However, what Zhangsun Chong didn't know was that Meton also resented Zhangsun Chong. Since Zhangsun Chong split the Firearm Army, he didn't give the Firearm Army any trouble. Instead, he supported it. But now, Zhangsun Chong forced the Firearm Army into a dead end. The casualty rate was more than half. This was the biggest loss the Firearm Army had ever suffered since it was established.
"The Firearm Army has a strong combat power, but it suffered such a disaster. Zhangsun Chong and Sun Wukai can't escape the blame." In Taiji Palace, Meton looked at the report of the Firearm Army and said with hatred.
Li Shimin said with an embarrassed face, "Victory and defeat are common in war. However, the Firearm Army has just been established and hasn't experienced such a big battle. Some setbacks are inevitable."
Li Shimin naturally knew that Zhangsun Chong and Sun Wukai were responsible. However, he had already shown favoritism to Zhangsun Chong, and Sun Wukai fought a bloody battle. It was not good to punish them with great fanfare.
"Poor soldiers of the Tang dynasty. They died in vain and were buried in a foreign land. This tragedy could have been avoided. I think that the tragedy of the Firearm Army will become a negative example. As the saying goes, if a soldier is weak, a general is weak. When marching and fighting, you can't appoint people by favoritism. Once a layman leads an expert, it will cause endless trouble." Meton advised bitterly.
The Firearm Army was created by him and he poured so much effort into it. Now that there was such a huge casualty, how could he not be sad?
"Appoint people by favoritism. If a soldier is weak, a general is weak! A layman leads an expert! " Li Shimin's face darkened. He knew that Meton was crazily implying Zhangsun Chong, but he couldn't say anything.
The tragedy of the Firearm Army was not caused by accident. On one hand, he appointed people by favoritism and gave the Firearm Army to his nephew. On the other hand, Crown Prince Li Chengqian made a strategic mistake. Of course, it was also Zhangsun Chong's own greed for merit and fear of death that made him cut the Gordian knot.
"I have already warned the Ministry of War. I summoned you this time to discuss the reconstruction of the Firearm Army. The Firearm Army is the face of the Tang dynasty. It must be reorganized. I know that the Firearm Army is your painstaking effort. I hope you will not be swayed by your emotions and actively offer suggestions." Li Shimin quickly skipped the topic and told him the purpose of today's meeting.
Although the Firearm Army had suffered heavy losses, Li Shimin was able to see the formidable offensive power of the Firearm Army. Facing the attack of 200,000 Xue Yantuo, the Firearm Army was able to hold them back and even killed a large number of Xue Yantuo's cavalry. If not for Li Shimin's magnanimous plan to kill the Firearm Army's warhorses, the Firearm Army would have been able to display their might again. How could Li Shimin let go of such a strong army? And the one who knew the Firearm Army the most was Mo Fei and Mo Dun, the founder of the Firearm Army.
"Rebuild the Firearm Army?" Meton raised his eyebrows and said in surprise.
"Yes! I want to hear your opinion. "Li Shimin nodded.
Meton closed his eyes and pondered. Although he was dissatisfied with Zhangsun Chong, he had deep feelings for the Firearm Army. Naturally, he didn't want the Firearm Army to decline. He thought for a moment and said, "After several battles, I can see that the Firearm Army is not at a disadvantage in every battle. I think that if we want the Firearm Army to be unrivaled in the world, we must increase the number of the Firearm Army."
"Increase the number of the Firearm Army?" Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and said in surprise. However, after thinking about it carefully, it was indeed so. During the Western Expedition to Gaochang, if the Firearm Army had three thousand men at the beginning, the five thousand Tibetan cavalry would not have dared to attack. During the Northern Expedition to Xue Yantuo, if the Firearm Army had more men, the Firearm Army might have been able to kill their way out of Xue Yantuo's siege.
"Minister believes that the number of the Firearm Army should be set at 10,000 soldiers. First of all, 10,000 soldiers is the best number of soldiers. The Firearm Army is worthy of its name. With the combat power of the Firearm Army, Minister Minister can guarantee that the Firearm Army will be invincible if it is less than 10,000 soldiers." Meton proudly said.
"Invincible if it is more than 10,000 soldiers!" Li Shimin took a deep breath. He was shocked by these words. Only 10,000 soldiers could be unrivaled in the world. Such an army was really terrible.
Modun said in a clear voice, "The Firearms Army is known for its offensive power, but its defensive power is relatively weak. If the number of soldiers reaches ten thousand, their offensive power will multiply. By using offense as defense, the Firearms Army's shortcomings will be completely covered. Their defensive and offensive power will reach a perfect balance, allowing them to retreat and defend while advancing."
Li Shimin was shocked and said, "In that case, it is better to expand the Firearm Army to 20,000 or even 50,000 soldiers. Who in the world can be the opponent of the Tang dynasty?"
Meton shook his head and said, "Absolutely not. Today's firearms are not perfect. In addition, gunpowder is heavy. The baggage of 10,000 soldiers is already a heavy burden. If there are more soldiers, it will slow down the marching speed and attack efficiency of the Firearm Army. Moreover, it will be too wasteful."
Li Shimin came back to his senses from his excitement. It was unrealistic. The cost of 3,000 soldiers was far more than the cost of 10,000 cavalrymen. Gunpowder was useful and powerful, but it was a gold-swallowing beast. 10,000 soldiers was probably the limit of the Tang dynasty.
"In addition, the Firearm Army is a new type of army. We can no longer use illiterate generals. Instead, we need to select the best from the military schools to fill the ranks of officers. Only in this way can we ensure the loyalty and combat power of the Firearm Army. In this way, the Firearm Army's combat power will increase, and it will be loyal to the imperial court." Meton proposed again.
Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction and said, "I did not misjudge you. It seems that it is time to return the Firearm Army to your hands."
Meton raised his head in surprise and looked at Li Shimin in surprise. He did not expect Li Shimin to hand over 10,000 soldiers to him. It should be known that those who could command 10,000 soldiers were all veterans who had followed Li Shimin to conquer the world. He was not even 30 years old, but he had already become one of them.
"What? Are you still blaming me for taking away your position as the general of the Firearm Army?" Li Shimin pretended to be angry.
Meton smiled bitterly and shook his head firmly. He said, "I am ashamed to accept Your Majesty's great favor. However, after reviewing the battle of the grassland, I found that a weak civil official is not suitable to command the Firearm Army. Although the Firearm Army was created by the Minister, the Minister is not a military general. There is another person more suitable than me to be the general of the Firearm Army."
Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and said, "What? Does Minister Mo want to recommend someone to me? "
Meton nodded and said, "Correct. I want to recommend Xue Rengui, a military officer from the Firearm Army."
"Xue Rengui!" Li Shimin could not help but be surprised. Although Xue Rengui was only a military officer, his name was on the Firearm Army's battle reports.
Meton nodded and said, "Correct. In terms of understanding of the Firearm Army, Xue Rengui is second only to the Minister. Moreover, at the time, the Minister was obsessed with the Firearm Army. The Firearm Army was almost single-handedly created by Xue Rengui. In addition, he was part of the first batch of military academy students. His archery skills were superb, and he fought bravely. He was a rare fierce general and was the best choice for the position of general of the Firearm Army."
"There was such a good general. Where is he now?" Li Shimin was very interested.
Meton replied, "Xue Rengui is now in the Qinling Mountains, leading the newly formed engineering camp to dig a new path to Shu."
"Pass down the order. Have Xue Rengui return to the capital immediately and prepare to rebuild the Firearm Army." Li Shimin waved his hand. After experiencing the painful lesson of Zhangsun Chong and Sun Wukai, Li Shimin decided to listen to Meton's suggestion and use Xue Rengui, who had climbed up step by step in the Firearm Army, to ensure the Firearm Army's fighting strength.
"However, Xue Rengui is still a military officer. Suddenly rising two ranks to become the general of the Firearm Army will inevitably cause criticism. Therefore, Xue Rengui will be appointed General Zhe Chong, the deputy general of the Firearm Army. Old General Zhang Shigui will take over the position of general." Li Shimin thought for a moment.
Meton could not help but sigh. How powerful was the inertia of history? The two enemies, who had already deviated from their paths, had unexpectedly bumped into each other again.
"As you command, Minister!" Although Meton's history was shockingly similar, he still accepted the order. Firstly, Xue Rengui's sudden rise to the position of general of the Firearm Army was indeed too fast. It was not beneficial to his growth.
Secondly, in his previous life, Xue Rengui had led a group of soldiers that lacked a major general. Now, Xue Rengui was leading a group of well-trained soldiers and strong horses. It was much stronger than it was in his previous life. A mere Zhang Shigui would not be able to suppress Xue Rengui. Sometimes, suffering was the best way for a person to grow quickly.
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