Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

“The land will definitely be distributed to the people. These were originally seized from the people by these evil Buddhist monks through trickery and force, and Your Majesty certainly won’t want them.”

Li Ke shook his head.

Li Chengqian smiled faintly: "That's natural. If we, as members of the royal family, were to set our sights on the land of our own people one day, then we would not be far from the fall of our country."

"If you like land, then of course you should look at the land of other countries!"

Upon hearing this, Li Tai chuckled strangely, put down the statistical document of the stolen goods in his hand, and moved closer.

"Brother, you got the position of governor of Dengzhou from Father, did you have your eye on the land of Goguryeo? And the port you wanted to lease from Japan, what if we really built the invincible fleet you described?"

"Goguryeo can't stop us at all..."

Li Tai was very excited.

Especially after recently learning that the Firearms Division was preparing to research a weapon called a cannon that could blast through city walls and break through military formations.

He couldn't help but fantasize about bombing something every day.

Li Chengqian smiled faintly.

He glanced at his younger brothers who were currently in the Xiande Hall.

Today, not only Li Ke and Li Tai are here, but Li You and Li Yin have also finally persuaded their father, the emperor, to allow them to come along with their younger brother who is going to Bingzhou next year.

"You seem to think that there's nothing in Japan worth attacking, is that right?"

Li Ke was taken aback.

“Japan… Your Majesty, you’ve seen how short the Japanese are. Besides, Japan is inherently humble and cowardly, and it’s an island nation with barren land. What could they possibly have?”

Everyone was puzzled.

Li Chengqian smiled faintly.

Suddenly, he took out a map of Japan from the Tang Dynasty, which he had recently compiled and organized, from a drawer under his desk.

A more accurate map of Japan was created.

He didn't say much, but simply pointed to a spot on the Japanese map that looked like an insect.

"This place is called Iwami Silver Mine. You heard me right, it's a silver mountain, not a silver mine. It's a real silver mountain with terrifyingly large silver reserves. If we take it over, we can mine at least a million taels of silver a year!"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the princes present widened instantly.

"Hundreds, millions of taels of silver?! And for a whole year?!"

King Li You of Chu let out a scream, his face turning bright red as he conjured up the image of a gleaming silver mountain in his mind.

however.

Li Chengqian, however, showed no intention of stopping.

"And this place, called Sado Gold Mine, not only has gold, but also a considerable amount of silver, which is no less than that of Iwami Silver Mine!"

"this......"

“…Fuck!”

Li Tai, without realizing it, had also learned to use those few vulgar words that his elder brother, the emperor, used.

I originally thought that the amount of money they had obtained from the anti-Buddhist movement, the arrests of illegal temples, and the confiscations was already enormous, and I felt regretful that such a thing could only happen once.

now.

My own brother told them that those damned Japanese devils were actually so wealthy on the island?!

This is both a gold mine and a silver mine.

My elder brother's discovery of a gold mine in Bingzhou has already greatly helped them. It is precisely because of this that my elder brother has been able to easily maintain the training of 6,000 heavy cavalry of the Eastern Palace and 15,000 Turkic wolf riders.

"Damn it! Royal brother! Why are we attacking Goguryeo? That godforsaken place! We just dump it on our father and let him fight it. Hasn't he always wanted to launch an eastern expedition against Goguryeo? Let him go!"

"Let's fight Japan! Brother, if we take down Japan, we'll really be rich!"

Li Tai excitedly grabbed Li Chengqian's arm and shook it vigorously.

Li Ke frowned slightly.

"Brother, if this Japanese island is truly so wealthy, why do the Japanese always tell us that they are poor? Are they deceiving the Emperor?"

A murderous glint flashed in Li Ke's eyes.

Although his father was indeed quite outrageous at times.

But no matter what, he was still their own father, their father, and the Son of Heaven of the glorious Tang Dynasty.

If these lowly Japanese slaves really dare to deceive the emperor...

The killing intent not only spread in Li Ke's heart, but also in the eyes of Li Shimin's sons present.

"Haha, alright, alright, they don't have the guts."

Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hand, explaining.

"Japan's industrial technology and craftsmanship are almost primitive. This is why they are so keen to send envoys to our Great Tang Dynasty. They mainly want to learn our Great Tang's advanced technologies, such as medicine, military strategy, iron smelting and forging, agricultural production, and so on."

"These silver and gold mines have not yet been discovered by the Japanese."

Everyone nodded slightly, but then they looked at each other and saw the burning passion in each other's eyes.

Li Chengqian smiled slightly and looked at Li Ke.

"Third brother, we have no shortage of technical personnel for the establishment and training of the navy in Dengzhou. Our Great Tang also has many generals who can command the navy. What we need is time and a key figure to be stationed in the area."

"So you'll probably be very busy for the next two years, third brother."

Li Ke bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is my honor to serve you and contribute to the eternal prosperity of our Tang Dynasty! I will personally oversee the affairs of Dengzhou, but as for the Embroidered Uniform Guard..."

Li Ke hesitated for a moment: "I'm afraid I don't have the energy to manage the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

To everyone's surprise, Li Chengqian laughed heartily and waved his hand.

"Third brother, oh third brother, are you misunderstanding something when you say you're busy?"

"If you're only in charge of the Dengzhou navy, how can that be considered busy? The Embroidered Uniform Guard must also maintain its infiltration of Goguryeo. Our Great Tang must know everything they do!"

Li Ke's expression froze instantly.

At this moment, the image of the emperor in front of him finally came to mind. When he was working, he didn't treat his subordinates like human beings at all.

He himself was a beast of burden...

"This... Your Majesty, I will certainly do my utmost!"

Suddenly, Li Chengqian's gaze shifted.

"Li Tai, don't laugh. I brought you to Luoyang from my father's side, not just to give you a nominal position. Luoyang is not only adjacent to the Grand Canal, but also an important hub connecting the Jiangnan region."

"To gradually expand the commercial reforms in Bingzhou to the whole country, we need more than just the Emperor's decree in the future."

"The Bingzhou business model in the early stages also needs to be gradually rolled out across the country. Although Jiangnan is not as good as the Central Plains in many aspects, once I take over Gaochang, Tuyuhun and other Western Region countries, I will be able to reopen the Silk Road."

"Our Tang Dynasty's tea, silk, porcelain, and other goods will surely generate a huge market. At that time, Jiangnan Circuit must be able to keep up with the pace!"

Li Chengqian spoke as if he were holding a meeting with his subordinates in his previous life.

Even though we were just chatting casually today, we inexplicably found ourselves back in work mode.

Li Tai swallowed hard.

He really wanted to say, "Brother, aren't you overestimating me?"

But looking into his elder brother's determined eyes, he could only grit his teeth and nod.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty! Even if I die of exhaustion in Luoyang, I will absolutely complete the task you have entrusted to me!"

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction.

Completely unaware of the two newly joined younger brothers, Li You and Li Yin.

It was already showing signs of trembling.

Li Yin felt a little flustered and couldn't help but look at his own brother, Li Ke, with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Brother, may I...may I not go to Bingzhou?"

Li Ke would immediately give him a look as if he were looking at a dead man.

Li Yin: "Just kidding, I was just kidding."

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian was already impatient and didn't even celebrate the Lantern Festival. He returned directly to Bingzhou Road to begin the next phase of reforming the Tang Dynasty.

Wang De strode in.

"Your Highness, Daoist Yuan Tiangang and Daoist Li Chunfeng from the Imperial Observatory are outside requesting an audience."

Li Chengqian was taken aback.

The moment I heard those two names, my first thought was of the incredible story behind their connections.

In particular, the "Tui Bei Tu" created by the two of them is said to have even predicted a major event that would bring disgrace to the Chinese nation a thousand years later.

He glanced at his younger brothers in the Xiande Hall, thought for a moment, and nodded slightly.

"Let them in."

After Wang De left and returned, two people dressed in the official robes of the Imperial Observatory, but who wore them in a way that resembled Taoist robes, walked in behind him.

"Your subject, Yuan Tiangang (Li Chunfeng), greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. May Your Highness be well!"

Li Chengqian nodded.

The two of them looked exactly like the legendary figures.

"Hmm, may I ask what business the two Daoist masters have with me?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chunfeng glanced at Yuan Tiangang beside him, then took out a document from his pocket.

"Your Highness, the recent incident involving the demonic monks of Buddhism has shocked the court and the world. As someone from the Taoist sect, I am also deeply concerned. If the Buddhist sect is in such a state, what will become of the Taoist sect?"

"Therefore, I contacted some fellow Daoists within the sect to investigate the situation around various Daoist temples."

"While not as horrifying as Buddhism, there are still many hypocrites and frauds within Taoism. I have come here specifically to apologize to the Crown Prince!"

With that, Li Chunfeng and his companion bowed respectfully.

To everyone's surprise, after the two finished speaking, Li Chengqian suddenly burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha, two Daoist masters, I only received the authority from my father to manage Buddhist affairs. As for the actions of the Daoist sect, what use is it for you two to come here to apologize instead of going to your father to reprimand him?"

Both Li Ke and Li Tai were speechless at their elder brother's perverse sense of humor.

Everyone knows that even if you offend His Majesty, you can't afford to offend the Crown Prince.

Yuan Tiangang and his companion exchanged bewildered glances.

After a long silence, Yuan Tiangang bowed again.

"As the Crown Prince, there are some things Your Highness still needs to know. I will report to His Majesty, and I will also leave this document here at the Eastern Palace. If Your Highness summons us, we will not be negligent."

For some reason, Yuan Tiangang's face seemed to turn pale at a visible speed ever since he came in.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

Suddenly the subject changed.

"Master Yuan, I have heard that you are very skilled in physiognomy. I wonder if you could take a look at me? Today, a Buddhist said that I will surely suffer bad consequences in the future and die and fall into hell."

"I am filled with fear and trepidation."

Despite his feigned fear, Li Chengqian made no attempt to conceal his disdain.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tiangang's expression changed.

“Your Highness, physiognomy has never been able to see through people with great fortune. Your Highness, you are blessed with the fortune of the royal family and the aura of a crown prince and emperor. I cannot see through it.”

Li Chengqian had no doubts.

He casually had Wang De put away the Taoist documents the two had prepared, then waved his hand, indicating that the two could leave.

I just walked out of the East Palace.

Yuan Tiangang suddenly stumbled.

Instinctively turned back.

The next moment, all the color drained from the old face.

"hold head high!!!"

A terrifying scene, visible only to those in the Daoist sects who had mastered the art of observing qi to its highest level, came into Yuan Tiangang's view.

Before Li Chunfeng could ask a question, Yuan Tiangang's body suddenly trembled.

A mouthful of blood spurted out with a "pfft".

His eyes rolled back and he fainted on the spot.

Dragons... why are there so many real dragons...?