Chapter 89

"Fang Xuanling, you are truly my pillar of support!"

Li Er stood up, walked personally to Fang Fang Xuanling, patted his shoulder solemnly, and then said:

"Pass down the order: Fang Fang Xuanling accompanied me to Tubo through life and death, his wisdom is extraordinary, I specially grant Fang Fang Xuanling the title of Duke of Liang!"

Everyone present was dumbfounded.

What is going on?

"Your Majesty, what is this about the trade with Great Qin?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! I have never been able to understand why you would hand over Jiannan Dao to Great Qin?"

"What exactly did Your Majesty discuss with Great Qin?"

The Dukes and officials in the hall were all confused.

They really wanted to know what Li Er had experienced in Great Qin.

"Alright! You would have to know sooner or later, so I will tell you now."

Li Er nodded and recounted all the two deals he had made with Qin Mu.

The reason this matter had not been announced in the imperial court was mainly because Li Er wanted to put all his energy into the reform.

If these two matters were brought up, perhaps those with ulterior motives would use them to stir up trouble.

Then the main goal of the reform would fall short of success!

In order not to create extra complications, Li Er did not make these matters public.

These Dukes and high officials before him were his trusted aides.

Telling them was naturally not a problem.

When Li Er finished speaking, complex expressions appeared on the faces of everyone present.

Ceding Jiannan Dao to Great Qin, and the two countries having a ten-year trade alliance.

No one knew if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

If one were to say it was a bad thing, the trade with Great Qin might weaken Great Qin's economic strength.

As everyone knows.

The richness of Great Tang's products is incomparable to any surrounding country.

Porcelain, tea, silk, etc., might be commonplace within the Great Tang, but once they leave the borders of the Great Tang, they can be sold for sky-high prices.

Great Qin is located on the Tubo plateau, where resources are scarce.

Once trade begins, wouldn't silver flow into the Great Tang easily?

If this continues for a long time.

Great Qin's economic strength will definitely decline rapidly.

This is something everyone is willing to see.

If one were to say it was a good thing, ceding Jiannan Dao is indeed somewhat unacceptable.

Ceding territory and paying indemnities is not a glorious thing in any dynasty.

From the monarch down to the officials, everyone would be reviled by future generations for these humiliating conditions.

Of course!

A small Jiannan Dao is not enough to make one's heart ache.

After all, there is no one for hundreds of miles around there.

The manpower and material resources spent on garrisoning troops are huge; it is truly Wu Li Ke a chicken rib.

It just doesn't sound very good in terms of reputation.

"Your humble subject supports Your Majesty!"

Just as everyone was lost in thought, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji suddenly stood out and expressed his full support for Li Er.

A hint of surprise appeared in everyone's eyes.

This old fox is extremely deep and usually does not easily express his position on anything.

What happened today?

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji remained calm and composed, not caring about the gazes of others.

Of course.

It wasn't as simple as just supporting Li Er.

In fact.

The Empress Zhangsun family, headed by Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji, controlled the iron ore resources of the Great Tang.

In that era.

Controlling iron ore resources was Wu Li Ke sitting on a mountain of gold and silver!

Whether it was the pots and pans used by the common people or the armor and weapons needed by the army, but the current Great Tang is in a prosperous age.

The imperial army no longer needs excessive iron ore.

The pots and pans needed by the common people are not consumables.

As a result.

The iron ore in Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji's hands was showing signs of stagnation.

The Empress Zhangsun family is nominally the number one prestigious family in the Great Tang.

What doesn't need iron ore?

Daily expenses are extremely high.

Money is spent Wu Li Ke water!

Empress Zhangsun Chong would spend thousands of gold pieces visiting brothels without even blinking.

With such consumption, even a mountain of gold and silver wouldn't be able to hold up!

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji was worrying about this when he heard Li Er propose trade with Great Qin.

It was exactly what he wanted!

If trade between the two great powers opened, wouldn't those stagnant iron ores be snapped up in minutes?

With such a good thing, how could he not support it fully?

"Very good! Zhangsun Wuji is worthy of being the head of all officials; I am very pleased!"

Li Er looked at Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji with gratification and nodded in praise.

"The Duke of Zhao has always been cautious; since he thinks it is feasible, then I also support it."

Du Ru also stood out.

Following that.

Fang Fang Xuanling, Cheng Cheng Yaojin, Li Ji, and others also nodded in agreement.

Li Er finally breathed a sigh of relief.

These people are the pillars of the Great Tang.

With their support, half the battle was won.

Li Er looked at Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji calmly, and the imperceptible vigilance in his eyes gradually faded.

Perhaps...

Did I misunderstand him?

Ever since returning to the Great Tang, Li Er had a question in his heart.

That night.

What exactly did Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji and Qin Mu talk about?

But now, seeing Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji actually supporting him fully, Li Er suddenly felt a bit soft-hearted.

Perhaps Zhangsun Wuji just didn't intend to cause a dispute with Qin Mu?

That kid Qin Mu is not someone who stays under others for long.

Perhaps he had rebellious intentions long ago!

Alright! Let's decide it this way!

"Fang Xuanling, you are the most familiar with Great Qin; I will leave the matter of trade with Great Qin to you." Li Er cheered up and looked at Fang Fang Xuanling.

"Your humble subject obeys!"

Fang Fang Xuanling agreed without hesitation, his heart filled with excitement.

This task was indeed what he had been dreaming of.

Fang Fang Xuanling is, after all, the number one strategist of the Great Tang, always known for his wisdom!

Now that he has repeatedly lost to a young kid, how could he be reconciled?

No matter what, he must win back a round!

It starts with trade between the two countries!

Qin Mu, we shall meet again!