My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 104: Building an Army with Faith

Li Chengqian didn't know how Erfeng handled it, but anyway, those censors didn't dare to come to the Eastern Palace to make trouble.

This can be considered as one of the benefits of the prince's bad reputation.

Many officials knew that the scholarly character would not work well with the prince.

Zhang Xuansu, the Junior Secretary of the Imperial Court, and Lu Yizhong, the Magistrate of Wannian County, were nearly whipped to death by the Crown Prince.

Doesn’t the Prince Censor dare to fight?

So it’s better to find His Majesty, at least His Majesty uses words instead of actions.

Classes at the Military Academy opened as scheduled.

Yongxingfang held a grand opening ceremony, with Erfeng also appearing in person.

A speech was given on the training ground.

The three hundred brigade commanders were all extremely excited. Who could have thought that such humble people like them could one day become disciples of the emperor.

It is not known whether it was intentional or unintentional, but no one seemed to mention that the establishment of the Military Academy was proposed by the prince.

Only a few students know the specific situation.

Pei Xingjian, Xue Rengui, and the emperor's eldest grandson Li Xiang were all assigned to Su Dingfang's Qianwu class.

There are five classes, namely Qianwu, Kunlue, Zhence, Xunmou and Lizhan, with sixty students in each class.

"Your Highness is back so early?"

Crown Princess Su Yuer was a little surprised because the military academy was opening today.

"The mobile lecturer does not need to give lectures these two days. There will be classes scheduled the day after tomorrow."

This is the arrangement of the regulations. Each mobile lecturer will be responsible for half a day only on the third day.

Then every five days, there would be a big class, which was prepared for Li Shimin, or it could be lectured by Li Jing or someone else.

"I want to compose a set of drum beats for military use. Yu'er, help me."

Although Li Chengqian likes to play music, he has not learned much about it.

Su Yuer is quite proficient in playing music.

"Military drum beats?" Su Yuer was a little confused.

Li Chengqian explained: "The current drum beats are relatively simple. I want to create a more detailed drum beat method."

Compared with wars in later generations, wars in the cold weapon era were like a makeshift team. The larger the army, the more capable generals were needed.

Throughout history, there have been only a handful of generals who were able to command large armies in battle.

The only one who was not restricted by the number of troops was Han Xin, the military genius who believed that the more troops the merrier and who was the master of military tactics.

In ancient times, when communication was inconvenient, it was not the case that the more troops a general led, the better. If the troops were beyond their personal capabilities, even elite soldiers would show extremely poor combat effectiveness.

As the saying goes, "One incompetent soldier will lead to a group of incompetent generals; one incompetent general will tire out the entire army." This is the truth.

For an ordinary general, being able to lead thousands or tens of thousands of troops is already the limit.

Anyone with a little ability, who can lead 30,000 to 50,000 soldiers, is considered a general.

Anyone who leads an army of more than 50,000 is a famous general.

In history, there are only a handful of outstanding generals who can lead more than 100,000 troops. In the current Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin is one, Li Jing is one, and Hou Junji and Su Dingfang together count as one.

The reason why Li Chengqian wanted to compose drum beats was to better control the army.

Most armies nowadays advance when they hear drums and retreat when they sound horns. It’s quite simple.

Li Chengqian wanted to compile a slightly more complicated one.

Taking the brigade commander as the basic unit can better and more effectively control the army.

This was not Li Chengqian's original idea. Many generals' exclusive armies could change their attack formations and directions through different drum sounds during long-term soldier training. This was the use of military formations.

Li Chengqian wanted to compile a set of standard drum beats in the Tang Dynasty.

It was difficult to spread it before, but now with the Military Academy, it is very convenient.

After a few years when the Military Academy has trained all the brigade commanders of the Tang Dynasty, this set of drum beats will be applicable to any army of the Tang Dynasty.

The current Military Academy only recruits brigade commanders, but in the later stages, the colonels above them, such as the brave and resolute lieutenants, and the brave and decisive lieutenants, will naturally also need training and study.

"Your Highness, what military orders do you want to incorporate into the drum beats?"

After Su Yuer understood, she asked.

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "Gather, advance, stop, charge, disperse, gather together, pursue, retreat, and charge with the whole army."

"At present, these are probably the nine military orders."

"The drum beats of the arrangement should be clear, and each drum beat should be different as much as possible, especially the drum beats of the whole army charging, which should be more inspiring."

"You can't be busy with this alone. I will send an order to the Taichang Temple to ask them to send skilled musicians to assist you in completing the task."

When Su Yuer heard the word Taichang Temple, her heart moved slightly.

In her opinion, the prince could just intuitively hand over such matters to the Taichang Temple.

But now it’s up to you to take responsibility.

Is it because of the previous satisfactory relationship?

The prince used to like the musicians from the Taichang Temple, so is he trying to appease me now?

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will prepare the drum beats for you as soon as possible."

Su Yuer replied in a serious tone.

Li Chengqian nodded.

He actually didn't have too many ideas, he just felt that he should keep the people around him busy, no matter what it was, they should always have something to do.

Women, if they are too idle, it is easy for them to get into trouble.

Now I feel somewhat involved.

After explaining the drum arrangement, Li Chengqian started preparing for his own lessons.

If you want to teach the class well, you naturally have to think seriously.

How can we expand our influence from the grassroots level to the entire army quickly?
This is the direction that Li Chengqian needs to consider at present.

In fact, the answer is not difficult. After all, we are people from later generations, so we naturally have specific references.

However, the teacher's approach would definitely not work in a feudal dynasty.

If we promote red ideology and democracy at this time, wouldn't that be revolutionizing ourselves?
The butt determines the head, the position determines the thoughts, and finding the right position promotes results.

He is the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty and the future emperor. He cannot follow the ways of later generations, which is not in line with the current situation of the Tang Dynasty and itself.

He is not Huang Chao, who chose to fight his way into Chang'an because he failed to get into the city. He was born in Chang'an.

So reforms are needed in some areas.

Back to the original topic, how to cultivate the army and develop personal friendship is definitely not feasible, and there is not enough time and energy.

Simply put, it is to cultivate the army's faith.

In the feudal dynasty period, the concept of faith did not exist in the army. Soldiers had to serve in the military, but there was no such thing as voluntary service; it was compulsory military service.

The real elite troops of the Tang Dynasty were full-time troops who did not need to do farming, but such troops were only very rare.

The Tang Dynasty had 634 Zhechoufu, each with 800 to 1200 people, including the Sixteen Guards of Chang'an. The total number of troops in the entire Tang Dynasty was approximately over .

In fact, this number is already very small compared to other dynasties. Of course, this is also affected by population factors.

'Belief.'

Li Chengqian was in the study, slowly picking up his pen.
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For most people, the establishment of the Military Academy did not actually receive much attention.

Many officials even believed that the prince was simply trying to build up his power.

But it was intercepted by His Majesty.

Some smart people from the noble families realized that the existence of the Military Academy would put more pressure on the noble families. But the noble families had no way to stop this.

They themselves don't have the ability to stop it.

When faced with such a situation, the aristocratic families were more concerned about how to join in rather than how to stop it.

The position of brigade commander, which was once disdained, has now become a popular commodity.

Big families like the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families have already begun to arrange for their young men to become brigade commanders.

You know, they originally looked down on the position of brigade commander.

Anyone from one of the seven noble families who entered the army, even if they were born out of wedlock and were not valued, would start out as a colonel at the very least.

Two days have passed, and today is the day for the prince to give lectures.

In the past two days, after every lecture, Su Dingfang would come to the East Palace to report on the situation of the Military Academy.

The progress of the Military Academy was more difficult than imagined.

As for the military tactics, among the students sent by these brigade commanders, there are not even a few who can read.

Even for someone like Su Dingfang who has profound attainments in military strategy, it is extremely complicated to explain.

Often the speaker on the stage speaks eloquently, but the audience is drowsy.

Pei Xingjian was able to become Su Dingfang's disciple because he had some insights into military strategy and had a strong ability to understand, and he also entered the officialdom through the imperial examination.

These soldiers are not even qualified to listen.

According to the current progress, the first thing they need to learn is reading and writing, rather than jumping directly into military strategy.

Not only Su Dingfang, but also Li Jing's teaching situation was basically the same.

Not to mention others, we can only start from the basics.

Yongxingfang, Military Academy.

Li Chengqian walked into the classroom in casual clothes.

"Meet His Highness the Crown Prince."

Sixty students stood straight, bowed, and saluted with their arms crossed.

Looking at the students' disorganized and colorful clothes, Li Chengqian frowned slightly.

He indeed forgot to provide the students of the Military Academy with a set of uniform school uniforms.

"Sit down."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian participated in the creation of the classroom, which was similar to the style of later generations.

Unlike the kneeling style in the Imperial College, tables and benches were used.

He glanced at the military books on the table, and at Li Xiang, Xue Rengui, and Pei Xingjian sitting in the first row.

Li Chengqian didn't talk about other useless things. He sat on the chair and started his lecture directly.

"In the Tang Dynasty, there are 643 Zhechoufu and 6,430 brigade commanders."

"You who are sitting here today must be outstanding people who are capable and courageous. I am very happy to be able to give you lectures."

The first two sentences made the students feel completely different. After two days of classes, or rather setbacks, their enthusiasm had completely faded.

Originally, hearing the titles of the generals and thinking that I was a disciple of the emperor, I was naturally excited, but ideals are full and reality is very skinny.

The vast majority of people simply could not understand what the generals were saying, and some even developed a sense of inferiority.

And now, the prince's words seemed to make them regain their confidence.

"I know that most of the people here were unwilling to join the army in the beginning. They became soldiers out of necessity, and with a little luck, they became brigade commanders."

"For you, being a soldier is not a choice. All you want is to achieve success and get promoted."

"And what I want to talk to you about is the other side, defending our country."

"Why does the army exist? Is it to safeguard the interests of the Tang Dynasty, or to protect the safety of high-ranking officials and nobles?"

"These are certainly true, but there is a deeper level, which is to protect your own homeland."

"In my opinion, being a soldier should be a very honorable thing. It is glorious. Because of a strong army, foreign races dare not invade, so your parents, brothers, relatives and friends will not be humiliated."

"Without you, can the people still farm peacefully, and can merchants trade with each other? No, they can't."

"First of all, we must realize who you are fighting for when you take up the sword. Your fight is not for personal glory and wealth, but for your parents, wives and children."

"Their peaceful life and happy future depend on you."

"When the enemy attacks, you must stand up, fight, and kill."

"Of course, many of you have lived in Chang'an since you were born, and have never seen what troubled times are like. You may have heard your parents talk about how hard their lives were, but you have no way of empathizing with them."

"Trading children for food, have you heard of this saying? In the chaotic times of the previous dynasty, there were wars everywhere, no one was farming, and naturally there was no food."

"In order to survive, you have to eat humans. If you can't bear to eat your own children, then you can eat them in exchange."

"Tell me loudly, do you want to live like that?"

Li Chengqian's eyes were as sharp as torches as he scanned the students below the stage.

"No!"

"In no mood!"

"do not want!"

The students' voices were firm, a little messy, and full of momentum.

The Tang Dynasty had been established for twenty-five years, and these brigade commanders were all under thirty years old.

When I was young, before I could understand anything, the troubled times had already ended. I don’t have a very deep impression of the end of the Sui Dynasty. I could only hear a few words from my parents.

Now hearing what the prince said, his emotions were immediately aroused.

Li Chengqian was very satisfied.

"So, this is the meaning of your existence, to defend your country and protect your homeland."

"Don't let the tragic story that happened before happen again."

"But do you know that at this very moment, the people at the border are still experiencing all this?"

"When foreign tribes invade, they will steal their food, kill their fathers, take away their wives, and snatch away their children. Children whose wheels are higher than the wheels will be killed, and children whose wheels are lower than the wheels will be raised as the enemy's children."

"Forget the hatred and become one of these alien races."

"Why did I set up the Military Academy? It's to let you know and understand what you are fighting for. I hope you will be on the battlefield."

“When you are facing the enemy, when you are afraid and nervous, think about your family, think about your wife and children. Perhaps they will give you greater strength and make you stop retreating and stop being afraid, but move forward bravely.”

Li Chengqian just sat on the chair and told the story slowly.

These are not profound knowledge. They do not require one to be knowledgeable or have read the Four Books and Five Classics. As long as one can understand what is said, one can understand these principles.

The students who were originally drowsy in other courses now sat upright and listened carefully to the principles the prince explained to them.

As time went by, Li Chengqian continued to go deeper.

Gradually, the expressions of these students changed subtly.

Their mental outlook seemed to have changed slightly.

Even a few students looked at the prince with a bit more fanaticism in their eyes.

The representative among them is Xue Rengui.

He was already very grateful to the prince, needless to say.

Li Chengqian could naturally feel these changes.

He understood that his ideas were gradually being fulfilled.

(End of this chapter)