Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 114 Li Chengqian: Let me go back to Chang'an to take the blame?! [Seeking monthly votes]

After seeing off Changsun Pingting and her group, Changsun Wuji frowned and kept tapping the palm of his right hand with his left fingers. Whether it was Li Shimin's intentional hiding of him or Li Chengqian's intentional departure, he couldn't calm down.

Although he has been away from the court recently, he has always been paying attention to the affairs of the court.

Today, Li Shimin, relying on the strategy of changing one person for another, has stabilized the political situation, making it so that the old officials of Wude, headed by Pei Ji, can no longer find a reason to oppose the assessment of the Ministry of Personnel.

But a new round of conflicts in the Tang Dynasty may arise from this.

Because the people who forced him to resign were not only Pei Ji, but also those people from the aristocratic families.

Thinking of this, Changsun Wuji frowned even deeper.

A bad premonition slowly spread in his heart. He really needed someone to help him return to the court.

"Master, the Minister of the Central Secretariat's carriage is here!"

Just when Changsun Wuji was feeling extremely bored, a servant beside him reminded him.

He was slightly stunned, then looked in the direction of the sound and saw Fang Xuanling's carriage.

Soon, Fang Xuanling stepped down from the carriage and greeted him with a smile, "Brother Changsun, I've been looking for you for a while, and finally found you!"

"Oh?"

Zhang Sun Wuji raised his eyebrows and said indifferently, "Since the Minister of the Central Secretariat is not in charge of the Ministry of Personnel's assessment, how can he have time to come to me, an idler at home!"

"hehe."

When Fang Xuanling heard Zhangsun Wuji address him as 'Zhongshu Ling', he immediately laughed, "Brother Zhangsun, are you still worried about that?"

"Humph!"

Changsun Wuji snorted coldly without commenting, and said, "Tell me, what do you want from me?"

"It seems like you really care!"

Fang Xuanling smiled and stepped forward, bowing: "I apologize to Brother Changsun!"

"Ah? Xuanling, what do you mean?"

Changsun Wuji didn't expect Fang Xuanling to apologize to him, so he quickly reached out to support him and said with a wry smile: "I was just joking with you, why did you take it seriously?"

In fact, Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji had a pretty good relationship in the early Zhenguan period.

The main reason why they became mortal enemies in the later period was the issue of the crown prince.

At that time, Li Chengqian was on the verge of being deposed as the crown prince, but he was still acting desperately.

Seeing no hope, Changsun Wuji turned his attention to Li Zhi.

Fang Xuanling always followed Li Shimin's thoughts. Since Li Shimin liked Li Tai, he supported Li Tai.

This resulted in the two people standing on opposite sides.

Although Li Shimin finally made Li Zhi the crown prince, and Fang Xuanling neither opposed nor supported it, the relationship between him and Zhangsun Wuji was still somewhat unpleasant.

Now, the two of them have no issues with their stances, so naturally there will be no conflicts.

But Fang Xuanling said with a smile: "It's okay, it's okay, whether it's a joke or serious, I came to see Master Changsun today to finish what I didn't finish last time!"

"This"

Changsun Wuji hesitated for a moment, then looked at his servant, who instantly understood and left immediately.

When only Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling were left, Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice, "Brother Fang, are you really kidding me? Are you really going to welcome the Crown Prince back to the East Palace?"

"Yes!"

Fang Xuanling said with emotion: "Although the prince is not in Chang'an, Chang'an is inseparable from the Eastern Palace, especially His Majesty."

Having said that, he couldn't help but sigh and said, "I can't leave the prince anymore!"

"Why is this happening? What happened?" Changsun Wuji asked in confusion.

Li Shimin is now in his prime and has just ascended the throne. He has a lot of capable ministers and generals under his command. How could he not do without Li Chengqian?
But Fang Xuanling said meaningfully, "You may not know that the recent crisis in Guanzhong was resolved by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"And the Royal Manufacturing Bureau, which was also founded by the Crown Prince on behalf of the Queen. During this crisis, the money the Royal Manufacturing Bureau used was enough to buy almost all the high-priced grain. What a wealth-making ability they have!"

"But even so, it doesn't mean that Your Majesty cannot live without the Crown Prince!" Changsun Wuji was still a little puzzled.

Fang Xuanling nodded and said, "Yes, from these alone, we can't tell anything. At most, we can say that the prince is smart!"

"but."

Then he changed the subject and continued, "What about Zhao Deyan? Have you forgotten?"

"Zhao Deyan?"

Zhang Sun Wuji was stunned for a moment, then frowned and asked, "What's wrong with him?"

"A few days ago, Jie Li Khan sent a letter saying that Zhao Deyan was his friend and asked the Tang Dynasty to take good care of his friend's family. Your Majesty suggested sending Zhao Deyan's family to Eastern Turkestan! What do you think of this?"

"Isn't this a good thing? It would free Zhao Deyan from worries and allow him to come up with bad ideas for Jie Li Khan and bring disaster to the Eastern Turks. Isn't that a good thing?"

Changsun Wuji said with some amusement.

He didn't think that this matter would do any harm to the Tang Dynasty.

However, Fang Xuanling disagreed and said, "On the surface, this is indeed a good thing, but Your Majesty is the king. Can a king use unjust means? If this matter gets out, how will the people of the world view Your Majesty?"

"What are you talking about? Even in war, there are still distinctions between gentlemen and villains?" Changsun Wuji sneered, "Even more so when we're dealing with a bunch of barbarians!"

"If Your Majesty were still the King of Qin, you wouldn't have to worry about these pedantic things, but Your Majesty is Your Majesty now! Have you forgotten Your Majesty's current reputation?"

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Sun Wuji was no fool. He reacted instantly upon hearing the word 'reputation'. He looked at Fang Xuanling coldly and said, "You want the Crown Prince to bear this unjust accusation?!"

Fang Xuanling said noncommittally, "Now, the Crown Prince's reputation is better than Your Majesty's, so what does this little reputation mean?"

"absurd!"

Zhang Sun Wuji was furious and refused directly, "I don't agree! He's my nephew!"

"Ugh!"

Fang Xuanling sighed and said, "I know this will embarrass you, but even if we take a step back, do you really want the Crown Prince to stay in Jiangling forever?"

"I"

Changsun Wuji was speechless.

To be honest, he definitely didn't want Li Chengqian to stay in Jiangling forever, because Li Chengqian was of great help to him in Chang'an.

Otherwise, he would not have let Changsun Pingting go to Jiangling to find Li Chengqian.

But he would definitely not be willing to bring Li Chengqian back to Chang'an to "take the blame".

So, after a long silence, he said resolutely: "The prince's reputation is also a reputation, I don't agree!"

"Hey! Brother Changsun! Auxiliary machine! There are only two of us here! Let me be honest with you! I am a princeling!!"

Seeing Zhangsun Wuji's determination, Fang Xuanling simply stopped pretending and confronted him directly: "Do you think I would harm the prince?!"

"you!"

Changsun Wuji's pupils suddenly shrank, and he looked at Fang Xuanling in surprise.

You know, in his heart, Fang Xuanling is someone who is better at avoiding than him.

He never expected that Fang Xuanling would actually admit in front of him that he was a member of the prince's party.

Why?

Cheng Qian doesn't seem to have much in common with him! Why is he so determined to support Cheng Qian?

Is it because of the system of primogeniture?
Although this is also a reason, it is not the case.
As if seeing through Changsun Wuji's doubts, Fang Xuanling simply laid his cards on the table: "To be honest, Brother Changsun, my ability to replace you and take charge of the Ministry of Personnel and the Secretariat has a lot to do with the Crown Prince!"

"What!?"

This sentence stunned Changsun Wuji.

You know, his ability to become the Right Prime Minister of the Secretariat was also largely due to Li Chengqian.

It can be said that his position as the Right Prime Minister of the Secretariat was secured for him by Li Chengqian.

However, after hearing Fang Xuanling's words, he felt as if he had eggs in two baskets.

"What on earth is going on!" Changsun Wuji came to his senses and was furious.

Fang Xuanling said with amusement, "Brother Changsun, don't be angry. In fact, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince just reminded me that if I compete for the position of Right Prime Minister with my status, I will become the next Chao Cuo!"

"Huh? That's it?"

"Yes! That's it! Didn't what happened later prove it? Prince Yi'an, Prince Changle and the others wanted to kill you! If it were me, just think about it."

Hearing this, Changsun Wuji pondered for a moment. Given the circumstances at the time, it was hard to say for sure.

"This kid Cheng Qian is really hard to understand!"

"Haha, since ancient times, which emperor has ever figured it out?"

"This"

Zhang Sun Wuji looked at Fang Xuanling in surprise, then frowned and said, "But we are outsiders! If we get too close to Cheng Qian, it will harm him!"

"So, we appear to want to harm him, but actually we want to help him!" Fang Xuanling said firmly.

"Stop talking, let me think about it!"

"Okay, I hope you can think it over carefully. Only Chang'an truly belongs to him."

After he finished speaking, Fang Xuanling looked at Changsun Wuji deeply, then turned and walked towards his carriage.

At the same time, Jiangling Ferry.

"Your Highness, there's no need to see me off. We will definitely complete the mission you've assigned us!"

Pei Xuan smiled and bowed to Li Chengqian. He then set his eyes on Liu Li and said, "Liu Changshi, the Crown Prince has the power to dispatch officials in Jiangling Prefecture. I sincerely hope you will assist the Crown Prince and prioritize the stability of Jiangling!"

"Don't worry, Governor Pei. I am a minister of the imperial court and should put state affairs first!" Liu Li said solemnly with his hands clasped.

In fact, he knew that the entire Jiangling had turned against Li Chengqian, but Li Chengqian had neither violated the law nor committed treason, so even if he knew, he could do nothing about it.

But just because he had no choice didn't mean he would submit to Li Chengqian.

That's why he stated in front of Li Chengqian and everyone else that he was a minister of the court, not a minister of Li Chengqian.

However, his statement was so ridiculous to Li Chengqian, Pei Xuan and others that everyone ignored him.

At this time, Zhang Ping smiled and said, "Your Highness, Zhang Tie is my elder brother. If you have any questions during my absence from Jiangling Prefecture, you can contact him. I have already explained everything to him!"

"Well, I hope you two have a safe journey. I have prepared a banquet in Jiangling and will be waiting for you to come back!" Li Chengqian nodded with a smile.

Pei Xuan and Zhang Ping exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with joy, yet they said solemnly, "I will definitely live up to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's expectations!"

After saying that, the two men immediately jumped on their horses and led the huge convoy towards the ferry.

Ma Zhou smiled as he watched them leave, and said with a sigh, "I'm afraid your two lords' trip to Chang'an this time will cause quite a stir!"

"Haha, who said it wasn't!"

Cen Wenben also agreed with a smile: "Rather than saying they are going for the assessment, it's better to say they are helping His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to bring goods."

"Honestly, if I were qualified to take the test, I would want to help His Royal Highness the Crown Prince bring goods to Chang'an. Just those goods alone would make me quite famous in Chang'an!"

Hearing what Cai Sima said, Ma Zhou and Cen Wenben smiled at each other, and then looked at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian said thoughtfully, "If one day we have enough money, I will definitely build a railway from Jiangling to Chang'an. In this way, our goods can reach Chang'an directly!"

"May I ask Your Highness, what is a railway?" Sima Cai asked with curiosity.

In recent times, he has no idea how much shock Li Chengqian has brought to him.

And every time he was shocked, he admired Li Chengqian very much.

I don’t know how Li Chengqian came up with those strange and amazing things in his little head.

Li Chengqian said, "Railway, as the name suggests, is a road paved with iron. This road is used for running trains!"

"Then may I ask, Your Highness, what is a train?" Liu Li couldn't help but ask.

Li Chengqian smiled at him and said, "A train is a vehicle used specifically for transportation. It's made up of carriages linked together, and then pulled by a locomotive. It doesn't require manpower or oxen or horses to pull it. It can transport a huge amount of goods, and it's also very fast!"

"How fast?" Ma Zhou suddenly became interested.

Li Chengqian thought for a moment, then stroked his chin and said, "We should be able to reach Chang'an within a day!"

"hiss"

When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but take a breath of cold air.

Arrive at Chang'an within one day!
Fast speed! Large transportation volume!

If used to transport troops
Thinking of this, everyone's eyes looking at Li Chengqian changed a little.

But then Sima Cai said in surprise and doubt, "Your Highness, are you serious? Is this train you're talking about really that powerful?"

"Of course! You don't think I'm lying to you, do you?"

"No, no, no, it's just that this matter is too magical, and I can't understand it for the time being!"

Sima Cai shook his head repeatedly. He still believed in Li Chengqian. After all, everything Li Chengqian had come up with during this period was quite incredible.

Not to mention a faster means of transportation like a train, even if Li Chengqian said one day that people could fly in the sky, he would believe it.

"Of course! These trains and railways are not that easy to manufacture and build. There's no need to rush now. Let's take our time!"

Seeing the golden light flashing in everyone's eyes, Li Chengqian quickly poured a basin of cold water on everyone.

However, everyone was not disappointed. Just knowing that trains existed was enough for them.

But then Li Chengqian added, "Although building railways and trains is unrealistic now, building cement roads is still possible!"

"Concrete road?"

Everyone was stunned again. It was another thing they had never heard of before.

However, just as Li Chengqian was about to explain what a cement road was, a cavalryman suddenly came galloping over from a distance and reported to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, the Emperor wants to test the musket himself. Go and see! We can't stop him!"

"what?!"

Everyone was shocked when they heard this and couldn't help but look at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian raised his hand to support his forehead and was speechless for a moment.

He originally thought that Li Yuan was just talking casually, but he didn't expect Li Yuan to be so excited.

The production of muskets is still in the experimental stage, and the risk of explosion may occur at any time.

He naturally didn't want Li Yuan to be hurt, so without saying anything, he directly ordered: "Hurry back to Jiangling Prefecture!"

　【Seeking monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, follow-up subscriptions, full subscriptions】

　　
　
(End of this chapter)