Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

After receiving Li Chengqian's rewards, Cheng Yaojin and the others left the main tent arm in arm.

Before leaving, Cheng Yaojin casually took a gold and jade paperweight from the table. Li Chengqian pretended not to see it and let the group of old rogues divide the loot.

Only Li Chengqian and Wei Zheng remained in the main hall.

At this moment, Wei Zheng couldn't help but walk over to Li Chengqian's side.

"Your Highness."

Li Chengqian didn't look up: "Lord Wei, please speak frankly."

"May I ask a question?"

Wei Zheng's breathing became somewhat rapid.

"Is Duke Qin Qiong of Yi... dead or not?"

Even Wei Zheng himself felt a little scared after asking that question.

But he was being stubborn; he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight until he got to the bottom of it.

Li Chengqian did not answer, but instead looked up at Wei Zheng.

A faint smile played on his face.

Wei Zheng felt a chill run down his spine when he saw that smile.

In a daze, he seemed to see Li Shimin, the Prince of Qin, from back then.

No, although Li Shimin was ruthless back then, Wei Zheng was still able to understand him to some extent.

But he couldn't figure out Li Chengqian at all.

Wei Zheng then realized that the Crown Prince's imperial cunning had surpassed even his own.

"Master Wei.

The more clearly you know something, the harder it is to write a memorial.

Li Chengqian tapped the table.

What do you think?

Wei Zheng was shocked upon hearing this.

He got it.

If Qin Qiong were still alive, it would be a heinous crime of deceiving the emperor.

Once this news is confirmed and reaches Chang'an, the powerful families will pounce on it like sharks smelling blood.

At that time, the Crown Prince will be impeached, the Qin family will be executed, and a bloody storm will sweep through the Tang Dynasty court.

The 100,000-strong army in Liaodong is bound to change course, and the great situation they have just won will be destroyed in an instant.

But if Qin Qiong is already dead, then the Battle of Baekje would be Qin Huaidao's legendary feat of single-handedly repelling the enemy.

The might of the Tang Dynasty was immense, and the Crown Prince's prestige was at its zenith, winning the hearts of all under heaven.

The dignity of the Tang Dynasty, the future of the Crown Prince, and the peace of the people all depend on Wei Zheng's decision today.

Wei Zheng was an official who spoke out against wrongdoing, but he was not a fool.

He criticized people for the good of the Tang Dynasty, not to destroy it.

The lesser of two evils.

Wei Zheng slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the struggle in his eyes had disappeared.

He bowed deeply to Li Chengqian.

"This old minister understands."

"The Duke of Yi has long since passed away. The Battle of Baekje... was entirely due to the young lord's bravery and the valiant efforts of the Tang soldiers."

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction.

He picked up a prepared document from the desk and handed it to Wei Zheng.

"This is the initial draft of the public proclamation for Pyongyang and Baekje."

Li Chengqian said.

"I feel that the wording is not sincere enough. Lord Wei is very eloquent. Please take this and polish it."

Tomorrow morning, I want to see it plastered over every city on the peninsula.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree."

After receiving the notice, Wei Zheng left the main tent.

When the snowflakes fell on Wei Zheng, he shivered.

Wei Zheng glanced back at the central command tent, shook his head with a wry smile:

"I'm getting old, really old..."

Wei Zheng sighed and walked into the wind and snow.

From now on, Wei Xuancheng is completely on the Crown Prince's pirate ship, and there's no way he can get off.

Inside the large tent.

After Wei Zheng left, the back of the tent was opened.

Two figures walked in one after the other.

Du Ruhui walked and laughed as he spoke:

"Your Highness's move was truly brilliant."

"That stubborn mule Wei Xuancheng actually bowed his head to His Highness."

Qin Qiong complained from the side:

"It's just a pity for that kid Huaidao. He got beaten up by me for no reason and has to take the blame for me. He's probably crying in his bed right now."

Li Chengqian smiled:

"Uncle Qin, rest assured, Huai Dao has established himself in the army after this battle. Once we return to Chang'an, I will guarantee him a bright future."

Qin Qiong clasped his hands and said:

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian stood up and walked to the map of Liaodong.

"With the spies in Chang'an dealt with and Wei Zheng appeased, we have completely eliminated our worries about the rear in Liaodong."

Du Ruhui looked at Li Chengqian and asked:

"Has Your Highness made any new plans?"

Li Chengqian nodded:

"Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla have been destroyed, and the entire peninsula has been returned to the Tang Dynasty. But this is only the first step."

Next, I have a task for you.

Qin Qiong clasped his hands and said:

"Your Highness, please give your orders. Even if it means going through fire and water, this old minister will not hesitate."

"Hiding behind the screen all day, this old minister's bones are practically rusting."

Du Ruhui also cupped his hands and said, "Please give your instructions, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian pointed to the location of Chang'an on the map:

"The court is now in a state of chaos due to the suspicions of powerful families and the emperor."

I have always been trying to make the Tang Dynasty better, but they have been dragging me down behind my back.

I don't want to live a day longer, handing my life over to someone else.

Du Ruhui looked at Li Chengqian with a heavy expression and remained silent.

Qin Qiong then spoke up:

"Your Highness is right. If Your Highness hadn't been prepared, our 100,000 troops would have starved to death on the banks of the Liao River."

Those pedantic scholars in Chang'an are all black-hearted.

Li Chengqian's finger slid directly down the map to the center of Liaodong.

"Therefore, I need a strong rear area that truly belongs to me and is not subject to anyone's control."

"I intend to transform the entire Liaodong Peninsula into the second Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty."

"A second Chang'an?"

Du Ruhui exclaimed in surprise.

Li Chengqian glanced at Du Ruhui and continued:

"The first step is infrastructure and military equipment."

We raided the treasuries of Goguryeo and Baekje; the gold and silver treasures were piled up like mountains.

Hundreds of thousands of surrendered soldiers and civilians provide free labor. I intend to build the largest granary and armory in Liaodong.

From then on, the Liaodong army was completely self-sufficient in food, clothing, weapons, and armor.

The Ministry of Revenue won't provide funds? Won't provide grain? Then we'll produce it ourselves.

Qin Qiong's eyes lit up upon hearing this:

"This is tantamount to cutting off the handle that those people in the court have on His Highness."

From now on, no one will be able to hold His Highness back in terms of logistics.

Li Chengqian nodded and continued:

"The second step is education and talent."

Having soldiers alone is not enough; someone else also needs to manage this vast territory for me.

Why did these aristocratic families dare to challenge the Emperor? Because eight or nine out of ten scholars in the land came from their schools.

If the court doesn't use their people, its orders won't even leave Chang'an.

"I intend to build a new-style academy on the site of the old Pyongyang."

Du Ruhui frowned and asked:

"A modern academy? What will it teach? If it's still the Four Books and Five Classics, it will probably only attract scions of aristocratic families."

Li Chengqian scoffed:

"What's the point of teaching those pedantic and rotten things? Can they be eaten or used to kill enemies?"

The solitary academy teaches mathematics, natural philosophy, military strategy, agriculture, sericulture, and water conservancy.

They only recruit children from poor families and orphans of soldiers, regardless of their background, only their abilities.

As long as one completes the training, one can directly take up a position in the Andong Protectorate, receiving both money and official rank.

Within ten years, I will be able to cultivate a group of pragmatic officials who are loyal only to me.

To fundamentally dismantle the monopoly of powerful families.

Du Ruhui's mind went blank.

As a former prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, how could he not know where the malignant tumor of aristocratic families lay?

However, despite their best efforts, he and Fang Xuanling could only maintain a balance in Chang'an.

They dared not break the monopoly of aristocratic families over the imperial examinations.

However, the Crown Prince took a completely different approach, creating an incubator for officials from humble backgrounds outside the sphere of influence of aristocratic families.

"Your Highness's plan is far-sighted and its benefits will last for generations."

Du Ruhui said excitedly.

Li Chengqian waved his hand, signaling him not to get excited.

"The third step, and the most crucial one, was to establish the Liaodong Money Exchange and issue new currency."

Du Ruhui was taken aback: "A money exchange? New currency?"

Li Chengqian patiently explained:

"Deposit all the gold, silver and copper we've confiscated into the money shop."

A new currency was introduced in Liaodong and the peninsula, and specially made paper could even be used as vouchers to replace heavy copper coins in circulation.

As long as merchants and ordinary people accept this money, we will control the economic lifeline of this land.

Only when the money is controlled can this place truly belong to the Li family.

Even if Chang'an were to cut off our retreat one day, we can still turn the tide and remain invincible thanks to our stronghold in Liaodong.

Du Ruhui was completely convinced.

Li Chengqian's vision and methods have surpassed those of Li Shimin.

Qin Qiong was thrilled by what he heard.

"Your Highness! I am a rough man and do not understand so many complicated things."

But I know that His Highness is paving a broad road to heaven for our Great Tang Dynasty and for us soldiers.

Within three months, this old minister will risk his life to build an impregnable Liaodong City for Your Highness.

Li Chengqian took a roll of blueprints out of his sleeve and stuffed it into Qin Qiong's hand.

"These are the blueprints for a new type of firearms workshop and a steelmaking blast furnace."

You take people deep into the mountains to find absolutely reliable craftsmen to secretly supervise the construction.

The production of palm-sized grenades and catapults must be increased tenfold.

Qin Qiong unfolded the blueprint and glanced at it, feeling as if he were reading a book written in a foreign language.

However, he understood that it should be multiplied tenfold.

Why would we need so many people to fight wars in the future?

Just blast your way through.

"Your humble servant obeys."

Qin Qiong carefully placed the blueprints into Du Ruhui's arms.

Du Ruhui gave him a speechless look.

If you're too scared to take it on, why did you agree so quickly?

Li Chengqian then looked at Du Ruhui and instructed him:

"Duke of Lai, you'll have to make do with this position as the Governor-General of Liaodong."

"The financial arrangements for Baekje and Silla, the distribution of slaves in Goguryeo, and the preparation of academies and banks all rest on your shoulders."

Du Ruhui straightened his clothes and bowed deeply in respect:

"This old minister is willing to give his life, even unto death!"

Li Chengqian walked up to the two men, his tone becoming extremely serious:

"Remember, all of this must be done secretly under the cover of the Andong Protectorate."

The spies from the Hundred Cavalry Division sent by Chang'an have been thoroughly monitored by me.

What they can see and what they can't see is entirely up to you.

We must not let Chang'an detect even the slightest hint of anything.

The two men bowed in unison, saying, "Your Majesty, we obey!"

After arranging everything, Li Chengqian walked to the entrance of the main tent, lifted the curtain, and looked out at the wind and snow.

"It's time for me to go back and meet with my father and those old foxes."