Decline
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Although the Grand General Who Pacifies the Army was merely a second-rank honorary military official and held no real authority, the civil and military officials of the court did not see it that way.
Everyone knew that Li Zhi already held an active military post. He was currently in command of the Dragon Cavalry Army.
By rights, if the emperor wished to raise Li Zhi’s rank, he should have placed him in command of another army. At the very least, he ought to have granted him a position such as Grand Governor and allowed him to exercise military authority from afar.
Instead, His Majesty had given Li Zhi a nominal office while allowing him to continue commanding the Dragon Cavalry Army.
In effect, this indirectly elevated the status of the Dragon Cavalry Army. The commander of a thousand-man force would now hold a second-rank position.
Did that not mean the Dragon Cavalry Army would stand even higher than the current Sixteen Guards?
After a brief silence, Hou Junji was the first to step forward in opposition.
“Your Majesty, it is highly improper for His Highness the Prince of Jin to command the Dragon Cavalry Army while holding such a high military rank. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider.”
Li Shimin smiled. “The Dragon Cavalry Army’s battle tactics were devised by Zhinu. There are still many shortcomings at present, and I have entrusted the army to him in the hope that he will improve them.”
Li Chengqian spoke up. “Imperial Father, even so, I believe the commander of the Dragon Cavalry Army should be replaced. Letting Ninth Brother serve as a concurrent commander would be sufficient.”
“The Dragon Cavalry Army has achieved such results immediately after its formation that I am deeply gratified,” Li Shimin said. “I have now decided to expand it until it reaches a strength of ten thousand men.”
Li Shimin had long since made up his mind. The Dragon Cavalry Army’s tactics were simply too effective on the battlefield.
They not only saved money, but could fight—and even generate wealth.
Although the initial investment was considerable, the army would later bring immense benefits to the Great Tang.
Such a force was ideally suited to dealing with the small kingdoms and barbarian tribes surrounding the empire.
If the Great Tang possessed a Dragon Cavalry Army ten thousand strong, it would be able to handle the frequent uprisings breaking out across the realm with ease.
What Li Shimin did not say openly was that the Dragon Cavalry Army’s fighting power was simply too formidable. An army this powerful could only be entrusted to someone he trusted absolutely.
And the person he trusted most was naturally one of his own sons.
Among them, Li Chengqian, as Crown Prince, should have been the obvious choice.
Yet Li Chengqian had shown no exceptional military ability so far. This worried Li Shimin, who feared that the Crown Prince might not be able to command the army’s respect.
As for Li Tai, Li Shimin had already taken note of his recent conduct at court.
It could be said that he was deeply disappointed in him.
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In Li Shimin’s view, the only thing Li Tai could presently bring to the table was a measure of literary talent.
That made Li Zhi the ideal candidate for command.
Not merely because Li Zhi had first proposed establishing the Dragon Cavalry Army, but also because his political performance was already in no way inferior to that of seasoned officials.
There was another, deeper consideration as well.
Judging from the current situation, Li Zhi was the most filial of the three legitimate princes.
If the Dragon Cavalry Army were placed in Li Zhi’s hands, Li Shimin would never need to fear that his son might turn against him.
Li Shimin had thought the matter through clearly, but his intentions left both Li Chengqian and Hou Junji stunned.
A thousand Dragon Cavalry soldiers had already defeated twenty thousand enemies without suffering a single casualty.
If the army were expanded to ten thousand men, would that not mean that the Dragon Cavalry Army alone would equal the Sixteen Guards stationed in the capital?
If so, even Li Chengqian, despite being Crown Prince, would possess less authority than Li Zhi now wielded.
Hou Junji hurriedly spoke up. “Your Majesty, the Dragon Cavalry Army’s expenses are far too great. Given the Great Tang’s present strength, I fear we would be unable to sustain it.”
He had no desire whatsoever to see the Dragon Cavalry Army expanded, and so he voiced his opposition at once.
Li Shimin said, “That is of no consequence. The expansion need not happen immediately. I shall make careful arrangements according to the strength of the nation.”
“Imperial Father,” Li Chengqian said, “the Dragon Cavalry Army’s power is terrifying. I believe it would be best for You to command it personally.”
Li Chengqian was already becoming desperate. He had directly pointed out the danger posed by the Dragon Cavalry Army, telling Li Shimin that such a force could only be safely controlled if it remained in the emperor’s own hands.
At this point, he could no longer concern himself with whether Li Zhi would appreciate hearing those words.
No matter how pleasant the words might sound, averting this crisis was far more important.
Just as Li Shimin was about to reject Li Chengqian’s proposal, Li Zhi stepped forward.
Bowing, he said, “Imperial Father, I also believe that the expanded Dragon Cavalry Army would not be suitable for me to command.”
What a joke.
No matter how much his father trusted him, Li Zhi would never dare accept such a dangerous burden.
If he truly took command of a Dragon Cavalry Army numbering over ten thousand men, it would be like holding a gleaming sword above everyone’s heads and waving it back and forth.
After that, even if he behaved with the utmost kindness, people would keep their distance from him.
In that case, he could forget about contending for the throne. Even preserving his own life would require him to tread with extreme caution and make not the slightest mistake.
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After hearing Li Zhi’s words, Li Shimin asked in confusion, “Zhinu, what do you mean by that?”
“Imperial Father, I have already handed over the entire method of training the Dragon Cavalry Army to You,” Li Zhi replied. “Such a powerful force is not something an ordinary commander could control.”
He immediately followed this with a flattering remark.
“In my view, among all the civil and military officials of the court, only You are truly suited to the task.”
You should keep this sword yourself.
I am still young. I truly cannot lift it.
Once Li Zhi had finished speaking, Fang Xuanling, who had remained silent until then, immediately added, “I also agree with His Highness the Prince of Jin. Such a formidable weapon can be wielded by no one but Your Majesty.”
Changsun Wuji said, “His Highness is right. Your Majesty is indeed the only suitable candidate.”
After that, Dai Zhou, Wang Gui, and the others spoke in turn. Every one of them agreed that Li Shimin should personally command the Dragon Cavalry Army.
Seeing the situation, Li Shimin could only reluctantly say, “Since that is the case, I shall personally command the Dragon Cavalry Army.”
Then he changed tack.
“But Zhinu must continue assisting Me and bring the Dragon Cavalry Army’s battle tactics to completion as quickly as possible.”
This time, Li Zhi readily agreed.
Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji both secretly breathed sighs of relief.
Fortunately, Li Zhi had not allowed such immense benefits to blind him.
If he had truly accepted the appointment just then, the two of them, together with Li Jing, who was commanding troops in the field, would all have suffered in the future.
That was not all.
Once the emperor’s appointment had been confirmed, it was entirely foreseeable that Crown Prince Li Chengqian would develop resentment toward both the emperor and Li Zhi.
At that point, a political crisis resembling the Incident at the Xuanwu Gate might soon unfold.
With Li Shimin taking personal command of the Dragon Cavalry Army, all the ministers felt reassured.
Even the look Li Chengqian gave Li Zhi softened somewhat.
In his mind, this brother of his still understood the limits of propriety. Perhaps Li Zhi had never truly intended to threaten his position.
Just as everyone was satisfied with this outcome, no one noticed that Li Tai, standing to one side with his head lowered, had eyes already burning crimson with fury.
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