Zhang Hulan said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to conceal the conscription. It is better to recruit soldiers in a public manner."
Duke Wei asked: "Why? Wouldn't this let Tubo know that we are prepared?"
Zhang Hulan said: "The Tubo people want the emperor to send troops to support them, so the emperor can openly ask for benefits from the Tubo people.
Sending troops will definitely require food and silver. Whether Tubo is really in civil strife and needs help or is setting up a trap, they all hope that we will send troops. If we ask Tubo for benefits, they will definitely give them.
Now that we have the benefits, we will decide whether to send out troops or not when the time comes.
Our high-profile conscription can let the Tibetan envoys know that we are already recruiting soldiers and that we are going to send troops to support Tibet.
But it takes time to train soldiers, right? It also takes time to forge weapons and armor, right?
This period is the time to ask for benefits from them, and you will definitely be able to find out information at the same time.
If they are setting a trap for us, then we should cheat them out of more money.
They kept asking Tubo for things. They asked for silver when the army set out, when they were halfway, and when they reached the border.
Finally, we will station a large army at the border to defend and make them mad.
All the silver and supplies seized from Tubo were used as military supplies, and then Tubo’s money was used to fight Tubo.
We can also take advantage of their own strategy and pull our army into Tubo.
If they set up a plan, they must want to use internal and external forces to encircle our army.
Then let's take them by surprise. As soon as the army arrives in Tubo, we will take action and kill the members of the Tubo royal family first.
But this is risky. If Tubo has already contacted the grassland people and the grassland army is also in Tubo, it will be disadvantageous to us. "
After Zhang Hulan finished speaking, everyone looked at him.
Emperor Yongxing and the others all had only one thought in their minds: Zhang Hulan was too mean.
It sounds a bit bold, but it feels particularly exciting and satisfying.
Duke Wei laughed loudly: "Haha, haha..., this is a good idea, I like it. If Tubo really dares to harm us together with the grassland people, then we will not be polite, fuck them."
Wu Bangtai said: "It is a relief, but it will definitely offend Tubo. It will be a fight to the death.
If Tubo and the grasslands send troops to attack Yongning together, we will be in trouble.
If we take the grassland or Tibetans individually, we can certainly defeat them easily, but if they join forces, we will have a hard time.”
Wu Bangtai's worries are not without reason. If Tubo and the grassland join forces, Yongning Kingdom will probably be in trouble.
Qin Bingrong said: "Your Majesty, you must immediately issue an order to strengthen the city defenses in the west and north.
If Tubo and the grasslands really join forces, we can only defend ourselves.
As long as we have enough, it won’t be easy for them to get in.”
Emperor Yongxing nodded and said, "Minister Qin is absolutely right. I will issue the order immediately."
Emperor Yongxing asked Wu Bangtai, "Lord Wu, how much money is in the treasury now? If we fight in the north and west at the same time, we will need at least 500,000 troops. How long can the treasury support the expenses of 500,000 troops?"
Wu Bangtai replied: "Your Majesty, the national treasury currently has about 20 million taels of silver and a total grain reserve of about 12 million shi, which is enough for the fifty armies to consume for a year.
But if you want to add armor, weapons, horses and other military equipment, and reinforce the city walls, the silver will only be enough to cover expenses for half a year at most.
Once the war breaks out, this year's taxes will definitely increase, which will help us sustain the economy for a longer period of time.
However, if we can get some money from Tubo as Zhang Tunjian said, it will relieve a lot of pressure for us."
Emperor Yongxing nodded, and then said, "It's settled. New soldiers will be recruited, the city defenses in the west and north will be strengthened, and the Ministry of Works will also manufacture weapons and armor. Minister Wu will ensure that everything is needed."
Emperor Yongxing then sighed and said, "I don't want to go to war. Once a war breaks out, the people will be implicated."
Zhang Hulan felt that it was a blessing for the people of Yongning to have such an emperor, unlike some emperors who never cared about the lives of the people.
Zhang Hulan bowed to Emperor Yongxing and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know much about war, so I can't help you. I have earned some silver in the past two years, more than 100,000 taels. Tomorrow I will give it to Lord Wu, as my contribution to the Yongning Kingdom."
Everyone looked at Zhang Hulan again, their eyes filled with shock and surprise.
Duke Wei then said, "Your Majesty, I still have some money at home, I will give it to you tomorrow."
Afterwards, Qin Bingrong and Wu Bangtai, Marquis of Jing'an, both spoke up to offer to take out the silver.
Emperor Yongxing was somewhat moved. "I am deeply pleased with your sincere patriotism. It is a blessing for me, Yongning, and the people that you are so concerned about your country.
However, I appreciate your kindness, but the court has its own responsibilities for matters of the imperial court, so how can I let you spend money on them?"
Zhang Hulan said, "Your Majesty, every citizen has a share of responsibility for the fate of a country. As subjects, we are also part of Yongning. Now that the country is about to go to war, we need both men and money. Our humble efforts may be able to help solve the problem for the time being. I hope Your Majesty will help us fulfill our patriotic aspirations."
Emperor Yongxing said: "Zhang Aiqing, I know you are devoted to your country, but it has not come to that point yet. If that day really comes and I need your help, I will ask you for help.
You don't have to worry too much. For now, we are just preparing for the worst. Maybe there is a civil strife in Tibet and we need to send troops to help. Then things will be much simpler."
Wu Bangtai said: "I hope so."
Marquis Jing'an continued, "I will immediately arrange for people to go to Tubo and the grassland to gather information."
Emperor Yongxing nodded, and then said: "Qin Aiqing, go tell the Tibetan envoy that we agree to send troops and we will start recruiting soldiers immediately, but we need them to pay silver first. When their silver arrives, our army will set out.
Say the same thing to other court officials, don't tell them our true plans yet."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After discussing it beforehand, everyone left.
After everyone left, Queen Ye said, "Zhang Hulan is really loyal to the emperor. He donated all his wealth before the war even started."
Emperor Yongxing laughed and said, "If everyone was like Zhang Hulan, it would be much easier for me to be the emperor."
Empress Ye said: "Then Your Majesty, please don't mistreat her. There are really not many people who are so devoted to Your Majesty and the country."
Emperor Yongxing said: "Even if the queen doesn't tell me, I know that as long as I am here, I will ensure that their family will be prosperous and wealthy."
When Zhang Hulan and the others arrived outside, Qin Bingrong said to Zhang Hulan, "Zhang Tunjian, don't speak carelessly in front of the emperor and some ministers in the future.
If only the emperor is here, you can say whatever you want, but if there are others, you can’t say whatever you want.”
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