It is not easy to maintain long-term stability in occupied territories.
This is because it involves differences in customs, language, culture, and so on.
It also involves the existing vested interests and the original tribal system of Goguryeo.
All Li Jue and Cheng Yaojin can do now is try to add as much sand as possible.
However, turning it into a prefecture or county of the Tang Dynasty would take at least two or three generations to complete.
For Cheng Yaojin to control Pu Ren is just a matter of talking.
Therefore, neither Li Jue nor Cheng Yaojin himself took Park Jin, this Goguryeo man, too seriously.
Cheng Yaojin's main task now is to train the Goguryeo soldiers, but he only teaches them some mountain warfare tactics, as well as some military discipline and laws of the Tang Dynasty.
As for the true skills of the Tang Dynasty's military corps, he would not teach them.
After all, they can surrender to the Tang Dynasty today, but they can surrender to someone else tomorrow...
While Cheng Yaojin was busy training new recruits, Li Shimin was even busier.
He not only had to inspect the military camps every day to check on the physical condition of the Tang soldiers, but also had to frequently organize meetings to deal with various problems that might arise at any time.
For example, Pyongyang is experiencing food shortages...
This question should have been posed by Yeon Gaesomun, but he was the one who ousted Yeon Gaesomun and was given the title of Duke of Pyongyang County.
Therefore, the problem of food shortage in Pyongyang now falls on the shoulders of him, the Heavenly Khan.
If this were in the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin would have had more than a dozen ways to deal with it.
Whether it's "borrowing" from wealthy families, transferring supplies from other places, or directly opening the gates to allow people to leave for food, these are all good methods.
However, in Goguryeo, a place where he knew no one, he really didn't have any good ideas.
And so, his third meeting of the day began.
"Let's discuss where we can gather some food to get through this winter..."
As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, everyone looked worried, except for Li Shiji, who seemed completely indifferent.
"Your Majesty, this matter is easy to handle. We only need to ensure the food supply for our own people. As for the common people of Goguryeo, it doesn't matter if tens of thousands of them starve to death!"
Upon hearing Li Shiji's words, Ma Zhou and other civil officials were speechless, and Li Shimin also showed a look of disgust on his face.
"Shut up!"
"Goguryeo no longer exists; all that remains is Pingcheng County, Liaodong Commandery of the Tang Dynasty!"
"These are all my subjects, how can I bear to let them go hungry?"
Upon hearing this, Li Shiji could only sheepishly return to his seat, resolving never to get involved in such filth again.
Seeing that no one spoke, Ma Zhou tentatively brought it up.
"Your Majesty, we can appeal to the cities surrounding Pyongyang to send grain..."
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin shook his head and then tossed him a stack of documents.
"Take a look for yourself."
"There are currently thirty-seven bandit groups around Pyongyang, the largest of which has two thousand men and has long since cut off the supply lines!"
"Moreover, the situation in Goguryeo is different from that of our Tang Dynasty. Their grain production is very low, and other cities don't have much grain stored up either. If we forcibly levy taxes, it will inevitably trigger famine in other places, and many people will still starve to death."
"this……"
Ma Zhou was considered a highly capable domestic official during the Zhenguan era, yet he was still helpless in the face of such a severe problem.
However, just as Li Shimin and Ma Zhou were frowning in worry, they suddenly heard the voice of the Hundred Cavalry Commander outside the door.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The city's granaries are on fire..."
"What?"
Li Shimin was shocked to hear this and immediately ran outside. However, as soon as he reached the door, he saw thick smoke billowing from near the granary and heard the commotion of Tang soldiers rushing to put out the fire.
"Everyone, come with me to put out the fire!"
"promise!"
Li Shimin immediately led everyone to put out the fire, but when they arrived at the granary, they found that the fire was too big and it would be almost impossible to put it out.
"What happened?"
"Your Majesty, I...I don't know either..."
"have no idea?"
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately kicked out a kick that struck Li Shimin in the chest.
"The fire is so big, it's obvious someone poured flammable oil on it, and you dare to say you didn't know?"
"Your Majesty... this humble servant truly did not know..."
"This area has always been under the jurisdiction of our Tang Dynasty's military forces, but some time ago, General Cheng suggested that we let the new recruits from Goguryeo take charge of it, saying that this would show the Tang Dynasty's trust in them and make them even more grateful to the Tang Dynasty..."
"What?"
"Guards, seize Cheng Yaojin for me!"
"I want to interrogate him personally and find out whether this guy's surname is Tang or Gao!"
Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji quickly approached Li Shimin and tried to sow discord between Cheng Yaojin and Li Shimin.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that Cheng Yaojin has betrothed his niece to a member of a powerful family in Goguryeo, and that he himself has repeatedly accepted bribes from Goguryeo nobles, and is also colluding with his eldest grandson to do business in Goguryeo..."
"Doing business?"
"yes!"
"There is a food shortage in all parts of Goguryeo right now. As long as there is food, what valuable goods can't we exchange for?"
"Therefore, I suspect that General Cheng may have secretly sold the grain and was afraid he wouldn't be able to explain it to Your Majesty, so he staged the scene of burning down the granary!"
Li Shimin was so angry upon hearing this that his eyes turned red, and he immediately drew a sword from the waist of one of his guards.
"I want to kill him!"
"And that rebellious grandson of Li Jue, I'll finish him off too!"
Changsun Wuji was secretly pleased to see Li Shimin's angry expression, but he still pretended to be trying to mediate.
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