Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 302: I traveled through time just to beat up (crossed out) Li Shimin to repay him!

"Li Jing."

"exist."

"You will be the commander-in-chief of the Licheng Road Army, commanding the Chinese and foreign military forces and supervising this battle."

"Yes."

"Hou Junji."

"exist."

"You are the deputy commander-in-chief of the march, leading the vanguard."

"Yes."

……

The emperor was in Pingzhou and the troops were inspected on the battlefield.

The officers and soldiers received their orders and were full of confidence.

Their origins are very complicated. There are 40,000 elite troops brought over by Hou Junji and others from last year's expedition to Xueyantuo; there are refugees from Hebei, and surrendered tribes from Goguryeo, Xueyantuo and other places; there are also veterans who have fought in many battles since the Pingzhou and Yingzhou eras.

But their goal is the same:
Go south! Clear all of Datang!

They are highly motivated and well-trained.

Their generals were all famous generals who left their names in history.

Li Jing was in command of the overall situation, Hou Junji was the vanguard, Li Daozon was in charge of the central army, Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui were on both wings, Xue Wanche was the rear guard, and Zhishisili and Qibi Heli were on standby.

It was truly a place of brilliant generals, with half of the famous generals of the early Tang Dynasty gathered here.

Under the command of a powerful general, the Red Turban Army marched in orderly steps, left the battlefield and rushed to the front line.

This time, they did not show their personality like before, but just wrapped red scarves on their heads and went to the battlefield.

Everyone was fully armed, wearing the sturdiest helmets, and had a serious look on their faces.

Those defeated generals in the past were just small fry.

The powerful enemy we face this time is unprecedented.

That was the regular army of the Tang Dynasty.

"Um……"

Li Ming stood on the high platform, looking down at the athletes rushing towards an unknown future with a solemn expression.

"Your Majesty, it's time to go back." Fang Xuanling reminded from the side.

Li Ming's eyes were still on the soldiers who were leaving, and he said thoughtfully:
“I still feel…

"It may not be the right time to suddenly launch a full-scale attack now."

That there will be a war with the Tang Dynasty in the near future is a consensus among everyone from Li Ming to ordinary people. After all, we are all us.

However, choosing "today" as the day to start the war seems a bit hasty.

This slightly radical strategy was proposed jointly by civil and military officials led by Li Jing and Fang Xuanling.

"Li Chengqian has just ascended the throne, and there is still some unrest from Chang'an to the local areas. We should cut the Gordian knot now and eliminate the false emperor before he can firmly sit on the throne."

Fang Xuanling slowly sorted out the reasons for Li Ming's actions:

"The above is at the strategic level. Tactically, the Tang army was mobilized on a large scale to Yangzhou and was preparing to board ships to reinforce Silla.

"The Central Plains is empty right now. It's a good time to take advantage of the enemy's lack of resources and launch a surprise attack in this direction."

Li Ming pursed his lips:

"What you said is absolutely true..."

Let professionals do professional things. When it comes to fighting, not to mention Li Jing, Yuchi Xunyu has more say than Li Ming.

This is also the reason why Li Ming finally decided to approve this plan.

but……

"I think if we slow down a bit, maybe it will be safer."

Li Ming whispered to his father.

He didn't want his words to be heard by others and shake the morale of the troops.

Fang Xuanling asked calmly:
"What is it that makes Your Majesty so worried?"

"Sishui." Li Ming murmured:

"The bridge over Sishui has not been built yet..."

Sishui originates from the foothills of Mount Tai. Before the Yellow River took over the Huai River and flowed into the sea in the Southern Song Dynasty, Sishui was an important tributary of the Huai River.

Yanzhou, located on the Tang-Ming border and the Tang side, is located on the west bank of the Si River and is the first target of the Red Turban Army's attack.

Although Hebei of the Ming Dynasty and Henan of the Tang Dynasty seem to be bordering each other, guess why these two regions are called "Hebei" and "Henan" respectively?
Because there is a natural barrier between the two, and that is the Yellow River.

During the flood season in summer, anyone who crosses the river to fight will be a loser.

Therefore, the Ming army chose the Yanzhou line, which borders Qi and Lu, as its main attack direction.

This is why Li Ming was willing to spend a lot of money to take over Qilu through peaceful evolution.

In this way, there is no need to cross the Yellow River when attacking the Central Plains, which can save a huge amount of cost and time both in terms of advancement and supply, making it a perfect forward base.

However, although going west from Qi and Lu can bypass the large river dividing the north and the south, there is a small river that cannot be bypassed.

That is the Si River, which runs from north to south and divides the east and the west.

After taking over the land of Qi and Lu, Li Ming issued a special decree to immediately organize laborers to build a bridge across the river at the narrow part of the Sishui River.

However, Li Ming had only been in control of Qizhou for a short time, and had decided to use it as a forward base to attack the Tang Dynasty even earlier, and the construction of the bridge across the river had not yet been completed.

Therefore, part of the Ming army crossed the Si River by ferrying.

The other part takes the source of Sishui River - the remaining branch of Mount Tai, Peiwei Mountain, and makes a big circle.

The two armies attacked Yanzhou from the east and north.

"Speaking of Sishui Bridge... Your Majesty, I have something to say. Please listen carefully."

Fang Xuanling's brows wrinkled slightly:

"Your Majesty should be thinking about the whole country. A bridge shouldn't take up so much of your energy, right?"

Li Ming was silent for a while, and said sincerely:
"My father taught me that."

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard and nodded slightly:

"Your Majesty is wise."

"But..." Li Ming always felt uneasy.

"Surabhai is a hurdle on the front line. If the bridge cannot be completed..."

Fang Xuanling thought that Li Ming was worried about logistics, so he comforted him:
"Your Majesty, the Si River is not a natural barrier like a large river. There are many ships coming and going on weekdays. The trade between Qizhou and Yanzhou all crosses this river, so there is no inconvenience.

"So, this river will not have any impact on the transportation of military food and logistical materials. Moreover, the Central Plains is rich, and even if the supply is temporarily cut off, we can still hold out for a few days because of the food from the enemy. When this bridge is built..."

"I'm not worried about logistics," Li Ming interrupted.

“I’m worried about the people and the retreat routes for the soldiers.

"If we are pushed back by the enemy and become stuck under Yanzhou City or on the banks of the Sishui River..."

Then we have to remake Dunkirk!

Although the Ming Dynasty now has political and economic advantages, with strong soldiers and dedicated armies.

But the opponent is not bad either, it is the real peak Tang Dynasty.

What’s even more terrifying is that Li Shimin is on the opposite side.

Li Shimin was evaluated by one of the most capable fighting instructors as "Since ancient times, no one can match Li Shimin in military ability."

Who wouldn’t be nervous?

Who knows whether the emperor retired but continued to work?

War is a place of life and death, and anything can happen on the battlefield.

When facing Li Shimin, you must think of a way out.

"I understand your Majesty's concerns." Fang Xuanling stroked his goatee:
“But the situation does not wait for anyone, and we cannot wait until we are fully prepared before taking action.

"If the other side secures the throne and moves the army back to the defense line, it will be more difficult to start a war at that time."

Li Ming didn't say much, just nodded briefly:

"Ah."

The king and his minister fell silent and said nothing more, watching the backs of the soldiers gradually disappear into the distance.

After a long time, Fang Xuanling could not help asking:

"Your Majesty, I have a question, but I don't know whether I should ask it or not..."

"You can just call me Li Ming, Fang Xuanling." Li Ming said calmly, neither polite nor condescending, as if the two were old friends of equal status. Calling each other by their first and last names is one part vulgarity and nine parts intimacy between the monarch and his subjects.

Lao Fang was stunned by the young emperor's frank and open mind.

After a while, he asked in a flat tone:

"Since you are so afraid of your father, why do you still want to go against him?"

"If you explain this to Chang'an, even if your father doesn't make you the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty right away, he will make you the first in line to the throne, and he will definitely allow you to stay in Pingzhou and wait for the throne."

Fang Xuanling also stopped pretending and poured out all the biggest doubts in his mind:

"Li Chengqian is in poor health and won't live long. To put it bluntly, even your father is already in his twilight years. You only need to wait a few more years, and you will be able to take over the throne safely and smoothly.

"If you want, you can even hold the coronation ceremony in Pingzhou, and let all civil and military officials come from thousands of miles away to pay homage..."

Li Ming didn't say a word the whole time, just listened quietly to his old friend's endless questions.

"So, Li Ming."

Fang Xuanling faced his friend of different ages and asked sincerely:

"Why do you still insist on starting a war and confronting your father, the most terrible enemy in the world?"

Even if these words were said between friends of truly equal status, there is no guarantee that they would not fall out.

But Li Ming listened very carefully and didn't feel offended at all.

He knew that the old man in front of him, who had been pretending all his life, was able to open his heart to him out of extremely valuable trust.

Because of this, he had to give a positive answer to his old friend's question:
"Some battles have to be fought. It has been like this since Liaodong. You know that too, those noble families who only follow orders but not declarations."

Fang Xuanling felt that this statement might make some sense, but it was unlikely to make sense.

"But Li Ming, you don't seem to be very opposed to confronting your father head-on, do you?"

Li Ming did not comment:

"Oh, really? Why do you think so?"

Fang Xuanling gave his younger brother a deep look:
"Because you are smiling."

Li Ming touched the corner of his mouth: "Really? No."

Fang Xuanling said nothing more and bowed to his master:
"It is a relief to speak my mind. I still need to plan the civilian production during the war. Your Majesty, please excuse me and take my leave."

Li Ming nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, father."

The brief heart-to-heart talk between the emperor and his ministers ended here.

When he was alone, Li Ming couldn't help but let out a long sigh, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.

Lao Fang is indeed very perceptive.

Li Ming was more than willing to fight against Li Shimin.

I'm really looking forward to it.

"I have traveled through the Tang Dynasty. If I cannot beat Li Shimin in every way, then wouldn't it be a waste of time?"

…………

In Chang'an, the Zheng Palace was established.

early morning.

His Majesty Li Shimin, who had nothing to do after his glorious retirement and seemed to be sleeping in all the time, got up early for the first time in history.

"Go out and fight Li Ming...ha!"

A smile appeared on the left corner of his mouth, and with the help of the eunuch, he changed into military uniform.

"The clothes are a little tight... have they shrunk?"

Li Shimin stretched his tight belly.

The eunuch immediately said, "I will change your majesty's clothes right away."

"Haha, don't bother with that." Li Shimin smiled rather carefreely:
"It's useless anyway."

"Huh?" The eunuch was startled.

At this moment, the palace maids beside them all tensed up.

"His Majesty……"

It turned out that the emperor came to the bedroom of the retired emperor with the help of two eunuchs.

It was a bit rude for the son to break into his father's room without permission, but no one dared to stop him because he was the emperor after all.

"You... please retreat first." Li Chengqian ordered the servants. For some reason, his voice trembled, as if he was very nervous.

But the servants naturally did not dare to stay any longer or ask any more questions. They immediately lowered their heads and filed out.

One of the eunuchs who was supporting Li Chengqian placed a pot of wine on the table.

Li Shimin's gaze briefly fell on the pot of wine, his pupils shrank, and then he smiled detachedly and said nothing.

"You too... step back." Li Chengqian said very weakly, as if he was very tired.

The two eunuchs said nothing and left in silence.

Only the father and son were left in the room. Li Chengqian swallowed hard, not daring to look at the wine jug, his lips trembling slightly:

"Father, please..."

Li Shimin's smile became even wider:

"You are very filial. You invited your father who had a stroke to drink so early in the morning."

Li Chengqian's face immediately turned pale.

He also made one stupid move after another, which was too deliberate.

Who doesn't know that His Majesty Li Shimin is not good at drinking?
"Well... OK, you're the emperor, if you treat me, I'll drink. Anyway, with my rotten body, it's meaningless if I don't get drunk."

Li Shimin stood up tremblingly, took out two wine glasses from the drawer, and said with a smile:
"Would you like to have some?"

Li Chengqian's face was like an overturned dye vat, with all the right and wrong things revealed.

"I'm just kidding." Li Shimin smiled and shook his head, then sat down cross-legged on the table, poured wine into his own glass, and left the other glass empty.

"I brewed the bitter wine myself, so I should drink it myself."

Li Chengqian moved his lips but said nothing. He stood there like a pillar.

Li Shimin ignored him and started muttering to himself, like a talkative drunkard at the table.

"Yes, I brewed my own bitter wine. Since you were a child, I have been mean to you, treating you as a tool to inherit the country, and the layers of pressure have forced you to become what you are now.

"Now that I am useless, you have taken over the throne. But I am still standing in your way, and the court officials are still watching my face."

Li Chengqian's face became more and more distorted, his breathing became more and more rapid, and his whole body was wet, as if he had fallen into the water.

"And what's even more abominable is," Li Shimin continued lightly:
"I, an old man, have used some tricks to take back the military power that I have already given away. Isn't this a bit shameless in your eyes?"

"Absolutely not." Li Chengqian denied it flatly and was surprised to find that his voice was terribly dry.

"No matter what you think, it's not the first time I drink this wine. Seventeen years ago, Li Yuanji also invited me to drink it once."

Li Shimin held the wine glass leisurely and finally sighed:

"It's a pity that I can't fight with Li Ming in person. I guess he must feel very regretful too, right?

"Cheng Qian, this is the last thing I will teach you."

"Huh?" Li Chengqian shuddered all over, as if he was caught by his teacher while he was daydreaming.

"War not only tests one's military prowess, but also one's civil administration, organization, and decision-making. It is the cruelest and best test for a ruler." Li Shimin looked directly into his eldest son's eyes:

"No matter what grudges we had in the past, I, your father, can no longer accompany you. You should take care of yourself."

As he spoke, he picked up the cup.

Li Chengqian clenched his fists like a drowning man, almost gnashing his teeth, and suddenly yelled:
"Father!"

He supported his lame leg, staggered forward, and knocked over the wine glass in Li Shimin's hand.

Li Shimin raised his left eyebrow, looking not surprised, and asked calmly:

"Is this in accordance with etiquette, Cheng Qian? You're not going to drink the wine that's already in your mouth?"

Li Chengqian was breathing heavily, as if he had just been rescued from the water.

"Father, I was inconsiderate and forgot that you are not a good drinker."

Li Shimin raised his lips, as if smiling:

"Then I will lead my troops out of the capital and head to the front tomorrow. Do you have any objection, Emperor?"

Li Chengqian's expression was extremely complicated, veins on his neck bulged, and his mouth opened and closed rapidly, as if he was arguing fiercely with an invisible person.

After a while, he was probably tired of arguing, and said weakly:
"As you wish."

(End of this chapter)