The best idlers of the Tang Dynasty

In the end, the conquest of the Wa Kingdom was put aside for the time being, and the officials did not complain about it anymore. In fact, everyone knew that Taizong was just angry at the time, and he really wanted to cross the sea to conquer the Wa Kingdom. Given the current situation of the Tang Dynasty, Obviously not yet.

The Turkic Xieli was still eyeing him, and at this time he went to conquer the Japanese kingdom because of a moment of anger, wouldn't he be asking for trouble.Since the ninth year of Wude, after the Battle of Weiqiao, Taizong has always been thinking about the Northern Expedition. At the beginning of the year, the Turks invaded the border and bloodbathed Suizhou, which made Taizong's thoughts about the Northern Expedition even more serious. .

However, just like what Du Rui said to Li Chengqian, the Northern Expedition cannot be completed in a day, and the Turkic Expedition cannot be destroyed in a single day. The Great Tang brought disaster, and Taizong had to be cautious about it.

The time for the Northern Expedition had not yet come, but the preparations had to be made fast. Now the Tang Dynasty was far superior to the Turks in terms of military strength, but their soldiers were far inferior in bravery. This was also a big stone that always weighed on Taizong's heart.

Li Chengqian saw that Taizong was frowning every day, and his heart was also depressed. It happened that Li Gang said at this time, since he was going to prepare for the Northern Expedition, why didn't the prince ask for orders to form another army, firstly, he could share Taizong's worries, and secondly, he could make new contributions.

Li Chengqian was also noncommittal about this, but at this time, news came out from the inner court that Taizong planned to establish another Flying Tiger Army. For the Flying Tiger Army, Li Chengqian, who was still young in the ninth year of Wude, also had some memories.

Back then, there was also a Flying Tiger Army. It was the soldiers recruited from the countryside when Hou Junji voted for Emperor Taizong. Everyone dared to die and fought bravely, so they got their name. The Flying Tiger Army was completely lost, and only 13 of the more than a thousand people survived. Since then, the Flying Tiger Army has also become a heart disease that is difficult to get rid of. He often feels that he has killed the hundreds of loyal soldiers. .

Originally Taizong planned to let Hou Junji build the Flying Tiger Army this time, but Hou Junji refused, saying: "The reason why the Flying Tiger Army can fight is only one secret, which is to dare to die. Now the old Flying Tiger Army They have already died on the battlefield, how can I bear to add so many orphans and widows to this world!"

Hou Junji declined, but Taizong's intention to rebuild the Flying Fox Army did not fade away, so there was this rumor.

Li Ke, the king of Shu, naturally also heard the news, but he did not act rashly. At this time, he was actually studying in a small pavilion by the pool in the back garden of the mansion. A fishing rod was hung on the railing of the pavilion. come over.

The rough-natured Chai Zhewei is the eldest son of Princess Pingyang and Chai Shao. He has always been friendly with Li Ke and has been turned into a party of the king of Shu. It is really strange that two brothers, Chai Zhewei and Chai Lingwu, are brothers. One clings to Wei Wang Li Tai, the other Following Li Ke, the king of Shu, the two brothers also had many disagreements on weekdays. They often fought over the succession of Chai Shao's title. Princess Pingyang is a heroine, but the two sons born to her are useless.

Chai Zhewei saw that Li Ke was still looking leisurely and leisurely at this critical time, so he couldn't help shouting from a distance: "Your Highness, you are really calm, what time is it, and you still have leisure time here Fishing."

Li Ke lifted his gaze from the book and said, "When is it? What's the big deal, you can't even read a book, and you can't catch a fish!?"

Chai Zhewei walked up to Li Ke and said: "The emperor is selecting soldiers for the Flying Tiger Army. Many children of the clan and nobles are vying to squeeze in. I heard that those in the east are also vying for the position of the commander. .”

Quan Wanji also said aside: "I drafted a self-recommendation form for His Highness, we have to fight for this military power! We must not take advantage of the East for nothing. Now that the prince's party is already powerful, let him get this It is even more difficult to move the military power of the Flying Tiger Army."

After finishing speaking, Quan Wanji handed in a manuscript.

Li Ke took it over and read it, put it on the table, glanced at the two of them, and said, "You said that the children of the clan and nobles are all vying to squeeze in?"

Chai Zhewei said: "That's right, even my father entrusted someone to get me in. He said that this army is more important to the emperor than the Imperial Forest Army. If it can be squeezed in, it will make great achievements on the battlefield in the future. It is not impossible to worship generals and become marquises, but there is a shortcut."

Li Ke heard the words, smiled lightly, and said: "Do you know why the father formed the Flying Tiger Army? This is a powerful army prepared for the Northern Expedition, and it is the father's trump card to deal with Jieli! Just what kind of training can those children of the clan and noble relatives do?" , you still don’t understand? Father regards the Northern Expedition so seriously, if this soldier can’t be trained to be a steel sword, then how can this General Flying Tiger explain to his old man? It would be a disaster to steal this general’s seal!”

When Quan Wanji heard the words, he suddenly realized: "Oh! Why didn't I realize this level? I almost missed His Highness with this seal." After speaking, he picked up the seal and was about to tear it up.

But Li Ke stopped him and said, "Don't tear it up, give it to me! I'll make a copy, and I'll play it now."

Chai Zhewei and Quan Wanji looked at each other in blank dismay, both of them were at a loss as to why they called it a scourge just now, but now they want to fight for it?

Li Ke looked at their puzzled expressions and said with a smile: "If I don't use myself as bait, with the old fox Changsun Wuji following behind, and that young man, will the ones in the east be baited?"

Quan Wanji is a clever person, he understood Li Ke's intentions immediately, looked at him with sly eyes and said, "Are you trying to drag the prince through this muddy water?"

Li Ke stared at the pond without speaking.At this time, the fish floated on the water for a while.Li Ke hurriedly drew back his rod, and a big fish was dragged out of the water with a bang.

Chai Zhewei said happily: "Hey! This fish really took the bait!"

Li Ke's tricks really had the expected effect. The think tanks in the East Palace heard the news that the King of Shu was going to compete for the Flying Tiger General, and urged Li Chengqian to recommend himself. Among them, Zhang Xuansu, who had been Li Jiancheng's tutor, was the most enthusiastic. He deeply realized the importance of military power, so he strongly advocated Li Chengqian to fight for the general seal of the Flying Tiger Army to the East Palace.

Li Chengqian originally wanted to go to Du Rui for advice, but after seeing Zhang Xuansu, Li Gang, Yu Zhining and others analyzed the stakes in it clearly and logically, he also moved his mind, thinking that it was not a bad thing after all, so he agreed .

After these self-recommendation letters were sent to Taizong, he saw clearly the mentality of the princes.Although the children of the Li family have always had the tradition of joining the army at a young age, Taizong himself went to the battlefield at the age of 16, and his younger brother Yuanji even commanded the army in Taiyuan for his father Li Yuan at the age of 15, but Taizong knew better than anyone that his son was a generation of people. They can't be compared with the previous generation at all, if they really let them lead the army, they must be defeated.

In fact, those princes are also aware of this point, but they all scramble to stand out. What they are fighting for is not the opportunity to fight, but their respective powers in the army.Regarding this, Taizong's heart was like a bright mirror, but he didn't want to expose this layer. With a swipe of a pen, he made Li Chengqian the Flying Tiger General.

Xuanling, the minister of the Ministry of household affairs, broke out in a cold sweat after seeing the edict in Shangshu province, and ran to Chengqing hall in a hurry to persuade Taizong to withdraw his order.

Fang Xuanling persuaded tactfully: "Although the prince is talented, he is still too young and needs to be trained. Please choose another general who is good at fighting in the court to train the Flying Tiger Army."

Taizong didn't think so, saying: "This is the best experience."

With just one sentence, Fang Xuanling was pushed back.

Of course, Fang Xuanling didn't know what Taizong was thinking. The reason why Taizong wanted to use Li Chengqian as the Flying Tiger General this time was not true, but to force Hou Junji out of the mountain was the truth. When he was in a dilemma, Hou Junji would stand up and stand up for this future son-in-law.

The marriage between Li Chengqian and Hou Junji's daughter was mentioned by Emperor Taizong as early as the first year of Zhenguan. Although they hadn't been formally engaged, it was well known.

Taizong knew very well that if General Flying Tiger abandoned Hou Junji, no one could come!

It's a pity that Li Chengqian and the people in the East Palace didn't know about this festival. After receiving the general talisman, the top and bottom of the East Palace seemed to have picked up a huge bargain.