When spring planting was in full swing across the Tang Dynasty.
However, at this time Fang Xuanling appeared in Tai Chi Palace.
At this time, he was looking for Li Shimin for something.
When he saw Li Shimin, his expression was not very good.
Li Shimin was very confused. As an important minister of the imperial court, Fang Xuanling had outstanding abilities.
Generally speaking, it can be said that there is nothing that bothers him.
However, his expression was not very good today.
Something big must be happening.
So Li Shimin took the initiative and asked: "My dear! What's wrong with you? What's the matter?"
Only then did Fang Xuanling say: "Your Majesty! I have a very difficult matter here!" When Fang Xuanling said this, Li Shimin's heart tightened.
Tricky things must be very difficult to handle.
After all, considering his ability, it must be very difficult to deal with.
But Li Shimin still asked: "What is it, tell me!"
Fang Xuanling sighed first.
Then he said: "Your Majesty! I have received information that it has not rained in more than a dozen northern states since the Chinese New Year. As the saying goes, spring rain is as precious as oil. There is no rain in so many places, which means that these places are facing drought. According to previous records, in this situation, the probability of severe drought is very high."
"What!"
Li Shimin was shocked.
This is actually a big deal.
Drought is no joke.
Datang has not been like this for many years.
And severe droughts occur every once in a while.
The last natural disaster was a flood.
But this time it was a drought.
This made Li Shimin very panicked.
"Say it, keep talking!"
"So I would like to ask your Majesty to prepare food in advance to prepare for emergencies. We also need to dig canals and divert water in various places in the north to create water source conditions for the north."
Hearing what Fang Xuanling said, Li Shimin felt it was very reasonable.
That's it.
This is the most important minister of the country.
This is what Fang Xuanling should do.
But looking at Fang Xuanling like this, it doesn't seem very good.
Does that mean there are any difficulties in this matter?
Then Li Shimin said: "Fang Xuanling, you have dealt with a lot of droughts and floods over the years. You are also very familiar with the procedures. You don't have to go through me again."
Fang Xuanling had a sad face.
"If it were that simple, I wouldn't be here."
"Tell me, what's the problem? I'm listening."
Fang Xuanling added: "Your Majesty does not know something. Floods and droughts also occurred in countries adjacent to the Tang Dynasty last year and the year before last. At that time, your Majesty boasted about Haikou.
You conduct food relief operations in these countries for two years.
And these grains occupied a huge amount of the Tang Dynasty warehouse.
And I have calculated that if we want to provide disaster relief, the food we need is the food distributed to other countries.
"What about after the autumn harvest?" Li Shimin asked again.
"Your Majesty, that's not possible. How long can the food from the autumn harvest last? And it takes time to transport. This must be prepared in advance. Otherwise, more people will starve to death in one more day."
Fang Xuanling followed.
Li Shimin finally understood what Fang Xuanling's difficulty was.
All this was because of Li Shimin's own good deeds.
He produced so many things for neighboring countries, so these countries took the food of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, when the Tang Dynasty suffered a drought, Li Shimin became very difficult.
"Then do you have any idea?"
"Your Majesty, I thought that I could ask for it back and get back the food that was given to the neighboring countries."
Fang Xuanling said so. Li Shimin disagreed.
"Why is this? How can I take back what I said I gave to them?"
"Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty is about to suffer from drought. Does it mean that the lives of the people are not important?"
"This!" Li Shimin couldn't hold back that face.
That’s why I said that.
"Then what do you think we should do? Other than this."
Obviously Li Shimin was determined not to get the food back.
It's a matter of face, he can't do that.
Therefore, the problem returned to Fang Xuanling.
Fang Xuanling was a little helpless.
But what can he do?
So, he thought of a way.
"Your Majesty, I think the Shengtang Group should have a lot of food, right?"
Yes, if you encounter a problem, there is definitely nothing wrong with looking for Shengtang Group.
If Li Min is found, the matter will be easier to solve.
Li Shimin thought for a while.
"Then why don't you go find Shengtang Group?"
Li Shimin didn't want to find it by himself.
That's why I proposed this.
So how does Fang Xuanling break it?
In fact, since he raised the issue, he wanted to deal with it.
We cannot let the people suffer.
Therefore, Fang Xuanling said directly: "I can ask the Shengtang Group about this. Maybe they have a solution. If it doesn't work, ask the Sixth Prince. I think he must have a solution."
This is Fang Xuanling's trust in Li Min.
In fact, it was also everyone's trust in Li Min.
Because Li Min is too outstanding.
So everyone is trying to find Li Min to solve the problem.
"Wait a minute, didn't I hear Dai Zhou say that the Shengtang Group handed over all the food last year? They made some experimental field food, so do they still have food now?"
Li Shimin asked.
Shengtang Group had set up a test field before, and at that time only one person could plant thousands of acres of fields.
At that time, their production efficiency was very high, but the grain was sold to the court at a low price.
Li Shimin also used this food to provide relief to surrounding countries.
How can it be possible if we want food now?
Doesn’t Li Shimin know about this?
He didn't know, Fang Xuanling would naturally tell him.
"Your Majesty, the grain was distributed to neighboring countries. The output was quite large at that time, but you sent it all away."
Li Shimin wanted to slap his mouth.
But he didn't know that there would be a drought this year.
This was something he couldn't foresee.
Or because he is too grand.
What are you doing for those people?
"What if you ask for it from Nu Tang? Xin Tang can also do it." Li Shimin focused on these two places.
"Your Majesty, the land in these two places is too small. How much food can they have? Except for a little more fish, the rest is really not good." Fang Xuanling said.
"Then, it seems that we can only ask the Shengtang Group to see if they can do anything."
Li Shimin said finally.
Obviously, Li Shimin also felt guilty about this incident. Some people are just generous, and some people just like Li Shimin who like to be a money-spender.
It's better now, I've also encountered difficulties and have nothing.
If I encounter difficulties, I don't know if those people will come to help Datang tide over the difficulties, and I don't know if someone will add insult to injury?
If there was such a country, then Li Shimin would be in trouble.
It is said that if you are strong, everyone will follow you; if you are weak, some people will want to kill you.
This is the law of the jungle, the strong survive.
But a drought alone could not defeat the Tang Dynasty.
Because Datang has the Shengtang Group, as long as the Shengtang Group exists, Datang will be ahead of other companies for at least fifty years.
This is important.
Moreover, Li Min's hot weapon has not been equipped yet.
Li Min also didn't want to one day develop into an era of using thermal weapons.
Now, it's pretty good.
"Then I will talk to the Sixth Prince now?" Fang Xuanling said immediately.
"Okay, then go ahead and do this quickly, you know?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry, I understand."
After Fang Xuanling finished speaking, he exited Tai Chi Palace.
In Dongzhou, Li Min also received a call from Di Renjie.
"Sir, some reports about the railway have been sent to you by plane. Have you read them?"
In all walks of life of the Shengtang Group, there will be a report every year, and these reports have a purpose for Li Min.
Generally speaking, Li Min will not make suggestions, but Di Renjie will handle it.
But if he encounters some directional problems, Li Min will still say a few words.
"I saw it, and I'm watching it now." Li Min said.
"Sir, I'll call you later."
"No, I can finish it soon."
Li Min said.
After he watched for about five minutes.
Then he said, "I've finished reading it, and I have a few main questions."
"Sir, tell me!"
"First, regarding the shares of the railway, I think it is necessary to recycle the shares of the imperial court. In the future, the railway should be operated by the Shengtang Group and do not allow the imperial court to get too involved."
"The railway shares were released last year. At that time, the court wanted to invest in everything, and Dai Zhou also came to me many times, so I thought, it would be better to give up some of the less profitable iron stocks to the court. So, they That’s why you’ve got the shares.” Di Renjie said.
This was the case last year. Li Min allowed Di Renjie to sell some industry shares.
But this year is different.
Because Li Min said: "This year's railway is still a very important means of transportation for us, and many people will be transported to Dongzhou this year. Therefore, there are some things that the imperial court cannot interfere with. Do you understand?"
"Sir, I understand. You said that, and I understand, because the railway is easy for the court to intervene."
"Yes, you can buy it back sometime."
"Then how are we going to buy it back?"
"This, cash, or other exchanges."
Li Min said.
"But our reasons are not sufficient, what should we do?"
"Then make the report a loss, a huge loss, and then take the money from the court and let them invest. Soon, they will no longer invest because they will lose money."
"I'll try this, but I think if I do this, the court may not be convinced."
"Anyway, you make a loss first. Then you can talk to Dai Zhou and ask him to give up."
"Let me try this, it may not work."
"If you can't do it, ask him to come to me and I will find a way to make him give up." Li Min said again.
Obviously, he has a way to deal with Dai Zhou.
In fact, it is to deal with Li Shimin.
And he has a lot of chips to use in the Shengtang Group.
Totally unafraid of them not quitting their railroad holdings.
Di Renjie was still hasty this time.
But it didn't matter, Li Min didn't mean to blame him.
"Sir, I did not do well this time. Please punish me, sir."
Di Renjie said this. Obviously, he also realized his mistake.
When Li Min asked Li Shimin to withdraw from the railway shares, he should have known why Li Min wanted the court to withdraw.
Because the railway is so important.
Important enough to serve as a strategic necessity.
Regarding Di Renjie's words, Li Min said: "It's okay. This is not your problem. If others would do the same thing, it would be because I didn't explain it clearly to you. Don't take it to heart." Li Min said this As soon as he said that, Di Renjie breathed a sigh of relief.
But Di Renjie still said: "Sir, I will fine myself half a year's salary."
Di Renjie said so.
Then he added: "I punish myself to discipline myself, and also to show everyone and let everyone know that if you make a mistake, no matter who you are, you will be punished."
Li Min didn't express any special words about Di Renjie's words.
But he still said: "It doesn't have to be so heavy, just a month will be enough."
"No, half a year is half a year. I will ask them to implement it later."
In fact, punishing Di Renjie for half a year is a lot, but he has made more money in recent years.
What he wants to express is an attitude.
In the Shengtang Group, no matter who makes a mistake, they will be punished. This is inevitable.
Sometimes, when Li Min made a mistake, he would also punish him.
But his punishment may be different from everyone else's.
"Okay, you can handle this yourself!" Li Min had no choice in the end. In this case, let him be punished.
"Then what is your second question, sir? Please tell me!" Di Renjie asked again.
"The second question is..."
Next, Li Min talked about the railway problem.
These problems are all issues that need to be solved at present.
It is also a very important issue.
So, it needs to be done quickly.
"Okay, sir, I understand. I'll have someone change it and send it to you." Di Renjie said.
"No need, you can just take a look at this and put it away after correcting it. I don't need to look at it."
Because of trust, Li Min didn't want to read it.
Di Renjie said: "Okay, I understand."
Otherwise, it would take time and money to send it back and forth.
Every time an airplane flies, it still consumes a lot of fuel.
And now Dongzhou doesn’t dare to send people back.
Whenever one of Datang's planes comes, one will basically stay behind.
"correct!"
Li Min seemed to have thought of something and asked.
"Sir, please speak!"
"As for the lines, we need to plan a few more lines this year. Railways are currently very important to Datang, even more important than highways. I hope there can be a few more lines to form a unified trend. So, you Do you understand?"
"Understood, sir, I will let someone finish the planning and then talk to you."
"Okay, just tell me the route. As for the specific location, you can decide."
"Yes, sir."
Di Renjie expressed.
Finally, he asked: "By the way, sir, do you have any more questions?"
Li Min thought for a moment and said, "No more, that's all."
"Yes, sir, I understand, I will deal with it now."
Di Renjie said.
At this time, Li Min seemed to hear a voice coming from Di Renjie's side.
That was Fang Xuanling's voice.
"Di Renjie, are you here, sir?" Fang Xuanling asked.
Li Min thought to himself, what is this guy doing with him?
(End of chapter)
