Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 151 His Majesty is already paving the way for the future crown prince.
The next day.

Li Shimin, attending court for the first time as emperor, issued his first decree without any warning.

“Since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, the Rong and Di tribes have invaded Xia and the Hu barbarians have disrupted China. The Central Plains have suffered greatly from the barbarians. Now the Turks have invaded the border. I am worried day and night, fearing that I will fail in my duty and thus tarnish the wisdom of my father.”

"Therefore, Li Jing, the Duke of Yongkang County and the Military Governor of Jingzhou, is hereby appointed as the Grand Military Governor of Guannei, overseeing all military affairs in Huizhou, Yuanzhou, Lingzhou, Jingzhou, and Youzhou!"

Upon receiving the decree, those in the know, such as Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Xiao Yu, and Yuwen Shiji, all remained calm and nodded slightly.

But those who were unaware of the situation were all taken aback.

These are all strategic locations, especially Jingzhou, which is very close to Chang'an.

They have always been the emperor's confidants, like Li Yi before them.

Even so, he only governed one state.

His Majesty has just ascended the throne, yet he has already entrusted such a heavy responsibility to him.

"His Majesty!"

While everyone was still pondering, a loud shout rang out, and Wei Zheng, who had just returned to court, stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to ask, does Your Majesty intend to wage war against the Turks?"

As soon as he finished speaking, many people in the hall suddenly realized what he meant!

Yes, the threat from within the pass was not only to Chang'an, but also to the Turks.

Is Your Majesty so eager to emulate Emperor Yang of Sui right after ascending the throne?
"No."

Li Shimin replied calmly.

"Then why did Your Majesty entrust Li Jing with such an important task?" Wei Zheng pressed.

"Didn't the imperial edict just now make it very clear? The Turks have invaded the border." Li Shimin remained calm, and in his heart, he also had some approval for Wei Zheng.

Of all the officials in the court, apart from a few who knew the truth, not one stood up to question him.

Only Wei Zheng is worried that I will follow in the footsteps of Emperor Yang of Sui.

Just as that brat Wen He said.

"I don't understand," Wei Zheng said, seemingly unwilling to give up.

"The Turks raid every year, and the border states are well-prepared to deal with them. Why does Your Highness need to raise troops now?"

Wei Zheng was not trying to compete with Li Shimin.

Even now, he still believes that the Turks are just like they were before.

However, they sent a small group of soldiers to plunder.

At this time, the Tang Dynasty was in dire need of reconstruction, and if it were to launch a military campaign lightly, it would inevitably incur enormous costs.

Veteran officials like him, who came from the Sui Dynasty, all remember how the Sui Dynasty collapsed after Emperor Yang of Sui launched three campaigns against Goguryeo.

"It is alright to speak of this matter, but all of you must not spread it. This time, Jieli has raised an army of over 200,000, and it seems he is coming with his entire force. Therefore, I must be cautious."

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar.

Even Wei Zheng's expression changed.

"quiet!"

Fang Xuanling shouted loudly.

He has now become the official Grand Secretary, and apart from veteran officials like Xiao Yu and Yuwen Shiji, he is nominally the head of all officials.

The courtiers immediately fell silent.

"This matter has been verified. Do you still have any doubts, my lord?" Li Shimin asked Wei Zheng with a smile.

The latter bowed deeply and stepped back into the ranks.

"continue."

Li Shimin glanced at Gao Yue, who nodded and then produced another imperial edict.

"By order of the Minister of War and Duke of Jiang, Jing Junhong, he shall be appointed as the Deputy Grand General of the Pass."

As the voice faded, Jing Junhong stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This old minister receives the decree!"

Li Shimin nodded to him.

Although Jing Junhong's qualifications and abilities are slightly inferior to those of Li Jing and Li Shiji, he is still capable of serving as Li Jing's deputy steward.

"By order of General Yuchi Gong, Right Martial General and Duke of Wu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Jingzhou Road Army."

"By order of the King of Rencheng, Li Daozong, he shall be appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Huizhou Road Army."

"By order of the Left General of the Army, Duke of Su, Cheng Zhijie, to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Yuanzhou Road Army."

"By order of Duan Zhixuan, Grand General of the Left Valiant Guard and Duke of Fan, Li Junxian, Li Junxian, Li Junxian, General of the Left Valiant Guard and Duke of Xiangwu, Liu Shili..."

The members of the Qin Prince's faction stepped forward one after another.

If Wen He were here, she would exclaim in surprise: "At least half of the Tang Dynasty's all-star lineup has appeared." Standing at the front, Yuchi Gong was smug, while Cheng Zhijie, standing next to him, scoffed at him, but his expression was not much better than the former's.

The veteran officials looked at these people and their hearts skipped a beat.

Their appearance signifies their end.

As the saying goes, there is one emperor and one courtier.

But what surprised them even more was yet to come.

“Li Chengqian, Prince of Zhongshan, is hereby appointed as the military governor of Guannei, and Wen He, the viscount of Gaoyang County, is appointed as the military governor’s advisor.”

Boom!

It was as if a bolt from the blue had suddenly struck.

Inside the main hall, both civil and military officials were stunned and unable to recover for a long time.

Li Shimin kept this matter a secret from everyone, including Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xiao Yu, Yuwen Shi, and these trusted confidants.

Like Cheng Zhijie. Although Yuchi Gong and the others knew that Wen He would be going with them, they never expected that Li Chengqian would also be there!
Among the civil officials, there was a restless atmosphere, and Wei Zheng had already raised his head, ready to step forward.

at this time!

A loud shout rang out: "Your Majesty!"

Everyone instinctively looked towards the civil officials, but no one stepped forward. Wei Zheng was also stunned, wondering, 'Who beat me to it?'

Just then, a burly man stepped out from the front of the martial arts troupe.

"Your subject, Qin Qiong, has a report to submit!"

Why did he come out?

Many people were taken aback when they saw Qin Qiong.

Everyone knows that he is seriously ill now, and even when he attends court, he is almost a dispensable person.

I never expected him to come out at this time.

"Uncle Bao."

Li Shimin was quite surprised, even his way of addressing people was different from others.

The way he called out "Shubao" was especially heartbreaking.

A mighty general, yet now he is forbidden from going to war.

In the past, his name would definitely have been on the list of those who went to war.

"Your Majesty, I know that I am now like a flickering candle. However, the Prince of Zhongshan is young and will surely be ill-suited for battle. Although I am no longer of use, I am willing to protect the Prince of Zhongshan and serve as Your Majesty's vanguard. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

Qin Qiong bowed deeply.

Li Shimin was about to say "no," but then he remembered what Wen He and Changsun Wuji had said before.

For the next decade or so, Qin Qiong lived a secluded life, which led to considerable suspicion among later generations.

Since some people believe that I am wary of Shubao?
If I can tolerate Xue Wanche, how much more so Qin Qiong?
But his body...

Li Shimin felt reluctant, but seeing Qin Qiong's determination, he could only agree.

"Very well, the Prince of Zhongshan is young, so Uncle Bao should protect him more."

"Your subject will certainly live up to the trust placed in you!"

Although Qin Qiong's face was pale, his voice was resolute.

"Qin Qiong, the Duke of Yi, is hereby appointed as the Deputy Military Governor to assist the Prince of Zhongshan, but he shall not go into battle unless absolutely necessary!"

Li Shimin was genuinely afraid that Qin Qiong would never return after this trip.

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Disturbed by Qin Qiong, those who had come to dissuade him earlier could only swallow their anger.

Even Wei Zheng gave up.

This general risked his life to protect them, how can you bear to stop him?
'It seems His Majesty is already paving the way for the future crown prince.'

Wei Zheng sighed inwardly, relieved that he hadn't left his post earlier.

Otherwise, they might offend the future crown prince.

But he didn't know.

At this moment.

The future crown prince, now the military governor of Guannei, Li Chengqian, was looking at the horses galloping on the training ground with a gloomy expression.

"Don't even think about riding a horse before you're fifteen."

As soon as he finished speaking, a slap landed on his head.

(End of this chapter)