Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Li Shimin had tasted dishes made with snow salt, and found that they had no bitterness or astringency whatsoever, making them far superior to those made with refined salt.

As for the flowers and fruits cultivated by the Institute of Geology using grafting technology, they can not only increase the yield of fruits and vegetables, but also shorten the growth cycle. These are truly beneficial to farmers.

Other things were equally remarkable; even the red bricks sparked a revolution in Tang Dynasty architecture.

The current method of firing blue bricks is more complex and the cost is ridiculously high, while the method of firing red bricks is simple and can reduce the price of bricks.

With red bricks, people will be able to cut down fewer trees to build houses.

Du He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are a monarch who has achieved great things in both civil and military affairs, and you are not lacking in such merits."

"The Crown Prince has just ascended the throne, so he needs these new items."

He knew that Li Shimin was not angry. After all, this emperor of all ages had accumulated a great deal of honor and had even performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. His abdication now would be quite dignified.

If we disregard the wise rulers of all dynasties, Li Shimin's life could be described as perfect.

Li Shimin chuckled and said, "You're quite the talker, kid."

He changed the subject and asked, "Du He, how much money did the arsenal make in total, and what was the profit?"

Since he abdicated, all the revenue of the former Shaofujian (Imperial Household Department) has gone into Li Chengqian's private treasury, so he can only ask Li Chengqian for money.

He disliked the feeling of needing someone's help.

Du He cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, the arsenal sold a total of over 225 million strings of cash worth of armor, weapons, and warhorses. You are entitled to 2250 million strings of cash."

"As for other costs and expenses, they will be paid by His Majesty."

what!

Did they sell over 2250 million strings of cash?

When Li Shimin heard about the enormous sum of money, his eyebrows twitched violently, and even his hands trembled slightly.

Are these feudal lords and aristocratic families really that rich?

He knew in his heart that the fact that these people could come up with more than 2250 million strings of cash to buy weapons and armor meant that they had plenty of money at home.

"call!"

Li Shimin let out a heavy breath and said in a deep voice, "The wealth of these people is beyond my imagination!"

Previously, those officials had pretended to be poor in front of him, but it seems they were just putting on an act for him.

The thought that the wealthy aristocratic families meant the impoverished people of the Tang Dynasty filled Li Shimin with complex emotions.

His reign was too short to make the people wealthy.

There's still a bit lacking in the record of achievements!

Du He continued, "Your Majesty, the hot air balloon has been completed. The craftsmen are currently conducting extensive testing, striving to enable it to be manually controlled for takeoff and landing within three years."

"I have also ordered people to develop a steam engine so that a train can be built to the far west."

"With trains, it will be much easier for you to travel around the world."

Upon hearing about the steam engine and the train from Du He, Li Shimin's expression shifted slightly.

Before Li Shimin could even ask, Du He gave a detailed explanation of the steam engine and the train.

After listening.

Li Shimin looked at Du He in surprise and said, "Du He, what's wrong with your brain? How do you know so many divine things?"

Du He smiled and replied, "I just read a lot of books, so all sorts of ideas pop into my head."

Seeing Du He spouting nonsense again, Li Shimin's lips curled slightly.

He had read many ancient books about craftsmen, but none of them could provide any reference or guidance for what Du He was doing.

Li Shimin laughed and said, "You're good at fooling others, but you think you can fool me?"

"Which ancient book would describe such a divine object?"

There was a pause.

Li Shimin exclaimed, "Du He, these steam engines and trains are wonderful things. Even if it takes a lot of manpower and resources, we must make them!"

"In addition to training craftsmen, we must also start with the education of young children and compile new books for them to learn."

"The future of Datang Technology depends on young people!"

He learned the word "technology" from Du He and thought it was a very apt word to describe the innovation of new products.

Moreover, the Tang Dynasty had previously provided free private schools for young children, so those children already had a certain level of cultural literacy, but this was not very relevant to the study of things.

Only by compiling the techniques related to the investigation of things into books could the progress of the imperial examination system in the Tang Dynasty be promoted.

Du He never expected that Li Shimin would actually think of revising the teaching textbooks. He truly deserves to be called one of the greatest emperors of all time!

He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will suggest that Your Majesty establish a new department specifically responsible for the compilation of books and the teaching in private schools throughout the Tang Dynasty."

"To ensure that students of the Tang Dynasty can adapt to the development of the court."

Currently, the imperial examinations are handled by the Ministry of Personnel, but the Ministry of Personnel has too many responsibilities and simply has no time to manage private schools.

The content and methods of instruction in private schools varied greatly across different states and counties, making it impossible for children from ordinary families to compare with those from aristocratic families.

The immediate priority is to compile the same books and then train the instructors.

"it is good."

Li Shimin nodded slightly.

The two talked for most of the next hour about scientific expeditions and the writing of study books.

Let’s finish talking about business.

Fang Xuanling sighed and said, "Du He, Fang Xuanling's health is getting worse and worse. Even with the best treatment and care from Physician Sun, I can't recover like I have."

"If Sun Simiao and his team cannot find a new treatment, Fang Xuanling may not survive the year!"

"Send more people to India and the Western Regions to recruit various shamans and doctors so that they can treat Fang Xuanling."

He took the longevity pill developed by the Indian alchemist Ersuopomei, and his body was able to burst forth with a little vitality, but it had no effect on Fang Xuanling after he took it.

As one old friend after another passed away, he also became very concerned about Fang Xuanling's health.

Du He replied solemnly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will send people to seek out renowned physicians as soon as I return, and strive to find a way to cure the Duke of Liang!"

He had previously consulted Sun Simiao and learned that Fang Xuanling's illness was caused by long-term overwork, and that he developed other diseases due to blood deficiency as he aged.

Sun Simiao did not come up with a corresponding diagnosis and treatment method for this kind of disease.

The two chatted for another half an hour.

Li Shimin stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Du He, you should go back and handle important matters first. If your time allows, it would be best to come to Yuhua Palace every half month."

"I'd like to talk to you more about the future development of the Tang Dynasty."

These past few days, he often hoped that Yuchi Gong, Li Jing, Cheng Yaojin and others would come over, but every time he sent an eunuch to summon them, the three of them had important matters to attend to.

He always felt that these three old ministers were busier than ever before.

"it is good."

Du He nodded, then stood up, bowed, and said, "Your subject will take his leave now."

After leaving the Ziwei Palace, Du He, led by an attendant, found Li Yuanjing by the Wuding River.

Besides the princes Li Yuanjing, Li Yun, Li Yuanjia, and Li Yuanxiang, Li Tai and Li Zhi were also leisurely fishing with fishing rods.

Du He said to Li Yuanjing, "Prince Jing, a noble person has asked me to come and ask you for the 50 strings of cash."

"If the payment isn't delivered by tomorrow, you might be in some trouble."

what!

That 50 strings of cash is related to His Majesty!

Only the Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty could be called "Noble Person" by Du He, the King of Han. The status of these vassal kings might not even be comparable to that of Du He, the King of Han.

Li Yuanjing and his brothers exchanged glances, and he quickly whispered, "King Han, please go back and tell your esteemed friend that the 50 strings of cash will be sent over shortly."

"We've been counting the money for a while now, and we just finished today."

The other vassal kings nodded in agreement.

Du He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Since that's the case, then my task is complete. Now that our esteemed guest is in a bit of a hurry, you mustn't neglect him."

After saying this, Du He bowed and took his leave.

Li Zhi stood up, hesitated for a moment, and watched Du He walk away. He still didn't say anything, just stared blankly at Du He's departing figure.

They were completely unaware that the fish had been caught.

Li Tai quickly helped Li Zhi lift the fishing rod, asking curiously, "Zhi Nu, what are you daydreaming about?"

"A big fish has taken the bait!"