: Follow the army

"Li Ji returned from Caozhou."

This is the first sentence Cen Wenben said after entering the Wu Palace.

"Li Ji?" Li Ke was stunned. He was naturally familiar with Li Ji. He was one of the few generals since the founding of the Tang Dynasty. In terms of command ability and military strategy, he was no worse than Li Jing and Hou Junji. His talent was always valued by his father. However, this person has always been released by his father and has few chances to come back to Chang'an.

"If I remember well, it must have been five years since Li Ji left Chang'an, right?" Li Ke said to himself with a confused look on his face, "Why is he suddenly back now? Could it be?"

Li Ke's expression changed, and he suddenly looked up at Cen Wenben and said, "Is it possible that my father intends to let him lead the troops and point his sword at Gaochang?"

"According to the current situation, it should be." Cen Wenben sat down at Li Ke's lower head. Seeing that Li Ke could think of the key to the problem so quickly, he nodded with satisfaction and said: "Although there was no explicit statement, the emperor's intention to send troops was obvious, and the day of sending troops was approaching, but even so, the emperor did not clearly point out that he wanted anyone to be a general."

Looking up at Li Ke, Cen Wenben continued, "And I also know that for this quota of generals, not only His Highness, but also the prince of the East Palace and other neutral generals, have racked their brains to attract the emperor's attention, hoping to become the commander of this expedition."

"Before, I was confused. The emperor always paid attention to preparing for the future and made all preparations in advance. But why did he stop making any decision this time?" Cen Wenben said: "Now, when I heard that Li Ji rushed back from Caozhou, I finally understood the emperor's thoughts."

"Sir, please give me advice!" Li Ke bowed to Cen Wenben and asked softly.

"The emperor is unwilling to choose a general in Chang'an, because the veteran is powerless and the new general shows that he lacks ability. Although Gaochang was not enough in the past, he could easily win over even if he sent a general." Cen Wenben gently stroked the beard on his jaw and said softly: "But now, Gaochang, who has Hou Junji, has become a tiger that can feed people. Not everyone can eat this bone."

"As for the second," Cen Wenben pondered for a moment and continued, "I'm afraid the emperor doesn't want His Highness and the Crown Prince to dominate, so even if you have generals under your command who can fight Hou Junji, the emperor will not easily appoint them."

"So," Li Ke's expression became a little depressed: "The father asked Li Ji to come back, not only to let him deal with Hou Junji, but also to use him to balance the king and the prince?"

"You have both." Cen Wenben sighed lightly and said, "Who can really guess the emperor's thoughts thoroughly?"

"However, this is not a good thing for Your Highness." Putting aside his sigh, Cen Wenben spoke out to Li Ke and persuaded him: "In the past, in order to establish the prestige and merit of the prince, the emperor would take care of the prince openly and secretly in everything so that the prince could better show his talents and prove to his ministers his ability as the crown prince. But this time..."

"But this time," Li Ke felt a little excited, and took Cen Wenben's words and said, "The father excluded the prince. Does this mean that the father is completely disappointed with the prince?"

"Although I don't know what ridiculous things the prince has done during this period," Cen Wenben nodded with a smile and said, "But from the emperor's attitude towards the prince over the past period, we can see that the emperor is probably already thinking of destruction."

"I heard from the teacher that, it seems to be true." Li Ke nodded suddenly, recalling some strange phenomena a while ago, and whispered loudly: "Since the prince was seriously injured at the birthday party of Empress Changsun last time, his father seemed to have only been there once on the day of the incident. After that, no matter whether the prince's injury recurs or improved, it seems that the father had never been there again."

"That's it," Cen Wenben nodded and said, "The prince lost his power, and his highness will have a chance, but the more this happens, the more cautious your highness will be and do his duty."

"Sir, the student has written it down." Li Ke nodded obediently, and was also very surprised. After waiting for so many years, will he finally have a day to make a comeback?

"As for his attitude towards Li Ji," Cen Wenben advised: "This time, in addition to being the commander of the attacking Gaochang, the vacancy of the Minister of War that Hou Junji vacated will also fall on him."

"Such a general with a high position and powerful position and strong army," said Cen Wenben, sitting up and explaining to Li Ke seriously: "Your Highness can show goodwill, but you must not win over the relationship with each other. This is the emperor's taboo."

"Thank you for your teaching!" Li Ke was shocked and suddenly destroyed his thoughts about trying to win over Li Ji's thoughts.

"Also," Cen Wenben changed his mind and continued: "Besides these, there is another thing. If possible, I hope your highness must do it."

"Sir, please speak!" Li Ke has never neglected Cen Wenben's words, so when he saw Cen Wenben speak so seriously, he couldn't help but take it nervously.

"Although the road to Gaochang is dangerous, Li Ji is here, there is no real danger," Cen Wenben said: "If possible, I hope that Your Highness can ask the emperor for permission and follow the general when sending troops."

"Accompanying the Supervisor?!"

Similarly, someone was talking about it in the bedroom of Li Chengqian of the East Palace.

"Not bad!" Empress Changsun nodded firmly, looking at the prince who was still lying on the couch and had a sick look on his face and said calmly: "This is your last chance. Whether you can win back your father's wishes and whether you can seize the opportunity to take Li Ji under your tent depends on whether you can get the position of the governor and your performance in going to Gaochang."

"But my son's injuries have not healed, and he is about to send troops again. Even if he is willing, he is afraid he will be unable to go!" Empress Changsun's words made Li Chengqian quite moved. A battle of stable victory, without any danger, can be exchanged for a large amount of military achievements and the trust of his father. Such a thing that is beneficial and harmless, as long as you are not a fool, no one will easily refuse.

"So you have to try your best to recover," said Empress Changsun: "I mentioned this to you the next time that my mother and mother have mentioned it to you. Now there are more than three months before spring plowing. No matter what method you use during this period, you must be able to walk as usual after spring plowing. Even if you can't ride a horse and wear a hanger, it doesn't matter. After all, this time I go there, I just want you to supervise the army and don't have to go into battle in person."

"I know, my mother." Li Chengqian said loudly with determination on his face, "Even if he can't walk at that time, even if he is someone to carry him, he will follow the army!"

"However," after saying that, Li Chengqian asked Empress Changsun with some uncertainty, "Will the father agree to this matter? Anyone can see the benefits of it, and the third brother and some people will definitely not miss this opportunity, but the son is just heart..."

"Your father will agree," Empress Changsun said affirmatively: "No matter what, you are still the crown prince now. You are the position of governor of the Tang Dynasty and the governor. You are the most suitable one."

"And," said Empress Changsun, after a pause, he continued: "At that time, your uncle and Lord Fang will definitely ask for your life. The general trend is still with you, and Li Ke and the others will not fight for it."

After finally putting his heart in his stomach, Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief: "I know my mother, my son will work hard to recover the wounded during this period, so that he will follow the army to fight and will never disappoint my mother."

"Well," Seeing that his son's fighting spirit was revived, Empress Changsun nodded with satisfaction and continued to instruct: "Li Ji is your father's old minister. He is the best at fighting. He has been in the army for more than 20 years and has fought countless wars, and there are few defeats. In terms of ability and military achievements, Li Ji will not be inferior to Hou Junji at all. Therefore, if you can make good friends with him, he can become your greatest reliance in the army after Hou Junji."

"However, although Li Ji is loyal and upright, he has always been smooth in his officialdom and has never been willing to interfere in the dispute between you princes." I am afraid that Li Chengqian would feel resentful because of the unfavorable recruitment. Empress Changsun reminded Li Chengqian in advance: "If the emperor's son is not good for recruitment, remember not to be angry or resentful. No matter what, he is a loyal minister of my Tang Dynasty and the minister that your father values ​​the most. If my son sits on the throne in the future, he will be loyal to you."

Li Jingshougao, Hou Junji defected, Li Daozong, Cheng Yaojin and others were all good at fighting, but they were all old. Now these people can barely go out to defend one side, but they are not yet visible. However, in another five or ten years, when all these veterans who can withstand the tough battles are unable to go out, and the new generation of generals are unable to stand on their own because they have few battles to fight, Li Ji, who is now in his prime, is extremely important.

With the belief in ability, being young is often a very strong capital. There is no doubt that Li Ji, who is just over 100 years old, is more important to the future of the Tang Dynasty than the old people like Li Jing and Li Daozong.

At any time, the Tang Dynasty needed a famous general who could fight big and tough battles. Empress Changsun could see clearly that no matter who would become the emperor in the future, whether it was the crown prince, Li Ke or any other prince, when all the veterans and generals who could fight were old, Li Ji, who was in his prime, would definitely become the best and most powerful assistant minister of the new emperor. Only with him can he intimidate the world and the situation in the Tang Dynasty could be more stable.

Although Empress Changsun had some selfishness, she would never ignore the fate of the Tang Dynasty and would not indirectly harm Li Ji, a future minister of the pillar country because of her own selfishness.

"Don't worry, my mother, there are still some measures for my son." Li Chengqian replied softly indifferently: "If I had resentment just because of the failure to recruit, wouldn't my ministers have already been full of enemies in the court?"
Chapter completed!