Datang: Only by resisting the decree can we become stronger

Even for a two-wheeled carriage, the distance between the ruts is only 1.35 meters, which is very narrow.

Even the load rate of a two-wheeled carriage can't be used up, let alone four-wheeled.

Xue Rengui is in charge of Jizhou and Pingzhou.

The horse farms and forest farms in Jizhou are relatively easy to manage. Every day is step by step, and the officials here are also dedicated to their responsibilities, so Xue Rengui's main energy is devoted to Pingzhou.

When Li Qiu brought people here, Xue Rengui bowed respectfully and paid homage to Master.

Li Qiu nodded, and then inspected his martial arts. The improvement was not small, which showed that his martial arts did not fall behind during this period.

In Pingzhou, jobs in the coal mines are very stable.

Due to the increase in the number of workers who joined in the later period, the output of the coal mine has also increased a lot.

Now on the ground in Pingzhou, several large-scale coal mountains have been piled up.

When Li Qiu came here, he repeatedly told these officials to remember fire prevention and safety.

Once this coal mountain spontaneously combusts, everyone's hard work will be in vain.

A few dozen miles away from the coal mine is a newly established coke workshop.

According to Li Qiu's intention, coke production started here.

Compared with charcoal, the energy and temperature provided by the burning of coke are much greater.

Li Qiu also explained the products produced here.

The premium products were neatly stacked in wooden boxes, and this time he wanted to take them back to Chang'an.

High-quality products, for use in Youzhou City and various state capitals.

Mid-level products are sold at low prices to the daily needs of the people in the thirteen states.

Inferior products are provided free of charge to those refugees for heating.

In short, with so much coke and coal, the winter in these thirteen states is no longer cold.

The difficulty for people to survive the winter is also much lower than before.

At the brick shop, the special-grade wall bricks Li Qiu requested have been neatly stacked and are just waiting to be loaded.

This time when he returned to Chang'an, Li Qiu planned to take these bricks back.

Finally, Li Qiu came to Tiefang, the most concerned and important place.

Here, all the basic conditions have been met.

The smelting process has become more and more mature.

However, the iron products forged here are more than enough for production and daily use.

However, the weapons and armor created from this are still not as satisfactory as expected.

Li Qiu could feel that everyone, including Xue Rengui, was extremely looking forward and focused.

But there is always a little distance.

For their hard work and sweat, Li Qiu gave affirmation and encouragement.

And tell them that the forging techniques of the past dynasties have been improved and refined for an unknown number of years.

Now the iron workshop in Youzhou has not even been here for a year, and it is very rare to be able to reach such a level.

……

On the other hand, when Changsun Wuji returned to Chang'an from Li Qiu's side, he also found time to go to Empress Changsun's side.

Seeing that Li Shimin was here today, Changsun Wuji hurriedly saluted, but was held back by Li Shimin with a smile.

"Auxiliary machine!"

"This time, you have made a great contribution."

"Now that the Turkic war has just come to an end, and these victims have also received relief, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and wait quietly for the New Year!"

Hearing Li Shimin's words, Changsun Wuji smiled wryly and shook his head.

"To tell you the truth, if it was in the past, I would be very happy to be praised by Your Majesty."

"But now, I feel very ashamed in my heart!"

Li Shimin naturally heard something in his words, so he asked with a smile: "Auxiliary machine, why did you say that?"

Changsun Wuji sighed softly at this time, and then went to Li Qiu's side, and told Li Shimin and Empress Changsun what he had seen and heard along the way.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, before going to Youzhou, I believe that I and many ministers all felt that they are good officials who have a clean sleeve and love the people like their own sons."

"But after seeing Li Qiu for real, I really know what a good official who loves the people like a son is like!"

"In the thirteen prefectures such as Youzhou and Yizhou, the environment is harsh and the winter is cold, so they are called prefectures."

"But to put it bluntly, isn't it a place where criminals are exiled?!"

"But it's such a place. Li Qiu led the officials and people there to support 10,000+ victims of the disaster for my Datang!"

"That's 10,000+ lives!"

"It's not easy!"

"They are like this, how can they not let the ministers feel ashamed?!"

Hearing Changsun Wuji's words, Li Shimin frowned and sighed twice.

"Before, I had thought that Li Qiu and the others took in so many refugees."

"It's definitely not easy."

"But I never imagined that it would be such a difficult situation for them!"

"Auxiliary machine, do you think Li Qiu's food is really that bad?"

At this moment, Changsun Wuji took a deep breath and shook his head, "I heard from Song You, governor of Yizhou, that they are doing well now."

"In this summer, it will be much worse than it is now."

"Your Majesty, you didn't see the scene at that time. This group of officials of the fifth and sixth ranks, wearing patched official uniforms, sat around a small table and ate brown rice porridge and half a plate of wild vegetables."

"Oh, the minister looked at it at the time, and felt uncomfortable in my heart."

"That's the county king of our Tang Dynasty, and a large group of officials of high rank. From Li Qiu down, the common people eat whatever they eat, without a single complaint."

Speaking of emotion, Changsun Wuji couldn't help but have tears in his eyes.

And Li Shimin couldn't help sighing, "It's me, the Son of Heaven, who is ashamed of them and the world."

"But having said that, it is because of Li Qiu and his group of honest officials that such a great event can be done!"

"They are the ones who can truly be called the role models of my officials in the Tang Dynasty!"

"Auxiliary machine, you are the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, officials of the thirteen prefectures like Youzhou, you should be rewarded!"

Chapter 282 Marriage between Changsun Chong and Princess Changle

Regarding Li Shimin's orders, Changsun Wuji naturally accepted them.

While talking, Li Shimin changed the subject again, "Auxiliary machine, you said Li Qiu is so tired and lazy on weekdays."

"As for the diet, it is even more demanding to the extreme."

"Even after listening to you, I still can't imagine that he can endure so much suffering."

Changsun Wuji also shook his head at this time, and sighed, "Your Majesty, Li Qiu, don't look at how he usually is."

"But when it's really critical, it's absolutely unambiguous."

"Outside Chang'an City, by the Weishui River, he led more than 100 people to build a Turkic army of 10,000+ soldiers and horses for Chang'an and Tang Dynasty. I still remember it vividly!"

"Your Majesty and Your Majesty can have such a good son. To be honest, I really envy you."

"If my parent, Sun Chong, can even reach half of Li Qiu's, then I guess I can wake up from my dreams with a smile."

"If you have a son like this, why worry about the family fortune?"

Hearing Changsun Wuji praise Li Qiu and envy him for having such a good son, Li Shimin was full of joy and smiled in his heart.

Empress Changsun forced a smile at this time, and said to Changsun Wuji: "Brother, I mentioned Changsun Chong, and I just remembered it here."

"Chong'er and Changle are not too young now."

"After these two years, when everything in the court has settled down, order the Ministry of Rites to choose an auspicious day to arrange the marriage of these two children."

"Maybe I'm old too, always thinking about these children's marriage."

Hearing what Empress Changsun said, Changsun Wuji was naturally happy and echoed repeatedly.

After all, for his son to marry the most beloved princess of His Majesty and Empress, it can be regarded as a close relationship, and it is a great joy for the eldest grandson family.

(In the Tang Dynasty, like in the Guanlong Group, the phenomenon of close relatives getting married was very common, which led to a lot of genetic diseases in the royal family.)

After Changsun Wuji retreated, Li Shimin, who was in a good mood, noticed his wife beside him with a sad look on her brow.

Then he asked in amazement, "Guanyin maidservant, this year, Qiu'er has made several great achievements."

"See what his uncle praised him for?"

"I know the auxiliary machine too well, and no one has ever been so appreciated by him!"

Empress Changsun sighed softly at this time, and said softly: "Your Majesty, Qiu'er can serve the country and earn a living for the people. I am very pleased to see him so successful."

"However, I believe that any mother in the world will not be happy when she hears the suffering her son has suffered?"

"I don't know why, but after hearing my brother's description, I always feel a little distressed."

Li Shimin patted his wife's hand at this time, also sighing.

"Compared to Chengqian, Qingqueer and the others, Qiu'er has indeed suffered too much."

"However, for a man, it's always good to suffer and be tempered."

"Looking at it now, this Qiu'er is simply far superior to those other princes."

"I think back then, didn't we also endure hardships all the way through the bloody storm?"

"Also, the auxiliary machine has said that Li Qiu will return to Chang'an for the New Year soon, and you will be able to see him too."

"Don't tell me, I really have some expectations in my heart. When I come back this time, how many novelty things can this bastard bring back!"

……

On the other side, in Youzhou city.

A team consisting of 70 fine cavalry escorts, more than [-] four-wheeled carriages, and several two-wheeled luxury carriages finally set off.

The destination is Chang'an, Furong Garden.

In this convoy, several specially-made luxury carriages are used to take people.

The more than 70 four-wheeled carriages are all for transporting goods.

There are two carts of coke, several carts of high-quality prairie fat sheep, several carts of corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes, and the rest of the carts are all high-quality wall bricks.

This time when they returned to Beijing for the New Year, Zhang Yungu, Song You and others were responsible for the government affairs of Youzhou and the thirteen prefectures.

In terms of military affairs, Luo Liang is still in charge, mainly patrolling the border and training recruits.

Li Qiu was extremely relieved when they were doing things.

Wang Xuance and Xue Rengui also stayed in Youzhou.

For the most confidential and important things like farmland, coal mines, and several workshops, it is more reassuring to leave them in the hands of his disciples.

After leaving Youzhou City, Luo Kexin rode a BMW horse and walked side by side with Li Qiu.

The horse she was riding was named White-hoofed Crow.

From head to tail, it is ten feet long; from hoof to neck, it is eight feet high.

The body is jet black, the hair is translucent, but the four hooves are snow white.

It is very beautiful, and it is also one of the famous horses that Li Qiu exchanged from the system.

Back then when Luo Kexin visited Jizhou Racecourse, he immediately fell in love with him.

After the white-hoofed crow gave birth at the beginning of winter, Luo Kexin took it directly to the Prince's Mansion in Youzhou City to recuperate.