The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 691: Prince of Lu Li Yuanchang

That afternoon, Li Yan did not receive any news from Li Shimin, but instead met another heavyweight figure, Prince of Lu Li Yuanchang.

Li Yan warmly entertained Li Yuanchang in the reception room of Chongren Hall: "Seventh Uncle, if there is anything, just tell me and I will come to listen to your instructions. Why do you have to come here in person?"

"You are the elder. If the emperor and the court officials hear this, will you blame your nephew for not respecting his elders?"

"Haha, Cheng Qian, Uncle Qi was just bored and suddenly missed you, so I came to see you."

Li Yuanchang was fat and prosperous from eating so much, but Li Yan knew that he had seven farms in the capital, with grain piled up like mountains, and he had several treasuries at home. It could be said that he was rich enough to rival a country!
Li Yuanchang was Li Yuan's seventh son, born to a concubine. He knew that he could not be compared with the queen's legitimate sons, so he never thought of seeking improper comfort and glory, and devoted himself to enjoying wealth and glory.

Both Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin and Li Yuanji were quite generous to these brothers who had no ambitions.

Especially after Li Shimin killed Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji and came to power, in order to show his friendship with his brothers, he gave large amounts of houses, land, gold, silver and beautiful women to his illegitimate brothers such as Li Yuanjing, Li Yuanchang and Li Yuanheng, allowing them to enjoy wealth and prosperity.

However, these brothers with royal blood do not hold important positions or powers in the court. Even their status as princes is only in name only and they basically have no chance to participate in power.

Seeing the prince respect him so much, Li Yuanchang smiled heartily and said, "Chengqian, Uncle Qi is in trouble today. I want to ask you for help?"

"Look at what you said, Uncle Seventh. You have always been very caring towards me. I have long wanted to show my filial piety to you, but you also know my current situation. I have no money and no power. I only have the title of a crown prince. I am not as good as you in any way, so I have never had the chance."

Li Yan knew exactly what Li Yuanchang wanted, so he said enthusiastically: "However, my nephew is sincere and the world can bear witness to it. It's a rare opportunity for you to open your mouth. If you want anything, just tell me. As long as I can do it, I will do it without hesitation!"

"Hahaha!"

Li Yuanchang smiled happily: "Don't worry, Uncle Seven will never make things difficult for you. Uncle Seven has not been feeling well these days and has not been attending court. Today I learned that the Emperor's second brother has given you the task of training the Flying Tiger Army. This is a good thing!"

"Your Majesty has a keen eye for talent. Uncle Seven has long known that this important task must be entrusted to you. You are the crown prince and will inherit our Li family's empire in the future. It is not a bad thing to experience more battles. I fully agree with the appointment of the second brother by the emperor this time!"

Li Yuanchang calmly turned the topic to the Flying Tigers, and the implication of his words was obvious.

Having said that, he paused for a moment, giving Li Yan a chance to decline. He believed that the prince would be able to understand what he meant next. If the prince had no such thoughts, he could quietly change the subject at this time, and he would not have to make his intentions clear.

If you refuse after the discussion is really brought up, it will hurt the feelings of both parties. This is also the tacit understanding when senior officials talk to each other.

Li Yuanchang deliberately picked up the teacup and blew away the foam, which took a long time!

Until he put the cup down again, Li Yan did not say anything to stop him. The smile on Li Wuchang's face became even more intense. Then he glanced at Li Yan and saw that the other party's expression did not change, and he did not interrupt him, still looking at him with a smile. He was completely relieved and gave up his intention.

"It's like this. I have a concubine whose brother is a lieutenant in the Sixteen Guards. Cheng Qian, you also know that the Sixteen Guards guard the capital and have no future. The Flying Tiger Army is different. It is a cavalry that the emperor values."

"So, I would like to ask you for a favor and help my brother-in-law transfer to the Flying Tiger Army to find a future. I wonder if there is any difficulty on your side?"

Li Yan watched the other party go around in circles, and he was a little tired. Finally, when Li Yuanchang revealed his intention, he immediately patted his chest generously and said, "Hey, I thought it was nothing. If you were to borrow a few hundred thousand strings of cash from me, I would definitely not be able to help you."

"But the Flying Tiger Army's affairs are just a matter of a word. Uncle Qi, you can just give the order. Is it worth it for you to make this trip in person?"

At this point, Li Yan pretended to blame and said, "Aren't you treating your nephew as an outsider?"

"Hahaha, no, no."

Li Yuanchang was overjoyed. He did not expect the trip to be so smooth. He said happily, "Seventh Uncle has plenty of money. Whether it is the Emperor or the Emperor's second brother, they give a lot of rewards every year. Seventh Uncle has no shortage of money. If you nephews need money, just ask Seventh Uncle."

"You know, Uncle Seven is living a life of luxury now. Sometimes, with more people at home, it's inevitable that he will have to ask for favors. He also has to count on powerful nephews like you to help. You can't just go to the Emperor and ask for help for a little thing!"

Li Yan agreed, "That's right, Uncle Qi, in the future, if something like this happens, you can just send someone to say hello. It's just a small matter. What's your eldest brother-in-law's name?"

"Liu Rengui!"

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "I will have him report to the East Palace later. He has been through some battles and is quite useful. From now on, he will be handed over to you. Cheng Qian, if you need any errands, just tell him to do it." When Li Yan heard this name, his heart skipped a beat. This name looks familiar?

But after thinking for a long time, he couldn't figure out where he had heard it. Suddenly, he remembered that the name was very similar to Liu Renyuan, so he hurriedly asked: "Seventh Uncle, I have a servant named Liu Renyuan. Could he have any relationship with your eldest brother-in-law?"

"It shouldn't be the case. Your tutors are all in their teens, and my eldest brother-in-law is already in his thirties. Besides, there are only him and his sister in the family. It should be just a coincidence. After all, Liu is a big surname, and people like to use good meanings such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom in their names. It should be just a coincidence." Li Yuanchang thought about it and shook his head.

This possibility is also very high, Li Yan did not think much about it, and finally said readily: "Okay, since he is your eldest brother-in-law, he is also my relative, don't worry, I will not treat him unfairly"

After Li Yuanchang finished his discussion, he chatted with Li Yan for a while and then said goodbye and left.

As soon as Li Yuanchang left, Li Yan called Wang Xuance in, told him what had just happened, and then instructed him: "When Liu Rengui comes later, you will take over."

"Okay, Your Highness."

Wang Xuance thought for a moment and then asked, "Your Highness, this man is a lieutenant in the Sixteen Guards. How should we arrange for him to be in the Flying Tiger Army?"

"you still need to ask?"

Li Yan frowned and said, "My seventh uncle's family is rich, but he didn't even leave a silver string when he came to ask for a job, so naturally he was arranged as an ordinary soldier."

"Of course, you can also give him a hint. If he wants to be an official, he has to spend money. Let him do it according to our discussion. If he has no money, he will naturally be an ordinary soldier of the lowest rank. After all, Uncle Seventh's face is worth one or two hundred strings of cash."

"If he can afford it, I will sell him the position of the last Zhonglang Jiang."

Wang Xuance had a strange look on his face. Prince Lu was a prince after all, and was only worth one or two hundred strings of cash!

Looking at Li Yan's mercenary look of clearly marking prices and not giving face to anyone without money, even his own uncle was going to be taken advantage of, and he couldn't help but feel sad for the upcoming Liu Rengui.

The next morning, Li Yan gathered some servants of the East Palace in Chongren Hall. Among them were Cen Wenben's nephew Hu Lixian, Du Chuke's nephew Zhou Yande, King Qi's brother-in-law Liang Sijin, and Xue Guogong's eldest grandson Shunde's son-in-law Luo Ensheng.

Among them was Liu Rengui, the brother-in-law of Prince Lu Li Yuanchang. Li Yan's guess was correct. Liu Rengui went back to discuss with Li Yuanchang, and Li Yuanchang generously paid one million strings of cash to get him the last position of General of the Central Army.

When these people saw Wang Xuance beside the prince, they were all eagerly looking forward to it. This time the prince was going to appoint important officials to the Flying Tiger Army, and they thought that they would definitely come out on top and grab the position of General of the Central Army because they had given several people one million strings of cash.

Li Yan looked at the group of misfits with ulterior motives in the hall, and felt like Monkey King looking at the children all over the mountain.

He was slightly disappointed, and then said: "Everyone, most of you are my tutors in the East Palace, and you have been here for quite some time. Usually you always clamor that you are all talented, but I didn't give you a place to use your talents. Now I have..."

Li Yan raised the imperial edict and said, "I have taken over the task of training the Flying Tiger Army from my father. Everyone knows about the Flying Tiger Army! In the Battle of Bianqiao in the ninth year of Wude, under the leadership of Hou Junji, they dared to resist the 5,000 cavalry led by General Jie Li with only 800 men."

"This time, the emperor trained the Flying Tiger Army in order to build up this iron army and use it as a killer weapon in the future war against the Turks."

"And you are the outstanding talents that I have selected from among the many servants. I will appoint you as the generals of the Flying Tiger Army and train you to be an iron army that cannot be defeated or dragged down. Do you have the confidence to complete the task?"

With a "boom", more than a dozen servants on the scene were ecstatic and excited. They didn't expect that they would be able to get involved in such an important task just two months after coming to the Eastern Palace. Although everyone paid, Li Shimin had always been strict in controlling court positions, especially military positions, after he came to power.

Before getting the position, everyone was a little nervous.

Unexpectedly, all their plans came true. For a moment, everyone patted their chests and expressed their willingness to die for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Li Yan said decisively: "Hu Lixian, Zhou Yande, Liang Sijin, Luo Ensheng, Liu Rengui."

"Your Highness, we are here," the five people came forward and saluted excitedly.

(End of this chapter)