Chapter 249 How Could I Have Been So Blinded by Immense Poison?

Tuyuhun?

Everyone looked on with a puzzled expression.

"How should I change it?"

Fang Xuanling inquired again.

"Simple."

Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "Just send an envoy to reach an agreement with Songtsen Gampo!"

“Give it to him.”

"Give us the Tuyuhun!"

Um?

Everyone present frowned.

It seemed as if they were considering whether Wei Shuyu's suggestion was feasible.

"Would Songtsen Gampo agree?" Fang Xuanling asked again.

"Definitely!"

Wei Shuyu nodded: "Tibet has just been unified, and Songtsen Gampo is afraid of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Don't forget, everyone. Tibet and Yangtong have already submitted to our Great Tang."

"The Tang Dynasty can still intervene in their affairs."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

This seems feasible.

The question is how to conquer Tibet.

"You mean, we should proceed according to Songtsen Gampo's plan first..."

"Let the Tuyuhun attack Yangtong, so that they both suffer heavy losses?"

Li Shimin asked tentatively.

"That's right!"

Wei Shuyu nodded and added, "Then the Tang Dynasty reached an agreement with Songtsen Gampo."

"Take advantage of the Tuyuhun's fatigue, attack from both sides, and annihilate Tuyuhun!"

Li Shimin frowned in deep thought.

If that were the case, the Tang Dynasty would very likely have conquered Tuyuhun and expanded its territory!

"Your Majesty, don't forget that we also have Murong Shun."

"He betrayed Tuyuhun, he betrayed Fuyun..."

"If this gets out, he will be a sinner against Tuyuhun!"

"To secure the position of Khan of Tuyuhun, we must rely on the Tang Dynasty!"

Wow.

The eyes of the people present lit up.

As long as we control Murong Shun.

For the rest of their lives, the Tuyuhun people must obey the Tang Dynasty.

"What do you all think of Shuyu's strategy?"

Li Shimin asked with a smile.

In my heart, I had basically accepted this idea.

Compared to Yangtong, which was too far away to be controlled, Tuyuhun was right next to the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't."

Changsun Wuji stepped forward again.

In short, I oppose everything Wei Shuyu suggests!

"What if Songtsen Gampo doesn't cooperate?" Changsun Wuji asked solemnly.

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned.

This is indeed a difficult problem to solve.

If Tibet annexes Yangtong and then cooperates with Tuyuhun, the Tang Dynasty will face difficulties.

"Then let's fight!"

A ruthless glint appeared in Wei Shuyu's eyes.

He then bowed to Li Shimin and said...

"Your Majesty, if Tibet is allowed to develop unchecked after unification, it will eventually pose a threat to the Tang Dynasty!"

"It would be better to break him up while his foundation is still unstable!"

"Even if it comes at a price, I'm willing to pay it..."

Li Shimin was taken aback.

These days, the main focus has been on appeasing the kingdoms of the Western Regions.

"Well said!"

Du Junchuo bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, if Tibet does not agree, I am willing to lead my army to Tibet!"

"My dear minister, please do not be hasty."

Li Shimin reassured him, "When the time comes to send troops, you will definitely be there!"

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!" Du Junchuo bowed.

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction.

Just as the emperor and his minister were having a pleasant conversation, Changsun Wuji came to spoil the mood again...

"It still doesn't work!"

"If we let Yangtong run rampant, then Tibet will truly be unified!"

"Over time, Tibet will only grow stronger!"

"How should we deal with it then?"

As Changsun Wuji continued speaking, the faces of everyone present darkened once again.

Tibet has a vast territory and a large population. If it were to become powerful, it could very well threaten the Tang Dynasty!

"Then we should take down Tuyuhun!"

Wei Shuyu firmly stated, "Tibet is located on a plateau, and the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty cannot withstand altitude sickness."

"We can only drive them away, but we can't send people to occupy it."

"Then we must set up a defensive line!"

"Tuyuhun is the best choice..."

"With them acting as a buffer, if Tibet attacks the Tang Dynasty, we will have enough time to prepare!"

Upon hearing this, everyone could only sigh helplessly.

Altitude sickness.

It is an insurmountable chasm.

Otherwise, successive dynasties would have incorporated Tibet into their territories long ago.

"Your Majesty, there's another reason behind exchanging Yangtong for Tuyuhun..."

"Tuyuhun is an essential stop on the Silk Road; it must be opened up!"

"He has blocked the path of the Tang Dynasty's development!"

"Just like the Sui Dynasty back then..."

"Even though Tuyuhun had already submitted to the Sui Dynasty, Yang Guang still managed to destroy them!"

"As long as we continue to grow stronger through the Silk Road, Tibet will forever be subservient to the Tang Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

The expansion of the Silk Road was inseparable from the route taken by the Tuyuhun people.

"Do my esteemed ministers have any other brilliant plans?"

After a while, Li Shimin suddenly asked a question.

"Your Majesty, I believe this is the best solution now."

Wei Zheng bowed and echoed, "Just as Shuyu said, we cannot protect Yangtong. We should trade it with Songtsen Gampo and exchange it for Tuyuhun!"

Li Shimin nodded.

He then looked at his other trusted ministers.

"I second that proposal."

"I agree."

This time, Changsun Wuji also took the initiative to agree.

When it comes to matters of great importance concerning the frontier, Wei Shuyu's suggestion is the best.

As for abandoning Yang Tong, is that morally wrong?

Pooh.

This is war, not a friendly get-together.

As a cunning and shrewd man, how could Changsun Wuji possibly use such a brainless excuse to refute Wei Shuyu?

"If that's the case... then it's settled then."

Li Shimin made the decision.

They chatted for a while longer and then selected someone to be sent as an envoy to Tibet.

That concludes the short meeting.

Several ministers left one after another, as they still had to return to their posts to handle matters.

Just as Wei Shuyu was about to leave, Li Shimin called him back.

"Shuyu, wait a minute..."

What should we do now that we've finished discussing business?

Let's confront Xiao Wei!

We will not let go of any opportunity to confront Xiao Wei.

"I heard you haven't been to the East Palace these days?"

"I appointed you as the Crown Prince's tutor, and this is how you slack off?"

Li Shimin reprimanded him with a stern face.

"His Majesty……"

Wei Shuyu sighed, "I don't have time!"

"We have to deal with merchants' affairs, attend court, and fight..."

Li Shimin's eyes widened.

Damn it, fighting is considered a serious matter?

Li Shimin slammed his fist on the dragon table in anger: "Are you spouting nonsense in front of me?"

Wei Shuyu bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty, you know what, fighting has many advantages..."

Wei Shuyu straightened up and said with a smile, "Look, I defeated Murong Shun, enhanced the prestige of the Tang Dynasty, and won over the hearts of the people, didn't I?"

Stop spouting nonsense.

Li Shimin snorted coldly: "You neglect your duties. Even if I don't punish you, your father won't let you off the hook."

As he spoke, Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng and asked, "Xuancheng, don't you think so?"

Now I've finally caught you red-handed, haven't I?

I control Old Wei, and Old Wei controls Young Wei...

I'll have Old Wei teach you a lesson!

"Your Majesty is right."

Wei Zheng bowed in response.

Just as he turned around, about to say a few words to his son, Wei Shuyu spoke first…

"Your Majesty, the benefits of fighting go beyond these..."

"I also managed to acquire the Wuyun Pavilion, which is worth over 30,000 guan."

Um?

Li Shimin's eyes bulged.

More than 30,000 strings of cash?

Wu Yun Pavilion?

He had naturally heard about it.

This... seems like I've made money, right?

This... seems to be mine, right?

"Xuancheng, wait..."

Li Shimin quickly stopped him, saying, "Shuyu has done a lot for the Tang Dynasty these days."

"I'll just scold him a few times and that'll be it."

"Don't hurt the heroes; we should focus on education."

Wei Zheng looked at Li Shimin suspiciously...

When did I start hitting Shuyu?

Also, didn't His Majesty ask me to teach Shuyu a lesson?

Li Shimin's heart skipped a beat.

We absolutely cannot let Wei the troll know that we have shares in Wenyunge.

It's going to be known...

Being nagged for three days?

It might not be possible to calm this down for three months!

Officials who compete with the people for profit are already being criticized harshly, let alone the emperor himself.

Li Shimin secretly regretted it.

How could I have been so blinded by greed that I threw five thousand strings of cash into Wenyun Pavilion?

But……

I'm poor!

"Shuyu, let it go this time, but you're not allowed to fight again!"

"And what kind of behavior is it that you, as the Crown Prince's tutor, never even make a single trip to the Eastern Palace?"

"While we're in the palace, let's go to the East Palace."

Seeing Wei Shuyu still standing there dumbfounded, Li Shimin glared at him and urged him to leave...

"Hurry up and go!"