Great Tang Southern Emperor

Let’s not talk about anything else, let’s just talk about the Borneo Island that I went to. In terms of area, it is equivalent to one-third of Nanyang. The products on it are more abundant. If it can be fully developed, it will be no less than Nanyang. "

"What?" The bosses who had always been with the old gods finally couldn't bear it and stood up suddenly, all exclaiming in surprise.

Although quite a few of these bigwigs sitting here have never been to Nanyang, Nanyang immigration is now a policy trend of the Tang Dynasty. As high-ranking officials in the court, these people naturally have an in-depth understanding of Nanyang.Not to mention the wealth of Nanyang, they all know the area of ​​Nanyang - it can be said that it is no smaller than the area of ​​a Dao in Datang, even a relatively small Dao like Shannan Dao or Huainan Dao , maybe the two together can be worth the area of ​​a Nanyang.

But what did they hear now?

His Royal Highness actually discovered an island overseas that is one-third the size of Nanyang?

If this news is true, then it is no exaggeration to say that Datang alone can designate this island as an independent overseas colonial state or overseas guardian. This is indeed a great contribution, at least It is no problem to exempt Li Zhen from punishment.

"Crack!" Hearing the news suddenly, Li Shimin behind the curtain was also shocked, and accidentally knocked over a water glass, making a crisp shattering sound.He had actually seen the map of the world, and of course he knew that there was a huge island in Nanyang, but he never thought that he would see it so soon, so he lost his mind and was scalded by the tea and broke the teacup.

"Your Highness, are you serious?" Wei Zheng couldn't believe it, and said with a little warning: "Your Highness, you can't make a big mistake just because you are confused for a while. If this matter is finally proved to be untrue, then your Highness will be punished." The punishment will be more severe."

"When did this palace tell you a lie?" Li Zhen said proudly: "Don't you just not believe that there is no such a big island in the world? Then if this palace tells you, even if Borneo is so huge, it will not be listed in the world's island rankings. , is only the third word, wouldn't it be more difficult for you to accept?"

"What? It's only the third?" Fang Xuanling exclaimed, "Your Highness, are you serious?"

"Of course, although Borneo is big, it is not yet its turn to take the number one position in the world."

"This is not what I'm asking." Fang Xuanling shook his head and said, "What I'm asking is, is Borneo really rich in products? It's not inferior to Nanyang?"

"Of course it's true... Borneo is also tropical, with the same tropical rainforest climate, and the same rich products... Forget it, you can't hear anything just by saying that..." Li Zhen thought for a while, instead of using her mouth The description is so hypnotic, it’s better to let them see the real thing directly: "Cheng Chuliang, Yuchi Baoqing, you go outside the palace and carry the 20-meter red sandalwood tree that the palace brought back from Borneo, so that you adults can open your eyes."

"Yes." Cheng Chuliang and Yuchi Baoqing ran out hurriedly without wiping the cold sweat on their foreheads as if they had been amnesty—anyone would be unbearable to be stared at by their father with murderous eyes for so long, especially It's my father who has a rough personality and likes to talk with his fists the most.

Li Zhen smiled and said: "My lords, I have found a thousand-year-old red sandalwood tree in Borneo. The tree is seven feet high and weighs ten thousand catties. It is impossible for several people to hug it. If you are interested, you can go out with me to have a look."

"Oh?" Everyone's eyes brightened. Red sandalwood, especially small-leaf red sandalwood, is known as the king of woods. It is the first hardwood. It has been respected by the government and the people since ancient times. The royal family even used it as a necessary wood for palace construction.

Therefore, since ancient times, many literati and refined scholars have been obsessed with red sandalwood, and the Tang Dynasty is no exception. Basically, there are no princes in the court who do not like this thing—even Wei Zheng, who is famous for his integrity, is also very fond of red sandalwood when he sees such a good thing. I will never let it go.

Li Zhen's red sandalwood tree was found near the port of Sabah. It is more than 20 meters high and more than 50 centimeters in diameter. The older the tree, the higher the density. Li Zhen did a test, and the density of the red sandalwood in her hand reached 15, which is simply a gift from God. You must know that even the best lobular red sandalwood in later generations has a density of only 14. Don't underestimate the density of this 01, but it takes tens of thousands of years to produce such a little more. It can be said that this rosewood tree is worth a lot.

Chapter 868 'Righteous Words'

Chapter 228 'Righteous Words'

"Mother, do you want to go and have a look?" After all the officials walked out of the Xirang Hall, Li Zhen asked Concubine Yan again: "This red sandalwood tree is specially dedicated to you by my minister. After a while, my minister will let the carpenter I will specially create a set of top-quality furniture for you, and even the carriage must be made of rosewood, which is guaranteed to make you more graceful and luxurious."

"Zhen'er can't talk nonsense. Is the queen mother the kind of person who advocates extravagance? Let's keep these treasures." After Yan Fei smiled and looked at the curtain, Li Shimin's eyes turned green, and he used a murderous expression His eyes rushed towards Li Zhen through the curtain.

Li Zhen didn't notice it, and said loudly: "How can this be considered extravagant? This is a son's filial piety to his mother. I don't think anyone can say anything."

"Moreover, this red sandalwood tree has a diameter of two feet and a height of seven or eight feet. It is enough to buy a set of furniture for you, and there are even some scraps left over for you to carve some Daoist Buddha statues and so on.

As for the cost of work, all the carpenters from Tian Workshop are used, and they are all from their own family, so they don't need to spend money at all, which is very economical. "

"Zhen'er, don't talk nonsense. My Great Tang values ​​hardworking and frugal housekeeping. When your mother was here, she didn't even have a skirt to cover her feet. How can you do such a wasteful and extravagant thing when you come to your mother's place?" Concubine Yan spoke her mind. She and empress changsun are both queens of Li Shimin. If you want to surpass your eldest grandson, at least you can't be worse than her, right?

If Li Zhen is really asked to make such a furniture set for herself, then Concubine Yan is sure that the evaluation of her future generations will definitely not be as good as that of Empress Changsun. Empress Changsun's pearls and jades are in front, so her own evaluation may be even lower.

And there is a more important point - haven't you seen that Li Shimin's eyeballs are green?You must know that as the emperor, he has not been willing to get such a set of furniture so far.

As a result, his son got a good thing, but he didn't know how to dedicate it to himself. Instead, he used it to honor his mother-although it was a kind of filial piety, Li Shimin still felt jealous from the bottom of his heart.

In fact, Li Shimin has a hobby that others don't know, that is, he also likes red sandalwood very much, but considering that he is an emperor, if he reveals what he likes, it will inevitably make red sandalwood popular among the people, and the wind of luxury will flourish. Officials who want to flatter themselves or want to imitate themselves will definitely collect red sandalwood and dedicate it to themselves, which will have a great impact on the people, causing the people who are already in dire straits to live even more difficult, so for the livelihood of the world, Li Shimin I had no choice but to suppress my preferences.

It can also be seen from here that Li Shimin is indeed a good emperor. Although he is a bit fond of false fame, especially from foreign people (Tian Khan is the best proof), he is already better than ninety-nine percent of the emperors in history. too much.

"Since the mother doesn't like it, then forget it." Li Zhen said with a smile: "It just so happens that the prince's palace is under construction, and there is a lack of a lot of red sandalwood. Since the mother doesn't like it, the minister can stay and use it for himself."

"..." Behind the curtain, Li Shimin's forehead was full of black lines. He originally thought that Concubine Yan had reasoned, and this bastard should be able to consider himself. Who knew that he would actually stay and use it for himself. This kid must be punished and punished.

Concubine Yan first sensed Li Shimin's strong resentment, she was amused in her heart, but she was afraid that Li Shimin was really angry, so she quickly reminded: "That's not okay, Zhen'er, don't forget, you are the prince, in the future heir, the government and the opposition There are countless pairs of eyes staring at what you are doing. Red sandalwood is a luxury item. If you use it, you will definitely be reprimanded by those nitpicking officials. Just like this time , you have only been out at sea for a long time, and you have been ginsenged many times in the court, if your father did not suppress it, I am afraid that your reputation will be ruined."

"The minister over there is very grateful to Father." Li Zhen cupped his hands and thanked behind the curtain.

"..." This time it was Concubine Yan's turn to have black lines all over her head: "You just thank your royal father verbally?"

Li Zhen suddenly realized: "That's right, then... what should I give my father as a thank you? It's just what should I give my father?"

"What do you think?" Concubine Yan couldn't help but rolled her eyes seeing Li Zhen pretending to be crazy, and said, "You are his son, he will like whatever you give him."

"That's it, then it's easy." Li Zhen breathed a sigh of relief pretendingly, and said, "I have found a lot of pearls when I went to sea this time. To Royal Father, let me express my gratitude."

"..." Li Zhen clearly felt that the murderous aura suddenly became fierce behind the curtain, which shows how angry Li Shimin is at this time.

Concubine Yan also asked in astonishment: "You brought back so many treasures, so you just gave your father a few pearls? Don't you think it's too much?"

"But all the treasures brought back by this minister are dedicated to you, the queen mother. The best are here. These are all given to you, the queen mother. Of course, they can no longer be given to the emperor father. And besides these, the treasures in the hands of the minister , only those pearls are the best." Li Zhen squinted at the curtain, making you want to beat me up indiscriminately, and if you don't molested you well, it would be in vain for a traveler.

"Stupid, don't you have a rosewood tree?" Concubine Yan finally reminded: "You can give the rosewood tree to your father."

"..." Li Shimin's eyes softened a little, as expected of his own queen, he still knew to think of himself.

"How can I do that?" However, to the surprise of Li Shimin and Concubine Yan, Li Zhen flatly refused, completely ignoring Wu Meiniang's eyes that were about to become cross-eyed, and righteously said: "Mother, you are also the one Having said that, red sandalwood is a luxury item, even the ministers cannot use it, otherwise there may be a sign of extravagance, let alone the father? The father wants to be a good emperor, although the ministers cannot help him, but they will definitely not He will fan the flames behind his back and drag him back, so don’t bring up this matter again. This rosewood minister would rather leave it there and let it rot, than add burden to the reputation of the father.”

"..." There was silence in the Xiran Hall.

"..." Concubine Yan was speechless.

"..." Wu Meiniang was tongue-tied.

"..." Fan Xueyi didn't understand.

"..." Li Shimin... Li Shimin's face was filled with anger and even more murderous, but he felt a little ashamed in his heart.

Li Zhen felt secretly refreshed, wanted to hit me, and wanted to get my treasure?How can there be such a good thing in the world?

Chapter 869 Heavy Treasure

Chapter 229

"Then..." Seeing this, Concubine Yan wanted to say something.

"Okay, mother, don't talk about this matter. My son has already made up his mind." Li Zhen estimated in his heart that Li Shimin should have reached his limit. If he dared to provoke him again, he might show up and start a fight. Quickly stop the topic.

It just so happened that there was a sudden exclamation from outside the hall, and Li Zhen immediately took advantage of the topic: "Mother, there is so much noise outside, it seems that the red sandalwood has been transported. Do you want to go out with your son to have a look?"

Concubine Yan slowly shook her head and said: "Forget it, you and Meiniang and the others should go out and have a look. You husband and wife haven't seen each other for a long time, so have a good get-together. The queen mother doesn't like red sandalwood, so stay here and your father will stay here for a while. When the emperor wakes up, he still needs the queen mother to take care of him."

"In that case, the minister there will leave." Li Zhen knew that Concubine Yan must have something to say to Li Shimin, so she nodded her head in agreement.

"My son, please leave." Wu Meiniang and the others also saluted one after another, and followed Li Zhen out of the Hall of Rest.

"Hmph, I'm really mad at you."