Unexpectedly, Li Shimin just smiled and said: "This Yuan Shoucheng is indeed capable. He made me go to the underworld. If it hadn't been for Judge Cui's help, would I have come back alive? He was not afraid that I would settle the score with him, and he dared to say
Such a treasonous thing? However, I am a person who loves talents, and I won’t do anything to him."
Li Tai looked at Li Shimin with all kinds of feelings in his heart.
Such a person deserves to have a successful career. He is too broad-minded. Not only is he not angry with Yuan Shoucheng, but he also praises him.
Empress Changsun said: "I'm afraid this is what people often say about the boldness of talented people. Your Majesty, it would be great if such people could be used by the imperial court."
"I'm afraid that the court can't keep him at all. I also admire him very much. He was able to figure out the Jade Emperor's decree to the Jinghe Dragon King. Now, I don't know where Tang Xuanzang went to obtain scriptures?"
"Father, as an outsider like him, he will definitely not be bound by the rules and regulations, and naturally he is not willing to serve as an official in the court. Is Yuan Tiangang his nephew?"
Li Tai was very curious about this question.
Li Shimin laughed and said, "I don't know. Why do you care so much? Tai'er, go back and clean up. My father will send you off to the expedition in person tomorrow."
"Well, how many troops does the emperor plan to give me?"
"There are fifty thousand elite soldiers. Luojia is a small country. There is no need to mobilize troops to deal with them."
Fifty thousand soldiers was not a small number. Li Tai did not want that many soldiers. He also thought that he had never led an army to fight. Although he had learned the art of war, he could only talk about it on paper. The more soldiers, the better.
"Thank you, father. I will definitely fulfill my mission."
After bidding farewell to Li Shimin and his wife, Li Tai came to the East Palace to bid farewell to Li Chengqian.
The East Palace is being decorated with lanterns and colors, giving it a festive atmosphere.
Li Tai felt a little guilty, fearing that he would ask about fortune telling, so he said a lot of congratulations.
"What's the benefit of getting married? I'm still too young."
Li Chengqian didn't want to get married at all, but he couldn't disobey the emperor's will.
"I heard that Fang Zhenzhu is a rare good woman with both talent and beauty."
Li Chengqian said disdainfully: "I dislike Fang Xuanling the most. Many of my father's ideas came from him. What's the benefit of this political marriage? Do you really want to go on an expedition?"
"Do you still have a day off? I will go to war tomorrow and I won't be able to attend your wedding. When I return after winning the battle, I will give you a big gift."
Li Chengqian pouted and said, "Can you do it? I don't expect you to come back victorious, as long as you come back safely."
Does he still look down on him?
"Are you looking down on people? Although I have no experience, the people my father sent to me are all brave people. Even if I can't do it, they can't do it either?"
Li Chengqian smiled and said: "Since your expedition is just for show, why do you still go?"
"Who said it's just a decoration? As a prince, being the head coach will naturally boost morale. Think about it, I can go to the battlefield at such a young age, and the enemy is not scared to shit."
"Bragging. As long as you promise to come back safely, that's fine. Fourth brother, if you meet that person named Yuan Shoucheng outside, you must ask him to help me calculate how old I am before I can ascend the throne and become the emperor."
Damn it, this kid won’t change his ways?
He wants to be the emperor unless Li Shimin returns to the West. Isn't this equivalent to calculating how long Li Shimin can live? He is his eldest son.
"Your Highness, why are you in such a hurry? The steamed buns in the basket belong to you after all."
Li Chengqian said: "Can this be the same? The feeling of my father being the emperor is different from that of me being the emperor."
"The last time you asked someone to tell your fortune, your father found out, but he didn't lose his temper?"
He had to ask this question. He felt that if he didn't ask, he would stifle himself to death.
Li Chengqian's expression immediately turned green: "What, does your father know about that?"
"What? He didn't blame you?"
Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "No, who wants to ruin my business? It's really hateful."
It turns out that this is the case. Li Shimin has such a big heart. He didn't hold him accountable for such a big thing? It's really puzzling.
"It's okay if it's not. I've been sweating for you. It's okay if it's okay."
Seeing his indignant look, Li Tai felt cold in his heart. He originally thought that Li Shimin was devoted to him, but now he realized that Li Chengqian was still the one he loved.
It was a crisp autumn day, and the Donghua Gate of Chang'an City was crowded with people. Li Shimin led hundreds of civil and military officials to see off the soldiers.
Li Tai was named the General of the Conquest of the South, and Feng Li and Xie Shufang were appointed deputy commanders.
In front of all the officials, Li Shimin's face was full of reluctance.
"King Wei, as the general of the southern expedition this time, you must listen to the opinions and suggestions of the two deputy commanders, and you must not make your own decisions."
"If you obey your orders, I will definitely fulfill your mission and return in triumph."
Prince Li Chengqian took him aside and told him to remember his words.
"Prince, don't worry, I will definitely come back victorious."
In front of everyone, his answer was very cryptic.
Li Shimin was very satisfied when he saw how their brothers were living in harmony, and said to the ministers: "Now the world has been settled, the Tang Dynasty is peaceful and the people are peaceful, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. Today, the King of Wei leads the army to go to war. He has such courage at a young age. It's me."
The good fortune of the Tang Dynasty and the good fortune of the people."
The ministers shouted, "Long live our emperor, long live the Tang Dynasty."
Li Tai glanced at everyone, but did not see Wei Zheng. He was wondering, where did this servant of Wei go? Didn't you even come to see him off?
It's a bit unsettling that he doesn't come forward for such a big matter.
Doesn't he disapprove of his military exploits?
He was confused in his heart, and it was not easy to ask in front of everyone, so he had to say to Li Shimin: "Father, where did Mr. Wei go today?"
Li Shimin laughed and said: "Of course he is on business. At this time, he should be in Cizhou to appease some of the former prince's old ministers. This Wei Zheng is very capable."
"That's it, my dear father, I will say goodbye to him on my behalf."
"Okay, maybe he won't be able to return to Chang'an when you come back from the expedition. Okay, let's set off?"
Li Tai said goodbye to his ministers and Li Shimin and his son, and rode towards Luojia Kingdom.
This time, he can only succeed but not fail. He must earn political capital for himself so that he can have a chance to rise to power one day.
The trip was a long one, so Li Tai was extremely complimentary to the two deputy commanders. These two were Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's old subordinates. If he could build a good relationship with them, he might be able to use them one day.
Feng Li and Xie Shufang also greatly appreciated Li Tai's initiative to lead the expedition at a young age. Knowing that he was a prince with all-round talents in both civil and military affairs, they naturally respected him quite a lot.
The group of people walked for seven days before reaching the border.
He had to plan carefully how to fight next.
First they set up camp and settled down. They were too tired from the long journey and ordered the soldiers to rest first before discussing the matter.