"War is a continuation of politics, and politics is inseparable from economic interests. Of course, this also includes geopolitics, religion, ethnic conflicts, etc., but in the final analysis it is interests. Wherever there is a conflict of interests, there will be conflicts."
"The essence of war is the conflict of interests between interest groups..."
His Majesty Li Er had a serious face. He looked at Fang Jun, who was talking eloquently in front of him, with a twinkling light in his eyes and an indescribable shock!
He was already looking at Fang Jun. After all, the progress this boy had shown in the past two years was beyond his expectation. In the past, who could have believed that this dull, ignorant and ignorant playboy could suddenly become a
A super new star that attracted the attention of the entire Tang Dynasty?
Such a turn is so gorgeous that it blinds people's eyes!
But His Majesty Li Er now knows that he still underestimated Fang Jun's strength...
Throughout history, human society has been accompanied by war. It can even be said that almost all history books use war as a guideline. Without war, there would be no history.
But from ancient times to the present, which sage and philosopher can analyze the essence of war so clearly?
Simply brilliant!
This boy really has the talent of being a prime minister! He can reach such a level at such a young age. What kind of brilliance will he shine in time?
Sandalwood was burning in the Dragon Palace, and the fine raindrops outside knocked on the glass windows, making a slight sound. The rainwater gathered into streams, rendering the scenery outside the window distorted and abstract.
This is the first rain this spring, dense and long.
Fang Jun straightened his back and knelt down opposite His Majesty Li Er, carefully describing his strategy for the Western Regions and Tubo.
"The ancient Silk Road in the Western Regions, connecting the East and the West, is the main route between the Tang Dynasty and the Western countries. It must be tightly controlled by the empire and must not fall into the hands of the Turks. However, Wei Chen does not recommend directly sending troops
Stationing in the countries in the Western Regions is extremely expensive, and the national treasury cannot bear the military supplies of a large number of troops. Even if the countries in the Western Regions bear part of it, it will not be enough."
His Majesty Li Er nodded slowly and asked: "So, you designed the two plans of 'Sheep Shearing' and 'Highland Barley Wine', targeting the Western Region countries and Tubo respectively, hoping to use economic benefits to win them over to the Tang Dynasty.
?”
Fang Jun flattered him: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and his candle shines thousands of miles away. This little trick of a humble minister can only fool those barbarians. It is all under your control."
His Majesty Li Er glared at Fang Jun angrily.
This little bastard is extremely talented, and it would be no exaggeration to say that he has the talent to "know the world", but he doesn't have half the character of those famous ministers in the history books. He speaks flattering words as soon as he opens his mouth. He is simply a sycophant!
Of course, there was another reason why he didn't feel complacent under Fang Jun's flattery...
"In your opinion, if I conquer Goguryeo in the future, I will have to use this method to control it?"
Your Majesty Li Er's face looked a little gloomy.
He was obsessed with conquering Goguryeo in order to achieve the unfinished great cause of Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty and achieve the eternal hegemony of one emperor through the ages, but he did not want to conquer Goguryeo by himself but could only control it remotely. He wanted the cavalry of the Tang Dynasty to travel across the thousands of miles of Goguryeo, completely and completely.
The bottom will trample Goguryeo under its feet, allowing Goguryeo to become the territory of the Tang Dynasty from generation to generation!
Although he admitted that Fang Jun's strategy was for the country, His Majesty Li Er, who was so happy about his success, felt unhappy...
How could Fang Jun not know His Majesty Li Er's thoughts?
His Majesty, the Emperor, really wanted to take Goguryeo as his own...
He quickly said: "No, no, no, I think that Goguryeo is completely different from the Western Regions and Tubo. If we occupy the entire territory of Goguryeo, we can support a branch of the royal family to be the king, or even a certain minister with a certain status to be the king, and form a puppet court.
Accept the command of the Tang Dynasty. You can even completely abolish the Goguryeo royal family and merge the entire Goguryeo into the territory of the Tang Dynasty. From then on, there will be no Goguryeo in the world."
His Majesty Li Er asked in confusion: "No matter what happens, a large number of troops will be stationed in Goguryeo. Isn't it the same hidden danger as stationing troops in the Western Regions?"
Fang Jun shook his head and said: "It's completely different, Your Majesty."
When His Majesty Li Er heard that he could occupy Goguryeo, he felt better. He beckoned his servants to serve him and Fang Jun some fragrant tea, and then he said seriously: "I would like to hear the details."
The sound of rain outside the window is like the sound of nature.
The old eunuch Wang De personally served the fragrant tea. Hearing His Majesty Li Er's words, he looked at Fang Jun in surprise and was shocked in his heart.
He had served His Majesty Li Er for many years and knew the emperor's temperament very well.
Such an arrogant emperor said to Fang Jun, a young boy with a yellow mouth, "I would like to hear the details", which obviously meant asking for advice. This meant that in the emperor's heart, he equated Fang Jun with the emperor.
Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng and other important officials in the court regarded him.
This Fang Erlang is really not simple...
Fang Jun didn't drink tea. He secretly rubbed his numb legs. He was really not used to this kind of kneeling posture...
"Your Majesty clearly knows that Goguryeo is not the same as the Western Regions. The Western Regions are vast, and the thirty-six countries are independent and dependent on each other. From the Central Plains to the Western Regions, there are many barren mountains and rivers, swamps and deserts. The road is too long and harsh. Once the army is stationed, it will
It is necessary to ensure the smooth flow of food routes. Such a long distance and such a difficult environment are too difficult. Once the situation changes and the food routes are cut off, all the garrison troops in the Western Regions will be left alone, and the Central Plains will be isolated. The food routes will be cut off.
It is easy at first, but it is even more difficult to break through it. You have to pay ten times and a hundred times the price. Therefore, the Western Region is not suitable for garrisoning."
Fang Jun explained patiently.
He will not forget that during the Anshi Rebellion in history, the food routes in the Western Regions were cut off by the Turks, leaving the Western Regions Protectorate alone for forty-five years, and ultimately the entire army was destroyed.
At that time, the rebels were so powerful that they captured Luoyang and Chang'an within half a year, forcing Xuanzong to flee. During the Tang royal family's escape, Prince Li Heng launched a mutiny in Maweipo, killing Prime Minister Yang Guozhong and Yang Guifei.
Lingwu ascended the throne and was known as Suzong of the Tang Dynasty in history. In order to quell the rebellion, Suzong of the Tang Dynasty transferred the northwest frontier troops back to guard Anxi in the Western Regions. A large number of troops under Beiting Jiedushi were also transferred to the interior.
The return of the border troops played a significant role in the Tang Dynasty's final victory in the Anshi Rebellion, but it also caused the Tang Dynasty to lose control of the Hexi region. Tubo had coveted the Hexi region for a long time, and when the Tang Dynasty transferred the defenders in the Hexi region back to the Central Plains
Later, Tubo took the opportunity to send troops to attack the Hexi Corridor. Under such a situation, the Western Regions farther away from the Tang Dynasty were preserved, and the relatively prosperous Hexi region fell into the hands of Tubo.
At that time, there were still defenders from the Tang Dynasty in the Western Regions. After the fall of Hexi, their contact with the Central Plains court was cut off by Tubo, leaving them alone. However, the defenders in the Western Regions still followed Tang Zhengshuo, defended the Western Regions, and resolutely refused to surrender to Tubo.
After 783, there was another rebellion in the Tang Dynasty. In order to borrow troops from Tubo to quell the rebellion, Tang Dezong ceded the Western Regions to Tubo. This order was not spread to the Western Regions. The Tang Dynasty defenders still insisted on performing their duties and stationed in the Western Regions. The Western Regions defenders were not there
With the help of reinforcements, he fought alone, but was eventually defeated by the Tibetan army and the entire army was annihilated...
What Fang Jun did not say clearly was that once there were changes in the Central Plains and the country's strength was exhausted, there would be no spare power to control the Western Regions. It would make no difference whether they occupied it or not.
Seeing His Majesty Li Er looking thoughtful, Fang Jun added: "What's more, compared to the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, the various tribes in the Western Regions are better at cavalry warfare. The entire road from the Central Plains to the Western Regions is under the control of the Western Regions.
Once something unexpected happens, it will be too dangerous to use the weaknesses of the Tang army to resist the strengths of the Western Regions cavalry."
His Majesty Li Er nodded in agreement: "It is true that there are many hidden dangers. But why is Goguryeo different? If troops were stationed in Pyongyang City, wouldn't it still be a long road with many mountains and rivers?"
Liaodong was not developed during this period. Although it was occupied by Goguryeo, such a group of ethnic groups originating from the mountains and forests of the Northeast had always been easy to destroy but difficult to build, wasting fertile land, with deep rivers and dense forests, and dangerous roads.
It may be closer from the Central Plains to Goguryeo than to the Western Regions, but the conditions along the way are not much better. Especially in Liaodong, it is bitterly cold, half of the year is freezing, which especially affects the transportation of military supplies.