Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 106: They Think Your Majesty and Duke Zhao Can’t See It (Part )
Luoyang Ziwei Palace, Qianyang Hall.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone into the palace, and in the tall hall, a golden five-clawed dragon hung down.

Silent and majestic.

Zhang Sun Wuji, dressed in a purple robe, walked into the hall with a solemn expression. He bowed to the emperor sitting on the imperial couch and said, "Your Majesty."

Li Shimin placed the memorial in his hand on the imperial desk and looked up at Zhangsun Wuji: "What's the matter, Wuji?"

"It's the King of Wei. He plans to begin compiling the Book of the Later Han next month." Changsun Wuji continued to bow and said, "So I've been asked to report this to Your Majesty and ask if this is feasible."

"The Book of the Later Han!" Li Shimin sighed and asked, "Wuji, you should know that this book was never really aimed at Concubine Yang and Prince Cao, but at you?"

Zhang Sun Wuji smiled calmly and said, "Your Majesty, the King of Wei knows nothing about these things."

"Yes, the cleverest thing about Fan Ye's compilation of the Book of the Later Han was hiding the Biographies of Foreign Relatives within the Chronicles of the Empresses. He then elevated the aristocratic families, belittled the eunuchs, and even kicked the foreign relatives out of the rank of aristocratic families." Li Shimin looked at Zhangsun Wuji and shook his head in amusement. "Wuji, you're the uncle of Chengqian, Qingque, and Zhinu, and you're also the Minister of Works and Prime Minister..."

"Perhaps it's because the Queen is no longer here that people can finally see my abilities correctly." Changsun Wuji bowed gently with a calm look in his eyes.

Li Shimin knew Zhangsun Wuji best, so he could certainly hear the dissatisfaction in his voice, but what could he do about it?
It was Li Tai who found him. Before finding him, Li Tai also found several princes and princesses to build a Buddhist shrine in Longmen, Luoyang, to pray for the afterlife of Empress Changsun.

What could be wrong with Li Tai? He just lacked experience and was completely unaware of the dangers hidden in the Book of the Later Han.

Especially to elevate the aristocratic family.

"Besides, this book is ultimately used to consolidate the imperial power. It values ​​virtue and righteousness, suppresses snobbery and profit, promotes hermits, removes treacherous villains, honors the emperor, and deifies the imperial power. There is no reason for me not to make this trip for the King of Wei." Changsun Wuji bowed seriously.

"Everything else is fine, but I don't like the idea of ​​elevating the status of aristocratic families. Furthermore, the issue of relatives by marriage also needs to be revised." The emperor paused for a moment and said, "Chong'er is now the Junior Secretary. Let him be involved in this matter."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji breathed a sigh of relief and immediately bowed.

Secretary-General Changsun Chong was the eldest son of Changsun Wuji, and his wife was the emperor's eldest daughter, Princess Changle.

Chang Sun Chong intervened not to help Li Tai, but to keep an eye on Li Tai while he compiled the Book of the Later Han.

"Oh, right." Li Shimin looked up at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "The Crown Prince married Crown Prince Liangti. I have chosen the ninth day of the sixth lunar month. Please go back on my behalf. I need to keep an eye on the plague in Zezhou."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji immediately let go. He knew that this was the emperor's punishment for the King of Wei, but also his care for the prince. It was also a disguised way of telling the prince about the "Book of the Later Han Dynasty".

After leaving Qianyuan Hall, Changsun Wuji's face calmed down, so calm that it seemed a little indifferent.

Under the Chengtian Sect, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but glance in the direction of Prince Wei's Mansion, with a hint of sharpness in his eyes.

……

Chang'an, East Inner Courtyard.

Taiye Lake.

A huge and long four-masted sailing ship was parked on the shore of Taiye Lake, and countless craftsmen were constantly going up and down on it.

"A four-masted ship like this could deploy twelve sails, four oars, carry about 900 tons, and be manned by over 600 sailors," Yang Wulian reported from the deck to Li Chengqian, who was dressed in a black robe with golden python threads. "It's said that during the Three Kingdoms period, Sun Quan, ruler of the Eastern Wu, owned a five-story ship called the 'Feiyun,' which could carry 3000 soldiers and had sails that could stretch meters. Unfortunately, this shipbuilding technology was lost during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Sixteen Kingdoms."

"It doesn't matter. We will build a ship like that one day." Li Chengqian smiled with satisfaction.

When the Tang Dynasty conquered Goryeo, it mobilized a maximum of 20,000 naval troops.

If there really were six such "Feiyun" ships, they could all be sent to attack Goryeo.

"Yes!" Yang Wulian, dressed in a green official robe, said cautiously, "In a sea battle, the most important thing is a strong hook and rope. Once the rope grabs the enemy ship, their skilled sailors can immediately swing over."

Li Chengqian took a hook rope and found that except for the hook at the top, there was a huge knot every foot on the rope ladder below.

"Soldiers can climb quickly by using rope knots. At sea, such hook ropes are much easier to use than rope ladders. Of course, the most difficult to use at sea is the ladder." Yang Wulian subconsciously looked at the Daming Palace behind him, and Li Chengqian followed suit.

The Daming Palace was built by Emperor Taizong as a summer escape for Emperor Gaozu, but unfortunately, Emperor Gaozu passed away before the Daming Palace was completed.

The walls of Daming Palace are so high that climbing them with a grappling hook at night is completely silent.

But if it is a siege, ladders are naturally more stable.

Fighting at sea is another matter.

"The lance isn't very useful in naval combat. It's only during the day when visibility is clear. When the enemy attempts to board a ship, you can use the lance to directly stab them and drive them off. At night, the lance is less effective." After a brief pause, Yang Wulian said, "In fact, at sea, soldiers often carry iron rods. This weapon is more useful when dropped into the water."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly. This iron ruler was later spread to Japan through the sea and became a common weapon of Japanese ninjas.

"Of course, at sea, there are two real lethal weapons: the catapult and the crossbow." Yang Wulian glanced at the small catapult already placed on the ship and said, "Use the catapult to launch fireballs and set the enemy ships on fire. They will have nowhere to escape."

"Let's talk about the crossbow." Li Chengqian nodded slightly and said, "The crossbow is the most lethal weapon at sea."

"Yes!" Yang Wulian's expression grew serious. He said, "Catapults are fine, but the more powerful a crossbow is, the larger the ship it requires. It can even pierce the enemy ship directly with a single strike. If it has a rope attached, then its size can be used to wear down the enemy."

"But it's not easy to build such a large crossbow cart." Li Chengqian understood Yang Wulian's meaning, then looked at the large ship below him and said, "If we can build thirty of these large ships, it will be enough for Yang Qing to be promoted to the position of Junior Craftsman."

"Your Highness, you are joking. I have little experience." Yang Wulian smiled bitterly.

"What's the matter? Did someone in the Supervisor of Works give you a hard time?" Li Chengqian's face darkened. "It wasn't that bad. It was just a little slow, but it's not a big deal." Yang Wulian looked up and forced a smile.

Li Chengqian sighed softly, then said seriously, "Most of the Chief of Works are actually loyal to Your Majesty. Of course, if someone is unsuitable for the position, I will order the Ministry of Personnel to transfer them directly. At the same time, if you have any recommendations, the Ministry of Personnel will evaluate them and appoint them quickly."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Yang Wulian let out a long sigh, then bowed solemnly.

"Don't worry. I believe no one will do anything intentional regarding official matters. However, Master Craftsman Yan and Junior Craftsman Yan have been working in the General Construction Department for many years, so it's inevitable that some people will have some unfounded thoughts. However, within the General Construction Department, Minister of the Imperial Guards, Jiang Xingben, still has some old subordinates. You can consult with them if you have any questions."

After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said with emotion, "In fact, if the master architect Yan Lide was here, there wouldn't be so much trouble. What a pity..."

The only person who has the final say in the Chief Architect's Office now is Yan Liben, the Junior Architect, who is a bit stingy.

"In any case, shipbuilding is a major event in the court. Anyone who presents obvious obstacles, you, as a sixth-rank official, can directly impeach them." Li Chengqian's expression turned cold. If it was just internal cliques and mutual obstruction, it would be a small matter. But once the impeachment was submitted, it would mean the confiscation of property and extermination of the clan.

"Yes!"

……

It was dusk, inside the East Palace.

Li Chengqian dismounted from his horse and walked calmly towards Lizheng Hall.

Standing in the hall, Li Chengqian opened his arms. Two maids brought from the Su family helped Li Chengqian untie his outer robe, and then his rattan armor was revealed.

After his armor was taken off, Li Chengqian finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat on the bed.

Four two-inch long springs removed from the knees of the leg armor were carefully locked up by Li Anyan on one side.

Now Li Chengqian can walk more freely, thanks to these four secretly crafted springs, and he even has no problem riding a horse.

When he normally attends court and attends banquets, most people don’t notice anything unusual.

These four springs are Li Chengqian's most secret and precious treasures.

Fortunately, the emperor never asked about these things.

"Every time I leave the palace in the future, I will need to wear this full-body rattan armor. Unfortunately, this rattan armor has not been refined with tung oil, otherwise its defensive capabilities would be greatly enhanced." Li Chengqian couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

"It's best not to use tung oil to refine it, otherwise you will be hit by a rocket and finished." Li Anyan bowed and looked at Li Chengqian seriously.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I was just joking, but honestly, if we could make a set of light iron armor and connect them with springs, it would actually be effective. Unfortunately, this kind of light iron armor cannot be made at the moment."

"Yes!"

"Also, the Eastern Palace will soon begin forging crossbows, so have the Ministry of War, the Censorate, the Imperial Guards, and the Ministry of the Imperial Household send people to watch over them. Losing one of these things could be fatal." Li Chengqian's expression grew serious.

"Yes!" Li Anyan bowed earnestly, then suddenly thought of something and asked carefully, "Your Highness, this kind of spring can be used in a crossbow..."

Li Chengqian interrupted him immediately with a cold look, and Li Anyan immediately bowed and said, "I am guilty."

Li Chengqian looked forward and shook his head gently, saying, "Don't even think about it. You are not allowed to reveal even a single word of this to anyone before I ascend the throne."

"Yes!" Li Anyan bowed immediately.

"Tell me, what happened today?" Li Chengqian picked up the tea bowl on the table.

"An official document has arrived from Luoyang stating that the Imperial Historian Bureau believes the ninth day of next month is the most suitable time. Therefore, the Imperial Clan Temple has requested that Your Majesty marry the Crown Prince Liangti on the ninth day of next month." Li Anyan bowed and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."

"The ninth day of next month." Li Chengqian waved his hand and asked in confusion, "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"In March, Mount Li was attacked. In April, there was a plague in Zezhou. In May, due to unusual celestial phenomena, Your Majesty had to cancel the Fengshan ceremony." Li Anyan paused, shook his head, and said, "It just so happens that in June, Your Majesty will marry a concubine, which is also a happy event."

"In June, I married a concubine, in July, Wencheng got married, in August, Gaoyang and Chengyang got married. Three consecutive months of weddings are enough to make the whole world happy." Li Chengqian smiled helplessly. These things were inexplicably connected together.

"There's one more thing." Li Anyan's expression grew solemn, and he continued, "The King of Wei has asked the Duke of Zhao to report to Your Majesty that they will begin compiling the Book of the Later Han next month."

Li Chengqian looked up in disbelief and said, "If that's the case, won't the Comprehensive Geography be delayed? Can't Qingque distinguish between the important and the unimportant?"

"Perhaps the King of Wei thinks that the Book of the Later Han is more important." Li Anyan bowed, with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Now the most important thing for the emperor is to conquer Goguryeo, and the secret focus of "Guodi Zhi" is also here. However, Li Tai wants to turn to compiling "Book of the Later Han". The emperor will be very angry if the "Guodi Zhi" is delayed.

……

Li Chengqian suddenly asked, "You just said that your uncle went to the Emperor to make a petition?"

"Yes!" Li Anyan immediately bowed.

Li Chengqian looked at the night outside and smiled softly, "Qingque is known to be well-read and knowledgeable. How come he couldn't see that the most important part of the Book of the Later Han talks about the hidden dangers of foreign relatives? Could it be that my uncle couldn't see it either?"

"Perhaps, they thought that Your Majesty and Duke Zhao couldn't see it." Li Anyan added softly.

Li Chengqian suddenly understood and then sneered.

(End of this chapter)