Chapter 603: Troop Deployment Finalized

Dou Tan, to be honest.

Even within the entire Tang court, this person stands out like a crane among chickens.

His astonishing wisdom truly commands endless admiration.

On the spot, the day Wang Gui stepped down, Dai Zhou was transferred to Secretariat Director, leaving the Minister of Revenue position vacant; Dou Tan was certainly not the first to eye that post.

But he alone immediately leapt forward to oppose Li Shimin appointing Chen Yan as Minister of Revenue.

If that were all, it would be forgivable.

Yet he was foolish enough to go further.

When everything settled, Chen Yan had already taken office as Minister of Revenue, and with Li Shimin's help had seized control of the Ministry, solidifying his own position, yet still dared to target Chen Yan.

Brother, how hopeless can you be?

Can't you see the situation is already set?

Everyone was thinking how to curry favor, yet you kept jumping out.

Where?

Did you really think marrying a sister who isn't Li Shimin's half‑sister would make you invincible?

Don't you know how you got into your position?

Thus, after Dou Tan was taken away, hardly anyone said a word; even his subordinates fell silent.

"Chen Yan, what do you have to say?" Li Shimin asked again.

Chen Yan, a bit helpless, realized he could not escape today, stood and said, "His Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has signed a loan agreement with the Money Shop; the supplies for dispatching troops to Tuyuhun are fully prepared by the Ministry."

When his words fell, the eyes of many soldiers instantly lit up, while the civil officials were stunned.

"You... you borrowed from the Money Shop using the Ministry of Revenue?" Xiao Yu was speechless.

Chen Yan nodded, "Lord Xiao thinks this move improper?"

"It's not exactly improper... it's just..." Xiao Yu for a moment didn't know how to begin.

Borrowing from the Money Shop in the name of the Ministry of Revenue was something they never imagined.

But thinking carefully... this seems to satisfy protocol in every respect.

The Money Shop belongs to the royal household; the royalty cannot dispense funds privately, which would violate protocol.

Yet because troops must be dispatched and the Ministry lacks funds, under special circumstances borrowing from the Money Shop and signing a contract makes everything justifiable.

Since the money still comes from the Ministry.

Borrowing, borrowing!

Having borrowed, it must be repaid.

Thus, this matter seems flawless from every angle.

At this point, Xiao Yu was speechless for a long time, finally saying, "Minister Chen, you are full of resolve... I admire you!"

Chen Yan shook his head, "What's there to admire? I've said that in this matter the Ministry will never hold anyone back. Even if the Ministry lacked funds, we would find a way!"

Alright, alright!

The many generals felt deeply gratified, seeing how satisfied Chen Yan was.

Indeed, children from our military families suit them, unlike those who only speak grandiose rhetoric.

Look at how they put it!

Even if the Ministry lacked funds, we would find a way!

Exactly!

Spot on!

"Then, Minister Xiao, do you still oppose dispatching troops?" Li Shimin asked.

Xiao Yu actually also opposed the deployment, but only said so privately, urging Li Shimin not to be hasty, which is why he asked this.

Xiao Yu replied silently, "Since the Ministry has solved the biggest problem without burdening the people or treasury, I naturally will not oppose."

"Only, I have a question."

Li Shimin: "Minister Xiao, feel free to speak."

"May I ask Minister Chen, the Ministry's borrowing from the Money Shop—does it follow the Money Shop's regulations? I'm not asking the exact amount, but I'd like to know how much interest will be due next year?"

Xiao Yu said, "Deploying troops abroad consumes enormous manpower and resources; although I don't know the exact sum the Ministry borrowed, I imagine the figure isn't negligible."

"If repayment occurs next year, will the Ministry's large outflow of money and grain hinder its normal operation?"

Hearing this, Chen Yan smiled, "Lord Xiao's question is surely shared by many colleagues; let me answer it for everyone now."

"The cash and grain the Ministry borrowed from the Money Shop are indeed substantial, but the Ministry is not without restraint. According to the Money Shop's rules, large loans carry lower interest, and the repayment period is also extended."

"The three‑year contract the Ministry signed with the Money Shop means the Ministry does not need to repay everything at once next year, but over three years, paying a portion each year."

"Thus, the Ministry's repayment pressure will be much lighter, not affecting the court's normal functioning or causing serious issues."

Xiao Yu suddenly understood, nodded, "His Majesty, I have no further questions."

Li Shimin, facing the ministers, said, "Then, everyone! Is there anyone still opposing my dispatch of troops?"

Having reached this point, everyone knew the tide was irreversible, so almost everyone echoed agreement, and no one stepped forward to oppose.

"Very well, then!" Li Shimin, pleased, immediately called out, "Li Jing!"

Li Jing, the head of the Ministry of War, rose at once, "I am here!"

"I appoint you as Grand Commander of the Western Sea Route campaign, to oversee all armies and coordinate the war against Tuyuhun," Li Shimin said with unmistakable authority, word for word: "From today, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Revenue must fully assist you; within four months, complete all pre‑war mobilizations."

"Supplies, arms, and personnel—I want to see a fifty‑thousand‑strong army, by July, ready for deployment."

Li Jing, excited, clasped his fists and declared, "I receive the order and shall not disgrace it!"

"Good!"

Li Shimin gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping the many civil and military officials, and softly said, "This campaign against Tuyuhun is not a whim of a single day, nor a hasty mobilization on my part."

Since Zhenguan Year Five, Murong Fuyun of Tuyuhun, outwardly respectful to our Tang Dynasty, bowing and pledging allegiance, in fact has broken trust, repeatedly violated our borders, plundered border civilians, seized passing caravans, and has even covertly contacted neighboring nomadic tribes, especially the Tubo Empire Empire Empire, plotting greatly.

I have tolerated him for a while, not because I cannot fight, nor because I dare not!

It is because I wait until heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and people's harmony all converge; now the three are in place......

Li Shimin paused briefly, his voice rising: "Then fight!!"

The single word "fight" struck like a massive stone hurled into a great river, igniting the heat in the hearts of the generals within the hall.

Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong and the others, though they have not attained the commander's position, have already begun to rub their fists and palms, their breathing a few beats heavier.