Chapter 406 Father-Son Conversation

Inside the Taiji Palace, in the Qianqiu Hall, a side hall of the Liangyi Hall, Li Chengqian, Li Xiang, and Li Jue sat together.

An unknown incense was burning in the incense burner, with wisps of smoke and a faint fragrance in the air, making people feel relaxed and happy.

Li Chengqian was wearing a light yellow dragon robe, a Yishan crown on his head, a purple gold jade belt around his waist, and a pair of black dragon boots on his feet. He was sitting on a chair, looking at Li Xiang and Li Jue.

Li Xiang was wearing a light red dragon robe, a hair crown on his head, an exquisite jade hairpin inserted across the hair crown, a jade belt around his waist, and a pair of black leather boots on his feet.

Li Jue's dress was similar to Li Xiang's, except that the color of the dragon robe was light white, everything else was basically the same.

The two brothers sat upright, Li Chengqian didn't speak, and the other two didn't dare to speak either, fearing that they would make mistakes if they spoke too much.

"I heard from your master that you have been diligent in handling official duties recently, and even the ministers in the court can't stop praising you two. Your father is very happy to hear that." Li

Chengqian said. "These are all my son's responsibilities, and I dare not neglect them in the slightest!" Li Jue said.

Li Xiang also said a few humble words, without deliberately showing off.

The two brothers knew that their father didn't like his sons to be too prominent, especially to be in the limelight.

"Tell me, can Zheng Rentai, Xue Rengui and others successfully suppress the Yi people's rebellion during their expedition to the northern desert? How long will it take to suppress the rebellion?" Li Chengqian said.

Li Chengqian did not praise them, nor did he say much about it. He could see clearly how they performed without the ministers' praise.

The Li Xiang brothers were not sure what to say, but they believed that the suppression of the rebellion would be successful.

"Why? What can't be said? Just say it. I want to see your ability to control the situation and whether you can analyze the victory or failure of this suppression of the rebellion. This is a test for you."

"Xiang'er, you are my eldest son. As the eldest brother, you should set an example for your younger brothers. You should speak first." Li Chengqian said.

"Yes, then I am sorry. I think this time we will be able to win the rebellion, and a complete victory." Li Xiang, who was named, had to speak out his thoughts.

"I also think this time we can win the rebellion, but it is not as easy as you said. It will take at least a year or two to put down the rebellion." Li Jue said.

"Since you have different opinions, I want to hear your views." Li Chengqian sat up straight and said.

"My son thinks that the Right Guard General Zheng Rentai has quelled a rebellion in Mobei once, and has rich experience in how to suppress and put down barbarian rebellions."

"Yanran Duhu Liu Shenli has been in Mobei for many years, and has a better understanding of the terrain of Mobei and the relationships between the various ethnic groups."

"The Left Guard General Xue Rengui, the Minister of Honglu Temple Xiao Siye, and the Right Tunwei General Sun Renshi are all famous generals who have experienced many battles."

"Zheng Rentai has experience, Liu Shenli understands the terrain, environment, and cultural customs of Mobei, and with a brave general like Xue Rengui, as long as the plan is proper, there will be no problem in quelling the rebellions of the Uighurs, Pugu and other tribes." Li Xiang said.

"That's right! Juer, what about you? What do you think?" Li Chengqian said.

Li Jue didn't rush to give his answer, but thought carefully and sorted out his thoughts.

"I think what elder brother said is right, but not entirely. Zheng Rentai and his elder brother have already said it, so I won't repeat it."

"We don't know what the situation in Mobei is now. This time, the most powerful tribe in Mobei, the Uighurs, participated in the rebellion, involving many tribes, and the Western Turks are also ready to move."

Li Jue combined his thoughts with some of the information he heard from his teacher about the situation in Mobei, and divided it into three steps to tell Li Chengqian and Li Xiang.

"Your analysis is not wrong! But you all forgot a problem." Li Chengqian said.

Li Xiang and Li Jue looked at each other, both puzzled. What on earth did they miss?

"I am stupid and don't know what I missed. Please help me." The two brothers said in unison.

"Tubo." Li Chengqian uttered two words softly.

"Tubo?" Li Xiang and Li Jue were even more confused. What does this have to do with Tubo?

"Yes, it is Tubo. This Uighur rebellion seems to be a simple rebellion. People even think that it is the barbarians who are dissatisfied with the rule of the Tang Dynasty and are unwilling to let their territory become the territory of our Tang Dynasty."

"Even more people think that this rebellion of the barbarians in Mobei is all because the Uighur tribe is strong and wants to dominate Mobei, or even want to re-establish the royal court in Mobei."

"Let the Uighur tribe become a Mobei Khanate as powerful as the Turks and Xueyantuo, a Khanate that breaks away from the Tang Dynasty."

"I guess you two think so too!" Li Chengqian looked at them and said.

After hearing this, the two of them lowered their heads. This is what they thought. Even when they talked about the Uighur rebellion with their staff, they all agreed that it was a manifestation of the Uighurs' desire to get rid of the influence of the Tang Dynasty and to be independent.

Mobei is an important area of ​​the Silk Road and the territory of the Tang Dynasty. Naturally, no one can be allowed to establish a Khanate like Xueyantuo in Mobei that is as powerful as it is but unwilling to obey the orders of the Tang Dynasty.

"This time, the Uighurs rebelled, and the shadow of Tubo was everywhere. In order to seize Tuyuhun, Tubo did not hesitate to turn the northern desert upside down."

"Now the Tang Dynasty wants to attack Goguryeo. If there is chaos in the northern desert again, and there are not enough troops, the army stationed in Tuyuhun must be transferred out to join the rebellion."

"Once our army withdraws from Tuyuhun, it will be time for Tubo to launch a full-scale attack on Tuyuhun. With Tuyuhun's strength, it will not be able to withstand the attack of the Tubo army." Li Chengqian said.

Li Xiang and Li Jue were stunned after hearing this. They had never thought that it was actually Tubo who was behind all this, in order to divert the Tang army and make it easier for Tubo to attack Tuyuhun.

In this way, can the rebellion in Mobei still be victorious?

Li Xiang and Li Jue's thoughts began to waver. They originally thought that Zheng Rentai would definitely win the rebellion smoothly.

Now that Tubo has joined, Mobei will only become more chaotic. Can Zheng Rentai and his men really handle it?

"You can't just look at one side of everything. Sometimes, when you think you have touched the truth, you often find that the truth is far away from you. Don't be blinded by appearances, you should consider the problem more deeply." Li Chengqian took the opportunity to educate the two brothers.

"Your sons will remember your father's teachings!" Li Xiang and Li Jue saluted.

If Li Chengqian had not reminded them, they would never have thought that this rebellion would be related to Tubo.