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

Court meeting.

Li Chengqian was wearing a dragon robe and sitting upright on the majestic dragon throne with a calm expression. His hand gently supported his chin, and he listened intently to the speech of Xie Wanquan, the Minister of Rites.

"Your Majesty!" Xie Wanquan's voice was full of helplessness.

He bowed slightly and spoke earnestly, "Now envoys from all over the world have gathered here and come straight to me to demand an explanation!"

"Your Majesty, at the annual meeting two years ago, you solemnly declared that anyone who could successfully conquer Japan would be granted a fifth-rank official title."

"Once this order was issued, the vassal states, in a show of loyalty and determination, poured their national resources into the construction of warships, emptying their treasuries in the hope of achieving success and gaining honor in this campaign."

"But I never expected that the boat would be snatched away by those damned bandits!"

"I am truly at my wit's end and do not know how to respond to the envoys' questions and requests."

Li Chengqian's gaze slowly shifted from Xie Wanquan, a look of deep thought in his eyes. He didn't rush to respond directly to Xie Wanquan's question, but instead asked, "From Japan, as for the people who went to conquer Japan, have there been no news yet?"

When Xie Wanquan heard this, his eyes moved rapidly several times, as if he was thinking about something.

At this moment, Zhang Xianhuai saw this, took a step forward, and replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, there has been no news so far."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly and murmured thoughtfully, "I understand. Could it be that those people and the Japanese are in a stalemate?"

After a moment, he raised his head and said to Xie Wanquan with a serious expression: "Xie Shangshu, you go and reply to the envoys of various countries and tell them that this is my will."

"The ship's robbery was beyond my expectation, and I feel deeply guilty."

"As the suzerain state, the Tang Dynasty should shoulder the corresponding responsibilities and compensate them for their losses."

Many officials standing in the court were surprised when they heard Li Chengqian's words. They exchanged glances with each other, as if silently expressing their surprise.

In their impression, His Majesty had always handled affairs in a swift, tough and decisive manner, and rarely made promises of compensation so easily.

When did His Majesty change his temper? Everyone had assumed His Majesty wouldn't give these vassal states any clear answers, but who could have expected His Majesty to be so merciful and lenient this time?

"Have them report all their losses truthfully and in detail." Li Chengqian's voice was steady. He continued, "Minister Li."

Upon hearing this, Li Wei, the Minister of Revenue, hurried forward and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty!"

"After reporting this, you will immediately arrange for personnel to transport colored glass from Xianyang as compensation to them."

Li Chengqian looked straight at Li Wei.

"But I have only one request, and that is that the colored glass they obtain must not be used within the territory of the Tang Dynasty. As for other places outside the Tang Dynasty, I will not inquire about it."

"Thank you, Minister, you must convey my orders to them truthfully and completely. If I discover in the future that they dare to use the colored glass to exchange for money or supplies within the territory of the Tang Dynasty, do not blame me for being merciless. I will punish them severely."

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Xie Wanquan received a clear answer from Li Chengqian, and the tension in his heart immediately relaxed.

With His Majesty's decree, those annoying envoys from various countries who are like flies will finally stop bothering me all day long.

"Xian Huai, the people of our Great Tang are now trapped in Japan. It is neither reasonable nor logical for us to sit idly by and abandon them."

Li Chengqian turned and said to Zhang Xianhuai.

"I remember there are still twenty dragon-shaped treasure ships in Jiangnan Road, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhang Xianhuai responded quickly.

"It's been a while since we've allowed them to go out to sea and show their might. This time, we're sending Li Zhentao with orders to attack Japan directly. We must completely defeat Japan and do our utmost to rescue the people of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chengqian's voice was high-pitched and full of majesty.

"Also, Japan is so audacious that it dares to offend my majesty. It deserves death."

"Pass the order down. After the army conquers Japan, no males will be left alive in the country. All women will be escorted back to the Tang Dynasty and given as slaves or concubines to meritorious soldiers to honor their achievements."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhang Xianhuai accepted the order and withdrew.

"Minister Li!" Li Chengqian once again turned his gaze to the Minister of Revenue, Li Wei.

Li Wei hurriedly stepped forward again and saluted, "Your Majesty!"

"Minister Li, the Ministry of Revenue's treasury is now fully stocked. I don't think there's any need for the Qianyu Chamber of Commerce to contribute any more funds, right?"

Li Chengqian raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said with a hint of sarcasm.

Li Wei nodded quickly and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty! The Ministry of Revenue is now fully capable of shouldering all the expenses of this expedition."

Li Chengqian smiled and shook his head slightly, then said seriously, "It's not that the Ministry of Revenue is solely responsible. I know that the Ministry of Revenue often trades with the Arabs."

"I have an important task for you. I order you to negotiate with the Arab merchants about purchasing Kunlun slaves. I only want strong and healthy men, the more the better."

"Ship them all to Japan. I have a vital use for them. Regarding the price, you must be as frugal as possible and follow the old rules. They must be castrated and able to work immediately."

"If it's difficult to find enough stock due to the sheer volume, newly castrated Kunlun slaves will also work, but the price must be kept low, and we must strive for the best possible discount."

As soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, Li Wei responded without hesitation, "Yes! Your Majesty!"