After Li Qinzai revised the road construction plan into a pilot project, the difficulty of advancing this matter in the court has actually been reduced a lot.
Regardless of whether it was out of public or private motives, those courtiers who objected could no longer find any reason to continue their opposition.
It has been reduced to one state and one county. What else do you want?
If the pilot fails, many people will be beaten up in court. If it succeeds, there will be straight and smooth roads everywhere. Why not?
Liu Rengui, who was the most fiercely opposed, turned off his fire, and the other courtiers were naturally unable to say anything.
Li Zhi was overjoyed as he sat in the hall. He knew that this national policy could be officially promulgated today. The next step was the issue of site selection. Which prefecture and county should be chosen for the pilot project? There is no need to discuss it in the hall. This is the emperor's decision. Things that can be decided privately with the prime ministers.
Seeing that the discussion in the palace was getting quieter and quieter, Li Zhi turned to look at Xu Jingzong and said with a smile: "What do you think, Mr. Xu?"
Xu Jingzong looked serious, bowed his head and said: "I think it is feasible."
Li Zhi looked at Master Xu Yu again and said with a smile: "Where is Prime Minister Xu Zuo?"
Master Xu Yu also straightened his clothes and said, "I also think it's feasible."
After a pause, Master Xu Yu added another sentence: "If the states and counties of the Tang Dynasty can be connected by road, the country will be extended for thousands of years. The prosperous age is not far away. Your majesty's civil and martial arts have surpassed the ancient and modern emperors and emperors. I congratulate your majesty on this thousand-year achievement!" "
Although this flattery was an afterthought, it was still very powerful and hit Li Zhi's itchy spot.
What Master Xu Yu added was not purely flattering, but mainly because he was already one step behind Xu Jingzong when it came to road construction.
The old fox was very shameless. He changed his camp in advance without saying hello, which almost made the emperor have a bad impression of his master Xu Yu. Therefore, he had to make up for this flattery and regain the lost points.
Both prime ministers agreed, and Liu Rengui, who was the most opposed, remained silent.
Even if the ministers in the palace still had objections, it was inconvenient for them to speak out again for the time being.
At this time, Su Dingfang, the general of Zuowuwei, stood up and bowed: "I think that Li County Bo's advice is beneficial and harmless. I am a general who leads the army. I don't understand the affairs of the government. But if the prefectures and counties in the Tang Dynasty The roads are connected, and I can guarantee that there will be no more rebellion in the Tang Dynasty. If there is, the king's dynasty will be decided in a matter of seconds."
Liang Jianfang also stood up and said: "If the roads in all states and counties are connected, no matter where King's army sets out, the consumption of logistics food and grass on the road can be reduced by half. In every war, countless food and grass can be saved. Uncle Li's advice is of great merit. .”
Xue Rengui also stood up at this time and said: "In the past, Li County Bo dispatched more than 30,000 soldiers from the Ningshuo Governor's Office in Bingzhou to help the Bingzhou government dig canals and build warehouses. This method can be used as a reference. If a place in a state is selected for trial, I will It is recommended to use this method to complement each other with the local people, use corvee instead of work, and use work instead of relief, so that things can be settled, the road can be opened, and the achievements of the future will be passed down to their descendants."
As one general came out to support Li Qinzai, the ministers looked at each other in shock.
Damn it, the military is on the sidelines, the situation has become one-sided, and the opponents have completely lost their momentum.
What else are you objecting to? What other reasons are there to object?
In the silent hall, Li Zhi looked around at the ministers and said slowly: "Do you have anything else to say, sir? If you have anything to say, feel free to tell me. I will understand when you listen and I will accept your advice."
No one said a word.
After waiting for a long time, the smile in Li Zhi's eyes became more and more obvious, and he could hardly hide it.
Covering his mouth and coughing twice, Li Zhi said solemnly: "Since there is no objection, then... let's let this matter be decided. As Li Qinzai said, as for where to choose for the pilot, I will decide after discussing with my left and right ministers."
…………
After the court meeting dispersed, the officials slowly walked towards the palace gate.
Prince Teng rushed to Li Qinzai's side, raised his nostrils and said, "You owe me a favor today."
Li Qinzai was stunned: "What do I owe you?"
"At the court meeting just now, if I hadn't spoken out and stopped that old guy Liu Rengui from spouting shit, would you have had a chance to say that fallacy of yours?"
Li Qinzai blinked: "If you don't have a chance to say it, just don't say it. Does it affect me whether to build the road or not? Will I get any benefits?"
Prince Teng was stunned and said: "On the contrary... I won't get any benefits."
Li Qinzai spread his hands and said: "I'm just a teacher in a remote area. Your Majesty just wants me to make up for it. I will only attend the court meeting today and build roads. I just mentioned it in passing. If everyone is opposed to it, then I won't do it." Still receive my salary and make my money."
After taking a look at Prince Teng, Li Qinzai smiled again: "Your Highness, Prince Teng, if the road construction is abolished in the Golden Palace, guess where you should be at this moment?"
King Teng was dejected and sighed: "I should be on my way to Hongzhou after being demoted."
Li Qinzai nodded: "Of course, but fortunately this proposal has passed the palace meeting and will be implemented soon. In other words, His Highness has errands to do, so... Does His Highness owe me a favor?"
Prince Teng's head was buzzing.
Li Qinzai's words sounded right at first, but Prince Teng still didn't understand the logic and always felt that something was wrong.
Prince Teng immediately came to his senses and narrowed his eyes warily: "I will not increase the money!"
Li Qinzai pushed him and said angrily: "What more money? It sounds like I have blackmailed you. You and I are both decent people. We don't need to talk about money or anything all the time. Your Highness's acceptance of my favor is enough." .”
Just as Prince Teng was about to show his embarrassed smile, he suddenly remembered something and said warily: "I will not make any deal with my daughter!"
"The more I talk, the more I go too far. Your Highness, can't you treat me as a gentleman?"
Prince Teng couldn't help but said: "A gentleman will make me penniless and in debt..."
Li Qinzai said seriously: "Debts are debts. Your Highness, please don't mention your butt. What you owe is not a debt of your butt."
Prince Teng raised his head and took a deep breath.
It’s really tiring to chat with this bastard...
Li Qinzai looked at him and said: "The matter of road construction has been decided by the court. Next, it depends on Your Highness. After Your Majesty and the Prime Minister select the prefecture and county, Your Highness will take office immediately to supervise the project and the use of materials, money and food. Remember not to neglect your duties." .”
Prince Teng hummed, "Do you need to tell me?"
Li Qinzai said solemnly: "I'm not joking with you. Your Highness has a heavy responsibility, and you have to bear the money and food allocated by the court. Your Highness not only represents the emperor, but also represents the court. Money and food are the basis of survival for thousands of people. You must not be greedy." .”
"Other officials who are greedy for ink will at most be dismissed from office and exiled. If His Highness is greedy for a penny from ink, he will lose your majesty's trust forever. From now on, the lineage of King Teng will only be demoted further and further, and may even be expelled from his rank and questioned by your majesty. For that It’s not worth paying such a price for a little money.”
Prince Teng suddenly became serious, nodded and said: "I know that this is my only chance to turn my fortune around, and I will never lose a big thing because of a small thing."
As he spoke, King Teng continued: "When the Bingzhou grain merchants offered me huge sums of money to persuade me to join in the conspiracy, I sternly refused. I have countless farms and shops under my name. I am not short of that little money, and I will not take dirty money."
Li Qinzai smiled happily: "Then, I wish your highness a safe journey. Your highness can go on your journey with peace of mind. Your daughter is in Chang'an, and I will help you take good care of it."
Prince Teng said angrily: "No need! Stay away from my daughter. It won't bring harm to the family. If you have any problem, just come at me!"
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