The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 138

"These potatoes are from home," the merchant said with a simple smile. "I'm planning to go back these days, but I can't finish them all, so I'm selling them to raise some money for my trip home."

He spoke with an accent, but it did not hide his longing for his hometown.

Xu Tian nodded, and an idea suddenly came to mind.

If there aren't enough potatoes, then buy a large quantity and bring them to the Tang Dynasty, then there will be potatoes available.

With that thought in mind, he returned to his residence and wrote down his thoughts word by word on a piece of paper.

By the time I finished writing, it was already late.

Xu Tian carefully put the letter away and handed it to the guard, saying, "Take this letter to the Emperor for me."

The guard nodded.

Over this period of time, he has gotten used to doing errands.

At first, he was somewhat reluctant, but Xu Tian was a favorite of the emperor, and he didn't want to cause trouble, so he had no choice but to do so.

The guard obeyed the order and rode swiftly to Chang'an.

At this moment, Li Er was in the main hall, discussing the matter of grain with a group of officials.

He remained calm as he drank his tea, his mind preoccupied with the suggestions made by the officials.

If we only keep cultivating wasteland, not only will the manpower and material resources increase, but it will also be particularly troublesome.

I wonder if there are other ways...

Just then, the eunuch serving outside the door said, "Your Majesty, news has come from Grand Tutor Xu."

Li Er was somewhat pleased at this point.

Xu Tian is familiar with agriculture; if you ask him, you might find a breakthrough.

He immediately ordered, "Send it quickly!"

The eunuch quickly obeyed the order and led the guards into the hall.

Upon seeing Li Er, the guard bowed respectfully before saying, "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Xu has sent me with a message."

After he finished speaking, he asked his father-in-law to hand the letter to Li Er.

Li Er took the letter, quickly opened it, and saw a few words written neatly on it.

After learning of Xu Tian's thoughts, Li Er was taken aback.

Going to the Western Regions to introduce potatoes would be fraught with difficulties and dangers, not to mention the presence of one or two enemy countries there. He wasn't afraid that Xu Tian might have rebellious intentions, but rather that the people of those enemy countries might treat Xu Tian differently.

"Has he already decided to go to the Western Regions?" Li Er asked the kneeling guard in front of him.

The guard shook his head and said, "I don't know, but seeing how resolute Grand Tutor Xu looked yesterday, I'm afraid he had already made up his mind."

Li Er now understood that the letter mentioned Xu Tian's trip to the Western Regions to import potatoes, a quick and highly productive crop. If that was all, Li Er could let him go without worry. As for the issue of the enemy, he could simply send more guards.

Thinking this, he instructed the eunuch beside him, "In that case, send more guards over there to escort Grand Tutor Xu to the Western Regions."

At this moment, the other ministers' expressions changed.

Prime Minister Liu went directly to the middle of the hall and advised Emperor Li Er, "Your Majesty, you must not let Grand Tutor Xu go to the Western Regions."

"Why?" Li Er asked, puzzled.

“Perhaps Xu Tian intends to inform the enemy about the situation of our Great Tang when he returns this time.” Prime Minister Liu said with a serious expression. “Besides, Old Chen suspected that he came from the Western Regions before, and now he suddenly wants to go back to the Western Regions, which is obviously suspicious!”

"Prime Minister Liu, it seems you've been quite tired these past few days. I don't object to your return to court, but you must not slander anyone's loyalty," Li Er said calmly, his eyes slightly narrowed.