Su Li looked at Li Er with determined eyes. Originally, if Li Er hadnt tried to manipulate his intentions, Su Li would have planned the same course of action. He had already discussed this plan with Princess Changle, and they had agreed that he would only intervene once in the near future.
However, the truth was that even fighting Tubo alone wasnt worth Su Lis attention. Therefore, he asked Li Er for the map of the Great Tang Dynasty and studied it meticulously.
To be honest, even Su Li was shocked when he saw the potential threats marked on the map. These surrounding ethnic groups were not on good terms with the Tang Dynasty. After studying for a few days, Su Li finally decided on his first opponent.
The Nine Surnames of Tiele, Onion Ridge, Western Turkestan, Huihe, and Tubo
These were the strongest and most active alien races around the Tang Dynasty, each having the potential to threaten the Tang Dynasty to some degree. But Su Li wasnt concerned in the slightest.
In his eyes, this campaign was like a game of eagles catching chicks.
Li Er might have stayed calm and not give in, but now that he had promised publicly, Su Li wanted to bring it up himself.
Unexpectedly, Li Er changed his stance and made the promise of a king with a different surname in front of everyone.
Su Li wasnt interested in the title itself. He was more frustrated by Li Ers sneaky behavior. Therefore, he deliberately asked the question in front of the generals.
Flatten Tubo, and Li Er would surely claim the credit wasnt enough and urged him to deal with the Uighurs next. After flattening the Uighurs, Li Er would probably suggest dealing with the Turks.
And once the Turks were taken care of, it would be another stronger tribe. So, Su Li decided to take care of all the threatening tribes around the Tang Dynasty in one go.
In this situation, Li Er really couldnt refuse. If Su Li managed to achieve it, the credit would be monumental.
Li Er laughed and said, Others may not be able to do it, no matter how great the credit is. But youre my son-in-law, after all. If you can conquer the northwest in one fell swoop, what harm is there in granting you a title from a different lineage?
Li Er spoke enthusiastically, but deep down, he didnt believe Su Li could accomplish what he claimed.
As an emperor and a renowned general, Li Er considered Su Lis words an almost impossible task to achieve, even when disregarding the challenges of geography and timing. Thousands of miles separated the territories of these different ethnic groups, and together, they had more than a million troops.
In such a vast region, it was nearly impossible to eradicate or conquer a particular alien race. His Tang army might be powerful, but his opponents were not fools to just stand there and let him defeat them. Therefore, Li Er didnt believe that Su Li had the ability to achieve a decisive victory in the northwest in one battle. Nonetheless, he agreed readily to Su Lis proposal.
Su Li wasnt being modest either. He declared that he could lead the expedition. Li Er was overjoyed and immediately announced that in this campaign, Su Li would be the commander regardless of who participated.
With this matter settled, Li Er began to invite comrades in the military, a habit he had developed since he took the throne.
This time, he also hoped that by inviting Su Lis comrades, Su Li would truly feel a sense of belonging to the Tang military and integrate into it. Li Er was even starting to calculate in his mind whether to increase the frequency of such banquets in the future.
As the night grew late, Li Daozong returned home, reeking of alcohol. Since Li Er informed him about choosing Li Xueyan for the marriage alliance, Li Daozong hadnt smiled. He couldnt defy Li Er, so he could only watch his daughter fall into a difficult situation.
As a father, this feeling made Li Daozong feel utterly hopeless. However, during that court session, when Li Daozong was already feeling defeated and thought that the situation was set, Su Li unexpectedly took action!
With just a few words, Su Li left the Tubo envoy speechless and convinced Li Er to postpone the marriage alliance plan. Since that court session, the Tubo envoy had been pleading and crying to the palace almost daily.
However, Li Ers response remained the same To be discussed.
Li Daozong didnt know what Li Er was thinking, but he knew that if his daughter could temporarily avoid the marriage, it was largely due to Su Li!
Before this, Li Daozongs only impression of Su Li was that he was good at poetry. His daughter had once been interested in him, but she had to give up due to his identity.
However, after returning to Changan, his comrades in the army informed him that Su Li had extraordinary military talents. Braver than the entire army, with military strategies not weaker than Li Jing!
When he received Li Ers invitation to the banquet, Li Daozong realized that Li Er had been waiting for Su Li to make a statement. It turned out that only Su Lis words, from start to finish, could make Li Er change his decision. Li Daozong understood that Su Li was the key to pulling Li Xueyan out of the difficult situation.
Only Su Lis words could make Li Er reconsider the marriage alliance in the entire Tang Dynasty. Li Daozong immediately accepted this magical reality since it was great for him.
So, when Li Er asked Su Li who could be his vice-commander, Li Daozong volunteered without hesitation. While other veteran commanders lacked interest, Li Daozong willingly volunteered to fight against Tubo, even if it meant being an adjutant.
He wanted to personally get rid of the dogs head of Songtsan Gampo, who almost brought disaster to his family. Finally, Li Er appointed Li Daozong and Su Dingfang as Su Lis vice-commanders to go to war against Tubo. The gloom that had lingered above him for days disappeared, and Li Daozong felt refreshed.
Upon entering the inner courtyard, he headed straight to his daughters room, where a light was still on. Li Daozong approached the door and was about to knock when he hesitated.
Instead of knocking, he gently tapped on the door and softly said, Xueyan, today, Your Majesty has decided to send troops to Tubo. The commander of the forces will be Su Li