After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 17

When Li Qingge heard this, she felt puzzled, as if she had heard the most incredible joke in the world. A trace of confusion and ridicule flashed in her bright eyes, as if she could see through all the absurdities in the world.

"Oh! By then, the whole world will know that the Tang Dynasty is timid and cowardly. We will have to cover for those foreigners who come to the Tang Dynasty, no matter what mistakes they make. Then they will all scramble to come to the Tang Dynasty!" There was a bit of helplessness and indignation in her words, as if she could foresee the chaos in the future.

"But they come here not to celebrate the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, nor to worship us, but purely to watch the fun and bully the common people." When she said this, her tone was full of contempt for those foreign envoys and deep sympathy for the people of the Tang Dynasty.

"If Emperor Taizong governs the country like this, let alone a prosperous era, it would be a blessing if he doesn't become a laughing stock of other countries." There was some worry in her words, and it was obvious that she was full of concerns about the future of the Tang Dynasty.

"Thinking about it this way, it is not difficult to understand the behavior of Jingzhao Yin. Although Emperor Taizong was wise, he also had a flaw, which was that he was too concerned about his reputation and always wanted the whole world to come and pay him homage. The officials below, on the other hand, tried to figure out his thoughts one by one, hoping to take the opportunity to climb up." Her words revealed a deep insight into the officialdom's ethos.

"That's why these foreign envoys can enjoy such good treatment. To put it bluntly, it's all to please Emperor Taizong. These ministers are really speechless." When she said this, her tone was full of disdain and helplessness towards those ministers.

Li Qingge was so disdainful in her heart, but she couldn't help but sigh. She had no interest in delving into these people, nor did she want to predict the future of the Tang Dynasty. But seeing the Tang Dynasty being bullied by the Japanese envoys, she felt really bad. A trace of pain flashed in her bright eyes, as if she could feel the suffering of the people of the Tang Dynasty.

At this time, Emperor Taizong was sitting on the dragon throne, his face was so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip out. He heard about the good things done by Jingzhao Yin and was so angry that he almost exploded. But he also knew that if he wanted the Tang Dynasty to be strong enough for all nations to come to pay tribute, he couldn't pay the price of the people's suffering. What he really hoped for was that the Tang Dynasty would become truly strong, its culture would spread far and wide, and foreign envoys would be convinced, instead of being ridden on by others like now.

Emperor Taizong thought that this kind of scene of all nations coming to pay tribute was actually meaningless and embarrassing. He felt that every word Li Qingge said made sense, and that what he was doing now was simply being a slave to those foreign envoys. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and his heart was like a raging sea. He glared at Jingzhao Yin Wang Shouzhi who was kneeling below, and asked with great anger, "Where are those foreign envoys now?"

Wang Shouzhi knelt on the ground, trembling, completely confused as to what was going on. They usually did this, so why did they cause such a big mess today? And why did Emperor Taizong suddenly get so angry? He replied in panic: "Your Majesty, Lord Gao Lian is arranging to send them back to their country, and is also preparing to give them treasures, books and other things as a token of friendship, so as not to hurt the harmony."

When Li Qingge heard this, she was so surprised that her eyes almost fell out. A trace of anger flashed in her bright eyes, as if it could burn all injustice.

"I thought the officials of the Tang Dynasty were cowardly enough, but I didn't expect them to be so cowardly! Why do they get such good treatment from us? It's ridiculous! They came all the way to the Tang Dynasty, didn't they come to study? We actually worship them like gods." Her words were full of anger and dissatisfaction towards those officials.

"How can we let off the crime of killing people so easily? Now we want to send them back and give them gifts. These officials are absolutely ridiculous! They killed ordinary people of our Tang Dynasty, our compatriots! We even have to apologize. How cowardly!" When she said this, her tone was full of deep sympathy for the people of the Tang Dynasty and anger towards those officials.

"Look at these people in the Tang Dynasty, they are just like garbage!" There was a bit of pain and helplessness in her words, as if she could feel the decline and fall of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Qingge was so angry that she didn't even have the mood to play. A trace of determination flashed in her bright eyes, as if she wanted to seek justice for the people of the Tang Dynasty. Although Emperor Taizong didn't like to hear her words, he knew that she was right. In terms of employing people, although he claimed to appoint people based on their merits, it was inevitable that there would be some bad people sneaking in. Jingzhao Yin was an example.

Emperor Taizong did not want to admit his mistake, but he also reflected on it in his heart. He also had the problem of being ambitious. He secretly warned himself that he must be strict with himself in the future and not let such absurd things happen again.

Thinking of this, he became even angrier. He didn't want to care about Jingzhao Yin anymore, and asked Li Qingge directly: "Cheng Qing, how do you think this matter should be handled?" His tone was full of expectation and trust, and it was obvious that he recognized Li Qingge's ability.

Li Qingge looked at Emperor Taizong in surprise, and was puzzled. She didn't expect Emperor Taizong to ask her this question suddenly. She thought about it and decided to tell the truth.

"Since those foreign envoys have killed people, they should be punished. It is a shame for us that Jingzhao Yin is so flattering to them. They should be severely punished to appease the public anger. Either kill him or demote him and confiscate his property, and use it on the front line; and the civilians who were injured or killed should receive generous pensions." There was some firmness and decisiveness in her words, as if she had already made up her mind.

"Your Majesty, don't you always say 'water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it'? Don't you understand this truth? Now you push this matter to me and ask me to handle it. Isn't this making me take the blame? I'm not a fool. Your Majesty, you are the monarch and you should take this responsibility yourself!" When she said this, her tone was full of helplessness and blame towards Emperor Taizong.

Li Qingge thought about it and used a set of official rhetoric to deal with it: "Your Majesty, I think this matter should be handled according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty." This sounded high-sounding, but in fact there was no substantive content, just empty official rhetoric. But she knew that this would make Emperor Taizong feel more comfortable and prevent herself from getting into deeper trouble.

Before he finished speaking, before Li Shimin had time to react, his heart was already in turmoil. He sat on the dragon chair, his eyes deep, as if he was thinking about something, and his brows revealed an indescribable complex emotion.

"You, Li Shimin, are too soft-hearted. I'm afraid you can't be cruel to those guys. At most, you can just put them in solitary confinement for a few days." Li Qingge's words were filled with helplessness and worry. Her eyes flashed with insight into the world, as if she could see through people's hearts.

"Oh, it makes me angry just thinking about it! It was clearly the Japanese envoys to the Tang Dynasty who caused the trouble, but they did not receive the punishment they deserved. Instead, our people were innocent victims, and some even lost their lives." When Li Qingge said this, her tone was full of indignation. There seemed to be flames burning in her eyes, and she was angry for those innocent people who were victims.

"The Tang Dynasty was so glorious in history, but now it has put the country into this predicament. It's heartbreaking to think about it." Her words were filled with sadness and regret, as if she could feel the decline and fall of the Tang Dynasty. Her face became uglier and uglier, and the knot in her heart seemed to be getting tighter and tighter.

After hearing his words, Li Shimin could not help but fall into deep thought. He looked ahead with deep eyes, as if thinking about some important decision. "Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. This is really to the point. The people are like water, and I, the emperor, am like a boat. My power is given by the people. If I cannot seek benefits for them and make them feel safe, then wouldn't I be derelict in my duty as an emperor?" He said to himself, with a tone of self-reflection and determination.

"Besides, if I lose the trust of the people and they complain about me, how can I still sit firmly on the throne?" When he thought of this, he couldn't help but cast an admiring look at Li Qingge. His admiration was beyond words, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that he valued and trusted Li Qingge.

Then he turned to look at Jingzhao Yin Wang Shouzhi, and the fire in his heart suddenly rose. His eyes became sharp, as if he could see through the evil and greed in people's hearts.

"Call Gao Shilian to me!" Li Shimin ordered coldly. His voice was filled with an unquestionable majesty and power that seemed to shake people's hearts.

The order immediately caused an uproar in the court, with ministers talking to each other.

"Your Majesty, is this a serious move?" a minister whispered, with a hint of fear and uneasiness in his eyes.

"That's right. Gao Shilian has taken leave today, and now he has been summoned back. Your Majesty will not give up until this matter is resolved." Another minister echoed, with a bit of helplessness and worry in his tone.

"They are just a few civilians. Is it necessary to make such a big fuss?" said a minister disdainfully, with a bit of contempt and indifference in his eyes.

"What you said is not right. The lives of the Tang envoys are lives, but the lives of civilians are not lives? Killing someone means paying with one's life. It is only right!" A righteous minister retorted, with a bit of indignation and determination in his tone.

……

Everyone was talking about it, and Li Shimin's face became more and more ugly. He looked at those ministers coldly, as if he could see through the ugliness and greed in their hearts.

Li Qingge sneered in her heart when she heard these words. "Hmph, what do you mean by commoners? Aren't you just wearing an extra official uniform? Even if you take off your skin, you are still made of flesh. Without commoners, how could you be so powerful? What you eat, wear and use, which one is not earned by commoners through hard work? If you count several generations back, weren't you commoners yourself? It's really sad and lamentable that you have forgotten your roots to such an extent!" Her words were full of sarcasm and disdain, as if she could see through the hypocrisy and greed of those ministers.

She was too lazy to talk nonsense with these people. The only thing she was interested in was how Li Shimin would deal with this matter. Her bright eyes flashed with expectation and determination, as if she could see through everything.

After waiting for a long time, Gao Shilian finally arrived at the hall. He looked at Li Shimin with a terrified look, as if he could feel the emperor's blaming eyes. His steps staggered a little, as if he was afraid of something.

"Gao Qing, I know you understand my thoughts, but I want to ask you, when did I ever say that the Tang envoys can bully the people at will?" Li Shimin questioned. His voice was filled with an unquestionable majesty and power that seemed to shake people's hearts.

Gao Shilian felt something was wrong as soon as he entered the room. The emperor's blaming eyes made him nervous. He knelt on the ground in fear and replied with a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, I am guilty. I handled the matter improperly. I did not handle the matter of the Japanese envoys to the Tang Dynasty in time. Please punish me." There was a bit of pleading and fear in his tone, as if he was afraid of something.

"You are indeed guilty." Li Shimin said coldly, "Not only did you fail to deal with it in a timely manner, but you had no intention of dealing with it properly at all." There was an unquestionable majesty and power in his voice, as if he could see through the ugliness and greed in Gao Shilian's heart.

After saying this, his face became even colder, as if it could freeze. He looked at Gao Shilian coldly, as if he could see through the evil and greed in his heart.

"What are you going to do with the victimized brother and sister?" he demanded, with a hint of indignation and dissatisfaction in his tone.

"I heard that you are planning to send the Tang envoys back to their country? And you are planning to send them rare treasures?" Li Shimin asked with a smile. There was a kind of sarcasm and disdain in his voice, as if he could see through Gao Shilian's hypocrisy and greed.

Gao Shilian knew something was wrong when he saw Li Shimin's attitude, and he quickly knelt down and begged for mercy. "Your Majesty, please calm down. This is indeed my fault. The Japanese envoys committed a crime on our territory, so they should be dealt with according to the laws of our Tang Dynasty." There was a bit of panic and pleading in his words, as if he was afraid of something.

"Then tell me, what should we do with the brother and sister and the Tang envoys?" Li Shimin stared at him and asked. His eyes became sharp, as if he could see through the evil and greed in people's hearts.

"Your Majesty, that brother and sister are indeed pitiful. I plan to give them some money and property as a consolation. I will also take better care of them when I have time in the future, so as not to lose the support of the people." Gao Shilian replied quickly, his tone containing a hint of flattery and pleading.

"As for those envoys to the Tang Dynasty, since they have come to the Tang Dynasty, they must abide by our rules. I will revoke the order to send them back to their country, arrest them immediately and put them in jail. According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, they will be sentenced to three years in prison, and then sent back to their country after serving their sentences." Gao Shilian finished the series of words in one breath. There was a firmness and determination in his tone, as if he was expressing his determination.

Li Qingge just found it funny to hear the result. "Haha, a three-year sentence for killing someone? This Lord Gao is indeed a lackey of the Tang envoys! What a joke, he doesn't protect the people of his own country, but he becomes so lax when he goes to other people's homes. If he likes to be a lackey so much, he might as well just go back with the Tang envoys, it would be more convenient! I don't know which law of the Tang Dynasty stipulates that murderers are only sentenced to three years in prison, not to mention that these people usually have bad deeds! If the cost of killing a civilian is so low, then other envoys will follow suit, and then the people of the whole country will be worried. I don't believe that you, the emperor Li Shimin, and all of you ministers can still sit in the court with peace of mind! No wonder the Japanese dared to bully us later, it turns out that our ancestors have already planted the seeds of disaster!" There was a bit of sarcasm and disdain in her words, as if she could see through the hypocrisy and greed of those ministers.

Li Shimin listened to Li Qingge's voice and agreed with her. Yes, if the price of killing is so low, more envoys will definitely follow suit in the future. Compared with a life, what is three years in prison? He looked at Gao Shilian coldly and asked, "As a monarch, how come I never knew that there is such a provision in the laws of the Tang Dynasty that killing someone only costs three years in prison?" His voice was filled with an unquestionable majesty and power, as if he could see through the ugliness and greed in Gao Shilian's heart.

Gao Shilian felt a tightness in his heart after hearing what Li Shimin said, as if a rabbit was jumping around inside, and beads of sweat quietly appeared on his forehead. He thought to himself that he usually prided himself on behaving properly, but he never expected that he would end up in such a mess today. However, the emperor's majesty was as heavy as a mountain, so he could only bite the bullet, pretend to be repentant, and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, I was really blinded by greed and let the Tang envoy do whatever he wanted. I am guilty and should be killed as a warning to others. According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, I am willing to be beheaded and announced to the world as a warning!" Although there was determination in his words, Gao Shilian's arrogance over the years was still difficult to conceal, and there was still a trace of unwillingness and helplessness at the corners of his eyes.

In the court, everyone was shrewd and could see Gao Shilian's emotional fluctuations at a glance, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Li Shimin glanced at him, and his anger was even more difficult to contain. There was never a lack of ministers who dared to speak out around him. Although their words were often harsh, they were all for the country of the Tang Dynasty. However, Gao Shilian's move was obviously to take advantage of his seniority and pretend to be a senior official in front of the emperor.

"Gao Qing, you are getting old and confused!" Li Shimin said coldly, staring at him with a sharp gaze, "As the parent official of the people, how can you ignore the lives of the people? You represent the face of the Tang Dynasty, but you let others lead you by the nose." At this point, Li Shimin's tone became more severe, "How can the dignity of the Tang Dynasty be trampled by foreigners? Gao Qing, you are really going backwards as you grow older! In this case, you should go home and retire!"

Li Qingge was listening at the side, and was very surprised. She thought: "Why is Li Shimin so tough today? I have never seen him so harsh to his ministers on weekdays." She nodded secretly and praised: "This is a great trick. Gao Shilian was dealt with without making a fuss. This kind of traitor is a disaster if he is kept." However, she couldn't help but worry: "Who will take over Gao Shilian's position after he leaves? This is a hot potato."

Gao Shilian did not expect Li Shimin to do this. He was already old, and now he looked even more old and weak. Fang Xuanling and other old officials wanted to go up and comfort him, but when they saw Li Shimin's gloomy face, they shut up again. Although they felt that Li Shimin's behavior was a bit impulsive, they still supported it in their hearts. After all, the honor of the Tang Dynasty was the most important.

"I obey your order." Gao Shilian looked helplessly at the old ministers around him, hoping that they would speak for him. However, after waiting for a long time, the court was still silent. He was disheartened, bowed, and slowly withdrew. His back looked so lonely and desolate, as if he was an old man abandoned by the times.

With Gao Shilian's departure, the position of the Honglu Temple became vacant. This position was an important one, and someone had to be found quickly to take it. The ministers discussed privately, all speculating who would be the lucky one.

"I didn't expect that Your Majesty would dismiss Gao Shilian so easily." A minister sighed.

"Yes, there is no point in keeping him if he doesn't consider the people. What's more, he is also turning his elbow outward. Where is the face of our Tang Dynasty?" another minister echoed.

"Having said that, this position is not easy to find. Gao Shilian has been working for so many years, who can take his place?" another minister said worriedly.

"Gao Shilian is old. Even if he stays in office, he won't be able to work for many more years. There must be someone in the younger generation who can take on this important task," an optimistic minister comforted.

"I hope so!" Everyone nodded in agreement.

However, Li Shimin already had an idea in mind. He stared at Li Qingge and said, "Cheng Qing, the war in the Turkic area has subsided. You can take over Gao Shilian's position!"

Li Qingge almost fell off her chair when she heard this. She thought: "What is Li Shimin up to? Why did he dump this mess on me?" She muttered to herself: "Isn't he trying to tire me to death? How can I have the time to take care of these? I'd rather go fishing." Then she thought again: "What is Li Shimin up to? Fortunately, I'm not his son, otherwise I would have to take care of the whole country..."

Seeing the envious eyes of the ministers, Li Qingge felt bitter. Being an official was a windfall for her. She was originally the son of Cheng Yaojin, she had no worries about food and clothing, and it was so nice to eat, drink and have fun every day. But now she had to deal with those annoying affairs.

"Your Majesty, I know nothing about this matter. I'm afraid I can't do it well. You should ask someone else for help!" Li Qingge was so annoyed that he tried to find an excuse to refuse. But Li Shimin obviously didn't buy it. He thought to himself: 'This kid, others are trying their best to climb up, but he pushes it away. Young people should have some responsibilities. What's the point of idling around all day? Serving the country is the right way. Besides, these honors are hard to come by for many people.'

Thinking of this, Li Shimin wanted to give this task to Li Qingge even more. He looked at Li Qingge with a smile, and his eyes clearly said: "Just accept your fate, kid!"

"Your Majesty, I do have some concerns in my heart..." Li Qingge opened her mouth again, wanting to turn down the task, her brows furrowed, her eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and hesitation. She was wearing an elegant blue shirt, her hair tied up high, her eyebrows full of heroic spirit, but she could not hide the worries in her heart.

"My dear Cheng, I have great trust in you. Please don't let me down this time." Before she could finish her words, Li Shimin took the initiative to interrupt her with a smile on his face. That smile was both majestic and unyielding, and he was determined not to give her a chance to refuse.

"I obey your order." Although Li Qingge was unwilling in her heart, she had no choice but to agree to Li Shimin's soft and hard tactics. She sighed in her heart, but had to force a smile on her face, which was a bit bitter and helpless.

[Forget it, I'll just manage it! Those Japanese devils are now under my control, and I will never let them have an easy life!] Li Qingge thought to herself, with a hint of coldness in her eyes. Although she usually didn't bother to deal with these trivial matters, she found some comfort in her heart when she thought about being able to manage those Japanese envoys who were rampant in Japan.

Li Shimin always kept his word when dealing with matters concerning the dignity of the country. He had said before that he would execute the Tang envoys, and not long after, he really beheaded them. Those guys usually oppressed the people in Chang'an City and did all kinds of evil. The people had long hated them. Now that they saw that they had received the punishment they deserved, the people were all excited and flocked to Chang'an City, grateful for Li Shimin's decision.

The streets of Chang'an were bustling with people and laughter. The people talked about it and praised Li Shimin's wise decision. The sun shone on the bluestone slabs, reflecting a golden color, as if cheering for this wise monarch. Li Shimin stood on the city wall, watching this scene, and he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, feeling extremely excited and satisfied. For him, it is more important than anything else for the people to live and work in peace and contentment. As for other things, he will also realize them step by step, using his wisdom and determination to create a more glorious future for the Tang Dynasty.

Later, one day, Li Shimin had nothing to do after the court session, so he ran to Cheng's house. It was noon when he arrived, and the sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, scattering in the yard. Li Qingge saw him come in with a smile, and she felt helpless.

[Isn't Li Shimin really that ignorant? Isn't he busy enough with the affairs of the court? And he still has time to come and hang out with me. ] She thought to herself, with a helpless smile on her lips.

[It would be fine if he just wandered around, but he chose to come at mealtime. Isn't it obvious that he came here to eat for free? Are the people in the palace so poor that they can't even afford to eat?] She complained in her heart, but she had to pretend to be welcoming.

[Oh, it's so annoying!] Although Li Qingge thought so in her heart, she still said respectfully: "Why did the emperor come suddenly? I didn't know that the emperor was coming, and I failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me." After saying that, she continued to eat by herself, acting like a host, but secretly muttered in her heart that the emperor did not play by the rules.

Li Shimin was a little amused when he saw her like this. He thought to himself: "Li Qingge really doesn't know how to write the word polite." But he was too lazy to care about it. After all, he knew Li Qingge's character and she was always so straightforward.

'By the way, this food smells really good, it must be cooked by Li Qingge himself.' Li Shimin thought of this, and simply ignored the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects, and sat down to eat. Although Cheng Yaojin had invited him to his home for dinner before, he refused. So although he had been to the Cheng Mansion many times, this was the first time he tasted the Cheng family's food.

Li Shimin took a bite of the dish and tasted it. He thought it tasted really good, and it was completely different from the messy food in the palace. The food cooked by Li Qingge not only retained the original flavor of the food, but also added a bit of salty taste. It was really a treat for the taste buds! He couldn't help but exclaimed: "Well, this taste is really amazing! Li Qingge, your cooking skills are really good!"

[Humph, this fellow Li Shimin is becoming more and more unruly. Not only did he come uninvited, but he also sat down to eat.] Li Qingge secretly complained in his heart, but he had to keep a smile on his face.

[I didn't even invite him, but he still had the nerve to eat my meal.] She muttered to herself, but she could do nothing about it.

[But then again, his personality is quite similar to mine...] This thought suddenly popped up in Li Qingge's mind, and then she felt a little speechless. Isn't this a personality I learned myself? She shook her head helplessly.

[It's really strange, a dignified emperor, instead of learning good things, learns bad things.] She muttered to herself, but she had to accept this fact.

[Oh, forget it, just eat. I don’t need a big meal. But don’t ask me how to cook after you finish eating. That will be troublesome.] She thought to herself and decided to keep silent to avoid more trouble.

Li Qingge saw Li Shimin eating with gusto, and suddenly she felt a little worried. She knew that Li Shimin was very curious and wanted to learn anything new. She would be the one who would suffer in the end! She couldn't help but mutter to herself.

"My dear Cheng, please tell me quickly, how many good things do you have that I don't know about?" Li Shimin asked while eating, with curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"How is this food made? Why is it so delicious? Is there any special secret?" He asked impatiently, like a curious child.

Li Qingge secretly complained in her heart, as expected, what she feared would come true, Li Shimin was going to get something for free! She shook her head helplessly, thinking secretly in her heart how to deal with this curious emperor.

[Oh, it's really infuriating, but there's nothing I can do about it, because he's the emperor!] She muttered to herself in her heart, but she had to keep a smile on her face.

[I hope Li Shimin will come less often in the future to avoid causing me trouble.] She prayed secretly in her heart, but she knew it was in vain.

[I don't want to waste all my energy on him. I might as well let the beauty give me a massage.] She thought to herself, but she had to pretend to be docile on her face.

"Your Majesty, in fact, the reason why this meal is delicious has little to do with my cooking skills. It's mainly because the pot at home is good. I use an iron pot at home, which can better preserve the original flavor of the food when cooking." She explained with a smile, but secretly felt lucky that she had found a reasonable excuse.

After saying that, she smiled and said, "If Your Majesty does not mind, I can have someone make you an iron pot like this and tell you the production method, and then send it to you at the palace." She said respectfully, but secretly prayed in her heart that the curious emperor would not ask any more questions.

"Okay, okay! Then I'll have to trouble you, my dear Cheng." Li Shimin agreed with a smile, but he still felt that Li Qingge must be afraid of trouble, so he deliberately concealed something. There was a cunning light in his eyes, as if he had seen through Li Qingge's mind. But he didn't care. After all, he was full of interest in Li Qingge's cooking skills and craftsmanship, and looked forward to tasting such delicious food again.

"Your Majesty, this is actually quite simple. I just asked my subordinates to add more soybean oil when cooking." Although Li Qingge felt a little helpless, she still kept a gentle smile on her face and spoke slowly. Her voice was soft and clear, like a spring breeze blowing across the lake, bringing up circles of delicate ripples.

When Li Shimin heard this, his eyes lit up immediately and he became interested. He sat up straight and looked at Li Qingge with a sharp gaze, as if he wanted to dig out more secrets from her.

"Soybean oil? As the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, this is the first time I have heard of this term." Li Shimin thought about it and had some impression of the word "soybean", but soybean oil was completely unfamiliar to him. He thought about it again, there were not many soybeans planted on the market, so what on earth was this soybean oil?

"Is it the oil squeezed from those dry little soybeans?" Li Shimin asked in surprise, with a look of disbelief on his face. His eyes were full of curiosity, as if a child had discovered a new toy.

"Your Majesty is wise, that's right." Li Qingge smiled slightly, but there was no joking in her smile. Her eyes sparkled with wisdom, as if she could see through all the mysteries of the world.

"Oh?" Li Shimin's interest grew stronger, and he couldn't help laughing. "Lord Cheng is really a genius. But I'm curious about how this oil is made. Can you demonstrate it on the spot to broaden my horizons? When the time comes, I'll send someone to learn from you."

Li Shimin's words were full of anticipation and excitement, as if he had already seen the future in which soybean oil would be widely used in the Tang Dynasty.

[Li Shimin, Li Shimin, if I say no, you won't agree, right? I really don't want to waste my energy on this.] Li Qingge muttered in her heart, but on the surface she still agreed respectfully. She then asked her men to prepare some soybeans and began to cook them. Her movements were skillful and graceful, as if she was performing a carefully choreographed dance.

"Peanut oil? Sesame oil?" Li Shimin became even more curious when he heard her mumbling. His heart was filled with yearning for the unknown world and a desire to explore. He thought, if all these could be realized, the life of the people in the Tang Dynasty would be so wonderful.

[What does "make things difficult for someone" mean? Does it mean to deliberately make someone wear a shoe one size smaller? How is that possible! I'm not that petty!] Li Shimin complained silently in his heart, but was soon attracted by Li Qingge's actions and watched intently.

Li Qingge's pot quickly heated up and the soybeans were cooked quickly. She signaled her men to take out the soybeans and put them in a special container. Li Shimin looked at the container carefully and obviously had never seen it before. He thought that this must have been made by Li Qingge herself.

The container was of a peculiar shape, made of bronze, with intricate patterns carved on the surface, looking simple and mysterious. There was a small hole in the center of the container, facing the fire below. As the fire intensified, the temperature inside the container gradually increased, and a faint fragrance began to permeate the air.

[How many good things has this guy hidden from me?] Li Shimin muttered to himself, but his face showed admiration. He thought, if Li Qingge could use all his skills in governing the country, the Tang Dynasty would be prosperous in a few years. What a pity!

As for Li Qingge, she had no idea of ​​Li Shimin's thoughts. She was still thinking about how to make Li Shimin pay less attention to her so that she could live a more peaceful life. Her eyes revealed a faint sense of helplessness and fatigue, as if she was troubled by worldly trivialities.

"Lord Cheng, what is this?" Li Shimin asked curiously, his eyes full of curiosity and desire for the unknown.

"Your Majesty, this is an oil press that I made at home when I had nothing to do. If Your Majesty is interested, I can have someone send you the drawings and tutorials." Li Qingge answered gently. Her voice was soft and clear, like a stream of clear water flowing through Li Shimin's heart.

If Li Shimin could hear her complaints, he would definitely think that this guy was actually a black-bellied young man. But in fact, Li Qingge just wanted to live a plain and free life and didn't want to be bound by worldly trivialities.

"Okay! Okay! Okay! Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Cheng." Li Shimin agreed without hesitation. His eyes were full of anticipation and excitement, as if he had seen the future of soybean oil being widely used in the Tang Dynasty.

The oil press continued to work, the temperature was getting higher and higher. The servant stepped on the pedal vigorously, and the room was gradually filled with the smell of fragrant oil. The fragrance was rich and tempting, as if it could arouse people's appetite deep in their hearts.

When Li Shimin smelled the fragrance, he couldn't help but think of the lunch he had had. He felt that the food seemed to have become more delicious because of the fragrance. His heart was filled with anticipation and curiosity about soybean oil.

"It's coming out! It's coming out! Oil is really flowing out!" Li Shimin's sharp-eyed subordinates saw liquid slowly flowing out of the oil outlet and shouted excitedly. His voice was full of excitement and joy, as if he had discovered a huge secret.

Li Shimin looked and saw a thick and fragrant oil flowing out. The oil was golden in color and fine in texture, as precious as drops of gold.

"Great!" Li Shimin said excitedly, his face full of surprise and joy. His heart was full of admiration and expectation for soybean oil, as if he had seen its future of widespread application in the Tang Dynasty.

"This is great! Not only can the people's food and clothing problems be solved, but there are also more ways to cook. It seems that the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty is just around the corner!" Li Shimin said excitedly, always thinking about the welfare of the people. His eyes were full of longing and expectation for the future.

Li Qingge also smiled, "Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty will surely prosper." She said this, but she was thinking of other ideas in her mind. There was a cunning light in her eyes, as if a businessman was planning a big deal.

[In fact, food diversity is good for the people, but soybean oil is also a business opportunity! We can sell it abroad. It is not available in other places now. As the first to invent it, we will definitely make a lot of money!] Li Qingge thought about it in her mind and even started planning how to start this business. Her heart was full of expectations and longings for the future.

When Li Shimin heard her thoughts, he couldn't help but smile. He thought, this Li Qingge is really a genius, not only can she make suggestions for the country, but also can find business opportunities. What a rare talent!
"My dear Cheng Aiqing, do other countries have these things? If we sell them, can we make a profit?" Li Shimin's words were full of anticipation and excitement. His eyes flashed with the shrewdness and sharpness of a businessman.

"Your Majesty is wise." Li Qingge looked at Li Shimin in surprise. She didn't expect that the idea she just thought of was actually said by Li Shimin. Her heart was full of admiration and praise for Li Shimin. This... is really incredible! She thought to herself, Li Shimin is indeed a wise ruler, who can not only see through people's hearts, but also find business opportunities. It's really rare!

"Your Majesty is wise, I think this method is feasible." Although Li Qingge was confused, she answered truthfully. She thought that since she didn't have enough manpower, it would be easier to accomplish if she could use the power of the palace. Her eyes revealed a firm determination and belief, as if she had seen the future of soybean oil selling well in the international market.

"Haha, Cheng Aiqing, you are so generous and wise!" Li Shimin's hearty laughter echoed in the night sky. His face was full of admiration for Li Qingge, and his eyes were shining with admiration and joy. Under the moonlight, his face looked particularly friendly, like a true wise ruler who knew how to appreciate and cherish talents.

"In that case, I will send people to assist. Minister Cheng will be responsible for teaching the skills, and we will split the profits 50-50. What do you think, Minister Cheng?" Li Shimin smiled so much that his eyes narrowed into slits. He looked at Li Qingge's reaction with anticipation, like a shrewd businessman, but without losing the dignity of a monarch.

Li Qingge laughed inwardly, but kept a gentle smile on her face. She thought: [Hey, this Li Shimin has been with me for a long time, and he has even learned the tricks of a businessman. However, this 50-50 split does sound fair. He provides the people and I provide the technology. It's not a loss.] Her eyes flashed with a cunning light, as if she had seen the future of soybean oil's popularity.

[Besides, this is much more convenient than me fighting alone. I have to say that Li Shimin is no longer confused than before. It's profitable and trouble-free, so just agree to it.] Li Qingge thought to himself, with a smile on his face.

"I obey your command." Li Qingge agreed casually, his voice gentle but firm, like a true wise man who knew how to seize the opportunity and make the wisest choice.

Time flies, and another spring has come. The spring ploughing day is approaching, the earth is warming up, everything is reviving, and the scene is full of vitality. Li Shimin and Li Qingge chatted in the moonlight, enjoying this quiet and beautiful time. Suddenly, Li Shimin remembered the curved plow he had talked about before, and a surge of excitement surged in his heart. He looked at Li Qingge, his eyes full of expectation and trust.

"My dear Cheng, although sweet potatoes have a high yield, farmers still cannot do without wheat. The current method of growing wheat is quite wasteful. I think if we can improve the farm tools, we may be able to increase the yield. Do you have any good ideas?" After saying this, Li Shimin looked at Li Qingge with anticipation in his eyes, as if he were a real farmer, caring about every inch of land and every grain of food.

Li Qingge was a little confused when she heard this. She thought: [Why did Li Shimin suddenly ask this? Isn't the grain harvest good now? Did I accidentally let it slip when I first met him?] A trace of doubt flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

[Forget it, the curved plow will have to be taken out sooner or later, so it doesn't matter if I do him a favor now. Besides, he can think of this, which shows that he is quite thoughtful.] Li Qingge thought in her mind, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. She looked at Li Shimin with eyes full of admiration and praise.

"Your Majesty, I have a bold idea." Li Qingge's voice was gentle but firm, like a true wise man who dared to come up with innovative ideas.

"Oh? Minister Cheng, tell us quickly." Li Shimin urged when he heard that there was something interesting going on. His eyes were shining with anticipation and curiosity, like a true explorer eager to explore the unknown.

"The current low efficiency of wheat planting is mainly due to the problem of the straight-beam plow. We can change the straight-beam plow into a curved-beam plow, and make it different in depth at the front and back. This will make better use of the land and solve the problem of insufficient manpower." After saying this, Li Qingge asked the emperor for pen, ink, paper and inkstone, and drew a sketch of the curved-beam plow for him to see. Her technique was skillful and fluent, like a real painter, using pen and ink to depict the blueprint of the future.

"Your Majesty, this change can take into account both deep and shallow ploughing. And because the plow head is curved, the ploughing effect is better, and the old cows can pull it with less effort. This is a great thing for the people." Li Qingge smiled as she spoke. Her smile was warm and bright, like the spring sunshine, illuminating people's hearts. But in the end, she humbly added, "Of course, this is just my initial idea. I haven't tested it yet, so it's hard to say whether it will work."

When Li Shimin heard this, he was a little confused at first, but he soon understood. He looked at the sketch drawn by Li Qingge, his eyes flashing with surprise and admiration. He thought: Li Qingge's explanation is very logical, even someone like me who has never farmed can understand it. This is really a practical solution!

"Good! I believe this must be a practical solution!" Li Shimin laughed, "I will ask people to prepare it tomorrow and try it in the fields near the imperial palace first. If the effect is good, it will be promoted throughout the country so that the people can also benefit from it." His voice was full of firmness and determination, like a true leader who was working hard for the welfare of the people.

"Come on, come on, drink some wine!" Li Shimin was overjoyed when he thought that the problem of farming might be solved. He quickly asked his men to bring some wine, and he and Li Qingge drank together under the moonlight. Their laughter and cheers echoed in the night sky, like a cheerful movement.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your appreciation." Li Qingge raised her wine glass and toasted Li Shimin, but she was secretly complaining in her heart. She thought: [The winemaking technology of the Tang Dynasty really needs to be improved. This wine made from pure grains has no strength at all. It is bitter and tastes like water.] There was a trace of helplessness and regret in her eyes, as if she was a real wine taster who was disappointed with the poor quality of the wine.

[No wonder the ancients liked to drink from big bowls and big gulps. They probably wouldn't get drunk even if they drank a thousand cups of this kind of wine!] Li Qingge kept complaining in her heart, thinking that this Tang Dynasty wine was really hard to swallow. But seeing Li Shimin's expectant look, she was too embarrassed to say it out loud. It happened to be the perfect moonlight, and it was the right time to drink, so she rarely concealed her emotions.

"Your Majesty, I did learn a special method of brewing wine when I traveled around the world. I brewed two jars myself. I wonder if Your Majesty is interested in trying it?" Li Qingge's voice was gentle and tempting, like a real winemaker showing off her masterpiece to the world. Her eyes were shining with anticipation and pride, as if she had seen Li Shimin's satisfied smile after tasting the wine she brewed.

(End of this chapter)