Chapter 236: The Court Discusses the Reconquest of Goguryeo (1)

This year, the Eastern Palace and even the entire Tang Dynasty welcomed a piece of good news.

After the continuous efforts of the Crown Prince, Concubine Xiao Liangdi's belly began to grow. Her gradually bulging belly announced that she was pregnant.

This was good news for the Eastern Palace and even the entire Tang Dynasty.

The Li Tang royal family would have a new member.

In June of the 20th year of the Zhenguan reign, Goguryeo sent envoys to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty, hoping to reconcile with the Tang Dynasty.

Perhaps Goguryeo also felt that the Tang Dynasty was strong and far more powerful than Goguryeo, and there was no benefit in fighting the Tang Dynasty to the death.

What's more, Goguryeo was also eyeing the Tang Dynasty with Silla and Baekje. If it fought the Tang Dynasty to the death, it would only benefit Silla and Baekje.

Goguryeo could not do such a thankless task, which even served as a favor to Silla and Baekje.

Therefore, Goguryeo's Damolizhi Quan Gaesuwen came to Chang'an to pay tribute in the name of Goguryeo King Gao Zang, but did not pay tribute.

Li Er was naturally furious. Not only did he scold the Goguryeo envoys, but he also ordered to stop accepting Goguryeo's tribute and drive the envoys sent by Quan Gaesuwen back to Goguryeo.

After thinking it over, Li Er decided to send troops to attack Goguryeo again to eliminate the unstable factor of Goguryeo.

In order to prevent Goguryeo from spying on the border of the Tang Dynasty and endangering the two vassal states of the Tang Dynasty, Silla and Baekje.

Therefore, Li Er planned to summon all the ministers and discuss the matter of going to attack Goguryeo again during the court meeting.

The next day, after a set of procedures and opening remarks, the ministers reported to Emperor Li Er on the work situation and future plans.

Li Er finally spoke: "After my thinking these days, Goguryeo has repeatedly invaded our Tang Dynasty vassal states Silla and Baekje, and even Quan Gai Su Wen has spied on our Tang Dynasty borders and wants to invade the Tang Dynasty borders at any time."

"In order to ensure the peace of the Tang Dynasty's borders and completely resolve the hidden dangers, I have decided to raise troops to the east again and strive to destroy Goguryeo in one fell swoop."

As soon as Li Er finished speaking, a minister stood up to oppose it. Li Er did not intend that these ministers would directly support him to go on another expedition to Goguryeo.

After all, when the first expedition to Goguryeo was launched, the ministers were opposed. If Li Er had not rejected all objections and made a direct decree to mobilize the government troops to launch the expedition to Goguryeo,

the first expedition to Goguryeo would have been aborted. If he wanted to launch the expedition again this time, the resistance would probably be even greater than the first time.

"Your Majesty! I don't think it's the right time to launch an expedition to Goguryeo. It's been less than a year since your last expedition. If you launch another expedition, I'm worried that the Tang Dynasty will not be able to support it this time."

"In the past, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was perverse and launched three expeditions to Goguryeo, which led to the people's resentment. In the seventh year of Daye, Wang Bo, a native of Zouping in Qi County, revolted in Changbai Mountain due to heavy military service."

"Since then, the Sui Dynasty embarked on the road to national destruction. However, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty did not reflect on his own mistakes. He launched three expeditions to Goguryeo, which exhausted the last bit of luck of the Sui Dynasty and the whole world fell apart."

"Emperor Gaozu felt that the luck of the Sui Dynasty had run out, so he raised an army in Jinyang and fought with various princes for the world. It took many years for the Tang Dynasty to reach the current situation."

"Your Majesty, do you want to follow the footsteps of Emperor Yang of Sui? If Your Majesty insists on doing it alone, the Tang Dynasty will be destroyed!" The minister said, kneeling on the ground.

Li Er looked at the ministers kneeling on the ground, opposing his expedition to Goguryeo, and said nothing.

Without Li Er speaking, the ministers could only remain kneeling, not daring to move a bit.

After a long time.

Li Er said, "Do you all mean the same? Do you all oppose my expedition to Goguryeo?"

Li Er wanted to go on an expedition to Goguryeo again. On the one hand, Quan Gai Su Wen was arrogant and did not take the great Tang Empire seriously, which made him somewhat embarrassed.

Li Er also felt the threat from Goguryeo. Although they were small in size and had a small population, they were indeed strong.

Although the Tang Dynasty was not afraid of Goguryeo, once Goguryeo was allowed to exist, it would definitely threaten the security of the Tang Dynasty's eastern border.

Since ancient times, there is only a thousand days to be a thief, but there is no reason to guard against thieves for a thousand days. If we relax a little, Goguryeo will dare to lead its troops to attack the Tang Dynasty's border.

As for stationing troops on the eastern border of the Tang Dynasty, it is even more unrealistic. It is difficult for the treasury to support a large number of troops stationed on the border for a long time.

Instead of this, it is more convenient to send troops directly to destroy Goguryeo.

"I also think it is inappropriate. Please think twice, Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji stepped out and saluted.

Fu Ji did not agree to Li Er's sending troops to Goguryeo the first time, but Li Er insisted on doing it alone, and he could do nothing about it.

As for whether Emperor Li Er would listen to their advice this time, they actually had no idea. No matter what, as ministers, they had the obligation to advise the emperor. "Please think twice

, Your Majesty!" Fang Xuanling and Ma Zhou stepped out at the same time and saluted Li Er. They also opposed Li Er's expedition to Goguryeo again.

"Please think twice, Your Majesty!" Then Yang Shidao, Li Ji, Wei Chi Jingde, Cheng Yaojin and other old ministers also stood up to oppose Li Er's expedition to Goguryeo.

"Please think twice!" In the hall, except for the crown prince Li Chengqian, all the ministers including Li Zhi knelt on the ground to oppose Li Er's expedition to Goguryeo again.

This situation was expected by Li Er a long time ago, and Li Er was not angry. These ministers were not unreasonable to oppose his expedition to Goguryeo.

However, Li Er frowned when he saw the only prince Li Chengqian who did not kneel on the ground and oppose him.

He did not want his son to fail to see the situation and just flatter him blindly, as that would only make him more disappointed.

"Chengqian, in this hall, you are the only one who did not oppose me. You really deserve to be my son!" Li Er looked at Li Chengqian and said meaningfully.

Hearing this, everyone looked up and saw the prince standing out from the crowd, still kneeling without moving.

I really couldn't understand why the prince did this?

Didn't he know what the consequences would be if he failed in another expedition to Goguryeo? It would not be an exaggeration to say that he would follow in the footsteps of the Sui Dynasty and go to destruction.

Could it be that the prince couldn't even understand this?

The ministers were very disappointed with Crown Prince Li Chengqian. Even the political novice Prince Jin understood the truth, but the Crown Prince did not understand it!

How could he be qualified to be the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty!

These are the voices of the ministers now. Fortunately, Li Chengqian could not hear their voices, otherwise, the ministers who had to refute him would definitely not be able to take care of themselves.

After Li Zhi glanced at Li Chengqian, he immediately lowered his head, his mouth slightly raised, and he was actually a little happy in his heart.

My elder brother has offended all the ministers. If he doesn't explain the reason, the ministers will not let him go.

If he doesn't handle it properly and offends the emperor, can my elder brother Chengqian still keep his position as the crown prince?

Once Chengqian's position as the crown prince is lost, who should take over the position of the crown prince? Is there any need to say it?