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

Chapter 93 Your Advice is Ineffective
"You are such a filial child. Your pinch made me feel much more comfortable."

Li Shimin closed his eyes slightly and lay quietly on a chair covered with soft fur, enjoying Li Zhi's gentle and just right massage.

Li Zhi knelt respectfully on the ground. He had a handsome face, fair skin, red lips and white teeth. He was a natural nobleman.

"I am the most useless son. I cannot share my father's worries. It would be great if I could lead troops to war like His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Zhi forced a smile on his face, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and loss. Because he was not yet an adult, he was able to continue to stay in the palace and did not need to leave the palace to go to the prince's mansion.

After Li Chengqian went to war and Li Tai was demoted, Li Shimin often felt lonely. Therefore, he often summoned Li Zhi to accompany him, and occasionally asked him to massage his back and shoulders.

"Haha! Zhinu, you also want to lead troops to fight?"

Li Shimin stroked his beard and laughed heartily. He knew very well that Li Zhi's character was gentle and kind, and he was not suitable for leading troops in battle.

"Your Majesty, please don't underestimate His Royal Highness Prince Jin."

Wu Cairen, who was standing by, came over with a smile, holding a cup of hot tea in her hand. She said in a soft voice:

"In my opinion, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin can lead the troops. After all, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin has your blood flowing in his veins. Your Majesty was able to capture two kings in one battle, so His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin should be able to capture one king at least."

Wu Cairen's words made Li Shimin laugh again. He looked at Li Zhi with a proud light in his eyes.

"That's right, all of my descendants can fight on the battlefield!"

When Li Zhi heard Wu Cairen's praise, he felt warm in his heart, but at the same time he felt a little shy. He met Wu Cairen's gaze and lowered his head involuntarily, feeling a little embarrassed for some reason.

"Your Majesty, I shouldn't discuss political affairs, but there have been some unfavorable remarks about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince circulating in the palace recently. I hope Your Majesty will not believe them."

Wu Cairen gently raised the teacup and handed it to Li Shimin. There was a hint of worry in her eyes, as if she was dissatisfied with these rumors.

"These noble families are just trying to drive a wedge between me and the Crown Prince."

Li Shimin snorted coldly, his expression restrained, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes.

He knew very well that all this was a trick played by the aristocratic families in revenge for Li Chengqian's killing of their children.

But even though I knew this, I still felt a little bit resentful.

"Your Highness, it will never be like what they said! These aristocratic families are so bold that they dare to talk about the Crown Prince and try to sow discord between my father and the Crown Prince. They are so despicable and their hearts deserve death!"

Li Zhi said angrily, his little face full of indignation.

It is unknown how many palace maids and eunuchs who gossiped about the matter were beaten to death, but rumors about the matter still circulate from time to time.

This was undoubtedly a carefully planned conspiracy, the purpose of which was to make Li Shimin dissatisfied with Li Chengqian and thus shake his position in Li Shimin's heart.

This method may seem simple, but it is actually insidious and cunning. It takes advantage of people's deep-seated doubts and suspicions, making it difficult to guard against.

Facing such an open conspiracy, although Li Shimin understood the mystery in his heart, he still couldn't let it go completely. Although the ripples were small, they always lingered in his heart and were difficult to calm down.

"Chi Nu, you still don't understand. If this group of people were really that easy to deal with, how could I be so constrained by them?"

Li Shimin patted Li Zhi on the shoulder and warned him in a heavy tone.

He knew very well that the power of the aristocratic families was huge and complicated, and could not be easily shaken.

"This time they went even further, and actually used the soldiers of the three armies as a bet to force me to compromise. Fortunately, Li Ji and Cheng Qian were able to think of such a solution and beat them in the face."

Thinking of this, Li Shimin couldn't help feeling much more relieved.

"The sun is shining brightly today. Come with me for a walk." Wu Cairen and Li Zhi stood on the left and right, each holding Li Shimin's arm, and walked out of the palace.

Compared to the coziness of the imperial palace, the atmosphere in the Laizhou naval camp was unusually solemn.

All the naval officers and soldiers have boarded the warships and are ready to go to war.

"Your Highness, should we consider some strategic arrangements? The greatest use of the navy is to quickly transport food and fodder. If the troops are dispersed, it will cause great instability."

Zhang Sun Wuji was standing aside, trying to give Li Chengqian some advice.

This was already the nth time he had made suggestions on strategic deployment.

Li Chengqian divided the navy into three parts, with one hundred warships, to transport food from the Mesopotamian River basin to various war zones, including the army led by Li Ji.

Liu Rengui, Cheng Mingzhen and Cheng Chumo led 200 warships and headed straight for the Goguryeo coastline.

Li Chengqian, Pei Xingjian, Zhangsun Wuji, Li Zhen and others led a hundred warships to Silla.

The fuse of this war was Silla's call for help.

Goguryeo Prime Minister Yeon Gaesomun killed the Goguryeo king and took control of the Goguryeo government. He was ambitious and first joined forces with Baekje to attack Silla.

Li Chengqian's division of troops made Zhangsun Wuji very worried. Wasn't this just a joke?
Li Chengqian, Liu Rengui, Pei Xingjian, Li Zhen, Li Dejian and Cheng Chumo, each of them is a rookie soldier. Aren’t they going to lead the soldiers to their deaths?
If the troops were not divided, Changsun Wuji could still give some advice, but once the troops were divided, who knew what moves these new recruits would make.

"This is my decision. As the general manager of the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo, I will naturally be responsible for the war situation."

Li Chengqian said this decisively, leaving no room for negotiation.

"this…"

Only then did Changsun Wuji realize that even if he was there, it seemed to be of no use at all.

Now the navy is entirely controlled by Li Chengqian's confidants, and he, the deputy general manager, has been sidelined.

"Your Highness, do you know what the consequences will be if the navy makes a mistake?"

Changsun Wuji took a quick look at them and saw that they were all elite men of the Tang Dynasty, the source of the country's strength. He couldn't help but advise again.

"I know that, so I have to divide the troops and expand the results of the battle." Li Chengqian said with some displeasure.

"Your Highness, the navy has been assembled and is ready to set off at any time."

Liu Rengui, dressed in armor, strode forward. At this moment, he was the commander of an army, full of confidence.

"Have you predicted the weather?"

Li Chengqian nodded. When Zhang Liang was marching, he encountered a storm at sea and lost a lot of men, horses and ships.

"I have monitored it and there are no strong winds these days, so we can set sail." Liu Rengui replied.

"Prince? Please think twice!"

Changsun Wuji said sternly again that once the ship sets sail, it cannot be changed.

What happened to his supposed supervisory power? Now it's just a decoration.

"Let's go to war!" Li Chengqian waved his hand.

(End of this chapter)