In the side hall of the Imperial Palace.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Meton entered cautiously. Seeing Li Shimin's dark face, Meton's heart skipped a beat.
"Weren't you quite impassioned just now? Why did you overdo it?" When Li Shimin saw the evasive Mo Dun, he was instantly infuriated. This brat had almost embarrassed all the civil and military officials in the imperial court. The marriage policy that had been in place for so many years had been thoroughly criticized by him.
"Minister, I was wrong!" Meton hurriedly admitted his mistake.
"You were wrong? How could you be wrong? You are an iron-blooded man of the Tang dynasty. You are proud and unyielding. How can you hide behind a woman and not let her bleed for you? Do you think you are the only one who knows the humiliation of marriage? No marriage, no tribute. Your slogan is loud, but do you know how much blood the soldiers of the Tang dynasty have shed for this slogan? "Li Shimin roared.
Although the Tang dynasty was established, its foundation was still shallow. Moreover, Li Shimin had personally experienced war, so he naturally knew the cruelty of war. Every war had to be fought with all the strength of the country. Once the Tang dynasty failed, the foundation of the Tang dynasty was immediately in danger of being overturned. In the past, the Turks directly attacked Guanzhong, and the Tang dynasty was almost destroyed.
Meton raised his head and retorted, "That's right. The Tang dynasty should have obtained the land of Qinghai. Only when the Tang dynasty has its own horse breeding land can it not be at a disadvantage when facing the grassland tribes."
"Then what about Tubo? The Tang dynasty is already struggling to deal with one, and you want to provoke Tubo? " Li Shimin said angrily. Meton's skill was powerful. It was fine if Meton did not give him the skill, but he even provoked the messenger of Tubo with words.
"In Minister's opinion, compared to Tuyuhun, the Tang dynasty should have occupied Tubo more," Merton said.
Li Shimin suddenly turned his head and looked at Mo Jiazi in disbelief. He did not expect Meton to be so violent today. Not only did he want to destroy Tuyuhun, he even wanted to attack Tubo. His murderous nature was too strong.
"Brat, you haven't lost your mind, have you?" Li Shimin looked at Meton suspiciously. Perhaps this was the only way to explain Meton's abnormal behavior today.
"The Tubo Plateau has a treacherous terrain. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is not an exaggeration to call it a natural stronghold. If it can become a natural stronghold for the Tang dynasty, it can also become a natural stronghold for other countries. Once the Tang dynasty obtains the Tubo Plateau and connects it with the 800-mile sea west of Tuyuhun, the entire western territory of the Tang dynasty will have no more problems.
On the other hand, we can use the Tubo Plateau as a vantage point to deter Nanzhao and other countries. The problems in the south will also be alleviated. In this way, the southwest of the Tang dynasty will have no more problems.
"The southwest will have no more problems?" Li Shimin could not help but hold his breath. This was a great temptation.
"To the east of the Tang dynasty is the sea. The Tang dynasty only needs to focus on defending the north. Therefore, the Minister believes that the Tubo Plateau is a place that the Tang dynasty must not lose. Even if His Majesty does not take it now, it will inevitably be included in the territory of the Tang dynasty in the future. Because the Tubo Plateau is too important, and the sooner it is obtained, the more benefits the Tang dynasty will gain," Meton said affirmatively.
"Even so, the Tubo Plateau has always pledged allegiance to us. The Tang dynasty is a country of etiquette. How can we send troops without a valid reason? How can we conquer other countries at will?" Although Li Shimin was tempted, he still pretended to be calm.
Li Shimin was also a military expert, so he naturally understood. The grasslands of Tuyuhun and the salt of Qinghai Lake were practical benefits, while the Tubo Plateau was a strategic benefit. Both of them were enough to make Li Shimin excited. He especially agreed that Tubo would inevitably be included in the territory of the Tang dynasty in the future. Such a strategic place, the Tang dynasty could not afford to lose it.
Merton said, "In terms of terrain, Tubo and Tuyuhun are originally one body. The two major rivers in the Tang dynasty, the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, both originate from Tubo. Moreover, Tubo is surrounded by dangerous mountains. Only the north and Qinghai Lake are the smoothest, which is the best passage for Tubo. "
Among the many roads into Tibet in the future, the Qinghai-Tibet Highway was the shortest and safest. In terms of ethnic exchange, the Tang dynasty was the best choice for Tubo. It also laid the foundation for the future rule of Tubo.
"In terms of race, according to Chinese historical records, Tubo is a branch of the Qiang people. In essence, they are still the people of Huaxia. Tubo belongs to the Tang dynasty, and Huaxia is unified. This is also the right way. "Meton quoted the classics.
"We think so, but Tubo doesn't think so. Once the war starts, the outcome is unpredictable. This matter must be carefully considered." Although Li Shimin was tempted, he still maintained his rationality.
"Mo has a skill that can make a large amount of tempered steel. If every soldier of the Tang dynasty has a tempered sword, a group of famous generals such as Li Jing, and the war horses of Qinghai Lake, who in the world can be a match for us?" Meton said proudly.
Of course, Li Shimin knew the Mo family's method of making steel. Now, most of the steel in Chang 'an City came from the Mo family's village.
"All the grassland tribes are soldiers. Men are soldiers in war, and men are soldiers in peacetime. Even if we win, I'm afraid we will suffer heavy losses." Li Shimin said.
"Your Majesty, the Mo Hospital's wound suturing method has been successfully developed. I believe the military has already mastered it. In this way, the soldiers will be treated in time, and the casualties will be greatly reduced." Meton said again.
Li Shimin was stunned. After careful calculation, he didn't expect the Mo family to have made such a great contribution to the military unknowingly. "Boy, you have a sharp tongue. In my opinion, you are more like the Zongzheng faction." Li Shimin said angrily. After Meton's analysis, Li Shimin also had the impulse to kill Tubo. However, Li Shimin didn't want Meton to continue being arrogant.
"Tubo and other places have dangerous terrain. Many passes have been built in the dangerous places. One man can hold back ten thousand men. Don't tell me the Mo family also has the Mo skill to break through!" Li Shimin shouted.
Meton thought for a moment and shook his head. "The Mo family doesn't."
Li Shimin took a deep look at Meton and said, "No. You'd better be honest. Today's matter will rot in your stomach. The matter of Tubo is not urgent. The most important thing for the Tang dynasty now is the matter of Tuyuhun. Only when the Tang dynasty obtains the land to raise horses can they be in an invincible position."
"Yes!" Meton said quickly. However, the Minister said that he didn't have any selfish motives. He was thinking for the Tang dynasty. "
"It's best if you don't have any selfish motives. Otherwise, your small body won't be able to withstand it." Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and threatened.
Meton complained in his heart. He immediately knew that the Minister must be dissatisfied with him because of the matter of Princess Changle. He originally thought that he had thrown out a shocking topic to divert Li Shimin's attention, but he didn't expect that he still couldn't avoid it.
"Minister, I will remember!" Meton said respectfully.
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