hsntnovel Chapter 2775 I Want Two Islands
Chapter 2775 I Want Two Islands
Being buried in Zhaoling was an immense honor for others, a symbol of status, and a representation of one's position in the Tang Dynasty.
Those who were buried with the Emperor at Zhaoling were all people of high status and outstanding achievements, such as Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, and Fang Xuanling.
Each emperor would begin selecting a site and building his mausoleum after ascending the throne, and Zhaoling was built by order of Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) when Empress Zhangsun was critically ill.
It pioneered the system of building mausoleums on mountains, selecting Jiuzong Mountain as the site. The project was massive, and even after twenty years since the tenth year of the Zhenguan era, it is still not completed.
Although being buried alongside the emperor was an honor, how old was Li Shen? He was only in his early twenties. Hearing that his father had reserved a place for him to be buried so early made him feel uneasy.
He still thought he could live to be eighty, so he had sixty years left to live.
"Hmph, with your blasphemous behavior, I will take you in sooner or later. As for the imperial treasury, how dare I leave it in Zhaoling after you enter it?"
"Given your personality, even as a ghost, you'd still covet my money."
Li Shimin snorted, showing no regard for Li Shen's feelings.
Since ancient times, the concept of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher has been established. One is both the ruler and the parent, so one should be filial to oneself. How can a son oppose his father every day?
He estimated that he could have lived to be a hundred years old, but because Li Shen was so angry with him every day, he said he would live to be eighty years old.
"Tch, fine, if you won't give it to me, I'll find my own way to earn it." Li Shen curled his lip after hearing this. Unfair is unfair, and Li Shen could tolerate the unfair treatment.
But at least you should have water in each bowl, no matter how much or how little. You can't just pour all the water from one bowl into another; that's not fair.
"Tenth brother, just shut up. Look how angry you just made Father."
Li Chengqian looked at Li Shen with some reproach, for Li Shimin had been coughing incessantly from anger earlier.
"Hmph, you green tea bitch, you got all the benefits and all you know how to do is pretend to be a good person." Li Shen sneered at Li Chengqian.
Li Chengqian was speechless. It was true. He knew the inside story. The money in the imperial treasury was all accumulated by Li Shen and his father over the years.
No one knew that 30% of the world's wealth was in the imperial treasury, and everyone thought that Li Shen was the richest person in the world.
"Alright, Li Shen, the matter of eliminating the natives is not just your responsibility; it represents the interests of the Tang Dynasty."
This task is undoubtedly yours to accomplish. Giving you 500,000 strings of cash is a reward, not a transaction. Do you understand?
Li Shimin frowned and got back to the main point, fearing that Li Shenyi might get excited and reveal that the imperial treasury was wealthy.
“Father, since this is a reward, I thank you for your kindness. However, I would like to discuss a transaction with you.”
"I can't work for nothing. Feeding the people and horses along the way, building ships and recruiting sailors—all of that requires a lot of money."
Even if you don't talk about transactions, I will.
"Your Highness, have you forgotten that you still have a naval force under your command?"
At this moment, Changsun Wuji suddenly spoke, which surprised many people, who did not understand what he meant.
Of those who knew about this incident back then, it seems that only Changsun Wuji is still alive; Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, and others have all died.
Ma Zhou and Yu Zhining also rose to power a few years later. Among the Six Ministries, only Tang Jian knew the general situation; the other officials in the Six Ministries were also newly appointed.
They didn't know what Changsun Wuji meant by "naval power."
"Is the Duke of Zhao referring to the merchant ships of the Prince of Ji's residence? Their guards are far too weak to accomplish such a task."
Li Shen narrowed his eyes, revealing a golden light. This was a secret; was Changsun Wuji planning to reveal it?
Among the Three Departments and Six Ministries, there were many members of prominent families, as well as some people with connections to these families. Xu Jingzong was one such person, along with Yu Zhining and Gao Jifu.
If he were to reveal the identity of his pirate crew, it would be extremely disadvantageous for him.
"Hehe, Duke Zhao, my tenth brother's merchant ships are indeed not up to the task; we still need his guard battalion to step in."
I wonder if you agree with what I've said.
Just as Li Shen was worried, Li Chengqian chuckled and said to the Duke of Zhao in a calm tone.
However, his expression was extremely serious, and his eyes held both warning and threat.
"Your Highness is right. This old minister was confused. Merchant ships have guards, but how can they be compared to soldiers?"
"It was my rudeness, Your Highness, that I beg your forgiveness."
Changsun Wuji realized he had misspoke. He had only wanted to help His Majesty lower the price and forgot that this was a matter he shouldn't mention.
Although these are all important officials, Prince Ji's pirate crew is a top secret, and everyone who knew about it is dead.
King Ji formed this pirate crew to plunder passing ships at sea in order to attack Goguryeo.
The purpose was to have someone support Goguryeo with food and supplies.
The purpose is good, but how can such a thing be made public? Even those behind him cannot know. If His Majesty could know, he would have said so long ago.
The others remained silent, sensing something was amiss; they believed the Duke of Zhao must have some unspeakable secret.
However, since His Majesty and the Crown Prince did not intend to say anything, they dared not ask any further questions.
"Alright, name your price." Li Shimin waved his hand impatiently.
He knew that Li Shen wouldn't do it without offering some incentive.
"One million strings of cash and a piece of land in Yazhou," Li Shen offered again.
Li Shimin shook his head:
"No, you can choose any island in this area, even if it costs 500,000 strings of cash."
Li Shimin was referring to the archipelago that had been cleared out.
"Father, there's nothing here. What use is it to me? If that's the case, I want two islands plus a million strings of cash."
Li Shen immediately shook his head and refused.
"Don't be too greedy. Five hundred thousand strings of cash for an island is already the greatest reward. I can grant you the island, which will not be under the jurisdiction of the court, and you will be allowed to govern it autonomously."
Li Shimin stood up, went to the islands, and stamped his foot.
Autonomy—the dream of so many! Even the princes of the Tang Dynasty didn't own their own territories; they all belonged to the imperial court.
When a prince goes to his fiefdom, he is merely an official who collects some taxes.
However, no one objected to His Majesty granting Prince Ji an island for autonomy, since it wasn't within the territory of the Tang Dynasty and was quite far away.
It's just a tiny island, one that we seized ourselves. What trouble can Prince Ji possibly cause?
Li Shen walked over, looked at it, and shook his head again in rejection:
"Five hundred thousand strings of cash, two islands, and I want the other island here."
As Li Shen spoke, he tapped a small stick heavily on an island.
Everyone looked over.
"Liuqiu? You want Liuqiu Island?" Li Shimin was somewhat surprised after seeing it clearly, and the others were also somewhat surprised.
Li Shen used a stick to strike Ryukyu, which was not far from the Tang Dynasty.
(Oh my god, I overslept, I overslept.)