hsntnovel Chapter 2658 And
Chapter 2658 And
History is not like movies or novels. Historically, very few princes held significant military power. Unless they were stationed to guard the borders, they all eventually became emperors.
For example, Liu Ying, or Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, in front of Li Shen.
They all held military power when they were princes, and the result was obvious: they eventually became emperors.
Li Shen commands tens of thousands of troops, all of whom are elite soldiers and generals, who can go into battle and kill enemies simply by being equipped with weapons and gear.
The key point is that Li Shen's troops are all in the capital, Chang'an. Li Shen himself knows that if it weren't for his father, but any other emperor, he would have been doomed.
Only his own father had such magnanimity and confidence; otherwise, Li Shen wouldn't have dared to do this, much less say it.
However, Li Shimin was still somewhat displeased when he learned that Li Shen had more than two thousand guards.
"Father, why don't we incorporate these two thousand into the Anxi Protectorate and have them incorporated into the imperial court? And give Qu Zhiqing an official position as well?"
He is a pragmatic man and should be loyal to the court.
Li Shen thought for a moment and then made a suggestion.
"You've got some clever schemes up your sleeve. The court is taking over your forces and providing you with rations and pay, yet you're guarding the workshops for them. You, Prince Ji, are now even eyeing the court's interests."
Li Shimin rolled his eyes at Li Shen and said irritably.
"Father, that's not what I meant, it's just... it's just..." Li Shen didn't know what to say next.
His initial plan was good—to protect his workshop—but upon returning, he discovered the drawback of having too many guards.
"Alright, I know you have no choice. Since you want to build a manor there, it makes sense for them to serve as guards for the manor."
However, this is only temporary. Once the situation in Anxi Protectorate stabilizes, these people must be dismissed.
I may allow you to have a small number of retainers to guard the workshops, but you cannot have so many guards.
You don't need to worry about the powerful families; I've already paid the price to make them let this matter drop.
They will not cause you any trouble over this matter in the future, nor will they take this opportunity to retaliate against you.
After all, their businesses are there, and if they make a move against you, they're worried you'll retaliate.
Do you understand?
Li Shimin eventually gave Li Shen a solution: the chaos there meant he could have guards, but only temporarily.
Upon hearing this, Li Shen felt an urge to kiss his father and immediately expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you, Father. Thank you, Father."
"Alright, get up." Seeing Li Shen's agitated state, Li Shimin smiled. Although this son was mischievous, he had one redeeming quality: he was self-aware and timid.
When something happens, I will immediately report it to him for resolution and will not keep it to myself.
Of course, this excludes when he was being cheated out of money. At that time, Li Shen seemed to be possessed by something, and no one could guess what he was thinking.
Li Shimin picked up his teacup and took a sip, but Li Shen, who was standing beside him, did not get up.
"Um... Father, there's something else I need to report." Li Shen once again showed an embarrassed expression.
"Hmm?" Li Shimin's smile froze on his face.
"Do you perhaps have guards?"
When Li Shimin asked this question, even he himself didn't quite believe it, after all, Li Shen already had tens of thousands of men.
If these people have their reasons and circumstances, that's one thing, but if there are other reasons, then it seems like they did it intentionally.
But to everyone's surprise, Li Shen nodded silently again.
"How many people are there this time?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice.
Li Shen extended five fingers and placed them in front of Li Shimin.
"five hundred?"
"No...no..." Li Shen shook his head. He didn't even dare to say that number.
"Five thousand?" Li Shimin asked tentatively.
Li Shen nodded.
"Five thousand!!!" Li Shimin's voice rose sixteen octaves, his face filled with disbelief.
"Yes...it's five thousand people."
Upon hearing the confirmation, Li Shimin nearly fainted and died on the spot. He was panting heavily. Seeing this, Wang De quickly stepped forward to help Li Shimin by patting his chest and stabilizing his breathing.
"Guards! Guards! Drag Prince Ji out and beat him to death!" Li Shimin roared hoarsely at the outside.
"Oh my god, Father, have mercy! Father, let me explain. There's a reason for this."
Li Shen scrambled to Li Shimin's feet. The old man had gone mad and was trying to kill him.
"Get out of my way, Li Shen, I have treated you well, yet you actually want to rebel."
Li Shimin kicked Li Shen away and scolded him angrily for his lack of ambition.
"Father, how could I possibly want to rebel? These five thousand men are far away in Japan, not in Chang'an," Li Shen cried.
"Wait a minute!" Li Shimin paused after hearing this: "What do you mean by 'in Japan'?"
“Father~~~” Li Shen crawled over again, “Father, you are wise. What I want to talk about is the Tang Dynasty’s Never-Sleeping City built in Japan.”
Fearing being disturbed and coveted by the local nobles, the son purchased five thousand slaves in the north and transported them to Japan.
Let them be in charge of guarding the Great Tang City that Never Sleeps. Father should know the significance of that city; it was the starting point for our Great Tang's conquest of Japan.
Li Shen quickly explained the situation, emphasizing that it was preparation for the Tang Dynasty's future conquest of Japan.
"But why didn't I know about this?" Li Shimin asked, his brows furrowed.
"Well... at the time, I was afraid that the aristocratic families would find out, so I sent Xue Rengui to the north in secret and escorted them to Japan."
I originally intended to inform Father, but I forgot due to other matters. Please forgive me, Father.
Li Shen didn't actually remember why he didn't report it at the time. He only remembered that he was afraid that the technology for cement and brick making would be leaked, so he sent 5,000 people.
Upon returning to Cheng'an City, Li Shen took a closer look and suddenly realized that he had a large number of men and troops at his disposal.
He then became somewhat afraid and chose to confess to his father.
There's a saying: jokes are one thing, but don't joke about your boss.
He does have a good relationship with his father on a daily basis, and they often show a scene of filial piety. But no matter what, besides his father's status, he is the emperor, the ruler of a country.
This sentiment is insignificant in the face of national affairs. Li You is also my own son. If it weren't for my pleading, wouldn't he have almost been killed?
Therefore, Li Shen felt that rather than letting his father find out and become suspicious, he might as well confess and be lenient, or if all else failed, just hand everything over.
After listening, Li Shimin stared at Li Shen, as if trying to discern something from Li Shen's face.
However, Li Shen's genuine emotions didn't seem like he was lying at all.
He knew about Li Shen's plan to build a city in Japan, but he thought that only one city had been built. He did not expect that five thousand slave soldiers would also be brought in.
"Hmph, do you think I'd believe that? You're probably... wait a minute!"
（2025年12月16日02:36:46，熬夜不好。）