As the night grew darker, the moonlight filled the earth like flowing water, and silvery white colors decorated every inch of space. Fang Xuanling stood up quietly and walked to the window with steady steps. His figure looked taller and taller in the moonlight, as if
As unwavering as the mountains. His eyes looked through the window into the quiet night sky.
In the sky, the stars twinkled like countless bright eyes, watching the world quietly. The moon hung high, casting a soft silver glow, adding a touch of mystery and tranquility to the silent night. He took a deep breath
I breathed, feeling this peaceful and beautiful night, and felt an inexplicable feeling in my heart.
He knew that no matter how tortuous the road ahead was, no matter how unpredictable the outcome, he would stick to his loyalty and belief. His whole life, he had been contributing to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. This loyalty and belief had long been deeply rooted in his heart.
It was deeply imprinted in his heart and became his motivation to move forward.
He closed his eyes, as if recalling the past years. Those days of working hard for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, those days of fighting side by side with his companions, all appeared in his mind like a picture scroll. He felt
With that firm belief and endless courage, I also felt that deep pride and glory.
When he reopened his eyes, there was a determined light in them. He knew that no matter what challenges and difficulties he would face in the future, he would face them bravely and move forward unswervingly. He believed that as long as they work together,
Datang's future will surely be even more glorious.
In the distant palace, Li Shimin was also busy handling state affairs. His figure looked more majestic and solemn under the candlelight, and every move revealed the majesty and determination of the emperor. His heart was full of expectations for the future of the Tang Dynasty.
and worries, but he knew that only through continuous efforts could Datang become more prosperous.
Li Shimin really didn't know anything about Fang Xuanling. He was busy dealing with various state affairs and government affairs every day, and rarely had time to pay attention to other things. Moreover, he always kept a certain distance from Fang Xuanling.
Cautious. Although he knew that Fang Xuanling was a loyal and capable official, he also knew that the officialdom was full of complexities and variables, and he could not trust anyone easily.
Therefore, even if someone mentioned Fang Xuanling's matter to him, he would just respond lightly without asking or delving into it too much. He didn't want to know too much about Fang Xuanling's private affairs and secrets, because he thought it was not relevant.
It's not something he should be concerned about as an emperor.
However, as time went by, Li Shimin's estrangement from Fang Xuanling became deeper and deeper. He began to doubt Fang Xuanling's loyalty and motives, and even began to worry that he would pose a threat to the rule of the Tang Dynasty. This estrangement and doubts
, making Li Shimin's attitude toward Fang Xuanling become increasingly cold and distant.
However, he did not realize that this estrangement and doubt was actually just a kind of insecurity and fear deep in his heart. He was afraid of losing control of Datang and that someone would betray him or challenge his authority. Therefore, he
Only then would there be such estrangement and doubts about Fang Xuanling.
However, Fang Xuanling did not know all this. He still faithfully performed his duties and contributed to the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. He did not realize that Li Shimin's attitude and view of him had changed.
Still as loyal and steadfast as ever.
In this way, the two of them were busy in their own worlds, but gradually drifted apart. Until one day, a sudden crisis broke the peace and silence.
over time.
Until one day, the tranquility of the Tang Dynasty was broken by a hurried report. Li Shimin was reviewing memorials in the imperial study, his brows furrowed, as if thinking about national affairs. Suddenly, a guard hurried in and knelt down in a panic.
On the ground.
"Your Majesty, urgent information!" The guard's voice was trembling, as if something important was about to be revealed.
Li Shimin raised his head, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes. He put down the memorial in his hand and asked in a deep voice: "Why are you so panicked?"
The guard took a deep breath, tried to calm down his emotions, and then said: "Your Majesty, the female Tang Dynasty has lost nearly two million people in the past year! The new Tang Dynasty has also lost nearly half a million people!"
This news was like a bolt from the blue, making Li Shimin feel bad all over. He widened his eyes and looked at the guards in disbelief, feeling a strong uneasiness in his heart. How could the population of Nutang and Xintang suddenly decrease so much?
How much? What on earth is going on?
He tried hard to control his emotions and asked in a deep voice: "More than two million people? Is it the natural loss of birth, old age, illness and death?"
The guard shook his head and replied: "No, Your Majesty, they are all young people, mostly women."
Hearing this, Li Shimin's face became even more ugly. Most of them were women? What was going on? There was a strong uneasiness in his heart, as if something big was about to happen.
He stood up and paced back and forth in the royal study, frowning, as if thinking about countermeasures. Suddenly, he stopped, looked at the guard firmly, and said: "This matter is not trivial, we must investigate it thoroughly! You
Go and call Fang Xuanling, I want to ask him personally!"
The guards quickly nodded in agreement, and then quickly retreated to execute the order. Li Shimin sat on the dragon chair in the imperial study room, with his hands clenched into fists, as if preparing for the upcoming conversation.
Soon after, Fang Xuanling was summoned into the palace urgently. He felt uneasy along the way, wondering why Li Shimin summoned him so urgently. When he walked into the imperial study, he saw Li Shimin's serious and heavy face, and he felt even more uneasy.
.
"Your Majesty, what is the important matter for your summons?" Fang Xuanling asked respectfully.
Li Shimin didn't speak, just stared at him coldly. Fang Xuanling's heart tightened, and he felt an invisible pressure hanging over him. He didn't dare to show any signs of neglect, and quickly lowered his head to wait for Li Shimin's words.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! After a while, Li Shimin spoke. His voice was low and powerful, as if carrying an unquestionable majesty.
"Fang Xuanling, do you know that Nutang and Xintang have lost a large number of people in the past year?" Li Shimin asked.
Fang Xuanling was shocked, but remained calm on the surface. He replied: "I have heard a little about it, but I don't know the details."
Li Shimin sneered and said: "Have you heard anything? There are so many things you don't know! More than two million people have been lost, mostly women. As the prime minister, you know nothing about it?"
When Fang Xuanling heard Li Shimin's words, he already understood something in his heart. He was still guessing what the cause of this massive population loss was, but now that he heard Li Shimin mention Nanzhou and Li Chengqian, he suddenly had a direction in his mind. He took a deep breath
He took a breath, tried his best to calm down the turmoil in his heart, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, please calm down. I really don't know the details of this matter. But please rest assured, your Majesty, I will immediately investigate the matter and report to Your Majesty after finding out the truth."
Li Shimin's face was still solemn. He nodded slightly and said, "I have an idea. Please listen to it." Fang Xuanling quickly raised his hands and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, please speak."
Li Shimin pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Could it be that these people went to Nanzhou? To Li Chengqian's place?" His words revealed a deep obsession, as if he had some special emotional entanglement with Li Chengqian.
.
Hearing this, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but wonder. He looked at Li Shimin in confusion, wondering why His Majesty would suddenly mention Li Chengqian and Nanzhou. He thought for a moment and tentatively said: "Where is the eldest prince? Nanzhou? Your Majesty, why are you there?
Do you think so?"
Li Shimin sighed and said: "I heard that Li Chengqian currently needs a large number of talents for construction in Nanzhou, and he is also actively encouraging population reproduction. Therefore, I believe that he must be involved in this population loss.
You go and check it out, mainly paying attention to the situation there."
After hearing this, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but nodded secretly. He understood that Li Shimin's worries were not without purpose. As a remote area of the Tang Dynasty, Nanzhou had indeed undergone considerable changes under Li Chengqian's governance in recent years. Moreover, Li Chengqian had always
There is a huge demand for population and resources. This population loss may indeed be related to him.
Thinking of this, Fang Xuanling cupped his hands and said: "What your Majesty said is absolutely true. If so, it may indeed be related to Li Chengqian. I will immediately start investigating the situation in Nanzhou and the connection with Li Chengqian."
Hearing this, Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction and said, "Well, you should mainly check his situation. Remember, you must check clearly and don't miss anything."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Fang Xuanling responded respectfully, then turned and exited the imperial study. He knew in his heart that this task was both important and sensitive, and must be handled with caution. He did not dare to slack off at all, and returned immediately
In the mansion, he summoned his subordinates to start investigating the matter.
A few days later, in the Chang'an Imperial Palace.
Li Shimin stood in front of the dragon throne, his brows furrowed and his expression solemn. He looked at His Highness's civil and military officials, and his heart was full of uneasiness and doubt. The problem of population loss between the Nvtang and the New Tang shrouded his mind like a fog.
He couldn't let it go.
He knew that as the king of a country, he must find out the truth as soon as possible and find a solution. Therefore, he ordered his men to investigate the matter in depth and make sure to find out the changes in the matter.
However, as the investigation deepened, they gradually discovered that this matter seemed to be much more complicated than imagined. Nanzhou, that remote and mysterious place, seemed to be inextricably linked to this matter. However, Nanzhou
The continent was too far away from the Tang Dynasty, and they couldn't find any useful information at all.
Li Shimin became anxious. He understood that if the truth could not be found out as soon as possible and the problem of population loss could not be solved, the stability and development of the Tang Dynasty would be greatly threatened. So he summoned Fang Xuanling again, hoping that he could give
A satisfactory answer.
After Fang Xuanling entered the palace, Li Shimin eagerly asked him about the progress of the investigation. Fang Xuanling looked embarrassed. He knew that the difficulty of this matter was far beyond ordinary affairs. He hesitated and then said:
"Your Majesty, I am still investigating this matter in depth, but it is indeed very difficult. Nanzhou is located in a remote area, our manpower is limited, and time is tight, so there is no substantial progress yet."
After hearing this, Li Shimin frowned even more tightly. He understood Fang Xuanling's difficulties, but he also knew that he couldn't just sit back and do nothing. He thought for a moment, and then said: "Fang Aiqing, I know this matter is difficult.
Yes, but you must give me an explanation. How is the situation over at Nanzhou? Is there any movement over at Li Chengqian?"
When Fang Xuanling heard this, his heart trembled. He knew that Li Shimin had always paid special attention to Li Chengqian, and was also well aware of what Li Chengqian was doing in Nanzhou. He thought for a moment, and then said: "Your Majesty, the situation over there in Nanzhou
It’s really complicated. The eldest prince has proclaimed himself king there, and his power has been deeply rooted. Our people went to Nanzhou, and they probably won’t be able to enter that land, let alone find out any useful information.”
After hearing this, Li Shimin was silent for a moment. He knew that Fang Xuanling was telling the truth. The situation in Nanzhou was indeed complicated, and Li Chengqian was not an easy person to deal with. However, he could not just give up. After all, the safety of the Tang Dynasty and the
Stability is his responsibility.
Li Shimin stood in front of the dragon chair, his eyes were as bright as a torch, and his face looked a little solemn. He took a deep breath, as if he wanted to inhale the dull atmosphere of the entire palace into his lungs, and then slowly exhaled, with an unquestionable firmness in his voice: "Fang Aiqing
, I know that this matter is difficult to handle, but you must do everything you can to find out the truth. Nanzhou, that place that I have always been worried about, you have to send people there to investigate in depth, maybe you can find something. However,
I want to remind you to pay attention to safety and not to alert Li Chengqian."
Fang Xuanling frowned when he heard this. He knew how difficult this matter was. He lowered his head slightly, thought for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, I have sent people to Nanzhou, but it is tightly guarded by the eldest prince.
Our people can't enter at all. I tried my best, but I was really helpless."
Li Shimin frowned even more when he heard this. He looked at Fang Xuanling, a trace of dissatisfaction flashed in his eyes, but more of it was helplessness and expectation. He said solemnly: "I don't care, you must give me a solution for this matter."
Explain. I must understand the situation in Nanzhou clearly. This is my bottom line."
When Fang Xuanling saw this, he smiled bitterly in his heart. He knew Li Shimin's obsession with Nanzhou and Li Chengqian, and also knew the importance of this matter. He took a deep breath, and then said: "Your Majesty, I have a plan, but I don't know what to say.
It’s inappropriate to talk about it.”
Li Shimin waved his hand and said: "But it doesn't matter."
Fang Xuanling hesitated for a moment, and then said: "I would like to invite General Cheng Yaojin to go to Nanzhou with me. General Cheng is brave and good at fighting and has a high prestige. With him accompanying us, we may be able to enter Nanzhou smoothly and find out the truth."
When Li Shimin heard this, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes. He had always admired Cheng Yaojin's bravery and loyalty, and believed that he was capable of completing this task. He nodded and said, "Okay, let Zhijie go with us. But you must
Pay attention to safety and do not alert Li Chengqian."
Hearing this, Fang Xuanling felt relieved. He knew that with the addition of Cheng Yaojin, the success rate of this mission would be greatly improved. He handed over his hand and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will do my best to find out the truth."
"Okay, let Zhijie join us. Come, let Zhijie enter the palace! I have something to say!" Li Shimin added after hearing this.