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

Chapter 653: Strategic Deployment Against the Western Turks (First Update)
The night falls and the palace is bright.

Li Chengqian sat on the imperial sedan chair and slowly headed towards Xianchun Gate.

Li Anyan appeared silently at the side and said with a folded hand, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of War has sent all the guards back to the barracks. All the secret lines in Chang'an City, including the Qianniu Jinwu, Chang'an Wannian, Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice, have been restored to control. I will be on duty at Xuanwu Gate tonight."

Li Chengqian nodded gently and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"Yes!" Li Anyan bowed and then retreated into the darkness to the side.

When Li Chengqian returned to Chang'an City, the first thing he had to do was to regain control of all the inside information of the Chang'an Sixteen Guards and the Chang'an City Hundred Cavalry Division, and then the Imperial Palace.

With Xuanwu Gate in hand, the inner and outer guards, Chengtian Gate, and Suzaku Gate were all under Li Chengqian's control.

Overnight, countless pieces of information will be sent to Li Anyan's hands.

With him around, Li Chengqian would generally not be disturbed unless it was something extremely serious.

In this way, Li Chengqian can also sleep well.

Outside the Lizheng Palace, the imperial sedan chair landed.

Zhang Ananda bowed on the side.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, then walked into the hall.

……

In the Lizheng Hall, Li Chengqian opened his arms and let Su Shu and her maids take off his heavy coat.

Only at this time did Li Chengqian finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He drank a lot of wine in one day.

Although it was replaced with water later, it still felt a bit uncomfortable.

Su Shu supported Li Chengqian and walked to the long couch on the side and sat down. Then she looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "Your Majesty, will you go to Luoyang again next year?"

"Yes." Li Chengqian nodded directly and said, "I want to make it a regular practice to go to Luoyang every year. This will help to calm the people of Shandong."

Shandong is not east of Taihang Mountains, but east of Xiao Mountains.

Precisely because Mount Xiao is used as the dividing line, the Yang, Pei Yan, Xue, and Liu families can all be included in the Guanzhong clans.

Li Chengqian looked up at Su Shu, who seemed a little worried, and said with a smile, "If the Queen wants to go to Luoyang, we can go together next year. Chang'an will be fine if I leave it to my uncle and the Crown Prince.

Besides, I was the only one guarding Chang'an back then.

The prince is already married, it's time for him to gain more experience."

Li Chengqian's mother, Empress Wende, died very early.

Therefore, whenever the emperor went on an eastern tour, Li Chengqian would guard Chang'an with the assistance of court officials.

Su Shu thought about it, and finally shook her head and said, "I'd better forget it. The prince is safe and sound in Chang'an alone, but I'm afraid someone will lead him astray."

"Huh?" Li Chengqian looked up and asked, "What's going on?"

"It's nothing, it's just that the children who followed the Crown Prince are all grown up, so it's inevitable that they're a little confused." Su Shu shook her head and said, "It's not a big deal. I've already punished a few of them and forbade them from entering the palace again."

"Yes, the Queen is right. The Crown Prince is still immature and shouldn't be too influenced. Otherwise, once he goes astray, it will be difficult to correct him." Li Chengqian lay down gently and asked, "During the two years I was away from Chang'an, has Chang'an been relatively peaceful?"

"The overall situation is good, as I have mentioned in my letters." After a brief pause, Su Shu said, "But there are also some small things that are upsetting."

"What's the matter?" Li Chengqian turned slightly sideways.

"It's Fuchang'er's business. People in Chang'an City are already discussing Princess Yongkang's marriage." Su Shu couldn't help but shook her head slightly.

Li Chengqian's brow furrowed instantly. He sat up slightly, then looked at Su Shu and said, "Queen, you and I are both experienced people, and we both understand that it is not a good thing for a woman to marry too early. That's why I never planned to let Fu Chang'er get married early. I have to wait until she is at least sixteen."

"So, engaged at fifteen and married at sixteen?" Su Shu raised her head slightly.

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded seriously and said, "I don't mind the Queen choosing first, but the final choice must be made by me."

"Don't worry, I know Your Majesty loves his daughter." Su Shu lay down beside Li Chengqian, then looked at him and said, "Your Majesty, why didn't you bring back any women when you went to Luoyang this time?"

"I'm busy in Luoyang with food and fodder, planning for war. I don't have time for random thoughts." Li Chengqian pinched Su Shu's nose and then asked, "By the way, how are the Dou Lu family's preparations going?"

"It's almost done. We're just waiting for His Majesty to set the wedding date." Su Shu raised her head and looked straight at Li Chengqian.

"Early November," Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "Xin'er will do it first, keep a low profile, and notify the other princes. Whoever wants to go can go."

"Okay!" Su Shu nodded slightly. She knew that the emperor seemed to treat Li Xin very well. This had been the case since Li Xin was a teenager.

Li Chengqian continued, "After Juer's wedding, you and I will go to Mount Li to take a walk and rest for a while."

"Okay." Su Shu smiled gently.

Li Chengqian hugged Su Shu and whispered, "The only good thing about this trip to Luoyang is that Concubine Xiao is pregnant. Queen, Xiang'er and Jue'er have all married, and Fu Chang'er is not far off. Queen, do you think we should have another child to save you from loneliness?"

"Your Majesty!" Su Shu had just opened her mouth when she realized that Li Chengqian's hand had already started to move on her back. She was immediately embarrassed: "Your Majesty!"

……

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji and Li Ji stood in the Taiji Hall and bowed solemnly to Li Chengqian.

"Congratulations." Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hand, then said, "It seems my thoughts were correct. Concubine Cui returned to Dingzhou and, after accommodating herself to the climate and environment, she actually got pregnant... It seems I have to find a time to go to Taiyuan."

Changsun Wuji raised his head slightly and breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiuyi Wang was born in Taiyuan. She was also the niece of Liu Shi, and Liu Shi was a close confidant of Zhangsun Wuji. The emperor doted on Wang, and everyone in the court knew it.

This is good.

"Your Majesty has many descendants, which is a blessing for the world!" Li Ji stood aside and bowed.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about Helu. Do you think he will come to Chang'an by the end of the year?"

"No!" Changsun Wuji and Li Ji bowed at the same time.

Li Chengqian glanced at the two of them and raised his hand slightly.

Zhang Sun Wuji was the first to speak, saying, "The investigation into the rebellion case in Quzhou has been very thorough, and more and more clues are pointing to Shasu Prefecture. The only ones who can make trouble in Dunhuang are the Western Turks, so this is 80% to 90% likely done by Helu.

If he had even the slightest bit of a guilty conscience, he wouldn't dare come to Chang'an."

Li Chengqian looked up at Li Ji.

Li Ji bowed and said, "Your Majesty, even if there hadn't been a rebellion in Quzhou, Helu now controls five Western Turkic tribes, three in the Eastern Wing, and two in the Western Wing. His strength already threatens the Silk Road. Conversely, for the sake of the Silk Road, the court must also begin to dismember the Western Turkic tribes. Helu's ambition has been aroused, and he will not allow himself to take any risks."

"After all, Helu is no longer the same Helu he once was. The situation won't allow him to come to Chang'an." Li Chengqian turned to look at Li Ji and said, "Duke Ying, start planning the war. Duke Lu will be the commander-in-chief of the army, Liang Jianfang, Guo Xiaoke, Qibi Heli, and Li Dejian will be the commanders-in-chief of the four routes, and Xue Wanbei, Xue Rengui, Xi Junmai, and Pei Xingjian will be the vanguard generals. They will lead an army of 50,000 and join the Uighur tribes to destroy the Western Turks."

"Yes!" Li Ji bowed seriously. The candidates for this battle were decided by the emperor and Zhangsun Wuji, and they had already told Li Ji about it before.

However, the selection of candidates is one thing, and the specific marching time and strategy of the army need to be agreed upon by everyone, and Li Ji is in charge of this matter.

Li Ji raised his head slightly and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, although this battle must be fought, I'm afraid it will be difficult to kill Helu in one go."

"Go on." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly.

Li Ji bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the grasslands are vast, and the grassland tribes and cavalry can move around at any time. Unlike Goguryeo, they don't have cities to hinder them. Therefore, it is not easy to strangle Helu in one fell swoop."

Li Chengqian nodded gently and said, "I understand. Back then, the Duke of Wei attacked Jie Li and even reached his tent, but he still escaped. Later, when you destroyed the Xueyantuo, it took several attacks before you completely annihilated them."

"Yes!" Li Ji cupped his hands and said, "Therefore, I believe that the main goal of this battle should not be to kill Helu, but to use the power of thunder to find the main force of Helu's men and completely defeat and strangle them."

"Go on." "This is the first step. The second step is to build on this and split the ten tribes on the east and west sides of the Western Turkic Khaganate. You can even promise to choose another Khan. By then, Helu's men will surely betray you one after another." Li Ji's eyes showed a hint of ruthlessness.

The Western Turks were divided into two wing tribes with ten surnames, the eastern wing had five Dulu tribes, whose grazing area was east of the Suiye River; the right wing had five Nushibi tribes, whose grazing area was west of the Suiye River.

Because the East Wing is closer to the Tang Dynasty, the Five Dulu tribes in the East Wing were most influenced by the Tang Dynasty.

In fact, Ashina Helu himself was the Khan of Western Turkic Khaganate nominated by the Tang Dynasty.

Therefore, he had the greatest influence among the Five Dulu tribes in the East Wing.

However, unlike the staunch anti-Tang resistance of the Five Nushibi tribes in the Right Wing, many people in the Five Dulu tribes in the East Wing submitted to the Tang.

Perhaps they would surrender because of Helu's temporary military strength, but once Helu was defeated, the Wu Dulu tribe would definitely be the first to betray him.

As for the Wunu Shibi tribe on the right wing, they would not be too kind to Helu if he was defeated.

"The final step is the third one, hunting down Helu." Li Ji raised his head slightly and said, "I believe that by then, we won't even need to mobilize a large army. As long as Your Majesty issues an edict, the entire Western Region will unite to strangle Helu. Perhaps someone will even personally deliver Helu's head."

"That's it." Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction.

"Yes!" Li Ji bowed and then stepped back.

Changsun Wuji glanced at Li Ji lightly and admired him in his heart. He was really not as good as Li Ji in planning this kind of marching and fighting.

……

"The war in the west is temporarily settled." Li Chengqian nodded, then said, "How is the progress of the rewards for the soldiers?"

"Your Majesty, all the prefectures and counties have replied, promising to ensure that there is enough land awarded to the soldiers for their military merits." Li Ji bowed earnestly with a solemn expression. Even he didn't know how many of these official documents could be trusted.

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian nodded calmly.

Li Ji glanced at Changsun Wuji obscurely.

Changsun Wuji looked calm and didn't say a word.

It was as if he didn't even notice the storm.

Li Ji immediately understood that Zhangsun Wuji had tacitly approved of this matter.

But think about it, the emperor's final move was in Shandong, it would be strange if Changsun Wuji would object.

Especially after returning from this war, many Shandong young men will be rewarded and promoted, so it is just right for them to make room in Shandong.

"More!" Li Ji held up a memorial and said, "This is the list of awards and honors for those above the fifth rank, which I, the Duke of Zhao, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War have reviewed."

Those below the fifth rank did not need to be reviewed personally by the emperor.

Zhang Ananda walked down the steps, took the memorial from Li Ji, and then handed it to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian opened it.

The first row is that Changsun Wuji was promoted to Si Tu, and Li Ji was promoted to Si Kong, and they still took charge of the affairs of Shang Shu Zuo Pushe.

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Duke Ying's positions as the Grand Commander of the Andong Road Army, the Andong Road Pacifier, and the Governor of Tuzhou do not need to be revoked. They should be retained for now."

"Yes!" Changsun Wuji and Li Ji bowed at the same time. This was nothing, it was just to give Li Ji more salary.

Li Chengqian continued to move forward.

Niu Jinda, the General of the Left Guard and Duke of Langya County, was given the title of Special Advancement and the title of General of the Zhenjun Army.

Liu Demin, the chief commander of the navy, was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the navy and was given the title of champion general.

Su Dingfang, General of the Left Tunwei Guard, was promoted to General of the Left Tunwei Guard, Deputy Protector of Andong Protectorate, and was additionally granted the title of General of Huaihua and Duke of Wuyi County.

Xue Rengui, the General of the Right Guard, was promoted to General of the Left Guard and granted the title of Male of Longmen County.

Li Chengqian raised his head slightly. Xue Rengui had personally killed Quan Gaisuwen. In addition, the former General Zuo Kuangzheng of the Left Jinwu Guard had retired, so Xue Rengui was promoted to General Zuo Jinwu Guard.

In the memorial, Xue Wanbei, Ashina Zhong, Xue Wanche, Gao Kan, Li Jinxing and others were rewarded next.

However, there were some things that Li Chengqian was not satisfied with.

After a moment's thought, Li Chengqian said, "The war is over. Chu Qing, the Minister of Rites, no longer needs to stay in Chenzhou. He should return to the court. As for the Governor of Chenzhou, Yuwen Zhongfang, Junior Secretary to the Crown Prince, will be transferred to be the Governor of Chenzhou. Liu Rengui, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, will be promoted to Junior Secretary to the Crown Prince, and will also be the Chief Clerk of the Andong Road Military General Administration, the Chief Clerk of the Andong Protectorate, and the Chief Clerk of Tuzhou."

"Yes!" Li Ji and Zhangsun Wuji bowed at the same time, but when they lowered their heads, their expressions were extremely horrified.

The emperor did not intend to abolish the Andong Road Military General's Office.

Originally, after Li Ji resigned as the chief military commander of Andong Road, the office of the chief military commander of Andong Road should have been abolished. However, the emperor obviously intended to let Liu Rengui, the chief military officer, take charge of all the armies in disguise after Li Ji resigned.

Although there were actual generals in the army such as Su Dingfang, Xue Wanche, Gao Kan and Li Jinxing, they had no right to interfere in the affairs of the Andong Road Military General's Office.

And no one would underestimate Liu Rengui. He was not only the emperor's secretary, but now also the prince's secretary in the Eastern Palace.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Liu Rengui was aiming to become prime minister.

Even his next step may be to become prime minister.

With Liu Rengui, Su Dingfang and Su Xu, the Andong Dao will never be out of the emperor's control for a moment.

"Also, Yan Liben will be transferred to the post of Governor of Qizhou." Li Chengqian paused for a moment and said, "Li Yiyan, the Imperial Secretary, will be transferred to the post of Vice Minister of Works."

"Yes!" Li Ji and Changsun Wuji felt a heavy pressure coming at the same time.

More and more of the emperor's confidants began to occupy high positions in the court.

"Also, the Crown Prince's attendant Zhao Chiman has been transferred to the position of Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and the Imperial Censor Liu Heng has been transferred to the position of Imperial Secretary." Li Chengqian looked up at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "My uncle and the Duke of Ying will discuss the vacancies for the Crown Prince's attendant and Imperial Censor."

"Here!"

"Pei Xingjian is transferred to the position of General of the Left Guard, Wei Daijia is transferred to the position of General of the Right Guard. As for Wang Fangyi and Duan Baoxuan, their contributions are not enough, so they should stay by my side for a while longer." Li Chengqian finished the final adjustment.

"We obey your order." Li Ji and Zhangsun Wuji bowed solemnly at the same time.

……

On the first day of September, the emperor held a grand court.

Li Chengqian wore a white jade crown and sat high on the steps of the Taiji Hall.

Officials of the ninth rank and above in Chang'an City spread from the Taiji Hall to the edge of the Taiji Gate in the distance.

Yu Zhining stood to the upper left of the ministers, holding the imperial edict in his hand, and said loudly: "In the sixth year of Yongwei, on the Jiayin year, on the Jiaxu month, on the first day of the first lunar month, on the Bingyin day, the emperor said:

Yu Xi!

The choice of life is difficult to be honest.

If you don't have a husband's writings, you can manage the country, and you can't bring peace to the people; if you use force, you can't suppress violence, but you can't defeat the enemy successfully.

Yun Ji Hongcai, Yuan Shen Xi Ming.

Sikong Changsun Wuji, with his leisurely spirit and precious treasures, was promoted to Si Tu and became Shangshu Zuo Pushe.

Duke Yingguo Li Ji was a man of great magnanimity, insight, generosity and strategy. He could be the Minister of Works or the Minister of the Left.

Niu Jinda, the General of the Left Guard and Duke of Langya, was promoted to the rank of Special Advance and granted the title of General of the Zhenjun Army.

......"

(End of this chapter)