Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

"We've reached the point where it's most time for change!"

Chang'an, Taiji Hall.

Today is not a court assembly, but at this moment, Crown Prince Li Chengqian is personally summoning many famous generals of the Tang Dynasty military inside the palace.

The list includes Qin Shubao, the Duke of Yi, who served as the Director of Instruction at the Royal Military Academy; Li Jing, the Great Tang Military God who held the position of Commander-in-Chief of Hexi Circuit but had already returned to Chang'an; and other famous generals such as Li Xiaogong, Li Daliang, Qu Tutong, and Duan Zhixuan.

Today, they have all been summoned here by Li Chengqian.

"Change? Is Your Highness preparing for a large-scale reform of the military?"

Chai Shao frowned and asked. He was now a staunch member of the Crown Prince Party, and no one could shake his resolve.

The Crown Prince's poem, "On Returning to the Capital from Garrisoning the Border and Reflecting on the Snow in Chang'an," ensured that Duke Huo would be forever remembered in history.

He no longer had any concerns; his only worry was whether the Crown Prince's actions would damage the current favorable situation.

Li Chengqian nodded.

"Whether it was General Li Jing's western expedition against the Western Turks in Gaochang, or General Li Ji's eastern expedition against Goguryeo, you all witnessed the advantages of firearms and the new army's combat tactics."

"The future will be the era of firearms and cannons, and the Duke of Yi has done a great job in researching and making changes at the Royal Military Academy."

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong quickly stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting.

"I merely followed His Highness the Crown Prince's instructions and made some adjustments to the teaching and military strategy based on the combat records of our Great Tang New Army over the years. I dare not claim any credit."

"However, what Your Highness said is also what I think. If the Bingzhou muskets were lacking before, at least they were limited when facing heavy armor. But now, with the improvements made to the bullets, the Bingzhou muskets can cause considerable damage to heavily armored soldiers."

"With the advantage of artillery, if it weren't for the large cavalry force charging into our ranks, our Tang army would be invincible!"

Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

His gaze swept over everyone present.

"You are all veterans in the military. In terms of commanding troops and fighting battles, I, the Crown Prince, am still a junior. But what do you think of the new army now? How does it compare to the local militias of our Great Tang?"

Everyone looked at each other.

"Your Highness, in terms of casualty ratio alone, the new army is indeed far superior to the imperial guards, but... Your Highness, firearms still have many limitations. Not to mention, when I led troops on the western expedition, the cannons were difficult to transport due to sandstorms or mud, and there were often shortages of cannonballs in the logistical supply."

"This is even with His Highness giving the Taiyuan Arsenal his full support..."

Li Jing stepped forward and said with a troubled expression.

However, Li Chengqian chuckled lightly: "Does the Duke of Ying think I am a person who loves big achievements? I do not intend to have the new army completely abolish the Tang Dynasty's military forces. Reforms, especially those involving military affairs, should be carried out gradually."

"My meaning is simple: expand the new army, while streamlining and adjusting the old garrison troops. Some of those who should retire will be reassigned by the court. Right now, there are serious vacancies in the city guards and police officers in various places."

"On the one hand, we can let these soldiers go home and bring peace to their region; on the other hand, we can make our Tang army more elite, fierce, simple, and ruthless!"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

They finally began to discuss the details of the matter.

The final decision was to start with Hexi Road, which has been stable for quite some time now.

With Li Jing personally overseeing the situation, deploying troops, and selecting junior and mid-level officers for further training, it will not affect local stability.

"The Ministry of War has determined a specific set of regulations and training plans for this matter, which I will personally review. Additionally, the arrangements for the veterans' retirement must be handled properly. Any related expenses and budgets should be reported directly to me. My task is to ensure these veterans can smoothly and peacefully transition into the local city garrison..."

In the spring of the seventh year of the Zhenguan era, the military reforms of the Tang Dynasty began to be planned and implemented in a very gradual manner.

Before the arrival of the Indian governor, the Indian peninsula was plunged into a considerable turmoil.

After the Kingdom of Zhelouqi submitted to the Tang Dynasty.

Seemingly feeling the pressure, the Tibetan army, which had colonized large swathes of northern territory of the Harsha Dynasty, intensified its encroachment on Harsha Dynasty lands.

This greatly alarmed and angered King Harsha, and also angered King Puroksha II of the Chalukya Kingdom who received the news.

Tibet clearly wanted to take advantage of the situation before the Tang Dynasty's provincial governor arrived.

To expand our voice on the peninsula.

How can we let them have their way?

Puraksha II was also a wise ruler.

He understood that this matter could not be resolved with mere negotiations and warnings. If he did not take a firm stance now, Tibet would definitely target the Zhelouqi Kingdom in various ways in the future.

So, when Yang Zhengdao, the Tang Dynasty's governor of India, led his men south along the Jiannan Road to India, they had just left the Guannei Road area when...

A war that can be considered one of the largest in the history of the Indian subcontinent was fought between Tibet and the Kingdom of Cherukchi.

......

"boom!"

"This Songtsen Gampo is full of wicked ideas!"

Li Zhi, who was in charge of overseeing the country, slammed the memorial in his hand on the table in anger, while the eighth prince, Prince Yue, Li Zhen, who came to help, sighed.

"After all, my brother has been married for over a year and has not yet allowed the Tibetan princess to get pregnant. It seems that this matter has finally made Songtsen Gampo uneasy."

Li Zhi also understood that ever since Tibet was attacked by various states on the plateau and ultimately signed a humiliating treaty of defeat, it had become a chained hunting dog in the hands of the Tang Dynasty.

Always honest and upright.

Even if Songtsen Gampo truly harbored rebellious intentions, he would not have been foolish enough to choose the most powerful and stable period of the Tang Dynasty to cause trouble. His true intention was to express his dissatisfaction.

Li Zhi couldn't help but look at Li Zhen: "Eighth Imperial Brother..."

"No! Stop! You are still the Crown Prince's younger brother in this matter. If you want to advise him, go ahead and do it. We agreed before that I would only help you with government affairs."

Li Zhi: "...Tsk"

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! Your Highness is indeed pregnant!"

After taking the pulse in the Crown Prince's harem, Sun Simiao greeted him with a kind smile and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Upon hearing this, Hou Qianya, who was sitting on the bed, couldn't help but show surprise in her eyes. She pursed her lips slightly and looked at Li Chengqian in front of the bed with a hint of moisture in her eyes.

"Hehe, this is a good thing, you should be happy, why are you crying?"

Li Chengqian asked the question knowing the answer, which made the other concubines who had arrived after receiving the news secretly curl their lips in disapproval.

Crown Princess Qian Yingying and Consort Li Xueyan were fine.

Wu Shun, always submissive and obedient, simply sat quietly to the side, happy for Hou Qianya.

However, princesses like the Tibetan princess Samaga, the Sasanian Persian princess Salmana, and Queen Kim Deokman of Silla were much more anxious.

For them, being able to conceive Li Chengqian's child was not just about securing their status in the harem.

There is a significant political mission behind it.

However, despite their best efforts and the many tricks they used to prepare for the emperor's bedchamber, their bellies simply wouldn't cooperate, and they couldn't find any problems with their diet or daily life.

The Crown Prince Li Chengqian had a meticulous and secretive control over who in the harem should be pregnant and who should not make a move.

That night, the Duke of Lu's mansion dispatched messengers on horseback to deliver the good news to Hou Junji, who was still in Japan.

Before Li Chengqian, the Tibetan princess Samaga knelt prostrate before him.

He cried uncontrollably, a rare occurrence.

"Your Highness, do you still refuse to believe Tibet, and are unwilling to believe me?"

"Having done so much for Tibet, is it still not enough for you to grant them even the slightest bit of mercy?!"