In the east courtyard, Li Xuan saw Li Zhi's bright eyes and continued: "There is another method that can also help."
Li Zhi retracted his thoughts and said calmly: "Say."
"The salt produced in Qinghai Salt Lake has always been delivered by the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and then distributed to the states for sale. The imperial court used the recovered salt money to purchase grain from large households, and then used it on the front line. Not to mention the high price. , all the losses in the process must be borne by the court, I think this is somewhat excessive." Li Xuan's eyes became solemn.
Li Zhi nodded and said, "You continue."
"Here!" Li Xuan held up her hand and said: "If merchants from all over the country are allowed to go directly to Chaka to buy salt, and at the same time specify it directly, they must use grain to exchange for salt... In this way, all the losses will be borne by the merchants from all over the place. At the same time, business travel Transportation can also bring prosperity along the way, such as Qugou New City."
Exchanging grain for salt was a method adopted by the Ming Dynasty in border areas. This method could easily breed corruption.
But there is a prerequisite: salt and iron were specially transported in the Ming Dynasty.
The sale of salt in the Tang Dynasty was not exclusive, but the new Chaka Salt Lake could only be sold by the Ministry of Household Affairs, which was a disguised form of exclusive transportation of salt and iron.
Once the Chaka Salt Lake is fully opened to the world, corruption will naturally be reduced a lot.
By then, the war between Tang Dynasty and Tubo should also be over, and the exchange of grain for salt should also be over.
Li Zhi stood by the swing, thinking about Li Xuan's proposal. After a moment, he shook his head slightly and said, "But if this happens, the price of salt will probably rise."
"The government is still selling low-priced salt. No matter how much salt prices rise, they won't go up much. The key is that food prices have come down."
Li Xuan took a deep breath and said: "The imperial court transports salt, sells salt, buys grain, and transports grain. In addition to natural losses, there are also the actions of officials along the way. These are difficult to stop, so , why not pass on such risks and losses to business travelers, who don’t have these losses.”
This is Li Xuan's idea of making up for the losses caused by corrupt officials from this grain road to the military and the people.
The methods of corrupt officials are definitely more ruthless than anyone imagines.
The military rations they stole from this food road were lost at least 10%, and at most 30%, they were afraid that they would not be able to stop them.
In this way, losses were reduced, and the amount of military rations required by the court was naturally much less.
Li Zhi's breathing suddenly became heavy, and he had already thought of the benefits of doing so.
In this way, there would be no need for people like Wang Benli to maneuver around, and Li Zhi would no longer have to use someone to take the blame.
"Write a memorial on this matter... No, it's secret. It's only for me and the queen to see." Li Zhi issued the order seriously.
Li Xuan cupped her hands: "Here!"
"This matter has been solved, and most of Wang Benli's matter has been solved." Li Zhi smiled easily, and then said: "It seems that I don't need to be so hasty to elect Zuo Si Langzhong."
Li Xuan lowered his head and said in a low voice: "Mr. Zuo is responsible for supervising the government affairs of the officials, households, and rites departments. Di Renjie is now looking after the transportation of grain in the household department, but no one is paying attention to the selection of officials in the personnel department. ”
Li Zhi suddenly turned his head and stared at Li Xuan, his eyes becoming cold: "You mean, they are doing it for the officials."
"It's for Dr. Zuo Si." Li Xuan bowed and said, "The affairs of Shangshu Province have always been handled by His Majesty, but Dr. Zuo Si is the authority of the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
Cui Zhiwen, the minister Zuocheng, could not be swayed, and Li Xuan was absolutely sure that the Beimen bachelors and others would set their sights on the position of Zuo Si Langzhong.
Looking at Li Xuan with his head lowered, Li Zhi's eyes flickered: "What do you think?"
"Lu Yuanfang can be transferred back from Taozhou, and then, like Di Renjie, he can supervise the affairs of the officials as a censor." Li Xuan looked solemn and did not notice that after listening to what he said, Li Zhi was suddenly stunned.
Then Li Zhi said with a smile: "Have you never thought about letting Lu Yuanfang be transferred to Zuo Si Langzhong?"
"Ah!" Li Xuan raised her head in confusion, looked at Li Zhi who couldn't help but laugh out loud, and immediately said: "Your Majesty, choose Zuo Si Langzhong, recommended by the officials, Your Majesty decides, how can there be any minister among them who can comment? place?"
Li Zhi was now completely sure that Li Xuan was really not eyeing the position of Zuo Si Langzhong.
Didn't you notice that he didn't even recommend Lu Yuanfang?
Li Zhi shook his head and said: "Lu Qing asked him to gain more experience in Taozhou and inspect the Taozhou governor for one year, and then I can officially entrust him with the post of Taozhou governor. As for Zuo Si Langzhong, I have other considerations."
"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Xuan bowed again, but the moment he lowered his head, Li Xuan sighed deeply.
He knew that with his reminder, Li Zhi would immediately become extremely wary of the Beimen bachelors.
In this situation, it would be strange for someone like Bachelor Beimen to be able to take advantage.
If the North Gate bachelor is blocked, the expansion of Empress Wu's power will be blocked, which is definitely a good thing for Li Xuan.
"You don't have to worry about the center. What you should worry about is Xituyuhun and Xinghai." Li Zhi's expression became serious again, and he looked at Li Xuan and said: "With your ability, it is not difficult to capture Xituyuhun, but Xinghai, with 50,000 cavalry, I’m afraid it won’t be easy to win.”
"Your Majesty, in fact, it is not difficult to build the sea." Li Xuan saw through it again, and Li Zhi looked over with an extremely surprised look.
Li Xuan held up his hands and said: "There are only two ways to achieve Xinghai. One is to attack Huanglong directly and use the Black Tooth Chang's Department as the main force to capture Xinghai from under the East High Mountain; the second is to Starting from Qugou New City and Dafeichuan, two routes came from the outside, gradually encroaching, using Turkic cavalry to crisscross and cross, seize the Tyuhun people's pasture step by step, surround and cut them, and then use catapults and crossbows to slowly destroy them step by step. , and finally forced all the remaining Tubo people to Xinghai City."
"Step by step, Lao Chen is steady, the left prime minister is the way to run the country." Li Zhi nodded, smiled with satisfaction, then looked at Li Xuan and said, "What if it's you, Twenty-seventh Lang?"
"I will use the method of attacking Huanglong directly, using Tuyuhun people to pretend to be Tubo people, and then raid at night, go straight out of Xinghai City, rush into the city in one fell swoop, and occupy Xinghai." After Li Xuan finished speaking, he raised his hands and said: "Although it is risky, But once you gain something, you will be able to end all wars in a short time?"
"The Tubo people have 50,000 cavalry and twenty-seven men. Are you taking too much risk?" Li Zhi shook his head and said: "If it is not necessary, try not to take it... But the art of war is to combine right and wrong to make the left prime minister. The front is stable and righteous, and you, Twenty-seventh Lang, have cavalry on the side to assist you. With the combination of righteousness and strangeness, it is no accident that we can capture Xinghai."
Li Zhi could not help but feel satisfied when Li Xuan returned with Xinghai's map at the end of the year.
"Take Xinghai, and finally Wuhai." Li Zhi didn't know what he thought of, and looked up at Li Xuan: "Twenty-seventh Lang, do you think I will have a chance to see Tubo exterminated in this life?"
Li Xuan paused and looked at Li Zhi from the side. He wanted to speak several times, but finally took the last step and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I am incompetent and not good at speaking out. It is extremely difficult to exterminate Tubo... even if I am I led my cavalry to break through Luoche, but as long as Lun Qinling leads Tubo Zanpu away and rebuilds Tubo elsewhere, I will no longer be able to pursue him..."
"Wait!" Li Zhi suddenly stopped Li Xuan and looked at him in surprise: "Can you break the rules?"
"Yes." Li Xuan seriously handed over his hand.
"How to do it?" Li Zhi stared closely and asked.
"Imitate the story of the hussar general." Li Xuan responded with a solemn look and lowered his head.
Husband General Huo Qubing, lightly dressed and simple, chased the enemy to the north, drank from the sea of horse Han, sealed the wolf as a surrogate, shocked the enemy barbarians, and made great achievements in the annals of history.
"When did I hear these words of yours?" Li Zhi frowned slightly.
"I once said this when I met with your Majesty last year." Li Xuan handed over her hands again, her eyes lowered.
He originally said these words to Empress Wu, but Li Xuan believed that with the tacit understanding between their husband and wife, if Empress Wu knew about it, it would mean that the emperor knew about it.
"General Hussar, General Hussar." Li Zhi looked up at Li Xuan and said softly: "Are you still saying that the Tang Dynasty will not conquer Tubo?"
"Yes, if you want to exterminate Tubo, you must follow the Hussars General story." Li Xuan looked solemn.
Huo Qubing, the general of the hussars, has cavalry in all directions, coming and going like the wind, taking no prisoners, and taking no food or fodder.
If you want to exterminate the Huns, you must imitate the Huns. If you want to exterminate the Turks, you must imitate the Turks and then surpass them.
Now, if the Tang Dynasty wants to exterminate Tubo, it must follow the example of Tubo.
Li Zhi looked at Li Xuan and could clearly see the sea of blood deep in his eyes.
Shaking his head slightly, Li Zhi said: "Although Huo Qubing's method is feasible, it is too harmful to Tianhe. I don't want you to be a hussar general of the Tang Dynasty."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I don't want to imitate the general of escorts and cavalry. If someone can imitate the Duke of Wei, it will be a lifelong blessing for me." Li Xuan sighed softly.
If Empress Wu had not proclaimed herself emperor, Li Xuan would have been like Li Jing at most, with peaches and plums all over the world.
But with Empress Wu on top, he must be cautious every day, so that his whole family will not be destroyed because of sudden relaxation.
"Indeed, the life of the escort general is too short, and I don't want Twenty-seventh Lang to go to Huo Qubing and follow in his footsteps." Li Zhi waved his hand and sighed softly: "I hope Twenty-seventh Lang can be my Huo Guang..."
Huo Guang, a minister of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, served as Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty for thirteen years, so he monopolized power. However, he respected Emperor Zhao for thirteen years and the people were enriched and the foreigners were convinced.
Emperor Zhao died of illness and had no heirs. Huo Guang deposed him and established the Marquis of Haihun, and established Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty. He devoted himself to assisting him and was loyal to his ministers. After his death, he was buried in Maoling.
Even though his family was wiped out, Huo Guang was still buried in Maoling, and he was called the Great Sima, the Great General, and the Marquis of Bolu, with the surname Huo.
Although in later generations, Huo Guang monopolized power and suppressed the emperor, in the eyes of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, who was the first to arrange everything, Huo Guang was still a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, and even did an excellent job.
Even though he is extremely powerful, he still maintains the most basic bottom line.
The most important thing is that for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, being successfully confiscated and exterminated by later emperors was definitely the most satisfying.
"Your Majesty, there are countless virtuous ministers in the court, but my abilities are really limited. If possible, I would like to be the Duke of Wei." Li Xuan bowed deeply, looking ashamed.
The atmosphere in the entire courtyard suddenly became solemn. Li Zhi's eyes fell on Li Xuan, thinking slightly in his heart.
Huo Guang, Li Jing.
"Why, are you afraid that if you don't live to the end, you will be executed by everyone?" Li Zhi's voice was cold.
"No, I can't be Huo Guang. My abilities are not that strong, and my heart is not that hard." Li Xuan lowered her head and said: "If I were to be Huo Guang, I would only want to be the Huo Guang of Emperor Zhao's time. Others , I really don’t want to think about it.”
After the death of Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty, Marquis Haihun came to the throne. Even a very suspicious person like Li Zhi looked down upon Marquis Haihun.
The most important thing is that Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty had no heirs.
Li Zhi's expression relaxed and he waved his hand directly and said: "Why do you have to worry? With your methods, how could the emperor have no heirs? Besides, you can't be the head of the country. Xian'er's body is strong. Which of you can survive?" It’s hard to say who will win, as for the rest, that’s a matter for future generations, unless you want to be Fu Jian!”
Li Zhi said the last words with a light smile.
Li Xuan was slightly stunned, a little confused: "Fu Jian?"
Fu Jian killed his cousin Fu Sheng and usurped the throne.
After a slight pause, Li Xuan immediately fell to his knees.
He clasped his hands in front of his chest and swore, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no intention to do anything to Fu Jian. If I do, I will punish him together with all the gods and Buddhas in the world."
(End of chapter)
