My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 124 Fang Xuanling's Pig Teammate

Night, East Palace.

Li Chengqian was listening to the eunuch Wen Zhong's report on the Military Academy.

It has been several days in a row and Li Chengqian has not been to the Military Academy.

But no details about the situation at the Military Academy were left out.

Even minor matters such as which student quarreled with which other student, conflicts during meals, housekeeping, and who failed the test were all under control.

Strictly speaking, the ideological unity of the students at the Military Academy was still centered around the Crown Prince.

Unlike later generations, they hoped more to become the prince's disciples, thereby achieving great achievements and being promoted to higher positions.

Compared with the red wave in later generations, it is undoubtedly inferior, but for Li Chengqian, this is also the best way.

"The students are making rapid progress. In just two days, after understanding pinyin, several students have even been able to recite the Thousand Character Classic completely from memory."

"I have also gained a preliminary understanding of the meaning of the Thousand Character Classic. Your Highness's promotion of vernacular characters is indeed effective."

Li Chengqian corrected him: "Don't call it vulgar characters in the future. It's too vulgar. Call it simplified characters instead."

"As for pronunciation, it should be Mandarin."

The eunuch Wen Zhong slapped himself in the face and said, "Simplifying the complex is called simplified writing."

"The language that is generally accepted and used by all is called Mandarin."

"Your Highness is very talented, I am far inferior to you."

When it comes to flattery, the eunuch Wen Zhong is quite serious.

Who doesn't like to hear flattery?

Li Chengqian is no exception.

He smiled and said, "You guys do have some talent."

The eunuch Wen Zhong didn't know what talent the prince was talking about. Was it flattery or something else?
This is not important. What is important is that the prince praised him.

Li Chengqian continued, "The Military Academy is a place of great importance. We must pay close attention to it. No matter how big or small the matter is, we must report it one by one."

"Tomorrow Wu Ziqing and Cui Fengzhu will be getting married. The invitations have been sent to everyone, right?"

The eunuch Wen Zhong replied, "They have all been delivered, including to the King of Wei."

"But the King of Wei said he was not feeling well and would send someone."

Li Chengqian nodded. It was normal that King Wei would not come.

After all, when the Cui family’s daughter got married, the invitations sent by the Eastern Palace were all in the name of Cui Guangrui, not the Eastern Palace.

Besides, the Qinghe Cui family was the main supporter of the Wei Wang Party, so Li Tai would naturally not come to see the Cui family's joke.

"The East Palace will be bustling tomorrow. If the King of Wei and Fang Xuanling are going to take any action, it will definitely be tomorrow."

"Send someone to keep a close eye on it."

"Remember, especially Helan Chushi, I have people monitoring his every move at all times."

"If you come into contact with any stranger, immediately track the person you come into contact with."

Li Chengqian could actually guess that the conspiracy between Fang Xuanling and King Wei was nothing more than aimed at his rebellion.

Because for Li Chengqian now, nothing can defeat him except treason.

Even if His Majesty comes in person, it won’t work.

But there is no way to stop the rebellion.

The team that is plotting rebellion is now Li Chengqian’s core power team, and it involves too many aspects.

The biggest weakness is Helan Chushi.

In fact, when Helan Chushi was imprisoned in Wannian County Prison, Li Chengqian immediately conducted a thorough search of the house where Helan Chushi was staying.

Although he had previously deceived Helan Chushi into burning the evidence of his communication with Hou Junji in the name of planting a spy by the King of Wei.

But whether it was burned or not, or whether it was burned completely, is unknown.

That day, Li Chengqian did not find anything from Helan Chushi's house.

But who knows if he is hiding somewhere else.

Even if Helan Chushi said it himself, Li Chengqian would not believe it.

If King Wei and Fang Xuanling really wanted to find evidence of their own treason, the best breakthrough would be Helan Chushi.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. Helan Chushi has been restricted by Minister Hou recently. Even when he goes out, he has someone to follow him. Nothing should happen."

The eunuch Wen Zhong knew what the prince was worried about.

Li Chengqian didn't continue. For some matters, the words of the dead are the most strict.

But Hou Junji is protecting him, so it is not easy for him to kill him now.

At this time, a eunuch reported.

Ji Zhao, the county lieutenant of Wannian County, requested a meeting.

"Xuan."

Side hall.

Ji Zhao bowed and saluted: "Greetings, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian asked, "It's so late, is there anything important?"

Ji Zhao replied, "It's about Goryeo. The Silla noble Jin Ruixuan who returned with me said that he met someone from the Goryeo royal family in Pyeonggangfang."

Li Chengqian frowned: "Are you sure?"

Ji Zhao gritted his teeth. Now that he was here, he naturally had to trust Jin Ruixuan.

"I am sure."

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment.

At this time, the appearance of the Goryeo royal family, rather than through the Honglu Temple, had a very different meaning.

If the purpose was just to spy on Chang'an, there would be no need to let the Goryeo royal family take the risk.

Then there is only one truth, that the Goryeo royal family is cooperating with a certain force in Chang'an.

"Have you found out who he was in contact with specifically?" Li Chengqian asked.

Ji Zhao said: "I haven't found it yet. I only saw it in Pingkangfang, but then I lost track of it."

"I have already sent Jin Ruixuan to Pingkangfang to wait. If he appears again, we will definitely be able to capture him."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "No need to go to Pingkangfang, let them go to Qinrenfang and Cui Mansion."

Ji Zhao was shocked and asked, "Your Highness, are you saying it's the Cui family of Qinghe?"

Li Chengqian said: "There's nothing strange about it. It's not the first time that the Five Surnames and Seven Families have had an affair with a foreign clan."

"Even if it's not the Qinghe Cui family, as the head of the Five Surnames and Seven Families, it will be related to them in the end."

"Tomorrow the Cui family's daughter will be married. Cui Wensheng is very angry. This is the opportunity for Goryeo to take advantage of it."

Ji Zhao lowered his head slightly, feeling horrified.

He was just reporting that the Goryeo royal family had appeared in Chang'an. When the prince heard the news, it only took him a few breaths to immediately analyze their purpose.

From Ji Zhao's perspective, it was simply horrifying.

Li Chengqian didn't think it was a big deal. After all, he knew the future of history five hundred years later and had a clear understanding of the general trend of history.

"Do you want to arrest him directly?" Ji Zhao calmed his mind and his tone became more respectful.

Li Chengqian said: "No need, as long as he does not leave Chang'an City, then let him go."

"Yes, Your Highness."

At this point, the thread is already very clear.

Ji Zhao had no doubt that the prince's analysis might be wrong.

It seemed that it had already been determined that the Goryeo royal family was in Cui's mansion.

The moon is getting brighter.

Li Chengqian also returned to his bedroom.

When Li Chengqian arrived, Crown Princess Su Yuer was writing and drawing on paper.

The palace maid wanted to speak to remind her, but Li Chengqian shook his head slightly.

Quietly walked behind Su Yuer.

It can be seen that the painting is a topographic map.

"Ah, Your Highness, when did you come?"

"Just arrived, Yu'er is drawing a topographic map."

Li Chengqian said with a smile.

This is what Li Chengqian told Su Yuer about sand table making in the morning.

Ma Yuan, a famous general in the Han Dynasty, once used rice to form valleys and other terrain to analyze the military situation, which can be regarded as an early prototype of the sand table.

What Li Chengqian had to do was, of course, a more sophisticated sand table. Just like what others had said, if the students of the Military Academy only practiced walking, how could they defeat the enemy?

Sand table deduction is a good thing that can help students learn military skills the fastest.

Using sand tables to simulate different war scenarios, students can make strategic plans. Students can deploy troops, choose attack routes, determine defense priorities, etc. on the sand table, thereby exercising their strategic thinking ability.

It can also help students analyze the strength comparison and strategic intentions of both sides.

By observing the distribution of troops and movement trajectories on the sand table, students can infer the enemy's strategic goals and possible actions, and adjust their own strategic deployment in a timely manner.

In the Tang Dynasty today, there is no such systematic teaching method in military affairs.

Most famous generals achieved their success by constantly honing their skills and exploring on their own on the battlefield.

Once the sand table is ready, Li Chengqian can tell everyone.

Famous generals can be mass-produced by me.

Li Chengqian handed the task of making the sand table over to the Crown Princess.

The first step is to construct a topographic map.

Then use wooden boards, sand, clay and other tools to carve the entire sandbox.

The rest is the work of the craftsmen.

"Your Highness, this sand table method is really a brilliant idea. I want to make it as soon as possible."

There was a hint of surprise in Su Yuer's tone, but she didn't feel that way when she heard the prince say it earlier.

As I was drawing the topographic map, I felt more and more the power of the sand table simulation.

Even though she didn't understand military affairs, the sand table simulation was like reading the lines on the palm of your hand, and the marching and deployment of troops were much clearer than ever.

"The sand table used for these trainings only needs some classic terrain."

"After the first month of the year, I will arrange for people to go to Goryeo to explore the surrounding terrain. This will make the conquest much easier."

Although he has the trump card of explosive pack, Li Chengqian will not relax the intelligence gathering on Goryeo.

For now, before he becomes emperor through the Xuanwu Gate Succession Law, this bomb can only be produced in the East Palace.

The expedition to Goryeo was also an important military training. A true warrior can only grow up after experiencing blood and flesh.

Goryeo was just the beginning. The entire Tang Dynasty couldn't just rely on a prince like him to fight wars every day.

The systematic training of military generals is the right way to go.

"If we can create the terrain of Goryeo, it will be of great use in conquering Goryeo."

Su Yuer said with her eyes shining.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "It's late, time to go to bed."

"Let's talk about these matters tomorrow."
-
The next day, Wu Ziqing and Cui Fengzhu got married.

Naturally, the pomp and circumstance could not compare to that of Princess Gaoyang.

But for Wu Ziqing and Cui Fengzhu, this was already a huge favor from the prince.

"I never thought that there would really be a day when I could be with you, Wu Lang, forever."

"Even now, I feel like I'm dreaming."

The ceremony hasn't started yet, and since it's all in the East Palace, the journey is much easier.

"Me too, Fengzhu, no, madam."

"From today on, you are my wife. It's a pity that my parents can't make it here."

Wu Ziqing felt a little regretful. The south was too far away and it would take more than a month to go back and forth.

My family may have just received the letter not long ago, so even if I leave immediately, I won’t be able to make it in time.

Actually, I wanted to wait for a while, but the prince had already made arrangements, so there was no reason to refuse.

"My husband, you must repay the prince well. Without his protection, we are afraid that we would be in trouble now."

Wu Ziqing hugged Cui Fengzhu.

"Don't worry, madam. I will definitely do my best to repay the prince's kindness."

The young couple were not stupid. They knew that the prince protected them and held the wedding because of the Cui family's legitimate daughter.

To strike at the Cui family of Qinghe.

But now, apart from the prince, who else can keep them together?

Wu Ziqing doesn't care.

Not to mention that Cui Fengzhu is in love.

Cui Guangrui had only one daughter and there was nothing he could do.

However, Cui Guangrui recently received a letter from his family, which made him feel much more relaxed.

He had been worried about being expelled from the family tree.

Now the letter tells him that the family has decided to support him as a bridge to contact the prince.

This way, you get the best of both worlds.

Perhaps the only one who was unhappy was Cui Wensheng.

Yanfufang.

This is where Li You’s Prince of Qi’s Palace is located.

Yanfufang is located in a relatively quiet area in Chang'an City, far away from the hustle and bustle of the imperial palace but not too remote.

The square is shaded by green trees and has well-arranged houses. The residence of Li You, the Prince of Qi, is located here, with a red door and high threshold, and it is very imposing.

Li You had a bad temper and was not taken seriously, so the Prince of Qi's Palace was arranged here.

After the rebellion, Prince of Qi Li You was imprisoned here and was forbidden to leave Yanfufang.

Li Shimin was quite kind to his son. The Prince of Qi's Mansion was very large, and Yanfufang was even larger.

Today, the Crown Prince is holding the wedding of Cui family's eldest daughter in the East Palace.

Li Tai disguised himself and went to Yanfufang to meet the King of Qi.

"What? The King of Qi is not here. He went to the East Palace to attend the wedding?"

"How dare the prince, how dare he!"

When Li Tai heard the news reported by Chai Lingwu, he was stunned.

Everything was planned, but the person was not there.

Chai Lingwu was also a little depressed: "I heard that it was the Crown Prince's special permission, so the King of Qi went."

Li Tai was speechless.

Although there was suspicion of disobeying his father's orders, the prince's doing so involved brotherhood and there was nothing to say.

It was just that Li Tai made the trip in vain.

Just as Li Tai left in the carriage.

A fast horse quickly went towards the East Palace.

East Palace.

The banquet has already started.

At Li Chengqian's table, except for Prince of Wei Li Tai, all other princes in Chang'an were present.

How dare I not join my elder brother’s invitation?
"Thank you, big brother. I'll toast to you."

Prince of Qi Li You, with whom Li Tai wanted to conspire, was in tears at this moment, holding a wine glass and being very respectful to the prince.

Just now, the prince talked about the brotherhood they once had.

He believed that King Qi Li You was bewitched by villains and thus embarked on the path of rebellion.

He will try his best to help his younger brother, the Prince of Qi, and plead with his father.

Although he could not be crowned a king again, he could at least stay in Chang'an and become a wealthy man. At least he would live a life of wealth and prosperity, with no worries about food and clothing.

No matter how bad the situation is, if my father insists on exiling him, he will arrange for him to be exiled to a prosperous area instead of exiling him to Lingnan.

Hearing this, how could King Qi Li You not burst into tears of gratitude?

Li Chengqian specially asked Qi Wang Li You to sit next to him. At this moment, he put his arm around his shoulders and said, "You and I are brothers, we are connected by blood. How can I bear to see you suffer?"

"It is your misfortune that you were deceived by a villain this time. You must learn from your mistakes and never do such things again."

"If there are still people who want to use you to carry out their conspiracy, you should know how to deal with it."

Qi Wang Li You said solemnly: "Don't worry, big brother. From now on, I will follow your lead."

"If anyone wants to take advantage of me, I will bring him to you and let you deal with him."

Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction.

At this time, the eunuch Wen Zhong whispered in the prince's ear: "The Prince of Wei went to Yanfufang."

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(End of this chapter)