"From what Your Highness said, do we already have a next destination?"
Listen to the tone. Although Li Xiang didn't say it directly, Su Dingfang also heard it. Maybe there was another war in other places, but he hadn't heard about it recently. Could it be that our highness is going to provoke a new war? If that is true, it means that a new challenge is coming. Su Dingfang instantly felt full of energy.
"It's hard to say for now. You should just rest in Chang'an for a while. Although you are as strong as an ox, you have been living on the border for a long time. Your body may not be able to withstand it. You still have a long way to go. You must follow me and conquer the whole world."
When Li Xiang said the word "world", Su Dingfang's face also showed longing. He already knew that this world was very big, so big that they could not imagine it. They originally thought they had reached the border, but in fact it was just a starting point.
Take the Nanzhao Kingdom for example. More than 90% of the people in Chang'an felt that the place was in danger, and even that it had reached the end of where humans could go. As for places outside the Nanzhao Kingdom, they didn't even think about it. What was the use of such a wild and desolate place?
However, Li Xiang will slowly change their minds. As long as large amounts of money and food can be transported back from overseas, the people of the Tang Dynasty will not lack any open-mindedness. They will also follow the path that Li Xiang has paved for them and continue to go to various parts of the world to transport supplies from all over the world to Chang'an City.
"We're finally back."
At the south gate of Chang'an City, Su Dingfang waved the knife in his hand, scaring the group of people at the city gate into thinking that someone was coming to rob. This is the capital of the Tang Dynasty. Which blind bandit would come here to rob?
When they drew their weapons and rushed forward, they saw the clothes on Su Dingfang and his men. Although they were dusty, they were the personal soldiers of the Crown Prince...
"I pay my respects to the Crown Prince..."
"Alright, alright, forget it. There are so many people coming and going here. I want to go back to the East Palace as soon as possible. If you guys start yelling, I probably won't be able to go back by noon today. I'll treat you brothers to a drink at noon. Thank you for your hard work in guarding Chang'an."
Seeing these people about to kneel down to pay their respects, Li Xiang quickly stopped them, then took out five taels of silver from his pocket, which was enough for the people at the city gate to drink. If they were seen by other common people, they would be blocked for a while along the way. How could they possibly return to the East Palace quickly?
According to the requirements of the imperial court's Ministry of War, all soldiers registered at the military camp outside the city, and then everyone was given a thirty-day vacation. However, Li Xiang and Su Dingfang were different. They had to go to the palace to meet the emperor the next day. This is also the difference between officials and soldiers.
Li Xiang privately paid three months' salary to everyone. Although some of them exchanged their money from the system, they also had a home in Chang'an City like other soldiers. These people were flesh and blood, so they had to have money.
Li Xiang also learned from the system that although these people were exchanged by the system, they can also have offspring. So after returning to Chang'an this time, Li Xiang planned to call the official matchmaker to find wives for these men one by one. They should also have a normal life so that they can better integrate into the Tang Dynasty.
East Palace
"My son."
From a distance, Li Xiang saw his mother coming, accompanied by his two daughters-in-law, one on each side.
Li Chengqian was surrounded by old faces, and no new faces were added, which made Li Xiang feel relieved. If there were new people, he would not want it to be the same as last time. The structure of the Eastern Palace was already determined, and Li Xiang would never want to have a few more brothers competing with him.
What's more, judging from the royal family's expenses, every time Li Chengqian has another son, that will add to the number of people in the future. Think about how the Ming Dynasty perished. The large number of royal family members was an important reason.
"Father and Mother..."
Li Xiang knelt down and kowtowed to his parents, which was a must in that era. However, before Li Xiang could kowtow for the second time, his mother had already pulled him up. Not seeing her son for such a long time would be torture for any mother. Although Li Xiang has married several wives now, as a mother, she still feels that her son has not grown up.
"Go back and rest, wash off the dust on your body, and have a few more drinks with your father tonight."
After entering the East Palace, Li Xiang's mother felt that she could not always hold her son's hand. She had married several daughters-in-law. If she kept holding her son's hand, the daughters-in-law would not look at her well. Li Chengqian also looked at her with concern, but Li Chengqian wanted to establish the image of a strict father in front of everyone, so even if he wanted to talk to Li Xiang, he would stand beside him with his hands behind his back.
"Then I will take my leave."
Seeing Li Chengqian waving his hand, Li Xiang followed Cheng Luan back to his own yard.
"I have met His Highness."
After arriving at his own courtyard, Li Xiang was the eldest here, so under the leadership of Cheng Luan, all the concubines and maids saluted Li Xiang.
Cheng Luan was in the middle, next to her was Princess Yongning, and next to her was Cheng Ying. They all had official titles. The people behind them did not have the emperor's canonization. Even if Li Xiang treated them as his women, they could not sit side by side with the three in front. This was a royal rule.
"You guys can go down first. There's no need to pile up here. Just do what you need to do. I'm going to be in Chang'an for a long time this time. We can talk later if you have anything to say."
Li Xiang was not used to being surrounded by such a group of women. Although he had indeed dreamed of such a good life when he was a loser in modern society, when such days really came, Li Xiang really felt a little uncomfortable.
"I'll take my leave."
Except for Cheng Luan, everyone else had gone out. Li Xiang had just come to Cheng Luan's room. In those days, the status of the wife and concubines was clearly divided. Li Xiang did not have his own bedroom. Li Xiang's bedroom was Cheng Luan's bedroom, and the other concubines were all around the master bedroom.
"You've been very hard-working during this period. You've been dealing with so many things at home, big and small, and you even married another woman from the south."
What Li Xiang said was the truth. He had to be very careful with Cheng Luan as his wife, as she represented the future empress of the Tang Dynasty. If something happened to her, it would be no joke.
"Your Highness is able to understand my painstaking efforts. I am already very satisfied."
With Li Xiang's words, Cheng Luan's heart was as sweet as honey...
