When Li Xiang chose this route back to Beijing, many people didn't understand why. They thought Li Xiang wanted to travel and enjoy the scenery.
But it is understandable that he wants to travel and enjoy the scenery. It has been four years since the war with Tuyuhun. During these four years, Li Xiang has defeated countless countries. Shouldn't he have some fun?
Although Li Xiang's travels might cost money and might cause gossip from some hostile personnel, most people in the court were sensible. Even if Li Xiang wanted to have a good time in Jiangnan, they would not find any reason to complain.
Li Shimin's men in black had a large number of spies in Jiangnan. When Li Xiang took a quick look at some prosperous cities, Li Shimin knew that Li Xiang was definitely not going to Jiangnan for fun.
Just as Li Shimin thought, Li Xiang boarded the ship again two days later and had no intention of staying here for long.
Although Li Shimin had never been to Jiangnan, he knew its prosperity. Otherwise, Emperor Yang of Sui would not have made so many trips to Jiangdu. In the end, he died there, which shows how prosperous Jiangnan was.
After Li Xiang boarded the navy warship, he headed south and landed in the Lingnan Road of the imperial court, which is now Guangdong.
From that place, Li Xiang prepared to travel by carriage from Guangdong to Guangxi, then from Guangxi to Nanzhao, and then conduct a large-scale inspection in Nanzhao. After finishing, he would go north all the way back to Chang'an.
At this moment, Li Xiang had already arrived at Li Shimin's desk. Li Shimin also invited Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji. He didn't understand what this little bastard was going to do. He had just conquered Fuso, and now the whole country was digesting it. Is he already preparing for the next war?
"In the past, I was afraid that my descendants would be incompetent and might not be able to defend the country in the future. But this kid is an exception. He has never been idle. Since the day he attacked Tuyuhun, it seems that he has spent very little time in Chang'an. Now he has gone to Lingnan Road again."
Li Shimin was complaining about this matter on the surface, but Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji both heard that this guy was clearly showing off.
The two of them and Li Shimin were the emperor and his subject. Before Li Shimin became emperor, he would discuss most things with them. Although it cannot be said that they always obeyed his advice, the friendship between the three of them was very good. Even after he became emperor, the two of them could enter and leave the palace freely.
"Your Majesty should be pleased that His Royal Highness is conquering the world. Great changes have taken place in the Tang Dynasty. The price of grain has dropped by over 70% compared to a few years ago, and it will surely continue to fall next year. The population is also increasing very rapidly."
As the prime minister of the empire, Fang Xuanling knew the situation of the entire empire very well. The Tang Empire had developed quite well in the past few years, but compared with the current speed, it was like a tortoise and the hare race.
It’s just that a few years ago it was the tortoise, and now it’s the rabbit.
"I've been to Chang'an City these past few days and found it's indeed more prosperous than before. There's not enough land in Chang'an City anymore. I heard the price of houses in Chang'an City has increased several times."
Food prices are falling and land prices are rising, which is a sign of a prosperous era.
What Li Shimin likes most is that others praise him as a wise ruler. Now the whole society is in a prosperous development situation. How can this guy not be proud?
"Congratulations, Your Majesty."
At this moment, the two of them could only stand up and flatter him. Although what Li Shimin said was true, some things had to be brought up, otherwise these problems would be covered up.
"Your Majesty is right. Chang'an City and the entire Tang Dynasty are developing rapidly, but this has also brought many problems. The number of foreigners flowing into the Tang Dynasty is increasing, and they must be strictly controlled."
Changsun Wuji was in charge of some public security work in society. There were many fights during this period, especially among the group of princes and nobles who were studying in Chang'an City. Although their country no longer existed, Li Xiang had instructed them earlier that these people must live a good life to prevent them from causing trouble after returning.
"It's time to set up a special government office. Talk to the people from the six ministries and consider assigning a group of people from the Ministry of Justice to set up a special government office to manage these foreigners. They should also set rules about where they can and cannot go. They can't be treated like the people of the Tang Dynasty."
In the past, Li Shimin was called the Heavenly Khan, so he was very friendly to foreigners around him and did not impose any restrictions on them.
However, Li Xiang's series of actions made him understand that those who are not of my race must have different hearts. These people surrendered on the surface, but in fact did not bring any contribution to the Tang Dynasty. Instead, they posed a lot of threats to the Tang Dynasty. If there is a war between the two sides, these people will turn around and kill you with knives.
After all these things happened, Li Shimin also figured it out. If you want to come to the Tang Dynasty to do business, or to study, you must obey the rules of the Tang Dynasty. And it is you who beg us, not us who beg you.
"Your Majesty is wise."
This matter has been reported several times, but the Lifanyuan has always blocked it. They believe that the Tang Dynasty is the Celestial Empire, so how can we bother with people from these small countries? If it gets out, they will think we have lost our national dignity.
This is the old idea of many ordinary people in the Tang Dynasty. They always think that it doesn’t matter if we suffer a little loss. As long as it can be exchanged for a situation where all nations come to congratulate us, then what does this loss matter?
However, Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji were not like that. Under the influence of Li Xiang, the ministers in the court became a bit stingy and were very concerned about the benefits. If there was no benefit and it was just a nice face, then it would be better not to do it. Our Tang Dynasty is different from before. We will not do such things that lose money but gain publicity.
"The second issue concerns the Chang'an City market. The previous curfew policy is no longer applicable. Your Majesty, please abolish the curfew policy."
Now there are still businesses open at night during festivals, but it is not a continuous practice. Many people are complaining about the previous policy, so Fang Xuanling also wants Li Shimin to abolish it, so as to further revitalize the development of commerce.
