Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 144: Taking sole control of military power and imprisoning Li Ji and Li Daozong

Once an order was issued, the soldiers in the army were assigned to their posts, whether in counties or provinces.

Liu Rengui was appointed as the commander-in-chief of Baekje Province due to his merits, and was in charge of all military affairs in Baekje Province.

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he was also in charge of important affairs of Baekje, and Li Chengqian had his reasons for making such arrangements.

Heichi Changzhi served as deputy commander-in-chief and governor of Xiongjin, assisting Liu Rengui in management.

The navy also headed to the mouth of the Han River, where it was trained by Liu Rengui and Heichi Changzhi.

According to the Tang Dynasty's military system, after the war, the soldiers were required to return to their hometowns to farm. However, Li Chengqian did not make such arrangements and still concentrated the military power in his own hands.

Li Zhen was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Pyongyang Road Army, and Cheng Chumo was appointed as the deputy commander-in-chief, responsible for carrying out government affairs and training soldiers.

"Your Highness, the Duke of Ying, Li Ji, and the King of Jiangxia request an audience!"

In the palace, Wu Xing came trotting over and said to Li Chengqian.

"Xuan!"

Li Chengqian pushed the memorials on the imperial desk aside, his expression becoming more serious.

Li Ji and Li Daozon walked into the palace. When they raised their heads, they were shocked by the scene in front of them. Their eyes shrank slightly, and a strange look unconsciously appeared on their faces.

They saw Li Chengqian sitting on the dragon throne. He exuded a powerful aura and already had the aura of an emperor.

However, at this moment, Li Chengqian was still just a prince, and sitting on the dragon throne was undoubtedly an act of crossing the line.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" Li Zhen was sharp-eyed and reacted first. He spoke respectfully, bringing the two back to reality from their astonishment.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" Li Ji and Li Daozon also quickly retracted their gazes, bowed, and spoke in low and powerful voices.

Li Chengqian smiled happily, as if he didn't notice the slight change in the two people's expressions.

"The Duke of Ying and the King of Jiangxia have been traveling so long, why don't you bring in a chair?"

Following Li Chengqian's order, two Dragon Guards quickly brought two chairs. Li Ji and Li Daozong looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and slowly sat down, but their expressions seemed uneasy.

"Your Highness, Goguryeo and Baekje have been pacified. I wonder when the troops will be withdrawn? Hundreds of thousands of troops have been sent out to fight here, and countless food and grass have been consumed. It is best to return to the court as soon as possible."

If we win the battle, we must withdraw our troops.

As for local governance, there will naturally be delegations from above.

"Duke Ying also knows that the people of Goguryeo are fierce and need to be suppressed by a strong army, otherwise there may be rebellion. As for food and military pay, there will naturally be tax support from Goguryeo and Baekje."

Li Chengqian said that the army would not be withdrawn, but the entire army would move in.

"May I ask Your Highness, is this what His Majesty meant, or...?"

Li Ji felt more and more uneasy. Li Shimin certainly did not get the news so quickly. They only knew that Pyongyang had been captured half a month ago.

And all of this was arranged by Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Divide the states and appoint officials.

"When we went to war, your majesty gave me the right to act at my own discretion. Everything here can be said to be your majesty's will."

Li Chengqian's answer was flawless, but there were many problems, but he couldn't say what they were.

"I am young, and I need the help of Duke Ying and King Jiangxia to govern Goguryeo and Baekje. You should all stay in Pyongyang."

Li Ji and Li Daozon's faces suddenly darkened. What they said sounded nice.

But this is actually imprisonment.

The big thing is not good!

Li Chengqian now has at least 200,000 elite soldiers under his command, and there are many things he can do.

"Your Highness, we have military duties in Liaodong. I'm afraid King Jiangxia and I can't stay here for long."

Li Ji politely refused, saying that this was a wrong move. He might be able to say a few words in support of Li Chengqian, but he would feel guilty about actually fighting Li Erqian.

"It's okay. I will take over the Liaodong military affairs myself. There will be no chaos." Li Chengqian spoke in a spring breeze.

Li Ji is the best at protecting himself, and even more slippery than Cheng Zhijie.

"Your Highness, do you know what you are doing now?"

Seeing this, Li Ji couldn't help but ask.

"Your Highness, please don't be stupid. You have pacified Baekje and destroyed Goguryeo. Your achievements are outstanding and are comparable to your majesty's achievements in the past. Your popularity in the army, the court and the public has reached its peak."

"If you do this, you will be considered a treasonous person with your own army. All your merits will be lost, and you will become a rebel who can be killed by everyone. One is in heaven, the other is in hell. You must not do this."

Li Daozon stood up. At this moment, he spoke in more of an old man's tone, admonishing Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian has now made great contributions to the destruction of the country. As long as he behaves himself, the throne will be his for sure.

To do so now would undoubtedly be to destroy one's own Great Wall.

Not only that, they also want to drag their entire group into the water.

"I am just doing what is convenient for me, but I have no intention of rebelling. Duke Ying and King Jiangxia have come from afar, Li Zhen, you should arrange for them to rest."

Li Chengqian waved his hand. As expected, these old ministers of Li Er were still as loyal to Li Er as ever.

It is also possible that he was intimidated by Li Er's power.

"Your Highness needs to think twice. Your Highness doesn't think so, but there are people in the court who don't think so. They will slander Your Highness."

Li Daozon said again, they didn't know what Li Chengqian meant, but what he was doing now was a heinous act.

He took over the duties of others, divided the country into states and appointed officials.

If he reforms the land system and tax system without the permission of the three provincial capitals and the emperor, isn't that like an emperor?

"I know the consequences."

Li Chengqian replied that if he reported it to his superiors, his plans would definitely not work.

Therefore, he had to use a strong army to protect this achievement. Otherwise, once the aristocratic clan intervened, the possibility of Goguryeo and Baekje rebellion would still be very high.

Seeing that Li Chengqian showed no sign of wavering, Li Ji and Li Daozon could only sigh silently and leave the palace.

"Li Zhen, what is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doing?"

Not having walked far, Li Ji asked with his eyes wide open, sounding seven points more majestic.

"Your Highness, this was done out of necessity in order to implement the policy of allocating land tax and contracting output to households."

Li Zhen naturally knew the whole story, and Li Chengqian had also communicated all the strategic ideas with them.

"The step is too big. His step is bigger than that of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty. I'm afraid it won't end well. He will fall down."

Li Daozon sighed quietly. Along the way, they all understood what the land tax and household contract responsibility system were.

This is not digging up roots, but digging up the ancestral graves of the aristocratic families.

"Why didn't you try to persuade His Royal Highness the Crown Prince? Instead, you came in and made a scene. This is going to ruin the good situation."

Li Ji was also heartbroken. What was originally a great achievement was about to be turned into a crime of treason.

Hou Junji's conquest of Gaochang was a great achievement, but because he released innocent people without asking for permission and took some money for himself, he was impeached. As a result, the hero became a criminal and was thrown into jail by Li Shimin.

It was because of this unfair experience that he had evil thoughts.

And every single thing Li Chengqian is doing now is a hundred times more serious than what Hou Junji did.

I’m afraid the status of a prince isn’t enough.

(End of this chapter)