Li Zhi felt a little embarrassed and couldn't help looking at Han Yi.

Han Yi said: "I will explain to them later."

Li Zhi pondered for a moment and said with a smile: "No need."

Han Yi hurriedly said, "Yes, I understand."

When the emperor said something, he had to go and explain to the merchant, and he really took himself seriously.

Li Yifu's eyes suddenly rolled and said, "Your Majesty, I think what Mr. Han said before is reasonable. Now that Chang'an's business is developing so rapidly, the court should also focus on business."

Li Zhi nodded. Indeed, this scene unexpectedly surprised him. We can't blame others for not paying much attention to the development of business.

Li Yifu said again: "But if you want to increase the commercial tax, it is probably not possible. After all, it is only the prominent merchants in Chang'an. The merchants in other places are still as usual and have not made any progress." He proposed to increase the commercial tax, but was beaten by Han Yi, which made the gains not worth it. Now he learned his lesson and heard him say: "But the court can try to impose some tariffs. I think merchants who are capable of moving south naturally will not care about this tax. Moreover, this can also regulate river transportation and avoid further increase in the number of ships coming and going, causing chaos."

Li Zhi, Lu Chengqing and the others nodded slightly when they heard this.

Han Yi didn’t know what Li Yifu was thinking. He is now the prime minister. The more tax types he earns, the more he can make. He said in a pun: “Li Zhongshu is really planning ahead, and Han Yi admires him.”

"How dare you? How dare you? I learned all this from Mr. Han." Li Yifu also had a double talk.

The two of them are tacitly informed.

"Li Zhongshu is too humble!" Han Yi said and said to Li Zhi again: "Your Majesty, I highly agree with what Li Zhongshu said. This should indeed be further strengthened about the management and construction of river channels. It can even be said that this must be done. Without the regulation and support of the court, business cannot develop. Then the court has paid so much manpower and material resources and charged corresponding fees, which is also the right thing."

But at this point, he changed his subject and said, "But now everyone is still exploring, and no one is sure that this trip will definitely make money. Even if it makes money, it is still an unknown whether it can continue.

Therefore, I suggest that the court and the two major groups in Shandong should contact privately for the time being, first encourage trade between the north and the south, and wait until the north and the south are truly connected, close contacts, and the trade channels are becoming more mature, then regulate the river channels and collect corresponding taxes. If they collect it now, it will definitely hit the merchants' enthusiasm for going south. If they are no longer keen on going south to do business, I am afraid that the court will not be able to collect much taxes when the river is managed by then. Moreover, the more people, the lower the taxes can be ordered, which can not only fill the national treasury, reduce the burden on farmers, but also not affect the enthusiasm of merchants."

Li Yifu did not fight anymore because he knew that he could not compete with Han Yi in this regard. The more he fought, the more he would give Han Yi the opportunity to play, and instead looked at Li Zhi.

Li Zhi pondered for a moment and said, "I think Han Yi is right. It's too early to discuss this commercial tax."

"Your Majesty's wise!"

Just then, an imperial guard walked up to Yang Sine and said a few words in his ear.

"I understand!" Yang Sine nodded. After the non-commissioned officer retreated, he said to Li Zhi again: "Your Majesty, news has just been heard from the front line that Sikong and the others have crossed the Yellow River and will arrive in Chang'an soon."

Li Zhi was overjoyed when he heard this and said, "Although this battle did not use much force, it was of great significance. It not only alleviated the Silla crisis, but also weakened Goguryeo's power in the Liaodong region. Sikong and his team achieved this strategic goal at a very small price. I want to welcome Sikong and his team back triumphantly at Xuanwu Gate."

Compared to Li Ji and his friends' return, the grand occasion of the river seems a bit insignificant.

But for Han Yi, the fleet moving south is more important.

After several days of transport, all the goods were finally brought onto the cargo ship, and the fleet was ready to go.

Early this morning, this fleet with many hopes finally set sail and slowly left the dock. Han Yi naturally came here to see him off in person, which is only about his own interests for other merchants. However, everything led by Han Yi hides many things, which is not only interest, but more about changes, the future, connecting every inch of the land of the Tang Dynasty. In short, there are too many things that mean.

Although Han Yi didn't care much about this, it was just because every step was formulated by him, from the assembly line he made, to the transportation group, and the chess pieces he has set up in various states and counties, so for now, everything is still under control.

The fleet heading south had just left, and the soldiers who set out for Liaodong had returned.

Li Zhi personally led all civil and military officials and crown prince Li Hong to welcome the triumphant return of the royal army outside the Xuanwu Gate.

Although this was just a small-scale war for the Tang Dynasty, which was harassment by partial teachers and absolutely no need for Li Zhi to mobilize many troops, for Li Zhi, the significance of this war was extraordinary, because it was completely a beautiful battle under his will, allowing his strategic thinking to be continued. His strategic thinking was still inside and then outside. He had been so successful in rest and recuperation in recent years. He hoped to maintain this momentum, which was similar to the policies of the two emperors Wen and Jing back then. The difference was that the two emperors Wen and Jing did not want to fight, but were not sure to defeat the Huns at that time. Li Zhi's Tang Dynasty first put Goguryeo aside and developed with all his strength, and then dealt with Goguryeo until there was nothing to do or there were conflicts in the country. After all, Goguryeo was really far from the Tang Dynasty, and there was only one who could be beaten and protect himself.

Of course, although this scale is small, the lineup is very luxurious, and almost half of the commander has been given. With this lineup, the emperor should come out to greet him.

Afterwards, Li Zhi held a banquet at Tai Chi Palace to entertain Li Ji and other generals who returned from the war.

Of course, the generals played the lead role in this banquet. Qi Bi He Li and the others were yelling that they were not satisfied with the fight. The implication was that Li Zhi made up his mind to destroy Goguryeo earlier. It would be not easy for us to go back and forth.

Li Zhi nodded with a smile.

Li Yi Mansion, Xu Jingzong and other civil officials also laughed and agreed, toasting a few glasses of wine and congratulations. They were trying harder and perfunctory. After they came back from the victory, they had to give in. However, the Crown Prince Li Hong was fascinated by the hearing and asked a few questions from time to time, which made the ministers laugh. The atmosphere of the banquet was still very good and harmonious.

Banquets like this are purely for eating, drinking and having fun. It is impossible to discuss any sensitive matters at such banquets, because many ministers do not have enough authority to learn about these matters. The decisions that are truly decisive must be discussed privately by the ministers and the emperor.

Therefore, after the banquet, Li Zhi summoned the Minister of the Pudong Reputation in Liangyi Hall.

Of course, the protagonist must be Li Ji. Li Zhi asked: "Sikong, after this battle, what do you think of Goguryeo's power?"

Li Ji said: "Report to your Majesty, Gain Nayon Gassuwen transferred all the elite troops to the rear to attack Silla, so it is probably impossible to judge Goguryeo's combat power based on this battle. In addition, although I did not fight Nayon Gassuwen, this person was able to make the most bold and correct choice at the most critical moment, which shows that this person is by no means an ordinary person."

Speaking of this, he changed his subject and said, "But this battle also exposed Goguryeo's weakness, that is, Goguryeo's national strength is weak and unable to fight on both sides. No matter how powerful the Yuan Gaisuwen is, he is still unable to do anything. As long as I, the Tang Dynasty, have made complete preparations, it is not difficult to destroy Goguryeo in one fell swoop."

Li Ji's words meant very simply, which is to eliminate Baekje, join forces with Silla, and attack Goguryeo on both sides, making it difficult to deal with Goguryeo from beginning to end. As before, the difficulty will be greatly increased, because the peninsula is full of mountains, easy to defend but difficult to attack, and escort the cold winter.

Li Zhi nodded. He was also very determined about this general policy.

Li Ji said again: "The old minister has to congratulate Your Majesty. This battle has won a good general for Your Majesty."

Li Zhi said oh, "I have never heard of capturing the other general."

Still captured?

This military order is like a mountain, and all the generals have to be killed!

Li Ji smiled and said, "It is rare to find a famous general in the outer land of Goguryeo for thousands of years. I am afraid it is not that easy to meet."

Xu Jingzong smiled and said, "Sikong is really a witty word."

Li Zhi also laughed and asked again: "Who is Sikong Shi is?"

Li Jidao: "It's Dugu Wuyue."

"It's Wuyue!" Li Zhi was stunned, not so surprised, but also a little surprised.

Li Ji said: "I heard Liu Renyuan say that our army temporarily formed a navy and defeated the Baekje Navy at sea because of Dugu Wuyue's strategy. But what made the old minister even more gratified was that Dugu Wuyue was so tolerant at such a young age. According to the old minister's opinion, he would become a great man in the future."

"Wuyue, I have known him since I was a child, and I know his skills. He is indeed a craftsman!"

Li Zhi was very happy to hear it, and at the same time he made up his mind to let Dugu Wuyue train the navy. Although the Dugu family has been in trouble for many years, Li Zhi was also eager to cultivate his own team in the military general group.

Han Yi, who had been silent, suddenly glanced and stood up and bowed, "Report to Your Majesty, I have a small matter to report."

Li Zhi was stunned and said, "What's the matter?"

Han Yi said: "The king's army was triumphant and naturally had to reward the three armies. Therefore, I checked the land book in the Guanzhong area in the past two days and found that there were very few fertile land left in the Guanzhong area, and land annexation has always occurred in the local area. This is a hidden danger for our Tang army."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu felt upset when they saw Han Yi speak. Because they could not guess what trick Han Yi was going to do, there was no sign and it was hard to guard against.

Minister of War Ren Yaxiang nodded slightly and said, "In recent years, there have been more and more people who have deserted military service. Although the impact is not great, the court should prepare for the future."

Li Zhi frowned, his interest was a little reduced, and he looked at Han Yi and said, "I wonder what you think about this?"
Chapter completed!