The next day, Chen Xuelian prepared breakfast early. After they finished eating, Fang Er rode his motorcycle to Chang'an City.
Inside the Two Poles Hall, Li Shimin was speaking eloquently to his ministers about matters in the Western Regions. It was unclear how he had explained Li Xiuning's resurrection yesterday.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Anguo has arrived."
Deng Dengjie saw Fang Er at the entrance and whispered a reminder to Li Shimin.
He had previously promised Fang Er the title of Duke of Fuguo, but had forgotten to mention it when Chai Shao sent the telegram to Li Jing that day. Moreover, in terms of meaning, Duke of Anguo was more noble than Duke of Fuguo, so he decided not to change it.
"Announce him!"
"Yes!"
"Announce the Duke of Anguo into the hall!"
Fang Er tidied his robes and stepped over the threshold of the Two Poles Hall.
"Your subject, Fang Anzhi, pays respects to Your Majesty!"
"Rise!"
Li Shimin smiled and offered a hand to help him up, then looked at Fang Xuanling.
"Duke Fang, Anzhi is here. You two should go over the previous accounts. Do it here in the grand hall so all your esteemed ministers can hear."
The accounts hadn't been settled for several years, and he wanted to know exactly how much money was owed and what it was owed for.
Fang Xuanling took out an account book from his怀 and smiled at Fang Er.
"Duke of Anguo, why don't you report your side first? I can then see if I've missed anything?"
Fang Er impolitely rolled his eyes at him. Old Man Fang was being too clever.
These accounts covered such a long period, and some didn't even have IOUs. With so many people present, if he missed even one item, it would be lost forever!
Calmly, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. "Heh heh, no problem, no problem!"
The paper contained the accounts for these years!
"National debt, first installment, three hundred thousand guan. It has been three years. Calculated at an annual interest rate of six percent, that's eighteen thousand guan in interest per year, totaling three hundred fifty-four thousand guan!"
"The first trip to Wa, three Five-Tooth Great Ships, plus military expenses, cannons, and ammunition for sixty-three cities in Kyushu, totaling three hundred forty thousand guan! This sum, calculated over two years, amounts to three hundred eighty thousand eight hundred guan, including principal and interest!"
"The Yan Yun Cavalry returned from Tianzhu, seizing property worth three million guan. Calculated over one year, the principal and interest amount to three million one hundred eighty thousand guan."
"Supplies for the hovercraft ammunition on the journey to the Western Regions."
"Each rocket launcher is equipped with 66 rockets. Four launchers total 264 rockets. Each rocket costs 100 guan, totaling twenty-six thousand four hundred guan!"
"Each autocannon is equipped with three thousand rounds of ammunition. Four cannons total twelve thousand rounds. Each round costs 50 wen, totaling six hundred guan."
"The above totals three million nine hundred forty-one thousand eight hundred guan!"
"In addition, there are 30 helicopters and two hovercraft, totaling seventy-five million guan. This debt can be settled slowly later."
"Hiss~~~~"
As Fang Er finished speaking, everyone in the Two Poles Hall involuntarily gasped.
The number was too enormous!
Not to mention the more than 390,000 guan to be settled today, the 75 million guan mentioned later alone was equivalent to two or three years of revenue for the Ministry of Revenue!
With each item Fang Er mentioned, Fang Xuanling made a note in his account book. In the end, he nodded with considerable disappointment.
He had hoped Fang Er might forget some item, but not a single copper coin was missed.
Li Shimin, sitting on the dragon throne, turned ashen after hearing these accounts.
Debt for a moment feels good, debt forever feels good!
But when it's time to repay, it feels truly awful!
Thinking of Li Xiuning's fists, he shivered and asked Fang Xuanling,
"Duke Fang, are there any discrepancies?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, there are none!"
"Since there are no discrepancies, have someone deliver the money to Fang Family Village according to this amount later."
Li Shimin gave the instruction, then waved his hand at the officials in the hall. "All the Ministers of the Ministries remain; everyone else may withdraw!"
"Yes!"
The officials bowed and dispersed. When only the Ministers of the Six Ministries remained, Li Shimin walked out from behind the imperial desk.
"Follow me~!"
Saying that, he led the way out of the Two Poles Hall.
He stopped at the giant terrestrial globe in the center of the square outside the hall. The others followed him, not understanding his intention.
A contingent of imperial guards guarded this terrestrial globe day and night. Li Shimin drew a long sword from a guard's waist.
"Look!"
He then used the sword to indicate the entire Eurasian continent.
The colors on the map had been changed by someone at some point, making them exceptionally clear at a glance.
In the areas he indicated, Central Asia and South Asia were almost entirely red, representing the Great Tang.
However, above the Great Tang, the vast landmass still retained its original wooden color. Although it was labeled "Tang Dynasty," everyone knew it had no relation to the Great Tang.
"Don't you think this sphere would look better if it were all painted red?"
Fang Er:......
This guy was getting too ambitious!
"Your Majesty, the eight nomadic tribes have all sent people north. We should have news back by the end of the year."
Li Shimin nodded slightly, then looked at Du Yiyang and Du Ruhui.
"How are the assessments for scholars and artisans progressing?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the date has been set for the first day of the tenth month. Currently, five thousand scholars and about ten thousand artisans have gathered in the city."
Du Ruhui cupped his hands in reply.
"Over the past six months, a large number of scholars and artisans have been transported to Chang'an. Before the assessment, the Ministry of Rites arranged for their accommodation in the city."
"This assessment can be said to be unprecedented in scale, preparation time, and coverage area."
"The first day of the tenth month is less than twenty days away."
Li Shimin nodded slightly and looked at the terrestrial globe again, sighing.
"With such a vast territory, even doubling the current number of officials would not be enough. Therefore, you must all carry this burden!"
"The eight nomadic tribes are doing very well!"
"Duke of Anguo!"
"Your subject is here!" Fang Er clasped his hands.
"If they have any news, report it to me immediately."
"Also, their eight tribal locations are a bit crowded!"
Li Shimin pointed with his sword at the locations where the eight nomadic tribes had built their cities, and then continued.
"It would be best if their cities moved further out. For example, based on their current positions, moving three to five hundred li further north would be excellent!"
"Of course, moving a thousand li would be even better."
Fang Er was speechless. He might as well have said directly to keep their cities maintained at the northern border of the Great Tang!
"Your subject has noted it. I will inform them once the tribal leaders return."
Li Shimin continued, "Not only the eight nomadic tribes, but also the Mobei Protectorate!"
"Du Yiyang, this matter will be handled by the Ministry of Works. Make preparations early so as not to hold back the Mobei Protectorate."
Du Yiyang bowed respectfully. "Yes, your subject understands!"
"Report! Urgent telegram from the Nanyue Protectorate!"
Just then, a guard, holding a telegram high, ran quickly from Chengtian Gate.