The Idle Man of Zhenguan Intercepts Wu Zetian at the Start

At this point, Changsun Dan naturally wouldn't seek the limelight. The Crown Prince had already proposed that the government would buy back the silkworms from the first year at half price, so the second problem no longer existed.

Li Chengqian continued:

"The land in Youzhou and the other two places is basically the permanent land of soldiers. They do not need to pay taxes to the court. However, the initial cost of raising silkworms and weaving brocade is relatively high, and the technical requirements are also high. But if the court takes the lead, there are basically no barriers and risks."

"These high profits should not all go to the people. The imperial court can build brocade workshops and, starting from the second year, purchase silk at market prices. Then, local people can be trained to weave brocade on the spot. In this way, not only will the production cost of silk be greatly reduced, but the quality will also be higher and more uniform. The remaining profits will naturally belong to the imperial court."

This time, Wang Youde no longer needed to copy the records from the Imperial Diarist. He wrote them down word for word himself, and his cold face softened a bit. This court is becoming more and more different!

As for the sales of silk, there was no worry at all. In addition to the huge consumption within the Tang Dynasty, nobles from surrounding small countries were also eager to buy it.

It seems that Li Chengqian really put in a lot of effort; almost all of his proposals were impeccable.

Li Shimin only knew that the Crown Prince was weak-willed and somewhat sentimental, but upon hearing his plan for the common people to raise silkworms and the court to weave brocade, he couldn't help but applaud and exclaim in admiration. He thought this kind of Crown Prince was a qualified heir to the Tang Dynasty, and raised his cup, laughing heartily:

"Gan'er speaks very well. The two regions of Youzhou suffer from snow disasters every year, which not only makes life difficult for the people, but also gives me a lot of headaches. If we follow this method, firstly, the people will be prosperous, and secondly, the court will have an additional considerable income. However, the food security of the Tang Dynasty cannot be ignored. The Ministry of Revenue can be ordered to designate mulberry planting areas and not to arbitrarily move grain fields. This matter will be managed uniformly by the court, which will also prevent people in other grain-producing areas from following suit and abandoning their farmland to plant mulberry trees."

Li Shimin then looked at Changsun Dan and asked with a hint of amusement:

"What suggestions does Mr. Dan have for promoting mulberry planting, including building brocade workshops and introducing brocade weaving techniques?"

Changsun Dan thought to himself that Li Er was determined to send him to Youzhou to handle this matter. Fortunately, planting mulberry trees would take at least two or three months, so he would just have to take it one step at a time.

"Your Majesty, the brocade weaving technique in Shu is mature. Some weavers can be relocated there. As for the silkworm recycling and the government's brocade weaving, since the Crown Prince has proposed this, we can also transfer personnel from the Eastern Palace to manage it directly. This will prevent corruption at every level of the government and avoid Your Majesty from being stigmatized for competing with the people for profit."

Li Shimin thought that as long as the matters in Youzhou and the other two places could be resolved, the pressure on the national treasury would be greatly reduced. Since it was a family banquet, he put away his cold expression and laughed heartily:

"It seems that in your eyes, besides your aunt, you are also a true member of the Crown Prince's faction. Chengqian should do something practical. I have approved all your suggestions. However, you still need to go when the mulberry trees are planted. I can't afford any more trouble, and the people of Youzhou can't afford any more harm. We can't afford any more accidents."

Changsun Dan had no choice but to bow and agree. In years of famine, the people suffered the most. Almost every household had starving corpses, and every village was piled with bones. It was not uncommon for women and children to die on the road to escape famine. Exchanging children to eat was also common. He should just consider it as accumulating some merit for himself. Since it was Li Er who sent him there, he had an imperial order to carry out. No matter how hard it was, it couldn't be too bad.

Li Chengqian had always felt that being the Crown Prince was incredibly stifling. The political affairs he could personally handle were even less than those of the Prince of Yue. Even making a suggestion would earn him a severe scolding. His father had approved his younger brother Changsun Dan's proposal, which meant much more to him than just commerce and people's livelihood. After all, these two places were important border towns. He never dreamed that the person who would help him change this situation would be his former good-for-nothing cousin. He remembered what his mother used to say to him: "Dan'er is still young. You must help him more..." His eyes welled up with tears, and he looked at Changsun Dan with a sense of déjà vu.

Changsun Dan met Li Chengqian's gaze and nodded heavily.

The happiest person was naturally Empress Zhangsun. She was the mother of the nation and, more importantly, a mother. Both her adopted son and her son Dan'er seemed to have undergone tremendous changes in the past few days. Her own health had been declining, and her worries had only increased. Now, the pent-up frustration in her heart had finally been released, and her complexion had become much rosier. She raised her wine cup to Li Shimin, smiling serenely.

"Erlang, the children have all grown up. You can worry less about them now. Focus on healing your old injuries and take a look at this prosperous world for me."

A surge of tenderness welled up in Li Shimin's heart. He smiled slightly, but a trace of worry lingered in his brow as he held Guanyinbi's slender hand in his own.

"Since Master Yuan has already taught Dan the treatment method, and Li Chunfeng has also said that Guanyinbi has regained her vitality, I believe you will get better. I want you to stay with me for several more decades. I want to show you that your man will bring peace and prosperity to this Tang Dynasty, ensuring that every family has surplus food and everyone has hope!"

Li Shimin's words stirred the blood of both Li Chengqian and Changsun Dan. Those who achieve imperial power throughout the ages, though burdened with bloodshed, always have the people in their hearts. Their good and evil cannot be judged by ordinary standards. Li Chengqian clenched his fists and leaned forward, his excitement and pride as an important participant in the future were even more pronounced.

Empress Zhangsun blushed even more upon hearing the most domineering words of love in the world. She raised her slender face and looked at Li Shimin with clear eyes: "I am willing to stay with you for ten thousand years, but you must promise me that if Dan'er fails to cure my illness, you will not punish him for it. It must be the will of Heaven. Otherwise... otherwise I will not be happy in the afterlife."

Changsun Dan's eyes reddened. The Empress knew her health was deteriorating and was using their lifelong bond to ask Emperor Li Er for a pardon from death.

Overwhelmed with joy and sorrow, Li Shimin's tiger-like eyes welled with tears. He turned to look at Changsun Dan, and a chilling aura swept over him.

"Young man, how's the medicine you made coming along?"

Thinking of the late Emperor Zhu who had lost Empress Ma, Changsun Dan dared not harbor any illusions. She decided to first encourage the Empress, for a person seriously ill needs a positive mindset.

"Your Majesty, in just a few days, my aunt will be able to use the miraculous medicine. If anything happens to her, I am willing to die with her!"

Seeing Changsun Dan's resolute expression, Li Shimin's gaze softened. This kid has created many miracles; it seems Guanyinbi was overthinking things.

Li Chengqian was also stunned by Changsun Dan's resoluteness. Changsun Dan had a courage that he himself lacked. He was like a sharp sword that had been thrust out, never to be turned back. Little did he know that Changsun Dan already knew the outcome. Rather than being tortured to death in a cowardly manner, he would rather end his own life with a strong will.

Empress Zhangsun listened, but felt no joy. Instead, it was as if a thorn had been stuck in her heart, causing her heartache. She recalled what Dan'er had said in court for the first time: "This child, your aunt is already frail and not worth risking her life to protect. But no matter what I say, she won't listen. I can only fight for my own life, even if it means getting through June that Li Chunfeng mentioned!"

Empress Zhangsun suppressed her inner worries, but her body still trembled slightly uncontrollably as she forced a smile:

"Erlang, my health has been getting better and better lately, but I dare not go against the will of Heaven, nor do I want Erlang to lose harmony with Heaven because of me."

Changsun Dan was deeply moved. Although he had no blood relation with her, the fact that a woman would fight to the death to protect him, and even use words that were against the natural order to advise the emperor, touched him deeply.

Even if it's not about saving yourself, we should still try our best to save people like this!