Chapter 448: Preemptive Silver Mine Extraction

Upon hearing this, Empress Changsun felt even more guilty, immediately spoke to comfort Chen Yan, and said that if he lacked anything, he could just ask her.

However, Li Shimin suddenly sensed something was off.

You say Chen Yan is devoted to the country and the people... he believes it.

After all, squandering the family fortune is something Chen Yan has done before.

But if you describe Chen Yan as having a lofty, righteous demeanor, he becomes less convinced.

Only those who know Chen Yan intimately, the three who have been hanging around with Cheng Chumo for years, silently watch Chen Yan's self‑pity without speaking.

Thinking back to those days when they roamed Pingkang Lane, this fellow used that demeanor to deceive many girls, feasting and freeloading for a long time.

Yu Chi Bao Lin whispered, "You say this guy managed to marry two Princesses and his courtyard never caught fire; isn't it because of that brazen audacity?"

Qin Huaidao and Cheng Chumo both thought so.

Chen Yan!

He truly is a model for us!

"Alright, alright, that's settled," Li Shimin, gradually realizing he'd been duped, snapped irritably, cutting off Chen Yan's continued self‑pity.

"The army definitely needs to be reconstituted!"

"But you don't need to provide the funds; I will handle it myself, just using the Zhe Chong Office grounds in Weinan County so that these three lads can be trained."

"Do you agree or not?"

Chen Yan, dead serious, "His Majesty has spoken; how could I possibly have any reason to disagree?"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will keep a constant eye on the Zhe Chong Office, ensuring the three of them train properly!"

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking, "Just now you were saying 'no way, absolutely no way'..."

"Fine, then it's decided," he said, looking at Cheng Chumo and the two others, "You all go back and prepare; I also need some time to select people."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The three answered and then left.

Li Shimin now turned to Chen Yan and said, "Rebuilding an army is necessary in my view, but it doesn't have to stay hidden in the shadows like the Flagless Cavalry."

"One Flagless Cavalry unit is enough."

"As time goes on, I increasingly realize that the future may not be peaceful; wars may ignite more than once, and I need more elite troops."

"Moreover, I have already planned to forge a batch of weapons and armor like those of the Flagless Cavalry for the Mystic Armor Army, first go to the Wa Kingdom to seize the silver mine, then mine it secretly; when the Flagless Cavalry returns, they will take over."

"Hm?" Chen Yan exclaimed in surprise, "But this differs from our previous plan."

Li Shimin shook his head, "Plans can't keep up with changes. With your help, I've amassed an enormous fortune, but a nation has far too many places that need that wealth."

"The Tang Dynasty needs to develop like Weinan County; many regions will require heavy spending, and we must also prepare for the upcoming wars."

"As the saying goes, a swift first step leads to swift steps thereafter; I need to tap the wealth in that silver mine."

"I see..." Chen Yan fell into thought, then nodded, "If His Majesty decides so, that's fine; if possible, I even hope to capture the Wa Kingdom outright, which is the safest method."

"Do you think I don't want that?" Li Shimin was speechless, "Isn't this exactly why I'm being surrounded by wolves?"

Otherwise, upon learning of the silver mine, I would have mobilized troops immediately.

"Alright, the Empress and I cannot stay out long; consider this told, just remember it," Li Shimin said, pausing, then reminded, "Don't forget what I told you yesterday."

Chen Yan responded solemnly.

Li Shimin was then satisfied; Empress Changsun smiled lightly, "Zi An, when you have time, bring Xiao Sui An into the palace for a visit."

"I will remember, Your Highness Empress."

After chatting for a while, the two left with their retinue, leaving only Chen Yan and the Wei King.

The two exchanged glances; the Wei King narrowed his eyes and said, "Well, you managed to deceive the Mother Empress as well, and now you have another leverage in my hands."

"Ha!" Chen Yan scoffed, "We're all about the same; who doesn't have a few levers in their hand?"

"Moreover, the way you speak to me—do you still want to listen to lessons, want to get new good ideas?"

"... You're ruthless!" The Wei King's tone suddenly softened.

"......"

"Back already?"

When the two arrived home, Li Lizhi greeted them.

As for why it wasn't Gao Yang.

Hmm... Gao Yang is probably playing mahjong with the Wei Wang Consort.

Chen Yan sighed, and went inside with Li Lizhi to change clothes.

Li Lizhi laughed, "Actually, you look quite good in official robes; they give you a refined, more mature air."

"Can't help it, the circumstances are what they are; what's wrong with any clothes?" Chen Yan stroked his chin, speaking rather self‑admiringly.

Li Lizhi said nothing further, tidying the clothes Chen Yan had taken off, intending to wash and store them.

"By the way, Lao Qin is getting married; are the gifts prepared?" Chen Yan then asked.

"Everything's ready as you requested, no issues," Li Lizhi recalled something, "By the way, when we return to Chang'an, will we stay there for a while or, after congratulating Qin Huaidao, return immediately?"

"That..."

Honestly, Chen Yan hasn't decided whether to stay in Chang'an for a while or return right away.

Mainly because he feels this trip back to Chang'an might not go smoothly.

After all, even Li Chengqian met a poisonous end; attending Qin Huaidao's wedding will likely encounter the Diàn family or their scions.

The danger isn't necessarily high, but unforeseen circumstances might arise.

After a moment, Chen Yan waved at Li Lizhi.

She froze, cheeks flushing slightly, hurried to lock the doors and windows, checked them again, then skillfully sat on Chen Yan's lap, leaning into his embrace.

Chen Yan closed his eyes, inhaling the comforting fragrance, and said lightly, "Yesterday I had your elder brother send people to Chang'an to gather all sorts of news and rumors; I must wait for the reports before deciding."

Li Lizhi was not surprised; she whispered, "Is something wrong?"

Chen Yan fell silent for a moment, then spoke the truth, "The Crown Prince was poisoned; the poisoner's technique was highly skilled, almost escaping my notice."

"His Majesty's conflict with the aristocratic clans is escalating; as a key figure in it, returning to Chang'an may not go smoothly."

Upon hearing this, Li Lizhi gasped in alarm and hurriedly said, "Is the Crown Prince all right?"

The Crown Prince being poisoned was something she hadn't anticipated.

"Fortunately, it's serious at first but will improve after a few days of rest," Chen Yan explained briefly.

"Then that's good......"

Li Lizhi, still shaken, exclaimed, "How bold of them! How dare they poison the Crown Prince?!"

"Father is likely to fly into a rage."

"Hmm!" Chen Yan recalled Li Shimin's demeanor, "His Majesty, in his anger, flared up."

"......"