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

Chapter 295 What kind of emperor is a true emperor?! [Seeking monthly votes]

"Your Majesty! The Crown Prince has kept Li Jing and his wife here!"

Li Shimin had just returned to the palace when he heard Yun Duan's report, which greatly surprised him.

"Sure?"

Li Shimin asked again, somewhat incredulously.

But then Yun Duan solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. My men saw Li Jing and his wife enter the back hall of the Academy of Sciences. It is said that the Crown Prince even had wine and dishes prepared for them."

"He actually hosted a banquet at the Academy of Sciences?"

Li Shimin was surprised again: "When I went there, I didn't hear that he would hold a banquet!"

"I don't know about that, but according to my men, Li Jing and his wife also wanted to befriend the Crown Prince, and they were the ones who took the initiative to stay!"

"This"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was at a loss for words to describe his feelings.

If Li Jing were to join forces with Li Chengqian, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.

But would Li Jing side with Li Chengqian?

Li Shimin's first thought was absolutely not, because Li Jing hadn't even submitted to him back then.

Although Li Chengqian's performance was indeed remarkable, Li Shimin still did not think that Li Chengqian was more capable than he had been in the past.

Therefore, he had a second idea.

That is, Li Jing needed Li Chengqian's help and wanted to ask Li Chengqian for assistance.

That makes more sense.

But why would Li Jing need Li Chengqian's help instead of asking himself?

When Li Shimin thought of this problem, the first thing that came to mind was the matter of the censor's impeachment.

"Could it be that Li Jing still doesn't believe I will spare him?"

Li Shimin muttered to himself silently, "This shouldn't be happening. I've already appointed him as Minister of War, how could I possibly be judging him?"

"Something's not right. I feel like something's not quite right."

As he spoke, Li Shimin seemed to remember something and pressed Yun Duan for an answer: "I remember that Zhang Ping had a close relationship with Li Jing, and Zhang Ping's relationship with the Crown Prince was also extraordinary. Do you think it's possible that Li Jing and the Crown Prince had already established contact?"

"this."

Yun Duan hesitated for a moment, then thoughtfully asked in return, "This humble general has not thoroughly investigated the relationship between Li Jing and the Crown Prince, but has Your Majesty forgotten about the Jieli incident?"

"Jiali?"

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this.

When Yu Gushe captured Jieli, he was quite angry, but he calmed down a lot after hearing that Li Jing had found the Imperial Seal.

Hearing Yun Duan mention this matter, and considering the private friendship between Li Jing and Li Chengqian, Li Shimin immediately became wary.

But he calmly continued to ask Yun Duan, "Do you think there's a possibility that the Crown Prince can successfully complete the military reform?"

"this."

Yun Duan hesitated again, then said firmly, "Your Majesty, this humble general finds it impossible!"

"Oh? Why?"

"Because I am also a commander, I understand what those generals are thinking. Although the emperor's orders cannot be disobeyed, it is not an easy thing to separate them from the soldiers who have followed them for many years. They will definitely have feelings."

After saying this, Yun Duan glanced at Li Shimin cautiously and said, "Even General Li Jing, I believe he would have such feelings. Even if the Crown Prince's reform plan is really good, if the Crown Prince cannot resolve these feelings, he will not agree to the reform."

"Well, that makes sense."

Li Shimin nodded in deep agreement and smiled, "I also think this is not an easy task. Otherwise, why did only a handful of people agree with the Crown Prince's plan after he explained it at the Academy of Sciences?"

"After all, it concerns my own interests, so playing the emotional card won't work."

“Yes, the generals are hard-hearted and not so easily moved,” Yun Duan echoed.

Li Shimin smiled noncommittally, but it was as if a sudden enlightenment had struck him, and his thoughts became clear.

Because he didn't believe that Li Chengqian could get the generals to relinquish power.

This is actually a very contradictory situation. He both wants Li Chengqian to participate in the reforms and does not want Li Chengqian to succeed in the reforms.

Or rather, he didn't want Li Chengqian to be able to get things done without his help.

Meanwhile, in the back hall of the Academy of Sciences.

Li Chengqian is warmly entertaining Li Jing and his wife.

But then Li Chengqian said with a smile, "General Li Jing, Madam Li, please forgive me for not being able to prepare a sumptuous meal for you due to the hasty arrangements!"

"Your Highness, you are too kind. I have never seen most of these delicacies before. I am truly ashamed!" Hong Fu Nu replied with a smile.

Li Jing, however, curiously pointed to a dish and asked Li Chengqian, "May I ask, Your Highness, what's wrapped inside this dumpling? It looks like a worm."

"Hehe, those aren't bugs, they're shrimp dumplings. They're made from purple shrimp from Suzhou. I had someone peel the shrimp meat and use it to make the dumplings."

Li Chengqian explained with a smile, "And that one over there is a crab meat bun, a specialty of Jiangling. General Li Jing, you must try it!"

"Oh, no wonder I've never seen this before, it turns out they're from different places!"

Li Jing stroked his beard as if suddenly realizing something and exclaimed, "Your Highness the Crown Prince really knows how to eat. This old minister has never tasted such things while I was in the borderlands."

"There are actually quite a few good things in the border region. I've heard of two dishes called Steamed Camel Hump and Braised Camel Hoof. I've always wanted to try them, but unfortunately, I haven't had the chance!"

"Your Highness, are these two dishes made with camel as an ingredient?" Hong Fu Nu asked with a look of surprise.

Li Chengqian smiled and looked at her, nodding, "Yes, Madam Li, have you ever seen camels in the borderlands?"

"I have seen them, but I have never heard of anyone eating camels. They are rare creatures in the desert. Many alien races have relied on them to lead them out of the desert when they got lost!"

“I know what Madam Li is talking about. But we’re not in the desert, are we? If we raise some camels, we can use them as food!”

"But."

"His Royal Highness!"

Seeing his wife discussing ingredients with Li Chengqian and forgetting the purpose of their trip, Li Jing quickly interrupted them and raised his glass with a smile, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality to my wife and me!"

After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but feel embarrassed, and then he laughed it off, saying, "General Li Jing, you're too kind."

"To be honest, Your Highness, the reason I've stayed is that I have some questions I'd like to ask you."

As Li Jing spoke, he put down his wine cup, then looked at Li Chengqian with a faint expression and said, "I wonder if Your Highness could enlighten this old minister?"

"this."

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment, then chuckled and said, "That depends on what General Li Jing wants to ask. If it's a matter of state, I will certainly answer to the best of my knowledge. If it's a private matter, then it depends on the situation!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing was secretly surprised, thinking to himself, "What a meticulous Crown Prince!"

But that's fine too, because then I won't have to deal with him.

After a brief silence, Li Jing said thoughtfully, "Since Your Highness is so frank, this old minister will not hide anything either. May I ask Your Highness, do you and His Majesty intend to vie for power, or rather, do you intend to involve this old minister in it?"

Swish!
Upon hearing Li Jing's words, Hong Fu Nu's expression changed instantly, and she looked at him in horror: "Master, you..."

"Madam, there's no need to be nervous. I know what I'm doing!"

Li Jing raised his hand to gesture to Hong Fu Nu, then looked calmly at Li Chengqian and continued, "Actually, this old minister is not unaware of the relationship between the Crown Prince and Zhang Ping, and I presume the Crown Prince is also aware of the relationship between Zhang Ping and this old minister. To be honest, this old minister greatly admires the Crown Prince, and even has the idea of ​​passing on all my knowledge to the Crown Prince."

"but."

Then, he changed the subject and continued, "This old minister does not wish to get involved in the struggle between the Crown Prince and His Majesty, nor does he agree with the military reform!"

hum!
As soon as the words were spoken, the entire back room fell into complete silence; you could hear a pin drop.

Li Chengqian's expression changed several times before he finally picked up the wine cup on the table, glancing at Li Jing as he sipped it lightly.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as the wine in the cups was emptied, and Hong Fu Nu, whose heart was practically in her throat, heard Li Chengqian chuckle and say, "General Li Jing, you are overthinking things. As the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, how could I possibly contend with the Emperor for power?"

As for military reform...

At this point, he deliberately drew out the last syllable, saying, "I don't care!"

Li Jing frowned and looked at Hong Fu Nu with some doubt.

Hong Fu Nu also looked puzzled and tentatively asked, "So, according to Your Highness, you don't actually support military reform?"

"No, that's not it. I have always supported military reform, otherwise I wouldn't have designed that reform plan. It's just that I don't want to force people to do things against their will!"

"Forcing someone to do something difficult?"

Hong Fu Nu and Li Jing looked at each other again, but were even more puzzled.

Li Chengqian picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup of wine, then slowly got up, walked to Li Jing's table, poured him a cup, and said unhurriedly, "General Li Jing just asked me a question, and I would also like to ask General Li Jing a question. I wonder if General Li Jing can answer me truthfully?"

"This..." Li Jing hesitated for a moment, then frowned and said, "Your Highness, please ask whatever you wish to ask!"

"Good! General Li Jing is indeed straightforward!"

Li Chengqian laughed heartily, then stared intently at Li Jing and said, word by word, "I would like to ask General Li Jing, are you afraid of death?"

"Boom!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing was struck dumb, his mind going completely blank.

Even Hong Fu Nu, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but open her mouth wide, too shocked to speak.

They seemed never to have imagined that Li Chengqian would ask such a question.

Moreover, Li Chengqian was just warmly entertaining them, but now he's threatening them because of a single sentence. He's too capricious!
Does this still look like a crown prince?
To be honest, Li Jing and his wife were very disappointed.

However, just as they were about to take their leave, Li Chengqian suddenly asked, "General Li Jing, why do you think my father appointed you as Minister of War?"

Li Jing frowned, then said expressionlessly, "Does the Crown Prince want to talk about military reform?"

"Besides this, what else?"

Li Chengqian chuckled again, then spoke eloquently: "In fact, military reform is not something that you or I can decide. It is an inevitable trend and the emperor's will."

"Just now, General Li Jing asked me if I wanted to compete with my father, the Emperor, for power. Now, I would like to ask General Li Jing, if the Emperor wants to reform the army, is it easy for you, the Minister of War, to take on this role?"

"Old minister"

Li Jing opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

But Li Chengqian continued, "You might think, I don't fight for power or profit, so what's there to worry about? But I want to tell you, things aren't that simple!"

"As the Minister of War, if the emperor wants to reform the army, your subordinates will definitely come to you. If you help one, you will offend another. If you don't help anyone, people will think you have ulterior motives and you will be resented by more people. You are caught in a dilemma, and you can't do either way."

"So, I'm asking you now, what should you do?"

"Old minister"

Li Jing was speechless for a moment, and a bitter expression appeared on his face.

This is indeed an important issue he will face.

Hong Fu Nu glanced at him and sighed helplessly, "His Highness the Crown Prince is a smart man. He must know about my master's past. He truly doesn't want to get involved in those power struggles, he just doesn't want to."

"wrong!"

Before Hong Fu Nu could finish speaking, Li Chengqian calmly and indifferently interrupted her: "Madam Li, your thinking is wrong. Struggle is inevitable as long as there are people, because it is ultimately a struggle for interests."

Having said that, he looked around at the two men and asked, "I ask you, what kind of emperor can be considered a true emperor?"

"This"

The couple exchanged a glance, unsure how to respond.

But Li Chengqian said to himself, "Actually, I think that only an emperor with his own base of support can be considered a true emperor. Without his own base of support, he is just a figurehead."

"The Void Lord?"

"That's right! A so-called 'figurehead ruler' is nothing more than a monarch who exists in name only!"

Li Chengqian picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and then smiled and said, "Think about it, why were the founding emperors of all dynasties the most powerful? Why were Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han so powerful that the entire country was afraid of them?"

"Or, think about it carefully: my father killed Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, and imprisoned my grandfather, so why was he still able to sit on the throne?"

"This"

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, the couple felt a chill run down their spines and exchanged bewildered glances.

No, are these issues even something we can consider?

To be honest, the couple somewhat regretted staying.

It wasn't that they thought Li Chengqian was capricious, but rather that the issues Li Chengqian was discussing were beyond their imagination.

But then Li Chengqian said to himself, "Now, I will tell you the answer!"

"The reason why Qin Shi Huang was so powerful was that he cultivated a group of interest groups who were granted titles and honors based on their military achievements during the process of conquering the six states. Their existence was the foundation of Qin Shi Huang's rule."

"So why did the Qin Dynasty only last two generations? Because after Qin Shi Huang died, someone undermined the foundation of the Qin Dynasty!"

"That is, those people led by Li Si, Hu Hai, and Zhao Gao, who want to establish their own interest group."

“And a country has only so many interests. If they want to establish their own interest groups, they have to fight.”

"Furthermore, why did Emperor Wu of Han spend his entire life fighting the Xiongnu? For the same reason, he needed to cultivate his own group of military merits through fighting the Xiongnu. Among them, the most famous were Huo Qubing and Wei Qing."

"And they were undoubtedly Emperor Wu of Han's sharpest henchmen. With these people, even though Emperor Wu of Han became senile in his later years, he could still control the entire empire."

"Finally, do you understand why your father was able to secure the throne?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing and his wife understood perfectly, and thus fell silent.

After a long pause, Hong Fu Nu said meaningfully, "Your Highness the Crown Prince also wants to follow their example, doesn't he?"

"lady!"

Li Jing was astonished.

Li Chengqian laughed and said, "To be honest, Madam Li, I have always admired someone who once said that politics is about making as few enemies as possible and as many friends as possible."

"And I am alone."

He paused for a moment, then looked at the couple meaningfully and smiled, "I would love to be your friend."

"This"

The couple were slightly taken aback.

Only at this moment did they truly realize that this crown prince was no ordinary person.

They understood the art of rulership better than Li Jiancheng, whom they had previously encountered.

"So, do you know why I'm telling you all this?"

Seeing the atmosphere fall silent, Li Chengqian suddenly asked again.

But then Hong Fu Nu smiled and said, "Didn't His Highness the Crown Prince just say that he wanted to be friends with us?"

"Hahaha!"

Li Chengqian threw his head back and laughed loudly. He then picked up his wine cup and gestured to Hong Fu Nu across the distance: "Madam Li is right. I do indeed want to be friends with you, friends forever!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he drank the wine in his cup and looked at Li Jing, saying, "General Li Jing, I know that you chose to remain neutral in the struggle between my father and Li Jiancheng. I also know that you don't like opportunism and want to make achievements honestly and fairly."

"But I don't want you to miss this opportunity!"

"what chance?"

Li Jing frowned and looked at Li Chengqian, asking a question.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I might as well tell you that I have many things to do and the cause I want to create is far beyond what my father, the emperor, could do, or rather, far beyond what the founding emperors of all dynasties could do!"

"Throughout history, those who have achieved great things have all been people with a grand vision and a broad perspective."

"Judging from General Li Jing's current achievements, he probably ranks in the top ten in history at most. There were many famous generals before him!"

"You're only fifty-eight years old now, the perfect time to strive!"

"Don't you want to be someone even more outstanding than Bai Qi, Wu Qi, Wang Jian, Li Mu, Han Xin, and Wei Qing?"

"If I were to become an emperor for all time, wouldn't you, Li Jing, want to become an unparalleled military genius?"

"I"

Li Jing was so shocked by these words that his lips trembled.

Meanwhile, Hong Fu Nu, her face flushed, stared intently at the still-childish boy before her.

But then Li Chengqian composed himself and said, "General Li Jing, are you willing to be my like-minded companion?"

"I want to take you to see the stars and the sea, would you like to?"

"Aren't you curious about what's on the other side of the sea?"

"Old minister"

Faced with Li Chengqian's three probing questions, Li Jing subconsciously swallowed, then with trembling hands picked up the wine cup, brought it to his lips, and drank it all in one gulp. After a long while, he looked at Li Chengqian with a complicated expression and muttered, "This old minister has just turned fifty-seven this year."

"hehe!"

Li Chengqian smiled, a very bright and cheerful smile.

Hong Fu Nu also smiled, her smile as beautiful as a flower.

Li Jing, however, remained unsmiling and simply shouted, "Bring wine! Use large bowls!"

(End of this chapter)