Gao Zhixing's party was busy fighting against the Shu rebels.
Li Chengqian, on the other hand, had already packed his luggage and took the ferry back to Chang'an City.
Except for the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan, Li Chengqian, Li Tingxue, and Li Chengqian's side princess, they are returning to Chang'an City.
Also, Li Shimin, who was the imperial charioteer on this expedition, was also going to return to Chang'an.
After all, it has been nearly a month since he left Chang'an City this time. In order to avoid unnecessary changes, it is best to go back as soon as possible.
What's more, Li Chengqian had promised him to go and conquer Li Ke personally.
There was no need for him to stay any longer.
After all the affairs in the general were handed over to Duan Zhixuan and Yuchi Jingde, Li Shimin took the ferry back to Chang'an with them.
On the way back to Chang'an from Jiangnan Road, the group also saw a strange scene.
Huainan Road and Henan Road were the birthplaces of the rebellion, and both are now in the reconstruction stage.
At regular intervals on both sides of the river, there will be some soldiers who are responsible for standing guard.
The existence of these people is also to protect the safety of the river. After all, the water transportation industry in the Tang Dynasty is booming.
If we suddenly give up at this time, the court and the people will suffer huge losses.
After crossing Henan Road and entering Hedong Road, the scenery on both sides of the bank immediately changed drastically.
Not only have there been more ferries on the waterway, but both sides of the river have also become very lively.
There are countless merchants loading goods at the ferry, and of course there are also the small traders doing business along the river.
The people here seem not to have been affected by the rebellion at all.
Everyone should still do what they should do.
And this is something no one expected.
Including Li Yuan and Li Tingxue.
Logically speaking, if there is a country where rebellions occur on both the east and west fronts at the same time.
It is impossible not to create turmoil among the people, and it is impossible not to say that the world is in chaos, but it must also make the people unable to live.
Moreover, in this incident, many people will take advantage of the troubled times to put a lot of gold and silver into themselves. own pocket.
What's more, some will take advantage of this moment to rise up and seek the greatest benefits for themselves.
But in this rebellion, it seems that none of these things happened.
The reason why such a scene occurred is of course because the emperor Li Shimin comforted him well.
Not only did he urgently dispatch elite troops to quell the rebellion after the rebellion, but he also went on a personal expedition to appease the people along the way.
And when the common people see these elite opponents and the arrival of Li Shimin, who will be afraid?
Everyone was happily waiting for the news of the imperial court's victory to come back, and took advantage of the situation to curse the rebels.
Standing on the deck, looking at the crowd.
Li Chengqian couldn't help but sigh: "My father is really unparalleled in managing people's livelihood..."
When he said this, he said it completely involuntarily.
Therefore, he completely forgot that Li Shimin was standing next to him.
And hearing this kid say these words, Li Shimin was also quite proud.
He said with a proud face: "Managing people's livelihood is the duty of a king. How can it be so outstanding in the past and today?"
Hearing this, Li Chengqian also reacted.
He said directly: "Father is right, the foundation of being a king is to love the country and the people."
"But looking at ancient and modern times, how many people can really take these words to heart?"
"If you don't want to talk about other things, let's talk about the former Sui Dynasty, which is closest to us."
"Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty established the Sui Dynasty on behalf of the Zhou Dynasty and destroyed the Chen Dynasty to end the division between the north and the south."
"During his reign, it was known as the founding emperor's rule."
“The system of three provinces and six ministries he created is still in use even today.”
"Some people are even discussing privately that even now, the national power of the Tang Dynasty is not as good as that of the Kaihuang period."
Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin and said: "But if the people are allowed to choose, I can guarantee that ten out of ten people would like to live in the Tang Dynasty rather than in Kaihuang."
To be honest, Li Shimin was a little angry when he listened to the first half of what this guy said.
After all, this guy just wants to talk about his past dynasty in front of him.
Moreover, both inside and outside the words are saying that the previous dynasty was better than the present one.
But after listening to the second half of the words, Li Shimin couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
He looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Why is this?"
"Because the wealth of the country and the wealth of the people are two different concepts."
"The founding emperor was rich, even richer than the current Tang Dynasty treasury, we admit this."
"After all, these guys brought all the gold and silver treasures accumulated by the entire Southern Dynasty back to the country for hundreds of years."
"But the wealth of the country and the wealth of the people are two different concepts."
"Not to mention anything else, just say that during the founding of the Emperor, people could eat as much white rice as they wanted and as much white flour steamed buns as they wanted per meal?"
Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin, his face full of admiration from the bottom of his heart.
"So, what my father said is correct, but my son does not agree with it."
"Because my father is truly unprecedented..."
It's undeniable.
His words were suspected of flattering Li Shimin.
But at the same time, it was also what he wanted to say from the bottom of his heart.
The Sui Dynasty was rich, but it was the country that was rich.
The Tang Dynasty was slightly inferior to the Sui Dynasty, but the people's life was far better than that of the Sui Dynasty.
When Li Shimin heard these words, he was naturally very happy.
It's not that he couldn't tell that Li Chengqian's words were suspected of complimenting him.
But at the same time, he could also hear that his son had really begun to understand the way of being a king.
This is really a good thing...
"Of course it is." "But it is undeniable that your contribution is part of this."
At this time, Li Shimin suddenly said something to Li Chengqian.
"Don't you realize that this is all the linkage effect brought about after you launched the reform?"
Hearing this, Li Chengqian was puzzled and said: "Father, please stop joking with me. What does this have to do with me?"
He really didn't understand what Li Shimin was doing.
Could it be that he wanted to trade business with him?
Li Shimin smiled slightly.
If Li Shimin originally wanted Li Chengqian to be his successor, it was just because he was the eldest son.
Then, after that, Li Shimin had such an idea solely because of his ability.
Not to mention the previous ones, but in this rebellion, Li Chengqian's brilliance was fully displayed.
His performance on the battlefield was dazzling enough, enough to shake the glory of a series of famous generals in the court.
Just talking about the linkage effect brought about by Li Chengqian's reforms in recent years, it was fully reflected in this rebellion.
Everywhere in the world except where rebellion arises.
The people are still living their lives, the merchants are still doing business, as if nothing has happened, and the forces everywhere are frighteningly stable.
What's more, the Lu family and the Changsun family, the families closest to Li Chengqian, also stepped forward to donate money and food to the court.
Such a harmonious scene was something Li Shimin never expected.
What surprised Li Shimin even more was the role played by those merchants.
Changsun Wuji and the Lu family joined forces with merchants to initiate checks and balances on Shu.
Every stitch, rice, grain, medicine, and even salt, iron, and wood are no longer purchased from Shu merchants.
At the beginning, Li Shimin didn't think their actions would have much consequence.
But judging from the subsequent results, he really completely underestimated the terrifying power that business can bring to society...