The generals of the Tang Dynasty also understood what Li Xiang meant by this move. It was nothing more than reducing our costs. We did not gain much when we captured these places. The current military expenditure and gains are basically equal. If we were to mobilize a large number of Tang Dynasty troops, our finances might not be able to bear it.
At present, there has not been a lot of opposition within the court, simply because we have not spent much money in the national treasury. If we cause too much deficit in the national treasury, then both civil servants and people in society will probably stand up and speak out for a while, which will also be a blow to our morale.
But transporting Fusang and Goguryeo soldiers here is a different story. According to the plans of some Tang quartermasters, about eight to ten Goguryeo and Fusang soldiers are needed for every one Tang soldier. Of course, we won't be too harsh on you. If you want to live a good life, aren't there many local people around? Isn't that your strength? Just work hard with them, and we won't interfere too much.
Prince Landing also saw the ferocity of the soldiers from these two countries; in some respects, they were even more formidable than the Tang army. Seeing the many Arab civilians being persecuted, Prince Landing felt bad, but what could he do? If you raise objections now, people will quickly question your original intention for surrendering, or even your current loyalty.
Moreover, General Sima would often brainwash him, saying, "You were once a little prince with no rights, your fate was betrayed by the Arabs. When you led a hundred thousand defeated soldiers to the front, did you think the people around you cared about your life or death? Your army went to various places to request some assistance, but these local officials ignored you."
You're still treating them as your subjects. Are you kidding me? It's clear these people don't take you seriously. If you still do this, you're simply out of your mind. You must clearly distinguish who these people follow. To put it bluntly, they are all your big brother's subjects. They have nothing to do with you. These people have never helped you. The ones who truly helped you were our Great Tang court. It was us who gave you your current position.
If it was said once or twice, His Royal Highness the Prince might not have noticed it, or even think that General Sima had bad intentions and was deliberately trying to sow discord between him and the local people. But when it was late at night and everyone was asleep, he saw that he was in someone else's military camp and that the soldiers around him were not having a good time either.
Who was responsible for this? Everyone would search for the root cause. The Tang army was certainly not a formidable force, but without their big brother, the local officials, and the common people around them, how could they have ended up like this? With sufficient supplies, how could a hundred thousand strong army have collapsed in a single day? It was because they didn't even have the strength to raise their hands. When the Tang army came charging, wouldn't they have surrendered or been killed?
After a few days of this, His Royal Highness finally accepted everything. "You are being bullied by Fusang and Goguryeo soldiers now, that's your own business. Who told you not to listen earlier? If you had followed me earlier, this wouldn't be the result now."
Anyway, our lives will not be affected. General Sima has already issued orders to the Fuso and Goguryeo people. If you dare to harass His Royal Highness the Prince and the people around him, you will be arrested immediately. As for whether you can be released, that is His Royal Highness the Prince's business. Everything must be restricted. You can harm ordinary people at will, but His Royal Highness the Prince and the people around him have surrendered to us, and their status is much higher than those ordinary people.
The Fuso army and the Goguryeo army also understood that the Tang army wanted to win over the hearts of the people, so we couldn't attack His Royal Highness the Prince. What's more, the people around him were so poor that they could barely make ends meet. If we robbed them, we would probably get nothing out of our efforts.
Halfway through the meal, His Royal Highness the Prince went back. He knew that he was not very welcome here. When people invite you to dinner, it is their courtesy. The two adults often argue with each other and communicate in some Chinese dialects. Although His Royal Highness the Prince has started to learn Chinese, he still cannot understand many of the words. But His Royal Highness the Prince can see the situation clearly, that is, these people have some important matters to discuss.
"Let's put his affairs aside for now. Nothing serious can happen to him. His Highness has already said that there is some instability in the capital. It's mainly because of that bastard Prince Song. There are also some of his men in the army. According to the list, keep an eye on all your men. Don't let anything happen to them."
Because of the problem of troop rotation, it is impossible that all the troops of the Tang Dynasty are Li Xiang's direct subordinates. There are also some unstable elements among them. After Xiao Shougui took out the list, Sima Jun knew what to do. These people had better not make any moves. If they do, we went into battle together to kill the enemy yesterday, and today I will send you off.
Don't think these things are too cruel. Political struggle is like this. Once you give them the opportunity, they will be the ones holding the knife. At that time, if you kneel before them, will they spare your life? Obviously, it is impossible.
So in this situation, you must ensure your own safety. Xiao Shougui was able to find these people, which was a great help. If you couldn't find them, and they were hiding in the dark, it would be a fatal thing.
According to Sima Jun's idea, this matter was originally a matter of Chang'an, but unexpectedly it spread to the military camp. It seems that the people who want to make trouble this time are indeed very capable, otherwise they would not be so widely distributed.
Xiao Shougui also explained to this guy that in addition to the royal forces, there are also remnants of the Five Surnames and Seven Families. They were all hidden in the past. After all, they are large families that have lasted for hundreds of years. It is not so easy to uproot them. But this time, as long as they dare to jump out, we have to deal with them first. After all, the army is a knife in His Highness's hand?
