Li Shimin was very excited to hear that Li Jue had managed to save the last one or two tenths of the wounded soldiers.

Because the highest mortality rate in the Tang Dynasty was not on the battlefield, or even in the Trapped Camp, but in the wounded soldiers' camps located in the rear.

When Li Jue invented alcohol, only 20-30% of the wounded soldiers survived.

With alcohol, you can survive 70-80% of the time during the autumn and winter seasons.

Even in the sweltering summer, more than 50% of them can survive!

This was already a miracle, but Li Jue was even able to save the last few wounded soldiers.

"I'm fairly confident..."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin waved his hand dismissively.

"Big Sun, just go ahead and do it!"

"As long as you can accomplish this, the Tang Dynasty will be as solid as bronze and iron, and your future throne will be as firm as iron. No one will be able to shake your position!"

Li Jue nodded upon hearing this, as he understood the reasoning behind it.

If he could truly save the wounded soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, then the loyalty of the Tang soldiers to him would be beyond compare.

"Grandpa, this is a difficult matter, and we are short of money, a large sum of money!"

"money?"

Li Shimin frowned slightly upon hearing this. He didn't have much money, but he couldn't possibly pay for such a major event concerning the national economy and people's livelihood by himself.

"You don't need to worry about money!"

"As soon as I return to the palace, I will order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds. Whether you need people or goods, I will do my best to satisfy you!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue and Sun Simiao exchanged a glance, both revealing a sly glint in their eyes.

Once this matter rises to the level of a national strategic decision, things will be much easier for them.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Sun Simiao didn't hesitate to flatter Li Shimin, making Li Shimin very happy.

"Thank you so much, Dr. Sun!"

"My grandson is the most prone to nonsense, so I have to rely on Physician Sun to prevent him from wasting the national treasury."

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao modestly shook his head.

"Your Majesty is mistaken!"

"Although I call myself the senior brother, I am actually the disciple of the Crown Prince. If it weren't for the Crown Prince's overarching planning, I would not only know what penicillin is, but also the secret art of the Green Bag..."

"Therefore, it is I who assist my junior brother, not the other way around!"

"oh?"

Seeing that Sun Simiao did not seem to be faking it, Li Shimin looked at his eldest grandson with suspicion and couldn't help but wonder, "Is my eldest grandson really that amazing?"

"Master Sun, there's no need for such modesty. If you lack anything in the future, just write to me, and I will fulfill your request!"

"You two can continue your conversation. I'm going back to deal with that good-for-nothing Li Yuanchang!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue quickly offered a reminder.

"Grandpa, don't forget those people Li Yuanchang confessed to. These people are all parasites on the Tang Dynasty!"

"Uh..."

Li Shimin was so startled by these words that he almost stumbled. He never expected that his eldest grandson would still be thinking about this matter.

"You go about your business, I'm leaving now..."

Li Shimin fled as if fleeing, and upon returning to the palace, he ordered his men to drag Li Yuanchang over and whip him severely, dozens of times.

"Li Yuanchang, explain yourself clearly to me, who exactly was involved in this matter?"

"Your Majesty, Li Yuanli, Li Yuanze, Princess Wanchun, Princess Jiujiang..."

Li Yuanchang confessed to more than a dozen names in one go, almost wiping out all the princes and princesses of Li Yuan's lineage.

After listening to Li Yuanchang's confession, Li Shimin silently considered the matter in his mind.

In truth, he had long disliked these people, but he had never found an excuse to deal with them. Now that Li Yuanchang had handed him the knife, he wouldn't be Li Shimin if he didn't ruthlessly cut a piece of flesh from them!

"Yuanchang..."

"I have a task for you. If you can complete it, I promise to restore you to the throne in three years!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang excitedly climbed forward and said.

"Your Majesty, please speak. As long as it is within my power, I will do it even at the cost of my life!"

"Um……"

"Tomorrow in court, you will recount the misdeeds of the others and, if necessary, offer your corrections!"

"this……"

Li Yuanchang was stunned when he heard this. He was indeed a little dumbfounded, but not completely dumbfounded. He had already guessed what His Majesty wanted him to do.

"Your Majesty, do you intend to use your younger brother to get rid of all these disobedient princes and princesses?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin waved his hand and said.

"It's not that serious, just a warning to them!"

"You have committed a grave offense this time, and even I cannot protect you. I can only temporarily put you in this precarious situation for a few years. Once you return from Lingnan, I will immediately bestow upon you the title of King!"

Li Yuanchang burst into tears upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty, my younger brother has been frail since childhood. If he goes to Lingnan, will he even be able to return alive? Waaah..."

"Please, Your Majesty, for the sake of my father, forgive me this time, sob sob sob..."

Li Shimin did not have deep feelings for Li Yuan, and in fact, he rarely saw Li Yuan in his later years.

Whether it was due to his advanced age or simply that he was getting on in years, he would often think of his father these past few years. Especially after he had twice deposed the crown prince, his longing for his father grew stronger with each passing day.

He gradually began to understand his father's good intentions back then...

In fact, his father had always seen how excellent Li Jiancheng was, but since Li Jiancheng had not made any major mistakes and was the eldest son of the Li family, his father really couldn't find a reason to depose him.

Moreover, once the precedent of deposing the eldest son in favor of the younger son is set, how should future rulers choose their heirs?

Should we appoint the most virtuous or the eldest son?

If we establish meritocracy, then what are the standards for virtue and wisdom?

The simplest way is to establish the eldest son as the heir; the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and the order of seniority, is immediately clear, and no one can fake it...

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