অভিযান

武덕ই Hugh's winter, Turkic颉li, 突利 Er Kehan with their crowd twenty million, to slippery water piece bridge of north, send chief commander 执矢思力 enter court for 觇, since spread prestige cloud: "Er Kehan general million, now already arrived." Then please return order.

Taizong said: "I and Turkic face from harmony, you then back it, I no ashamed, why suddenly bring troops enter my Ji county, since boast strong? I should first slaughter Er!" Si Li fear and please order. Xiao Yu, Feng Deyi etc. please rite and send him, Taizong said: "Not so. Now if release return, must say I fear." Then send imprison him.

Taizong said: "颉li hear our state new have internal difficulty, again hear朕 early ascended throne, reason lead his troops crowd straight until here, say I not dare resist it. 朕 if close door since keep, captive must unleash troops big plunder. Strong weak of trend, in now one policy. 朕 will alone out, to show light it, and display military appearance, make know must battle. Matter out of unexpected, contrary its original plan, subdue Xiongnu, in this endeavor." Then single horse and advance, separate ferry and talk, 颉li cannot measure.

Soon six armies successively arrive, 颉li see military appearance greatly prosperous, again know Si Li imprisoned, from this great fear, please alliance and retreat.

Zhenguan early, Lingnan various prefectures memorial state Gaozhou chief commander 冯盎, Tan Dian block troops rebel. Decree General 蔺謩 dispatch Jiang, Ling dozens prefectures troops subjugate it.

Secretariat Director Wei Zheng remonstrated saying: "China newly settled, scars not yet recovered, Lingnan miasma pestilence, mountains and rivers block deep, troop transport hard to continue, epidemic sometimes rise, if not as wish, regret cannot chase. Moreover 冯盎 if rebel, then must reach China not yet tranquil, collude distant people, divide troops cut hazard, break plunder prefectures counties, set up offices. What reason report come several years, troops not out border? This then rebellious shape not yet formed, no cause move crowd. Your Majesty since not yet send envoy person to there observe, then come audience, fear not see clear. Now if send envoy, clearly instruct, must not labor troops, naturally arrive court." Taizong followed him, Lingbiao completely settled.

Attendant ministers memorial say: "冯盎, Tan Dian past years constantly mutually conquer, Your Majesty dispatch one single envoy, Lingwai peaceful." Taizong said: "Early, Lingnan various prefectures heavily said Ang rebel, 朕 must want subjugate him, Wei Zheng repeatedly remonstrated, think but embrace it with virtue, must not subjugate self come. Already follow his plan, thereupon get Lingbiao no matter, without laboring and settled, better than ten thousand of troops." Then bestow Zheng silk five hundred bolts.

Zhenguan fourth year, officials memorialize: "Linyi barbarian state, memorial tables disobedient, please dispatch troops subjugate attack it." Taizong said: "Troops are ominous weapons, forced then use it. Therefore Han Guangwu said: 'Every time dispatch troops, unaware head beard turn white.' Since ancient times excessive militarism, never have not perish者. Fu Jian since rely troops strong, want surely swallow Jin house, raise troops million, one lift and perish. Sui ruler also surely want take Goguryeo, successive years labor corvée, people not bear resentment, then die at commoner of hands. As for 颉li, past years several come invade our state, tribes exhausted at military service, thereupon reach destruction. 朕 now see this, how can suddenly immediately dispatch troops? But pass mountain hazard, earth much miasma pestilence, if our soldiers epidemic, though conquer cut this barbarian, also what aid? Words between, how worth mind!" Eventually not subjugate it.

Zhenguan fifth year, Kangguo please return submission. At that time Taizong said to attendant ministers: "Former generations emperors, much busy extend territory, to seek after death empty name, no benefit to body, its people extremely distressed. Suppose to body have benefit, to common people have loss, 朕 must have action, how much seek empty name and harm common people? Kangguo since come submit court, have urgent difficulty not must save; troops march thousands of miles, how can without labor at people? If labor people seek name, not 朕 desire. What requested submission, not need accept it."

Zhenguan fourteenth year, Minister of War Hou Junji conquer Gaochang, and army arrive Liuguang, scout said: "Gaochang King Qu Wentai dead, appointed day will funeral, country people all gather, with two thousand light cavalry raid it, can completely get it." Deputy generals Xue Wanji, Jiang Xingben all thought so. Junji said: "Son of Heaven take Gaochang arrogant slow, make us respectfully execute heavenly punishment. Then at ruins tombs among to raid its funeral, not enough call martial, this not questioning crime of troops." Then halt troops to wait funeral finished, then advance army, thereupon pacify its country.

Zhenguan sixteenth year, Taizong said to attendant ministers: "Northern Di generations as bandit chaos, now Yantied stubborn, must early make it of place. 朕 thoroughly think it, only have two policies: select troops hundred thousand, strike and capture it, wash away vicious ugly, hundred years no worry, this one policy.

If follow its come request, with it marriage. 朕 as common people parents, if can benefit it, how cherish one daughter! Northern Di customs, mostly from internal politics, already produce son, then my maternal grandson, not invade China, can know clearly. With this speak, border region enough get thirty years no matter. Raise these two policies, which as first?"

Minister of Works Fang Xuanling replied saying: "Meet Sui house great chaos after, households mostly not yet recover, troop ominous battle dangerous, sage person prudent, harmony policy, truly state great fortune."

Zhenguan seventeenth year, Taizong said to attendant ministers: "盖苏文 assassinate its ruler and seize its state government, truly cannot bear. Today state military power, take it not difficult, 朕 unable immediately move troops crowd, for now order Khitan, Mohe disturb it, how about?"

Fang Xuanling replied saying: "Minister observe ancient of ranked states, none not strong bully weak, crowd oppress few. Now Your Majesty nourish common people, generals and soldiers brave sharp, power have surplus and not take it, so-called stop spear as martial者. Formerly Han Wu emperor repeatedly attack Xiongnu, Sui ruler three conquer Liaozuo, people poor state defeated, truly this of cause, only Your Majesty detail examine." Taizong said: "Good!"

Zhenguan eighteenth year, Taizong with Goguryeo 莫离支 bandit kill its ruler, cruel its subordinates, discuss will subjugate it. Imperial Censor褚遂良 advance said: "Your Majesty military plan divine calculation, people none can know. Formerly Sui end chaos separation, successfully pacify bandit difficulty, and Northern Di invade border, Western Fan lose rite, Your Majesty want order generals strike it, group ministers none not bitterly remonstrate, only Your Majesty bright strategy alone decide, finally together execute exterminate. Now hear Your Majesty will conquer Goguryeo, intent all bewildered.

Yet Your Majesty divine martial glorious sound, not compare Zhou, Sui of rulers, troops if cross Liao, matter must successfully conquer, ten thousand one not obtain, no way awe display distant region, must again give out anger, again move troops crowd. If reach this, safety danger hard measure." Taizong agreed it.

Zhenguan nineteenth year, Taizong will personally conquer Goguryeo, Kaifu Yitong Sansi Yuchi Jingde memorial say: "Imperial carriage if self go Liaozuo, crown prince again act as regent Dingzhou, eastern western two capitals, imperial treasuries located, though have garrisons, ultimately is empty, Liaodong road distant, fear have Xuanan of change. And border corner small state, not enough personally labor ten thousand chariots. If conquer win, not enough as martial, if not win, instead as laughed. Humbly request entrust it good generals, self can time destroy perish." Taizong though not follow his remonstrance, yet knowing ones praised it. Ministry of Rites Minister Prince of Jiangxia Daozong follow Taizong conquer Goguryeo, decree Daozong with Li Ji as vanguard, and cross Liao water conquer Gaomu city, meet bandit troops greatly arrive, army among all want deep ditch secure, wait Taizong arrive, slowly advance.

Daozong discussed say: "Not can, bandit rush urgent far come, troops truly exhausted and tired, rely crowd slight me, one battle can destroy. Formerly Geng Yan not leave bandit send ruler father, I since post in front army, ought must clear road to wait imperial carriage." Li Ji greatly agreed his discussion. Then lead brave hundreds of riders, straight charge bandit array, left right enter out, Ji then combine attack, greatly defeat it. Taizong arrive, deeply add award reward. Daozong in array injured foot, emperor personally for acupuncture moxibustion, bestow with imperial meal.

Taizong "Di Fan" said: "Armors are, state ominous weapons. Territory though vast, love battle then people wither; China though safe, forget battle then people perilous. Withering not preservation method, perilous not facing bandit method, cannot completely eliminate, cannot commonly use. Therefore farming leisure discuss military, practice martial bearing also; three years govern troops, distinguish ranks also. Therefore Goujian taste frog, finally achieve hegemony; Xu Yan abandon martial, ultimately to lose state. Why? Yue practice its martial, Xu forget its preparation. Confucius said: 'By not teach people battle, this call abandon it.' Therefore know bow arrow of awe, to benefit heaven and earth, this use troops of duty."

Zhenguan twenty-second year, Taizong will heavily discuss Goguryeo. At this time, Fang Xuanling sleep illness increase acute, looking back tell sons: "Presently under heaven quiet, all get its proper, only want east conquer Goguryeo, ruler become state harm. I know and not speak, can call harbor hatred enter earth."

Then submit memorial remonstrate say: "Minister hear troops detest not halt, martial value stop spear. Present time holy transformation spread, no distant not reach. Ancient times what not vassal, Your Majesty all can vassal it; what not control, all can control it. Detailed observe ancient present, as China harm, no exceed Turkic. Then can sit operate divine plan, not leave palace hall, large small Khicans, successively bind hands, divide direct guards, hold halberd walk ranks. Afterwards Yantied arrogant, soon suffer extermination, Tiele admire righteousness, request set up prefectures counties, desert already north, ten thousand miles no dust. As for Gaochang rebel scatter at drifting sands, Tuyuhun hesitant at Jishi, side army thin conquer, all follow flat sweep. Goguryeo successive dynasties escape punishment, none can subjugate attack. Your Majesty blame its rebellious chaos, kill ruler abuse person, personally head six armies, question crime Liaodong. Without pass ten days, immediately capture Liaodong, before after captives obtained, tens of thousands count, distribute various prefectures, no place not full. Snow past generations of old shame, cover Xiaoling of withered bones, compare merit check virtue, ten thousand times former king. This holy ruler self know, humble minister how dare prepare speak.

And Your Majesty benevolent wind cover all earth, filial virtue manifest match heaven. Behold barbarians of will perish, then point date several years; grant generals of regulations, then decide mechanics ten thousand miles. Bend finger and wait post station, watch shadow and hope book, tally respond like divine, calculation no omission plan. Promote generals among ranks, choose scholars at ordinary end. Distant barbarian single envoy, one see not forget; small minister of name, never again ask. Arrow pierce seven layers, bow penetrate six Jun. Added to remain feeling classics and histories, attach mind poems compositions, brush surpass Zhong, Zhang, words exhaust Ji, Ma. Writing sharp already shake, then palace tones self harmonize; light writing temporary fly, then flower petals contend shoot. Cherish ten thousand surnames with kindness, treat group ministers with rite.

Praise autumn hair of goodness, untie swallow state of net. Unpleasant to ear remonstrance must listen, superficial receive of accusation this cut. Love life of virtue, ban gates at rivers lakes; hate kill of mercy, rest drum knife at butcher shops. Mallard crane lotus crops of favor, dogs horses receive curtain cover of grace. Lower dignity suck Simo of wound, ascend hall approach Wei Zheng of coffin. Cry battle dead of soldiers, then grief move six armies; carry fill road of firewood, then emotion stir heaven and earth. Value common people of great mandate, specially exhaust heart at common prisons. Minister heart know confused muddled, how suffice discuss holy merit of profound distant, speak heavenly virtue of high great?

Your Majesty combine all beauties and have it, none not complete equipped, humble minister deeply for Your Majesty pity it heavy it, love it treasure it. "Zhou Yi" said: "Know advance and not know retreat, know exist and not know perish, know obtain and not know lose." Also said: "Know advance retreat exist perish, and not lose its proper者, that only sage person乎!" From this speak, advance have retreat of meaning, exist have perish of mechanism, obtain have loss of principle, old minister reason for Your Majesty pity it, presumably say this.

"Laozi" said: "Know satisfaction not humiliated, know halt not perilous." Minister say Your Majesty awe name merit virtue, also can enough; expand land open territory, also can halt. That Goguryeo, border barbarian cheap kind, not enough treat with benevolence righteousness, cannot blame with ordinary rule. Ancient times with fish turtles raise it, ought follow broad neglect. Must want cut its kind, deeply fear beast cornered then fight.

Zhenguan twenty-second year, military campaigns frequently move, palaces mutual rise, common people rather have labor fatigued. Chongrong Xu superior submit remonstrance say: "Zhenguan since come, twenty and more years, wind tune rain smooth, year ascend harvest, people no water drought of distress, state no famine of disaster. Formerly Han Wu emperor, guard text of ordinary ruler, still ascend carve jade of tally; Qi Huan gong, small state of mediocre ruler, still smear bury gold of matter. Hope Your Majesty push merit diminish self, yield virtue not dwell.

Billions incline heart, still lack announce completion of rite; Yun, Ting wait audience, not spread ascend middle of ceremony. This of goodness virtue, enough chew hundred kings, net gather thousand generations者. Yet ancient person have cloud: 'Though rest do not rest.' Truly have reason. Guard initial preserve end, sages rare combine. This know enterprise large者 easy proud, wish Your Majesty difficult it; good start difficult end, wish Your Majesty easy it. Privily see recent years since, labor corvées combine general, east have Liaohai of armies, west have Kunqiu of campaign, soldiers horses exhausted at armors, boats carriages tired at transport.

And summon corvée garrison, go stay harbor life death of pain, cause wind block waves, people rice have drift drown of danger. One man force plow, year no dozens of harvest; one boat cause damage, then overturn hundreds of grain. This still transport have limit of farming labor, fill infinite of giant waves; plan not yet obtain of other crowd, lose already formed of our army. Though eliminate fierce conquer violent, have state normal rule, yet indulge martial play troops, former sages warning. Formerly Qin emperor annex six states, instead hasten danger disaster of base; Jin Wu embrace three directions, instead become overturn defeat of enterprise. How much pride merit rely big, abandon virtue light state, plan profit forget harm, indulge feeling loose desire; then make leisurely six directions, though vast not save its destruction; crying common people, because fatigue to form its disaster. This know land vast not normal peace of art, people labor then easy chaos of source. Wish Your Majesty spread favor flow people, pity fatigue care needy, diminish travel corvée of bother.

Increase rain dew of favor. Concubine again hear govern of root, value in non-action. Privily see earth wood of work, not can successively combine. North Que newly built, south camp Cuiwei, not yet cross time, Yuhua create system, not only build frame of labor, quite have power force of expense. Though again thatched roof show frugal, still rise wood stone of fatigue, suppose harmonious hire take person, not without bother trouble of distress. Therefore humble palace plain food, holy ruler of what peace; golden house jade terrace, proud ruler of what beauty.

Therefore have dao of ruler, with ease ease people; without dao of ruler, with joy joy self. Wish Your Majesty cause it with time, then power not exhausted矣; use and rest it, then heart this pleased矣. That precious play delicate, as lose state of axes; pearls jade brocades brocade, truly confuse heart of poison. Privily see dress play fresh delicate, like change at natural, duty tribute rare treasures, like immortals of what make, though gallop brilliant at seasonal customs, truly defeat plain at pure customs. This know lacquerware not extend rebel of method, Jie make it and person rebel; jade cup how invite perish of method, Zhou use it and state perish.

Just verify luxurious beauty of source, not can not check. Make law at frugality, still fear its extravagance; make law at extravagance, how to control later? Humbly reflect Your Majesty, bright shine not yet formed, wisdom encompass without limit, exhaust mystery at Unicorn Pavilion, completely explore profound at Confucian forest.

Thousand kings govern chaos of tracks, hundred generations safety danger of signs, rise fall decay chaos of numbers, obtain loss success failure of mechanism, certainly also wrap swallow heart breast among, circulate eye circle within, then imperial heart long observe, no need one two words yan. Only know it not difficult, execute it not easy, ambition proud at enterprise prominent, body ease at time peaceful. Humbly wish suppress ambition cut heart, cautious end form start, cut light error to add heavy virtue, choose present right to replace former wrong, then grand name with sun moon infinite, flourishing enterprise with heaven earth eternal!" Taizong very good his words, specially add superior bestow very thick.