King Pei raised his eyebrows and said: "This is all just speculation. Even if the attitude changes, it will take several years. By then we will have controlled the entire Goryeo."
Wu Chengsi said calmly: "Your Highness underestimates the people of Silla. They see the relationship between the two countries more clearly than Your Highness does, and they have long been prepared to break with us."
Li Zhi frowned and said, "How do you say this?"
Wu Chengsi said solemnly: "Not long ago, the Silla people used the road as a way for the Japanese to sneak attack our Xiongjin area."
Everyone in the hall changed their expressions, and Li Zhi asked urgently: "How is the situation in Xiongjin?"
Wu Chengsi smiled and said:
"Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. The behavior of the Silla people has long been expected by us. General Liu Renyuan not only defeated the invading Japanese people, but also deliberately wore Silla people's undergarments under his armor. The Japanese people thought that the Silla people had betrayed them.
There is internal strife between them!"
Su Dingfang and Liu Rengui cheered in unison, Li Jingxuan and Pei Yan also smiled. Li Zhi said to Wu Mei: "This Liu Renyuan is actually a good general."
Wu Mei nodded and smiled.
General Wang Fangyi of the Qianniu Guard who was guarding outside the main hall couldn't help but glance inside the hall, feeling filled with emotion.
Liu Renyuan was once his subordinate and was just an ordinary general in Liaodong.
However, being mentioned by Zhou Guogong on such an occasion left a deep impression on the emperor, queen and ministers, and their future prospects were limitless.
He believed that his abilities were not as good as those of Liu Renyuan, but he was extremely depressed because he was not given the opportunity to show off his talents.
Wu Chengsi continued:
"If our country accepts the surrender of Goryeo, we will not need to border Silla. Let Goryeo and Silla fight their own way. We will concentrate on consolidating the captured land. When Silla conquers Goryeo, we will dispatch the Heungui Division to regain the territory of Goryeo.
, it’s so easy, that’s the first benefit.”
Liu Rengui's eyes sparkled and he said:
"According to this plan, if Goryeo surrenders to our court, the local resistance of the Goryeo people will be much weaker. Zuo Wujun and Zuo Xiaowei can return to Beijing in advance, and only Yingzhou and Youzhou soldiers will be used to guard Goryeo. The court will bear the burden
Big reduction.”
Wu Chengsi smiled and said: "This is the second advantage. Moreover, since I can escape from Liaodong with the main force, I no longer need to be threatened by the Tibetans."
Li Zhi smiled and said: "Sure enough, there are many benefits. What is the third benefit?"
Su Dingfang laughed and said: "When Silla conquers Goryeo, our righteous army will not only be able to conquer Goryeo, but we will also have an excuse to use troops against Silla!"
Wu Chengsi cupped his hands and smiled: "As expected of Mr. Su, this is exactly the third benefit."
Li Zhi was in a good mood and ordered: "Dongfu, hurry up and sit down for all the ministers. Let's sit down and talk."
After everyone sat down, King Pei said with a smile: "Chengsi, you just mentioned three advantages, what are the two disadvantages?"
Seeing that Li Zhi had been persuaded by Wu Chengsi, he suppressed his temper and restored his smile.
Wu Chengsi said calmly:
"If we capture the entire territory of Goryeo, we will definitely be involved in a long-term tug-of-war with the Silla people. In order to deal with the local resistance forces and the Silla people, the imperial court must station heavy troops in Goryeo. If the Tibetans attack by then, we will really be locked in a two-front war.
It’s a difficult situation, and it’s still difficult to get rid of.”
King Pei nodded and said, "That makes sense."
The prince hummed: "It's not just reasonable, it's far-sighted! Lao Liu, you just said it was ridiculous to accept the Korean people's affiliation. Now you know who is ridiculous."
King Pei bowed and said, "This is what the emperor taught you."
The prince walked up to Wu Chengsi, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Cousin, you are truly the pillar of the country. I will learn a lot from you in the future."
Wu Chengsi smiled and said, "Your Highness is so complimentary."
He continued: "Our army responded to Mr. Yuan's request and sent troops to assist him. Now that Mr. Yuan and Mr. Yuan have made peace, our army has actually lost the reason to send troops.
Although the military front was strong at this time, it lacked morality. Even if it occupied the entire territory of Goryeo, it would suffer a violent counterattack. This is the last disadvantage."
Li Zhi patted the imperial case and said loudly: "Chengsi, this strategy of yours is very good, I'm sure."
Wu Chengsi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, it was Li Gong's plan to agree to the surrender of Goryeo. General Xue Rengui and General Qiyao Heli also jointly submitted the memorial. This is the memorial of the four ministers and others."
Wei Dongfu took Wu Chengsi's memorial and presented it to Li Zhi. After reading it, Li Zhi smiled and said: "It turned out to be Li Qing's idea. It's very good, very good."
Wu Chengsi said: "Your Majesty, according to Li Gong's plan, the court needs to leave one person to govern Liaodong and consolidate the conquered land."
"How about just letting Li Qing manage it?" Li Zhi asked.
Wu Mei reminded: "Your Majesty, General Li is already old. How can he stay in the bitter cold land of Liaodong for a long time?"
Li Zhi slapped his forehead and said with a smile: "I was negligent. Who do you think it would be better to send to stay in Liaodong?"
King Pei smiled and said: "Father, I think there is no one more suitable candidate than my cousin."
"My son also thinks that my cousin is the most suitable one!" The prince was not willing to lag behind.
Wu Mei said: "Your Majesty, although Chengsi is brave in battle, he has no experience in governing the local area. It is better to choose another good general to stay behind. Chengsi, do you have any suggestions?"
Wu Chengsi cupped his hands and said, "My nephew recommends General Pei Xingjian of Zuo Wuwei for this post!"
King Pei originally wanted to keep Wu Chengsi in Liaodong, but seeing that he could not succeed, he decided to deploy his own men. He took two steps forward, cupped his hands and said:
"Father, I thought that Pei Xingjian was just a Zhonglang general. He had just been promoted to general. If he was promoted again, others would be dissatisfied. Zhang Qianxu, the general of Zuo Jinwu Guard, has been in battle for a long time and has deep seniority in the army.
, more competent.”
Su Dingfang was secretly angry. Since King Pei failed to win over Li Ji and Su Dingfang, he turned to Anqing County Prince and Zuojin Wuwei General Zhang Qianxu.
That Zhang Qianxu was nothing more than an embroidered pillow. A man who talked about military affairs on paper, because of his excellent eloquence, was appreciated by the emperor and queen, and made many important officials in the court, so he took the position of general.
How can true talent and learning be compared to Pei Xingjian!
Seeing Li Zhi smiling and nodding after hearing Zhang Qianxu's remarks, Su Dingfang hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Pei Xingjian is brave and resourceful, and his fighting ability is not inferior to that of the old ministers. The old ministers also recommended Pei Xingjian to govern Liaodong."
Pei Yan smiled slightly and said: "The Marquis of Anqing is very talented and has great prestige in the army. After all, General Pei has been an official in the court, so the Marquis of Anqing is more suitable."
Although he and Pei Xingjian were both from the Pei family in Hedong, they belonged to different branches and their relationship had always been at odds.
Zhang Qianxu was a personal friend of him, so he supported Zhang Qianxu.
Li Jingxuan also supported Zhang Qianxu in his heart, but because Pei Xingjian was recommended by Wu Chengsi, he did not speak.
Liu Rengui glanced at the prince and saw that he had no intention of speaking, so he sighed and said nothing.
Wu Meifeng looked around and said calmly: "After all, General Pei accompanied Chengsi in the Liaodong campaign and made a lot of achievements. Naturally, he is more suitable."
Li Zhi slapped the case and said: "Dongfu, drafted a decree to establish the Andong Protectorate in the former Goryeo area, and Pei Xingjian will serve as the Andong Protectorate."
When Wu Chengsi heard this, he was sure that with Pei Xingjian handling the remaining matters, there was no need to worry about the Liaodong area.
King Pei took a few deep breaths, raised his head and said: "Father, the matter in Goryeo has been resolved, how should we deal with the Tubo? Although we are not afraid of the Tubo people, the Tubo is very powerful. If the court continues to fight for years, it will not be beneficial to the country."
Wu Chengsi sneered and said: "In your opinion, is it possible that the princess should be married off to the Tubo people?"
King Pei said calmly: "When did I say this? I just feel that the relationship between big countries should be handled with caution. Beating the Tibetan prince casually like you will only cause a meaningless war."
Princess Taiping said: "Brother, the people who beat the Tubo prince are envoys from other countries who have come to join our dynasty. What do they have to do with my second cousin?"
Wu Chengsi said loudly: "Your Highness King Pei, don't you understand? Sooner or later, our country and the Tubo people will have a war. This is a battle of national interests. There is no needless war."
King Pei was about to retort when he suddenly heard Li Zhi say: "Chengsi, now that the Tubo people have captured our dynasty's Bathuan City, I want to hear your opinion. Do they really want to go to war with our dynasty?"
Seeing Li Zhi's solemn inquiry, King Pei obviously attached great importance to Wu Chengsi's opinion and felt very unhappy.
Wu Chengsi smiled and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, the Tubo people do not want to start a full-scale war with us now."
"How do you say this?" Li Zhi asked, and everyone else looked over.