Urged by Wang Ji, the messenger was quickly brought to the main hall.
To show his respect, Wang Ji personally came to the entrance of the main hall to greet him. This delighted the Hundred Cavalry Commander in charge of relaying the message; in all his years of delivering messages, this was the first time he had received such attention from a local official.
"May I ask which of the Sixteen Guards this brave warrior belongs to?"
"Your Excellency, I am a lowly cavalry officer, but I am not currently under the jurisdiction of the Sixteen Guards!"
"It's actually the Hundred Cavalry Commandery?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Ji was immediately taken aback. What was the Hundred Cavalry Command? They were close advisors to the emperor, specifically responsible for accompanying and protecting him!
It's safe to say that any one of the Hundred Cavalry Commanders would have more face in His Majesty's eyes than I do!
"Disrespect, disrespect!"
"I summoned you to the main hall primarily to inquire whether this document was issued by His Majesty."
"no!"
"However, it's almost indistinguishable from His Majesty's own handwriting; this was written by the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife..."
"oh?"
Although Wang Ji was only a local official, he had connections in the imperial court. His cousin's sister married Fang Xuanling's eldest son as a concubine.
Therefore, Wang Ji was very clear about the movements in the court and knew long ago that His Majesty favored the eldest grandson and intended to pass the throne to him.
However, due to the young age of the eldest grandson and the many uncertainties surrounding his future, they have been unable to make a decision for a long time.
His Majesty took his eldest grandson to Liaodong this time, probably to give the eldest grandson some experience and build up his prestige and influence in the army.
"Since it was personally issued by the eldest grandson, this humble official will certainly do his utmost!"
"Please proceed, sir. I still have to go elsewhere to relay orders!"
"Once you've determined how much supplies you can provide, it would be best to send someone to finalize the details with your eldest grandson, so that he doesn't order goods elsewhere and waste your supplies!"
"oh?"
"Anywhere else?"
"yes!"
"His Majesty entrusted the army's provisions along the way to his eldest grandson. It's impossible for the eldest grandson to buy everything at once; he can only buy and eat as he goes."
"Only in this way can the burden on the army be minimized!"
"Oh oh oh..."
"Your humble servant understands!"
After seeing the messenger off, Wang Ji immediately summoned all the clerks and runners of the yamen. They first took stock of the storerooms to see how much grain they could supply. Then they went to wealthy households to inquire if they had any surplus grain to sell.
Finally, compile a list and send it immediately to the eldest grandson who is on his way.
Li Jue received Wang Ji's supply list and casually handed it to Lu Zhaolin and Li Yifu, instructing them to decide how much to purchase based on the army's daily consumption.
As for him personally, he has more important things to do.
Although Lu Zhaolin was young, he was eager to make a name for himself. With the help of Li Yifu, a reliable person, the two of them managed to handle things very well.
Almost every place the army passed through, local gentry and common people would come to sell grain, vegetables, fat pigs, fat chickens, and other goods, carrying them on their shoulders or in their hands.
This greatly disappointed many people who wanted to see Li Jue make a fool of himself. They never imagined that the food supply for an army of 50,000 could be solved in this way.
Although many people are disappointed, even more are satisfied.
Cheng Yaojin was very satisfied. Whenever he ate meat, he would go to Changsun Wuji's tent to annoy Changsun Wuji.
This involves both personal grudges and public outrage.
If it weren't for Changsun Wuji's slanderous words, His Majesty wouldn't have been able to execute his sworn brother, Shan Xiongxin!
As for public outrage...
Everyone in the court knows that Changsun Wuji is a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince. The biggest obstacle to the eldest grandson's ascension to the throne is the Crown Prince. Cheng Yaojin would be doing himself a disservice if he didn't make Changsun Wuji disgusting!
"Changsun Wuji, look what this is!"
Changsun Wuji looked sallow and listless. Upon hearing Cheng Yaojin's voice, he immediately covered his head with the blanket.
"Wuji?"
"Look at this! It's a huge chicken leg, hahaha!"
Lying in bed, Changsun Wuji could no longer bear it and threw off the covers, cursing at Cheng Yaojin.
"roll!"
"Oh, oh, oh, I almost forgot, our Prime Minister is ill and can't stand oily food, hahaha!"
Hearing this, Changsun Wuji felt extremely frustrated. He had been feigning illness for half a month in advance and had even managed to fool the imperial physicians before setting off.
But I don't know what His Majesty was thinking, he forcibly dragged me out of my sickbed and then took me with him on the expedition.
This terrified Changsun Wuji, who thought his plan had been exposed.
He was only faking illness, but in the midst of this fright, he actually fell ill...
Now he is most afraid of seeing His Majesty, fearing that His Majesty will punish him and then execute his entire family!
In fact, Li Shimin had no idea what Changsun Wuji was thinking. He kept Changsun Wuji by his side simply because of a long-standing habit: not to put all his eggs in one basket.
Li Zhi has already left the egg in Chang'an. If Changsun Wuji is also left in Chang'an, the emperor himself will be in great danger!
After showing off in Changsun Wuji's tent, Cheng Yaojin scurried back to the central command tent. Upon seeing this, Li Shimin immediately asked with a smile.
"Did you go and upset my brother-in-law again?"
Cheng Yaojin gave an awkward laugh.
"Nothing can be hidden from His Majesty..."
"Your Majesty, I have acted rashly and beg for punishment!"
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin waved his hand magnanimously.
"This will not be allowed to happen again!"
"It's not easy for the assistant commander. He was seriously ill but still had to go to war with the army. I am truly moved..."
Cheng Yaojin was stunned when he heard this. His Majesty was too shameless! This was not Changsun Wuji's initiative to join the army. It was clearly His Majesty who forcibly dragged him along!
"How does my brother-in-law look today?"
"ah?"
"Good!"
"Lord Changsun was just scolding me, and he did it with great force!"
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin smiled slightly, then waved to Cheng Yaojin, who immediately followed him obsequiously.
"Does Your Majesty wish to see Changsun Wuji?"
Li Shimin shook his head upon hearing this.
Why are you looking at him?
"Accompany me on a tour of the camp and see how my soldiers are fed!"
"promise!"
Li Shimin first toured his personal guard camp and saw that each group of soldiers could be given a chicken, so he nodded in satisfaction.
Although one chicken for ten people seems a bit small, in a large army marching through the country, being able to eat meat at all is already a blessing, so who would dare to complain?
"You naughty boys, how's the food that our eldest grandson prepared for you?"
Upon hearing this, everyone quickly stood up to greet him.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, the food prepared by the eldest grandson is absolutely delicious! We've never eaten so well even during the New Year at home, hahaha!"
"Your Majesty, we've fought for the Tang Dynasty for half our lives, and this is the first time we've ever eaten such good military rations!"
"Your Majesty, I've heard that you favor your eldest grandson?"
"We also like the eldest grandson!"
"Your Majesty, why don't you just make your eldest grandson the crown prince? We'd be happy to follow him, hahaha!"
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