Chapter 82: The Ministers Present Their Memorials

“Today, at the third quarter of the Yin hour, an urgent dispatch arrived from eight hundred li away: north of Jicheng in Liaodong, a heavy snowfall has descended from the heavens. Ministers, what are your thoughts on this matter?”

Within the Hall of Sweet Dew, Li Shimin sat at the head of the assembly, his face dark and grim as he surveyed those before him.

All present were seasoned old foxes, their minds as clear as mirrors. How could they not know why Li Shimin's expression had turned so foreboding? Yet, natural disasters such as this were impossible to predict. Even the Imperial Astronomers could only offer rough estimates; the reality would only become clear upon arrival.

After a moment of contemplation, Fang Xuanling stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, since heavy snow has fallen upon Liaodong, can we assume that Goguryeo’s offensive will come to a halt? If that is the case, should we not recall Li Kong and his troops?”

Li Jing continued, “I agree with Chancellor Fang. In such weather, even if Goguryeo is more accustomed to the cold, they will not withstand it. Their assault will surely cease for now. As for whether they will invade again later, I believe it unlikely before the new year. Therefore, we should swiftly recall Li Kong’s forces and resume hostilities next year.”

Li Shimin’s heart was moved. In truth, when the news reached him, he had already considered recalling Li Kong. Officially, as Fang Xuanling and Li Jing had said, the snow would certainly halt Goguryeo’s actions and Li Kong’s mission to delay their advance was essentially accomplished.

Privately, Li Kong was the one he valued most—his future son-in-law—and Changle’s affections for him ran deep. He did not wish for Li Kong to suffer any mishap in Liaodong, no matter how confident he was in Li Kong’s abilities.

Yet, as the saying goes, “A general perishes before the ranks.” No matter how capable, one is never immune to misfortune—especially under such harsh conditions.

Just as Li Shimin was about to make his decision, a palace attendant suddenly entered and announced, “Your Majesty, a battle report from General Li Kong in Liaodong!”

“Bring it in at once!” Li Shimin leapt to his feet.

The previous dispatch had been sent by a border commander at the edge of Liaodong, so while Li Shimin was anxious, he still held some hope. Thus, at this moment, Li Kong’s own report became all the more crucial.

Soon, a soldier clad in armor entered, trembling as he knelt, “Your Majesty... the battle report!”

Before the words had faded, the soldier collapsed lifelessly to the ground, faint traces of melted snow still visible upon him.

This scene deeply moved everyone present. In this era, it was rare enough to hear of horses dying from exhaustion while delivering messages, but for a man to perish in the act—such a thing was unheard of.

Li Shimin personally stepped down and picked up the still-warm report from the ground, taking a deep breath. “Carry this brave soldier away and see that he is buried with honor!”

Only then did he open the report:

“Your Majesty, the day before yesterday, your servant led men to raid Shanhai Pass...”

It was a report detailing the battle at Shanhai Pass, recording the course of the conflict and the casualties on both sides. Li Shimin merely glanced at these sections before skipping ahead, his expression growing grave as he continued reading:

“Due to the scale of the engagement, enemy forces within a hundred li were alerted. Thus, your servant was forced to lead the troops northward along a detour. We are now in Liucheng. Heavy snow has fallen. I surmise Your Majesty may be considering recalling me, but I beg you not to make a hasty decision.

Though the weather is harsh and our movement is hampered, the enemy is likewise afflicted. This is the best moment to strike a crippling blow against Goguryeo. I have resolved to seize this opportunity, striking at their supplies amidst the snow, undermining their foundation in Liaodong. My battle strategy is annotated below...”

At the end followed Li Kong’s detailed strategy for guerrilla warfare. Though Li Shimin was the emperor, he was also a masterful commander in his own right and immediately recognized the significance of these tactics. Such a plan was not only tailored to Goguryeo; even the Turks could be targeted with these methods.

Of course, if applied to the Turks, the results might not be as pronounced, for they were nomads by nature. Li Kong’s plan, though ingenious, merely surpassed the Turks’ own hit-and-run tactics. Once they caught on, they might even inflict losses upon their pursuers.

Reading the thousand-word report, Li Shimin’s determination to recall Li Kong began to waver.

It was a long time before he finally smiled ruefully, passing the report to Li Jing. “Lord Li, you are a master of warfare. Review Yunfeng’s report, and tell me—should I still summon him back?”

Curiosity shone on every face as all eyes turned to the report. Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong, ever the bluntest of the lot, crowded forward unabashedly.

Like Li Shimin, Li Jing merely skimmed the earlier details, focusing instead on what followed. As the god of war, his understanding surpassed even the emperor’s. Reading the strategy, he felt as though a new window had been opened in his mind, flooding his military knowledge with fresh insights.

Most striking of all were the sixteen words with which Li Kong concluded his report, words that struck him like a hammer, shattering the barriers of his previous thinking. He could sense clearly that those sixteen words were not the end—there was more yet to come.

After a long time, he handed the report back to Li Shimin, sighing. “I had thought Yunfeng acted on impulse, but only now do I see I underestimated this rascal. Your Majesty, in that case, let us wait and see. If Yunfeng truly achieves his goal, we may be able to destroy Goguryeo outright next year.”

“Oh? Is this tactic truly so formidable?” Li Shimin asked in astonishment.

Li Jing smiled, stroking his beard. “Such things cannot be captured in a few words. It requires keen perception and command on the field. But I believe, since Yunfeng devised it, his abilities are beyond doubt. Allow me to congratulate Your Majesty—our Tang may yet produce an unrivaled god of war!”

If Li Kong were to learn how highly Li Jing, the god of war, esteemed him, he might be scared to death.

But no matter what, at this moment, Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji were all staring at Li Jing in shock. Who was Li Jing? Since he had taken up command, he had never known defeat. For such an invincible commander to so extol a mere youth—was this not dangerous praise?

Those on good terms with Li Ji grew anxious, fearful that Li Shimin might grow wary of Li Kong and have him eradicated.

Those on less friendly terms with Li Ji, however, gloated—especially Zhangsun Wuji, who wished Li Shimin would recall Li Kong immediately and issue an edict never to employ him again, and best of all, cancel the marriage between Li Kong and Changle.

But was Li Shimin such a man?

Clearly not. So, after his initial shock, he burst out laughing, pointing at Li Jing. “Very well! I accept your auspicious words. I too wish to see how far this rascal can go.”

Li Jing, having spoken, felt a pang of regret. He truly admired Li Kong, but the youth still needed to mature; his strategies were not yet perfected, and becoming a god of war was a matter for the future. If, because of his praise, Li Shimin were to cut Li Kong off entirely, that would be a grave sin indeed.

Seeing that Li Shimin showed no sign of anger, he breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “I merely spoke as the matter warranted.”