Chapter 123 Preparations before the Eastern Expedition (3)

Li Zhi asked this question because Shili Khan was still an official in the Tang Dynasty and was supported by the Tang Dynasty to check and balance the Xueyantuo.

Now it’s all right! Not only is Shili unable to appease his own troops, he has become a lonely man, let alone think about him checking and balancing the Xueyantuo! Shili

is alone, what can he use to check and balance the Xueyantuo!

In Li Zhi’s view, Shili, as an official of the Tang Dynasty, failed to perform the tasks assigned by the emperor, which is dereliction of duty.

As the Khan of the Turks, he is even more derelict in his duty. A Khan who can’t even lead his own troops is no longer of any value. It is better to choose another spokesperson from among the Turks.

Li Chengqian thought that Li Er would definitely promote Shili. After all, Shili was the Khan of the Turks. Keeping him and giving him favors would be more conducive to appeasing the Turks.

If Shili was dealt with for this reason, if he was used by people with ulterior motives, it would be very likely to cause unrest.

Therefore, Shili still had his value.

"Prince Jin, how do you think Shili Khan should be dealt with?" Li Er did not answer directly, but asked Li Zhi instead.

"Well, I think that Shili Khan has failed in his duty and has failed the court and my father's high hopes. According to the law, he should be severely punished."

"But Shili has worked hard for the court for many years. Even if he has no merit, he has worked hard. Considering his many years of service, I think

he should be given a lighter sentence." "Shili is guilty of dereliction of duty. Considering his many years of service to the court, your father can issue an edict to reprimand Shili." Li Zhi's kindness was reflected at this moment.

However, Li Chengqian still remained skeptical about whether Li Zhi was as kind as he appeared.

In history, Li Zhi was a ruthless person. Li Zhi's main wife Wang and his concubine Xiao Shufei ended up in a miserable end, but he didn't even say a word.

"I have other arrangements for Shili, so you don't have to worry about it!" Li Er said. He had planned to appoint Shili as the general of Youwuwei when Shili arrived in Luoyang.

He would still let him govern the Turks. After all, Shili was the Khan of the Turks and had a better understanding of their customs. It would be more conducive to appease the Turks if he governed them.

To put it bluntly, Shili Khan was a signboard used to appease the Turks.

After solving the problem of Shili's treatment, the topic naturally returned to the preparations for this eastern expedition to Goguryeo. After all, there was only half a month left!

If we couldn't prepare enough supplies within half a month, how could we attack Goguryeo?

When everything is ready, Li Er will set out from Luoyang to Youzhou, and then lead all the troops gathered in Youzhou to attack Goguryeo. Including all

the foreign troops, the total force of Li Er's attack on Goguryeo this time reached more than 100,000.

This time Li Er's Eastern Expedition is determined to win!

"Ministry of Revenue, how is the preparation of grain and grass?" Li Er asked.

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue stepped out and saluted to report: "Your Majesty! More than 200,000 troops have been stockpiled in Youzhou, which is enough for half a year. The remaining grain and grass have been requisitioned from various places and are being transported to Youzhou." "

You must speed up the transportation of grain and grass. When I arrive in Youzhou, I must stockpile enough for the army for one year. There must be no mistakes!"

"If you dare to neglect it, I will punish you and will never show mercy!" Li Er said.

Li Er felt that this amount of food and grass was still not enough, and he had to prepare at least a year's supply to be guaranteed.

The three armies must prepare food and grass before they move! Food and grass are the lifeblood of the entire army, the resources that guarantee the army's combat effectiveness, and the most important.

If the food and grass are not prepared sufficiently, it is easy for the army to have no food to eat!

Who will fight desperately in that case? Lack of food can easily cause soldiers to revolt. Therefore, whenever there is an expedition, food and grass are ranked first.

Without food and grass, no matter how sufficient the other preparations are, it will be useless.

"I obey your command!" The official of the Ministry of Revenue saluted.

Prepare the army's needs for a year within half a month. Although the time is tight, it is not impossible to do it. At most, more people can be sent to transport food and grass.

"Li Daoyou, Junior Supervisor of the Army, how are the military equipment and weapons prepared?" Li Er looked at Li Daoyou, Junior Supervisor of the Army. Li

Daoyou came out of the class and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty! Armor, military bows and crossbows, crossbow carts, etc. have all been prepared and were just shipped to Youzhou the day before yesterday."

"Hundreds of large ships and 700 small ships, if used to transport grain and grass, more than 100,000 shi of grain and grass can be transported at a time." Junior Supervisor of the Army Li Daoyou said.

In this eastern expedition to Goguryeo, Li Er planned to use both water and land transportation lines to transport grain and grass for the army.

Once one of the lines was intercepted by the enemy or encountered any unexpected situation, there would be no shortage of food for the army, and there would be no need to worry about food shortages.

As for how to do it specifically, it has nothing to do with Li Er. He is only responsible for arranging tasks. How to carry out the task specifically is the problem of the relevant officials.

Li Er only needs to ensure that the food and grass can be delivered to the front line on time. He doesn't care about anything else. How to do it specifically is the problem of the relevant officials.

"Very good!" Li Er nodded with satisfaction and said, "I don't want any mistakes in this Eastern Expedition! Goguryeo must be destroyed, and I need a logistics manager to share my worries!" "

My dear ministers! Who do you think is suitable for the position of logistics manager? Why not tell me!"

The ministers bowed their heads and said nothing, all thinking about who should be recommended to be the logistics manager.

Managing the logistics support for an expedition of hundreds of thousands of troops is not an easy task. It takes a lot of energy, and if not handled properly, it is easy to become exhausted and die suddenly.

If the person who recommends the wrong person is found to be derelict in his duty, Li Er will definitely skin them alive.

Therefore, they need to consider this matter carefully.

"What? Don't you have a suitable candidate?" Li Er muttered to himself when he saw that no one was talking.

What's the matter? Is it possible that the Tang Dynasty doesn't have an expert in internal affairs who can manage logistics? Why is it so difficult to recommend someone to be the general manager of logistics? It is true that there

are experts in handling internal affairs, but not everyone can handle every detail personally and cope with such a large workload.

Seeing that no one was willing to recommend, Cen Wenben decided to step forward and recommend himself for the position of logistics manager.

Before he could stand up and leave his seat, Li Chengqian spoke first, "Father! I have a suitable candidate here."

Since the Crown Prince had spoken, Cen Wenben had no choice but to sit back down. It was unwise to compete with the Crown Prince for credit

. Things were different now. In the past, he supported Li Tai, but now that Li Tai was a thing of the past, no one could shake Li Chengqian's position as the heir apparent.

If Cen Wenben still had a problem with Li Chengqian, Li Er would find a reason to get rid of him without Li Chengqian having to do anything!

It was all for the sake of profit, so following the Crown Prince might not be a bad thing.