next day
"Why so early today?"
Li Xiang said this almost with his eyes closed. The advantage of being a prince in the Tang Dynasty is that you don't have to do anything. From the time he was conscious until now, Li Xiang almost always closed his eyes and let others serve him. Two of the maids in the room dragged Li Xiang, and the other two began to dress him.
"Your Highness, Eunuch Qian sent a message last night saying that today is the day the Southwestern Army returns to the capital, and the Emperor has ordered you to go out of the capital to welcome them."
Miss Mengling said as she gestured at the clothes on Li Xiang.
Li Xiang then remembered that the situation in the southwest was almost resolved, and all the things that should be given to Tuyuhun had been given. Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong also had to take the remaining people back to the capital. Last time, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince personally went out of the city to welcome them, and this time, letting Li Xiang go was also a compensation for Li Xiang.
In feudal dynasties, it was a great honor for the princes and grandsons of the emperor to perform the duties of the emperor. However, for the prince and his son, such things happened frequently. After all, the prince was the nominal legal heir. Li Xiang had not yet confirmed the position of the prince, but if you turned the entire East Palace upside down, I am afraid there would be no one more suitable than Li Xiang.
The main hall of the East Palace.
After nearly half an hour of effort, Li Xiang finally changed into the bright yellow clothes of the emperor's eldest grandson. Although Li Xiang was also fighting on the battlefield, he represented the royal family today, so he had to wear this suit.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
The room was already full of young generals from the capital. At the front were Yuchi Baolin and Changsun Chong. Some of the people behind were people Li Xiang knew, but most of them were unfamiliar. According to the emperor's order, these people would go out of the city ten miles with Li Xiang to welcome him.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Generals. Let's set off together."
Seeing that the time was almost up, Li Xiang immediately put on his armor and mounted his horse.
To be honest, the generals like commanders like Li Xiang the most. Don't talk so much nonsense. No one has the time to listen to your nonsense. The generals should just get things done. There is no point in talking so much nonsense.
Outside the East Palace, the Zuo Shenwu Army was full of people. These people were going to follow Li Xiang out of the city.
"Reporting to His Highness, the Left Divine Martial Army has assembled..."
The person who came out to report was Fu Yunlei, the deputy general of the Zuo Shenwu Army. He was the emperor's absolute confidant, otherwise he would not be in this position. Most of the people in the Zuo Shenwu Army had returned from the front line, and they were also very handy in Li Xiang's hands. If they were not strictly guarded, they would be a bomb around the emperor.
Since Li Xiang returned to Beijing that day, he has basically cut off contact with this army. Apart from the emperor's various temptations, Li Xiang will not take the initiative to contact these people. There is no need to worry about the loyalty of the soldiers exchanged by the system. Li Xiang also gave these people orders. If someone tries to win you over, just follow them. There is no need to expose the relationship between us.
On the surface, these people have switched to other camps, but in fact they are still Li Xiang's men. They collect information when they are free. Anyway, the system soldiers can transmit information within a short distance. If there is anything important, these people will immediately become Li Xiang's most loyal subordinates. If there really is a step of forcing the emperor to abdicate, Li Xiang is now invincible.
"General Fu, you've worked so hard. These people have followed me on the battlefield for many days. I didn't expect that in just over a month, General Fu has already recruited them to this level. I really admire him."
Li Xiang spoke with a forced smile, and the young generals behind him also expressed their understanding. They had finally trained a battle-hardened army on the battlefield, and they thought that this was the team they had developed. However, who would have known that after more than a month back in the capital, it was actually disintegrated by this General Fu.
According to the intelligence obtained by the major families, Li Xiang had tried to contact the grassroots generals of this army openly and secretly, but unfortunately no one responded. This represents the credit of General Fu, and the people under the emperor are indeed capable.
"Your Highness, you are joking. We are all serving the Tang Dynasty and being loyal to the Emperor..."
General Fu was not a good-tempered person either. When he heard Li Xiang insulting him openly and secretly, he directly brought up the emperor and said, "If you have the guts, go find your grandfather. Don't lose face for me in front of everyone."
Li Xiang is most afraid that this guy will remain silent. If he hadn't said anything, there would have been no way to attack him today. But since you have already spoken, don't blame me for being rude. Many young generals are waiting to see the fun. Although you are the emperor's confidant, you have been stationed in the northern border for a long time and don't know much about the situation of our eldest grandson.
"When has this king ever joked with you? Do you want to joke with this king? Are you worthy?"
Li Xiang's voice was loud, and everyone around heard it. They also understood Li Xiang's mood. Li Xiang was arrogant and domineering in the past, and now the army in his hands has been hollowed out. It is not easy for him to endure to this extent today. Facing the emperor, Li Xiang has a feeling of powerlessness, but facing a small deputy general like you, Li Xiang still has a lot of advantages.
"I am unworthy, please forgive me, Your Highness."
When General Fu saw that Li Xiang was angry, he quickly dismounted and knelt in front of Li Xiang. After all, Li Xiang was still his nominal superior.
"Remember this: I'm angry with you today not because of any personal grudge. According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, you should report to me every five days on the situation of the Left Divine Martial Army. However, I haven't received any reports in the past month. Are you plotting a rebellion?"
Li Xiang actually wanted to find trouble, so he had naturally prepared for it. Of course, this was a big show to reassure Li Shimin in the palace that Li Xiang was also a normal child and did not have such deep thoughts. You took all my soldiers, so I can only vent my anger on your men. As for the life and death of General Fu, I am afraid that Li Shimin and Li Xiang did not care.
The young generals behind him all nodded. It was still the same as before. Li Xiang's arrogance and domineering attitude had not changed at all. Before the expedition, half of the people in the capital did not dare to mess with him. He had been recuperating at home for a month, and everyone thought that his character had changed. But after he said these words, everyone saw the familiar Li Xiang again, who could take your life with just one word.
"Your Highness, please allow me to report this matter. This matter is an order from His Majesty, and I have no intention of overstepping my bounds..."
General Fu said slowly, "Everything is authorized by the emperor. Even if you are a prince, so what? Can you be more powerful than the emperor?"