Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Xuanzang stood up, clasped his hands together and bowed.

"I obey your command!"

Under Li Shimin's order, a eunuch from the Palace Department respectfully sent Xuanzang away.

With Xuanzang's departure, the Liangyi Hall fell silent for a moment.

"Cough cough."

Li Shimin coughed twice, drawing the attention of all the important ministers, and then spoke in a deep voice.

"My dear ministers, in recent years we have successively conquered the Eastern Turks, Tuyuhun, Gaochang, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla and Xueyantuo. The territory of the Tang Dynasty has expanded by nearly 40%!"

"But the territory we have is still a little small."

"I hope that wherever the sun and moon shine, it will be the territory of the Tang Dynasty!"

As a Khan with ideals and ambitions, how could Li Shimin be satisfied with the small amount of territory he currently possessed?

The beauties of the Western Regions, the fine grape wines of the Western Regions, the horse milk of the Western Regions, etc., each one is worth yearning for.

Especially that vast territory, it should be conquered and made part of the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

When the ministers heard Li Shimin's domineering words, they all stood up and responded.

"I am willing to expand the territory for your majesty!"

Li Shimin waved his hand to signal everyone to sit down. He took a few deep breaths and then spoke in a deep voice.

"My dear ministers, there are hundreds of countries, big and small, in the Western Regions and India. How do you think we should deal with these countries?"

"Or in other words, how should we fight this battle?"

Faced with Li Shimin's question, everyone lowered their heads and began to think.

The Western Regions and India were unfamiliar places to the Tang Dynasty.

Especially the farther away the place is, the more mysterious it is.

No one knows whether there is a country as powerful as the Tang Dynasty hidden over there.

By then, hundreds of thousands of troops will have died there, and vassal states such as the Eastern Turks, Xueyantuo and Tuyuhun will definitely rebel against the control of the Tang Dynasty.

Even the Tang Dynasty would suffer backlash from these countries.

There was silence for a long time.

Cheng Yaojin was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, Master Xuanzang just said that the Western Regions and the Indian countries are not that powerful."

"You let me lead an army of 20 men, take Xue Rengui, Su Dingfang, Xi Junmai, Xue Wanche and others with me, and push forward westward."

"Within ten years, I will be able to conquer them all!"

Ever since Cheng Yaojin witnessed the strength of Xue Rengui, Su Dingfang and Xi Junmai, he has become more and more fond of these three young men.

Especially Xue Rengui, who was not only handsome and strong, but also unrivaled in martial arts.

The superb archery skills made him drool.

According to his estimation, even Qin Shubao at his peak might not be a match for Xue Rengui.

Hearing Cheng Yaojin's arrogant words, Changsun Wuji responded coldly.

"General Cheng, let's not talk about whether you can conquer these vassal states, can you defend such a large territory?"

"Some of the vassal states ahead may be easier to defeat, but after you send troops to garrison the captured cities, are you sure you can defeat the other states?"

"How can we be so reckless when it comes to matters concerning the fate of the court and the nation?"

This old silver coin!

When Cheng Yaojin saw Changsun Wuji's contemptuous eyes, anger suddenly surged in his heart.

He yelled at the top of his voice: "Changsun Zuo Pushe, what tricks do you have?"

Changsun Wuji ignored Cheng Yaojin and turned to Li Shimin and clasped his fists.

"Your Majesty, I think we can formulate a three-year plan and conquer 3 states within three years."

"At this rate, we will be able to conquer 21 states within 70 years, and most of the territory of the Western Regions and India will fall into our hands."

"Conquering 10 states every three years will also give us enough time to set up a protectorate within their territories!"

In order to facilitate the management of these newly conquered territories, the Tang Dynasty imitated the system of protectorates of the Han Dynasty and established a series of protectorates for management.

Changsun Wuji's suggestion was immediately supported by Fang Xuanling, Li Ji, Li Jing and others.

The prerequisite for attacking a state is that the foundation of the Tang Dynasty cannot be shaken.

Otherwise, you will be picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons, which is not worth the loss!

Li Ji said: "Your Majesty, Zuo Pushe's suggestion is very good. We can't act too hastily and think of conquering these states in one go. Instead, we should do it slowly."

Fang Xuanling also said: "The current Protectorate and the Governor's Office under our command have managed Gaochang, Tuyuhun and Eastern Turks very well. I think they can continue to be used."

Setting up the Protectorate is an experience handed down from our ancestors, which can achieve the greatest benefit at the lowest cost.

"Yeah." Li Shimin nodded slightly.

The goal of conquering 21 states in 70 years is not small at all.

But it is not an easy thing to achieve.

As the Tang Dynasty expanded its territory westwards, the people of those states could not sit idly by and wait for death. Once they united, they would be a powerful force.

By then, the opponent that the Tang Dynasty will have to face may be the coalition forces of dozens of states.

Li Shimin glanced at Li Chengqian, who had a frown on his face, and then asked him with a smile.

"Prince, what do you think?"

"If you have any insights, please share them for your reference."

If it were Li Chengqian who led his army to conquer Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, he would definitely not ask Li Chengqian for his opinion so as not to embarrass him.

But the military talent displayed by Li Chengqian far exceeded his expectations.

So he now had a hint of expectation in his answer to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I still hold the same attitude as before. I think setting up a Protectorate General is not a long-term solution!"

"Since the rise of the Han Dynasty, northern nomadic peoples such as the Turks and Tuyuhun have been conquered time and again by our Central Plains dynasty, but they would come back again after a while."

"Now that the Tang Dynasty is strong, we can hold these foreign races in check and prevent them from making any rash moves."

"But what if a hundred years later, unrest breaks out in the Tang Dynasty?"

"These sweet potatoes that have temporarily submitted to the Tang Dynasty will definitely break free from the control of the Tang Dynasty and endanger the people on the border of the Tang Dynasty!"

There was a pause.

Li Chengqian went on to say: "The more vassal states we conquer, the greater the hidden dangers we will bury for our future generations."

"We, the Tang Dynasty, beat their ancestors so badly, how can the descendants of these vassal states not seek revenge?"

Li Chengqian's words made Li Shimin and all the ministers silent.

They were all well-versed in history and were very clear about this situation.

Is there a permanent solution possible?

Thinking of what Li Chengqian led his army to do in Goguryeo and Baekje, Li Shimin asked with a frown.

"Prince, what do you think we should do?"

Li Chengqian did not answer, but turned his gaze to his aide Du He and signaled him with his eyes to speak.

There are some things that are inappropriate for the prince to say, and he needs to speak through the mouths of his subjects.

In particular, what Li Chengqian wanted to say was that the able-bodied men, old and young, in the Western Regions and Indian countries should be treated as enemy troops.

If he said these words, he might be impeached by the censors and ministers of remonstration.