The two old smokers chatted wordlessly, as if they were chatting with each other, which was quite relaxing, but it was a bit wasteful.
"His Majesty."
Xu Fenglei took out a pamphlet from his arms and handed it over.
"Take a look, this is a question I got from private research."
"There are many demands from the common people."
Li Shimin shook off the cigarette ashes, took the brochure, and looked at Xu Fenglei in surprise.
"Listen Ming... have you gone out among the people?"
he asked.
When he opened the booklet and took a look, the small words on it instantly caught Li Er's eyes.
"That's right."
Xu Fenglei grinned and said,
"You don't really think that I, the prisoner, am just lazy and cunning all day long and don't do serious business, do you?"
"Then you really underestimate me, Mr. Xu! I will seek my own government in my position! It's just that I am not taking an ordinary path."
He was not familiar with government affairs, so it was better to leave it to capable ministers such as Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji who were skilled in business.
What he is good at is going to the grassroots, going to the countryside to conduct research, and listening to the voices of the people.
Swish.
"Food seeds, water sources, taxes, fighting, public security..."
Li Shimin kept flipping through the pages, and the more he looked at them, the more surprised he became. He patted the book and praised,
"Okay, okay!"
"Listen, I blamed you wrongly, I was wrong! You kid, you are really doing practical things!"
"The people's livelihood issues you recorded are completely impossible to appear in the court, but they are indeed real and common. I also know some..."
"For example, fighting over water sources has been going on since ancient times; and there are also these tricky things when paying taxes. I know a little bit about them, but I don't remember them in such detail as you."
"Looking at the records above, it seems that the grievances of the common people are not small..."
Xu Fenglei nodded.
"indeed."
He said seriously,
"These are related to the survival of the people at the bottom and are not good for them, so they will naturally have complaints."
"What I recorded was dictated by farmers in the countryside, adhering to the word 'truth', without deleting or polishing a word."
"The farmers' tone is like this. It may be a little vulgar, but every sentence goes straight to the core issue."
"The voice at the bottom is weak, but it is also the strongest voice."
Li Shimin kept flipping through the booklet and nodded repeatedly.
"You did the right thing."
He responded,
"Throughout the ages, when dynasties change, the people's grievances are too heavy. In the end, you also spoke up, and I also spoke up. Together, they formed the strongest voice and swept the world."
"Chen Sheng's words about princes and generals being in love are still ringing in my ears, so I have to be careful!"
"I can be considered half of the founder of the country. I have to help the people break out of the quagmire of war and hardship and live a good life, so that people can turn their hearts to the Tang Dynasty."
"Your Majesty is wise." Xu Fenglei complimented.
It has to be said that it is very comfortable to have a monarch like Li Er, who has great talents and strategies, and also attaches great importance to the livelihood of the common people. No wonder he has only been in power for about twenty years, but he can be praised as an imperial model for future generations.
The two of them were chatting when they saw a eunuch who had passed the news walking into the courtyard, saluted and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, Prince Li Xiaogong of Hejian County has some information, please read it."
Li Shimin raised his eyebrows slightly.
"King of Hejian? What's the secret of him being fine?"
He said in surprise,
"Hand it over."
"yes."
The eunuch respectfully presented the memorial,
Li Shimin opened it casually, glanced at it twice, and couldn't help but laugh.
"This Li Xiaogong really loves to flatter me. He always flatters me and speaks so highly of me. It's so disgusting."
Li Er joked,
"I don't know, I thought he was my loyal little brother."
In fact, Li Xiaogong is much older than Li Shimin and is his cousin.
"what did he say?"
Xu Fenglei became interested and came over and said,
"let me see?"
Li Shimin changed hands and handed it over.
"It is said that there were always droughts and locust plagues in the past few years, but this year the weather is good. It is obviously my virtue that moved God. God rewards the virtuous king, so this year we have a good harvest."
Li Er smiled and said,
"In addition, I have also defeated the Turks, and I am equipped with both civil and military skills, which are enough to enshrine me in Zen. Please ask me to go to Mount Tai to enshrine me in Zen!"
"You think, isn't this a big deal? Are you going to Mount Tai to become a Zen monk with great fanfare? I don't have so much time. I just came back from the palace!"
Xu Fenglei looked at the memorial and smiled at Li Xiaogong's series of rainbow farts.
"The King of Hejian is a straightforward man, and his praise of His Majesty is not all flattering."
He said,
"After all, there are indeed no disasters this year, and the people have a good harvest and live in peace."
"Destroying the Turks is also a unique feat."
"Compared with the emperors who consecrated Zen to Mount Tai in the past, His Majesty seems to be qualified to consecrate Mount Tai, and his reputation will last forever."
"Huh?" Li Shimin said in surprise, "Do you think I can go to Mount Tai to become a Buddhist monk? I thought you would directly denounce Li Xiaogong."
After all, in his mind, Xu Fenglei has always been pragmatic.
"No."
Xu Fenglei smiled lightly and said,
"I'm just stating the facts."
"Besides, the fact that Li Xiaogong can be included in this document means that there must be many people in the court supporting this matter. You see, there is a row of small letters of joint signature behind it. I saw that there are many ministers from the three provinces and six ministries, oh, Changsun Wuji’s name is on top.”
"Feng Chan, that will be recorded in the history books, and both emperors and ministers will record it."
"Your Majesty is really not moved?"
Li Shimin frowned slightly and pondered.
He looked at the Rainbow Fart Memorial jointly signed by Li Xiaogong and the ministers, and then looked at Xu Fenglei's people's livelihood pamphlet, and finally gave a bitter smile.
"If I didn't have your booklet in front of me, I would be a little distracted."
Li Er said with emotion,
"After all, to show your merits to heaven and show your prestige to the world is what every emperor wants to do."
"According to what Li Xiaogong said, I seem to be qualified enough, but your livelihood brochure tells me that I am far from qualified."
“I don’t have enough confidence, so it’s pointless to go there.”
"If one day I can make all the people in the world live a life of abundant food and clothing, it won't be too late to become a Zen monk!"
With a crash, Li Shimin stood up and handed the memorial back to the messenger eunuch. At the same time, he also handed over Xu Fenglei's pamphlet.
"Send this memorial back to Zhongshu Province!"
Li Shimin ordered,
"Help me ask Li Xiaogong and the ministers who asked me to grant Zen Taishan - are they too full? Or do they have nothing to do in the court?"
"If there is nothing else to do, give them this booklet and let them solve people's livelihood problems!"
"After all these problems are solved, I will go to Mount Tai to become a Buddhist monk!"
"Get down!"
When Xu Fenglei heard this, he chuckled.
The people's livelihood issues in his brochure are very complicated and acute! Even the later generations of industrialization have never completely solved it.
Some of these ministers have a headache!
"Just messing around..."
Li Shimin threw away the cigarette butts, stepped on the ground, and then took out two more cigarettes from his arms.
"Smoke another one."
He flicked one to Xu Fenglei with his finger, stood up, stretched, and sighed,
"Go and take a nap after smoking. Starting tomorrow, you will be that good emperor who works diligently and loves the people again!"
"One for you." Xu Fenglei took it with a smile.
Wow.
Two cigarettes are lit simultaneously.
The house was filled with smoke, like a fairyland.
…
Autumn passes and winter comes, the snow disappears and spring comes again.
Boom!
An arc of electricity flashed across the sky, and dense raindrops were seen scattered on the ground, and green buds in the lawn began to sprout.
This year has been the fifth year of Zhenguan.
In Tai Chi Palace, in front of Liang Yi Palace, there were crowds of people.
"Spring rain is as precious as oil."
Xiao Yu continued the drizzle of rain and said with a smile,
"There was auspicious snow at the beginning of the new year. Now look at the rain. It seems that this year will be a good harvest again!"
"This is all due to His Majesty's saintliness and virtue!"
When all the ministers heard this, they all agreed.
"All the ministers are here to meet you!"
The eunuch shouted, and the ministers stopped talking, lined up their ranks, and entered the Liangyi Palace one after another.
On the jade steps, Li Shimin was sitting.
"Your Majesty, long live our emperor!"
The ministers stood still and shouted long live the mountain.
"Everyone loves you."
Li Shimin was smiling and seemed to be in a good mood.
I saw him holding a book in his hand and said with a smile:
“Last year’s grain production and tax revenue figures for the entire Tang Dynasty were released, which is gratifying.”
"The output in one year is more than the three years from the first year of Zhenguan to the third year of Zhenguan combined!"
"If there is more food, the tax revenue will naturally be higher. If this can be done every year, why worry about the people not being able to live in peace and the country not being rich?"
When all the ministers heard this, they all looked happy.
"This is all due to His Majesty's governance."
Changsun Wuji went out on the road,
"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, disasters have decreased sharply, and man-made disasters have also been rare."
"In the Tang Dynasty today, grain and rice are very cheap. A bushel of rice only costs two yuan. This is an unprecedented low price!"
"Everyone in the Tang Dynasty can afford food, even poor peasants! Such a governance has never been seen before, even during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era!"
Changsun Wuji came up and gave him a rainbow fart, which made Li Er's eyes narrow.
"Good, very good, hahaha..."
Li Shimin laughed and said,
"This is not only due to me alone, but also thanks to the help of all my dear friends, I am able to achieve this proud achievement!"
"Increase your salary, I will increase your salary!"
At this moment, he was so happy!
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
All the ministers bowed their heads and saluted, looking happy.
Wages have been raised, who wouldn’t be happy?
"Last autumn, I asked your Majesty to enshrine Mount Tai, but Your Majesty rejected the request because the people's livelihood was pending."
Changsun Wuji raised his hands and said loudly,
"And now, with such a low price of food, it is really an excellent answer! Now that we have achieved such great results in governing the country, we should use your majesty's laws and martial arts to govern. We should go to Mount Tai to enshrine Zen and appeal to the emperor and the mother of the earth to show us. The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty made great achievements in governing the world!"
"Your Majesty, please give me permission."
As soon as he said this, many ministers on the left and right stood up, raised their hands and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty's achievements are greater than those of the three emperors, and his virtue is superior to that of the five emperors. He should be enshrined in Zen and declare it to the emperor of heaven and earth!"
"Your Majesty, please allow it!"
Ministers, please grant me the title of Zen!
Li Shimin's body straightened slightly.
Last year, he felt that he had no confidence, so he did not dare to go.
but now.
Just because the price of food in the Tang Dynasty is as low as the bottom, no matter how poor the people are, they can still have a hot meal...
He felt that he was confident!
perhaps……
Should I go to Mount Tai to show off my achievements?
He didn't know whether there was an emperor of heaven and earth in this world.
But he knows that as long as he goes to become a Zen master, he will definitely leave a brilliant mark in the history books, and his reputation will spread all over the world!
I have to say that Li Er was a little moved.
Immediately, he lowered his gaze and glanced at Xu Fenglei first.
Well, Xu Fenglei looked as usual and didn't look like he was going to object.
Take another look at Wei Zheng...
not good!
This Wei Zheng is going to do something bad again!
The moment Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng, Wei Zheng's eyes suddenly raised and he stared at Li Shimin.
Eye to eye!
"His Majesty!"
Wei Zheng came out of the queue and said loudly,
"I believe that the low price of food is not something worthy of praise, and it must not be regarded as a merit."
"On the contrary, there are huge hidden dangers!"
As soon as these words came out, countless eyes fell on Wei Zheng.
"Wei Zheng, aren't you talking nonsense? How can this not be regarded as a feat? This is a great achievement that has never been seen in ancient times!"
"Exactly! The low price of food can make the people have enough to eat. Isn't that good? Do you want the food to be expensive?"
"Really, it's nonsense, you can't belittle it just for the sake of being disparaged!"
"..."
With simple thoughts, the ministers began to criticize Wei Zheng verbally and writtenly.
Such a beautiful political achievement has become a hidden danger for you?
Hu Lilie!
However, just when Wei Zheng was about to be drowned by the pile of spit, Xu Fenglei, who ranked first among the civil servants, suddenly said:
"My lord, I also agree with Duke Wei."
"The low price of food is not a good thing. The court should take control and raise the price of food."
All ministers: "?!"
Li Shimin: "?!"
As the Grand Master of the dynasty, Xu Fenglei's words carry a lot of weight!
Therefore, he usually doesn't speak, and usually goes to court to fish.
But if he makes a comment, even if it is a 'violent comment' in everyone's eyes, it will be taken seriously immediately, and some people may even reflect on it——
Is such a thing really possible?
Li Shimin frowned.
"Master, what do you think?"
He whispered,
"tell me the story."
Xu Fenglei smiled and pointed at Wei Zheng.
"Let's ask Mr. Wei to speak."
He said,
"Wei Gong proposed it first, and I just echoed it, so I don't want to steal Wei Gong's limelight."
Li Shimin curled his lips.
Wei Zheng is a hard-spoken guy, so he doesn't like to listen to Wei Zheng, especially in court.
But since Xu Fenglei said so, he could only nod towards Wei Zheng.
"Wei Aiqing, tell me your amazing theory!"
Wei Zheng looked solemn and said in a deep voice:
"Your Majesty, have you ever heard of a word called low-priced grains hurting farmers?"
"Food prices are low, which sounds like a good thing, but has your Majesty ever thought about what the people who have worked so hard in the fields would think when they get a bumper harvest and only get such a small amount of money in the end?"
"Fields can be used not only to grow food, but also to grow many crops. If food prices fall to an unacceptable level, farmers will definitely give up growing food and switch to growing vegetables, fruits, melons, etc. Wait for more profitable crops.”
"As a result, the harvest in the coming year will inevitably be greatly reduced! If there is another unpredictable natural disaster, then..."
Li Shimin felt a chill go down his spine.
(End of chapter)
