After discussing serious matters and resolving the grudge between the grandfather and grandson, Li Shimin invited Li Xiang to stay for dinner. However, many people outside only delivered the food to the door of the hall, and the rest was for Li Shimin's confidants to bring it in. After all, Li Xiang was still wearing the clothes of a young eunuch, and if too many people came in, it would be easy for others to know.
In fact, there are no secrets in the court. Lord Tang from the Ministry of Revenue has already seen it. Even if it is concealed, I am afraid that within a few days, the news will spread throughout the capital.
"Although you've been recuperating at home lately, you've been busy at court. I've received over a dozen memorials, all of which want to marry off their daughters to you. Starting with your father, no other royal family member has ever received such treatment. You've set a precedent."
He was not idle during the meal. If Li Xiang had known it would be like this, he would not have eaten here. For an emperor who has to test his ministers and grandsons at every turn, this day must be tiring enough.
"My grandson is still young, so I don't want to think about this for now."
In modern society, fourteen years old is indeed not a very old age. If you dare to think about it, your father will probably break your legs. But in today's era, there are people everywhere who have children at the age of sixteen or seventeen.
Li Shimin didn't know whether what Li Xiang said was true or false. This matter could be postponed for a few months, but only a few months.
If Lord Tang from the Ministry of Revenue spread the word and everyone knew that Li Xiang had not fallen out of favor, then given Li Xiang's current age, people from all walks of life would become interested in him again.
"You won't be leaving the capital anytime soon, so you can take a good look around. There are many women of your age in the capital. If there's one you like, I'll make the decision for you."
Li Shimin said it generously, but he was still wary of Li Xiang in his heart. If his wife's family was too powerful, coupled with the power Li Xiang already had, it would easily lead to a situation where the power was too great to be controlled. So Li Shimin had made up his mind to choose a small family for Li Xiang.
Li Xiang felt uncomfortable after the meal and left quickly after finishing it. Li Shimin had a lot of things to do in the afternoon, so he didn't keep Li Xiang here. Before leaving, he reminded him to pay attention to the salt permit auction, as it was related to whether we can successfully launch the second punch against the aristocratic families!
After walking out of the gate of the Qinzheng Hall, he ran into a group of guards who were changing shifts. Although Li Xiang didn't know who these people were, he already had a feeling that these people should be the Zuo Shenwu Army who had just replaced them.
Suddenly Li Xiang became nervous because he felt that someone was staring at him. Li Xiang now also had the combat power of fifteen people, so he could feel such gazes.
This team that was changing shifts must have been specially arranged to see what the relationship was like between them and Li Xiang. Unfortunately, the observers were disappointed. This team passed by Li Xiang sideways without any eye contact between the two sides.
"Did you see it clearly?"
The man in black came back and reported to Li Shimin, which made Li Shimin a little bit unbelievable, but he believed in the work ability of the man in black. There had never been any mistakes in these years. During the half month that the Zuo Shenwu Army was stationed in the capital, it was almost under the strictest surveillance.
Li Shimin originally thought that Li Xiang would have secret contact with them, so he made the Zuo Shenwu Army appear to be very relaxed on the surface, but in fact they were all under his supervision. However, half a month passed, and Li Xiang did not contact these people, and these people did not contact Li Xiang. Instead, they served respectfully in the palace.
As the saying goes, there must be something wrong when things go against the grain. Li Shimin was a man who had experienced many ups and downs, so naturally he could not believe this. So when Li Xiang went out today, Li Shimin arranged this. The people of the Zuo Shenwu Army were all serving in the outer city of the imperial city. After all, they could not be trusted yet, so they were not transferred to the vicinity of the Qinzheng Palace. But today, in order to test Li Xiang, let them come over.
"Should the spies surrounding Zuo Shenwu's army be withdrawn?"
The man in black said that to monitor so many people, and an elite army at that, he had to use the most capable people under his command. Many other things had been stopped during this period. If they continued like this, they would delay more things. Now there has been no contact for more than half a month. If Li Xiang wanted to train this army privately, it would basically be impossible.
"Don't transfer them back for now. Let them continue to monitor the Zuo Shenwu Army. If there are no abnormalities after a month, it won't be too late to withdraw them."
Li Shimin was becoming more and more suspicious. Although he and Li Xiang had reconciled on the surface just now, the rift in their hearts was irreparable. He knew this, and Li Xiang also knew it.
"Is he really just doing business after returning to Beijing?"
The man in black also brought a record, which recorded what Li Xiang often did. Some places could be detected, but some places could not be detected even by someone as strong as them because Li Xiang's guards were too powerful.
"Your Highness has established several farms in the surrounding area and is reclaiming wasteland across the country. He truly intends to make a big splash in agriculture."
There was no need to investigate this matter at all. Almost half of the people in Chang'an City knew that Li Xiang bought land in the surrounding area to grow crops. He even asked his slaves to reclaim some of the wasteland.
Li Shimin was relatively relieved about this. Grain production had long been in the hands of the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats, which was extremely unfavorable to the court. If Li Xiang could make a difference in this regard, it would also be a huge blow to the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats.
Of course, Li Shimin did not expect that in such an agricultural country, food could not only strike the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, but also the imperial court. Whoever could control a large amount of food would be able to control the lifeline of the country.
"Hasn't his master been found out yet?"
This was also a concern for Li Shimin. Ever since Li Xiang proposed the plan to pacify Goguryeo in the court, a group of experts appeared around him. Until now, no one knew where these people came from.
"I am incompetent, please punish me, Your Majesty."
This matter has been arranged for several months, but they have not received any news. This can be said to be the worst mission done by the Men in Black.
"Go on, go down."
Li Shimin waved his hand, and the man in black disappeared in the hall, leaving Li Shimin alone, wondering what he was thinking...