Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

"Minister Li!" Li Chengqian's voice was full of majesty.

Upon hearing this, Li Wei immediately took a step forward, his posture upright and his expression respectful.

"Have all the cotton-padded clothes prepared for the soldiers on the front lines been delivered?"

Li Chengqian looked at him with sharp eyes full of concern.

Li Wei nodded quickly and said in a steady tone, "Your Majesty, the cotton-padded jackets for the soldiers on the front lines were all delivered a month ago. Special escorts were arranged along the way, and everything went smoothly."

"It is expected to arrive at the front line soon, which will surely allow the soldiers to withstand the severe cold and fight with peace of mind."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, his expression relaxing a little.

"Now that the dysentery has been completely brought under control, give me a rough estimate of the casualties before the New Year. No concealment is allowed. This matter concerns the lives of soldiers and the decision-making of the court, so it must be detailed."

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Li Wei clasped his fists and accepted the order.

"Minister Gao!"

Li Chengqian looked at the Minister of Personnel Gao Shilian.

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Gao Shilian hurried forward, his steps quick but steady.

"I have already had the Imperial Guards deal with all the officials in the prefectures and counties who knew about the dysentery but didn't report it. There are now many vacancies for officials."

Li Chengqian frowned slightly, and a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

"Let the people spontaneously recommend their own officials. Your Ministry of Personnel will register them for the time being."

"When new officials take office, they immediately send a few literate people to help them write memorials and statistics, and also to supervise them."

"It would be best if we could teach them to read and write. If they do a good job, we'll let them continue to work. If they don't do a good job, we'll replace them when we have more people."

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Gao Shilian bowed in response, having already understood the emperor's intention, which was to select talented people from the people and ensure smooth local governance.

Gao Shilian bowed and stepped back, returning to his seat.

"Pei Shangshu."

Li Chengqian looked at the Minister of Works Pei Xingjian.

Pei Xingjian stepped out, his posture as firm as a pine tree.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Your Ministry of Works should be the busiest. I have also seen the changes in Chang'an City so far. These changes demonstrate the achievements of the Ministry of Works."

There was a hint of admiration in Li Chengqian's eyes.

"I'm afraid the Ministry of Works will be even busier next year. You should recruit more craftsmen, giving priority to those from the poor."

"They are forced to make a living, so they will definitely cherish the opportunity to work, and their craftsmanship will not be bad."

"Starting next year, we will increase our employees' wages by 20% so that they can live a better life."

Pei Xingjian listened carefully and nodded from time to time.

Li Chengqian continued, "After the Lunar New Year this year, we'll start demolishing all the markets in Chang'an City and rebuilding them into shopping malls."

"This shopping mall must be properly planned to ensure that Chang'an City as a whole looks grand and beautiful. You can ask Grand Tutor Qi about the details after you leave court."

"Also, starting next year, the Tang Dynasty will begin implementing a five-year road construction plan. All major roads will be paved with cement to ensure smooth travel."

"This cement road is strong and durable, and is of great significance to the transportation of our Tang Dynasty. The road to Goguryeo will be built into a highway first."

Pei Xingjian was a little confused after hearing Li Chengqian's last words. He blinked his eyes, his heart full of doubts.

Logically speaking, the roads that are built first will definitely bring the greatest benefits to the Tang Dynasty.

The road to Goguryeo is called the Lulong Ancient Road. On weekdays, it is rarely visited by people.

According to the principle of maximizing profits, the Jinpu Customs Road should be built first, as that road has the largest flow of people and the most frequent trade.

Pei Xingjian waited until Li Chengqian had finished speaking, and after confirming that there was no further action, he spoke again, "Your Majesty, isn't it a bit inappropriate to start with the Lulong Ancient Road?"

"That road is sparsely populated, and I'm afraid it won't be very beneficial to our Tang Dynasty. I'm worried that this will cost a lot of manpower and resources without getting a corresponding return."

After hearing Pei Xingjian's words, Li Chengqian glanced at him meaningfully, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he said meaningfully: "I know, but I had a dream last night. I dreamed that Goguryeo provoked my Tang Dynasty."

"So I want to repair the road first, so that we can attack Goguryeo faster. Of course, this is all a joke. Just go down and do it."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Although Pei Xingjian still had doubts in his heart, he did not dare to ask any more questions and stepped back to his original position.

After Pei Xingjian left, the court officials all looked at each other.

It is not difficult to infer from your Majesty's words that you want to take action against Goguryeo.

But the reign title has not yet been officially determined. He launched two major battles right after ascending the throne. Does he need to fight more battles?

Many people looked at Li Chengqian with some confusion in their eyes.

How much does Your Majesty like fighting? You know, those who love war will eventually perish!

But no one jumped out to comfort him now. After all, His Majesty himself said it was a joke, and no one wanted to be in trouble.

"What's more, the Tang Dynasty is still in a mess!"

Li Chengqian ignored the ministers' thoughts and continued to call out names: "Xie Shangshu."

Minister of Rites Xie Wanquan stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty."

"How are the preparations for the Chang'an Academy that I asked you to prepare going?"

Li Chengqian asked, his eyes showing great concern for education.

Xie Wanquan bowed and responded, "Your Majesty, there are now thirty-five schools in Chang'an, distributed throughout the city."

"There are a total of 12,318 students in the academy currently studying the new curriculum arranged by His Majesty."

Listening to Xie Wanquan's report, Li Chengqian nodded with satisfaction.

"Those who excel in their studies at the academy will be sent to the newly built Chang'an National School for further study."

"There, they can obtain better educational resources and serve the Tang Dynasty."

"Yes! Your Majesty."

Xie Wanquan accepted the order.

"My dear ministers, do you have anything else to say?" Li Chengqian looked around the court. Seeing no one responding, he said, "If not, then that's enough. Let's adjourn."

Li Chengqian stood up, stretched, and then walked from the back.

All the officials saluted and shouted in unison: "Farewell, Your Majesty!"

The sound echoed in the Taiji Hall for a long time.