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

"This is simply impossible. If something were to happen, it would undoubtedly damage the morale of the Tang Dynasty. If the Prince of Han were to be killed in Goguryeo, the damage to his reputation would be even greater!"

Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, Li Shimin intervened immediately.

"alright."

Changsun Wuji immediately fell silent.

"You two have your own opinions, and there's no right or wrong."

"And you? What do you think?"

Fang Xuanling, Li Ji, and Ashina She'er all frowned in deep thought, not because they wanted to remain neutral, but because they were caught in a dilemma.

It is a fact that Goguryeo posed a strategic threat to the Tang Dynasty, and it is also a fact that Goguryeo provoked the Tang Dynasty.

But it's true that the battle was difficult, and the logistical challenges were real; besides, they had only just returned victorious.

They would not even consider starting another war and would strongly oppose it, but the problem is that Li Yuanchang boasted that 20,000 men would defeat Goguryeo.

For the Tang Dynasty, this was at most a limited local war, which was acceptable.

It's like using the least amount of money to gamble on the biggest stone.

The one in charge of the operation was not an unknown figure, but Li Yuanchang, who had a record of a thousand-mile raid and a famous battle.

Seeing that he remained silent, Li Shimin simply turned his gaze to Li Jing.

Despite Changsun Wuji being the foremost minister and Li Jing ranking far behind him in the Lingyan Pavilion, when it came to military matters, he trusted Duke Wei the most, a man even he feared.

"Duke Wei, what do you think?"

Li Yuanchang frowned. Didn't Li Shimin just say that Li Jing said the chances of winning were no more than 20%?

Li Jing was old and frail, truly aged. He was unremarkable in appearance, dressed in the most ordinary black robe, with a white beard, looking just like an ordinary old man on the street. Who would have thought that this guy was the so-called God of War who could defeat anyone like a machine!

His eyes were incredibly deep, as if they held the profound mysteries of the Eight Trigrams.

"Your Majesty, to be frank, I cannot think of any way to win with 20,000 men going to Liaodong."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was greatly disappointed.

Li Yuanchang was also slightly anxious.

Changsun Wuji smiled.

But the next second, Li Jing changed his tone: "However, I believe in the King of Han."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Li Jing, their eyes filled with disbelief.

This is tantamount to indirectly supporting Li Yuanchang. Everyone knows that Li Jing is famously neutral; he neither helped nor stopped the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

"Lord Wei!" Changsun Wuji frowned.

"Lord Changsun, from a military perspective, 20,000 men can only harass, raid, and launch surprise attacks at most. To think that they can cross the deep valleys of Liaodong and attack the major cities of Goguryeo despite the harsh climate is simply wishful thinking."

"But all miracles in this world are those that make the impossible possible."

"Back when Your Majesty campaigned against Dou Jiande, you had only a few thousand men against a hundred thousand. Who could have imagined that Your Majesty would win?"

"A scale of 20,000 people may seem weak, but in reality, it is more mobile and less of a burden."

"Furthermore, with the Tang army withdrawing, Goguryeo should be unprepared at this time."

"Finally, I believe that courage is more important than force."

"Sure things are rarely reported, while opportunities often lie hidden in uncertainty."

These very pertinent words, while not explicitly supporting Li Yuanchang's military campaign, subtly changed the situation.

Li Yuanchang cast a grateful glance at him.

Li Shimin's disappointed eyes suddenly regained a glimmer of hope.

"What if we get stuck in a quagmire? Or even worse? When looking at returns, we always have to consider risks," Changsun Wuji strongly objected.

"That depends on His Majesty's decision," Li Jing said, passing the buck back to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty," Changsun Wuji said.

Li Shimin did not rush to express his opinion. Instead, he turned his back to everyone and walked step by step to the map of the country behind his dragon throne.

That was painted by Yan Liben himself, encompassing the entire world, which is what people later called Asia.

He didn't say a word for a full half-incense stick's time.

Everyone remained silent, awaiting Li Shimin's final decision.

Unless the entire court opposes it, or there is widespread opposition, Li Shimin's opinion alone is sufficient.

a long time.

He finally made a move, slowly turning around with a profound gaze: "I think it's worth a try!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed to varying degrees.

But only Changsun Wuji seemed to have his tail stepped on.

Li Shimin then asked, "Do you still remember the plan after my retreat?"

"Continue to harass and weaken Goguryeo, then wait for the right opportunity for the Tang Dynasty to destroy them?"

"Since the King of Han has the courage and confidence, and since it's only 20,000 men, the scale is just that of a raid, not much different from the initial plan."

"Why not?"

The crowd remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Changsun Wuji's silence seemed more like a reluctance to refute Li Shimin, as he knew that Goguryeo was a thorn in Li Shimin's side.

"King of Han, I grant you courage! Do not disappoint me."

"How much time do you need to prepare?" Li Shimin asked Li Yuanchang, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"Complete the army's assembly in one month, and then set off during the harsh winter to arrive in the border region ahead of schedule. This way, we can directly enter Liaodong after the spring."

Li Shimin liked this kind of swift military action: "Then I'll give you 20,000 elite troops!"

"If you can conquer Goguryeo, you will be the greatest contributor to the Tang Dynasty!"

"I will make an exception and bestow upon you the title of 'Prince of the First Rank,' increasing your rank within the Lingyan Pavilion to twenty-five!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes were filled with unease.

There have been very few princes throughout history who held the title of "One-Character King." If a prime minister is the pinnacle of a minister's career, then a prince holding the title of "One-Character King" is the pinnacle of a prince's career.

"but!"

"Without reinforcements, you must mean 20,000; otherwise, I cannot answer to my court officials!"

"If you are defeated, you should know the consequences of the military pledge you made," Li Shimin said sternly.

Fang Xuanling looked at Li Yuanchang with a worried expression.

For His Majesty, this was an experiment, but for Li Yuanchang, it was a gamble with everything.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Li Yuanchang said without uttering a single unnecessary word.

This time, he was no longer working for Li Shimin, but for himself, so his eyes were more resolute than ever before.

As for that one-word king, he didn't care at all; he was just feeding him cakes.

"Someone come here!"

"Your Majesty, wait!" Li Yuanchang suddenly called out.

In Li Shimin's view.

"I have one more condition!"

"If Your Majesty does not grant this condition, I will find it difficult to conquer Goguryeo!" Li Yuanchang suddenly spoke up, putting this condition last, which could be considered a psychological tactic.

"What are the conditions?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow.

"I want to select men and appoint personnel myself from the army!" Li Yuanchang blurted out.

These words caused an uproar.

Li Shimin frowned.