Although Goguryeo is already recovering, Chang'an has no time to celebrate the elimination of Goguryeo for the time being. It seems that they have forgotten that this time, and everyone is still arguing whether to launch a war against Tubo, not only the court, but also the people are discussing this matter.

Tubo’s betrayal did cause many people to hide it, especially when even Chang'an was panicked. Now that he has recovered, he will certainly have to take revenge on Tubo.

At this moment, Li Ji came back.

When the Grand Marshal came back, people's hearts became more stable. Knowing that Tubo could not enter Guanzhong, the voice of going to war against Tubo became louder and louder.

Li Ji had not arrived in Chang'an yet, and whether it was a war-oriented or a peace-oriented faction, they all went to find Li Ji, because they all knew that Li Ji would definitely ask for his opinions this time, and his opinions were likely to prompt Li Zhi to make up his mind, so both sides came to lobby Li Ji.

Li Ji, the old fox, was dealing with it on both sides and did not reveal his thoughts.

As expected, as soon as Li Ji arrived in Chang'an, Li Zhi immediately summoned him alone in Liangyi Hall.

Inside Liangyi Hall.

"As old minister, please see your Majesty."

"Sikong, please give me a gift."

Li Zhi came forward in person, helped Li Ji up, held Li Ji's hand, his eyes were wet, and he said, "Sikong fought for the Tang Dynasty and expanded the territory. Now he helped me eliminate Goguryeo, help my children in the Central Aboriginal region, and avenge revenge. I am so grateful to me. I would like to ask Sikong to receive my courtesy."

As he said that, he bowed.

In today's etiquette, the emperor should have returned the courtesy to the prime minister. The status gap between the two is not that big. It was from the Yuan Dynasty that the prime minister became like the emperor's slaves, because the Yuan Dynasty ruled a group of illiterate and hooligans. They did not know any etiquette. They were originally a family rule, and the generals were all from their slaves, let alone the prime minister. Unfortunately, the Ming Dynasty inherited the Yuan system.

"How dare you, how dare you?"

Li Ji was so nervous that he bowed to the ground and almost knocked his forehead to the floor.

Li Zhi quickly helped Li Ji up again.

Li Ji said very modestly: "Your Majesty, in fact, I dare not take credit for Goguryeo. Shangshu Han and General Su are the most important things. If it weren't for them, it would be difficult to win this battle."

"Han Yi?" Li Zhi was very surprised. Su Dingfang could understand, but Han Yi was just the logistics manager and asked, "How do you say this?"

Li Ji told Li Zhi about how Han Yi used a plan to defeat Pyongyang. If Su Dingfang and Han Yi and the others did not break Pyongyang, then this expedition would definitely not be able to achieve their goal.

He must make it clear, because Li Zhi asked him to retreat at that time. Although he had enough reason to go back to support Su Dingfang, this was very sensitive and could not be concealed or reported.

Li Zhi didn't expect this level at all, and couldn't help laughing and said, "It seems that Sikong suggested that I let Han Yi be the ambassador of comfort in the first place, which was a wonderful move!" But as he said, he suddenly sighed again and said, "It's a pity that I didn't take good care of my family and almost ruined this great opportunity. I am really ashamed of being a king!"

Li Ji hurriedly said, "Your Majesty must not say that. In fact, this is also a fault of the old minister. The old minister should have reminded His Majesty at that time, because all the elite troops of our army were released, Tubo would most likely take risks and cause trouble in the northwest. Unfortunately, the old minister was only focused on attacking Goguryeo, but ignored Tubo. The old minister deserved to die."

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "Sikong doesn't know anything, but someone actually expected it at that time."

Li Jidao: "Who?"

"Cui Jiren."

"Cui Ji Ren?"

Li Ji was a little shocked.

Li Zhi nodded, told Li Ji about Cui Jieren's plan, and then sighed: "It's a pity that I didn't dare to send the Guanzhong defenders at that time, and I almost burst into anger and killed Pei Xingjian. If this is true, the northwest land and Tuyuhun may have been occupied by Tubo, and I have no face to face my father and Emperor Gaozu."

In fact, Li Ji already knew it, including the merchants resisting the Tubo army, and he was also incredible about it. This was really a stroke of magic, but he could also understand Li Zhi. At that time, there was no commander in the court. Of course, Li Zhi chose a conservative strategy. If Chang'an was compensated, the battle could not be described as losing money.

Li Zhi asked again: "Sikong, now the court is divided into two factions. Xu Shizhong, and Shangshu Lu suggested that I negotiate with Tubo and quit the army, but Wei Zhongcheng and others suggested that I send troops to Tubo. I was not sure what Sikong thought?"

Li Ji immediately said: "Your Majesty, the old minister is a martial artist. If Your Majesty ordered the old minister to attack Tubo, the old minister should lead his troops to go, but whether the troops were sent or not was not the old minister's good at, Your Majesty should refer to the suggestions of Shangshu Lu, Wei Zhongcheng and others."

When Li Shimin was in power, he often shouted a few words, because he knew that there were Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng and others there at that time. Li Shimin might not listen to him, but now the situation is different. His status is too high. If he wants to shout a few words, it is likely to influence Li Zhi's thoughts and the situation in the court.

Moreover, he had just destroyed Goguryeo, and now he immediately suggested that Li Zhi send troops to Tubo, which means that the military power has always been in his hands. If he wants to destroy Tubo, this is a great contribution. Li Zhi really can't afford to reward him. The only way out is to put on a yellow robe. Therefore, he even pushed Han Yi to destroy Goguryeo, and Su Dingfang and others. This contribution actually does not mean much to him. He is already a great minister. He is really low-key. Otherwise, he would not allow Jingzong to be arrogant there. This cannot rise. Destroying Goguryeo is just his dream.

Li Zhi felt a little disappointed. He did not expect that the long term was so long. He trusted Li Ji very much and said, "I want to send Sikong to Tuyuhun to command the army. I wonder what Sikong is doing?"

Li Ji said: "Your Majesty, the old minister has just returned to the court. He is far less clear about the situation in Tuyuhun than Wang Fangyi and the others. Since they are doing so well, why don't your Majesty believe them once and let them deal with Lu Dongzan. Your Majesty, the old minister is old and I am afraid he can't always be with Your Majesty. Your Majesty should give these young generals some opportunities."

Li Zhi nodded, but felt sad in his heart.

After talking to Li Ji, Li Zhi returned to the bedroom with great worries.

Wu Meiniang came forward and said, "Your Majesty, what did Sikong say?"

Li Zhi shook his head and sighed, informing Wu Meiniang about Li Ji's meaning.

After hearing this, Wu Meiniang pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I have some opinions on this matter."

Li Zhi said in surprise: "I remember that I asked you about this before, but you said this is a military and national event, and you don't know much about it."

Wu Meiniang smiled bitterly and said, "I said that before, because I think this is important, so I must ask Sikong what he meant first. Now Sikong has not made any statement, so I dare to say his own ideas. But Your Majesty, I have to say first. Your Majesty will just listen to my opinion. If you think it is inappropriate, then you should think that I have never said it."

Li Zhi said: "You talk about it first."

Wu Meiniang said: "The reason why the situation in the northwest can be reversed is mainly due to the support of local merchants and the people. But why they did this is nothing more than that they are very satisfied with the rule of the Tang Dynasty. They like the Northwest Plan proposed by Han Yi very much and do not want to change it anymore, but in the final analysis, they still fight for their own lives.

But now because of these people and merchants, all the development in the northwest has stagnated. If we continue to fight, the order we have worked hard to establish in the northwest will be wasted. The lives of the people in the northwest will become very difficult. They are fighting for their own lives, and the result of the war will ruin their lives. Then they will surely fight for their own lives. At that time, they will be afraid that the northwest will fall into chaos again.

They are so loyal to Your Majesty, why don’t your Majesty think about them? Although they take the initiative to make peace with Tubo and have any face loss, as long as the people of the Tang Dynasty live a good life, even if Tubo is capricious in the future, they will be so helpless today.”

Li Zhi nodded frequently when he heard this, "You are right. This battle cannot be continued. Otherwise, the people's livelihood in the northwest will be dragged down. So what's the point of this battle?" He also complained slightly: "If you said it earlier, I wouldn't have to worry for many days."

In fact, when he saw Li Ji, he also felt that he should stop because Li Ji was not young and could not fight in the east and west like he was young. The same was true for soldiers. Going to fight with a tired army is a taboo in military strategists. At this time, he should reward merits and do so.

Wu Meiniang said, "If you get something else, it would be easy to say, but I really don't dare to speak nonsense about this."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Don't be humble. Your words are so sharp that you must stop immediately."

Wu Meiniang asked again: "Who is going to send someone to negotiate with Lu Dongzan?"

Li Zhi frowned slightly and said, "What if I ask Lu Chengqing to talk about?"

Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, "I think Lu Chengqing may not be Lu Dongzan's opponent. This war was initiated by Tubo, but we took the initiative to make peace with Tubo. Then Lu Dongzan will definitely be aggressive and ask for a price everywhere. I think there is only one person in this task."

"who?"

"Han Yi."

Wu Meiniang said: "Han Yi and Lu Dongzan have had a few fights, knowing the roots and bottom lines, and have never been at a disadvantage. This matter can only be negotiated with Lu Dongzan."

Li Zhi frowned and said, "But Han Yi is still in Goguryeo. If Tubo intends to quit the army, then Han Yi doesn't need to rush back."

Wu Meiniang said: "Your Majesty, don't forget that the war in the northwest is an unconventional war. How to praise the merchants in the northwest and how to restore the northwest, it all needs Han Yi to deal with it. No one in the court can do it."

The Northwest merchants not only donated money, but also led their troops to go there personally. All the affairs in the Northwest stopped. After spending so much money, how can the merchants recover? If the merchants go bankrupt, everyone will be unemployed, and the northwest will be over. Moreover, the court has to give them an explanation. Although they are proactive, the court must give them a statement. In fact, it is mainly how to restore the development of the Northwest.

All of these require Han Yi, because the Northwest Plan was decided by Han Yi.
Chapter completed!