Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4977 Mei Niang Asks for Advice
"Grand Commander, Duke of Yue, brother-in-law, brother-in-law! You can't just watch your majesty being deceived by a traitor and then do something that will hurt your loved ones and please your enemies, causing the real traitor to go unpunished. You have to speak up for me!"

In fear, Li You didn't care about anything else and regarded Fang Jun as his life-saving straw. He knew Fang Jun's influence on the emperor, and as long as he spoke, the emperor would definitely show leniency.

He even spoke without thinking, calling him "brother-in-law" and "brother-in-law" all the time, which made Fang Jun very embarrassed...

Facing Li Chengqian's deep gaze, Fang Jun wanted to kick Li You to the ground.

However, he also knew that Li Chengqian did not believe that Li You was secretly colluding with Li Shenfu, and had no intention of ordering Li You to be executed, so he could only go with the flow: "Your Highness has made a big mistake before. This time, you have been exposed by Li Shenfu, and everyone will suspect Your Highness. But Your Highness is Your Majesty's brother after all. Last time, you were not held accountable, which shows that Your Majesty cares about blood ties. Your Highness should repent in front of Your Majesty and promise not to make mistakes again."

Li You was a little confused, but definitely not stupid. After hearing Fang Jun's words, he immediately understood what he meant and held Li Chengqian's legs even tighter...

"Royal brother, although I am a little confused sometimes, I am definitely not a vicious, ungrateful beast! Our mother passed away early, and our father also left us. We brothers should naturally help each other and depend on each other! I made a mistake before, but you were so magnanimous that you didn't pursue it. I am deeply grateful and shed tears of gratitude! I only wish to be your vanguard, to cut through thorns and bushes, and never turn back! How could I be deceived by Li Shenfu and do stupid things? Royal brother, you have to believe me, it was really that old thief Li Shenfu who wronged me!"

Fang Jun was speechless. This prince was also a talented person. He even said something like "depending on each other for life"...

But it doesn’t matter, Li Chengqian just wants a way out.

So he didn't care that Li You's snot and tears were all over his body. He reached out and stroked Li You's head, and said with emotion: "Why say all this? Even if Li Shenfu's words are true, I will not do what he wants to do to you."

Li You suddenly felt relieved, feeling both happy and aggrieved.

He was naturally happy because His Majesty had given in. At least his life was safe. But he felt wronged because he really had not agreed to Li Shenfu's request...

Li Chengqian paused, and continued, "Later, I will issue an order to confine you in the palace for three years as a punishment. During this period, you must close the door to visitors, study poetry and books, and cultivate your mind and character. You must not associate with the thieves again, so as not to go astray."

"Your Highness obeys your command!"

"Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty!"

Li You and his wife were overjoyed and quickly expressed their gratitude.

……

After coming out of the Prince of Qi's mansion, Fang Jun sent Li Chengqian back to Taiji Palace. Looking at Li Siliang who was still hanging on the Chengtian Gate, Fang Jun shook his head, said goodbye and left, returning home. After bathing, he changed into a clean straight robe and sat in the flower hall drinking tea, thinking about the current situation.

From Li Chengqian's treatment of Li Youzhi, it can be seen that Liu Xiangdao's advice worked. Although Li Chengqian was still stubborn, he was already trying to find ways to recover the loss of his reputation.

Li Siliang must be skinned alive. Otherwise, it would not be enough to eliminate the hatred in my heart, nor would it be enough to show the world my severity. Besides, everyone in the city knows about it now. How can the king change his orders overnight?

But he also knew that this move had caused panic and criticism from all walks of life, and he was unwilling to bear the stigma of a "tyrant", so he showed "leniency" to his brothers.

It doesn't matter whether Li Shenfu's confession of Li You is true or not, and it doesn't matter whether Li You betrays again. He will not investigate the matter thoroughly. To this day, all the hidden dangers around him have erupted, like landslides and mountain torrents, but he still sits firmly on the throne, unmoved, which shows that it is "the destiny of heaven". Whether his brothers sincerely submit to him or reluctantly bow their heads, it is not enough to shake his throne.

In this case, why not show the world your love for your brothers and your remembrance of the late emperor?

With the sound of jingling jewelry and a faint fragrance floating in the air behind her, Wu Meiniang, dressed in a gorgeous dress and walking gracefully, came to the chair opposite Fang Jun and sat down.

She had delicate makeup, beautiful face, charming eyes, petite figure, and exquisite curves. At this moment, her eyebrows were slightly frowned and her voice was gentle and graceful: "The situation outside is tense, and people in the mansion are also in panic. I don't know when everything will be completely stable."

Fang Jun poured her tea, slightly curious: "Don't you always like to take advantage of the situation and win in chaos, so as to show that you, a beautiful woman from Wuda, are as smart and capable as men? Why do you hope that the situation will stabilize?"

A person's achievements depend to a large extent on his or her character. Regardless of success or failure, it is often his or her character that drives a person to take a different path.

For example, Wu Meiniang, this unprecedented empress in history, had a bold and enterprising character, which was reflected in her ambition.

Sometimes Fang Jun could even clearly feel Wu Meiniang's hints to him. Perhaps he would not try to usurp the throne, but becoming a powerful official was his most simple hope. Since he had such excellent conditions, why should he hesitate and be cautious?
Just do it and that's it.

Therefore, only chaos can lead to the seizure of more power, so how can one like stability?
Wu Meiniang used her slender little finger to hook the loose hair from her temples and pinned it behind her crystal-like ear, smiling brightly and gently: "After seeing the magnificent world outside, who would have the heart to fight among themselves?"

Sitting in Luoyang and controlling the "Eastern Tang Trading Company", Wu Meiniang saw a completely different world.

As merchant ships roamed the oceans under the escort of the navy, countless goods poured into the Tang Dynasty, radiating to all parts of the country from Huating Town, Luoyang, Chang'an and other places, becoming the nutrients for the prosperity of the empire. The infrastructure construction of various states, prefectures and counties was changing with each passing day and developing rapidly.

Today's Tang Dynasty is like a pool of water, absorbing wealth from all over the world, constantly growing and expanding.

Fang Jun felt a little sad. She was indeed the "Empress". Just give her a chance and she would burst out with unparalleled passion.

"At present, merchant fleets are traveling to all corners of the world to participate in world trade. The first priority is to promote Tang money. There is no need to care too much about the profits of trade. As long as the Kaiyuan Tongbao and paper money of the Tang Dynasty are circulated throughout the world, it is equivalent to controlling the wealth of the entire world."

Nowadays, the Tang Dynasty has adopted a new coin minting technology. The copper content of Kaiyuan Tongbao has been greatly reduced, and various alloys have been added to it, causing its value to plummet. Just by spending these copper coins, you can make a lot of money.

Although the copper content has decreased and the value has dropped, but with the strength of the Tang Dynasty navy, who would dare not recognize it?

And because the casting technology is extremely advanced, those barbarians who are still in the stage of eating raw meat and drinking blood simply cannot imitate it...

Wu Meiniang took a sip of tea, her beautiful eyes sparkling. She liked sitting with her husband and discussing the world and giving advice.

"I have always had a question. With the combat power of the Tang navy and the shipping capacity of the merchant fleet, we could have conquered cities and expanded territory along the route. Most of the world would be included in the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and the goods and wealth there would be available for us to take. Why would we go to so much trouble to earn wealth through trade?"

Although maritime trade is extremely profitable, and you can earn huge profits with very little cost, after all, no matter how huge the profits are, they are not as fast as robbery...

Since the Tang Dynasty navy is so powerful and invincible with its strong ships and powerful guns, why not just rob them?

No one can refuse the dream of a vast empire that encompasses the six directions and eight wildernesses and integrates Chinese and foreign peoples under its rule!
Fang Jun smiled and said, "Your Majesty thinks the same as you do."

Wu Meiniang raised her eyebrows, adding a touch of heroism to her charming and romantic charm: "I would like to hear the details!"

"Who wouldn't want to build a powerful empire that spans tens of thousands of miles and uses the ocean as its inland sea? But," Fang Jun sighed, "it's too far away."

After a pause, he explained, "For example, the Western Regions, not to mention how far away they are, have been outside the control of the central government since the First Emperor unified the Nine Provinces. Zhang Qian opened up the Western Regions but only made them a vassal of the Han Dynasty in name. Emperor Yang of Sui, with his great talent and strategy, never included them in the empire's territory. Even today, the Anxi Protectorate has been established and tens of thousands of elite Anxi troops are stationed at key points in the Western Regions. But in fact, as long as a powerful enemy invades or there is a change in the central government, the first thing to be abandoned is the Western Regions... The reason is simple: they are too far away."

Wu Meiniang nodded slightly to show that she understood.

The existence of the Western Regions did not have much economic value for the Tang Dynasty. Not to mention Guanzhong, even the grain produced in any place in Jiangnan or Shuzhong was far superior to that in the Western Regions. Even the extremely bitter and cold black soil in Liaodong was not comparable to that in the Western Regions.

The reason why troops were stationed to ensure the security of the Western Regions was, on the one hand, because of the wealth of the Silk Road, and on the other hand, to use it as a strategic buffer zone.

If there were no deserts in the Western Regions, the Hu people could easily threaten Guanzhong when they invaded...

Fang Jun continued, "The Anxi Army's annual military expenditure for stationing troops in the Western Regions is more than 10 million guan, and the national fiscal revenue of the Tang Dynasty last year was only 100 million guan. You should know that the Anxi Army only has tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. There is also the Hanhai Protectorate in the far north and the Andong Protectorate in the former territory of Goguryeo... Not to mention the overseas countries that are even more distant than the Western Regions?"

Wu Mei Niang said: "So the navy only rents ports and mines in foreign countries, but does not occupy their territory. This is to ease the relationship between them."

"That's right. Lease has nothing to do with ownership. Even if the rent is extremely low and the term is extremely long, foreign countries can tolerate the navy's guns. But once their territory is occupied, they become enemies, which will trigger hostility and war. These foreign countries are too far away from the Tang Dynasty. Often, when a war breaks out there, it takes several months for the news to reach the Tang Dynasty, and it is inevitable that the handling will be delayed, and the occupied territory may even have fallen... The court will mobilize the navy to counterattack. Even if it wins, the round trip will be protracted and wasteful, and the gains will not outweigh the losses."