After Li Zhiyun got "Illustrated Records of the Western Regions", he immediately started reading it.
According to this book, there are a total of forty-four small countries in the Western Region. Most of the countries can only be said to be small countries with one city. They are either attached to Gaochang or attached to the Western Turks. At present, it seems that there is no threat to the Tang Dynasty, but
Li Zhiyun knew, however, that ambition had already grown in some countries in the Western Regions.
During the heyday of the Sui Dynasty, all the countries in the Western Regions surrendered, and Yang Guang even organized a World Expo.
However, since the fall of the Sui Dynasty, the Central Plains Dynasty has lost control of the Western Regions. The countries in the Western Regions that were originally unwilling to submit to the Central Plains Dynasty have now become independent.
Looking at the countries recorded in the book one after another, Li Zhiyun's eyes gradually became serious. He knew that the Central Plains must be unified quickly, otherwise things will become more and more complicated.
Now that history has changed beyond recognition, Li Zhiyun dare not use the history he knows to bet on the changes in the situation.
"Li Zhen."
Upon hearing the call, Li Zhen who was outside immediately walked into the house and bowed to Li Zhiyun who was sitting on his knees.
"Your Highness."
Li Zhiyun put down the book and asked: "How much do you know about the merchants from the Western Regions in Beijing?"
"I am ashamed that I did not pay any attention to this." Li Zhen lowered her head.
Since the last time something went wrong, Li Zhen felt like she was a bit useless. Although His Highness did not suffer any loss in the end, things went wrong just like they did, and he would not give himself any excuses.
"Go check it out and give me a list of unknown merchants from the Western Regions."
"As commanded."
After Li Zhen went down, Li Zhiyun continued to read.
At this moment, Princess Chu walked in with her son in her arms.
Because the weather was getting warmer, Princess Chu also put on the gauze skirt again. Her skin was as smooth as snow, her neck was slender, and she was graceful and luxurious with a hint of charm.
The atmosphere in the early Tang Dynasty was more conservative, and the clothes naturally did not have the low-cut clothes worn by the ladies in the later Tang Dynasty murals. However, the Princess of Chu, who had given birth to a son and a daughter, could be called white and big.
Li Zhiyun experienced this firsthand when he was admiring it late at night.
Seeing his wife coming, Li Zhiyun put down his book, went up and hugged her and sat down.
"Why are you free to come to the study to see me today?" Li Zhiyun teased while holding his son. Women were generally not allowed to enter his study, and only Princess Chu in the palace could come to the study to see him without notification.
Yang said distressedly: "You have been busy investigating the case these days and haven't slept well for several nights. I came to see your husband on behalf of my sisters."
"It's nothing." Li Zhiyun said nonchalantly: "When I was on an expedition in the past, this was never the case. You don't have to worry."
"This can't be done." Princess Chu said: "When I'm away on the battlefield, I can't take care of my husband. It's useless to worry. I can only pray for my husband's safety. But at home, my husband has to be obedient. I cooked the medicinal food with my own hands, and I remember to drink some."
"Okay, okay, I listen to you." Li Zhiyun clicked and took a bite on her pink face, making the latter shy and angry.
Not to mention Li Zhiyun and his wife Niwai, the East Palace was really not in a good mood after hearing the news from the court.
Li Jiancheng saw Dou Kang's show of goodwill and was ready to have some contact with Dou Kang in the next few days to resolve past grudges and move toward the future together.
However, before he could take action, Dou Kang was actually dismissed from his post. Moreover, Dou Jing, Minister of Civil Affairs, was also beaten to the end by the emperor and was directly exiled to Bashu.
Zheng Shanguo told Li Jiancheng everything about what happened.
"Do you think this matter has anything to do with King Chu?"
After Li Jiancheng finished speaking, Zheng Shanguo said without thinking: "It must be related. I haven't heard any news about the investigation of imitation kerosene. From this, we can know that the King of Chu did it secretly. Moreover, after the incident in Yiyangfang, the Weifu Army
I took control of Yiyangfang immediately and did not allow anyone to enter or exit. If you say it has nothing to do with the King of Chu, I won't believe it."
Wang Gui said: "You can't say that. It is true that Dou Jing secretly made kerosene. This kind of thing is not trivial. It is understandable that the King of Chu controls Yiyangfang to prevent the news from leaking."
Zheng Shanguo frowned and said, "Where are you from? How can you speak for the King of Chu?"
"I'm not speaking for the King of Chu, I'm just making reasonable speculations." Wang Gui said: "I know you suspect that this matter was led by the King of Chu, but the problem is that Dou Jing himself admitted that it was him who made the kerosene privately. This is
fact.
Is it possible that the King of Chu guided Dou Jing to secretly manufacture fire oil, and then ordered people to set fire to it, and found out that Dou Jing secretly manufactured fire oil?"
Lu Chisong said: "What you said makes sense, but is it possible that the King of Chu knew in advance that Dou Jing was making kerosene privately, and then took action?"
Wang Gui said: "This does make sense."
Li Jiancheng said: "Okay, it is useless to talk about this now. Dou Kang left the political hall, Dou Jing was also exiled, and the power of the Dou family in the court was greatly reduced. Do you think this is King Chu's dealing with the Dou family?"
"Your Highness, even if the King of Chu is not dealing with the Dou family, for us, this is the King of Chu dealing with the Dou family." Zheng Shanguo analyzed: "The Dou family showed kindness to Your Highness, but at this time the King of Chu suddenly found out that the imitation fire
Oil, how to think, how to make people suspicious.
In addition, Shence Mansion has been recruiting people everywhere during this period, and there are even old people from Tiance Mansion, so His Highness should know what King Chu is planning."
There is no need to explain it thoroughly, everyone present understands it.
Li Jiancheng's face was gloomy. He was now trapped in the East Palace and could not interfere in the government affairs. He could only let the King of Chu make trouble.
The power of the East Palace in the court is not weak, but the problem is that every time he opposes King Chu, the saint will side with King Chu and warn him, which makes him extremely frustrated.
Zheng Shanguo continued: "Although we always say that the King of Chu will not be proud for long, according to the current situation, when His Highness returns to the court in the future and faces the King of Chu, who of you is sure that he can completely suppress the King of Chu?"
Faced with Zheng Shanguo's question, no one dared to give an easy answer.
"Then what do you think?" Wang Gui asked.
Zheng Shanguo narrowed his eyes and said, "Get rid of King Chu."
Everyone frowned when they heard this, but no one spoke to object this time.
Wei Ting hesitated and said: "Unless it is absolutely necessary, I don't think we can make dangerous moves."
"Now is the last resort." Zheng Shanguo sneered: "Although the King of Chu does not have many courtiers to support him now, he still has troops and horses in his hands, and he has 80% of the troops and horses of the Tang Dynasty. How can he take it lightly."
Li Jiancheng was silent for a while, "Keep talking."
"Yes." Zheng Shanguo said: "My idea is still to get rid of the King of Chu, and take the opportunity to let the saint send the King of Chu to go on an expedition, and then kill him. Only in this way can everything be over."
Speaking of this, Lu Chisong asked: "Are you absolutely sure?"
"No." Zheng Shanguo said, "But it's better than us doing nothing."
"Since you are not completely sure, then don't do this." Lu Chisong said: "There is news from King Qi that the tomb of King Qin has almost been built. The saint has said before that he wants to bury King Qin himself, Your Highness might as well take advantage of this
Follow the opportunity, so that you can ease the relationship with the saint as soon as possible. Moreover, the one-year period is approaching, why should you go all out at this time?
Although the King of Chu has troops and horses at hand, as long as His Highness returns to the court, the advantage of the King of Chu will be wiped out. We also have the King of Qi in the army."
"You are just sitting there waiting for death!" Zheng Shanguo said in a serious tone.