Chapter 260: Re-planning, the overall situation is determined
“Resist it? This is not a problem that can be solved by just resisting. At present, although the flames of war are only raging in the north, the prefectures and counties across the Tang Dynasty have already shown the scene of people gathering. If we are not careful, it will trigger a large-scale popular uprising.”

Li Zhi let out a long breath with a serious expression, as if he wanted to let out all the worries in his heart.

“How…how is this possible? This is clearly a peaceful and prosperous era. People everywhere have always lived and worked in peace and contentment, with no worries about food and clothing!”

Wu Mei’er’s eyes widened in disbelief. She really couldn’t understand why, even if Li Chengqian was popular among the people, he would never end up like this.

Li Zhi stood there quietly, like a sculpture, and was silent for a long time.

Even though Li Chengqian has been in power for many years, it is absolutely impossible for him to have such a huge influence.

The current situation is like a shocking game with the entire world as the chessboard.

With Li Zhi’s in-depth understanding of the Bad People, he should have noticed and discovered such a major incident long ago.

However, what is puzzling is why Li Shimin failed to resolve the problem in time?

Moreover, his attitude towards Li Chengqian is ambiguous and confusing.

Now that I think about it carefully, it seems that they are treating everyone as chess pieces, even Li Zhi himself is on the chessboard.

“Your Majesty, General Wang Fangyi of the Left Guard and General Su Dingfang of the Left Guard are requesting an audience outside the palace.”

Time passed minute by minute, and it seemed like a very long time had passed. Finally, a eunuch hurried in with small steps.

“Send them in!”

Li Zhi’s face was as gloomy as water, and he gave the order in a calm tone. However, his seemingly calm eyes glanced at Wu Mei’er beside him.

Wu Mei’er was such an intelligent person that she understood the emperor’s intention in an instant. She bowed slightly and said softly, “I will take my leave first.”

After saying this, she took light steps and slowly left the hall.

All along, whenever we encounter major decisions concerning the fate of the country.

Although Wu Meir was favored by Li Zhi, it was ultimately difficult for her to truly participate in it.

Li Zhi looks weak, but he is actually extremely domineering.

Soon, Su Dingfang and Wang Fangyi walked side by side and quickly entered the palace. They looked solemn and walked steadily and powerfully. They walked in front of the emperor, clasped their fists and saluted, saying, “Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!”

Being specially summoned to the palace in the middle of the night, they naturally knew that there must be something extremely important and urgent that needed to be discussed and dealt with.

“My two beloved ministers, do you know why I summoned you here so late at night?”

Li Zhi sat on the dragon throne with a solemn expression and eyes as sharp as a hawk. He stared closely at the two people standing in the palace, his voice low and majestic.

“I really don’t know, I hope Your Majesty can explain it to me!”

The two answered in unison, bowing slightly with respectful expressions on their faces. Although they were secretly speculating in their hearts, no one dared to speak out their thoughts rashly. After all, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, and the slightest mistake may lead to death.

“Urgent news from Liaodong: Former Crown Prince Li Chengqian has led his troops to the Yellow River.”

Li Zhi’s words exploded in the hall like thunder, shaking the hearts of both of them.

The two of them were shocked when they heard this and looked at each other. How long has it been? Li Chengqian was able to capture this place so quickly.

Even if he rushed all the way from Youzhou City, it would take at least ten days or half a month to reach the bank of the Yellow River. But now he arrived at the bank of the Yellow River so quickly, which was really unexpected.

“When I first heard this news, I was just like you, I couldn’t believe it. However, this news came through a special channel, so its accuracy is beyond doubt.”

Li Zhi looked at the shocked expressions of the two people in front of him and added slowly.

At this time, Wang Fangyi, who had been silent all this time, suddenly raised his head, with a barely perceptible glimmer of excitement in his eyes: “Your Majesty summoned me and others so late at night, I guess it is to resist the enemy.”

“Can I trust you?”

Li Zhi suddenly changed the subject and stood up abruptly. At that moment, the powerful aura emanating from his body was like a rainbow piercing the sun, making people dare not look directly at him.

“Although we are not talented, we are willing to sacrifice our lives to serve the country and defend the country!”

The two responded in unison and knelt on one knee without hesitation, their expressions solemn and determined.

Li Zhi nodded slightly, with a solemn look on his face:
“I have just ascended the throne, and it is difficult to distinguish between loyalty and treachery. Now, the court is in power, forming cliques for personal gain and controlling the government. Outside the court, hostile forces are eyeing the court covetously, often invading the borders, making it difficult for government orders to be implemented, and my orders are shelved.”

At this point, Li Zhi couldn’t help but sigh, with deep helplessness in his eyes.

However, his expression suddenly changed, and he looked at the two people kneeling in front of him with admiration, and said slowly:
“However, fortunately, we have the help of good generals like you, and the country can be safe.”

In fact, how could Li Zhi really not be able to tell who is loyal and who is treacherous?
If he did not have a pair of eyes that could see through the world, how could he have specially summoned these two people into the palace to discuss major plans?

At this time, Su Dingfang, who had been keeping his head down, suddenly spoke up and said, “This is not your Majesty’s fault. It is because we, as ministers, are too incompetent to eradicate those treacherous villains at home and resist the invasion of foreign enemies. This has put the country in such a difficult situation. I am really ashamed of this humble official.”

After saying this, his face was full of self-blame and guilt.

Li Zhi quickly waved his hand to signal Su Dingfang not to blame himself too much:
“General Su, please don’t think like that. I have a plan to eliminate the thieves and defend the country.”

After a pause, Li Zhi announced loudly:

“Draft an imperial decree. Su Dingfang is promoted to the position of the Chief of the Military Operations of Guannei Road, commanding the troops of Guannei Road with full authority. Wang Fangyi is appointed as the Chief of the Military Operations of Hedong Road, responsible for commanding all military affairs of Henei Road.”

This was a private order and had not been approved by the court.

“Thank you Lord for your grace!”

They both said in unison, feeling quite excited.

Guannei Road and Hedong Road are different from other state roads. These two roads occupy most of the population of the Tang Dynasty.

Generally, no one else would be appointed as the commander-in-chief of the army, but instead he would be under the control of the emperor himself.

The most important thing is that the palace soldiers are concentrated in these two places, and this is also for the convenience of guarding the imperial capital Chang’an.

“Civil uprisings are happening all over the country. After receiving the order, you will immediately leave for the two places and take over the military affairs. You must take full control of the military power and then lead the troops to approach Chang’an.”

Li Zhi’s words left both of them puzzled.

Wasn’t it to appoint them as military commanders in order to attack against Li Chengqian?
Why did it retreat instead?

“If there are no problems, then go ahead and do it.”

Li Zhi did not explain too much, he had his own plans.

How can we suppress the nationwide civil unrest?

If we divide our forces, we will be defeated one by one.

It is correct to gather all the troops in one place.

At the same time, Li Zhi also wanted to use this opportunity to take power into his own hands.

Without Changsun Wuji’s constraints in the court, it would be easier for him to do more things.

“promise!”

Su Dingfang and Wang Fangyi did not dare to ask, but retreated with a lot of questions in their minds.

“Father, Crown Prince, since you have all taken me into account, shouldn’t I play a role as well?”

Li Zhi muttered to himself calmly, his expression did not change at all. Since he ascended the throne, he was qualified to play chess, rather than being a chess piece that could be manipulated by others.

On the bank of the Yellow River, waves roared and the surging river water roared past like a galloping horse.

Li Chengqian stood there quietly, with his hands behind his back. His deep eyes gazed calmly at the river rolling eastward in front of him, as if he could see the vicissitudes of history through the turbulent waves.

At this time, the water of the Yellow River is no longer clear and transparent, but a turbid yellow color, mixed with countless fine yellow sands, rolling and floating with the water flow.

These yellow sands are like the dust of time, witnessing the flow and sedimentation of the Yellow River for thousands of years.

Speaking of the name of the Yellow River, it actually originated in the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

Before the Sui and Tang Dynasties, people had different names for the Yellow River, such as Shanghe, Jiuhe and Dahe, etc.

However, with the passage of time and the change of dynasties, the water of the Yellow River has not faded, so the name of the Yellow River has been used to later generations without being changed.

“Your Highness, the rainy season has just passed and the river has become extremely turbulent. It may not be easy to cross the river at this time!”

Pei Xingjian also stood facing the wind. He frowned slightly, looked at the turbulent river, and said with some concern.

Cheng Chumo on the side laughed nonchalantly: “Haha, in my opinion, it’s the same no matter when we cross the river. Wherever our volunteer army goes, the people will rise up and respond actively!”

He waved his arms, looking very proud.

These high-spirited young people stood on the bank of the Yellow River, pointing at this magnificent mountain and river, their hearts full of ambition and infinite longing for the future.

The purpose of this trip is to carefully observe the changes in the water level of the Yellow River and determine whether the conditions are in place for safe crossing of the river.

“It’s different now. Zhangsun Wuji has led the imperial army to station in Xiangzhou and Luzhou. It’s impossible for the people to start an uprising.”

“They also set up fences along the river and sent people to patrol day and night. Taking advantage of the natural barrier of the Yellow River, it would be difficult to capture it by force or by intelligence.”

Li Chengqian shook his head.

Finally, it’s time to fight against the clan power in real battle.

“Although we cannot force our way across the Yellow River now, why don’t we march north, seize Daizhou and Yunzhou, and then go south to Dezhou and Qingzhou? When winter comes and the upper reaches of the Yellow River freeze, we can attack from another section of the river.”

Pei Xingjian made this suggestion.

Changsun Wuji has the advantage of geographical location, so they can just wait for the right time.

“General Pei’s plan is very good. At the time of the attack, the Yellow River was frozen for such a long time that Changsun Wuji would not know which section of the river we were going to attack from.”

Cheng Chumo clapped his legs and exclaimed.

“Then follow General Pei’s plan. Cheng Mingzhen, listen to my orders. I will give you 5,000 troops to march north to capture various places in Yunzhou. At the same time, there will be bad people secretly assisting you.”

Li Chengqian looked at Cheng Mingzhen and gave him enough trust.

“I will live up to your trust as ordered.”

Cheng Mingzhen stepped forward and bowed in reply.

“Send a message to Heichi Changzhi, order him to go down along Cangzhou, cooperate with the Baekje navy, and go south to capture Qingzhou, Mizhou, Haizhou, Sizhou, etc.”

“Every time you conquer a state, you must distribute the land equally among the people before you can conquer the next state. You must proceed step by step and not break your promise to the people.”

Li Chengqian gave instructions in an orderly manner.

The overall situation has been established. As long as the current situation continues to develop and we win the hearts of the people, we will surely achieve victory in the class struggle with minimal casualties.

“Your Highness, is that all? What should we do?”

The orders were divided. All the operations in this big war were monopolized by Heichi Changzhi and Cheng Mingzhen.

Cheng Chumo was shouting in dissatisfaction on the side.

“How come you are fine? The cement road is no longer built to Pyongyang, but to Zhaozhou. Your task is to build a cement factory and harden the roads in the captured prefectures and counties. The workload is not small at all.”

Li Chengqian patted Cheng Chumo’s shoulder maliciously.

“No way! This isn’t fair. They are all eating meat, but I am the only one eating dirt.”

Cheng Chumo became even more dissatisfied.

“It’s just that His Highness is taking care of you, doing the easiest things and getting the greatest credit.”

Li Zhen also laughed, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

They have not yet realized the importance of roads.

If cement roads could be built in every state, it would greatly strengthen the ruling power.

More importantly, this concerns all of Li Chengqian’s subsequent decision-making and deployment.

At the same time, once the cement road network is built, such an achievement will be enough to make Cheng Chumo, the chief engineer, go down in history.

This really shows that Li Chengqian is taking care of him.

As for military operations, Cheng Chumo was just so-so. He was okay as a general, but leading an army alone would put him at the bottom of Li Chengqian’s team at that time.

Compared with Cheng Mingzhen and Heichi Changzhi, the difference is not even a little bit.

“If that’s what you said, then let’s switch. I’ll train and lead the Shenji Battalion, and you’ll build the road.”

Cheng Chumo rolled his eyes and felt that he was not taken seriously.

Who doesn’t know how to build roads?
Then, Cheng Chumo’s gaze shifted to Li Chengqian.

“Chu Mo, you have been dealing with cement for the longest time. Don’t you know its importance? Its uses are more than just road construction. If I give it to someone else, can I rest assured?”

Li Chengqian also sighed.

At this time, when we were still in the midst of war and firearms were not yet mature, they were of great use.

However, Li Chengqian was always on the attacking side, so the magical effect of cement was not fully demonstrated.

“If the Shenji Battalion led by Li Zhen is the strongest spear, then the cement secret recipe you master is the strongest shield, and it is the guarantee for our success every time we take a place.”

“If the battle situation is unfavorable, we need to enter the defense platform. In just a few days, we can build an iron city on the bank of the Yellow River. However, the situation has not reached that point yet, so we use it to build roads.”

Li Chengqian explained patiently that he must not disappoint his sworn brother.

If they were told of treason, they would follow without hesitation.

“I’m just talking, don’t take it seriously, don’t take it seriously.”

Cheng Chumo scratched his head and replied embarrassedly.

In this way, he has indeed mastered the art of creation.

It is really devaluing cement to just use it to build roads.

(End of this chapter)