Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 464 I’ll Follow You
When Li Zhi heard that the navy could make Tubo and Daqin feel uncomfortable, he really took it seriously and secretly analyzed the pros and cons.

Li Zhi attached great importance to Chen Qingsi's opinions, but he also had his own ideas.

Li Zhi had already understood what Chen Qingsi had said about the advantages of the navy.

Establishing a navy, dominating the Lingnan Sea, and thus gradually controlling the South China Sea and snatching the benefits of the sea from the hands of the Arabs will be one of the future strategies of the Tang Dynasty.

But Li Zhi had no plans to take immediate action.

After all, the threats from Tubo and the Arab Empire are already before the eyes, and the court is now focusing on dealing with them.

A navy is not something that can be formed casually. The cost is far greater than that of infantry and even more than that of cavalry.

The cost is not small...

Instead of distracting ourselves from building a navy, we should concentrate our strength in the West.

Wait until the immediate disaster is eliminated before considering the issue of the navy.

It was not until he heard the end that Li Zhi realized the impact the navy could have on Tubo and Daqin that he began to take this issue seriously.

Chen Qingsi saw Li Zhi's hesitation and continued, "No one can predict when the war between the imperial court and the Arab Empire will break out. The system in the West is very different from ours. Their merchants have a very high status, especially those who can go to sea. They either have a large network of connections or are directly appointed by local governors or even kings to make money for the local area or the country."

"In the future, the relationship between the imperial court and the Arabs will become increasingly delicate. These merchants will get the news in advance and take corresponding measures. By then, it will be too late for us to do anything."

What is the most important thing about sailing?
Ships that can withstand wind and waves and nautical charts marking various supply points!
Then comes people.

In the vast ocean, if there is no ship that can withstand the wind and waves, if there is no place to replenish food and fresh water, and no harbor to shelter from strong winds and rainstorms, it is tantamount to seeking death.

The Arab merchants knew how to do business the best. Due to their geographical location, they were active in Asia, Europe and Africa. Their business scope ranged from Quanzhou and Guangzhou in the southeast, Srivijaya, India in South Asia, Spain in Southwest Europe, Morocco in North Africa, and even the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula...

A large number of Muslim merchants lived in Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Yangzhou, etc. Silk and porcelain from China, spices, minerals, dyes, sugar from India and the Malay Archipelago, gemstones from Central Asia, ivory and gold sand from East Africa, honey, yellow wax, fur and wood from Northern Europe and Russia were all commodities sold by the Arab merchants.

While doing business in the oceans, they accumulated the geographical knowledge necessary for navigation. During their long voyages, they studied and recorded in detail the monsoon in the Indian Ocean, and cleverly used the monsoon during their voyages, thus greatly shortening the time required for navigation.

These are things that require the accumulation of countless experiences. Even the information and intelligence held by the fleet of the Arab Empire itself are different.

Now, we can take advantage of their unpreparedness and catch them all in one fell swoop. By integrating their experience and knowledge, we can control the Lingnan Sea and even the South China Sea in the shortest time possible.

Li Zhi clasped his hands together and said, "I will consider the navy issue in detail. As for the problem you raised, it is simple. Guangzhou is far away from the imperial court. In many cases, the imperial court cannot reach it. The situation over there is not likely to be clear. Especially with so many merchants, I do not believe that there is a cat in this world that does not steal fish."

"If we really investigate those merchants, none of them will escape. I will then arrange for the Dali Temple to go south and catch all those unscrupulous merchants in one fell swoop."

Li Zhi was never a reasonable emperor. He treated his own people like this, let alone outsiders?
There are so many ways to rectify the situation that there are simply no end in sight.

He didn't take any action, not because he knew nothing, but because he didn't want to break the balance and just muddle through.

After all, for such a large organization, if everything is to be made clear, there will be all kinds of problems.

When the time comes to take action, Li Zhi won't blink an eye.

As for the navy's further discussion, Chen Qingsi was not in a hurry and stopped trying to persuade them. Instead, he bowed and obeyed.

Having known Li Zhi for many years, Chen Qingsi had some confidence in the judgment of this Tang emperor.

Li Zhi was worried that the expenses of building a new navy would be too high, which would affect the court's finances and affect the wars against Tubo and the Arab Empire.

But in fact, due to the limitations of the times, the imperial court did not understand the huge benefits brought by maritime transportation, and was not aware that the Maritime Silk Road would make more profits than the Silk Road on land.

As long as an in-depth investigation is conducted, Chen Qingsi believes that Li Zhi's political level will enable him to make the most correct judgment.

Chen Qingsi was about to say goodbye and leave.

Li Zhi suddenly said, "By the way, my dear, do you remember Chima Luo?"

Of course Chen Qingsi remembered.

However, he did not show it. Instead, he thought about it carefully for a moment and said, "The name sounds familiar... Oh, I remember it now. It's the future princess of Tubo?"

Ever since Chimalo was rescued, he was no longer under Chen Qingsi's responsibility.

Chen Qingsi was well versed in the ways of being an official, but he never asked about it and had never paid any attention to her. He only knew that she was studying Chinese culture in Hongwenguan.

As for the details, I am not clear.

"It's her!"

Li Zhi said: "After rescuing Chimalo, I felt that this man's identity could be of great use. The Tibetan leader was tyrannical on the plateau. In order to compete with us, he integrated all the power of Tibet. His behavior broke the original situation of multiple tribes governing together. It was inevitable that other gentry were dissatisfied, but Gal Dongzan's methods were too clever. He kept suppressing everyone and calmed the situation."

"The current situation of Tubo relies on Gar Dongzan internally and Lun Qinling externally. If any one of them encounters an accident, the current situation of Tubo will inevitably collapse. Over the years, I have always asked Pei Aiqing to help Chimalo contact the nobles on the plateau."

"We have achieved good results so far, but with Gar Dongzan here, many Tibetan nobles dare not act rashly... Chimalo is not a simple woman, she is very ambitious. She will play a certain role in whether we can break through Tibet from the inside, and should be of great help to the situation."

"If you have time, you can contact her more and cooperate with each other."

Chen Qingsi said: "I obey your order."

Chen Qingsi did not go to find Chimalo immediately.

Chimalo is a brilliant plan that will work wonders in the future, but Chen Qingsi knows better that as long as Galdongzan is alive, Chimalo's existence will be useless.

Instead of spending too much time and energy on her, it would be better to prepare for the killing of Lun Qinling.

That night, Chen Qingsi returned to the Chen family residence.

Jingjing held a wooden sword in her hand and practiced swordsmanship with Li Hongqing.

Chen Qingsi clearly noticed that Li Hongqing was in a bad mood and seemed a little depressed.

Chen Qingsi looked at Xiao Miaochen questioningly.

Xiao Miaochen smiled faintly and indicated that they would talk later.

Chen Qingsi understood what he meant, but did not ask any questions for the time being. He went to the study to deal with the trivial matters in life. When it was time for dinner, they gathered together to have dinner.

Li Hongqing ate only a little, then said goodbye dejectedly and went to the guest room.

The family had a meal together, and Jingjing asked Qianyan and Qingkong to help bathe and brush his foal.

The little guy was so fond of his beloved horse that it made Chen Qingsi and Xiao Miaochen jealous.

"Mrs. Li, what happened?"

Xiao Miaochen snorted lightly: "I bullied her."

Chen Qingsi smiled apologetically and stepped forward to rub her shoulders, saying, "My wife wouldn't do that."

Xiao Miaochen said: "She got into trouble herself!"

"Obstacle?" Chen Qingsi asked.

Xiao Miaochen nodded and said, "Madam Li is indeed interested in you, and she has no intention of competing with me. She just reveals some comparisons from time to time. Most of the time, she can't let go and seeks some comfort for herself. But she is a free and easy person, and her way of life is completely different from mine."

"As a member of the Xiao family, I have lived a life like a prisoner since I was young. I have been like a bird in a cage, learning various skills. Playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, songs, etiquette, and even dealing with people and managing the household."

"Many of my sisters-in-law, and even many of my cousins' wives, are like zombies, just like woven dolls, all look the same."

"I am blessed by heaven and lucky to have met you, my husband. You love and respect me, so I am free and independent today." "And if Madam Li wants to compare with me in this respect, isn't that asking for trouble?"

"The one who tied the bell must untie it! The only one who can untie the knot in Madam Li's heart is you, my dear husband... I have been with Madam Li for the past few days and I have come to understand her character. I don't mind becoming sisters with her."

Xiao Miaochen didn't have the concept of being together for life, especially since Chen Qingsi was the only son in the family, he needed to have more children to maintain the family's glory.

She just opposed the merger and didn't want anyone to threaten herself or Jingjing...

But after getting along with Li Hongqing, Xiao Miaochen discovered that she was not the kind of woman in the harem at all and posed no threat. On the contrary, her husband's status was getting higher and higher and he would face threats at any time, just like the assassinations on the streets of Baekje. Having such a wife with superb martial arts following him could ensure that her husband was safe.

Get more in one fell swoop.

Chen Qingsi asked: "Why does this sound so familiar?"

Xiao Miaochen covered her mouth and chuckled: "Of course I learned it from my husband."

Just as Xiao Miaochen said, Li Hongqing got into trouble on his own.

Li Hongqing was not willing to compete with Xiao Miaochen, but she was reluctant to let go and could not break away for the time being, especially since her father wanted to accept her as a concubine and said that she could not be the first wife of the Chen family.

Not just anyone can be the eldest wife of the Chen family.

Li Hongqing was naturally dissatisfied and felt that if she and her lover were not destined to be together, she would never be worse than Xiao Miaochen.

Then I can't help but put myself into it...

The result is that the more you compare yourself to others, the more inferior you feel.

This is simply using one's own weaknesses to challenge others in their areas of expertise. There is no comparability at all.

But she herself did not realize it, and thought that her father was right. Xiao Miaochen was the most suitable first wife of the Chen family. She was like a mountain and she could only look up to her.

Self-pitying, weak and helpless.

Suddenly, a voice came: "We haven't had a competition for a long time. Let me feel whether Red Lady's swordsmanship has improved."

As Chen Qingsi spoke, he swung the Tang sword in his hand down with all his might, showing no mercy at all.

Li Hongqing was in self-isolation, and before he could come to his senses, Chen Qingsi's knife had already fallen. He was so frightened that he instinctively rolled to the side, looking quite embarrassed.

Chen Qingsi did not pursue him, but just held the Tang sword that the man had given him across his chest, looking calm and composed, like a great man.

Li Hongqing was so angry that her eyebrows stood up straight. She wondered who was she feeling so wronged for. It seemed that she had found an outlet to vent her frustration. She said, "You already have a good man, why did you mess with me?"

The long sword in his hand was unsheathed, and he stabbed it out, with a sudden flash of cold light.

The three-foot-long sword flew by like a meteor under the moonlight and candlelight.

Chen Qingsi seldom displayed his martial arts in front of others, but he never slacked off in private.

Faced with Li Hongqing's powerful sword, he swung his sword forward without any hesitation.

The swords were placed in one place without any suspense...

The swords made of tempered steel collided, creating sparks of fire.

Li Hongqing was actually knocked back two steps by Chen Qingsi's sword.

Li Hongqing said harsh words, but she unconsciously left room for maneuver with her hands. After all, she knew that her swordsmanship was not as good as before, and it would be bad if she accidentally hurt the other party.

Chen Qingsi was different. He knew that although he practiced diligently, it was just a side job after all. He could handle most people, but he was still inferior to the real masters.

Li Hongqing is among them.

He showed no mercy and used all his strength.

Each sword strike was faster than the last, sometimes he slashed with one hand, sometimes he chopped with both hands, fully bringing out the advantages of the Tang sword.

Li Hongqing lost the initiative and had difficulty finding a chance to fight back. He was shocked. No wonder his grandfather said that if he devoted himself to learning martial arts, his future would be limitless.

She did not hold back and fought with all her strength, swords and knives clashing.

It was not until more than 80 moves that Li Hongqing turned the disadvantage around.

Chen Qingsi tried hard to hold out for more than twenty rounds, but was ultimately defeated.

"I lost!"

Chen Qingsi surrendered.

Li Hongqing also swept away the boredom in her heart and felt that her previous self was no longer herself.

She swung her sword and said, "I've made up my mind! Your Kung Fu is so poor, how will you deal with the situation in Baekje? No matter if I become your slave or maid, I...I will follow you."

Chen Qingsi was distracted for a moment.

Li Hongqing asked: "You, why don't you reply?"

Chen Qingsi immediately said, "I'm thinking about what betrothal gifts to prepare for my father-in-law. Three letters and six betrothal gifts are indispensable."

Li Hongqing paused and said, "Well, then you think about it carefully. I'm going to sleep."

Li Hongqing did not flee, but walked calmly step by step.

Chen Qingsi stretched lazily and began to look forward to his wonderful life in the future.

Nalu Station...

Lun Qinling looked at the devastated battlefield and the two destroyed blockhouses.

"withdraw!"

Lun Qinling issued the order to retreat.

Without support, the blockhouse is no longer of any defensive value.

The two blockhouses were guarded for five months.

Lun Qinling has done his best...

Under the personal command of Lun Qinling, the Tubo army retreated slowly.

The Tang army was the first to receive the news of Tubo's retreat.

"Do you want to give chase?"

Wang Xiaojie was the first to jump out with a look of excitement on his face.

Su Dingfang looked deeply at the high mountains in the distance and said, "Retreat!"

They no longer had the energy to pursue, and the other party knew it.

(End of this chapter)