My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 367: The King of Jin Wants to Accuse the King of Wei of Treason

The Turks entered the country very quickly.

This is different from the Tang Dynasty where the food and fodder were sent ahead before the three armies moved.

After the Western Turkic royal court decided on the plan to march south, just a few days later, the Turkish army began to gather and invade the south.

This has a lot to do with the characteristics of nomadic people.

The organizational structure of the Western Turkic Khaganate was not the same as that of the Central Plains dynasty, but rather an alliance of multiple tribes.

The tribe is the basic unit. Men receive riding and archery training from an early age. Their weapons and equipment are not distributed by the state, but they prepare their own traditional weapons such as horse arrows and scimitars.

This model of integrating soldiers and civilians makes every herder both a producer and a warrior.

In a nomadic economy, horses are not only a means of transportation, but also the basis of combat effectiveness.

The Turks have been familiar with the nature of horses since childhood, and the cavalry can go into battle without additional training.

Unlike the Tang army's mixed formation of heavy infantry and cavalry, the Turks used light cavalry as their main force, equipped only with bows and arrows, short swords and leather armor, without the need for a complex armor forging and maintenance system. This lightweight configuration allowed the army to be assembled quickly with minimal logistical burden.

When the Turkic army went on an expedition, they often drove a large number of cattle, sheep and horses with them.

These livestock are not only a source of meat, but also a provider of milk and fur.

Of course, for many lower-class grassland people, they cannot enjoy meat and milk.

It means a few days' worth of food prepared at home, usually no more than three to five days.

This forced them to enter the Central Plains to plunder within three to five days, otherwise they would starve to death.

The Turkic Great Khan conveyed his orders through a four-level structure consisting of the Yazhang, the Lesser Khan, the tribal leaders, and the herdsmen.

The tribes are usually scattered and nomadic, and in times of war the leaders lead their troops to respond to the call.

The Turks gathered their troops, carved wood as letters, and made agreements with various tribes. Through simple tokens, such as wooden signs and wolf-head flags, they were able to complete mobilization across the grasslands within a few days.

In fact, Yibi Duolu Khan was unable to rule over all the grassland people.

Except for its own main cavalry, more grassland people actually did not obey orders.

The orders conveyed by the leader did not contain so many rules and regulations, nor did they have any war purpose.

To put it simply, just survive and loot enough things to take back.

This method is very troublesome for the Tang Dynasty defenders.

Because of the long border, we can only defend against the main force of the Turks, and in more places we can only be on guard.

Once the main force of the Turks enters the pass, these scattered cavalry will be gathered together.

They had looted enough food, and following the main army would not be a logistical burden.

It feels like breaking the whole into pieces.

The Tang Dynasty has been fighting with the grassland for so many years, so naturally it has a rich system of confrontation.

Faced with the Turkic combat mode of integrating soldiers and civilians and launching quick attacks with light cavalry, the Tang Dynasty first built a multi-level defense network based on the system of local soldiers and border defense towns.

Although the characteristics of the integration of soldiers and farmers under the fubing system were similar to those of the Turks, the Tang Dynasty achieved normalized defense through the military garrison system.

Fixed military towns were set up in the main invasion directions of the Turks, such as Hexi, Longyou, etc., such as the four towns of Qiuci and Shule.

The permanent military force ranges from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, equipped with professional garrison commanders and garrison commanders, forming a warning chain with beacon towers facing each other and forts connected.

Military farming areas are set up in military towns, where soldiers fight in wartime and cultivate the land in peacetime, storing food and fodder for at least half a year to solve the logistical pain point of having food and fodder first.

Through the beacon system and the tribal spy network, an early warning system of ground reconnaissance and beacon communication was established.

A beacon tower was set up every thirty miles. Smoke was raised at regular intervals every day to report safety. When an alarm was raised, five torches were lit at a time. Military information could be transmitted over hundreds of miles in a day, buying time for the Tang army to assemble.

As news from the Turks arrived, Li Shimin's imperial edict was issued directly.

Li Jing was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Hedong Road army.

In fact, when the imperial edict was issued, Li Jing had already led his troops out of the city.
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The Turks are about to enter the pass.

Li Chengqian became much more free.

Now the so-called court meeting and the crown prince's regent are just a name.

As Li Shimin's health improved, power naturally shifted to the Taiji Palace in the meetings between the emperor and his ministers.

Li Chengqian was not unhappy about this.

Holding court meetings was really meaningless to him.

In fact, the court officials were able to handle the government affairs of the Tang Dynasty well.

Important matters were also decided by Li Shimin after discussion with several important ministers.

For a moment, Chang'an seemed to calm down suddenly, and the tense atmosphere before was gone.

Suzaku Avenue.

Wen Zhong paced back and forth at the city gate with twenty imperial guards.

From afar, I could see dust rising from the direction of Luoyang.

"Here they come!" the soldier at the outpost suddenly shouted.

A convoy is moving in the distance.

Wen Zhong walked quickly forward.

It was the Crown Princess Su Yuer.

There was another carriage behind, which carried the Roman Princess Theodosius and the Silla Princess Kim Seung-man.

"Greetings to the Crown Princess."

Wen Zhong saluted respectfully.

Su Yuer smiled and asked, "Eunuch Wen, I heard that the Daming Palace is being renovated. Is the prince all right?"

Wen Zhong replied, "Please rest assured, Crown Princess, His Highness is fine and is waiting in Hanyuan Hall."

Su Yuer nodded and lowered the curtain.

The convoy slowly entered Chang'an.

Looking at the scene outside the window, Su Yuer's eyes became a little moist.

When she left Chang'an, she thought she would never come back, but she never expected that she would come back not long after.

But, can I still go back to the East Palace?

In the car, Xiao Li Jue was sleeping soundly.

In this era, traveling is a very difficult thing.

It is easy to become unbearable just from the bumps and jolts of a carriage.

Behind, the Roman Princess Theodosius stuck her head out and looked at Chang'an, which was both strange and familiar.

"It's changed so much. It's completely different from when I left."

Jin Shengman next to him was also full of surprise.

Is this Chang'an?

This was a prosperity she could never have imagined.

On the wide Suzaku Street, the convoy seemed tiny.

Bustling crowds and numerous shops.

There were merchants from all over the world, and the wide array of goods was something Jin Shengman had never seen before.

At this moment, Jin Shengman suddenly felt fortunate.

Because her man will become the emperor of the Tang Dynasty in the future.

Unlike Crown Princess Su Yuer, Jin Shengman never had any worries about whether Li Chengqian could become emperor, and it could even be said that she believed in it blindly.

Because the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty was the best person she had ever met, no doubt about it.

Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall.

Li Chengqian looked at the somewhat thin Crown Princess and couldn't help but say, "It's hard for you."

Su Yuer shook her head slightly: "It's not bitter. Being able to come back is something I dream of."

Li Chengqian was silent for a moment and gently held Su Yuer in his arms.

"Yeah, I want a hug too."

An untimely voice sounded. It was Xiao Li Jue who was following nearby.

Li Chengqian smiled and picked up little Li Jue.

"Yeah, is this our new home?"

Xiao Li Jue looked around with some curiosity, with some surprise in his eyes.

After all, the Daming Palace is much more luxurious and grand than the East Palace.

"Yes, this is our new home, but it's not finished yet. Do you like it?"

Li Chengqian said with a smile. "I like it, I like it, it's so big and tall. Much bigger and taller than the East Palace."

Xiao Li Jue said excitedly.

Standing in the Hanyuan Hall, you can overlook the entire Chang'an City.

The huge Chang'an city is in full view. Such a scenery is shocking at first glance, like a painting.

"Okay, go play over there."

Li Chengqian put little Li Jue down and asked the palace maid to take him away.

Little Li Jue had long wanted to look around, so he ran away, followed by the palace maids and eunuchs.

Li Chengqian smiled when he saw this.

It's a good thing for boys to be more lively.

Crown Princess Su Yuer glanced at the departing Li Jue and said hesitantly, "When will your Highness let Li Xiang come back? You can't let him stay in Liaodong forever."

Li Chengqian was a little surprised.

Li Xiang is not Su Yuer's biological son, and she didn't expect Su Yuer to care so much about him.

"It's good to be in Liaodong. It's also a kind of experience for him."

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and replied.

Su Yuer said, "Li Xiang is your highness's eldest son and the emperor's eldest grandson. It is not a good thing for him to stay at the border all year round. Your highness, please think twice."

Li Chengqian frowned and said, "The situation in Chang'an is uncertain now, so let Li Xiang stay in Liaodong for the time being."

Su Yuer glanced at the little Li Jue jumping in the distance and said, "I am just worried."

Li Chengqian shook his head slightly: "I know what you are worried about, but I have my own arrangements and will not make the same mistake again."

Little Li Jue is Su Yuer's biological son.

But Su Yuer didn't want Xiao Li Jue to be involved in the battle for the throne.

The position of crown prince is too dangerous.

Since ancient times, few have had a good ending.

Moreover, due to their age difference, there is actually a big difference between Li Xiang and little Li Jue.

Li Xiang was trained as the eldest son and also as the crown prince.

Now he has begun to control the military power.

By the time little Li Jue grew up, Li Xiang's position could be said to be stable.

Of course, when Li Chengqian ascended the throne, Su Yuer became the queen.

If she supports Xiao Li Jue, she can naturally give it a try with Li Xiang.

However, Su Yuer does not have such big ambitions.

She just wants Xiao Li Jue to live a happy life.

Instead of being like the current crown prince, King of Wei, killing each other among brothers.

They also didn't want the past scene to happen again to Li Xiang and Xiao Li Jue like a curse.

The reason why Li Chengqian was persuaded to let Li Xiang come back was that it was best for the crown prince not to be far away from the center of power.

But Li Chengqian has his own ideas.

After all, he is the crown prince now, and it is impossible for anyone to target Li Xiang, the eldest prince.

Letting Li Xiang govern Liaodong was also a rare experience.

Once things here are basically stable, or when the Xuanwu Gate incident is over, it will naturally be time for Li Xiang to return to Chang'an.

There is another key point here.

Li Shimin was young, but Li Chengqian was even younger.

And Li Xiang is still young.

The issues that Li Shimin needed to consider would also need to be considered by Li Chengqian in the future.

After all, ten years ago, Li Chengqian was also a filial and well-behaved prince.

The present Li Xiang is exactly the same as Li Chengqian once was.

However, some things will always change over time.

Li Chengqian is only twelve years older than Li Xiang.

Think differently.

Li Shimin didn't want to become the emperor in his forties.

Is Li Chengqian willing to become the emperor in his forties?

Li Xiang, are you willing to be the crown prince for forty years?

With Li Chengqian's current physical condition, even if he can't live to be a hundred years old, living to eighty or ninety is the basic requirement.

So, Li Xiang will ascend the throne at the age of seventy?

It’s not clear who will outlast whom.

Li Chengqian was also helpless about this problem.

Let's take a step by step.
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Tai Chi Palace.

Somewhere in the backyard.

"Mei Niang, what should I do? Does the emperor already know about this?"

Today, Li Zhi came to Taiji Palace to visit his father, but was not summoned.

This made Li Zhi a little panicked.

After all, he was also aware of the fact that King Wei Li Tai was colluding with the Turks.

If the emperor investigates thoroughly, he might be the one to be found.

Li Zhi had already told Wu Meiniang about this matter before.

"Your Majesty should have known about the King of Wei's collusion with the Turks."

"A few days ago, Fang Xuanling entered the palace late at night. I'm afraid it was because of the matter of King Wei."

"Fang Xuanling has a complicated relationship with the Five Surnames and Seven Families, so it's not surprising that he knows about this."

Although Wu Meiniang had no channels to learn about the situation outside the palace, she bribed many palace maids and eunuchs inside the palace to serve as spies.

She didn't know why Fang Xuanling came to the palace, but she could guess that it must be related to the Turks.

In particular, Li Jing left the city early, which shows that Your Majesty had already known that the Turks would move south.

Li Zhi's voice was trembling, his eyes were full of panic, and he grabbed Wu Meiniang's wrist: "Meiniang, what should I do?"

"What should I do if I am implicated?"

Wu Meiniang let him hold her hand, her eyes as calm as ice, and gently stroked the back of his hand with her other hand, as if to comfort him, but with irresistible force: "Prince Jin, don't panic. Now the situation is clear. Your Majesty already knows that the King of Wei is colluding with the Turks. This is a life-and-death gamble. If the King of Jin continues to remain silent, he will give up his life."

Li Zhi hesitated: "Mei Niang wants me to go to my father and report the King of Wei?"

Wu Meiniang nodded: "Only in this way can we clear the suspicion of King Jin."

"This matter is too big. Moreover, Your Majesty was humiliated by the Turks in the past. You will definitely be severely punished for colluding with the Turks."

Li Zhi showed some hesitation: "But if I report King Wei, King Wei will definitely blame me. I also knew about this matter before."

Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, "If the Prince of Jin goes to report it, even if he says that the Prince of Wei is the one who is trying to accuse him, His Majesty probably won't believe it."

"Even if there is real involvement, it can be considered as knowing the truth but not reporting it, rather than being in cahoots with the King of Wei."

"The King of Wei wants to disrupt the situation through the Turks, and even seize the throne. This is extremely foolish."

"This is tantamount to cutting off the position of Crown Prince. How can Your Majesty allow a son who has betrayed the country to inherit the throne?"

"It can be said that the prince has benefited a lot from this matter."

Wu Meiniang was helpless. She wanted Prince Jin to keep a low profile and wait for the right opportunity.

But now not only is the prince becoming more and more powerful, but the King of Wei is making one stupid move after another, and even the King of Jin is implicated.

If Prince Jin was implicated, how would she be able to leave the palace in the future?

The label of treason must never be placed on the head of Prince Jin.

Wu Meiniang knew very well that even though the Crown Prince was powerful now, there would be a showdown between him and the emperor sooner or later.

At that time, it was King Jin’s chance.

Wu Meiniang was also helpless. Prince Jin had made too many mistakes recently, but she could only stay in the palace and could not give Prince Jin advice often.

"Okay, I will report King Wei for colluding with the Turks."

(End of this chapter)