“Enough, rise,” Qing Emperor sighed softly. “I understand what you mean.”
Li Che looked up, his eyes fixed on Qing Emperor.
He understood that he had temporarily passed the test and made Qing Emperor cease his killing intent.
At this moment, Qing Emperor’s face had returned to its usual indifference:
“Do you know why I have no intention of developing the land Outside the Pass?”
Li Che pondered for a moment, then replied with just two words:
“Chicken ribs.”
“Chicken ribs?” Qing Emperor looked at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Flavorless to eat, yet a pity to discard.”
Upon hearing this, Qing Emperor’s eyes instantly brightened a few shades.
This metaphor was brilliant; it struck right at his heart.
“Indeed, the land Outside the Pass is difficult to control, and even if Great Qing were to forcefully control it, it would pay an even greater price.”
“It would be better to resettle rebels and convicts there, serving as a buffer zone between Great Qing and the barbarians.”
Qing Emperor looked at Li Che, who was completely different from his usual self, and suddenly had a mind to test him.
“Since the land Outside the Pass is such ‘chicken ribs,’ why then did I bestow it upon you and let you develop Ninggu County?”
This time, Li Che thought for a longer period.
This question felt somewhat like a trap.
Qing Emperor did not rush him, instead watching him stand there in contemplation with great interest.
A moment later, Li Che looked up and calmly said, “Your son boldly speculates that Imperial Father is having your son develop the northern lands in preparation for conquering Goryeo.”
This time, Qing Emperor’s gaze towards Li Che was even more intriguing.
Was Li Che’s answer correct?
Of course not! The reason Qing Emperor enfeoffed Li Che as Ninggu Prince was because he thought he was truly dead, so he casually granted him a territory to uphold his reputation for benevolence.
Although Li Che’s answer was incorrect, it held sufficient temptation.
Conquering Goryeo… Superficially, the Previous Dynasty collapsed due to the people’s suffering and widespread uprisings.
In reality, it fell because Emperor Yang was overly ambitious, using the nation's entire strength to conquer Goryeo, only to suffer a great defeat that depleted the nation's destiny.
As the founding monarch, Qing Emperor believed he far surpassed Emperor Yang.
What Emperor Yang couldn’t achieve, he might not be unable to achieve!
The only obstacle before Qing Emperor was the severe cold Outside the Shanhai Pass, with its high mountains and long distances.
The army’s greatest enemies were not the Goryeo Army, but the climate and logistical issues.
“Three years, I will give you three years,” Qing Emperor said, his eyes gleaming. “If, after three years, I can see a Ninggu County capable of supporting the logistics of a large army for the conquest of Goryeo…”
“Then I will bestow upon you the title of Prince, and your lineage shall inherit it without interruption, forever serving as Great Qing’s Northeast Border Prince!”
“Hiccup.” Li Che silently hiccuped in his heart.
This pie he drew, just looking at it made him feel full…
Although it was a pie in the sky, it was a pie drawn by the Emperor, so he had to eat it; there was no shame in that.
“Your son will certainly do his best!” Li Che replied with a cupped-hand salute.
Qing Emperor nodded in satisfaction, his gaze towards Li Che no longer as cold as before.
“Since you have been enfeoffed as a Prince and established a residence, you must have your own retinue.”
According to the rules of the Great Qing Dynasty, since Li Che was already an enfeoffed Prince, even if he was only a County Prince, he had the right to establish a princely residence and administration.
Establishing a princely residence and administration meant he could set up a princely mansion and official offices in his fief, freely appoint and dismiss subordinate officials, collect taxes, and even had the right to formulate and implement certain legal policies.
It was practically an independent small court.
Great Qing had a policy of imperial sons guarding the borders, and imperial sons enfeoffed as Princes who guarded the frontier would also control a certain amount of military power, and could even establish private armies.
“I permit you to recruit fifteen hundred personal guards yourself; you may choose from any army in the Imperial Capital besides the Imperial Guards!”
“Officials for Ninggu Prefecture will be selected from officials of the Sixth Rank, Seventh Rank, and below in the Six Ministries.”
“Although you are a County Prince, your salary will be issued according to the Prince’s standard. I will have officials from the Ministry of Revenue liaise with you.”
Perhaps Li Che’s words just now had awakened a rare bit of paternal love in Qing Emperor, who was quite generous with his rewards to Li Che.
“Besides this, I will not give you another soldier or a single penny. Whether you can establish yourself Outside the Pass depends entirely on you.”
After saying this, Qing Emperor looked at Li Che.
Li Che still looked at him with clear eyes, showing no expression of tearful gratitude.
If it were any other imperial son, they would have probably already knelt on the ground, shouting thanks for the imperial grace, right?
He suddenly felt a bit bored, then leaned back in his chair and waved his hand.
“You may go prepare.”
“Your son takes his leave.”
Li Che turned and walked away decisively, while Qing Emperor watched him depart.
Not until Li Che’s figure disappeared outside the hall door did Qing Emperor still gaze at the empty doorway.
A moment later, Qing Emperor suddenly said faintly:
“Do you also think I intend to harm my own son?”
Thump—
Huang Jin instantly fell to his knees, cold sweat instantly covering his entire face.
“This servant… this servant…”
“I just couldn’t stand his obsequious manner, but he is my son after all. Besides me, no one can touch a hair on his head.”
Qing Emperor narrowed his eyes, looking at Huang Jin kneeling at his feet:
“Tell the Crown Prince that he is not the Emperor yet; there’s no need to rush into fratricide.”
......
Meanwhile, Li Che left Yangxin Hall and quickened his pace towards outside the Imperial City.
Not until he walked out of Xuanwu Gate did Li Che feel his soul return to him, and the chilling sensation of a guillotine hanging over his head disappeared.
He turned his head and looked at the dark, cavernous city gate, which increasingly resembled a giant abyss capable of swallowing souls.
Li Che secretly swore in his heart that he never wanted to return to this cursed place in his life.
From now on, the sky was wide enough for birds to fly freely!
Li Che’s residence was located outside the Imperial City, just across a street in the ‘Ten Princes Residence’.
After Qing Emperor ascended the throne, he ordered the Ministry of Works to construct large residences outside the Imperial City, allowing several underage imperial sons to live in separate courtyards within, and then move out after being enfeoffed as Princes and establishing their own residences.
Now, only Li Che remained in the Ten Princes Residence; even his younger imperial brothers had already moved out.
Arriving outside the Ten Princes Residence, Li Che immediately saw an old man anxiously looking out and waiting at the main entrance.
Uncle Yang, the Old Butler left to him by Consort Yang, had always been loyal and was one of the original owner’s most trusted people in this world.
“Uncle Yang,” Li Che called out.
Uncle Yang quickly looked towards Li Che, and upon seeing him safe and sound, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he saw the wound on Li Che’s head and immediately ran over nervously: “Your Highness, what happened to you?”
“It’s nothing,” Li Che shook his head. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Uncle Yang also knew this was not the place to talk, so he quickly pulled Li Che into the mansion gate.
The two returned to Li Che’s private courtyard.
This courtyard was not only secluded but also exceptionally desolate, with no more than ten maids and servants combined.
People were all snobbish, differing only in degree; no one was willing to serve an unfavored imperial son.
The few servants in this courtyard were all left by Consort Yang; although few in number, they were loyal.
“Uncle Yang,” after closing the courtyard gate, Li Che grabbed Uncle Yang’s hand. “His Majesty wants me to go to my enfeoffed state. Please pack up quickly; we’re leaving now.”
Uncle Yang was slightly stunned, then instantly overjoyed.
Finally… Has His Highness finally made it through and can go to his fief?
“Your Highness, where is the enfeoffed state His Majesty gave you?”
Li Che excitedly replied, “Northeast, Outside the Shanhai Pass, Ninggu County.”
“Ah?”
Upon hearing this place name, Uncle Yang was completely stunned.
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