Li Zhi, don't be a coward

Chapter 352
Li Qinzai seldom talked about big reasons, especially with Li Zhi.

His character is actually very content with the status quo. If he maintains his current life until he grows old, it may not be a happy thing.

Occasionally pondering a few new dishes, making some small inventions, adding a bit of trouble to the students, quietly growing up with my son, finding a remote place to build a small villa when I am old, and taking my wife to wait for the end of life.

If the children and grandchildren are filial, they can come and go more. If the feelings are indifferent, the well water will not violate the river water.

After two lifetimes, in fact Li Qinzai did not live such a transparent life. There are joys and sorrows in life, and he can't be calm. What qualifications do he have to tell others the truth?

But today he had to say.

The world is beautiful, it can become better, and it can also make your life more convenient.

The important thing is that it can continue the current happy life status quo, perhaps, better.

Why not talk about it?

Li Zhi and Empress Wu were stunned by Li Qinzai's great principles. At this moment, they really regretted why they didn't bring Zhongshu Sheren with them to record the content of the emperor's and ministers' performance.

After ascending the throne for more than ten years, Li Zhi already has a wealth of experience in governing the country. He can only intuitively feel that what Li Qinzai said is the way to govern the country and the theory of seeking the country.

"Master Jingchu, if you continue to talk, I will listen with all my ears." Li Zhi's expression became serious.

Empress Wu also became more serious, and said: "'If you want to get rich, build roads first', just six words, the words are excellent, and it makes sense to think deeply. Your Majesty, Jing Chu's words are of great use to the community."

Li Qinzai thought for a while, and said: "Roads are actually the infrastructure of a country. It requires a huge investment in construction, and it is difficult to recover the cost of investment. It consumes the country's capital."

"Not only is the investment huge, but the construction period is also very long. Your Majesty forgives me and said bluntly that it may be difficult for one or two generations of emperors to repair the roads in the counties and counties throughout the Tang Dynasty. , it was abandoned halfway.”

"However, if one day all the prefectures and counties in the Tang Dynasty are built with concrete roads, centered on the capital Chang'an, and spread out in all directions like a spider's web, these roads will be the arteries of a powerful and prosperous country. Whether it is natural disasters or man-made disasters, as long as the roads Constantly, there is no hurdle that cannot be overcome.”

"The circulation of goods by merchants is faster and faster, and the actions of the army are faster. Any troubles in various states and counties can be transmitted to Chang'an faster, which is conducive to His Majesty's complete control over the local government."

Li Zhi and Empress Wu's eyes became brighter and brighter, and they took a deep breath from time to time. It was obvious that the Tian family couple was very restless at this moment.

Li Qinzai pondered for a while, and said again: "At the same time, there is another great benefit of building roads. This benefit can keep Datang safe for at least a hundred years."

"What's the benefit?" Li Zhi asked impatiently.

Li Qinzai smiled and said: "Your Majesty, please move, I want to show you something."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Let's go, I will listen to Jing Chu's arrangement today."

The three monarchs and ministers left the entrance of the cement kiln, and under the escort of the imperial guards, they came to the entrance of Ganjingzhuang village.

The entrance of the village is busy, and the farmers are brandishing shovels and hoes to dig ditches. On the way from the farmland to the Weihe River, five main canals have already taken shape.

The cement was fired continuously. Farmers picked river sand and mixed the cement well. Many people had learned Li Qinzai's craft and were using iron plates to spread the mixed cement on the surface of the ditch.

Li Zhi and Empress Wu looked at each other in surprise, and Li Zhi couldn't help but said, "Jingchu, this is..."

Li Qinzai sighed: "There is a drought in the north this year. Although it is not yet the autumn harvest, the approximate grain harvest has been predicted. The result is very bad. Even if the government waives the rent and tax, it will be difficult for the farmers to maintain their family's livelihood for a year. "

"So I thought of a way to mobilize farmers to dig ditches before the busy season of farming, so as to alleviate the drought in advance. The ditches lead directly to the Wei River. There may be other disasters in the future, but if there is a drought, the harvest will not be too low. .”

Li Zhiruo realized something: "Jingchu intends to use labor to let farmers exchange their labor for food to survive this year's disaster?"

"Yes, I call this 'relief with work'. Your Majesty, in times of disaster, the people certainly need relief, but simple relief is not the solution to the root cause. When the people get used to reaching out to the government for relief, they will lose their labor. motivation."

"In the future, regardless of natural disasters and man-made disasters, just open your mouth and ask the government. If things go on like this, it will be bad for the community and the people. This trend cannot last."

"If the local governments provide a job to the affected people in the form of corvee or labor, and let the people exchange their labor for food, this will not only ensure the food and clothing of the affected people, but also purify the people's customs. embankments, roads, walls."

"More importantly, work-for-relief can stabilize people's hearts. In a disaster year, people's hearts are in turmoil, and refugees are scattered everywhere. It is easy to cause civil uprisings, but if the people are provided with opportunities to earn money and food, it is a way to survive. , with a way out, who would want to rebel?"

Li Zhi and Empress Wu's expressions became more solemn. They listened to every word Li Qinzai said and remembered it in their hearts.

It has to be said that Li Qinzai saw it far-reaching.

The work-for-relief proposed by him is indeed the way to govern the country. From the perspective of the emperor, if there is a way to quickly stabilize the people's hearts in a disaster year, no emperor will refuse.

Since China, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and hundreds of schools all have theories of establishing the world, but no matter what kind of theory, its fundamental purpose is to consolidate the rule of the emperor.

The core of imperial rule is the people, the hearts of the people. In short, for thousands of years, countless sages and sages have exhausted their methods and created various theories. They are all from the perspective of the rulers to help them consolidate the imperial power and stabilize the imperial power. The hearts of the people, so as to achieve the goal of the dynasty forever.

What Li Qinzai said just now was very pragmatic. He eased the conflict between the ruler and the people from a different angle.

What did the rulers do in previous disaster years?
They are on guard, guarding against the victims of disasters, and beware of ambitious people taking the opportunity to rebel. Therefore, the purpose of the army stationed in the disaster area during the disaster year is not to help the victims, but to be ready to suppress them at any time.

Just like Dayu's water control, the emperors of all dynasties used "blocking", but Li Qinzai used "sparse".

Blocking is worse than sparse.

In contrast, in previous disaster years, the government's defensive attitude blocked the people's way of life, but Li Qinzai opened up a way of life and gave the people another choice for survival.

Survival is not just about farming. If the land is abandoned, you can also work. As long as you work hard, you can survive.

If the common people believed that they would not starve to death, who would risk their heads to rebel?

Li Zhi murmured: "Relief with work, relief with work...wonderful!"

(End of this chapter)