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

Outside the window, heavy snow fell. After dancing wildly in the air, the snowflakes fell softly to the ground.

The palace's eaves, pavilions and towers were all covered with the vast white snow.

The subtle New Year atmosphere gradually permeated the air as the snowflakes fell, as if reminding people that the Spring Festival was approaching.

In the Lizheng Palace, Su Zhi was wearing a brocade palace dress embroidered with delicate patterns. Her bulging belly made her figure look even more graceful and revealed the tenderness of a mother.

She walked lightly, her eyes full of excitement and anticipation, and enthusiastically directed Xiao Taohong to pack her luggage.

"Bring it on, little peach."

As Su Zhi spoke, she gently stroked her belly with her hand, her eyes full of desire to travel.

"We will set off for Xianyang at noon today."

She pouted her red lips slightly and complained in a childish manner.

"I've been staying in this palace for a long time. It's really suffocating. I must go out and get some fresh air today."

Xiao Taohong's face was also flushed, and she could not hide her excitement. She was tidying up various items with swift hands and feet.

Hearing Su Zhi's words, Xiao Taohong quickly stopped what she was doing, ran to Su Zhi's side, held her arm, and said with a smile: "Empress, I heard the palace people talking privately. Xianyang is a wonderful place. It's very lively and there are countless fun things!"

There was a glimmer of longing in her eyes.

"I have this opportunity thanks to the Queen's blessing to be able to travel to Xianyang."

At this point, Xiao Taohong squatted down, put her ear lightly on Su Zhi's belly, listened for a while, then raised her head and said with concern.

"But Queen, you must be careful with the little baby in your belly!"

Su Zhi shook her head helplessly, sighed softly, and said angrily, "Xiao Taohong, you have said this so many times that my ears are almost callused by you."

"The baby probably won't be born until March, so there's no need to worry so much."

As she spoke, Su Zhi stretched out her finger and gently tapped Xiao Taohong's forehead.

Xiao Taohong blinked mischievously, and Su Zhi continued, "Just pack your things."

She looked up at the snow scene outside the hall, a trace of loneliness flashing in her eyes.

"I'm lucky to have you by my side. Otherwise, I really don't know how I would have survived this lonely time in this huge palace. It's really boring."

Little Taohong smiled, her eyes curved, and said playfully, "Okay, my lady, we can go to Xianyang and have fun today."

"When we get there, Xiao Taohong will definitely pick out lots of new and interesting things for you!"

Little Peach Hong jumped excitedly like a child.

When Su Zhi heard this, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, her laughter was like pearls falling on a jade plate.

"You little girl, where did you get the money to buy things for me?"

"I've heard that prices in Xianyang are quite high. It's not an ordinary place."

Xiao Taohong explained seriously, "My Lady, please don't forget that my monthly salary is quite generous. Moreover, I have no relatives in this world to worry about. You are my only support. If I don't spend this money, it will have nowhere to go."

After hearing her words, Su Zhi felt a little sad in her heart, and her eyes were full of pity as she glanced at her lightly.

"In that case, when you get to Xianyang, take my monthly salary and go shopping with me. Buy some good things, and don't forget to bring some back to the palace."

"I haven't seen my father and mother for a long time, and I miss them very much."

Her eyes revealed a deep longing, and her thoughts drifted back to her distant home.

Xiao Taohong nodded obediently. "Understood, young lady. I will carefully select the item for the master and his wife!"

As she spoke, she seemed to realize something and raised her hand to touch her cheek embarrassedly.

"Your Majesty, I always make mistakes when I say them. Please forgive me."

Su Zhi smiled gently, reached out her hand and gently pinched Xiao Taohong's cheek, and said softly: "It's okay, you have been by my side since you were a child. If you call me Miss, I will feel more intimate."

"From now on, please call me Miss. Don't stick to the stiff title of Madam. It seems too distant."

Xiao Taohong's eyebrows lit up immediately and she responded cheerfully, "Yes, Miss!"

……

In the Taiji Hall, Li Chengqian had ordered that the New Year's Day ceremony be scheduled to begin at the hour of Si and end immediately at noon, and no banquet would be arranged to entertain everyone.

Fortunately, today's process was relatively easy.

He only wanted to deal with the many complicated state affairs in the shortest possible time.

The most pressing issue at this moment is the female population of foreign countries.

Once people live a prosperous and happy life, vigorously encouraging childbirth will become the key to national prosperity.

Just like Tibet today, although it has been razed to the ground by the Tang Dynasty's cavalry, its vast land is still sparsely populated and desolate.

The Tang Dynasty itself was still short of manpower, so how could it expect to expand its territory on a large scale?

As for those foreigners, Li Chengqian had already made up his mind and he did not want to rely too much on their power.

What he hoped was to gradually assimilate these foreign people into the Han culture and integrate them into the culture and customs of the Tang Dynasty.

Only in this way can we build a truly prosperous Tang Empire where multiple ethnic groups can live in harmony.

With just some glass objects that were of little value in the eyes of the people of the Tang Dynasty, he successfully exchanged for at least 150,000 foreign women.

From this moment on, when these foreign women set foot on the territory of the Tang Dynasty, they will completely become the people of the Tang Dynasty, sharing the same destiny with the people of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian's deep eyes revealed a firm belief that when the Tang Dynasty became strong and prosperous, he would definitely take over the Western Regions as soon as possible.

The Western Regions are an excellent choice for growing cotton. The sunshine duration is long and the intensity is appropriate. The cotton produced will surely bring vigorous vitality to the textile industry of the Tang Dynasty.

However, the country’s affairs are currently complicated and need to be advanced steadily, step by step, just like climbing a mountain.

As the saying goes, eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.