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

Chapter 68 Zhang Jianzhi's Situation as an Officer of the Iron Army

They walked very slowly, Li Chengqian and Changsun Wuji chatting as they walked, until they were outside the Xuanwu Gate, then they each got on their own carriage.

"Uncle, how about moving to the East Palace?"

Li Chengqian lifted the curtain of the carriage, revealing half of his face, and extended an invitation to Changsun Wuji.

Regardless of his stance, Changsun Wuji is now standing on the side of the Tang Dynasty and doing his best.

"No, there are too many military matters recently! And it's urgent to deal with them!"

Changsun Wuji replied with a refusal, and it was not known whether it was because he was really too busy or for other reasons.

"Your Highness, where are we going now? Going directly back to the East Palace?" Wu Xing whispered outside the car.

"Go back!"

Li Chengqian felt that he had done everything that should be done, and it all depended on whether these things could gain momentum in the future.

However, Changsun Wuji refused the olive branch he extended, so Li Chengqian knew what to do.

When he returned to the Eastern Palace, it was already past noon, but Zhang Jianzhi was still waiting in front of the gate of the Eastern Palace.

Indeed, Li Chengqian is a very busy man, and if you don't arrive on time, you won't be able to see him.

"Your Highness!"

Zhang Jianzhi bowed and saluted.

"Jianzhi, is there anything you want?" Li Chengqian asked with a smile. He had already guessed that it must be the reward that Li Er had received.

Now that movable type printing has been invented, it is time to reward those who have made great contributions.

"This is to thank His Highness for his cultivation!"

Zhang Jianzhi waved his sleeves and bowed deeply to Li Chengqian, feeling extremely grateful.

The imperial edict had been issued, and he was appointed as the Minister of Works, an official position of the fourth rank, which was a huge leap forward.

He knew that if it weren't for the prince, he would never have been able to accomplish such a counterattack.

"No need to bow. I know your ability very well. In time, you will definitely benefit the country and the people."

Li Chengqian stepped forward and said, "Zhang Jianzhi was not from a high family, so he could be employed."

Even if he didn't promote him now, with Zhang Jianzhi's talent he would be able to pass the imperial examination and enter the palace.

Zhang Jianzhi became the prime minister because of his ability, and later he launched the Shenlong coup, forcing Wu Zetian to abdicate and returning power to the Li family.

However, Li Chengqian's promotion also allowed Zhang Jianzhi to enter the Fast Advance Prison, and he became a fourth-rank official at a young age.

The position of Minister of Works is currently held by Li Daliang, and Zhang Jianzhi is not qualified for the position with his current experience.

It was only because Li Chengqian gave all the credit for movable type printing to Zhang Jianzhi that Li Shimin appointed him as the Minister of Works.

"I will never forget your highness' trust and will definitely be loyal and dedicated to my duties." Zhang Jianzhi said. How could he not know why Li Chengqian wanted to train him?
"The Eastern Palace should celebrate the appointment of Jian. Wu Xing, give orders to hold a grand banquet today."

Li Chengqian turned around and said to the guard beside him.

"Your Highness, this is probably inappropriate. After all, in addition to me being conferred the title, other students at Chongwen Hall, including Luo Binwang, have also..."

Zhang Jianzhi showed a worried look. Although Li Chengqian was the one behind all this, such a result was indeed unbearable for other students.

Among all the students of Chongwenguan, Luo Binwang has the highest potential, but after all, he is best known for his poetry, not his official career.

"Your Majesty has also received a reward, but it probably hasn't arrived yet."

Other rewards are mainly material.

After all, these students are just assistants, and it is enough for them to have the opportunity to leave their names in history.

The text says: Crown Prince Li Chengqian invented movable type printing, and students from Chongwenguan built it together.
At this moment, a group of cavalrymen rode up on the streets of East District 1.

The originally noisy streets were now filled with only the sound of horse hooves.

About twenty riders passed by with their steps in unison, creating an inexplicable sense of intimidation.

The armor of the warrior on the horse looked very worn out and had holes on it, which were traces left by swords. Black spots remained on it, as if they could never be washed away.

These cavalrymen were not the guards in Chang'an, but border guards from other states.

As the sacrifice ceremony at the Temple of Martial Arts was about to begin, Li Shimin strictly ordered each state to send representatives to participate.

Their military uniforms seemed out of place in the prosperous city of Chang'an.

“The soldiers are having a hard time!”

Li Chengqian couldn't help but sigh when he saw this scene.

What he saw now were the best luggage, after all, they were coming to the capital Chang'an to attend the grand ceremony.

In the Tang Dynasty, the lives of these government soldiers were extremely miserable. If they could gain merit and rank, things would be better. If not, they could only live one day at a time.

People in later generations only saw the vast territory of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, but failed to realize that it was all a burden carried by a generation.

The government soldiers did not receive any military pay. Except for sensitive equipment such as horses, swords, armor, bows, etc. which were provided by the court, they had to pay for other war supplies and daily necessities themselves.

In other words, if you work hard for the country, you will get nothing, unless you are lucky and achieve military merit, then you will get a reward.

All the wealth gained from launching wars abroad will flow into the upper class.

This is what gave rise to the myth of Chang'an's splendor, a huge city built through exploitation both inside and outside the city.

This false prosperity with a shaky foundation will collapse very quickly.

People yearn for the prosperous Tang Dynasty because of its dominance that attracted all nations to pay tribute to it. However, they fail to see that this glory was built on the flesh and blood of the common people at that time.

"Let's go!"

Li Chengqian murmured, becoming much more depressed.

In his subconscious, soldiers are the greatest, regardless of their rank, because it is because of them defending the country that we have today's prosperous times.

But in the prosperous times, life was so hard that when not fighting, people had to farm, and there was no preferential treatment at all.

Therefore, Li Chengqian wanted to change this situation in order to prevent the building from collapsing.

Seeing this, Zhang Jianzhi couldn't help but frown, and looked at the cavalry passing through the street, not knowing what to do.

"Your Highness, why are you worried?" Zhang Jianzhi stepped forward quickly, but couldn't help but ask.

"You have seen those palace soldiers, right? What do you think?" Li Chengqian turned his head and asked.

"Mighty and majestic, it is an iron army."

Zhang Jianzhi blurted out.

A bitter smile appeared on Li Chengqian's lips, and Zhang Jianzhi didn't understand either.

Although he was not from a prominent family, he had received education and attended a private school, so naturally he would not understand the voices of the lower classes.

These literati always talk about the poor family. The so-called poor family means that the family was once wealthy for generations, but is now in decline.

The people at the bottom of the society have no fixed place to live, just like these soldiers. They join the army at the age of 20 and, if they are lucky, retire at the age of 60. They live wherever they are assigned to fight in the battlefield.

For them, they don’t even have a home, so how can they be called a poor family?

(End of this chapter)