Chapter 379 Silver Mine, Navy
"Shuyu, come with me for a moment."
When the banquet ended, Li Shimin called out to Wei Shuyu.
Li Yuan took a look.
Oh, then I won't leave either.
He then brazenly began to close his eyes and rest.
"Father, I am returning to the main hall. Why are you following me?"
"Can't I go?"
Li Yuan glared at him: "Let me tell you, the money I gave you in return saved you more than half of your money. You must return this money to me!"
“This reward was given to you by yourself!” Li Shimin’s voice rose several decibels.
You gave the reward, and you stole the limelight.
So, I'm going to have to pay the price?
Does that make sense?
"You don't want to give it?"
Li Yuan immediately perked up.
They were just looking for an excuse to make trouble.
"What use do you have for so much money?" Li Shimin sighed.
"What right do you have to interfere with my affairs?"
Li Yuan snorted coldly: "Can't I just throw it into the pool and make a sound?"
"..."
Li Shimin was speechless.
That's enough.
Go ahead and follow if you want.
Anyway, I have no money.
Li Shimin turned around and left.
"snort."
Li Yuan snorted coldly and followed closely behind.
Dare to walk ahead of me?
no.
I am your father, you must lag behind me by half a step.
Li Yuan quickened his pace and walked up to Li Shimin.
Stand in the main hall.
Li Shimin stood beside the dragon throne like a wooden stake.
Damn it...
When Li Yuan arrived, he had nowhere to sit again.
"Shuyu, tell me..."
Li Shimin asked helplessly, "Why target Japan?"
Wei Shuyu's aggression towards Japan was too strong.
This displeased Li Shimin.
Anyway...
Among the vassal states today, the Wa (倭) nation ranks among the most docile.
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu bowed and said, "The ambitions of Japan are gradually being exposed. They are constantly absorbing the cultures of other countries and encouraging immigration policies."
"and……"
"For the past one or two hundred years, they have been allied with Baekje and have been launching attacks against Silla."
"Isn't it good that they've become powerful?" Li Shimin asked.
From his perspective...
The stronger the slave state, the more it highlights the hegemonic status of the Tang Dynasty!
"not good!"
Wei Shuyu said in a serious tone, "If they become powerful, it will be difficult for us to get money from them."
Making money?
What money are you trying to make?
"Many of their people are so poor they can't even afford clothes, how could they possibly have money?" Li Shimin asked, frowning.
Japan still practices slavery and is indeed extremely poor.
"Your Majesty, they have no money."
Wei Shuyu explained, "But they have silver mines!"
"It can mine at least several million taels of silver for the Tang Dynasty every year!"
Li Shimin frowned.
Millions of taels translate to millions of strings of cash.
The annual tax revenue of the Tang Dynasty now reaches 34 million strings of cash, not counting other taxes.
What Li Shimin truly valued was silver!
The Tang Dynasty was still in an era of bartering.
We are lacking silver, gold, and copper!
Even when he rewarded his officials, it was always with brocade and silk.
If a massive amount of silver were to flow in, the Tang Dynasty could break free from the era of bartering.
How did you find out about this?
Li Shimin's sharp gaze fell upon Wei Shuyu.
"It was a wise man who happened to pass by and told me," Wei Shuyu casually made up an excuse.
"presumptuous!"
Li Shimin flicked his sleeve and shouted, "This concerns a matter of great importance between our two countries, and you're telling me it's all hearsay?"
"Do you realize how extremely bad the impact of this is?"
"If it weren't for Xuan Cheng's sake, I could have charged you with sowing discord between the two countries!"
Li Shimin was furious.
"He also told me the recipe for the nectar," Wei Shuyu added.
Um?
Li Shimin asked in shock, "What did you say? This nectar isn't just one pool? And there's a recipe for it?"
"yes."
Wei Shuyu nodded.
"idiot."
Seizing the opportunity, Li Yuan immediately launched into a tirade: "If there really was only one pond, would I have given it away to them for free?"
"Can't I keep it for myself to drink?"
Li Shimin's face turned red.
Why is Father still here?
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu then brought the topic back: "Actually, I also have doubts about the silver mine."
"The reason for forcibly revoking the Han-Wo Nu King's Seal in the imperial court..."
"Testing Japan's attitude is one aspect."
"On the other hand, it would be a legitimate reason to send a delegation to Japan to retrieve the seal!"
"Secretly, they went to investigate the silver mine's output."
Huh?
That explains it.
"What does Xuancheng think?" Li Shimin turned to ask Wei Zheng.
"Your Majesty, I believe this is a feasible plan."
Wei Zheng bowed and said, "It's nothing more than sending out an envoy; the Tang Dynasty won't suffer much loss."
Li Shimin nodded.
He then paced back and forth in the hall, pondering the feasibility of this strategy.
"It still doesn't work!"
After a long silence, Li Shimin uttered two words.
"The Tang Dynasty was separated from Japan by countries such as Silla and Baekje..."
"They can't just stand by and watch the Tang Dynasty send silver over."
To this, Wei Shuyu simply smiled calmly...
He understood what Li Shimin meant.
The mountains are high and the emperor is far away.
Faced with enormous profits, the Tang Dynasty's hegemonic status played little role!
"This is what I am about to say..."
"Has Your Majesty not noticed that one country in the East has not sent tribute this time?"
Swish...
Li Shimin's pupils contracted.
Goguryeo!
"As is well known, Emperor Yang of Sui launched three campaigns against Goguryeo, and all three ended in failure!"
"But on one occasion, they even reached the capital of Goguryeo... Pyongyang!"
Then, Wei Shuyu paused, "Your Majesty should know what kind of army it is, right?"
"Naval forces."
Li Shimin replied affirmatively.
"That's right."
Wei Shuyu nodded: "Our Tang Dynasty has a strong land force, but its current naval force is not very strong."
“Fuyu Yici dared to make a ruckus in the Tang Dynasty.”
"Goguryeo dares to disregard the Tang Dynasty..."
"It's simply because the Tang Dynasty wasn't intimidating enough for them!"
"If we had a powerful navy around them..."
Even if they had the guts, they wouldn't dare to act rashly!
Li Shimin's eyes lit up.
He instantly understood what Wei Shuyu meant.
A single navy may not be enough to pose a threat to the other side.
But don't forget, the strongest force in the Tang Dynasty was its army.
With the navy and army attacking from both sides, the Eastern countries had no choice but to submit!
"The navy can not only transport silver mines, but also defend against other countries. It is an extremely important part of the Tang Dynasty's strategy to become a powerful nation!"
"Your Majesty, I humbly request..."
Wei Shuyu bowed solemnly once more: "Develop military capabilities and build an iron-blooded navy to shake the East!"
Li Shimin was stunned...
He immediately stepped forward and helped Wei Shuyu up, saying, "My dear minister, you need not stand on ceremony. I will consider this matter carefully."
Wei Zheng was greatly pleased.
His Majesty has been persuaded by Shuyu again...
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