Don't be a prince

"It's very simple, just transfer the conflict. Wait, when they reach immortality, but imagine that there is a step down, they will step on no matter what step."

"Insidious enough, I appreciate..."

The father and son sitting at the desk looked at each other and laughed sinisterly.

The eldest grandson originally planned to come over to urge the emperor to rest on time, but when he saw the prince's son at the desk, he knew what had happened.Seeing that Sizi was still secretly looking over there, he hurriedly took the child away.Although I don't know what they are discussing, but the laughter is so insidious, it is definitely not a good topic.Little Si can't be spoiled by them.

After helping the emperor with the government affairs, it was already evening, so Li Chengqian simply stayed in the harem for dinner before strolling all the way back to the East Palace.

The end of the new year is approaching, and every year at this time in the East Palace, they have to accept the annual gift and return the gift at the same time.Unlike the gift-giving greetings among officials, after the East Palace receives a gift, the price of the gift will always drop some in return.Only in this way, the gift giver will feel better.Giving gifts years ago was customary, and it was also an opportunity to bribe in an aboveboard manner.

Of course, this kind of bribery is based on the fact that the recipient is the emperor or prince.The rest of the people, even Fang Xuanling and others, adhered to the principle of giving as much as they received, for fear of mistakes.

From Li Chengqian's point of view, the gift-giving process is actually very boring.Perhaps, only some high-status people care about this, because it does not mean how much profit they make, but a reflection of their own face.

As soon as he walked through the Tongxun Gate, he saw Fang Shan.

Rejecting the gift list he handed over, Li Chengqian said as he walked: "You are also an old man in the palace, what else can I not trust you? You can just weigh it yourself when you receive and give gifts. Oh, yes, when you meet some Good supplements, remember to send some to the old gentlemen of the academy, people who are old should always take good care of them."

Fang Shan recorded it, followed Li Chengqian for a few steps, then stopped suddenly, and said, "His Royal Highness, there is actually one thing that I don't know whether I should say or not."

Li Chengqian stood still, turned around and said in doubt: "What's the matter, don't hesitate, just say it directly."

He took out the gift list, flipped through two pages, and only after holding a lantern to illuminate it, Fang Shan locked on one of them and pointed it out.

Li Chengqian leaned over to look, and saw the record on it: "Li Yuanchang, the king of Han, sent a box of three-color porcelain."

This makes me laugh out loud. Sancai porcelain is actually Tang Sancai, which was used for burial in the tomb.When Qin Shihuang was buried, the terracotta warriors were buried with him.In the Tang Dynasty, the firing of porcelain was much more refined than that of terracotta warriors, and any shape could be made.When Li Yuan was buried last year, a large number of Tang Sancai were buried with him, including chariots and horses, servants, and even beds and tables in equal proportions.

Li Yuanchang sent a box of Tang Sancai, similar to sending bells and coffins, and it was a provocative act.

Handing the gift list to Fang Shan, Li Chengqian smiled and said: "Tomorrow, you go out of the palace, find a mule, match it with a bridle and a saddle, and print Li Yuanchang's name on the saddle, and send it to him. Just tell him I couldn't bear to see him walking among the imperial tombs, so I specially found a mount for him."

Fang Shan was puzzled and said: "He gave the three-color porcelain to curse His Highness to die early. Why do you give him the mule?"

Glancing at Fang Shan, Li Chengqian felt that it was better not to explain to him.

Mules, no heirs!

Moreover, thinking that the Wang family and the others just used him as an abandoned child, and this guy was still dreaming of ruling the world, Li Chengqian felt a wave of pity.

People are so stupid that there is really no cure!

Tang Sancai didn't make Li Chengqian pay too much attention.When I returned to the study and saw that there was no urgent memorial, I went directly to Guangtian Hall.Although the two children are quite noisy in the middle of the night, it is also a joy of being a father.

The next day, Xianling.

Li Yuanchang who received the mule, no matter how he thought about it, he never thought about what the prince meant.After thinking hard to no avail, he could only ask someone to take the mule away and slaughter it.

Living in a hut in the imperial mausoleum, there is no big fish or meat, only vegetarian. In winter, the wind blows all over the house and the house is cold, and a stove is already a special favor from the etiquette officials.Lying by the stove, trying to cover the quilt without any gaps, a gust of cold air hit, Li Yuanchang, who was about to fall asleep, opened his eyes and smiled cruelly.

He still remembers what happened at the New Year's banquet, and when Li Tai fell into the water, he was obviously not responsible for it, but he was still reprimanded by his father.

"Damn Li Yuan, don't think that I want to live like a coward like you! The throne is destined to be mine. At that time, I will kill the emperor, the prince and all of them, and avenge the prince Yin who has never met. There is... With the help of him, I don't believe that Li Shimin will still be lucky this time!"

After the harsh words, Li Yuanchang closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep quickly.It was cold and windy at night, and he basically stayed awake to fight against the cold.Now that the sun is high, he can take this opportunity to sleep well.

In the dream, he sat in that supreme position, holding the right to kill while awake, lying on the lap of a beauty while drunk.

What a pleasure...

It's just that he doesn't know.

At this time, outside, the sun is shining brightly.

...

The New Year in the Tang Dynasty has passed more than a dozen times, and there is nothing different, so Li Chengqian now takes the New Year lightly.The only difference is probably that this winter is much colder than before.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the new year has entered the last half month, but at this time, the eldest grandson Wuji, Li Chengqian, Fang Xuanling, and Wei Zheng had to go back to work.The reason is that this year is really too cold!It's hard to describe the current coldness by splashing water into ice. Leaving aside the noble family, businessmen, and wealthy households, ordinary people's homes may not have the ability to withstand the severe cold.As for beggars and slaves, it is estimated that there have been casualties.

It was really unexpected that something like this happened before the New Year's Eve.In the lobby of Shang Shuxing, no one sat in formal chairs at all. They all sat on a small bench for each person, sitting around the stove, just like that, and they had to rub their hands from time to time.

Putting his hands on the stove to bake, Li Shimin sighed: "It's too cold. We are in Shangshu Province. We are wearing heavy clothes and surrounded by the stove. It's so cold that it's hard to imagine the common people living in simple houses. How did it pass?"

Fang Xuanling also sighed, and said: "Before the annual leave, the old minister felt that something was wrong, so he sent officials to leave Chang'an to investigate. According to the news they brought back, this chill came from the north of Fengzhou , it will stop when you reach Jinzhou. The land is no wider than the five states, and it is already a blessing in misfortune."

Changsun Wuji rubbed his hands and sighed: "The problem is time. We were all on annual leave, and this kind of thing happened again. It won't be a safe year for people."

Wei Zheng frowned and said, "Mr. Zhao, the common people don't want to suffer such a crime! As far as I know, the Buddhist sect paid a huge sum of money to purchase the inventory of the Donggong Coal Mine, and is distributing it to poor people for free. Some outsiders If this is the case, how can I complain to the common people when I become a high-ranking official in the court!"

Changsun Wuji cupped his hands and said: "Don't blame Mr. Zheng, I just said it casually, and there is no other meaning. It's just that the household department is not short of money for disaster relief, but it is so cold and the year is approaching. How can we help the people!"

Wei Zheng thought for a while, but he didn't have a suitable strategy. However, his eyes shifted to the crown prince quite habitually.To his surprise, the prince's clothes today are not exclusive to the prince, they look bulging and slightly bloated.However, the prince just stood in the coldest place by the window in this outfit, and it didn't seem to affect him at all?

Standing up, Wei Zheng asked in surprise, "Your Highness, what kind of clothing are you wearing? It looks light, why don't you look cold at all?"

Hearing Wei Zheng's words, Li Chengqian turned around and saw these people wearing furs, it was amused.

After unbuttoning the two layers of buttons and shivering, Li Chengqian said: "I am wearing a down jacket. Inside the outermost interlayer is duck down, which is light and warm. The inner layer is a cotton coat. The interlayer It’s cotton, and the innermost layer is the inner garment. These three layers, let alone today, go to the grassland, as long as they are not blown by the wind for a long time, everything will be fine.”

Li Shimin stood up, touched Li Chengqian's clothes, frowned and said, "With such good things, why don't you show filial piety to me? Seeing how I'm shivering in leather, you think it looks good?"

Li Chengqian said with a smile: "I thought about it, but I can't give it away. The quilt and mattress are still good. Clothes, do you think you have other choices besides being in the palace?"

After finishing speaking, Li Chengqian glanced at the two officials in the corner who were frozen like a dog, but were still recording their daily notes.

Wei Zheng also came up to touch it, frowned, but stretched it out again, and said, "Since His Royal Highness knows this method of keeping out the cold, why didn't he announce it? As for cotton, there is still a lot of stock in the warehouse of the Ministry of War."

Sitting on the bench, Li Chengqian said helplessly: "You don't know what virtue Hou Junji has? He only thinks that cotton should be made into quilts and military uniforms, and first supplied to the frontier army. Scolding. He will be honest only if his father gives the order.

Of course, the main source of down is the farm, and there are a lot of hoards.It has been sold among merchants in the past few years, and it still sells for a lot of money. "

Seeing that Wei Zheng frowned again, Li Chengqian quickly skipped the show and said: "The farm has a lot of stockpiles. Two days ago, Gu ordered the farm and the fabric shop in Jiangnan to hurry up and make finished products. Not only duck down, but during this period Soft chicken feathers can also be used, so now almost all the chickens, ducks and geese in the farm are wiped out, just to make clothes. However, the only ones that are made are the clothes of the elderly and children and the baby's swaddle, and the quality is reduced a little. , It can only be barely used by the elderly, children and babies around Chang'an. If it spreads, it is estimated that Jinzhou will not be able to receive it.

So, the most important thing is cotton.Now the warehouse of the Ministry of War is stockpiling goods, the most important thing is this year's cotton from Qilu Land, which has not yet shipped.If it can be shipped, it is estimated that this disaster can be dealt with. "

After speaking, Li Chengqian looked at the emperor.

Li Shimin said without hesitation: "Since you have a way, then do it, and I will support you."

Li Chengqian smiled, then withdrew his smile, and said seriously: "First of all, recall all the officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and immediately arrange for people to go to Qilu to deliver orders, day and night; order the state capitals along the road to bear their own land by pulling force, day and night; order transportation The team must not rest along the way, must not take pity on the livestock, and deliver the handover as quickly as possible. In this way, it may be possible to transport the cotton within half a month. Let’s let the common people have a warm New Year.”

Chapter 468 is not over yet!

Changsun Wuji shook his head, picked up the fire hook and drew a simple road map on the ground: "In fifteen days, transporting cotton from the land of Qilu to Chang'an is not an achievable task! Not to mention, it's the middle of winter, and even if it's a courier, it will take five days to travel from Chang'an to Qilu without counting the horsepower. Not to mention, a large amount of goods have to be transported from the land of Qilu .The carriage that transports the goods is not as fast as riding a horse!"

When Taishan Fengchan returned to Chang'an, everyone had a rough estimate of the distance, and now they all nodded after hearing Changsun Wuji's analysis.The prince's words are a bit ideal, and it will take five days to go, let alone come back.Maybe, by the time of the Shangyuan Festival, there is no way to transport the cotton back.

Only then did Li Chengqian realize that he was taking it for granted, and after thinking about it, he continued: "It is true, even if it is a carriage, it cannot reach half the speed of riding a horse. If this is the case, then simply abandon the carriage and change it to one person and one horse. Come on, how can we send the cotton back within ten days.

The cotton delivered by one ride can meet the clothing needs of five or six people.The returned horse team dispersed from Guozhou and was transported to various states.There is no need to transport them back to Chang'an, and they can be distributed directly on a household-by-household basis.At the same time, a large number of fabrics are purchased and distributed, and the common people know how to use cotton by themselves, so there is no need for us to make ready-made clothes. "

Listening to Li Chengqian's words, Changsun Wuji began to draw on the ground, and Li Shimin also closed his eyes, thinking about the feasibility of doing so.

After some thought, they decided that it was indeed feasible to do so.However, the cost involved may be able to catch up with a large-scale disaster relief.

Changsun Wuji sighed and said: "This plan is feasible, but in the process, not to mention the consumption of horsepower, even manpower will consume countless. Now it is the middle of winter, and no matter whether people or horses can't bear the raid during the night. During the day If it is better, I am afraid that the forward speed at night will be reduced by an unknown amount. Ten days is only barely in time. Riding horses in cold nights, knights are prone to frostbite, and may even freeze to death. Such a risk, Is it worth it?"

Changsun Wuji's words made everyone think deeply.Indeed, just because of a "cold", it is necessary to use the national treasury for disaster relief, which costs countless, is it worth it?Besides, the weather is cold, if the weather warms up within a few days, isn't it a waste of money!

Just when Li Chengqian was about to speak, Wei Zheng spoke first: "Everyone, what is the purpose of the disaster relief funds prepared by the treasury? What is the purpose of our previous disaster relief? What kind of behavior is disaster relief? Like today The cold is like this, the ruined temples outside the city, the number of beggars who froze to death, and the wealthy households in the city are cold, let alone the people outside the city. The Tang Dynasty has a vast land, and many disasters in many places are usually after the occurrence. We will receive the news and respond to it. It’s cold today, and Chang’an is in the cold zone. Do we have to face it when people start to freeze to death among the common people?

Local disasters, disaster relief after the disaster, this is helpless.However, an opportunity to prevent disasters is right in front of our eyes. Should we give up because of stinginess? "

Wei Zheng's voice was deafening, a bit hoarse.

Changsun Wuji opened his mouth, but he couldn't say any objection after all.

The emperor nodded and said: "What Wei Zheng said is reasonable. We can't stop shooting arrows just because we are afraid of missing out. The hearts of the court cannot be lost. Even if the weather warms up in a few days, the hearts of the people will not recover. I hope the court will be able to shoot arrows." Let people feel warm.

Since the prince's plan is feasible, let's do it.Order the disaster-stricken state capital to be ready to receive cloth and cotton, and be sure not to miss every household.At the same time, starting next year, the disaster-stricken state capitals will restart agricultural taxes, following the example of work-for-relief.An order was issued to state capitals along the route from Qilu to Guozhou that no mistakes should be made during the relay transportation.Wei Zheng, let me supervise you.

in addition...."

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Since the Wang family withdrew from the Chang'an market, the coal mine in your East Palace has dominated the coal industry. Tell me, what are you going to do?"

Li Chengqian cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Father, don't worry, the East Palace has long been prepared, not to mention that there is still a large amount of coal in the warehouse in the northern suburbs, but the transportation team has already dispatched on a large scale, and the first batch of additional coal transportation should have arrived in Ningxia." It’s time for the state. Whatever the imperial court wants, just take it directly, and the minister will never say anything.”

Only then did Li Shimin nodded, and knocked on the furnace wall with a fire hook: "Then do it right away, this year, we don't have annual leave!"

"Wei Chen takes orders!"

Changsun Wuji and the others took the lead, ignoring the cold weather outside, tightened their furs, and went out against the cold wind.

Seeing that the stove was no longer glowing, Li Chengqian got up and turned on the coal stove, and filled some coal into it.

Seeing the sparks flying around in the coal stove, Li Shimin picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and asked Li Chengqian, "Are you curious why I am so generous this time?"

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, but still nodded.Taking precautions for a rainy day is indeed what the civil and military courts of the Manchu Dynasty, including the emperor, lacked.However, this is the first time that such a large-scale disaster relief has not been targeted.Although these words were harsh, Li Chengqian always thought that with the court's pissing nature, there was always no reaction to a certain extent.

Seeing that Li Chengqian didn't hide anything, Li Shimin couldn't help laughing: "Actually, I'm trying to repay you with kindness. There is nothing I can do to attack Xue Yantuo, but in the future, when I march into Korea, the people in Liaodong, Qilu, and Hebei are easy to talk about." They are all implicated by Goryeo, so they naturally support my conquest of Goryeo. However, the people in the interior are not necessarily the same. After a long time of peace, everyone will slack off, including me, including courtiers, and at the same time, including local officials Fu Bing.

There are many ways to achieve the goal. Although it is shameless to repay the favor, it is the best way.This time, even if our actions are slow, it is certain that the people will accept the kindness of our court and our royal family.Therefore, I will approve it.

Of course, even if there is no such meaning, I will do the same.When I tell you this, I want to tell you to think more when doing things.Most of the time, following the flow of favors and taking advantage of others, maybe it can have a very good effect. "

After speaking, Li Shimin drank the last tea in the teacup, tightened his fur, and walked out.

Looking at Li Shimin's back, Li Chengqian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.If the emperor hadn't made a turn in the end, he would have scolded his mother.How stupid is it to be able to do this by using the plan to repay the favor on the common people?

After twisting the buttons, Li Chengqian also left the Shangshu Province.

The sudden disaster disrupted some of his preparations.Now Taoism and Buddhism have temporarily changed from a frontal conflict to a contest on disaster relief.This is also good, and it is acceptable that the conflict that was originally a loss has become a good thing.Besides, during the Chinese New Year, if some bloody incidents happened during this period, it would be really bad.

The imperial court's announcement was issued very quickly. In less than an hour, all the household officials who had been on vacation returned to the household office. At the same time, the messengers who sent the letter also started to rush desperately against the cold wind.

The cloth problem is easy to solve. The Jiangnan family's cloth business has always been the leader in the Tang Dynasty, and the best-selling place for cloth is not the territory of the Tang Dynasty, but the grasslands and the Western Regions.Whether it is linen or silk, it can be sold at a good price.Because of this, every autumn, the Jiangnan family hoards a large amount of cloth and silk in Chang'an, which is almost a year's share.

However, in front of the emperor's imperial decree, their shares for this year were contributed without hesitation.

The shopkeeper of Jiangnan Cloth Co., after personally entering the palace to meet the emperor once, simply handed over the invoices for all the stocks in the warehouse to the household department.

No money will be taken!

The request of the shopkeeper of the cloth shop is actually very simple, that is, he hopes that the emperor will allow them to stamp the marks of his masters on the cloth for this disaster relief.Over the years, the Jiangnan family's business has been mainly concentrated outside the region, and its influence on the inside has been much smaller.On this occasion, it is still necessary to show your own sense of existence.In order not to be thought by the domestic people that they are the same as the five surnames.

How could the emperor let go of the opportunity to save money, so he readily agreed.

Because of the joy of the Jiangnan fabric business, the imperial court began to distribute fabrics to the people in the disaster area the day after the messenger left.When the local county magistrates and village chiefs distribute the announcements, they will also explain the policies this time to the people.To put it simply, the imperial court is not doing good deeds. Now that it distributes cloth to the people, it will restart taxation in the coming year.Of course, they would not allow the people to leave interlayers in the middle of the clothes they made.

After the news spread that the imperial court released information to the people at the cost of restarting taxation, it was surprising that no one objected.The people of the Tang Dynasty did not feel that it was normal not to pay taxes. They only felt that they had taken advantage of the court for an unknown amount over the years.Restarting taxation now is the right thing to do.

On the contrary, it is touching that the imperial court can understand the people and take the initiative to do such a behavior similar to "borrowing money".In particular, Li Chengqian's sentence "Let the people have a warm New Year" has now become the slogan of the court. Many old people who have experienced the end of the Sui Dynasty will cry when they hear this sentence.

Born in turmoil and growing up in the flames of war, now that he is old, he realizes how rare such a peaceful and prosperous world is.

The order issued on the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month did not finally receive a reply until the [-]th day of the twelfth lunar month.Because cotton has been proven to be a good thing, a lot of it has been planted in Qilu in the past two years. Starting from Yanzhou, as long as the state capitals that plant cotton have begun to send horses to the imperial court to transport cotton day and night.

Moreover, the title of "Land of Qilu" is wrong. Cotton planting happened to be popularized on a large scale this year.The entire Henan Province, as long as it is suitable, basically grows cotton.Gaizhou, which is the closest to Chang'an, has sufficient cotton reserves, and it has even sent cotton to the fringes of Jinzhou in five days.

The twelfth lunar month of the 13th year of Zhenguan was originally an extremely cold month, but the transportation line from Yanzhou was like a fuze passing the flame, transmitting heat and sparks far to Guannei Road and Shannan Road.

Although the transportation this time was difficult, by the time of New Year's Eve, everyone except the state capital between Chang'an and Xiazhou had received cotton.

New Year's Eve was originally a day to watch the year, but this year, the emperor canceled the annual banquet. All officials who were qualified to participate in the annual banquet gathered in Shangshu Province to help the household department arrange the transfer of cotton.

Li Shimin, who was sitting in the first place, sighed and put down the pen in his hand after he was busy until the New Year's bell rang.

Li Chengqian, who was sitting not far away, also quickly filled in a number on the list and sighed.

This plan, after all, failed.Fifteen days is still too little.Now only the cotton from Caozhou was transported to Chang'an, and it had arrived and set off, but by midnight, the cotton might not have even arrived in Gaoling.

After all, the population of Jinzhou is underestimated!

Although there are many herdsmen in Xiazhou, many Han people have gone north to become Han herdsmen over the years.It can be said that Xiazhou herdsmen are naturally counted among the "common people".

There is no doubt that "let the people have a warm New Year" failed.

"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, I am here to wish you both a happy new year!"

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian raised their heads, only to see that in the room where the pause button was pressed, one person had already knelt down on the ground.

It's Wei Zheng.

Wei Zheng, who had been running between Jinzhou and Chang'an these days, had chilblains on his face, and returned to Chang'an after finally getting the affairs of Jinzhou settled.It can be said that he is already tired like a donkey.

Sighing again, Li Shimin said dejectedly: "Forget it, I'm not happy this year. Hurry up and order the transportation team to support the cotton in Yizhou, and start shipping immediately!"

The red-eyed Changsun Wuji agreed, and immediately went to the door to pass orders.

Wei Zheng, who was kneeling on the ground, still didn't get up, but said proudly: "Why is your majesty discouraged? Why are you sighing? As far as I can see, we may have failed to fulfill our promise to the people, but we have not failed! The hearts of the people are like a mirror." , Naturally know what the court has done for them, and to what extent.

Your Majesty may not know that my minister travels between various places in Jinzhou. Whenever he meets a village, there must be a house with lights on all night at the entrance of the village, just to let the passing court officials have a sip of hot water.This is not ordered by the local governor or county magistrate!Your Majesty, this was done spontaneously by the people!So what if it's two days late?Within eight days at the latest, Xiazhou's cotton can also be delivered.The Shangyuan Festival has not passed, who dares to say that the New Year is over? "