"Gaochang," the Emperor's tone was deliberately measured and restrained, "as you all know, was originally a state founded by remnants of the Han and Wei dynasties, admiring Chinese customs. Located at the entrance to the Western Regions, its king, Qu Wentai, was initially quite submissive, never failing in tribute and court rituals. But in recent years, for some inexplicable reason, as if bewitched, his family has grown increasingly close to Yehu Qaghan of the Western Regions—blocking trade routes for foreigners entering China, detaining Han people returning from beyond the borders—it seems they are determined to make an enemy of us. Foreign merchants have submitted petitions in droves, pleading for us to send troops to punish them. I have only considered the matter and not yet decided. You are all my trusted confidants and right-hand men. I treat you with sincerity, and you should serve me with the same. Wild speculation and baseless questioning are hardly the actions of worthy ministers."
"Your servant dares to risk ten thousand deaths. It is only because I recently heard rumors that Your Majesty intends to order Li Jing and others, after pacifying Tuyuhun, to rest briefly at the Western Sea before turning north, crossing snowy mountains and deserts, and directly attacking the capital of Gaochang! The recent conscription and troop movements in Guanzhong are also to reinforce the Western Sea frontlines in preparation for further campaigns to expand our borders... If this decision is indeed true, it would be a path leading to the destruction of our army and the fall of our state! As the head of the Chancellery, bearing the title of chief minister, I cannot turn a deaf ear..."
The idea that the Tang army, after fighting in Tuyuhun, would immediately march north to attack Gaochang struck Li Yuangui as almost fantastical at first. But upon closer consideration, it wasn’t entirely impossible.
Li Yuangui had studied the terrain maps of the northwest and knew that from Chang'an, it was nearly three thousand li northwest to the heart of Tuyuhun at the Western Sea, and another three thousand li northwest to enter the Western Regions and reach Gaochang. Though separated by mountains, rivers, and deserts, with various branching paths, it was generally accurate to say that "Tuyuhun lies between Chang'an and Gaochang." If Li Jing were to lead his troops from Tuyuhun to attack Gaochang, the round trip would halve the distance and multiply the speed of the march—not to mention the element of surprise and unpreparedness it would achieve.
Of course, the plan was overly bold and faced numerous challenges, such as insufficient troops and unprepared supplies, making it unthinkable to most. But were the current Son of Heaven and Dai Guogong Li Jing "most people"?
Since his debut, Li Jing (also known as Li Yaoshi) had won several major battles by daring to employ unexpected and unconventional tactics. Particularly in the Dingxiang and Baidao campaigns that crushed the Northern Turks—just when both Tang and Tujue believed peace negotiations had begun—Li Yaoshi took the initiative to lead a cavalry raid, destroying their state and capturing their leader. The Son of Heaven was overjoyed and praised him endlessly... Who could say that this time, in the Tuyuhun campaign, Grand Commander Li wouldn’t repeat his old trick, making King Qu Wentai of Gaochang follow in the footsteps of Jieli Khan and taste the bitterness of being a prisoner in Chang'an?
His mind wandered briefly, causing him to miss a few lines of the debate outside the tent. When he refocused, the Emperor was solemnly recounting ancient history:"...Emperor Wu of Han inherited the wealth of five generations, with the world at peace, treasuries full, and soldiers and horses strong. Thus, he indulged his ambitions to conquer the four barbarians. Hearing of fermented bean paste, he opened up Qiongbo; coveting fine horses, he connected with Dayuan. He drove the Xiongnu north and campaigned against the Baiyue south. The old and weak were exhausted by transport duties, while the able-bodied perished in military campaigns. The land was thrown into chaos, and the population was halved. State finances became insufficient, and treasuries were emptied. Then came monopolies on salt and iron, taxes on markets and trade, levies on boats and carts, confiscations of wealth, and the sale of official ranks—all oppressing the people. Countless troubles arose, exhausting the nation inside and out, leaving nothing to fund border defenses. Plans were made to replace soldiers with farming colonies, hoping to aid the military. Only in his twilight years did he finally awaken, issuing a sorrowful edict and enfeoffing his chancellor as the Marquis of Enriching the People. He barely died a natural death, narrowly avoiding great chaos.
"In the past, the Sui dynasty unified the realm, with armor and weapons sharp and strong for over thirty years. Their influence spread ten thousand li, awing distant customs. Yet Emperor Yang, relying on this strength, sought to emulate Emperor Wu of Han. High and low deceived each other; ruler and ministers were estranged. The people could not endure their fate, and the empire fragmented. Within a dozen years, he lost his life and destroyed his state—this We and you have witnessed firsthand..."
Wait—what just happened?
If Li Yuangui weren’t so familiar with his half-brother the Emperor’s voice, he might have thought it was Wei Zheng or some other remonstrating minister passionately admonishing the throne. Opening with historical analogies, comparing Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Yang of Sui’s militaristic overreach to the present—wasn’t this Chancellor Wei’s usual rhetorical style? How had the Emperor suddenly snatched it away? And recited such a lengthy passage in one breath?
Seizing the moment when the Emperor paused to breathe, Wei Zheng hastily interjected:
"Your Majesty seeks to broaden the utmost transformation and sharpen the resolve of your subjects. How dare we not exhaust our strength as your limbs..."
"With such devotion from you, the state is fortunate!" The Emperor struck the table in approval—only letting Wei Zheng get in one sentence before reclaiming the floor. "Weapons and armor are the state’s tools of violence! Though the land is vast, warmongering withers the people. Though the Central Plains are secure, neglecting war endangers them. Withering is no way to preserve safety; danger is no strategy against invaders. They cannot be wholly abolished, nor constantly employed. Thus, farmers drill in martial arts during slack seasons to practice dignity; armies train every three years to distinguish ranks. So Goujian bowed to frogs and eventually achieved hegemony, while Xu Yan abandoned arms and lost his kingdom. Why? Yue honed its might; Xu forgot its preparedness. Confucius said, 'To send untrained people to war is to abandon them.' Thus, the power of the bow and arrow must benefit all under heaven—this is the duty of military action..."
Li Yuangui’s headache returned. His elder brother had somehow memorized so many ancient classics that at the first sign of trouble, he could out-quote his ministers in court while drowning them in lofty principles. The imperial words were golden, every phrase an eternal truth of governance—how could subjects easily interrupt? By the time everyone was dizzy from listening and the court diarist’s fingers were cramped from recording, the audience would end, and the crisis would pass.
But was the Tang army’s plan to strike north and raid Gaochang after defeating Tuyuhun real or not? Judging by the Emperor’s evasive manner, Li Yuangui suspected it might indeed be true... If he were serving under Li Jing’s command right now, he’d probably urge the Grand Commander to adopt this brilliant strategy and gladly charge ahead as the vanguard. This was the perfect moment for Han men to spill blood on the frontiers and win glory!
Of course, Wei Zheng’s questions—"Do you have the manpower? Do you have the funds?"—weren’t baseless fears either... Given the Tang’s current national strength, sustaining such continuous campaigns would indeed be far too difficult...Outside the tent, amidst the ceaseless imperial voice of the Son of Heaven, there was suddenly a crisp "clatter" as if something had fallen to the ground. Li Yuangui thought it sounded like the ivory or bamboo ceremonial tablet held by one of the ministers had slipped and hit the floor.
The Emperor's voice paused momentarily. Wei Zheng immediately spoke up:
"Your Majesty, I have committed a grave offense by losing composure in your presence. Your teachings are deeply engraved in our hearts. Now, concerning the West Sea Route Army—when exactly will Your Majesty issue the decree for their triumphant return? I implore Your Majesty to make a decisive ruling. The Secretariat Drafter is also present and can draft the edict on the spot, which I will countersign and expedite."
This was pressing the Emperor to issue the order for withdrawal. However, with the heavy burden of national mourning and filial obligations looming above, and the Son of Heaven having just expounded at length on the dire consequences of incessant military campaigns, it was indeed difficult to immediately retract and refuse to recall the troops. He could only continue to prevaricate:
"Minister Wei is right; we have digressed too far. Let us focus on the present. At this moment, the most urgent matter is the construction of the Supreme Emperor's mausoleum. Who is currently overseeing the Directorate for Imperial Manufactories..."
"Your Majesty," the tone of the Imperial Secretary Wei was now barely restrained, "wasting resources and manpower on distant expeditions, with the army exhausted and achievements lacking! Conscription continues among the populace! This is the most pressing issue at hand!"
"Calm yourself, dear minister. The campaign has only been underway for a few months; it can hardly be called exhausted and without merit... You, Wei Xuancheng, are well aware of Li Yaoshi's capabilities... I, too, am counting the days. Just a few more days, wait a little longer..."
"Yet the outcome of the Tuyuhun campaign remains uncertain, and Your Majesty is already plotting against Gaochang..."
"Didn't we just discuss this? Merely considering, is even thinking no longer permitted? Moreover, Gaochang has long submitted and paid tribute to our Great Tang. Its king, Qu Wentai, personally led his ministers to Chang'an for an audience. How can this be called 'plotting'..."
You two are grown men after all, Li Yuangui silently thought, one aspiring to be a wise ruler for the ages, the other a model chancellor for eternity. Must you bicker like children in front of so many ministers...
Outside the tent, footsteps and urgent announcements suddenly approached from afar, followed by a flurry of commotion. Both the Emperor and the chancellor fell silent as the Son of Heaven demanded, "What is happening outside?"
Another wave of disturbance ensued. Someone entered the hall, bowed, and reported, panting heavily before managing to utter two complete sentences:
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Bulletin... the Imperial Bulletin has arrived! A great victory for the West Sea Route Army! Dai Guogong and others have captured Fuqi City and are... are in pursuit of Murong Fu-yun!"
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