Since the marriage of Princess Changle, the devastated Tang Dynasty has been getting better step by step under the governance of Li Shimin.
It’s getting better visible to the naked eye!
besides.
Some time ago, Fang Xuanling also discovered a shocking thing like pork, which could be popularized by the common people and the whole world.
Although it was questioned by the common people in the early days of its popularity, after Li Shimin and many ministers tested the meat in public, the common people... began to accept the once lowly meat.
After they ate it, they were all astonished!
Since the first day the pork was sold, sales have exploded and are getting higher day by day!
Even the No. 1 pig farm in the Tang Dynasty, which Fang Xuanling spent more than a month building and claimed to be able to supply all the people in Chang'an City, could not be sold.
These days, pig farms are constantly expanding.
Pig farms were built one after another, and pigs were processed one after another.
This is only about Chang'an City.
Li Shimin also issued a decree to establish a department called "Zhufangsi", allowing many officials to go to the countryside or other cities in the Tang Dynasty under the name of Datang Zhufangsi to be responsible for building local pig farms.
He wanted to popularize pigs throughout the Tang Dynasty, and also allow people throughout the Tang Dynasty to eat pork!
Getting better step by step, really... getting better...
But, but...
Li Shimin looked at the content of the letter in front of him and couldn't believe it.
There is not much to believe.
Lin Lin always revealed only one piece of information.
[In our Tang Dynasty, there are damn officials! 】
[The Yan Kingdom is recruiting a large number of people from the Tang Dynasty, and it is not forced, but the people of the Tang Dynasty are willing to go! 】
The number of words is small, but the story is huge.
Our own people are willing to leave their homes and go to the enemy's country, even if they die on the way. They... They are in the Tang Dynasty, how wronged they have been!
Li Shimin's eyes were filled with helplessness.
He was obviously... working very hard to make Datang a better place as a whole, but there was always someone holding him back.
These aristocratic families, these aristocratic families...
They... Do they have to push all the people of the Tang Dynasty to death?
When he thought of this, Li Shimin's eyes were filled with resentment.
The same was true of the Qu Yuuli incident at that time. If it weren't for the noble family, how could he have broken the trust of the people all over the world? Why send Changle to the enemy country?
These aristocratic families!
Damn it! Damn it! ! !
At this moment, he wants to deal with these guys more than ever.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
At this time, Empress Changsun came in with dishes, and was shocked to see Li Shimin looking so helpless and angry.
Delivering food was originally done by servants.
But she saw that His Majesty was so busy recently and that she, a female prostitute, could not help him in any way. In addition, she was also suffering from the pain of losing her beloved daughter, Changle. After thinking about it, she finally found something to do for herself.
I personally cook for His Majesty, take the little Sizi out to play and so on, so as to constantly heal the pain of losing a daughter.
now.
Empress Changsun quickly put the food aside, then went to Li Shimin's side to soothe her heart.
"Your Majesty, has something bad happened again?"
again….
Empress Changsun used "you".
In the past few months, bad things to Datang have happened one after another.
This is also true historically.
The Zhenguan years were always troubled by disasters.
The previous pork news has been the only good news recently.
"Mr. Guanyin, Yan Kingdom...you think Yan Kingdom will be a good country?"
Li Shimin asked instead without answering, his eyes soft and full of exploration.
Empress Changsun was slightly stunned, thought for a while, and said: "I believe that there are only savages in the wilderness. The Yan Kingdom may be better than the Turks, but it is certainly not much better than the Turks."
"After all, they are countries in a barbaric land, and plundering is their foundation. The recent news about the Yan Kingdom is that the Yan Kingdom is at war with Goguryeo, which also verifies this."
"Really?" Li Shimin sighed: "Then why, the people of Youzhou in the Tang Dynasty, are willing to go to Yan Kingdom, which is still at war, and are willing to leave their homes, rather than... stay in the Tang Dynasty..."
Queen Changsun’s eyes widened: “Your Majesty, something happened in Youzhou?”
Li Shimin nodded lonely: "Guanyin Maid, you can see for yourself, I... don't want to see it anymore..."
He handed over the letter.
Queen Changsun browsed quickly.
"This, this, this, this! This Yan Country!"
Her eyes widened, extremely shocked.
Just like the first time Li Shimin saw it, he was full of disbelief.
"Isn't it incredible? I find it incredible too."
"The common people are willing to go to the Yan Kingdom with the certainty of death, but... they don't want to stay in our Tang Dynasty!"
Li Shimin's voice trembled, and tears fell from his eyes.
He couldn't imagine it.
How difficult it is for your own people to pass through the Youzhou border that is blocked at all levels.
You have to take an unusual path, and an unusual path will lead to death.
They...shouldn't die like this, shouldn't die like this! !
They should live happily in this land. This is what Li Shimin wants to see.
"After all... I can't stand them."
"If I had worked harder and paid more attention to disaster relief food, this kind of stuffing my own pockets would not have happened."
"Obviously...it's obvious that the incident of Qu Yuanli pocketing his own money is just around the corner, and the pain of losing Changle is still there, but I still don't have a long memory and still believe in those damn aristocratic families!"
"It's my fault, everything is my fault!!"
The more Li Shimin talked, the more he felt that he had failed. He burst into tears, crying for the people who didn't deserve to die, and angry at his own incompetent behavior.
"Your Majesty, you have done well enough, good enough..."
Seeing His Majesty crying bitterly, Empress Changsun felt very uncomfortable and couldn't help but hug Li Shimin and cry as well.
A long while.
Li Shimin said in a trembling voice: "Mr. Guanyin, can I still save Changle?"
If it were before, Li Shimin believed that he could do it.
Throughout his life as a soldier, he has never failed, and most of the time he has defeated more with less. How can he not be sure of dealing with the Yan Kingdom?
But the Tang Dynasty was defeated, and its people were willing to go to the Yan Kingdom during the war rather than stay in the Tang Dynasty.
These things all tell the story...that the emperor of the Yan Kingdom, Yang Kuan, a clan member of the Yang family, was much more powerful than me!
Whether it's running a country or fighting a war, he's... much more powerful.
"Yes, Your Majesty, you can definitely do it!"
Queen Changsun's voice was choked with sobs, but her tearful eyes were full of determination: "You can definitely save Changle. I believe in you, and Changle has always believed in you."
"This time it's just the Aristocratic Family that is holding us back. As long as we take precautions against the Aristocratic Family in the future, we can definitely do much better than we do now."
"The Tang Dynasty is getting better, haven't you seen it, Your Majesty? A few days ago, the people of the Tang Dynasty sang your praises outside the imperial city."
Hearing this, Li Shimin couldn't help but think of that day when he was standing on the top of the city during the Pork Carnival, and the people of Chang'an City continued to praise his greatness.
Followed eagerly for the pork he brought them.
"Yes, I...I will make Datang better step by step."
Li Shimin's eyes flickered and he regained some confidence.
Wiping his tears, Li Shimin continued: "When Yao Jin comes back, I will ask Yan Guo what's going on."
Now, he was extremely eager to know things about Yan Country.
Queen Changsun was about to nod, but at this moment, a spy walked in.
"Your Majesty, there is a letter from Kaifeng City!"
The spies walked into Taiji Palace without reporting. This was Li Shimin's instruction, allowing him to enter without reporting if he had news about Kaifeng City.
However, the spy never expected to see his own emperor in such a...such sentimental scene.
I couldn’t help but wonder if I had come at the wrong time?
Li Shimin didn't have so many ideas, so he asked him to leave the letter and then left.
About Kaifeng City.
He remembered clearly before that Fang Xuanling said something about pork. Before he discovered it, there was some circulation in Kaifeng City.
So he sent someone to find out what was going on.
Not surprisingly, the whole story can now be seen in this letter!
Open to view.
Li Shimin became more and more frightened as he watched.
Seeing this, Queen Changsun couldn't help but said: "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
Li Shimin sighed: "Sure enough, as I guessed before, the Zheng family in Kaifeng City has hooked up with the Jiangdong rebels."
Queen Changsun's eyes widened: "Zheng family? One of the five surnames and seven looks, the Zheng family in Xingyang?"
Li Shimin nodded: "Yes, it's them."
"These damn aristocratic families, the northern aristocratic families are constantly enriching their own pockets, and are forcing the people of the Tang Dynasty away step by step. The southern aristocratic families are also not at peace, and they have all begun to associate with the remnants of the King of Chu."
"Damn, damn!!!"
He banged the table angrily.
At this moment, Li Shimin finally knew why Yang Guang, the former Sui Dynasty, was so eager to hold the imperial examination and allow officials from poor families to enter the court.
Without the imperial examination, only these aristocratic families can provide officials. If they make mistakes, the emperor can't do anything to them! !
As long as these families exist, the imperial power will never be truly supreme.
At most it is superficial, supremacy in name only.
A thousand-year-old family, a century-old court.
Li Shimin could once again feel the power of the eight-character mantra left by his ancestors.
soon.
After Li Shimin calmed down, he quickly formulated a series of policies related to the locust plague in the north.
He will not move those aristocratic families, but the future relief food will be sent northward by his army, led by his direct generals, and delivered to the hands of the people in person.
In other words, disaster relief food was distributed and sent by the imperial court.
Doing this can be tiring.
But there is no way, none of the local officials can be trusted!
Li Shimin doesn't dare to take action against these dog officials now. After all, the Tang Dynasty has not stabilized yet, but when the Tang Dynasty stabilizes, he will be the first to replace these dog officials!
After the policy was issued, Cheng Yaojin arrived in Chang'an City that afternoon.
When all the officials in Chang'an City received the news, they were all shocked and responded to Li Shimin's call to enter the palace.
This is a rare afternoon meeting.
It is a rare use of rest time.
But none of the officials complained.
after all….
They also want to know what is going on in that mysterious country!
….….….….….….
the other side.
Chai Shao, Guo Chao and others have arrived near the border of Yan Kingdom.
They changed into casual clothes and dressed up in disguise. Although they still looked like a wealthy family and were incompatible with the victims, there were many people like them on the road, so there was no need to hide too much.
And this also made Chai Shao sigh, not only the victims of the disaster wanted to join the Yan Kingdom, but also some good family members.
This Yan Kingdom, how attractive...
now.
Chai Shao was riding on his horse, looking at the scenery outside, and couldn't help but shed tears in his eyes.
Not only did hungry people escape from the Youzhou border where he was stationed, but also the places where other generals were stationed.
So along the way, he saw many teams of hungry people.
awful!
It's too awful!
Along the way, there were hungry people everywhere.
Why is this happening?
The imperial court has distributed so much food, so why are there still victims?
Are they all just like the magistrates of those counties, lining their own pockets?
Chai Shao investigated.
Then I learned that it was indeed the case.
All this is because of the noble family.
The grain distributed by the imperial court was deducted at all levels, and by the time it reached the hands of the people far away from Chang'an City, only a little was left.
The sky is high and the emperor is far away.
These local officials all ate human blood steamed buns and hid all the food.
This means that there are still so many disaster victims in the north.
"Grand Governor, these aristocratic families are really the cancer of our Tang Dynasty!"
The heroic cavalry guards accompanying him were extremely angry.
Chai Shao's eyes flickered, and he sighed: "This is why His Majesty regards the Five Surnames and Qi Wang as a thorn in his side. What's even more frightening is that the news about the countless victims of the Youzhou disaster... cannot reach His Majesty's ears."
"This means that local officials in Youzhou are all biased towards aristocratic families..."
"Your Majesty, he has no control over Youzhou at all."
The Cavalry Guard looked angrily and said, "When we get back, will we inform His Majesty? Not only the counties under our jurisdiction, but also the local officials under the control of other major governors will also take part in them!"
Chai Shao sighed and said: "The notification is definitely notified, it is just a solution..."
I can’t hold on to what I said.
Your Majesty, will you take action against those officials of the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes?
Chai Shao wasn't sure.
after all,
It affects the whole body, and the impact is too complicated.
"Hey... let's keep walking."
Chai Shao sighed and rode on his horse again.
On their way forward, there were dense crowds of refugees.
They come in groups just to find a place where they can have a full meal.
All of them were thin and frail, and their eyes were full of green light from hunger.
Embarrassing is no longer enough to describe the victims.
They are miserable.
Extremely tragic!
Those local officials did not give the people any way to survive!
Chai Shao looked at them, dumbfounded. He really couldn't believe that the scenery in front of him was real.
The further north you go, the more victims there are.
Moreover, they did not flee to the land of Chang'an, but to the Yan Kingdom further north.
In the eyes of these victims, the credibility of the capital of the Tang Dynasty was actually not as good as that of the enemy country Yan...
"Grand Governor, there is a Zhuangzi in front of you, do you want to go and take a look?"
At this time, Lieutenant General Guo Chao spoke.
Beyond the borders of the Tang Dynasty, there were many Zhuangzi.
It was difficult for them to be protected by the Tang army, so they were also the targets of plunder by Turks and other enemy countries in previous years.
"good!"
Chai Shao nodded in agreement.
The horse drove slowly into the village Guo Chao mentioned.
He looked at the withered village, and then at the road in front of the village that was already covered with fallen leaves and branches.
No one has lived here for a long time.
It seems that during the famine this year, the owner's family had already fled this place.
Chai Shao found a house and knocked on the door, but there was no one there.
Somewhat unwillingly, Chai Shao knocked on several doors, but they were all closed tightly and no one was in sight.
Is this a deserted village?
He didn't give up.
He was about to continue knocking, but there was a sound next to him.
"Stop knocking."
"Young men, who are you looking for? All the people here have fled, and I am the only one left."
At this time, an old man walked out of the yard next to him.
He was hunched over and holding a stick in his hand.
His hair is gray and his beard is white.
His eyes were cloudy, he must be very old.
"My father-in-law."
Chai Shao quickly walked over and helped him.
"Where are the people here? If I remember correctly, the locust plague in Chang'an has been resolved, and the court has distributed a lot of food. Why are there still many victims along the way?"
The old man sighed, shook his head and said, "Natural and man-made disasters can be solved, but people's hearts... are difficult."
"I heard that the imperial court distributed grain before, and many people came back to Zhuangzi. However, as time passed, it has been some time since the imperial court distributed grain, but none of the grain has reached the hands of us Zhuangzi people. After the disaster, the ground was devastated and devastated. No one can bear it without a place to eat, so they have no choice but to leave."
"Don't talk about this Zhuangzi. The Zhuangzi around are all about the same. Those who can run away have all escaped."
"The only ones left are those of us who are old and have no children. Where to run? We can only stay here and wait to die."
The old man choked up.
Hearing these words, Chai Shao felt a lump in his throat, and his hands were tightly packed, glowing red.
Here, it was the same situation as he had been along the way.
How much he wanted to hear that a good official would deliver all the court's disaster relief food to the people. He wanted to hear more about it...
But along the way, there were disappointments.
The circle of local officials in the north is completely stinky, and they are all working together in collusion.
"Then, father-in-law, you...haven't you ever looked for the reason? The imperial court's food will never disappear out of thin air."
Chai Shao asked again.
The old man smiled bitterly and said: "What else could be the reason? Many people know this reason. It is that they were detained by local officials. Some people from Zhuangzi also went to Chang'an to report, but the officials who listened were also officials from aristocratic families. The person who reported the report died unexpectedly that night. .”
"This has happened so many times, who dares to report it?"
Chai Shao sighed: "These officials from aristocratic families... are really lawless..."
He asked a lot about this kind of thing along the way. Every time he asked the same question, he got the same answer, which made his ears go numb.
But still ask.
He didn't know why he kept asking, maybe... he still had a little bit of luck, hoping that a good official would come from here.
But every time I hear it, I can't help but feel helpless.
The old man waved his hands helplessly and said: "There is no way, this matter is just like this. Our discussion is just to add more helpless anger, there is no need to talk more."
"By the way, you look like you are from the south. You are so energetic and well-dressed. I don't know why you come here to suffer. If you don't dislike it and don't have a place to stay, just come to my house and sit there. I am alone. Old man, I haven’t spoken to you for several days.”
"Before I die, I can chat with you and help you solve your doubts. It's a good time to rest in peace."
The old man said.
Chai Shao quickly helped him in.
The yard at home was dry and cracked into small patches.
They sat at the base of the wall, where there was still some shade.
"My father-in-law, can you tell me more about the government here?"
Chai Shao asked again.
Guo Chao and several Cavalry Guards also looked at the old man instantly.
"The government here? Haha, they are in charge of our life and death. At the beginning, the food from the court was delayed. Some of us asked the county boss, but the county boss said that the disaster relief food from the court had not been distributed yet. Come down, there is no food for disaster relief.”
"It's ridiculous, it's ridiculous! The county government's grain depot is filled to the brim with grain!!"
The old man shook his head and sighed.
When Chai Shao heard this, he frowned tightly.
"Is there still such a situation?" A knight guard was furious.
"Yes, those grains are all stored grains, but they won't give them to us common people."
"It's easy to buy it if you want it, but the price is horribly high. What can the people do if they don't run away?"
The old man said.
"Aren't they afraid of being held accountable by the court?" The knight guard next to him was also furious.
"Pursuing responsibility? Who will pursue it? The people who come down to hold people accountable may be the same as those who went to Chang'an City to report. The officials are their relatives. There is nothing we can do."
My father-in-law is desperate.
His whole body was shaking as he spoke.
But in the end, he sighed heavily, seemingly giving up the fight and accepting everything.
Chai Shao clenched his hands tightly.
"yes."
Chai Shao nodded and said: "The clan members are like towering trees. They shade the future generations. This tree is getting bigger and bigger, and its root system is getting more developed. It is firmly embedded in the Central Plains. There’s no way, there’s no way.”
Chai Shao went from angry to melancholy.
"Okay, let's not talk about this. Have you eaten yet? I'm here... um, I'm sorry. I don't have rice at home today, old man. I can't treat you to dinner. I'm sorry."
The father-in-law patted the back of Chai Shao's hand with an embarrassed tone in his voice.
"No, no need! Guo Chao, go and get some food!"
Chai Shao immediately ordered.
Guo Chao took the order and hurriedly took down half a bag of grain from his horse.
"Old man, take it. It's been so many days. I believe the court will provide relief food for free."
"Your Majesty, you will not let this go."
Chai Shao put the grain into his father-in-law's hands.
"No, no, no, this is too expensive, too expensive!!"
"There is nothing at home, and I have no money to give you."
The old man was a little excited.
"No money is needed. Let me take it. We are young and strong and cannot be hungry."
Chai Shao stood up.
The old man clutched the bag of grain tightly and struggled to get up, but he was getting old after all. When he got up, Chai Shao and others were already walking out of the door.
The old man could not keep up, so he could only kneel down and kowtow several times.
Chai Shao and others moved a little faster.
When we got on the horse, the atmosphere was a bit solemn.
"Let's go."
After a while, Chai Shao sighed and said.
Several people rode on their horses again.
On the way.
Chai Shao swallowed hard, his throat was sore, and he felt uncomfortable breathing as he looked at the desolate scene around him.
The horse drove out of Zhuangzi.
All the way north.
On the way, they also passed through several Zhuangzi.
The situation is pretty much the same.
It even passed through several small counties.
In the city, we can finally see some people.
These are common people who have a little money and can buy enough food.
However, as we continue walking, there are fewer and fewer people in the county.
At the same time, there are fewer and fewer victims on the road.
"General, look ahead! There are a bunch of people in front!!"
When passing another place, the voice of the Cavalry Guard at the front suddenly came over.
Chai Shao and the others immediately looked over.
as expected.
There were a lot of people in front of them, but they didn't move. It seemed like someone in the middle was telling them something.
"Go over and have a look."
Chai Shao immediately ordered.
This bunch of people….
She looks much better.
Suddenly he had a guess in his mind.
"Faster, faster!"
After mounting the horse, Chai Shao urged again.
They came to the crowd.
Chai Shao and others dismounted.
Several knight guards immediately pushed through the crowd and led Chai Shao to the front.
In the middle of the crowd, there was indeed a man giving an excited speech.
“Don’t hesitate, really don’t hesitate!!”
"When you arrive, you will know that Yan Country is the real magical place in the north. You can have plenty of food there, and the village chief will also give us land to help us build our homes."
"In addition, Yan Kingdom has many guards who will be responsible for our safety. Now, everyone outside Yan Kingdom is already a refugee. If you don't go, you may really have no place in the future. After all, Yan Kingdom only has one Yanyun City. "
"We are all fellow villagers. I can't lie to you. If you are not satisfied when you get there, I will send you back personally."
This man's voice was loud, and as he spoke, he punched the air with his fist several times, his movements extremely skillful and powerful.
He is full!
So very contagious!
"Really, come with me. The situation in Chang'an City is indeed very good. You can have plenty of food there, but it is too far away from us. I'm afraid you will starve to death on the road before you get there."
"Besides, you can have enough to eat in Chang'an, but apart from farming, you are working as a slave for the nobles of the family. But Yan Kingdom is different, and they work in a way you would never expect. They can make money for anything they do."
"We can go to work in a steel factory, and the monthly salary is much better than our shabby place. There are also bicycle factories, briquette factories, weapons factories, etc..."
"There are many easy and free jobs, and you are not tired! Once there, everyone can be self-reliant, even women can work, earn money, and support themselves."
"I have brought the words to you. If you want to come with me, leave now and set off!"
The man roared again, waved his hands, and walked towards Yan Guo.
Those people look at me and I look at you.
They are all people fleeing the famine nearby.
Their faces were palpitating, confused, and confused.
Do you really want to leave your hometown and go to a strange and northern village?
For a moment, the crowd was a little confused, but no one moved.
but,
The next breath, a man walked out.
"Mom, I'll go! Many of our Zhuangzi people have gone to Yan Kingdom. Brothers, we may not know what's going on in Yan Kingdom, but we should all know what's going on in Chang'an."
"Over there in Chang'an, we just went there and lived like animals. But, Yan Country! There is a chance in Yan Country that we can live like humans!"
"I'm going to the Yan Kingdom, and I'm going to fight for it. I'm a bachelor, so I'm afraid of a ball!!"
The man roared angrily and strode after him.
"Yes, yes. I heard that things are not much better over there in Chang'an. We can only survive by hand and will not starve to death."
"Yanguo...I'm going, I'm going right now!"
"Fellow folks, I know that you may be very unfamiliar with Yan Country, and some of you have never heard of the name Yan Country, but I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed there, that's all!!"
"I'm taking the first step!!"
After this man said it, he took his family and children with him. Followed quickly.
As soon as these two words came out, in an instant, the people who were still a little confused started to follow him.
Of course, there are still many people left in the same place.
They don't know what to do.
Chai Shao stood in the crowd and watched all this quietly.
This scene is really terrible and helpless.
They were the most loyal generals and soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, but at this moment they could only watch helplessly as they headed towards the Yan Kingdom.
They are powerless to change the status quo... and they are powerless to feed them...
Chai Shao exhaled and said melancholy: "People's lives will not be much better if they go to Chang'an, but if they go to Yan Kingdom, they may be able to live a good life. Alas, this is also due to human nature."
"Let's go, let's go. We're almost there. Let's go to Yan Country to see it too."
"Go and see what kind of magical place this is! It deserves so much attention from so many victims and Yao Jin!!"
Chai Shao's eyes flickered.
He wanted to take a look, he wanted to see with his own eyes what was going on in Yan Country.
The group of guards looked at each other and hurriedly followed.
On the way.
Chai Shao sighed again: "Why is this happening?"
One of the Cavalry Guards consoled him: "General, this is not your fault. It's the people. They don't trust the imperial court."
"Distrust?" Chai Shao shook his head, with sadness in his helpless eyes, and continued: "This is not called distrust. People have to live."
"Chang'an is extremely far away, and there are many aristocratic families, so the difficulty is too high."
"Dare I ask, if someone wanted to starve you to death, what would you do?"
All the guards were speechless.
"It's the imperial court that feels sorry for them. If the imperial court can feed them, the people will definitely not leave their hometown."
"It is because of how aggrieved, helpless and helpless I feel that I choose to leave my hometown and go to a strange and northern country."
"As for Yan Country, what kind of country is this?"
On the way.
They did not enter the town again, nor did they enter Zhuangzi.
Instead, go all the way north.
There is no need to look for the direction of Yanguo.
Because the further north you go, the more people there are in the Tang Dynasty, and these people all migrate to Chuhe Village.
When passing these Datang towns and villages on the border, a few people truly realized what desolation is.
There is no one left.
Even the old people are gone.
They all went to Yan Kingdom! !
Soon, he spurred his horse to move forward.
Go straight to that mysterious empire.
As we walked, a road appeared.
At the same time, Chai Shao's eyes narrowed.
He saw it.
That flag belongs to the Yan Empire!
The shape of the flag has a blood-like background. The sky is covered with stars, floating and dancing in the wind.
Profound!
mystery!
Unity!
(End of chapter)
