubtedly puts the financial and credit system that the imperial court and the Crown Prince had worked so hard to build on a volcano.

The 500,000 strings of cash "Zhenguan Yuguo Certificates" were like a boulder thrown into a pond that was not deep or wide to begin with.

If the war is forcibly escalated further, like a pond bursting its banks, the very foundation of the Tang Dynasty will be submerged.

At that time, public resentment will boil over, and internal strife will ensue. Not to mention conquering Goguryeo, the very existence of the nation may be in danger of collapse.

This is by no means an exaggeration; the history of the Sui Dynasty is still fresh in our minds, filled with blood and tears.

So, should we remain inactive and merely send envoys to rebuke them?

This would appear too weak, and would also embolden Yeon Gaesomun and discourage the vassal state of Silla.

This will further disappoint the pro-war faction in the court, especially the military, in their feelings towards him as the crown prince.

The little prestige he has recently accumulated will likely crumble instantly.

How can we achieve both?

He sat there for nearly an hour, his mind a jumble of thoughts, yet he couldn't quite grasp the thread of reasoning.

His old ankle injury throbbed with pain from the cold and prolonged sitting, a stark reminder of his disability and helplessness.

A familiar sense of irritability began to gnaw at his heart, and he almost wanted to grab something from the table and smash it down, just like he used to do, to vent this suffocating frustration.

But he ultimately held back.

He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

He recalled the "way of weighing options" taught by his teacher, and the "theory of games".

In this situation, the participants were not only the Tang Dynasty and Goguryeo, but also various forces in the court, and even... him and his father.

He cannot afford to lose his composure first.

"Someone come here," he said in a hoarse voice.

The eunuchs waiting outside the hall immediately bowed and entered.

"Summon Du Zhenglun and Dou Jing... to come see me immediately."

He needs to hear their opinions first, not expect them to come up with groundbreaking solutions.

Rather, it was to take this opportunity to see the general opinion within the Crown Prince's palace regarding this matter.

At the same time, it is also a gesture—he is indeed “carefully sorting things out,” not just making excuses.

Before long, Du Zhenglun, Dou Jing, and several other officials from the Eastern Palace filed in, bowed, and knelt at the lower end of the table.

Li Chengqian briefly recounted the discussions about Goguryeo held in the Liangyi Hall.

The specific attitudes of Li Shimin and his senior officials were omitted, and only the rebelliousness of Yeon Gaesomun and the dilemma of whether or not to send troops were emphasized.

"I have summoned you all here to hear your opinions. There is no need for formalities; speak freely."

Li Chengqian picked up the slightly cooled teacup, took a sip, and glanced at the others.

Du Zhenglun spoke first. As the Left Vice-Chancellor of the Crown Prince, his duty was to assist and teach the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, I believe that Goguryeo, such a small and insignificant state, dared to commit such a treasonous act. If it is not severely punished, where will its national prestige be?"

"Therefore, the art of war is a matter of vital importance to the state, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction, and it is imperative to examine it carefully."

"The defeats of the three campaigns of the Sui Dynasty serve as a stark warning. Your Majesty agrees with the need for caution. We must ensure sufficient provisions and thorough planning before launching any military campaigns."

His words were measured and steady, expressing his stance and supporting the Crown Prince's "caution," without any faults, but also lacking any originality.

Dou Jing continued, "Your Highness, what Lord Du said is absolutely right. I have also been paying close attention to the situation in Liaodong recently."

"Goguryeo is a mountainous country with fortified cities and a fierce and warlike populace. If our army were to launch a long and arduous expedition, our supply lines would be stretched thin, making us vulnerable to enemy attacks. Moreover, it is now winter, and Liaodong is bitterly cold, making it an unsuitable time for military operations."

“If we force an attack, we risk losing soldiers before we even fight. I think we should first send an envoy to reprimand them, ordering them to withdraw from Silla, resume the tribute route, and hand over Yeon Gaesomun.”

"If they do not comply, we can discuss the expedition again. Then we will have a more legitimate reason to send troops, and we can wait until the spring is warm next year to make preparations at our leisure."

His opinion leaned more towards delaying tactics, which was similar to Fang Xuanling's view.

The other officials also spoke up. Some advocated immediately mobilizing troops from surrounding prefectures to put pressure on Goguryeo, while others believed that the main approach should be to maintain control and unite with Silla and Baekje to restrain them.

Although opinions differed slightly, they generally agreed that troops should not be dispatched hastily and that time was needed for preparation. Li Chengqian listened quietly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

These suggestions were all within his expectations and were a microcosm of the mainstream views in the court.

They could not resolve his deepest inner thoughts—

How can we effectively curb Quan Gaesomun's arrogance during the "preparation" period without putting the Crown Prince in a passive position?

Even... we might be able to do something about it.

About half an hour later, he waved his hand, his face showing just the right amount of fatigue.

“What you all say makes sense, and I have benefited greatly from it. Please allow me to think about it carefully. What happened today is between you and me, and must not be spread outside.”

"I understand."

The crowd responded in unison, bowed, and withdrew from Xiande Hall.

Silence returned to the hall.

Li Chengqian knew that this was the only idea his subordinates could offer.

There was only one person who could truly dispel the fog for him.

The next day.

Li Chengqian summoned Li Yichen.

The waiting time was extremely long.

Li Chengqian had no interest in handling documents or reading.

He limped slowly around the hall, his mind replaying the conversations in the Liangyi Hall, the suggestions from his subordinates, and the teachings of his teacher.

He felt as if he were standing on the edge of a giant chessboard, able to see the perilous nature of the game, yet unsure of which move to make.

The gentleman was the one who could guide him in his moves and even foresee his opponent's next dozen or so moves.

When Li Yichen's familiar figure finally appeared at the palace gate.

"gentlemen!"

Li Yichen remained calm and composed, bowing respectfully.

"Your Highness summoned me here regarding matters concerning Goguryeo?"

"Exactly!"

After Li Yichen sat down, Li Chengqian recounted everything that had happened in the Liangyi Hall, including his father's probing gaze, the reactions of the high-ranking officials, and his deep concerns about needing time to consider. He told them everything without reservation.

"...Sir, I am now in a dilemma. If we fight, the national treasury and bonds will be in danger, and we may even fall into the same trap as the Sui Dynasty."

"If we don't fight, the nation's prestige will be damaged, and there will be criticism from both the court and the public. Moreover, judging from my observation, my father is extremely keen to fight. What... what should we do?"

Li Yichen listened quietly, showing no surprise on his face.

Li Yichen's gaze was calm as he began to analyze the situation in depth.

"Your Highness, war is not just about two options: all-out war or inaction. There is much to be done in between."

He paused briefly to allow Li Chengqian time to process the information.

"First of all, I assert that even if Your Majesty has made up your mind, it is absolutely impossible for you to launch a large-scale military expedition immediately."

"It takes time to gather supplies and provisions, time to mobilize troops, time to scout routes, and, most importantly, to wage war in winter is a major taboo in military strategy."

“Liaodong is bitterly cold, and probably one or two out of ten soldiers will freeze to death before they even fight. This is neither the way of a benevolent ruler nor the choice of a wise man.”

"Therefore, at the earliest, we must wait until the beginning of next spring, after March, before we can use our troops."

Li Chengqian also knew this.

"Sir, you mean we have at least four months?"

“Not bad,” Li Yichen affirmed.

"These four months were not a period of passive waiting. Rather, we took the initiative to prepare for a possible major war in the future, and even... attempted to weaken Goguryeo at a lower cost."

"How exactly should we do it?"

Li Chengqian leaned forward and asked eagerly.

"First, divide and conquer, and win hearts and minds."

Li Yichen lowered his voice.

"Although Yeon Gaesomun usurped the throne by murdering the king, his country is by no means monolithic. Gao Jianwu has been king for many years; surely he has loyal ministers and former subordinates?"

"Is Gao Zang, who was put on the throne, willing to be a puppet forever?"

Li Chengqian seemed to be thinking about something.

"Does the gentleman mean... that we secretly contact forces within Goguryeo that oppose Yeon Gaesomun?"

“Exactly.” Li Yichen nodded.

"Your Highness may petition His Majesty to dispatch capable and astute individuals, either under the cover of merchant caravans or through third-party channels, to secretly infiltrate Goguryeo."

"Make contact with King Gōzō and those nobles and generals who are dissatisfied with Jeon Gaesomun."

"To convey the attitude of the Tang Dynasty to them, that the Tang Dynasty is only targeting Yeon Gaesomun's crime of regicide, and does not intend to be an enemy of the entire Goguryeo."

"We promised that if we could eliminate Yeon Gaesomun and restore order, the Tang Dynasty would be willing to form an alliance with him."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

“They could even secretly provide some assistance, such as… money and food, or certain supplies they urgently need.”

"The goal is singular: to incite internal strife, destabilize Jeon Gaesomun's rear, and prevent him from focusing all his efforts on external threats."

"If we can cause internal strife within their ranks, or even subdue them without a fight, wouldn't that be far better than a costly expedition?"

Li Chengqian was deeply moved; this was indeed an angle he had never considered.

"This plan is brilliant! However... this secret communication and assistance is extremely risky. If Quan Gaisuwen discovers it..."

"Therefore, it must be done secretly, and with multiple layers of cover."

"This matter can be handled by His Majesty himself, or entrusted to a trusted minister."

"It is not appropriate for the Crown Prince to directly intervene, but Your Highness can raise this issue when His Majesty seeks advice, so as to demonstrate Your Highness's thorough consideration."

Li Chengqian nodded repeatedly, making sure to remember this point.

"What about the second one?"

Secondly, if you want to do something well, you must first have the right tools.

"The cities of Goguryeo were fortified, especially Liaodong City and Anshi City. The Sui army often lingered beneath these strong cities, unable to conquer them after prolonged sieges, and exhausted their morale and supplies."

"If our dynasty wishes to wage war, it must make a breakthrough in siege weaponry."

"Sir, you mean... to instruct the Ministry of Works to expedite the development of new siege weapons?"

Li Chengqian immediately thought of Duan Lun and Zhao Xiaoman.

“Exactly,” Li Yichen affirmed.

"Your Highness can urge the Ministry of Works to concentrate the efforts of craftsmen, learn from the successes and failures of the previous dynasty, and improve catapults, siege engines, siege ladders, and other such items. Perhaps you could also try to develop some... more powerful and efficient machines."

"For example, could we build a giant catapult that could project stones farther, more accurately, and with greater weight?"

"Could we build a more robust siege engine that can effectively defend against arrows and logs?"

"The Ministry of Works has already shown a spirit of innovation in this matter, and we can take this opportunity to vigorously promote it."

"If we can achieve something before the battle, it will greatly reduce the casualties of our army in attacking the city and shorten the time of siege."

Li Chengqian's eyes gleamed even brighter. The Ministry of Works was directly under his jurisdiction, and if he could make a great contribution in this matter, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance his capital and influence.

"I will summon Duan Lun tomorrow and personally oversee this matter!"

"Third,"

Li Yichen's voice became even more solemn, and he stared directly at Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness yourself also needs to be prepared."

"I?" Li Chengqian was taken aback.

"What do you mean, sir?"

(End of this chapter)