A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Li Shimin was immersed in his own great achievements, perhaps aware of it, or perhaps not, and directly agreed to Li Tai's request.

Li Tai was overjoyed and seized the opportunity to request to go there in person. On the one hand, he wanted to personally experience the local culture and geography; on the other hand, a prince going to the new territory of the Tang Dynasty in person also represented the importance that the Tang Dynasty attached to that place.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately realized its validity. Although the Tang Dynasty had conquered the Xia Dynasty, its rule over the Xia was not secure.

His son's journey to Daxia was enough to demonstrate the importance the Tang Dynasty placed on it, and it would also make many people there abandon their ulterior motives.

Moreover, some officials of the Tang Dynasty traveled thousands of miles and left their hometowns to take up their posts there for the sake of the great cause of the Tang Dynasty.

It can be said that he has made great contributions.

It would be a great thing if Li Tai could go and offer his condolences to those officials on his behalf.

If Li Chengqian weren't the crown prince, and therefore not to be easily moved, his presence would actually have been more effective.

"Granted."

"Congratulations, Fourth Brother, on completing this great undertaking. I look forward to your success in compiling an even more complete 'Kuodi Zhi'."

"In future history books, there will surely be a mention of the fourth brother."

Li Chengqian also smiled and congratulated him, his quick mind seeing through Li Tai's intentions at a glance.

However, he was confident that he could subdue Li Tai. The compilation of the "Kuodi Zhi" in the northern lands of the Great Tang was easier. The Great Xia, as a country with a vast territory no less than that of the Great Tang, had a very different geography, culture, and customs from the Great Tang.

Furthermore, that area was newly conquered territory of the Tang Dynasty, still quite chaotic, and the people's hearts had not yet been won over. Li Tai might finish revising the new "Kuodi Zhi" by the time he ascended the throne.

At that time, he could simply send someone to pick the fruit, reap the benefits without lifting a finger, and claim the credit for himself.

The complete "Kuodi Zhi" is a remarkable book and also serves as an embellishment to his future achievements.

However, some suppression is still necessary, otherwise Li Tai will become too arrogant.

Moreover, Li Tai and Changsun Wuji have been getting quite close lately. Back then, Changsun Wuji was sent to Daxia as an undercover agent and held a high position for many years. He must have considerable influence in Daxia.

If Li Tai were to acquire this power, things might actually get complicated.

Thinking of Changsun Wuji, Li Chengqian frowned involuntarily.

This guy is cunning and shrewd, has made great contributions, and has the Empress's influence. Most importantly, he is somewhat out of touch with reality.

This really put him in a difficult position.

I hope you won't let me down, Uncle.

And Qingque, I'll give you one more chance to see the difference between us.

If you remain stubborn and refuse to see the truth, then don't blame your elder brother for being heartless.

Li Chengqian's eyes were incredibly deep, and a hint of murderous intent had already risen in his heart towards Changsun Wuji and Li Tai.

All those who stand in his way to the throne shall die.

Li Tai's foundation in the court has been destroyed by him, and now only the Literary Academy, Fang Yi'ai, Chai Lingwu, and others remain.

"Your Majesty, the Literary Academy has made great contributions to the revision of the documents for the recent expansion of the territory. I believe it deserves a reward."

Li Chengqian made a request to Li Shimin.

"That makes sense. What does Your Highness think is the proper way to reward them?"

Li Shimin smiled and asked Li Chengqian, "The Literary Academy is under Li Tai's command, yet Li Chengqian has come to celebrate their victory. How interesting."

"Father, I still need these people to assist me in revising the 'Kuodi Zhi'. I think that simply rewarding them with silver and official titles is enough."

Li Tai's expression changed. If Li Chengqian were to bring it up, should they thank Li Chengqian or thank him?

Moreover, how could Li Chengqian allow them to continue to remain under his command?

Therefore, he had to intervene and speak out before Li Chengqian could.

Li Chengqian's lips curled slightly. Blocking someone's path to officialdom was like killing their parents. Such a remarkable achievement as building the "Kuodi Zhi" was enough to promote these people several ranks and give them real power in the court.

Now, because of one sentence from Li Tai, everything is gone.

Seeing the slight upturn of Li Chengqian's lips, Li Tai realized the trap was there. If he tried to stop him, Li Chengqian would succeed.

If they didn't stop him from speaking, Li Chengqian could take the opportunity to transfer these people away from his command, and at the same time apply for official titles for them, thus gaining their gratitude.

This is an open conspiracy; no matter what he does, he's wrong.

Unless he directly promotes these people to high positions, but he doesn't have that ability, it would be even worse if he failed to do so, making them feel that there is no future in following him.

Secondly, he also needs these people to revise the "Kuodi Zhi" (Records of the Land) for the Great Xia, which is also a dead end.

"Isn't this treating meritorious officials rather poorly?"

Li Shimin frowned slightly; he valued his reputation most now.

"What do you think, Your Highness?"

"Your subject believes that these scholars should be assigned to different departments based on the areas they are responsible for."

"For example, those responsible for compiling local customs can be assigned to the Ministry of Rites, those responsible for compiling geography and water conservancy can be assigned to the Ministry of Works, and those responsible for coordination can be assigned to the Ministry of Personnel."

"Those who perform exceptionally well can be promoted and entrusted with important responsibilities. The position of Vice Minister of Works is currently vacant, so we can select from among them."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression softened slightly. The Six Ministries were all powerful departments, and for an ordinary scholar to enter one of them was a meteoric rise to the top.

Even the top three scholars in the imperial examinations each year, including the top three scholars (状元, 榜眼, and 探花), could not all enter the Six Ministries, which shows how prestigious the Six Ministries were.

Promoting them into the Six Ministries despite the usual circumstances was already a great favor, and people wouldn't say that Li Shimin was mean-spirited and ungrateful.

The crown prince is, after all, the crown prince; compared to him, the King of Yue is rather petty.

Li Shimin thought to himself.

"Approved. This matter will be handled by..."

Li Shimin's gaze shifted back and forth between Li Chengqian and Li Tai. "Alright, let's leave it to Qingque. This matter must be handled well, and handled with great care, understand?"

Li Tai finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Your subject understands."

Fortunately, the reward for this matter ultimately fell into his hands; otherwise, his men might have all been seduced and run away by Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian didn't care that the task was assigned to Li Tai; in fact, he was happy to see it happen.

After all, he had already received credit for advocating for these scholars, especially since Li Tai deliberately reduced their rewards. Regardless of the reason, these people should remember his kindness.

Moreover, he also set a trap for Li Tai. There was only one position for the Vice Minister of Works, which was the deputy to the Minister of the Six Ministries and a fourth-rank official position in the imperial court.

Who wouldn't want these people?!

To be able to sit in the position of Vice Minister of Works is already to be a high-ranking official in the court, with only the ministers of the six ministries, the bigwigs of the three provinces, and the military bigwigs above them.

Civil officials have always been arrogant and incompetent, especially those in the literary academy. They all think they are superior and act like they are the most important person in the world. No one would accept Li Tai's position.

At this point, these people will remember his celebration of the literary museum's success, and naturally they will gravitate towards him.

Without the literary museum, Li Tai was left with only his two childhood friends, Fang Yi'ai and Chai Lingwu.

When Fang Yi'ai was mentioned, Li Chengqian's expression became somewhat strange.