Several swift horses galloped out of the palace. Li Zhuo looked at the ministers in front of him with a smile and said, "My dear ministers, please be patient. How about we discuss other important matters of the kingdom first?"
At this time, Song Lian and Wei Yong were not the only ones standing in the Yangxin Palace, and they did not dare to really occupy the emperor all the time.
Since the young prince hadn't come yet, they naturally stepped aside tactfully. At this time, the Minister of Works, Cui Shanzhan, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have something to say about Xixia's subsequent military strategy."
Li Zhuoxin said, "Hurry up and say it, change the subject quickly, I'm about to be stared to death by those two Old Xues."
"My dear Cui, please feel free to speak."
"It's like this. The court officials previously discussed the possibility of General Miao Lin leading the troops in an offensive. However, based on the battle reports from the front lines and General Miao Lin's own opinion, he feels that the risks of an offensive are too great and the gains will not outweigh the losses."
"What do you mean?" Li Zhuo was curious. He always felt that this defeat of the enemy was a good opportunity. If he went out of the city to pursue them, he might be able to destroy more of the enemy's manpower.
Cui Shanzhan explained, "Our soldiers are better at defending cities. If we encounter the Xixia heavy cavalry in the open, our cavalry will suffer a great loss."
Li Zhuo's stomach ached after hearing this. Ever since the Central Plains Dynasty lost the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, there was no place to raise horses. From that day on, the quality of the Central Plains Dynasty's cavalry was completely crushed by the nomadic peoples.
This is also why the soldiers of Da Qi could only rely on the city to defend themselves most of the time, because once they encountered the cavalry of Western Xia in the wild, the infantry of Da Qi would be overwhelmed by the enemy in one wave before they could even deploy their formation.
Cui Shanzhan was also a little frustrated and said, "Although the Xixia people are heavy cavalry, once they start charging, their speed is really too fast. Before our soldiers could deploy their formation, they were already right in front of us."
In the era of cold weapons, the advantage of formation was lost, and when infantry faced cavalry, it was a massacre.
For a moment, all the ministers in the Yangxin Palace fell silent. If the Great Qi army could really compete with the Western Xia cavalry on the plains, they would not have been beaten so badly over the years.
Li Zhuo waved his hands dejectedly and said, "Ah, it would be great if we could find a way to detect the enemy in advance. Let's discuss this matter later."
After saying this, he looked at the Minister of Revenue Liang Licang beside him and said, "Have you counted the military pay and grain sent to the front?"
"Your Majesty, all the statistics have been compiled. Here is the account book, please review it."
Li Zhuo took it and took a quick look at it, then put it on the corner of the desk with a headache and said, "So many?"
Although it was right to reward the troops after a victory, Li Zhuo still shuddered when he saw the number and thought about his own treasury which was already in tatters.
"The main thing to consider is the food and necessities for the people and horses along the way. This is already the number after we have streamlined it."
"Then do as directed. I trust you, my dear."
Li Zhuo then discussed some recent state affairs with his ministers. At this time, a young eunuch ran in and said, "Your Majesty, the little prince is back."
"Let him in." After saying this, Li Zhuo smiled and said to the ministers present: "My dear ministers, please help me test this child later."
A group of people headed by Song Lian and Wei Yong nodded one after another. They were rubbing their hands in anticipation, determined to let the emperor see what real knowledge was today!
Soon, Li Xiang came in from outside. The little fellow first came to Li Zhuo and bowed respectfully, "Your son greets the emperor. I wonder what instructions you have for me?"
Looking at his most beloved youngest son, Li Zhuo's expression became a little dazed. He always had a feeling that his son seemed different from before.
After carefully examining the child from head to toe for a long time, Li Zhuo was sure that the child had indeed changed, and that he seemed to be stronger than before.
Although Li Xiang used to live a life of luxury in the palace, she was relatively weak and would fall ill every now and then. She always looked like she would be blown away by the wind at any moment.
But Li Xiang still looks the same now, but her whole spirit is different.
If the previous Li Xiang was a sick willow, then the current Li Xiang standing there is like a green pine.
Although it is still a young pine tree, one can already see its upright figure when it grows up.
This change made Li Zhuo overjoyed. Regardless of what Li Xiang learned from Lu Chen, just being able to strengthen her muscles and bones was something Li Zhuo felt he had made a great profit.
Looking at the sensible child in front of him, Li Zhuo said, "I called you here today because the Grand Tutor wanted to ask you what you have learned from Master Lu. Don't be anxious, take your time."
In fact, when he first came in, Li Xiang looked a little nervous. Just by looking at his tense little face, you could tell that he was unsure.
But when Li Xiang heard that he asked him to come over just to ask him what he had learned from Lu Chen, he instantly calmed down.
This scene was seen by everyone, and many ministers were amazed. What kind of skills did Lu Chen teach the little prince to make him so confident?
"Reporting to His Majesty, I am learning arithmetic, physics, chemistry, geography, biology, politics, and history from my master. He will also teach me some methods to strengthen my body. He also said that since I am still young, he can add music and art courses in two years."
"By the way, Master will occasionally take me to do some handicrafts when he has time?" Li Xiang took out a small box from his arms and said, "Your Majesty, this is a little thing I made. I hope you will accept it."
Li Zhuo took the box but didn't open it. He simply put it aside and said with a smile, "My son has grown up, become sensible, and knows how to respect his father. As for that physics and chemistry you mentioned, what exactly does it teach?"
Not only did Li Zhuo not understand the specific content of physics and chemistry, but all the ministers present did not understand it either.
Li Xiang explained excitedly, "I don't know how broad the concepts of physics and chemistry are. I just know that Master said that if we learn these things well, we can see farther, run faster, make better medicines, and create more sophisticated armor."
Wei Yong couldn't help but snort coldly, "Humph, after all, they are just some strange tricks. How can they be compared with the great way of the saints we have learned? The little prince is confused!"
After saying this, Wei Yong whispered to Song Lian beside him, "Master Song, you must guide the little prince back onto the right path!"
Song Lian nodded, ready to say something with confidence.
But before he could open his mouth, he heard a commotion outside, and then a young eunuch hurried in and said, "Your Majesty, urgent report, eight hundred miles away, the White Lotus Sect demon has appeared in the Jiangnan region again!"
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