Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

Today is a day of extraordinary significance for the Tang Dynasty. It is as if the wheel of fate has begun to turn faster, leaving a deep mark in the long river of history.

Every citizen of the Tang Dynasty has different emotions in their hearts, some are expectations, some are worries, which are interwoven into a complex picture.

First of all, what attracted much attention was General Li Ji leading his troops to attack Xueyantuo.

Li Ji stood in front of the expeditionary force, looking at the soldiers who were ready to go. He felt both awe for the war and the ambition to expand the territory for the Tang Dynasty.

The scale of this expedition was unprecedented. The military expenditure alone was like a surging wave, directly breaking the record of the Tang Dynasty.

He was well aware of the weight of this military expenditure, which reflected the determination of the entire Tang Dynasty to win this battle.

Each coin is like a seed of hope that will take root and sprout on the battlefield of Mobei, turning into swords, spears, halberds, food and supplies on the battlefield.

He secretly vowed that he would not let down the expectations of His Majesty and the people!

This is one of them.

Second, there will be a court meeting today.

Today's Tang Dynasty officials, after a period of adjustment, have gradually adapted to working with those young talents.

Take Fang Xuanling for example. He stood outside the palace gate, looking at the majestic palace gate, feeling filled with emotion.

He already regarded Chen Fusheng as his right-hand man, which made it much easier for him to handle government affairs.

Once upon a time, when the court was doing things, he had the most headaches because most of the officials were from aristocratic families and their style of doing things was slow and perfunctory.

Even if it is a trivial matter, it will take at least two or three days to complete it successfully.

At that time, Fang Xuanling was often extremely anxious about the progress of affairs, feeling helpless and anxious, but he could do nothing about those children from aristocratic families and could only sigh silently in his heart.

But now it’s different. Fang Xuanling only needs to give a simple order, and within an hour, Chen Fusheng can get things done properly, just like a skilled craftsman carving a piece of jade, handling every detail just right.

Whenever Fang Xuanling saw things completed so smoothly, his heart was filled with relief.

Driven by these young forces, the efficiency of the court, a huge and complex machine, has increased several times or even dozens of times compared with the past, or even more than that.

The improvement in efficiency was like a horse running free from its reins, changing the court's administrative processing model at lightning speed.

This also made him full of confidence in the future development of the Tang Dynasty.

However, Fang Xuanling frowned slightly at this time, his heart full of worry.

When going to the expedition against Xueyantuo, Li Ji was the chief general chosen by His Majesty. This was a normal thing, but what troubled him was that His Majesty actually brought Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde with him.

Fang Xuanling was well aware of the risk His Majesty was taking.

How could the emperor be so impulsive? The battlefield is dangerous. If something goes wrong, how sad His Majesty would be!

Moreover, Li Shimin specifically instructed him to announce to everyone at today's court meeting that Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde were ill in bed.

When Fang Xuanling thought of this difficult task, he felt a sharp pain in his head.

He complained bitterly in his heart, "Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde are both nearly fifty years old and about to become grandfathers. Why are they still acting so recklessly and irrationally?

This request for leave is so absurd, and those officials in the court are not easy to fool. I, Fang Xuanling, really don't know how to speak!"

"Your Majesty has ordered that the court meeting be postponed for one hour! Please make your own arrangements!"

A young eunuch hurried to the outside of the palace gate, and his shrill voice cut through the slightly dull air in front of the palace gate, announcing Li Chengqian's decree.

As the young eunuch ran, he thought, "There are so many things going on today. I wonder if anything big will happen at the court meeting."

At Gwanghwamun, soldiers were dressed in light armor that gleamed coldly in the sunlight. They held long spears in their hands, their postures standing tall and straight like pine trees, looking extremely majestic.

Every soldier's heart is filled with complex emotions about the upcoming war, including reluctance to leave his hometown and nervousness about the battle, but more importantly, a sense of honor to fight for the Tang Dynasty.

The soldiers in charge of logistics pushed box after box of food and formed a long line, like a winding dragon, marching towards the outside of the city.

These logistics soldiers are fully aware of the heavy responsibility they have.

These foods are related to the life and death of the soldiers on the front line. As the saying goes, before the troops move, the food and fodder must go first. The scale of the logistical preparations for this expedition is staggering.

It has been three days since the food was started to be transported, but even now, the team transporting food still seems to be endless, like a long river with no end, continuously supplying energy to the expeditionary army.

Li Ji stood in front of the team, looking at the endless grain transport team, his heart filled with shock.

How long did this grain transport line stretch? He looked at the sky, estimated that the time was almost up, and without hesitation, he jumped on his horse.

Li Ji rode up to the soldiers and shouted, "Soldiers! Today we will embark on a journey to Mobei to fight the Xueyantuo!"

"We are the warriors of the Tang Dynasty, your majesty's sharp sword! We carry the glory of the Tang Dynasty and the hopes of the people!"

His eyes were as sharp as torches, scanning the faces of every soldier.

"I know that some of you have families back home worried about you, and some of you are worried about the distant battlefields, but don't forget that we are here to protect the peace of the Tang Dynasty and to allow our loved ones to live in peace."

"Look at the food and fodder for this long journey. Your Majesty has prepared such abundant supplies for us. This is a sign of your trust in us!"

"We cannot let your majesty down. Every grain of food and every pot of water is the blood and sweat of the people of the Tang Dynasty. We must defend this kindness with the blood of our enemies!"

Li Ji raised his arms and shouted, his voice becoming more and more passionate.

"The sandstorms in Mobei may be fierce, but our hearts are stronger!"

"The Xueyantuo may be brave, but we, the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, are fearless! We must advance and retreat together on the battlefield, and live and die together!"

"Use our strength to let the enemy know that the majesty of the Tang Dynasty is inviolable!"

Li Ji's words were like a flame, igniting the fighting spirit in the hearts of the soldiers.

"set off!"

Li Ji shouted loudly, his voice like a huge bell, vibrating in the air. The horn of war sounded, and the army began to move slowly.

"Your Majesty is here!"

Suddenly, a loud shout was heard. Hearing this shout, Li Ji was startled, and a panic appeared on his face. He quickly turned over and dismounted, kneeling on one knee.

Li Ji was feeling uneasy, while the three personal guards behind him were well-trained and quietly retreated behind the crowd, hiding their figures.

"Your Majesty! Why are you here?"

Li Ji asked in surprise, and at the same time a warm feeling surged in his heart. He felt honored that the emperor came in person to see him off.

Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hand, and the Jinyiwei team behind him immediately unloaded the boxes of things from the carriage.

Those boxes looked quite heavy. I wonder what treasures were inside.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Ji with his eyes full of expectation.

"General Li is a pillar of the Tang Dynasty. You must return safely from this expedition. Although these supplies are not abundant, they are a token of my sincere gratitude."

"You are going to the battle, so naturally I will come to see you off," said Li Chengqian.

"I can't hold my liquor well, so I won't give you a farewell party. I wish you a speedy victory!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the boxes.

"Here I've prepared some wine and some bacon for you. But remember, you can drink the wine, but don't get drunk. Being drunk will only cause you trouble!"

When Li Ji heard His Majesty's words, his eyes were filled with tears and he was deeply moved.

"Your Majesty, I will repay your kindness with my own death."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" he said with a slightly trembling voice.

"Okay, stay safe, General."

Li Chengqian walked forward and patted Li Ji on the shoulder.

"I'll wait for you in Chang'an!"

"Also, tell the soldiers to be careful when drinking water in Mobei. If there is an abundant water source, it is better to drink the water in the pots I prepared for you. That water is boiled."

"As a last resort, drink less water from the Mobei grasslands. Huo Qubing contracted the plague because he drank water from the grasslands."

Li Chengqian's eyes were full of concern. He knew very well that the environment in Mobei was harsh and any small negligence could lead to serious consequences.

After Li Chengqian finished speaking, he took a few steps forward and held Li Ji's hand tightly.

"General! Take care!"

His eyes were full of concern and reluctance, and he silently prayed in his heart that Li Ji would return safely.

Li Ji was unable to kneel down due to his armor, so he could only feel the grace of His Majesty with red eyes. He choked up and said, "Your Majesty! I will sacrifice my life for His Majesty! I will definitely help Your Majesty conquer the Mobei grasslands! Your Majesty, please take care of yourself in Chang'an!"

His gratitude to His Majesty was like a surging river, endless.

"Got it, General, go ahead. I'll wait for you to come back and have a drink!"

Li Chengqian let go of his hand, his eyes flashing with anticipation. He looked at the direction where the army was leaving, reluctant to leave for a long time.

……

On the way to the battle, Li Shimin suddenly shrilled, imitating Li Ji's tone and said, "Oh, this old minister will help Your Majesty conquer the Mobei grassland even if it means sacrificing his life..."

He made funny faces as he spoke.

Li Shimin actually had no ill intentions in his heart. He just wanted to tease Li Ji and ease the tense atmosphere of the expedition.

He thought, "This Li Ji is usually very serious, but today I'm going to play a good trick on him."

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde were laughing so hard that they fell over.

Cheng Yaojin thought while smiling.

Your Majesty is truly powerful. Li Ji is now under your control.

Yuchi Jingde also joked, "I didn't expect our Lord Li is such a versatile person! He says one thing in front of people and another behind their backs."

He felt that such jokes could make the long march less boring.

After hearing this, Li Shimin said to Li Ji with some sadness: "That kid gave you two sweet dates, and you couldn't resist! Think about me! Was my kindness to you in the past small? Why don't you seem to be grateful to me?"

Li Shimin pretended to be heartbroken, as if he had really suffered a great injustice.

In fact, he knew in his heart that Li Ji was also loyal to him, he just wanted to use this to make fun of him.

"Li Ji, Li Ji! You are not loyal at all! I misjudged you!"

Li Shimin continued to perform. He looked at Li Ji's reaction and laughed secretly in his heart.

Li Ji, who was wearing the armor of a general, sighed helplessly. He was helpless. His Majesty was joking again. It was so childish.

He said, "Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness. I, Li Ji, am not good at eating and drinking. If it were the two people beside you, they would have been so grateful that they would have even knelt down and called me father!"

Cheng Yaojin was immediately anxious when he heard this. He shouted, "What nonsense are you talking about! Li Ji? How could I be a flatterer like you?"

His face flushed and he felt a little angry, thinking that Li Ji was slandering his reputation.

He sternly retorted, "My loyalty to Your Majesty is known to all, heaven and earth. How can I allow you to slander me like this?"

Yuchi Jingde echoed, "That's right! Jade can be shattered, but its whiteness cannot be altered; bamboo can be burned, but its joints cannot be destroyed!"

"I, Yuchi Jingde, will always be loyal to Your Majesty!"

He deeply agreed with Cheng Yaojin's words in his heart, and at the same time expressed his loyalty to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin was very happy when he heard Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde singing the same tune, and felt that these two people really brought honor to him.

"Well, Li Ji, you see! This is true loyalty!"

Li Shimin thought proudly: "These two guys are really interesting. They know how to cooperate with me."

Li Ji was silent for a moment, secretly amused in his heart. This silence made Li Shimin and the other two even more proud. They felt that they had gained the upper hand in this "verbal dispute" and Li Ji, this "fence-sitter", had nothing to say.

However, Li Ji's next words stunned them. "Your Majesty has granted me one hundred and thirty-two boxes of Xiaobai Gan, ten pots per box."

As soon as these words were spoken, the three people who were laughing just now were stunned, their hearts filled with envy.

Li Ji didn't stop and continued to talk to himself, "We've also prepared a lot of pickled pork, mutton, and candied snacks."

"Your Majesty, I have fought in wars all my life, but this is the first time I have felt such warmth."

Li Ji turned his head and glanced at the silent Li Shimin, and continued, "Your Majesty repeatedly told me to take care of my health. He also told me not to drink the water on the Mobei grassland."

"I told Your Majesty we would boil the water, but Your Majesty was still worried and spent a huge amount of money to provide the entire army with military kettles filled with boiled water brought from Chang'an. Your Majesty wasted time and asked the logistics team to transport so much water, which shows your heart."

Li Ji was deeply moved. He knew very well that His Majesty attached great importance to this expedition and cared about the soldiers, which made him more determined to win.

Li Ji looked up at the blue sky, and then looked at the troops next to the army who were still transporting food and fodder.

"Throughout the dynasties, I have never heard of or seen a war involving less than 200,000 men where logistics could be moved in three days in advance and still not be completed until the army had set out."

"If you had taken a look at what was in the logistics supplies beforehand, you would probably be even worse than me, Li Ji!"

Having said that, Li Ji puffed out his chest, his face full of pride.

It’s not easy for me to hold on for so long under such sugar-coated bullets!

When Li Shimin and the other two heard what Li Ji said, they suddenly realized that as the commander-in-chief, Li Ji naturally knew everything.

The three of them had been hiding and serving as personal guards before, and they ignored many things.

Li Shimin felt a little ashamed. He had only thought of it as a joke before, but had not really understood the deep meaning behind this expedition.

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde were also thoughtful.

Everyone is full of confidence in this expedition. The abundance of logistics for this expedition is indeed unimaginable. What lies behind this is His Majesty's high attention to this battle and deep concern for the soldiers.