When Li Jing heard that he did not conquer Hulao Pass, Li Yuan frowned...

Needless to say, Hulao Pass has a strategic position in the entire Luoyang. Without cutting off the key points of Hulao, Zhao's naval and land reinforcements will continue to come from Hebei and Shandong. In this way, Li Tang will never capture Luoyang for a day. Li Jing's retreat from Hulao Pass means that the Li Tang army has no spare strength and has made any progress.

Now unless Li Yuan made up his mind to lead his army across the Yellow River, as Li Chongjiu's reinforcements arrived, Li Xiaogong and Li Jing's army in the south of Luoyang would fall into a passive and even be surrounded.

All the generals are in a bad situation now, and there is not much progress if they continue to fight, but they are all holding their breath and waiting for Li Yuan's decision.

"What do you think about Pei Qing?" Li Yuan raised his hand and pointed at Pei Ji, calling the important minister to express his opinion.

Pei Ji put away his sleeves and bowed to Li Yuan, saying, "Your Majesty, I think this Eastern Expedition has severely damaged the Zhao army, which is enough to demonstrate the prestige of our Tang Dynasty. Although I did not conquer Luoyang, I also gained enough. I think that since the goal has been achieved, it is also a good decision to withdraw troops to prepare for the battle in the future!"

Pei Ji said this, although the left and right generals in the camp did not say it, they agreed in their hearts. Even Li Jiancheng did not object, but Li Yuanji opened his mouth and stopped talking again.

After hearing Pei Ji say this, Li Yuan said unhappily: "Pei Qing is, what a serious injury? To put it bluntly, I saw that my army from both north and south were powerless to continue to fight, so I asked to withdraw the troops."

Pei Ji quickly lowered his head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Li Yuan said, "This is a military discussion. I have a heart-to-heart talk with the generals. Don't worry, you can say it if you want to. There is no need to modify any wording. I want to listen to the truth. Listen to what you say from the bottom of your heart."

Li Yuan said this, those who just wanted to get up and followed Pei Ji's agreement and whitewashed the unfavorable battle this time were no longer speaking.

There was silence in the tent. Li Yuan glanced at the generals and asked, "Didn't there be no one who could speak out in a blunt way in the tent? What do you think, King Huai'an?"

Li Shentong appointed Li Yuan and said immediately: "Report to Your Majesty, I believe you can fight again."

"How to fight? Force cross the Yellow River?"

"Of course not. I went to Liyang in one fell swoop and attacked Liyang City. I seized Liyang Cang, and after I had enough troops and food, I would compete with the Zhao army." Li Shentong replied.

"This is somewhat insightful, but near Liyang City, there are 50,000 Zhao troops. Our army sent troops from Heyang to attack Liyang. Not to mention that the food route is so long, is there enough soldiers and food?" Li Yuan asked back.

"This..." Li Shentong was aphasia for a moment.

Li Yuan said: "King of Huai'an, a military and national affairs. Think clearly before returning to me."

"promise."

At this time, a general said, "Your Majesty, you will have something to say."

Li Yuan looked at it and it turned out to be Liu Hongji.

Li Yuan said: "Okay, say."

Liu Hongji said: "I also think that if we continue to fight now, the morale of the army will be exhausted, so I and Mr. Pei have the same opinion. The best way to withdraw as soon as possible."

Li Yuan nodded and said, "Although the opinions are the same, the only generals in the hall are Liu Aiqing. He told the truth."

Liu Hongji lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am just saying it. Now that our army withdraws, the Zhao army may launch a large-scale counterattack. I guess the next step of the Zhao army will be either Hanoi, Hedong or Henan. You also ask Your Majesty to send capable generals to guard it."

Pei Ji said, "General Liu's words are wrong. The Zhao army will fight back, but it cannot be a big fan. In a series of battles, the Zhao army suffered a lot of losses. Our army was exhausted, and the Zhao army also consumed countless rations."

Liu Hongji opposed: "That's different. The Zhao army has Luokou Cang and Liyang Cang in hand, and the soldiers and food are endless. How can we consume it?"

"Even if there is no loss of military food, the expenses of money, the casualties of soldiers, and the loss of military staff are not enough for Luokou and Liyang warehouses," Pei Jiyan said, "Your Majesty, since I was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, I have a clear judgment on the national strength of the Zhao army."

"According to years of spying and estimation, we have a general understanding of the treasury income and expenditure of Zhao State. The annual income of Zhao State is nearly 200,000 yuan per year, mainly because of these pieces. One is the trade between Huaihuang and Yuyi towns and the foreign countries of the Great Wall. This input makes profits from it every year, with more than 80,000 pieces of silk. Two is the sea trade in Baekje and Silla, about 10,000 pieces, and the third is Youjing and Taiyuan counties, which are Tianmu incomes, estimated between 50,000 pieces and 80,000 pieces. The annual borrowing of civil debts from the private sector is also 50,000 pieces. This year, the treasury value is 20,000 pieces after the defeat of the country."

Pei Ji said this, and the soldiers of the Tang army took a breath and did not expect that the income of the two towns of Yuyi was so high with the Huaihuang State. Even after Li Tang occupied the rich Bashu, the country's income was only more than 200,000 yuan each year.

Pei Ji said: "However, Zhao State spends more. Since Li Chongjiu ascended the throne, he exempted the tax on duty and cancelled the tax on the people's service, and instead replaced the labor. Last year, after Li Chongjiu attacked and destroyed Liu Heita, in order to win the hearts of the people, he exempted the tax on all counties in Hebei for three years under Liu Heita's rule. The same is true after he obtained Shandong, so it was all spent money."

"And Zhao State is fighting every year. It costs a lot to build warships, sea ships and military armor on land. I can be sure that Zhao State is not having a good time now. So after this war, they were unable to launch a major offensive."

Li Yuan nodded and said, "Pei Qing has done a lot in recent years. Only by knowing himself and his enemy can he win every battle."

Pei Ji hurriedly said, "Thank you for your praise."

Li Yuan said: "Everyone, since the Zhao army has no remaining strength, our army will leave some troops to guard the army, and the rest of the troops retreated to Guanzhong, Jingxiang, you have no objection!"

All the generals called it together.

Li Yuan said again: "But since the Zhao army is powerless to counterattack, I cannot take it lightly. Liu Qing is right. Henan, Hedong and Henoi are all key places, and the general must guard it."

Liu Hongji said: "Your Majesty, Henan is a place in the world, and the population is connected to all directions. The population is even more powerful. After our army first obtained Henan, all the people left were Wang Shichong's old generals guarding them. We did not give them much favors to these people. Once we turned against the Zhao army, we would suffer great losses to our army. I suggest that the families of these generals can be connected to Chang'an, and send troops to control the troops in Henan."

Li Yuan clasped his hands and said, "Liu Aiqing is really a good word. I decided to continue to guard Hedong by King Xiangwu Li Chen, and Chai Shao led 5,000 troops to guard Shangdang. If Henoi or King Huai'an Li Shentong, please work hard for me and continue to stay here. Hongji, you will lead 5,000 troops to guard Heyang."

When Li Yuan said this, he paused and said, "I decided to use Li Jing as the governor of Guandong Road, advance to the Zuo Guanglu Dafu, and transfer general Li Junxian, Zhang Gongjin and the Bashu army to 20,000 to control the troops and horses of Henan provinces. Li Xiaogong was the governor of Jingxiang Road, and led the main force of the southern army back to Jiangling to take charge."

When Li Yuan said this, all the generals were shocked. Li Jing was promoted too fast. All the generals knew Li Yuan and used their usual style, but they were not clan relatives. Li Jing came from the Li family in Longxi, and of course they were Li Yuan relatives.

However, when Li Jing raised an army in Jinyang, he personally went to Chang'an to report Li Yuan. Li Yuan once wanted to kill this person, but this time, Li Jing was promoted to the governor of Guandong by Li Yuan on the front line by Li Xiaogong, Li Shentong, and Li Chen, and other princes. It can be seen that Li Yuan is indeed eager to use powerful generals to stabilize the current situation.

But for Li Yuan, ordering the withdrawal of troops was really unwilling to accept him. This time he invested in the attack on Zhao, and his efforts were far greater than his gains. This time he went to the Heyang front line to see if there was a last chance of success. It can be said that if Li Jing captured Hulao Pass, then for Li Yuan, his order today would be completely different.

However, after Li Jing's failure, Li Yuan knew that it was impossible to do anything, so he decided to withdraw his troops without hesitation for a moment. At the same time, the military order was sent directly to the south of Luoyang at a speed of 100,000.
Chapter completed!