bookrandom Chapter 744 Where to go?
Chapter 744 Where to go?
Li Wei's fingers gripping the ivory tablet trembled slightly, and the back of his python-patterned robe was already soaked with cold sweat, sending gusts of chills through the slightly cool breeze.
He stole a glance at Li Zhi, who was sitting on the dragon throne with a stern expression. His Adam's apple rolled with difficulty. The hall was so quiet that he could hear his own rapid heartbeat.
Beneath the Danbi, hundreds of pairs of eyes were as sharp as torches, watching his every subtle movement clearly.
"Your Majesty, it takes a thousand days to raise an army and a moment to deploy it."
Li Wei's voice seemed to be squeezed out from his throat.
"But training an elite division is extremely expensive. Not to mention forming and expanding the Black Armor Army and three thousand battalions, and maintaining twenty thousand heavy cavalry. This... this is simply too expensive."
Before he finished speaking, there was a slight commotion in the hall. The civil officials whispered to each other and the military generals frowned.
Li Wei took a deep breath and continued, "When Emperor Taizong was still alive, it was difficult to support the 3,000 Xuanjia soldiers alone."
"Each set of the Black Armor Army's Bright Light Armor requires meticulous forging, consuming countless amounts of refined iron and money."
"The daily cost of fodder and maintenance for the Ferghana horses they ride on is staggering."
"The late emperor formed another 3,000-man battalion, but even so, he did not expand these two units."
Li Wei said, pulling out a scroll of accounts from his sleeve and unfolding it with slightly trembling hands. "Your Majesty, please read this. This is a record of military expenditures over the years. Even in the years when the treasury was at its peak, the daily expenses of maintaining the Black Armor Army and the Three Thousand Battalions accounted for 20% of the fiscal expenditure."
"The reason is that it's too expensive. The Tang Dynasty needs to invest a large amount of money in improving people's livelihood.
"Building water conservancy projects, reclaiming farmland, repairing cities—which one doesn't require real money?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Li Yifu hurried out of the ranks, his Yunyan robe swaying gently with his movements. "Although the treasury is now well-stocked, maintaining 20,000 heavy cavalry at once would be a burden to the court."
He paused, his eyes sweeping across the ministers in the hall, all with varying expressions, before continuing, "Matters of war require long-term planning and must not be impulsive."
"Once war breaks out, the costs of collecting food and fodder, forging weapons, and treating the wounded will all be astronomical."
"The people have just begun to enjoy a peaceful life. If war causes them to suffer, it will likely shake the foundation of the country."
"My decision has been made."
"Today, Datang's infrastructure has reached a stable point."
"Over the years, my royal brother has worked diligently to govern the country and develop water conservancy projects. Now, canals crisscross the country, irrigating tens of millions of hectares of farmland."
"Develop agriculture and commerce, and the Chang'an East and West Markets will attract all nations to come, and commercial taxes will continue to flow in."
"The people live and work in peace and contentment, the treasury is prosperous, and the granaries are overflowing."
"I have a large amount of silver in my hands, which can be used to expand the army."
"Furthermore, only a strong army can ensure the eternal peace of the Tang Dynasty and expand its territory."
"Look at this map of the world. Now is the time when our Tang Dynasty is at its most powerful. If we don't take the initiative to attack now, do we have to wait for them to reach the gates of Chang'an thousands of years later?"
"Your Majesty, war is no joke..."
Li Wei wanted to make another suggestion, but was interrupted by Li Zhi.
"If you give up a great opportunity for a moment's gain, you are truly harming the country!"
"Emperor Taizong won the Battle of Hulao Pass with a small force, laying the foundation for the Tang Dynasty."
"My royal brother has even destroyed all nations and enhanced our country's prestige."
"Now that it's my generation, do I have to cower in fear and guard this little piece of land?"
"If I don't fight now, will I leave it to future generations to fight? Will I let those barbarians grow stronger?"
"Don't tell me you want to see the annals of history record that during my reign, despite hundreds of millions of people and millions of soldiers, I didn't achieve a single achievement?"
"Even though we have a strong army, are they all soldiers defending the city?"
"I want to expand, so that this world will belong only to my Tang Dynasty!"
"Your Majesty is wise! We obey your orders!"
The ministers were frightened by the emperor's majesty and bowed their heads one after another.
"Everyone, this expansion is the great cause of our Great Tang Dynasty."
Li Zhi stepped back onto the throne and glanced at his officials. "Civil officials must ensure logistical support, prepare food supplies, and appease the people."
"The Ministry of Revenue needs to calculate military expenditures in detail and increase revenue and reduce expenditure."
"The Ministry of Industry must speed up the production of weapons and armor to ensure quality."
"The Ministry of Rites must do a good job of diplomacy and isolate the enemy."
"Military commanders must intensify their training, sharpen their weapons, and prepare for the coming war."
He paused, his gaze falling on Wu Wang Li Ke and the Admiral Li Zhentao. "Li Ke, Li Zhentao, the expansion of the Black Armor Army and the Three Thousand Battalions carries the heaviest burden on your shoulders."
"I don't care what method you use, you must see results within a year."
"How much money do you want? I'll give it to you!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Li Ke and Li Zhentao responded in unison, their voices sonorous and powerful.
"When the time is right, I will sweep the world with you all!"
Li Zhi's voice was filled with pride, "Let the whole world know the might of the Tang Dynasty!"
"Long live your Majesty!"
All the civil and military officials in the court shouted in unison, and their voices resounded through the sky.
The generals were excited and began to look forward to the battle on the battlefield.
The civil officials were silently calculating how to allocate supplies and collect taxes.
The morale in the Taiji Hall was high, but beneath this excited appearance, undercurrents were surging.
After the court was dismissed, the palace door slowly closed, isolating the noise outside.
Li Zhi sat alone on the dragon throne, looking at the empty hall.
This decision is of great significance. Expansion is not easy; it is easy to conquer a kingdom, but difficult to maintain it.
Just like the Tang Dynasty today, with five capitals governed together.
Even so, governing such a vast empire still requires great effort.
The newly conquered lands had different languages and customs. How to make the local people loyal to the Tang Dynasty and how to establish effective rule were huge challenges.
Once a war breaks out, it will not only require massive manpower, material and financial resources, but may also cause domestic unrest.
If the war is lost, or the people in the country complain about excessive taxes, the consequences will be unimaginable.
But when he thought of his brother's words, his eyes became more determined.
"Once I've made my decision, I won't look back."
He muttered, clenching his fists.
At the same time, the streets and alleys of Chang'an City were already in an uproar.
In the tavern, merchants put down their abacus and anxiously discussed whether the war would cut off their business.
"If a war breaks out, trade routes will be cut off. How will we transport our goods?"
"Who says it isn't? I just hope that Your Majesty can achieve victory and end the war as soon as possible."
In the market, people gathered together, discussing the matter. Some young people were eager to join the army and make great achievements.
Some women were worried that their husbands and sons would die on the battlefield.
In the deep courtyard of the Su Mansion, the wheelchair made a squeaking sound as it rolled over the bluestone slabs.
The elderly Su Tan was wrapped in a thick fox fur coat, his cloudy eyes gazing at the setting sun in the sky.
Since his wife passed away in the 17th year of Qianwu, he has been bedridden and now needs help even to get up.
Upon hearing the news from the court, his skinny fingers tightly gripped the armrests of the wheelchair, and his knuckles turned white.
"Master, take a rest and don't think too much."
The old servant advised tremblingly.
Su Tan waved his hand.
He was not worried about the rise and fall of the country, but was concerned about Li Jingyi, the child who lost his mother at a young age and grew up under his knees.
She is the only bloodline of the Su family and the only child of the late emperor.
Now the court is in a state of flux. Princess Wencheng is suddenly named the eldest princess, and the Tang Dynasty is about to expand outward. With this series of events, what will Yier do in the future?
He didn't dare to think about it too much. He just felt a tightness in his chest and started coughing violently.
The old servant hurried forward and patted him on the back gently, feeling secretly worried.