Don't be a prince

Li Chengqian said without hesitation: "But compared with the communication between the north and the south, no matter how long it takes or how much it costs, it's worth it."

After finishing speaking, Li Chengqian looked at Feng Zhidai: "What do you think?"

Feng Zhidai looked at the road map with burning eyes, clenched his fists and said, "No matter what, these bridges must be built. Your Majesty, please allow the Feng family to contribute their efforts and participate in this project!"

It would be hard for someone else to see through it, but how shrewd is Feng Zhidai?He clearly saw what these bridges and railways could bring to Lingnan.Not to mention the huge benefits, the support from various forces in the Central Plains, the development of Lingnan will be even more powerful!

Li Chengqian laughed, he knew Feng Zhidai could understand.

Patting Feng Zhidai on the shoulder, Li Chengqian dragged him back, and said as he walked, "Since you are willing, I will give orders to the Ministry of Industry. When the construction of the official road inside the Tang Dynasty is completed, it will be the north-south communication project." .When this project is completed, our digestion speed of the land in the Central Plains will increase by more than ten times."

Ma Zhou put down his chopsticks and cupped his hands and asked, "But Your Majesty, what about Kucha and Khotan and other places? We took it down, so we can't leave it alone."

Li Chengqian said with a smile: "Of course not, but in those poor and remote places, if we want to develop in the Tang Dynasty, we can't be in a hurry. I am going to open up the naturalization of Hu people and move them to those lands so that they can complete the initial development .As for the present, we should focus on the large tracts of land in the south of the Central Plains. Our own land has not yet been developed, so we are busy developing those there.

Several people smiled wryly. For the current Datang, there is too much land, which is really an annoyance.

Of course, they would rather increase this kind of trouble.

After another round of drinking, Feng Zhidai's face turned red because he didn't drink much.

It was said that wine was fortifying, but he found that to be pure nonsense.

Seeing Feng Zhidai's hesitant to speak, Li Chengqian said: "Feng Zhidai, if you have something to say, just say it, I remember when you finished drinking and put your arms around my shoulders to sleep together, you didn't struggle so much! "

Hearing this, everyone laughed.

Feng Zhidai's face was already red, but when he heard about his embarrassing things, he immediately became even redder.

Arching his hands, Feng Zhidai said: "Weren't you young and frivolous at that time, Your Majesty shouldn't always make fun of this matter. I do have something to say, but I don't know how to bring it up."

Sighing, he drank another glass of wine before he left his seat, knelt down and said, "This time, besides going to Beijing to pay homage to His Majesty, I have another request. I ask His Majesty to allow Lingnan to send troops to crusade against Dashi!" "

"absurd!"

Hearing Feng Zhidai's words, Changsun Wuji was the first to jump up: "Do you know how far Dashi is? Before the whole world attacked the end of the Tang Dynasty, it was to show the prestige of the Tang Dynasty that the Lingnan Fleet was specially approved to go on an expedition. It is a big taboo for military strategists to go on an expedition. Didn’t the Lingnan Fleet go on an expedition to Dashi before and lose troops because of the voyage? What is the reason for repeating the same mistakes now?”

Zhao Yi also stood up and said: "Right now, the finance department of the household department is also very nervous because of the plan to rebuild the Taiji Palace. If you want to go to war, it will be a big expense, although Dugu Bo is also quite stingy. , but this time, I really want to say something for him, it is indeed inappropriate to start a war at this time, can't we wait three to five years?"

Feng Zhidai tilted his head and said, "This time, the Lingnan family is willing to start the war at their own expense without the need for the imperial court to use the treasury's money and food."

Li Chengqian was surprised and said: "Feng Zhidai, if you want to go to war, you have to give me a reason. Tell me, what is the reason? Even your family in Lingnan is in the same spirit?"

The Feng family is the only one in Lingnan, but they are also constrained everywhere. To be honest, Li Chengqian could tell when he was in Lingnan, that is, the Feng family can be the leader of Lingnan, but if he wants to get the support of other families, he has no problem at all. possible.

It makes perfect sense for the impossible to happen today.

Feng Zhidai sighed, and said: "It's actually like this. After the end of the global attack on the Tang Dynasty, Lingnan opened up the sea route, and many merchant ships went to sea. They planned to earn back the income from the retreat period. There are 43 merchant ships in total. And these 43 ships did not come out after entering the Dashi sea area. Weichen sent warships to inquire, and the Dacan people said that the merchant ships were attacked by pirates, and pointed out to Tang Jun The location of the pirates.

However, after the Tang warship wiped out that group of pirates, they found that the combat power of these pirates was as weak as chickens.Although Datang's merchant ships are not as good as warships, their combat power is not something that rotten fish and shrimps can attack.Therefore, I can conclude that it was the big cannibal who attacked the merchant ship and then blamed it on the pirates.

The world attack on the Tang Dynasty just ended, and the big cannibal did such a thing without even handing over the compensation. Isn't this a provocation?Therefore, Your Majesty, we and the Lingnan family jointly request His Majesty to allow Lingnan to send troops to conquer Dashi. "

After finishing speaking, Feng Zhidai took out a joint book from his arms, on which were the bloody handprints of the heads of various Lingnan families.Some of them are blurred, and it is not difficult to see how the person who pressed the fingerprint stabbed his finger.

This is really angry.

After hearing Feng Zhidai's words, Ma Zhou and Zhao Yi sat back immediately, and Changsun Wuji sat back after thinking about it.

It is a matter of Datang's face, and it is not something that financial constraints can deal with. Even if you reach out to your subjects again, this battle must be fought!

Li Chengqian stood up, helped Feng Zhidai himself, looked into his eyes and said: "He is being bullied to the head, how can we not fight back? What about the big food? Anyone who offends my Tang Dynasty will be punished no matter how far away! Feng Zhi Dai, I have assigned the East China Sea Fleet to your command, and I will give you as much gunpowder and weapons as you want, but I only have one request, do you dare to agree to it?"

Feng Zhidai said without hesitation: "Your Majesty has any request, just ask!"

"I want you to attack Damascus, destroy this city, and then return to the dynasty!"

Not just naval battles, but also landing operations to break through the enemy's capital?There is no doubt that this is an extremely difficult task.but....

Feng Zhidai agreed without hesitation: "I understand!"

Li Chengqian said with a sly smile: "Also, since the big cannibals are fooling us with pirates, we can also fool them openly, cancel all the emblems on the Tang warships, and replace them with pirates, I can relax the supervision of military discipline a little bit, can we If you can't recover some of your Lingnan family's contribution through this battle, it's up to you. Do you understand what I mean?"

Feng Zhidai was dumbfounded: "But Your Majesty, we are obviously Tang Jun, but we have to pretend to be pirates. This, this is not good, and the enemy can tell it at a glance."

Li Chengqian said speechlessly: "Who told you that there are no pirates in our Tang Dynasty? Do you know that the old man who lived in Li Jing's house once conquered a piece of land overseas, and before that, he was doing pirates." Buying and selling. I think you can pay a visit and use his emblem.

Besides, even if a discerning person can tell at a glance that we are the regular army of Datang, so what?As long as you insist that you are pirates.Let's play the way the big cannibals play.Otherwise, how do you get back the previous losses?You have to know that in the Tang Army's new military regulations, there is a clause of 'no plundering of people'. "

Feeling the deep meaning in the emperor's words, Feng Zhidai suddenly became excited, good guy, this is a bad thing by order!And what His Majesty said is right, since the big cannibal is talking nonsense with his eyes open, why can't Datang follow suit?

only....

Feng Zhidai and Li Chengqian's eyes turned to Dai Zhou, who had a dark face and remained silent.

It was definitely a mistake for this guy to appear at the private banquet today, this kind of thing...

Dai Zhou, who was silent, saw that His Majesty and the others were all looking at him, and showed a gentle smile: "Your Majesty, gentlemen, don't think this old man is so rigid. This man is getting old, and he is easy to lose his hearing. Well, this fish and meat It’s really top-notch, Your Majesty, the old minister has the audacity to ask His Majesty to give you another one, and let the old wife at home taste it.”

This is just blackmail!

Li Chengqian laughed and said: "Since you like it, I will order the kitchen to make another one. Dai Qing might as well go to the kitchen and wait. I will be finishing the banquet soon."

Dai Zhou knew that the next step must be the formulation of the military strategy, and he really couldn't give any suggestions.Standing up and cupping his hands, carrying the wine jug, he left the Chongjiao Hall with a look of drunkenness.

Feng Zhidai was surprised and said: "This Dai Zhou will also have a day of favoritism!"

Li Chengqian said with a smile: "What is favoritism? Dai Qing is drunk, so he doesn't know anything, do you understand? Not to mention him, even if Wei Zheng is here, he won't stop it. Dashi, I'm jealous of them It’s not a day or two before the oil is gone, and I’m worried that I don’t have an excuse to teach them a lesson.”

Feng Zhidai nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Chengqian looked at Zhang Yun who was waiting for dispatch at the door, and said, "Go to Duke Wei's mansion, and ask Duke Wei to bring his elder brother to the palace for a banquet."

Seeing Zhang Zhongjian, to be honest, Li Chengqian was rather disappointed. After all, as he got older, no matter how strong a tiger was, it would become skinny.

Li Jing and his wife asked to give him a household registration in Datang, so that he could spend the rest of his life in Datang, and Li Chengqian agreed.Even Zhang Zhongjian was allowed to live in Chang'an and reunite with his wife.

Now, just using his former name, it doesn't seem like a big deal.

Chapter 537 Year-end Award

Zhang Yun, who went to deliver the decree, quickly brought Li Jing and Zhang Zhongjian with him.

Two of the former Three Heroes of the Wind and Dust are now showing their old age.Li Jing is 72 this year, not to mention Zhang Zhongjian who is older than Li Jing.

Entering the main hall, the two saluted together, the difference was that Li Jing bowed his hands and Zhang Zhongjian knelt down.

Li Chengqian is very clear that the heroes who once dominated overseas are now smoothed by age, and they only want to spend the rest of their lives in peace.

"Stay flat, Zhang Zhongjian. Since I have promised Duke Wei that you will settle down in Datang and spend the rest of your life in peace, as long as you are honest, you will not break your promise. I have called you here today to serve as a consultant to attack Datang. After all, you were once a pirate leader, so you should have attacked the big cannibal merchant ships a lot."

Hearing what the emperor said, Zhang Zhongjian breathed a sigh of relief, and got up with the support of his brother.

Before the two came to the map together, they first looked at the plans that everyone had made.

As long as he stood in front of the map, Li Jing's aura would become like a sharp blade out of its sheath. Even though he had lost a lot of weight now, he still made people involuntarily awe.

On the other hand, Zhang Zhongjian let out a sigh, and seeing a bamboo pole beside him, he took it and pointed it at Tianzhu's place, saying: "Your Majesty, there is a problem here. The land of Tianzhu is not so short, and it should be extended further south."

After finishing speaking, he pointed to the sea area in the south of India: "There is also a small island here. On this map, it should not be only this big. To be honest, if Datang can take this place, the sea route from east to west in the future will be bigger. There will be one more important transfer station!"

Li Chengqian recorded it in his notebook, and when he looked at Zhang Zhongjian again, his eyes lit up.

Talent, the development of Datang Sea has just started, and he has to find a way to squeeze out the things he remembers in his stomach!

When Li Jing saw the emperor's eyes shining, he knew that his brother was in love with him.

Without Li Chengqian opening his mouth, Li Jing cupped his hands and said: "The old minister heard that the Ministry of Industry is surveying and mapping the map of the Tang Dynasty. If Your Majesty does not dislike it, I am willing to work with my brother to sort out the charts collected by the Ministry of Industry. What do you think?"

Li Chengqian nodded naturally: "Of course, I am worried that I don't have someone with rich experience to sort out the charts. Then there will be Lao Weigong!"

Feng Zhidai also saw Zhang Zhongjian's extraordinaryness, clasped his hands and asked, "Old man, how much do you know about the big cannibal? I would like to confirm it with two things."

Zhang Zhongjian returned the salute and said: "The big cannibals are relatively strong. The long-term religious (crab) rule has made them pretend to be saints internally and Rakshasa externally. And at sea, anyone who is defeated by the big cannibals People have only one end, that is to be turned into slaves, tortured to death in just a few years, or even a few months.

And their homeland is very cohesive, so when the war starts, there will be no surrendering troops, and there will be no people who surrender. There is only one way to attack Dashi, and that is to fight. No prisoners will be left in every battle. The city that surrendered must be slaughtered before it can be at ease. "

Feng Zhidai wondered: "But, we still want to arrest slaves. If you say that, don't we lose a source of income for nothing?"

Li Jing said in surprise: "Arresting slaves? It's not in the new military regulations..."

Speaking of this, Li Jing immediately chose to shut up when he saw that the emperor's eldest grandson Wuji and the others were all secretive.

Zhang Zhongjian said with a smile: "Of course it is possible to capture prisoners, but it must be ensured that the prisoners are completely disarmed and have no power to resist."

Only then did Feng Zhidai heave a sigh of relief, plundering the wealth of the big cannibal, although he is the big one, capturing slaves is equally important.Now construction is going on in all parts of the Tang Dynasty, coupled with the pacification of the Central Plains, the crime of treason, the members of the family are just registered as lowly, and the slaves are now all foreigners.Moreover, it is extremely scarce.

Considering the treatment of slaves in Datang, perhaps being a slave in Datang is still a kind of happiness.

A luncheon was extended into the evening, and it was not officially over until after the dinner.Feng Zhidai brought a lot of records, and returned to his place of staying happily.His trip to Chang'an was really rewarding. He planned to absorb the knowledge left to him by top generals like Li Jing and the mysterious old man before going to the East China Sea and heading south with the East China Sea Fleet.

Big cannibals are bound to pay the price for their despicableness!

It is easy to go from frugal to extravagant, but difficult to go from extravagant to frugal.Officials who enjoy the heating stove or even the hot kang at home will tremble in rows when they go to court.There is no way, the heat preservation ability of Tai Chi Hall is really weak.Fortunately, the renovation plan of Taiji Palace has already been put on the agenda. As soon as the next spring begins, construction will officially start after Daming Palace is completed.

The annual New Year's Eve meeting is approaching. As the emperor, Li Chengqian first issued an order to the Ministry of Rites and Officials, that is, to re-establish the rules of official uniforms and thicken the winter clothes of officials.Anyway, now that the production of cotton has increased, and the nitrocellulose workshop plan has been temporarily abolished, the Ministry of War has also provided enough quilts and cotton-padded clothes for the soldiers in the frigid border areas. It is still possible to start selling cotton-padded clothes in an all-round way.

Li Chengqian's proposal was supported by all the officials. After all, compared with the old-fashioned official uniforms that are either light and cold or heavy to keep out the cold, light cotton clothes are not 01:30 better.

"Your Majesty, the Supreme Emperor has issued an order to the Ministry of Industry, requesting the Ministry of Industry to restart the construction of Zhaoling Mausoleum this year. How should the ministers deal with themselves?"

Yan Lide, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, is still very shrewd. He knows very well that the current emperor has the final say. Even if the Supreme Emperor sends an order, he must first ask the current emperor before deciding how to deal with it.

Thinking about the financial situation of the Ministry of Households, Li Chengqian said: "Let's start then. The Supreme Emperor has just been enthroned, so it is inevitable that he will be concerned about the affairs behind him. As a son, as long as it is not too much, it is the right thing to follow his old man's mind. Filial piety. If the money from the household department is urgent, it will be drawn from my inner palace."

Yan Lide and Hubu Shangshu Dugubo both came out to lead the order.

As a servant, Chu Suiliang stood up after the two, and said: "Your Majesty, I have my own record. Now the court has re-determined the salaries of officials. Beijing officials can live a good life with their salaries. Although officials outside Beijing cannot The wealthy side is considered a wealthy household. The increase in salary is the result of the great grace of the emperor.

However, if the salary increases, there are still officials who bend the law for personal gain. This is an unforgivable crime. I ask Your Majesty to investigate the integrity of officials. If there are lawbreakers, they should be severely punished as a warning to the world. "

As soon as Chu Suiliang said this, the officials were in an uproar. The new emperor just came to the throne, and he wanted to check the integrity of the officials?

Li Chengqian wanted to refuse, but thinking of his plan, he decided to agree.

"Since the salary has increased, if some officials are still corrupt, it is indeed an unforgivable crime. In this case, with Menxia Province as the leader, lead the Yushitai and the Ministry of Households, and start the investigation after the year. As an example, the first thing to check is the royal family and relatives, followed by the three provinces and six ministries.

I also don't want to do everything wrong, the time I set aside is for some people to make up for it.If I honestly level the accounts, and I will be honest in the future, I can turn a blind eye to it, but if I persist to the end, or refuse to repent, then it is not just a simple punishment of demoting officials and seizing titles. "

As soon as Li Chengqian's words fell, the officials bowed their hands and promised.

Seeing that the emperor had finished talking about this matter, Dugu Bo, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, came out of the class and said: "I would like to report to your majesty, the matter of the herdsmen in the grassland road entering the household registration of the Tang Dynasty has been successfully concluded. .”

Not only must you do things seriously, but you must also carefully review them. This is the new rule proposed by Li Chengqian.Apparently, Hubu got used to it quickly.

Nodding his head, Li Chengqian praised: "This time, the Ministry of Household Affairs has taken things seriously and understood what I mean, which is very good."

Dugu Bo cupped his hands and said: "It's an order from the Holy Majesty, I dare not fool you. It's just that your majesty, I have doubts, not only whether I can ask your majesty for advice."

"Tell me?"

"The people on the Prairie Road participated in the battle against the Turks and proved their loyalty. Therefore, I am not surprised to give the people on the Prairie Road the household registration of the Great Tang. But, why does Your Majesty give some businessmen from the Western Regions the household registration of the Great Tang?" ? These people haven't proved their loyalty to Datang yet!"

Li Chengqian smiled and said: "It turns out that you were wondering about this, that's okay, I will answer your question, and any Qing family who has doubts in the future should also bravely ask.

When it comes to registering household registration for merchants from the Western Regions, it is actually for a win-win situation.Merchants in Kucha, Khotan and other countries have been stuck in business for many years, and they have no business in production. Where does their profit come from?It is to rely on the trade of goods from the Tang Dynasty for profit.There are many caravans from the Tang Dynasty going to the Western Regions, but how many of them actually went to the Far West?After deducting the tax, how many blood-earned ones are there?

Back then, I tried sending the caravan belonging to the East Palace to try it out. Going there by myself, compared with the merchants who handed over to Kucha and Khotan directly at the border, suffered a lot. "

Dugu Bo wondered: "These merchants grew up by sucking the blood of Datang merchants, shouldn't we punish them?"

Li Chengqian looked at Changsun Wuji, after all, these courtiers who were younger in age were too sincere.

Changsun Wuji smiled, and said to Dugu Bo: "This is the reason why the old man is promoted to minister, but still has to mention you often. Some things are not so simple. These businessmen in the Western Regions really They are parasites, but we cannot deny that they do control the business and distribution channels of the Far West. If we eliminate them, our trade to the Far West will start all over again.

Keeping them now, not only saves the toil of the Central Plains caravan, but also can get a lot of benefits, wouldn't it be beautiful!Tell me, what is the last article of No.18 of "New Business Law"? "

Without even thinking about it, Dugu Bo replied, "If there are special operators, the imperial court has the right to treat them specially and formulate tax rates independently. What do you mean?"

Changsun Wuji smiled and said, "Our Datang's money is not easy to earn. It was fine if we didn't belong to the same country before, but now that they have registered with Datang, we can impose heavy taxes on them. As for if they object , What kind of treatment will be encountered, the old man thinks, I don't need to wait to explain to them!"

Dugu Bo bowed his hands respectfully and said: "Thank you for the teaching, Mr. Zhao, I will keep it in my heart."

Li Chengqian said with a smile: "You have just been promoted to the Minister of the Household Department. It doesn't matter if you don't understand a lot of things. Since Mr. Zhao is still in the court, you might as well ask for help from time to time. Although you are wrong this time, you dare to The spirit of questioning is worth encouraging. I don’t ask much of you, at least you can’t be foolish and do foolish things. When you don’t understand, it’s not wrong to ask upwards. Dugu Bo, can you write it down?”

Dugu Bo said: "I understand, thank you Your Majesty for teaching!"

Li Chengqian nodded, and then asked: "What is the balance of the Ministry of Household this year?"

"Report to His Majesty, a total of 320 million guan."

"Well, I have a lot of savings. If that's the case, then take out a fraction of 24 guan to buy some rare New Year's goods as a year-end reward for Beijing officials. Let's distribute it. Next year, it will be earlier next year, and local officials will also be taken into account. Being an official is hard work." One year, the imperial court did not say anything, which is too chilling. There are not many year-end bonuses, but they can be used as chatter after dinner. Of course, not everyone can receive year-end bonuses. Those who made mistakes, or those who committed crimes and were demoted, will have their year-end awards for that year cancelled.”

Year-end awards?