Li Ji was sure that Han Yi would definitely speak, because the Northwest Plan was made by Han Yi. Don’t say that it is too far-reaching. Once the war hits the Helong area, who dares to do business in the northwest? Therefore, Han Yi will never let Tubo succeed. Otherwise, his Northwest Plan will face a situation of failure. Once the Northwest Plan fails, Han Yi’s career will face a very big crisis.

Xu Jingzong snorted softly, "Tubo's strength is extraordinary. If Tubo really gathers a large army to attack according to what Mr. Han said, it would be a long time ago that Tubo really gathered a large army to attack, but our Tang Dynasty hastily summoned some generals to lead troops to provide assistance. The right time, place, and people are not on our side. How can we win this battle, it is better not to help."

Han Yi said: "Although Tuyuhun is not as strong as Tubo, there is always some strength. We send troops and Tuyuhun's troops, and we are fighting at home. We don't expect to attack Tubo, we only seek defense, and this should be done!"

Li Zhi immediately looked at Li Ji. In this regard, Li Ji's must be the main one.

Li Ji pretended to think for a while and said, "Tubo, Tuyuhun is located on the plateau. If our Tang army marched into Tubo, it would be difficult to keep up with the supply, and the soldiers of the Central Plains may not be able to adapt to the plateau climate."

Having said that, Li Yi Mansion and Xu Jingzong were a little relieved.

But Li Ji changed his mind and said, "But Tubo has always been a potential strong enemy of our Tang Dynasty. If we have always been afraid of the plateau, then we are always in a passive situation. If we use the strategy of the Minister of Han, we will not attack directly from bottom to top, but rely on the Tuyuhun area. We can help us train troops and make our troops adapt to plateau combat. As for the chances of victory, according to Han Yi's strategy, we cannot mobilize large troops to increase our troops, so it may be difficult to gain an advantage in military strength. However, if Tubo wants to assemble a large army to attack, it will also face the difficulties of supply, which will consume their national strength. Therefore, as long as we defend the previous round of offensives, our chances of victory will be greater, and it will consume Tubo's national strength, resulting in it being unable to declare war on our Tang Dynasty."

In this regard, Xu Jingzong dared not interrupt Li Yifu, because Li Ji was absolutely authoritative.

Li Zhi nodded as well.

Han Yi said again: "Your Majesty, this move can also help me to gain greater benefits from the Tang Dynasty."

Li Zhi glanced at Han Yi and said, "Come and listen."

Han Yi said: "First of all, we don't need to send a large number of Central Plains soldiers to Tuyuhun, but we directly recruit soldiers from the northwest."

Cui Yixuan immediately said: "We have just defeated the Western Turks at present. I am afraid that the Hu people in the northwest will not be willing to accept recruitment from the court."

What I mean is that the Hu people would not be willing to fight for our Tang Dynasty.

Han Yi said: "Of course, even if the people of the Central Plains go to join the army for tax exemption, but we can use money to recruit soldiers."

"Use money to recruit soldiers?"

Li Zhi said curiously.

“That’s exactly that!”

Han Yi said: "Simply put, it is to adopt the employment system to recruit soldiers. Fighting is just a job. You are here to make money and have the opportunity to get promoted. Now the northwest is in a mess. The people there are not living well and needing work. Isn't this a hit and go straight? In this way, it can weaken the power of the tribe leaders and organize the Hu people who join the army into our Tang army, and be led by the generals of our Tang Dynasty. It can be said that they can kill the numbers in one fell swoop."

Li Yifu asked, "How much does it cost?"

Han Yi smiled and said, "I'm going to hide it from Mr. Li. If the money is required to be included in my Ministry of Revenue, I will never say it. Now it's Tuyuhun who is here to ask us to ask whether they want to pay some money? We can't help them for free. I plan to pay half of Tuyuhun and our Tang Dynasty. I believe Tuyuhun will not refuse. It's very simple. If they lose this battle, they will have nothing."

Li Zhi nodded slightly, but the struggle between his eyebrows became even stronger.

Han Yi said: "This is just the second. We can also garrison troops in Tuyuhun to protect them. Tuyuhun does need protection. In this way, it means that we can actually control Tuyuhun and balance Tubo's geographical advantages over us. Although aid will definitely deplete national strength, we will get more. However, if we do not aid Tuyuhun, nothing may happen, but if something happens, our Tang Dynasty will suffer ten times or even a hundred times the loss."

Xu Jingzong immediately said: "Mr. Han is an alarmist statement. Once a war breaks out, do you dare to make sure that the war will go as you expected?"

Han Yi was stunned for a moment and said, "You can't guarantee it!" His understanding of Tubo was entirely due to the news he received during the war in the northwest, because there might be some conflicts with Tubo at that time. What he said before was because he was too nervous about the northwest. He could even make a little disturbance, but he vaguely believed that it would be absolutely not easy for Tubo to take action at this time.

Li Zhi frowned and after several weighings, he said, "Since I ascended the throne, I have been adopting a policy of rest and recuperation. Moreover, the people in the Central Plains have experienced too many wars. I really do not want to make changes and let the people live in dire straits. Mr. Han's words were only established on Tubo's efforts to launch troops to eliminate Tuyuhun. However, this news has not been confirmed yet, but Mr. Han's statement also makes sense. My Tang Dynasty has to be guarded. Therefore, I think that our Tang Dynasty should focus on mediation and try to calm this battle. Let's stop today's discussion."

"Your Majesty is wise! I will leave."

Han Yi, Xu Jingzong and others said in unison.

In the end, Li Zhi still did not give an answer. Li Zhi was always very cautious about using military force. He was definitely a wise ruler. He knew very well that the current policy of rest and recuperation had made the Tang Dynasty flourish. He hoped that this policy could be continued, so he didn't want to mobilize troops and waste money. However, Han Yi's words still made him hesitate because this battle might involve the entire area, including the Central Plains. He was very entangled.

After leaving Liangyi Hall, Han Yi deliberately slowed down and came to Li Jie, laughing: "I really thank you Sikong for your help just now."

"hehe!"

Li Ji responded to him with a very plain laugh.

Li Ji couldn't hear that Han Yi was deliberately teasing him. You were too timid. You wanted to fight yourself, but you didn't dare to speak out. You always asked me to be your spokesperson. If you insist on helping Tuyuhun, then Li Zhi would definitely be on our side. The implication is that you should encourage Li Zhi.

From this we can see that Han Yi was very nervous about Li Zhi's choice, because it was really directly related to the entire Northwest plan. If Tubo was allowed to achieve his goal, then all his plans would be stranded, and it would be difficult to completely control the northwest. He had to do everything possible to make Li Zhi nod and agree to help Tuyuhun. Of course, it was his political interest that he cared about, and Li Zhi also had his political considerations. He could not say who was right or wrong. Once the war started, God knew what would happen.

Therefore, he didn't dare to say anything.

Li Zhi returned to the harem hesitantly and informed Wu Meiniang about this, because he could not tell Li Ji and the others a lot, but he could tell Wu Meiniang.

Wu Meiniang's eyes flashed, and after a while, she said: "Your Majesty, I have summarized it. What the ministers mean is that whether to provide assistance depends on what the purpose of Tubo is?"

Li Zhi nodded and said, "No, right! But Han Yi is just a one-sided statement. He has no sufficient reason to show that Tubo attacked Tuyuhun against my Tang Dynasty, and Tubo may not necessarily win this battle. If not, then the two of them will kill each other, and my Tang Dynasty will do their best to develop national strength, and one rises and the other falls, and my Tang Dynasty will suppress Tubo. But if it is true as Han Yi said, then once the northwest is out of control, the east is also out of control, and my Tang Dynasty will face a very big crisis. In fact, I should indeed try to avoid this situation later, which poses too great a threat to my Tang Dynasty. But now my Tang Dynasty's national strength is in a period of rapid growth, and I really don't want to mobilize troops at this time."

Wu Meiniang said: "Since that is the case, why not decide what to do next for my Tang Dynasty by Tubo's plan?"

Li Zhi asked, "What do you mean?"

How can you let the Tubo plan decide the Tang Dynasty's policies?

Wu Meiniang said, "What I mean is that after Lu Dongzan and Heyuan Prince come, Your Majesty will sternly war Lu Dongzan not to launch a full-scale war against Tuyuhun. If you make small fuss, we can ignore it, but we cannot let the war burn to the border of our Tang Dynasty. If Lu Dongzan agrees, it proves that he is only targeting Tuyuhun. But if Lu Dongzan disobeys his slander and does not hesitate to violate His Majesty's will, it proves that he is not only engaged in the war against Tuyuhun for territory or hatred, but must have a greater conspiracy. Then Your Majesty must consider it well."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "This is a good idea."

"Thank you for your praise!"

Wu Meiniang smiled slightly and said, "But Your Majesty, since the northwest is so important, the court should pay more attention to it. You cannot wait until Tubo takes action before making preparations. Your Majesty should make preparations for both measures and stabilize the situation in the northwest as soon as possible, and do not give Tubo any opportunity to take advantage of it."

Li Zhirao said interestedly: "I wonder what you think?"

Wu Meiniang said, "I think Your Majesty valued martial arts over literature in the northwest at the beginning. All the Protectorate Offices were under the control of military generals. Although many of them were both civil and military, there were still too few civil officials. Your Majesty should send some ministers with rich experience and talent to go there as soon as possible. In the event of a war, military and civil servants are indispensable!"

Li Zhi nodded and said, "I have ignored this point. I have not sent a large number of civil servants to go there. I mainly consider the feelings of the local Hu people. However, I can also send a few civil servants with outstanding talents to manage the local area. Originally, Han Yi was a good candidate, but unfortunately I rely on him very much now, who should I send?" The second half of the sentence was to himself.

Wu Meiniang was asking her, saying, "I think there are two best choices."

"Who?"

"Han Yuan and Lai Ji."

"them?"

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment, his eyes flashed a few times. Of course, he also understood in his heart that Wu Meiniang didn't like Han Yuan and Lai Ji.

"That's right!" Wu Meiniang said meticulously: "Last time Han Yuan pleaded for Chu Suiliang, which angered Your Majesty. Although Your Majesty no longer blames them, they may think they are guilty. Therefore, after that, they rarely spoke in the court, and it seemed that they had disappeared. Moreover, Your Majesty also promoted talented people such as Han Yi, Du Zhenglun, Li Yifu, Xu Jingzong, and Wei Siqian. It seemed a bit unnecessary for them to stay in the three provinces. However, I think that both of them are talented ministers. Instead of letting them spend time in the three provinces, it would be better to let them go to the northwest to fully display their talents."

Li Zhidao: "But I have to consider my uncle's feelings."

Wu Meiniang said, "Your Majesty, don't you understand your intentions yet? I suggest that Han Yuan and Ji go around, hoping that they can make meritorious service and let them return to the court at that time. Your Majesty can use them legitimately. If they do not wash away their guilt, they will be embarrassed to share your worries. The Taiwei can understand Your Majesty's painstaking efforts. Moreover, in the northwest, there is indeed a need for talents like Han Yuan and Ji. This is not a demotion, but a full use of the goods and the people."

Li Zhi was really moved by Wu Meiniang. This is the case. Han Yuan and Lai Ji are now like a public official. They have no effect except to appease Changsun Wuji. Even if Li Zhi wants to be important to them, Li Yi Mansion, Xu Jingzong and the others will definitely not agree. Li Zhi must have helped Li Yi Mansion and Xu Jingzong, let Han Yuan and Lai Ji make some contributions and then re-arrange their positions. This is indeed a good idea.

However, once Han Yuan came to Ji and left Chang'an, Wu Meiniang would never let them come back. He must eradicate these two people. Although they have no power, they are two flags of Changsun Wuji, and the people under them have power. Zhang Daxiang, Gao Luxing, Tang Lin, Minister of Personnel, and the army, as long as they are pulled out, the Guanlong Group will have no heads, which is equivalent to chopping off Changsun Wuji's right-hand man.

Who is Wu Meiniang? When she heard this, she first thought that it was not the matter itself, but Han Yuan and Lai Ji. In fact, these two things have nothing to do with each other, and they can't get along with each other. This is the idea of ​​a politician.
Chapter completed!