Chapter 1244: Combination of toughness and softness
In fact, whether it is what Wei Zheng said or what Li Ke said, they all have their own reasons.
It's nothing more than the difference between a king who conquers the world and a tyrant who brings peace to the world.
Li Shimin's question at this moment was nothing more than to test what kind of politics Li Chengqian wanted to implement.
After all, this guy is getting older every day.
He himself is getting older day by day.
Sooner or later the world will be handed over to him.
Let him establish his own political direction as soon as possible, which is a good thing for both the Tang Dynasty and him.
And Li Chengqian naturally knew what his father was thinking.
So at that moment, he said slowly: "Actually, no matter what Mr. Wei said, live in harmony and convince others with reason."
"The King of Shu said that in order to establish national prestige for the Tang Dynasty, it is not advisable to defeat Baekje to find the southeast, northwest and northwest."
Hearing this, Wei Zheng and Li Ke both turned back to look at this guy.
Originally, they were still thinking about whether Li Chengqian would side with them.
But this guy is so good, this sentence directly rejected both of them.
When Li Shimin heard what he said, he felt a little incredible.
He said bluntly: "In that case, you might as well tell me how you view this matter?"
"If the father doesn't ask his sons."
"I really just wanted to pretend to be stupid and get through it."
"But since my father has spoken, I might as well say something."
It was rare for Li Chengqian to say seriously: "What my brother said about being overbearing is that it can promote the country's prestige, but after all, it is easy to break if you are too strong."
"While promoting national prestige, it will inevitably bring a sense of crisis to surrounding countries."
"And once people live in fear, they often don't even know what they will do."
"If the Tang Dynasty and all its vassal states are alienated because of a small Baekje, it will be a great loss."
What he said , what he said is reasonable and well-founded.
And it really got into Li Shimin's heart.
This is what he has worried about for many years.
Otherwise, he would not have been able to convene a conference of all nations to promote benevolence and attract people's hearts.
Li Shimin looked straight at Li Chengqian and said, "Keep talking."
"But what Master Wei said is the royal way."
"This will definitely promote the culture of the Tang Dynasty and spread the benevolence of the Tang Dynasty throughout the country."
Li Chengqian looked around at the crowd and said, "But it's too soft and easy to break."
"To implement the king's way, we need a foundation and a strong country."
"Once our Tang Dynasty declines, who will talk to us about benevolence?"
"They may surrender to us openly, but behind the scenes, who knows what they will do?"
Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin and said, "My son, I told my father earlier."
"Principle is struck with fists, face is struck with cannons."
Li Chengqian clenched his fist and said: "Truth and the right to speak will always be within the range of our cannon."
What he is saying now is actually the reason for the decline of the Tang Dynasty, and even the reason for China to be overtaken by the world.
The most powerful period of the Tang Dynasty.
Datang had the strongest army, the strongest navy, and the most fertile land in the world.
And all of this is due to the fact that Datang has the most advanced technology in the world.
Whether it is people's livelihood, farming, or military weapons, they are the best in the world.
The monarchs of the Tang Dynasty always followed the royal way.
If you have good things, never hesitate to share them with the outside world.
Paper was introduced to the West, gunpowder was introduced to the West, various agricultural technologies were introduced to the West, and so on.
But what do these ultimately bring about?
Other people's technology develops incrementally.
However, China has wasted its national power and people's power because of repeated internal strife.
Especially in the catastrophe at the end of the Song Dynasty, all the Han craftsmen in the north were slaughtered by foreigners.
There was even a major technological gap that was the same as that at the end of the Jin Dynasty.
Just like when the Tang Dynasty was founded, large trebuchets could not be built.
Although the weapons used in the early Ming Dynasty looked powerful.
But there is almost no big difference from the weapons used in the late Tang Dynasty hundreds of years ago.
Even the red cannon, a weapon that seemed very powerful to later generations, existed as early as the Song Dynasty. .??.
And everyone knows that development takes time.
Then there were hundreds of years between the late Tang Dynasty and the early Ming Dynasty. Did China have any development?
If there is, it is only a little bit.
It can even be said that there is none at all.
And this is not to mention, after the Ming Dynasty.
When the industrial revolution broke out in the West, the Chinese court was still engaged in palace fights.
"So, you can't be too hard or too soft."
"Only by combining strength and softness can the Tang Dynasty prosper and remain undefeated."
"And this war with Baekje is not just to help Silla."
"Or maybe it's just to demonstrate the authority of our Tang Dynasty."
"It's us, the Tang Dynasty, who is demonstrating our strength to all countries and everyone in the world."
Li Chengqian stopped pretending and showed his cards directly.
He directly told all his plans in front of everyone.
Nothing else, he just wanted to use this war to demonstrate the military power of the Tang Dynasty.
Similarly, it is also to highlight him. What impact will the reforms during this period have on the country? What did Don bring?
He said directly to Li Shimin: "We just want to tell the people of this world what price they have to pay if they want to be enemies with our Tang Dynasty."
"We just want to tell the people of this world that if they want to be enemies of the Tang Dynasty, they must first weigh their own three-liang bones."
"Let's see if he can withstand Datang's artillery..."
"Let's see if he can withstand Datang's musket..."
"Let's see if he can withstand the iron hooves of my Tang Dynasty cavalry, and whether he can withstand the fist of my Tang Dynasty son-in-law..."
Li Chengqian cupped his hands towards Li Shimin and said: "So in this battle, our army's attack on the city is fake, but the show of strength is real."
"I suggest that my father mobilize all the latest tactics from the Wuhan Academy and send them to the front line."
"I suggest that my father mobilize all the latest weapons from the ordnance battalion and send them to the front line."
"I will use the battle between Baekje and Xinlu to let the world see how terrifying our Tang Dynasty is."
Even after hearing what Li Chengqian said, Li Shimin couldn't help but feel something different.
Li Shimin could clearly feel that the warm blood in his body that had been cold for many years was gradually awakening at this moment.
Datang has not waged war with other countries for many years.
He could also see at this Great Nations Conference that many people had forgotten the glory and mighty force of the Tang Dynasty.
At this moment, Li Chengqian's words really reminded him.
Sometimes, being too gentle is not a good thing.
Not long after Li Chengqian finished speaking, Li Shimin slowly spoke.
He said: "Sometimes I have to say that people in this world are just cheap people."
"If you don't hit them, they won't know the pain."
Li Shimin looked directly at the people present and said: "What do you guys think of the crown prince's decision? Can we, the Tang Dynasty, show our strength in Baekje?"