The best idlers of the Tang Dynasty

Du Rui has already remembered. Before, he only thought that the middle-aged man who claimed to be surnamed Qin was very familiar. Now after waking up, he suddenly remembered that the middle-aged man was the Taizong whom he had seen in Du Ruhui Lingtang back then. Emperor Li Shimin?

At that time, due to the dim light above the mourning hall, Du Rui knelt behind him and couldn't see clearly. In addition, he couldn't look directly at the emperor, otherwise he would assassinate the king on purpose, and he would lose his head. Although there are some impressions, they are not very clear.

Thinking of this, Du Rui was suddenly annoyed. Not only did he fail to recognize Taizong, he also followed others to slander the military system of the Tang Dynasty for a long time. If Emperor Taizong was narrow-minded, the crime of criticizing current affairs alone would be enough to kill him. Head off ten times.

A few days ago, I was still thinking about how to get myself into the eyes of Tianjia, but now it has been done, but I am afraid that this impression is not very good. Du Rui is not thinking about being named a marquis and a minister, and his name will go down in history, but Since God has arranged for him to reach this age, if he doesn't make a big splash and make a career, he will be too sorry for God's mercy.

I hope that Emperor Taizong is really as generous and generous as recorded in the history books. Since Wei Zheng can force Emperor Taizong to make a fool of himself several times, if he wants to be a ten-year-old boy, he will not be too emperor. Take it to heart.

Just when Du Rui was annoyed because he missed an opportunity, Taizong Li Shimin was also frowning at Du Rui's words just now.

In the Chengqing Hall, Emperor Taizong was sitting on the couch. Prince Li Chengqian, King of Shu Li Ke, King of Wei Li Tai, King of Qi Li You and other princes had already arrived, kneeling and sitting opposite to their father. In addition, the eldest grandson Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Several ministers including Cen Wenwen also sat aside.

Emperor Taizong frowned and thought for a while, then raised his eyes to look at his sons, and said, "I called you here today to test your studies."

As soon as these words came out, Qi Wang Li You's face became tense at first, because among the princes, he was the one who was the most illiterate. Every time Emperor Taizong took the exams of the princes' studies, he would be reprimanded severely.

Emperor Taizong also noticed Li You's expression, frowned and said: "Today I will not review your poems, books and articles. Although those are the words of sages, they are just small ways, so I will test the current affairs! Offend my border court, take my people captive, and demand tribute from us, tell me, if you are in charge, how should you deal with this matter?"

Unexpectedly, the subject of the homework examination this time was not scriptures, Li You's face relaxed a little, but Li Tai looked a little disappointed, because he read the best books among the princes, and whenever it was time for the school examination homework, he He will be praised by his father, but the question raised by Emperor Taizong this time is practical, which is not his specialty.

Prince Li Chengqian, as the eldest brother, and the crown prince naturally had to speak first, saying: "The Hu bandits have repeatedly violated the frontiers these years, killing our people and taking our livestock. Every time Bian kills and sets fire, he commits all kinds of crimes. Please send a strong army to fight to the death with the old thief Jieli! My son is willing to be the supervisor of the army again."

After the prince finished speaking, Changsun Wuji was also observing Emperor Taizong's reaction from the corner of his eyes.

Emperor Taizong looked at Li Chengqian with a calm expression on his face and said: "The prince's loyalty and courage are very comforting to my heart!"

Li Tai saw it, kowtowed his head and said impassionedly: "The barbarians are extremely rampant, and my Tang Dynasty can't bear it anymore. My minister is willing to go out with the army. Although my hand is not strong enough to restrain a chicken, You can always shout a few times to help the army!"

Li You and several other princes also said in unison: "Father, please send troops to hunt down the thieves."

The hall was in chaos, only Li Ke didn't speak. Emperor Taizong looked up at him and said, "Ke'er, why don't you speak? I know that among these princes, you have read a lot of military books!"

Hearing his father calling his name, Li Ke hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Father, my son thinks that he can't fight Jieli right now!"

Cen Wenwen was so anxious that he could only wink at Li Ke, but Li Ke pretended not to see it.

Emperor Taizong glanced at Li Ke and asked, "What's your reason?"

Li Ke replied: "I often go to the Chang'an Horse Market these days. Recently, the wild horses there are very cheap. The top-quality horses are sold for two thousand yuan a horse, which is less than half of the previous years. I learned from Hu merchants. In the past two years, the weather in the grassland has been favorable, and the grass is abundant and the horses are fertile. From this, it can be inferred that the Xieli army has strong soldiers and horses, but our army lacks good horses, so I think it is the best policy to recharge your energy and avoid the enemy's edge."

Emperor Taizong nodded, seemed satisfied with his answer, and said: "Then tell me how to recharge your energy, what is the real best strategy, and how to make my Tang army's combat effectiveness better than Jieli's." cavalry."

Emperor Taizong stumped Li Ke with several questions in succession. Although he was smart, he was not deeply involved in the world after all. He could see through the small details, but he didn't know much about the big ones. After thinking for a while, he said: "If the military strength of my Great Tang is superior to that of the Turks, I think that it is only right to vigorously promote horse politics!"

Emperor Taizong's expression did not change, he pondered for a moment and said: "You are right!"

The implication is that although Li Ke's words are reasonable, he is not very satisfied. Thinking of what Du Rui said about the military system just now, he is slightly disappointed in these sons.

Emperor Taizong's attitude towards Li Ke made Li Chengqian on the side a little unhappy. The crown prince bowed his body and said, "Although the words of the third brother are reasonable, but this battle is not only based on horsepower, but also on courage. Back then, the emperor After succeeding Datong for the first time, he used tens of thousands of horses to meet Xieli's 20 iron cavalry, wouldn't he also be blocked outside Chang'an City?"

Li Ke looked at Li Chengqian and responded: "The Battle of Weiqiao was just a fluke victory. We can't pin our hope of victory on luck every time we fight because of this victory! Now our army has just Having gone through a bitter battle in the cloud, choosing such an opportunity to fight the enemy, wouldn't it be in Xieli's hands?"

After a verbal battle, the two brothers looked at Taizong, waiting for his verdict.

Taizong looked at Li Ke and asked: "Then Jieli has repeatedly committed the humiliation of the border, so I can't bear it?"

Li Ke realized that Emperor Taizong was satisfied with what he said just now, so he boldly replied: "Small humiliation, how can it be compared with the entire Tang Dynasty? , precisely for the success of the Northern Expedition in the future!"

Li Shimin raised his head: "Well, that's the end of today's school examination. The king of Shu knows a little bit, and he can see the strength of the army from the horse market. What he said is very reasonable, which shows that he is a man and pays attention to everything."

Speaking of this, Taizong turned his attention to Li Chengqian, and said with an emphasis: "Here, you brothers should learn more from him!"

When Li Chengqian heard the words, he was naturally very upset, but he could only respond together with the other princes: "I will follow the instructions."

Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling looked at each other, and both of them understood that today, the emperor is nominally testing the homework of the princes, but in fact, he is sending a message to the courtiers, especially these important officials, that is, the Northern Expedition plan.

After the courtiers were dismissed, Taizong kept Prince Li Chengqian. He was still satisfied with this son. At that time, the Tang Dynasty was really in danger. Faced with such a critical moment, Taizong could only choose to compromise, and sent Li Chengqian, who was still the king of Zhongshan County at that time, to the Luo Yi army as a hostage, and only then bought time.

But Li Chengqian as the prince, Taizong was not very satisfied. His favorite son was Shu King Li Ke, and he once commented on Shu King Li Ke as "hero like himself" in front of important officials in the court, but Li Ke's flesh and blood is too noble Now, with the bloodline of today's son, the grandson of Emperor Sui Yang, with such an identity, Emperor Taizong really couldn't make Li Ke the crown prince, and Li Chengqian was a cowardly man, but he was pure filial piety.

"Chengqian! I know you are unhappy!"

Li Chengqian hurriedly knelt down and said, "I dare not!"

Taizong waved his hand, signaled Li Chengqian to stand up, and said: "You have done a good job, Chengqian, but when it comes to military and state affairs, you still need to accumulate more experience. Although your grand masters are all well-read Great Confucianism, but his mouth is full of the words of a sage, self-cultivation is good, but it is useless in practice."

Li Chengqian couldn't help feeling sour when he heard this, and said, "Father! Your son has let you down!"

Taizong smiled, got up and walked to Li Chengqian's side, stroked his back and said: "Chengqian! You didn't disappoint me, so! I see that you are bored in the palace, why don't you go for a walk often, have a look, and learn more about the folks. See how you suffer!"

Seeing that Emperor Taizong still cared about him, Li Chengqian nodded and cried, "The son is all arranged by the emperor!"

Taizong laughed and said: "I met a young man when I went out of the palace today. He is the concubine son of Du Keming, Duke of Xianlai. Now he lives in Chang'an West City. Although he is young, he is quite knowledgeable. You should go and talk to him more often. Let's talk, maybe it will help you!"

Li Chengqian replied: "Your minister obeys the order!"

Although he said that he obeyed the order, he was not convinced in his heart. He was 11 years old this year. He was also smart since he was a child. He was loved by the Emperor Taizong and Emperor Taizong. So I thought about making some comparisons, and went to find that young man tomorrow and try it in person.