Chapter 57

At the military camp in Puzhou, in the main tent of the central army.

Li Shimin gathered nine of the eighteen scholars: Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Lu Deming, Kong Yingda, Yu Shinan, Yao Silian, Cai Yun Gong, Yan Xiangshi, and Yu Zhining, to hold a small discussion meeting to discuss political and current affairs. This had been one of the most frequent activities for Li Shimin in recent years.

Li Shimin came from a military family and had been trained in military strategy, martial arts, and archery since childhood, all of which he excelled in. However, he only had a superficial understanding of politics and lacked a deeper grasp. Therefore, he was very popular in the military, deeply loved by the soldiers, who were even willing to die for him. However, in the imperial court, he often felt constrained, especially in dealing with people, where he was inflexible and often offended others.

For example, Li Yuan's two most favored concubines, Lady Yin and Lady Zhang, were deeply offended by Li Shimin due to his immature political skills and stubborn personality.

In this aspect, Li Shimin clearly fell short compared to Li Jiancheng, who was much more worldly and smooth. Li Jiancheng would use any means to win over anyone who could benefit him. He had long recognized the immense potential power of Lady Yin and Lady Zhang. As the emperor's concubines, their influence was not to be underestimated. These two women, with their large chests and simple minds, were easy to please. A few gifts and some kind words at the right time would yield significant results.

As for Li Shimin!

When Li Shimin defeated Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong, he held the position of Grand Administrator of the Shandong Circuit, which gave him immense power to handle all matters in Central China, including the appointment of local officials and the division of land. He effectively became the "King of Central China."

Li Shimin never neglected those who had fought with him. Using his position as the "King of Central China," he rewarded his subordinates with land and wealth. Luoyang, which Li Shimin had captured, was the Eastern Capital where Yang Guang had accumulated vast wealth. It was filled with countless treasures. The women, particularly interested in such treasures, joined forces with other palace concubines to demand a share.

This opportunity to win them over, if taken by the mature Li Jiancheng, would have been seized without hesitation. However, Li Shimin, with a stern face, refused. "Why should I reward a group of women who have done nothing?" The concubines, having no choice, asked for positions for their relatives. Li Shimin still refused, saying that appointing unqualified people to official positions would harm the people.

This directly offended the emperor's women. Later, when Lady Zhang's father wanted a piece of land in Luoyang, he did not even bother to ask Li Shimin. "You little brat, I am at least your stepmother. How dare you treat me like this? I'll go to your father."

Li Yuan, who was easily swayed by his concubines, became soft after Lady Zhang's persuasion. He would even pluck the stars from the sky if she asked. However, Li Shimin ignored Li Yuan's edict, not out of disrespect, but because he had already granted the land to his meritorious subordinates. His stubbornness made the emperor's order ineffective, leading to strong dissatisfaction from Li Yuan and the entire palace.

There were also other incidents, such as the conflict between Liu Wenjing and Li Yuan's top confidant Pei Ji, which further alienated Li Shimin from many people. However, Li Shimin did not care.

Of course, this was in the past, when Li Shimin was the King of Qin, fighting for the Li Tang dynasty. Now, he was aiming for the position of Crown Prince.

Li Shimin was a practical person and did not engage in abstract or illusory matters. Initially, the position of Crown Prince was far from him, and at that time, he did not have much ambition. He acted as he pleased, not fearing any concubines or powerful ministers.

However, as his military achievements grew, his reputation and popularity increased, and he gradually realized that the position of Crown Prince was not as distant as he had thought.

Thus, Li Shimin changed his approach, began to study political tactics, and learned how to govern the country. With the help of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, he established the Literary Pavilion, gathered the most renowned scholars, and formed the group of eighteen scholars. The discussions in the Literary Pavilion were not about literary anecdotes or elegant writing but about current political issues and how to govern the country effectively, with the clear intention of preparing for the throne.

Li Shimin knew he was not as experienced in state affairs as Li Jiancheng, so he frequently held discussion meetings with the scholars in the Literary Pavilion to learn.

Indeed, he held these meetings frequently, whether there was a specific issue or not!

As Luo Shixin had said, the 150,000 troops of the Jieji Khanate had invaded only to show off their military might and to intimidate the Li Tang dynasty, forcing them to pay for peace.

When Li Shimin's army arrived in Puzhou, still over a hundred miles away from the Jieji forces, the Jieji Khan panicked. He had not prepared for a major battle and, with a shout, ordered his 140,000 troops to retreat to the frontier.

Although Li Shimin found Luo Shixin's analysis reasonable, he thought that the Jieji Khanate had mobilized such a large force and should at least have a face-to-face meeting before retreating. He did not expect the Jieji Khan to simply leave without a trace.

With no choice, Li Shimin treated the expedition as a trip and continued to study politics with the scholars in the Literary Pavilion.

This time, they were discussing the "Proposal to Relocate the Capital."

Due to the large-scale invasion by the Jieji Khanate, a trend of relocating the capital had emerged in the Li Tang court, suggesting that Chang'an was too close to the Jieji Khanate and posed a danger. They proposed moving the capital to a place far from the Jieji Khanate for safety.

If it were the old Li Shimin, he would have scolded the person who suggested this. However, now he chose to discuss it with his advisors and gather their opinions to prepare for the situation.

"Your Highness, Princess Pingyang has sent a report of victory!" Just as the discussion was about to end, Li Shimin heard news from Hebei and smiled at everyone. "Another victory report, my second sister is still as she was." He stopped the discussion and had the report brought up.

"On October 21st, Deputy Commander Luo Shixin lured the Jieji Khanate to raid Yizhou. Together with Xue Wanjun, they defeated the Jieji Khanate's leader, De Wen Fu, in Yizhou, completely annihilating them in one battle, thus pacifying the Jieji Khanate's unrest in Hebei."

Li Shimin read the report without hesitation, and the surrounding scholars were filled with admiration.

The Jieji Khanate had invaded multiple times, but due to their swift and unpredictable nature, even when they were defeated, the casualties were usually only a few hundred. Such a significant victory had never been achieved before.

Li Shimin recalled the news from Binzhou and could not help but sigh, "What a remarkable Luo Shixin, defeating 20,000 enemies in two battles. The achievements of my brother and I with our two large armies do not even match his alone..."