The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 342 A Battle Without Regrets

Li Shimin helped the old man up and said in a very serious manner: "When I go to Liaodong, I will definitely recover the remains of the former Sui soldiers and live up to the people's wishes."

Zheng Yuanzhen took staggering steps and nodded slowly.

"When Yang Guang went on the expedition to Guangdong, he left too many corpses in Liaodong. That is why the expedition to the east is imperative. If I don't conquer Goguryeo this time, how can I face the world? How can I still have face?"

Zheng Yuanzhen whispered, "I still have many files written in Liaodong that I can present to Your Majesty."

Li Shimin said loudly: "Okay!"

After the spring rain, it is the busy farming season. Although the emperor and his family have arrived in Luoyang, farming in Luoyang continues as usual.

The city of Luoyang was still under martial law at night.

Li Chengqian looked at the marching route map in front of him. The marching route from Luoyang to Liaodong was a very long one. The army needed to mobilize manpower from various prefectures in Hebei and Henan.

According to the plan, the army should arrive in Youzhou in June, and then cross the Liaoshui River before October, capture the city and rest, while the army stays in the city to keep warm.

Climate was the biggest obstacle to the Tang army's eastward expedition, not to mention the complex terrain of Goguryeo.

It was very quiet in the Qianyuan Hall. Li Chengqian looked at the map in silence.

"Brother Royal."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian turned around and saw that it was Li Ke, and asked, "Are you done?"

"Well, the general asked me to ask Brother Ke about the food and grass."

Li Chengqian said: "The grain and grass were sent out half a month in advance, half a month ahead of the army. Xiao Rui, the Junior Minister of Imperial Household, arranged 200,000 shi of grain and grass for the army. Xue Wanche went to Hebei to mobilize grain and grass first, and Wei Ting was in charge of the transportation in Henan. This is roughly the situation."

"I don't know how long this battle will last. I'll think of a way to get more food and supplies later."

Li Ke said: "In the battle of Tianshan, the food and grass for 100,000 soldiers were no problem for my brother. Now the 60,000 soldiers all trust my brother."

After that, he handed over another booklet and said, "This is the list of troops from various routes. Qibi Heli and Xue Wanbei are the vanguard, leading 5,000 troops. Behind them are the 20,000 troops of the King of Jiangxia and Duke Ying, and then the army of General Su Dingfang. Your Majesty and the army in the rear will enter Liaodong last."

Such a huge army did not rush to Goguryeo all at once, but was divided into several groups. Li Chengqian looked at the deployment of the troops and said, "I know."

Li Ke bowed and said, "I will have to trouble my brother again for this expedition."

Not many strong men from Guanzhong were mobilized this time. After more than ten years, from the conquest of the Turks, to the battles of Tuyuhun, Songzhou, and Gaochang, the people's livelihood in Guanzhong was already exhausted.

Most of the troops this time were mobilized from the garrison of Zhechongfu, so there was no large-scale recruitment in Guanzhong.

Li Chengqian sat down and drank a sip of tea. He looked at his brother's expression, then looked at the map and asked, "How do you think of this map?"

Li Ke looked at the map for a while and nodded, "It's very detailed."

Li Chengqian explained: "This was drawn by the people from the Literature Museum at Qingque."

Li Ke looked towards the east of the Liao River and said, "If General Zhang Liang's crossing is successful, he will most likely land at Beisha City in Goguryeo. After my father's troops cross the Liao River, they will most likely fight a major battle in Anshi City."

"I've heard Lord Li Wei say before that father often wins by surprise when deploying troops."

Li Ke agreed and said, "Brother, do you think that Father will also win this battle with a surprise attack?"

Li Chengqian folded his hands, and said with some doubts, "I hope that my father will have no regrets in this battle."

As he spoke, he circled a mountain in Goguryeo and said, "This is the heartland of Goguryeo. This mountain is called Zhubi Mountain. If the army reaches this place, they can go around and attack the royal city behind Goguryeo."

Li Ke stared at the mountain range and asked in confusion: "Is this place special?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Of course, the specific situation needs to be analyzed specifically. Now I just think that this mountain range is dangerous."

Li Ke nodded and said, "I will pay attention to it."

Li Chengqian handed him a scroll of documents, "This is the document for mobilizing food and grass. You stay by your father's side and take good care of him."

"Here."

Watching his younger brother walk into the night again, Li Chengqian picked up the military register beside him and placed it neatly on a corner of the table.

After leaving Qianyuan Hall and arriving at the back of the Luoyang Palace, we heard the laughter of children.

This is the laughter of little Yutu, who is playing with a small car.

The two children quickly adapted to life in their new home.

Seeing that it was His Highness who had returned, Su Wan stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, my mother said that you might have to stay in Luoyang for a year or two, and I sent someone to Chang'an to bring more clothes and bedding."

Li Chengqian picked up his daughter who was running towards him and said, "You can make the arrangements."

Su Wan nodded and smiled.

Ning'er was accompanying her mother, arranging many matters here.

Inside the bedroom, the furniture had been put away, and it was neater and tidier than in the previous few days. The books and clothes left in Chang'an were also being delivered.

The next day, when the rain stopped, the vanguard of the eastern expedition set out for Liaodong.

After Li Chengqian handled the affairs of state in the palace in Luoyang, he watched the vanguard troops of Qibi Heli and Xue Wanbei leave. The vanguard troops in the eastern expedition were all cavalry.

Looking back at the city of Luoyang, this ancient capital is showing its vitality. The martial law in the city has finally been lifted. Except for retaining the curfew, it will basically not affect the lives of the original Luoyang residents.

The history of Luoyang's construction is very long, so long that it can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty, and then went through the Qin and Han Dynasties, Wei and Jin Dynasties, to the present Sui and Tang Dynasties.

In fact, during the Northern Wei Dynasty, Luoyang City was still very large, but in the subsequent wars, Luoyang was almost abandoned.

Today's Luoyang was renovated by Emperor Yang of Sui based on the previous foundation, and most of the specifications were built in the style of the imperial city. Perhaps Emperor Yang of Sui wanted to make Luoyang the capital.

Seeing his uncle and grandfather walking towards him with crutches, Li Chengqian said, "The vanguard has already set off."

Gao Shilian looked at the prosperous scene below the city and said, "Ma Zhou's governance of Luoyang City was quite effective. He should be credited with his contribution. Yang Guang can rest in peace now."

Li Yuan said: "There are too many people who want to die, you can't just talk about Yang Guang."

"I didn't say I didn't care about other people."

Seeing his grandfather arguing with his uncle, Li Chengqian walked down from the city wall and watched carts of food and fodder being sent from the east.

The amount of food and fodder for an army of 60,000 is not a small amount, and it will take a long time to supply.

Li Chengqian felt the pressure of food and grass this time, and couldn't help but feel that it was more difficult than when he first swept through Tianshan.

Walking along the city wall, Li Chengqian looked at the defense of Luoyang. His father was still in the camp, seemingly fully preparing for the expedition, and had never asked about the affairs of Luoyang.

"His Royal Highness."

Seeing the person who saluted, Li Chengqian felt that he looked familiar. After a little thought, he remembered that his father had asked Chai Zhewei to guard Luoyang. He said, "General Chai Zhewei, thank you for guarding Luoyang all these years."

Everyone has heard that the prince is strict with civil officials and takes good care of the palace soldiers. Chai Zhewei bowed and said, "I can't say that I have had a hard time in these years."

"It was General Chai's troops who intimidated Luoyang that led to the implementation of governance by Ma Zhou and his men."

"I am only following orders."

Li Chengqian said: "I will be in Luoyang recently. I hope the general will continue to guard the city."

"I obey your command." Chai Zhewei is the child of Chai Shao and Princess Pingyang. He is over 30 years old and is considered a steady general in the army.

As the two were talking, the guard came to report: "Your Highness, the Duke of Zhao is here."

Li Chengqian stopped, looked back, and said, "Uncle."

Zhang Sun Wuji bowed and said, "Your Highness, I, Cen Wenben, Ma Zhou and others have discussed and asked Your Majesty to approve the canonization of Gao Zang as the King of Goguryeo and confer the title of Goguryeo Pillar of State on Yeon Gaesomun. This will allow him to relax his vigilance."

"Is it necessary?"

Hearing His Highness's question, Changsun Wuji added: "If it can relieve the pressure of the front army encountering the enemy, then it is feasible."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Come here."

"The end will be here."

A guard came forward.

Li Chengqian ordered: "Take uncle to the military camp to meet father."

"Yes." The guard bowed and said, "Duke Zhao will follow me."

Changsun Wuji still looked quite troubled, and left with the guards.

At noon, Li Chengqian was in the Luoyang Palace reading memorials from various counties, from which he could understand the current development status of the counties in Luoyang.

These days, memorials from Guanzhong have been delivered one after another, and the subdivision of counties in Guanzhong into townships has been going relatively smoothly.

An eunuch came quickly and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has issued an edict to confer the title of King of Goguryeo on Gozang and the title of General of Goguryeo on Yeon Gaesomun."

Li Chengqian knew the meaning of this letter. Everything Yeon Gaesomun did in Goguryeo was unjust.

Because of this kind of unjust behavior, it is easy to be criticized.

Yeon Gaesomun now feels guilty, and his father's order makes him feel lucky.

Deep down, Li Chengqian didn't like his uncle's strategy, which was to pretend to have the Tang Dynasty's tacit approval and lull the enemy into submission for a while. In the end, when the Tang army reached the Liao River, Yeon Gaesomun would also wake up.

Of course, as my uncle said, even if it can reduce the pressure on the front army and cause trouble for Goguryeo, it should be done.

The eunuch said again: "Your Highness, the Duke of Zhao also said that he would go to war with Your Majesty."

"How did Father reject Uncle?"

The eunuch was a little confused, but then he smiled and was relieved. If His Majesty agreed to let Duke Zhao go with the army, he would not have to come and deliver the message, but His Majesty would have asked them to deliver the order.

"Your Highness, His Majesty said that the Crown Prince is still young, while Duke Xu is already old, Duke Zheng is also recuperating in Chang'an, and Prime Minister Fang stayed in Chang'an, and ordered Duke Zhao to assist Your Highness."

Li Chengqian nodded, indicating that he could leave.

The eunuch bowed slightly and retreated out of the hall.

When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is handling documents and memorials, he does not like people standing next to him. If the breathing is a little loud, His Royal Highness will be displeased.

Therefore, the eunuchs who came from Chang'an were very clear about the rules and would not disturb the prince by standing outside the door.

Li Chengqian picked up another roll of paper. It was a letter from his teacher. In the letter, the teacher ordered Xu Jingzong, the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Prefecture, to open the granaries in various counties, store all the grain in the warehouse in Tongguan, and transport it to Luoyang from Tongguan.

To transport food and fodder, water transportation is the most convenient way, and the Grand Canal built by Yang Guang in the past is going to be used again.

Li Chengqian looked at another map. This map showed the deployment of the entire Central Plains river channel, and all the provincial capitals were on the map.

After finishing the tasks at hand, Li Chengqian asked the eunuchs to hand over all the reviewed documents and memorials to various departments in the court.

Seeing that the eunuch was about to leave, Li Chengqian asked again: "Wait, is Xu Xiaode still building Luoyang City?"

"Your Highness, Minister Xu is still building houses in Luoyang City. The Ministry of Works is short of manpower, and the people from the Ministry of the Imperial Household will follow Your Majesty on the expedition. Minister Xu is personally leading people to build houses for the officials of the six ministries."

"Let Xu Xiaode build a large house next to the Chongwen Hall in Luoyang, recruit 300 scholars from the Chongwen Hall, and read memorials and reports from various places every day."

"Here."

After giving these instructions, Li Chengqian was still thinking about whether there was anything he had missed. At this time, his uncle really could not join the army on the Eastern Expedition.

"Let my uncle come over."

"Go and tell Duke Zhao right away."

Li Chengqian also sent someone to tell Xiaofu to bring the food to Qianyuan Palace.

While waiting for a moment of leisure while waiting for his uncle, Li Chengqian stood in front of the Qianyuan Hall and looked at the layout of the palace in front of him.

When Yang Guang built the Luoyang Palace, he named it Ziwei City and at one point recruited more than one million people to build it.

Now in the Li Tang dynasty, it is called Luoyang Palace again. When my father toured Luoyang, he changed the name of the palace here. The three main halls are the main hall Qianyang Hall, Zhenguan Hall, and Huiyou Hall.

Later, my grandfather felt that the Luoyang Palace was too luxurious and Yang Guang was too extravagant, so he demolished the Qianyang Palace.

In those days, my father once wanted to rebuild the Luoyang Palace, but was dissuaded by his teacher at the time and Zhang Xuansu and others, who said that the people in Luoyang were living in poverty, so the construction was not carried out.

The current Qianyang Palace still looks old and has not been well repaired.

Therefore, Qianyuan Hall, which serves as a side hall, can only be used temporarily.

Li Lizhi walked over quickly and said, "Brother Emperor, Zhinu and Shendi are here."

Li Chengqian looked over and saw his two younger brothers. "Didn't I tell you to stay in Chang'an? Why are you here?"

Li Lizhi said unhappily, "Prime Minister Fang thought that Zhinu and Shendi missed their father, so he allowed them to come to Luoyang."

Li Zhi said aggrievedly: "Royal brother."

Li Chengqian said, "I'm here, have you eaten yet?"

Hearing their brother saying that he wanted to eat first, Li Zhi and Li Shen felt warmed in their hearts.

It happened that his uncle also came, and Li Chengqian led them into the Qianyuan Hall and said, "Let's have dinner, uncle will also sit down."

Changsun Wuji bowed first and then sat down.

The meal in Luoyang Palace was simple. It was almost dusk. Li Chengqian handed bowls and chopsticks to his two younger brothers and said, "Brother Shen, you came at the right time."

Li Shen took the chopsticks and asked, "What do you want, my brother?"

"Qianyang Palace needs some repairs. Draw a blueprint for Xu Xiaode and ask him to arrange for people to repair it."

Li Chengqian also sat down and said, "After you finish these things, go back to Chang'an. If the emperor knows that you came here without permission, you will be punished."

Li Zhi lowered his head and said, "Yeah."

Li Lizhi said, "Brother, I have some things I would like to ask Zhinu and Shendi to do."

"You said."

"Let Shendi and Zhinu go to Bozhou. There are several mineral resources in Bozhou that need to be investigated. My sister has seen the copper and iron transactions in recent years and suspects that someone is running a private mine."

(End of this chapter)