My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 133 The King of Wei is Far Inferior to the Crown Prince
"Father, I lost again."

In Taiji Palace, Li Tai said helplessly.

After entering the palace, his father asked him to play a game designed by the prince, sandbox war chess.

Never seen before gameplay, brand new entertainment mode.

It instantly aroused Li Tai's interest.

Before he even started, Li Tai understood why his father stayed in the East Palace last night.

This is indeed very attractive.

Li Tai himself also knows something about military affairs.

As the son of Li Shimin, he took military-related courses during his training in the royal academy.

Of course, I am familiar with military strategies and tactics.

As for military capabilities, that depends on the individual.

However, Li Tai's level is at most similar to that of an ordinary general. This does not mean in terms of leading troops in battle, but in terms of theoretical combat level on paper.

To be honest, he is a little worse than Du He.

Therefore, after fully understanding the gameplay of the war game, Li Tai suffered three consecutive defeats at the beginning without any suspense.

The total time spent on the three games was just over half an hour.

The gap between people is sometimes even greater than that between people and dogs.

Li Shimin only needed to mobilize half of his troops to easily break through Li Tai's defense line. He didn't even need to use much tactics for Li Tai to be unable to withstand it.

It's fun to bully weak opponents, but if it happens repeatedly, it will become boring.

After three games, Li Shimin no longer had interest.

Thinking back to the chess game with the prince, it was such a joy.

"Qingque has disappointed Father."

Li Shimin didn't say anything, but Li Tai had already sensed his father's emotions.

"It's okay. You're not good at this anyway."

"I called you here today so that you can get more familiar with this war game simulation."

"The envoys who went to Goryeo have returned. If Yeon Gaesomun really has rebellious intentions, an expedition to Goryeo is inevitable."

"It would be a good thing for you to become more familiar with military tactics."

"Don't think of handing everything over to others. They are your soldiers, you need to take care of them more. Otherwise, what's the point of leading them?"

In fact, the information channels controlled by Li Shimin were very extensive.

As Li Shimin had conquered most of the country, how could he not know the importance of intelligence?

It’s just that it’s not as exaggerated as the Jinyiwei that Zhu Yuanzhang set up in later generations. Basically, you can find out any news you want to know.

Li Shimin did not care about Li Tai replacing the elite troops from aristocratic families with palace soldiers.

This itself was also within his calculations, and was equivalent to drawing troops from the aristocratic families in another sense.

Including the construction of seagoing ships in Yangzhou, all of which were tacitly approved by Li Shimin.

Currently, Li Tai is only given 5,000 troops. In fact, after officially launching the war against Goryeo, Li Tai will still have to expand his troops.

When the time comes, Li Tai will most likely expand his military forces mainly from aristocratic families.

From a strategic perspective, Li Shimin's approach was similar to that of Emperor Yang of Sui, both of which consumed the private troops of the aristocratic families.

It’s just that his methods were gentler and not as tough as Emperor Yang of Sui.

This method was not invented by Li Shimin himself. His father Li Yuan used the same method back then.

The struggle between Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin was used to stir up a struggle between the Guanlong clans and the Five Surnames and Seven Families, with both sides investing and consuming.

It’s just that the winner in the end was Li Shimin.

The same method was used again on the current Crown Prince Li Chengqian and Prince of Wei Li Tai.

The Five Surnames and Seven Families were obviously familiar with each other and cooperated very well with Li Shimin.

If Li Shimin was able to seize the throne once, why couldn't Prince of Wei Li Tai seize the throne as well?

As long as Prince Li Tai of Wei succeeds in his bid for the throne, the Five Surnames and Seven Families will be able to return to the court and take control of the center of power.

From the perspective of the aristocratic families, it doesn't matter even if the King of Wei fails in his fight for the throne.

Just learn from your experience and move on to the next time.

Even if Crown Prince Li Chengqian won.

There are also the eldest grandson Li Xiang and the grandson Li Jue.

As a thousand-year-old family, have they ever cared about the gains and losses of a single generation?

With their foundation, even if they are suffering losses now, all the losses can be recovered after one successful generation.

This is why, even though they knew it was a trap set by Li Shimin, the Five Surnames and Seven Families still jumped into it.

You, Li Shimin, are wise.

Perhaps Crown Prince Li Chengqian was also wise.

Even if the emperor's eldest grandson Li Xiang continues to be wise.

But after that, there was no dynasty that could produce wise rulers from generation to generation.

As for why the aristocratic families did not wait for a foolish monarch to emerge, it was because every generation of the aristocratic families wanted to rebuild their glory with their own hands, rather than leaving hope and glory to future generations.

Who doesn’t want to leave their name in history?

"Father, Qingque knows."

"From today on, I will be familiar with military affairs."

Li Tai heard his father's dissatisfaction and quickly expressed it.

Li Shimin nodded: "Don't tire yourself out too much."

He never thought that Li Tai could make any military achievements.

As for the elite members of the aristocratic families, they only obey Li Tai in name.

When Li Tai heard his father say this, he thought to himself, my father still cares about me.

After hesitating for a moment, Li Tai asked, "I wonder how long you can hold out under father in this war game."

In Li Tai's opinion, there are only a handful of people who have the talent to compete with his father in military strategy and tactics.

The prince is definitely not included here.

Even though this game was designed by the prince.

"One and a half hours."

Li Shimin said.

Of course he wouldn't say that he worked all night, lost all night, and only played the last hand for almost two hours before he barely won.

That would be so embarrassing.

"Brother is so strong."

Li Tai exclaimed subconsciously.

He had played it himself and knew very well what it meant to last an hour and a half under his father's command.

He himself didn't even make it half an hour.

In terms of military strategy and tactics, one prince is more than equivalent to three of you.

"Work hard. Your elder brother is currently building a sand table. In just a few days, the other sand tables will be ready."

"When the time comes, I will ask him to send a copy to your Prince Wei's Palace, and you can try to learn more in the palace."

Li Shimin did not answer Li Tai's question directly.

Because the prince will be more powerful than he imagined.

Originally, Li Shimin was not optimistic about the prince leading troops into battle, but now he is looking forward to it.

Can the prince really use those tactics used in sandbox war chess games in actual battlefields?

Thinking about the current training methods of the Military Academy, it is clearly aimed at these tactics.

No wonder the prince focuses on training military discipline and obedience.

Only in this way can soldiers become like obedient chess pieces in a war game.
-
East Palace.

After playing chess with Li Shimin all night, Li Chengqian no longer had any interest.

He encountered the same situation as Li Shimin.

There is no fun in bullying anymore.

Zhao Jie and Li Dejian were simply allowed to play on the sand table, and Du He would also come over after he got off duty.

Whoever loses will be eliminated, and the three rookies will fight each other.

Basically, Li Dejian won.

Li Chengqian had no intention of interrogating the two members of the Goryeo royal family, so he decided to keep them in custody for a while.

Being locked up in a cramped cell every day, with no one to talk to, is a form of mental torture. There is no need to torture them, they will just cooperate as you want them to.

In fact, for now, it is enough.

The two of them are not tough guys at all.

On the first day of being arrested, he was given the opportunity to confess everything.

But you should send someone to interrogate him.

now.

In the East Palace prison.

As the food was delivered.

"I admit it. I admit it all."

"Tell the general that I will do whatever he tells me to do as long as he lets me go."

Gao Zhuohan, a member of the Goryeo royal family, shouted loudly when he saw the jailer coming to deliver food.

However, the jailer still ignored him and left after delivering the meal.

This situation was not unique to him, but also to another Goryeo noble, Choi Jong-gyu.

The same goes for the two best life-hunting brothers.

The two brothers Lie Ming Langjun were much more stable emotionally. At least after the assassination failed, they were still alive for the time being, although it was not known how long they could live.

Li Chengqian didn't need these four people to feed, so he just took care of them first.

What we can see now about Fang Xuanling's plan is the rebellion of the Prince of Qi.

But this is nothing to Li Chengqian.

Even if Yin Hongzhi defected, it wouldn't actually have much impact.

As for the King of Qi slandering him, that is even more ridiculous.

Do you have the courage?

Without direct, accurate and irrefutable evidence, this would be meaningless to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian knew that Fang Xuanling would definitely make more arrangements than just targeting Yin Hongzhi.

Yin Hongzhi and King Qi are most likely smokescreens.

His real goal should be in other areas.

Helan Chushi is the most likely one, followed by Hou Junji.

Hou Junji was the Minister of Personnel, and Fang Xuanling was his superior.

Then there are Du He, Zhao Jie, Li Dejian, and even King of Han Li Yuanchang.

Of course, there is another possibility, that is, Fang Xuanling was just making a gesture to King Wei and actually did nothing.

But even if this is true, Li Chengqian would not think so.

Always take precautions.

For the time being, Li Chengqian can only respond as the enemy attacks.

Fortunately, the eunuch Wen Zhong had already dealt with the housekeeper in his mansion.

At this time, Li Chengqian didn't know that the butler had been noticed by Fang Xuanling.

At present, the things Li Chengqian needs to deal with, apart from the Military Academy, is the coal factory.

"Your Highness, Prince Jin is here."

If you really say Cao Cao, Cao Cao will be here.

"Please."

Li Chengqian just wanted to talk to Prince Jin about coal mining.

People just come to your door.

Li Zhi didn't want to come, but he had to.

Yesterday, he was dragged by Li Tai to the Jinwu General's Mansion.

When he arrived, he found out that the King of Wei wanted him to help recruit people.

Now we are in a difficult situation.

If he didn't agree, he would offend the King of Wei in person. If he agreed, what would the prince think?

But since they had already arrived, Li Zhi had no choice but to follow.

Fortunately, the person has been transferred to the East Palace.

But Li Zhi understood that the fact that he and the King of Wei had gone to the General Jinwu's Mansion to ask for someone would definitely reach the ears of the Crown Prince.

Lu Tong is the prince's man, and this is no secret in the You Jinwu Guard.

So today, Li Zhi came to explain and apologize.

"Please don't misunderstand what happened yesterday, Big Brother. I didn't know about it at the time, and Fourth Brother didn't tell me what it was."

Li Chengqian had already heard from the eunuch Wen Zhong about the matter of the requested person.

"Qingque always likes to do some crooked things, Zhinu, don't learn from him."

"The important thing is to handle the affairs of the Right Jinwu Guard well."

Li Chengqian said with a smile.

When I heard about this yesterday, I didn’t take it too seriously.

Given Li Zhi's character and the guidance of Princess Tong'an, he would naturally not easily get involved in the fight between him and the King of Wei.

Even if he got involved, Li Chengqian had nothing to worry about.

To put it another way, if the King of Wei and the King of Jin joined forces, they would be too strong and would completely suppress him.

Erfeng has to start balancing again.

The most likely possibility is to directly transfer the King of Jin to his fiefdom.

From a natural perspective, Li Chengqian is invincible.

"I came here this time to ask you something, big brother."

Seeing that the prince was so easy to talk to, Li Zhi felt relieved and started talking about other things.

"But it doesn't matter."

"It's about the public security of Wannian County."

Li Zhi organized his words and said, "I went to the Right Jinwu Guard's armory and found files piled up like a mountain. I didn't expect that there were so many wanted criminals on the run in Wannian County alone."

"The entire archive is almost full of old files."

"So I thought of a way, and I would like to ask for your advice, brother, to see if it will work."

Li Zhi then expressed his idea of ​​asking a ghostwriter to assist in the arrest.

After listening to this, Li Chengqian nodded and said, "It's a good idea. It's feasible."

"But be aware that these ghostwriters are bad people themselves, and many of them have killed people. If they have power, they will more easily cause greater losses."

"It's a double-edged sword. It's useful, but you have to use it with caution."

"In terms of supervising ghostwriters, preventive measures must be taken."

Li Zhi cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, brother."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I think Zhinu should have taken precautions."

"It's just right that you're here today. As for the coal issue in Jinzhou, everything is ready now. It's time to start."

Changsun Wuji acted quickly, perhaps 20 million yuan was not a big deal for him.

News came yesterday that all preparations are complete.

There is no need to mention Erfeng, just call it directly.

The problem with coal mining now is that it requires a complete and reliable team, as well as the cooperation of local authorities.

The management team is very important. Li Chengqian has asked the eunuch Wen Zhong to find a shopkeeper with similar experience.

As for the local government, naturally we would ask Li Zhi.

Li Zhi worked in Jinzhou for two years. It is said that he handled government affairs well and also inspected various places to pay attention to people's livelihood.

In addition to these things, finding a large coal mine that is easier to dig is also a top priority.

However, for now, there are still many open-pit coal mines. After all, the utilization of coal is relatively scarce nowadays, and the cost is high while the profit is too low.

The coal mining industry really developed during the Song Dynasty.

It is difficult for later generations to imagine what it feels like to hold a hoe and dig coal directly.

There is no need to even open too many mines.

There is no need to look for coal mines buried deep underground.

At least it is not necessary given the current size.

(End of this chapter)