"Oh? Minister Du also thinks that I should send troops to attack Xieli? "
Inside the Taiji Palace.
Du Ruhui walked out of the crowd. Li Er's eyes lit up as he asked with a smile.
Li Er knew better than anyone that the Tang Empire was not ready for a full-scale war with the Turks. But it was one thing to not be ready and another to not dare to fight. As long as the decision was made to fight, the entire Tang Empire would take action and prepare for war very quickly!
Du Ruhui cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I think what High Duke Lu said is reasonable. The Tang Empire does not need to be honest with Xieli because he will violate the treaty sooner or later. Now that the Turks are in chaos, it is the best time to attack! Moreover, attacking countries with civil strife has been the custom since ancient times. The Tang Empire cannot be timid because of the treaty and miss the opportunity! "
'Fang Mou Du Duan' lived up to his name. Du Ruhui had sharp eyes and directly asserted that the treaty was a piece of waste paper in the eyes of the Turks!
As soon as Du Ruhui finished speaking, Cheng Yaojin immediately said excitedly, "Hehe! Old Du, in the past, I, Old Cheng, didn't realize that you were also a tough nut to crack. I, Old Cheng, cherish you! Hehe! Today, I, Old Cheng, would like to apologize to you for my blind eyes. When you get better, I, Old Cheng, would like to treat you to a drink ~! "
After saying that, he patted Du Ruhui's shoulder gently, looking very intimate, as if they were good brothers who had known each other for many years.
Du Ruhui's mouth twitched slightly and then moved two steps to the side imperceptibly to keep a 'safe distance' from Cheng Yaojin. Then, he cupped his hands and said expressionlessly, "High Duke Lu, I am just talking about the matter. It has nothing to do with personal friendship. Please conduct yourself with dignity!"
"Hey! Good! Good! Good! I conduct myself with dignity! "
Cheng Yaojin was rebuffed. He could only rub his nose and laugh dryly before returning to his original position.
This was just a small episode.
At this time, seeing that Cheng Yaojin was no longer making a fuss, Fang Xuanling stepped out from the crowd and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, I think that Keming's words are reasonable. Now that the Turks are in internal strife, it is a heaven-sent opportunity for the Tang Empire. When Xieli's army was at the city gate, the reason why he signed the treaty with the Tang Empire was that he could not figure out the real situation of Chang 'an and did not dare to attack the city rashly. He definitely did not want to be friends with the Tang Empire forever!
The Turkic foreigners have been eyeing our Central Plains for many years. Once they are ready or our Great Tang falls into internal strife, they will definitely disregard the treaty and attack the Great Tang!
Therefore, instead of waiting for Xieli to attack us, it would be better to immediately organize our forces and attack Xieli! Right now, our Great Tang has many soldiers and generals, we have sufficient provisions and fodder. After three, four months of serious preparation, we will definitely have the strength to fight Xieli! Otherwise, when the Tuli Khagan is destroyed and Xieli's clan becomes the strongest, when my Great Tang attacks Xieli again, who knows how many of our men will die! "
Li Er nodded. Just as he was about to speak, Kong Yingda stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate! The Great Tang is the highest country in the Celestial Empire, a country of etiquette and propriety. How can we commit such a treacherous act? Even if Xieli secretly harbors evil intentions, as long as he doesn't take the initiative to attack and doesn't violate the treaty, then we can't rashly attack! Otherwise, where is the prestige of the imperial court? Where is Your Majesty's propriety? In the future, who will believe the promises of our Great Tang? "
Zhangsun Wuji also clasped his hands and said, "Chancellor Kong is right! Since the Great Tang is a country of gentlemen, it must have the demeanor of a gentleman! This time, if we attack first, although we can win the initiative, we will also be spurned by the world. At that time, the righteous army will become an unreasonable army, and the other neighboring countries will no longer believe in the promises of our Great Tang. To the Great Tang, the gains won't make up for the losses!
"Moreover, even if we don't attack the Turkic Khaganate now, we can also secretly make preparations, recruit troops, and store up provisions. Once the Turkic Khaganates break the treaty or do something that violates the treaty, it won't be too late for us to attack them then! Even if the Tuli Khagan is destroyed and Xieli's clan becomes the strongest, we have sufficient preparations and may not lose to them! "
Buzz ~!
"I second the motion. The Great Tang cannot lose its face! Your Majesty's propriety cannot be lost! The imperial court can secretly mobilize troops, but we definitely cannot take the initiative to break the treaty! "
Minister of Revenue Xiao Yu stepped forward and clasped his hands.
"I second the motion!"
After Kong Yingda and Zhangsun Wuji finished speaking, the civil and military officials in the imperial court seemed to have woken up from a dream, and more and more officials voiced their agreement. Cheng Yaojin, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui seemed to be a little weak and helpless!
This point had nothing to do with factional struggles. In the early days of the Tang Dynasty, there were basically no factional struggles in the imperial court. The reason why these officials didn't agree with the imperial court sending troops wasn't because they wanted to stand on the same side as Zhangsun Wuji, but because what Zhangsun Wuji and Kong Yingda said made sense!
A country's promise! If the Great Tang went back on its word, it could gain a little advantage in the war against the Turks, but it would lose the country's prestige. This was something that couldn't be made up for!
Li Zexuan, who was in the civil official camp, couldn't help but frown. Although he was also in the pro-war camp, he had to admit that what Zhangsun Wuji and Kong Yingda said made sense. As a country in the Central Plains, they naturally had to pay attention to the country's prestige and couldn't go back on their words. Otherwise, if they lost their prestige and caused other countries to no longer believe in the Great Tang, this loss would be too great!
After all, although the Great Tang was strong now, it wasn't strong enough to contend against all the countries in the world and didn't need any allies!
How could Li Er, who was sitting high above, not see the current situation in the imperial court? He knew that the Great Tang couldn't send troops to reinforce Tuli in the current situation. He frowned and pondered for a long time. Just as he was about to announce that they wouldn't send troops, a guard ran in from outside and bowed with cupped fists.
"Reporting! Your Majesty, the envoy sent by the Khitan chieftain has arrived outside the palace! At the same time, the envoy sent by Khan Xieli has also arrived! "
The moment he finished speaking, all the civil and military officials in the imperial court were dumbfounded!
"What? The Khitans and Khan Xieli have both sent envoys? "
"What are they trying to do?"
"What is Xieli trying to do?"
A few minutes ago, Tuli's son and the envoy had just left the imperial palace. But now, the Khitan tribe under Tuli's jurisdiction and Tuli's sworn enemy, Khan Xieli, had both sent envoys!
The morning court of the Great Tang had never been as lively as it was today!
In truth, it wasn't just the officials who were dumbfounded. Li Er, who was sitting on the dragon throne, was also somewhat dumbfounded. Old Li closed his eyes and pondered for a while. Suddenly, he ordered, "Let the Khitan envoy come in and see Us!"
"Understood!"
The guard cupped his fists in acknowledgment and then turned to leave Taiji Palace!
Not long after, the guard led three Turks into Taiji Palace. When the three saw Li Er, they respectfully bowed to him like a Han. The leader of the Khitan tribe spoke in a clear voice with a broken Han accent, "Qimi Liangwu of the Khitan tribe pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang!"
"Dispense with the formalities!"
Li Er waved his hand and asked directly, "Why has the Khitan Tribal Chief Paier and the others come to the court?"
Qimi Liangwu bowed and said, "Replying to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang, Qimi Liangwu is here on behalf of our tribal chief to express our loyalty to the Great Tang court. Our tribal chief has already led his tribe from Yunzhou into the Great Tang several days ago and is now rushing toward Chang 'an. He hopes that Your Majesty can take in the Khitan tribe. The entire Khitan tribe is willing to pledge their loyalty to Your Majesty ~!"
After Khan Xieli, the Khitan tribe of the Eastern Turks was also going to submit to the Great Tang?
Everyone in the main hall widened their eyes and exclaimed inwardly in disbelief!
In one day, two major factions of the Eastern Turks were going to submit to the Great Tang. Was the Turks really divided to such an extent?
Li Er did not let the joy get to his head. His eyes darkened as he barked, "The Khitan tribe can be considered a fairly strong tribe among the Eastern Turks. Why is your Khitan Tribal Chief leading his tribe to submit to the Great Tang for no reason?"
Qimi Liangwu hurriedly said, "Replying to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang, the Khitan tribe was originally under the jurisdiction of Khan Xieli, but this year, the conflict between Khan Xieli and Khan Xieli has been deepening day by day. Recently, they have even clashed with each other. Khan Xieli ordered my tribe to attack Khan Xieli, but my Khitan Tribal Chief was once greatly indebted to Khan Shibi, so how could I harm his descendant? Thus, my tribal chief did not accept the order, but to prevent Khan Xieli from sending his troops for revenge, he could only bring all his tribe to submit to the Great Tang! We implore Your Majesty to take in the Khitan tribe ~! "
Buzz ~!
Everyone in the Imperial Court was pleasantly surprised!
The strength of the Khitan tribe was not ordinary. Their tribal chief had led his tribe to submit to the Great Tang, weakening the strength of the Eastern Turks and indirectly increasing the strength of the Great Tang. For such a good thing to happen, it could only be said that the heavens were protecting the Great Tang ~!
"So that's how it is!"
Understanding dawned on Li Er. After pondering for a moment, he sighed and said, "Your tribal chief can also be considered a righteous person. Since Xieli cannot tolerate you, then as the Emperor of the Great Tang, I welcome you to submit to the Great Tang! I will immediately send troops and horses to receive the chief of your tribe! "
No one objected to Li Er's decision. After all, it would be a waste to reject a surrendered army that had delivered itself to their doorstep!
Qimi Liangwu was overjoyed. "Thank you, His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang!"
Li Er nodded in satisfaction and said, "All of you must be tired from the journey. Return to the posthouse to rest first! I will immediately send men to receive your tribal chief in a moment! "
"Thank you, His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang! Qimi Liangwu will take his leave! "
Qimi Liangwu bowed and then left the hall.
Li Er narrowed his eyes and ordered, "Summon Xieli's envoy into the hall!"
"Summon Xieli's envoy for an audience ~!"
"Summon Xieli's envoy for an audience ~!"
The eunuchs passed on Li Er's decree one by one. Not long after, a burly Turkic man walked into the hall with two Turkic men of medium stature.
Before that burly Turkic man could announce his identity, Li Er couldn't help but exclaim, "It's you?"
…
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