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

Chapter 314: What will the Emperor do to the young slave? (Part )

The night is shrouded in darkness and the candlelight flickers.

Li Chengqian sat behind a low table, looking at the blank memorial in front of him, writing a few words from time to time, and then stopping to think.

A light sound of footsteps was heard outside the hall, and then Chang Sunxiang's voice rang out: "Uncle."

Li Chengqian immediately looked up and wondered why his uncle was here.

Changsun Wuji's father Changsun Sheng and Changsun Xiang's grandfather Changsun Chi were brothers.

Changsun Xiang's father, Changsun Anshi, was Changsun Wuji's cousin.

So Changsun Xiang called Changsun Wuji his uncle.

Similarly, Changsun Xiang is the closest blood relative of Changsun Wuji among his clan members, apart from his sons.

Not to mention, Changsun Xiang was raised by Empress Changsun.

"You stay outside!" Changsun Wuji said, then walked into the hall.

Seeing Li Chengqian sitting on the low table, Zhangsun Wuji was the first to bow and say, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Uncle, please stand up." Li Chengqian quickly raised his hand and said, "Uncle, please sit down."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji bowed slightly, then walked to the cushion next to him and knelt down.

Looking up at the memorial in front of Li Chengqian, Changsun Wuji said affably, "Your Highness, are you writing about transportation reform?"

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, then nodded and said, "The Emperor has ordered me to write an article on the 30-year plan for transportation reform. Naturally, I have to put some effort into it."

Zhang Sun Wuji looked at Li Chengqian curiously and said, "I wonder if Your Highness could tell me about this."

"Okay!" Li Chengqian nodded, handed the memorial to Changsun Wuji, and said, "My father said that reforms need to be carried out step by step, so I am thinking of choosing a place to implement it first."

Changsun Wuji nodded. The prince, he and the emperor almost all thought of the same thing.

This stall cannot be rolled out all at once. We need to first choose a place as a pilot, then slowly sort out and improve the problematic areas, and then roll it out all at once.

"I've thought about this for a long time, and finally decided that we could use Guanzhong, Longxi, Ganliang, and even the entire Western Regions as pilot areas." Li Chengqian had just finished speaking when he saw Zhangsun Wuji frowning. He couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, is there something wrong?"

"Nothing." Changsun Wuji waved his hand slightly, then said, "Your Highness, please continue."

"Good!" Li Chengqian retracted his gaze and said, "After this war, the Duke of Ying will undoubtedly bring back a large number of war horses from Mobei. To replenish the army, many old and weak horses will naturally be eliminated. The court can sell these old and weak horses, turning them into money and rewarding the people. They can also directly reward meritorious soldiers with the horses."

Zhang Sun Wuji immediately looked up and said, "Your Highness wants to use the imperial soldiers to raise horses, and use the horses in the hands of the imperial soldiers to improve transportation throughout the country."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and sighed, "Your Majesty is worried that a large number of war horses will be gathered and used against someone. What about the imperial guards? The imperial guards in Guanzhong are the most loyal to Your Majesty and to the Tang Dynasty. Anyone who attempts rebellion will be torn to pieces by the imperial guards."

"Your Highness, continue."

"Based on the Guanzhong Prefecture troops, they will gradually spread to Longyou, Ganliang, and finally Anxi." Li Chengqian sneered softly and said, "After all, the Tang Dynasty has just brought back a large number of war horses from Mobei. The appearance of a large number of war horses in Guanzhong, Longyou, Ganliang, and other areas is acceptable to the various tribes, and they will not dare to act rashly."

"At the same time, we can quietly roll out the work of improving transportation." Changsun Wuji nodded, his expression relaxed.

According to his and the emperor's plan, the first step was to expand into Jingzhou and at the same time transfer officials from Jingxiang to the northwest.

He didn't expect that the place where Li Chengqian chose to expand everything was also in the northwest.

If the officials of Jingxiang were allowed to become familiar with the affairs of the northwest, then in the future, when Changsun Wuji was carrying out these affairs in the northwest, there would only be countless disadvantages and no benefits.

However, what Changsun Wuji did not expect was that although Li Chengqian used the northwest, what he really relied on was the government troops all over the world, especially the government troops in Guanzhong.

The Tang Dynasty controlled the world from Guanzhong.

The soldiers in Guanzhong were the most loyal to the emperor.

It is precisely because of this that even if the children of the Jingxiang family were to work in the northwest, it would be difficult for them to get involved.

Rather than saying that Li Chengqian was using the Northwest as a pilot project, it would be more accurate to say that he was using the Northwest's government soldiers as a pilot project.

Of course there will be some problems, but the palace soldiers are the most loyal to the emperor, and even if there are problems, they can be suppressed to the minimum.

Of course, if there really is a big problem, it must be a earth-shattering problem.

This also requires caution.

……

"Fodder!" Changsun Wuji looked up at Li Chengqian and said, "A large number of horses will definitely require a lot of fodder. These horses will inevitably compete with the war horses for fodder. What should we do?"

"Of course, there has to be a priority." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, "The fodder should be supplied to the war horses first, and then to the horses not in the army. In other words, these horses should not be fed enough, and they should also be allowed to run on pastures as little as possible. More methods should be used to degrade them."

Changsun Wuji looked suddenly enlightened. How could he have forgotten that these horses could no longer be considered war horses after they were retired from the army?

Through various means, the abilities of these horses will gradually deteriorate.

When the army is mobilized, it is just to use horses to transport food and fodder, not to actually fight, so they naturally cannot be treated as military soldiers.

"As for fodder, the Tang Dynasty may not have enough, but there's definitely a surplus somewhere." Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji and whispered, "Uncle, what do you think of Tuyuhun?"

"Your Highness, are you going to start planning against Tubo?" Zhang Sun Wuji said this subconsciously. Then he smiled and nodded, saying, "It's generally feasible."

"But we must be careful and take our time." Li Chengqian's expression grew serious, and he continued, "My nephew plans to spend ten years getting everything going smoothly in the northwest. If he succeeds, Guanzhong will become even more powerful. If not, then we might have to use the power of Luoyang to quell the chaos in Guanzhong."

"Yes, don't be impatient." Changsun Wuji nodded quickly. Matters involving the palace soldiers are never simple.

Li Chengqian smiled and said nothing more. Some things cannot be mentioned in the memorial.

Any reform must provide sufficient dividends to those who are willing to follow the reform, while pulling those who have suffered losses onto its own boat.

Those who are left and are unwilling to follow him in reform will naturally be physically eliminated.

As for where the benefits of reform will come from, it will naturally come from outsiders.

Goguryeo, Western Turks, Tuyuhun, Tubo, and even India, Persia, and Daqin. Li Chengqian's first choice was Tuyuhun.

The Tuyuhun Murong clan was not loyal to the Tang Dynasty. Rather than saying that they were jumping back and forth between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo, it would be better to say that they were always ready to regain control of Tuyuhun.

Therefore, once Li Chengqian improved the transportation, he would send troops to destroy Tuyuhun, and then use the huge profits from the destruction of the country to supplement the consumption of reform.

The reason why the Tang Dynasty did not completely incorporate Tuyuhun into the Tang Dynasty was because after the Turkic incident, they clearly saw that the incorporation of tens of millions of people would bring about a massive population and food crisis.

So even though Tuyuhun was destroyed that year, it was eventually supported again.

Tuyuhun had a large number of salt mines, jade mines, cattle and sheep, and even the fodder there is now very valuable.

These are enough to make up for Li Chengqian's reform expenses.

As for the rest, it is up to people's hearts.

Appoint loyal and capable ministers, control the world, and then conquer the hearts of the people.

The final excuse for using military force against Tuyuhun was naturally the emperor's business.

……

"It will take ten years to complete the northwest, then another ten years to expand to Henan, Shannan, Hebei, Qi and Lu, and finally ten years to complete the south of the Yangtze River." Li Chengqian smiled at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "The reason for this is that these places are close to Chang'an and Luoyang, making them easier for me to control."

Changsun Wuji nodded without any rebuttal.

Let's talk about everything ten years later. Changsun Wuji is confident enough to convince Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness is well aware of this." Changsun Wuji raised his head and said, "However, Your Highness needs to carefully consider the appointments of officials to the Eastern Palace as you implement various matters."

Li Chengqian's expression became solemn. The emperor suddenly removed his positions as the Crown Prince's Junior Secretary, the Crown Prince's Second Secretary, the Crown Prince's Groom, and the Crown Prince's Sheriff. A large number of people working in the Eastern Palace were all removed by the emperor.

Although these people held many key positions in the court, they had a great influence on Li Chengqian.

This means that he has no one to work with in the East Palace.

Li Chengqian raised his head, looked at Zhangsun Wuji with a wry smile, and said, "How about uncle recommending a talented person to nephew?"

Changsun Wuji simply shook his head and said, "This matter is between His Highness and His Majesty. I will not get involved."

"Okay!" Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows, with a hint of surprise in his expression. Then what was Changsun Wuji doing here tonight?

Was he really here to ask about his transportation reforms and personnel appointments?
"Your Highness!" Zhangsun Wuji's expression grew serious, and he asked earnestly, "Your Highness, what do you think of what the Prince of Jin has done?"

"Child?" Li Chengqian was a little confused, but after calming himself down, he smiled softly and said, "Uncle, after all, Child is just fooling around. A nephew can tolerate it. After all, it's not a big deal."

Looking at Li Chengqian's relaxed expression, Changsun Wuji immediately understood that even if Li Zhi used those tricks, he would never be Li Chengqian's opponent.

Therefore, Li Chengqian did not have much desire for revenge against the losers.

The most fundamental reason is that Li Zhi used many tricks, but he never really shook Li Chengqian's position as the crown prince.

Many times, Li Chengqian even took the opportunity to gain more trust from the emperor and obtain more benefits.

Changsun Wuji could see that Li Chengqian didn't have much idea of ​​dealing with Li Zhi.

This is good.

Zhang Sun Wuji relaxed, looked at Li Chengqian and said, "That's good. Brothers should love each other."

"Of course." Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Zhi Nu was also in Taiyuan that year... Uncle, for many things, we can't just look at the past, nor can we just look at the present. We also need to look more at the future. Qing Que lacked discipline and eventually died. Zhi Nu, your nephew thinks he should study hard."

Zhangsun Wuji understood Li Chengqian's words and nodded. "Although Li Baiyao is a strict person, it seems that he is not the best person to teach the Prince of Jin. Who does the Crown Prince think is more suitable to be the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Jin?"

"Xu Shuya." Li Chengqian suddenly smiled with some emotion. He looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Now that the position of Junior Secretary to the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace is vacant, my nephew's first thought is to transfer Xu Shuya to the Eastern Palace as Junior Secretary to the Crown Prince. He can teach me, as well as Xiang'er and Ju'er. It's time for them to start learning to read."

"And Xu Shuya is the best candidate favored by the prince." Changsun Wuji lowered his eyes slightly, but a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

"Master Xu is indeed very suitable for teaching young children." Li Chengqian smiled, then shook his head and said, "But as they grow older and have their own ideas, they may not listen to advice."

"No matter what, let's leave Xu Shuya to the Prince of Jin." Zhangsun Wuji breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Li Chengqian and said, "The Prince of Jin will probably be more obedient in the future, but if he makes mistakes, the Crown Prince should be more understanding. Okay, I should go back now, and the Crown Prince should rest early."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian followed Zhangsun Wuji and stood up, then bowed and said, "Goodbye, uncle."

"Your Highness, please stay." Changsun Wuji slightly turned sideways and then walked quickly out of the hall.

Li Chengqian stood in front of the palace gate and nodded to Changsun Xiang, who immediately sent Changsun Wuji away.

……

In the darkness, Li Chengqian lay on the couch, looking upwards with his eyes slightly narrowed.

Changsun Wuji came today and said a lot, but the focus was still on Li Zhi.

In fact, it is better to say that he is the emperor rather than talking about him.

The emperor did some things that made Changsun Wuji feel a little uneasy.

Li Zhi is in trouble.

What Changsun Wuji hoped was that when Li Zhi was in trouble, Li Chengqian would come to his rescue.

After all, they are brothers from the same mother.

Li Chengqian sneered softly. Do these people still have any brotherhood?
maybe.

But Li Chengqian could only guarantee that Li Zhi would not die.

However, Li Zhi is not completely useless.

Li Chengqian's eyes suddenly lit up.

(End of this chapter)