Chapter 26

At this moment, inside Taoyuan Manor.

"Hehe... collect some interest first!"

"There's plenty of time, just wait..."

Su Liang muttered to himself, and then a beautiful arc appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Seeing that smile, everyone felt it was truly eerie and made people tremble with fear...

At this moment, Su Liang looked like a little butcher, killing without blinking an eye; over one hundred and thirty people were all killed by Su Liang in just over an hour, which was truly not Su Liang's style.

Everyone in the manor didn't understand why Su Liang was so angry; they naturally wouldn't believe he slaughtered the Wa country's envoys just for a brothel woman!

Everyone racked their brains and couldn't figure out the reason. At this moment, everyone looked at Su Liang with strange eyes, not knowing what they were thinking.

Su Liang was too lazy to pay attention to everyone's gazes at this moment...

They naturally wouldn't understand Su Liang's state of mind; Su Liang was not only a playboy rich second generation in his past life but also a military second generation, and the hatred in his bones could not be erased!

As for everyone's astonishment and confusion, Su Liang didn't know how to explain it; he couldn't tell them that the Wa people's crime was a crime of the future!

I don't know how much time passed...

Su Liang suddenly blurted out: "Alright, don't think too much. The people of my Great Tang cannot be bullied by others."

"If anyone is to bully them, it will be me, hmph..."

"Pfft..."

Changle couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Everyone then smiled, knowing Su Liang was joking, and their moods completely relaxed at this moment.

Just at this moment.

The system's voice sounded in Su Liang's mind...

"Ding: The system has detected that the host has completed the task of promoting Spring Festival couplets, and the task reward has arrived."

"Does the host wish to extract it?"

"Extract!" Su Liang said without hesitation.

A moment later, massive amounts of knowledge fragments surged into Su Liang's mind like a tide.

It didn't stop until a full quarter of an hour later.

"Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!"

"This... this... there's actually nuclear power generation, is there a mistake!"

Su Liang was speechless; this could be produced, but it was impossible to make this kind of thing in this era...

Su Liang then communicated with the system...

Half an hour later.

His Majesty Li Er had already arrived at Taoyuan Manor with many Dukes and ministers, and Su Liang just glanced at them coldly from afar.

"Son-in-law, this matter has blown up, I'm afraid it will lead to war!" Zhangsun Wuji said in a deep voice.

"Hehe..." Su Liang chuckled.

He then said, "Could it be that my Great Tang is afraid of them? What a joke!"

At this moment, Li Er also stared at Su Liang and said, "Son-in-law, there must be some reason, right?"

"If it were just for a brothel woman, you would never do such a thing, Son-in-law."

"Hehe..."

Su Liang laughed: "It is because of a brothel woman. Is a brothel woman not a citizen of my Great Tang? How can we let foreigners bully them!"

"If this matter is not severely punished, one day the Wa country will bully the Great Tang."

"Let me remind Your Majesty, in recent years, the Wa country has been constantly attacking Silla. Otherwise, why do you think Silla came with heavy gifts this time?"

"This... this..."

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this and was secretly pondering the meaning of Su Liang's words, remaining silent for a long time.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Su Liang continued to talk eloquently: "Nowadays, Silla not only faces the suppression of Gao Li and Baekje but also faces the invasion of the Wa country."

"Don't you all know that Gao Li and Baekje did not come to pay tribute this year?"

"If these three countries unite to occupy Silla, can the borders of my Great Tang still be stable?"

"Hiss..."

Everyone gasped upon hearing this and fell into deep thought...

Nowadays, besides the Turks who have already surrendered to the Tang, there are the Shiwei tribes, Sumo Mohe tribes, Kumo Xi, Khitan, and Bai Si.

If you add Gao Li, Baekje, and the Wa country...

If they unite...

Thinking about it is terrifying!!!

At this moment, everyone was covered in cold sweat, speechless, and remained silent for a long time...

"Little Su, could it be that you want to?" Li Jing suddenly said with excitement.

"Hehe... His Majesty knows this best."

"Right, Your Majesty?" Su Liang looked at Li Er with deep eyes and chuckled.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Li Er's eyes had narrowed into slits at some point, and a smile was hanging at the corners of his mouth...

At this moment, only Su Liang could understand what Li Er was thinking; Empress Zhangsun must have already told Li Er.

"Cough, cough..."

Li Er coughed twice and said.

"Son-in-law, if you have any plans, just say them! Everyone here today is an old acquaintance."

"Alright." Su Liang agreed decisively.

It concerned the overall situation of China, so there was no room for ambiguity.

He then looked at everyone and said, "Haven't all the ministers been discussing how to divide the provinces and counties recently?"

"Today, I will talk about my views so that all the Dukes and ministers can use them for reference. This is also the result of the preliminary discussion between me and His Majesty."

"The twenty-three counties around Changan will be the Capital Region, and the Eastern Capital, Luoyang, will be the Metropolitan Region."

"Nowadays, the Eastern Turks have surrendered to the Great Tang and can be divided into the Frontier Region."

"Along the Yellow River, we can divide it into the Hexi Region, Guannei Region, Hedong Region, and Hebei Region; south of the Yellow River will be the Longyou Region and Henan Region."

"South of the Longyou Region will be the Jiannan Region, and then north of the Yangtze River will be the Shannan West Region, Shannan East Region, and Huainan Region."

"South of the Yangtze River will be the Qianzhong Region, Jiangnan West Region, and Jiangnan East Region."

"The southernmost part will be the Zhennan Region, Lingnan West Region, and Lingnan East Region."

"In this way, my Great Tang has a total of nineteen regions. Do you all understand?"

After Su Liang finished speaking, Zhangsun Wuji immediately stepped forward and asked, "I'm sure all the ministers understand the seventeen regions..."

Hearing this, everyone nodded one after another.

Afterwards, Zhangsun Wuji continued, "It's just that I ask the Imperial Son-in-law to explain the Hexi Region and the Zhennan Region."

Before Su Liang could speak, Du Ruhui suddenly said, "Could it be that this Hexi Region refers to the west of the Yellow River?"

Li Er nodded slightly at this time and then said with a smile, "The Zhennan Region is a part divided from the Jiannan Region, connecting with the three surrounding countries."

"Does Your Majesty mean the Baizi country, the Pu tribe, and the Cuan clan?" Du Ruhui asked.

Su Liang smiled indifferently: "The Baizi country is not worth worrying about; the main thing is the Cuan barbarians, with a population of one million. The Cuan clan has now split into East and West Cuan."

"The Cuan clan is East Cuan, which can be called the Black Barbarians; the Pu tribe is West Cuan, which can be called the White Barbarians."

"Among them, the Pu tribe is the strongest, with six major tribes, including Mengshe Zhao, Mengxi Zhao, Dengzan Zhao, Langqiong Zhao, Shilang Zhao, and Yuexi Zhao."

After Su Liang finished speaking, he looked at Li Jing and said meaningfully, "Father-in-law, don't you want to try the new troop training method? The Jiannan Region is just right!"

"Hahaha..." Hearing this, Li Jing laughed heartily immediately.

He then looked at Li Er and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister is willing to expand the territory for my Great Tang! Please grant your permission, Your Majesty!"

"Good!" Li Er said triumphantly.

Having a good son-in-law is truly worry-free; there are many things he, the Emperor, doesn't need to worry about.

Little did he know that Su Liang was thinking that the territory of China must not be lost!

All the ministers understood at this moment that Su Liang was trying to expand the territory for the Great Tang, which was why he made such arrangements.

"Then how should the Hexi Region be handled?" Fang Xuanling asked.

"The Hexi Region will be bounded by Liangzhou west of the Yellow River. What does Your Majesty think?" Su Liang looked at Li Er and said.

"Good, good, good..." Li Er said 'good' three times in a row.

"After the Western Turks are destroyed, we can reopen the Silk Road!"

A moment later.

Li Er continued to ask, "I wonder what other arrangements the Son-in-law has?"

"Yingzhou can be the front line for the eastern expedition to Gao Li, and Youzhou can be the rear support and supply."

"The Kumo Xi, Khitan, and Bai Si countries only have over one hundred thousand households, so we should be polite first and then use force!" Su Liang said lightly.

As soon as Su Liang said this, everyone was shocked.

Before long, they praised him one after another!

Afterwards, everyone offered their strategies...

The first year of Zhenguan, the fifth day of the first lunar month.

At the morning court in the Liangyi Hall of the Daji Palace.

Li Er sat on the dragon throne and looked at the envoys to the Tang from various countries, saying loudly: "You may all return. Those who are willing to surrender to my Great Tang from now on can send people to learn the most advanced technology of my Great Tang."

"As for those who are unwilling to surrender..."

"Just wait for my Great Tang's army to arrive at your city walls!"

This was naturally something everyone had already arranged.

In an instant, the court became noisy...

At the same time, inside Taoyuan Manor.

"Husband... is... is this the big Kongming lantern you were talking about?" Li Xian'er exclaimed.

It was just that the Kongming lantern Su Liang spoke of was too big, measuring seven zhang long...

"Can this big Kongming lantern carry people to fly in the sky?"

"Hehe... this is called a hot air balloon," Su Liang chuckled.

"Didn't I promise to take you all flying in the sky? Today I will let you see it for yourselves."

"So you all stop saying Husband is bragging."

He then looked at Er Hu and shouted: "Er Hu, light it!"

Hearing this, Er Hu immediately went up to light it, and a blue flame sprayed out, making a 'whoosh' sound.

As the air was slowly heated, the hot air balloon slowly floated up, and the basket was also pulled up.

"Good, good, good... control the fire volume well, wait until we go up first," Su Liang shouted quickly.

After Su Liang and the women got into the basket, the hot air balloon slowly rose into the sky, and all the women were extremely excited at this moment.

At first, when Su Liang said he would take them to the sky, most of them didn't dare to believe it. Su Liang reminded them to hold onto the edge of the basket and never fall out.

"Yay... Brother Su, we are flying in the sky..."

Little Sizi, in Su Liang's arms, danced with joy, and Su Liang also affectionately stroked little Sizi's head.

The basket was 1.5 meters high; it was just that little Sizi was too short, only ten years old this year, so Su Liang had to hold her. Changle stood on tiptoe and could barely see outside, and the others also looked out one after another...

"Brother Su... you are amazing..."

Changle hugged Su Liang's arm and giggled.

"Hehe... still calling me Brother Su? It's time to change how you address me; we're getting married in ten days."

Su Liang teased.

Hearing this, Changle's face turned red immediately.

"This... this... is too magical..."

Zhangsun Yue exclaimed, her cherry mouth wide open.

A moment later, the hot air balloon had risen to a high altitude and was flying toward the Liangyi Hall of the Daji Palace in Changan City...

This was something Su Liang had promised the women long ago, and it was also something Su Liang and Li Er had agreed upon. Originally, Su Liang planned to make it before the Lantern Festival.

In order to deter the various countries, it was rushed out by working overtime these past few days.

It used over eight hundred sheepskins!

"Brother Su, that's Taoyuan City, that's Changan City..." little Sizi shouted while looking down with a telescope.

The women also looked down one after another...

Although it was Su Liang's first time too, he was much calmer, and then he took out his pipe and smoked silently...

At the same time, in Taoyuan County below.

"Look quickly... what is that... such a big Kongming lantern..."

"Have you ever seen such a big Kongming lantern... eh... it seems there are people on it..."

"That... that is Young Master Su..."

"Look quickly... look quickly... Young Master Su can fly..."

"Could it be that Young Master Su is really an immortal..."

"Aren't you talking nonsense? Young Master Su is an exiled immortal descending to the mortal world... of course he can fly..."

"Look quickly... Princess Changle is also there..."

"Princess Jinyang is also there... Young Master Su is holding her..."

Seeing the commoners below pointing and gesturing, Su Liang immediately asked Er Hu to lower the altitude so everyone could say hello.

A quarter of an hour later, the hot air balloon slowly lowered its altitude.

"Young Master Su, Happy New Year... Happy New Year..."

"Exiled Immortal, Happy New Year..."

"Happy New Year... Happy New Year..."

Seeing Su Liang and the others, the commoners greeted them one after another.

Seeing this, everyone returned the greetings one after another...

Su Liang saw the fiery gazes in the eyes of the commoners and immediately said: "I will make more of these in the future, and then everyone will have a chance to fly."

"We still have some things to do, so we'll be going first."

"Happy New Year to everyone, have fun!"

After saying that, he immediately let Er Hu operate it...

It wasn't until they flew over the Imperial City that they slowly lowered the altitude.

"Father... Father..." little Sizi shouted in Su Liang's arms.

The guards also saw that it was Su Liang and the others at this moment, and they were terrified, then bowed slightly.

A moment later.

In the Liangyi Hall of the Daji Palace.

A guard reported: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Son-in-law... the Imperial Son-in-law and the others have flown over..."

Everyone in the hall was full of disbelief upon hearing this; could it be that the Imperial Son-in-law really could fly? Then all eyes turned to Li Er.

Li Er laughed heartily: "Let's go, follow me out to see!"

In an instant, Li Er strode out of the hall, and the ministers followed silently, as did the envoys from various countries.

A moment later, everyone had walked out of the hall.

A few of them knew that Su Liang wanted to use a hot air balloon to carry people, but when they actually saw it, they were still full of disbelief, and the others who didn't know were already stunned on the spot...

They saw the hot air balloon floating in the air, a full twenty meters above the ground...

Su Liang and the others were standing in the basket, looking down with smiles.

"Father... Father... we are here to pick up Mother Empress to stay in Taoyuan County for a few days," little Sizi said coquettishly.

Li Er also asked with a happy smile: "Hahaha... then are you picking up Father too?"

"Brother Su said Father doesn't need to attend the morning court tomorrow, so you can go too, but you have to finish the official business," little Sizi said while hugging Su Liang's neck.

"Hahaha... good, good, good... I will definitely finish it."

Li Er smiled broadly and then looked at Wang De: "Go and invite the Empress, and then dismiss the court..."

A quarter of an hour later.

In the stunned gazes of everyone, Li Er and Empress Zhangsun left with Su Liang and the others in the hot air balloon...

"Hahaha... where is the telescope? Bring it quickly for me to see," Li Er shouted.

"Father, here," little Sizi quickly handed over the telescope in her hand.

At the same time, Changle also handed the telescope in her hand to Empress Zhangsun, and the two immediately picked them up to watch.

"That's Pingkang Workshop... that's the East Market... that's the Imperial Academy... that's the West Market..." Li Er was as excited as a curious baby, acting as if he had never seen them before.

Su Liang had black lines all over his head upon hearing this...

But thinking about it, it was indeed true; no one had ever looked down at Changan City from such a high altitude before.

Seeing this, Su Liang shook his head slightly, then silently took out his pipe and puffed away...

Li Er gritted his teeth, actually forgetting about this; with such a beautiful high-altitude view, wouldn't it be a waste of being an "immortal" not to have a puff...

When they flew into Taoyuan County, Li Er saw the layout of Taoyuan County and couldn't help but praise: "Son-in-law, if only every place in the Great Tang were like your Taoyuan County!"

"Is it very difficult? Didn't Your Majesty promote it?" Su Liang said lightly.

"Hmph!" Li Er snorted coldly and ignored Su Liang.

Seeing this, Empress Zhangsun also shook her head slightly with a smile at the corners of her mouth...