I can sign in in Datang

Chapter 491
"Your Majesty, we have bought more than [-] shi of grain so far," Fang Xuanling said.

"it is good!"

Li Shimin was very happy, 30 shi of grain was enough for a hundred thousand troops for a month.

With food, no matter what changes in the grassland situation, Datang will be able to deal with it in time.

"Can I still receive food?" Li Shimin asked.

Once the war starts, no one can guarantee when it will end. Naturally, the more food the better.

"Returning to Your Majesty, some merchants are still waiting and waiting to collect the grain in their hands, which is estimated to be around 50 shi." Fang Xuanling said.

"It's not enough. Continue to arrange people to buy grain slowly across the country." Li Shimin said.

This time he wanted to get rid of the Western Turks and Xue Yantuo at once, and if they had to retreat due to lack of food, he would give them time to breathe.

……

"Your Highness, Lin Xuan left Chang'an, your Highness's chance has come." Han Wen smiled.

"What should I do now? Sir, please teach me."

Li Tai knew that since Hanwen said this, there must be some way.

These literati are just annoying, if you have any ideas, just say it directly, they like to show off.

"Your Highness, hasn't Kuo Dizhi completed part of it? Your Highness can send it to His Majesty for review. In addition, the Cui family sent over Wang Xizhi's "Preface to the Lanting Collection". Your Majesty has been looking for the "Preface to the Lanting Collection". Dedicating this copybook to His Majesty will definitely win His Majesty's appreciation." Han Wen said.

"What did you say! "The Preface to Lanting Collection" is really in the hands of the Cui family?" Li Tai exclaimed.

Li Shimin loves calligraphy very much, and Wang Xizhi's calligraphy is his favorite. He not only likes to collect, but also often copies it.

"Preface to Lanting Collection" is so famous, Li Shimin has naturally been looking for it.

However, it has never been found.

It was rumored outside that the "Lanting Collection Preface" should be in the hands of the aristocratic family, otherwise Li Shimin would not be able to find it.

As the number one family in the world, the Cui family is most likely to own it.

Li Tai had also searched for it before, and specifically asked the aristocratic family for this, but was denied.

"Exactly, the Cui family just got it, and immediately decided to hand it over to King Wei, who will present it to His Majesty," Han Wen said.

Li Tai sneered in his heart, if he just got it, how could there be no rumors?
Obviously he was reluctant to take it out before, but now that he has lost power, he has to take it out.

However, he still has to rely on the family now, and it is not the time to quarrel with the family, so Li Tai said with a smile on his face: "Sir, tell the Cui family on behalf of the king that the Cui family is very grateful for the help of the king. When you become a crown prince, you will definitely be rewarded."

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely bring His Highness's words with you," Han Wen said.

Li Tai asked: "I don't know where the Preface to Lanting Collection is now?"

"Your Highness, don't worry, it's already on its way." Han Wen said.

Li Tai showed a slight smile, he was already imagining the appearance of Li Shimin gritting his teeth after Li Shimin praised him greatly after presenting "Lanting Collection Preface".

……

On the third day after Lin Xuan left Chang'an, Hou Junji returned to Chang'an in a hurry.

Hou Junji didn't go home to take a bath and change clothes, but went straight to the palace.

After being informed, he was taken to the Manna Hall.

"The minister Hou Junji was ordered to send envoys to Western Turks and Xue Yantuo, and he is here to report to His Majesty." Hou Junji bowed and said.

"Thank you, sit down first and speak slowly."

After all, Hou Junji had been with Li Shimin for many years, and made a lot of contributions. Li Shimin saw that he looked like a traveler, and his whole body was much thinner than before, and the anger in his heart also disappeared a lot.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hou Junji sat down after thanking him.

"What is the current situation of Western Turks and Xue Yantuo?" Li Shimin asked.

"The two sides are currently very restrained, and there is no friction, but I estimate that the war between the two countries is not far away." Hou Junji said.

"Oh?" Li Shimin asked in surprise, "How do you know that?"

Hou Junji told Li Shimin that both countries wanted to kill him and blame each other.

As the saying goes, a crying child gets milk.

What Hou Junji said was, on the one hand, to confirm his conjecture.

On the other hand, it is to let Li Shimin know how much he has suffered, and even his life is in danger.

After hearing this, Li Shimin felt a little guilty, and said angrily, "I never thought that Western Turks and Xue Yantuo would be so bold as to want to murder you. Fortunately, you noticed it, otherwise I would have lost my good minister."

"It is the duty of a subject to share worries for His Majesty, Your Majesty need not be angry." Hou Junji said: "In addition, I have discovered a big secret."

Li Shimin was taken aback, and asked, "What secret?"

"Nudshu may die soon." Hou Junji said.

"what!"

Li Shimin stood up in surprise and looked at Hou Junji in shock.

Nishu is the Great Khan of the Western Turks. He has not been a Great Khan for a long time. Once he dies, the Western Turks are likely to fall apart.

"Your Majesty, although I am not a doctor, I have practiced martial arts for many years, so I still know a little bit. Nishu's complexion is pale, coughing constantly, and lack of breath in his voice, it is likely to be tuberculosis." Hou Junji said.

"No wonder, all the signs show that the Western Turks are likely to launch troops against Xue Yantuo in the spring and summer. I have been unable to figure it out before, but now it seems that Nishu knows that his life is not long, and he wants to dominate the grassland before he dies." Li Shimin muttered.

For nomads, cattle and sheep are their food.

Normally speaking, autumn is when the cattle and sheep are fat, and it is reasonable to use troops at this time.

"Your Majesty is right, I think so too." Hou Junji said.

Li Shimin pondered for a while and said, "You went to West Turkic and Xue Yantuo yourself, what do you think is the best way to do it now?"

"Your Majesty, no one knows when Nishu will die. If the two armies die suddenly in a battle, Xue Yantuo is likely to annex the Western Turks in one fell swoop, and then there will be big troubles." Hou Junji said.

Regardless of the fact that Western Turks and Xue Yantuo are two countries, they are actually Turkic people. Once the two armies are at war, Nishu will die, and Western Turks will be in chaos. Faced with Xue Yantuo's attack, those tribes are likely to surrender.

Once Xue Yantuo dominates the grassland, at least 50 million soldiers and horses can be gathered, and they are all cavalry. The threat to Datang will undoubtedly be fatal.

Li Shimin nodded, agreed with Hou Junji's statement, and asked, "How do you think Datang should respond?"

"Your Majesty, I feel that when the two countries are at war, we should send an elite soldier to secretly lurk on the border. The number of this army should not be too large, otherwise it will definitely not be able to hide it. If Nishu suddenly dies suddenly, this elite soldier will attack Xue Yantuo only needs to be able to contain Xue Yantuo and prevent him from annexing the Western Turks." Hou Junji said.

He had already thought about this on the way back.

If Datang sent a large number of troops to the border, it would definitely not be able to hide it from Western Turks and Xue Yantuo. In this way, the two families would not be able to fight at all, and Datang's idea of ​​reaping the benefits of the fisherman would come to naught.

And if you don't send troops and horses there, once the grassland changes again, it may be too late.

The best way is to send an elite army, and this matter was proposed by him. If he asks for orders, Li Shimin will probably agree to let him lead the army.

Li Shimin pondered for a long time, and said: "Junji, go back and rest first, I will discuss this matter with the minister."

"Your Majesty made a typo before, and I implore you to give me the opportunity to lead the army this time, so that I can make meritorious deeds." Hou Junji knelt on one knee and said.

"What are you doing? Get up quickly, I will consider what you said." Li Shimin said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I will leave!" Hou Junji cupped his hands.

(End of this chapter)