Back to Tang Dynasty to be Emperor

The effectiveness of officials in the Tang Dynasty was high, after Li Shimin ordered everyone to write old articles about the new army and recommend talents.For four days, Li Shimin's jade case was filled with a bunch of suggestions that were considered desirable by the three provinces and the Ministry of War.

Li Shimin flipped through each memorial one by one, shaking his head in silence after reading it.These memorials are either the talk of scholars with gorgeous words and lack of practical experience, or they are arrogant people who do not understand the true strength of Turks.It is rare to give substantive suggestions based on the analysis of its own arms and the strength of the opponent.

Li Shimin became more and more annoyed, not to mention some civil servants, even many generals in the court held a disdainful attitude towards the Turks.Except for Li Jing, Li Ji and a few others, everyone else believed that the existing army of the Tang Dynasty could fight the Turkic army. They believed that the Turkic army was small in number, so they only needed to disperse their cavalry and defeat them one by one. Victory over the Turks.

When Li Shimin saw these memorials, he suddenly felt an indescribable sadness in his heart.Perhaps, many of them are really old. Although their people are not old, their hearts are already old, and they are no longer as brave and strong as they used to be.Thinking of this, Li Shimin bowed his head and pondered for a while, and finally made a decision, "It's time to train a group of young generals, and it's time for the Tang army to get fresh blood."

Li Shimin thought so, shook his head again, and began to read the memorials on the case table.At this moment, Wang De suddenly reported, "Your Majesty, His Highness the King of Han is asking to see you."

"Li Ke?" Li Shimin repeated, "Let him in."

Li Ke has not been idle in the palace for the past few days. He, Su Dingfang, Liu Rengui, Chen Qi and other generals have finally determined the best configuration plan for the heavy cavalry after repeated drills and deliberations.Today, as soon as Su Dingfang's Chen Tiao and his own memorial on forming the heavy cavalry were written, he immediately came to the palace to show Li Shimin.

After receiving Wang De's simultaneous biography, Li Ke, who was standing outside the door of the Imperial Study Room of Ganquan Palace, walked in.Seeing Li Shimin bowing his head to review the memorial, he stepped forward and knelt down and said, "My son, Li Ke, kowtow to my father."

"Get up!" Li Shimin said lightly, because he was in a bad mood, and his tone towards Li Ke was relatively cold.

"Thank you father!" Li Ke got up, and then heard Li Shimin say indifferently, "Why don't you study the words of saints and the way of governing the country in the mansion, and why come to the imperial study?"

"Father, since you ordered the ministers to submit a letter about the formation of a new army, I want to recommend a talent." Li Ke looked at Li Shimin's expressionless face and said, "Also, I also have some questions about the formation of a new army." I hope that the emperor can read the suggestion of the new army." After speaking, he took out the two memorials he had prepared.

Li Shimin glanced at the memorial in Li Ke's hand, "Bring it up."

Then, Li Ke handed the memorial to Wang De, and Wang De presented it to Li Shimin.Li Shimin got the first memorial above and read it.Li Ke put Su Dingfang's old note on it, so Li Shimin saw that it was Su Dingfang's suggestion about the new army.

Li Shimin took a few glances and was attracted by the content inside. He glanced at Li Ke, "You don't have to stand, sit down." After speaking, he carefully read Su Dingfang's memorial, and Li Ke thanked Li Shimin , carefully sat on the stool that Wang De brought over.

Li Shimin read it in detail, and even read it again and again in some places.Therefore, after reading Su Dingfang's memorial, he breathed a long sigh of relief, and then picked up Li Ke's and read it carefully.After about a stick of incense, Li Shimin finally finished reading the two memorials.

He raised his head and said, "I know Su Dingfang. He was a veteran general when he was in Liu Heitai's army. He cut generals and captured flags, captured cities, and was invincible. It's just that I didn't expect that he was not only a tiger general, He is so proficient in the way of cavalry, especially the analysis of the Turkic cavalry configuration and how the new army can restrain the formation of the Turkic cavalry has unique insights." Li Shimin said here, smiling slightly, "Li Ke, you give me Recommended a talent."

Li Ke got up quickly, "A virtuous person does not avoid relatives. Although Su Dingfang is a captain in the son's mansion, he has great talent, and the son can't let Datang lose a general for his own self-interest." He first gave Li Shimin General Yijun, tell him that he recommended Su Dingfang not because of his relationship with him, but because Datang can have one more general, and don't let Su Dingfang bury his talent just because he is a member of the Han Palace.

"I know you're only thinking about the Tang Dynasty." Li Shimin couldn't understand what Li Ke was thinking, and said with a smile, "The suggestion you wrote about forming a heavy cavalry is very good, and it is different from the previous ideas about heavy cavalry. But , I still have some things that I don't understand, so please explain to me."

"Father, please tell me, my son will know everything." Li Ke said modestly.

"The equipment of the heavy cavalry you mentioned is only thickened in special parts, which can greatly improve their speed and mobility. But in this way, the protection ability will be weakened, and the effect of the heavy cavalry will not be achieved. Not being able to use it as a light cavalry is not worth the loss." Li Shimin expressed his doubts.

Li Ke knew that Li Shimin would ask this question, so he had already made up his mind. He thought for a while, "My father, this kind of heavy armored cavalry armor is more exactly the equipment equipped by light cavalry, only in special parts. It’s just thickened. In this way, the war horses they need don’t need to carry too much weight, and they don’t have to be excellent war horses. But it solves the problem of the lack of good horses in Datang. The most important point is that they don’t need Too many retinues do not require a long time of preparation. When necessary, you can dismount and fight, and you can also go for a long-distance attack. Although it is not as sensitive as light cavalry, it can be used as light cavalry when necessary."

"En." Li Shimin nodded, "This is in line with the current shortage of war horses in Datang and the shortage of excellent war horses." Then, Li Shimin changed the subject, "Only thicken the armor at important positions. The cavalry's protective ability has been greatly weakened, and if it is used as heavy cavalry, it is still lacking." Li Shimin asked another question.

"Father, although their equipment has been lightened, they have flexible limbs to make any slashing movements, and we can select strong veterans and archery masters, and let them use powerful bows or horsemen on horseback. Just use their heavy weapons and strict team combat skills to make up for it." Li Ke had already thought about these problems of Li Shimin in his heart.Therefore, when Li Shimin asked a question, he answered in a logical and orderly manner, without leaking anything.

Li Shimin nodded after listening to Li Ke's statement, and pondered for a moment, "Well, after hearing what you said, I think your suggestion still has merit. But at this time, we still need to discuss with the ministers before making a decision. You Get ready, and when the time comes, you will also participate and listen to their opinions."

"My son respectfully obeys the imperial father's will, and my son will go to prepare now," Li Ke said happily when he heard that Li Shimin seemed to have accepted his suggestion in his heart.

"Don't be so anxious, you have a few days to prepare." At this time, Li Shimin gradually pretended in his heart, and said with a smile, "Su Ding Fangzhen in your mansion will transfer him to Qianniuwei, and give him a thousand Prepare your body, and then let him join the new army."

"Thank you father" Li Ke was excited when he heard Li Shimin's arrangement for Su Dingfang. It seems that Su Dingfang's position has been promoted, and his status in the new army will definitely not be too low.Because, in order to promote low-level generals in a legitimate way, the emperor would transfer them to his personal guards for gold plating.Qianniuwei lived in the Imperial Palace and was Li Shimin's personal guard.A soldier who can serve in Qianniuwei will definitely have an uncertain official position after being transferred, at least he will be a general.

Then, Li Shimin asked other questions about the provisions of the heavy cavalry, etc., and Li Ke answered them one by one, and then gave Li Shimin a clear introduction to his plan for the heavy cavalry.

Li Ke knew that Li Shimin was very busy after the new year, so after Su Dingfang's problem of joining the new army and his own heavy cavalry problem were solved, he didn't bother Li Shimin, so he said goodbye and left the imperial study.

When Li Ke withdrew from the imperial study, Li Shimin took out a red pen and wrote the same word "Yi Liang" on the memorial between him and Su Dingfang, and handed it over to Wang De, who asked him to hand over the memorial to the Ministry of War of the three provinces for discussion.