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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 243: Northern Strike
The most challenging aspect of the Turkic forces was their overwhelming cavalry, while the Northern Region was sparsely populated. With the Turkic forces providing support, it was understandable that they were unwilling to retreat.
Listening to the anxious debates among the court officials below, Li Jian Cheng noted that as Xu Shijie continued to suffer defeats, more and more people openly criticized the emperor, particularly from the noble families.
They were not only discussing his actions since ascending the throne but also scrutinizing his behavior during his youth, suggesting ulterior motives behind his every move.
In this regard, they were not entirely wrong…
The common people and the commoners had no voice; only the aristocrats had a say, so their words represented public sentiment.
The vast majority of the populace remained ignorant and blindly obedient. In their limited understanding, an emperor they had never seen would not hold more authority than a noble family that had been established for hundreds or even thousands of years right at their doorstep.
Thus, no matter how much preparation Li Jian Cheng had made, it was indeed a critical moment for public support.
If he were to be forced into signing a humiliating treaty with the Turkic forces at their gates, his situation would become dire.
In contrast to the local regions, life in the capital was relatively stable. Even in such dangerous times, praises for the emperor echoed everywhere.
After dismissing the court, Li Jian Cheng retained a few confidants. In an unusual silence from Wei Zheng in court, he said, "Your Majesty, if we lack absolute certainty of victory, it is imperative to summon loyal troops. If we allow the Turkic forces to besiege Chang'an, it would spell disaster."
Minister of Civil Affairs Wang Gui advised, "Your Majesty's suppression of Guanlong is correct, but you must also promote those from Shandong or the Southern Aristocracy. The simultaneous repression without special support is precisely why local sentiment is turning against us."
In past years, Emperor Yang faced immense public wrath, yet he still retained support in Jiangnan; even now, the gentry and commoners there continue to pay homage to him.
Li Jian Cheng simply asked, "What news from Liaodong?"
The Deputy Minister of War replied, "Silla and Baekje have been ordered to mobilize troops against Goguryeo, but they are merely putting on a show; together, they only muster a few thousand troops."
The Rongping Duke and the Duke of Xiangyang have launched their forces from Liaodong City, achieving consecutive victories over Goguryeo's Chancellor Eulji Mundeok. They are currently besieging Pyongyang.
Li Jian Cheng nodded, "Have the provisions been prepared?"
The Emperor's words were scattered, but the officials could not voice their criticisms and could only respond respectfully.
Once the Emperor had gathered all the information he wanted, he commanded them to withdraw. The confidants left the palace with heavy hearts, ready to deal with the court officials and their duties.
No one dared to openly defy the Emperor, but subtle maneuvers were inevitable.
After they left, Li Jian Cheng immediately took up his brush and wrote several letters. He ordered the Bingzhou General of the Imperial Guard not to rush to Chang'an for support but to march north immediately, gathering the garrison from Mayi and Yanmen to launch an attack on the Turkic forces.
He also commanded Li Shimin to lead his eighty thousand troops to Hebei and then proceed to Zhuojun. The Governor of Youzhou, Luo Yi, had left him with fifty thousand Yan Yun Iron Cavalry.
Since Xia Country entered Turkic territory, there would be troops from Princess Yicheng ready to assist and guide them directly toward Dali City, the capital of Turkic.
Xieli was leading over a hundred thousand troops southward and had recently assembled another seventy or eighty thousand troops near Wuyuan Yulin County, waiting for support.
How many truly loyal subjects could remain in Khan's Court? Moreover, there was Yicheng, a third-generation Turkic Khagan's Kehe Dun providing assistance within.
At this point, how could Li Jian Cheng only aim to repel Xieli? He would not settle for less; he intended to swallow half of Turkic territory!
Only by doing so could he gain enough prestige to intimidate the noble families across the realm and elevate commoners, thereby maximizing the implementation of monarchical centralized governance reforms.
The current political structure serves as a constraint on royal authority, making the Chancellor merely a secretary, a messenger, which may be the most suitable role.
Wei Zheng and his associates will eventually be sent to the provinces. Li Jian Cheng has lost trust in so-called loyal advice and now only needs tools, not mirrors.
...
The Bingzhou General of the Imperial Guard received the Emperor's letter and immediately went to see His Highness Chancellor Li. After news of the Turkic invasion arrived, Bingzhou had already prepared troops, ready to respond at a moment's notice.
However, the court's decree had yet to arrive, and they dared not act independently for fear of being suspected of harboring ulterior motives.
Now that there was finally a decree, albeit just the Emperor's letter without passing through the three provinces, he needed to meet with Chancellor Li to explain the situation. After reading the letter, Chancellor Li Zhiyun said, "Naturally, we must obey His Majesty's wishes. But is there really nothing happening in Chang'an?
In my humble opinion, it seems His Majesty is employing a strategy of surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao. Will this truly be effective?"
Facing Chancellor Li's concerns, the Bingzhou Commandant reassured him: "His Majesty is always far-sighted; it cannot be this simple. Only time will reveal His Majesty's methods."
Li Zhiyun felt somewhat reassured and then fully supported the decision. The army quickly set off northward.
Meanwhile, Li Shimin, gathering troops near Luoyang, also received the decree. Overjoyed, he took the canal dug by Emperor Yang and swiftly led his troops and supplies northward.
Upon reaching Zhuojun, where his elder brother had risen to power, he encountered the formidable Yan Yun Iron Cavalry. Li Shimin was nearly moved to tears; with such valiant cavalry, how could he worry about achieving great deeds?
The leader of the Yan Yun Iron Cavalry was from the royal family, while the deputy commander was Yuchi Jingde. After being captured by Qin Shubao, Yuchi Jingde had initially sworn never to surrender.
But with both Lord Li Mi and others surrendering, he naturally lost his reason to persist, and thus he also surrendered, being recommended by Qin Shubao to serve under Zhang Hutan, stationed at Liaodong City.
After drifting around, he ended up under Luo Yi's command and was appointed as the Deputy General of the Yan Yun Iron Cavalry, effectively serving as the actual commander.
Initially, he regretted not being able to destroy Goguryeo, but unexpectedly, an opportunity arose to attack Turkic Royal City.
Li Shimin did not linger and set off directly with his troops. With members of the Royal Family present and the eager Yuchi Jingde by his side, there was no need for any adjustment.
Meanwhile, Hejian Wang Li Xiaogong was still leisurely gathering his troops, slowly making his way toward Chang'an, afraid that moving too quickly would scare away the prey he had already hooked.
To this end, he even had to endure the foolishness of those in his family, who were so ignorant that they believed His Majesty could be easily overthrown.
He had been by His Majesty's side for the longest time in this world; even the Queen might not compare. Only those who did not understand His Majesty would think of betrayal and fantasize about victory.
His Majesty had spent over a decade to gain this world, while these people thought they could use a plan prepared in just a few months to seize power. How ridiculous!
Moreover, as the only prince among the Royal Family besides His Majesty's blood relatives, enjoying immense wealth and status, what reason could he have to betray his elder brother whom he had revered and followed for twenty years?
………
(End of Chapter)
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