To be honest, when this imperial edict came down, all the civil and military officials in the court breathed a sigh of relief. What they feared most was that Li Xiang and Li Shimin would confront each other. You two, grandfather and grandson, have problems. You can choose a time, but you must not choose this time.
There are 200,000 soldiers outside the city ready for battle, and everyone wants to make meritorious deeds on the battlefield of Goguryeo, but now you two, grandfather and grandson, are facing each other. If it is just an ordinary family conflict, then no one here will care about such a trivial matter, but if it affects the entire Tang Dynasty, then it will not be a trivial matter.
Many court ministers were hesitating whether to submit a memorial to persuade the emperor. Just as they were hesitating, the court eunuchs went to the East Palace to announce the decree. Li Xiang officially took office as the Grand Marshal of the Eastern Expedition, but the emperor would no longer lead the army in person.
Li Shimin was being a bit petty by throwing everything to Li Xiang. "Aren't you very capable? You can handle any problem. Go talk to the soldiers in the camp yourself."
"Thank you for your grace."
Li Xiang accepted the imperial edict with confidence. He felt relieved that General Li Jing, as the marching supervisor, would accompany him on the expedition. Besides, there were Niu Jinda and Su Dingfang, plus his own powerful generals. What else could happen along the way?
Although the emperor is not leading the army in person, which is a blow to the soldiers, we still have an absolute advantage. According to Li Xiang's calculations, the probability of winning must be above 85%, and that 15% can be further reduced due to human factors.
"Your Highness, you'd better go to the palace. The Emperor is very unhappy."
After finishing the serious work, Wang De whispered beside him.
"Thank you, Eunuch Wang. I'll go back and change my clothes."
Li Xiang smiled bitterly. He had already taken the lead. He had to bow where he should bow his head and clean up the mess where he should clean up. Li Xiang was going to the military camp tomorrow morning. He had two important things to do today. The first thing was to go to the palace to comfort Li Shimin.
Wang De and Li Xiang arrived one after another. It was naturally easy for Wang De to enter the Qinzheng Hall, as he was the chief eunuch here. But it was not so easy for Li Xiang. It was noon now, and Li Xiang could only kneel outside. Without the emperor, he would have to kneel here all the time.
Li Shimin raised his eyes and glanced at Li Xiang. Although he was kneeling outside and behaved very respectfully, Li Shimin felt uncomfortable. Although he gave the position of Grand Marshal to Li Xiang, he should at least resign. Who knew that this guy would take it so eagerly.
After an hour, Li Xiang's knees began to hurt. Wang Decai came in and invited Li Xiang in. Li Xiang looked up at the palace and knew what Li Shimin was thinking. He would not let him seize the general so easily.
"Greetings to Grandpa."
After entering the hall, Li Xiang immediately changed his expression. The principle of giving a slap in the face and then giving a sweet date applies to everyone, including the emperor. Although Li Xiang won the political struggle, he had to make the emperor happy. When Li Xiang said the word "grandfather", Li Shimin's dissatisfaction had been reduced by one third.
"Get up."
He had been kneeling outside for a long time, so Li Shimin did not make things difficult for Li Xiang when he was inside the house.
"The Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo is a major undertaking. Although we have the advantage now, you still have to take it seriously. Emperor Yang of Sui suffered losses because of this, and I also suffered losses because of this. It is hard to guarantee that you will not suffer losses if you go there."
Seeing Li Xiang's cynical look, Li Shimin immediately frowned. At this moment, he was no longer so dissatisfied. After all, he was his grandson. Li Shimin felt that it was not shameful to be defeated by his grandson. He should feel happy to have such a grandson. If such a monster appeared in someone else's family, Li Shimin would probably not be able to sleep at night.
"I wonder what my grandfather will do to Goguryeo?"
Li Xiang saw that Li Shimin's expression had eased, and now it was time to talk about business. There was not much time left between now and the expedition, and Li Xiang had to know what Li Shimin was thinking. If he did something wrong by then, he might get into trouble after returning. It would be better to ask clearly before going on the expedition.
"Liaodong Protectorate."
Li Shimin said as he wrote, "What a man of great talent and strategy! These five words are enough to express what he is thinking."
Goguryeo has repeatedly provoked the Central Plains dynasty. Li Shimin is no longer prepared to give them a way out. Even if it is like Tuyuhun, Goguryeo must become a territory of the Tang Dynasty. You people are really going too far.
"My grandson swears to pacify Goguryeo within four months."
Li Xiang knew that since he had obtained the position of commander-in-chief in this way, he had to give Li Shimin an explanation, otherwise Li Shimin would not be able to find a balance. What's more, Li Xiang had already seen through the information about Goguryeo. If I can't take down Goguryeo within four months, then I don't deserve this position.
"There's no joking in the army."
Li Shimin looked up at Li Xiang. He certainly knew Li Xiang's ability to lead troops in battle. He had proven his talent in several wars. To put it bluntly, Goguryeo's strength was not as good as Tuyuhun, but Goguryeo was far away from Chang'an, and Tuyuhun was all grassland, while Goguryeo had many cities. It would be difficult to capture Goguryeo in three months.
"Please rest assured, Grandfather. I will definitely conquer Goguryeo within three months. If I make any mistakes, I will be willing to accept the punishment."
Li Xiang said very confidently that if he could not conquer Goguryeo within three months after assembling the 200,000-strong Tang army, plus his own system army and the support of gunpowder, it would be a joke.
"Go back and get ready. You don't have to come to me before you leave."
Li Shimin nodded silently, knowing that there were only a few days left. There was no need for Li Xiang to come here to coax the old man. It would be better to see how to boost morale. After all, Li Shimin's absence from the expedition was a big blow to the entire army.
Li Xiang breathed a sigh of relief after coming out. Although Li Shimin had various thoughts, he was still able to put himself in the right position when facing national affairs. He couldn't let go of the anger in his heart, but the most important thing was the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo. Li Shimin would rather hold back this anger and have to explain the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo clearly. In other words, he was a responsible emperor...
