Time Travel: I am the idle king Li Shen and Li Shimin in the Tang Dynasty

Qinghai Dao Protectorate

Li Shen was enjoying the full body massage service from Su Xiaoxiao and Liu Ruyan. He had been hiding in the military camp these days.

I didn’t eat well or sleep well, and I thought I had suffered a lot, so as soon as I came back, I tried to relax and enjoy myself.

Drinking iced juice and enjoying a massage from a beautiful woman, Li Shen felt that life should be so comfortable.

"Reporting to the Grand Protector, the casualties have been counted."

This is Li Zhiming coming to report.

"Tell me about it." Li Shen did not stand up.

"Yes, there were more than 23,000 casualties in this siege, including more than 5,500 killed, more than 4,000 disabled, and more than 13,000 slightly injured."

"Such heavy casualties?" Li Shen looked up in surprise.

More than 5,000 people were killed and more than 4,000 were injured or disabled, which means a total loss of 10,000 people.

They only have a total of 50,000 troops to protect the palace.

“Grand Protector, we were able to hold off an army of 150,000 with only 30,000 men, which is already a great victory.

What’s more, the enemy’s casualties were much greater than ours.” Li Zhiming explained.

"Alas~~~, even so, the casualties are too great. By this calculation, wouldn't the Qinghai Protectorate have lost 10,000 people?"

Li Shen sighed, feeling somewhat guilty that so many people had been killed or injured in his attempt to clean up the internal troubles.

"Your Majesty, this amount of casualties is still acceptable. It is also for the long-term stability of the Protectorate.

If we don’t clear up the hidden dangers within, there may be a bigger mess one day in the future.”

Wang Xuance on the side tried to comfort him, saying that he understood what his prince was thinking.

"Have the enemy's casualties been calculated?" Li Shen stopped worrying about it after hearing this. He had no choice in this feudal society.

"Your Majesty, based on the bodies of the dead bodies under the city, we have killed more than 20,000 enemies in the east and more than 30,000 enemies in the west.

As for how many people were injured, it is unknown." Li Zhiming reported.

He also roughly estimated the result based on the corpses of enemy soldiers under the city wall.

Li Shen nodded after hearing this. Nearly 60,000 enemies were killed, not counting the injured. This result was not bad.

"Always pay attention to the movements of the enemy outside. If there is any unusual movement, come and report to me."

"Yes, Grand Protector, I will take my leave now." Li Zhiming bowed and walked out.

"My Lord, what should we do next?"

After Li Zhiming left, Wang Xuance asked.

"What else can we do? Of course we should stabilize the situation and wait for His Majesty's arrival."

Li Shen took a sip of juice and replied.

"I am talking about the future of Yaoyi."

"You want the future of Yi?"

Li Shen was stunned. He had not thought about this yet.

“Yes, Your Majesty, after this incident, we and Tubo have become formally hostile. They actually dared to send troops to attack and kill Your Majesty.

It has reached the point where they are fighting to the death with us, and Your Majesty is likely to use military force against Tubo."

"Of course, they dared to attack Your Majesty and wanted to capture my important city. I must teach Tubo a lesson.

Even if Your Majesty does not use the army, I will still take revenge on Tubo."

When Li Shen heard Wang Xuance's words, he was immediately filled with indignation. It was unforgivable that Tubo dared to attack his city.

I spent so much money to build this city, and now Tubo wants to take advantage of it. Isn't that just robbing me of my money?

"But, Your Majesty, the purpose of our building the fortress is for trade. What will happen to the trade if our two countries go to war?

This important city, the Prince Ji's Palace, cost tens of millions to build. If the trade is cancelled, it can only be used as an important border city in the future.

I'm afraid we will never get back the money we spent on building the city."

Wang Xuance's analysis made Li Shen fall into deep thought. Indeed, when he built this city, he just wanted to make some money from this important city.

But if there is no trade, it can only be used as a fortress in the future.

The city that I spent tens of millions to build was built in vain and has no benefits at all.

Li Shen pondered for a long time, then raised his head and looked at Wang Xuance seriously.

"So according to you, you want me to stop this war?"

There was no expression on Li Shen's face. He had thought a lot. With his current financial resources, he could indeed be the largest capitalist in the contemporary world.

He can manipulate the price trends of everything in the market, and he can even influence the economic development of a region.

Li Shen knew in his heart that many bigwigs could start wars for their own interests, or they could stop wars for their own interests.

These tycoons don't care about the country or the people, they have no moral bottom line, they only care about themselves.

But Li Shen couldn't do it. Although he now had some capital, he just wanted to be a man who took pleasure in taking revenge.

"That's not what I meant." Seeing Li Shen's expression, Wang Xuance was not panicked at all.

"So what do you mean? Tell me."

Li Shen acted very calm.

“What I mean is that we should consider the future of this important city and whether we can build it into an important transit point in the northwest region.

Now I just don’t know what your majesty will decide, whether to teach them a lesson or directly annex Tubo.”

Wang Xuance explained.

Li Shen understood what Wang Xuance meant and began to think while stroking his chin.

Indeed, Chiling’s location is really good and it is not far from the Silk Road.

He could turn this place into a transit station so that merchants from the Western Regions could buy and sell goods without having to go to Chang'an.

Build it into a luxurious metropolis and let merchants come here to build workshops.

The environment here is pretty good.

Moreover, local herdsmen can be hired to work, which will also drive the economic development of the region.

Thinking of this, Li Shen said:

"Well, your idea is indeed feasible, but this also requires long-term consideration.

Xuan Ce, I just want to live an ordinary life and enjoy the wealth and glory of this world.

Although we now have some abilities, with greater abilities comes greater responsibilities.

This prince will not change the correct decision of the court for his own selfish reasons. We are different from the noble families. "

"Your Majesty, I understand."

Wang Xuance bowed. Having followed King Ji for so many years, he understood some of King Ji's thoughts.

"That's good. Go find Li Zhiming and get the detailed battle reports from him over the past two days, then write a memorial.

When His Majesty comes, I will report to you." Li Shen waved his hand.

Wang Xuance bowed and walked out.

"Iron Army." Li Shen called softly.

A figure walked out from the door, came to Li Shen and bowed.

"The minister is here."

"How long will it take for Your Majesty to get here?"

"Your Highness, it should take a day's journey and we should be able to arrive the day after tomorrow," Zhao Tiejun replied.

"The day after tomorrow? His Majesty's safety still depends on your sharp blades, so go and get ready.

Eliminate all the disturbing factors." Li Shen thought for a moment and ordered.

"Yes."

"By the way, is my mother injured?"

"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine was not injured, she was just a little frightened."