"Our military strategy should be as swift as thunder. We must first conquer the rich lands of the south and accumulate strength. This is the perfect strategy!"
"If we send our troops north now, we will truly be surrounded by enemies and end up in a quagmire!"
"Feng Liang! You..." Yang Yan was so angry that his face turned pale. He pointed at Feng Liang and was speechless for a moment.
He knew very well that Feng Liang was deeply trusted by Li Jingang because of his proposal of water attack and his presiding over the enthronement. At this moment, his words as an old minister who had "made a misjudgment" no longer carried enough weight.
Li Jingang looked at the two prime ministers arguing with each other in front of His Highness, and his brows were twisted into a knot.
In his heart, he was inclined towards Feng Liang because Feng Liang's strategy sounded safer and was more in line with his current urgent mentality of "enjoying" the fruits of victory and consolidating his territory.
Going south to plunder rich lands would also enrich his treasury more quickly and satisfy the desires of him and his soldiers.
The threat from Zhao Muyun that Yang Yan mentioned sounded a bit distant and alarmist.
After all, apart from attacking Xiazhou and killing Hou Zongmin, Zhao Muyun has never taken the initiative to provoke him again.
“Alright, alright!”
Li Jingang waved his hand impatiently, interrupting the quarrel between the two. "You two, my dear ministers, are both planning for the country. I understand your intentions."
His eyes swept over Yang Yan and Feng Liang, finally landing on Yang Yan, his tone unquestionable:
"Prime Minister Yang, I have noted your concerns. However, Prime Minister Feng's words are more in line with our current situation. The unrest in the south makes me uneasy. How about this!"
He pondered for a moment, "Xijing is the birthplace of our army and a vital town in the western frontier. We cannot afford to lose it."
"You will return to Xijing today and take charge of the situation for me. Also, Zhang Zan in Longyou is wavering between the two sides, and the people in Jiannan Road have not yet made a clear statement."
"These two places are now in your hands. Find a way to make them submit to Dafeng. At the very least, they won't stab us in the back."
This seemed to be an important task, but in fact it excluded Yang Yan from the core decision-making circle and sent him back to his old base in Xijing.
Yang Yan's heart sank, knowing that Li Jingang had made his choice.
He opened his mouth and wanted to persuade her again.
But seeing Li Jingang's somewhat displeased eyes, he finally swallowed back all his words and turned them into a silent sigh.
He bowed deeply, his voice a little tired and hoarse: "Your Majesty... obeys your command."
A barely perceptible smug smile appeared on Feng Liang's lips.
Li Jingang looked at Li Hu, who had been standing behind Yang Yan and seemed a little embarrassed.
His nephew was also the general he intended to train.
"Li Hu, follow Prime Minister Yang back to Xijing, gain experience, and listen to Prime Minister Yang's teachings."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Li Hu quickly clasped his fists and accepted the order.
Yang Yan said no more and bowed to take his leave.
When he turned and walked out of the Zichen Hall, his back looked somewhat lonely and desolate in the empty hall.
He looked up towards the north, and suddenly a strong premonition lingered in his heart:
A slight change of mind in the government today may cause them to pay an unimaginable price in the future.
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