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

Chapter 308 Why Join the Fun When You Have No Money? [Requesting Double Monthly Tickets]

When the officials heard that Li Chengqian was going to preside over the court assembly, they were all extremely surprised.

Because this time is different from the past.

Although this was not the first time Li Chengqian had presided over a court assembly, in the past, Li Shimin had always given the order to Li Chengqian to preside over the assembly and supervise him from the side.

However, now that Li Shimin has just left and has not said that Li Chengqian will preside over the next court assembly, he has announced that he will preside over the court assembly himself, which seems to be an overstepping of his authority.

But then Imperial Censor Li Renfa stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has already announced the adjournment of court and has not said that the court session will continue. Isn't it inappropriate for you to do this?"

"What's inappropriate?"

Li Chengqian said calmly, "As the crown prince of the country, am I not allowed to preside over court assemblies?"

"Although the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, His Majesty..."

"Alright, those who do not wish to continue the court assembly may leave immediately!"

Before Liu Ji could even finish speaking, Li Chengqian impatiently interrupted him.

Upon seeing this, the ministers exchanged bewildered glances.

But no one dared to leave.

After all, they knew Li Chengqian's temper; he was a ruthless man who held grudges and sought revenge.

Unless you never do anything wrong again, then I'm sorry to say.

He will definitely take the opportunity to get revenge on you.

At this moment, Li Jing, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel who had been silent, suddenly spoke up: "His Majesty once said that all matters can be decided by the Crown Prince first, and if the Crown Prince's decision is inappropriate, then His Majesty shall make the decision. Now, the Crown Prince wants to hear the reports from his ministers, which is not inappropriate."

"good."

Ma Zhou also stepped forward and echoed, "There is nothing wrong with the Crown Prince presiding over the court assembly."

"This"

The ministers looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

Finally, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel spoke first: "May I ask, Your Highness, what is the topic of your court assembly?"

"Let's follow the usual procedure first. Have any ministers submitted a memorial?" Li Chengqian asked, looking around at the assembled ministers.

"This"

The ministers looked at each other again, but none of them stepped forward to present their report.

At this moment, Li Chengqian said again, "Since no ministers have submitted any proposals, I will propose something myself."

"As you all know, our Great Tang destroyed the Turks last year and captured the Khaganate of the Turks alive. Now the Turks are in the hands of our Great Tang."

"However, our Great Tang has not completely controlled the entire Turkic territory. There are still some scattered resistance forces opposing our Great Tang."

"Therefore, our Great Tang has deployed a large number of troops in the territory of the Turks. I am sure General Li Jing knows this best."

Upon hearing this, all the officials turned to look at Li Jing.

Li Jing frowned and said, "I have mentioned the situation in the Turkic territory to Your Majesty before. Now that Your Highness the Crown Prince has brought it up, I might as well repeat it again."

"Indeed, although our Great Tang has occupied the territory of the Turks, some of the subordinates of Khagan Jieli are still resisting our Great Tang. Among them, Jieli's son, Dieluo, is the leader, constantly harassing us on the border. Although they are not a threat, we must still be on guard."

"Did everyone understand?"

Li Chengqian looked around at his ministers again and said, "Although our Great Tang has destroyed the Turks, the Turks still harbor treacherous intentions."

"From the perspective of the entire Tang Dynasty, this may not be a big deal, but for the people in the border areas, it is undoubtedly a disaster."

"Therefore, I propose that the Northern Protectorate be established in the Turkic Khaganate to thoroughly oversee the entire Turkic Khaganate!"

"I understand Your Highness's meaning, but how easy is it to completely oversee the entire Turkic Khaganate?"

Upon hearing this, Minister of War Hou Junji immediately stepped forward to object, saying, "The northwestern grasslands are vast and boundless, covering at least several million acres. How could a small protectorate possibly oversee the entire Turkic territory?"

"Yes, Your Highness, that's far too far-fetched!"

Fang Xuanling also stood up to oppose the establishment of the Protectorate General.

Even though the proposal to establish a Protectorate was put forward by Li Chengqian, he felt that such a measure was meaningless.

However, as he finished speaking, Changsun Wuji, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "I think establishing the Beiting Protectorate is a good suggestion!"

Wow!
As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

The ministers couldn't help but look in the direction of the sound!

Even Fang Xuanling, who had always been on good terms with Changsun Wuji, couldn't help but be somewhat taken aback.

But then Changsun Wuji said, "If Your Highness the Crown Prince intends to establish the Beiting Protectorate in the Turkic Khaganate, I would like to recommend my eldest son to serve in the Beiting Protectorate!"

"What!?"

The ministers were stunned when they heard this.

I was thinking, what's going on here?

Has Changsun Wuji gone mad? He actually sent his eldest son to that godforsaken place called the Turks?!
Besides, didn't he hear what Li Jing just said? There's still a war going on there!

It has to be said that Changsun Wuji's actions made all the ministers present feel their scalps tingle.

Especially Fang Xuanling and Hou Junji, who were Li Er's confidants.

You must know that Changsun Wuji was a wise man personally evaluated by Emperor Taizong of Tang. How could such a person make such a foolish mistake?

But then Li Chengqian said, "Since Duke Zhao is so righteous, then let Duke Zhao handle this matter."

"I will obey the Crown Prince's orders!"

Changsun Wuji quickly agreed, knowing that this meant he was to communicate with Li Shimin personally.

However, he believed that Li Chengqian's plan would definitely get Li Shimin to agree.

This plan is not only beneficial to him, but also very beneficial to the Tang Dynasty.

Even though Li Shimin and Li Chengqian had some conflicts, they had no disagreements when it came to working for the benefit of the country.

Therefore, he is very confident about this matter.

"Alright, that's settled then. If there's nothing else, court may adjourn!"

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Li Chengqian immediately announced the end of the court session.

The officials had no intention of continuing the court session and soon left the Taiji Hall.

Of course, not all the ministers left the Taiji Hall. For example, Fang Xuanling, Hou Junji, Liu Ji, Xiao Yu, Chu Suiliang, Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong and other ministers surrounded Changsun Wuji.

But Cheng Yaojin spoke first: "Duke Zhao, what exactly is going on?"

"Yes, Duke Zhao, are you plotting something big with the Crown Prince?" Yuchi Gong couldn't help but ask.

Changsun Wuji said with a wry smile, "What important matter could I possibly be plotting with the Crown Prince? Don't talk nonsense, I still have to see His Majesty!"

"No! If we want to see His Majesty, we'll go together!"

Fang Xuanling also said with some displeasure, "I want to hear how heartless the Duke of Zhao is to actually send your eldest son to the Turks!"

"Indeed! There's definitely something wrong here. We need to see His Majesty!"

"Duke Zhao! I've treated you as a close friend, yet you didn't tell me about your good fortune!"

"Oh, everyone! Don't overthink it. I really didn't mean to hide it from you, it's just that you can't be involved in this matter!"

Seeing the ministers criticizing him, Changsun Wuji reluctantly revealed a hint of information.

Little did he expect that if he hadn't revealed it, things would have been fine, but once he did, everyone went wild.

But then Cheng Yaojin said angrily, "Fine! Fine, you Duke of Zhao! You actually have something to hide from us! No way! We can't let you see His Majesty alone!"

"Yes! We must go see His Majesty together!"

And so, filled with righteous indignation, the ministers, along with Changsun Wuji, headed to the Ganlu Hall where Li Shimin was.

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian, after leaving Taiji Palace, went straight to the Military Academy.

With the military academy about to open, there were some arrangements that Li Chengqian needed to personally oversee.

For example, regarding the opening ceremony of the new school year, without his arrangement, he was really afraid that his subordinates would not be able to handle it well.

After all, apart from him, almost no one knew how to run a military academy.

About half an hour later, he arrived at the military academy located in the western suburbs of Chang'an.

However, the military academy's perimeter is distinctly modern, with rows of steel fences and military fortifications that give it a very solemn appearance.

With the Embroidered Uniform Guard temporarily overseeing the area, the entire military academy was almost completely sealed off.

"His Royal Highness!"

Upon seeing Li Chengqian's carriage, Pei Xingjian immediately led his men to greet it.

"Well, how did things go?"

As Li Chengqian stepped down from the carriage, he asked him a question.

Pei Xingjian laughed and said, "I have done my mission well. The people you requested, Your Highness, are mostly in place. There are one or two more who will arrive soon."

"So, the one or two you mentioned include the director of the military academy?" "Well..."

Pei Xingjian awkwardly suppressed his smile and nodded, saying, "Including."

"Humph!"

Li Chengqian snorted, then asked, "Have all the students for the military academy been selected? What's the pass rate?"

"Your Highness, we have already selected two hundred people, accounting for 30% of the total applicants. After the first batch of martial arts exams is over, there will be about two hundred more, for a total of about four hundred."

"Well, it's not bad."

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction, then continued, "Of the talents I asked you to gather, are there any suitable ones?"

"Have!"

Pei Xingjian immediately gestured to Li Chengqian, "Your Highness, this way please. They are currently waiting for you in the conference room!"

"it is good!"

Li Chengqian responded without asking any further questions and quickly followed Pei Xingjian to the conference room.

There were six people in the meeting room. They appeared to be of different ages, but they all gave the impression of being extraordinary individuals.

But then Pei Xingjian smiled and pointed to a middle-aged man with a refined appearance, saying, "Your Highness, this is Xie Yan. He passed the imperial examination in the early years of the Zhenguan era and is currently the registrar of Gaoling. He is very skilled in composing poems."

"Your subject, Xie Yan, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

As Pei Xingjian finished speaking, Xie Yan immediately bowed respectfully to Li Chengqian.

"No gift."

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, then mentally searched the encyclopedia and found such a person.

According to historical records, Xie Yan was highly regarded by Li Shimin and was appointed as a scholar of the Hongwen Pavilion. Later, he was appointed as a clerk in the Prince of Wei's mansion.

Come to think of it, they should be Li Tai's men.

Unexpectedly, Pei Xingjian actually brought him here, which seems to be a bit like trying to poach the little fat boy's girlfriend.

However, Li Chengqian said he was very confident.

But then Pei Xingjian pointed to another person and introduced him: "Your Highness, this is Wang Ji. He served in the Secretariat during the Wude period. Later, due to the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he was dismissed from office due to illness and went to farm in the countryside. He is good at five-character regulated poems and has a lot of experience in composing lyrics and music."

"Yes, I happen to need a master who can write lyrics and compose music."

Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction.

Wang Ji immediately bowed respectfully to him: "I am willing to serve Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"His Royal Highness!"

After Wang Ji finished bowing, Pei Xingjian immediately pointed to a serious-looking young man and said, "This is Cheng Wuting, my subordinate. I think he has a great talent for leading troops, and I would like to recommend him to be an instructor at the military academy!"

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but chuckle as he teased Pei Xingjian, "I never imagined that the usually fair and impartial garrison commander would resort to such connections!"

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

Pei Xingjian, however, disagreed, saying, "Didn't His Highness the Crown Prince say that anyone with talent, regardless of their background, can be recommended to you? I think Cheng Wuting is quite good; Your Highness can give him a try if you don't believe me!"

"Hehe, Garrison Commander, please don't misunderstand. I don't think you're being nepotistic. On the contrary, I admire your approach of finding opportunities for your subordinates."

Li Chengqian smiled and comforted Pei Xingjian, then turned to Cheng Wuting and said, "Since you are a subordinate recommended by the garrison commander, I naturally trust you. However, besides serving as an instructor, you still need to study more. I hope you can become a famous general of our Great Tang!"

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will never let you and the Garrison Commander down!"

Cheng Wuting bowed firmly and said.

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, then looked at the other three.

They then very tactfully introduced themselves.

"Your subjects, Sun Chuyue, Wei Yuanzhong, and Wei Siqian, greet Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Excellent! With you all, I am like a tiger with wings!"

Just as Li Chengqian was feeling smug, Li Shimin, inside the Ganlu Hall, was in a real bind.

Because he never expected that after he returned to the palace after failing to perform the Fengshan ceremony, Li Chengqian would actually continue to hold court.

What troubled him even more was that Li Chengqian actually proposed to establish a protectorate in the Turkic Khaganate.

It should be understood that the cost of establishing a Protectorate is not insignificant, and even if the Tang Dynasty were to establish one, it would be difficult to maintain it for long.

For example, the Protectorate of the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty became useless after only a few years. It was as good as not building it at all, a pure waste of manpower, material resources, and financial resources.

Strangely enough, Changsun Wuji actually supported the establishment of the Protectorate General and was even willing to send his eldest son to serve in the Protectorate General.

This truly surprised Li Shimin for a full moment.

Fortunately, Changsun Wuji was honest in front of him and decisively revealed Li Chengqian's plan.

In particular, the plan to seize land and exploit people left Li Shimin, Fang Xuanling, and others dumbfounded and speechless.

It's as if my brain can't keep up.

But then Changsun Wuji began to speak eloquently:
"The wool trade can control the material reserves of the Turks for rebellion. Establishing a protectorate can control the Turks' desire to resist."

"However, that's not enough. I think we need to add one more point on top of these two: to completely integrate the Turks into our Great Tang."

"Therefore, after thinking about it for a few days, I felt that I could work on their beliefs, such as our current Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, or some other religion. As long as we can make them believe in the contents of the doctrine, we will be able to completely control the entire Turkic Khaganate within three generations."

"hiss--"

Fang Xuanling and others, including Li Shimin, gasped in shock upon hearing Changsun Wuji's remarks.

Even Li Chengqian would probably be surprised by Changsun Wuji's remarks if he were here.

The doctrines mentioned by Changsun Wuji are somewhat similar to religious control in later generations.

This was completely unexpected.

It must be said that these politicians who have made their mark on history are not to be underestimated.

They can deduce more advanced political methods based on all reasonable factors.

Therefore, people who play politics are all corrupt.

Only they could come up with such a seemingly advanced but actually cruel method.

“However, the manpower, material resources, and financial resources required to establish a Protectorate are considerable expenses, which the Tang Dynasty’s current national strength may not be able to meet!” Xiao Yu said thoughtfully.

Fang Xuanling echoed, "Indeed, it's impossible to send a few people to establish a small protectorate, is it? That wouldn't be very effective!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately turned his gaze to Changsun Wuji, frowned, and asked, "Fuji, do you have any good ideas?"

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, there are two feasible methods."

Changsun Wuji smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "First, the imperial court will provide some funds to establish a small protectorate in the Turkic region, and then operate a wool business. Once the wool business is profitable, the protectorate will be continuously expanded."

"However, the downside of doing this is that it takes too long and is not conducive to the original purpose of establishing the Protectorate."

"Second, the funds should be provided by the people, and the court should offer concessions to the people. This way, the Protectorate can be established quickly, and the pressure on the court can be reduced. It is a win-win situation!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin, Fang Xuanling, and the others were immediately stunned.

I thought to myself, what kind of crazy move is this now?

The imperial government offices are to be built with funds from the common people? Isn't that a joke? Who's so stupid as to spend money on something like this?!

But Changsun Wuji smiled faintly and said, "To be honest, Your Majesty, if Your Majesty agrees to the second method, I am willing to fund the establishment of the Protectorate! But the wool trade with the Turks must belong to me!"

I rub!

So that old scoundrel was waiting here all along!
The ministers immediately realized what was happening and quickly expressed their support to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty! Your subject is also willing to contribute funds to establish the Protectorate!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! For the sake of the country and its people, I have no reason not to contribute!"

"His Majesty."

"okay!"

Seeing his ministers scrambling to donate money in such an unseemly manner, Li Shimin's face darkened instantly, and he rebuked them in a low voice, "You all better wake up!"

"What private funding! Do you know how much it costs to build a real protectorate? At least fifty million strings of cash! I ask you, which of you can come up with fifty million strings of cash? Huh? You're really jumping on every bandwagon!"

"But didn't the Duke of Zhao say he was willing to pay?" Cheng Yaojin muttered somewhat unwillingly.

Yuchi Gong chimed in, "Yes, he can't possibly come up with fifty million strings of cash!"

Li Shimin glared at them irritably and muttered "idiots" to himself.

This idea was given to Changsun Wuji by that rebellious son. Can't you tell?
Changsun Wuji couldn't come up with 50 million strings of cash, but his rebellious son could!
This is clearly a case of keeping everything to themselves and not letting you guys get involved!

……

I'm asking for double monthly votes for the last two days. I'll add an extra chapter if I get 1000 votes.

(End of this chapter)