Don't be a prince

Page 150

Li Tai pursed his mouth and ate the millet rice, found a chance to go to Li Chengqian's side and said, "Brother Huang, did you really bring nothing with you today except cake?"

Li Chengqian sighed and said: "You think I can still disobey the order given by the emperor himself? It is the cake on the carriage, which is prepared by the driver habitually. Just bear with it. You don't think it tastes good, but the common people I don’t know how many years I’ve eaten it.”

Seeing the emperor getting up to fill the second bowl of rice, Li Tai sighed and said, "Brother Emperor, I didn't expect that not only I failed to help Li Ke, but also almost cheated the queen mother. We did something wrong this time."

Li Chengqian also lowered his voice and said: "You're right, I also thought things too simply. From the standpoint of the queen mother and the ministers who support our Li family, Li Ke should be kicked out to the fief. It's not that easy, and it looks like we can't help Li Ke on this point."

You can’t do things like this, as long as you don’t think deeply about it, problems will arise.Many times, people will only look at the bright side, but selectively forget other results.

From now on, the matter of not being an official can no longer be mentioned, not even by Li Ke himself.

The Spring Plowing Ceremony was completed so quickly for the first time, and Sinong Temple still did not give up and sent a large number of officials to the academy. Such a great contribution cannot be given up no matter what.

Li Tai took over Furong Garden, but handed over the renovation and construction to his subordinates.

The officials of the Wei Palace were overjoyed. The Furong Garden granted by the King of Wei was a manifestation of Jane's heart in the emperor's heart. How easy was it to get the Li Palace from the previous dynasty?As a well-known idle official in the official system of the imperial court, officials such as the long history of the palace generally have no chance of promotion.But there is one exception, that is, when the prince becomes a prince, or even an emperor, they become ministers of the dragon, and it is not uncommon for them to rise to the sky.

Because of this, most of the officials in the palace are ambitious, and the more powerful the prince, the more he will attract such people.

Li Tai was busy discussing the construction of the bridge with the craftsmen of the Ministry of Industry, and let go of the matter of the Furong Garden.Li Chengqian was busy saving money, and was not in the mood to care about the construction of Furong Garden.

Li Chengqian didn't care, but Kong Yingda, the prince of Zuo Chunfang, was very concerned about this matter. After learning that many places in the renovated Furong Garden were beyond the regulations, he ruthlessly made a scene on the construction site, talking about many officials from the Wei Palace, The craftsmen were all arrested and sent directly to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation.After that, he wrote to the prince and the emperor, requesting that these restless officials be severely punished.

In the system of the Eastern Palace, Zuo Chunfang is equivalent to the imperial court's Menxia Province.Comparing the two, Kong Yingda is in the same position as Wei Zheng.

However, Kong Yingda's hope was doomed to fail. The emperor just issued a reprimand order to rework. As for the memorial to the crown prince, there was no reply at all.

"Look, this is the result of the people under the opponent being too indulgent. How dare they build a pavilion higher than the main hall of the East Palace? They knew that they would be questioned, but they did it anyway, didn't they? Extremely stupid?"

Li Tai said helplessly: "They are all stupid people. Every time I enter the palace, they will ask me to please my father and queen mother more, and go out with you. They strongly demand that we go together and take the opportunity to collect your mistakes. For this reason , I don’t know how many people have been punished, but the result is still not corrected.”

Li Tai obviously entered the East Palace to plead guilty according to the emperor's request, but at this time he was chewing on a piece of cake. I didn't mean to look at it either.

They are all people who can't help themselves. Li Tai knows that in this matter, his subordinates will definitely be punished. Li Chengqian also knows that Li Tai has no idea.There is no need for jealousy between brothers, as long as the outsiders want to talk about it, it will be fine if there is too much talking, it will affect the relationship.

After eating the last bite of cake, Li Taicai took out a drawing from his pocket and put it on the table and said, "Look, brother, this is the final drawing that all of us have finalized. After the bridge is completed, let alone heavy vehicles, Even if the earth dragon turns over, I'm afraid it can't do anything about it."

Now almost all craftsmen have learned how to draw, and advanced craftsmen even strictly formulate scales.The bridge on the picture is magnificent, and the bridge deck can even allow several carriages to travel side by side.

"Very good, let's make it according to this picture, but Qingque, are you really going to pay for it yourself? The cost of this project is not small!"

Li Tai smiled and said: "After the bridge is completed, it can always be used in various ways. Aren't you planning to lay a cement road between Xiazhou and the college? As long as this cement road is completed, there is no reason why it will not attract businessmen. Your cement road can be built with toll booths, why can't my bridge? After the bridge is completed, I will collect the tolls from passing motorcades and caravans. Although it is a little less, as long as there are more people, I can always slowly invest Take it back!"

Li Chengqian laughed immediately. Li Tai was really smart. That's right, it's weird that there is no toll for such a bridge that spans the Wei River and is convenient for traffic.

"Now that you have decided, make it well. Since you have to charge, you have to buy cement and other materials from the Ministry of Industry. No matter the discount, as long as you buy it, no one will have any objections."

Regarding the construction of the bridge, Li Chengqian could only say so much.Although I have seen many bridges, but in front of the ancients, it is better not to play tricks.

The broken bridge in the east of the city in later generations will be rebuilt every three or four years on average, while the Zhaozhou Bridge has remained intact for more than 400 years. An earthquake with a magnitude of nearly 7.4 failed to damage it.

With the strongest ability and cement, Li Chengqian is looking forward to what kind of monster they can create.

After sending Li Tai away, Li Chengqian wrote a reply to Kong Yingda.

Since he entered politics, Zuo Chunfang, etc., are no longer decorations. The emperor's father has added a lot of talents to these institutions. Unlike those under Li Tai's command, these people in the East Palace are all Capable, but not famous because of lack of merit.These people can be called the team of the next dynasty.

Although it was just the two brothers talking for a while, in the reply, Li Chengqian still indicated that he had severely reprimanded Li Tai.Some things can not be done, but must be expressed.

After the incident in Furongyuan, many people under Li Tai's command have survived, and all the official positions in the East Palace have gradually been filled.Some memorials about trivial matters no longer go through Zhongshu Province, but are directly sent to the East Palace by Six Departments for the prince to make a decision. After Zuo Chunfang's review, they are sent directly to Menxia Province, even the emperor is spared.

With Li Chengqian joining, the emperor finally relaxed a little.

People can't help but move around when they are free, and the emperor is no exception.During the Dragon Boat Festival, the emperor canceled the banquet that was supposed to be held in Qujiang Pond and changed it to the Weishui River.

Wei Zheng persuaded the emperor to take back the order on the grounds that "the Wei River is far away, and I am afraid of loss, but there are too many followers, and it will be wasted."

The House of Internal Affairs is actually very rich, not to mention that before Li Shimin became the emperor, there was no shortage of treasures in the house.But now as the emperor, not only part of the national treasury will be sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but also part of the royal family's own property.

Li Chengqian only recently learned that although some aristocratic families have monopolized some items such as salt and iron, the rest, except for smuggling, are almost all handled by the royal family...

"His Royal Highness, the governor of Songzhou asked for a memorial to open trade with the attached country. I don't know why you rejected it?"

Wei Zheng didn't back down, but turned to Li Chengqian with a book and opened his mouth.

Fang Xuanling also came out together: "Your Highness, I have also read this memorial. Songzhou is located at the foot of the plateau, and there are many cattle and sheep in the attached country. The tea, silk and food in the Central Plains are all things they long for. A lot of livestock can be exchanged for a part of it, I don’t know why you don’t agree?”

Seeing that Lao Wei really mentioned this memorial, Li Chengqian got up and said: "According to the records of Honglu Temple, in the third year of Zhenguan, Tubo's Zanpu was replaced by Songtsan Gampo, and at the age of 12, he was He wiped out many opposition groups, deterred all the tribes, and unified the plateau. After carefully studying the information about the plateau, Gu is almost certain that he will definitely move the Tibetan government from Yalongzhaduyuan to Luoxie Locate closer to the border of the attached country. If the attached country is not eliminated, I am afraid he will not live in peace. Doing business with a country that is about to be destroyed may affect the caravan. When a dog bites a dog, who knows? Will you bite our people with cold blood?"

Hearing this reason, Fang Xuanling was extremely shocked.Regardless of this conjecture, it is already extraordinary that the prince can think so deeply.

Tang Jian stood up and said: "Mr. Fang, His Royal Highness's speculation is the same as that of the lower officials. Songtsan Gampo unified the plateau, and the most elite soldiers under him are from the logic, and the new nobles are also from the logic." It was generated nearby. In order to firmly control this force, moving the capital is the best choice."

Li Jing usually doesn't speak in the court, but when it comes to his apprentices, he still can't help but stand up and say: "Since ancient times, it is reasonable for Beijing not to step aside. In the ninth year of Wude, Jieli almost waved his troops straight Drive Chang'an? Didn't we become more stable until the Eastern Turks were destroyed? Although the Tubo people lacked enlightenment, they would not understand such a truth. The border expanded to around Songzhou."

Even Li Jing said so, Wei Zheng could only hand over the memorial to Fang Xuanling, and retreated to the team.

Wei Zheng is now a big boss in the province, and he has the right to question or even refute the abnormal memorial.Of course, the East Palace is no exception.

Seeing that there were no objections, Li Chengqian gave up the venue.

Just sat back in his seat, the old house next to him smiled and said: "It's really a hero out of a boy. The matter that Tang Jian and Li Jing analyzed together, I didn't expect the prince to guess it alone. The old man even questioned your decision. What a shame! old."

Li Chengqian didn't even know what expression to use to deal with Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng could be forgiven if he couldn't figure it out, you old bastard can't figure it out, it's too much!

"Fang Xiang, Gu's own weight is still clear. If Gu guessed correctly, you have already guessed Gu's thoughts. Now you are asking in the court, just to see if Gu's thoughts are clear. And The memorial that Wei Zheng is holding probably already has the approval from the Menxia Province, so it is about to be sent to the Minister of Shangshu for execution."

At this moment, Fang Xuanling was really convinced, cupped his hands, and stopped talking.

When thinking about things, you might as well think deeply. Sometimes things that are irrelevant may also be related.This is the reminder of the Li Ke incident to Li Chengqian.

Now that Li Ke is also engaged, this time, everyone, including Concubine Yang, did not disclose the information of the engaged woman.

"If you don't know him, don't know him. With the character of my mother and concubine, I won't choose among high-ranking officials, but she must be good-looking. I'm not going to be an official. I'm going to trouble my brothers. In fact, Wudi is also good. I heard that the people there Only beautiful women have charm, and when I am in the fief, I will recruit beautiful women, and if I meet good ones, I will definitely remember to keep them for you too!"

The words were free and easy, but Li Ke's far-fetched smile still couldn't hide Li Chengqian and Li Tai.

Li Ke likes to do things, especially in charge of affairs, but when he arrived in the fiefdom, he went to benefit the people and command the local army, or to put it bluntly, he went to raise pigs under these two banners.

Although the governor of Anzhou has the power to command local soldiers and horses, what he actually operates is the long history of Wu Wangfu, or the long history inserted by the emperor. Apart from this long history, any person in Wu Wangfu who wants to get involved in military power will eventually be Blame it on Li Ke.

In fact, Li Ke himself knows that when he arrives in the fief, he can only be safe by closing the door and being an otaku.

After taking a sip of tea, Li Chengqian put down his cup and said: "Who told you that you are going to be an otaku after you go to the fief? Others hope so, but I don't agree! Tell you Li Ke, when you go to the fief, you must I have to bring a group of college disciples and direct them to build horse heads and clean up river channels. That day, my father entrusted me with the job of regulating the sea transport, and I also asked for the right to dispose of the river transport. Although there are many places in Wudi It is poor, but because of the dense waterways, it is most suitable for the development of river transport.

As long as the river transport can run through the north and the south, then any place where a big river enters the sea can form a marine terminal.All these tasks need to be led by someone, brother, I can count on you! "

Hearing Li Chengqian's words, Li Ke's forced smile immediately turned into ecstasy: "Really?"

Li Chengqian nodded: "Of course it's true. Now the first batch of graduates of the college are promoting planting vehicles, but this thing is generally only available in the north. The second batch of graduates next year will be sent to the south. Although the father has I had the idea of ​​selecting officials in the college, but it is impossible to recruit too many people for the first time, and many of the remaining people still have to fend for themselves. The emperor will choose the remaining people, and I will find some part-time jobs. It should not be too much! "

Li Tai patted Li Ke on the shoulder and said, "Look, Brother Huang wants to use you as free labor!"

Li Ke shook his head, in his opinion, as long as there is something to do, no matter what!

2 Chapter Fifty Temptation, Temptation

"Brother Huang, you shouldn't be able to leave the East Palace now, right? What excuse did you use to come to the academy today?"

Hearing Li Tai's words, Li Chengqian didn't know what to say.

"What's an excuse? Now that the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, every family is paying respects to their ancestors. I'll come to the academy to pay respects to Master Li."

Speaking of this, Li Chengqian became angry. When he dispatched officials to the East Palace, he drove them away. Now that Master Li passed away, the East Palace began to regain its power, and Zuo Chunfang immediately called in a large number of officials.Compared with these guys who risked their lives to show their presence, Kong Yingda was considered a good person.

After all, Kong Yingda was added as the new prince and grand teacher, and he only occasionally asked him to comment on ancient affairs.And those commanders, from waking up to going to sleep, no matter what they see that are not pleasing to the eye, they have to take care of it, so that he will not tire of it.

Seeing Brother Huang's impatient look, Li Tai immediately felt sorry for him.He is relatively leisurely now. In the palace, except for the chief guard who occasionally moves his mouth, no one dares to control him.

Li Ke felt the same way. Unlike Li Tai, he was surrounded by officials sent by the emperor. What he did was probably analyzed by specialized personnel, and any abnormalities would be sent to the emperor's desk.

Besides, such a topic is a bit serious. After the three brothers drank the tea in their cups, they made an appointment to climb the mountain together tomorrow morning.

In the early morning of the next day, the weather was a bit gloomy, but the three brothers who had already decided to pay homage to the old man went up the mountain regardless of the persuasion of the officials and guards.

Crystal elbow, braised pork, dumplings stuffed with three delicacies...

There is a lot of food, and some papers that record things, but there is no paper money.

Before the old man left, he told him that when he went to the grave in the future, he didn't need to burn paper money. Even sitting on the grave and talking was more useful than burning those things.

Li Anren has lived here for a long time. According to the etiquette system, he has to observe filial piety for three years.

Seeing the three princes, King Wei and King Wu, visiting as scheduled? Li Anren greeted them.

"I have seen the three Highnesses.",

Looking at the tomb without a single weed? Li Chengqian nodded, and said to Li Anren: "Before Master Li passed away, didn't he tell you not to guard the tomb? Mr. Academy, although there are not many more, but you go to teach and educate the grave." People? The old man is also happy under the spring."

Li Anren smiled wryly: "Three years of filial piety is a way for strangers to express their remembrance. The Li family is a single pass? My father passed away early? I am left alone, and there is no one to replace me."

Three years of filial piety, although it is a long time, but at this time no one regards it as a matter of face.Although Li Chengqian felt that Jae Yu's attitude was wrong? What he did was right? However, what Confucius said completely confirmed the rule of "keeping filial piety for three years".

There is no reason for this kind of thing, it is all right or wrong determined by subjective consciousness.

"Mr. Li, a lot of important things have happened during your visit? It's all written in the letter. If you get it, remember to ask Meng to send a reply. But, it's been so long? Except for the one you just left. Except for visiting in my disciple's dream, have I never seen you coming? Could it be that the other world is so colorful?"

"The position of the prince? Is the disciple not going to give it up to others? The Chinese people want to avoid some detours, and they need to walk on the right path many years in advance, and there is nothing better than a correct leader-the emperor. Set things right."

...

After rambling on for a long time, Li Chengqian left the cemetery with an umbrella.

Some things can be said in front of Li Tai and others, but some things can only be thought about in the heart, and can only be said to Li Gang.

I don't know since when, the emperor rewarded officials with food from the East Palace during the New Year's Day, which became an expression of extreme honor and favor, and all officials were proud of receiving the emperor's reward.

The same goes for zongzi.

But it was hard for her to ask the cooks of the Eastern Palace to cover the share of all officials. Li Chengqian had no choice but to direct the cooks in the imperial dining room to make it, and then rewarded it.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, all officials gather in a spacious and slow-flowing section of the Weishui River to race dragon boats.

The place where the banquet was held was specially set up on a hill, where the stadium could be clearly seen.

"Hehehe, the crown prince took the lead, and I don't know what promise the crown prince gave them to make them work so hard."

"Fang Xiang, your family's team is not bad, it is estimated that it will catch up with the pro rate soon."

Eating while chatting, this day can be said to be a rare rest day for civil and military officials and emperors in the Manchu Dynasty.

"During the Taiping period, I can't relax. I practice a lot on weekdays so that I won't sharpen my guns when the war starts. Wuji, I heard that you cut [-]% of the budget of the Ministry of War to fill the people's livelihood? It's just nonsense. , The Great Tang established a country through hundreds of battles, and it should be more aware of the importance of the army, three provinces and six ministries, but the budget of the Ministry of War cannot be cut!"

Hearing the emperor's words, Changsun Wuji had no expression on his face, but only took the order with a wine glass, while Fang Xuanling and the others were nervous.Since the end of the Sui Dynasty, many official roads in various places have been abandoned. It takes a lot of money to repair and reopen them.However, no one dared to touch the money and food in the national treasury for the disaster relief year, so they had no choice but to start from the Ministry of War.

During the Taiping period, it was a great waste to maintain all the troops to maintain drills. After all, when the Eastern Turks were destroyed, Datang did not dispatch all the troops.

Now the emperor's words let them understand that the emperor does not intend to compromise on the matter of maintaining the drill.Today's dragon boat race was probably arranged because of this incident.

Seeing the appearance of Fang Xuanling and others, Li Chengqian took a sip of wine expressionlessly, but smiled in his heart.

How could the emperor's father have so many thoughts, in fact, he was crazy in the palace and needed some entertainment.Qujiang Pond is too close, and it takes less than a day to return to the palace.But Weishui is different. The distance of more than 50 miles is regarded as the emperor's trip. It takes three days to go back and forth, and the emperor can have a whole day to play.

But it's a pity that the ministers urged him not to let him board the boat in person, and now he can only watch the game here, but his heart is itchy.

Seeing the emperor's father waving towards him, Li Chengqian put down his wine glass, walked to the dragon's case, and made a gesture of listening to teachings.

"Chengqian, I sent you a lot of important memorials two days ago, and your reply is very appropriate. You said, if all the memorials were handed over to you, would you be able to handle them?"

"Reporting to my father, my son is too young to take on this important task."

Although confused why this guy asked this, Li Chengqian still told the truth.

It is no problem to deal with memorials in the commercial field, after all, his vision is there, but for other memorials, if Liubu Shangshu and Fang Xuanling hadn't made the first reply, it would be difficult for him to understand.

Self-knowledge is a must, and it is stupid to take care of everything.

"Forget it, I'm thinking about it."

After speaking, Li Shimin waved his hand.

Li Chengqian walked back in confusion, very confused.

The emperor's father never did meaningless things, even if he did, he would usually find a reason for himself afterwards.

Ask if I can handle political affairs?Why ask this?

With deep doubts, Li Chengqian took a sip of wine, and then engraved this question deeply in his heart.

"The crown prince personally wins!"

Li Jian, who was in charge of watching the game, called out the result in a drawn out voice.

Immediately, all civil and military officials toasted at the same time to congratulate the crown prince of the East Palace on his victory.