Li Xian smiled slightly and said: "That's natural. Now that the country is in crisis, the people have no food rations and can only wait for death. Recently, Gu has been building industries for the East Palace. As the eastern capital, Luoyang is second only to Chang'an in terms of status. "Over the years, the transportation between Chang'an and Luoyang has been a source of criticism among businessmen."
"This time, it was rare that a large number of laborers appeared on the Guannai Road and Shannan Road. Although the official road was built as straight as possible from Chang'an to Luoyang, the imperial government would have spent a staggering amount of money on the construction, but private construction could not be accomplished without conquest. By hiring migrant workers, and with the abundant labor force, the construction will be completed quickly, what do you think?"
A whole group of farmers are involved, and damn it if the progress is not fast.
Moreover, although the distance between Chang'an and Luoyang is not far, it is a truly prime location for domestic commercial transportation. If the prince really builds a wide, flat and short road, the toll alone will be a huge amount of income.
Moreover, this is a long-term business, and it is hard to imagine how much wealth this golden road will create.
To be honest, this is a sum of money that makes them jealous!
However, when the prince built this road, he wanted to use their food as a reward for the people, which was really not excessive.
Thinking of this, Li Kai, the head of the Li family in Zhao County, cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness, when we signed the contract, the family sold grain to the East Palace, wasn't it used to supply the East Palace's brewing? Now you are using it for other purposes, isn't it inappropriate? ?”
Seeing what Li Kai said, Li Xian did not hesitate to take out a contract copied from his case, pointed to the contract and said: "When I signed the contract, I didn't say what I would use your food for. Right. What Mr. Li said now makes people laugh. If you think it’s inappropriate, why didn’t you mention it when you signed the contract?"
Li Kai's face turned red when he heard this.
When the Wang family came out on top, they were already anxious. Especially with the emergence of strong liquor, when the younger members of the clan brought strong liquor back to their clan as a local specialty of Chang'an and presented it to their elders, after they tasted it, they felt that all the remaining liquor in this world was just water.
It’s not that the people in the clan cannot afford to drink spirits, but by reaching a cooperation with Donggong, they can directly exchange grain for spirits, sell the grain, and make some money, especially the distribution rights of spirits, which brings income to the family. . It’s the best of all three things, why don’t you agree?
However, who would have thought that the prince would have such a hand in the contract.
I was so happy when we reached the cooperation, but now, after falling into the pit, I feel so regretful.
Although he knew that the prince could not have so much money, most of the money to buy food from them came from the state treasury. However, they also knew that the court had too many ways to cover for the prince.
The saint only needs to randomly fabricate some merits to reward the prince, and as long as the court and the court reach an agreement, then, how much money will be "rewarded" to the prince, isn't it arbitrary?
With the contract in place, they discovered that they really couldn't do anything to the prince.
Seeing that the heads of the six families all looked like they had eaten big green-headed flies, Li Xian couldn't stop snickering.
If you want to definitely succeed in something, then you have to think of any tiny probability. There is no need to be serious and completely nip the cause of failure in the bud. Basically, as long as you have this attitude, you can maintain a high probability of accomplishing something.
This is how to deal with the Six Families. After all, they are also a wealthy family. Maybe they will use secret means, but as long as they are pushed to the edge of failure openly, they have no time to think about other things.
While the heads of the six families were feeling upset that they had been deceived, Zheng Wen was holding a banquet in several brothels in Pingkangfang.
Last time, it was only representatives of the main family and side branches. This time, even the son-in-law of the Zheng family was invited.
Zheng Wen knew about the Six Family affairs early on. At the beginning, he was upset because he failed to cooperate with Donggong and make money, and he even had the idea of pledging forgiveness to the prince. However, now, the six companies that have reached a deal have all been tricked by the prince. He simply shouldn't be too excited.
The five surnames and Qi Wang seem to be of the same spirit, but the internal competition is invisible and intangible. When he thought that out of the seven families, only his own was saved, Zheng Wen was so excited that he wanted to laugh.
In his opinion, although the six families were restricted by the contract, they had to sell their grain to the prince at the price stipulated in the contract. However, they will definitely pretend that there is not enough food and limit the amount supplied to the prince.
What a catastrophe! There is no doubt that even if the imperial court can temporarily control food prices and distribute food to the victims, it is destined to not last long. And when the court can no longer hold back, it will be time for their family to make money.
If we talk about the north, it has to be the world where they have five surnames and seven hopes. To make money, they will naturally come first. The six families were under the control of the prince. Even if the court could not hold back, they would not dare to sell grain on a large scale to make money. Only the Zheng family is not bound by a contract and can sell it at will.
even....
Zheng Wen felt proud when he thought that the six families might entrust the Zheng family to sell grain on their behalf to make money. When the time comes, you can make up your own mind and ask them for a commission, and no one will be able to tell the difference. And with these commissions, the Zheng family can be said to have made double the money!
Thinking of this, Zheng Wen couldn't help laughing.
Although his face was flushed and a shadow appeared in front of his eyes, he still laughed and persuaded him to drink.
The imperial court has issued a ban on alcohol, and the winery has lost its output, so the price of wine has risen even more sharply than that of food. Because it is not a basic necessity for the common people, the price of alcohol is not subject to many restrictions at the Office of Standardization.
Because of this, the prices of drinks at Sihailou and Juxianlou have also gone up three times, but no one can tell why.
A large family member, drinking so much and spending so much money is not something that ordinary people can afford.
However, since the Zheng family is destined to make money, Zheng Wen doesn't care at all...
Compared with Zheng Wen who was reveling in the carnival, the heads of the remaining six families felt as if they had eaten Coptis chinensis in their mouths, and they were so miserable that they didn't know what to say.
How could they not think of things that Zheng Wen could think of when he was drunk?
However, as long as they looked at the prince with a bright smile at the head of the throne, they felt a little scared for no reason.
The five surnames have not clashed with the royal family once or twice. Basically, except for the downfall of Queen Wang, half of them were draws and half of them were losses for the royal family.
But now, the prince has just taken the throne and has taken control of them. Who knows what will happen in the future?
At this moment, Wang Qiong and Cui Yi even had the idea of dealing with the prince and pulling him down from the throne.
If such a person becomes emperor again, it will definitely be a disaster for the family!
However, before they could make up their minds, a group of palace maids walked in with exquisite snacks and fragrant tea, and served them all a portion. Shangguan Wan'er, who led the palace maid in, delivered a map to the prince's table.
Opening the map and handing it to Shangguan Wan'er and Li Yun, each unfolded it. Li Xian took out a thin bamboo pole from under the table and pointed at the location of Chang'an.
Seeing the prince's actions, the heads of the six families couldn't help but sit up straight. As for the snacks and tea, they didn't even look at them.
The prince obviously had deep intentions in doing this.
After clicking on the location of Chang'an and then on Luoyang, Li Xian smiled and said: "There is no need to elaborate on how important the road between Chang'an and Luoyang is. But everyone, you have only seen this The road is so important, why didn’t you look in another direction?”
"You see, the road traffic between Chang'an and Yanzhou is difficult. There has not even been an official road for a long time. But, isn't this road worthless? You know, since the stability of the grassland area, the grassland and the Central Plains have The livestock trade is also a big item, and if a road is built between Chang'an and Yanzhou, its importance will definitely not be low."
People who can become the head of a noble family may be temporarily deceived, but no one is a fool.
Seeing the prince bring this up, their eyes lit up.
Wang Qiongong cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is that we can follow your example and build such a road?"
Li Xian nodded and said with a smile: "The scope of the disaster this time is too wide, at least around Yanzhou. Not only is it expensive to transport relief food, but it is also unrealistic to call local migrant workers to Chang'an. Instead of bothering People have to walk a long way, so why not find something for them to do nearby."
"So, the road between Yanzhou and Chang'an is the most suitable. As for the road built from Chang'an to the grassland, why it only goes to Yanzhou? I don't need to say more."
Hearing this, everyone nodded. Although the grasslands have been peaceful since Taizong pacified the northern grasslands, the nomadic people have always been the target of wariness for the Han people, and the grasslands are the source of trouble in the Central Plains.
It is no exaggeration to say that once the Central Plains regime falls apart, the grassland herders will definitely reorganize into grassland countries and once again stage a show of weakness and strength with the Central Plains.
In this case, building a road that leads directly to the grassland is simply to give the grassland people a smooth way to go south.
Lu Ziqian, the head of the Fanyang Lu family, raised his hands and asked: "Since His Highness the Crown Prince has raised this matter, does he want to leave the construction of this road to me?"
Li Xian shook his head and said: "The Lu family's clan is in Fanyang. To participate in the construction of this road, wouldn't it mean to sacrifice the near for the distant? Therefore, Gu deliberately gave this road to the Li family of Longxi and the Wang family of Taiyuan to build. As for the remaining few , naturally there are other roads that can be built. After all, Chang'an is the capital of the Tang Dynasty, so there is not just one road that can be built, but roads can be built in all directions!"
After listening to the prince's words, several people fell into deep thought.
Although the aristocratic family has a transcendent status, they don't dare to put any thought into things like building roads. Now, since the prince has this intention, then it is also a good thing to take the opportunity to build a road and make money from this road.
only....
The advantage of the court, or rather, the prince's advantage, is not so easy to take advantage of.
With lessons learned from the past, the head of the six families still made up his mind about the irresistible temptation in front of him and temporarily looked away.
Li Bao, the head of the Li family in Longxi, held up his hands and asked seriously: "Your Highness, you and I both know the importance of roads. It is impossible for the imperial court to allow us to build roads without imposing any restrictions. It is no exaggeration to say that, These roads may even have the ability to change dynasties in the future, so His Highness can just trust me and leave it to me?"
Seeing Li Bao speak clearly, Li Xian smiled again: "Master Li is right. Although the court can relax the restrictions on the family and give you the qualifications to build roads, it must be restricted. These roads, It can also be regarded as several industries. No matter which path it takes, Gu will account for 20% of the share!"
20% of the members, and since the imperial court had no contribution at all, it had to be said to be a bit excessive.
but....
Is it the prince who occupies the position, not the court? what 's wrong?
For such a big event, can the prince take the place of the imperial court? Why? Perhaps, the prince has prepared some trap inside?
For a moment, the heads of the six families felt that their thoughts were simply not enough.
Just a substitution left them scratching their heads. No matter how they thought about it, they couldn't figure out what was involved.
Seeing several people scratching their heads and ears, Li Xian almost burst into laughter.
The reason why he replaced the imperial court and occupied the six families was actually Li Zhi's handiwork.
The road construction has changed from one road to four roads. If he, the prince, does not take part, won't he be robbed of the limelight by the six families? Only with the help of the six families can his reputation be raised to a higher level.
Moreover, it is the prince who cooperates with the six families, not the court. Even if there is any problem with the cooperation in the future, it will be the prince's problem and has nothing to do with the court. As for the prince taking the blame for the court, even in Li Xian's opinion, it was appropriate.
For the sake of the court's credibility, it is not a problem for the prince to take one or two scapegoats.
As long as the six families agree, the construction of the four roads will occupy all the farmers and workers in the disaster-stricken state capital, and even there will be some shortage. After the road was completed, the disaster was over. The most important thing was that there were four more wide and flat roads around Chang'an, which were simply picked up for free.
As for the chaos...
Li Zhi saw clearly that whether there is trouble or not cannot be controlled by just a few roads. Moreover, he believed that there would be no mistakes in the control of military power. At least during his reign, even if someone had unwanted thoughts, these roads were just bait thrown out by him, a fisherman.
Knocking on the table with the jade finger on his hand, Li Xian urged: "You guys need to think clearly. If you don't agree now, there won't be this shop after this village. "
