Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 294 Li Er, this is called "releasing military power over a cup of wine"! [Seeking monthly votes]

Li Shimin had already heard some things about Hong Fu Nu and Li Jing.

However, he really couldn't understand why Hong Fu Nu would step forward at this time.

Logically speaking, she, as a woman, shouldn't be attending such an event.

But it was not Li Shimin who invited her.

Therefore, Li Shimin didn't say much.

Li Shimin frowned and asked, "What does Lady Li have to say?"

"This"

Hong Fu Nu hesitated for a moment, glancing at Li Jing, then at everyone present, before smiling and bowing:
"Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness, but I just observed that the medic soldier appears to be a woman. Therefore, I would like to ask, are women allowed to serve in the army nowadays?"

Wow!
The whole place was in an uproar!

Even the medic looked surprised and turned to look at Li Chengqian.

The ministers all turned their attention to the medic.

Because during the demonstration, their attention was focused on the novel equipment the Black Armor Guards had brought out, and they didn't pay much attention to the Black Armor Guards themselves.

Moreover, the Black Armor Guards all wore the same uniform and were roughly the same height and build.

Unless you are specifically looking, it would be difficult to tell that the medic was a woman.

Li Shimin's face darkened, and he immediately turned his gaze to Li Chengqian, saying, "Can the Crown Prince give me and the ministers an explanation?"

"No, what's there to explain?"

Li Chengqian said somewhat speechlessly, "During the Han Dynasty, when the Han army faced the Xiongnu, the Xiongnu women were all skilled warriors and often caused trouble for the Han army. At the beginning of our Great Tang Dynasty, didn't Princess Pingyang also fight for the Great Tang Dynasty as a woman? Besides, has Father forgotten?"
"The three reforms I proposed earlier advocated for gender equality. With rigorous training, both men and women can defend their country on the battlefield!"

"This"

Upon hearing this, the ministers exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

Especially the medic, whose eyes were filled with tears of recognition.

People say that women are inferior to men, but she refuses to believe this argument.

Therefore, when she heard that the Black Armor Guard was recruiting female soldiers, she resolutely kept it a secret from her family and secretly participated in the Black Armor Guard's recruitment assessment.

In the end, hard work pays off, and she finally became a female soldier in the Black Armor Guard.

Similarly, after multiple rounds of elimination and rigorous training, she successfully became a qualified medical soldier.

“But Your Highness, there is no problem if female soldiers are trained separately or sent to the battlefield. However, if female soldiers are mixed in with male soldiers’ camps, problems may arise in the long run,” Hong Fu Nu said rather tactfully.

Although she is also a model of women entering the military, it is precisely because of this that she understands more about the inconveniences female soldiers face in male-dominated military camps than most people.

However, before Li Chengqian could respond, the medic stepped forward and said seriously, "I understand your concerns, madam. But the military management system established by His Highness the Crown Prince is very comprehensive. We female soldiers are no different from the male soldiers except for physical differences. The male soldiers will not treat us as delicate little women, but only as comrades-in-arms!"

"If any male soldiers really have ulterior motives, we are not to be trifled with. If you don't believe me, I can demonstrate to you, Madam, the training results of our medics!"

After saying that, she glanced at her teammates and said domineeringly, "Who's going to do it?"

"No, no, no need for practice, Sister Kui is awesome! We are no match for you."

One of the black-armored male soldiers was hit by the sweep and was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly.

The other male soldiers in black armor, including the captain, echoed with bitter expressions: "Yeah, vice-captain! You just threw me down the day before yesterday, and my back still hurts!"

"Madam Li, please don't worry about our medics. Once we're on the battlefield, she's our savior. How could we possibly have any improper thoughts!"

"Yes! She fought her way through the battlefield, risking her life to save us. If anyone dares to bully her, we'll definitely make that kid pay!"

"Madam Li, not just anyone can become a medic. Please don't worry about those things; we really wouldn't dare."

Hearing these slightly comical echoes, everyone present, including Li Shimin, couldn't help but show a strange expression.

Clearly, Hong Fu Nu's worries were completely unnecessary for these male soldiers.

Because these male soldiers understand the importance of medics better than anyone else.

Moreover, these medics have good looks and builds.
Well, to be honest, if you don't look closely, it's hard to tell that they are female soldiers.

Of course, we can't rule out the possibility of ruthless people who are so hungry that they won't even spare lizards or gorillas.

However, these female soldiers are not as weak as one might imagine. Their combat skills and even combat abilities are no less than those of ordinary male soldiers.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, they are no different from male soldiers.

In special circumstances, strict military law is the only reliable safeguard for them.

But then Li Chengqian said with a smile, "I wonder if Madam Li has any other doubts?"

"This"

Hong Fu Nu glanced at the female soldier, then at Li Jing, and immediately shook her head to indicate that she did not.

At this moment, Li Shimin's voice rang out again: "Could it be that only women can serve as medics?"

"That's not it."

Li Chengqian directly denied this: "Recruiting and training women as medics was because I wanted to try a different reform. As for medics themselves, there is no distinction between men and women. As long as you master simple wound treatment methods and first aid knowledge, you can become a medic."

"Great! These medics are excellent! I want to add more medics to my ranks too!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin immediately clapped his hands and laughed.

Yuchi Gong, standing to the side, sneered at him with disdain: "I think you probably want to place your concubine in the army!"

"You're talking nonsense! I never thought that way. As for you, two wives aren't enough, are they?"

"Get out of here! Don't joke around with my wife, or I'll kill you!"

"Come on, if I, Old Cheng, am afraid of you, I'll twist my head off and let you kick it like a ball!" Cheng Yaojin was not to be outdone after being pushed back by Yuchi Gong.

"Hey! His Majesty and the Crown Prince are right in front of me, are you kidding me?" Yuchi Gong glared at Cheng Yaojin, ready to fight.

At this point, Li Shimin could no longer tolerate it and immediately roared, "All of you, shut up!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole place fell silent.

Even Yuchi Gong and Cheng Yaojin, who were on the verge of fighting, quieted down.

But Li Shimin was still furious and said, "Look at you all, making a ruckus. How can you be generals? Do you know why I reformed the army? It's because I don't want my generals to be like you, giving me a huge headache!"

It can be said that Li Er's words truly showed no respect for his generals, thoroughly humiliating them.

But this also strengthened Li Er's determination to carry out reforms.

He then looked around at his ministers and said, "You all heard the Crown Prince's reform plan just now. Although I don't completely agree with it, it can be taken as a reference. Go back and think it over carefully, taking into account your own circumstances and what you have seen and heard today, and write a memorial to me. I will then make a decision!"

"in addition!"

At this point, Li Shimin turned his gaze to Li Jing and said solemnly, "General Li, I originally intended to discuss this matter at the court meeting. Since you are here, I will inform you in advance that I plan to appoint you as Minister of War at the court meeting. Do you have any objections?"

"This"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing was taken aback for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Hong Fu Nu and said with a smile, "If Your Majesty wants to promote me, how dare I have any objections? I will simply follow Your Majesty's arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Hou Junji curled his lip in disdain.

Li Shimin nodded with great satisfaction and said, "Good! As for the rest, we can discuss them at the court assembly!"

After saying this, he turned to Li Chengqian and said, "I'm leaving the Academy of Sciences to you. I'll return to the palace now."

"Yes, Father."

Li Chengqian bowed but said nothing more.

Soon after, Li Shimin was the first to leave the Academy of Sciences.

The other officials, including Li Tai and others, left one after another after waiting for a while.

Only Li You, Li Jing and his wife, and court officials who were interested in the inventions of the Academy of Sciences remained at the Academy.

But then Li Chengqian smiled and said to the ministers who were interested in the inventions of the Academy of Sciences, "If you ministers wish to cooperate, you can communicate more with Dean Liu. He has a detailed contract, which will allow you to understand the details of the cooperation more clearly!"

"Oh, then I'll have to trouble Dean Liu!"

The ministers suddenly realized what was happening and bowed to Liu Rengui.

Before long, Liu Rengui led his officials out of the hall.

When only Li You and his wife Li Jing remained in the hall, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

"I wonder if General Li Jing and his wife, and..."

"Crown Prince!"

Before Li Chengqian could finish asking Li Jing and his wife their questions, Li You eagerly interrupted, "I want to talk to you alone!"

"This"

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, then looked awkwardly at Li Jing and his wife.

But Li Jing laughed and said, "It's alright, let's take a stroll first. The Crown Prince and the Prince of Yan, please feel free to do as you please."

After saying this, he and Hong Fu Nu tactfully left. Li You, watching them go, scoffed and said, "General Li truly lives up to his reputation as a great general of the Li Tang dynasty. He's almost sixty, yet still so vigorous. And that Lady Li, really..."

"Alright! Speak up if you have something to say, or shut up if you have something to say!"

Before Li You could even start flirting with Hong Fu Nu, Li Chengqian impatiently waved his hand to interrupt him.

He knew Li You's character well; he was a complete spoiled brat.

But Li You chuckled awkwardly and said, "Brother Crown Prince, please don't be offended. I was just..."

"Tell the important point!"

Li Chengqian impatiently interrupted Li You again.

Li You immediately said in a serious tone, "To be honest, my elder brother, I may have to leave Chang'an!"

"Ok?"

Li Chengqian was taken aback for a moment, and asked with some confusion, "You want to leave Chang'an? Why?"

"this."

Li You hesitated for a moment, then said helplessly, "You must know about my visit to the Crown Prince last time, right? Father is determined to enfeoff us princes. So, once we turn twelve, we can only go to our fiefdoms!"

"Who said that? Li Tai didn't go, did he?"

Li Chengqian still seemed somewhat puzzled.

In his view, although Li Shimin was determined to grant fiefdoms, he would definitely help Li You find a way to prevent him from going if Li You did not want to go to his fiefdom.

After all, in history, Li You was utterly wicked and wreaked havoc in his fiefdom, even going so far as to rebel against Li Er.

In the end, even the cripple was implicated.

Li Chengqian didn't want his foolish younger brother to repeat the mistakes of history and implicate him again.

But then Li You sighed in an old-fashioned manner, "Doesn't my elder brother, the Crown Prince, know my situation? Don't be fooled by my frequent disagreements with Li Tai; I am actually aware of my own limitations. I can't compare to Li Tai. He is the second son of the legitimate wife, while I am merely a son born of a concubine."

Since ancient times, the distinction between嫡 (legitimate) and 庶 (illegitimate) children has been like an insurmountable chasm. Therefore, it is impossible for me to accept the title without going!

Li Chengqian was surprised again, seemingly not expecting Li You to say such a thing.

But then he asked with a complicated expression, "Are you really sure about this?"

"Yes, I've thought it through."

Li You nodded solemnly, then looked up at Li Chengqian and said with a smile, "Brother Crown Prince, ever since you became different from before, I have always admired you and wanted to be as powerful as you. However, whenever I get close to you, you are like the sun in the sky, which I can only look at but not reach."

"but."

Then, he changed the subject and continued, "I am also my father's son, and I also want my own future. Just like my elder brother, the Crown Prince, did in Jiangling, I want to turn Youzhou into a second Jiangling!"

"This"

Upon hearing Li You's bold words, Li Chengqian seemed not to recognize his younger brother and just stared at him blankly.

It wasn't that he didn't believe Li You could say such a thing, but rather that he simply didn't believe in Li You's abilities.

Because this is simply a joke!

What kind of place is Youzhou?
You really think you're Zhu Laosi? Do you think you can change him?

However, just as Li Chengqian was pondering how to dampen Li You's spirits, Li You quickly said, "I know that my elder brother, the Crown Prince, is worried about my lack of ability, but I am not without help. I will petition the Emperor to arrange for several capable ministers to assist me. With the help of my uncle, I will definitely be able to govern Youzhou well!"

"Of course, the most important thing is still my elder brother, the Crown Prince. If he can lend me a hand, then..."

"Wait a minute!"

Before Li You could finish speaking, Li Chengqian raised his hand to interrupt him, frowning as he asked, "You just mentioned your uncle? Is it Yin Hongzhi?"

"That's right! My uncle is Yin Hongzhi! Does my elder brother, the Crown Prince, also know him?"

"Ha! Of course I know!"

Li Chengqian gave a cold laugh.

If Li You's rebellion was absurd, then Yin Hongzhi was definitely the culprit who caused Li You's absurdity.

If it weren't for him, Li You probably wouldn't have embarked on the irreversible path of rebellion.

"What, does my elder brother, the Crown Prince, dislike my uncle?"

Seeing that Li Chengqian's expression was not right, Li You immediately asked him cautiously.

But Li Chengqian asked noncommittally, "You're only ten years old now, and you still have two years until you turn twelve. Why are you in such a hurry to go to your fiefdom?"

"But didn't Third Brother go to his fiefdom before he was even twelve? As long as Father Emperor agrees, I think there shouldn't be any problem."

"no!"

Li Chengqian solemnly said, "Rules are rules. Even if Father Emperor agrees, you still can't go!"

"Huh? Why, Crown Prince?" Li You looked at Li Chengqian with a puzzled expression.

But Li Chengqian said bluntly, "Because I disagree!"

"But."

"Alright, you can go back now!"

Li Chengqian said in an unquestionable tone, "Don't say I didn't teach you. You should read more books in your spare time and stop hanging out with your bunch of frivolous friends all day. You're not like them!"

"Brother Crown Prince."

Li You opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

Li Chengqian patted him on the shoulder, but didn't say anything more.

Because saying more won't help.

After all, that's just how Li You is.

If he were smart, he wouldn't have done those ridiculous things.

Therefore, Li You eventually left the Academy of Sciences dejectedly.

Shortly after seeing Li You off, Li Chengqian summoned Pei Xingjian and ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to thoroughly investigate Yin Hongzhi.

Because he always felt that Li Youzhi's matter was related to Yin Hongzhi.

It should be noted that Li You was previously terrified of going to his fiefdom; otherwise, he wouldn't have come to find him when he learned that Li Er was preparing to distribute fiefdoms.

But now, in just a few short months, Li You has suddenly changed his mind and is taking the initiative to go and grant the fiefdom.

Li Chengqian certainly wouldn't believe there wasn't something fishy going on.

"His Royal Highness!"

Just as Li Chengqian began to have doubts about Li You's affairs, a soft call startled him awake.

He immediately looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Liu Rengui. He breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "How did things go?"

"Just as His Highness the Crown Prince predicted, they were all interested and agreed to cooperate with our Academy of Sciences. The Academy of Sciences will provide the technology, and they will provide the money and manpower to jointly run the factory. At that time, we will collect a share of the technology investment."

Liu Rengui said with a smile, "However, they were very surprised that the Academy of Sciences would take 20% of the profits, and found it somewhat unexpected."

"This is normal."

Li Chengqian's lips curled up slightly as he said, "Before a big fish takes the bait, it will doubt whether the sudden bait is safe. Only after it takes the bait will it know to regret it."

"Hehe, Your Highness is absolutely right. If we can leverage their resources to build factories on a large scale, the productivity of our Great Tang will definitely increase rapidly. After all, even if their tenant farmers grow plenty of grain, they don't make as much money as they do from producing cement."

"Yes, there's one more thing. In a few days, it will be time for foreigners to exchange their silver notes. Remember to bring together the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonies to hold a trade fair so that those foreigners can spend all the silver notes they exchange."

"This is called taking from Tang and using it for Tang, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Rengui's lips twitched involuntarily, thinking to himself, "That's such a despicable thing to say!"
"I understand."

"Okay, I understand. Go and call Li Jing and his wife over!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Rengui immediately agreed and withdrew.

Before long, Li Jing and his wife walked in smiling.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen! Someone, bring the wine and dishes!"

"?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing and his wife raised a small black question mark on their foreheads and asked in unison, "What is Your Highness's question?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to thank you properly on Zhang Ping's behalf!"

Li Chengqian laughed heartily.

He was well aware of the trap Li Er had set for him, but he wasn't without a way to deal with it.

Do we really need to wait until the court assembly to discuss this? What a waste of time!
Let me teach you what it means to "release military power over a cup of wine"!
(End of this chapter)