Chapter 544: I Won

Immediately after, everyone discussed many matters, and Li Shimin would always ask Chen Yan for his opinion.

Even someone who knows nothing understands Li Shimin's attitude toward Chen Yan's future.

It wasn't until near noon that Li Shimin allowed the ministers to return.

But just as Chen Yan was about to leave with Dai Zhou, Li Shimin suddenly called him, "Wait, Zi An, don't go yet."

Chen Yan felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

No way?

It can't be that he'll argue with me too, right?

He quickly cast a pleading look at Dai Zhou.

Dai Zhou, feeling sincere, flicked his sleeve and said, "Ah, I'm really getting old; after sitting for such a short time, my back and waist ache… I need to go back and rest."

Chen Yan: "......"

He turned his head again, only to find that Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling and the others had already disappeared.

Only Wei Zheng gave Li Shimin a resentful glance, still thinking about his spinach.

"Alright, alright, alright!" Li Shimin waved his hand, "Tell the Shangshi Bureau to stir‑fry some spinach for him, and give him a good jar of wine to eat."

Wushe took the order and left with a cheerful Wei Zheng.

Inside Ganlu Hall, only Li Shimin and Chen Yan remained.

"Come, take a look!"

Just as Chen Yan's heart fluttered, wondering how to act miserably, Li Shimin pulled out a secret report and placed it on the desk.

Chen Yan was surprised, isn't this trouble for himself?

Seeing his expression, Li Shimin guessed what he was thinking and said irritably, "Hurry up, am I that stingy in your mind?"

"No, Your Majesty, you're the most generous."

Chen Yan muttered, walked over, and unceremoniously opened the secret report Li Shimin had laid out.

When he saw the contents clearly, his heart rejoiced.

"Has the Bannerless Cavalry returned?"

"Yes, they're back!" Li Shimin smiled and nodded, "A few days ago they entered the Tang Strait Pass; last night I received the news."

"It's estimated that in a few more days they'll return to Weinan County."

"Then… has the Champa Rice been brought back?" Chen Yan asked eagerly.

That was a goal he set for the Bannerless Cavalry, also an opportunity to prove their usefulness.

It was also for the future of all the people, to secure more grain harvests so they wouldn't have to eat Guanyin Soil.

The great drought in the third year of Zhen Guan caused massive refugees to flee to Chang'an; he had truly witnessed too much suffering, and the cold, dry words of history materialized into reality at that moment, delivering an unprecedented shock to his modern soul.

Therefore, when he risked proposing the formation of the Bannerless Cavalry and poured countless funds into it, he didn't first send them to seize the Wa Kingdom's silver mines; instead, he first set their target on Champa Rice.

People regard food as heaven!

Bringing this up, Li Shimin was also delighted and couldn't help teasing, "The Bannerless Cavalry you proposed to form—its weapons, training, even its diet—were all planned by you personally."

"Shouldn't you be the most confident in them?"

"Why does it seem so uneasy now?"

"Your Majesty…" Chen Yan was momentarily speechless, his tone three degrees softer, "It's not that I lack confidence in the Bannerless Cavalry, but Champa Rice is truly that crucial; even with confidence, this news still makes me unable to stay calm."

"Hahaha!"

"They've brought it back; Niu Jinda and his men almost stormed the foreign capital, seized more than one granary, and even captured a dozen sea vessels to load the grain!"

"It's perfect that this year's potatoes have had a bumper harvest and are already stored. With the Champa Rice you mentioned also brought back by the Bannerless Cavalry, next year we'll have potatoes and this Champa Rice… Zi An, I truly intend to make Zhen Guan a flourishing era!"

"Mmm mmm mmm, flourishing era, flourishing era…"

Chen Yan replied perfunctorily, already beginning to ponder where the Champa Rice should be planted.

This thing, unlike potatoes, can be grown just about anywhere; planting near Chang'an is also fine.

But if it's Champa Rice, honestly, we need to think carefully where to cultivate it.

Jiangnan?

Not really.

During Zhen Guan, Jiangnan had not yet become the Jiangnan of later generations with paddy‑field techniques, nor did it have efficient agricultural irrigation, so it's ruled out.

If it's the south… the sky is high and the land vast, too many problems.

The best choice should be the Yellow River Mid‑Lower Plains in the Hebei and Henan regions.

After all, this area is the agricultural heartland of the Tang Dynasty—fertile soil, suitable climate, developed waterworks, and easy transport.

It's the most suitable place to grow Champa Rice.

As for potatoes, just keep planting them near Chang'an.

In this way, within a year or two, the already falling grain prices would probably keep dropping, and even in a year of famine, they wouldn't reach the point of eating Guanyin Soil…

"Zi An? Zi An?"

Li Shimin heard Chen Yan's perfunctory words, his head filled with black lines, but seeing him seem lost in thought and not wanting to lose his temper, he called out twice.

Seeing he still didn't respond, his tone grew heavier, "Chen Zian!"

"Hey! Hey!"

Chen Yan snapped back, hurriedly replying, "Here, here!"

"Your Majesty, what is it?"

"You… hey!" Li Shimin raised his hand, about to act, but then thought, this kid's temperament is just like this; why should I engage with him?

Maybe I'd lose the argument later.

"Fine, when the Bannerless Cavalry returns, you'll go with me and the Guanyin Maid." Li Shimin said lightly, "We originally promised in our own mouths to welcome them back with the biggest bowl and the strongest wine; now they've left home and brought back Champa Rice, I naturally cannot break my word!"

Did you hear that?

His Majesty is scolding me? Chen Yan said with a smile: "You haven't forgotten, and I dare not forget either!"

Hmm, that's good.

Li Shimin nodded in relief, then asked: "Right, what were you thinking just now, kid? Why didn't you respond when I called you?"

Your Majesty, I'm thinking that since the Champa Rice has been brought back, we first need to decide where to plant it and make a series of preparations, after all it's already year-end, this year will soon be over." Chen Yan immediately said:

Champa Rice is special; not long after spring opens we can start planting, so I need to think about this in advance.

Li Shimin pondered: "This matter indeed needs careful consideration; where do you think it's better to plant the Champa Rice?"

My idea is to plant it in the Henan region, which is near the Grand Canal; first of all...

Chen Yan carefully analyzed the pros and cons for Li Shimin; the latter kept nodding, and immediately approved.

Good, just follow your idea; I'll ponder a bit and come up with a concrete plan in the next couple days.

The two discussed a while longer, Li Shimin waved his hand: "Alright, you may go now; from now on, don't whine to me about poverty, otherwise next time you'll be the one getting the board."

Got it!

Chen Yan didn't hesitate, turned and left.

Bullshit about not whining to you; from now on I'll whine to you all the time.

Don't think I don't know how much money you have in the inner treasury; I've got it memorized!

If it's not hard on you, Li Shimin, then is it supposed to be hard on the Ministry of Revenue?

"......"