Chapter 254: Li Zhi ascends the throne, Li Chengqian’s troops approach the city
“Your Highness, there is a war report from the front. Chu Mo has successively captured Liaocheng Prefecture, Pingzhou, and Yingzhou, and the troops have already reached Youzhou.”

Li Zhen hurried over with a battle report in his hand.

Li Chengqian took it and took a look at the content of the battle report.

These three states were captured by Cheng Chumo without bloodshed. The results seemed remarkable, but the strategic significance was not as great as imagined.

Liaochengzhou, Pingzhou and Yingzhou were located on the border, bordering Goguryeo to the east, Khitan to the north and the sea to the south. It was a very desolate area.

It is also a buffer zone for the Tang Dynasty to the outside world. There are very few residents and only a small number of border troops stationed there.

It is not difficult to capture them all.

Youzhou is an important province that has been used to resist border threats since the dynasties in the Central Plains.

There are many garrison troops here, and it is an important central town in the north with tight defenses. This is also the reason why Cheng Chumo can no longer continue to expand his victory.

With a delegation of nearly a hundred people, trying to launch a sudden attack on them and occupy one of their city gates would be courting death.

“Where has Pei Xingjian’s army reached?”

Li Chengqian turned and walked out of the noisy military workshop.

He was still obsessed with the application of steam engines and paid less attention to the war, leaving almost all of it to Pei Xingjian.

Although he seems to be indifferent, everything he does is to increase the chances of winning the war.

Once the steam engine is used, military supplies will be unimpeded and can be supplied to the front quickly without the need for additional manpower.

“General Pei has led his army to the Liao Great Wall, and General Black Tooth has also secretly crossed the Liaoze. A major war may break out at any time.”

Li Zhen replied.

“It seems that we should set off as well. Let the Shenji Battalion prepare to head to the war zone in three days.”

Li Chengqian ordered that he would also go with the army.

Pei Xingjian was a natural born commander, but he was still too young and did not have much experience in battle.

It doesn’t matter when fighting against others. With his natural sensitivity to the battle situation, he will definitely be able to win.

But the enemy is the Tang Dynasty, and news came from the Bad People that Su Dingfang has been reactivated.

An opponent of this level is not something Pei Xingjian can handle at his current level.

“Always be prepared and ready to go at any time.”

Li Zhen nodded. The Shenji Battalion he was training now was a brigade that was required to be in a state of combat readiness throughout the entire period based on actual combat requirements.

“Prepare more horses. Once we set out, all of them will march quickly.”

Although there have been several cleanups, the spies in the court cannot be completely eliminated.

The confidentiality of the operation was not high to begin with, and now the advantage of Li Chengqian and his team is that they create a time difference.

In the court, before the emperor could come to his senses, more cities were captured.

Just as Li Chengqian worried.

On Li Zhi’s imperial desk, there was a secret report from Liaodong.

“Your Highness, has something happened?”

Seeing Li Zhi’s worried look, Fang Xuanling asked carefully.

The throne is imminent.

The new emperor shouldn’t look so worried.

“The four provinces of Liaodong have already raised their troops. I’m afraid they have already invaded the border.”

Li Zhi did not hide anything.

Fang Xuanling was a cornerstone figure of the Tang Dynasty. Although he was under the authority of Zhangsun Wuji, he remained loyal to the royal family.

On some things, he just stopped contradicting Changsun Wuji.

But when it comes to handling state affairs, he remains single-minded.

“Ugh!”

Fang Xuanling just lowered his head and sighed.

At this point, the tragedy of brothers fighting each other is staged again.

Although Li Zhi was the crown prince, he was able to command the entire country.

However, Li Chengqian had been the crown prince for twenty years and was deeply rooted in the court and the country and had many supporters.

Once the war starts, it is still unknown who will win.

Moreover, Li Shimin’s words that day are still ringing in my ears.

Let him, as the regent, follow the trend.

In other words, when Li Zhi and Li Chengqian were fighting, he would support whoever won, and he could only be a spectator.

In short, Fang Xuanling made such an explanation because he knew that Li Shimin was more optimistic about Li Chengqian.

“Why is Sikong sighing? Is there no solution?”

Li Zhi stood up and looked at Fang Xuanling.

“I was appointed to this position only when I was in danger. I am a carefree person and it is difficult for me to bear the weight of the national treasure.”

“This position should have belonged to Crown Prince Li Chengqian. After the previous emperor passed away, it was Crown Prince Li Chengqian who should ascend the throne.”

Li Zhi stroked the golden dragon throne and continued to speak slowly, without any reluctance.

“Sikong, I want someone to send a handwritten letter from me to Crown Prince Li Chengqian to invite him back to the country to ascend the throne. This is how it should be, otherwise, if the people of the Tang Dynasty suffer, wouldn’t it be my fault?”

Li Zhi’s face remained calm, and even someone as wise as Fang Xuanling could not tell what he was thinking.

But being so indifferent to the supreme power is extremely abnormal.

Ask the men in the world, who doesn’t want to ascend to the throne?
“Your Highness, you must not do this. The former Crown Prince was in the past. Now, Your Highness is the designated successor of His Majesty when he is dying.”

“Moreover, Li Chengqian has committed many serious crimes before. How can he be the ruler of the world and how can he convince all the officials?”

“Even if I don’t say it, Your Highness, the Crown Prince, should know that Your Highness is kind and righteous. He does not pursue the position of the former Crown Prince and even wants to take over the throne. However, many ministers in the court probably don’t want to see it.”

Fang Xuanling’s reply was impeccable.

We have to fight, of course we have to fight, there is Li Shimin’s plan here, he will not destroy it.

“Humph, who dares to interfere in the affairs of my heavenly family?”

Li Zhi waved his arms and said with dissatisfaction.

“This matter is of great importance. Your Highness, please think twice before acting. I am afraid that by then, the situation will be out of control.”

“Now, we only need to send a general to guard the border, and then mobilize other vassal states to harass them, which will surely make Goguryeo’s troops run around in a hurry.”

Fang Xuanling advised.

“But I really don’t want to fight with my brothers, and I don’t have the talent to rule the world.”

Li Zhi couldn’t help but shook his head.

As for what he thinks in his heart, only he knows.

“War is like fire, we need to put it out as soon as possible!”

Even if Fang Xuanling had a good plan to deal with the enemy, he had not yet put it forward.

“Let me think about it again!”

Li Zhi waved his hand. After some probing, he understood everything.

“I’m going to take my leave now. I’ve been suffering from illness recently and may not be able to come to the palace to pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

Fang Xuanling breathed a sigh of relief, and fatigue was obvious on his face.

It’s not about being fake again.

Today, it was Li Zhi who summoned him, and he dragged his sick body into the palace.

“I was inconsiderate. I didn’t know Sikong was ill. Wait until he recovers before attending the court meeting.”

Li Zhi said apologetically.

“Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. I will take my leave now.”

Fang Xuanling raised his eyes and looked at Li Zhi seriously. He knew that this retreat might be forever.

He felt that the end was near.

Fang Xuanling turned around hunched over.

Li Zhi raised his hand, seeming to want to say something but stopped himself.

In the end, they just watched quietly as the think tank of the Tang Dynasty gradually walked away.

When Fang Xuanling’s figure disappeared from his sight, Li Zhi’s eyes became extremely sharp.

The aura of “no one else but me” emanated from his body.

At this moment, he was like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, with its edge fully exposed. When no one was around, he no longer needed to hide his prowess.

Many days passed, and everything in the court remained the same.

Li Zhi did not release the news of Li Chengqian’s border invasion, and he secretly made efforts to suppress the war news on the border.

At this time, the city of Chang’an was more lively than ever before.

Envoys from various countries arrived one after another to congratulate the new emperor.

August 647, 4.

The sun shines through the clouds onto the earth, and the breeze gently touches every corner of the palace.

This day was destined to be an extraordinary day for the Tang Dynasty.

Li Zhi was wearing a gorgeous and solemn dragon robe, standing tall in the magnificent Taiji Hall. His young and handsome face was glowing with incomparable spirit.

Today is the day when he officially ascends the throne and becomes emperor, ruling the world.

Standing next to Li Zhi was the Grand Historian Li Chunfeng. He was holding a tablet and chanting loudly:

“When the auspicious time comes, strike the nine bells and burn tablets to offer sacrifice to the heavens!”

As he finished speaking, a powerful and exciting bell sounded suddenly, echoing throughout the entire palace.

Nine notes were sounded in succession, each one louder than the last.

The entire Chang’an city was bathed in the sound of these anxious bells.

Millions of people also focused their eyes on the majestic palace walls of the imperial city.

Since ancient times, the most important affairs of a country have been sacrifices and wars.

When a new emperor ascends the throne, offering sacrifices and praying to God is an indispensable and important ritual, which not only demonstrates the emperor’s awe of God.

It further proves the saying – “God has given you the mandate from heaven, and you will live long and prosper.”

It is also a method to fool the people.

Li Zhi walked forward slowly with steady and powerful steps. He passed through the neatly arranged ranks of his ministers and finally came to a huge bronze tripod.

This tripod symbolizes the supremacy of imperial power. The tripod in front of us is what we call the tripod.

At this moment, a eunuch came over respectfully, holding an exquisite jade plate in his hands carefully, on which was placed a golden imperial edict.

Li Zhi stretched out his right hand without hesitation and gently picked up the imperial edict. He took a deep breath, then unfolded the scroll and began to read it aloud.

The words on the imperial edict were like the sound of gold and jade, spreading to every corner of the Taiji Hall and clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

“In compliance with the will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims that the previous Emperor passed away suddenly and returned to the five elements. I, in compliance with the favor of Heaven and the great blessings of the saints, and in compliance with the will of the Great Saint and Great Filial Emperor, now respectfully announce to Heaven and Earth that I will take the throne of Emperor.”

“I shall be diligent in my work, follow the example of Emperor Wen, govern the country with success, and reform the old ways. All matters shall be governed by the old rules, and I shall also respectfully inherit the will of the late emperor and create a new governance. In the first year of Yonghui, I shall grant amnesty to the whole country and start anew with the people.”

After finishing the recitation, Li Zhi threw the imperial edict into the cauldron, which was instantly engulfed by fire.

“Inform the Heaven and Earth that the ceremony is over. Please ask the Emperor to ascend the throne and inherit the throne.”

The Grand Historian Li Chunfeng bowed in greeting.

“Your Majesty, please ascend the throne!”

At this time, all the ministers in the court and foreign envoys bowed and shouted.

It was only natural that Li Zhi accepted the worship of his ministers.

From then on, the emperor’s enthronement process was completed.

After repeated refusals, he began to offer sacrifices to the sky, and finally accepted the worship of his ministers to establish the difference between the monarch and his subjects.

“Ministers, please excuse me!”

Li Zhi suddenly turned around and raised his hands, showing his kingly demeanor in every gesture.

Under the gaze of many ministers, Li Zhi slowly walked towards the throne and then sat on it.

“Please ask the messenger to present the gift!”

The eunuch before the throne shouted in a long voice.

At this time, foreign messengers came out one after another, each holding a document in his hand.

There are too many supplies, and certainly not all of them can be brought to the Tai Chi Hall.

At this highlight moment.

There was a commotion outside the palace.

“Get out of the way! Urgent battle report from the 800-mile border.”

Two blood-stained soldiers broke through the ranks of court officials and rushed out of the Taiji Hall.

“How dare you! The new emperor has ascended the throne, and you dare to disturb him? Why don’t you retreat?”

Zhangsun Wuji, who was at the head of the ministers, had a look of anger on his face and shouted loudly.

Not to mention an urgent matter of eight hundred miles, even if it is extremely urgent, it cannot be reported at this time.

Is there anything more important in the world than the new emperor’s enthronement?
“Since this is urgent military information from eight hundred miles away, summon him into the palace.”

Li Zhi’s peaceful voice was heard, and in the overall situation, he had already suppressed Changsun Wuji’s aura.

“Xuan!”

The eunuch on the side immediately called out loudly.

Everything seems normal, but careful people can also sense the hidden dangers.

“Your Majesty, Li Chengqian’s general Pei Xingjian has led a 100,000-man army to Youzhou City. Yingzhou, Pingzhou, and Liaochengzhou have all fallen. Youzhou City is in danger. I request Your Majesty to send reinforcements!”

The sergeant hurriedly reported all the military information.

“What, have Yingzhou and Pingzhou already fallen?”

Li Zhi’s face changed drastically, and his voice was filled with anger.

“Now, I’m afraid Youzhou has also been breached!”

The soldier sighed.

“Such a major event, didn’t the Ministry of War have any warning at all?”

Li Zhi glanced down, this was an accountability.

Its purpose is self-evident.

The Taiwei is in charge of military affairs.

“Your Majesty, calm down. Liaodong is a long way away. Even if there is military intelligence, it still needs to be confirmed by the Ministry of War before it can be reported. It is definitely not as fast as the urgent report.”

Chu Suiliang said that this was a normal process and it was not an excuse.

In fact, the bad guys under Li Zhi’s command had already passed on the news.

He didn’t give any orders, obviously he was playing a big game.

“I have just ascended the throne and I am not familiar with many matters.”

Li Zhi’s momentum suddenly weakened a lot, giving people a feeling that he was weak and could be bullied.

“What should we do if Liaodong invades?”

Li Zhi looked at Changsun Wuji.

“Li Chengqian is worthy of death. He must have known that Your Majesty had ascended the throne, so he took advantage of this opportunity to launch an attack. In my opinion, we should send troops to attack him. Your Majesty has established his authority. Anyone who offends the Tang Dynasty must be killed.”

Changsun Wuji spoke in a loud voice, and even turned sideways, glancing at the envoys with his peripheral vision.

It’s a stark warning.

“I second the proposal!”

After Changsun Wuji finished speaking, most of the officials in the court immediately expressed their opinions.

“If the ministers think so, then we will raise an army to attack them!”

Li Zhi seemed to have more confidence. He glanced at the officials one by one and took note of those officials who had expressed their opinions.

In addition to going with the flow, most of these people belong to Changsun Wuji’s camp.

“But who do you think is worthy of this leadership position?”

Li Zhi seemed to be undecided for a moment, but his eyes looked at Su Dingfang vaguely.

The battle of Xueyantuo explained everything about Su Dingfang. Because of his merits, he was promoted to General of the Left Guard and was granted the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery.

He was the minister of state before Li Shimin’s death.

Fang Xuanling was prudent and protected himself.

Chu Suiliang followed the trend.

Only this general, who had served many monarchs, still retained his position.

(End of this chapter)