My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 97 The First Principal of the Tang Dynasty Military Academy

Faced with the prince's invitation, Li Jing remained silent and did not respond for a long time.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian did not urge him, but just picked up the wine glass to drink and eat a few bites of roast lamb.

He knew that this matter required a lot of consideration for Li Jing.

Li Jing was wondering whether he could agree to it.

Just as what was worried about before, if he joined the Prince's Military Academy, what would Your Majesty think?

In fact, if the prince had not shown amazing military talent and the Military Academy was not really tempting to Li Jing, he would have directly rejected the prince long ago.

The reason why Li Jing wanted to write a military book was naturally because he wanted to leave his name in history, even though his current achievements were enough to leave a deep mark in history.

But who can refuse more words in history?

What made him hesitate for a long time was that such a pioneering move as the Military Academy would inevitably lead to the reform of the Tang Dynasty's military system and strengthen the Tang Dynasty's military strength.

And if he becomes the first lecturer of the Military Academy, Li Jing's influence in the army will increase to a greater extent.

This blessing can benefit future generations, not to mention more, at least three to five generations will definitely not be a problem.

The future generations of the Li family will benefit greatly from this.

The current problem is that he has already become too successful and is the eldest son and the crown prince's confidant.

In this case, if Your Majesty is too suspicious.

It could have a huge impact on both the prince and the Li family.

A few days ago, he heard rumors in the court that the prince was suspected of treason. Although it was finally confirmed that the rebellion was committed by the Prince of Qi and had nothing to do with the prince, Li Jing felt that the prince might really be plotting a rebellion.

This was not something he felt from the prince. After all, he kept a distance from the prince and had little contact with him.

Instead, he vaguely sensed something unusual from the actions of his eldest son.

After his eldest son went to Luoyang to serve as the Grand Commander, he paid close attention to this. In recent days, he heard about his eldest son's actions from his former subordinates.

Prepare horses and troops, gather subordinates, and intensify training.

It seems normal, but in fact, the Tang Dynasty is now at peace, and training soldiers and winning over the top military officials in this way seems to be preparing for some major changes.

He didn't think too much about it before, but after hearing the rumor that the prince was plotting a rebellion, Li Jing contacted his superiors and subordinates and began to think a lot.

Therefore, whether joining the prince's camp would encourage the prince's rebellion is something that needs to be carefully considered.

Li Jing didn't say anything for a long time. Li Dejiang saw it and felt anxious.

With such a good opportunity, why did my father hesitate?

But he didn't dare to urge his father directly. As a military man, Li Jing had great authority in the family.

Even though Li Dejiang is over 40 years old, he is like a child in front of his old father.

If you disobey and go against your father's wishes, you will be beaten.

Directly dealt with by military law.

In Li Jing's family, military law is family law, and Li Dejiang has been beaten many times.

The atmosphere was becoming increasingly silent, but fortunately the servants heading to the East Palace had already arrived.

Li Chengqian said, "Duke Wei, please try my East Palace's soup stock first."

Li Jing nodded.

The servants began to replace the hot pot and prepare the sauces.

After some processing, it was fixed.

Li Jing also picked up a piece of mutton, rolled it in the hot pot for a few times, and then swished it with the sauce.

When I put it in my mouth, the taste is indeed different.

Li Jing savored the mutton in his mouth carefully, with a look of surprise in his eyes.

She nodded slightly and praised: "Your Highness, the soup and seasoning of the East Palace are really unique. This kind of food is really the best taste in the world."

At this time, Li Jing realized that what the prince said before actually had no other meaning. After the soup stock was mixed with other seasonings, its taste was truly unique and completely different from his previous soup stock base.

Li Dejiang couldn't wait to take a bite and was instantly impressed by the unique taste. He said quickly, "Father is right. This taste is amazing. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has an extraordinary taste."

Li Jing picked up another piece of roasted lamb, dipped it in the sauce and put it in his mouth. The rich aroma of meat and the mellow sauce blended in his mouth.

I couldn't help but sigh again: "This kind of delicacy is rare in my life. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's dedication is evident."

Li Dejiang also agreed, "Father is right. This roast lamb is even more delicious with the sauce of the Eastern Palace. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's attention to food is admirable."

While enjoying the delicious food, the father and son praised Li Chengqian's broth, seasoning and roast lamb.

Large plates of lamb slices and roast lamb suddenly descended rapidly.

Although Li Jing is over seventy years old, he still has a good appetite. Needless to say, Li Dejiang is strong and healthy, so he naturally eats a lot.

At this time, the atmosphere in the hall became a little more relaxed because of the topic of food.

However, Li Jing's confusion about the prince's invitation did not disappear.

At this time, Li Dejiang seemed to have suddenly become enlightened after eating delicious food, and said: "Your Highness, I heard that this military academy should be of great use to our Tang Dynasty. I wonder if Your Highness has invited His Majesty."

"If we really talk about the military, the most powerful person in the Tang Dynasty is naturally General Tiance. Even my father pales in comparison to your majesty."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up.

This suggestion was very good. He had previously only thought about how the Military Academy could strengthen his power. With the addition of Li Jing, the influence would increase, but he had ignored Er Feng.

After all, from the prince's perspective, this Military Academy is the foundation for his future rebellion, so he naturally would not consider Erfeng.

However, in reality, how could Erfeng have the time and energy to teach military matters? Even if she occasionally had the leisure and elegance, it would only be once or twice at most.

The most important thing is that if Er Feng is listed as a figurehead, it would be natural for Li Jing to come over again.

Li Chengqian immediately looked at Li Dejiang differently, raised his glass and said, "Your words really awakened me from my dream, Master, I toast you with this glass of wine."

Li Dejiang even said he dared not to drink with the prince.

At this point, Li Jing didn't need to say anything more.

If the prince convinces His Majesty, he will definitely join in.

After the dinner, Li Chengqian returned to the East Palace.

Then he asked the eunuch Wen Zhong to report that he wanted to meet Er Feng.

Overall, Li Shimin's joining the Military Academy brought more benefits than disadvantages.

The benefits are obvious. It can demonstrate orthodoxy and clearly convey to the outside world the support for the prince.

After all, Er Feng was too fond of King Wei at this time, so he had many supporters, especially the recent poems and songs praising King Wei, which raised King Wei to a new height.

Now that Erfeng has joined the Prince's Military Academy, this will greatly enhance the prince's political influence both inside and outside the court, making it clear to all forces that the prince's position is unshakable, thereby attracting more people to join the prince's camp.

The next step is to establish authority. Li Chengqian can use the influence of Erfeng to determine the authority of the Prince's Military Academy. In a sense, it makes the Prince's Military Academy a higher education institution like the Imperial Academy. As a general of Tiance, Li Shimin's military ability is needless to say. His rich military experience and outstanding leadership skills are also very beneficial to the Military Academy.

It’s just that after becoming emperor, Erfeng rarely has the opportunity to show his abilities, and he doesn’t need to teach others. But this doesn’t mean that Erfeng’s abilities have weakened, it’s just that he has fewer opportunities to show them.

The most important point is the allocation of resources.

Erfeng holds the highest power and the most abundant resources in the country. After he joins the Military Academy, he will inevitably transfer more military resources, outstanding generals and soldiers to the Military Academy.

This caused the Military Academy to expand and grow rapidly.

Previously, Li Dejiang said that his father Li Jing pales in comparison to Your Majesty. This was a bit modest, but Li Shimin's military ability was indeed incredibly strong and he was also quite experienced.

In addition to the advantages, the disadvantages are also obvious.

First of all, in decision-making, Li Chengqian's power will definitely be checked by Erfeng.

It is very clear from the name that it was originally the Prince's Military Academy, and now it is probably going to be renamed the Tang Dynasty Military Academy.

Young generals will also change from being the prince's disciples to being the emperor's disciples.

Moreover, as the Military Academy develops, the Erfeng Society will gradually realize the huge role it plays, and during this sensitive period of power transition, suspicion will become more serious.

If Li Chengqian performed too well in the Military Academy, or had too close a relationship with some generals and officials, it might arouse Li Shimin's suspicion and affect his position as crown prince.

Historically, Emperor Wu of Han was suspicious of Crown Prince Liu Ju in his later years because Liu Ju's political influence gradually increased, which caused Emperor Wu of Han to feel uneasy and eventually led to the Witchcraft Disaster.

But these were unavoidable, so Li Chengqian came to Ganlu Palace.

"It's so late, what does Cheng Qian want from me?"

Li Shimin was wearing plain clothes and spoke in a gentle tone.

The King of Wei has been too high-profile recently. In order to avoid making the Crown Prince feel too unbalanced, he naturally has to be closer to the Crown Prince.

The previous incident of Le Tong in the Eastern Palace satisfying his wife made Li Shimin realize that he should control both sides and not force the prince into a bad situation.

Even though the arrival of the crown prince affected his sexual pleasure, he still got up from the dragon bed to meet the crown prince.

Li Chengqian was not vague either. He immediately modified what he had said to Li Jing before and repeated it to Erfeng again.

After hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes suddenly lit up. As an emperor, he could better understand the benefits of this Military Academy.

The first thing Erfeng thought of was to strengthen central authority.

The Military Academy can become an important means of controlling the army. Through education and training at the Academy, the army can be made more loyal to the emperor and the central government, reducing the influence of local forces on the army.

He appointed trusted generals as instructors and leaders at the Military Academy to strengthen his control over the army.

A strong army is an important guarantee for maintaining political stability. As the army becomes stronger, the political situation will be more stabilized.

While enhancing the strength of the Tang army, it also made it more calm in the face of internal rebellions and external threats.

There are also many other benefits such as broadening the talent channel, bypassing the monopoly of aristocratic families, and breaking down class barriers.

"Good idea, Cheng Qian's idea is really wonderful."

Li Shimin said affirmatively, and the slight dissatisfaction in his heart just now had disappeared at this moment.

Li Chengqian said, "Please ask your father to be the first principal of this military academy."

"Principal?" Li Shimin was a little puzzled. After all, the head of Hongwenguan was generally called the director, and the head of Wenxueguan was the Grand Secretary. There was no such position as principal in the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian explained: "This is the name I gave to the head of the Military Academy, to distinguish it from the Hongwen Academy."

"'Xiao' means to correct and standardize. We should correct the students' conduct and standardize their words and deeds, so that they can become talents who are loyal to the emperor, patriotic, brave and good at fighting."

"'Chang' means leader or guide. He led the development of the Military Academy, formulated teaching strategies, and trained generations of outstanding generals for the Tang Dynasty."

“The position of principal can only be filled by a man of great talent, virtue, and courage.”

As Li Chengqian explained, his heart was bleeding. Originally, he was the first principal of the Prince's Military Academy.

Not only has the name been changed, but the position of principal can only be handed over to Erfeng.

After listening to this, Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, then I will serve as the first principal of the Tang Dynasty Military Academy."

After thinking for a while, Li Shimin said, "Mr. Li Wei has been compiling a military book at home recently. Cheng Qian, you should go to Mr. Li Wei's residence tomorrow and tell him about the Military Academy. I think he will definitely be very interested."

"I am usually very busy with government affairs and do not have much time to teach at the Military Academy. Lord Li Wei is idle at home and can be a lecturer at the Military Academy."

"With Lord Li Wei here, this Military Academy can be said to be worthy of its name."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian was suddenly embarrassed. He couldn't say that he went to Li Jing's house first, but Li Jing didn't agree, so he came to see his father.

If that were really the case, then the meaning would be completely different and would certainly cause Er Feng to become doubly suspicious.

Lying is even worse. The prince's whereabouts will definitely be reported to Erfeng. When she knows about it, her suspicion will double.

After thinking for a while, an idea flashed in his mind, and Li Chengqian said: "Speaking of which, the idea of ​​the Military Academy was obtained from Li Weigong."

Li Shimin was surprised and asked, "Oh, what do you mean?"

Li Chengqian explained: "Today I went to visit Lord Li Wei. Originally I wanted to talk to him and ask him to come back earlier to help me manage the training of the soldiers."

"While chatting, I heard that Li Weigong was compiling a military book to benefit future generations, and then I suddenly had an idea."

"Civil officials governing the local areas and military generals defending the country are equally important."

"Since we already have the Hongwen Academy, why can't we have the Lecture Hall?"

“That’s when I came up with the idea of ​​establishing the Military Academy.”

With this said, the matter was naturally resolved, and Li Shimin would not think too much about it. However, when he thought of the prince's idea of ​​establishing a military academy, the first person he thought of was himself.

Li Shimin nodded and said, "That's right."

In his opinion, the establishment of the Military Academy might have been guided by Li Weigong.

It is even very likely that Li Weigong used the prince's mouth to narrate the incident.

He was originally surprised that the prince could come up with such an idea, but now that it involves Li Weigong, it seems much more normal.

Next, there was a tug of war between father and son.

According to Li Chengqian's idea, the Military Academy was originally the Prince's Military Academy, so of course it should be set up in the Eastern Palace.

Li Shimin naturally disagreed and proposed to set it up in the imperial city.

Li Chengqian also disagreed. Considering that the idea of ​​the Military Academy was proposed by the crown prince after all, Li Shimin did not act too forcefully. After all, he still needed to ease relations with the crown prince.

It’s impossible for a father and son to have another fight over a few words.

After some final discussion, the address of the Military Academy was finally decided to be Yongxingfang.

That is, it is the first block outside the Eastern Palace after exiting Yeonhui Gate.

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(End of this chapter)