Don't be a prince

In Li Chengqian's small voice, the craftsmen who had been busy all night immediately lined up in two lines, waiting expectantly for the money to be distributed.

There is not much money, only twenty or thirty copper coins per person.But when it was their turn, every craftsman would first salute in Li Chengqian's direction, and then receive the copper coins.At this time, social productivity in the Tang Dynasty was low, and many places were even bartering or using silk cloth as currency.In the eyes of the craftsmen, it was right for a noble person like the prince to ask them to do something without giving money, or just giving them some rice, grain and silk cloth.Giving copper coins directly is a good thing they never dreamed of.

Twenty or thirty copper coins have been able to live a good life for the whole family for nearly a month.And this is just a busy half a day plus a night's wages.For a while, words like "His Royal Highness is kindhearted" filled the hearts of these craftsmen.

After the last craftsman finished collecting, there was still a small pile of copper coins on the carriage.

Li Chengqian patted the carriage and said to the soldiers leading the horses: "Pull it down first. Although you are Solitary's own soldiers, Gu rewards the craftsmen and will not forget you. Wait until tomorrow, and tomorrow Gu will send you the same." some rewards."

Upon hearing this powerful news, the soldiers who had been busy for a long time also cheered, and their exhaustion was swept away.

Yu Tai is different, he slept very well last night, so he is still alive and well at this time.

Looking at the cheering soldiers, Yu Tai frowned and said: "How decent is Cheng! As His Highness's personal soldiers, it is their duty to obey His Highness's command, but they have worked for a while, and they still have the face to reward! Your Highness, You can't spoil them like this!"

Glancing at Yu Tai, Li Chengqian stretched his waist and said: "Brothers can still settle accounts. Yesterday and last night, the soldiers worked no less than the craftsmen. Since the craftsmen can get rewards, why can't they get rewards?" .Okay, how you reward your subordinates is your own business. If you are not satisfied, you can go to the emperor to impeach Gu. Other than that, there is no need to say more. "

Looking at the prince's cold eyes, and looking at the strange expressions of the surrounding soldiers, Yu Tai's heart trembled, and he quickly knelt down on one knee and said no more.He knew very well that although the prince in front of him was only seven years old, he was still the real master of this team.As the leader of the team, I belong to the emperor after all, not to the prince.If he entangles again, he won't have to lead the team in the future. If he affects the interests of the group, he will be excluded even if he is surrounded by the emperor.

This is the unspoken rule that has not changed for thousands of years in the army!

After finishing Yutai, Li Chengqian glanced at the majestic "Eight Bull Crossbows" lined up beside the Wei River with satisfaction, and finally heaved a sigh of relief.

"Yu Tai listens to the order."

Yu Tai who was still kneeling on one knee immediately said: "The end is here!"

After yawning, Li Chengqian said casually: "The preparations have been completed. Since you slept well last night, you are in charge of commanding the army. Next, you have to sleep alone. All the soldiers will also be divided into two batches." Alternate rest. The side that does not rest, control the eight-ox crossbow, and be vigilant on the other side of the river. If the Turkic people really come, don’t panic, wake up the lonely first.”

Yu Tai nodded and began to issue orders.

Yan Liben, who also hadn't slept all night, walked over with two dark circles under his eyes.

After saluting, Yan Liben asked: "Your Highness, where are we craftsmen going? Please tell the prince clearly."

Li Chengqian gave him a strange look, and said in confusion: "The work is over, so naturally we should go back to our respective homes! Don't tell Gu these craftsmen that Gu will send them back."

Yan Liben quickly explained: "No, Your Highness, you urgently summon craftsmen to make fake eight-ox crossbows. These craftsmen are not stupid, and they have already guessed some possibilities. You only have two thousand soldiers, and these craftsmen add up to a thousand. .Although they don’t have weapons at hand, they are willing to help His Highness solve problems!”

"This...."

Looking at those craftsmen who were holding copper coins, their eyes were full of fighting spirit rather than satisfaction, Li Chengqian was inexplicably moved.

Knowing that a war might break out, these craftsmen didn't think about leaving, but stayed to fight.This is the people of Guanzhong, this is the people of Chang'an.

This is the Datang people!

Sighing, Li Chengqian said helplessly: "Yan Qing, you should be clear that if Gu's guess is correct, there will be 10,000+, or even 10,000+ Turkic people on the other side of the Weishui River. It's enough to deter them, if They can’t be deterred. The 3000 people here are not even eggs that hit a rock. They are all people with families, so let them go back.”

Yan Liben did not reply, but bowed to salute.Behind him, the simple craftsmen also bowed and saluted in unison.

Although many people saluted nondescriptly, it was clear that they were silently protesting in the scene at this time.

"All right!"

Li Chengqian understood that he couldn't refuse them.

Calling Yu Tai who issued the order, Li Chengqian said: "Count the craftsmen, if there are surplus armor and weapons in the barracks, give them to them."

After finally getting the prince's permission, the artisans gave out cheers of victory.

Amidst the cheers, Li Chengqian returned to his tent, nestled in the bedding under Li Gang's smiling gaze, and fell asleep after a while.

...

Unlike Li Chengqian, who was sleeping peacefully, Li Shimin in the Lizheng Hall was pacing back and forth in front of the map like ants on a hot pot.

Everyone could see the emperor's anxiety. At this time, no one dared to whisper anymore. The generals who slept soundly in the palace last night wished that they could not sleep at this time.

But two hours!

According to the battle report, after Cheng Yaojin arrived in Gaoling, he was attacked by the Turks before he even had time to consolidate the defense line.The Gaoling line of defense was breached within two hours, and the Turkic army drove straight in, and had already entered Jingzhou.

Helpless, Cheng Yaojin had no choice but to cut his face to show his shame, and gave up joining the Jingyang army. Instead, he fiercely invaded the Turkic territory, hoping to restrain the Turkic army from returning to defense.

And this is yesterday's news.In the military newspaper, the number of Turkic troops of "20" made everyone tremble.

There is no need to discuss anything, the 20 Turkic troops going south are definitely not here for fun.Unexpectedly, they really picked the right time and launched the war directly.

Among the generals, Li Jing also looked pale.

After returning home yesterday, his decision was unanimously refuted by the generals.The generals believed that demolishing the temporary bridge at this pass was equivalent to slapping the emperor in the face.The Duke of Wei's mansion is already out of tune with the new dynasty because of the "grass on the wall" incident, so it can't add fuel to the fire.

Even the head of the family can't go his own way and oppose all the family generals.So he did not go to Weishui.

At this moment, what he was worried about became a reality, and he wished he could turn back time and slap yesterday's self.

The Turks had 20 troops. After Gaoling was defeated, Jingyang could not resist for too long.It is already predictable that soldiers will approach the Weishui River.

Another battle report came, and the Hongling emergency envoy started to unpack the package outside the door without even handing the battle report to the emperor.

After reading the battle report, Li Shimin took a long breath and said palely to the generals in the main hall: "It's bad news."

Chapter 43 Empty City Plan

They had clearly foreseen the possibility of bad news, but when they actually found out, everyone couldn't help but feel a little bit of a thump in their hearts.

Bad news, let's see how bad it is.If Jingyang just suffered heavy losses, it wouldn't be too bad.The worst possibility is that the Turkic people broke through the Jingyang line of defense, which means that the Turkic people will really approach the Wei River and approach Chang'an as Li Jing and the prince feared.

Because the end of the war in the interior was still very short, coupled with the Xuanwumen incident, the sixteen guards who were supposed to surround Chang'an to defend the capital were almost scattered all over the Tang Dynasty.In the east, they were wary of Goryeo and the wealthy families in Shandong, in the south, they were wary of the natives of Lingnan and Nanzhao, and in the west, they were wary of the Tubo people on the plateau.

At this time, not only the treasury could not support a tough battle, but most importantly, there were not many troops to send around Chang'an.

No one thought that East Turkistan would launch an offensive in August.No one thought that the Turks were playing for real, and pointed their finger at Chang'an.Once Chang'an is broken, the system that Datang has roughly built over ten years will collapse in an instant.The land of China will be plunged into a war that is more brutal than the end of the Sui Dynasty.Because, this time, it was not internal fighting that led to the chaos, but foreign enemies!The battle between races and races is not just as simple as blood and fire.

At this time, none of the people in the main hall were fools. Thinking of this possibility, there was a ticking sound of water dripping on the floor in the main hall where the needles could be heard.Everyone broke out in a cold sweat!

"The battle report said that although Jingde had integrated his troops as much as possible in Jingyang to stop the Turkic people, he was still overwhelmed by the Turkic troops. Although there were gains, the Turkic people had already broken through the defense line and drove straight in. At the latest, The Turkic army can reach the Wei River. Chang'an is at stake!"

After saying these four words, Li Shimin felt powerless all over.

As an emperor who fought back from the Jedi, murdered his brother and imprisoned his father to ascend to the throne, the word "weakness" almost never appeared in his life dictionary.But at this time, the enemy was at hand, and the troops of the whole country were scattered. Chang'an was like a boat in the flood, but it made him weak.

Even if he is the emperor, his strength is given by the army.Even if he has such a brilliant record of defeating ten thousand enemies on a hundred rides, he is not a blindly optimistic idiot.

Things have come to this point, it seems there are only two options left.Either abandon Chang'an and withdraw to Luoyang.Either compromise and find a way to please Jieli Khan and avoid the occurrence of fighting.

But no matter which one, for Datang and Li Shimin, it is a deep-rooted shame!No one can bear this shame.

No one dared to tell the emperor about these two choices.Everyone in the hall knew that the emperor was on the verge of madness at this time, and if he became the first bird, he would probably be punished by thunder.

"Your Majesty, I have a message!"

Not wanting the atmosphere to remain depressed, Li Jing finally bit the bullet and spoke.

Li Shimin originally frowned and wanted to scold him, but when he realized that it was Li Jing who spoke, he let go of the shadow between his brows.

In such a desperate situation, perhaps, only Li Jing can do anything.

Standing up straight, Li Shimin said anxiously: "Ai Qing, tell me quickly!"

After leaving the class, Li Jing asked seriously: "Your Majesty, I dare to ask, will my Tang Dynasty never back down at this time?"

Li Shimin nodded vigorously, and said: "Never back down! Even if Chang'an is destroyed, we can't retreat. Otherwise, the Tang Dynasty will fall apart immediately. No common people will trust a court that is running away from a big enemy."

At this time, it is not about the honor and disgrace of the emperor, but about the integrity of a nation.Enemies from all sides of the Tang Dynasty stared at them covetously. Once they showed cowardice, they would be sheep surrounded by wolves, and they would never rise again.

Seeing that the emperor's will was firm and unshakable, Li Jing also breathed a sigh of relief.

Walking to the map, he picked up a bamboo pole and pointed it at the Weishui Bridge. Li Jing said in a deep voice, "Although it's not the flood season, the Weishui River is still a hundred and ten paces wide. Looking around the Weishui River, the only people who can cross the river are the bridges. If it is demolished The Bianqiao can be delayed for at least ten days. Although the troops from Binzhou and other places cannot be withdrawn, it is enough to mobilize the Luoyang garrison and consolidate a line of defense. However, if I choose, at this time, I will keep the Bianqiao instead. good."

"Why?"

Hearing Li Jing's speech, Li Shimin did not express doubts, but asked for advice humbly.He, Li Shimin, may be proud, but he is by no means conceited.Obviously, Li Jing is probably the only one who can turn the tide at this time.

"Empty city strategy! Your majesty is familiar with military books, so you should know this strategy. I dare you to ask your majesty to come to the Weishui River and angrily reprimand the Turks for breaking the contract. At the same time, call the government soldiers around Chang'an and transfer them to the Weishui River in batches. As long as our troops continue to increase, It will be able to form a deterrent to the Turks. Even if the Turks cannot be frightened, as long as they withstand the attack and demolish the temporary bridge, they can delay the time."

It was Li Jing's limit to come up with an idea on the spur of the moment and prepare a way out.And this idea, the biggest difficulty, is the emperor's idea.

Driving on the banks of the Weishui River to face the Turkic army, once the strategy is wrong, it can be said to be close to death.The emperor launched the Xuanwumen Incident, murdered his brothers and imprisoned his father, and ascended to the throne only after bearing infamy.Let him put himself in danger, I am afraid it will be even more difficult!

The generals in the hall all held their breath in unison.No matter what choice the emperor made, they could understand it.Because they are the same, they only enjoy wealth and honor after nine deaths, so that when they go to war, they are more than half a beat slower than Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde.

Unexpectedly, the emperor's slightly stooped figure suddenly became straight.

"Come on, give me armor! Order Gao Shilian, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji, and Niu Jinda to go with me! Order the left servant of the Shangshu to shoot Xiao Yu, and the right servant of the Shangshu to shoot Feng Deyi to preside over the transfer of troops .Order Empress Changsun to supervise the country temporarily, and if something happens to me, the crown prince will succeed me."

(Except Gao Shilian and Fang Xuanling are guesses, hereby marked.)

Hearing the emperor's decision and arrangement, the generals immediately knelt down on one knee and shouted "My emperor is mighty"!

It is normal to give one's life to the emperor, but it is happiness to give to a brave and decisive emperor who still does not change his true nature after ascending the throne.

No generals, hate a brave emperor!Now the emperor has even arranged the affairs of his death properly, so it can be seen that life and death are really ignored this time.

Following the emperor's order, a group of six people followed the emperor to ride on the top seven horses of the Yumajian, leaving even the imperial guards far behind, and went straight to the bank of the Weishui River.

Chapter 44 Soldiers at the Wei River

It was also less than half an hour after the imperial army left the city, an imperial edict for dispatching troops was issued to the Zhechong mansion around Chang'an without even going through the Ministry of War. Drums and sentry horns muster.

Of course, Li Chengqian in his sleep didn't know all of this.

After seeing the "eight cow crossbows" covering the river bank with his own eyes, he was relieved and slept very soundly.But when Yu Tai forced him to wake him up by wiping his face with cold water, he still wanted to lose his temper.

Li Chengqian, who grabbed the cold towel and was about to throw it on Yu Tai's face, saw Yu Tai's serious expression, and his drowsiness disappeared immediately.

"coming?"

Yu Tai said solemnly: "Here we come! According to the reports from the spies, when the main Turkic army was discovered, they had already appeared twenty miles away. I am afraid that it will not take a stick of incense to approach the Weishui River."

If he hadn't slapped himself and felt the pain, Yu Tai would have thought he was living in a dream.

The Turkic people actually attacked on a large scale and broke through the blockade of Jingyang, just like the prince predicted, they will appear here soon.

At this moment, he admired the seven-year-old child in front of him.Facts have proved that all the rice he had eaten in the past 40 to [-] years has been eaten into the dog's stomach.

After rubbing his face, Li Chengqian got out of the bed, dressed quickly, and ordered while putting on his clothes: "Wake up all the resting soldiers and craftsmen immediately, let them wash their faces, and don't show fatigue. Remove all the tarpaulins. Move Master Li's reclining chair to the temporary bridge."

Following Li Chengqian's order, Yu Tai immediately went down to implement it.

The sound of the wooden wheel pressing on the ground came, and Li Gang appeared in front of Li Chengqian who was wearing shoes, and said in a deep voice: "Actually, you don't need to come forward in person. If this matter is completed, no one can take your credit. Come to the bridge in person Confronting the Turkic people, if something goes wrong, how will the old man explain to your father?"

After putting on the shoes, Li Chengqian bowed to Li Gang and said: "Master Li, you are underestimating the disciple. The disciple has never been greedy for credit or anything. The reason why he went up in person is to give the Turks a reason to retreat. Only when the disciple appears on the temporary bridge as the crown prince, will Xieli be dispatched to talk to me. Only Xieli can decide whether the Turkic army will go or not, right?"

Li Gang nodded in agreement.Although Li Chengqian's words were a bit taken for granted, he had to admit that at least the order was clear, and he had already been persuaded.

"You have to risk yourself, let the old man go with you!"

Seeing the old man turning skillfully and leaving with the wheelchair, Li Chengqian knew that he could never think of any reason to object.

Following Yu Tai's command, the originally silent military camp came to life in an instant.The soldiers who woke up from their sleep began to wear their armor and wield their swords, and the craftsmen also began to distribute the crudely made swords for temporary assaults.With the lessons learned from the "Eight Bull Crossbow", they quickly mastered the working method of the assembly line.

Although temporarily using rivets and other materials can't make a top-level weapon, and the finished product doesn't even have a scabbard handle, it is still no problem to kill people.

Although the craftsmen of the Tang Dynasty were not of humble origin, they were still at the bottom.Compared with businessmen, they only have a better reputation.But it is such a group of low-status people, but none of them suffer from stage fright.The bronze-colored muscular arm held a rough ore broadsword, shining bravely in the bright sunlight.

At this time, there was no need to make extra cheering declarations. Looking at these people who looked at death as their home, Li Chengqian pushed Li Gang's wheelchair onto the temporary bridge, with only Yu Tai and Changtian Monkey by his side.

After fixing the wheels of the old man's wheelchair, Li Chengqian lay down on the recliner, looking like an old god.Holding a horizontal knife in his hand, Yu Tai was ready to unsheath anytime, standing a step in front of Li Chengqian.Changtian Monkey crawled under the bridge nimbly.

The temporary bridge is not a stone bridge, but a wooden bridge.Although the structure of the wooden bridge is complicated, under the groping of the general supervisor craftsman, he still dismantled and found a crucial beam.As long as the scale that was sawn off by half is trampled off by the monkey, the bridge will collapse.

From the very beginning, Li Chengqian never thought that his plan would fail and he would die.

There is also a small table next to the recliner and wheelchair, with a teapot on it.

Reaching out to pour a cup of tea, Li Chengqian swallowed it almost greedily.

Glancing at Li Chengqian's actions, Li Gang said with a chuckle: "One man guarding the gate and retreating hundreds of thousands of enemies is a good story enough to be written in the history books. It's just that if it is mentioned that the dignified prince peed his pants at that time, I don't know what future generations will think about it." How to comment."

Putting the cup back on the table, Li Chengqian said with a wry smile: "Don't scare the boy, my heart is jumping out of my throat now."

After finishing speaking, Li Chengqian grabbed Yu Tai's nail leaf and asked again: "Old Yu, are you sure you can stop the arrows from the opposite side?"

Yu Tai patted the breastplate again and replied: "Your Highness, don't worry, no one can shoot such powerful arrows except the Condor Archer. Even if there is a Condor Archer, the general will use himself as a shield for you!"

With Yu Tai's swearing guarantee, Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief.

It is a dream that many people have had in their childhood.But even Meng Yi, who was the enemy of thousands of people, finally fell under the arrow in the back.What's more, the Turkic is proficient in riding and archery, and he will change his name to Li Hedgehog as long as he shoots a volley.