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

Chapter 251: Tolerance in the Army, Respect from Generals (Part )

The sun is warm and the autumn wind is slightly chilly.

A canal twenty feet wide runs across the Forbidden Garden.

Yang Shidao, Yu Zhining, Zhang Xuansu, Ma Zhou, Qiu Xingyan, Changsun Xiang, Yang Wulian and others looked at Li Chengqian who was standing in front of them.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a black python robe, stood calmly beside the canal. Pointing at the broad canal before him, he said, "My Lords, a common floating bridge is built by laying small boats flat on top of them, then nailing wooden planks on top, stabilizing them with long ropes, and finally connecting them to form a floating bridge."

The ministers nodded slightly. There was no need for an ordinary floating bridge. Most floating bridges in the world were like this.

"So, I'm thinking, why build a floating bridge on a small boat? Why not just make the boat bigger, flatten the front, and level the sides? Then, without the need for planks, use the boat itself as the bridge." Li Chengqian turned to look at the crowd and said, "All we need is hooks at the front and back ends, and then we can lock it with an iron rod through the middle."

Chang Sunxiang handed the blueprint that Li Chengqian had drawn overnight to everyone.

Li Chengqian said: "If this can be done, it will save time and effort, and a floating bridge can be built in a very short time."

Yang Shidao looked at the pontoon bridge diagram in his hand, frowned, and said, "Can such a pontoon bridge float stably on the water? Can it support soldiers, horses, and transport military equipment?"

"Let's try first." Li Chengqian looked at Yang Wulian and said, "Yang Qing, you build ten ships first. During this time, we will build a floating bridge across this canal, and then quickly mobilize the soldiers, cavalry, and military equipment."

"Yes!" Yang Wulian immediately bowed.

Li Chengqian looked at Yang Shidao and said, "Prime Minister Yang, the things a floating bridge fears most are wooden collisions and fire attacks. If a ten-foot-long sharp wooden stake were to turn around, how could an ordinary floating bridge withstand such an impact? So I'm thinking of building a few iron ropes a hundred feet long."

"One hundred feet?" Yang Shidao asked subconsciously.

"No, no, no." Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "Three or five feet will do. Just connect the front and back to form a rope a hundred feet long. After all, the Liao River is usually only a hundred feet wide."

During the dry season of spring and winter, the Liao River is not connected to each other and the widest part is only a hundred feet.

However, during the flood seasons of summer and autumn, once a flood disaster occurs, the waters will connect and the width will be at least five or six hundred feet.

However, the emperor's army would only cross the Liao River in February, the dry season, so the width of the river did not need to be considered too much.

"That's not difficult." Master Yang nodded and said, "The Ministry of Works can produce a hundred-foot-long rope right now."

"No, no." Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "The East Palace will build it ourselves, and we need more than one. We'll have to stretch it out upstream of the floating bridge to block the battering rams. At the same time, we'll also sink another one in the river, connecting it with three layers of fishing nets. That way, no matter what kind of battering ram, it will be stopped."

"It is indeed feasible." Yang Shidao looked at Li Chengqian in surprise. He didn't expect that Li Chengqian could actually come up with something.

"Your Highness, there are still some concerns." Cui Dunli, the Minister of War, stepped forward and bowed. "Your Highness, if my suspicions are correct, the Goguryeo people will undoubtedly store water in a hidden location upstream. Once our army builds a pontoon bridge, they will undoubtedly suddenly release the water at a critical moment. The wooden stakes in the water will make the impact even greater."

"Two iron chains form a line of defense, with one line every mile. I don't believe that five lines of defense won't mitigate the impact." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "As for the lack of buoyancy, I've thought of adding sheepskin bags on both sides. While using the buoyancy of the bags, they can also offset the impact."

"Water!" Cui Dunli bowed and said, "Your Highness, if this is really the method of releasing water, then the water flow will be the greatest impact."

"If Cui Qing says so, then we have no choice but to make all the dragon bones out of iron." Li Chengqian spread his hands helplessly.

"Huh!" Cui Dunli looked at Li Chengqian in surprise and nodded, "If we can really make the keel out of iron, then of course we can. We can even connect the hooks to the keel with iron and lock them with iron rods. That way, even a flood wouldn't be able to completely destroy these pontoon bridges. Even if one or two are unusable, we can just lay wooden planks behind them against the keel!"

Cui Dunli said this subconsciously, and everyone around him fell silent.

Everyone felt a sense of absurdity at the same time, but they also had a feeling that this method would definitely work.

"It's probably too late." Yang Shidao couldn't help but look at Li Chengqian.

The Eastern Palace has been compiling the "Kaogongzhi" in the past two years. The most advanced craftsmanship in the entire Tang Dynasty is in the Eastern Palace.

The prince has the most say in these matters.

"First, let's make the iron mold and see how we can cast the most feasible keel using the least amount of iron." Li Chengqian looked up and said, "If it's feasible, we'll wrap the keel in wood to maximize buoyancy... Let's do it first. I'll see how many we can build by mid-October."

"Yes!" All the ministers bowed.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "My lords, if this method works, then we can withstand even a fire attack. As long as the keel is there, we can rebuild a floating bridge in the shortest possible time."

"Your Highness has a brilliant idea. I can't wait." All the ministers bowed in unison.

Li Chengqian waved his hand slightly, looked at Yang Wulian and said, "Yang Qing, remember to design a latch for the iron bar in the middle that can be easily opened and closed. This way, if an overwhelming impact force is encountered, it can ensure that the ship can be opened in the shortest possible time. This way, even if it is hit by a flood, it will be difficult to damage the hull."

"Yes!" Yang Wulian nodded with some surprise.

Li Chengqian turned to look at the ministers and said, "My Lords, tens of thousands of Tang troops are attacking the Liao River. Even if they are hiding somewhere to store water, do they dare to approach us? They must be hiding far away. Far away means we have enough time to dismantle the ships and reduce the damage."

"Your Highness is wise." All the ministers looked at Li Chengqian in surprise. They didn't expect that Li Chengqian knew so much about military affairs.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "I'm not particularly brilliant. All of this is just empty talk. Once a war breaks out, the only ones who can truly make the decisions are the Ministry of War and the generals in the field. Things like feinting to the east and attacking in the west are all matters for the Ministry of War and the generals."

"Your Highness is wise and virtuous." The ministers bowed again.

But this time, Cui Dunli, Zheng Rentai, Li Xuansi and others spoke louder.

"Okay, I won't say anymore." Li Chengqian turned and walked towards the horse, saying, "The Eastern Palace has started to build warships. The Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue and the General Administration of Construction need to fully cooperate. If the pontoon bridge can be built, the cost of soldiers, bows, crossbows, swords, shields, and food and fodder in the army can be reduced a lot." "Yes!" All the ministers bowed solemnly.

……

Under the cover of night, Li Chengqian, who had been busy all day, came out of Hongwenguan and breathed a sigh of relief.

Ships made of iron are not uncommon in later generations, but he is a little worried because he only uses the keel now.

It turns out that the laws of physics work.

The rest is to build it.

Entering Cheng'en Gate, Li Chengqian looked at Xu An and said, "Send someone to Yichun Palace to tell them that I'm going to Yiqiu Palace today to see Sanlang."

"Yes!" Xu An turned around and asked someone to go to Yichun Palace to deliver the message.

Li Chengqian walked towards Yi Qiu Palace. His third son was almost two years old.

After Xu An came back with his arrangements, he stood at the door of Yi Qiu Palace.

The sound of children crying and Li Chengqian's hearty laughter could be heard in the hall.

As the night fell, Zheng Shuang'er lay in Li Chengqian's arms, exhausted and falling into a deep sleep.

At this moment, a soft body carefully lifted the quilt and slid in.

"Your Highness!" Zheng Chu's somewhat timid voice sounded behind Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian turned over and hugged her into his arms, then asked with a cold expression, "Why did you come just now?"

Zheng Chu was stunned for a moment, then her expression brightened with joy, and she said softly, "It's my fault."

"It's good that you admit your mistake. Come let me take a good look at what's different about you lately." Li Chengqian reached out and pulled up the quilt.

The red quilt is rolling in the waves, and the night is hazy.

A night of fun.

……

Luoyang, Zhenguan Hall.

The emperor took a sip of tea, feeling the afternoon drowsiness fade away.

The stove was burning fiercely on the side, and the weather was already a bit cold in early winter.

Zhang Ananda handed the memorial he had taken from Zhangsun Wuji to the emperor.

Li Shimin took the memorial, read it carefully, and said in surprise, "It actually works?"

"Yan Liben, Jiang Xingben, and the others were on the scene. Yang Wulian built a solid floating bridge in record time." Changsun Wuji paused, then continued, "The Crown Prince also tried sending people to ram it with wooden stakes. While the impact wasn't strong, it couldn't even get past the first three layers of fishing nets. Those sheepskin bags are also quite resistant."

The emperor's brows jumped. He had heard what Li Chengqian said about the layers of obstructions. It was indeed very thoughtful.

"The prince's method of talking about war on paper is indeed useful." Li Shimin couldn't help laughing.

I don't know whether he was satisfied with Li Chengqian's method or making fun of his theory that was just empty talk.

Changsun Wuji nodded and said, "The Crown Prince is in Chang'an, rising early and returning late almost every day, completely focused on the floating bridge project. Furthermore, the officials of the Eastern Palace are also working very hard, fully assisting the various departments in transporting food, fodder, and military equipment. Driven by them, almost all officials in Chang'an are acting very actively. The Ministry of Personnel has reported that many previously unnoticed officials have made their mark."

"Let the Ministry of Personnel follow the rules." Li Shimin nodded calmly.

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed.

"How's the navy?" the emperor asked something else.

"Yan Lide has already arrived in Dengzhou with his army. News of his dispatch should arrive in a few days. We should be able to launch a naval offensive against Bisha City in February of next year." Changsun Wuji hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, naval commander, would you consider General Zuo Kuangzheng of the Left Golden Guard? Even if it's for his assistance."

"No need, just let Liu Demin assist." Li Shimin looked up and said, "Brothers Liu Dewei and Liu Demin, they fought alongside Pei Renji in the past. If I hadn't mobilized too many people and needed him to stabilize the center, I would have used him. But Liu Demin is also fine, he's more brave."

Changsun Wuji nodded. He could tell that the emperor was unwilling to use Zuo Kuangzheng.

Although Zuo Kuangzheng had some connection with Hou Junji, he showed his loyalty to the emperor during the events in Chang'an, so it would be inappropriate to doubt him now.

"Let's talk about mobilizing troops. 3,000 men from Luoyang is a bit too few. How about 5,000?"

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)