"Your Majesty, Prince Wei requests an audience!"
Afternoon, Sweet Dew Hall.
Li Er was absent-mindedly reviewing the memorials. In the morning, the Central Secretariat had already sent out the conscription notices to the various prefectures. This made him feel more or less relieved. However, there was still a problem as to how to deal with the provisions and equipment for the 150,000 soldiers. Li Er couldn't help but feel anxious. At this moment, a chamberlain suddenly walked in quietly and bowed to Li Er.
"Oh? Qingque? Let him in! "
Li Er, who was in a mess, raised his head and said to the chamberlain.
"Yes, sir!"
The chamberlain accepted the order and left.
After a while, Li Tai, who was wearing the Academy's scholar's robe, walked in and bowed to Li Er. "Your son pays his respects to Father!"
"Yes! You may rise! "
Seeing Li Tai, Li Er's mood instantly improved. Just as Li Gang had said, Li Tai's current actions could be said to be the hope of Yanhuang College and the Tang Empire. How could a father not be gratified to see his son's ability and achievements?
"Qingque, why are you not at Yunshan? Why did you return to the palace?"
Li Er asked with a smile.
Li Tai cupped his hands and replied, "Father, I returned to the palace today to bid farewell to Father and Mother!"
"Bid farewell?"
Li Er was stunned when he heard this. Then, his expression changed. He leaned forward and asked in a deep voice, "Qingque, are you leaving for the north?"
At dusk yesterday, he had received news that the steam engine invented by Li Tai had been successfully tested. Today, Li Tai had entered the palace to bid farewell. There was only one possibility!
Li Tai nodded and said, "Yes, Father! The manpower and materials needed for the telegraph relay station have been prepared. Your son plans to bring the elites of the Academy to Bingzhou tomorrow morning to build the telegraph relay station! "
Li Er was silent for a moment and nodded. "Since you have made your decision, Qingque, I will support you! Later, go and tell your mother. After all, you have never left Chang 'an for so many years. The furthest place you have been to was Yunshan! "
Li Tai was originally very favored in the palace. As the saying goes, a son travels a thousand miles and his mother worries. Although Li Er and Empress Zhangsun were the Emperor and Empress, they were also parents. They would inevitably be worried about Li Tai's departure to the north.
"Yes! Father! "
Li Tai cupped his hands in acknowledgement, but he did not leave.
Li Er asked Li Er. Why? Qingque, do you have anything else? "
Li Tai cupped his hands and replied, "Father, the teachers and students of the Academy who are following me to the north are all talented in engineering. Previously, the Academy was attacked. This time, Teacher Wen Ji was worried that we would encounter danger and wanted to let most of the Academy guards follow me to the north. However, I am worried that the Academy's defense will be greatly weakened, so I rejected Teacher Wen Ji's good intentions!"
Li Er's eyes focused and said in a deep voice, "Yes, Mr. Li Gang's worries are not without reason. I originally planned to only send a few dozen guards to send you to the north. Now that the Tang Empire and the Turks are at daggers drawn, it is hard to guarantee that the thief Xieli will not attack you and the Academy!"
Speaking of this, Li Er stood up and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. Then, he said, "How about this, I will let the two brothers of the Dugu Family lead a thousand imperial guards to follow you to Bingzhou and Yunzhou. I will also order the Commandant of the two prefectures to protect you!"
As the ruler of the Tang Empire, Li Er certainly had the ability to send more people to protect the safety of Li Tai and the rest. However, the Academy was only going to deploy the telegraph relay station and not to the frontline. If he sent too many troops, it would be suspicious of mobilizing the army. Moreover, Li Tai and the rest were still in the Tang Empire's territory. The probability of encountering danger was relatively small. After the Turk Wolf Cavalry sneaked into the Tang Empire, the northern border was now heavily guarded. It would be difficult to repeat the situation of fifty thousand Wolf Cavalry entering the pass last time!
Therefore, Li Er only sent a thousand imperial guards to accompany Li Tai to the north. This was not a small number! With a thousand imperial guards and the cooperation of the local prefectures, Li Tai and the rest would not encounter any danger unless the Turks gathered their forces and directly went to war with the Tang Empire!
"Thank you, Father!"
Li Tai hurriedly clasped his hands and thanked him.
"Mm! Go and pay respects to your mother! "
Li Er waved his hand. Suddenly, he thought of something and hurriedly stopped Li Tai, saying, "Wait! Qingque, after paying respects to your mother, send a message to Li Zexuan and remind him not to forget what he promised me yesterday! "
He was naturally referring to Li Zexuan's call for merchants to donate military funds to the imperial court.
Hearing this, Li Tai looked puzzled and said, "Yes! Father! It's just that … this son doesn't know what matter Imperial Father is talking about? "
Li Er blushed and said, "It's just a small matter. Just say it like that. Li Zexuan will definitely understand what I mean!"
Li Er felt that this kind of thing was too degrading to his identity as the Emperor. There was no need to say it in front of Li Tai!
Seeing that Li Er was unwilling to say, Li Tai did not probe further. He clasped his hands and said, "Yes, Father … If there is nothing else, I will take my leave!"
"Mm!"
Li Er nodded and his expression returned to normal.
…
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