The two of them traveled through the Tang Dynasty to open a supermarket, and the little Sizi was sup

Chapter 299 Military Rations: Compressed Biscuits!

Previously, Tibet was also restless, and this era was also Tibet's peak.

They encountered a capable Songtsen Gampo, who unified the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Coupled with a climate conducive to development, Tibet became unprecedentedly powerful.

Becoming powerful will inevitably lead to concerns about the neighbors, but the Tang Dynasty is not one to be trifled with.

When the Tibetans descended to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Tang Dynasty could easily subdue them. However, once the Tibetans reached the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Tang Dynasty was helpless against them.

This creates a bit of an awkward situation, as you're not really comfortable going to the other side's territory.

Even if Li Shimin disliked Tibet, there was nothing he could do.

However, all of this changed completely after Xiao Ran and Xiao Ruoying appeared.

After Li Shimin saw firearms, the fate of Tibet changed.

Even at their peak, they couldn't withstand the overwhelming power of firearms.

“We can’t fight now. Potatoes and corn haven’t been widely promoted, and our national strength is still insufficient,” Li Shimin said. “But we must make our stance clear. The Tang Dynasty must stand firm on this matter, otherwise others will dare to come and choose us.”

The introduction of potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes will greatly enhance the agricultural productivity of the Tang Dynasty.

With grain production doubling, it can support larger-scale military expeditions and frontier farming, solving the problem of transporting military supplies, as traditional canal transport is extremely inefficient in high-altitude and mountainous areas.

The Tibetan region has a cold climate, and crops such as potatoes and highland barley are highly adaptable and can be widely cultivated there to weaken its economic independence and lay the material foundation for long-term rule.

Li Shimin was aware of the threat posed by Tibet to the Tang Dynasty after the An Lushan Rebellion, the theocratic management model of the Yuan Dynasty, and the Golden Urn system of the Qing Dynasty, thus avoiding the loopholes in his rule after a short-term military conquest.

Information transmission and technological conditions in this era differed from those in later generations. The actual application of thermal weapons and the scientific understanding of the plateau environment still needed to be adjusted in light of current realities.

The advent of the telegraph machine completely changed the way messages were transmitted.

"The rest is fine, but the soldiers are not used to it when they arrive in Tibet. How can we solve this problem?" Li Shimin really didn't know.

"This is altitude sickness. People from other places don't adapt well to it, and in severe cases, it can be fatal. They can die on the plateau without the enemy even having to intervene. Only people born and raised on the plateau don't experience such severe discomfort."

"It was like this before, it is like this now, and it will be like this in the future. If future generations encounter this situation, they will use oxygen tanks to alleviate it."

"It is costly and inconvenient to provide oxygen cylinders for soldiers."

Li Shimin nodded. "Then what should be done?"

Xiao Ran dared not speak carelessly. "I don't understand these things. I can ask others. Your Majesty, this is just for your reference. The specific decision is still up to you. My opinion is just for your reference."

Li Shimin chuckled, "Just say it, I won't blame you."

Xiao Ran took out his phone and checked. "The suggestion is that the soldiers' adaptation problem must be solved. It should be carried out in stages, gradually moving from the Hehuang Valley to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, staying in each stage for 1-2 months to allow the soldiers to adapt to the low-oxygen environment."

Li Shimin nodded. "Go on."

“Recruit local guides and join forces with the Qiang and Tuyuhun tribes to take advantage of the nomads’ familiarity with the plateau’s climate and terrain to reduce getting lost and non-combat casualties.”

"If we fight Tibet, you have to get me some weapons. Small guns and cannons will do. We don't need too many. Just show how terrifying the weapons are so that the enemy will be terrified and dare not resist."

What Li Shimin needed was deterrence, not to exterminate everyone.

The population of the Tang Dynasty was not large, and that of Tibet was even smaller.

These are vital national assets; they cannot be used for indiscriminate killing.

"We can figure out a way to do that." The countries in the northwest have local specialties that are more than enough to crush everything in the Tang Dynasty.

In other words, Li Shimin didn't need to bring many people; a small number of elite troops would suffice.

Moreover, it eliminates the need for Tang soldiers to engage in hand-to-hand combat.

On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tang soldiers were at a disadvantage in terms of physical strength, but firearms could perfectly make up for this shortcoming.

They exploited the "mystery" of firearms to create panic, such as bombarding hilltops with artillery during the first battle to demonstrate their power and to promote the "divine might" in order to weaken the will of the Tibetan army and people to resist.

He sought to win over pro-Tang forces within Tibet, such as the Supi and Yangtong tribes conquered by Songtsen Gampo, promising them autonomy to sow discord within their alliance. These were issues Xiao Ran didn't need to worry about; Li Shimin and the officials of the Zhenguan era had dealt with the Turks in the same way.

Li Shimin and his men were very experienced in this kind of thing.

"It all depends on Tibet's attitude. If they obediently hand over the people, then we can wait a couple of years until potatoes and corn are widely available. If they don't know what's good for them, I don't mind personally leading my elite troops to wipe out Tibet."

Xiao Ran knew that Li Shimin wasn't just talking; he was truly capable of doing it.

Now that Li Chengqian is overseeing the country, Li Shimin can personally lead the army into battle.

Although the Tang Dynasty had no shortage of military generals, Li Shimin still wanted the masses to participate in matters such as the conquest of Tibet and the use of firearms.

Historical records indicate that the allure of personally leading an expedition to destroy Tibet was still very strong.

“Previously, it was inconvenient to carry provisions. If we go to Tibet, we should bring modern food, such as instant noodles.”

"You can prepare some compressed biscuits. They are small, easy to carry, and can keep you full for a long time."

"What kind is it? Let me see." Li Shimin was intrigued upon hearing Xiao Ran's description.

“That’s it.” Xiao Ran searched for an image and found it.

"How does it taste? I've never had it before."

"The taste is definitely better than corn, but I didn't eat it because the texture and other aspects are not as good as other pastries. This is something to eat during special times; who would eat this normally!"

"You can try it!"

Xiao Ran had someone send some over.

Seeing that there was food, the three little princesses also went over to join in.

If you've never seen food before, you should definitely try it.

"What is this?!"

Xiao Ran tore open a packet and gave it to the little princess, "Try it!"

The little princess took a big bite, frowned, and said that it wasn't bad, but it was a little worse than other pastries.

It's still a bit hard.

"Hey, this is really good!" Li Shimin thought it tasted great and the soldiers would definitely like it.

"Your Majesty, eat a little of this, then drink some water and it will expand in your stomach, making you feel full. There are also quite a few things added to it, so it's quite filling."

"This is good stuff. Xiao Ran, prepare more for me. By the way, is it expensive?"

"Not expensive, it's alright."

The three little princesses tried it, but found it too hard and gave it to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin naturally couldn't bear to waste it, so he ate it slowly.

I want to see if it can withstand hunger.

Carrying compressed biscuits is much simpler and more convenient than other places, and they taste pretty good.

The weapons and supplies have now been basically finalized.

Seeing Li Shimin's confident demeanor, it seemed likely that the Tibetans would foot the bill for the bank's losses.

To provoke the Tang Dynasty now is truly courting death.

Li Shimin certainly won't indulge you now.

It's quite tragic to be living in the same era as the Tang Dynasty.

Li Shimin was still eating compressed biscuits, lost in thought, probably contemplating how to destroy Tibet.

(End of this chapter)