Du Ruhui remained silent, his gaze fixed on Fang Er.
Attack Jie Li! Wasn't the last encounter satisfying? Didn't they bring back so many captives! Couldn't those be exchanged for money?
Moreover, Jie Li made the first move, so we have a just cause, rest assured! I'll provide the grain and fodder, considering it a loan! How about it? If we conquer the Tujue, even if we don't, seizing some supplies will bring in wealth!
Seize everything on the grasslands that can be converted into money, like fine horses, leather, and so on!
And, if you don't want to fight the Tujue, Goguryeo is also an option. They have even more valuable items, like ginseng, deer antlers, and furs. Bringing them back will all mean money!
What about that Wō country? I've heard there's a mountain there, and digging into it reveals silver! Since there are so many enemies around, it's better to strike early than late. If we make the first move, we can have a good haul for the New Year.
Fang Er babbled on about the benefits of war, completely oblivious to the fact that Du Ruhui, Cheng Chumo, and Yuchi Baolin beside him were utterly terrified by his words.
Had he gone mad!
The Tang Dynasty had just been established, surrounded by wolves.
The nation's strength was currently depleted. Jie Li's previous incursion had severely shaken Li Er and his ministers.
They were struggling to defend, yet this fellow was clamoring for a proactive offensive!
Silence! Do you know the consequences if these words get out?
Du Ruhui couldn't let him continue.
In just a moment, he had brought up three countries: the Tujue, Goguryeo, and Wō. If he kept going, who knew where else he might set his sights.
What? Will the court punish me for this? I'm just offering good advice, and besides, even if we fight, it won't be me on the front lines, will it? I'm just thinking about how to get back the grain once it's lent out.
Fang Er shot Du Ruhui a glance.
He wasn't afraid at this moment, unless Li Er wanted to be branded as a coward.
Although the disaster relief was being carried out under the court's banner, the disaster victims had known for the past half month that the grain was bought with Fang Er's own hard-earned money! It was just not stated openly.
In that case, I will return and report Commander Fang's words to His Majesty to see how he decides.
Du Ruhui didn't know what else to say. He uttered a parting sentence and left.
Yuchi Baolin and Cheng Chumo exchanged glances.
Alright, you two, take your men out for a patrol and keep the disaster victims from causing trouble. I'm going to take a nap.
With the addition of the five hundred soldiers, the Fang household quickly stabilized the disaster victims, who became as timid as mice encountering cats.
Du Ruhui returned to Chang'an.
Soon, Li Er learned of Fang Er's views on lending grain.
The idea of foreign wars, in his opinion, was indeed feasible.
At this time, the Tang Dynasty had the capability for external campaigns; the only trouble was the matter of grain and fodder.
The army does not move, but grain and fodder go first.
Now that Fang Er was willing to lend grain, this might not be a bad opportunity.
At the same time, Fang Er's proposal for a plundering strategy also caught his attention.
The Tang Dynasty was not yet a celestial empire, and many of the surrounding fragmented forces had not been subdued.
Therefore, there was no need to maintain an image.
He summoned his ministers for a meeting.
After hearing Du Ruhui's retelling, Li Jing praised him immensely and agreed with the plan.
For Yuchi Jingde and Cheng Yaojin, fighting anyone was fine; it was better to fight than to be idle in Chang'an.
Thus, in the Eastern Palace, discussions began about whom to attack.
Your Majesty, I suggest we attack the Tujue! They were the ones who initiated the border incursions last time, so this time we will strike back, giving us a just cause. I am confident and willing to lead the troops to attack the Tujue encampments and capture old Jie Li alive.
Hou Junji volunteered.
After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he was enfeoffed as the Duke of Lu and appointed as the General of the Left Guard.
Last time, Yuchi Jingde easily repelled Jie Li with his explosives, which made Hou Junji extremely envious.
Cheng Yaojin watched from the side, rolling his eyes.
Was this fellow trying to emulate the "dark-skinned fellow" who brought back twenty thousand prisoners of war?
Duke of E, Duke of Lu, what are your thoughts on this proposal?
Li Er asked Yuchi Jingde.
I disagree with attacking Jie Li!
Yuchi Jingde directly voiced his opposition and continued.
The explosives are exceptionally powerful, but in my opinion, while they are indeed effective for defense or siege warfare, the Tujue do not have fortified cities. If we engage the Tujue, it will be primarily field battles, so their effectiveness will be limited. Therefore, I object.
He directly pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of the explosives.
This was his conclusion from the Battle of Jingyang.
Without the assistance of explosives, relying solely on a few thousand elite soldiers entering the grasslands would likely not even create a ripple.
Your Majesty! I am willing to sign a military order!
Hou Junji was somewhat displeased.
In his view, Yuchi Jingde did not want him to achieve the merit of conquering a nation.
Duke of Wei, what is your opinion?
Li Er looked at Li Jing.
Li Jing was known for his brilliant generalship, a fact known to all. Li Er wanted to hear his thoughts.
My view is the same as that of the Duke of E. Jie Li was caught off guard last time because he was unaware of the explosives. Now, he will surely be prepared, and the explosives may have limited effectiveness in field battles.
Goguryeo, however, is different. They have many cities, and we can use trebuchets to throw explosives directly into the city, maximizing their power.
Moreover, if the war progresses smoothly, as Commander Fang said, the ginseng and furs from Goguryeo are valuable items within the pass.
The most important point is that we can take this opportunity to bring back the remains of the former Sui soldiers!
Li Jing suggested attacking Goguryeo. He was formerly a Sui general, and Yang Guang had launched three campaigns against Goguryeo, suffering three major defeats, leaving countless soldiers behind. Goguryeo had turned them into ossuaries. This was Yang Guang's shame and the shame of the former Sui soldiers.
Once the former Sui soldiers could be repatriated, it would undoubtedly greatly enhance Li Er's reputation. For the Tang Dynasty, which was still establishing its foothold, this could maximize popular support.
I second the motion. However, Liang Shidu has repeatedly encroached upon our Lingzhou and colluded with Jie Li. Perhaps we could consider eliminating Liang Shidu as well?
Fang Xuanling stepped forward.
Liang Shidu occupied and controlled Di Yin (modern-day Suide County, Shaanxi), Honghua (modern-day Qingyang County, Gansu), Yan'an (modern-day Yan'an City, Shaanxi), and other prefectures, establishing his own Liang state and proclaiming himself emperor. He repeatedly invaded Lingzhou and was the last remaining fragmented force left by the former Sui Dynasty.
Hiss!
The others were stunned by his suggestion.
Not only attacking Goguryeo, but also eliminating Liang Shidu along the way.
How much confidence did Duke Fang have?
Wei Zheng looked at everyone expectantly.
Had this gone off track?
Weren't they originally discussing how to borrow grain from Fang Er?
How did it turn into a military conference?