Chapter 95

"Second Brother?!" Li Xian never thought that his second brother would also come here.

Li Wei walked with a tiger-like gait, exuding an imposing presence as he approached Li Xian, "Not bad, your Anyang is much more prosperous than Elder Brother's Kaiping County."

"Second Brother, why are you here? Is everything well at home?"

Li Wei pulled a chair over and sat down casually, "Everything is fine at home. But I have a question for you first. No, let's play a guessing game. See if you can guess the purpose of my visit."

Li Xian had no time for such games and turned to look at Fang Shiling.

Fang Shiling smiled slightly, "Second Young Master, do we really need to guess? You've already told us everything."

"Told? I don't remember telling you anything," Li Wei looked at Fang Shiling, then suddenly his face showed a hint of disdain, "You're not trying to read my fortune, are you?"

"Second Young Master, you're straightforward. I'm just reading your fortune. You, a general, enter the inner hall, sit in the southeast, and look northwest, which is a posture of seeking wealth, and it's a look of longing for a mountain of gold. Given your status, I imagine this wealth is no small matter, perhaps even a million taels of gold!"

Li Wei stared at Fang Shiling, speechless for a moment, and finally huffed, "Can't you be a bit more tactful? What do you mean by 'seeking wealth'?"

"Heh... Second Young Master, please forgive me, I'll be more careful next time."

Li Wei said casually, "More careful next time? Bah, there won't be a next time! Even if there is, I'll avoid you."

"Alright, little brother, here's the situation. The Emperor is showing the five signs of decline... the crown prince is being deposed... the imperial mausoleum is being constructed..."

Li Wei recounted everything in detail, leaving Li Xian and the others speechless. Anyang was far away, so they had only heard some vague rumors, and the construction of the imperial mausoleum was a secret, not something widely publicized.

What surprised Li Xian the most was that the Crown Prince wanted 200,000 sets of bearings and 300 pounds of sea soul silk. What could he possibly need them for?

Beside him, Xia Qingqing was reading the letter of greeting from the Crown Prince. After finishing, she carefully put it away, said nothing, and quietly returned to Li Xian's side.

The room fell silent for a moment as Li Xian, Xu Ren, and the others pondered the implications. One thing was clear: the Great Xia Empire was doomed. But what to do next, and what political strategies to adopt, required careful consideration. One misstep could undo all their past efforts.

Only Li Wei, noticing the heavy atmosphere, suddenly asked a small question, "Little brother, Father said that constructing the imperial mausoleum is a way for the Emperor to protect and bind our Li family. I don't see any protection, only binding!"

Li Xian covered his forehead, "Second Brother, we're already building the imperial mausoleum, and we're bound to it. We can ignore external disputes, like the struggle for the crown. Nothing is more important than building the mausoleum. And with this excuse, many things will be easier to manage."

"Ah!!! Is it that simple??? "

"Yes, it's that simple. So, we're buying peace with money, and it's a good deal."

Li Wei finally lowered his head, "Fine, I'll go take a look. The mausoleum construction is up to you."

With that, he turned and left without hesitation.

Li Xian was speechless! Damn, Anyang is already busy enough, and now you want me to be in charge of the mausoleum?

Xu Ren smiled slightly, "Young Master, this is a good opportunity! We can continue to acquire refugees and grain while building the mausoleum. Especially the grain acquisition will be much easier.

Moreover, we've been in the spotlight lately, and it's time to lay low.

We've just gathered 200,000 people, and this is a good chance to screen and register them for better management."

Li Xian sighed, "That's true, but there's so much to do right now.

The negotiations are still ongoing, and I need to stay in Anyang to oversee them.

Additionally, Anyang has been through continuous wars and hasn't had time for governance. One misstep could lead to chaos.

The trident production for the sea clan is also behind schedule, and the goods for our agents are in short supply.

We also need to research spirit stones, flying machines, and firearms.

We have to work on formations, generators, and our trade with the sea clan, as well as the group's development strategy...

It's a mess!"

As Li Xian spoke, everyone was stunned. Indeed, there was too much to handle! Almost every task required Li Xian's presence. Clearly, overseeing the construction of the imperial mausoleum was best done by Li Xian himself to avoid any gossip. Building the imperial mausoleum was a significant task, and in the past, families would live on the construction site until it was completed.

Suddenly, Xia Qingqing stood in front of Li Xian, "Husband, perhaps I can temporarily manage Anyang."

"No!"

Before Li Xian could respond, Xu Ren immediately and firmly opposed.

Li Xian looked at Xu Ren.

Xu Ren took a deep breath, "Young Master, I boldly suggest that since the founding of the empire, the involvement of the harem in politics has almost always led to the empire's decline. We must be cautious.

As the saying goes, there can be only one sun in the sky, one master in a household, and one voice in governance.

Therefore, this must not be allowed!"

Xia Qingqing stood quietly in front of Li Xian, her head slowly lowering, and her steps slowly moving.

Li Xian wanted to say something.

Beichen Yujing and Fang Shijing also stood up to support Xu Ren's view. To prevent any unforeseen issues, this must not be allowed.

Fang Shijing even suggested that Xia Qingqing's current role in education should be revoked.

Seeing everyone's unanimous opposition, Li Xian was speechless—this kind of thinking is unacceptable!

Li Xian held Xia Qingqing's hand and turned to look at everyone, "Everyone, what you say makes sense, but have you considered that if I can't trust my family, who can I trust?

I've heard that some emperors, to prevent their princes from threatening the crown prince, expelled all the princes from the country. The result was that the princes were gone, but it gave opportunities to collateral lines, and the threat became even more complex.

I've also heard that some emperors, to prevent military officials from threatening imperial power, suppressed the military, leading to a weak and vulnerable state.

I've heard that some emperors, clinging to old ways and closing the country, refused to try anything new, ultimately leading to a stagnant and corrupt nation.

Everyone, your advice may be correct, but I want to try more and trust more."

Li Xian's words left Xu Ren and the others speechless.

Then, Li Xian held Xia Qingqing's hand and looked into her brightening eyes, "Qingqing, for the next while, I will be overseeing the construction of the imperial mausoleum with Second Brother. Anyang will be in your hands."

"Husband..." Xia Qingqing's eyes were bright, and her heart was warm.

Li Xian looked around at everyone and said again, "Qingqing, please don't hold a grudge against Mr. Xu and the others. They are also thinking of Anyang. If you have any issues, you can discuss them with them."

"Husband, don't worry, Qingqing understands."

...