After repeated requests from Fang Er, Li Shimin decided to go outside the hall to hear what the fellow had to say.
When he first left the Liangji Hall, Fang Er beckoned Deng Dengjie.
What does Duke Fang County mean?
Deng Dengjie looked confused. What business does this have with me?
Please trouble Duke Deng to fetch cinnabar and a brush, and also, bring this Duke a stool.
After Fang Er finished giving instructions, he walked towards the hall.
The group of second-generation young masters and ladies had already returned home after the test flight. Li Jing and other dukes, who were also curious, followed them out.
As soon as Fang Er stepped out of the Liangji Hall, he saw Li Shimin's gaze fixed on the pillar outside the hall.
Seeing Fang Er come out, Li Shimin pointed to the pillar: Go and see, I always feel there's something behind that pillar.
As he said this, Fang Er also felt a sound behind the pillar.
He walked over and took a look, good heavens!
Wei Zheng was actually squatting here!
His large head was buried between his legs, his body trembling.
Fang Er tried to touch him with his hand: Duke Wei? Is that you?
It's not me! I am not Wei Xuan Cheng!
Wei Zheng's voice was hoarse. When Fang Er touched him, he quickly squatted back two steps, almost stumbling and falling.
However, the bruised black eyes and his mouth, swollen as if an egg had been stuffed inside, immediately gave him away.
Fang Er:.......
Alright, it seems this fellow was beaten badly! He was too embarrassed to admit his identity.
Hiding his hand in his pocket, he found a bottle of Hong Hua Oil from his spatial storage and handed it to Wei Zheng.
Here, apply it to your wounds yourself when you get back, and be careful not to get it in your eyes.
Turning back to Li Shimin's side: Your Majesty is indeed amazing, haha, he's behind the pillar.
Upon hearing that it was that fellow, Li Shimin immediately said to Fang Er: Let's go, let's go and talk in front.
Watching him walk away, Fang Er pulled over a nearby imperial guard and pointed to the pillar: Behind the pillar is Duke Wei, find someone to send him back to his manor, keep him out of sight, and don't make a fuss, understand?
After speaking, he took a piece of broken silver and stuffed it into the guard's hand.
The imperial guard was confused. Wasn't he told that haha was behind the pillar?
When he took the silver and looked behind the pillar, he immediately understood.
Good grief! This lord is too ashamed to be seen!
Fang Er caught up with Li Shimin and brought him to the giant terrestrial globe with a diameter of two meters.
Deng Dengjie also came out with another eunuch, carrying a stool and holding a brush and cinnabar.
Seeing Li Jing and others approaching, Fang Er decided to wait for a moment.
After everyone had gathered, Fang Er stepped on the stool and found the location of the Mohe tribe.
Your Majesty, in recent days, besides the market in Shenyang, there has been an accident here.
As Fang Er spoke, he dipped the brush in cinnabar and painted the Xi, Mohe, and Heishui Mohe tribes red.
On the entire globe, except for the Tang Dynasty's territory, everything was the original wood color.
Only the Tang Dynasty was red. This way, it was very intuitive to see that the Tang Dynasty's territory had increased considerably.
Then, Fang Er explained the invasion of the Slavs in detail.
Li Shimin, who had initially been happy to see the Tang Dynasty's territory increase so much inexplicably, was doused with cold water by the firearms that appeared in the west.
Li Shimin looked at Fang Er with a solemn expression.
Point out to me, where do those Slavs come from!
He gently turned the globe and found the Volga River on it. Fang Er drew a circle with his finger.
It's roughly here.
Li Shimin looked at the place Fang Er pointed to and asked Li Jing.
Duke Wei, what do you think?
Li Jing pondered for a moment, then looked at Fang Er: Duke Fang County, how far is this place from Chang'an?
Fang Er was stunned by Li Jing's question. How far?
I don't know!
Wait a moment, let me measure!
He took out a tape measure from his pocket and started measuring the globe.
After calculating according to the scale, he obtained the result.
The straight-line distance is thirteen thousand li.
However, there would definitely be many detours, so this would be at least twenty thousand li.
Li Jing nodded and said to Li Shimin: Your Majesty, there is no need to worry too much.
Given such a long distance, even if those people wanted to reach the Tang Dynasty, they would spend a year just on the journey.
A twenty-thousand-li journey, the differences in climate and water and soil along the way would likely cause them to lose troops and suffer casualties.
As for whether the west would also develop vehicles that run on firewood and oil, let's assume they have vehicles, but supplies for this twenty-thousand-li journey are not as simple as bringing a few barrels of spare oil.
Therefore, there is no need to worry.
Hearing his analysis, Fang Er couldn't help but secretly praise him. He was indeed the God of War, seeing the crux of the problem at a glance.
He had been deceived by the other half of the system before.
It would be so difficult to attack from such a distance.
If the positions were reversed, even if he were to lead troops to the Volga River now, it would take a long time just to prepare.
Even then, only cavalry could attack. It was impossible to drive there.
Li Shimin nodded: What Duke Wei said makes sense.
However, despite this, we still need to strengthen our defenses.
Let's dismiss for today. Everyone go back and think carefully, and we'll have an audience tomorrow.
All the dukes bowed and took their leave.
Just as Fang Er was about to board the helicopter and have Zhang Tian start the engine, Deng Dengjie chased after him.
Duke Fang County, His Majesty wants you to stay.
Fang Er:......
What, is there some private talk to be had?
He got off the helicopter with a confused look and returned to the Liangji Hall, only to find that not only he had been called back.
Fang Xuanling and Li Jing, the two big shots in civil and military affairs respectively, had also been called back.
Li Shimin was looking through two memorials on his imperial desk.
Yesterday, the Duke of Qiao and the Duke of Lu both sent back military reports.
Nanyue and Tubo had been conquered, and they would be returning to the capital soon.
Since the new army had shown initial results, I've been thinking it's time to reform all the Wei armies.
Do you have any good ideas? Let's hear them.
After speaking, he handed the two memorials to an eunuch, who then passed them to Li Jing and Fang Xuanling.
The two big shots each took one and began to read. Fang Er reached out and got nothing.
Standing here made him feel very awkward, so he opened his mouth and said: Your Majesty, your humble subject proposes.
The original sixteen guards should be changed to five major military regions: East, West, South, North, and Central.
Each military region should have a Grand Marshal, who would have the authority to make decisions at his discretion during wartime, overseeing all military affairs within their respective military regions.
This way, no matter where the enemy attacks the Tang Dynasty, they can respond calmly.
Another benefit is that the deployment of troops will be more convenient.
At the same time, it can strengthen the management of the various prefectures and counties.
These are my thoughts on the reform of the Wei army.
Fang Er only knew so much about the military region system of later generations. After he finished speaking, he scanned the Liangji Hall.
There were several brocade stools placed behind the hall door. He walked over, picked one up, placed it under the pillar, and sat down casually, putting a lollipop in his mouth, waiting for Li Shimin and Li Jing's opinions.