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

Early June of the first year of Tianwu.

The emperor issued an edict, bestowing upon Princess Gaoyang the title of Queen of Russia and establishing her capital in Baikal County.

His son was permitted to recruit soldiers, establish an army, and reclaim the northern frontier. Wherever he ventured, he was allowed to establish cities to govern, and all such lands could be assigned to him.

"Waaah, this is too much! This is far too much to owe, Your Majesty..."

The joy lasted only three seconds.

When the investiture ceremony ended and the officials left the court, discussing what the Russian queen could achieve in the future, Gao Yang, wearing an exquisite crown specially made by Li Chengqian, tearfully took a scroll of "contract of servitude" and found Emperor Tianwu, who was still leisurely fishing.

"Your Majesty...the interest on this loan, and the annual taxes, aren't they too heavy?"

"Waaaaah, we Russian people are suffering so much!"

Li Chengqian remained unmoved, simply smiling and silently watching his fishing float.

Beside her, Princesses Chang Le and Xiang Cheng stared with shining eyes at the crown on Princess Gao Yang's head, a perfect blend of traditional Chinese Tang Dynasty style and Roman Western style.

It was created by professors specializing in jewelry design at the Imperial College of Art, in collaboration with hundreds of royal artisans.

It has a gold base, with a sapphire of considerable size on each side, which was sent as tribute by the old Arab nobles. There is also a gold and jade dragon pattern engraved in the center.

It was now on Gao Yang's head, though it was a little crooked because the girl had run all the way here.

But it was still irresistible how beautiful the shimmering light reflected from the sun was.

It instantly attracted the attention of Chang Le and the others.

"Brother, the taxes are too high! You know me, I've never had much money since I was little. Now that I'm in Baikal County, I have to subsidize everything. The herders of the Tiele tribe are all incredibly poor. I... sob sob, it's so hard!"

As Gao Yang spoke, he became more and more excited, and then he let out a sorrowful cry and began to sob.

It's as if the Emperor Tianwu, who's fishing right in front of us, is some kind of heinous villain, Huang Shiren.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and glanced at her sideways.

"You think the taxes are too high, right? Let me tell you, reducing them is one thing, but even exempting you from taxes for a few years isn't out of the question..."

Gao Yang's beautiful eyes instantly lit up with surprise.

However, the next moment...

"The taxes I imposed on you were originally intended to silence Grand Secretary Fang and his ilk. They were already quite opposed to you, a princess, being made a queen. Furthermore, I ordered the recruitment of many talented individuals specializing in steam engine manufacturing, and permitted you to build your own factory in Baikal County to manufacture steam engines... Since you complain about the high taxes, that's simple, I'll just withdraw these people..."

"No, no, no! Brother, I was wrong, hehe, it's not high, not high at all!"

Gao Yang panicked instantly, his expression changing faster than turning the pages of a book.

She grabbed Li Chengqian from behind and hugged him tightly, acting all cute and charming.

This caused Li Chengqian and the Empress Qian Yingying, who were around him, to secretly shake their heads.

This guy is the only one with guts...

.......

Li Chengqian was very idle, but people from all walks of life in the Tang Dynasty were quite fulfilled and busy in the first year of Tianwu.

Today, the Tang Dynasty is an unprecedentedly vibrant economic entity.

Construction is in full swing along official roads and in rural areas everywhere.

The small-scale peasant economy of the past is being transformed into a comprehensive farm economy under the guidance of the Tang Dynasty. As a result, the court has had to make certain adjustments to its agricultural tax policy.

A small amount of agricultural tax was implemented to regulate the income of farmers in Datang Farm.

This did not cause any complaints from the people of the Tang Dynasty; on the contrary, they were quite enthusiastic about paying taxes.

Thanks to the propaganda in the major newspapers and government offices under the Ministry of Rites, the people understood that all the taxes they paid were used for practical purposes, and were not embezzled by corrupt officials who were tired of wearing leather coats and wanted the Embroidered Uniform Guard to strip them bare.

Today, the Tang Dynasty purchases raw materials such as Chinese medicinal herbs, fruits, timber, minerals, jade, and grains from various foreign countries in Southeast Asia.

Spices and minerals were purchased from the Western Regions.

They purchased raw materials such as slaves, grain, timber, and spices from India.

They then acquired Kunlun slaves from Arab merchants.

Although the payments were made in Tang Yuan paper money, no one dared to object due to the terrifying military strength of the Tang Dynasty. Fortunately, the banks of the Tang Dynasty had already opened branches in various regions.

Even small Southeast Asian countries like Zhenla, Pyu, Siam, and Dharamshala have set up bank branches in their capitals.

Large amounts of gold and silver flowed into the Tang Dynasty every day, and the Tang Dynasty's royal bank was also printing Tang Yuan coins based on its gold and silver reserves...

The cotton textile industry, silk weaving industry, porcelain industry, tea industry, and a wide variety of luxury goods were transported by train to various ports or passes.

It was the second month after Gaoyang's title was confirmed, and he was bestowed with related ritual objects, thus establishing his fiefdom and the border between the Great Tang's northern frontier region.

Du He was officially appointed by imperial decree as the Provincial Governor of the Southern Seas.

Also accompanying him were Li Chongyi, the Left Provincial Administration Counselor of the Southern Seas, who had distinguished himself in the defeat of Japan, and Cheng Chumo, the Right Provincial Administration Counselor of India.

From the perspective of imperial strategy, it would be inappropriate to put these three together, since while they might not be exactly inseparable, they could at least be considered brothers.

They were all once playboys of Chang'an.

However, considering that the Tang Dynasty's subsequent policy toward Southeast Asia was one of enslavement and colonization.

Li Chengqian ultimately made this personnel arrangement.

At least, whether it's the Prince of Hejian's mansion behind Li Chongyi, the Duke of Lu's mansion behind Cheng Chumo, or the Duke of Cai's mansion behind Du He, they are all definitely loyal to the emperor.

"I will not say more about the dangers of this trip. Since you have made your decision, then do not have any more concerns. What I said to you at Yangcheng Palace in Taiyuan Prefecture still stands. Do not be afraid of making mistakes. I will give you the opportunity to make mistakes!"

"Go for it, be bold!"

At Chang'an Railway Station, Li Chengqian solemnly patted Du He and the others on the shoulders, encouraging them.

Beside them, apart from Prince Li Xiaogong of Hejian, who was currently in Baikal County, Princess Hejian also came to see them off.

On the other side, Cheng Yaojin's wife also arrived.

Yes, and also Du Ruhui and his two wives...

Du He nodded solemnly, bowed, and was about to get into the carriage when Li Chengqian suddenly called him back.

He seemed a little unhappy, rolled his eyes at Du He, and then took out a jade pendant and a scroll or something from his sleeve, and handed them to her.

"I have had two golden eagles prepared for you. If you need anything, you can have the golden eagles deliver the message."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian, the elder brother of Du He and his sister Chengyang, angrily pushed the fellow onto the train.

Cheng Chumo and Li Chongyi also bid farewell to their families and bowed to Li Chengqian.

"Your Majesty, we will certainly not fail in our mission!"

Li Chengqian nodded: "If you do not betray me, I will certainly not betray you!"