My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 106 King of Han: The Crown Prince Knows Magic
More than ten days have passed since the Military Academy opened.

However, for the lecturers, their initial enthusiasm has turned into a significant drop in interest.

People like Cheng Yaojin, Hou Junji, and Yuchi Jingde simply skipped classes blatantly.

Excuses such as busy government affairs and other urgent matters.

I am only half-baked, but I am still teaching students. This is more tiring than studying myself.

Including Li Jing, everyone felt very tired.

This has a lot to do with the fact that the Military Academy was just established and there were no rules and regulations or teaching content.

Everyone is crossing the river by feeling the stones, confused and without any reference points.

The teaching content is basically based on military books, such as the military books that Li Jing himself is compiling.

The Thirty-Six Strategies do not exist yet. The book of Thirty-Six Strategies was written in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Due to the lack of content and the fact that the students are all unsophisticated and still in the literacy stage, there is naturally no sense of achievement as a teacher.

Giving lectures has become more like a daily task for everyone.

Only the prince was excited.

"Your Highness means that the five shifts will have unified drills in the morning from now on."

Li Jing was a little hesitant.

Although His Majesty agreed to amend the charter, he did not say that the five classes would be unified.

"Should I do the same as in the lectures, with each class taking turns to practice?"

"Fuck once every five days, what effect can this have?"

"The food at the Military Academy is good. There is rice and meat. It is enough for us to exercise every day."

Hearing this, Li Jing smiled bitterly.

This is not a problem of food.

After a little hesitation, Li Jing agreed.

Your Majesty is not holding the Crown Prince back, so there is no need for you to be the bad guy.

Besides, Zhang Ananda will definitely report such matters to His Majesty.

So, naturally, Li Chengqian began his own large-scale military training.

No, it should be military training.

The military training system of the previous life was slightly modified and moved to the Tang Dynasty.
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The new year is approaching.

Officials from all over the country returned to the capital to report on their work, and some newly-appointed princes were also allowed to return to Chang'an to celebrate the festival with Li Shimin's permission.

The management of the royal family in the early Tang Dynasty was much easier than in later generations.

As a prince, no matter whether he is a prince or a duke, he can enter the government or join the army.

Li Shimin implemented the system of "enfeoffment for all members of the royal family", stipulating that all members of the royal family must be granted fiefdoms and official positions.

This move was intended to strengthen the royal family's support for the dynasty, while also facilitating their management and control.

The size of the fiefdom and official position would be determined according to the status and seniority of the clan members.

Although the prince had fiefdoms, he did not have the power to collect taxes. The so-called "food fief" meant that officials collected the taxes on his behalf and then handed them over to the prince.

After Li Shimin ascended the throne, most of the clan members who had served as local governors and commanded heavy troops in the Gaozu dynasty were recalled to the capital, their military power was stripped away, and they were given idle positions instead.

For example, Li Shenfu was the Grand Commander of Yangzhou in the ninth year of Wude. At the beginning of Zhenguan, he was transferred to the position of Zongzhengqing. Soon after, he was granted the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi.

At this time, Chang'an suddenly became more lively.

Li Shimin was also in a good mood. In just one year, he suddenly had many more grandchildren.

The first grandson was the eldest grandson Li Xiang.

Not only was he the eldest grandson, but for several years, he was also the only grandson.

The main reason was that Li Chengqian was so capable that he had a child at the age of twelve, and it was a son.

They are already older and it’s so early, the other princes can’t keep up with the pace.

It was not until recent years that the princes reached adulthood and the number of grandchildren gradually increased.

The feeling of having many children and grandchildren allowed Li Shimin to enjoy the happiness of family.

Whether he is born of a legitimate wife or a concubine, he is still a grandson and at least he should be recognized by his face.

After a few years, when his grandchildren grew up, Li Shimin probably only saw them a few times.

East Palace.

"The prince is not here?"

King of Han Li Yuanchang asked in surprise.

If we were to ask who Li Chengqian had the best relationship with, it would have to be King of Han Li Yuanchang.

Although in terms of seniority, King of Han Li Yuanchang is Li Chengqian's uncle and the seventh son of Li Yuan.

But he was only eight months older than Li Chengqian.

He and Li Chengqian have had similar interests and a close relationship since childhood.

This time when Li Yuanchang returned to Chang'an from his fiefdom, he paid his respects to the emperor as usual, and then went straight to the Eastern Palace.

"The prince is training in the military academy."

Su Yuer replied.

She didn't have a good impression of Li Yuanchang because Li Yuanchang had a very bad reputation.

In the fifth year of Zhenguan, Li Yuanchang was exiled to a fiefdom and served as the governor of Hanzhou.

Then he was transferred to be the governor of Huazhou, and then to the governor of Liangzhou.

In the tenth year of Zhenguan, he was renamed King of Han and Governor of Liangzhou.

The Crown Princess Su Yuer married the Crown Prince in the ninth year of Zhenguan.

Li Yuanchang could only come back once during the Chinese New Year.

Su Yuer had a bad impression of him because Li Yuanchang violated laws and disciplines while serving in the local government and was severely reprimanded by His Majesty every time he returned to Chang'an.

The reason why he was transferred back and forth was also because of this relationship, which caused local officials and people to complain.

Other things didn't matter. What Su Yuer couldn't stand the most was that Li Yuanchang occupied the wives and concubines of local officials.

From another perspective, these are the prince's cronies.

"Military Academy? Why have I never heard of it?" Li Yuanchang asked puzzledly.

"It was proposed by the Crown Prince and founded by His Majesty. It has only been established for over a month."

"So that's how it is. Then I'll go to the Military Academy to find the prince."

After receiving the news, Li Yuanchang turned around and left.

But just as he left the house, he came back and asked, "Crown Princess, where is the Military Academy?"

"Yongxingfang."

Li Yuanchang left in high spirits.

As he left, he muttered, "The prince has a new way of playing, and he didn't even call me."

In his opinion, this Military Academy was basically the new game that the prince had come up with.

Every year when he came back, Li Yuanchang would go to the East Palace to play games with the prince.

The most common of these is simulated combat.

They were divided into two teams, left and right, with two people leading each team. They wore felt armor and held bamboo spears. They deployed their troops in battle array, shouted loudly, and fought. They attacked and stabbed until they bled, which they regarded as entertainment.

Those who disobeyed orders were even hung up with ropes and whipped, and some were even beaten to death.

Out of the East Palace.

Li Yuanchang and his entourage galloped on horseback in Chang'an City.

It’s the same concept as car racing in the downtown area in later generations.

The pedestrians on the road were so frightened that they dodged.

The Jinwu Guards who were there to maintain law and order watched but did not dare to stop them.

Li Yuanchang, the King of Han, was a familiar face in Chang'an City during the New Year. Everyone knew that he was not easy to mess with and was unscrupulous.

Soon, Li Yuanchang arrived at the Military Academy.

But he was stopped by the guards on duty at the door.

"The Military Academy is a restricted area. No entry is allowed without permission."

Seeing someone trying to stop him, Li Yuanchang immediately became angry and kicked the guard at the door, knocking him to the ground.

"What a bastard, you dare to stop even this king."

The other guards suddenly became nervous and drew their swords.

The subordinates who followed him shouted, "How dare you! This is the King of Han, what do you want to do?"

Several guards looked at each other, and the leader of the guards asked someone to help up the guard who was kicked over.

He clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "King of Han, His Majesty has stipulated that no one can enter or leave the Military Academy without permission. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Li Yuanchang scolded: "How dare you use His Majesty to pressure me?"

The leader of the imperial guards dared not say much, and could only say: "This is His Majesty's decree. If the King of Han insists on breaking in, we can only report to His Majesty."

Li Yuanchang had a gloomy look on his face. He had just been severely reprimanded by His Majesty.

If I make trouble again now, I will definitely be scolded again.

Although he was already a mess, he didn't want to be punished all the time.

"Go and tell the prince quickly that I am here."

Li Yuanchang said in a deep voice. At this time, Li Jing happened to hear the noise in the front yard and came over to check.

"It turned out to be the King of Han."

Hearing a familiar voice, Li Yuanchang looked over and was startled.

"Greetings, Lord Wei."

This is the military god of the Tang Dynasty, and Li Yuanchang did not dare to be too presumptuous in front of him.

Li Jing took a quick look at the situation and roughly understood what was going on.

The King of Han was famous in Chang'an for his arrogance.

After the two Fengs fought for the throne and killed Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince of Qi Li Yuanji, they became more friendly to their other half-brothers.

In addition, Li Yuanchang and Crown Prince Li Chengqian were almost of similar age and had a close relationship, so this meant that he was raising a son for his old father.

Even if Li Yuanchang broke the law and discipline in the local area, Erfeng would just scold him and then move him to other places to do his work.

"The King of Han is here to look for the Crown Prince, right? Please follow me in."

"Don't blame them. His Majesty has issued an edict that no one is allowed to enter except for me and a few other lecturers."

Li Yuanchang glared at the guards fiercely, and then said, "Thank you, Lord Wei."

Then he ordered his followers: "Just wait outside."

"Yes."

Li Yuanchang followed Li Jing in, and before they had gone far, they heard the deafening sound of drums from the backyard.

"Is it the prince who is training?"

"Yes, the training ground ahead is right there. I have other things to do, so I will not follow the King of Han."

"Okay, thank you for your help, Lord Wei."

Seeing Li Jing leave, Li Yuanchang immediately hurried to the training ground.

He felt that the prince must have new tricks.

When Li Yuanchang just arrived at the entrance of the parade ground, the drum sound just stopped.

Li Yuanchang looked at it curiously, and when he saw it, he was stunned.

In front of him were rows of soldiers standing in neat rows.

Each of them stood as straight as a pine tree and as still as a nail, not moving an inch.

The queue is straight and neat.

Hundreds of people stood there, without any other noise, and these people were like sculptures.

At this time, the drums sounded again.

Several loud shouts were heard.

"go ahead!"

A spectacular scene appeared. The soldiers moved in unison upon hearing the order. Their footsteps shook the earth like thunder.

As they marched, the team was closely organized, each step was in the same rhythm, without the slightest confusion. Their steps were firm and powerful, and the dust they raised seemed to form a spectacular curtain of smoke in the sun.

From Li Yuanchang's perspective, these soldiers had uniform clothing, the same stride length, and the same arm swing height, as if they were all carved from the same mold.

Li Yuanchang was completely stunned, with his mouth slightly open, just standing there in a daze.

At this time, Li Chengqian, who was sitting on the high platform, also saw Li Yuanchang.

Waved his hand.

Li Xiang, who was standing nearby, shouted, "Prince, stop."

The drumbeats changed, and the leading soldier shouted loudly, "Stop!"

Bang bang bang.

Three footsteps were heard, and hundreds of soldiers stopped almost at the same time.

He returned to his previous statue-like appearance with his eyes fixed straight ahead.

Only then did Li Yuanchang come to his senses.

Turning his head to look at the platform, he just happened to see the prince.

At this moment, Li Yuanchang suddenly felt that the prince who was familiar to him suddenly became a stranger.

Just being stared at by the prince made Li Yuanchang feel nervous.

It's like being stared at by a tiger.

A little carelessness can lead to disaster.

"Yuanchang, what are you standing there for? Come here. Do you want me to pick you up in person?"

Li Chengqian joked with a smile.

Li Yuanchang knew that the prince had a leg disease and had difficulty walking, so he immediately walked quickly towards the platform.

"Meet the prince."

Li Yuanchang saluted subconsciously, his tone somewhat respectful.

Li Chengqian said with a smile: "Why have you become so polite all of a sudden? Did your father convince you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang subconsciously glanced at the soldiers on the parade ground.

Even without any military orders, the soldiers still maintained good discipline.

No one walked around or made loud noises; they just stood there quietly, even looking forward, waiting for the next round of training.

The entire team exudes a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The neat military appearance and strict military discipline are chilling.

"No, it's just that these soldiers of yours, Prince, really scared me."

"I have never seen such a horrible army."

"Even if they are my father's imperial guards, they wouldn't be so exaggerated."

Li Yuanchang wondered in his heart whether the prince had learned some magic from somewhere and used it on the soldiers.

After all, he had heard the news in Liangzhou that the prince had learned the art of turning water into ice from a Taoist priest.

He opened an ice cream shop in Chang'an City and made a fortune every day.

Now, each of these soldiers gives people a dull feeling, not like living people, but rather similar to corpses.

Isn't it that the prince used some magic to wipe out the souls of the soldiers?

Oh, no, that's not right.

How can it be called a demonic technique? Since it is used by the prince, it must be an immortal technique.

Thinking of this, Li Yuanchang swallowed subconsciously.

Li Chengqian naturally didn't know that Li Yuanchang had such a rich imagination, so he smiled and joked, "Do you want you to lead a team and let's have some fun?"

Li Yuanchang was startled, with a tearful look on his face, and quickly waved his hands and said, "No, I don't want to play anymore."

Li Chengqian couldn't help but shook his head: "It seems that you are really scared by your father's scolding."

Seeing Li Yuanchang, Li Chengqian was thinking about having a military exercise to simulate a combat, but of course it would not be played in the same way as before.

Unexpectedly, Li Yuanchang suddenly changed his personality.

"If you say so, then so be it." Li Yuanchang didn't dare to respond.

What he saw before his eyes was already beyond his understanding.

After chatting with the prince for so long, the soldiers below still maintained their original actions.

Li Yuanchang had been observing with his peripheral vision, without even raising his hands, just standing straight.

"Wait for me, the drill will be over soon."

"It's just in time for you to come. Come with me to the East Palace for lunch later. I've prepared a lot of new and delicious food. I'm sure you'll like it."

Li Yuanchang nodded woodenly: "Okay."

But I was thinking in my heart, the prince would not harm me.

Li Chengqian waved his hand, and his eldest son Li Xiang next to him was the messenger.

The drums started beating again, and the soldiers below began to train along with the drums.

Some time ago, Li Chengqian began to train soldiers to stand at attention.

Then march in step.

It took quite a while.

Fortunately, these were not ordinary soldiers, but brigade commanders who had previous training experience.

Although the prince's methods were harsh, he could still endure it.

In just ten days, it has completely changed its appearance.

The main training nowadays is to familiarize themselves with the drum beats and convey military orders with the changing drum sounds.

Gather, advance, stop, charge, disperse, move together, pursue, retreat to position, and charge with the entire army.

As the drumbeats changed, the soldiers moved accordingly.

After a few days of training, we have seen initial results.

Li Yuanchang watched and found that many soldiers still made mistakes.

I thought maybe the prince’s magic was not yet in place.

Then he looked at the big drum.

Is this the magic weapon the prince uses to control the soldiers?

(End of this chapter)