RPAGF Chapter 191 There is no way, the emperor feels annoyed
Chapter 191 There is no way, the emperor feels annoyed
Cheng Yaojin was having a happy gathering with his family at home, and he was talking excitedly and laughing heartily.
At this moment, a palace guard hurried over, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and shouted, "General Cheng, His Majesty wants you to return to the palace immediately!"
When Cheng Yaojin heard this, his laughter stopped abruptly and his expression immediately became serious.
He stood up, waved his hand, and said, "Got it, let's go!"
Then he walked out with big strides. He had already guessed that something big must have happened at the border, and his steps became more and more hurried.
Li Jing was studying military tactics in the courtyard. The flickering candlelight illuminated his focused face.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried horse hooves broke the silence, followed by the loud shout of the imperial edict officer: "General Li, His Majesty has ordered you to return to the palace at once!"
Li Jing put down the book in his hand and frowned slightly. He knew that if there was no urgent matter, the emperor would not summon him at this time.
He quickly put on his coat and rushed towards the palace without any delay, his mind full of speculation about the unknown situation.
Cheng Yaojin and Li Jing arrived at the palace almost at the same time. They looked at each other and saw seriousness in each other's eyes.
They hurried into the hall and asked in unison, "Your Majesty, what is the matter?"
Li Shimin's face was gloomy. He looked at the two of them and said in a deep voice, "Korea has sent people to the border military camp to provoke us, saying they want to attack the Tang Dynasty. Now that you are away, the situation on the border is tense. I summoned you here to discuss a countermeasure."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin's eyes widened in anger, and he shouted, "Your Majesty, the Koreans are truly audacious. I beg your command to return to the border immediately and make sure they never return!"
Li Jing frowned slightly, and after a moment's contemplation, he said, "Your Majesty, this matter requires further consideration and we must not act rashly."
Cheng Yaojin was furious, pacing back and forth in the hall. "Your Majesty, the Koreans have repeatedly provoked us. We must not let them off lightly this time. We must send our troops to teach them a lesson!"
Li Shimin looked at Li Jing, who shook his head slightly. "General Cheng, please be patient. Sending troops at this time would be too hasty. We are still unclear about the deployment of Goryeo troops and their combat intentions. A rash move could lead to an ambush."
Cheng Yaojin stamped his feet in anxiety: "Are we just going to watch them act so arrogantly? When has the Tang Dynasty ever suffered such humiliation?"
The ministers were also discussing in low voices. Some supported Cheng Yaojin and felt that the majesty of the Tang Dynasty should be demonstrated; some agreed with Li Jing and felt that caution was needed.
Li Shimin frowned, lost in thought. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "Generals, I know you both have your reasons, but the current situation is difficult. We must ensure border security while preventing the Tang Dynasty from falling into a disadvantageous position. Please reconsider this."
However, for a moment, everyone fell silent again, and it seemed that there was no better way to break the deadlock.
Cheng Yaojin looked at Li Jing anxiously, "Brother Li, you've always been resourceful. Come up with something quick! What should we do?"
Li Jing twirled his beard, frowning. "Brother Cheng, we shouldn't act rashly right now. We can first send spies deep into Goryeo territory to investigate its military movements, then dispatch some troops from surrounding areas to reinforce the border."
Li Shimin nodded slightly: "Although this plan is good, I am afraid that time is running out. If Goryeo suddenly attacks, the border will still be in danger."
Cheng Yaojin slammed his fist into his palm. "How about we first send more food and supplies to the border, strengthen the fortifications, and prepare for a long-term defense?"
Everyone expressed their opinions, but they still felt that every method had its difficulties, and the atmosphere became increasingly solemn.
Li Shimin frowned, his face full of annoyance. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, you guys can discuss freely. I'm really annoyed. I'm going to go out for a walk."
After saying this, he stood up and walked out of the hall.
Cheng Yaojin and Li Jing looked at each other and sighed helplessly.
After Li Shimin left, Cheng Yaojin sat down on a chair and muttered, "This matter is really tricky. His Majesty is upset. We must think about it carefully."
Li Jing paced slowly in the hall, thinking as he spoke, "Brother Cheng, this matter is of great importance. We must consider every aspect carefully. Although the methods just mentioned are feasible, they each have their shortcomings. We must weigh the pros and cons."
"Yes, Brother Li, I was impatient and wanted to attack directly, but it was indeed a bit reckless. We need to think about it again, how can we let Goryeo know the power of our Tang Dynasty, and at the same time deal with it safely and prevent the people on the border from suffering." Cheng Yaojin scratched his head and responded.
Other ministers also gathered around and continued to discuss with each other. The whole hall was filled with whispered arguments and planning. Everyone hoped to come up with a perfect plan to solve this urgent problem.
Li Shimin wandered alone in the imperial garden, his brow furrowed and his eyes filled with annoyance.
Sometimes he stopped and looked into the distance, and sometimes he continued to walk quickly back and forth, muttering to himself, "What can I do?"
"Korea is coming with such force that the border situation is on edge, but I can't think of a good plan. Should I just let them run wild? There's no other way. This is so frustrating!"
His dragon robe swayed slightly with his movements, as if reflecting his uneasy mood at the moment.
The eunuchs and palace maids around stood far away, not daring to breathe, for fear of angering the upset Majesty.
Li Shimin was pacing in frustration when Empress Zhangsun approached. Seeing the emperor's worried expression, she asked with concern, "What's wrong, Your Majesty? What worries Your Majesty so much?"
Her eyes were gentle and worried, and she gently held Li Shimin's hand.
Li Shimin looked at the queen, sighed, and told her about Goryeo's provocation, the border crisis, and the fruitless discussions in court.
Empress Changsun frowned slightly and said softly, "Is that so? There really is no way. This matter is very tricky."
"But Your Majesty, don't worry too much. There are many capable ministers and generals in the court. If we all work together, we will always be able to come up with a plan to deal with it."
Li Shimin shook his head helplessly, smiled bitterly and said, "I am angry at the audacity of Goryeo. They dared to openly provoke us, but now I can't come up with a comprehensive solution."
"As the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, how can I stand by and watch the borders threatened and the people in distress? I feel truly suffocated."
Empress Zhangsun gently patted the back of Li Shimin's hand and soothed him gently, "Your Majesty, times like these require your patience. Haste is the key to success. Perhaps if you give the ministers more time to discuss matters, there might be a chance for improvement."
"If you get sick from anger, that would make me worried and the Tang Dynasty uneasy."
After hearing what the Queen said, Li Shimin's expression relaxed slightly. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Your Majesty is right. It's just that this matter weighs on my heart and I can't let it go for a while."
"Forget it, let's wait and see what they come up with."
After saying this, he sighed deeply again, and walked slowly with Empress Changsun, with a look of worry between his brows.