Li Shimin, one emperor through the ages

Chapter 67 Rescue Silla (2)
"It's not that no one cooks porridge for my sister. It's just that my sister is old and my brother is also old. I feel very happy to be able to do something for my sister." Li Ji said, smiled at his sister, and went to the kitchen.He was earnestly picking up the porridge in the crock when Li Shimin came in suddenly.

"Why do you cook the porridge yourself, and there are not enough servants?" Li Shimin asked.

Li Ji shook his head and said, "I did it for my sister."

"Why do you want to do it yourself?"

"I have been taken care of by my sister since I was a child, and I am kind to my parents. Now I can do something for her, and I am very happy."

Li Shimin listened, looked at Li Ji, and said: "I have heard about Aiqing's burial of Li Mi, and I deeply feel your loyalty. I didn't expect to see Qing cooking porridge for my sister again today. I am really a filial person."

Li Ji was originally Li Mi's subordinate, and after he and Li Mi descended to the Tang Dynasty, they were fighting outside. When they heard that Li Mi had been punished for rebelling against the Tang Dynasty, he went to Li Yuan to ask for permission to bury his old master.Li Yuan thought of his loyalty and allowed his request.Li Ji immediately returned to his filial piety and solemnly buried Li Mi in the south of Lishan.His tomb is seven ren high, and he was buried with royal rites.After Li Yuan knew about it, he once said to Li Shimin, the king of Qin at that time: "This is great loyalty and righteousness!"

Li Shimin praised Li Ji, asked Li Ji about his preparations for the war, and left satisfied.When he came out of Li Ji's prime minister's mansion, he was still thinking about Li Ji cooking porridge for his sister. Li Shimin thought to himself: such a filial person must be a loyal minister!
Come to Li Ji's house to see, Li Shimin is also a whim.In the early years, when Li Shimin first came to the throne, he often visited his courtiers.He seemed to have visited the home of the founding father once or twice.In recent years, this matter has been somewhat sparse.This time I saw Li Ji making porridge for my sister, and I was very moved. I wanted to see Li Ji and went back, but now I want to see another prime minister, Cen Wenwen.This time when he went to Goguryeo, Li Ji relied on Li Ji for the battle, and Cen Wenwen was appointed to handle all matters such as food and grass transshipment, supplies, money, armor, weapons, and equipment.Li Shimin knew that this was no less important than directly leading troops in battle.The person who hosts must not only have extraordinary ability, but also must have an extraordinary spirit of enduring hardships.

When he came to Cen Wenwen's residence, Li Shimin was very surprised.This prime minister's mansion is not only low and simple, there are no decorations such as mattresses and curtains in the interior. "Why is the prime minister so crude, without even some property?" Li Shimin asked, thinking of Wei Zheng and other honest ministers.

"I was originally just a commoner in the south who entered the customs on foot. His wish was to have a secretary or county magistrate. Now he has no meritorious service. Because of the emperor's love, he was promoted to Zhongshuling with his writing and ink. With such a high status and such a generous salary, I think I'm a little scared, how can I have the heart to buy property?"

Cen Wenben is quite talented in literature. Long before he followed Li Shimin, there were sixty volumes of anthology popular in the world.Once Li Shimin hosted a banquet for hundreds of officials, and the text was dedicated to "Ode to the Three Yuans".When Li Shimin saw it, he couldn't put it down. In addition, Li Jing strongly recommended him, and soon he was appointed as the Minister of Zhongshu, who was in charge of the confidential documents of the court, and later he was promoted to the order of Zhongshu.The reason for this is naturally Cen Wenwen's extraordinary talent and ability, as well as Wenwen's noble virtues.After Cen Wenwen worshiped as Zhongshu Ling, he returned home with no joy but worry. His sister was surprised and asked him why he came here?Cen Wenwen said: "I have nothing to do with the country. To receive this honor, I have a high responsibility and a high position, so I am worried." Some relatives and friends came to celebrate, and Cen Wenwen said: "I would like to be hanged, but I don't want to be congratulated."

This time with Li Shimin to conquer Goguryeo, Cen Wenwen was in charge of the logistics work and felt the heavy responsibility. After taking the order, he has been busy with planning and planning, without a moment's rest.Li Shimin saw that he looked tired and spoke differently than usual, knowing that he was overworked, he didn't want to disturb him for too long, asked some simple questions, and left in peace.Back in the palace, Li Shimin said to Concubine Xu: "Wenwen is too serious in his work, and he has personally experienced everything. The logistics of this expedition are too heavy. I am worried that Wenwen will go with me, and I may not return to Chang'an with me. city."

After hearing this, Concubine Xu looked at Li Shimin emotionally, and said, "The reason why Your Majesty has so many dedicated courtiers is not because there is a great wise king who knows people well and is considerate of his courtiers."

"What Concubine Xian said, eight or nine are inseparable from ten, follow me to conquer the world and build a prosperous Tang Dynasty. I want them to live well. Compared with the emperors of Qin and Han, I should be regarded as a benevolent monarch. "

"It's not counted, but it is." Concubine Xu said.

"Well, people always like to be self-righteous and listen to good words. I was born an emperor, and it's the same. I'm so happy to hear the words of my concubine." Li Shimin said sincerely.

18
"Spring grass is like love, and the mountains are still green." Spring is outcropping, and the air in the palace is very fresh.Li Shimin was late for the banquet at Concubine Xu's place, and it was almost noon when he came to the imperial study.Tomorrow is going to the expedition, and many things that need to be done have already been carried out in an orderly manner.Li Shimin thought carefully about what else he didn't handle.

Since Li Zhi was established as the prince, he arranged Li Zhi to the side of his living room so that he could meet the future prince day and night and teach him frequently.In addition, Li Shimin selected a group of senior ministers for Li Zhi to form a powerful team of bureaucrats to undertake the important task of "assisting" the prince.In this team, apart from Sun Wuji, the prince's grand teacher, Fang Xuanling, the prince's grand master, Xiao Yu, the prince's grand protector, Li Ji, the prince's Zhan Shi and the prince's left guard, Li Daliang, the prince's right guard, and Yu Zhi, the prince's left and right concubine. Ning, Ma Zhou, Su Xu, and Gao Jifu.Aiming at Li Zhiren's weakness and decisiveness, Li Shimin also ordered Liu Jie, Cen Wenwen, Chu Suiliang, and Ma Zhou to take turns talking with the prince every day to improve his speech and decision-making abilities.In short, Li Shimin had already worked hard for the crown prince to inherit the great position, and now that the expedition was imminent, Li Shimin thought of the crown prince again.

"Go, call the prince." Li Shimin said to his courtiers.

After the prince arrived, Li Shimin asked everyone to step back and looked at the prince: "It will take several months for my expedition to go back and forth. The emperor is in charge of the court, so you must be careful in everything." Li Shimin earnestly said:
"Listen more and talk less, ask more and think more. Grand Master Sun Wuji is not only my honored minister, but also a relative of me and the emperor. He is loyal and can be relied on; Grand Tutor Fang Xuanling is my honored minister. His wife, Yiai, was married to the emperor's younger sister, Princess Gaoyang, and she was also a relative, loyal and reliable; and Chu Suiliang, although not a relative, was equally loyal and someone the emperor could rely on. These people must be respectful and courteous, even if they have different ideas from them, don’t say it right away, but think it over and over again, thinking about their motives is more important than understanding their reasoning. If you can’t figure it out, just temporarily press Do what they say, and then look at the results. Over time, after repeated repetitions, you will know how to weigh the pros and cons and how to make decisions."

"My son obeys my father's orders."

Looking at the sincere Li Zhi, Li Shimin smiled slightly, thinking: "This son will surely make my country prosperous."

Li Shimin's eyesight is actually good. It was this indecisive prince who finally became the emperor for 35 years, the longest reign among the more than 20 emperors of the Tang Dynasty except Tang Xuanzong.In the meantime, he not only made the people enjoy peace, but also completed the Goguryeo problem that his father could not solve. This is a later story.

Prince Li Zhi has been standing respectfully listening to his father's teachings.Because he was still young and weak by nature, he was always a little nervous when he saw his father. This time, his father was going to go on an expedition and let him rule in the court, and he was even more uncertain.Now after listening to the father's teachings, I have some confidence in my heart, and I am worried about the father, and said: "I have something to ask the father."

"tell me the story."

"Father's journey is far away. My son is most worried about the relapse of my father's gangrene. I implore my father to bring more imperial doctors."

When Li Shimin heard this, his heart moved, and he said: "I listen to the prince." After looking at Li Zhi for a long time, he suddenly asked: "What book did the emperor read recently?"

"Read "Book of Filial Piety" again."

"I remember that when you were very young, your father asked you to read the "Book of Filial Piety". If you read it now, do you know the essence of the book?"

"A husband's filial piety begins with serving relatives, centering on serving the emperor, and finally establishing himself. In the affairs of a gentleman, advance and think to be loyal, retreat to make up for mistakes, follow the good and save the evil." Li Zhi replied.

"Not bad! Being able to do this is enough to be a father and brother, and a minister!" Li Shimin praised and asked, "Can you practice calligraphy recently?"

"According to the order of the father and the emperor, the minister will write three crosses in the day."

"Bring it to me to see."

Li Shimin's calligraphy is quite level.For politics, Li Shimin took Yao and Shun as the objects to imitate, and the rise and fall of Qin and Han as lessons; for calligraphy, Li Shimin mainly studied Wang Xizhi, focusing on the research of techniques. "On", discusses calligraphy from beginner to in-depth.What Li Shimin is best at is Feibai calligraphy.

The prince brought the three crosses that he had just practiced today. Li Shimin looked at it carefully and said:
"Looking at the books of the ancients, it is not about learning the situation, but only seeking the strength of the bones, so that the situation will naturally come into being after being in the heart."

The prince has been practicing calligraphy since he was four years old, and he already has some skill and understanding of calligraphy. He listened to Li Shimin's words, nodded frequently and said:

"My son must work hard to find his bone strength."

"Okay! In terms of calligraphy, Yu Shinan and Chu Suiliang each have their own uniqueness and perfection. When the prince has free time, he can often go to ask for advice. When my father was as old as you, he only liked bows and arrows and horses. Yes. It was due to the situation at that time. Now that the world is peaceful, the prince should devote himself to studying and studying calligraphy. Being erudite and talented is a must for a wise king."

18
The spring thunder awakened the Canglong who had been doomed for a long time, and the new rain nourished the vast and long-awaited panic field. Among the withered yellow of the past, the soft green grew fiercely in the wind.In the soft green of the Spring Festival, a fresh and relaxed road leads directly from Chang'an to Luoyang.In the past, merchants and nearby residents mostly came and went on this road in a hurry; but today, Li Shimin's army on an expedition to Goguryeo is mighty.

After being notified, many generals who participated in this expedition brought their troops and rushed to Luoyang one after another.Li Shimin wanted to assemble an army of 30 in Luoyang, and then divide his troops into three groups, marching northward from Luoyang, leading his troops to attack Koryo and break the siege of Silla.

It was a rainy day, and there were rows of peach trees beside the road.After the rain in the spring, the raindrops on the petals, like teardrops hanging all over, clearly imprinted into the eyes of passers-by.Li Shimin lifted the curtain and saw him, thinking to himself: Taohua also shed tears for Goguryeo?It looked like they were going to be in trouble.Look under the tree again, the petals are scattered everywhere.Outside the curtain, the rain is gurgling, and under the fallen flowers and trees, the spring is fading away.Li Shimin was thinking all the way, and he didn't realize that he had arrived in Luoyang.Li Ji, Tang Jian, Li Daozong and other generals were waiting outside the city, but only Cen Wenwen was seen.Li Shimin thought of him, but he also knew that he was busy.With so many troops, this kind of supply is not a simple matter.

The next day at the Dajiaochang in Luoyang City, Li Shimin picked up his expeditionary army.Li Shimin stopped in front of Zhang Liang, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice. Just a few days ago, they had discussed the issue of criminal law, and both of them reached an agreement on the view that the death penalty should not be sentenced sloppily. "After the triumphant return to Chang'an, we will discuss the death penalty." Li Shimin said to Zhang Liang.

"I will listen to His Majesty's instruction at that time." Zhang Liang replied humbly.

In this battle, after repeated discussions between Li Shimin and Li Ji, they decided to divide the troops into north, middle, and south, and march to the northeast in three routes.The central route, led by Li Ji, approached the Liaodong city of Goguryeo from Jinzhou; Zhang Liang led 500 warships in Xingcheng to capture Gaimu City through Liaodong Bay, and then went northeast to attack Liaodong City from the south.Because Zhang Liang is familiar with the navy, based on tactical needs, Li Shimin personally called him this time to lead the army to conquer Goguryeo.

Hearing Zhang Liang's answer, Li Shimin nodded, and said, "Cen Wenwen has arranged everything for you, including warships and military supplies. It will be up to you when the time comes."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, Zhang Liang will take down Gaimu City on time and quickly attack Goguryeo's Liaodong City in the north.

"Okay, Li Ji will attack in the middle, and I will attack the north and south with the general, how can Liaodong City not be broken?" Li Shimin laughed happily as he spoke, and walked to the governor of Yingzhou, Zhang Jian.Seeing that the bow on his back was so big, Li Shimin was very interested, stepped forward to untie it, weighed it in his hand, and said, "It's almost as heavy as the bow I used back then."

Li Shimin is good at martial arts, especially his archery skills. The bow and arrow he uses are twice as big as ordinary people, and he always shoots without missing a mark. Even the Turkic people who are good at bows and arrows admire his archery skills.Because of his fondness for bows and arrows, Li Shimin once wrote a poem "Song of the Bow". This time when he saw Zhang Jian's big bow, he couldn't help but think of his own poem.He turned his head and asked Generalissimo Li Ji who was always by his side: "Do you know my poem "Singing the Bow"?"

"I remember." Li Ji replied, and recited it casually: "The winding moon is halfway up, and the arrows and meteors are far away. The falling geese take the books and plunder, and the crowing apes reflect the branches."

"Okay! Marshal can remember my poem, which shows that Marshal is also a man who is good at using bows. 'Shocking Arrows and Meteors Far' can strike first, which is really a good weapon to reduce your own sacrifice and effectively kill the enemy. This expedition Goguryeo, you must give full play to the strengths of bows and arrows. Teach those self-righteous Goguryeo people a lesson."

"My minister obeys."

"Also, you marshals and generals, you must understand: Although Goguryeo paid tribute to my Tang Dynasty, it has always been dissatisfied and hostile. The Liaodong region has always been owned by China, and Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla are all ours. The vassal states of the Tang Dynasty should respect each other. Now Goguryeo is ambitious and wants to unify Liaodong, which is a provocation to my Great Tang, and it must not be allowed..."

Li Shimin opened up this topic, talking more and more vigorously, getting more and more excited, until he saw the messenger rushing towards him, and then he stopped talking.The messenger sent good news to boost morale.

As early as in Chang'an, when Li Shimin decided to rescue Silla, Fang Xuanling was worried that Xue Yantuo would take advantage of the emptiness to harass Datang Bianjing. Li Shimin sent someone to tell Xue Yantuo: I am going to fight Goryeo, if you are not afraid, I will come to harass you.Xue Yantuo gasped in fright when he heard such mighty words, and was scared away from the so-called harassment of Tang Chao in his heart.After Li Shimin left Chang'an, Gai Suwen, a power official in Goguryeo, found out that it was the emperor's personal conquest. He was afraid, so he wrote a letter, promising huge profits, and asking Xue Yantuo, a barbarian, to rebel against Tang and send troops to help him.Yi Nan took photos of the might of the Tang Dynasty, and dared not do anything in vain. Not only did he not send troops to help, but he also wrote a letter to inform him of this matter and his sincerity.

Li Shimin read Yinan's letter, laughed, and said: "The little Goguryeo wants to contact other countries and fight against me together. It's beyond self-control." After that, he handed Yinan's letter to Li Ji, and said: "Let all the generals take a look and know what Goguryeo is."

All the generals burst out laughing after seeing it.Gai Suwen, a Goguryeo power minister, never dreamed that his letter of appeal for help would greatly boost the morale of the Tang army.

18
In the Liaodong Peninsula in mid-spring, the setting sun is everywhere; the old trees full of flowers have no more dead branches; the green grass turns dark green with the evening mist;

(End of this chapter)