Chapter 115

Hearing this, Li Shimin and Du Ruhui couldn't help but want to laugh.

To some extent, Chen Yan's scheme completely pits the aristocratic clans to death.

The funds for the flood‑control measures come from the aristocratic clans, and then, using the merit steles, they are morally coerced into donating money and grain.

After the aristocratic clans bleed heavily, they end up making wedding clothes for Li Shimin, and in the end gain nothing.

This is...... great!

Just thinking that he can use the aristocratic clans to benefit the people while also spreading his fame, Li Shimin's face breaks into a grin.

"Good, good, good, we'll do it as Zi An says."

"This plan is wonderful, this plan is wonderful!"

Immediately afterward, the four of them discussed it thoroughly, refining Chen Yan's plan.

During this period, Chen Yan did not mention anything about Li Lizhi and Gao Yang.

He contributed to this matter, but he cannot use it to threaten Li Shimin into also marrying Li Lizhi to him.

Otherwise, it would likely backfire.

After all, no matter what he says, he is a subject, while Li Shimin is the ruler.

If he uses this matter to threaten Li Shimin, the nature of his contribution would change.

Anyway, since he doesn't bring it up, Li Shimin's mind will surely guess his thoughts.

Nonsense like "the Tang is my home, happiness relies on everyone"—just hear it out.

Earlier, when Chen Yan called Li Shimin "father‑in‑father," he only showed annoyance but did not get angry or directly refuse, proving that his heart had already wavered, even tacitly accepting.

Besides this reason, Chen Yan's silence actually hides another plan.

Now Gao Yang and Li Lizhi are fighting fiercely; better to let them wear each other down while they are still unmarried, so they won't continue quarreling after marriage.

Although this is somewhat improper, Chen Yan has considered it thoroughly before deciding to do so.

After all, both princesses are not easy to handle; if he cannot suppress them, he will likely end up being the one underneath.

Especially Gao Yang, who has a bad temper, admires the strong, and has a strong desire for control, must be suppressed comprehensively without blind spots.

"......"

After the four discussed for half a day and finally worked out a regulation, exchanged pleasantries for a while, Li Shimin was about to leave when he suddenly stopped.

He turned back and said: "Right, Zi An, the Retired Emperor is bored alone in the palace; if you have time today, take Sizi and some fun things to the Grand Peace Palace to chat with the Retired Emperor."

Having said that, Li Shimin tossed a waist badge to Chen Yan and left with Li Junxian.

Looking at the golden inscribed waist badge in his hand, Chen Yan was somewhat puzzled.

Keeping Li Yuan company to chat and relieve boredom—how could that possibly fall to him?

Whether it's the Crown Prince, the Prince of Yue, or Li Lizhi and other princes and princesses, who isn't more suitable than him?

After pondering a moment, Chen Yan still couldn't fathom why Li Shimin suddenly summoned him to the Grand Peace Palace to keep Li Yuan company, so he simply stopped thinking about it.

He turned his head and met two pairs of meaningful eyes.

The three stared at each other for a while, then Li Chunfeng spoke first: "Mr. Chen, you're impressive! I didn't expect you to actually succeed."

As someone who experienced the birthday banquet, how could he not know about the affairs between the two princesses and Chen Yan?

From having interacted so many times, he also discovered that Chen Yan had no intention toward Li Lizhi or Gao Yang.

But Gao Yang already has a marriage engagement, making her the natural victor.

Originally Li Chunfeng thought Li Lizhi would end up with nothing, like trying to fetch water with a bamboo basket, and had secretly sighed that it was a pity.

But he never expected Chen Yan to have a mutual pursuit with Li Lizhi.

One settled the Retired Emperor and the Crown Prince, the other settled the Emperor.

The remaining Empress Changsun, who already felt indebted to Chen Yan, need not be mentioned; she probably tacitly accepts this.

As for the attitude of the Prince of Yue and his entourage...

Well, that doesn't matter!

Chen Yan wasn't surprised that Li Chunfeng had figured it out; hearing his words, he shrugged: "Grand Historian, you don't know?"

"The hardest thing to bear in the world is a beauty's favor!"

"Li Lizhi has already done that for me; if I don't show some response, wouldn't that make me inhuman?"

Du Ruhui laughed heartily: "Zi An says it well; as a good man of the Tang, how could we do something that betrays a beauty's heart?"

"The two princesses are just that; marrying them is no big deal."

"This time we also need to thank the Duke of Cai." Chen Yan bowed slightly: "If it weren't for the Duke of Cai's help, I would probably have to expend a great deal of effort."

Du Ruhui feigned displeasure: "Your words sound distant; between us there's no need for thanks—I reckon I'd have to go thank you every morning when I get up."

"Besides, this matter is merely a trifle for me—able to resolve the flood disaster while also helping His Majesty pit the aristocratic clans; it's truly a three‑for‑one gain."

"What's there to thank for?"

Chen Yan smiled and said nothing.

From the previous few encounters, I knew Du Ruhui is a man of feelings.

If he continues to be polite, Du Ruhui might actually become displeased.

Better not to speak.

At this point Li Chunfeng asked: "Mr. Chen, is your arrangement this time also promoting economic circulation?"

Chen Yan nodded: "Of course, as long as wealth flows heavily into the people's hands, economic circulation has already arisen."

"However, this can only be considered a small‑scale economic circulation, limited by insufficient funds, so perhaps only a portion of the people will first enjoy its benefits."

Li Chunfeng said: "Even a small portion is good; at least we have found a method and have hope."

"If we persevere, we might truly be able to inaugurate a glorious age standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Emperor Wu of Han."

Du Ruhui listened silently to the two, not knowing what he was thinking, and said with some worry: "Giving the people wages and letting them live comfortably is certainly good, but I fear that someone might think His Majesty wants to abolish corvée labor."

By then, there may well be quite a bit of trouble.

Corvée labor is harmful; they now all understand that.

But corvée labor is also an important foundation for the Tang Dynasty to keep the state running.

Setting aside other matters, corvée labor is the main source of labor for many Tang Dynasty projects such as roads, waterworks, city walls, and palaces.

If abolished, the construction and maintenance of infrastructure would become difficult to sustain, including the fact that the vast majority of the Tang Dynasty's militia originates from corvée labor.

If corvée labor were abolished, it would be equivalent to weakening the troop supply, leading to vulnerable frontiers, allowing external enemies such as the Göktürks and Tubo Empire Empire Empire to take advantage.

Therefore, even though it is clear that corvée labor harms the people, it remains a system the Tang Dynasty cannot currently abandon.

Du Ruhui saying there will be trouble is already putting it lightly.

If word spreads that corvée labor is to be abolished, it will certainly not be as simple as causing a little trouble.

Chen Yan knew Du Ruhui's concern and explained: "For economic circulation, implementing Replace Disaster with Labor means corvée labor will eventually have to be abolished."

"Let the news spread a bit; just treat it as an advance check on everyone's reaction."

"For the people's happiness and well-being, I believe His Majesty would gladly endure some pressure from the officials and suffer a bit himself."

Li Chunfeng: "......"

Du Ruhui: "......"

"......"