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

After several years of rubber tree planting, Datang can finally start its rubber industry.

Regarding the most basic vulcanization treatment of rubber, Datang Tiangong Company now has a mature set of experimental results with theoretical support.

The rubber wheels on Li Gang's carriage today are from the first batch of products produced.

Ganlu Temple.

The original owner of this palace, His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, is now preoccupied with the Western Expedition. He doesn't even plan to return for the New Year this year, focusing all his attention on his Chengdu Prefecture Western Expedition Military Academy.

Despite Empress Zhangsun's numerous complaints and repeated mentions that Li Chengqian had another son, Pinu, Li Shimin did not choose to return to the capital.

However, whether he returns or not will obviously have no impact on the current political situation.

At this moment, the wise men of the Tang Dynasty gathered in the Ganlu Hall.

The princes in Chang'an were Li Tai, Prince of Wei; Li Ke, Prince of Han; Li Yun, Prince of Yan; Li Zhen, Prince of Yue; and Li Zhi, Prince of Jin.

There were also several sons of Li Yuan who were still useful to him, such as Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, and Prince Jing, Li Yuanjing.

And those second-generation officials who were among the first to follow Li Chengqian, such as Lawyer Pei, Xiao Rui, and Du He, are now showing signs of succeeding their fathers and becoming the new backbone of the Tang Dynasty.

"After research by our Tiangong Company, rubber has a wide range of uses. Just the rubber tires, which already have mature technology, as well as sealing gaskets and medical tubing, can bring a large industry to our Great Tang."

"According to the latest research from the Electrical Engineering Department of Imperial University, rubber has extremely high electrical insulation properties. Wrapping copper wires with this material can greatly ensure the safety of the circuit..."

King Li Tai of Wei spoke solemnly, and in front of everyone, besides some compiled data, there were also some samples manufactured in the laboratory.

Xiao Rui frowned slightly, his gaze falling on Crown Prince Li Chengqian, who had gathered so many of them here today with great fanfare.

"Your Highness, so you mean that our Great Tang Dynasty should increase the planting of rubber trees? Wouldn't it be better to just inform the Prince of Chu about this? It seems that the only place in our Great Tang Dynasty that can plant rubber trees on a large scale is the Lingnan region."

However, he just finished speaking.

Du He, who had been carefully examining some samples and remained silent, suddenly spoke up.

"Besides Lingnan, this plant can also be cultivated on a large scale in Southeast Asian countries!"

Immediately, everyone present understood Li Chengqian's meaning and couldn't help but gasp.

“Your Highness… Although the Japanese are like ants in front of the divine soldiers of our Great Tang and are not a threat, it will still take time and officials to make arrangements to completely take over the Japanese and turn them into the Eastern Route of our Great Tang.”

"If we were to directly launch a military campaign against Southeast Asia..."

Du He interrupted him again: "Perhaps we could try using the system from the Indian subcontinent! Establish a Southern Ocean Administration among the Southeast Asian countries!"

A look of surprise flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes, and then he couldn't help but look at Du He with more appreciation.

This young man has always served as the chief official of the Imperial Military Post Office of the Tang Dynasty.

Although the Tang Dynasty has not had any major wars in recent years, there have been quite a few small-scale skirmishes on the border, and the soldiers on the border have always been able to earn some sporadic military merits.

As a result, the Royal Military Post Office did not become complacent or corrupt despite the reduced workload.

Du He also managed things very well.

Even though Li Chengqian sent the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate secretly, they didn't find anything too serious; most of the problems were minor and negligible.

Noticing Li Chengqian's gaze, Du He solemnly stood up and bowed.

“Your Highness, if Your Highness only wants to acquire rubber as a raw material on a large scale, and does not want to directly take over the land of Southeast Asia, I believe that the approach of the Indian Administration Commission is most appropriate here.”

"Nowadays, because of the huge profits from the maritime trade between our Great Tang and Arabia, many common people or wealthy households along the coast, such as Lingnan Road, Jiangnan Road, and Hebei Road, have mortgaged their assets to purchase ships and go out to sea to do business."

"However, trade with the Arabs is not only time-consuming, but also fraught with dangers along the way. Moreover, the maritime talent of our Great Tang is currently insufficient to support such a large-scale maritime trade... If Your Highness were to establish the Southern Seas Administration Office and begin formal trade with the countries of the Southeast Asia."

"Firstly, it can solve the problem of rubber raw materials; secondly, it can cultivate more maritime talents for our Great Tang Dynasty; and thirdly, it can open up more maritime opportunities, enabling the people along the coast to have more livelihoods..."

As Du He spoke, a look of satisfaction spread across Li Chengqian's face.

After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh.

“Not bad, not bad. Du He, it seems I need to go to Prime Minister Du’s place and talk to him more about how you’ve changed. That way, he won’t always call you an unfilial son when others mention you.”

Laughter immediately filled the Ganlu Hall.

Du He scratched his head awkwardly: "Well, the old man actually knows my abilities, but... he always urges me to get married quickly."

"I don't want to get married so early. I want to take advantage of my youth to do more practical things for Your Highness and for the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chengqian gently shook his head: "It's as if the old Prime Minister Du and the others can't dedicate their efforts to our Great Tang..."

"Your Highness!"

Du He suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud.

With a solemn expression, he said, "Your Highness, if you wish to open up maritime trade in the South Seas, please allow me to go!"

Just as Li Chengqian was about to chat with the group of talented people, he raised his eyebrows in confusion and looked around at them. Seeing their different expressions, he felt as if there was something he didn't know.

"You've been in the position of Chief of the Royal Military Post Office for several years now. I've wanted to transfer you to Liaodong or Zhenbei Circuit as Prefect several times before, but you refused. Why are you suddenly suggesting that you want to go to Southeast Asia now?"

"Do you think Yang Zhengdao's position as the Provincial Administration Commissioner sounds prestigious? You're mistaken. India is now a barbaric wasteland compared to our Great Tang."

As he said this, Du He looked troubled, gritting her teeth, as if she had something difficult to say.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian gave him a deep look and told him to stand up first.

After discussing with everyone the development of Southeast Asia and the development of local rubber plantations, Li Chengqian kept Du He behind until the afternoon, when everyone had dispersed.

"Is there something you want to say to me? Why did you suddenly decide to go to Southeast Asia?"

"I......"

Seeing his stammering, Li Chengqian frowned.

Even Prince Li Zhi, who hadn't left, couldn't stand it any longer and immediately spoke up: "Your Majesty, Du He likes Chengyang!"

Chengyang?

Li Chengqian was taken aback.

Looking at Du He, whose face was already flushed, with surprise, it took him a while to finally turn his head.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to start a family?!"

Du He: "......."

Seeing that his face had turned red but he couldn't utter a single word, Li Chengqian immediately shook his head.

Du He seemed to think that Li Chengqian's action meant disagreement, and he immediately became anxious.

"Your Highness, I, your subject, although I was quite reckless in my youth, have never been to any brothels since I followed Your Highness to work in Taiyuan Prefecture. I have always kept myself pure and upright. I..."

"You're talking nonsense! In the spring of the first year of the Zhenguan era, when you returned to Chang'an, you booked the entire Huaxian Tower. Do you think I don't remember that?!"

Du He: "......."

"Do you know Chengyang?"

Du He lowered his head: "You probably don't know, I haven't overstepped any boundaries, and besides, I am the second son in my family..."

Upon hearing the word "second son," Li Chengqian instantly understood.

No wonder this kid is so eager for the position of Governor of the Southern Seas. According to the current rules of the Tang Dynasty, Du He, as the second son, cannot inherit Du Ruhui's title.

After Du Ruhui passes away, the title of Duke of Cai will be passed on to his eldest son, Du Gou.

"Tsk, all they do is give me difficult problems..."