Chapter 671: Reading Ten Thousand Books Is Not as Good as Traveling Ten Thousand Miles

Outside the city, in front of a desolate, uninhabited mountain.

Li Tai ordered people to bring the so‑called Divine Might Cannon and placed it at a distance.

Then Li Tai waved away the researchers, hopped over himself, ran over, and took out a fire‑starter.

Chen Yan and Li Shimin stood at a distance, in a safe spot, watching quietly.

When Li Tai lit the fuse, a hissing sound rang out, and the moment the fuse burned out, the cannon's mouth emitted an earth‑shaking roar.

Bang!

Even though he was mentally prepared, Li Shimin was still startled; before he could react, the distant barren mountain exploded with a "boom", like an earth dragon turning over, shaking the ground and filling the air with smoke.

Sss~

Watching the commotion caused by the Divine Might Cannon, even though Li Shimin had anticipated it, he was still frightened by its massive power.

"How is it, Your Majesty?"

Chen Yan was not surprised by this power; after all, Li Tai was indeed capable, and his work was not lacking.

Moreover, such power was not enough to shock him.

Li Shimin paused for a while, his eyes fixed on the huge crater blown by the cannonball, remained silent for a long time, then exclaimed:

"If this thing were not made by you and Qingque, I fear I would never be able to sleep again."

Chen Yan smiled, "Your Majesty, the research institute is the Imperial Family's institute; henceforth the research costs may have to be borne by your own treasury."

"However, correspondingly, whatever the institute does or creates, you will be the first to know, and you may freely peruse all its technologies in the future."

"Including the institute's talent, we are diligently cultivating their loyalty to you and to the Imperial Family."

Li Shimin was momentarily stunned, then chuckled low, "With you here, I am always at ease; the only issue is that you must handle secrecy yourselves from now on."

"I will not overly interfere in your affairs; my sole request is that whenever you have an idea or produce something, just inform me."

Chen Yan stated his stance, and Li Shimin did likewise.

Through long‑term contact, Li Shimin knows very well what kind of person Chen Yan is.

If he wanted to rebel, there would indeed be far too many opportunities.

It is precisely because Chen Yan lacks that mindset, despises power, and without hesitation handed him everything from fine salt to gunpowder and the cannon.

He also bound him completely with countless benefits.

This is why Li Shimin's trust in Chen Yan has never wavered.

"Father Emperor!"

Li Tai ran back excitedly, still holding the fire‑starter, "How is my Divine Might Cannon, Your Majesty? It didn't disappoint you, did it?"

"More than just not disappointing," Li Shimin remarked, "Qingque, you and Zi An truly gave me a great surprise!"

"With gunpowder and the Divine Might Cannon, I believe that by the end of this year we will surely subdue Tuyu Hun, and our Tang Dynasty's prestige will rise again."

Chen Yan, out of place, said, "Since you intend to subdue Tuyu Hun, why not wait a month before going out?"

Li Shimin: "......"

"I am pleased now; don't force me to draw you."

"It's been like that from the start......" Chen Yan whispered, unable to understand Li Shimin's mindset at all.

Just to see the harvest of Champa Rice?

Isn't the campaign more important than that?

Unbeknownst to them, Li Shimin had no worry at all about the campaign against Tuyu Hun, especially after seeing the Divine Might Cannon, he felt not a hint of concern.

It can be said that subduing Tuyu Hun is merely a matter of time.

It is not underestimating the enemy, but the favorable heaven, earth, and people, giving him absolute confidence enough to crush Tuyu Hun.

Li Shimin does not not care.

But as he said, the expedition was already decided early in the year.

These days, Li Shimin and Li Jing have long made thorough preparations; he is no longer without effect.

In contrast, this year may be his only chance to go out for a long time to come.

They both know that this year he will ascend Mount Tai for a fengshan ceremony, Tuyu Hun will be subjugated, and the progressive tax system will soon take the stage.

After this year, Li Shimin may no longer have any peaceful days.

Thus he wants to take this opportunity to go out and have a good look.

It is not a spur‑of‑the‑moment impulse, but something prepared long ago.

"Your Majesty, I stand by my view; please consider it carefully," Chen Yan sighed.

Li Shimin glanced at him, "I said I will bring a few of my daughters; they have lived in the palace since childhood and have never had the chance to see the great lands of our Tang Dynasty."

"So I intend to take them out; if you are unwilling to go, then you need not, I do not force you."

Chen Yan: "......"

Look, look.

What the hell is this?

You the hell took my wife and kids away, and then you say you didn't force me to go?

You might as well force me a bit.

Chen Yan helplessly nodded, "Then how do you plan to arrange it?"

"And how will you explain it to the civil and military officials?"

"What reason should I use to go out with you?"

"Explain what?" Li Shimin, arms crossed, said firmly, "I will say that I am ill, need to recuperate in the palace, and that you, little divine doctor, will personally attend to me."

"Crown Prince regent, Du Ruhui also Minister of Revenue, that's all there is!"

Chen Yan: "......"

Li Tai: "......"

It really is... a simple, crude reason, huh.

"Father Emperor..."

Li Tai cleared his throat: "Your son has toiled for so long; when making explosives, we almost were blown up by the gunpowder together with Zi Anxiong, and we also faced many dangers while forging the Divine Might Cannon."

"What do you think... should you grant your son some reward?"

Li Shimin subconsciously wanted to agree, but then, for reasons unknown, his face turned strange as he looked at his eagerly awaiting son.

"How about... shall I bring you one?"

"Then I am very grateful, Father Emperor." Li Tai was overjoyed, his smiling face's flesh quivering.

He always remembered a saying: "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

Li Tai had indeed toiled for a long time; his body and mind were already exhausted, and he also wanted to go out and see.

Especially since Chen Yan would be with him all the way.

This is simply the best reward!

Li Shimin glanced again at the distant big pit, patted Chen Yan's shoulder: "Alright, get ready, we will set out on the fifth day, I have already made preparations."

"These days, you won't need to attend court; tomorrow I will announce this, letting Du Ruhui temporarily assume your position."

"Go home and prepare thoroughly, then think about whom else you need to bring, but don't bring too many, lest the target become too large."

Hearing this, Chen Yan realized there was no room for maneuver any longer, and he could only nod in agreement.

"Yes, His Majesty."

"......"