Chapter 246: The war must be started in advance, and the loot will be there
“Your Highness, both generals have important things to do. What should we do?”

Cheng Chumo asked impatiently.

Destroying a country with eight hundred men, what a feat! If nothing happened, he would have become one of the sixteen thousand.

When you are young and energetic, you are most looking forward to going into battle and killing the enemy.

“Of course you have something to do, which is to build a cement road from Pyongyang to Liaodong.”

Li Chengqian replied.

“Ah, that’s it!”

“Your Highness, you can’t play like this. They are all eating meat, and I can’t even have soup.”

Cheng Chumo shouted in dissatisfaction.

He has been practicing martial arts since he was young, just to be able to go to the battlefield and kill enemies one day, but now, he is repairing roads every day.

The road was being built in Pyongyang, and it was still being built in Liaodong after we returned.

Isn’t this overkill?

Who can’t come to build a road?
“If you can repair the road, I will make you a Duke.”

Li Chengqian said.

Compared with war, he paid more attention to infrastructure construction. Once the cement road was built, the speed of shipping and the delivery of troops would increase exponentially.

If you want to get rich, build roads first.

“Your Highness, you are joking, right? I am the eldest son, and the position of Duke is originally mine.”

Cheng Chumo sneered. He was not going to get rid of him so easily.

“Have you forgotten? You are a rebel now, so how can you be qualified to inherit?”

Li Chengqian also laughed.

The serious atmosphere was also greatly relieved.

“Okay, that’s what His Highness said. When I finish repairing the road, you will confer a title on me.”

Cheng Chumo also went along with it and understood Li Chengqian’s good intentions.

“Just fix it first!”

Although Li Chengqian would take better care of these people, he also had concerns about other people.

Otherwise it will be difficult to convince people.

The back door is open to a limited extent.

“Pei Xingjian, Liu Rengui, listen to my orders!”

Li Chengqian turned and looked at the two men.

“The general is here!”

The two of them came out together, also looking forward to what tasks Li Chengqian would give them.

“I have decided to change the military system and delegate military power to lower-level officers. All officers above the rank of sergeant will be given the power to act freely. They can make judgments based on the situation and change the way they go into battle.”

“After the death of a general, the deputy general can take over his position, exercise his authority, command the army, and so on.”

“Your Highness, you can’t do that. If you do that, there might be chaos!”

Before Li Chengqian finished speaking, Liu Rengui denied it.

“It is the duty of a soldier to obey orders. If the soldiers do not obey the commander’s orders, how can they lead the troops and conduct battles?”

Military power has always been firmly held by those in power. By doing this, Li Chengqian is destroying his own foundation.

To put it in a disguised way, a squad leader has the power to independently rebel.

“General Liu, don’t worry. Although there are some shortcomings as you mentioned, with the current military system, if there is a problem with the commander or the central camp, there will be a rout and the army will be left without a commander.”

“As for the military system proposed by this palace, it can be implemented with additional restrictions. This military system can only be activated in wartime, and every officer who issues an order must bear the responsibility and consequences of issuing the order.”

Li Chengqian patiently explained that in order to improve the combat effectiveness of the army, simply changing the weapons would only result in a very limited improvement in combat effectiveness.

The most important thing is to start with the military system.

Liu Rengui fell into deep thought, and then nodded slightly.

“Your Highness has great foresight, and I am not as good as you. If this military system is implemented, the combat effectiveness of the army will at least double, but…”

Liu Rengui hesitated to speak.

It’s not that they haven’t thought about this method, but the cost is very high.

That is, military power was dispersed.

Those in power are the first to not act in this way.

The eyes of several people looking at Li Chengqian were full of worry.

The possibility of backlash is very high.

It is more likely that low-ranking military officers will kill their superiors in order to gain promotion.

“I know what you are worried about, but I believe that the soldiers under my command are all loyal people.”

This military system is based on loyalty.

Otherwise, the situation they are worried about will really happen.

“I treat him as a national hero, how can he let me down?”

Li Chengqian has an inexplicable self-confidence.

“After recruiting soldiers, this military system can be implemented. It is possible to recruit soldiers and change the military system at the same time.”

Gradually, several people put their concerns aside.

“Heichi Changzhi, listen to my orders. You are responsible for farming. Next year, you must sell potatoes and sweet potatoes to all places in the four regions. The year after, I want every household in the four regions to have surplus food.”

Li Chengqian is playing a big game of chess.

Everything we do now is in preparation for three years later.

The purpose of expedition to the northern countries is to eliminate worries.

The purpose of repairing the roads is to facilitate the movement of supplies and troops in the four directions.

The promotion of potatoes and sweet potatoes is also to accumulate material foundation.

After all, food and supplies must be sent before troops move forward.

The tasks assigned to several people are all very important and complement each other. If there is a mistake in one link, it may affect the overall situation.

From then on, each of them had something to do.

On the contrary, Li Chengqian became the most idle person.

Everyone talked for a long time.

Then they dispersed.

……

“Your Highness, the weather has been getting colder these days, don’t catch a cold!”

Along with these caring words, two graceful figures came like light butterflies and came into Li Chengqian’s sight.

His gaze swept over slowly, and a hint of tenderness involuntarily flashed across his eyes.

He felt a slight pulling sensation coming from his trouser leg. Li Chengqian lowered his head in confusion, only to see a cute little girl standing there, clutching his trouser leg tightly with her little hands.

The little girl’s rosy face is like a ripe apple, making people want to pinch it gently. It is so cute.

“Aye, hug me!”

The little girl spoke coquettishly in a baby voice, her voice clear and pleasant.

Li Chengqian immediately smiled dotingly and said softly, “Okay, come here, Aye, give me a hug!”

He bent down carefully and gently held the little girl in his arms. The little girl giggled and hugged Li Chengqian’s neck with her two chubby little hands, looking very happy.

This little girl is named Li Xianrong, the daughter of Li Chengqian and Queen Deoksun. She inherited the good genes of both her parents. Not only is she sweet and cute, but she is also smart and clever, and is loved by everyone.

“Your Highness, the dishes are ready, please go and have your meal!”

Queen Deok-sun walked over and spoke softly. She was elegant and graceful, and her demeanor was dignified and self-assured. Although she was now a mother, her innate queen temperament remained the same.

Even with the accumulation of years, she looked even more elegant and noble. Even when facing Li Chengqian, who had already developed the power of an emperor, she was not inferior.

“Well, let’s go and have dinner together!” Li Chengqian nodded with a smile. He really enjoyed the best of both worlds.

However, his eyes became a little sad. He raised his eyes and looked into the distance. It seemed that at this moment, his heart was still lingering with worries.

“Your Highness, are you worried about the Crown Princess of Chang’an?”

Queen Seondeok asked sympathetically.

Li Chengqian’s situation is no secret.

“Nothing, it won’t be long before we can go back.”

Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect.

One day husband and one hundred days of grace.

It has been several years since he went on the expedition, and Li Chengqian would occasionally think of his life in the Prince’s Mansion in Chang’an.

In his subconscious, he still regards the Prince’s Mansion as his home.

“After all, the Crown Princess is from the royal family, so there will be no accidents.”

Jin Shengman, who was leaning on one side, also said with relief.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. After dinner, we will play some games that will surely make Your Highness happy.”

Hearing this, Li Chengqian couldn’t help but feel longing for the so-called game.

All kinds of erotic scenes instantly filled Li Chengqian’s mind.

The two sisters were also taken to Liaodong by Li Chengqian, and the power of Baekje Province was handed over to Jin Chunqiu.

In spare time, you can also perform the drama of Two Phoenixes and a Dragon.

The two women were like a blessing after a long drought. In the past few days, Li Chengqian had to use all his skills to deal with them.

Winter has arrived, and there are not many entertainment activities. There is really nothing else to do in the room except playing those things.

This year, the winter snow came a little earlier.

By mid-October, heavy snow had already fallen over the Liaodong region.

This does not mean that the snow is a sign of a good harvest. For the people of Liaodong, it is undoubtedly a disaster.

This year, although Li Chengqian implemented benevolent policies, he did not fundamentally solve the people’s lives.

It just allows them to take a break from the previous war.

The early arrival of ice and snow also accelerated the withering of all things.

The earth is covered with silver, which is very beautiful.

But under the ice and snow, life was also buried, including the people in the four regions of Liaodong.

The previous vibrant and prosperous scene disappeared.

Instead, there was dead silence.

“Your Highness, the four regions of Liaodong are now suffering from natural disasters, and the situation is extremely serious! The people of Liaodong are naturally strong, I wonder if Your Highness has a good plan to deal with this?”

Li Daozon spoke first, looking at Li Chengqian with a serious expression.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Shigui and Xue Wanche also came in. Although they did not have the power to directly control the army, they were responsible for the internal affairs of a region and had a heavy responsibility.

Face the current difficulties.

What other clever ideas can we come up with?

It’s nothing more than distributing food to help disaster victims.

“This rare heavy snow has mercilessly covered the earth, cutting off the people’s food source. Pass on my order, and all states and provinces must immediately open their granaries and distribute grain. If anyone dares to take advantage of this opportunity to enrich themselves, once verified, they will be beheaded immediately, and there will be no leniency!”

Li Chengqian made the decision without hesitation and gave the order loudly.

Since ancient times, whenever encountering similar disasters, the imperial court would mostly take such measures to alleviate the disaster.

Therefore, Li Chengqian said this almost without thinking.

After hearing Li Chengqian’s decision, Li Daozon, Zhang Shigui and Xue Wanche couldn’t help but look at each other, and their eyes showed quite complicated expressions.

Sure enough, just as they expected, the young prince was still too immature after all.

Although he has shown extraordinary military talent, even comparable to the current emperor;
But in terms of governing the country and handling government affairs, there is obviously still a long way to go.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is what I said wrong? Or do you have other ideas in your mind? Why not speak frankly?”

Li Chengqian suddenly seemed to realize something and came back to his senses.

“Your Highness, there is still some food in the treasury, but that is for emergency use. These food are to ensure the army next year and are reserved for administration.”

“If we use all of it now to treat the people, we can get through the winter, but after the spring, not only will the people fall into crisis again, but the entire country will face food shortages.”

Li Daozon explained that they came now to inform Li Chengqian in advance to prevent the people from rising up and robbing the government grain.

When the people are forced into a desperate situation, they become rebels.

“This is indeed a lack of consideration on my part. I wonder what the old generals think of this?”

If things were really that simple, these people would have solved it long ago.

“There are gains and losses. With the current food reserves, we can only save half of the people. The rest can only be left to fate.”

Li Dao Zong said again, it sounds cruel, but this is the reality.

Not to mention the relatively backward Goguryeo and Three Kingdoms, even the Tang Dynasty was helpless in the face of such a disaster.

“At present, the granaries in Liaodong Province and Pyongyang Province should be opened, and Silla and Baekje need to strengthen their defenses to prevent rebellion from happening.”

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian shook his head.

“All four have already joined our Tang Kingdom and are now our Tang citizens. If we treat them differently, then everything I have done before will be meaningless.”

“Pass on this palace’s order to open the four granaries to treat the people and set up porridge houses.”

“Your Highness, you need to think twice before you act!”

Li Daozon was shocked and tried to dissuade him again and again.

Although those in power should be benevolent, none of them are as compassionate as Li Chengqian.

“No need to say more, it’s decided. If there’s not enough food, we can find another way next year. But if the people can’t survive this winter, you should be able to imagine what the consequences will be, right?”

Population is the greatest resource.

This snow did disrupt Li Chengqian’s arrangements to a great extent.

If there is really no other solution, you can only use potatoes and sweet potatoes as an emergency measure.

No matter what, people must be saved.

“Your Highness’s benevolence is a blessing to all people. This crisis is not unsolvable.”

Zhang Shigui said.

“Oh, Duke, what’s the plan?”

Li Chengqian’s eyes lit up.

“Your Highness, have you forgotten what we did when our food supplies were cut off during our Eastern Expedition?”

Zhang Shigui’s words awakened the dreamer.

“Yes, we don’t have food, but others do! Can’t we just rob them?”

Xue Wanxue slapped his thigh and said excitedly.

“It’s difficult to march in the snow, but it’s not a good idea. In addition, the weather is bad, and others’ precautions are bound to be limited.”

Li Daozon also agreed that the contradiction should be moved outward.

“What the old generals said makes sense. Let’s follow their advice, open the granaries, and declare war.”

It seems that the war will be brought forward again.

Plans can never keep up with changes.

“I don’t know if His Highness would be able to use us old bones?”

Xue Wanxue asked hopefully.

He was still unwilling to be buried here.

(End of this chapter)