My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 219: Eastern Palace Forbidden Land, What Is the Prince Doing?

A core member of the Prince Party.

The only one still in Chang'an City was Li Anyan.

At least that's the case based on current intelligence.

All he needs to do is to confuse Li Anyan, and then the prince won't get the news that his conspiracy has been exposed.

Li Shimin was very sad.

He doesn't understand.

Why did the prince rebel?

I clearly dote on the prince so much.

If you ask for money, you will get money; the treasury can use it at will.

If you want military power, give it to me. That’s five thousand sets of Ming Guang armor.

At that time, his own Black Armor Army only had 3,500 sets.

In the entire Tang Dynasty, no army could have 5,000 sets of Ming Guang armor.

I'm already so spoiled, isn't that enough?

Why rebel?

Wouldn't the throne of the Tang Dynasty be his sooner or later?

Why are you in such a hurry?

Li Shimin sighed deeply and wept in his heart.
-
Li Anyan didn't think much about it.

Fang Xuanling would not have thought about it too much.

Down to court.

Fang Yizheng hurriedly told his father the news that Eunuch Zhang had met Li Anyan.

"It seems that His Majesty has already understood."

Fang Xuanling sighed.

With just a little thought, I realized that Your Majesty has already grasped the fact that the prince is plotting a rebellion.

As of now, Your Majesty has no choice but to believe it.

Fang Yizhi was surprised and said, "Father, I heard that a censor impeached Li Anyan for corruption, bribery, and amassing money."

Fang Xuanling shook his head slightly: "It's just a trick of your majesty."

"Your Majesty doesn't want the Crown Prince to know that the rebellion has been exposed, but he doesn't want Li Anyan to continue to serve as the commander of the guards, so he found a cover."

"Now the crown prince is leading the troops outside, and Hou Junji is the commander-in-chief of the Liaodong Road. Once the crown prince knows that the rebellion has been exposed, it will cause big trouble."

Fang Yizhi couldn't help but say, "Initially it was the Crown Prince who was afraid of Your Majesty, but now it's Your Majesty who is afraid of the Crown Prince."

Fang Xuanling said with some regret: "The world is unpredictable, who can know what will happen in the future?"
-
Changsun Mansion.

Changsun Wuji was drinking tea and thinking alone.

He also got the news about Li Anyan's affairs.

Your Majesty, if you stop the investigation into the Crown Prince at this point and end it with the false charge of corruption and bribery.

There are only two possibilities.

Either the prince did not rebel.

Or the prince has been confirmed to be plotting treason.

After thinking for a long time, Changsun Wuji was more inclined to the second option.

All signs indicate that the prince had the potential to rebel.

Your Majesty did this simply because he did not want to affect the situation of the eastern expedition to Goryeo.

Then for Changsun Wuji, there are two choices.

Support or not support the prince.

Can the prince successfully seize the throne?

Changsun Wuji felt that there was no possibility.

Your Majesty has fought for his country. All the officials and ministers are your people, and the generals in the army are loyal to you.

Could it be that just because the Crown Prince has some military power, he can threaten your Majesty's throne?

This great Tang Dynasty was almost entirely conquered by Your Majesty.

What's more, Your Majesty is still in your prime.

Changsun Wuji couldn't imagine how His Majesty would lose.

"Master, the tea is cold. I'll go get a hot pot."

The butler next to him suddenly spoke.

Changsun Wuji, who was hesitating, was suddenly stunned.

Yes, when people leave, the tea gets cold.

It's time to make new plans.

"No need, go to the residence of the Right Jinwu Guard General and give the invitation to King Jin."

"Invite Prince Jin to attend a dinner at my residence tomorrow."

Changsun Wuji is a decisive and smart person.

He knows what is the most advantageous choice.
-
Du He is not in Chang'an.

All the prince's confidants left.

In the East Palace, there were only Crown Princess Su Yuer and Roman Princess Theodosius.

But the Crown Princess Su Yuer did not know that Li Anyan was the Crown Prince's man.

I didn't even get to know any news about Li Anyan.

Concubine Yang in the harem had heard that the commander of the royal guards had been replaced.

But she didn't take it to heart, and she didn't know.

Du He, who knew about this, had already fled out of Chang'an.

Everything was going in a bad direction for the prince.

However, a piece of news caused a huge stir in Chang'an City.

The communication of messages in the Tang Dynasty mainly relied on a complete post station system.

The distance between post stations is approximately between twenty and thirty miles.

Under normal circumstances, the speed of the post horses was about 300 miles a day. If it was urgent military intelligence, the speed would be even faster. The news of An Lushan's rebellion was conveyed to the court within six days, a distance of about 3,000 miles, with an average daily speed of about 500 miles.

Liaodong City is about 3,400 miles away from Chang'an.

The seventh day of September.

The news of the fall of Gaimu City reached the palace.

Li Shimin was very happy.

This represented the first step towards victory in the Eastern Expedition to Goryeo.

The king and his ministers discuss matters.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "According to the next arrangement, after we capture Gaimu City, we will attack Liaodong City."

"If we use all our main forces to capture Liaodong City, then we will have already won half of the battle."

Li Jing said: "Liaodong City is more difficult to capture than Gaimu City. I'm afraid it will take more troops and time."

"The most important thing right now is to ensure the supply of food and fodder during the siege."

Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, Chu Suiliang and others nodded in agreement.

Li Shimin said: "The Crown Prince and Li Dao Zong have been in Liaodong City for such a long time, they should have built enough siege equipment."

"It can provide more convenience for siege."

"Mr. Fang, how much food have you prepared to send over?"

Fang Xuanling was the Shangshu Zuo Pushe, in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. Fang Xuanling has always been in charge of the military logistics supply.

"Your Majesty, three million shi of grain and fodder have been dispatched and are on their way to Liaodong City."

Li Shimin frowned slightly: "How can it be so little?"

The monthly food requirement for 500,000 people is about 300,000 dan.

Normally, three million koku can last for about ten months.

But in fact, it is not calculated in this way, because the consumption on the road is the biggest.

Nine out of ten dan of grain would be consumed on the road, and often only one-tenth or two-tenths would be delivered to the army.

The supply was 3 million shi, and 300,000 shi were delivered.

It can only sustain the army's siege for 30 days.

If Liaodong City is not captured within 30 days, we will have to withdraw our troops due to food problems.

This is also the most helpless choice.

"Your Majesty, a large number of civilians have been drafted this year, and the farmland has been left abandoned with no one to harvest. As a result, the harvests in Hedong Road, Hebei Road, and Hedong Road have dropped sharply. If too much tax is levied, it may have a great impact on people's livelihood."

Fang Xuanling gave an explanation.

The large-scale mobilization of laborers will naturally lead to labor shortages and reduced grain production, which is an inevitable phenomenon.

Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "Ship grain from the south and send another 3 million dan."

Without the war with Goryeo, we cannot let the army suffer losses in logistics.

All we can do is let the people suffer first.

When everyone heard this, they all agreed.

The current situation is pretty good for the Tang Dynasty. Taking down Gaimu City is equivalent to taking the first step.

at this time.

The head of the Ministry of War hurried into the palace.

Report military intelligence immediately.

After the eunuch got the news, he hurried into the palace to report: "Your Majesty, urgent news from the border, a great victory, Liaodong City has been captured."

This news was like a thunderclap.

It exploded directly in the hall.

Li Shimin even suspected that he had heard it wrong.

"What did you say? A great victory? The fall of Liaodong?"

Asked three times in a row.

The eunuch quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the head of the Ministry of War is waiting outside the palace, and the urgent report from the border has been delivered." Li Shimin hurriedly said, "Announce."

Inside the hall, Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji and others all felt that their brains were not enough.

They were just discussing the siege of Liaodong City and preparing logistics.

Liaodong City was broken in a flash?

Just yesterday we heard the news that Gaimu City had been breached. Could it be that Hou Junji and Li Ji were able to clone themselves or something, and they were able to breach Liaodong City in one go?
No matter who it was, no one thought of going to the prince so quickly.

Because the prince has 5,000 cavalrymen.

how.

Horses trampled on Liaodong City.

It's impossible even if you use your toes to imagine it. Don't even think about it.

Soon, the head of the Ministry of War hurried in with a happy look on his face.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on the great victory. The Crown Prince conquered Liaodong City in half a day."

As soon as these words came out.

Everyone feels like they don't have enough brains.

Li Shimin was stunned.

I have thought of every possibility except the prince.

The head of the Ministry of War also knew that the news was somewhat strange, so he quickly submitted an urgent report.

Eunuch Zhang took it and presented it to His Majesty.

Li Shimin opened it and looked, and his eyes widened.

"Your Majesty, what is going on?"

Wei Zheng couldn't help but ask, he was a rather impatient person.

Li Shimin didn't know what to say, so he handed the urgent report down.
"Please take a look, my dear friends."

Wei Zheng took it immediately and was shocked after reading it.

Following them were Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and Chu Suiliang.

The atmosphere is a bit weird.

Everyone was silent, not knowing how to start.

The content of the urgent report is very fast.

The prince reported to the emperor, and used the power of the thunderbolt to intimidate the Liaodong city. The city was captured in half a day, and a great victory was achieved.

"The prince wouldn't joke about something like this."

Changsun Wuji spoke hesitantly.

This news seems fake no matter how you look at it.

What is Thunderbolt?

Liaodong City was captured in half a day.

It sounds like a fairy tale.

Instead, it feels a little unreal.

Wei Zheng also spoke up: "Liaodong City has been broken. Such a big event will surely be widely spread. A little inquiry will reveal it. It will be considered true and a great victory."

Fang Xuanling did not speak.

There are too many tricks here.

The fact that Liaodong City was captured in half a day was really too exaggerated.

It's no different from a fairy tale.

That was Liaodong City, the Liaodong City that even the millions of troops of the Sui Dynasty could not break through.

The prince went there and it was broken in half a day?

It sounds so fake.

Li Shimin was also somewhat hesitant.

Logically speaking, the prince would not joke about such a big thing.

But what if.

That would be a joke.

"Order the Ministry of War to get more information."

After some hesitation, Li Shimin felt that it would be better to be cautious.

Everyone nodded.

I also think it should be more stable.

However, the news quickly spread in Chang'an City.

"Prince conquered Liaodong City in half a day?"

"That's Liaodong City."

"The prince is invincible."

"Is this true? This is too exaggerated."

"The border has sent urgent news, a great victory, how can this be false?"

"Oh my goodness, the prince is so amazing."

For a moment, the hearts of people in Chang'an City were in chaos.

Fangfu.

Fang Yizhi asked curiously, "Father, did the prince really conquer Liaodong City?"

He didn't believe it in his heart.

If that really happens, that would be terrible.

"I'm afraid it's true."

Fang Xuanling sighed.

He really didn't expect that something like this would happen.

No one would have thought that the prince would be so powerful on the battlefield of this eastern expedition to Goryeo.

But now, it’s difficult.

"Alas, the situation has become complicated now."

Fang Yizhi couldn't help but ask: "If that's the case, then His Majesty..."

Fang Xuanling shook his head slightly: "Who knows?"

He had no idea what decision His Majesty would make.

If it were him, he wouldn't be clear either.

Changsun Mansion.

Changsun Wuji was also anxious.

He had just made an appointment with King Jin.

Then the news came that the prince had captured Liaodong City in half a day.

If the prince really has such ability, he would know that the treason has been exposed.

Not to mention starting a rebellion, just don't return to Chang'an.

What can Your Majesty do?
Changsun Wuji even guessed what the prince was thinking.

That means leading the troops outside all the time and wasting time with His Majesty.

If it takes ten or eight years, or even until Your Majesty passes away, wouldn't it still be a smooth ascension to the throne?
Even if Your Majesty has evidence of the Crown Prince's rebellion, would he directly depose the Crown Prince under such circumstances?

Probably not possible.

If that were the case, then what would be the point of him supporting Prince Jin?
-
The next day, the palace.

Li Shimin's eyes were somewhat gloomy.

He could also guess what Changsun Wuji guessed.

The second wave of news has arrived.

It is almost certain that the prince did capture the city in half a day.

It is still unclear how the city was breached, and there are many different opinions.

However, the only thing in common is that they all said that the prince summoned thunder from heaven to bombard Liaodong City, causing the people of Liaodong City to lose all morale and it was easily taken down by the prince.

Li Shimin did not believe this unreliable statement at first.

But having said that, something seems a little wrong.

"Did the prince really summon the thunder?"

Li Shimin said suspiciously.

Zhang Ananda guessed, "Perhaps it is a new weapon invented by the prince that can produce the power of thunder and fire."

Li Shimin frowned and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Zhang Anan said: "Your Majesty, do you remember how the prince learned how to make ice?"

Li Shimin nodded and said, "It was from the two Taoist priests who pretended to be gods and ghosts that I had ordered to be beheaded earlier. The prince got it from their apprentice."

Zhang Ananda gave his own analysis.

"Now it seems that these two Taoists may really have something."

"I remember that the reason why those two people were valued by the Crown Prince was that one of them was able to condense water into ice, and the other was able to use the Five Thunder Technique."

"The prince has mastered the art of freezing water, and is now able to produce large amounts of ice."

"However, the other person was also kept by the prince in the backyard of the East Palace, but I have never heard any news about him."

"I guess that this person might be the one that the prince has been hiding in the backyard, refining the lightning and fire, and now he is using it on Liaodong City."

Zhang Ananda knew some information about the situation in the Eastern Palace.

After all, he was the biggest eunuch in the palace.

In the backyard of the Eastern Palace, the prince recruited a large number of craftsmen and is said to have developed many novel gadgets.

Zhang Ananda had heard of it but had never seen it.

In addition to the ice cellar, there is another forbidden area in the backyard of the East Palace, the Five Thunder Hall.

Li Shimin hesitated for a moment and said, "If that's the case, I'll go over and take a look."

"See what the prince is doing."

(End of this chapter)