Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 181: The only way to deal with the Japanese pirates is to destroy their nation and race

Li Zhi silently kept these words in his heart.

"People like your uncle Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang are not necessarily loyal people. Loyal people may seem treacherous, and treacherous people may seem loyal. You should be careful."

Naturally, Li Shimin could not hide the little tricks of Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang from the public, but as long as they did not touch Li Shimin's bottom line, he would let them go.

How can there be so many people in this world who do things without asking for anything in return?

You can ask for more, but the value you create must be greater.

"Father, what do you mean by this?"

Li Zhi was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. In his mind, Changsun Wuji was the Tang Dynasty version of Zhuge Liang.

Dedicated to the Tang Dynasty.

"Whether you are loyal or treacherous, only you know."

Li Shimin walked out of the palace and looked up at the dim sky. Loyalty and treachery cannot be generalized.

Changsun Wuji was still loyal to the Tang Dynasty, but he was too obsessed with power and did not choose to give up power at the right time, which led to the final tragedy.

As far as the Tang Dynasty was concerned, he devoted his life to the cause until his death.

But for the emperor, it was a great betrayal and a usurpation of state power.

Li Zhi nodded as if he understood. Loyalty and treachery can only be judged by himself, and Li Shimin's words now have no effect.

The loyal ministers of the previous dynasty are often the rebels of the next dynasty.

Chang'an is extremely lively on the 30th night.

The streets are full of entertainment, singing and dancing to celebrate the New Year.

At this time, there was war in Baekje, and the soldiers who were away on the expedition could not even have a hot New Year's dinner.

When the Japanese pirates invaded the border, the people were all terrified and lived in a state of panic all day long.

In order to avoid the war, many people fled into the mountains.

The battle line is too long, and it is almost impossible to defend.

Fortunately, the government had already organized and transferred the supplies, and the Japanese pirates did not gain much.

The entire Baekje coast was in complete chaos, with Japanese pirates wreaking havoc everywhere.

Early in the morning of the 5th.

The senior officials of Baekje got up early and stood on the ice and snow in the cold wind.

It was a long time before sails appeared on the surface of the Xiongjin River.

"The reinforcements from Pyongyang Road have arrived!"

Some local officials were delighted.

As the ship docked, Li Chengqian walked out of the ship.

There were not many ships on board, and only Li Chengqian's personal guards were accompanying them.

"Your Highness, you must be tired from the journey. These are just a few petty thieves. You have to trouble Your Highness to come all the way here."

Liu Rengui felt very sorry.

"I came here not only to destroy these Japanese pirates. If we don't destroy their country, the Japanese threat will never end."

Once you open your mouth, the country will be destroyed.

The time has come, and it should be done once and for all.

The purpose of drawing troops from Pyongyang Province and Silla Province was to destroy the country.

Indeed, the best defense is offense.

Liu Rengui was shocked. The situation was not optimistic. Facing the pressure from the Tang Dynasty, Li Chengqian still had the courage to start a war to destroy the country.

"Wakoku is located on an island with many hidden reefs and countless people who are good at water. Your Highness wants to eliminate future troubles forever, which is a long-term plan. However, the current situation in the country is unstable, and there are major vassal states outside. Is it too hasty to raise troops to attack Wakoku?"

Liu Rengui stepped forward and put a thick fur coat on Li Chengqian.

Although Liu Rengui was located south of Baekje, he was always paying attention to the situation in Goguryeo.

Li Chengqian wanted to carry out a grand plan that violated the interests of all classes in the Tang Dynasty and would definitely be targeted.

As a subject, you should plan for your master.

"Even if the vassal states send heavy troops to attack Japan, I will destroy it."

No one knew how Japan had offended Li Chengqian.

So much so that Li Chengqian ignored the overall situation.

"Your Highness, please think twice. Although we have many ships, once we sail to the Japanese islands, even if the war goes smoothly, it will take more than a year to pacify the entire Japanese country. If we move our troops south, the northern border will be empty, and other countries will take advantage of the opportunity to invade."

"If not, the threat from Japan will be left to me and General Blacktooth to deal with, and there is no need for military assistance. Within five years, I will definitely be able to defeat Japan with my fleet. On the contrary, I believe that the defense of the northern border is the top priority, and that is where Your Highness needs to be in charge, and that is where heavy military assistance is needed."

Compared with the threat from Japan in the south, the north is facing a greater crisis.

The Mohe were the main force, but the Uighurs, Shiweis and Khitans should not be underestimated either.

In the eyes of the major countries, Goguryeo at this time was a piece of fat meat, and everyone wanted to take a bite.

If you take a bite, you will have enough food and clothing, and you will also receive material rewards from the Tang Dynasty.

Killing two birds with one stone, who wouldn't do it?

"I know your worries, and I'll strike you with one blow to prevent a hundred blows. Now that other countries are eyeing my territory covetously, I will use a war of annihilation to tell them that our four regions cannot be invaded. Since Japan wants to be the first to do so, I will have to destroy it first."

Of course, in addition to eliminating hidden dangers, the expedition to Japan also has a deeper strategic purpose.

The reason why the Tang Dynasty was able to intimidate many countries was because it fought several wars to annihilate other countries.

To force people by force.

Liu Rengui and Heichi Changzhi were both extraordinary people and were easily defeated.

"Your Highness is a man of great foresight, and we are far from being able to match him."

Liu Rengui smiled self-deprecatingly.

"How are the invading Japanese pirates doing now?"

Li Chengqian changed the subject and asked about the current situation.

"Thanks to your reminder, Your Highness, I have already sent troops to garrison the important towns of Baekje, so the Japanese pirates cannot break through. In addition, we have also transferred the food. Even if the Japanese pirates invade, they will gain very little."

"I estimate that the Japanese pirates are now facing a shortage of food and grass, and I am afraid they will invade the inland area in a large scale."

The situation in Baekje has always been under the control of Liu Rengui.

Otherwise, he would not need Li Chengqian's assistance, because he was confident that he could deal with these Japanese pirates on his own.

"According to the scouts, the Japanese general Azumi Hirafu has gathered his ships, and a large number of warships are heading towards the estuary. His purpose is to penetrate the inland through the Xiongjin River."

Heichi Changzhi stood aside and reported the latest news to Li Chengqian.

He also wanted to copy the tactics of Li Zhen and Li Dejian and attack Huanglong directly.

"Please give me your instructions, Your Highness!"

Liu Rengui bowed his head. Li Chengqian's tactics against Baekje and Goguryeo had completely convinced them.

"Over the past few days, you have probably worked out the tactics to deal with the Japanese pirates. You just need to follow your own battle plan, and you don't need to report the process to me. I have only one request, and that is that no one from Japan should be left alive." Li Chengqian said coldly, as if he had some deep hatred.

All the generals were awed. They thought that these Japanese pirates must have done more than just invading the border. They must have done something else to make Li Chengqian hate them so much.

The massacre was bloody enough, but it was mainly for the purpose of looting property.

Leaving no one alive would be breaking the limit. Even if they have been enemies for generations, those in power would not issue such a military order.

"Your Highness, this will damage your reputation. You cannot open this column. I think it is better to govern like you did Baekje and Goguryeo. This will help Your Highness win the hearts of the people."

Since ancient times, cruel kings have always been criticized by people.

The policy of equalizing the land tax and contracting output to households implemented by Li Chengqian in Goguryeo and Baekje won the support of the people, enabling him to gain a firm foothold in this new land in such a short time.

If the rule is too brutal, it will cause strong resistance in the ruled areas.

After all, conquest is often only the business of the upper class, and it is hard to justify the massacre of the lower class.

Normally, the number of soldiers in an army is no more than a few hundred thousand. If an order is issued to leave no one alive, the enemy they face will be millions of people.

"People's hearts? The Japanese pirates are thieves. There are no such people under my rule. Haven't you heard that killing one person is a crime, killing ten thousand is a hero, and killing ten thousand of them is the hero among heroes? If we don't kill them to scare them, doesn't it mean that they can fight us just because they are told to?"

Li Chengqian snorted coldly, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. Other regions can copy Goguryeo's policy of pacifying the people, but they cannot be lenient towards Japan. Because if Japan is not destroyed, it will become a hidden danger for China's future.

"Killing one person is a crime, killing ten thousand people is a hero, killing a million is a hero among heroes!" This sentence also comes from an article commemorating the Nanjing Massacre.

It is the hatred for the Japanese pirates and the defense of national dignity.

Now that Li Chengqian quoted this sentence, he was not just talking, but wanted to eliminate this potential threat with iron-blooded means.

After hearing what Li Chengqian said, Liu Rengui and Heichi Changzhi showed bitter expressions on their faces. They understood that Li Chengqian had made up his mind, and whether it was out of deterrence or personal grudge, he must resolutely execute it. As ministers, they could only obey orders and fully cooperate with Li Chengqian's actions.

The three of them walked quickly towards the chariot while talking. In a blink of an eye, they were on the chariot.

"Where did you put the sweet potatoes and potatoes? Take me to see them."

After leaving the camp, Li Chengqian couldn't wait to ask, his face full of anxiety. For him, high-yield crops such as sweet potatoes and potatoes are more important than destroying Japan.

After all, Baekje's winters were extremely cold, and if the food was not properly preserved, all previous efforts would be in vain.

"They are stored in the cellar of the treasury."

Liu Rengui led the way, and before long, the group entered the cellar. They opened three doors in succession and finally reached the bottom floor, where sweet potatoes and potatoes were stored.

Li Chengqian's worries were obviously unnecessary. Since Baekje was located in the northern region, people had already taken measures to prevent the cold. In the cellar, someone was responsible for guarding it and burning charcoal to keep it warm. The temperature here was completely different from the outside world, as if in another world.

Li Chengqian took a closer look and found that some small sprouts had grown on the sweet potatoes. These sweet potatoes and potatoes were not fat and were small in size, which might be due to insufficient soil fertility or differences in varieties.

But in any case, they are a whole new and superb crop.

"Your Highness, these two crops are really as you said, they are divine. The soldiers who came back said that they can produce more than 2,000 kilograms per mu, and most importantly, they are drought-resistant."

Liu Rengui said excitedly, he knew what this meant.

"Have they learned the planting techniques?"

Li Chengqian asked in return, he must have met the local natives.

"Can't this just be planted in the ground?"

Liu Rengui was shocked.

"The soldiers didn't speak the same language and didn't learn any planting techniques. Besides, these sweet potatoes and potatoes were also taken back by force."

There is nothing to be ashamed of; it is the survival of the fittest.

"Of course not. There is a trick to this. When planting potatoes, you can cut them into several pieces and then plant them in the ground."

"As for sweet potatoes, there are even more particular requirements. First, plant the sweet potatoes in the ground, and then when vines grow, cut off the branches and vines, and then plant them in the ground again. That's the way it's done."

Li Chengqian popularized the Tao.

"Won't this kill me? Is it really that magical?"

Everyone was in disbelief.

"No, otherwise how could it be called a divine object? When the weather warms up, plant it as I said. When there are enough seeds, you can promote it in all states in a year. After three years, there will be no more people starving to death."

A war may break out later, so I might as well inform you of the key points now.

The situation will change with the emergence of these two products.

"I will immediately arrange for reliable personnel to make arrangements."

Liu Rengui said solemnly that Li Chengqian was definitely not joking regarding such a big matter.

In the following period, Li Chengqian further popularized the knowledge about potatoes and sweet potatoes in detail, which could be used not only for civilian purposes but also for military purposes.

It can be made into dried potato powder and dried sweet potato powder, which is easy to carry and store.

It can satisfy hunger and also serve as a recipe. Both are treasures.

Compared with rice and wheat, it can be said to be a crushing existence.

As for eating habits, it is not something that modern people have to consider at all. They are lucky to be able to fill their stomachs.

"Your Highness, the Japanese pirate army has already reached the mouth of the Xiongjin River. I beg Your Highness to put the overall situation first and withdraw from Jialin City."

There is no absolute victory or defeat in the changes of battle formations. Even though Liu Rengui had made complete preparations, he still felt something was wrong.

Jialin City is an important city at the mouth of the Xiongjin River and also the southernmost major city.

"If I withdraw, won't it shake the morale of the army?"

Li Chengqian shook his head.

"Your Highness, giving up Jialin City and Zhouliu City was my strategic deployment. It's my fault that I didn't report it to Your Highness before."

"Your Highness, please look!"

Liu Rengui walked to the map and pointed with his finger.

"The Japanese ships are short and very sensitive. If we engage in a naval battle, the sea is vast and our huge warships will be pinned down by them."

"If we want to annihilate the Japanese army, we must fight a decisive battle in a relatively narrow sea. This way, the advantages of our huge aircraft carriers can be demonstrated. Therefore, I will feign defeat and lead the Japanese warships into the narrow Xiongjin River."

Liu Rengui's hand finally landed on a section of river.

"Baekgangkou?" Li Chengqian murmured.

"Yes, I have chosen the place for the decisive battle, which is the mouth of the Han River. What do you think, Your Highness? Is it feasible?"

Liu Rengui said softly, also seeking Li Chengqian's opinion, that in terms of geographical location, Baijiangkou was undoubtedly the most suitable place for a decisive battle.

The surface of the Baekgang River is not small, but rather very wide. It is formed by the confluence of several river channels and can be used for ambushes.

Is it still the Battle of Baekgang?

If that's the case, then it's a sure win.

"You just need to follow the strategic deployment, and I will cooperate with you."

On that day, Li Chengqian headed north with the support of his personal guards.

In the following days, the people were also organized to evacuate one after another.

There were only a handful of guards left in the city of Jialin, and they became bait to lure the enemy deeper.

(End of this chapter)