Although Li Xiang was a little disgusted with Li Shimin's little actions, he could also express his understanding.
After all, this is for the entire Tang Dynasty. If Li Xiang expresses dissatisfaction now, it may give some people with ulterior motives an opportunity. They may also provoke Li Xiang to do some stupid things. Just a small action can make the grandfather and grandson turn against each other.
The reason why Li Shimin did not let Li Xiang continue to stay in Tuyuhun was actually because he had his own ideas, which was to separate Li Xiang from the army and try not to let Li Xiang establish his own image in the army. Although the image has been established now, it would still be effective if he came back earlier.
"Father, are you still awake?"
Li Xiang saw that the lights were still on in Li Chengqian's hall and Qian Ping was standing at the door.
"The master has been waiting for you!"
Qian Ping rubbed his eyes quickly. After coming back, the father and son had no chance to talk except for a few words in the car, so no matter how late it was tonight, Li Chengqian would wait for his son.
Because his mother was accompanying the imperial concubine to the royal garden outside the city, Li Chengqian was the only one in the hall.
After the father and son met, Li Chengqian asked everyone in the room to leave and asked Li Xiang's men to guard the entire hall. Li Chengqian didn't even trust the guards of the Eastern Palace. After all, he had suffered enough losses from them in the early years. This person had done many secret things for you, and you thought he was your man, but in the end many secret things were leaked.
However, Li Xiang's men were absolutely trustworthy. Whenever father and son had important matters to discuss, it was usually Li Xiang's men who were on duty, and nothing ever leaked out. This was something Li Chengqian envied. "You're only fourteen, where did you get so many obedient men? Did your grandmother leave them for you?"
Of course, the situation today is urgent, and it is not the time to gossip about Li Chengqian.
Li Chengqian was eager to know the emperor's movements, and Li Xiang had nothing to hide. After all, in the next few days, Li Xiang would definitely stay at home often, and it would be impossible to hide it then.
"That's right..."
After listening to Li Xiang's words, Li Chengqian blurted out this: According to Li Xiang's understanding of his father, the emperor took his military power, and his father should be extremely angry, but how could he see it so clearly?
"Why do you say that, father?"
Li Xiang said with some doubt that Li Chengqian's behavior was really too abnormal.
"You think your grandfather loves you, right? Of course he really does. Among all the emperor's grandchildren, you should be considered the best. Even if all the princes were counted, there would be no one better than you. But you still have to understand one thing: compared with all the princes and grandchildren, you can stand at the forefront, but if compared with the great Tang Dynasty, no one can surpass you."
After all, Li Chengqian was a former crown prince, so he hit the nail on the head. Li Xiang was indeed the emperor's preferred heir, but now was not the time to hand over the throne to you, so you had to stay put.
"Father is absolutely right, so I, your son, have no excuses and plan to recuperate at home."
A smile appeared on Li Xiang's face. Li Chengqian was very pleased to see Li Xiang do this. He was disliked by the emperor because he did not understand this. He always thought that since he was the emperor's heir, the country would belong to the two of them. But in fact, it was not the case. When you covet the country, you are standing on the opposite side of the emperor.
No one is more important than his kingdom! This is what Li Chengqian has learned over the years.
"There's nothing wrong with you staying at home and resting. Your second uncle and your ninth uncle are both in a state of disgrace now, and none of them have much influence in the court. Especially your ninth uncle, he locked himself in his house after returning and refused to go out."
If it were in the past, Li Chengqian might have been extremely nervous if his sons were left idle at home, because the court had limited resources. If his sons did not move around in officialdom, it was very likely that someone would divide up his territory. But now, both of his younger brothers are out of hope, and even if others offer their help, they will have no chance of inheriting the throne.
Li Xiang nodded at the side, but he actually didn't agree in his heart. Ever since the great victory of Tuyuhun, Li Xiang no longer regarded these two uncles as his opponents, because they were not worthy of being his opponents. But Li Chengqian only had eyes for these younger brothers. This might be the difference in the mindsets of the father and son.
"My son is going to make a big move this time. Of course, it's not in the court's political arena. I'm going to make a big move in business. Although I won't be able to control the economic lifeline of the entire Tang Dynasty, I have to give us enough bargaining chips."
On the way back, Li Xiang thought about it. Since there was no way to expand his influence in the army, he would stop for the time being. As for the thousands of troops he exchanged, Li Xiang was not worried that these people would betray him. He would not have any contact with them on the surface, but would still be their commander at the critical moment. Isn't this what Li Xiang wanted to do before?
"Son, what are you going to do? You're quite capable in business now. Zhidaobao stores are already all over the country, with a lot of daily turnover. And the hotel complex you're planning is almost complete in several major cities across the country."
Whenever Li Xiang had great ambitions, Li Chengqian felt a little scared. It was because his son's ideas were too advanced. Every time he put them into practice, he immediately became the biggest star in the Tang Dynasty. Li Chengqian hoped to make money, but when the amount of money he earned reached a certain number, Li Chengqian felt scared.
"That's just the beginning. The reason I don't allow you to save money and spend all your earnings is to expand our influence. Why do the major families have such great influence in various places? It's because they have enough money. Although many officials have said that money can't determine everything, what I want to say is that they don't have enough money. The economic base determines the superstructure, and this is definitely not just talk."
Li Xiang said confidently, "How could ordinary people possibly understand the world of financial groups and chaebols?" Li Chengqian was a little confused. What did it mean when he said, "The economic base determines the superstructure?" This guy had just gone to Tuyuhun. Had he lost his mind?