"Chen Tian Yi has seen Your Majesty. The Minister of Finance in court clothes looked a little thin, and he quietly glanced at the two concubines who were not far from the emperor, and was stunned, but he did not reveal any expression.

"Well, excuse me, sit down. A little eunuch next to him had already brought a brocade stool.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Tian Yi sat down respectfully.

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, Li Wufeng, the military and political envoy of the Northwest and the governor of Northern Luzon, submits a report requesting financial assistance from the Imperial Central Committee to Northern Luzon to promote the economic recovery and development of the Northern Luzon region as soon as possible and ensure the stability of the border areas. Tian Yi was concise and to the point, directly explained his intentions, and submitted a report.

Situ Mingyue calmly took the report and read it carefully.

The indescribable comfort of Hexi's sunlight shining on people makes people feel drowsy. The surface of the lake is as flat as a mirror, and the occasional kingfisher passes by, dotting the silence of the lakeside.

After a while, Situ Mingyue finished reading the report, and then gently took a sip of the teacup handed by the eunuch next to him, and asked, "What do you think?"

Although the geographical location is important, due to the complex population composition and the large number of ethnic minorities, the local economy has been lagging behind, which is one of the biggest reasons why people of all ethnic groups are dissatisfied with the Grand Duchy of Luzon. Tian Yi cleared his throat and began to introduce the basic situation.

Situ Mingyue nodded slightly, and then motioned for Tian Yi to continue.

"Now Li Wufeng intends to divide the gift to Northern Luzon into two areas, Northwest Luzon was originally the most inhospitable area, including the green swamp and the grassland near the Indean Kingdom, the vast area is equivalent to the area of two prefectures in the interior of our empire, there is not a single city, and most of the inhabitants are based on agriculture, Fishing and animal husbandry for a living, there is no industry and commerce at all, road transportation facilities are extremely backward, it should be said that it is in a semi-blank state, the original management of the Luzon people is only a formality, so Li Wufeng hopes to establish a central city in this area, and the various ethnic groups living in the northwest corner of the Indian kingdom are often disturbed by the neighboring Indean Punjab, Li Wufeng hopes to build a small fortress there, that is, the westernmost part of the empire's territory, to garrison the local security. Tian Yi saw that His Majesty the Emperor listened quite carefully, and introduced it very carefully.

"Northeast Luzon is centered on the existing city of Vito, including the Great Hengduan Mountains and the nearby shallow hills inhabited by the former large eastern Gaoyue barbarians, which the Luzon people only nominally have sovereignty over, but in fact they have been unable and unable to control every grass and tree here for hundreds of years. The proportion of Andean people in this region is larger than that of Northwest Luzon, and it can be regarded as the largest ethnic group in the entire Northeast Luzon, and our Tang people also have a certain proportion, and their economic situation is slightly stronger than that in the west, but if the Gaoyue barbarian areas in the Hengduan Mountains are also included, the problem here is also quite specific, and the Gaoyue barbarians are still in a relatively primitive economic state, and if they want to get out of the backward state as soon as possible, they also need to make greater investment in transportation, education, and health. Tian Yi slowly introduced the situation of the entire North Luzon.

"Now that the Northern Luzon region has been newly incorporated into the empire, and the people of all ethnic groups in the region have placed considerable hopes on the empire, the minister has come to consult His Majesty on this matter. Seeing that His Majesty the Emperor's forehead was slightly wrinkled, Tian Yi hurriedly added.

"The territory of North Luzon is so vast, is it really so backward in the economy?" Situ Mingyue looked at the report in his hand again.

Although the area of North Luzon is large, but the ethnic composition is complex, it has never been the focus of the development of Luzon's political axe, Luzon's economic center of gravity is mainly concentrated in the central and southern, followed by the west, and does not attach importance to the north, and the garrison is quite small, so Li Wufeng can easily succeed, and the Luzon people can sign an agreement with Li Wufeng so easily and generously. Tian Yi explained.

"Then in your opinion, if Li Wufeng's request is met, how much money will the empire allot?" Situ Mingyue asked thoughtfully.

"That's a lot to be fully satisfied. In his report, Li Wufeng pointed out that a considerable amount of funds would be needed to build new cities, develop transportation, reorganize armaments, and improve the construction of political power, and Yichen initially estimated that at least about 15 million imperial gold coins would be needed. But now the empire's finances are not abundant, and there are many places where funds are needed, and it is difficult to bear such a huge expense. Tian Yi's words didn't show any inclination.

"According to you, this Northern Luzon has a vast territory and rich products, is it so poor and backward?" Situ Mingyue asked hesitantly.

"Since the founding of the Grand Duchy of Luzon, its economic and development focus has tended to the central and southern, followed by the west, the northern region due to the large number of ethnic minorities, and these ethnic minorities and the Andean relations are not very harmonious, and the population is far less than that of the south-central and western regions, so it has not been paid attention to at all, the local culture, education and infrastructure are quite backward, otherwise the Luzon people would not have only a small number of garrisons, Li Wufeng would not have been so easy to get, and the Grand Duchy of Luzon would not have signed a treaty agreement with Li Wufeng so generously。 Tian Yi patiently explained.

"Then do you think it is necessary for the empire to give such a huge aid to such a remote and backward region?" Situ Mingyue asked slowly, and a pair of eagle eyes also fell on Tian Yi's face.

"This," Tian Yi was a little nervous, he wasn't sure what His Majesty the Emperor meant, looking at the happy look of the court yesterday, he should support Li Wufeng's request, but looking at the current posture, His Majesty the Emperor seemed to have some suspicions, and his attitude had changed a lot, he was a person who was extremely good at figuring out the holy will, otherwise he would not have been able to sit firmly in the ups and downs of the imperial court in the past few decades.

If Your Majesty thinks that Northern Luzon is remote and has little development value, you can let Li Wufeng solve it with his own ideas, and the imperial court can give appropriate subsidies; if Your Majesty thinks that Northern Luzon is important and there is a need for key development, the empire can naturally give a certain amount of assistance to accelerate the development of the local economy. He said this without leaking, and gently pushed the problem back to Situ Mingyue.

"I want to hear what you think. Situ Mingyue was a little dissatisfied with Tian Yi's ambiguous answer.

"This, Northern Luzon is geographically remote, far away from the hinterland of the empire, but it is a springboard for the empire to step into the Middle Continent, the value is not very large in economic sense, but it is quite important in terms of strategic location, controlling this region, it is also conducive to the extension of the empire's influence to the Central Continent, such as the Western Regions region, the Tengger Grassland region can radiate, which is of great benefit to improving the status and influence of the empire. However, the area is too remote for the empire to manage. Tian Yi thought quickly in his head, and finally said something to deal with, without figuring out His Majesty the Emperor's true intentions, he didn't dare to make up his mind.

Situ Mingyue sighed slightly, he couldn't blame Tian Yi for his words, if it was according to what he meant yesterday, it would definitely be supported, but seeing that his tone had changed a little today, he naturally didn't dare to make rash suggestions. The crux of this problem is not actually the question of whether North Luzon is important or not, but whether it is worth helping, but that he can't rest assured about Li Wufeng.

"Tian Aiqing, the weather is good today, you can accompany me to take a walk by this lake. Situ Mingyue stood up and took the lead.

"Obey. Tian Yi knew that His Majesty the Emperor must have something to ask him, so he hurriedly followed behind.

The winding lakeside path is particularly quiet, surrounded by ancient trees and forests, the scenery is very beautiful, Situ Mingyue walks forward slowly, to a stone tablet on the side of the road, the inscription has been blurred, caress the stone tablet, it seems that there is something difficult to decide.

"Your Majesty, but what do you have to say to Weichen?" Tian Yi saw that His Majesty the Emperor was just stroking the stone tablet, as if he was reading the inscription that had been blurred, and he didn't speak for a long time, so he couldn't help but ask.

"Well, Tian Aiqing, you have been my old minister for decades, and I also know that you are loyal to me, and now I want to ask you a question, you must tell me the truth, don't say that against your will. Situ Mingyue slowly turned around and said word by word.

Seeing that His Majesty the Emperor was so cautious, Tian Yi was also quite surprised, and hurriedly said: "The minister knows everything, and he has no end to it. ”

"Well, that's good. What do you think of this Li Wufeng?" Situ Mingyue's face was calm, but a pair of eyes were firmly fixed on Tian Yi's face.

came, as expected, Tian Yi said secretly in his heart, and after a little thought, he replied: "Lord Li Wufeng is young and talented, with outstanding achievements, repeatedly breaking the great enemy of the empire, Luo Bei, and then quelling the rebellion and ambushing bandits, and governing the northwest with a good reputation, which is really a rare talent in the empire for many years. ”

"What else?" Situ Mingyue was expressionless.

"Well, it's just that this Master Li is a young man, and he is inevitably arrogant, and he is a little out of step with the old ministers of the imperial court, and he has many deviant behaviors, and he also violates the laws and regulations of the empire. Tian Yi stubbornly continued.

"Is that all?" Situ Mingyue's face was a little ugly.

Wechen really sees it that way. Tian Yi saw sweat on his forehead, and secretly regretted reporting in his heart.

"Hmph, is there no one in this court who can worry about me?" Situ Mingyue's face turned blue and became extremely stern.

"Your Majesty!" Tian Yi heard this, knowing that His Majesty the Emperor was already very dissatisfied, if he couldn't come up with any real opinions, I am afraid it would be really difficult to make a difference, and hurriedly said: "The minister also heard that Li Wufeng has ambitious words, and his actions are indeed out of line, but this Li Wufeng has made great contributions under his eyes, and he is very popular in the imperial government and the opposition, and there is no objection to his behavior. ”

Listening to Tian Yi's anxious words, Situ Mingyue's face looked a little better, "Then in your opinion, what should I do?"

In the opinion of the minister, this Li Wufeng did not do anything else at this time, and his defense of the northwest was indeed very meritorious. If Your Majesty is not at ease, the minister has two strategies. Tian Yi wiped the sweat stains on his forehead and said.

"Oh? ”

"Li Wufeng has not yet been married, if His Majesty decrees to marry the thirteenth princess or the seventeenth princess, so that she can become a concubine, he will be able to accept his heart and make him loyal, this is the best policy. Tian Yi said the first strategy.

"Well, what about the second strategy?" Situ Mingyue nodded.

"Second, Li Wufeng has been defending the border for many years, and he has worked hard and made great achievements, and now the northwest is stable, so he can temporarily stay in the capital to recuperate, as a sign of emperor's grace. If he can stay in Beijing for a long time, his influence in the northwest and northern Luzon will gradually weaken, and he can be replaced by others in the future. If it can be combined with the best policy, it will be able to achieve miraculous results, which can be described as the best policy. Tian Yi said the second strategy.

;