Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Li Yuan acknowledges his son Li Shimin's intentions to capture strategic locations and agrees to provide him with an army to eliminate Wang Shichong, aiming to recover from their previous defeat. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Zhao Ci Jing expresses his anger over the brutal treatment of his subordinates by the Black Tortoises, leading to one death. Li Yuan, though displeased, defends the actions as necessary to deter collusion with the Northern Sui. Zhao Ci Jing resigns in frustration, feeling unsupported. Li Yuanji, upon entering, explains the situation and seeks to expand his surveillance over both officials and civilians to control public opinion, which Li Yuan tacitly supports. Li Yuanji prepares to crack down on merchants for financial gain, while Li Yuan considers the need to balance demands from the aristocrats to avoid backlash. He writes a decree for the Crown Prince as part of his strategic planning.

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