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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 234: Sudden Change
"I."
With this single word, the backs of the civil and military courtiers straightened instinctively, their heads bowed in a solemn manner, indicating their obedience to the monarch's will.
"I wish to strike first and then seek peace. You all shall prepare for battle immediately. Tomorrow, I will personally lead the troops to confront the Turkic!"
"Your Majesty, this cannot be! The weight of the emperor should not be taken lightly!"
As the saying goes, one seeks to gain favor from above, and when that is not achieved, they seek to appease those below. Li Jian Cheng's declaration of leading the charge was a clear indication of his intent to fight first. Indeed, the courtiers now only advised against his personal involvement in battle, with no one suggesting negotiations.
Li Jian Cheng frowned as he accepted the courtiers' advice, preparing to select a general for the army. The military merit officials were eager to volunteer, including Dan Xiongxin and Qin Shubao, both of whom had not yet fully recovered.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to go and will surely extinguish the Turkic menace!"
King Li Shimin was carried in, his arms held by others as his feet barely touched the ground. While speaking loudly, he did not forget to shoot a glare at his brother-in-law.
Had it not been for Changsun Wuji's counsel, he would not have led the Imperial Staff; otherwise, with Duke of Wei absent, he would have been a shoo-in for the position of commander.
Now in such a state where he could barely walk, let alone ride into battle, his chances of becoming the commander were slim.
Sure enough, before Li Jian Cheng could speak, the military merit officials argued that due to Qin Wang's injuries, he should remain in the Capital City to recuperate and vigorously recommended themselves instead.
Generals such as Xu Shijie, Wang Shichong, Li Mi, Du Fuwei, Yang Jishan, Wang Bo, and Zhai Rang all stepped forward. The emperor decisively appointed Li Hu Jun Gong Xu Shijie as the commander.
Li Shimin was indeed a good choice; however, having someone who could barely sit upright commanding thousands was somewhat demoralizing.
Once the position of commander was settled, everything else fell into place. The emperor left only Qin Wang and Qin Shubao along with Dan Xiongxin to defend Chang'an against potential Turkic raids.
The remaining generals, along with Wang Yi, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui as military advisors, would lead 150,000 troops northward to meet the enemy.
Military Situation The officials responsible for military supplies hurriedly departed, disregarding the dim light of dawn.
The next day, only tens of thousands of vanguards rushed to the front lines for support; it would take some time for the entire army to mobilize.
Meanwhile, intelligence from the grasslands began to trickle in. With the death of Shibi Khan, Xieli ascended to power, and many of Li Jian Cheng's former acquaintances were ousted from Dali City. Naturally, the sensitivity of information began to slow down.
Additionally, having failed to assist Princess Yicheng's son in inheriting the title of Great Khan, she started taking action to pressure the Tang Dynasty.
Furthermore, two envoys sent by the two factions of Turkic arrived, boasting loudly about turning various places into pastures.
Tongye Hu sent his uncle Gelorud, while Xieli dispatched the chief of the Shishi Tribe, Zhi Shi Si Li.
Li Jian Cheng did not know the former but had some acquaintance with the latter from years past.
Regarding the dispatch of Turkic emissaries, Li Jian Cheng was not particularly surprised. Although they had arrived quickly, they ultimately could not reach Chang'an before the Tang Dynasty could react.
If Chang'an was well-prepared, it was one of the most defensible cities in existence, not something that hundreds of thousands of cavalry could breach.
Since they could not extract a hearty meal, they would have to take a substantial bite back home for winter.
"Announce them."
As the two Turkic envoys entered the hall with arrogance, they merely performed a perfunctory bow to Li Jian Cheng, then raised their heads to stare directly at him.
Qin Shubao, who had grown pale from long illness, now turned blood-red with anger, wishing he could step forward and crush them right there in the hall.
At this moment, it should have been left to Left Minister Pei Ji to speak up, but he remained silent. Just as Li Jian Cheng was about to say something, a voice called out from outside: “Retired Emperor has arrived.”
This was one of the drawbacks of hastily unifying the realm; while millions of commoners lived longer lives, he had overly relied on the Royal Family and Guanlong, resulting in a lack of actual control over both court and local governance.
It wasn't really a big deal; at least he had absolute confidence that he could quell any rebellion. The lack of authority could be gradually remedied over five or six years by placing the Confidant in key positions.
However, unexpectedly, the usually compliant Li Yan suddenly became restless.
Li Jian Cheng glanced at Pei Ji and then stood up straight, showing no intention of personally welcoming the Retired Emperor at the palace gates.
The Civil and Military officials were equally astonished. Since the founding of the nation, this was the first time the Retired Emperor had come to the Council Hall, and its implications were not lost on them.
Yet, seeing that the Emperor did not command them to greet the Retired Emperor and that their colleagues remained still, they too held their ground.
But soon, the Left Minister Pei Ji moved forward to welcome him outside. His action naturally prompted the Confidant to follow suit, and at that moment, the Royal Family also began to stir.
For those officials who had yet to move, only four words echoed in their minds: internal troubles and external threats.
The least surprised were actually the two envoys sent by the Turkic people; it seemed they had been waiting for this moment.
Before long, the Retired Emperor arrived in the hall, surrounded by Guanlong and members of the Royal Family.
The current emperor ruled with an iron fist, promoting many scholars from Shandong and Jiangnan to court while showing no special favor to the noble families of the Royal Family. Instead, he continuously imposed strict laws upon them.
Did we, as noble descendants, have to be treated like those commoners?
If viewed this way, the current emperor was even worse than Emperor Yang!
At least during Emperor Yang's reign, they could still enjoy their lives freely in Chang'an and beyond.
Gelorud and Zhi Shi Si Li suddenly saw Li Yan solemnly bowing: "Father of the Central Plains Son of Heaven, please accept the blessings from both Khans."
Li Yan was fifty-four this year but appeared remarkably youthful due to his wealth; there were no gray strands visible in his hair. Dressed almost identically to the emperor in Court Robes, he strode in with a commanding presence.
Seeing this, Li Jian Cheng understood everything. No wonder both Eastern and Western Turkic factions had suddenly called for a ceasefire; no wonder they had only received news after the Turkic forces had already pressed into Chang'an's court.
These were originally the strengths of Li Jian Cheng, but once a person steps from behind the scenes to the forefront, they lose the opportunity to strike from the shadows and instead become the most scrutinized and immobile target.
Speaking of which, wasn't it Yang Guang during Prince Jin's time who had countless schemes to seize power? Yet, after becoming emperor, he appeared rather foolish.
This is a result of differing positions; Li Jian Cheng is now in the same situation. As emperor, he faces far more restrictions than before.
Li Yan glanced at the shocked courtiers and then at the expressionless Eldest Son. He felt a mix of anxiety and excitement in his heart.
He was only in his fifties, still able to ride fierce horses and draw strong bows. His ambitions had never been realized, and he was truly unwilling to start living a life of indulgence and grandchildren.
He did not want to leave behind a reputation akin to that of Liu Taigong, the father of Han Gaozu, only to be mocked by future generations for relying on his son to achieve fame.
If things had remained as they were before the founding of the nation, everyone would have advised him to abdicate. However, in these past two years, more and more aristocratic officials and members of the royal family began to align themselves with him.
They even took the initiative to help him contact his supporters and established an understanding with the Turkic people...
Li Yan sighed inwardly. Just a few years—only a few years would suffice. Jian Cheng was still so young. By then, he would return power and authority, retreating back to Tai'an Palace and never coming out again.
...
(End of Chapter)
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