The ministers in the hall at this time were all third-rank officials at the lowest. They were all dignitaries in Chang'an, and their knowledge was naturally different from that of ordinary people.
But even they have never seen such a precious and rare treasure!
Therefore, a question arises in everyone's mind.
Who is the Protector of the Country?
Why was it possible to take out such a rare treasure?
His Majesty Li Er raised his hand to interrupt the ministers' discussion, and continued: "I have seen the treasure, and there is nothing wrong with it. It can definitely cause civil strife in the Western Turks!"
Hearing this, a minister hesitated and asked: "In that case, Your Majesty will transfer the garrison in Youzhou to the border, but you want to start a war with the Western Turks?"
After the words fell, the ministers frowned and thought deeply.
Although His Majesty Li Er did not say it clearly, everyone is a smart person and has already thought about it!
His Majesty Li Er sat on the dragon chair as steady as a mountain and said in a deep voice: "Yes, I have exactly what I mean!"
Although they had guessed His Majesty Li Er's intention, the ministers were still shocked by it.
The Western Turks had no enmity with the Tang Dynasty, so why did they want to start a war with them?
Fighting against three big Western countries at the same time, even if they have enough food and grass, the Tang army will have a hard time fighting!
Moreover, this year has just begun and we have already fought two major battles.
If we really want to go to war with the three Western Turkic countries, will the scale be greater than that of these two countries? Can they really sustain it?
No matter how you look at it, this is not something that you should be anxious about.
Tang Jian pondered for a while and said: "Your Majesty, the many tribes of the Western Turks are still very strong. Their relationship with the Tang Dynasty has been relatively harmonious in recent years."
"Even if we want to destroy them, there is no need to rush."
"I think it would be safer to wait a few more years for Datang to recharge its batteries."
Tang Jian's words were recognized by most people, and the ministers nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Your Majesty, frequent expeditions are a taboo!"
"The results of these two battles this year are enough for Datang to digest for a few years. It is better to wait until the situation stabilizes before making plans!"
"I think it's enough to eliminate Tuyuhun and Xue Yantuo first in this battle."
"The Western Turks will definitely be frightened, and maybe they will take the initiative to surrender."
"In this way, we, the Tang Dynasty, can capture the Western Burst Group without even using a single soldier. Wouldn't it be better?"
The analysis of these ministers was well-founded and attracted unanimous approval in the palace.
However, His Majesty Li Er shook his head decisively and said: "Even if they are frightened and come to surrender, so what?"
"Only the territory that you conquer with your own hands is the real territory!"
"Even if you want to surrender, you have to wait until my Tang Dynasty's cavalry flattens them!"
"This opportunity is rare. We must take advantage of the civil strife in the Western Turks to capture them in one fell swoop."
"No need to say more, I have made up my mind!"
Hearing this, the ministers smiled bitterly, but no one spoke again.
His Majesty Li Er looked at their doubtful expressions and did not explain much.
The fewer people who know about the giant glowing glass wolf, the better. It should not be made public.
So it's normal that they don't understand how lethal Li Xian's plan is.
After two months of waiting and the grassland becomes chaotic, the ministers will naturally understand.
At this time, Gao Shilian, the Minister of Civil Affairs, suddenly raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I have another concern."
"Even if we, the Tang Dynasty, really wipe out the Western Turks, I'm worried that I won't be able to manage it!"
"The Alquan grassland is extremely vast. In terms of area alone, it is only slightly smaller than our Tang Dynasty."
"Given the current situation in our country, there are not enough officials in border states and counties."
"Last month, another group was dispatched to Goguryeo. Now there is really a shortage of officials!"
After hearing what he said, His Majesty Li Er was stunned for a moment. Not enough manpower?
He really ignored this issue.
It's not enough to just knock it down, you have to send people to manage it.
If we leave things alone and wait for a few years for the grassland people to recover, wouldn't this battle be in vain?
After thinking for a while, His Majesty Li Er frowned slightly and asked: "This year's spring examination has passed. How many people have been admitted?"
"Report to Your Majesty."
Gao Shilian replied: "Fifty-one Jinshi have been awarded, and now they have been assigned to various state capitals."
The Eastern Examination is about to begin. His Majesty Li Er frowned and said, "Can you estimate how many more people can go?"
Shang Shilian pondered for a while and replied: "Reporting to your Majesty, I estimate that there will be at least seventy-two Jinshi!"
Hearing this, His Majesty Li Er suddenly felt a little headache.
In fact, this number has increased a lot compared to previous years.
In the third year of Zhenguan, only twenty Jinshi were admitted.
Today, the reform of the imperial examination system has just passed a year, and it is great to be able to double it!
Paper and books have just become popular, and it will take some time to show results!
But what Datang lacks now is time!
After thinking for a while, His Majesty Li Er asked: "Do you think it is feasible to continue the strategy of the Anbei Protectorate?"
Since adopting Su Chen's woolly strategy, East Turkestan has been very stable over the past year, with no one even rebelling or making trouble.
The effect is quite remarkable!
The Western Turks, like the Eastern Turks, are nomadic peoples. Can this strategy also be used?
After listening to His Majesty Li Er's words, the ministers fell into deep thought.
After a long time, Changsun Wuji considered the decision and said, "Your Majesty, I think it may not be appropriate."
"The population of the Tang Dynasty is limited, and the wool exchanged from the Eastern Turks is enough for the people of the country."
"If there are any more, I'm afraid it will be difficult to consume."
"Do you have any good suggestions for the auxiliary machine?" His Majesty Li Er continued to ask.
Changsun Wuji smiled bitterly, shook his head, and said, "Your Majesty, I can't think of any good ideas at the moment."
The other ministers also kept silent, and they were all at a loss what to do.
Although these ministers of the Tang Dynasty were quite outstanding in their literary and military talents.
However, due to the limitations of the times, the only way they could think of to control territory was to send people and station troops.
This is how it is done in this era.
The Eastern Turks' sheep-hand strategy was already very advanced for them.
After all, Su Chen came up with this theory more than a thousand years in advance.
They can understand that it is really difficult to drink wine, and they can come up with similar countermeasures by analogy, which may be a bit difficult.
After discussing for a while, His Majesty Li Er finally decided: "That's it!"
"It's too early to say this now, let's defeat the Western Turks and other three countries first!"
"I'll go back and think about it more carefully!"
Seeing that His Majesty Li Er had made up his mind, the ministers gave no further persuasion.
These several battles have achieved brilliant results under His Majesty's command.
Since His Majesty is so confident, there must be no mistakes this time.
In short, fight first and then talk!
As for the follow-up, let's wait until the war is over.
Even if there is really nothing you can do, then loosely manage things for the time being.
