In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

"Moreover, both of these companies are subject to strict taxation. The imperial treasury calculates taxes proportionally based on profits from goods, which is a perfectly clear account. How could they possibly be piled up enough to fill ten cities?"

"Those who spread such rumors are either stupid or malicious; their intentions are despicable!"

Li Yuanchang directly retorted in a subtle way.

Especially the last eight characters made the officials of the Eastern Palace feel a low pressure in the magnetic field.

Changsun Wuji remained expressionless and smiled.

"Your Highness, please forgive me."

"This old minister also knows that a large part of the business in Southern Qin originally belonged to the Princess Consort of Han, which is equivalent to yours."

"This old minister brings this up purely for the sake of the nation and Your Majesty's great cause, for times have indeed changed."

"Over the years, the Tang Dynasty has undergone many earth-shattering changes, especially in commerce. As pioneers of these changes, the Northern Song and Southern Qin dynasties indeed possessed resources that made them the wealthiest in the world."

"The current predicament may only be solvable by seeking help from the Northern Song and Southern Qin dynasties."

These high-sounding words not only implied that Li Yuanchang was smuggling in his own agenda, but also seized the moral high ground, claiming it was all for the sake of the country and its people.

Li Yuanchang sneered inwardly.

He believed Wei Zheng when he said this.

But Changsun Wuji? He didn't believe it!

This person's stance has always been based on his own family's power and local interests, with the fate of the nation and its people never being his top priority.

At this point, Li Zhi dared not let Li Yuanchang continue speaking and quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Seventh Uncle, my uncle has been troubled by this matter lately, so I hope you will understand."

Li Yuanchang took a deep breath; he couldn't possibly disregard Li Zhi's feelings.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Immediately afterwards, he made his own statement, thus avoiding giving Changsun Wuji the benefit he desired.

"Your Majesty understands that this is a critical period for the Tang Dynasty. The war with Goguryeo will determine the fate of the Tang Dynasty for the next hundred years. Now that I have returned, I cannot stand idly by."

"Well then, when I return, I will inform the Princess Consort of Han and ask her to send all the surplus supplies from the Han Prince's residence to the front lines."

"Furthermore, I have decided that the entire Nanqin Chamber of Commerce will raise 30,000 taels of copper coins, 30,000 cotton-padded clothes, and 100,000 shi of grain to alleviate the Crown Prince's logistical needs and to support Your Majesty who is fighting hard at the front."

Wow!

The scene erupted in uproar instantly.

People were jostling and whispering among themselves.

"hiss!"

"Thirty thousand taels!"

"One hundred thousand shi of grain..."

"My God, just how much money has the Prince of Han's Mansion made over the years?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi's face instantly lit up with joy, along with gratitude.

Before he could even speak.

"Your Highness, now that the Prince of Han has expressed his opinion, the Northern Song Dynasty, as a part of the Tang Dynasty, naturally cannot lag behind."

"Our Northern Song Dynasty will double what His Highness Prince Han has achieved!"

boom!

The sound of this voice once again shocked the entire East Palace, and the whole place erupted in cheers.

Li Yuanchang glanced over and saw a young man in brocade robes walk out from the corner of the palace. He was imposing and wealthy, and it was none other than Song Sanlang, who had expanded his business to the Western Regions and the Northern Desert!

It was none other than Song Sanlang, Wu Zetian's right-hand man!

He provided high-profile assistance and spared no effort in supporting Li Zhi.

If Li Yuanchang was forced into this situation, it was because he was being targeted by Changsun Wuji.

Song Sanlang's investment was entirely his own initiative.

Li Yuanchang stared intently, his eyes filled with doubt. He hadn't seen anyone on the way in, and he thought the person wasn't there, but it turned out to be in a corner.

His main purpose for this trip was to find out what was going on in the Northern Song Dynasty and what was going on with Wu Zetian.

But Song Sanlang did not look at Li Yuanchang, and there was no eye contact whatsoever.

"good!"

"very good!"

Li Zhi stood up excitedly. With the support of these two sides, his job as the top leader in the rear would be much easier.

"Seventh Uncle and Minister Song truly deserve to be called pillars of our Great Tang. Their generosity during such a special time is a great blessing for our Great Tang!"

"I, the Crown Prince, must personally report this matter to my father, the Emperor, at the front lines, and request commendation!"

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Song Sanlang cupped his hands in greeting.

Li Yuanchang could only bow and clasp his hands, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

As he spoke, he looked at Song Sanlang, who happened to be looking over at him as well.

After many years, we met again here. The person is still the same, but many things have changed.

Song Sanlang transformed from a wealthy merchant into a guest of the Crown Prince's Palace and one of his important advisors, undergoing a complete change in his overall demeanor.

Their gazes quickly shifted away.

Li Yuanchang suppressed the thousand words in his heart. This was not the right occasion to speak, but he was determined to find Song Sanlang and get to the bottom of things as soon as it was over.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji said again, "Your Highness, although we have the strong support of two major merchants, this only alleviates the national treasury's budget problem."

"But logistical challenges remain."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi's joy immediately waned, and he frowned, saying, "Uncle's words make sense. I wonder if you have any brilliant plan, Uncle?"

His eyes revealed absolute obedience, and even a hint of fear.

Li Yuanchang saw this clearly and couldn't help but worry. It was impossible for Meiniang to become Wu Zetian now. Without someone with an iron fist to help her, would Li Zhi be able to control Changsun Wuji in the future?

If he's so obedient, what if Changsun Wuji turns against him later...?

"Your Highness, you are in charge of overseeing the country and have the responsibility of allocating funds and provisions. However, once the task is assigned, the Ministry of War is ultimately responsible for the logistics and transportation of the army during battles."

"I didn't know the Prince of Han was returning ahead of schedule. Now that he's back, it's no longer appropriate for this old minister to usurp the throne."

Changsun Wuji cupped his hands, appearing to be generously relinquishing power.

Li Yuanchang cursed inwardly, "That old bastard, he's shifting the blame again!"

Knowing full well that this was a hot potato, they simply passed it on to themselves who had just returned.

He strongly suspected that even Li Zhi was being used at this so-called banquet, and that Changsun Wuji's real purpose was to flatter him to death and shift the blame onto him.

"Yes, the Ministry of War should be responsible for this matter."

"Grand Commander Li Ji has gone on the expedition, leaving the Ministry of War without anyone to take charge. Lord Changsun is extremely busy and has a great deal of work to handle."

"Now that the Prince of Han has returned, the Ministry of War can be considered to have a pillar of support."

"His Highness the Prince of Han is the Minister of War appointed by His Majesty. He has escorted grain supplies in the extremely difficult Southern Desert region, so he must be very experienced!"

"..."

Whether it was pre-arranged or simply stating objective facts, the officials of the Eastern Palace nodded and discussed among themselves.

Li Zhi hesitated, but instead of putting pressure on him or shifting blame, he showed a human touch.

"this……"

"Seventh Uncle has just returned from a long journey and completed the important task His Majesty entrusted to him. It's not quite appropriate to immediately assign him such a heavy workload again."

His tone lacked confidence, and he looked at Changsun Wuji, almost as if pleading for mercy.