In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

"You say you have a way to destroy the entire Goguryeo and Japan within two years?" Li Shimin's gaze sharpened as he stared intently at him.

Upon hearing this, the eunuchs all changed color.

Everyone knows His Majesty is in a bad mood because he failed to conquer Goguryeo.

"right!"

"Two years!" Li Yuanchang said in a deep voice.

"Do you know what the situation is over there? How are you going to solve the logistical problems?"

"The crime of deceiving the emperor is a capital offense!" Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, his gaze full of suspicion.

He had already suffered a crushing defeat. He knew very well how difficult it was to attack Goguryeo. He didn't believe that Li Yuanchang could accomplish what he, along with so many top generals like Li Ji, had failed to do.

"Your Majesty, I hereby pledge my life: if I fail to conquer Goguryeo within two years, I will accept any punishment!"

Li Yuanchang's words resonated deeply.

In ancient times, military orders were not something to be made casually; they could lead to death and carried far greater weight than oaths.

Of course, the significance of this oath was entirely due to Sima Yi's efforts alone.

But military orders are different; they are not to be taken lightly.

The hall fell completely silent immediately.

Li Shimin stared intently at him without saying a word.

Li Yuanchang began to show his military talent by suppressing bandits in Liangzhou, and his fame grew in Tuyuhun. However, he truly joined the ranks of first-class generals after his long-distance raid and the great victory in the battle that broke the Xueyantuo camp.

With his resume and pledge, he seemed to have truly seen a glimmer of hope.

But having already fought against Goguryeo, he still found it difficult to come up with any quick way to defeat them.

Tell me your plans!

Li Shimin asked this question in a deep voice, which meant that he was at least five parts interested.

He was unwilling to give up so easily; he wanted to achieve even greater feats in his lifetime. The remaining five points of doubt stemmed from the difficulty of the reality.

He'd only consider it if he was 70% sure.

Li Yuanchang knew what he was thinking, so he blurted it out.

"Of all martial arts, speed is the only way to break through defenses."

"A blitzkrieg, using speed to win, striking directly at Goguryeo and capturing the powerful minister Yeon Gaesomun alive!"

Li Shimin frowned upon hearing this: "A blitzkrieg? This isn't a grassland; it won't give your cavalry a chance to launch a surprise attack. Goguryeo's terrain is mainly mountainous and deep valleys, making even marching difficult. How can you launch a blitzkrieg?"

"Your Majesty, just because others can't do it doesn't mean I can't."

"Since I dared to make this pledge, I am confident I can fulfill it!"

"Just look at the results," Li Yuanchang said.

Li Shimin resolutely refused: "No!"

"Although you are capable, Goguryeo is not like the Xueyantuo. I cannot mobilize the entire nation to attack Goguryeo again just because of your words."

"The national treasury and the military are facing far too much risk."

"fifty thousand!"

"I only need 50,000 men!" Li Yuanchang said emphatically.

Li Shimin's eyes were filled with surprise and doubt: "You're being far too arrogant."

"Thirty thousand!"

"With 30,000 men, I have defeated Goguryeo!"

Li Shimin's expression changed completely, even showing some displeasure: "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Twenty thousand!"

"With 20,000 men, we will surely conquer the capital of Goguryeo within two years!" Li Yuanchang roared, making another outrageous statement.

At this moment, there is no one else here. If all the civil and military officials were present, everyone's eyes and jaws would probably drop to the ground!

Li Shimin stared intently at Li Yuanchang, his eyes filled with disbelief, and for a moment he was speechless.

If it were someone else, he would have kicked them out immediately. What a joke, 20,000 men swiftly defeating Goguryeo?

He led over 100,000 men but still couldn't take it down, not even counting logistics.

But he hesitated!

Because Li Yuanchang would never joke about his own life.

Furthermore, 20,000 people means that even if they fail, the losses will be very small, which the Tang Dynasty can afford.

Low risk, high return, everyone is willing to do it.

Although he believed that his attack on Goguryeo was rash, that was based on the premise of excessive consumption of resources.

If it weren't for the excessive energy expenditure, his attack on Goguryeo could be considered a success.

a long time.

Li Shimin looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and opened his eyes again, revealing the solemnity and severity of an emperor.

"You want to bring people from the mountain tribes with you?"

"Yes, they are skilled in mountain warfare and are my right-hand men. They will surely shine!" Li Yuanchang made no attempt to hide his intentions and directly asked for the men.

Li Shimin wanted to ask, "Did you make that boast to save them?" But as the words were about to come out, he himself felt that the possibility was practically zero.

"In addition, I will also select the army myself."

"If Your Majesty can grant it, I will sweep across the entire Liaodong region, eliminating the thorn in Your Majesty's side, Yeon Gaesomun!"

Li Yuanchang spoke in a low voice, full of vigor and exuding an air of extreme confidence.

He pondered deeply last night, thinking about many things.

This time, he's going all out. He not only wants to save all his subordinates in the mountain tribe, but also to carve out a path to heaven for himself!

Staying in Chang'an will inevitably lead to being fish on a chopping board sooner or later.

He needs to think about himself!

Li Shimin had already stood up, and now he looked at him intently: "You certainly have guts!"

"You dare make such a boast? Do you know what the consequences will be if you fail to deliver?"

"I have said I will bear the consequences!" Li Yuanchang said without fear, his eyes not flinching. He knew that if he did not show absolute confidence at this moment...

Li Shimin would never give him a chance.

If they don't give them a chance, not only will the mountain tribes have no chance of survival, but the entire Han King's Mansion will also be in danger of falling apart.

The mountain tribes are just the beginning!

Li Yuanchang was well aware of this; he no longer held any expectations of becoming emperor!

Li Shimin was ultimately still tempted.

No emperor is uninterested in pursuing imperial ambitions and expanding his territory; conquering Goguryeo in his later years was his lifelong dream.

This is definitely not just a matter of Goguryeo being disobedient.

"Go back now and prepare a memorial. I want you to write down the details of the surprise attack... no, the blitzkrieg plan."

"Then I'll consider it."

His words were contradictory; he asked Li Yuanchang to write a war plan, but then said he needed to consider it. This, in turn, showed that Li Shimin was tempted.

He had just reflected on his actions and realized he shouldn't have sent troops. If he were to suddenly send troops again, he would have to convince everyone.

"Yes!" Li Yuanchang clasped his hands in a fist salute. He knew that Li Shimin would definitely agree, otherwise Li Shimin would not have sent troops to harass Goguryeo again in the second and third years after the withdrawal.

"And Your Majesty, what about them?"

It's like a transaction.

When Li Yuanchang proved to be of great value, Li Shimin's so-called principles changed again. He took a deep breath and said, "Go and bring him here."

With just three words, the death crisis of the entire mountain tribe was averted.

A huge weight was lifted off Li Yuanchang's shoulders.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

He replied with three words, but it no longer had the same meaning as before. There was no gratitude in his heart; it was more of a formality.

As soon as Li Yuanchang stepped down, Li Shimin immediately shouted, "Pass the throne to Changsun Wuji, then to Fang Xuanling, then to Li Ji, and finally to Li Jing!"