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

"Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, where has there ever been such a rule?"

The number of guards in the Eastern Palace was already fixed. Now you want to create some kind of Royal Guard? Isn't that under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War?

What will the court and the people think? What will the generals who fought alongside me think? They'll think you're plotting a rebellion.

Li Shimin pointed at Li Chengqian and roared.

Li Chengqian took half a step back, dodging Li Shimin's flying spittle.

He then took out a piece of silk from his sleeve.

"Father, please calm down. Take a look at this before you start cursing."

"Don't try to sweet-talk me. Even if you offer me a single flower today, I will never give you military power."

Although Li Shimin cursed, his hands honestly accepted the silk.

He unfolded the silk and glanced at it; his previously angry expression instantly froze.

This is a list.

The document was densely covered with notes detailing the supplies that would be transported from Liaodong to Chang'an.

"100,000 pieces of high-quality steel farm tools, with an estimated profit of two million strings of cash..."

"500,000 catties of snowflake salt, with an estimated profit of 3 million strings of cash..."

"Ginseng and furs, special products of Goguryeo, are expected to generate a profit of 1.5 million guan..."

The further Li Shimin looked down, the more rapid his breathing became.

This isn't a list; it's a gold mine.

Li Chengqian slowly walked to a chair and sat down:

"Father, this is only the shipment volume for the first three months. Once all the workshops in Liaodong have been expanded, these figures will double."

Li Shimin swallowed hard and forcibly looked away from the list.

Then, with a stern face, he said:

"Why are you showing this to me? Since the merchant guild has been handed over to the Imperial Household Department, these things naturally belong to the national treasury."

"Yes, the products are good, and the profits are substantial."

Li Chengqian sighed.

"But the problem is that we can't get them delivered."

Li Shimin frowned: "What do you mean?"

"Does Father really think Cui Min is a pushover when it comes to dealing with those old foxes from powerful families?"

Li Chengqian tapped the table.

"They haven't realized it yet. But once they realize the Royal Trading Company is digging them out, what do you think they'll do?"

"They dare!"

Li Shimin roared, his eyes wide.

"What wouldn't they dare to do?"

The powerful families of Guandong have deep roots and connections; they have eyes and ears everywhere in the region, whether by water or land.

Cutting off the trade route to Luoyang is only the first step. Once the large quantities of goods from Liaodong are on the road, if they encounter river bandits or mountain bandits along the way, they'll sink you and your goods, and burn your ships. Who will you complain to then?

Li Chengqian spread his hands:

"Your Majesty, I want these 10,000 Imperial Guards not to show off in Chang'an, but to protect the capital."

Without an absolutely loyal and highly capable army to escort the shipment, you won't see a single penny of these mountains of gold and silver.

Li Shimin remained silent.

He stared intently at the list on the table, his mind in turmoil.

On one hand, there is the threat of the crown prince's military power.

On one hand, there is the immense wealth that can instantly fill the huge hole in the national treasury and even allow him to spend money freely.

The temptation is too great.

So much so that Li Shimin felt his bottom line was being stretched wildly.

"Someone come here."

Li Shimin shouted towards the outside of the hall,

"Summon Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng to the palace immediately for an audience."

He couldn't make up his mind, so he had to find someone to take the blame... no, to discuss it.

Half an hour later.

Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng arrived at Ganlu Palace.

As soon as the two finished exchanging greetings, Li Shimin threw the list in front of Fang Xuanling.

"Xuanling, take a look at this."

Fang Xuanling picked up the list, and after reading just one line, his eyes were glued to it.

As the head housekeeper of the Tang Dynasty, Fang Xuanling's hair had almost turned white from worrying about money in recent years.

The national treasury is in turmoil, and various departments are reaching out for money. He'd rather split himself in two and sell himself.

Now, seeing this profit forecast, Fang Xuanling looked at Li Shimin excitedly and asked:

"Your Majesty! Is...is this really true?"

Li Shimin pointed to Li Chengqian sitting to the side and said:

"It was all the Crown Prince's doing. He said that as long as the business operated smoothly, all the money would go into the national treasury."

Fang Xuanling knelt down before Li Chengqian with a thud.

"On behalf of the people of the Tang Dynasty, this old minister thanks Your Highness for your great favor!"

Li Chengqian quickly got up to help him up:

"Housekeeper, get up quickly, or I'll be ruined. Money can be made, but there's a problem right now."

Li Chengqian explained the matters concerning the security of trade routes and the organization of the Imperial Guard.

Without hesitation, Fang Xuanling turned to Li Shimin and said:

"Your Majesty! I believe that His Highness the Crown Prince is right."

The powerful families, still harboring treacherous intentions, are determined not to lose this enormous fortune.

What's a mere 10,000-person staff? As long as the money can be safely deposited into the treasury, the Ministry of Revenue can afford to support 20,000, let alone 10,000.

Li Shimin's face darkened upon hearing this.

You old fool, you'd even abandon your military power for money.

Li Shimin turned to Wei Zheng and asked:

"Xuancheng, what do you think?"

Wei Zheng stroked his chin, his mind perfectly clear.

His Majesty has taken the Crown Prince's bait again.

Since they've already made up their minds, I might as well go with the flow.

"Your Majesty, I believe that what Chancellor Fang said is absolutely right."

Wei Zheng cupped his hands and said,

"The Tang Dynasty needed money to conquer all directions and to appease the people."

With the national treasury now empty, it is truly a blessing for the Tang Dynasty that His Highness the Crown Prince has such ingenious ideas.

As for the organization of the Imperial Guard, since the military expenses were allocated from the profits of the merchant guilds and did not occupy the resources of the Ministry of War, it was not considered a violation of the ancestral system.

Moreover, this army is commanded by the Crown Prince, who is the heir apparent, which is tantamount to putting it under the control of the royal family. What's wrong with that?

Wei Zheng's words completely dispelled Li Shimin's last remaining concerns.

He glanced at Fang Xuanling, then at Wei Zheng, and finally gritted his teeth:

"Very well! I grant your permission."

A Royal Guard of 10,000 men, an independent organization, under your full command.

Military expenses will come from the profits of the trading companies. But let me make this clear: if even a single penny is missing from this list, I will hold you responsible.

Li Chengqian said with tears of gratitude in his eyes:

"Your Majesty, I kowtow to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's boundless grace! For the sake of the Tang Dynasty, Your Majesty has been unconventional and truly a great emperor for all time!"

Flattery will get you everywhere.

Li Shimin felt very pleased with the title "Emperor of a Thousand Ages," and immediately waved his hand:

"Wang De, draft the imperial edict!"

The imperial edict was quickly written and stamped with the imperial seal.

He then handed it over to Li Chengqian along with a fish-shaped tally.

Are you satisfied now?

Li Shimin extended his hand and asked.

"Where are the trading company's ledgers?"

"It's here."

Li Chengqian readily pulled out several thick ledgers from his pocket.

This swift and decisive action surprised Li Shimin for a moment.

He thought his unfilial son would make some more demands, but he didn't expect him to hand over the money so readily.

Li Shimin burst into laughter as he looked at the records in the account book.

"Hahaha! Good, very good."

Li Shimin felt that he had gotten an incredible advantage.

He traded an empty shell for a treasure trove of wealth that made him rich every day.

As for the ten thousand guards, they were all supported by the merchant guild.

Now the business guild belongs to the Imperial Household Department, which means it belongs to Li Shimin.

This meant that Li Shimin had the crown prince's money bag in his hands. If the crown prince dared to disobey, he could cut off the imperial guards' food supplies at any time.

Li Shimin became increasingly pleased with himself, and his gaze towards Li Chengqian was filled with kindness.

This foolish son is still too young; he can't outsmart his father.

However, Li Shimin was unaware of this.

All Li Chengqian handed over was a pile of account books.

The core source of goods for the Tang Dynasty Royal Trading Company was in Liaodong, as were the firearms workshops. Even the secret transportation route provided by Changsun Wuji was directly under the command of Changsun Chong.

Li Chengqian could order a supply cutoff at any time.

Once the supply runs out, the merchants in Chang'an are just empty shells that can't sell anything, and Li Shimin's account books are so stiff they're not even good enough to wipe his butt.

However, Li Chengqian actually obtained a fully legal and regular army.

"If Father has no further instructions, I will take my leave now."

Li Chengqian bowed respectfully.

"Go ahead, go ahead."

Li Shimin was holding the account book and grinning foolishly, waving his hand without even looking up.