April is the season, late spring and early summer.
Lots of greenery and gentle rain.
Luoyang Palace, Qianyang Hall, Li Zhi stood in front of the palace gate, looking at the drizzle outside, and asked worriedly in a low voice: "Has it been raining for two days?"
"Yes." Empress Wu came up from behind, looked over the emperor's shoulder, looked out at the hazy world, and said softly: "This is already the third rain this month, and even the farmers in the fields are starting to get a little annoyed."
"I sent an order to the Ministry of Works, the General Supervisor, and the Department of Water Resources to immediately send people from all over the country to monitor the rivers and repair them; to send an order to the Yushitai, Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Punishments to immediately send people to the four directions, all prefectures and counties, and the governors and magistrates to record the events. Workers, servants, and clerks all stepped up their efforts. If there is a severe flood this year, I don't want any place to be affected." Li Zhi's expression was grim.
"Yes!" Empress Wu nodded slightly, then looked to the side.
Behind the curtain on the side, a figure stood up and quickly left to deliver the message.
"I sent orders to the left and right to garrison Luozhou Prefecture, Yongzhou Prefecture, Luoyang, Henan, and Chang'an Wannian counties, recruit soldiers, and dredge ditches. I don't want to see Luoyang and Chang'an become two water cities this summer." Li Zhi couldn't help but smile slightly. He shook his head with a bitter look on his face.
"Your Majesty, why are you doing this?" Empress Wu looked at Li Zhi, her usually calm expression also filled with a hint of nervousness.
"The King of Nanchang once said that there will be waterlogging in the south this summer, and the weather may be smooth in the north. But from this point of view, he is still a bit optimistic. The situation is much more serious than he expected." Li Zhi looked at Empress Wu and said: "Mei Niang, do Be prepared, if the situation becomes serious, Duke Pengcheng, Yang Wulian, and even Liu Nayan will all rush to various places to prepare for disasters."
"I understand, I understand." Empress Wu nodded seriously.
Although it is still a long time before the autumn harvest in July and August, it is not a bad thing to prepare in advance.
If they can successfully survive the disaster, they can successfully unite the people's hearts.
"Also, prepare to kill people." Li Zhi rolled back his sleeves and said coldly: "If there is a major flood anywhere this year, not only will all the previous chief officials within the past five years be rigorously investigated, but the families behind them will also be traced and the message will be passed on. , if something big happens, the whole family will sit together."
"Here!" Empress Wu couldn't help but slightly cupped her hands, her face solemn.
She knew that even though the emperor's words were an advance warning, many people were taking chances too much, and many people might still die when the time comes.
But these people who don’t know how to look at them will die if they die.
What's the use of being an official and presiding over the government, but can't handle the follow-up?
"But this year is His Majesty's fiftieth birthday. Since there are some obstacles, let's clear them all in advance to avoid being in front of him and worrying again." Empress Wu walked to Li Zhi's side, her voice was soft and comforting.
Li Zhi nodded slightly, glanced at Empress Wu, shook his head and said, "If there is a big disaster this year, how can I live a long life?"
"Perhaps by that time, the disaster will have been dealt with." Empress Wu comforted her softly. Although Li Zhi was a little relaxed, he could not rest assured about this kind of thing.
"If there hadn't been a war in Changzhou, I would have transferred the King of Nanchang back to deal with the flood." Li Zhi couldn't help but sigh, turned to look northwest, and asked in a low voice: "What is the King of Nanchang doing?"
"Report to Your Majesty." Empress Wu also looked to the northwest, with a hint of vigilance in her eyes, and said at the same time: "King Nanchang has been building equipment and warships in Qugou since the beginning of the year. The two sides of the Tongtian River have also been affected by the recent rain. It’s a bit much, if it continues…”
"If this continues, it is inevitable that the water in the Tongtian River will surge. The current will surge, and it will be much easier to cross the river." There was a hint of pride in the corner of Li Zhi's mouth.
It rained constantly, the river water increased, and the river surface was wide, but strangely, in this case, crossing the river was much easier.
In fact, it is not difficult to understand that the amount of water is only one factor in the speed of the water flow. As the river water increases, the water surface rises, and the originally narrow river surface suddenly becomes wider. In this way, the speed of the water flow slows down, and the direction of the water flow becomes easier to judge and control. On the contrary, it is easier to cross the river.
"Yes!" Empress Wu nodded, her expression becoming more solemn, and then she whispered: "The King of Nanchang is so proficient in water conservancy, why not let him write a letter about water conservancy? It is better to write a book to talk about water conservancy in the world... …”
"Okay, that's it." Li Zhi patted Empress Wu's arm gently and said with a smile: "Mei Niang, you are worried too much. I can guarantee that the King of Nanchang has never thought about such a thing, and even if I'm a little worried, but he went far away, as far away as Tubo and Tianzhu, and it takes half a year to come back. If you have any questions, Hezhou, Taozhou, and Lanzhou will all intercept him, so what do you need to worry about?"
"Your Majesty is right." Empress Wu nodded, but she was still a little worried in her heart. After all, water conservancy matters are somewhat mysterious and are taboo.
Manipulating water conservancy and talking about celestial phenomena.
King Nanchang is no stranger to doing these things.
Thinking of this, Empress Wu looked up at Li Zhi and asked softly: "Has Your Majesty also been worried about this?"
"I control the entire country, so I have to think more about everything." Li Zhi looked at the entire Luoyang City and said calmly: "The Jinwu Guards and Qianniu Guards around King Nanchang will do him every once in a while. If the news comes back, it doesn't matter, but if something happens, an imperial edict can kill him immediately."
The families of Jinwu Guard and Qianniu Guard around Li Xuan are all in Luoyang, Chang'an, and even Li Xuan's family is also in Chang'an.
Even if there are three or two ignorant people, others can suppress them enough.
"Besides, the King of Nanchang is a smart enough person. As long as the affairs of the court are not related to Changzhou, he doesn't even want to interfere with Tuyuhun. There is no need to be too suspicious of such a person." Li Zhi shook his head calmly. , said: "If even he needs to be suspicious, then King Han and King Huo need to be suspicious."
"What your Majesty said makes sense." Empress Wu blinked her eyes and bowed in agreement.
Li Zhi smiled and said: "If you are still worried, just find one of the sons or daughters of the King of Nanchang to marry into the Wu family. There is nothing to worry about."
"Yes!" Empress Wu's eyes jumped and she seemed to have thought of a way.
There is only one eldest son of the King of Nanchang. Once the Wu family marries in, they will at least occupy half of the sky, so there is nothing to worry about.
Empress Wu was completely relieved and said immediately: "No matter what the weather is like today, Your Majesty's fiftieth birthday must be celebrated well. All countries, more than 300 states, countless princes, nobles, and billions of people must celebrate it." To celebrate His Majesty’s birthday, His Majesty thinks the relevant ceremonies need to be arranged in the most appropriate way.”
Li Zhi turned to look at Empress Wu in surprise, looked at her deeply, and finally sighed softly and said: "Mei Niang is still considerate of me and has been my husband and wife for half my life. Maybe I have to go on. With a wife like this, I might You must live as long as the emperor."
Although his father Li Shimin only lived to be fifty years old, his grandfather Li Yuan lived to be seventy years old. This is probably something that many people in the world have not noticed.
After the Xuanwumen Incident, Li Yuan lived peacefully for ten years.
"I am willing to accompany Your Majesty all the time." Empress Wu held Li Zhi's hand tightly and said, "But I am four years older than Your Majesty..."
"But your body is better than mine." Li Zhi patted the back of Empress Wu's hand and said softly: "In the past two years, everything has gone well, and I feel more relaxed. If it hadn't been for these things, for example, Dafeichuan would have been defeated again. , I’m afraid I won’t be in a good mood either…For example, this year, I might have to spend my birthday in the water.”
"Your Majesty." Empress Wu rolled her eyes at Li Zhi without being curious. Fortunately, Li Zhi only said half of his frustrated words and did not spoil the mood. Empress Wu then continued: "Even in the water, Your Majesty will have a good birthday." , Luoyang itself has many ditches, and this time they are strictly ordered to dredge the ditches, so that no accidents will happen..."
After a slight pause, Empress Wu said: "Just in case, just prepare more ships in Luoyang. The craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry will work hard for His Majesty's birthday this year."
"No matter what, be more frugal." Li Zhi looked at Empress Wu seriously and said, "It's okay if we handle it properly this year. If it's not handled properly, I'm afraid it will affect next year's war."
"I understand, I understand." Empress Wu nodded seriously.
One year is enough for the Tubo people to prepare a hundred thousand troops. If something happens on the front line, it may be detrimental to the entire country.
Empress Wu is not that stupid. Apart from the long journey from the plateau to Chang'an, there are not many checkpoints and it is not that easy to defend.
Once something goes wrong, it is likely to endanger Chang'an.
"In addition, there is Ming Chongyan." Li Zhi's expression became calm, and he looked at Empress Wu and asked: "Where is he now? Three months ago, I ordered him to go to Maoshan. Why now? Still no news?”
Empress Wu couldn't help but raise her eyebrows. She didn't expect that the emperor suddenly asked about Ming Chongyan.
Li Zhi looked at Empress Wu and said in a deep voice: "Did he go somewhere else for something, or is he already dead?"
The cruel fact is that after nearly three months, there is still no movement. Even the stupidest person should know that something is wrong.
Not to mention that Empress Wu had asked someone to conduct a detailed investigation a month ago, but there is still no news.
"I have not received any memorials from him, either openly or secretly." Empress Wu lowered her head, clenched her fists lightly, and said in a heavy tone: "The secret guards were conducting a secret investigation. He was last seen in Luoyang, and then he was looking for He boarded five ships and used cover to go to Maoshan, but he himself was nowhere to be found."
"Let's investigate. Let Dali Temple investigate the missing case." Li Zhi turned to look at Luoyang City in front of him and said softly: "If my guess is correct, he should still be in Luoyang City at this time. I believe that he will Even if I die, I will die in Luoyang."
"Yes!" Empress Wu nodded seriously.
…
The emperor issued an express decree that Ming Chongyan was missing and ordered Dali Temple to conduct a detailed investigation, and the Ministry of Punishment, Luozhou Prefecture, Luoyang and Henan counties to assist in the investigation.
For a time, the whole of Chang'an was shaken.
When Liu Jinyu received the news in Chang'an, he couldn't help but stand up and said in disbelief: "Is Master Shiyin dead?"
Li Bi stood on one side, raised his hands and said: "Princess, it is very likely that she is really dead. This person has a strong heart for power. It is impossible for him to leave the center for such a long time?"
"Could he be fishing? Whoever tries to kill him will inevitably take action at this time?" Liu Jinyu raised her head and looked in the direction of Luoyang.
Empress Wu's methods are absolutely extraordinary. At this time, countless people in Chang'an and Luoyang have probably been completely targeted to death.
Li Bi nodded and said: "People with a guilty conscience will inevitably make some noise, but this matter has nothing to do with us. Just sit back and watch the changes."
"East Palace." Liu Jinyu looked at Li Bi with a frown and said, "From today on, we will thank guests behind closed doors. Except for family members, no outsiders will be allowed to see you."
"Here!" Li Bi handed over his hand and asked, "Princess, do you want to inform the prince?"
"Yes." Liu Jinyu nodded and said, "Everyone in the court is concerned about this matter. If we do nothing, it will feel like we are trying to cover it up."
"Yes!" Li Bi handed over his hand and then stepped back.
Liu Jinyu sighed softly in her heart. She actually wanted to investigate further, but in the end she gave it up.
Once you get started with these things, it’s not that easy to get rid of them.
For example, the Ministry of Punishment, such as the prince.
(End of chapter)
