Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

"I think the Duke of Qi is right."

Yuchi Jingde was startled by Cheng Yaojin's commotion and tried to grab him, but he missed.

"Are you crazy?"

Yuchi Jingde cursed in a low voice.

Cheng Yaojin completely ignored him and bowed to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty! I, Lao Cheng, am a rough man and do not understand the intricacies of those civil officials."

But I know one thing. Your Majesty, you saved me at Yanmen Pass at the age of sixteen, rescued my father from ten thousand troops at the age of seventeen, persuaded your father to lead the Jinyang cavalry at the age of eighteen, defeated Xue Rengao at the age of nineteen, defeated Song Jingang at the age of twenty, defeated Liu Wuzhou at the age of twenty-one, captured Dou Jiande alive and captured Wang Shichong alive at the age of twenty-two, and defeated Liu Heita. At the age of twenty-seven, you ascended the throne and became emperor for the Tang Dynasty.

Why can't His Highness the Crown Prince do it?

I, Lao Cheng, am the first to support His Highness the Crown Prince taking command. I'm willing to be His Highness's vanguard and wring Gao Jianwu's head off!

Upon hearing Cheng Yaojin's words, Li Chengqian didn't know whether to be happy or angry.

What's pleasing is that this bastard compared him to his own father, the emperor.

The person who's cursing is this bastard comparing his own achievements to his father's.

How many emperors throughout history have been so abnormal?

Changsun Wuji was overjoyed when he heard Cheng Yaojin's words.

He discovered for the first time that this jerk was actually quite cute.

Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, his face turning green.

Cheng Yaojin, that fool, is being used as a pawn without even realizing it.

However, his flattery left Li Shimin unsure whether to reprimand him or...

Yuchi Jingde couldn't stand it any longer, so he stepped forward and kicked Cheng Yaojin in the butt.

"Shut up."

Yuchi Jingde turned to look at Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, you lived in a chaotic era. Heroes emerge in chaotic times, and Your Majesty was exceptionally gifted and powerful, far surpassing ordinary people."

Now that we are in the golden age of the Tang Dynasty, why would His Highness the Crown Prince need to personally take action to deal with the mere Goguryeo?

"This humble general is willing to lead an army of 100,000 to pacify Liaodong for Your Highness."

When Cheng Yaojin saw that Yuchi Jingde dared to stand up and take his job, his temper flared up instantly.

"Old Hei, what do you mean? Are you looking down on His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"When did I ever look down on His Highness the Crown Prince? I was saying that rough work like fighting is something we military officers should do."

"You're talking nonsense! His Highness the Crown Prince was even more ruthless than you when he fought that savage yesterday, so why can't he fight a war?"

The verbal sparring between the two ignited a war within the Taiji Hall.

On the civil officials' side, Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, Cui Minqian, and others engaged in heated debates.

On the military side, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde were exchanging friendly greetings about each other's ancestors.

Li Shimin felt his head buzzing.

"Stop arguing."

Just then, a lazy voice rang out.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

Li Chengqian walked out slowly.

"Uncle is right. Those savages from Goguryeo are too arrogant. If we don't teach them a lesson, they'll really think that the Tang Dynasty is easy to bully."

Since everyone thinks so highly of me, I'm willing to go.

Changsun Wuji was stunned.

Cui Min was dumbfounded.

Wei Zheng stared at Li Chengqian in shock.

Even Cheng Yaojin looked on in disbelief.

To everyone's surprise, Li Chengqian agreed so readily.

Li Shimin stood up from the dragon throne, looked at Li Chengqian, and asked:

"Gao Ming, do you even know what you're saying?"

That's Liaodong! That's a battlefield. Not some child's play in Chang'an.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin without fear, nodded, and said:

"Your subject understands."

However, as the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, it is my duty to share the Emperor's burdens and bring glory to the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian paused for a moment, then changed the subject.

"However, since Father and all the officials have agreed that I should lead the expedition..."

"I have two small conditions: if Father and Uncle agree, I will muster my troops and set off."

Changsun Wuji was about to speak up and stop him without even thinking.

This little brat never plays by the rules. His quick response might be a trap.

Li Chengqian didn't give Changsun Wuji a chance to speak at all.

"The first thing is that an army must be well-prepared before it can move. Warfare is all about money and supplies."

As my uncle and the other officials just mentioned, these aristocratic families have deep roots and are willing to share the nation's burdens.

Li Chengqian walked up to Cui Minqian.

"Lord Cui, you look radiant; you must have been eating a lot of good food."

The supply and logistics for this army of 100,000 is now entrusted to you.

Cui Mingan quickly waved his hand and said:

"Your Highness! This old minister is a civil official, and the task of supervising the supply of provisions has always been handled by the Ministry of Revenue..."

"The Ministry of Revenue has no money."

Li Chengqian interrupted him directly.

"Didn't you hear Lord Tang Jian say he's almost so poor he's pawning his pants?"

Li Chengqian turned around and looked at Li Shimin, suggesting:

"Father! Your son humbly requests that Your Majesty issue an edict appointing Cui Mingan, the head of the Qinghe Cui clan, as the chief grain officer for the army, in charge of all provisions needed for this expedition against Goguryeo."

Li Shimin guessed about 70-80% of Li Chengqian's thoughts.

This kid is trying to drag the aristocratic families down with him.

Li Chengqian then looked at Cui Mingan and shouted sternly:

"Lord Cui! Since you have recommended me to be the commander-in-chief, you must take full responsibility. I require you to sign a military pledge before the Emperor and all the officials."

"Once the army has set off, if the front lines are short even a single grain of rice or a single winter coat, I'll be the first to cut off your brain. Don't blame me for being ruthless and wiping out your entire Cui family."

Cui Mingan's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down on the ground.

On what grounds?

Why is he being targeted for doing something that Changsun Wuji suggested, when he had only offered a brief agreement?

Do I look like someone who's easy to bully?

Cui Mingan looked to Changsun Wuji for help.

Changsun Wuji nodded at Cui Mingan.

His original plan was to have the powerful families tamper with the grain supplies, thus trapping Li Chengqian in Liaodong.

Now that Li Chengqian has promoted Cui Mingan to the position of grain supervisor, it's practically Li Chengqian digging his own grave.

If he dies in Liaodong, who will bother Cui Minqian?

As for what will happen if Li Chengqian is not dead and returns?

What does that have to do with Changsun Wuji?

"Better to die than to die; he was just someone who came up with ideas from beginning to end."

Cui Mingan received the hint and gritted his teeth, saying:

"Your humble servant... obeys the decree. Your humble servant will do everything in his power to ensure the army has no worries about food supplies."

Li Chengqian clapped his hands in satisfaction, then looked at Li Shimin and continued:

"Father, the second thing is much simpler."

A general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders. Since I am the commander-in-chief of an army of 100,000, the personnel appointments within the army are my decision.

Your Majesty, I wish to select my own deputy generals and accompanying officers. Neither Your Majesty nor the Ministry of War may interfere.

Li Shimin stared at Li Chengqian for a long time.

This kid wants military power? What does he want to do?

Li Shimin waved his hand:

"Granted! I grant you the authority to make decisions on the spot. You may choose your own deputy general."

Court adjourned!

Li Shimin stood up and walked into the inner hall with a dark face.

Half an hour later, at Ganlu Palace.

Li Shimin paced irritably in the palace, with torn memorials scattered on the ground.

Those were all recommendation petitions submitted by officials from powerful families.

Li Jing, Li Ji, Cheng Yaojin, Hou Junji, and others stood aside like wooden figures.

"That old scoundrel Changsun Wuji actually dared to collude with those parasites from the aristocratic families to push Gao Ming into a fire pit."

Did they think the Liaodong campaign was a leisurely outing?

Li Shimin turned to look at Li Jing, who had remained silent, and asked:

"Pharmacist, tell me your honest opinion. What are Gao Ming's chances of success in Liaodong this time?"

Li Jing sighed and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your Majesty, I must speak disrespectfully. His Highness the Crown Prince has never been to a military camp, is unfamiliar with military strategy and tactics."

Liaodong has a complex terrain, and Goguryeo was strong and well-equipped, and also had a geographical advantage.

If His Highness the Crown Prince were to personally command and coordinate the operation, there is a risk of total annihilation.

Li Shimin's vision went black, and he almost fainted.

Although he thought the same thing, he still had a sliver of hope.

But if Li Jing says they can't win, then there's absolutely no chance.

Because this was said by the military genius of the Tang Dynasty.