My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 26: Building the Tang Dynasty Jinyiwei
"My family lives in Yongningfang, Wannian County, so I am more familiar with the bad guys in Wannian County."

"The leader of the Bad People is called Bad Leader. The Bad Leader of Wannian County is called Ji Zhao."

With Su Chen's introduction, Li Chengqian had a clearer understanding of the Bad People.

These bad guys were more like knights-errant, and were taken into the government office by the county magistrate.

Without a regular staff position, the monthly salary was barely enough to sustain life, and the main source of income was the bounty given by the government.

During the Tang Dynasty, many nations came to pay tribute, trade flourished, and there was a mix of good and bad people, many of whom committed crimes.

The government offices did not have so many officers to conduct searches and investigations, which led to the emergence of the bad guys.

The bad guys usually exist in upper counties, such as Chang'an, Wannian, Luoyang, Taiyuan, etc.

Only the upper county government offices have the money to recruit people; the middle and lower counties have smaller populations, so naturally there is not much need for it.

The people of the Tang Dynasty revered martial arts. In addition, prices were low and people could eat enough, so naturally many people practiced martial arts.

Looking at all the dynasties in history, the early Tang Dynasty had the best living environment for people from the martial arts world.

Li Chengqian asked: "What kind of person is Ji Zhao? What is his moral character?"

Su Chen immediately spoke up: "Ji Erlang is an upright person, and he would be the best to stand up for the weak and redress injustice for others."

"If any of the brothers encounter difficulties, Ji Jilang will definitely donate generously and help them overcome the difficulties."

"Everyone in the community would say Ji Erlang is a good husband."

Li Chengqian nodded: "Have you met him?"

Su Chen said with a little excitement: "Of course I have seen him. The last time I went to Pingkangfang with Ji Erlang was the last time. At that time, I..."

At this point, Su Chen quickly stopped talking: "At that time, we drank and talked happily, talking about the past and the present, it was so pleasant."

Li Chengqian asked, "Is Ji Erlang very rich? The salary of a bad man is so low, he must have other ways to make a living, or maybe his ancestors left him some extra money?"

Su Chen thought for a moment and said, "Ji Erlang's hometown is Qingzhou. He came to Chang'an alone and later became a government official. He gradually solved cases and caught bandits. He became famous and became the leader of the government officials."

"I haven't heard that Jijilang has any other business. It should be the money he brought from home and the reward from the government office."

After hearing this, Li Chengqian understood.

This so-called bad guy Ji Erlang, who is building up his own reputation, must have done some illegal things in secret. He is not a good person.

This kind of behavior is somewhat like the timely rain style of later generations.

Li Chengqian didn't care about that, and said, "You are allowed to take a day off today. Go and have a good chat with Ji Erlang to see if he is willing to submit to me."

"If you are interested, bring him to the East Palace at midnight."

As a prince, just keep it simple. There's no need to make things too complicated. Just express your intention to recruit directly.

Su Chen hesitated and said, "The neighborhood is under curfew at midnight, and I'm afraid it will easily cause misunderstandings."

Li Chengqian said indifferently: "I will give you a copy of the Eastern Palace's decree. If you encounter the Jinwu Guards patrolling, just speak frankly."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

In fact, for Li Chengqian now, the main target is no longer the King of Wei.

In other words, after the King of Wei understood the situation, he was not so worried about the threat.

The Wei Wang Party was indeed very powerful, and with the participation of the Five Surnames and Seven Families, it had a great deal of influence over public opinion in the court.

However, the key to the problem is that although the Shandong clans held a certain amount of power in the court, they did not have the decision-making power, and their influence on Li Shimin was too small.

The court was dominated by the Guanlong clan headed by Zhangsun Wuji, and they were strong supporters of Li Chengqian. They supported the prince not because they loved Li Chengqian, but to stabilize the court, ensure orderly succession, and protect their own interests.

If the imperial court is in turmoil, the ones who will suffer the most are the vested interests of the Guanlong clans. On the contrary, it will be more beneficial to the Shandong clans and the Five Surnames and Seven Families who are scattered all over the place.

Therefore, ever since King Wei Li Tai accepted the investment from the Shandong clans, the Five Surnames and Seven Families, he had actually been getting further and further away from the throne.

The struggle between the Prince of Wei's party and the Prince's party not only represented Li Chengqian and Li Tai, but also had a deeper impact on the struggle between the Guanlong clan and the Shandong clan.

Even if Crown Prince Li Chengqian fell, the Guanlong clan would not choose to support Li Tai, but would look for a new heir.

For example, Prince of Jin Li Zhi.

After sorting out his thoughts, he realized that apart from preventing Li Tai from following the example of his ancestors and using the Xuanwu Gate succession method when he ascended the throne, other threats were generally not great.

After all, the Shandong clans were able to come up with the Weishui Alliance when Li Shimin ascended the throne. I guess they were unwilling to ascend the throne and wanted to stir up trouble.

In order to prevent such a situation from happening, Li Chengqian has already decided to bring the Jinyiwei to the Tang Dynasty.

Recruiting the Bad Guys and adapting the Imperial Guards is most appropriate.
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Tai Chi Palace, inside the Liang Yi Palace.

Li Shimin frowned and looked at Cheng Yaojin and asked, "Yizhen, why do you always stare at me?"

"Is there something wrong with me?"

Yizhen is Cheng Yaojin's courtesy name.

While speaking, Li Shimin subconsciously glanced at his waist.

The real important matters would not be discussed at the court meeting, but would be discussed by Li Shimin with Zhangsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, Cheng Yaojin, Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling and others.

"I am checking to see if your Majesty has brought a whip."

Cheng Yaojin replied honestly.

"What does this mean? Today we are discussing how to punish the states for recommending students who fail to get the award. Why should I bring a horse whip?"

Li Shimin asked in confusion. He was bewildered by Cheng Yaojin's words.

Only Wei Zheng looked at Cheng Yaojin with a speechless look. He had obviously heard the hidden story.

Cheng Yaojin replied: "It is rumored in the army that if you are whipped by your majesty's horse whip, your strength will increase greatly, and your archery skills will be strengthened, making you a superb archer."

"So I would like to see if Your Majesty has brought a whip. If possible, please whip me a few times. It doesn't have to be too many, five will be enough."

"I do have some strength, but archery is hard to practice. I want to improve my archery talent. I hope Your Majesty will help me."

Li Shimin could not help but smile bitterly.

"My whip can also increase a person's strength and archery talent. How could I not know this? Where did you hear this rumor from?"

"You are already a great general, how can you still be so frivolous and believe such a ridiculous statement."

Cheng Yaojin hesitated and said, "But this incident did happen."

"It has spread throughout the army. Today, the Crown Prince performed martial arts in the East Palace training grounds. He rode a horse and shot with a longbow in hand, and he hit the target every time from a distance of forty steps. Hundreds of guards witnessed it with their own eyes."

"We all know the Crown Prince's ability in riding and shooting, but after your majesty whipped him, his progress has been so rapid that it cannot be described. This is naturally the credit of your majesty's whip."

"I was the first to get the news, so I came here specially to compete with Your Majesty for the first place."

"I like archery the most, but I am not very talented. Please help me, Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)