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

The saying goes, "Don't insult someone by revealing their shortcomings." Everyone knew what was going on, but Li Yuanchang made it public, which was extremely disrespectful to Changsun Wuji.

Fang Xuanling was startled upon hearing this, staggered, and quickly stepped forward to put out the fire.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "Minister Fang."

Fang Xuanling stood between Li Yuanchang and Changsun Wuji, effectively blocking their line of sight and temporarily calming the situation.

"Your Highness, this old minister believes that it would be better to do this."

"First, throw all these corrupt officials into the Ministry of Justice's death row cell, but do not execute them for the time being. Everything will wait until the war ends and His Majesty makes his decision."

"Firstly, it avoids causing panic among the troops in the rear due to large-scale executions."

"Secondly, it can also deter the whole country and protect the national law."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

This outcome was essentially a compromise: not to kill him, but to imprison him in a death row cell, awaiting Li Shimin's return to make his decision.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi's eyes lit up, and he then looked at Changsun Wuji and Li Yuanchang.

"What do you two think?"

Li Yuanchang's criticism was only directed at Changsun Wuji; he was very mild towards others, saying, "Your Highness, I have no objection."

Changsun Wuji's expression turned slightly unpleasant. If this was the case, he would have accomplished nothing and it would be difficult to forgive him later.

But the fact remains that he embezzled, so he couldn't show too much favoritism.

Finally, he bowed and said, "This old minister has no objections."

Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief; he didn't want to offend either side.

"If that's the case, then let's do as Minister Fang says."

"King Han and Minister Changsun, please stop arguing. You are both doing this for the good of the country."

Upon hearing this, the two bowed and clasped their hands in greeting: "Yes, Your Highness."

Both men's expressions returned to normal, but this was only to save face for Li Zhi, the crown prince; continuing the argument would only appear unreasonable.

In reality, the relationship between the two has fallen to a new low.

The fundamental difference remains.

One acted in the national interest.

One acted in the interest of the Guanlong Group.

They are very similar, yet completely different.

Ultimately, this corruption case that shocked the court and the public came to a peaceful conclusion thanks to Fang Xuanling's mediation despite his illness.

All of them were thrown into death row, but will not be prosecuted for the time being.

Following this, Li Yuanchang also demonstrated strong command capabilities, giving the Guanlong nobles no chance to rebel.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue completed the collection of money and silk in just fifteen days.

Moreover, supplies from both the Southern Qin and Northern Song dynasties have largely arrived.

After four days and four nights of calculations, the Council of State Affairs gave its conclusion: the war budget was initially sufficient, the national treasury could still guarantee the salaries of people in various regions while maintaining the war effort, and there was no need to increase the taxes on the people.

Upon receiving this memorial, Li Zhi felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders and was no longer worried about money and provisions.

The next issue is how to ensure logistical transportation.

In early April, laborers were being conscripted throughout the country.

Li Yuanchang devised a strict list to balance the labor force as much as possible, avoiding excessive conscription of laborers in any particular state or region, which could lead to crop failure or widespread famine.

Moreover, a large sum of money was allocated, almost entirely from donations from the Northern Song and Southern Qin dynasties, as wages for the laborers.

"Your Highness!"

"In a good mood?" Guo Chao stood outside the East Palace gate and quickly pulled up the curtain.

Li Yuanchang boarded the carriage with a smile: "Not bad, the matter is finally settled. Now we just need to wait for the conscription of laborers to be completed."

"If everything goes smoothly, we can send a large batch of supplies over before the harsh winter arrives in Liaodong in September. There might be an opportunity, and we could even rewrite history."

"Rewrite history?" Guo Chao asked in surprise.

Li Yuanchang smiled without saying a word; no one else knew that Goguryeo would be forced to retreat from the war.

He estimated that if the logistical problems were solved and frostbite caused by the weather was prevented, the Tang Dynasty's military strength would likely be able to take down the Koreans in one fell swoop.

Then, by introducing culture, writing, and goods, we can control the peninsula like Japan, and the future territory of the Tang Dynasty will be extraordinary.

The number of ports of call has increased by an unknown amount.

This was an extremely fulfilling thing, which is why he was so excited.

"Your Highness, where are we going now? Back to the Prince of Han's residence or back to the Ministry of War?"

Li Yuanchang said, "Let's return to the manor."

"yes!"

Nowadays, there are more and more people in the Prince of Han's mansion. Su Qing was pregnant three days ago after taking her pulse and was secretly brought to the Prince of Han's mansion.

Others might not know Su Qing's identity, but how could Situ Lan, the Princess Consort of Han, not know it? She had even met her. When she learned that Su Qing was pregnant, she was also shocked.

But what's done is done, and she couldn't say anything, so she turned a blind eye and took the person over.

Therefore, Li Yuanchang now basically travels between a few places, and his daily route is even fixed.

The carriage slowly drove away from Xuanwu Gate, only three or four miles away from the Prince of Han's residence.

As you walk through the bustling Zhuque Avenue, various hawking cries echo from both sides of the street.

Driven by the commercial empire he built, the Tang Dynasty saw an increasing variety of goods and a vibrant diversity of products. The widespread availability of items like soap, coupled with the fact that the Tang Dynasty was already one of the most brilliant civilizations of the 7th century, contributed to this prosperity.

At first glance, it looks like I've traveled back to an ancient town in the 21st century.

"stop!"

Li Yuanchang suddenly shouted.

"Whoa!"

The carriage came to a quick stop, and the guards also stopped.

"Your Highness, what are your orders?"

boom!

Li Yuanchang jumped down from the carriage and his gaze was drawn to a stall on the side of the street. The vendors were two elderly people who were selling handmade bamboo crafts.

The material is ordinary, but the workmanship is excellent. The woven tiger is so lifelike that it seems to come alive, and there are also auspicious beasts such as cranes and qilin.

If this craft were taken to future generations, it would be intangible cultural heritage status in no time, and it would completely outclass those other handicrafts.

He watched as Li Yuanchang alighted from his carriage.

The two old men exchanged a glance, then quickly bowed and smiled obsequiously: "Sir, if you wish, we can give you some."

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Old man, don't be afraid."

"I'll take all of your handmade items. How much?"

He was extremely generous and planned to buy them all back as toys for his children; he is now the father of eight children.

As he spoke, he walked closer.

"Sir, we wouldn't dare. If you want it, we wouldn't dare accept the money." The two old men bowed repeatedly, trembling with fear.

"Take it if I tell you to. How could the Prince of Han's mansion forcibly seize it?" A guard handed over the copper coin bag with displeasure. He felt that if others saw this, they would accuse the Prince of Han's mansion of bullying people in the street and not paying for their purchases.

"Huh?" Li Yuanchang glared at him.

The guard lowered his head, not daring to say anything more.

Li Yuanchang took the money bag.

"Gentlemen, please forgive me, my subordinate doesn't know how to speak."

"There should be more money than you need, so please take it."

"I'm taking everything with me."

"Yes, thank you, Your Highness Han! Thank you, Your Highness Han! So much money!" The two old men stepped forward excitedly.

Li Yuanchang smiled.

But the moment the two old men reached out, the situation changed drastically, and a murderous intent emerged!