Chapter 2525 Ever since entering Luoyang, the East Palace has always felt a sense of difficulty
Cheng Ping and his party stayed at this port, which was forcibly named Karachi by Master Cheng San who was far away in the Tang Dynasty, for seven days.
Because we encountered pirates on the way, although we were victorious, the damage to the ship needed to be carefully repaired and reinforced.
We still have to wait for all the cargo to be emptied, and then load the obtained iron, spices, and various dried fruits onto the ship.
After finishing all matters, Cheng Ping and his party finally left here, and the 1,500 elites who stayed behind will be stationed here.
Guarding the Karachi Port, which will surely become an important overseas fulcrum for Datang in the future.
If five hundred thousand kilograms of iron were transported by land, just this weight would require an astronomical amount of manpower and material resources.
But shipping is completely different. The half million kilograms of iron only accounted for less than one-third of the fleet carrying capacity of this Han and Tang trading company.
Apart from the 500,000 kilograms of iron and steel carried by this fleet, only about 100,000 kilograms were left in Jiaozhou Dagang, where sophisticated weapons were made for the escorts of the Han and Tang Dynasty trading houses.
The remaining 400,000 kilograms of iron will be shipped directly to Luoyang, some of which will be presented to the court, while most of it will be kept for sale.
After all, this thing was a bit ridiculously expensive in the Tang Dynasty. A weapon made of iron only cost dozens of pieces, so there was no need to think about it.
If the weapon is made of high-quality iron, its price is almost as high as that of luxury goods.
Moreover, on this return trip, several Sindhi craftsmen who are good at smelting this kind of iron were specially brought along. They will go with the ship to the Tang Dynasty to teach their craftsmanship.
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Li Shimin sat behind the desk, looking at the news spread out in front of him with a serious expression.
Not far away, the embroidered clothes envoy with an ordinary appearance, who might not have any distinguishing features even if thrown into the crowd, was sitting quietly opposite.
Zhao Kun, on the other hand, quietly looked at the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. These days, Luoyang was not at peace, especially the news coming from the fence-like East Palace.
It has already spread throughout the official circles in Luoyang, saying that His Royal Highness is discussing it privately.
I feel that His Royal Highness Prince Jin is already an adult and has already married the princess.
But he couldn't leave, it was clear that he had other thoughts, and the ministers in the East Palace were quite dissatisfied with it.
Such news made Li Shimin, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, feel very unhappy, but according to the news coming from the embroidered clothes in the East Palace.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn't seem to know much about it, and he had also strictly ordered the officials in the East Palace not to spread rumors.
He even asked Zhang Xuansu, the prince's younger brother, to investigate the matter thoroughly to find out who was talking nonsense and alienating his brotherly friendship with the King of Jin.
Li Shimin frowned deeply, and after a long time, he raised his hand to signal. "Go down. If there is any important news, remember to bring it to the palace immediately."
The embroiderer bowed respectfully to Li Shimin, and then quietly walked out of the palace.
The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, with a deep frown, was left sitting behind the desk, staring at the news in a daze.
After a long time, Li Shimin slowly raised his head and looked at Zhao Kun beside him.
"Zhao Kun, do you think the prince is someone who can do such a thing?"
The sound was not loud, but when it fell in Zhao Kun's ears, it was like thunder.
Zhao Kun's face turned pale immediately, and he quickly lowered his head and bowed respectfully to His Majesty.
"Your Majesty, I don't understand what your Majesty is asking, but I at least know that His Royal Highness is kind, filial, intelligent, courteous and virtuous, and as the legitimate eldest son, he has always..."
"Okay..." Li Shimin smiled lightly. "I don't know what you said."
"It's precisely because of this that I'm very curious. Haha, it's interesting..."
Zhao Kun looked at the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty in bewilderment, who was obviously not in a good mood, but suddenly laughed out loud.
I really can't figure out what your Majesty is thinking.
Then I saw His Majesty, who was tapping the table with his fingers, slowly stood up, stretched out a lot, and then said.
"Then Li You was stripped of his royal title and imprisoned in the Imperial Manor for a short period of time. However, I have always ignored him. This does not seem appropriate."
"Go there and see how he is doing now and what he has been doing in the Imperial Manor."
"I obey." Zhao Kun bowed respectfully to Li Shimin and quickly strode out of the palace.
Li Shimin put his hands behind his back and walked slowly in the hall, his brows knitted together, his expression full of doubts and even some worries.
However, when the eunuch came to report that the empress had arrived outside the palace, he quickly returned to the imperial court.
Collecting all the papers that had not been put away just now, he put them back into the memorial, and then walked quickly towards Empress Changsun with a smile.
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"I know, you go back first, and you will be there immediately." Li Chengqian nodded and replied to the guard who was ordered to rush to the East Palace to deliver his father's instructions.
When the guard left, Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu, who were discussing matters with His Royal Highness, looked at each other.
Then all eyes fell on Li Chengqian, and Zhang Xuansu asked first.
"Has Your Highness ever known why His Majesty summoned His Majesty to the palace?"
Li Chengqian shook his head slowly and asked Zhang Xuansu.
"I really don't know, why, Zhang Qing, do you have any news?"
Zhang Xuansu replied in a stiff voice.
"In my opinion, I'm afraid it may have a lot to do with the rumors that have been rampant in Luoyang City during this period."
"His Highness also said before that he would enter the palace to pay his respects to His Majesty and His Majesty, but His Majesty has never mentioned this matter."
"And I summoned His Highness into the palace today, I'm afraid I just want to see His Highness's reaction."
"What Shao Zhan said is exactly the same as what I think. I also feel that it must be related to this matter."
"Nowadays, every time someone outside the palace mentions those rumors, they will definitely mention that they came from the East Palace."
"It's a pity that I waited for an open and covert investigation, but couldn't find the source..."
Li Chengqian sighed softly and showed a reserved and calm smile.
"It doesn't matter. As the saying goes, those who are pure will themselves be pure. I am innocent. This is enough."
"My wise father will definitely believe that I am innocent."
Li Chengqian stood up and gave a few instructions to the two of them before getting up and leaving the palace.
Zhang Xuansu and Yu Zhining respectfully sent His Highness the Crown Prince outside the palace. They couldn't help but look at each other as they watched His Highness the Crown Prince leave in the chariot.
"About Zhan, do you think His Majesty will question His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for this?" Zhang Xuansu said with a very gloomy expression.
"No one can say this. Alas... Ever since entering Luoyang, Dong Palace has always felt that it is difficult to move forward."
"This is the land of Heluo in the Central Plains. It is the foundation of the aristocratic family. His Royal Highness has always been at odds with the aristocratic family."
"Now that we are here for the first time, perhaps these are the aristocratic families showing off to His Highness the Crown Prince."