Chapter 25: The minister who shares worries

In the eighth year of Daye, the First Goryeo War launched by Emperor Yang Guang of the Great Sui Dynasty ended in a way that was like a tiger-headed and a snake-headed approach.

The nine armies had more than 200,000 people crossed the Yaqiu River and marched towards the Goryeo capital Pyongyang. When crossing the Sa River, they had to withdraw their troops in a panic due to the severance of food. The morale of the Sui army collapsed and the army was defeated. The soldiers escaped. The nine armies of the nine armies during the Liao River crossed the Liao River, totaling 305,000. In the end, only 2,700 people fled back to the barracks. All the other soldiers were killed in battle.

Not only did the combat army flee, but a serious outbreak broke out among the nearly 700,000 troops stationed east of the Liaoshui River. Three or four out of ten died. After being extremely furious, Yang Guang finally had no choice but to detain all the commanders of the Nine Route Army and issued an order to end the First Goryeo War.

The war, which took a year and a half to prepare, almost exhausted most of its national strength and killed millions, finally occupied only a few cities on the east coast of the Liao River, and ended in a hurry almost hasty.

One million troops went to the expedition to Goryeo and finally withdrew to Zhuo County, only 500,000 were left, and 600,000 were lost. This was a confusing account that was difficult to settle. No one could tell how many people died in battle, how many people fled, and how many people died of illness, but the ending was obvious. It could not be changed just because of the occupation of Liaodong City. The Sui army failed to expedition to Goryeo in the east.

The Sui army was defeated, shocking the world. Yang Guang also knew that he could not explain to the people of the world. On the grounds that the surrender envoy violated his will, he ordered the right chief of the Shangshu Liu Shilong to behead the world to apologize for the crime. At the same time, he blamed Yu Zhongwen for the defeat. As the commander, Yu Zhongwen was lazy and failed, resulting in the Sui army being defeated. He issued an order to remove all his official positions and titles and imprisonment. Yu Zhongwen became ill and became ill soon afterwards.

In Linshuo Palace, Yang Guang was walking back and forth in the imperial book with his hands behind his back. He was a little upset. His strategy could only be said to be half successful. Still, 500,000 people withdrew from him to Zhuo County, and most of them were army led by the children of the Guanlong nobles, which made him extremely angry.

On the other hand, the failure of the Battle of Goryeo also greatly slashed his face and made him feel very embarrassed. Although he was mentally prepared, when things really happened, the pressure of failure was still a little unbearable. Yang Guang's strategy of using the Battle of Goryeo to weaken the Guanlong nobles was not worth the loss?

"Your Majesty, General Manager Yang is here." The eunuch's report came from the door.

Yang Yuanqing's arrival made him feel energetic. Now he urgently needs someone to share his worries. Although he believes in Yuwen Shu more, Yuwen Shu's vision and thinking are not as good as Yang Yuanqing. At this time, he still needs Yang Yuanqing more.

"Announce him to meet him!"

After a moment, Yang Yuanqing hurried in, bowed and said, "My minister Yang Yuanqing will meet your Majesty!"

"Yang Aiqing is exempted from courtesy."

Yang Yuanqing's appearance at this time made Yang Guang feel particularly friendly. Although he did not trust Yang Yuanqing very much, he trusted Yang Yuanqing's ability very much. Yang Yuanqing did not disappoint anything he gave to Yang Yuanqing. It was this psychological hint of "Yang Yuanqing never failed" that made Yang Guang subconsciously rely on Yang Yuanqing, and even he himself did not realize this dependence.

Yang Guang immediately ordered the eunuch next to him, "Give him a seat!"

A eunuch brought a soft and thin cushion to lay it for Yang Yuanqing.

"Thank you to give your seat."

Yang Yuanqing bowed and sat down. He bowed and smiled, "I am very happy to see Your Majesty return safely."

Yang Yuanqing's words were spoken sincerely, which made Yang Guang feel a little warm in his heart. He sighed slightly, "I didn't expect that this battle would be so miserable and so embarrassed that it would be difficult for me to explain it to the people of the world."

Yang Yuanqing understood Yang Guang's mood at this time, worried about gains and losses, and the entanglement that he had realized his plan but lost all his face. He also knew that Yang Guang came to him just to hope that he would untie the knot for him.

Yang Yuanqing smiled, "I'm sorry to say that I'm blunt, I've realized in May that this Battle of Goryeo is likely to fail."

Yang Guang was stunned, "What does this mean by my dear?"

"Your Majesty, in May, a large number of civilians fled south, and many people suffered from epidemics. I knew that there was an outbreak of epidemics in Liaodong. I realized that this Liaodong battle was probably in danger. Since ancient times, no battle could be won under an outbreak of epidemics. I believe everyone can understand this. It is like the late emperor failed to conquer Goryeo in the 18th year of Kaihuang, but no one complained about the late emperor."

Yang Yuanqing's words were like moving a heavy rock in Yang Guang's heart. Yang Guang's heart suddenly felt much more relaxed. Yes! The outbreak of the epidemic was not something that Yang Guang could control. The main reason for the failure of this battle should be the epidemic.

Yang Guang smiled approvingly and said, "Yang Aiqing said it well, and did a good job. He has effectively prevented and treated epidemics so that Youzhou has not been harmed by epidemics. I must commend my Aiqing well and let people all over the world know your achievements."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yang Yuanqing could feel the joy in Yang Guang's heart. Knowing that Yang Guang had relieved the entanglement in his heart, Yang Yuanqing smiled and advised him: "Your Majesty, it is not enough for me to know this reason alone. Everyone in the world must understand that the real reason for Goryeo's defeat was the epidemic."

Yang Guang nodded, "Your dear is right. I plan to issue an edict to promulgate this reason all over the world."

"I have a suggestion. It is better to choose some ministers and soldiers who are good at speaking and form a propaganda team, let them travel around the world and give lectures to the officials in various counties, tell the story of the Goryeo War, tell the story of Goryeo's threat to the Sui Dynasty, let the people of the world understand the necessity of attacking Goryeo, and at the same time feel the tragic tragedy of the epidemic. I believe that doing so will definitely make the people of the world understand why the war in Goryeo was launched, and let them know that failure is not the responsibility of your majesty, but just like the eighteenth year of Kaihuang, the disease is raging."

Yang Yuanqing's suggestion made Yang Guang's eyes lit up. Although he had never heard of this method, he was very reasonable after thinking about it carefully. Although he was reluctant to lower his noble head, he also understood that the failure of this Battle of Goryeo had a great impact on his reputation. Yang Yuanqing's suggestion would be very effective in maintaining his emperor's dignity.

Yang Guang pondered for a long time and finally nodded, "As my dear said, I accept this suggestion."

The shadow of failure gradually faded in Yang Guang's heart, and his thoughts turned to the Guanlong nobles again. Yang Guang stood up and walked to the window with his hands behind his back. He sighed slightly, "Yuan Qing, I have not achieved my goal in this battle of Goryeo. I still want to attack Goryeo again. What do you think?"

Yang Yuanqing has mastered a rule of Yang Guang. As long as he calls his own name instead of his own Yang Aiqing, then the tenth ** is related to the Guanlong nobles.

In fact, Yang Yuanqing did not want the Second Goryeo War to happen, because in history, his father Yang Xuangan should have rebelled during the Second Goryeo War. Although Yang Xuangan has been removed from his post as Secretary of the Republic, his ambitions are still there, and his rebellion is likely to happen as scheduled. In any case, he cannot let history walk according to the original trajectory, especially when Yang Yuanqing has mastered the ability to change history.

Yang Yuanqing fell into deep thought, Yang Guang turned his head and looked at him, "Yuanqing, I want to hear your opinions."

Yang Yuanqing sighed softly, "Your Majesty, I think that after this Battle of Goryeo, many people will change their mentality, and many people will have ideas. I suggest that Your Majesty do not make a decision for the time being, observe for a few months first, and then consider countermeasures."

Yang Guang nodded, saying that he was a capable general in dealing with the Guanlong nobles. Every suggestion can be explained to the point. Yang Yuanqing's suggestion is well versed in Zhang Chi's way. He just finished the Battle of Goryeo, so he really needed to relax for a while and observe the movements of the Guanlong nobles.

Yang Guang glanced at Yang Yuanqing, with a look of admiration in his eyes. He smiled and said, "It's late August now, and I'm going to set off for Beijing tomorrow. After you arrange the matter in Youzhou, you will also enter Beijing. I still have a lot to rely on you."

"I obey the order!"

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In August, Yang Guang issued an order to order 500,000 troops to return to his home. After resting in Zhuo County for a few days, he returned to the capital by dragon boat. In mid-September, when Yang Guang was about to arrive in the capital, he issued another order to achieve contributions in suppressing bandits and preventing and controlling epidemics. He also appointed Yang Yuanqing, the general of Youzhou, as the Jinzi Guanglu official, to be promoted to Duke Feng. At the same time, he was posthumously granted the title of Maitie Zhang, the general of Youtun Guard, who was killed in the country, as Duke Su, and allowed his eldest son to inherit the title.

In the mansion of the general manager, Yang Yuanqing's personal soldiers were busy packing their belongings and preparing to return to the capital. Yang Yuanqing needed a reason to return to the capital, so Yang Guang created this opportunity for him when he was about to arrive in the capital. He had to return to the capital to be granted and thank him.

Yang Yuanqing didn't have many things. In addition to the gifts he bought for his wife and daughter, the rest were his books, and his personal soldiers' own things. This time he was also preparing to return to Beijing by boat. There were three official ships of 2,000 stone in the Youzhou General Administration.

"Master General, Envoy Li is here!"

When Yang Yuanqing turned around, he saw Li Yuan walking into the gate. Li Yuan bowed and smiled, "The gate is open and there is no one to guard me, so I have to go in without invitation."

"Eunuch Li, don't be polite, is there anything to ask me for?"

"I want to trouble the envoy."

Li Yuan smiled and said, "I plan to let the three dogs return to Beijing. Will the supervisor make it convenient for them to take a boat?"

Yang Yuanqing smiled slightly, "This is a trivial matter. Just say it, why bother to come to your door in person?"

"Actually, I still have something I want to ask General Yang for help!"

Li Yuan showed a hint of embarrassment on his face and said to Yang Yuanqing: "My second son Shimin wanted to take Li Sima as his army and learn military tactics, but Li Sima did not respond. Can General Manager Yang tell me something?"

Yang Yuanqing was shocked. Li Shimin actually wanted to take Li Jing as his teacher and learn military tactics. How could this work? Although he taught Yuan Ji and Xuan Ba ​​to shoot archers and arrows, and also taught Li Shimin to understand what a handsome arrow is, it was just a slap and a flower gun commonly used in the officialdom. It sounded good, but if you really wanted to learn it, you would find that the things he taught had no actual content.

But Li Shimin wanted to learn military tactics from Li Jing, which was another matter. Not to mention that Li Jing did not agree, even if Li Jing agreed, he would not be allowed.

Yang Yuanqing laughed and said, "It's rare that Shimin has this interest. Of course I will fulfill it. I will go to talk to Sima Li, but I'm talking ugly things ahead. After all, this is not a business matter and I can't come. If Li Sima really refuses to agree, I have no choice."

Li Yuan was overjoyed. As long as Yang Yuanqing was willing to plead with love, he would be 80% sure. Li Yuan also discovered that Li Jing was indeed a talented person. If Shimin could take him as his teacher, he would use it for himself in the future.

"Then please, General Yang!"

"Okay! I'll go find him tonight. If Li Sima agrees, then Shimin won't have to go back to Beijing with me."

"That's natural, thank you."

Li Yuan gave a gift and said goodbye. Yang Yuanqing looked at Li Yuan's back and squinted his eyes and smiled. Li Yuan thought it was beautiful, but he actually wanted to dig his own corner. Let's dream!

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Chapter completed!