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

Chen Huai'an always thought he was already arrogant enough, but he never expected that there was someone else like him.

To be honest, he really didn't expect Feng Qiao'er to come up with such a condition.

The 20,000-strong vanguard was chosen by Feng Ang himself, who volunteered for the mission.

Anyone who heard that would fall silent.

Chen Huai'an was not surprised that Feng Ang could mobilize 20,000 troops. If pushed too far, Feng Ang might even be able to muster 50,000 troops.

But the key question is, can Feng Qiao'er make such a decision?

Feng Zhidai doesn't even have that qualification, does he?

Therefore, there is only one answer—Feng Ang himself was willing.

It's not surprising, as Feng Ang needed an opportunity to demonstrate to Li Shimin that he had no intention of rebelling, and volunteering was a good choice.

He remembered that it was a few years later that Feng Ang also mobilized 20,000 troops as the vanguard of the Tang Dynasty, but he forgot the specifics.

But at least it proves that Feng Qiao'er did not lie.

That's why Chen Huai'an remained silent.

"What does the Duke of Anguo think?" Feng Qiao'er thought her conditions had moved Chen Huai'an, and was delighted. She asked again.

Unexpectedly, Chen Huai'an just smiled and shook his head, saying, "Miss Feng, I was absolutely right to say you're naive."

"Why should I agree to your conditions? You say your father can mobilize 20,000 troops as the vanguard. Then I can simply mention to His Majesty that when troops are needed to attack the Eastern Turks, he can directly appoint your father as the Commander-in-Chief of the Lingnan Army, serving as the vanguard of the Tang army, wouldn't that be enough?"

Will your father refuse?

Feng Qiao'er frowned deeply, staring at Chen Huai'an without saying a word.

"Don't look at me like that." Chen Huai'an shrugged. "Do you think I'm despicable, or shameless?"

"But girl, have you ever considered that you're using a bunch of things I don't really need, or things I already own, as conditions to try and sway me?"

Do you think you can succeed?

"Besides..." Chen Huai'an asked, turning his head, "Even if I don't say anything, what does this have to do with me?"

"Putting aside whether your father sends troops or not, the Tang Dynasty has a very high chance of winning against the Eastern Turks."

"You mean I fight wars? I don't fight wars! I'm just a civil servant."

"If you were to offer this condition to His Majesty, he would certainly be tempted, but I am merely a salaried official; the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue are my responsibilities."

"How about... you speak with His Majesty, or with Minister of War Du Ruhui?"

Feng Qiao'er was speechless and couldn't find any words to refute him for a moment.

Chen Huai'an waited for a while, still thinking about going to the Ministry of Revenue, and was about to get up to see the guest off when Feng Qiao'er suddenly said seriously, "You're lying to me!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Chen Huai'an's eyes: "State your reasons!"

"Let's talk about the cooperation in Lingnan first," Feng Qiao'er said seriously. "You said that you can take your time to do the conditions I proposed, and I admit that you can indeed spend the time to do it. So I was intimidated by you at first, and subconsciously felt that my conditions could not impress you, or that they were not worth the risk."

"But after thinking about it, what you lack most right now is time!"

"As far as I know, you have only been in office for a year, and the powerful families who have cultivated deep roots in Chang'an and Shandong have been transformed from independent entities into dependent ones by you."

"You had a fierce conflict with them, but then you reached a dramatic agreement to cooperate, so that you are now at peace with each other."

"But I guess you must still have a way to deal with them, but not now, because there are all sorts of natural disasters happening now, and if you had a choice, you wouldn't want to push them too far at this time."

"So you're maintaining a very delicate relationship with them right now!"

Chen Huai'an remained noncommittal: "Please continue."

Feng Qiao'er calmly analyzed: "But you must have also hit a bottleneck. My father also strongly advocated the work-for-relief method, but the financial cost of implementing it for even a day is enormous."

"With the income from ironware, refined salt, and bamboo paper, you were able to support the implementation of multiple projects and the progress of disaster relief work."

"If that's all there is to it, then it's alright."

"But the consequences of natural disasters are not only that people are displaced and become disaster victims, requiring relief from the imperial court, but more importantly, that the Ministry of Revenue's tax revenue has plummeted!"

"If I'm not mistaken, the daily expenses for the imperial court to function properly are also substantial."

"In addition, numerous projects are underway, work-for-relief programs are being implemented, troops have been dispatched to Liang Shidu, and preparations are being made for war against the Eastern Turks... You yourself said that there will be a locust plague next year!"

"Duke Anguo!" Feng Qiao'er blinked her eyes, which were as clear as autumn water. "You should already be thinking of a way to break this deadlock."

"Perhaps... you may already have it, but judging from your lack of action, you probably feel it's risky and therefore can't implement it."

"Duke Anguo, I can help you!"

"..."

Chen Huai'an looked carefully at Feng Qiao'er in front of him.

At first, he didn't take this woman too seriously, after all, she was just a tool for a political marriage.

This is all too common in this day and age.

To say I'm stupid would be an understatement.

To say that he has exceptional abilities is probably not an exaggeration.

After all, if someone is too outstanding, why would they want to arrange a marriage?

Now it seems that Feng Qiao'er is not simple.

"Does the Duke of Anguo still have any concerns?" Feng Qiao'er asked softly.

Chen Huai'an stroked his chin: "Why are you so insistent on marrying me? Am I really that handsome?"

"You're making me so embarrassed. Do I really have that much charm?"

Feng Qiao'er: "..."

These words almost pierced through the thin veil of secrecy.

Feng Qiao'er smiled insincerely and said, "Duke Anguo is joking. Compared to marrying anyone else, marrying Duke Anguo is the most ideal choice."

"The Duke of Anguo is twenty-one years old and still unmarried. If there are no health problems, and um... if he doesn't have any particular interests, he is probably focused on his career and doesn't have time for romance."

"Moreover, Duke Anguo is exceptionally talented, young and promising, and handsome. Compared to others, he is clearly far superior."

Chen Huai'an understood.

She doesn't want to marry into the royal family.

Having considered this, Chen Huai'an still shook his head and refused: "Forget it, if you're interested, we can be partners. I'll treat you with the respect due to a partner!"

"A marriage alliance? Sorry, I have no such intention."

Feng Qiao'er remained unperturbed: "These were all strongly advocated by His Majesty. If you agree, His Majesty can issue an edict immediately."

Chen Huai'an finally became serious, leaning forward slightly, his eyes flashing, various thoughts running through his mind.

He certainly understood what Feng Qiao'er meant.

If this was something Li Shimin strongly advocated for, then the nature of the matter would be completely different.

There's no need to worry about many things anymore.

He pondered for a moment, looked at Feng Qiao'er, and shook his head again.

Feng Qiao'er was truly bewildered and asked in astonishment, "Why?"

"You're too young. We'll talk about it when you're older."

Feng Qiao'er: "......."

"......"