"Mo Jiu, who wants you to go through fire and water? Help me consolidate the Silk Road first. After that, I won't go back on my words and will definitely let you return to the Ministry of War." Linghu Defen did not give up.
Meton laughed, "Lord Linghu is too kind. I can help Lord Linghu even if I'm in the military."
"Oh!" Linghu Defen's heart skipped a beat.
"I've looked through the history books and the records of the diplomatic relations between the various dynasties and foreign countries. I've found a hair-raising pattern," Meton said solemnly.
Linghu Defen said solemnly, "I'd like to hear the details."
At this moment, even Li Shimin couldn't help but listen.
"A weak country has no diplomacy!" Meton said word by word.
"The reason why Su Qin and Zhang Yi were so powerful back then was because they relied on the power of the country behind them. In the early stages of the Western Han Dynasty, the country was weak. At that time, the Western Han Dynasty's diplomatic relations were extremely humiliating. Mao Dun insulted Empress Lu and married the princess.
After Emperor Wu of Han, the Han Dynasty became powerful. Zhang Yi conquered the Western Regions and Ban Chao killed the Xiongnu with his thirty-six cavalry. They pacified the various countries in the Western Regions. Did they only rely on these thirty-six people? They relied on the powerful Han Dynasty behind Ban Chao, "Meton said passionately.
Many officials nodded in agreement.
"This brat believes that in times of chaos and war, diplomacy in times of prosperity, the Great Tang is already as powerful as it was during the time of Wu Han. Blindly waging war will only cause our Great Tang to rapidly decline like Wu Han. At this moment, the importance of diplomacy in the Bureau of Rites far surpasses that of the Bureau of Military Personnel," Moton solemnly said.
Even Linghu Defen couldn't help but be moved. He was already an old fox in a high position. However, he was moved by Meton's words. If the Ministry of Rites could achieve great deeds like Ban Chao and pacify the Western Regions, then his authority in the Ministry of Rites would definitely multiply.
"War in troubled times, diplomacy in flourishing times!"
"One person is enough to fight against ten thousand soldiers!"
Li Shimin couldn't help but be tempted. If dispatching an envoy could achieve the same effect as dispatching an army, how could he not be tempted? After all, Tuyuhun's war had almost exhausted the strength of the Tang dynasty.
"Even a small official from the Tang dynasty represents the entire Tang dynasty. If the Tang dynasty is strong, the ambassadors will be strong as well. If we want to stabilize the Silk Road, the most important thing for the Tang dynasty is not to send ambassadors to the countries in the Western Regions, but to show the powerful military force of the Tang dynasty to the countries in the Western Regions," Meton said passionately.
"No, the Tang dynasty has just gone through a war. Our treasury is empty. How can we support another war?" Dai Ting quickly refuted.
He was afraid that Li Shimin would be instigated by Meton and start another war to conquer the Western Regions. The other officials also looked at Meton unkindly. After the Western Expedition, this kid had become unusually aggressive.
Meton waved his hand and said, "War isn't the only way to show off one's strength. For example, the military parade!"
"The military parade?"
All the officials looked at Meton in confusion. Even Li Shimin was confused.
Meton sighed with emotion and said as if he was reminiscing, "The inspiration for the military parade came from the scene when I saw Your Majesty inspecting the three armies before the war. Your Majesty's heroic appearance has shocked me to this day. If Your Majesty didn't need to stay in Chang 'an City and go to Tuyuhun in person, Fu Yun would definitely surrender without a fight."
The officials stared dumbfounded at Modun, who had a face full of flattery. They could not help but show looks of disdain. Even many of the civil officials cursed in their hearts, "Bootlicker."
Even Li Shimin couldn't help blushing, but he enjoyed it very much. He fought in the north and south and pacified the world. Naturally, his military talent was recognized by the world. Even when he was on the Western Expedition, he was constantly deducing how he would arrange the troops if he went to war. Unfortunately, since he ascended the throne, there were not many chances for him to lead the troops in person.
"At that time, I thought that if the world saw Your Majesty's wisdom and strength, they would definitely kneel at Your Majesty's feet and submit to you. So I had an idea. If Your Majesty held a great military parade in Chang 'an City, Your Majesty would stand under the Vermilion Bird Gate and inspect the three armies. The generals and soldiers of the three armies would swear to Your Majesty that tens of thousands of troops would cross Chang' an City and return to camp. Then, you would invite all the people and foreign envoys to watch. When the people see the mighty army of the Tang dynasty, they would be honored and have the desire to serve the country. When the envoys of other countries see the great military force of the Tang dynasty, they would be afraid and would no longer have the intention to rebel," Meton said excitedly.
"Inspecting the three armies under the Vermilion Bird Gate?" Li Shimin's eyes suddenly lit up. He, who had not been on the battlefield for a long time, could not help but be tempted.
"In this way, the people of the world will submit to you and the foreign countries will be afraid. Together with the loyal and patriotic soldiers trained by the Ministry of Rites, the Tang dynasty will be able to pacify the world without losing a single soldier." Meton's explanation at that time made the officials in the imperial court understand the potential benefits of the military parade.
"Show off your military force!"
The officials understood Meton's meaning, especially Linghu Defen's eyes lit up. The foreign envoys had seen the military force of the Tang dynasty with their own eyes. After returning to their countries, they would personally describe the strength of the Tang dynasty. It was more credible than hearsay. In addition, with the means of the Tang dynasty's envoys, they would definitely obtain the greatest harvest.
Li Shimin's eyes flashed and he could not help but be tempted, "Dear officials, do you think this military parade is feasible?"
Hou Junji immediately stepped out and said in agreement, "This official agrees. In this way, the Tang dynasty will not lose a single soldier and will be able to deter other countries. It is indeed a good plan."
The military parade was to show off the military's military force. It was the most beneficial for the military. As the Minister of War, he naturally supported it.
"Merton is indeed benevolent. In this way, the matter that originally required war can be solved by a single envoy. It is a blessing for the people of the world." Wei Zheng also agreed.
"The foreign countries are afraid of power and not virtue. If the foreign countries can see the impressive military force of the Tang dynasty, a single envoy will definitely be able to make the northwest declare war."
The Minister of Rites, Linghu Defen, was so excited that he could not control himself. With the support of the imperial army, the envoy of the Ministry of Rites would definitely be successful. This was the greatest opportunity for the Ministry of Rites to rise. At that moment, he spared no effort in supporting it.
The Minister of Civil Affairs, Dai Zhou, also nodded repeatedly. Compared to a war, the cost of a military parade was just a drop in the ocean. Moreover, if they could control the Silk Road in one fell swoop, the Ministry of Civil Affairs would definitely reap even greater benefits. In this way, the cost of a military parade was not even worth mentioning.
Meton's military parade proposal quickly received the support of all the officials. Even Quan Wanji had to pinch his nose and admit that a military parade would allow the Tang dynasty to subdue the enemy without a battle. This was extremely in line with the benevolence of the Confucian school. He had always disliked Meton, but he had to admit that Meton was indeed quite capable.
"There has never been a military parade in the history of the Tang dynasty. This is the first of its kind in the Tang dynasty. It will definitely be recorded in the annals of history." Yan Shigu sighed emotionally.
"The first of its kind in the Tang dynasty!" Li Shimin's heart immediately palpitated. Wouldn't that mean that he would be setting an unprecedented precedent? For Li Shimin, this was an irresistible temptation.
"Alright, then the Tang dynasty will not decline this responsibility. How long will it take for the Ministry of War to complete the preparations for this military parade?" Li Shimin couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
Hou Junji's expression suddenly became serious. "The sixteen guards will be on standby at any time."
"What about the Ministry of Rites?" Li Shimin turned to look at Linghu Defen.
Linghu Defen pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, there are currently many countries in the Western Regions that have already arrived at the Tang dynasty. However, there are still many envoys from the Western Regions that have yet to arrive. If we want to notify them, it will take at least a month for them to come and go."
Li Shimin's expression changed as he nodded. "Then let's set a limit of one month. On the first day of the tenth lunar month, I will conduct a military parade under the Vermillion Bird Gate of the Tang dynasty!"
"As you wish!" Linghu Defen and Hou Junji replied in unison.
Fang Xuanling's expression suddenly changed as she said, "Your Majesty, if we invite the leaders of the Southwest and the Northwest Qiang tribes to participate in this military parade, it will definitely be effective."
Li Shimin's eyes immediately lit up. He had only thought of using the military parade to intimidate the foreign countries, but he had neglected the fact that there were many unstable factors within the Tang dynasty, especially the rebellions of the Southwest.
Even Meton couldn't help but sigh at Fang Xuanling's political wisdom. She was actually able to detect the effect of the military parade on the stability of the Tang dynasty.
"Pass down my order. Tell the leaders of the Southwest and the Northwest to attend the military parade in Chang 'an within a month," Li Shimin said in a domineering tone. Li Shimin could be said to be extremely annoyed with the Southwest Advisors. If any of the tribal leaders did not come, then they were not tactful and could not blame Li Shimin for not being polite.
"Yes!" Linghu Defen said solemnly.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
