Chapter 48

Listening to the chatter in his ears, Li Er’s face grew increasingly ugly.

Damn it!

I told you to discuss how to attack Tubo.

And you all!

You all want to retreat?

Cowards!

The higher the official rank, the smaller the courage!

Complaining was one thing.

But Li Er had to agree with their words in his heart.

As the most outstanding military strategist of this era, Li Er had already foreseen the outcome of this war when he first set up camp here.

But so what?

This concerned the dignity of Great Tang; he could never admit defeat!

Qin Mu, oh Qin Mu!

Had I known you cared so much about that Top Graduate position, I would never have let Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji go to persuade you.

Sigh!

A feeling of regret that he could not suppress suddenly rose in Li Er’s heart.

But just at this moment.

A flash of inspiration suddenly crossed Li Er’s mind!

"Someone, go call Fang Fang Xuanling!"

Li Er ordered hurriedly.

"Yes!"

Hearing the name Fang Fang Xuanling, the generals present looked at each other in confusion.

Hmm?

What medicine is the Emperor selling in his gourd?

Could it be that he wants to let Fang Fang Xuanling redeem himself?

"You may all withdraw."

Li Er waved his hand, dismissing everyone.

A moment later.

The disheveled Fang Fang Xuanling walked into the commander’s tent.

"The guilty minister pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Fang Fang Xuanling bowed respectfully.

"Fang Xuanling, you have suffered these days, sleeping in the open."

Li Er patted Fang Fang Xuanling’s shoulder meaningfully.

"Your Majesty’s deep grace and kindness in sparing this minister’s life is already a favor as high as the heavens and as deep as the earth."

Fang Fang Xuanling hurriedly bowed.

"Fang Xuanling, you have seen it too; Tubo’s terrain is extremely high, easy to defend and difficult to attack. The army has been fighting repeatedly for days and is now exhausted. The prepared provisions are also nearly depleted. If this continues, even if Tubo doesn't make a move, our Great Tang will have to retreat without being attacked."

Li Er truthfully told Fang Fang Xuanling the current war situation.

"Your Majesty, forgive this minister for speaking bluntly, but it is truly not advisable for Great Tang and Tubo to be at war right now."

"This minister understands that Your Majesty is deeply humiliated, and coupled with the heart-wrenching pain of the Empress and Princess Princess Changle being abducted, it is inevitable that you might lose your reason."

"But this minister still wants to advise Your Majesty to value peace! If we continue to fight Wu Li Ke this and push Qin Mu too far, the lives of the Empress and the Princess might be in danger."

Fang Fang Xuanling poured out everything he had in his heart.

This was also the problem he had been worried about all along.

Currently, the two sides had not yet engaged in a brutal clash, which meant there was some room for easing tensions.

If they truly fought until their eyes turned red, there was no guarantee that Qin Mu wouldn't disregard everything and simply slaughter the Empress and Princess Changle.

He was a demon who killed without blinking!

Whether this war was won or lost was not important; what was important was to save the lives of the Empress and the Princess.

"Hiss!"

Hearing these words, Li Er couldn't help but gasp.

Indeed!

Guanyinbi and Princess Changle were still in Qin Mu’s hands, and Li Xueyan too...

These past days.

Li Er had been consumed by rage and had completely lost his reason, recklessly wanting to destroy Tubo, almost forgetting that his closest kin were still in Qin Mu’s hands.

"Fang Xuanling, you are truly my backbone minister! Your words have completely awakened me."

"Based on your understanding of Qin Mu and Tubo, what should my next step be?"

Li Er asked with great relief.

Hearing his praise, Fang Fang Xuanling felt a warmth in his heart, braced himself, and said five words: "Send an envoy to Tubo!"

"What?"

"You want me to send an envoy to Tubo? Wouldn't that be announcing to the whole world that I am actively seeking peace?"

Li Er immediately felt he couldn't save face and said indignantly.

He was quite proud!

How could he let others look down on him?

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this minister has already thought this through."

"I am now a criminal with no status or position; having me go to Tubo as an envoy is the most appropriate choice."

"In this way, the world will think that Your Majesty is sending an envoy to Tubo to persuade them to surrender, which is why you sent a man under judgment. This way, it preserves Your Majesty’s dignity without endangering the lives of the Empress and the Princess."

Fang Fang Xuanling was indeed calculating; he had thought of all the plans in an instant.

"Good! Truly excellent!"

Hearing these words, Li Er laughed and clapped his hands.

In all these days, this was the most comforting thing he had heard.

In this way.

Great Tang’s dignity was preserved, and the dilemma of being unable to advance or retreat could be solved!

Good!

Truly excellent!

"Since Your Majesty has agreed, then there is no time to lose; this minister will prepare to depart!"

Fang Fang Xuanling was spirited, and his back straightened a little.

At least he was still useful for now!

"Wait!"

Before Fang Fang Xuanling could turn to leave, Li Er called out to him again.

"Does Your Majesty have any other instructions?"

"This time, I will also disguise myself and go to Tubo with you!"

"What!?"

A cry of surprise rang out suddenly in the commander’s tent.

Tubo, Budalagong.

Dim candlelight flickered in the bedchamber.

The surroundings were silent.

Qin Mu sat inside alone.

At this moment, to outsiders, he was closing his eyes to rest.

But in reality.

Qin Mu was checking the rewards for checking in at Langjuxu Mountain.

[Congratulations to the host for receiving a reward of 10 million people of Huaxia descent!]