My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 32 Su Dingfang: I want to follow the prince
Jumong, a native of Northeastern Buyeo, established a kingdom in Heseunggu Castle and named it Zubon Buyeo.

Later, Buyeo occupied Goguryeo County in Xuantu Commandery of the Han Dynasty and changed its name to Goguryeo.

During the Han Dynasty, Goguryeo was also called Goguryeo, or Goguryeo for short.

After the establishment of Goguryeo, it continued to encroach on the four Korean counties in the northeast, and eventually occupied the entire Liaodong and Korean regions during the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

As the territory expanded, Goguryeo's territory also continued to migrate.

In 3 AD, Goguryeo moved its capital to "Guonei City", which is Ji'an City in Jilin Province in later generations. Goguryeo established its capital here for more than 400 years.

In 427, Goguryeo moved its capital to Pyongyang.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Goguryeo was renamed Goryeo.

During the Sui Dynasty, the name of Goryeo became famous throughout the country after Emperor Yang of Sui launched three expeditions to Goryeo.

Goryeo is very strong. Strictly speaking, the current Goguryeo is very strong.

It is not a tribal regime, but a complete regime like the Central Plains dynasty.

During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Central Plains, which was in a state of lawlessness, gradually developed into a highly mature agricultural regime.

The people here value culture and martial arts, with a population of more than 70 households and 176 cities, and they already have the strength to compete for the Central Plains.

The Sui and Tang dynasties were very stressful.

Attacking Goguryeo became the national policy.

But it’s not that easy to fight.

Historically, two years later, Li Shimin personally led an expedition to Goryeo. Learning from the lessons of the Sui Dynasty, he only brought more than 100,000 troops. However, he failed to conquer Goryeo because of too few troops.

No matter how strong a fortress is, it can be broken from within.

It was not until the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang that civil strife broke out in Goryeo, and Emperor Gaozong took the opportunity to annihilate it.

However, the victory eventually benefited Silla, and the Tang-Silla War broke out again.

The Tang Dynasty was forced to give up the former territory of Baekje due to the pressure of fighting against Tubo in the west, but it controlled most of the former territory of Goguryeo, and Silla also apologized to the Tang Dynasty and submitted to it.

Without military power, what can you use to rebel?
Li Chengqian wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to attack Goryeo to gain the power to lead the army.

The Sui Dynasty fell to Goryeo.

If the Goryeo, which the Sui Dynasty failed to conquer, was conquered by the prince, to what extent would the Sui Dynasty's prestige grow?

At that time, Li Chengqian finally had the real capital to confront Li Shimin.

The reason for this confidence is naturally because of Li Chengqian's secret weapon.
-
In Chang'an City, a figure walked on the street ignoring the curfew.

Ji Zhao closed his eyes slightly and slowly opened his arms, as if embracing the quiet night.

This was the first time he felt so good walking in the curfew-ridden city of Chang'an.

"Who dares to violate the curfew?"

The Jinwu Guards who were patrolling at night soon spotted Ji Zhao. After all, he was very eye-catching standing in the middle of the street.

Ji Zhao was not panicked and took out his badge from his waist.

The leading Jinwu Guard was stepping forward to take the badge and check it.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

He clasped his fists and bowed: "It is my duty, please forgive me."

"nothing."

The captain waved his hand: "Let's go."

The patrolling Jinwu Guards left immediately.

In front of the west gate of Yongpingfang, the closed door opened wide and Ji Zhao walked in calmly.

Several bad guys who had been waiting for a long time surrounded him. They were all Ji Zhao’s confidants.

"So majestic."

"Ji Shuai has been appreciated by the Crown Prince."

"We can also benefit from it."

Ji Zhao stopped them from flattering him: "Let's talk about it back in the house."

Inside the room, Ji Zhao repeated in detail the task assigned by the prince.

The original enthusiasm suddenly faded, and everyone felt as if a basin of ice water had been poured over their heads.

Someone said angrily: "Thirty days to go to Yingzhou, even if we ride as fast as possible, it will take ten days. How can we complete it in just ten days?"

Another person agreed, "Yes, the prince clearly wants to force us to death. He treats us as the King of Wei's men and does not trust us at all."

"Ji Shuai, let's go, leave Chang'an, with our brothers' abilities, we can survive anywhere."

"We are all willing to follow Ji Shuai."

Everyone said in unison: "We are willing to follow Ji Shuai."

However, among the crowd, there was one person who didn't fit in, just frowned and thought deeply. "Chen Liang, what do you mean, don't you want to follow Ji Shuai?"

"Ji Shuai helped you so much, but you turned out to be such a mean person."

Hearing the scolding, Chen Liang said, "No, of course I am willing to follow Commander Ji. I just thought that the Crown Prince is so powerful that he can kill us with just a random order."

"Why are you beating around the bush now and not telling us what's going on? You're also giving Marshal Ji the Order of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace."

Everyone looked at each other, as if it was indeed the case.

Ji Zhao laughed and said, "Chen Liang, I was right about you."

"That's right. Since the Crown Prince has granted the East Palace Order, it's certainly not targeting us on purpose."

"All the prince needs is an excuse."

"All we have to do is provide the prince with an excuse."

“It’s the results that matter, not the process.”

"Even if they are a group of fake Silla envoys, as long as the prince says they are envoys, who can confirm it?"

In fact, it is not that simple. After all, the envoy has to meet the saint.

Ji Zhao did this to reassure everyone.

Then he added: "If this is accomplished, the Crown Prince will grant me the position of the Captain of the Eastern Palace's Personal Guards."

"You can follow me into the East Palace and ascend to heaven in one step."

Everyone looked at each other and said in unison again: "We will follow Master Ji until death."

Li Chengqian was right, Ji Zhao was indeed a smart man.
-
The next morning, Ji Zhao set out directly for Yingzhou with his trusted men.

At the same time, the Left Five Guards were training in the training ground.

Su Dingfang came over and saw the lively discussions and the noisy life here, and he immediately felt unhappy.

"How dare you! You are so lazy during your morning drills."

"Do you want me to enforce military law?"

"Hurry up and return to your seat."

When they saw the General of the Central Army coming over and scolding them, the soldiers began to line up.

Su Dingfang walked up to a man in front and scolded him, "General Pei, you have always been law-abiding in the past. Why are you so absurd today?"

Pei Xingjian, who passed the Mingjing examination, was appointed assistant general of the Zuowuwei Cangcao.

Historically, it once dominated the Western Regions and defeated the Turks.

"General Su, we were just discussing the Crown Prince's archery skills."

Pei Xingjian said honestly.

Su Dingfang frowned: "The prince's archery skills? Did the prince do something ridiculous again?"

Pei Xingjian quickly explained: "It's not absurd, it's a legendary thing."

Pei Xingjian then recounted in detail the prince's display of riding and archery yesterday morning.

Su Dingfang did not believe it: "It is so stupid and ridiculous. How can I believe such a rumor?"

Pei Xingjian then went on to tell the story of how the Crown Prince demonstrated in front of His Majesty and many ministers how Chang Sun Sheng once shot a copper coin from a hundred paces away.

"Your Majesty gave the prince his personal weapon, the Juque Heavenly Bow."

"I heard that Changsun Situdu cried because he missed his father."

Su Dingfang's eyes widened like bells: "It's true."

Pei Xingjian replied: "The prince was shooting arrows outside the palace. Many of the guards saw it with their own eyes. Now the news has spread throughout the army."

In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Su Dingfang was awarded the title of General of the Left for his meritorious service, and his position has not changed at all since then.

This was because during the war to destroy the Eastern Turks, they allowed their troops to plunder.

The reason why he didn't vote for the prince was simply because he despised his absurdity.

Now that the prince has such archery skills, he can use a two-stone giant bow to shoot coins from a hundred steps away. How could he not be worthy of following?

Being strong is the nature of people in the military.

Thinking back to last night when he rejected the recommendation of Su Tan, the Junior Official of Dali Temple, Su Dingfang felt extremely regretful.

If you are valued by the prince, would you still be afraid of not having the opportunity to be promoted?

Su Dingfang does not understand court politics, but as a prince like him, he will surely ascend the throne in the future.

"You guys continue training. I have something to do and I'm leaving first."

After leaving a few words, Su Dingfang left in a hurry.

He wanted to meet Su Tan and talk to him about the introduction.

(End of this chapter)