"The Mo family is back!"
When the Mo family's team returned to Chang 'an, the entire city was abuzz with the news. Some people were sighing, some were heartbroken, and some were fighting for justice.
However, in the imperial court, no one paid attention to it. Everyone was attracted by one thing, and that was the Gao Chang incident.
After three years of development, and with the help of the envoys sent by the Tang dynasty, the Silk Road was extraordinarily prosperous. The huge profits made the entire Western Region crazy.
Of course, the one who benefited the most was the Tang dynasty. Under the Tang dynasty's silk system designed by Meton, not only could silk be exchanged for a large amount of gold and silver from the far west, but it also became the currency of the Western Region's bulk trade. It could be said that the Tang dynasty used silk to firmly control the Silk Road and obtain the biggest share of the pie.
Of course, the Tang dynasty did not forget the countries of the Western Region. They worked hard to coordinate the relationship between the countries of the Western Region and protect the Silk Road. They no longer intercepted and killed caravans once and for all. Instead, they collected taxes little by little. The countries of the Western Region profited a lot and obtained a rare peace.
However, not all countries were grateful to the Tang dynasty. The first to bear the brunt was the powerful country of the Western Region, Gao Chang. Gao Chang's development in the past three years was particularly rapid. Because it was close to the Tang dynasty, not only did it benefit a lot from the Silk Road, but also, under the leadership of Mo Jiazi, the Tang dynasty's demand for cotton was increasing day by day. Gao Chang was the origin of cotton. Every year, it sold a lot of cotton seeds to the Tang dynasty, and its national strength was increasing day by day.
However, Gao Chang, who had benefited a lot, was not satisfied. Compared to the profits of the Tang dynasty, Gao Chang's gains were just a drop in the ocean. In addition, Gao Chang controlled the throat of the Silk Road and had the support of Tubo and Western Turks. His ambition was growing day by day, and he already had the ambition to touch the Silk Road.
Three years ago, due to the threat of Tuyuhun, the Tang dynasty did not control the Silk Road. The actual control of the Silk Road was Gao Chang, the most powerful country in the Western Region. However, the Tang dynasty defeated Tuyuhun and touched the Western Region. Although Gao Chang's benefits were not less than before, it was not as comfortable as being the boss himself...
Three years had passed, and the shock of Tuyuhun's destruction had slowly faded. Gao Chang's ambition had also slowly expanded. Politically, he leaned toward the Western Turks and blocked the Silk Road. At the same time, he was also ambitious and expanded everywhere. He sent troops to invade Yiwu, Yanqi, and other countries, seriously threatening the safety of the Tang dynasty's Silk Road.
The purpose of today's court meeting was to discuss the matter of Gao Chang. After all, the benefits of the Silk Road were too great, and the Tang dynasty could not easily give it up.
"Your Majesty, Gao Chang has the ambition of a wolf. He attacked Yiwu, Yanqi, and other countries for no reason. Now, the envoys of the countries of the Western Region have arrived at the Tang dynasty. They ask Your Majesty to uphold justice." The manager of the Honglu Temple took the lead to crusade against Gao Chang.
"Heavenly Khan, please uphold justice for us!"
The two envoys of the Western Region were summoned to the Taiji Palace. With tears streaming down their faces, they complained to Li Shimin about Gao Chang's atrocities.
Li Shimin said with a righteous face, "Don't worry, I will definitely uphold justice for your two countries."
These small countries were also fence-sitters. They would follow whichever side was stronger. In the past, they did not show any mercy when they intercepted the Tang dynasty's caravans. Now that Gao Chang had the support of the Western Turks, they had no one to turn to for help. Only the Tang dynasty could save them.
"Thank you, Heavenly Khan!"
The envoys of the two countries retreated with tears of gratitude. The entire court was filled with righteous indignation again, condemning Gao Chang's crimes.
"Ju Wentai is an unrighteous army. He attacked other countries without any justification and destroyed the peace of the Silk Road. He is guilty of the most heinous crimes."
"A warmonger is bound to perish. Gao Chang is rude and unreasonable. If Heaven wants it to perish, it must first make it crazy. Gao Chang has only itself to blame. Your Majesty, please send troops to suppress Gao Chang."
The military generals shouted one after another. Among them, the new Duke of Qiao, Chai Zhewei, was the most agitated. Duke of Qiao, Chai Shao, had just passed away last year, and his eldest son, Chai Zhewei, had inherited the title. This time, Gao Chang had blocked the Silk Road, and the Chai family had suffered heavy losses. Gao Chang had cut off their source of income, as if he had killed his parents. Naturally, he will not let Gao Chang off so easily. "
"No, Gao Chang is ignorant. However, the Tang dynasty is a country of etiquette. How can we send troops to suppress Gao Chang? Wouldn't that be as barbaric as Gao Chang?" Wang Gui stepped forward to dissuade them.
Chai Zhewei's face darkened. Wang Gui was the spokesperson of the Taiyuan Wang family. This time, he had stepped forward to obstruct the Silk Road to take revenge on the Chai family for helping the Mo family.
"This is ridiculous. Gao Chang has offended the authority of the Tang dynasty. If he is not severely punished, how will the 36 countries of the Western Region view the Tang dynasty? How will the Silk Road continue to be maintained?" Duke of Qiao, Chai Zhewei, said proudly. He had been to the Western Region as an envoy, so he naturally knew that Gao Chang was a powerful country in the Western Region. Once Gao Chang was subdued, it would certainly be a deterrent to the other countries in the Western Region.
All the officials nodded in their hearts. The Imperial Court could not give up the benefits of the Silk Road. This time, Gao Chang had to give the Tang dynasty an explanation.
Li Shimin nodded and looked at Linghu Defen, the Minister of Rites, and said, "Lord Linghu, I sent an envoy to Gao Chang to summon Ju Wentai to the Imperial Court to explain this matter. Has Gao Chang replied?"
Linghu Defen hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, Ju Wentai claimed to be ill and was unwilling to come to the Imperial Court."
"Your Majesty, the envoy can confirm that Ju Wentai is indeed seriously ill. He has also asked for the Green Dragon True Medicine at a high price. This is also true," Wang Gui said.
Chai Zhewei sneered and said, "Nowadays, the medical school of the Tang dynasty is flourishing. Wouldn't it be good for him to come to the Tang dynasty with a serious illness to be treated by the medical school? Perhaps there is still a chance for him to live. Moreover, even if he is unwilling to travel a long distance to come here, it would be the same if he sent the Crown Prince. Therefore, this humble one believes that Ju Wentai must have a guilty conscience, which is why he did not dare to come to the Tang dynasty.
Linghu Defen nodded helplessly and said, "Ju Wentai must have some scruples for offending the prestige of the Tang dynasty. Moreover, not only did Ju Wentai refuse to come to the Imperial Court, he even wrote a petition to increase the tariffs for passing merchants to reopen the Silk Road."
"Increase the tariffs? Gao Chang is using the Silk Road to threaten the Tang dynasty!" The officials of the Imperial Court were furious. If Gao Chang used the Silk Road and Gao Chang used it, it would damage the interests of the Tang dynasty.
"Gao Chang is so stubborn that he can only burn himself by playing with fire. This subject requests to personally lead the soldiers of the Tang dynasty to destroy Gao Chang and shake the Western Region." Hou Junji suddenly stepped out and said. Last time, when he went to the Tuyuhun to the west, Hou Junji was unlucky and did not get much. This time, he finally met Gao Chang, so he naturally did not want to let him go easily and eagerly asked to go to war.
"This subject requests to go to war! Raise the prestige of the Tang dynasty! "The military generals shouted one after another. For a moment, the Imperial Court was overflowing with murderous intent. After a series of battles, the Tang dynasty had destroyed the Eastern Turks and Tuyuhun, these two strong enemies, so the morale of the Imperial Court was high. Suddenly, when they heard that Gao Chang dared to provoke the Tang dynasty, the generals were immediately filled with righteous indignation and asked for the order. In their eyes, this was a great contribution.
"Don't act rashly. Gao Chang is seven thousand miles away from the Tang dynasty. Two thousand miles of it is desolate and uninhabited, and there are natural barriers such as the White Dragon Beach. He also has the support of the Tubo and the Western Turks behind him. In addition, Gao Chang has a strong army and strong horses. The city is high and the river is deep. It is easy to defend and hard to attack. This battle seems simple, but it will be unprecedentedly dangerous."
Xiao Yu shook his head. Xiao Yu's words were like pouring cold water on the Imperial Court. As Xiao Yu said, it was easy to destroy Gao Chang, but there were many factors to consider. It was like pulling one hair and affecting the whole body. If one was not careful, all the previous efforts would be wasted.
The reason why Gao Chang dared to provoke the Tang dynasty was that he thought Gao Chang was far away from the Tang dynasty. In addition, the road was dangerous and difficult to support a large army. As for the small Tang dynasty army, Gao Chang was not afraid of Gao Chang at all, even if the Tang dynasty was seven thousand miles away.
"Gao Chang is seven thousand miles away from the Tang dynasty. I'm afraid it will be difficult to transport large siege weapons. Moreover, Gao Chang is the most majestic city in the Western Region. I'm afraid we can only use the lives of the Tang dynasty's soldiers to make up for it. It is hard to say who will win and who will lose. The risk is too great." Wang Gui shook his head and objected.
Hou Junji sneered, "With the brick road in Longhai, what siege weapons can't be transported?"
The Minister of Works, Zhang Liang, could not help but say with a guilty conscience, "Lord Hou, you don't know. In recent years, the Imperial Court has been supporting the development of Jiangnan. The Ministry of Works has been building the north-south passage. However, the brick road from Lanzhou to Jade Gate Pass has not been completed yet."
Not only has it not been completed yet, it could even be said that it has not been completed yet. The distance from Lanzhou to Jade Gate Pass was nearly two thousand miles, and most of it was barren land. The investment was huge, but the returns were minimal. How could it be as fast as building a brick road in the Central Plains?
"You are simply wasting the opportunity!" Hou Junji said in exasperation.
For a moment, the Imperial Court was divided into two factions. One side was in favor of war, and the other side was in favor of peace.
Hou Junji looked at Xiao Yu and Wang Gui, who were in favor of peace. A thought came to him, and he said, "The two of you are only worried about Gao Chang's large number of soldiers and sturdy city, as well as the difficulty of supplying supplies from the two thousand miles of barren land. However, you don't know that someone has already easily solved these two problems during the Western Expedition to Tuyuhun."
"Easily solved? Who is this person?" All the ministers could not help but frown as they looked at Hou Junji suspiciously.
"Lord Hou, please don't make irresponsible remarks," Xiao Yu said unhappily.
Hou Junji revealed a hint of slyness, and said, "Lord Xiao, you may not know this, but when it comes to sieges, the Old Man believes that he has conquered countless cities and seized countless territories. However, there is only one person he is wholeheartedly convinced of, and that is Merton."
"During the Western Expedition to Tuyuhun, Merton used gunpowder to break through three forts in Tuyuhun without losing a single soldier. After that, he pursued for a thousand miles into the eight hundred miles of barren land, and returned with Fu Yun's head. Merton became famous after that battle. Merton destroyed a sturdy city with a wave of his hand. Ten out of ten people who entered the eight hundred miles of barren land died. However, Merton was able to escape unscathed. I believe that in Merton's eyes, Gao Chang's reliance is not enough."
After Hou Junji finished speaking, almost everyone's eyes focused on Merton, who was the last among the officials. It was true that Mo Jiazi had overcome the difficulties of attacking Gao Chang that they were worried about. If he could really overcome these difficulties, then how could a small Gao Chang be taken seriously by the Tang dynasty?
What made the officials even more interested was that Wang Gui and Xiao Yu, one was the leader of the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes, and the other was the representative of the Jiangnan aristocratic family. Both of them had a deep grudge against Mo Jiazi. This time, it was widely said in Chang 'an that the Mo family was once again attacked by the Gatekeeper, and the two of them were definitely involved. Hou Junji's actions could be said to be sinister.
Xiao Yu's face suddenly turned ugly. The reason why the brick road from Lanzhou to Yumen Pass was that he had reached an agreement with the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes. The Five Surnames and Seven Hopes would secretly help the Jiangnan aristocratic family to carry out the development of Jiangnan. Three years later, after the Jiangnan aristocratic family had used up the Mo family, they would give the Mo family a fatal blow and put the Mo family in a desperate situation. They could either completely control the Mo family and leave a way out for the aristocratic family, or use this to force Li Shimin to negotiate.
After all, the Jiangnan aristocratic family was also an aristocratic family. Although they did not have the thousand-year legacy of the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes, they had at least a few hundred years of wealth. How could they be willing to give up the wealth in their hands that had been passed down for generations? Otherwise, how could Xiao Yu be so short-sighted and not see that the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes abandoning the Mo family was like picking up sesame seeds and throwing away watermelons? However, for the benefit of the aristocratic family, he would not hesitate to give up the entire future of Jiangnan.
Hou Junji smiled and looked at Meton, who was at the back of the officials, and said in a clear voice, "Mo Jiazu, do you have a way to break into Gao Chang?"
"Gunpowder!"
Hou Junji did not call Meton Merton. Instead, he called Meton Chancellor, which immediately reminded everyone of Meton's position as Chancellor of the Firearms Supervisor. Three years ago, the Firearms Supervisor was able to break into the three castles of Tuyuhun. Now that three years had passed, the Firearms Supervisor under Mo Jiazi's command was even stronger than three years ago.
Under the gaze of the officials, Meton silently stepped out of the ranks and said solemnly, "It can be broken in one blow!"
"Hiss!" Everyone could not help but gasp. If it were anyone else, they would probably laugh their heads off. However, these words came from Mo Jiazi's mouth, so they could not help but believe it.
Xiao Yu snorted coldly and said, "Gao Chang is easy to break into, but the two thousand miles of desert road to the west of the Jade Gate is not easy to travel."
Meton did not deny and said, "With the compass made by the Mo family and the exploration of the Silk Road merchants in the past few years, these two thousand miles of desert road are no secret to the Tang dynasty."
The compass was the secret that allowed Meton to cross the eight hundred miles of the Immensity Sea and retreat safely. Meton had also given Chai Lingwu a compass, which was the biggest reliance of the Chai family for their bold westward advance in the Western Regions.
"Mo Jiu is too conceited. The matter of Gao Chang will affect the whole situation. If the Tubo and the Western Turks interfere, …" Wang Gui was furious and refuted Merton.
"War is dangerous. If tens of thousands of soldiers of the Tang dynasty are buried in foreign lands because of Mo Jiu's irresponsible words, can you bear the responsibility?" Xiao Yu snorted angrily.
If the battle of Gao Chang were to break out, the focus of the imperial court would definitely shift to the battle of Gao Chang. At that time, not only would the development of the Jiangnan region be delayed, but the Mo family village would also be revived because of the military's order.
The two big shots in the north and the south came out to reprimand Meton. For a moment, the officials in the north and the south all reprimanded Meton for making irresponsible remarks and deliberately provoking a war.
Meton raised the corner of his mouth. Faced with the reprimands of the officials, he did not retreat. Instead, he said, "I have a skill that can make the Tang dynasty invincible and invincible."
In an instant, all the officials in the imperial court froze and looked at Meton in disbelief. Even if the God of War, Li Jing, was here, he would not dare to say that the Tang dynasty would be invincible. However, Mo Jiazi dared to say such arrogant words.
"Are you serious?" Hou Junji said with a happy face.
The officials could not help but stare at Meton. Although they did not believe Meton's words, they could not ignore the first half of Meton's words.
In the imperial court, every time Mo Jiazi said this, the skill he threw out would shock everyone. Even Li Shimin looked at Meton expectantly. Which dynasty would not want to be invincible and invincible?
"The secret of Mozi!" The officials were moved and could not help but think of Mo Jiazi's most hidden trump card, which was also the source of the Mohist's skill.
Under everyone's gaze, Meton showed a wicked smile, as if he knew what everyone was thinking. He said, "This skill is not from the secret of Mozi, but a well-known allusion of Mosheng. I wonder if you have heard of this allusion."
"The guardian of the country is not inside!"
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