After King Wu Li Ge finished expressing his feelings, he turned around and met the gazes of these naval commanders. Seeing the disdainful expressions on their faces, King Wu Li Ge did not get angry. He also understood what these people were thinking.
Strictly speaking, these people had nothing to do with the Tang Dynasty court. From the day the Goguryeo Navy was formed, all expenses were paid by Li Xiang. From design to funding, no money from the court was used at all. These people originally lived in extreme poverty, and it was because Li Xiang gave them a hand that they became a majestic navy general.
According to their original idea, they should follow Li Xiang to conquer the world. After all, Li Xiang had painted a big rosy picture for them at that time. When the navy warships were trained, he would definitely take them overseas to open up new territories and transport back shiploads of food and gold.
But now the court suddenly sent another prince, and he had some grudges with our prince before, so it is normal for these people to feel a little unhappy. If they were very cooperative, King Wu would feel strange.
Ahem…
Ding Tu, the commander-in-chief of the Goguryeo navy, felt these unfriendly looks and reminded them a little. In fact, Ding Tu was also dissatisfied in his heart, but the situation was stronger than people. The imperial edict of the court had already arrived. Unless you guys want to rebel, you have to follow the court's wishes.
"Your Highness, please don't mind. We are all rough people. We have been on the sea and accompanied by warships for many years, so we don't know much about some of the interpersonal relationships on land. I hope Your Highness will forgive us."
Although Ding Tu spoke very humbly, his whole body did not even lean. King Wu Li Ke certainly understood that although he was here today, even if Li Shimin came here tomorrow, these people's attitude towards Li Shimin would probably not be much better. After all, the Dengzhou navy had declined so much in the past, and Li Shimin did not allocate a big penny.
In the minds of these naval generals, the imperial court pushed them all to the front line when it launched an eastern expedition against Goguryeo, but when they suffered heavy losses, the imperial court did not allocate funds to them for replenishment. Isn't this treating them as cannon fodder?
Was the defeat of the imperial court against Goguryeo due to the lack of effort of their naval officers and soldiers? The situation at that time really had nothing to do with them. They had already completed their tasks excellently. It was the problems of the imperial court's land army that led to everything we have today, but this does not allow our navy to bear such responsibility.
In order to save his own face and to make the generals accompanying the army look good, Li Shimin began to punish the naval generals intentionally or unintentionally. After all, these people were not Li Shimin's direct subordinates, and in Li Shimin's view of a ruling system, the navy would be used very rarely in the future, and the most important thing was the army on land. So under their guidance, people all over the country even believed that the failure of the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo was related to the navy.
For a moment, they became like rats crossing the street, so these people felt very aggrieved. They all fought for their lives on the battlefield, but the results were different after they came back. They didn't get any benefits, and all the bad things were borne by us. I'm afraid no one would feel good about it.
Later, if Li Xiang had not appeared, the Tang Dynasty navy might really have been left to fend for itself. The money given by the court was so little, and there were so many people to support. If they left the barracks without permission, it would be a serious crime of betrayal, so many people would have been unable to survive.
Just when everyone was on the verge of collapse, Li Xiang took over the Dengzhou Navy and became the admiral of the Dengzhou Navy. It was from that time that Li Xiang's funds began to be injected continuously, which also gave his subordinates new hope for a new life.
When Li Shimin asked Li Xiang to take over the Dengzhou Navy, he actually didn't have much impression of the Dengzhou Navy in his mind. A few months before that, someone reported to Li Shimin that the Dengzhou Navy had caused several problems due to insufficient supplies, so Li Shimin threw the Dengzhou Navy away as a hot potato.
You look down on others when they are down and out, but when they are prosperous you want to reap the benefits. This is how the naval officers and soldiers view the court.
So no matter which prince or court official comes to the Goguryeo navy camp this time, they can forget about having a good face. What's more, they have moved their families here. If someone wants to take over, they may not dare to touch them.
"General Ding, you are too kind. I have some understanding of your previous situation. It is the court that has wronged you."
King Wu Li Ke sighed helplessly. Although he was a prince, and a very smart one at that, this identity might not be useful after he left the capital. There were so many royal people who died of illness. Do you really think they were all sick?
When you are outside, you must not show off your power as a prince, especially in the Goguryeo Navy Camp, as these people may cause trouble for you.
After hearing what King Wu Li Ke said, Ding Tu and his men looked a little better. This prince didn't look so annoying anymore. If he comes and acts arrogantly and aggressively towards us, then don't blame us brothers for not giving you face. In this military camp, only Li Xiang has such treatment. If others want to order us around, they will have to see how much they have paid for us.
Although it was not stated explicitly, Ding Tu and other generals understood that the Goguryeo navy was like Li Xiang's private army. Without receiving Li Xiang's order, no one could mobilize a warship out, not even you, King Wu Li Ke, nor Cheng Yaojin and Qin Shubao.
Perhaps it was because Li Shimin understood this that he appointed Li Xiang as the chief marcher, specifically responsible for logistics. If Li Xiang was allowed to remotely command in Chang'an, that would not be impossible, but Chang'an City was too far away from the Goguryeo navy camp. If traveling back and forth delayed military affairs, then by then, let alone occupying Fuso, our navy might suffer serious losses.
Li Shimin had once asked someone to inquire about it. The current Goguryeo navy was extremely expensive. If the Tang Dynasty were to build it, it would cost all of its fiscal revenue for two years...
