Chinese dining table

Chapter 1244: In the Tang Dynasty, the state and the people are not connected

Li Zhi was very familiar with the people.

Almost all of his decrees were issued in the name of the people.

However, all government orders are issued after weighing various considerations, and the issues concerning the people are actually the least considered.

Just as Wu Chengsi said, after the country’s interests are met, the remaining portion belongs to the people.

The issue mainly concerns the right to speak. The royal family, nobles, officials, the military, big landowners, and merchants all have spokespeople. Only the common people don't like to speak much, so it is natural that they get less.

Almost all of the output of the Tang Dynasty was created by the people, but they had no say in the issue of distribution.

The distribution principle in this world has never been that the more you work, the more you get, and if you don’t work, you get nothing.

"When I built houses in Chang'an, I had no money at all. I only used half of the land deeds of the people to renovate many of Chang'an's markets. Logically, after getting the money, I should have distributed the largest part to the people. In the end, the largest part became the private property of the state, such as the built streets, planned shops, and garden-like rest areas.

The state took away most of the benefits, I, the initiator, took away part of the benefits, the merchants who participated in the construction of the houses took away part of the benefits, and the people only got a house that was half the size.

At that time, everyone said that I had the ability to create gold instantly like Tao Zhu and Fan Li. But in fact, I was very scared. In this process where everyone seemed to be making a profit, was there really no one losing?

We have used wisdom that is beyond the vision and knowledge of the common people to create a beautiful dream for the people in which everyone seems to benefit. If God has eyes, I will not escape the punishment of heaven.

He who can outsmart the common people will become a high official.

The victor in battle with the common people gets to ride a fine horse.

So, today I want to ask Your Majesty: Are the people the most formidable enemy of the Tang Dynasty?"

Yun Chu abandoned the comfortable chair and knelt on the smooth floor, put his hands together as a gesture of courtesy, and formally spoke to the emperor.

Seeing Yunchu start to be serious, Li Zhi lifted his body from the giant bear, sat cross-legged on the cushion and said solemnly: "The people are not my enemies, they are one with me."

Yun Chu then said angrily: "Since they are one body, what difference does the head, torso, limbs make to Your Majesty?"

Li Zhi said: "There is a difference. If the head is injured, life is in danger. If the torso is injured, life is in danger. If the hands and feet are injured, they can be abandoned in a dilemma. Yun Chu, the people are indeed very important. Over-emphasizing the importance of the people will damage the authority of the court.

Emperor Taizong once said that the emperor is the boat and the people are the water. Water can carry the boat but can also capsize it. It can be seen that Emperor Taizong's positioning of the people was very accurate. The court and the people are one the boat and the other the water, which are two completely different things.

If a boat wants to sail on the vast water, it must conquer the water and harness it. Therefore, the imperial court’s national policy is correct. It was so in the past, it is so now, and it will be so in the future. "

Li Zhi's answer did not surprise Yun Chu. He glanced at Yun Jin, the emperor's temporary secretary, who was writing furiously, and sighed, "Your Majesty, please at least give Shui a chance to receive the grace of rain and dew."

Li Zhi snorted angrily and said, "First you bring up a great truth, and then you bring up a small question that doesn't quite follow the rules. Yun Chu, you're getting better at asking for a high price and paying back on the spot.

I will let you succeed once today. I will allow Chang'an to break the etiquette taboos, give you the greatest economic freedom in Chang'an, and allow Chang'an to sell any goods except military equipment. You can also break the court's taboo on strange and lewd skills.

Yun Chu, isn’t this what you want today?

All right, I'll give it to you, and let me see your abilities."

Yun Chu was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately turned to Yun Jin and shouted, "Didn't you hear the emperor's order? Why don't you quickly draft an order?"

However, Yun Jin still sat motionless in the corner, looking at the emperor with his eyes, turning a deaf ear to the scolding from his father.

Li Zhi was very satisfied with Yun Jin's behavior. He waved his hand and said to Yun Jin, "Talk to the Secretary General and don't issue the decree so directly. The decree should be discussed by the two ministries, Zhongshu and Menxia, ​​and then be issued to the whole country."

After Yun Jin bowed, he backed out of the greenhouse.

When the emperor, Ruichun and Yunchu were the only ones left in the room, Yunchu looked at the bright sunny day outside and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, don't you want to go to your Chang'an City and see how your people are living now?"

Ruichun was shocked when he heard this. He glared at Yunchu angrily and then said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, it is inappropriate for you to wear the white dragon fish costume in the market. Please think twice."

After hearing what Yun Chu said, Li Zhi immediately smiled, without any trace of the seriousness he had when he was playing with Yun Chu just now. He stroked the giant bear behind him and said, "Can I take it with me?"

Yun Chu smiled and said, "Why not? Nowadays, there are many people in Chang'an City who keep giant bears as pets. Speaking of which, your Majesty's giant bear is not only old, but its fur is not very bright. It is not considered good among the pet giant bears in Chang'an City."

The giant bear seemed to understand Yun Chu's words. It raised its head nervously, its two small eyes full of fear. Then it hid its huge head behind Li Zhi, as if it was afraid of being abandoned by Li Zhi.

Li Zhi stroked the giant bear's head and complained to Yun Chu, "Why did you scare it when it was fine?"

Ruichun saw that there was no way to stop Emperor Bailongyu from strolling around the market, so she sighed and went to do her security work.

Yun Chu said from behind: "Call Xue Rengui up, he has thick skin and strong muscles, he can be used to protect Your Majesty from disasters when necessary."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "You have to be careful, Xue Rengui is not an open-minded person."

Yun Chu smiled and said, "What can he do to me? He could fight me in the past, but now, with his old and weak appearance, he wouldn't dare to fight me again."

Li Zhi said with some sadness: "During the Yonghui period, the three of you could still fight each other in Chang'an. Now, Pei Qing is so bloated that he can hardly get on a warhorse. Xue Qing has been in Liaodong for five years and is also injured. You are the only one left among the former Yonghui generals who can put on armor and go into battle."

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, he heard Xue Rengui's voice coming from outside the greenhouse.

"Your Majesty, I can still draw a strong bow, ride a fierce horse, and kill powerful enemies. I only need 10 catties of meat and 1 dou of rice for one meal..."

"In just a moment, I shit three times..."

"Yun Chu, you are the despicable villain like Guo Kai in the history books."

"Okay, okay, today we will go to the market with your Majesty, and I will not slander you. How about you eat ten pounds of meat and a bucket of rice in front of your Majesty, and I will apologize to you?"

"You are very powerful in Chang'an, how can I know if you will harm me?"

"Time and place, you choose."

Although Xue Rengui was somewhat angry at Yun Chu, he still did not lose his rationality. He bowed to the emperor and said, "Of course, your majesty will choose."

Li Zhi smiled and looked at Yun Chu and said, "I will not go to Jinchangfang."

Yun Chu said, "Master Xuanzang is still in Da Ci'en Temple preparing a bed for Your Majesty. I heard that Master Kuiji has prepared tea."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Oh, I haven't seen Master Xuanzang for a long time. It's time to go visit him."

Xue Rengui said: "We will not eat at Jinchangfang."

Yun Chuyou said to the emperor, "Master Sun has prepared a meal specifically for your majesty in the cafeteria of the Imperial Hospital."

After saying that, he looked at Xue Rengui and said, "Do you dare to eat the food that Taoist Sun prepared?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "That's fine. Wait for me to undress..."

After Li Zhi left, the giant bear immediately followed him. When he reached the door, he turned back and looked at Yun Chu deeply, as if he wanted to remember this face that made him feel disgusted. It seemed that he had the intention of revenge.

After Li Zhi left, Yun Chu and Xue Rengui were really disgusted with each other. They turned their heads away at the same time, not wanting to look at each other.

Xue Rengui looked at the sea of ​​flowers outside and asked, "How is my son?"

Yun Chu said: "He is in the countryside, training the Chang'an soldiers under the name of Guoyi Xiaowei."

Xue Rengui frowned and said, "Training the palace soldiers? I hope he can be transferred to become a civil servant."

Yun Chu said: "Impossible."

Xue Rengui looked at Yun Chu angrily and asked, "Why? Is my son so stupid and unworthy of use?"

Yun Chu shook his head and said, "Because he doesn't like it, he really doesn't like it. I originally intended to let him work in the most powerful official office in Chang'an, but it didn't turn out well. He couldn't survive the mountains and seas of paperwork, but he was quite interested in the affairs of the Zaolifang. How could I let him become a yamen runner? So I sent him to teach the Chang'an government soldiers how to use firearms correctly.

He is very happy with his job now. When he came back to the government office five days ago, he told me that he likes to develop in the army. "

Xue Rengui sighed and said, "I naturally know that he likes military affairs. Unfortunately, it is too difficult to get promoted in the Tang army now. It is almost impossible for a soldier to be promoted to a marquis immediately without external enemies."

Yun Chu frowned and said, "Is the purpose of joining the army to immediately become a marquis and bring honor to your family?
Do we still need soldiers to guard the borders? Do we need soldiers to suppress sporadic foreign enemies? Do we need soldiers to suppress rebellious tribes? Do we need soldiers to quell domestic unrest? Do we need soldiers to go out to rescue people in the event of a major natural disaster?

Old Xue, you really only care about yourself and don't care about the Tang Dynasty at all."

Xue Rengui snorted coldly and said, "Just now I saw your eldest son arguing with a group of civil servants in the Secretary's Office. He looked like he was in control of the power."

Yun Chu shook his head and said, "I really want Yun Jin to become a soldier, but unfortunately, this kid has committed so many murders in the southwest that few civil and military officials in the court agree to let him join the army.

He did not volunteer to go to such a central place as the Secretariat, but the people in the Secretariat begged him to go. When His Majesty left Chang'an, he, an official below the fifth rank, would have no more work to do and would continue to stay at home doing nothing."

Xue Rengui sighed and said, "I have protected my son too well. I should have let him go to the battlefield sooner."

While the two were chatting, Li Zhi changed into a purple robe and wore a pair of crystal glasses on his nose. They were said to be colorless glasses, but others could only see light blue and could not see Li Zhi's eyes. This thing looked very noble.

Seeing this, Yun Chu also took out a pair of black glasses from his sleeve and put them on. As for Ruichun, who came out with the emperor, he put on a pair of brown glasses. Xue Rengui immediately felt that he was excluded.

Li Zhi couldn't bear to see Xue Rengui's embarrassment, so he gave an order and a eunuch brought a pair of black glasses to Xue Rengui.

This thing is only popular in a very small circle nowadays. Although Xue Rengui is high-ranking and powerful, he has nothing to do with this circle. Naturally, he doesn't know that this thing exists in the world. After putting it on, the originally dazzling sunlight suddenly became dim, making him feel a lot more comfortable.

Li Zhi still walked into the plum blossom field, his hands brushed over those plum blossoms that looked like real ones, feeling the soft feeling of silk running through his palms, and standing in the depths of the plum blossoms, he said to Yun Chu: "Fake is fake after all, and has no fragrance."

Upon hearing this, Yun Chu said to Yun Jin who followed him, "Spray the plum blossoms with the plum blossom condensation fragrance."

Yun Jin whispered, "It's too wasteful, why not spray it on your majesty's clothes?"

Li Zhi glanced at Yun Chu, then shook his sleeves and left Xingqing Palace first.

Li Zhi thought that he and his group would stand out in Chang'an City. However, after leaving Xingqingfang, he discovered that there were many people in Chang'an City wearing glasses and walking on the streets with teddy bears of different sizes.

They walked onto Suzaku Street and quickly blended into the crowd without being noticeable at all.

"Why?"

Li Zhi pointed at a few people who looked like scholars walking in front of him and holding a teddy bear and asked Yun Chu.

Yun Chu said: "There were not many people like this before, but since Your Majesty came to Chang'an, there are more people like this. This is called what the superior likes, and the subordinates will follow suit."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "It sounds like I am wrong."

Yun Chu said: "You are the master of Chang'an, so your every move will have a great impact on Chang'an."

Li Zhi snorted and walked towards Jinchangfang with ease. Today he really wanted to see Xuanzang, who was getting younger and younger...

Chang'an, which was still windy a few days ago, has seen a sharp rise in temperature under the warm sunshine. People in the city of Chang'an are going out to enjoy the sunshine. Li Zhi wanted to stand at a crossroads, but was driven away by a whistle-blowing bad guy.

Unable to stand at the busy crossroads, Li Zhi was very dissatisfied and said: "How do you usually deal with such blind people?"

Yun Chu glanced at the bad guy who was dissatisfied with their slow pace and then cursed at them, and said to the emperor: "Normally he would be rewarded, but he offended Your Majesty today, so I plan to make him dig pits for a year."

Li Zhi said dissatisfiedly: "You won't behead me?"

Yun Chu smiled and said, "Pedestrians are not allowed to stop at the crossroads. This is the rule in Chang'an. We are wrong, so there is no way we can behead you."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Then punish his whole family to dig pits, no one can be left out."

Yun Chu glanced at the bad guy who was no more than twenty years old. When he thought about this guy taking a baby in confinement to dig a pit toilet, he felt that the emperor was really cruel.

Now, all Yun Chu could do was to ask Zhang Jia to find a cleaner toilet for this bad guy's family. As for disobeying the emperor's words, it was really not worth it for such a small matter.

The emperor returned to Chang'an, and Chang'an once again became the best capital under the feet of the emperor. Even the clothes of pedestrians on the streets were better than before.

Seeing that the emperor would hit a bronze bull a few times with a bamboo pole he picked up every time he passed by to test whether it was solid, Yun Chu secretly summoned Zhang Jia and asked him to pass on the order that there would be no punishment for hitting the bronze bull today.

There had to be no other arrangement than this. The emperor's methods of inspecting local areas were very simple and crude. Compared with watching, he preferred to take action.

If such inappropriate behavior was seen by the bad guys again, Yun Chu felt that all the bad guys in Chang'an would have to dig toilets.

This is the emperor's city. He can really do whatever he wants in the city...

(End of this chapter)