Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

Li Shen certainly knew that the area was easy to defend and difficult to attack. It was even depicted in the Water Margin. Zhenla was located in a natural barrier, with mountains to the north and many waters to the south, dense jungles, and a tropical rainforest climate.

It is also accompanied by miasma, damp-heat diseases, and so on.

If the Tang army wanted to launch an attack, firstly, the journey was long; secondly, supplies were difficult to obtain; and thirdly, they were unfamiliar with the terrain.

Another point is that it doesn't have much benefit for the imperial court.

However, Li Shen was drawn to their climate and the fact that they could harvest three crops a year, and besides, Li Shen had no intention of attacking them.

“Xuan Ce, sometimes you can’t look at things from only one perspective. I never said we were going to attack them.”

"How will the prince obtain their land?"

After hearing this, Wang Xuance asked in confusion, "If you don't attack and occupy, how can you obtain land and buy it? But how could they sell it so easily?"

People know that there is a fierce tiger in the Tang Dynasty, and if you keep it by your side, it might be eaten at any time.

Li Shen chuckled:

"Of course we should have them invite us over."

"Ask us to come over?" Wang Xuance was even more confused; the other person wasn't crazy.

"Xuan Ce, you've followed me for so many years, how come you still haven't learned it?"

"Have you forgotten why we stationed troops in Silla a few years ago?" Li Shen reminded him.

"Your Highness, it was because Silla was attacked from both sides by Baekje and Goguryeo, so they came to the Tang Dynasty seeking help..."

Could it be that Your Highness also means the same thing?

Wang Xuance realized his mistake halfway through his sentence.

Li Shen nodded:

"That's right, I'll use the same old trick again. Linyi and Panpan are small countries with small populations. Zhao Laosi and his men can easily win them."

When the time comes, let Zhao Laosi put pressure on the other side, creating the illusion of a large-scale attack. In order to avoid being destroyed, Lin Yi and the others will ask our Great Tang for help.

Don't forget, they pay tribute every year and submit to the suzerain state every year. At this time, they will definitely ask the suzerain state for help.

Then our army will have a legitimate reason to enter their country, and we can pretend to fight a few battles with Zhao Laosi and his men.

Should we just have a fight? Haven't you heard the saying "keeping an enemy in order to enhance one's own importance"?

When the time comes, we will ask them for a piece of land to build a military camp, while we cultivate the land ourselves.

I'm sure they won't refuse.

Li Shen spoke eloquently, a smug look on his face.

It was impossible for Zhao Laosi's army to conquer these small countries; even the Tang Dynasty's iron cavalry couldn't do it.

Their main task is to intimidate these small countries and then form several local militias. With money to be made, people will definitely be willing to risk their lives.

These people are familiar with the terrain and adapted to the climate, so they will definitely do a better job than Zhao Laosi and his group.

He wanted to see if he could take down Zhenla, which even Liangshan Marsh had failed to conquer.

"His Highness intends to station troops in these small countries to secretly familiarize himself with the local situation, in preparation for any eventuality."

Li Shen starts the story, and Wang Xuance can then imagine the ending.

The King of Ji's move was intended to station troops there secretly to familiarize himself with the situation and prepare for a future attack.

By having Baekje grow soybeans, the small southern kingdoms grow grains, and the Western Regions grow fruits, all of this was to serve the Tang Dynasty. Prince Ji had played a very grand game.

"What do you think of my idea? Isn't it good?"

Li Shen said smugly.

"Your Highness is a man of great talent and brilliant strategy. You can strategize and win battles from afar. I admire you greatly."

Wang Xuance expressed his sincere admiration.

"Hahaha, a little trick, nothing to mention, nothing to mention."

Li Shen's laughter echoed, and he was practically growing a tail.

"Then I will immediately send a message to Commander Zhao." Wang Xuance ignored the smug Li Shen.

"Send a message to him, and also ask about the current situation of the pirate crew. It's been a year since the fleet was lost, have you heard anything about it?"

What stage has the construction of the port city of Malacca reached?

Srivijaya is a very important place for us. We told Zhao Laosi that if the local natives do not cooperate, he can be allowed to use some methods.

Those who disobey will be turned into Kunlun slaves. We happen to be short-handed this year because we need to mine the coal mine.

Let them mine coal for us, just like the Japanese.

Li Shen also had no good feelings towards the locals there, and in later generations, he harmed countless Chinese people.

Li Shen did not carry out genocide against them; the massacre was already a great act of mercy.

"Yes, Your Highness, I will write them a letter immediately. However, I don't think it's appropriate to have the old commander and his men stationed in that city."

Wang Xuance thought for a moment and then said.

"Why?" Li Shen asked, puzzled.

"Your Highness, Captain Zhao and his crew are pirates. Their greatest advantage lies in the sea, and because they have no fixed abode, they are difficult to fathom."

If we simply defend the city now, we'll become like trapped beasts. If we're outmaneuvered by someone with ulterior motives, we could easily be wiped out.

"This is also detrimental to our operations at sea," Wang Xuance explained, reflecting his understanding of the pirate crew.

Mystery and unpredictability are what make people afraid.

Li Shen thought about it and realized that it was true. Pirate crews were the overlords of the sea, so what was the point of defending a city?

When we take action later, we need to leave some people behind to guard the city, thus dividing our forces.

"But I really can't build up any more guards to protect it. A few days ago, I told His Majesty the number of guards in the Ji Prince's Mansion, and he almost beat me to death."

If I were to assemble a guard of several thousand men, do you think His Majesty would suspect me of plotting a rebellion?

For more than a decade, Li Shen has acted eccentrically and recklessly, partly due to his nature, and partly because he had finally gained power and was truly carried away by his success.

Another group does it intentionally, avoiding major mistakes while constantly making minor ones, in order to maintain their image as a spoiled brat and make others think they are useless.

This was also to put his father and the crown prince at ease.

As the saying goes, life is like a play, and it all depends on acting skills.

But sometimes, if you overdo your acting, you're more likely to make mistakes, like the problem of having too many guards.

Wang Xuance also knew that this was a big problem. The Ji Prince's Mansion could not become any stronger, otherwise the whole ship would capsize.

"Your Highness, what do you mean by handing the city over to the imperial court? Let Commander Zhao and his men roam around Malacca and continue to block ships."

"The city will be handed over to the imperial court for management," Wang Xuance asked.

This was also Li Shen's idea; if he couldn't guard it himself, then he could only hand it over to the imperial court.

"Hmm, your idea coincides with mine, but we can't just give it away for nothing. We have to get some benefits in return."

Otherwise, wouldn't all the money I've spent on building the city have been wasted?

Li Shen nodded in agreement. However, given his miserly nature, he naturally couldn't just give it away directly.

"Your Highness, this city was built entirely with money that Commander Zhao robbed, without spending any of our money.

The people they captured were local indigenous people; they were simply given food.

Wang Xuance directly exposed Li Shen's lie: the city and the Prince Ji's residence hadn't spent any money at all.