I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 408 - 12: The Battle of Luoyang Begins, Advice to Li Shimin

"Father."

He bowed with hands clasped, and slowly began to speak.

The expressions of everyone instantly turned towards him.

Currently, Li Shimin’s reputation within the Great Tang is nothing short of overwhelming.

Whether it is his previous merits or the recent achievement of subduing Xue Ju, especially coupled with the prophecies about him, all speak of his extraordinary nature.

"I believe, no matter what, our Great Tang must fight."

Li Shimin’s gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s, exuding an undeniable authority, "As the saying goes, the imperial path is full of thorns, peace cannot be achieved without battle, and the realm cannot be settled without force!"

"Only by trampling the enemy ranks under iron hooves can we let the world know the might of the Great Tang and make all nations admire the edge of Huaxia!"

"Though now the false emperors of various regions conspire against our Great Tang."

"Is it not also an opportunity for our Great Tang?"

"As long as we can win this battle..."

He took a deep breath, "Then all under heaven will fear Father’s imperial might, and Father shall become... the supreme ruler who sweeps across the realm!"

The atmosphere in the hall shifted instantly.

In fact, all the ministers were aware of Li Shimin’s desire to fight.

But the problem was, how to fight!

The current Great Tang does not have enough troops to face all the warlords, and starting a war could very likely lead to a situation similar to that of Yang Guang back then.

Even if we can gain an advantage on one battlefield....

But we cannot quickly destroy the enemy;

this will lead to constant harassment from the rear, which seems like a path to death.

But at this moment, Gu Quan, Gu Yan, and other members of the Gu Clan slowly stepped forward, and standing behind Li Shimin, clasped their hands and said, "Your Majesty, our Great Tang should indeed take on the challenge!"

—A simple sentence, yet it cannot be ignored.

Because their surname is Gu.

Li Yuan frowned slightly, let out a deep sigh and said, "How could I not know that we must fight? But the question is, how do we fight?"

"Father."

Li Shimin, without hesitation, immediately said, "I believe our Great Tang is bound to win."

His tone paused slightly.

Immediately, his expression became even more solemn, and he spoke again with determination and strength, "Father, distinguished ministers!"

"Now Xue Ju is eliminated, and Longxi is surrendered."

"While Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande, and Yuwen Huaji fear our Great Tang’s might and wish to unite like the Six Kingdoms to weaken Qin."

"However, in my view, although these are many, they are merely a rabble. Our Great Tang has ten victories, while the warlords have ten defeats!"

—Ten victories and ten defeats!

Instantly, everyone’s gaze changed slightly.

Li Shimin, heedless of everyone’s gazes, continued in the hall: "The first, righteousness overcomes tyranny;"

"Our Tang raises righteous troops to eliminate the Tyrant Sui and to bring peace to the people. This is a force of destiny aligned with the heavens and humans;

but Wang Shichong murdered his lord to seize the throne, and Yuwen Huaji proclaimed himself emperor upon killing the ruler. These are acts of rebellion condemned by all, and righteousness is on our side, one victory as well!"

"The second, a wise king with specialized generals;"

"Father, you are wise and decisive, entrusting without doubt;"

"while they harbor ulterior motives—Wang Shichong distrusts and executes good generals, Dou Jiande is indecisive, and Yuwen Huaji is abandoned by supporters and clans, clear leadership is another victory!"

"The third, elite troops and valiant commanders;"

"Our Profound Armor cavalry is invincible, Ziyuan and others are matchless warriors;

while the coalition is a superficial alliance, Wang Shichong conscripts city folk as soldiers, Dou Jiande’s troops have not experienced great battles, the disparity in combat strength is a third victory!"

"The fourth, unity between top and bottom;"

"Our court’s civil and military officials work in concert, and the soldiers commit to their duty;"

their coalition harbors divided intentions—Dou Jiande desires Henan, Wang Shichong fears Hebei, internal divisions mark a fourth victory!"

"The fifth, advantageous terrain to control the enemy;"

"We hold the strategic positions of Tong Pass and Long Mountain, one man guarding the pass can withstand a thousand;

they must attack over a thousand miles, Wang Shichong must cross the Sui River, Dou Jiande forcefully crosses the Yellow River, while we rest and wait, a fifth victory!"

"The sixth, ample supplies;"

"The fertile lands of Guanzhong, and the Grand Granary’s abundance can last three years;

Wang Shichong is besieged in the Eastern Capital, where people devour one another, Dou Jiande exhausts Hebei’s people, decisive logistics is a sixth victory!"

"The seventh, endless adaptability;"

"We can concentrate elite forces, attack east and defend west;"

their coalition’s dispatch is sluggish—by the time Yuwen Huaji’s fleet arrives at Jiangling, I will have already captured Luoyang, speed in warfare is a seventh victory!"

"The eighth, popular support;"

"Our Tang exempts taxes, allocates land equally, and the elders of Guanzhong welcome us with food and drink. Now we have the assistance of the Gu Clan, the people under heaven all lean towards our Great Tang, chanting our Great Tang’s name;

while they forcibly levy and plunder—Wang Shichong mints ’small money’ to exploit the people, Dou Jiande presses the able-bodied, public favor is an eighth victory!"

"The ninth, neutralizing the Turkic threat;"

"The Liang Army poses no concern, should they call upon the Turkic for aid, but Tuli Khan has a prior agreement with us, and by sending envoys with rich gifts, the nomad cavalry will hesitate to advance, relieving concerns of the northern frontier, a ninth victory!"

"The tenth, initiative in battle with us;"

"Now the warlords are newly allied, and their coordination is uncertain. Waiting for their encirclement would be perilous!"

"It is better to take the initiative and directly capture Luoyang."

"Once Wang Shichong is defeated, the remaining foes will collapse on their own, the initiative is ours, a tenth victory!"

Li Shimin’s words, like thunder, reverberated throughout the Taiji Hall.

Everyone’s expressions changed, even Li Yuan was no different.

However, before the ministers could respond.

Li Shimin directly knelt before Li Yuan: "May Father grant me one hundred thousand elite troops, and I am willing to seize this opportunity to capture Luoyang, presenting Wang Shichong’s head beneath the palace gates within three months! If I fail, let me be punished for deceiving the sovereign!"

Resolute, confident.

This was Li Shimin at this moment.

In regard to the current situation, he had already discussed it for many days with his trusted generals.

War is inevitable.

The only thing they needed to consider was how to fight, and how to convince Li Yuan and those ministers in the court who wanted Li Yuan to give up Longxi and negotiate with the warlords.

In fact, Li Yuan was not an incompetent person;

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