The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

When Chen Huai'an arrived home in the evening, Xiao He ran over happily and jumped into his arms.

"Uncle, you're back! Xiaohe learned five characters today. Xiaohe will write them down for Uncle to see!"

Upon seeing Xiao He, Chen Huai'an immediately felt refreshed and cheerfully said, "Really? Xiao He is so amazing! It seems you've been studying diligently. Great job!"

"Come on, Uncle will have the kitchen stew lamb ribs for Xiaohe as a reward."

"Thank you, Uncle! You're the best!"

Xiao He was overjoyed and buried her head in Chen Huai'an's neck, swaying back and forth.

Chen Huai'an held Xiao He, his smile never fading.

After these past few months, the little girl who used to have dry, yellow hair and was skinny has now become fair and tender, and her personality has become much more lively.

Moreover, the little guy waits for him every day, and is always the first to come out and greet him when he gets home.

This kind of warmth was something Chen Huai'an had always dreamed of.

"Uncle, a beautiful young lady came to our house today. She talked with Mother for a long time, and Mother seemed very happy," Xiao He suddenly said.

Chen Huai'an paused for a moment, then said calmly, "Really? It seems your mother finally has some company, so she won't be so bored."

"Whose young lady is she? What's her surname?"

"Since they're visiting, we should pay them a visit another day."

"Her surname is Feng!" Xiao He didn't think much of it and replied when her uncle asked, "She looks like a fairy, so beautiful."

"She said she just moved in today, and she lives right next to us."

Chen Huai'an smiled and pinched Xiao He's nose: "What fairy? You have to tell me. When Xiao He grows up, she will be the fairy."

"My uncle is just flattering me again..."

Xiao He said with a grin.

The two chatted and laughed for a while, then Chen Sujin walked over, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

Chen Huai'an patted Xiao He's head: "Xiao He, go play first. Your uncle will talk to your mother for a few minutes, okay?"

"Okay." Xiao He was very sensible and didn't make a fuss at all. As soon as Chen Huai'an said it, she ran to the backyard to play.

"Xiao An," Chen Sujin said hesitantly, "that young lady Feng who came today, I felt she was acting strangely. Could she have some ulterior motive?"

"A perfectly good unmarried woman came to visit you alone and kept praising you."

Do you know her?

Chen Sujin did want her younger brother to get married, but she wasn't stupid.

What she feared most was bringing shame to her younger brother and causing him trouble.

It would be great if my younger brother could marry such a wife, but that's just wishful thinking.

In this regard, she never makes decisions on her own; she always prioritizes Chen Huai'an's ideas.

"I know her." Chen Huai'an said with some helplessness, "She is from the Feng family of Lingnan. Her father is Feng Ang, the chieftain of Lingnan, who holds a high position and great power. His Majesty seems to be trying to match me with her."

"Huh?" Chen Sujin was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "Xiao An, do you have any concerns? If so, let's have less contact with them in the future."

Chen Huai'an shook his head: "The situation here is very complicated and can't be explained in a short time. Sister, don't worry about it so much. If she's coming, you can chat with her to relieve your boredom. Just don't worry about the rest."

"Okay, I understand." Chen Sujin smiled. "The food is ready. You must be tired after a long day. Come and eat."

"Okay." Chen Huai'an's eyes softened.

"..."

Originally, Chen Huai'an didn't care much about Feng Qiao'er's matter.

But the girl seemed to be quite persistent, visiting every few days, each time bringing small gifts. She didn't say much, just chatted with Chen Sujin about everyday things and kept her company.

Moreover, she didn't go every day, but every few days, which is normal social interaction.

She was neither annoying nor unpleasant, and Chen Sujin grew to like this girl more and more.

Sometimes, Feng Qiao'er would hint at Chen Huai'an's marriage, but Chen Sujin would not respond.

Li Shimin and Feng Qiao'er both thought Chen Sujin was the breakthrough point, but little did they know that in Chen Sujin's heart, Chen Huai'an was more important than anything else.

As long as Chen Huai'an doesn't give the green light, she won't bring it up, no matter how much she wants her brother to get married.

Of course, Chen Huai'an was also aware that things couldn't continue like this, so one day at the end of October, he waited a special day, just like Feng Qiao'er had been visiting.

He actually found the person he was waiting for.

"Miss Feng... you've come again today?" Chen Huai'an smiled faintly. "To be honest, it's my fault. I've never received Miss Feng before, no matter how many times I've done so."

"I should pay a proper visit and apologize another day."

Feng Qiao'er watched Chen Sujin's departing figure, then looked at the smiling Chen Huai'an, and fell silent for a moment.

Then, she sat down calmly and said frankly, "Duke Anguo should understand that the power dynamics in Chang'an are complex and intertwined, and your control over other places is inadequate, making it difficult to manage many things."

"Here, you'll face too much resistance. Take refined salt, for example. I don't believe that the Ministry of Revenue is incapable of selling salt; it has to be handed over to others."

"And then?" Chen Huai'an remained noncommittal.

Feng Qiao'er continued, "But if you add me, you can mobilize the resources of Lingnan. I guarantee that no one will dare to stop you from using your salt in Lingnan and even the surrounding areas."

"You can even sell all your salt, tea, and wine through the sea outlets in Lingnan!"

"Duke Anguo should understand that this is an unimaginable windfall!"

"The profits earned from overseas exports alone are definitely no less than, and may even be more than, your current profits from ironware, refined salt, and papermaking."

Chen Huai'an nodded casually: "Go on."

Feng Qiao'er pondered, "Lingnan is rich in minerals of many kinds, which are exactly the resources you need right now. The Ministry of Works is currently mining coal and producing a new type of coal for winter heating. Lingnan also has these things, including toxic salt mines, iron ore, and seaside salt fields."

Chen Huai'an chuckled: "Girl, you seem a bit naive. I admit Lingnan is nice, but what about the roads?"

"Why do so many people talk about exile to Lingnan these days? You must not know why, right? If I may ask, you came from Lingnan, you must have suffered a lot along the way, right?"

Just as Feng Qiao'er was about to speak, Chen Huai'an raised his hand and said, "I know what you want to say. You don't need to say anything; I understand."

"What you're really trying to say is that with huge profits at stake, roads can be built and transportation problems can be solved. After all, even the Silk Road could be opened up, so there's no reason why a road couldn't be built in Lingnan, which is located within the territory of the Tang Dynasty."

"But have you ever considered whether it's absolutely necessary for you?" Chen Huai'an asked. "What if I had enough patience? Couldn't I just take my time?"

"Even without your matchmaking, with the Feng family protecting me, is it not wrong for me to spend a little more time?"

"Do you think the Feng family is more difficult to deal with than those aristocratic families that have been passed down for hundreds or thousands of years?"

Feng Qiao'er was speechless. After pondering for a long time, she said, "If you agree to send troops to the Eastern Turks, Lingnan can send 20,000 troops as the vanguard."

After saying that, she added, "My father volunteered!"

Chen Huai'an fell silent.

"..."