Li Mu was very touched that a cautious person like Li Ji could talk to him about such a topic so openly and honestly. At the same time, he could also hear the meaning of Li Ji's words. He was using Li Xiaogong's incident to warn Li Mu,
Don't be too pushy. Because part of Li Shimin's character is that he is competitive. What he wants to do is to be an emperor through the ages and set a model for future emperors. Such a person will not allow his ministers to cover up his light.
Li Mu, on the other hand, relied on his talent that he didn't know where to come from, and he was successful in everything he did. His every move attracted people's attention, and he was always the most popular in everything he did.
Li Ji was worried that if one day, Li Shimin felt threatened by Li Mu, then his good days would probably come to an end.
"...But I think this way, if your majesty wants to be a wise king, he must have the tolerance of a wise king. What I do is not for personal gain. If your majesty targets me because of the limelight, he will not be a wise king. As for He
Regarding the matter of Prince Jian, foster father, I think so. Prince Hejian treats me well, and I will treat him well. If I am scrupulous about and alienate him because of his status, then I, Li Mu, cannot be considered a gentleman.
Already."
"The sage said that a gentleman is magnanimous. When I make friends with people, I don't want to consider the person's status or whether he has money. If we have the same spirit, we are friends. Maybe my adoptive father's concerns are right, but I don't want to be that way.
tired."
Li Mu sighed and said: "Father, you know me. I came to Chang'an alone, and everything I have now is God's love. Even if one day, I lose everything, I don't feel any pity.
As long as the people around me are still around, this is my greatest satisfaction."
"Siwen has a saying that is right. A man is born between heaven and earth and should make contributions." He looked at Li Ji and said seriously: "Siwen has the path he wants to take, and I also have the path I want to take. I want to do my best.
I can make Datang a better place, and I will live up to my experience in this world. I will try my best, but to the extent that I can do it, it is up to God. If the day comes when my adoptive father is really worried, at worst, I will resign.
Go back to seclusion and go back to Dingxiang to farm. I thought, Your Majesty’s heart is also fleshy and will not be so heartless. When the time comes that I give up everything, will he still not let me go?”
Li Ji smiled bitterly in his heart, he still felt that Li Mu was too naive.
It is true that the human heart is made of flesh. But is the emperor's heart really made of flesh? The emperor's ruthlessness is beyond the reach of ordinary people, nor can it be imagined by ordinary people. If Li Shimin was not ruthless, he could do it
Is there any case of brother-killing?
Although Li Ji was not involved in the Xuanwu Gate incident at that time, as the general of the garrison at that time, he held a heavy army, and this incident almost happened under his eyes. In terms of force, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were tied together.
Together, they were no match for Li Shimin. In terms of strategy, they were given nothing, not counting the counselors in Prince Qin's palace. It can be said that after Li Shimin escaped that glass of poisonous wine, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji
There was no chance. The moment Li Shimin decided to take action, the outcome was already in place.
He had the ability to pierce Yang with a hundred steps. If he didn't want to kill Li Jiancheng, Li Jiancheng would not die. If he didn't want to kill Li Yuanji, the injured Li Yuanji would not die either. He could have followed the example of the previous dynasty and imprisoned his brothers, but he didn't.
Choose to do it simply to avoid future troubles.
Such a person’s heart is made of flesh?
Li Ji didn't think so.
Although there is a reason for everything, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji also wanted to kill Li Shimin. It is understandable that Li Shimin had murderous intentions. But people's good and evil often happen within a year. Good is greater than evil, repay evil with kindness, evil is greater than good, repay evil with straightness.
.It cannot be said that Li Shimin is wrong, but it can also be seen that he is not a kind-hearted person, and his tolerance is not as big as he shows.
Li Ji's reminder today has another wish, that is, he knows about Wang Ou.
Li Ji also heard about Wang Ou and Li Shimin. Li Ji didn't know how much Li Shimin loved Wang Ou, but what he knew clearly was that no man wanted to see his woman being touched by others.
To Li Shimin, Li Mu was a nephew and a minister. How much tolerance did he have to have to accept the cuckold he gave Li Shimin?
Li Ji thought with his toes and could guess how Li Shimin would be furious when he learned the details one day! By then, Li Mu's good deeds would not be worth this bad one. In anger, he ransacked his house and ordered him to be executed.
These are all uncertain things. Even if Li Shimin calms down and regrets, what's the use? The grass on the grave is two feet high, where can there be a person like Li Mu in the world?
Women, what a disaster!
Li Ji couldn't talk about this clearly, so he wanted to use Li Xiaogong's story to say something to Li Mu. Li Mu really understood, but his response made Li Ji's heart freeze.
This boy is so confused! He risked everything for a woman. How could he escape so easily? The favored ministers from ancient times were either extremely popular ministers or died, so there is no compromise!
Still too young!
Li Ji sighed and said nothing more. Li Mu changed the topic at the right time and talked about supporting the Turks.
"Father, when do you plan to return to Bingzhou?"
"Your Majesty wants me to go with General Simo. It depends on you." Li Ji said with a smile: "He said he couldn't find you, and asked me for a favor. He wanted me to tell you.
, take time out as soon as possible and finish his business."
"We can't rush this." Li Mu became serious and said, "Father, General Qin, I have some questions about the Turks that I would like to ask."
"you say."
Li Mu said solemnly: "Father, General Qin, you have all fought head-on with the Turks. Do you think the Turks are strong in terms of combat power?"
"This..." Li Ji and Qin Qiong looked at each other, and Qin Qiong spoke first: "We have defeated the Turks, doesn't this already give us the answer?"
Li Mu shook his head and said: "General Qin, I was once captured by the Turkic cavalry as a country warrior transporting grain. I have a direct experience of the combat effectiveness of the Turks. The Turk who captured me at that time was actually just a Turk.
The herdsmen are just young and strong. Among the Turkic tribes, as long as an adult and healthy man is good at horsemanship and archery, our cavalry needs to be trained for many years to reach their level."
Li Ji took the words and said: "Li Mu is right. Turks, Hus, Uighurs and other tribes are horse people. They are naturally good at riding and shooting, but this is not an absolute talent. The main reason is that
In my opinion, it’s because we have few horses. Turks, no matter how poor or humble they are, are born with horses. But in the Central Plains, horses are only owned by wealthy families, and ordinary people cannot afford horses.”
"Cheng Yaojin's eldest son Cheng Chumo is an example. His equestrian and archery skills are not weaker than those of the young Turks of the same age. This shows that I, a man of the Tang Dynasty, am not lagging behind in terms of talent, but just lack the basics.
It’s just a condition.”
Li Mu nodded and said: "Then what does my foster father think is our biggest reliance on defeating the Turks?"
Li Ji frowned slightly, thought for a while, and said: "If you want to win in a war, the right time, right place, and the right people are indispensable. Last year's battle, in terms of the right time, the Turks suffered a heavy snowstorm, the weather was cold, and countless cattle and sheep froze to death.
When the Turkic tribes were at their weakest, this was the right time. As for the geographical advantage, Yu Jieli chose Dingxiang as his palace. Dingxiang was only a few dozen miles away from Mayi, which provided convenience for a quick attack. Speaking of harmony,
This is due to Jie Li's greed for enjoyment and extravagance in recent years. He not only robbed the border towns of the Tang Dynasty, but also exploited his own people, leading to widespread complaints..."
Li Ji's analysis was succinct, but Li Mu interrupted him with a wave of his hand: "Father, you are right, but my perspective on this matter is a little different."
"Our Tang Dynasty lacks horses and cavalry. When the two armies fight, the role of cavalry is greater than that of infantry, which is obviously disadvantageous to our country. But why did Datang still win in the end? I think we still won over the infantry.
"
"When I was in the Turkic camp, I wanted to escape. I observed this for a long time. I found that although the Turkic cavalry were powerful on horseback, their combat effectiveness would be greatly reduced when they dismounted. Their infantry was far from
The opponent of the infantry of the Tang Dynasty. This was also very obvious during the battle. As long as our Modao team resisted the enemy's arrows, they were not afraid of their cavalry at all. The Modao team lined up,
Whether you behead a man or a horse, there will be no disadvantage."
"The Turks also have another important problem, that is, they lack iron weapons. The scary thing about the Turkic cavalry is that they have extremely precise archery, but the quality of their arrows is not as good as ours. The arrows of our arrows are
Iron, as well as barbs, can cause greater damage, while the Turks' arrows are mostly made of bone spurs and wolf fangs, which cannot penetrate armor at a slightly longer distance."
Li Mu looked at Li Siwen and said: "When Siwen and I first met, Siwen was serving as a recorder in the army and joined the army. I read the battle damage book he wrote and found something noteworthy. That is, the Turks
Many of the casualties people caused to us were caused by our iron arrows piercing our leather armor when they picked up our bows and arrows after we fired several rounds. When they turned back to attack us,
fatal injuries.”
"Let's go back to what I just said about Mo Dao, adoptive father, and General Qin. Connecting these two things, I found one thing in common. That is, in war, the first person to fight is human beings! Our cavalry of the Tang Dynasty
If we don’t have enough, we can use infantry to make up for it. Although we don’t have the upper hand, if we have good tactics, good generals, and find a suitable time, we can still win the war. The second is to compare supplies. Our soldiers are fighting outside, and we have to fight in the rear.
It took the whole country to provide food and grass. But if the Turks lost their cattle and sheep, they would have no place to live, and their stomachs would not be full. How could they think about fighting?"
"They have less iron weapons and we have more iron weapons, so we have an advantage. The Mo Dao is also a rare thing in the army now. If we have enough iron to make countless Mo Dao, everyone will have one, and we will fight again.
Will it be easier now?"
"Your Majesty and some people in the court have been worried that if the Ministry of Internal Affairs helps the Turkic tribes and makes them rich, they will turn against the Tang Dynasty. Your Majesty has even given me a problem. He wants to make the Turks a great nation.
The barrier of the Tang Dynasty was to resist the rise of Xue Yantuo, but he did not want the Turks to become a threat to the security of the Tang Dynasty." Li Mu sighed and said: "These are two contradictory things. At that time, His Majesty asked me what I had in mind, and I only said
I will try my best, but I don’t dare to give a definite answer. But after so long, I already have the answer in my heart.”
"First of all, if we want to suppress the Turkic threat to the Tang Dynasty, we must take away their war resources. Leather, iron tools, and horses are all very important war resources. I have already made arrangements for the horses. West City
There is a horse dealer named Aniro. He came to me a few months ago and promised to sell horses from the Turkic tribes for me. This man has some background. He is the maternal uncle of Jieli's son Diluozhi. Although Jieli is already a
He was imprisoned by his subordinates, but after all, he has the golden blood of the Turks, and his influence in the Turkic tribe is still very great. Dieluo Zhi is the only living son of Jieli, and he is also of the golden blood. With him coming forward, he is far more powerful than our faction.
A Han used to be much better."
"I will support the Tenro branch and Anilao to build a huge caravan. To do some shady business, this requires the cooperation of my adoptive father, turning a blind eye and turning a blind eye when necessary.
Help them and hide it from General Simo."
Li Ji frowned, thought for a while, and said, "I understand what you mean, but have you discussed this matter with His Majesty?"
Li Mu smiled and said: "My adoptive father is too cautious. This matter will only benefit the Tang Dynasty. The horses I smuggled here are also for your majesty's ten thousand cavalry. How can your majesty not allow it?"
Li Ji nodded slightly and said, "As long as you are sensible."
Li Mu continued: "As for leather, I have already made arrangements. I will find many businessmen and let them take pre-sale orders for leather from the Turkic tribe in their own names. But in fact, these orders are managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The profits from the business will be paid for. Most of these leathers will be made into leather armors, and these leather armors will also be given priority to soldiers in the border towns."
Li Ji understood what Li Mu meant. He wanted to use the money he earned from doing business with the Turkic tribes to make equipment for the Tang Dynasty's border army. There was only so much leather. After he bought the leather from the Turks, the Turks
If you don't have one yourself, the gap in defense will become wider and wider.
"This third point is about iron tools." Li Mu bent down and picked up a branch, drew a simple map on the ground, and marked several major locations. To the north of the Hetao, in the pre-Sui Dynasty, the area where the Turkic King Tingya Zhang was located
, Li Mu drew a circle.
Li Ji recognized it and said: "Li Mu, what do you mean by drawing this place? This is where the Turks' tent is!"