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

Chapter 781 Preparations before departure (Part )

Li Yan's majestic gaze swept across the faces of several people one by one, and he nodded secretly in his heart, it was almost done.

The Tang Dynasty was different from later generations. At this time, these people were old enough to enter the society and work hard. For example, Sun Renshi was already twenty years old. If they were placed in ordinary aristocratic families, at this age, they would have been in the army or in the court for many years.

"I have just accepted an errand. I will leave for the Eastern Capital tomorrow, and then I will go to the northern border towns to inspect several marching routes on behalf of my father."

Li Yan said here, his expression became serious: "I plan to take a few people with me, all on a voluntary basis. It is unclear how long we will be there, it could be a few months or a few years. However, I have a promise, this trip is very dangerous, and we could lose our lives at any time."

"The battlefield is a dangerous place, how many people have ever returned from a battle?"

"Once you step out of Chang'an City, you will be soldiers of the Tang Dynasty. You can only rely on yourself for life and death. I didn't scare you. If you are not mentally prepared and have concerns, you can stay in the East Palace. You must think clearly."

Several people looked at each other in bewilderment, and finally stepped forward together, clasped their hands and bowed, all with a determined look on their faces: "We are willing to follow His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, serve him at his side, and go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Okay, from now on, you are all Cheng Qian's brothers. We will share weal and woe, life and death together."

Faced with the loyalty of several people, Li Yan also made a promise generously. On the battlefield, there is no monarch and ministers, everyone is a brother. Everyone has entrusted their lives to each other. At the critical moment of life and death, the only people they can rely on, besides the swords and arrows in their hands, is each other.

"Go and get ready. We are going to the battlefield this time, so bring your best swords and arrows and set off early tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Everyone retreated excitedly.

As soon as they left, Wang Xuance said anxiously, "Your Highness, I want to follow you too."

"Xuan Ce, don't worry."

Li Yan smiled and consoled him, "You are different from them. They are more or less skilled in martial arts, and the battlefield is where they seek fame and fortune. But you are a pure civil servant who makes a living with your brain, and the battlefield is not a place for you to be active."

"But, Your Highness, the Jinyiwei's forces in the north also need someone to take care of them. I can be your eyes and ears."

Seeing that Wang Xuance still wanted to argue, Li Yan waved his hand and said, "You are from the Pacification Division, so you have the main responsibility. As for the Turks in the north, don't they always win? He has studied in the Jinyiwei for a few months, so he should have no problem doing some communication and liaison work. Besides, he is a military commander and is more familiar with the battlefield."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you that my father has agreed to the Jinyiwei setting up an internal department to supervise those officials and noble families, and has approved a quota of 500 people."

"For now, this area is still under your temporary charge. If you have suitable personnel in the future, you can use them first to build the framework. You can select some excellent ones from the previous ones and fill in the internal department."

"However, you have to remember that it doesn't matter to others, except Quan Wanji. From now on, before I give the order, temporarily stop all actions and pretend that this person does not exist. In addition to you, the several middlemen who were used to contact Quan Wanji before, all should be dealt with, and do not alarm anyone."

Well.
Seeing Li Yan's solemn expression, Wang Xuance nodded solemnly. Quan Wanji disappeared for three months, and when he appeared again, he became the emperor's close minister. This situation made Wang Xuance vaguely guess something.

As a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wang Xuance was doing a secret mission. He had a very familiar sense of déjà vu about this strange situation, as if many of his informants were of the same kind, which made him think of the emperor.

Now, after hearing Li Yan's formal and cautious arrangements, he swallowed his saliva, a look of fear appeared on his face, and he didn't even ask: "Your Highness, don't worry, I don't know who Quan Wanji is, and I have never met this person."

"Ok!"

Seeing that Wang Xuance understood what he meant, Li Yan nodded silently.

"Your Highness, you are here to inspect the north on behalf of the emperor, why..."

Wang Xuance asked tentatively. From the few words he had just exchanged with the tutors and the arrangements being made, Wang Xuance had a bad feeling, as if Li Yan would be away for a long time this time. This made him, who had always regarded Li Yan as his faith, a little panicked.

"Xuan Ce, you are not an outsider either. I will tell you the truth. This time I received an order from the court to go to the Turkic Khanate to discuss an alliance with the second Khan Tuli to jointly deal with Jie Li. The so-called inspection is just a gimmick. In fact, I have to cross the border and enter the heart of the grassland."

Li Yan said with a serious expression: "Once we leave Tang territory, no one knows what will happen. The identity of the crown prince will only bring me greater risks. So for the sake of safety, I will leave the team arranged by the court from the beginning, travel light, hide my identity, and enter the grassland."

"Your Highness, then the Emperor."

Wang Xuance was shocked when he heard this, but halfway through he realized that the importance of this alliance to the Tang Dynasty was beyond doubt, and it must have been agreed by the emperor and several important officials in the court. So, this trip was a done deal. "Your Highness, why don't you bring more people with you? By the way, there are 2,000 well-trained people in the Flying Tiger Army. Why don't you ask the emperor to bring that army with you to ensure safety."

Li Yan smiled and shook his head: "After entering the grassland, it is useless to bring more people. No matter how many people there are, there are not as many as the Turks. Besides, if there are fewer people, it will be less noticeable. We can also pretend to be merchants, but if there are more people, it will only be more dangerous."

"Okay, don't worry about my business!"

"After I leave, you must keep a low profile as much as possible. The internal affairs department would rather be slow and cautious. If something goes wrong, ask Ankang for help for small matters, and report major matters directly to the emperor."

Li Yan took out a token from his bosom and handed it over: "This is the token that my father gave me to enter the forbidden city gate. It is also for the Jinyiwei to go directly to the palace to see the emperor when there is an emergency. I will leave it to you. In an emergency, you can go directly to see the emperor."

"Also, if it's not an emergency, don't use it lightly. I don't mind, but if you use it too much, be careful that the token will be taken back by the emperor, and the loss will be great."

At this point, Li Yan whispered, "Remember, regarding matters concerning the Eastern Palace, you should listen to Heng Lian. He is the father's man and has the power to see the emperor directly. You should leave general matters to him. You should do whatever he says. He can take the responsibility for anything that happens."

"He can also know about the Jinyiwei's affairs."

"But regarding matters within the Jinyiwei, you must not approach the important officials of the court who are close to the Eastern Palace, and you should even deliberately avoid them."

Wang Xuance was stunned. He usually didn't know these secret things. It turned out that Henglian was the emperor's man.

But think about it, this is also very normal. After all, the prince is still young, and the emperor needs someone to look after him, mostly out of concern.

As for avoiding important officials.
Wang Xuance thought that it didn't matter about others, but the Right Prime Minister Zhangsun Wuji was the prince's uncle and his most die-hard supporter in the court, and the Right Guard General Hou Junji was the prince's father-in-law. They were both loyal ministers of the Eastern Palace faction, so they couldn't be allowed to know?

Thinking of this, Wang Xuance asked, "Lord Changsun and General Hou are not good enough?"

“You are so confused”

Li Yan's eyes suddenly condensed, and he scolded him unceremoniously. He looked around and reminded him in a low voice: "Father has three legitimate children. In addition to me, there are Li Tai and Li Zhi. Changsun Wuji may not have only me as his choice."

"People like them who come from aristocratic families are cunning and sly. They prefer to play it safe. They won't risk everything and put their hopes on me alone. Although I have the greatest chance now, I am not the only one. Do you understand?"

Wang Xuance's heartstrings suddenly tensed up and he couldn't help but shudder. He nodded quickly with a cautious look.

Li Yan then continued, "Hou Junji only has one daughter, Haitang. He has staked his future on me, so he is completely devoted to me. However, this person is a complete warrior who only knows how to wield a spear and a stick and fight and kill."

"He is impulsive and will only use simple and crude force to solve problems, which can easily lead to disasters."

"If they were useful, why would I have to spend so much effort to train you? I could have just let them set up the Imperial Guard on my behalf. The scale would have been several times larger than it is now. The reason I didn't use them is because they are, after all, my father's subjects, and it's difficult for them to listen to me in everything."

"If they knew the details of the Royal Guards, do you think you would still be able to make decisions on their affairs when I'm not around?"

"Moreover, the emperor is very averse to the involvement of important officials in the court. In his eyes, we are just a group of simple-minded children. It doesn't matter what we do. But if those important officials get involved, things will become complicated."

"No matter what you consider, you can't let them interfere with the Jinyiwei."

"I asked you to find Henglian because I wanted you to help keep an eye on things while I'm away. Only then will he feel assured and continue to support us. Ankang is not interested in these things, and the emperor won't mind. If the ministers in the court get involved, maybe the emperor will take action himself."

When Wang Xuance heard this, his expression was shocked, and finally he nodded slowly. The prince had drawn the circle, and he would have a clear goal in his future actions.

It seemed that although Wang Xuance had followed him and had been in the circle of power for so long, he was still somewhat unclear about the nature of power. Li Yan felt that he must teach him another lesson, otherwise he would be gone for a few years.

When they come back, the Jinyiwei will have no idea what they have become. This is also a huge test for Wang Xuance.

(End of this chapter)