Chapter 500: Chapter 39: Father and Son, Suining in the Western Regions

"Moreover, the Crown Prince has a foot ailment."

"With His Majesty’s disposition, how could he let the Crown Prince inherit the throne?"

Upon hearing this, Li Tai immediately nodded, but then shook his head, "What does Father mean by this?"

"Father hasn’t praised the Crown Prince for many years."

"Your Highness need not overthink it," Wei Ting also spoke, "The Emperor’s heart is hard for others to fathom, but for Your Highness, it’s crucial to be more cautious in today’s situation and gain the Emperor’s favor."

"Hmm?" Li Tai furrowed his brows.

Wei Ting immediately shared all his thoughts.

He wanted Li Tai to go against expectations by being more frugal while increasing his salary.

This would surely delight Li Shimin.

In response, after a brief moment of silence, Li Tai nodded as well. He was extremely adept at pleasing Li Shimin and was quite confident in this.

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian also saw Li Shimin’s imperial edict.

As he read its contents, his eyes suddenly became a bit complicated.

The ministers in the hall all showed expressions of joy.

They were all part of the Crown Prince’s faction.

Though it was just praise, it was enough to make them happy for a long time.

However, Li Chengqian didn’t say much, and after reading the edict, he resumed his normal expression and signaled everyone to continue working.

There was nothing worth being overly happy about; he was not doing all this just for Li Shimin’s praise.

A person’s character can transform so dramatically.

This alone is enough to show how terrifying the pressure he bears is.

He understood his father all too well.

He knew what kind of Crown Prince Li Shimin wanted and would not let such matters delay important tasks.

It was just that upon returning to his sleeping quarters at night, he once more offered rites to Empress Zhangsun’s memorial tablet.

Kneeling before it, he recited Li Shimin’s edict to her.

Gu Yi didn’t pay much attention to court struggles.

Some things are unavoidable.

After Li Shimin embarked on that path, what truly captured his interest remained the developments in the Western Regions.

This matter genuinely concerned the entire Kyushu and the Gu Clan.

Being a modern person, Gu Yi always held the ambition to have the Gu Clan venture overseas, but this was extremely challenging and could not be rushed.

Now, as a time of reform unfolds, how could he not care?

With a large number of Tang Dynasty officials heading to the Western Regions.

Additionally, Gu Yan’s persistent display of martial force ensured that over time, various systems were gradually operating smoothly across the entire Western Region.

There was no choice; those who first fully supported the Great Tang received too many benefits.

Whether from the profits of trade routes or the opportunity to learn Kyushu culture and achieve success in imperial examinations.

All of this was a huge temptation for others.

The most crucial aspect is—

The Great Tang showed no signs of weakening; this strength had already filled those harboring different ambitions with despair.

Even if they were determined to persevere, their subordinates would not agree.

How could they not submit?

Of course, all of this still required time.

The vastness of the Western Regions dictated that this was necessary; no matter how many people were sent, it was useless; the influence could only be gradually expanded bit by bit.

For now, it was already sufficient.

Time flew by swiftly.

The relief work in Zezhou State was progressing very smoothly, with Li Shimin personally present, there were no officials daring to commit any misconduct in secret.

This was not beyond Li Tai’s expectations.

Upon Li Shimin’s return to Chang’an, seeing Li Tai even more frugal than before, he was indeed very pleased.

First, he praised Li Tai in front of the ministers, and then he also rewarded him again.

In an instant, the fire within the royal court, which had just been extinguished not long ago, was reignited once more.

——Someone will always try to interpret the Emperor’s will.

Especially in the current prosperous era, this is even more common.

Nevertheless, Li Shimin did not concern himself with these matters.

As news from the Western Regions gradually came back, seeing the region finally achieve peace, he turned his attention to Lingnan.

——He planned to build ports and ships!

Although Li Shimin had always kept his restraint, with the continuous progress of the era, the current Great Tang already had several clear maritime routes.

Including concrete locations reaching Southeast Asian countries like Linxi and Zhenla.

Some of these routes were remnants from former dynasties.

Even though the Yan Han quickly declined after Gu Ye’s death, Liu Jun still developed a bit according to Gu Ye’s ideas, and others were brought by envoys from all directions.

These routes were typically used for official diplomatic tributes.

Although opportunistic merchants set their eyes on the benefits, the vast ocean was too perilous, and without the support of the imperial court, development was utterly impossible.

In the original history.

All this would only gradually become prevalent during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao years of Emperor Xuanzong because by then the Sea Falcon Ships had become widespread.

However, even then, maritime trade had not truly reached a significant scale.

Now, however, things were different.

With an emperor like Li Shimin deciding to take action, it was destined to be extraordinary.

He had been contemplating this matter for a very long time.

And the Gu Clan had been preparing for this ever since the time of Gu Ye; everything was already ripe for execution.

Taiji Hall.

The ministers gathered, and everyone was well aware of what Li Shimin intended to do, their expressions exceedingly solemn.

Though it was but an attempt, it was still a significant matter for the entire Great Tang, not allowing them to be anything but serious.