The Liangyi Palace echoed with the angry and guilty scoldings of His Majesty Li Yuan, the current Emperor of Li Tang.
"He was given the title of County Duke even before he was young. Did I treat him badly, Li Huairen?!"
"The poet is extremely talented and has a benevolent heart, but he prefers Aduwu. It's really confusing!"
"By the way, remember that half of the gold I gave to King Huaiyang was snatched away by him!"
Li Yuan and his son knew very well that although Li Shan was just a acting county magistrate, he now held a high position in the northeast of the river. The good horses and cattle he sent back were coveted. More importantly, he maintained a close relationship with Yuan Junzhang. This line... is just a blatant violation of the law and the edicts of the saints. This matter cannot be brought to the table.
Li Yuan was pretending to be there, and the prince lowered his eyes slightly, thinking that he was finally getting over it.
And Li Shimin was thinking about whether Li Shan formed a caravan to go out to the border, partly for state affairs, and partly to make money... After all, this man successively produced Gewürztraminer, Dongshan Restaurant, Yuhuchun, and Red Brick, so he was really profitable. A lot of money.
As for the Prime Minister below, all of them pretended not to have heard anything. As soon as the name Yuan Xiaozheng came out, although everyone didn't know the details yet, they understood that no matter how stupid they were, they knew that the saint knew about it, and the prince and the King of Qin probably knew it as well. Insider...who else would go against His Majesty, the Crown Prince, or the King of Qin for matters that are insignificant to him?
Pei Shiju had been helped back to sit down, and his face that was rosy just now was now gray... He didn't care about Li Yuan's reputation, or even that his plan failed, but he was angry that he had been fooled!
After hearing Li Jiancheng's words, Pei Shiju immediately figured it out. It was not because of why Li Shan had the courage to go out to do business privately, but because he figured out why Li Shan knew in advance that tens of thousands of Turkic cavalry were heading south, and knew it accurately. The leaders are Yugushe and Yusheshe.
Old, really old... Pei Shiju lamented in his heart.
Li Yuan glanced at Pei Shiju, thought for a moment and added, "Li Huairen uses the lotus as a metaphor for himself, and considers himself a gentleman. A gentleman loves money and gets it in the right way..."
"Cough, cough, cough." Li Jiancheng coughed twice and winked... Father, don't go too far. Later, the third sister will have to come to seek justice for Li Shan.
Li Yuan stopped talking and changed the subject, "Hundreds of good horses...it happens that there is a shortage of horses on the right side. Dalang, write a letter and ask Huairen to deliver it. You can't give him an advantage!"
"yes."
The singing and singing style left the prime ministers below speechless. What kind of bad mind could Li Shan have to take hundreds of good horses as his own... This matter was probably agreed upon. Are you guys interested? ?
Li Yuan was also a little embarrassed today. He specially sent Pei Shiju out of the Liangyi Palace and whispered: "Hongda is in charge of the review and replays, and he fulfills his duties. However, Huairen saved Pingyang. Even though I love A Duwu, I... Be big and let go."
Pei Shiju forced a smile... At this time, he still wants to cover up and talk nonsense to me!
Watching the prime ministers and ministers walking away, Li Yuan rubbed his temples, looked at his two sons who had not left, and said hesitantly: "Pingyang..."
Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin both guessed what their father was thinking... Hundreds of good horses, this is not a small number, and it has been six or seven days. Logically speaking, the letter should have been written long ago.
Do you want to call Pingyang to ask?
But asking... means that Li Shan blatantly violated the law and went out to the fortress privately. Princess Pingyang has a strong temper and left a message more than a month ago. The account will be settled by then.
Li Yuan loved his daughter very much, but he was also a little afraid of his daughter. Li Jiancheng was the same, and Li Shimin... He was first taught riding and archery by Princess Pingyang.
But before Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin could speak, hurried footsteps sounded, and Princess Pingyang, dressed in military uniform, had already rushed into the Liangyi Palace.
Li Yuan smiled dryly and said: "Pingyang..."
"Third sister."
"Third sister."
Princess Pingyang narrowed her eyes, which looked a little narrow, and sighed: "I heard that Liu Shirang wrote a letter to impeach Huairen for violating the law and going out to do business privately, and the provincial minister Pei asked his father to convict him?"
"Well, it's true." Li Yuan motioned to the palace attendants to bring over the stool, "I told you a long time ago that as a father, I will definitely make the decision for Huairen!"
"Yes, yes." Li Jiancheng quickly agreed, "Prime Minister Pei recommended Huairen and was heartbroken when he saw Liu Shirang's memorial..."
Princess Pingyang's eyes narrowed to a slit. She did not expect that Pei Shiju, who recommended Li Shan, would take action... What does this mean?
Li Shimin looked at Princess Pingyang carefully, thinking that the third sister might be able to find out the inside story this time, but what choice would she make?
After talking for a long time, Li Yuan saw his daughter's expression slowing down slightly and said with a smile: "Huairen went to Dai County this time, hooked up outside the Great Wall, spied on the military situation, and defended Yanmen for meritorious service. When he returns to Beijing one day, he will definitely be promoted to a higher rank."
Li Jiancheng also smiled and said: "Huairen is knowledgeable and talented in literature. Third sister can choose a job for him..."
In the early Tang Dynasty, there were generally three ways to reward people for their meritorious service. One was casual rank, which the emperor and ordinary generals did not care about. The second was title, which was the most common way, and the third was promotion.
However, there are two paths to promotion. One is to be promoted from county magistrate to state assistant officer in other places, such as Sima, Biejia, Changshi, etc., and finally take charge of a state.
The second is to transfer back to the center of the court... This is the point. In later generations, it is to gild the center.
Princess Pingyang thought for a moment and said, "Let him make his own choice."
Before today, Princess Pingyang might have made the decision for Li Shan, but today Pei Shiju took action, and she guessed that Li Shan might have his own considerations.
Li Yuan smiled and chatted for a few more words, and asked seemingly unintentionally: "I heard that the caravan went out of the fortress and returned with hundreds of good horses at a time..."
Before she finished speaking, Princess Pingyang took out a brochure from her sleeve and said, "The Daixian caravan purchased one hundred and thirty-seven horses, and the other caravans brought two hundred and twelve horses. Huairen priced them in Yuhuchun. After adding more money, I bought them all, a total of three hundred and forty-nine horses."
Li Yuan felt relieved. He thought it was Li Shan who had sorted out the matter before sending the letter. He really had a pure heart to serve the country!
"The ones who sent the letter back to Beijing this time are the personal guards sent by my daughter before. There are more than 300 horses, half of which can be good breeds." Princess Pingyang raised the book in her hand, "Huairen was impeached by the courtiers for state affairs. My father cannot be reckless. Take it!"
Li Yuan didn't understand for a moment, and Li Shimin, who knew everything well, explained: "Father, Huairen established a city in Dai County and organized a caravan to go out of the fortress, determined not to bypass many aristocratic families in Hedong."
"If we don't spend a penny this time, I'm afraid Huairen will have trouble continuing." Li Jiancheng smiled and said, "Three sisters, it can't be the market price, right?"
A good horse in Guanzhong is worth tens of thousands of dollars. If a good horse can be bred to be bred, it will be several times more expensive. The imperial court is determined not to pay this money, and the Ministry of Household Affairs does not have the name to allocate money... not to mention that this matter cannot be ignored. On the bright side.
Li Yuan took the brochure from his daughter and opened it to take a closer look.
This booklet was filled out by Li Shan himself and was divided into three parts.
One is the cost of water pumping in Beishi and Yuhuchun.
The second is that after the county caravan returned, they used horses and cattle to offset the Yuhuchun they had credited in advance.
The third was the caravan of the prominent families in Hedong, headed by the Liu family, the Pei family, and the Xue family. The horses they carried were offset by Yuhuchun and the consumed grain and grass at an appropriate price. In this regard, Li Shan made up a lot of money.
Li Shan habitually listed a table at the end of the booklet to clearly display various data. Li Yuan understood at a glance that if all these more than 300 good horses were given away for free, then Li Shan would only Can barely support it.
"No." Li Yuan handed the brochure to Li Jiancheng, pondered for a moment and then shook his head, "There is very little local profit in Dai County, and Huairen may not be able to suppress it."
In other words, many prominent families in Hedong share more of the profits... But this is helpless. Li Shan has basically filled in the money he pumped from Beishi. They will not sell good horses cheaply like the powerful families in Dai County. Li Shan.
Li Jiancheng took a few glances and smiled and said, "That's not necessarily true. In addition to good horses, the caravan will also carry cattle, fur coats and other goods on its return trip."
Li Yuan still shook his head and looked at Princess Pingyang, "How does Huairen consider it?"
"Huairen intends to send good horses to Guanzhong. Most of them will be handled by his father, and the rest will be sold. He will then purchase goods from various places, especially grain."
Princess Pingyang's explanation was rather vague, but both father and son could understand it... Li Shan controlled the trade routes, on the one hand in Beishi, and on the other hand in his position as acting county magistrate, especially now that he was in Yanmen, but more importantly The attraction of Yuhuchun to grassland tribes.
When raising grain to make wine in Hedong, it is impossible to bypass the prominent families in Hedong... In other words, the two sides check and balance each other. Li Shan blocked the Yanmen Pass, while the famous families in Hedong blocked the opening of grain.
Therefore, Li Shan hopes to find another way and not put eggs in one basket.
Li Yuan thought for a moment before nodding in agreement, "Send 70% to Guanyou and sell 30%, but you are not allowed to buy grain in Guanzhong."
This is a reasonable thing. There is a shortage of food in Guanzhong and a ban on alcohol has been issued.
After a pause, Li Yuan said with a smile: "Let Sichang handle the sales and purchase of grain."
Princess Pingyang agreed to this matter... Since she took charge of the Beiya Imperial Guards, her husband Chai Shao, although still serving as General of the Right Xiaowei, only served in vain and did not command the army. He did not even go to the Yamen and rarely went out on weekdays. , having nothing to do all day long.
Li Shimin glanced at Princess Pingyang and said seemingly unintentionally: "Third sister, can Huairen hold down Dai County?"
Li Yuan clicked his tongue twice, "It's not necessarily a good thing to be kind and gentle. I'm afraid Dai County will have to look at Shu."
With so many letters, Li Yuan knew everything about Li Shan in Dai County... Since he took office, he had shown many kindnesses, even bending down to harvest the harvest in person. However, he knew those local powerful families very well, and he had always bullied the weak and feared the strong.
Princess Pingyang shook her head and said: "The local powerful people in Dai County have no way to become officials. Huairen mentioned this matter in his letter..."
Obviously, Li Shan gave relatively little money to Dai County, and the other party was willing... He just wanted to use Li Shan as a stepping stone to achieve the goal of his children becoming officials.
This is the key to Li Shan being able to suppress the powerful people in Dai County.
While Li Yuan was thinking about Li Shanzhen's clever mind, he said casually: "Can Huairen also recommend people?"
"Father, has he forgotten Su Dingfang?" Li Jiancheng reminded him.
Li Shimin immediately took over, "There is also Kan Leng, and Huairen is guarding Yanmen. Kan Leng led his troops out of the fortress and defeated the Turkic pursuers."
Li Jiancheng's face darkened. Kan Leng, who had just served in the Western Expedition and was awarded the title of County Marquis, was thrown to Yanmen because he was attached to Luo Yi of the East Palace.
Li Yuan's face turned even darker. You guys really have to show off your skills all the time!
"Okay, shut up!" Li Yuan scolded, "Pingyang, do you have anyone to choose from Huairen?"
"Hey Lou Xingshu." Princess Pingyang replied: "Although he is not weak in the crown, he is good at riding and shooting. In this battle at Yanmen, he rushed into the formation and flanked the Turks."
"He Lou?" Li Yuan frowned, "After He Lou Ziqian?"
"He Lou Ziqian's eldest grandson." Princess Pingyang explained: "He Lou Ziqian's ancestral home was Dai County. He moved to Longxi during the Kaihuang period, and his descendants moved back to their original place during the Daye period."
"The horse-raising in Longxi was started by He Louziqian. I heard that his people were good at looking at horses." Li Shimin suggested: "How about going to Taipu Temple?"
Taipu Temple is one of the nine temples in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It is responsible for the decree of horse herding. However, it is different from the other eight temples. Because there was a shortage of horses in the early Tang Dynasty, especially war horses, Taipu Temple shouldered a very heavy task and had a close relationship with the Ministry of War. Ma You was led by Li Shimin, so Taipu Temple has always been regarded as the sphere of influence of the Qin Palace.
Li Yuan simply remained silent. As expected, Li Jiancheng objected: "Huairen has to convince Dai County without leaving a backup plan. It would be better to join the Twelve Guards and become a general under Su Dingfang."
Su Dingfang is now the Zhonglang General of Zuowei, and the Zuowei General Dou Cong, the Duke of Fufeng County, had a rift with Li Shimin in his early years and was relatively close to the East Palace.
Li Yuan allowed his two sons to fight, and waited for a while until they both shut up before he said, "Let that boy go to You Xiaowei."
Princess Pingyang nodded in agreement. The general of the right Xiaowei is Chai Shao. Next, he will be responsible for selling horses and buying food for Li Shan. It is natural for him to bring the children of the local powerful tribes in Dai County.
Li Shimin thinks this result is not bad... Anyway, he is confident.
And Li Jiancheng vaguely felt... Ever since he spread the rumors about his intention to move the capital two months ago, there has been an inexplicable gap between himself and his father. In the past, his father would have chosen him in this situation.
Li Shimin handed the booklet back to Princess Pingyang and said with a smile: "I was flipping through it just now and saw that I heard about the Pei family..."
Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng both had smiles on their lips. The former waved and said, "Hongda is out of public interest... However, it must not be known about this."
The latter sentence is for sure, but the former sentence... After Princess Pingyang left Liangyi Palace, she sent people around to find out the news.
That night, in Princess Pingyang's house, Chai Shao waved to the door and said with a smile: "Since my father-in-law gave orders, I will naturally do my best. Huairen remained silent, but he did a great thing!"
Princess Pingyang sighed: "The Pei family from Hedong is a bipolar family... No wonder Huairen kept silent before."
According to the inquiring information, the couple who knew Li Shan relatively well could easily find out the inside story, especially when they noticed the rumors that Li Dewu recommended Li Shan to go north to Shandong last year.
"Huairen refused to join your shogunate after being invited twice before. It must be because of this." Chai Shao shook his head and said: "What Huairen said and did did not violate the rules at all. On the contrary..."
Princess Pingyang sat on the bench, tall and straight, with cold eyes, and said coldly: "On the contrary, it was Pei Hongda and Li Dewu again and again!"
Regarding Li Shan's decision to go to Dai County, Princess Pingyang had objections that day. Now she naturally understands that this is a confrontation between Li Shan and Pei Shiju.
In a sense, this is also what Li Shan has always done, retreating and gaining the moral high ground.
But the point is, it's not easy to carve out a bloody path.
Princess Pingyang thought to herself that she couldn't turn a blind eye to this matter because of her life-saving grace, but now she couldn't help much... But her husband had this opportunity.
