"Although the analysis is quite reasonable, Xue Yantuo's tens of thousands of troops are not made of clay and paper. Once they break through the Great Wall, cross Shuozhou and invade the hinterland of Hedong, the Tang Dynasty will suffer heavy losses. Even if Xue Yantuo's entire family is annihilated by then,
It can't be undone. Since you are right, let's go to Shuozhou to take charge of the overall situation. Remember, as long as Xue Yantuo steps into the Great Wall, you don't have to come back. You can commit suicide under the Great Wall and apologize with death!
"
His Majesty Li Er solemnly issued the decree, which cannot be argued with.
Fang Jun had a big mouth and a look of astonishment on his face...
Please, we are neither an official of Honglu Temple responsible for negotiation nor a garrison commander of Shuozhou. What do you want me to do?
He hurriedly said: "Your Majesty is aware that I am an impulsive minister with no foresight. I am afraid that I will ruin your Majesty's grand plan. Even if I die, I will not be able to atone for my sin. Please choose another wise official to negotiate with me."
Just kidding, who is going to that damn place in Shuozhou, who is braving the wind and snow?
His Majesty Li Er snorted and said disdainfully: "You have no foresight? I just heard that you pointed out the country and scolded Fang Qiu. You have the style of a wise minister from ancient times. Even Jiang Shang and Yi Yin will be dwarfed by you. Now.
Son, what do you mean by having no foresight?"
He sarcastically ignored Fang Jun, and instead asked the ministers: "Do you think it's okay to send Fang Jun to Shuozhou, and give him the sword Jie Yak, to negotiate with Xue Yantuo, and to appease the remaining Eastern Turks?"
The ministers in the hall paused for a moment, and then said in unison: "Your Majesty is wise!"
"The Minister of Housing is smart and resourceful, and he is the perfect choice for this mission."
"The assistant minister of the house is far-sighted and Xue Yantuo knows the situation well. There is no more suitable candidate."
…
All in agreement.
Fang Jun was a little shocked, especially when he saw this guy Chu Suiliang actually nodding in agreement with a sullen face. He suddenly felt that the whole world had gone crazy?
It is everyone's consensus that Xue Yantuo cannot go to war. Under such circumstances, whoever goes to negotiate will be in vain, because Xue Yantuo's withdrawal is inevitable. To say the least, even if Xue Yantuo really took the wrong medicine and started a war without authorization
, that is also the miscalculation of the big guys in the court, and it is impossible for Fang Jun to take the blame.
It can be said that whoever goes to Shuozhou is destined to have merit but no fault.
When did we become so popular that everyone in the world was so kind to me?
I'm not used to it...
Before this was over, Changsun Wuji started to say: "Xue Yantuo is a member of Tie Le. He is actually a barbarian from outside. He is afraid of power and has no morals. As the minister of the house is also the general of Youtun Guard, he should command Youtun."
We have tens of thousands of elite troops rushing to Shuozhou. Under the might of their troops, the barbarians will be frightened and they will not dare to act rashly."
Fang Jun almost thought he was hallucinating.
Changsun Yin actually wanted him to lead his army to Shuozhou?
This is the power that only the general manager has!
His Majesty Li Er nodded and said: "Yes!"
*****
After leaving the political hall, Fang Jun was still a little dizzy. He couldn't understand why everyone supported him in going to Shuozhou?
It wasn't until he led his troops back to the Ministry of War Yamen in the cold wind, and the biting north wind blew on his face like a knife, that Fang Jun came to his senses.
Sitting in the check-in room, drinking hot tea, the coldness all over my body was gone.
Shake his head and sigh...
How can the whole world love me?
It was clear that he was sent to Shuozhou, but no one could see it, and no one wanted to compete with them for the meritorious service of conquering Goguryeo...
On our way to Shuozhou, the road was blocked by heavy snow, and we had to walk for at least half a month. We couldn't even think of going home during the Chinese New Year. Xue Yantuo's tens of thousands of troops braved the heavy snow and marched towards Baidaochuan, uncharacteristically. Winter is the most difficult time for nomadic people. They have no food. , only using livestock as military food, how many livestock are consumed in vain?
How can we be willing to retreat without getting the desired harvest?
It's just that the negotiations between each other cannot be completed within three or two months. The most optimistic estimate is that it will be the beginning of spring when Xue Yantuo withdraws his troops.
The Eastern Expedition has begun...
What the hell, don’t you want to play with me?
Fang Jun was extremely depressed.
After a while, officials from the province sent me the sword Jie Yak given by the emperor, and the tiger charm from the general's expedition.
The officials of the Ministry of War looked sideways, and then they remembered that their minister was not only the emperor's son-in-law, but also held the official position of General Youtunwei, leading the army to the north of the Great Wall. This was the dream of every Tang Dynasty official. The wolf is in Xu and the stone is in Yanran, which is the supreme merit of every Han people!
Suddenly everyone was envious.
After receiving a large number of congratulations, Fang Jun packed up and once again handed over the affairs of the Ministry of War to Guo Fushan as his agent, giving some gentle words of encouragement.
Guo Fushan patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Minister Fang. Everyone in the Ministry of War will definitely not cause any trouble to Minister Fang!"
This man has a smooth and well-rounded personality, and Fang Jun is very reassured by him.
Returning to the Fang Mansion with the book, he went directly to the study to meet Fang Xuanling and informed him in detail about the situation in the political hall just now...
Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and said calmly: "This is His Majesty's protection and preference for you. You should be grateful for the grace of the Holy Spirit and serve the country with loyalty. Why is your face so angry and resentful?"
Fang Jun sighed and said: "Of course this is His Majesty's preference for children, but it would be a pity not to be able to personally participate in such a major event as the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo."
More than just regret?
He was also worried that His Majesty Li Er would make the same mistake again and not be able to do his best!
It was impossible for Xue Yantuo to start a large-scale war. This was the consensus of the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty. Under such circumstances, His Majesty Li Er sent Fang Jun to Shuozhou to negotiate with him and stabilize the situation. It was clear that he would get a free credit for him.
Why do this?
It's because His Majesty Li Er is compensating...
As Fang Jun and Prince Li Chengqian said before, everyone in the Tang Dynasty regarded the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo as the last opportunity to gain military exploits on a large scale. Since then, there has been no national war of this scale. Who would give up such a war? What about the chances?
Factions are competing and forces are intertwined. Even His Majesty Li Er has to compromise. The land route is the main battlefield. It is destined. No one can change it. Even if the navy has strong horses, strong horses and boats, it can attack Goguryeo. The capital of the country...
Politics requires compromise, and interests even more require compromise.
As a result, it is impossible for the Navy to become the main combat force except for transporting grain and baggage. How much merit does it have if it just transports grain and baggage? His Majesty Li Er also feels a little sorry for letting the Navy assist throughout the process. Jun, after all, he single-handedly created such a navy that has been traversing the seven seas, but he had to abandon it.
Such a small amount of merit is almost nothing, and His Majesty Li Er feels very sorry.
But if Fang Jun is allowed to participate in the land offensive, and the credits will be distributed by then, will he be given the title of founding father of the Shangzhu Kingdom?
The meritorious service is either too low or too high, but leading the army to Shuozhou to stabilize the situation and force Xue Yantuo to retreat is neither too big nor too small, just right...
"It's not because I'm greedy for merit. My official position has reached its peak now, so what's the use of more merits? It's just that at present, both in the court and at home, people are too optimistic about the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo. I'm very worried. The arrogant army will be defeated! Then
Although Goguryeo is sparsely populated, it has a lot of land. It has a vast depth and can easily fight a war of attrition. Its people have the legacy of Fuyu and are quite fierce. Faced with the survival of their country and their country, they have to fight against the odds. In the Sui Dynasty, a million-strong army could not survive.
Is it also a wolf that rushes to the hog, and returns defeated, with most of it damaged? Once history repeats itself, and the Tang Dynasty suffers such a setback, it will take who knows how many years to recover. At this time, there are still countless Sui soldiers in Goguryeo, and their remains are everywhere.
Is it necessary to add countless more men of the Tang Dynasty?"
Fang Jun was worried and sighed.
His worries are by no means unfounded, because historically, His Majesty Li Er's personal expedition was overwhelming in the early stage. However, in the later stage, the Goguryeo people implemented fortification and clearing the country. Most of their cities were built with the help of mountains, which were easy to defend and difficult to attack. The Tang army could only build one
The hard work of chipping away at a fortified city resulted in heavy losses and a serious delay in the progress of the march.
As a result, they reached Anshi City and were held back by the Goguryeo army. They fought to the death. The weather was cold at that time and the food and grass transportation was not crowded, so they had to return to the court in disgrace...
Fang Jun didn't care whether His Majesty Li Er could destroy Goguryeo in one go. Anyway, the Tang Dynasty was powerful, and he would definitely be able to incorporate the land of Goguryeo into the territory of the Tang Dynasty later. However, every expedition to Goguryeo meant huge casualties, financial consumption, and thousands of dollars.
Wouldn’t it be a pity to lose all the wealth that we have saved through so much hard work to Goguryeo?
A country's foreign war is either a strategic choice, no matter how many casualties there are, it must be done at all costs; or it is a plunder of resources, in which the cost must be carefully calculated, as long as the captured land can be obtained
To provide resources for national development, no matter how many people die, it is still worth it.
As for being the enemy of the whole world... so what?
Fang Xuanling didn't feel much anxiety. She calmly drank tea and asked slowly: "Even if you are worried, what can you do?"
Fang Jun blinked, speechless.
Yes, even if I see through history and am heartbroken, who will listen to him?
The entire Tang Dynasty had long been fascinated by the great feat of destroying Goguryeo...