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

Chapter 428 This Won't End Well [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

The evening breeze carrying sand and gravel blew across the city walls of Fuzhou. Li Chengqian leaned against the battlements, toying with a Western-style bronze bell in his hand, when he heard familiar footsteps behind him.

He didn't need to turn around to know it was Murong Shun.

The current governor of Fuzhou, the Prince of Xiping, had just accompanied him on an inspection of the newly built city defenses.

"Is Your Highness still watching the sunset?"

Murong Shun handed over a pot of mare's milk wine, his tone tinged with emotion: "Back in Chang'an, I almost lost my life trying to marry the princess. Who would have thought that we would be standing together on the city wall of Fuzhou today, watching the sunset together?"

Li Chengqian took the wine pot, tilted his head back and took a sip. The spicy wine slid down his throat, making him chuckle: "You remember it clearly. You were quite arrogant back then, and I really wanted to kill you. Thinking about it now, it was quite youthful spirit."

"Your Highness is joking. You are not even sixteen yet, so aren't you still a young man?"
Upon hearing this, Murong Shun's face turned bitter. He then stroked the jade pendant at his waist with his fingertips and sighed:
"I truly risked my life to propose marriage back then. I was a hostage in the Sui Dynasty for so many years. The position of Crown Prince should have been mine, but my younger brother took it from me. How could I accept that?"

Marrying a princess of the Tang Dynasty was my only way out at the time. Only with the help of the Tang Dynasty could I reclaim what was rightfully mine.

At this point, he suddenly remembered something else and smiled bitterly: "But who would have thought that you would shatter all my hopes as soon as you appeared, and even threatened to 'castrate my entire family'."

Upon hearing the words "castrate nine generations of one's family," Murong Shun deliberately shuddered, his tone full of mockery:
“During that time, I had nightmares every day, fearing that you would really send the Imperial Guards to ‘take action.’ I couldn’t eat or sleep properly, and even drinking mare’s milk wine tasted bland. Later I realized that you weren’t targeting me, but that you disapproved of the marriage alliance from the bottom of your heart.”

Li Chengqian put down the wine pot, looked at the distant mountain range, and his tone suddenly turned serious: "That's right, I have never agreed with marriage alliances."

He tapped the city bricks with his fingertips and said, word by word.

"The stability of the Tang Dynasty should not be bought with a woman's wedding dress. The territory of the Tang Dynasty should not be preserved by ceding land to make peace. The dignity of the Tang Dynasty should not be maintained by paying reparations and showing weakness. This has always been my belief."

"No marriage alliances, no ceding of territory, no reparations."

The smile on Murong Shun's face gradually faded. He was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I understand Your Highness's thoughts now."

"You conquered the grasslands, successively taking over Tibet, the Western Turks, and even Gaochang, not to stabilize the borders, but to bring these countries into the territory of the Tang Dynasty, so that all under heaven would be Tang people, and the people would no longer suffer from the ravages of war."

"But in the high-altitude regions of Tuyuhun and Tubo, the tribes are numerous and the people's hearts are not yet settled. What plans does Your Highness intend to make?"

"Divide and conquer, and use both kindness and severity."

Li Chengqian said firmly, “You will continue to lead the Tuyuhun tribe, but you must implement the laws of the Tang Dynasty, open schools, and let the children of the tribe learn Chinese characters and etiquette.”

"I have sent envoys to Tibet to negotiate, allowing them to retain their tribal customs, but they must acknowledge that they are Tang people and pay taxes on time."

"In addition, I will establish protectorates in these places and station Tang troops there, which will both deter rebellions and protect the people."

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, we need to build post roads and open trade routes so that horses from Tuyuhun, salt from Tibet, and furs from the Western Turks can all be transported to Chang'an."

"Let the silk, tea, and agricultural tools of the Tang Dynasty be sent to the frontier and the Western Regions. Only when the people can live a good life will they truly submit to the Tang Dynasty."

Murong Shun nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration: "Your Highness has thought things through. In this way, the border will surely enjoy long-term peace and stability."

After saying that, he suddenly changed the subject: "Oh, by the way, my son Murong Zhi was pestering me today, saying he wanted to learn horseback riding and archery from Your Highness. This child has a wild nature, but he does have some talent for martial arts."

When Murong Zhi was mentioned, Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I've met that boy. He has bright eyes and a tenacious spirit. He's a promising talent."

He turned to Murong Shun and said earnestly, "When he's a little older, send him to the military academy in Chang'an. There are the best instructors there who can teach him military strategy, tactics, and troop deployment. In the future, he can not only help you govern Tuyuhun, but also serve the Tang Dynasty."

Murong Shun's eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed and thanked him, "Thank you, Your Highness! If Zhi'er can enter the military academy, he will surely become a great man in the future!"

Li Chengqian waved his hand and looked back at the setting sun.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of Fuzhou City, while the distant calls of cattle and sheep returning to their pastures echoed through the air.

He raised his wine jug and drank it all in one gulp, facing the setting sun: "I hope that many years from now, there will be no war here, only the joyful laughter of the people. This is the Tang Dynasty I want."

"Your Highness, His Majesty's decree has arrived!"

The moment Li Chengqian finished speaking, Pei Xingjian hurriedly came over and reported:

"The one who came to deliver the imperial decree is Gao Yao from the Empress's palace, who is now Wu She's deputy."

"Hmm, let's go take a look."

Li Chengqian nodded calmly, then glanced at Murong Shun. Although he didn't say anything, his meaning was clear.

I might be leaving. Do your best.

Murong Shun didn't say anything, but stood up straight with a "don't worry" expression on his face.

About fifteen minutes later, Li Chengqian brought Pei Xingjian to the military tent.

However, he did not go directly into the tent. Instead, he took two flatbreads from Wang Haibin, who was baking them, took a bite of one, and then walked straight into the military tent.

"His Royal Highness!"

When Gao Yao saw Li Chengqian, he immediately bowed.

Li Chengqian waved his hand to interrupt him: "No need for formalities among our own people, just announce the decree!"

"promise!"

Gao Yao responded with a joyful expression, especially when Li Chengqian called him "one of our own," he was so excited that he almost knelt down to express his gratitude.

Fortunately, he had the imperial edict in his hand, which restored some of his sanity.

He cleared his throat and immediately unfolded the imperial edict, saying:
"His Majesty has decreed—! Crown Prince Li Chengqian, without removing his armor, shall immediately proceed to Liaodong to complete the matters I have not yet finished!"

His shrill voice pierced the entire military tent. Li Chengqian, holding a piece of crispy baked flatbread in his hand, paused for a moment before handing it to the soldier next to him who was missing an ear.

"Your Highness, will you accept the order?"

Gao Yao respectfully handed over the imperial edict, but subconsciously glanced at the soldier, thinking that the war on the Crown Prince's side had only just ended.

Can we win if we go to Liaodong now?
Moreover, even the crown prince's personal guards were injured, which shows how fierce the war was.

However, Li Chengqian did not rush to accept the imperial decree. He first stuffed another flatbread into the soldier's hand, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Take good care of your injuries. When I return from Liaodong, I will bring you pine nuts from Liaodong."

After saying this, he turned around, walked up to Gao Yao, and snatched the imperial edict.

"Your subject, Li Chengqian, receives the imperial decree."

For an ordinary person, this would be considered extremely disrespectful, but who is Li Chengqian? Who would care about his rudeness?
"Besides this decree, does Your Majesty have any other words for me?" Li Chengqian pressed.

Although his voice was calm and devoid of emotion, Gao Yao quickly interjected, "Your Highness, His Majesty also said that you do not need to return to Chang'an, but can directly take your elite troops along the post road, as Liaodong is probably impatient."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but quip, "Is it the soldiers in Liaodong who can't wait, or my father who can't wait? Is he afraid that I'll gain a foothold here?"

"Uh... this..."

Gao Yao's lips twitched, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer.

Just then, Li Chengqian abruptly changed the subject, asking, "Have all the death row inmates in Chang'an been returned?"

"Oh, Your Highness, you're still thinking about this?"

Gao Yao grinned, his tone becoming warmer: "They're all back! Even Ma Erbao, who was a moment late, has returned. His Majesty pardoned everyone on the spot, and the people cheered like a tidal wave!" Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian finally smiled faintly, and the playfulness on his face subsided somewhat.

Gao Yao looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Highness, the Empress has a few words for you to convey!"

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow: "What did you say?"

"Your Highness, the Empress has instructed me to inform you that His Majesty has returned to Chang'an. She has already explained to His Majesty what you did. After hearing this, His Majesty did not make any statement, but only said 'I understand,' just a few words."

"But the Empress also said that she knew His Majesty and was afraid that he would not let the matter of Li Ke and his brother go unpunished."

"Furthermore, she also told me to tell you that if the Liaodong campaign can be fought slowly, then please try to slow it down as much as possible."

Gao Yao carefully repeated Empress Zhangsun's words, his forehead already covered in cold sweat.

After all, those three sentences were truly terrifying.

If he hadn't already been recognized as the Empress's confidant and one of the Crown Prince's own men, he wouldn't have dared to utter those three sentences.

Li Chengqian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly: "I understand what Eunuch Gao said. Please go back and tell my mother. No distance can stop my longing for my mother. Blood is thicker than water. I will take good care of myself."

"Yes, this servant will relay the message to the Empress without missing a single word," Gao Yao said, bowing.

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction: "Eunuch Gao, you've worked hard."

After saying that, he said to Pei Xingjian, "Go and make arrangements for Eunuch Gao."

"promise!"

Pei Xingjian immediately agreed and then left with Gao Yao.

As Li Chengqian watched them leave, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a chilling coldness.

But then he murmured, "Li Er, Li Er, you are still very clever. You know when to turn against me."

As he spoke, he picked up the imperial edict, glanced at it, and then casually tossed it onto the table: "You won't let this go? You're just worried that if I kill Brother Li Ke, you'll kill me too! Now you're sending me to attack Liaodong, are you trying to squeeze every last drop of value out of me?"

"Wait until I've wiped out all your enemies before settling accounts?"

"Interesting, really interesting."

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately sent orders to the outside: "Someone, convey my order that the Wolf Fang Guard, the Musketeer Guard, the Black Armor Guard, and the Iron Pagoda Guard prepare to march on Liaodong immediately. The rest of the troops shall temporarily garrison their respective locations and await General Li Ji's command."

"Also, summon General Li Jing here!"

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

A voice answered from outside the door, followed immediately by the sound of footsteps leaving.

Liaodong, within the city of Anshi.

After finishing the war reconstruction work, Yang Wanchun returned to the city lord's mansion looking exhausted.

At this moment, Vice General Jin Shun came forward and said with a smile, "General, the Grand General Lu has sent people to deliver a lot of food and weapons to us. He said that there will be a reward from the King for our bravery in repelling the Tang army."

"Ah."

Yang Wanchun sneered, then said with a disdainful look, "Does he really think he's a loyal subject? We're guarding Anshi City not for any reward! We're guarding our homeland."

"But we can't just refuse the things he sent, can we?"

"Who says they don't want it? Except for weapons, everything else should be distributed to the people in the city!"

"Yes!"

Jin Shun responded, then remembered something and asked, "What should we do with the silks that Li Shimin gave us? It seems that Da Dui Lu also knows about this. I'm afraid he'll use 'treason' against us in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Wanchun frowned, suddenly recalling the scene from last winter when the city ran out of food and the people wrapped themselves in tattered hemp wadding.

"They've all been split up."

Yang Wanchun sat down on the stool, his voice finally softening: "The elderly, the weak, women and children should go first, and the rest should be cut into strips of cloth to wrap the wounded soldiers."

"General, that's..."

"They're just common things; we don't care about Li Shimin's possessions!"

Yang Wanchun waved his hand impatiently.

Jin Shun knew his temper, so he didn't say much and quickly went to pass on the order.

When the instruction is passed down.

The cries at the city gate gradually turned into soft laughter. The old soldier with the missing arm touched the silk and grinned, revealing his toothless mouth: "I've lived for fifty years, and this is the first time I've seen such soft material. It's not a loss to be wrapped in it after I die."

"Pooh!"

A laborer next to him patted him on the shoulder and said, "The Tang Dynasty has all withdrawn. Good days are ahead! When spring comes, we'll go outside the city to plant crops, and by the end of the year we'll be able to eat white rice!"

These words were like a pebble thrown into water, instantly eliciting agreement from the entire audience.

"Exactly! The Tang army fought for more than half a year, but they didn't even touch the base of our city walls. In the end, they still slunk away."

"I heard that their emperor is seriously ill and on his deathbed, and the crown prince has killed a bunch of meritorious officials' sons. The Tang Dynasty is probably going to be in chaos!"

"I knew it! Anshi City is a tough nut to crack; anyone who tries to gnaw on it will break their teeth!"

Several young soldiers huddled together, pointing and gesturing in the direction the Tang army was retreating, their tone full of sarcasm.

"Look how fast they ran! They didn't even take the broken pot they left in the camp with them!"

"And those cannons, the booming sound was quite frightening, but after fighting for more than half a year, wasn't it all a waste of effort?"

"I heard from the scouts that they're almost out of food. If they don't leave soon, they'll have to fight on an empty stomach! What fools!"

Yang Wanchun also arrived at the city tower at this time. He listened to the wild and unfounded words below, but did not stop them.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he looked at the fields gradually becoming clearer in the distance, and recalled Sun Daiyin's departing figure. Suddenly, he chuckled softly.

Jin Shun walked over and followed his gaze: "General, do you think the Tang Dynasty will come again?"

"Come?"

Yang Wanchun shook his head and pointed to the jubilant people below the city: "Their internal situation is in such chaos that they can't even take care of themselves. How can they have the mind to attack us? Besides, after this battle, they should know that Goguryeo is not easy to bully."

"Too."

Jin Shun smiled knowingly.

(End of this chapter)