Don't be a prince

Patting Yu Tai's butt, Li Chengqian smiled and said, "So, don't look at these few things that seem simple, but they are actually very rare."

After finishing speaking, Li Chengqian turned his head to look at the recruits and asked, "Who will try?"

The recruits looked at each other in blank dismay, they didn't dare to challenge what the generals would eat.

Chapter 37!tomorrow is 24

Just when Li Chengqian was about to give up, suddenly a thin and small fellow among the soldiers walked out of the formation, and timidly said: "Your Highness...Your Highness, can you give it a try?"

Looking at the child who stood up, many soldiers around smiled with malicious intent.

Fool!Didn't you see that the general was brushed off by this thing just now?Now go up and try, if it doesn't work, it's fine, if it succeeds, isn't it just a slap in the face of the general?

Finally, when one stood up, Li Chengqian smiled slightly and said: "Of course, if you can do it, I might be able to make you an official."

Seeing the joyful soldiers start to climb the rope ladder, Li Chengqian yelled at Yu Tai and said, "Yu Tai, you can assign the position of pro-military independently."

Yu Tai thought for a while and replied: "Of course, His Royal Highness's personal army belongs to His Highness, and His Highness can do whatever he wants. But there is one thing, because you are underage, the humble position is hand-picked by His Majesty, you can't abolish it." Lose."

Li Chengqian nodded knowingly, that is to say, except for Yu Tai, others can be tossed about casually.

After gaining confidence, Li Chengqian looked at the soldier who dared to try.

Although the soldier was small in stature, he moved quickly. He climbed to the top in a short while, and after falling for a while, he grabbed the big iron ring.

When he grabbed the big hoop and took his feet off the rope ladder, a miracle happened.

This thin guy, like a gecko, made various difficult moves on the hoop.

Front flips, back flips, pulling yourself up for a certain distance and letting go, and then grabbing the big hoop are more dazzling than the events in the Olympics.

This time, no one applauded. No one thought that such an unremarkable guy would be so powerful that even breaking the general's iron ring didn't stop him.

After flipping several times in a row, the soldier jumped down, grabbed the iron rod and climbed up.Yu Taidu could only hug the shaking iron rod, like a big tree with branches in front of him, he climbed up with a few hands and feet.Even after reaching the top, he climbed over the section of the iron chain, turned it over, and then slid down the iron chain and the iron rod.

"incredible!"

Li Chengqian applauded him from the bottom of his heart.

The surrounding soldiers finally woke up from their astonishment and applauded along with Li Chengqian.Even Yu Tai nodded in admiration.

After coming down, the soldier trotted all the way to Li Chengqian, knelt down on one knee and waited for the award.

"Get up, what's your name?"

The soldier didn't get up, but raised his head and said, "My name is Changtian Monkey. People in the countryside call me that, saying that I can climb anywhere like a monkey."

"Crossing Sky Monkey?"

Li Chengqian squirted and almost laughed.

Sky-Changing Monkey looked at Li Chengqian without knowing it. He didn't understand what was so funny about the name Sky-Changing Monkey.

Of course Li Chengqian couldn't tell him that he had collided with the name of a medicine hair toy.

After glancing at Yu Tai, Li Chengqian nodded, and said, "Puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat did you just tell you that if you can do it, I'll do it for you. Of course I won't." Breaking your promise. So, for the time being, you are the team leader of the first team. As for how you will be organized in the future, I have to let Gu study carefully."

"Captain?"

After searching all over his stomach, the Sky-Switching Monkey didn't know what the title of the team leader was, but since His Royal Highness said he was an official, it must be an official.

Excited, Sky-Changing Monkey also knelt down on the other leg, shouting again and again: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your promotion, thank you, Your Highness, for your promotion!"

Li Chengqian had never seen someone kowtow to him so gratefully, and he was a little uncomfortable for a while.

The surrounding soldiers couldn't help showing envious eyes. Damn it, isn't it just grabbing the big iron ring and climbing poles!I can do it too!such a pity!If I had known it was such a good thing, I would have done it too.

Yu Tai was much more straightforward, kicking Tianhou directly, and said angrily: "So what if I become an official, I'm still under my control, hurry up, teach me how to play!"

Yu Tai's kick didn't use much force, and Sky-Changing Monkey got up immediately.

Li Chengqian pointed to the rope ladder and said to Changtian Monkey: "I have given you a task, which is to teach everyone as much as possible, understand?"

Zhan Tianhou nodded, and took Yu Tai to teach first, nodding and bowing.

Seeing the soldiers surrounding him, Li Chengqian turned his head to look at Yan Liben's work.

There is no way to climb the wall, only wood.But considering safety, you have to install a safety rope.

Beside the barracks, Yan Liben was instructing craftsmen to carry soil to pad the slope.The wooden wall is too high. In order to facilitate installation, they have to pad out a slope as high as the climbing wall.At the same time, because of the soil slope, the wooden wall is less likely to fall down.

There are all kinds of tools on the side of the soil slope. Li Chengqian picked up a rock climbing block and looked at it. He couldn't help admiring the craftsmen of this era.They didn't use iron nails or anything. These climbing blocks have mortise and tenon at the bottom, and they are fixed to the climbing board with mortise and tenon technology. In a short time, there is no need to worry about the problem of sturdiness.

As for the rope, the same is true. The rope made of silk cut strips is almost the strongest rope in this era.

Seeing Li Chengqian holding the silk rope in a daze, Yan Liben, who had nothing to do, stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, why do you insist on using silk to weave rope? To be honest, this wooden block and everything are small money, and if you get a dozen or so Batches are not worth as much as these ropes!"

As a master craftsman, he could naturally see that Li Chengqian made this climbing board to train soldiers' climbing ability.However, it is enough to get such a long rope. In his opinion, it is enough to put a little hay under it.

Li Chengqian saw what Yan Liben was thinking, and said, "It's a trivial thing to be valuable. I don't want my own soldiers to become lame. By the way, Yan Qing, your brother told Gu that when it comes to painting, your skills are still in his hands." Above. If the general supervisor is not busy, would you like to come to the East Palace to teach Gu painting?"

Yan Liben, the author of "Pictures of Walking Chariots" and "Portraits of Emperors of Past Dynasties"!

Yan Liben was overjoyed and said, "If Your Highness wants to learn, I will definitely teach you all!"

His painting skills are indeed unique, and there are many people who want to learn from them, but he has never planned to take apprentices.

However, the prince is different!Although he can't get into the official position of the prince's junior teacher, as long as he has taught, it is an honor for him.Learn literary and martial arts, sell to the emperor's family.This has been the mainstream value in China for thousands of years.

After pulling the rope, Li Chengqian suddenly raised his head and asked Yan Liben: "Yan Qing, today is August 23rd, right?"

Yan Liben nodded: "That's right, why is Your Highness so confused?"

"Day! Isn't it 24 tomorrow!"

Li Chengqian looked at the Wei River beside the barracks, and felt pain in his heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys.

Chapter 38 Turks go south

Before, he felt that the date was a bit wrong, but after confirming from Yan Liben that tomorrow is the 24th, Li Chengqian finally remembered what he had overlooked.

Turks go south!

To be precise, it was the Jieli Khan of the Eastern Turks who wanted to take advantage of the transition of the Tang regime to invade the land of the Tang Dynasty.

And the Weishui alliance event will happen tomorrow.

As for the place where the incident took place—Bianqiao.

Li Chengqian turned his head stiffly, and immediately saw a wooden bridge over the Wei River not far away.And the old man was fishing by the wooden bridge.

Wouldn't it be so coincidental!

Today, I am afraid that Turkic anomalies have been discovered in the most border areas.

"I'll go! Yan Liben, hurry up and call Yu Tai over, Gu's legs are a little weak now."

Li Chengqian was not afraid of the Turkic soldiers coming down the border, what he was afraid of was that Li Gang would be involved.If the old gentleman is frightened by the chaos, even if he has become a prince, he will be condemned by the people of the world.

Yan Liben didn't know what happened, but seeing that Li Chengqian's fear did not seem to be fake, he quickly called Yu Tai over.

Yu Tai, who had just completed a somersault, ran over like flying when he heard Yan Liben's call.

As they got closer, Yu Tai said anxiously, "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?"

Li Chengqian shook his head, pointed to the old man fishing by the bridge and said, "Hurry up, send the old man back to Chang'an, and inform the emperor that Jieli will probably lead his troops to the Wei River and reach Chang'an through the bridge!"

Hearing Li Chengqian's words, Yu Tai laughed loudly: "His Royal Highness is too worried. Although our position in Chang'an is indeed dangerous, the defense line in the north is not very strong. However, anyone with a little brain will be alert to the false defense here. This is called empty city strategy, and His Highness will learn it when he studies the art of war in the future."

Looking at the confident Yu Tai, Li Chengqian was speechless for a while.

Damn it, what an empty city plan!The majestic capital of the Tang Dynasty, it doesn't matter if it is located near the border, what's the matter if it doesn't have heavy defenses?

Empty city plan?It can only scare the generals in the Central Plains.If it is used against Turkic people, it will be strange if it works!Turkic people don't care if you are free or not, they are just like cows listening to the piano, they just rush when they see a gap!

Now he can be sure that the person in charge of fortification must not be Li Jing.Most of the generals in the early Tang Dynasty were from thieves and bandits, and at most they were familiar with the conventional marching regulations.If you really let them play tricks and tricks, it will be difficult for them.

If it was a master of military law like Li Jing, he wouldn't do such a desperate thing.He will only protect the weak defenses tightly, leaving no gaps for people.

With a slap on Tai's waist, Li Chengqian said angrily: "Gu is ordering you, don't talk too much, are you the prince or Gu is the prince!!"

After being slapped by Li Chengqian, Yu Tai could only act immediately.The crown prince just asked him to send the old man back to Chang'an, which is not a problem.

Walking to the old man who was fishing, Li Chengqian said with a wry smile: "Master Li, I want Yu Tai to send you back to Chang'an. I have to worry about the installation of the equipment in the barracks. I'm afraid I'll have to stay here overnight. The barracks are not far from the Weishui River. , it’s cold at night, it’s not good for your health.”

Li Gang said without looking back: "A few days ago, when you asked me to eat boiled fish with cornel and pepper, did you worry about my health? Tell me, what is the reason? I am so old , you don’t need to worry about it.”

Knowing that he couldn't fool the old man, Li Chengqian could only admit: "The boy thinks that the East Turks will go south in the past two days, and it is very likely that they will go straight to the Wei River and go south through a convenient bridge."

After listening, the old gentleman did not laugh at Li Chengqian's whimsy, but said seriously: "Tell me your reason."

Finding a branch, Li Chengqian drew the topographic map he had secretly memorized on the river bank.And draw a straight line between the East Turkic Grassland and Weishui Bianqiao.

The old man glanced at it and immediately gave up. He is a civil servant and couldn't understand the terrain drawn by Li Chengqian.

Pointing to the three places of Gaoling, Jingzhou, and Jingyang, Li Chengqian hated the lack of iron: "I just tried Yutai, and this idiot actually told me that the defenses in these places are not strict. You know, the grassland people Autumn is the time when the fighting power is strongest. As long as the Turks attack along this route, large forces will directly approach Chang'an City."

"But you are just an idea, a seven-year-old child's idea, do you think anyone will believe you except this old man?"

After listening to Li Chengqian's words, although Li Gang expressed his support, he was still skeptical.He is not a military commander, but he just thinks what Li Chengqian said is true, but he can't fully agree.

After all, it's a guess at the end of the day.Although he is the prince, even if he is reported, it is impossible to be taken seriously.The military generals in the court and China are all virtuous, and they think highly of themselves. Even if a seven-year-old prince's guess is reasonable, they will veto it with all their strength.

Li Chengqian said with a wry smile: "My disciple naturally knows, so I just reported a letter. The most important thing is that I need to send you back. You are so old, once the army is overwhelmed, I don't know what to do."

Hearing this, Li Gang's eyes widened: "Brat, what are you going to do? Don't tell the old man that you are going to bring 2000 people of yours to block here! This is hitting a stone with an egg! Go back, you go back with the old man! The old man will never allow you to do this!" Do it! Regardless of whether your guess will become a reality!"

Li Chengqian smiled wryly.

He didn't expect that the old gentleman would pick him up as a deserter.

It's over, the old guy looks very open-minded, but in fact he is very stubborn. As long as he decides something, the nine-headed bull can't be pulled back.

On the other side, Yu Tai has already prepared the bullock cart.

As soon as he got close to the old man's wheelchair without knowing it, he was pulled back again and again by the old man's fishing rod.

Standing in front of Li Gang and grabbing his hand, Li Chengqian said seriously: "Don't worry, the kid has a solution. Besides, do you think the kid is the kind of idiot who hits a stone with an egg?"

Li Gang curled his lips: "Okay, since you don't want to go back with the old man, then the old man will stay with you. Let me talk about it first, what are you going to do? Although the old man is not a general, he also knows that the Turks are coming. 30 to 2000 troops. You have [-] people, and you don’t even have enough horses to feed them, so how can you resist?”

Li Chengqian turned his head and glanced at the barracks, and smiled slightly: "We don't have an army, but we have carpenters! From my point of view, these carpenters are worth millions of elite soldiers."

After finishing speaking, Li Chengqian looked at Yu Tai: "You go back, and you have to do what you told the father. In addition, you call all the carpenters in Chang'an! Just say that I want to find them to work, and the wages are generous!"

Chapter 39 Work Overnight

"Also, you should bring as many dilapidated carriages as possible in Chang'an City."

Yu Tai didn't understand why the carpenter from Chang'an was called to the barracks overnight, nor why he called as many carriages as possible, but in the barracks, Li Chengqian was his immediate superior, and he had no right to refute.

After receiving the order, Yu Tai took a few soldiers on horseback and flew away.

Yan Liben, who had witnessed everything, walked over worriedly and asked, "His Royal Highness, is something going to happen?"

Li Chengqian nodded, looked at Yan Liben seriously, and asked, "Old Yan, tell Gu the truth, do you know what a Ba Niu is like?"

Yan Liben thought for a while before admitting: "Naturally, I know that the general supervisor has also participated in the improvement of the eight-ox crossbow, but Your Highness, why are you asking this? If you want to build the eight-ox crossbow, the lower officials are absolutely not allowed to participate You have to know that the Ba Niu Crossbow is an important military weapon, and it is a felony for a subordinate official to reveal that he knows the Ba Niu Crossbow!"

The eight-ox crossbow, also known as the three-bow bed crossbow, uses hard wood as the arrow shaft and iron sheet as the feather. It is known as "one gun and three sword arrows" in the world. It was spectacular at that time. The arrows were like javelins. When fired at close range, they could be directly nailed into the city wall. When firing in volley, rows of stepping arrows were firmly nailed into the city wall, so that the siege soldiers could climb up. .

Being able to nail a crossbow bolt into a city wall, one can imagine how terrifying it really is.Even in the entire Tang Dynasty, the number of eight-ox crossbows does not exceed thirty, and even many generals dare not use them for direct shooting, for fear of harming the peace.

Seeing that Yan Liben knew, Li Chengqian laughed immediately.

Stretching out his hands to grab the sides of Yan Liben's waist, Li Chengqian said happily: "It's good to know, I don't want you to really make a crossbow, just follow its appearance and make a fake one. We have a carpenter who will be a prisoner here. Yu Tai will bring some and make them overnight, how many can be made?"

"Fake..."

Yan Liben thought for a moment, and said: "If it is fake, then I don't know how many can be made. At least a hundred can be started. You must know that the real eight-ox crossbow is time-consuming and labor-intensive, otherwise it would not be so important. If it is fake, there are many trees along the Wei River, and with the help of soldiers in the barracks, it will be made soon."

With Yan Liben's words, Li Chengqian has more confidence.

Patting Yan Liben on the shoulder, Li Chengqian said seriously: "Then Yan Qing, Gu will now appoint you as the temporary chief carpenter by the Weishui River. It’s all under your control. I want you to lead them and make as many fake crossbows and crossbow arrows as possible. A fire is burning on the banks of the Weishui River tonight, and no one is allowed to rest!”

Yan Liben nodded and said: "The next official will definitely fulfill his mission!"