Chapter 20 Shocked Li Shimin
Empress Changsun nodded slightly, with a firm look in her eyes, and she said slowly: "So, that expert proposed the strategy of 'helping the poor'.

Only by solving the problem of food and clothing for the people can we truly achieve a strong army and a rich country. "

"Poverty alleviation?" Li Shimin repeated doubtfully, with some expectation in his eyes.

Li Shimin widened his eyes in disbelief.

"People are living in poverty because of heavy taxes?"

He seemed to have heard a folk joke that said the chickens raised by the common people laid eggs faster than taxes, but still could not buy a full meal.

"Year after year, the taxes are as heavy as a mountain, and the people have no chance to breathe!"

He shook his head, looking worried. "When will this situation end? The people don't even have anything to look forward to!"

"If Your Majesty can reduce taxes in certain areas, the people can have enough food to eat and enough clothes to wear."

He became more and more excited as he spoke. "They will naturally be grateful for the emperor's kindness. Within three years, the people will be prosperous, and our Tang Dynasty will also be prosperous and strong!"

"At that time, the treasury was full, the people were strong, and the army was strong. What enemy could the Tang Dynasty not defeat?"

"Reducing taxes is to strengthen the country and the army!"

"Three years later, all the people will be soldiers. Let those idle soldiers till the land, and let those idle people train!"

"By then, all the people of the Tang Dynasty will be soldiers. Who would dare to attack easily?"

Li Shimin spoke excitedly, his face flushed with excitement.

"Everyone is a soldier, this is a great idea!"

"Good, good idea! I'll take note of it immediately. Guanyin, please continue, continue..."

Empress Changsun was beside him, and she talked about her views on diligence and officialdom like a spring breeze. Her eyes moved and her lips parted slightly, as if every word was full of temptation, making Li Shimin listen attentively like a humble student seeking advice.

Li Shimin recorded every way of governing the country attentively, and could not wait to ask questions when he encountered difficult problems. Empress Changsun patiently explained to Li Shimin every bit she heard from Xu Luo.

This conversation made Li Shimin so excited that his eyes lit up, as if he saw the glorious future of the Tang Dynasty.

At the same time, in a corner of the Lizheng Hall, Princess Changle was yawning out of boredom, her eyelids drooping. She tried to raise her head again and again, but was always confused by her parents' heated discussion.

She racked her brains but couldn't figure out what made her father so excited.

It was late at night, and Chang'an City was immersed in a deep darkness, with only a few stars twinkling in the night sky. However, the lights in Lizheng Palace were still bright, like pearls in the night sky, shining brightly. Princess Changle finally couldn't resist the sleepiness, so she took her leave and returned to the palace, falling asleep.

Empress Changsun finally finished explaining all the ways to govern the country, but Li Shimin was still flipping through those strategies with great interest, as if every page exuded endless charm.

He couldn't help but applaud and exclaimed: "Wonderful! It's really wonderful! Such a policy of governing a country is truly the work of a master!"

A hint of determination flashed in his eyes, and he continued, "If we do this, our Tang Dynasty will surely prosper. I dare to predict that within five years, the country will be peaceful and the people will be safe. Those barbarians on the border will be terrified and flee!"

During this process, Empress Changsun's eyes were like the brightest stars in the night sky, sparkling with wisdom. Her lips were slightly opened, her nostrils trembled, and her chest rose and fell gently with the rhythm of her words, revealing a temptation that could not be ignored.

All this did not escape Li Shimin's sight. His focused gaze seemed as if he was appreciating a beautiful painting.

Li Shimin clenched his fists, his eyes flashed with coldness, and he said fiercely: "Not only do I want to make them terrified, I want to completely eradicate that old fox Jie Li!" He gritted his teeth, but could not hide the fanaticism in his heart.

Empress Changsun saw this and couldn't help but smile. She walked lightly to Li Shimin with a bowl of steaming ginseng tea in her hand.

Her eyes were like water, and she smiled as she spoke softly, "Second brother, even though state affairs are heavy, your health is more important. You should rest early. Besides, didn't the Tuli envoy just arrive? You should drink this bowl of ginseng tea first. It's important to take care of your health."

After hearing this, Li Shimin's excited face gradually became gloomy.

He sighed and said, "Yes, the envoy sent by Tuli asked me to help him to destroy Jie Li.

I once consulted the fortune teller, and he said that the climate in Mobei is bad and it is difficult for the Tang people to adapt. I have been waiting for seven days, and I expect the news to return in the next two days. "

Empress Changsun nodded slightly upon hearing this, but she did not say much. Although she understood that the harem should not interfere in political affairs, she had her own standards in her heart. She respected Li Shimin's decision as the ruler of a country, and only supported him silently with her spring-like smile and the ginseng tea in her hand.

At this moment, Empress Changsun's eyes were as gentle as water. She gently stroked Li Shimin's shoulders. Her slender fingertips were like a spring breeze, warming people's hearts.

Her lips slightly opened, and her voice was gentle: "Second brother, Jie Li's affairs are not achieved in a day. You should conserve your energy first, and make a decision once the news arrives."

Her words unconsciously revealed a kind of feminine tenderness and charm, and her silky voice made people feel moved.

"It is my duty to serve His Majesty." She muttered to herself, with a sly look in her eyes. "As for other trivial matters, it is better not to speak of them, so as not to disturb His Majesty's peace."

At this time, Li Shimin picked up the ginseng soup, drank it all, then wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, turned around, and asked with great interest: "By the way, Guanyin, what is the name of this expert you met?

His philosophy of governing the country is so brilliant, if I could invite him to the court to assist me, he would definitely be able to relieve my worries. "

Empress Changsun smiled gently, placed the empty bowl on the tray in the maid's hand, turned back, her eyes were as gentle as water, and wiped the corner of Li Shimin's mouth carefully with a handkerchief, "This master, my second brother has actually heard of him a long time ago."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Li Shimin asked curiously.

"I remember that my second brother mentioned this person many times. Out of curiosity, I quietly went out of the palace to visit him." Empress Changsun's laughter was like a spring breeze.

Hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief, "You mean, this expert is actually Xu Luo, the fortune teller on the street?"

"It's him." Empress Changsun nodded in confirmation.

"Hiss!" Li Shimin took a breath and nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right! He is indeed different. It's not easy for him to say such a profound thing!"

He was amazed and full of emotion, "Xu Luo is young, but he is unfathomable. Look, the alleys and lanes in Chang'an City are really a place where dragons and crouching tigers are hidden!"
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(End of this chapter)