The court was shocked.
Goguryeo, a big country in Liaodong, has been established for more than 400 years since the Han Dynasty.
In the past, Sui Emperor Yang Guang had recruited a million soldiers to pacify Goguryeo, but he had failed three times.
The three conquests against Goguryeo and the construction of the Grand Canal had exhausted the Sui Dynasty's strength, causing the world to fall apart and the rise of the Tang Empire.
Back when the Sui Dynasty was defeated, Goguryeo had captured countless soldiers and civilians of the Sui Dynasty. With a mountain of military resources, their national strength had greatly increased, and they had annexed several prefectures of Liaodong.
As for the Turks, they were so powerful that they suppressed the Sui Dynasty.
When Li Yuan raised his army in Jinyang and led his army south, the Turkic Khan Jie Li took the opportunity to graze south in an attempt to seize the states of Yanyun.
At that time, the Turkic army was strong, with over three hundred thousand archers and terrifying strength.
Li Yuan feared the strength of the Turks, and under the advice of Li Jiancheng and the others, he even planned to give up the Cloud Plane and the other northern provinces.
At that time, it was Li Xuanlie who had led the 50,000 Black Flag Army north against the enemy.
During the battle of Yanmen, Li Xuanlie defeated the 100,000 Turkic army and forced Jie Li to flee back to the grasslands.
After that battle, the Turks had suffered a great loss, and in the following years, they had been recovering their strength, not daring to march south again.
It was also because of this that Li Xuanlie was at ease to lead his army to the west and attack Persia and Rome.
But he hadn't expected that less than a month after he returned to the capital, the Turks would make a comeback and invade the south once more.
Moreover, Jie Li had learned his lesson and joined forces with Goguryeo to attack Youzhou from the north and east.
"How many enemies are there?" Li Yuan asked anxiously.
"Your Majesty, according to Liu Wuzhou, the governor of Youzhou, the Goguryeons have sent 80,000 troops, while the Turks have sent 220,000, for a total of 300,000 soldiers!”
Li Yuan frowned and his expression changed slightly.
All the officials in front of the hall had a trace of fear on their faces.
The founding of the Great Tang had been fought with blood and fire. This was not the first time Li Yuan and his subjects had faced such a powerful enemy, so they naturally would not be afraid.
The Turks were skilled in cavalry, while the Goguryeons were skilled in infantry. The Tang army had the confidence to deal with either of these two armies.
But this time, the Turks and Goguryeons were working together, and the threat they posed was multiplied.
"Jie Li is indeed cunning. He actually thought of allying with the Goguryeons. This battle is not going to be easy."
Li Yuan muttered to himself with a worried expression.
Li Jiancheng immediately said," Father, the enemy is coming at us menacingly. The infantry and cavalry have the upper hand. Our army must not confront them head-on. I think we should send troops to defend Youzhou City. We should hold on and wait for the enemy to run out of food and retreat. Then, the danger of Youzhou will naturally be resolved."”
Li Jiancheng's suggestion won the support of many officials.
Li Shimin said,"We must return the favor to show the might of the Great Tang. Your son believes that we should gather our soldiers and wait for the Turkic Gaogu to retreat before launching a counterattack. We will be able to defeat the enemy."”
Li Shimin was more resourceful than Li Jiancheng. Although he also agreed with Li Jiancheng's suggestion of defending Youzhou City, he advocated that they should not only defend Youzhou City but also launch a counterattack.
Li Jiancheng's suggestion naturally won the support of many officials.
The kings and ministers discussed endlessly.
In the hall, only Li Xuanlie remained silent, his eyes filled with disdain.
His eyes seemed to look down on the ministers and were filled with disdain for Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin's advice.
"Xuan Lie, do you have any good ideas?"
In the end, Li Yuan chose to ask Li Xuanlie. After all, this adopted son of his was the person who could fight the most in the Great Tang.
"Of course I have a good plan, but I find it very strange.”
"Strange? What's strange?" Li Yuan was puzzled.
Li Xuanlie looked at Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin.
"Your son is curious. How can the Turks and Goguryeo still exist after so many years?”
His words were obviously meant for the two of them to hear.
Li Jian Cheng and Li Shi Min were startled at first, but they immediately understood what Li Xuanlie meant.
The two of them immediately looked ashamed and awkwardly looked away, not daring to look at Li Xuanlie.
Li Xuanlie's words were clearly blaming the two of them for not being able to destroy the Turks and Goguryeo in three years.
"San Lang, you can't really blame your two brothers for this. They've already done their best.
However, the Turks were simply too powerful, and Goguryeo was far away in the bitter cold of Liaodong. Wanting to destroy them in three years was simply beyond their capabilities.
After all, not everyone is as invincible as you.”
Li Yuan saw the embarrassment of the two kings and said a few fair words for them.
Li Jiancheng and Li Shiming frowned and clenched their fists.
Li Yuan's words were equivalent to affirming that Li Xuanlie had the upper hand in front of all the officials.
Although this was the truth, how could they not feel disgraced when Li Yuan brought it up to the table?
Li Xuanlie nodded slightly, the disdain in his eyes disappearing.
"Imperial Father is right. Your son has reprimanded the two Imperial Brothers.
Since your son has returned, we cannot allow the Turks and Goguryeo to continue harassing our borders.
Imperial Father, please allow your son to lead the army north and destroy these two foreign countries.
The combined population of the two countries amounted to millions, which was just enough to build the Grand Canal. They did not have to wait until the road was repaired to transfer labor from Persia and Rome.”
When these words left his mouth, the officials were in an uproar again.
This King Reliance was so domineering and confident that he felt as if destroying the Turkic Goguryeons would be as easy as lifting a finger.
Li Yuan relaxed and said," Xuan Lie, you've volunteered to go out. I'm naturally at ease. How many soldiers do you plan to use?"”
"The Great Tang has not been established for long, so it is not wise to mobilize a large army. With your son's Black Flag Army, we only need thirty thousand soldiers.”
Li Xuanlie gave a number without hesitation.
The ministers were shocked again.
Not only did they have to defeat the invading army of three hundred thousand, but they also had to destroy the Turkic and Goguryeo kingdoms in one fell swoop!
What kind of confidence was this!
Li Yuan gasped and said,""Xuan Lie, zhen knows you are formidable, but isn't it a bit too much to only bring thirty thousand soldiers?”
Li Xuanlie cupped his hands." Your son is willing to issue a military pledge. Thirty thousand soldiers will destroy the Turkic Goguryeo within a year. However, can Imperial Father grant your son a request?”
"What request?"
"If this subject son can do it, then Imperial Father, please allow this subject son to marry Imperial Sister Xiu Ning!”
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