Datang: What's wrong with my fief being a billion points larger?

Chapter 183 Trust Crisis, Insight into People's Hearts Cen Wenben
After Li Yuanji finished speaking, everyone looked at Cen Wenben. Cen Wenben was frowning and thinking, and everyone thought something had happened.

Cen Wenben also came back to his senses, looked at everyone, then looked at Li Yuanji, and spoke slowly.

"Those present here are all the king's confidants, and I believe this as well. Since the king asked, I will tell him.

This time the army expansion can be 50,000 or 100,000. If it is just to deal with Zhenla, the same effect can be achieved without expanding the army to 150,000. Besides, the king has always attached great importance to the development of Lingnan.

Now, Your Majesty would rather slow down the pace of development and insist on expanding the army by 150,000. If it is only for Zhenla, I don’t believe it.

When I was in Chang'an, I already knew about the struggle between the Crown Prince and the King of Qin. Now the Saint is getting older, and the King is far away in Lingnan compared to Chang'an. So only the Crown Prince and the King of Qin can ascend to the throne. No matter who ascends to the throne in the future, they will certainly be tempted by the wealth of Lingnan.

In fact, even a saint today would be tempted when he sees Lingnan, a wealthy country that can serve as a granary. At that time, he would issue an imperial edict to ask the king to return to Chang'an, and everything here would be handed over to the court. How would the king deal with it then?

Especially the relationship between the King and the King of Qin, everyone knows that it is not good, especially after what happened to Changsun Wuji.

Even if it is the crown prince, once he ascends the throne in the future, Your Majesty will certainly not be like this now. He will definitely stay in Chang'an and cannot leave Chang'an. People like us will also be gradually transferred out of the Prince of Qi's Palace.

Although Lingnan is not very wealthy nowadays and its granary has not yet been fully formed, when it is formed, the imperial court will certainly not miss such a good place.

Especially if the King of Qin ascends the throne, it will be even more disadvantageous to the king. At that time, the King of Qin will definitely try every means to suppress the king.

May I ask, Your Majesty, is the expansion of the army by 150,000 today to cope with the pressure from the Tang Dynasty in the future?"

After Cen Wenben finished speaking, everyone became extremely serious and heavy-hearted, and looked at Li Yuanji.

What Cen Wenben said was very clear. They had not thought about those things before, but now that Cen Wenben mentioned it, they realized the interests involved. Just as Cen Wenben said, they were Li Yuanji's confidants. If what Cen Wenben said happened, it would not only concern Li Yuanji, but also each of them.

Now all of them share the same fate with Li Yuanji, and each of them has extremely high expectations of Li Yuanji.

After hearing this, Li Yuanji also became extremely serious and looked deeply at Cen Wenben. Looking at Cen Wenben's calm eyes, Li Yuanji smiled.

"Haha, you are worthy of being Jingren. What you said is exactly what I think in my heart."

After Li Yuanji finished speaking, he looked at the others. After listening to Li Yuanji's confirmation, the others were extremely shocked. After the shock, they were extremely excited, but also a little bit uneasy.

Li Yuanji's words undoubtedly indicated that we must be prepared for unpleasant events with the Tang Dynasty in the future, especially wars. This also further showed that Li Yuanji had some ideas about Chang'an, otherwise why would he expand the army and increase his strength to fight against the court.

This is the reason for their excitement, but also the reason for their nervousness. Just thinking about the future, using Lingnan to fight against the entire Tang Dynasty, everyone feels extremely excited just thinking about it.

As for switching to other people, after they followed Li Yuanji, they completely lost those thoughts. Even Tan Dian and Feng Ang did not have such thoughts.

Now no matter who they are, Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin, and Li Yuanji, they are all fully grown, but the absolute focus of Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin is in Chang'an, while the absolute focus of Li Yuanji is in Lingnan.

Li Yuanji felt very heavy at the moment. He really didn't expect that his thoughts were actually seen through by Cen Wenben, and what's more, he said it out loud so openly. Li Yuanji was not prepared at all.

He did think about confronting his subordinates, but not now. Cen Wenben's words directly disrupted his plan. At the same time, he really felt the terror of people like Cen Wenben. He thought he had hidden it very well, but he still didn't expect that just an expansion of the army would be seen through.

Look at Wang Xuance, Ning Chun, Wei Ye and others. They don't have such thoughts at all. What does this show? It shows that there is still a gap between them and top people like Cen Wenben.

Li Yuanji looked at everyone. Now that Cen Wenben had revealed the truth, he would no longer hide it. If he did not make the matter clear, it would only alienate his subordinates.

"What Jingren said is exactly what I have in mind. No matter who becomes the emperor of the wealthy Lingnan, I do not want to give it up like this, especially when the Crown Prince and the King of Qin take the throne in the future. I believe all of you are clear about the relationship between me and the King of Qin.

If the King of Qin were to take the throne, how would all of us deal with it? And I'm sure you all know what the King of Qin's ascension to the throne means, right?

Everything we have done here is to prevent the King of Qin from ascending the throne in the future. Now you all know about this, but I hope that you can keep your mouth shut and not let this matter spread to Chang'an."

Everyone was shocked. Although they had expected it after Cen Wenben finished speaking, they were still shocked when Li Yuanji said it himself, especially when Li Yuanji said that Li Shimin came to the throne. Everyone knew very well that if it was really Li Shimin who came to the throne, it meant that something must have happened to Li Jiancheng, otherwise how could Li Shimin succeed to the throne.

After knowing what Li Yuanji was thinking, Xie Shufang was the first to step forward.

“Your Majesty, since I have followed you, I have no regrets and I am glad that I was able to follow you. During the time I have been here, I have seen the shadow of a wise ruler in you. I believe even more that if you were the ruler, it would be a blessing for all the people in the world.

I swear my allegiance to the king and am willing to build a strong army for the king. In the future, I will lead the strong army of Lingnan to attack Chang'an, put on the yellow robe for the king, and build a strong and prosperous Tang Dynasty! In my heart, only the king can make the Tang Dynasty strong and lay the foundation for eternity! "

Xie Shufang's words shocked everyone, including Li Yuanji and Cen Wenben. Li Yuanji was really shocked.

He never thought that Xie Shufang would say this. If he wanted to show his loyalty, then he would show his loyalty. But he was actually advising him to accumulate strength here, and lead his troops into Chang'an in the future to conquer the world!
Li Yuanji was really bitter and helpless at this moment. He swears to God that he had never thought about leading his troops to attack Chang'an in the future. He had thought about having a war with the Tang Dynasty led by Li Shimin, but he had never thought about attacking Chang'an and seizing that position.

His purpose of coming to Lingnan was to develop and achieve immortality. If he could not defeat the Tang Dynasty, he was ready to flee overseas. If he could stay here, he would vigorously develop, expand his fiefdom, and make his strength strong so that the Tang Dynasty would not dare to have any ideas about him. He would live a carefree life.

What Xie Shufang said was completely different from what he thought. Li Yuanji didn't know what to say for a moment. He felt bitter and helpless because he found that he had no way to refute Xie Shufang. What did these people want from following him? Just to live in peace in a corner? Throughout history, people who are truly capable and have great skills are often not content to live in peace in a corner.

If he directly refutes Xie Shufang at this moment, the people in his Qi Wang Mansion will be scattered. Once the people's hearts are scattered, what can be developed? The internal affairs will be completely chaotic.

Xie Shufang's words ignited a fire in the hearts of all the others. At this moment, everyone was very excited. They already had such thoughts in their hearts, and now that they were completely ignited by Xie Shufang, how could they bear it?

Su Dingfang followed closely and expressed his loyalty, while also being willing to help Li Yuanji pacify the world.

Soon after, Feng Ang and others followed, all of them with burning eyes. In their eyes, Li Yuanji was the King of Qi of the Tang Dynasty. Since both the Crown Prince and the King of Qin were possible, why didn't their king, the King of Qi, have that possibility?

Li Yuanji had a headache at the moment. Looking at these people, he really had a headache. He must be crazy to want to take over the world of the Tang Dynasty. How could a small place like Lingnan compare with the vast territory of the Tang Dynasty?

Li Yuanji fell into deep thought. He was thinking about what to say. At the same time, he was also thinking about whether he should develop the Tang Dynasty into his fiefdom.
After thinking for a while, Li Yuanji suddenly came to his senses. Even if he expanded the army, it would only have about 300,000 men. With such a small army, he could hardly bear the burden. What was the point of thinking about those things now?
Li Yuanji thought it through, glanced at Cen Wenben, and then spoke slowly.

"I already know what you are thinking. It is too early to say anything now. How can we compete with the Tang Dynasty with only Lingnan?
The most important thing for us now is to develop the area and accumulate strength. We can deal with other things after we have the strength. The most important thing now is to do the current affairs well!"

Although Li Yuanji's words brought everyone back to reality, everyone was extremely excited. These words also showed that Li Yuanji really had that intention. In their eyes, as long as he had that intention, that was enough. They would find ways to do the rest.

After everyone agreed, they were all beaming with joy. Everyone had a smile on their face and was full of confidence. Although they had made progress before, they always felt that something was missing. Now, they finally realized that it was the path they wanted to take.

Now the future path is clear, the goal is very clear, everyone is full of energy, and having a goal will make us more motivated.

These people were motivated. Li Yuanji looked at them with half joy and half sorrow. Only then could he understand Li Shimin better. Sometimes, there are some choices that even if one does not want to do them, the people below will force him to do them.

After the deal was done, everyone left excitedly and went back to do their own thing.

Cen Wenben did not go out. After everyone left, he knelt down in front of Li Yuanji.

"Your Majesty, I know that I am guilty of a crime that deserves death. Please punish me."

Seeing Cen Wenben directly apologizing, Li Yuanji really didn't want to talk anymore. It was so quick and straightforward, what else could he say?
"Jingren, can't you tell me those things in private? Do you have to say it now? It's such a simple thing, you can't have thought of this, right?"

Now Li Yuanji really wanted to know what Cen Wenben was thinking. He could have talked to him alone about this matter, but he said it so openly. What exactly did he want to do?
In Li Yuanji's mind, if Cen Wenben could not give him a reasonable explanation, no matter how talented Cen Wenben was, he would have to use this person again.

Cen Wenben still didn't stand up and spoke slowly.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. I know a little bit about your thoughts, and I know even more about your determination to develop this place. But your Majesty, no matter how well this place develops, no matter how big you develop your fiefdom, the real roots are in the Tang Dynasty.

However, the king has no intention of interfering in the affairs of the Tang Dynasty. I know that we are still weak now, but we are slowly becoming stronger. The king should also change his mind.

In addition, this time he said it in front of everyone so that everyone would know the king's heart. Although Lingnan is developing, doesn't the king find that everyone is a little confused? They are all confused about the purpose of development.

In addition to reassuring everyone, it is also necessary to let them make decisions as soon as possible and make their connection with the king closer. Now they and I are all subordinates of the king. If the king has important matters, please let me know, and I and others can discuss it together.

This not only concerns the king, but also concerns all of us, the ministers. We are loyal to the king, and we ask the king to trust us. Our loyalty is witnessed by heaven and earth.

Since the king has chosen us, we also choose to be loyal to him. We hope that the king can be honest with us. As his subjects, we should share his worries.

With their hearts opened this time, everyone will be more loyal to the king, will do things wholeheartedly, and will know what they should and should not do.

It is because I know all this that I just told this matter in front of everyone.

I was just guessing at first, but it was not until Your Majesty insisted on expanding the army to the limit that I became more certain of what I was thinking.

But no matter what, I know I am guilty, and I ask the king to punish me as a warning to others."

Li Yuanji understood what Cen Wenben said. He was afraid that there would be a gap between him and others, especially the confusion of the crowd. Li Yuanji actually didn't realize it. When he thought about it carefully, it was just as Cen Wenben said.

He himself knew the purpose of development, but the others did not. In their eyes, development was to fight against the Tang Dynasty. This seemed to be natural, but he happened to be the King of Qi of the Tang Dynasty. If he had this idea, I'm afraid these people would think it was a fantasy.

If he continues to conceal the truth, it may even cause a crisis of trust. They have put their own and their families' lives and property in the hands of Li Yuanji, but he still distrusts other people. As time goes by, I'm afraid a gap will arise.

At this moment, Li Yuanji could already understand Cen Wenben's painstaking efforts in doing this. This was to eliminate hidden dangers for him and at the same time bring him and everyone else closely together.

What he said today is not only a statement of his own ambition, but also an important reason why others are willing to follow him. After all, they are all capable people, and no one wants to live a life of silence.

Li Yuanji was really glad that there was someone like Cen Wenben. He was really looking for problems for him, and they were all big problems.

(End of this chapter)