My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 192 If the Crown Prince Rebelles, Kill the King of Wei First
Eunuch Zhang was sitting in the carriage.

After leaving Chang'an's Suzaku Gate, he headed towards the Prince's military camp outside the city.

Naturally, he could not imagine that he had become a bow that frightened birds.

The prince is already ready to go.

Occasionally I saw a galloping horse passing by, but I didn't take it seriously.

He would never have thought that these people on horseback were reporting his whereabouts.

When he arrived at the Prince's camp.

Just see this scene.

Rows of Ti cavalrymen wearing Ming Guang armor, holding two-meter-long horse lances, with powerful crossbows hanging from their waists and swords drawn across their shoulders.

Even the war horses were covered with vests.

One zhang and two chi is four meters.

The four-meter-long lance was held in the hands of the cavalry.

When a row of cavalrymen came towards the carriage, Zhang Ananda couldn't help but become nervous.

This is the real Lord of War.

The cavalry and war horses were all wearing armor, and they were not afraid even when arrows rained down. The four-meter-long lances, combined with the power brought by the war horses' charge, could easily knock a soldier away.

In the face of the lances of these charging war horses, iron armor and shields would be easily pierced.

The cavalry armed with a lance does not need any other complicated movements, they can easily reap the enemy on the battlefield with just a stab and a retraction.

At a distance of several meters, the infantrymen could not even touch the person and would be stabbed to death.

"This is a strategic location for the military camp. Who are you? Please report your name immediately!"

The leading cavalryman shouted loudly.

The groom immediately scolded them, "How dare you! This is Eunuch Zhang, the eunuch beside your Majesty. I am here to meet the Crown Prince in accordance with your Majesty's imperial decree. Why don't you get out of the way?"

Hearing this, the lance pointed diagonally was raised.

The cavalrymen also made way.

Zhang Ananda frowned.

It is now the middle of the Si hour, which is ten o'clock in the morning.

The sun is high in the sky. Even if we were training in armor early in the morning, it is time to take off the armor and rest.

As for the prince, it seems that he has no intention of taking a rest.

"Please forgive me, Eunuch Zhang. Today the Crown Prince has ordered the entire army to conduct a military exercise. I apologize for any offense."

The leading Tiqi spoke.

Zhang Ananda suddenly understood after hearing this.

As the Eastern Expedition is imminent, it is normal for the prince to conduct military exercises.

Conducting military exercises under the scorching sun is also a test for the soldiers.

Once you enter the military camp, you can see rows of fully armed cavalrymen everywhere.

The scene was still very shocking.

The bright armor reflected dazzling light under the sunlight, just like a group of heavenly soldiers and generals.

The Ming Guang armor played a huge role in the Tang army's victory in every battle on the battlefield.

When the enemy saw this scene, their minds were taken away, so how could they have the confidence to fight?

Even if you muster up your courage, you will be crushed to pieces by a torrent of steel.

Inside the Chinese army's tent.

"Meet His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Eunuch Zhang, please take a seat."

Li Chengqian smiled and looked normal: "I wonder if Eunuch Zhang has any instructions for my father this time."

Once you enter this big tent, it’s not easy to leave.

As long as Zhang Ananda was exposed for being involved in treason.

At Li Chengqian's command, the guards outside the door would rush in and tie up Zhang Ananda.

But in fact, Zhang Ananda didn’t think so much.

He smiled and said, "It's about your Highness dismissing the city gate guard last night. His Majesty is a little angry about this, and I want to ask your Highness why you left the city after curfew."

Li Chengqian was silent for a moment before saying, "After dinner at the East Palace yesterday, I felt a little sleepy, so I took a short nap."

"I had a dream at that time, and it mentioned the turmoil in the military camp."

"So I was worried when I woke up, and I was afraid that this was a warning from heaven, so I left Chang'an at night, and only felt at ease when I arrived at the military camp."

"Maybe he's worried about the upcoming Eastern Expedition."

This excuse sounds a bit ridiculous, but it is the best excuse Li Chengqian could find after discussing it with Su Dingfang many times.

Things like dream warnings have always happened in history. Since the Han Dynasty, Dong Zhongshu proposed the concept of the connection between heaven and man in Confucianism. As the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, it was normal for him to be blessed by heaven.

Compared to the excuse of dreaming, other reasons are hard to stand up to scrutiny and will reveal flaws with just a casual check.

There is naturally no way to investigate things like dreams.

Anyway, don’t blame others for believing it or not, just believe it yourself.

As Li Chengqian spoke, he secretly observed Zhang Ananda's expression, trying to find some clues from his face.

However, after listening to this, Zhang Ananda's expression became somewhat solemn.

"So that's the case. Perhaps Your Highness is worried about the Eastern Expedition, which is why he thinks about it during the day and dreams about it at night."

"However, since it is related to the military camp's eastern expedition, it should not be underestimated. Your Highness, please describe it in detail so that I can report it to Your Majesty and ask the Imperial Divination Office to interpret the dream."

The Confucian doctrine of the correspondence between heaven and man laid the foundation for the idea that kings’ power is granted by heaven.

The emperor was regarded as the Son of Heaven, whose power came from God.

Therefore, the content of dreams is usually considered to be revelations or warnings from God.

For example, Li Shimin once dreamed of a fairy in white, who told him that he would have a wise minister to assist him.

Later, Li Shimin really met Wei Zheng.

This matter is still talked about with great relish among the people today.

As for the specific details, that depends on one's own opinion.

The prince is the heir to the throne, so his dreams are also of great importance.

In order to interpret the dreams of kings, special dream interpretation institutions and personnel have been set up in all dynasties.

The Zhou Dynasty established a Taibu who was responsible for divination and interpretation of various omens, including the interpretation of dreams.

During the Qin and Han dynasties, there were officials such as the Dream Diviner, who were specifically responsible for interpreting the emperor's dreams.

In the Tang Dynasty, it was the Taibu Office under the Taichang Temple.

The Taibu Ling was in charge of divination to predict the state's affairs.

These include tortoise-to-tortoise divination, Yi divination, the five signs, and the method of fortune-telling, which are now regarded as the orthodox techniques of divination.

When Li Chengqian heard Zhang Ananda ask this, he made up a story.

What a red moon, the earth is shaking, it's just as outrageous as it can be.

Zhang Ananda quickly took out paper and pen to take notes, taking it very seriously.

While writing, he would also ask the prince for the details he could remember.

However, dreams are inherently bizarre and easily forgotten after they pass.

Li Chengqian talked nonsense, and it didn't matter even if it was contradictory.

With the reply, Zhang Ananda's mission was naturally completed.

Then he stood up, said goodbye and returned to the palace.

See Zhang Ananda leave.

Li Chengqian frowned slightly and asked Su Dingfang, "Have you seen any clues?"

Su Dingfang shook his head and said, "Eunuch Zhang is your majesty's closest minister, and is very good at observing words and expressions. I have been paying attention just now, but I have not found anything unusual."

"It seems like he really came here just to deal with His Highness opening the city gate yesterday."

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment.

Judging from Zhang Ananda's behavior, it seemed that Fang Xuanling had no intention of appealing.

Perhaps their worries are unnecessary.

"Now it seems that maybe Li Anyan was just too suspicious about what happened last night."

Li Chengqian didn't mean to blame Li Anyan.

After all, tipping off at critical moments is extremely important.

At least for now, there are more options.

He had made a plan in the first place. If at the end he had followed the same path as Li Chengqian in history and failed in his rebellion, it would have become a big joke.

Su Dingfang thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty is well versed in the art of war. If you have received a secret report from Fang Xuanling, you may have investigated the situation secretly without making it public."

"Of course, this may be my overthinking, but for Your Highness, as long as you stay in the military camp, you can respond to all changes with the same attitude."

Li Chengqian nodded. Anyway, it was impossible to go back to the East Palace now, and he didn't even plan to go to Chang'an City.

Today is June 24th.

There are only six days left until the scheduled Eastern Expedition on July 1st.

After these six days, the Eastern Expedition will set out.

Even if he was really accused of treason, it wouldn't matter.

By that time, Li Chengqian already had the strength to challenge Erfeng.

at this time.

The horse-drawn carriages carrying gunpowder from the Eastern Palace had already begun to enter the military camp.

This made Li Chengqian feel more at ease.

With these 20,000 kilograms of gunpowder.

There is no need to worry about not achieving great things.

No matter how strong the gates of Chang'an City were, they could not withstand the gunpowder bombing.
-
Tai Chi Palace, Liang Yi Palace.

Li Shimin was reading the report from the Ministry of War.

Most of the army heading east to conquer Goryeo are already on the way.

Here, Hou Junji, Li Ji, Liu Hongji, Zhang Shigui, Yuchi Jingde and others have already set off one after another.

The reason for this order of priority is mainly due to the situation of the civilians.

It seems that there are only 20,000 or 30,000 soldiers, but in fact, including the number of civilians, it has reached more than 100,000.

The march of more than 100,000 people stretched for more than ten miles.

It was so huge that at first glance, there was no one to be seen.

It takes nearly half an hour to ride from the front of the team to the back of the team.

If it is a highway, it would be slightly better, about three or four meters wide.

However, many small paths are only about ten feet wide.

When encountering such a trail, more than 100,000 people form a long dragon connecting several mountains.

One can imagine what the scene was like when the Sui Dynasty mobilized millions of people to march east to Korea.

At this time, Zhang Ananda had already returned.

"dream?"

After listening to Zhang Ananda's report, Li Shimin frowned slightly.

I didn't doubt the prince.

It was the prince's first time going on an expedition, so it was normal for him to have this dream.

Because of the dream, it makes sense to go to the military camp in the middle of the night.

Li Shimin took the document recorded by Zhang Ananda and took a look at it.

He ordered, "Let the Imperial Divination Office interpret the dream."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After thinking for a while, Li Shimin asked, "How is the situation in the prince's military camp?"

Zhang Ananda replied, "When I went to the prince's camp this time, it was during the prince's military parade. I saw that the troops were well-organized and the camp was solid. They looked like a strong army."

Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.

The prince is quite organized, and with the help of Su Dingfang, he will certainly be good.

Besides, those palace soldiers are also the elite troops of the Tang Dynasty.
-
Zhang Ananda reported the matter concerning the prince's dream to the Imperial Astronomical Office.

Fang Xuanling has also been paying close attention to the situation.

Then he also learned that the prince used dreaming as an excuse.

He knew very well that this was just an excuse of the prince, but Fang Xuanling no longer intended to provoke the prince.

Dealing with the prince at this time will not benefit the King of Wei, the Fang family, Your Majesty, or the Tang Dynasty.

Especially the King of Wei.

The prince set out on the eastern expedition on the same day as the King of Wei.

The distance between the two camps is only a few dozen miles.

If the prince rebelled, his first option might be to raid the King of Wei's camp.

If the prince were a little more ruthless, he would imitate what Your Majesty did in the past.

It is very likely that he would kill the King of Wei directly and then find a way to kill the King of Jin.

This leaves the crown prince as the only legitimate son.

Your Majesty must feel the same way as the retired emperor did back then.

Considering these possible changes, Fang Xuanling became more cautious and cautious.

If it really came to that, not to mention whether I could survive, I'm afraid the Fang family would be in danger of being wiped out.

So Fang Xuanling simply went to court as usual, and all investigations into the prince were stopped.

Let last night's visit to the palace to see the emperor become a misunderstanding of Li Anyan.

This means you can attack when you advance and defend when you retreat.

However, Fang Xuanling forgot.

He wanted to stop, but someone else wanted to move.

Li Tai, who was always concerned about the prince's movements, soon found out about the prince's dream.

Yankangfang, Prince Wei's Palace.

Li Tai hesitated.

"The prince said he was dreaming, is it really a dream?"

In fact, he already believed this statement to some extent.

After all, Chai Lingwu's analysis does make sense.

But if you think about it carefully, it’s a little vague.

After all, Fang Xuanling met the emperor every day, so it was unlikely that he would come like this in the middle of the night, and the prince would think that he was accusing him of treason.

If that were the case, the prince would have been forced to rebel long ago. Why would he wait until now?

Chai Lingwu suggested: "Whether it is true or not, we will know after trying it."

"It just so happens that the prince told about his dream and asked the Imperial Divination Bureau to interpret it."

"The Grand Astrologer of the Grand Astrologer's Office, Guo Zheng, happens to be a member of our King Wei's party."

"He is a descendant of Guo Pu. If he were to come forward and propose that His Majesty perform a sacrificial ceremony based on the prince's dream, I think it would work."

Guo Pu was a famous writer and Feng Shui scholar during the Jin Dynasty. He was also proficient in astronomy, calendar calculation, and divination.

The family is very famous for divination, and its descendants have always served in the palace.

Li Tai asked doubtfully, "Is he one of ours too?"

The Wei Wang Party was too large, involving a large number of middle and lower-level officials. Even Li Tai himself could not recognize all of them.

"Yes, King Wei." Chai Lingwu affirmed.

As the confidant of King Wei, he naturally had a certain understanding of the members of the party.

Li Tai said: "Then let Guo handle it."

"Yes, King Wei."

Imperial City, Taibu Office.

The King of Wei's men came to deliver the message.

After listening to this, Grand Astrologer Guo Zheng nodded and said, "Please tell the King of Wei. I have learned about it."

Guo Zheng naturally had no reason to refuse the King of Wei's order.

Our ancestor Guo Pu came from a poor family, and the so-called Hedong Guo family was only slightly prosperous.

One can only make a living by relying on a big family.

Therefore, at a very early time, Guo Zheng had already attached himself to the powerful families and joined the Wei Wang party.

This was not a choice he had. Even as a member of the King of Wei's party, he was not even qualified to attend the banquet hosted by the King of Wei.

But if Guo Zheng had not surrendered to the King of Wei, he would not have been able to take the position of Taibu Ling.

There was no imperial examination to enter the Taibu Ling government, but rather the route of recommendation was adopted.

If no one recommends you, you won’t even have an official position.

Even so, the Grand Asura Commander was only of the eighth rank.

So there was no reason for Guo Zheng to refuse the King of Wei.

After receiving Zhang Ananda's records, Guo Zheng immediately began to look up the scriptures and wrote a memorial citing the scriptures.

All in all, the prince’s dream had a great influence, and a grand sacrificial ceremony was needed.

(End of this chapter)