Empress Wu's momentum was so strong that even Emperor Gaozong did not dare to challenge her. All the ministers were silent and did not dare to say a word. Some even trembled and broke out in cold sweat. The whole court suddenly became stunned.
It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
But Li Xian didn't show any fear. He held his hands very calmly and said calmly: "My son is just telling a fact. Why should the queen be so angry? As the saying goes, don't speak loudly if you are right. As long as what the queen says is reasonable, don't be so angry."
My sons and ministers are equally convinced, but if my mother sends Wu Yizong to fight, who will bear the responsibility for the defeat? Who will guarantee the safety of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and millions of people in the Northeast? The above is just my humble opinion. I also ask my mother and queen.
Give a clear reply."
"Humph, it seems that you look down on Yizong. Prince, I know that you have always looked down on my mother's family. You were so sensitive in the past, and now you think twice, the same is true for Yizong, but so what? You must be too.
There is no way to stop them from serving the country, and there is no way to stop them from making great achievements. However, I tell you that Yizong is not as incompetent as you think. I can guarantee that Yizong will win this time when the Khitan troops are sent. If you don't believe it, you can wait and see.
But if you are jealous of talents and talents, making it impossible for talents to realize their ambitions and make contributions to the country, and the situation in the north deteriorates beyond control, who should bear the responsibility?"
After Empress Wu finished speaking, she immediately stood up, bowed to Gaozong and said, "Your Majesty, I guarantee that Yizong will win this battle. I wonder if Your Majesty believes in my concubine or the prince?"
Although Empress Wu seemed to be bowing to Gaozong, she was actually forcing Gaozong to make a decision.
At this time, the cronies around Empress Wu, especially Wu Chengsi, Wu Sansi and the lackeys under her sect, all cheered and saluted Emperor Gaozong: "I also recommend Wu Yizong to be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to make great achievements and serve the country.
, sweeping across northern Xinjiang fiercely, please give me your majesty’s permission.”
"Well, haha, actually this kid Yizong is really good. I also think he has the ability to win in battle. Xian'er, what do you think?" Gaozong had long been impressed by Empress Wu's momentum, and added
Emperor Gaozong also believed that there was no suspense in this war. How many troops did the Little Khitan plus part of the Sumo tribe have in total? Moreover, these were all rabble, and they were simply vulnerable. The Tang Dynasty randomly sent any general.
, can win. The reason why Wu Yizong was sent was just to give him an opportunity to gain military merit and control military power in order to compete with Li Xian. In fact, this would be more conducive to the restriction and balance of the two factions, so Gaozong said this.
In Gaozong's view, the reason why Li Xian opposed Wu Yizong going to the battlefield was mainly because he was trying his best to maintain Li Xian's prestige in the army, for fear that Empress Wu's cronies would control the military power and weaken Li Xian's control over the army.
In fact, Gaozong had wronged Li Xian. Although Li Xian also cared about the struggle for power, when it came to the overall interests of the country, he often did not care about personal gains and losses. If this time Empress Wu recommended someone who was good at fighting.
General, Li Xian would not object at all, because he actually didn't care about others controlling the military power. This was actually no threat to him. However, sending Wu Yizong this time was definitely a defeat.
Gaozong had no idea how powerful the rebels were this time. If he were a mature and steady veteran like Pei Xingjian, he would still have a chance to win, but if he sent a waste like Wu Yizong, he would simply be destined to die.
It was precisely because of this that Li Xiancai strongly opposed it.
But now, since Gaozong has said this, if he persists in his opinion, he will definitely arouse Gaozong's suspicion. If Empress Wu takes this opportunity to join forces with Gaozong to suppress him, he may not be able to keep his position as prince.
Even his life was under the control of others, so Li Xian could only say helplessly: "My father is very worried, but my sons and ministers are too worried. But as a soldier, more temples means more, and everything must be done."
Be careful and cautious, and consider defeat before winning. Of course, since the mother is so active and does not avoid relatives, Yizong will definitely win. However, if the stalemate between the two sides lasts too long and General Xue's men lose hope, I am afraid that the matter will still be impossible. Therefore,
, I still believe that we, the Tang Dynasty, should prepare one more way out."
"Oh? I wonder who Xian'er refers to?" Gaozong was startled when he heard this, and then asked doubtfully.
Li Xian said calmly: "Father, I believe that the Tang Dynasty should open up the sea supply line so that the soldiers of the Eastern Expedition can be supplied without worries."
"Hehe, although the prince's idea is good, the minister thinks it is really fantastic." At this time, Xue Yuanchao stood up and said to Gaozong: "Your Majesty, nearly 70% of the fleet of the Tang Dynasty has been attacked.
The Japanese pirates made a sneak attack and most of them were defeated. If you want to open up the maritime supply line, you must first defeat the Japanese pirate forces entrenched at sea, but how easy is it? Our army does not have a fleet. Even if it is currently built, it is estimated that it will take at least half a year.
And by then, perhaps the frontline war will be over."
"Well, Xue Aiqing is right, Xian'er..." Gaozong glanced at Li Xian with a helpless expression. The meaning was obvious, and he seemed to have no confidence in it.
But I saw Li Xian bowing and said: "Father, this matter is actually not difficult. Warships must be built, and sea ships must be built. I heard that the Ming and Tang merchants of the Tang Dynasty often sailed far away, and the sea ships they built must be built."
The ship is not only strong, but also advanced. It is better to let it continue to build sea-going ships and train the navy so that it can be replenished in time after the sea supply line is opened. As for defeating the Japanese pirate fleet, it is actually not impossible to achieve it in a short time."
"Oh? I wonder what your highness the prince has to say? I am all ears." Xue Yuanchao's face was full of a joking smile, and he seemed not to believe that Li Xian could do this.
But he saw Li Xian glance at Xue Yuanchao, and then said to Gaozong: "Father, this matter is easy. I can offer you a plan to kill someone with a borrowed knife. Recently, the Japanese country is carrying out a new policy. Many opponents are dissatisfied and have fled and wandered to
In the coastal areas, pirate forces formed and plundered wantonly. This time, they benefited from Silla, and Silla agreed to give up a state of land as reward, so they led the fleet to fight against the Tang Dynasty.
, After all, those rogue bandits are the opposition to the Japanese new policy. As long as the father sends an envoy to the Japanese state to state his interests, the Japanese state will definitely send a fleet to annihilate those rogue bandits in order to unify the country."
"Hey, His Highness the Crown Prince is really good at imagining. Our army doesn't spend a single soldier or a little food and grass, and the Japanese country can send troops for the Tang Dynasty to defeat the Japanese pirates? I'm afraid only the Crown Prince can think of such a naive idea. Wei Chen really obeys me.
Yes." After hearing this, Xue Yuanchao looked disapproving and said with a loud laugh. (To be continued.)