After the expedition to the Turks, Li Jing's contributions in the Tang Empire reached their peak, but he was extremely cautious. After returning to his country, he stayed in the capital for a long time, which also made Li Shimin let down his guard against him.
After all, being too successful and making the emperor fear you is no joke. After he solved the threat from the north of the Tang Dynasty, if he wanted to continue leading troops in the army, Li Shimin probably would not tolerate him.
The nobles around were also whispering. This military god of the Tang Dynasty usually never took an extra step or said a word. He lived more cautiously than anyone else. What happened today?
It would be fine to just send a son to deliver a gift and follow the crowd, but why come in person?
Although everyone, including Li Chengqian, had questions in their minds, Duke Weiguo Li Jing had a high status, so everyone went to the door to greet him.
Everyone thought that Duke Weiguo Li Jing would exchange a few words with everyone, but who knew that he would pull out an imperial edict at the door, and everyone knelt down again.
"Prince Li Xiang of Chengping, under the orders of General Li Jing, has been assigned to the Liaodong Division of the Ministry of War to discuss the strategy for pacifying Goguryeo. He has been temporarily appointed as the sixth-rank Deputy Seal Holder of the Liaodong Division."
The imperial edict was very short, consisting of only a few sentences, but it stirred up a huge wave in everyone's hearts.
The princes and grandchildren of the emperor only have a title and never have a specific position, especially one related to the military. Except for the garrison in their own palace, they cannot have anything to do with any army.
Li Xiang was immediately employed in the Ministry of War, and in the recently popular Liaodong Division. Although he did not directly command the troops, being a military commander at the age of thirteen was unprecedented in the Tang Empire, let alone in the previous dozen dynasties.
Is the Emperor so eager to cultivate His Royal Highness the Eldest Grandson?
Some people feel a little regretful at this moment. Are the gifts just given a little too little?
They originally thought it was just a greeting gift, so they didn't prepare any expensive gifts. Now that the emperor has allowed him to enter the Ministry of War, the true dragon's true form has been revealed more. Several nobles showed bitterness on their faces, but it is not so easy to make up for it now.
So these people began to inquire about the important date of the emperor's eldest grandson. When they learned that the fifth day of next month was the birthday of his biological mother Liu, they immediately came up with a plan.
"Your Highness, please accept the order."
Li Jing understood that this was the official reward given to Li Xiang by the emperor. If he were an ordinary civilian, he might even be given a noble title. After all, it was not often that a fifth-rank official could solve the Goguryeo issue. Moreover, on some details, he should indeed consult His Royal Highness the Emperor's eldest grandson. Since he was the one who proposed the plan, he must have different opinions on some aspects.
"Thank you for your grace."
Li Xiang calmly accepted the imperial edict. The people around him had a higher opinion of Li Xiang. Under the gaze of so many people, Li Xiang did not behave in any way. They could not find any words to describe Li Xiang. If there was any word to describe him, then he was a monster.
"On the morning of tomorrow, all officials from the Liaodong Division of the Ministry of War will be present to discuss the strategy for pacifying Goguryeo. The Emperor will also be there, so please be sure to arrive on time."
After Li Jing finished speaking, there was another round of whispers around. This was a discussion about important military affairs of the court, and he could enter the imperial court at the age of thirteen. It was really a case of comparing people to make people die, and comparing goods to make goods throw them away. Looking at all the children of nobles, who had such treatment?
If these words were spoken by someone else, it might be to falsely elevate that person's status and would probably have no practical effect.
But the old men from each family had already said when they returned home that the strategy to pacify Goguryeo was indeed proposed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so their participation in the Ministry of War to discuss military and national affairs was by no means a face-saving project.
"Please rest assured, Lord Li, I will be there on time."
Li Xiang was very good at measuring his words. At this moment, Li Jing, the Duke of Weiguo, was the Minister of War, and I was the Deputy Seal of Liaodong Division. He addressed me as I should, and it was also a disguised way of telling the officials of the Ministry of War present that when they arrived at the Ministry of War, there was only Li Xiang, the Deputy Seal of Liaodong Division, but no Prince of Chengping.
"Your Highness is humble. This sword was once a precious sword of the Turkic king during the Northern Expedition to the Desert. The Emperor has high hopes for Your Highness, so I present this sword to Your Highness. I hope that Your Highness will one day wield this sword and expand the territory for the Emperor and the Great Tang."
After Li Jing, the Duke of Weiguo, said this, the people present became even more agitated. This sword belonged to the Turkic prince back then. After it was brought back to the capital, the emperor gave the sword to the prince Li Chengqian. Later, because Li Chengqian made trouble, the emperor took the sword back and gave it to the god of war Li Jing. Unexpectedly, after going around in circles, it ended up in the East Palace again.
Although it did not reach the hands of Crown Prince Li Chengqian, it reached the hands of Li Xiang. This also represented the emperor's intention, that is, to let bygones be bygones for Crown Prince Li Chengqian, and the Eastern Palace would still be the original Eastern Palace.
Without the emperor's approval, how could this scimitar of extraordinary significance have fallen into Li Xiang's hands? Li Jing also didn't have the guts to make the decision on his own.
"Elephant..."
Li Chengqian saw Li Xiang about to reach out to take it and hurriedly stopped him.
He has been scared by the emperor these days and thought that this was another test. If you take it over, the emperor might think that you have the ambition to command the army. Li Xiang thought about it and it was the same, so his hand hung in the air.
"That is also what Your Majesty meant."
Li Jing said this after thinking it over. After all, the emperor did not say it explicitly. But in the current situation, if he did not say so, Li Xiang would definitely not take the knife. What's more, Li Jing has been wearing the prince's knife for many years, and it feels like stepping on a brazier every day. Now there is a chance to throw it away. Even if it is a little inappropriate, he will not care so much.
As long as we don't commit treason, murder or arson, the emperor won't care about our minor mistakes based on the merits we have. What's more, you really want your grandson to hold this knife, but you just didn't say it.
Li Jing put the knife on Li Xiang's hand without saying anything, said a few more words of gossip, turned around and left the East Palace. This knife was like a hot yam. It would be fine if the prince and grandson were with him, but he, an outsider, was really scared.
Hou Kui saw all of this, and so did Li Tai and Li Jin's followers. They went back and started making plans against this guy, otherwise the throne of the Tang Dynasty would really fall into his hands.
It was normal for Li Shimin to act this way. Over the years, his sons had fought each other to the death, but no one had emerged as the best. The appearance of Li Xiang allowed Li Shimin to see a ray of hope in the darkness. Moreover, Li Xiang had a good family background and was more qualified to become the emperor than the others...
The only stain is that he is not the legitimate son of the crown prince, but who will be the crown princess is just a matter of words of Old Li, right?