Tang Dynasty: The poisonous scholar in the Eastern Palace, please abdicate and let the wise one take

Chapter 472 Li Shimin: You are very arrogant now

One million taels of silver.

This is just the first phase of planning!

If the Ministry of Works were to relocate and rebuild for the seventh, eighth, or ninth phase, wouldn't that cost tens of millions of taels of silver?
Who can stand this?
Dai Zhou said expressionlessly, "Mr. Duan, how much money does it cost to relocate and rebuild your manufacturing bureau?"

"Just for the first phase of planning, one million taels of silver will be needed. If there are dozens of phases, let alone the national treasury, even if your majesty's private treasury is added, it will not be enough, right?"

Duan Lun smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master Dai. I am just telling the truth."

“Relocating there will not only require manpower assistance, but also the construction of a suitable site.”

"Whether it's manpower, materials, or demolition, it all requires money."

"Although we are doing this for the convenience of the people, we can't use this as an excuse to take someone's land and house, right?"

"If I really did that, I'm afraid that before Your Majesty punishes me, my ancestors for eighteen generations will be cursed by the elders and villagers."

Everyone laughed at Duan Lun's self-mockery.

"Not really. Lord Duan is too kind."

"But what Lord Duan said is true. No one would be happy if someone took away someone's land and house with just one sentence."

"Put yourself in his shoes. Lord Duan serves the country and the people. He is truly a role model for our generation."

"..."

Facing the flattery from the crowd, Duan Lun modestly waved his hands and said, "I am just doing my duty. You are overpraising me."

Dai Zhou: "..."

Look at what you are like!

Li Chengqian pondered and said, "How about this, Lord Duan, please come up with a specific plan, so that the Ministry of Revenue can allocate funds."

Duan Lun took out the memorial from his sleeve without saying anything, and handed it over with a smile, "Your Majesty, this is the regulations I prepared earlier, please take a look at it."

hiss!
Good guy.

This is coming prepared.

When they saw Duan Lun really took out the charter, all the ministers present immediately understood.

I was prepared to ask for money before, but it just happened that today, the Japanese Protectorate sent the silver over!

Li Chengqian was also a little surprised. After carefully looking at the memorial in his hand, he smiled and nodded, then handed it to Fang Xuanling and others.

Dai Zhou, in particular, couldn't wait to check it out and was extremely serious.

At this time.

Duan Lun's haunting voice rang in his ears.

"Master Dai, can we allocate funds now?"

"..."

When Dai Zhou looked up, he saw Duan Lun smiling with a sly look on his face.

Dai Zhou closed the memorial with an expressionless face. "Since the Ministry of Works needs money, for the sake of the people of the Tang Dynasty, I have nothing to say."

Li Chengqian said in a deep voice, "In this case, the Ministry of Revenue must deliver the silver that the Ministry of Works needs within three days. There must be no mistakes."

"I accept the decree."

Dai Zhou nodded silently in agreement.

Although he was reluctant, he handed the newly obtained silver to Duan Lun, but he had no other choice.

After all, he was very clear about the actions of the Manufacturing Bureau, and he also knew that the expenses there were like running water.

Fortunately, there is silver in the treasury now.

otherwise.

According to the way the Ministry of Works was using it, even if it was sold, it would not be able to raise that much silver.

"My dear ministers, do you have anything else to say?"

Li Chengqian glanced around and saw that all the officials present were silent, so he smiled and said, "Since you, my dear ministers, have nothing else to do, today's court meeting will end here."

"Minister of Revenue, please stay for a moment."

"I'm waiting to retire."

Many ministers withdrew.

Dai Zhou was a little confused as to why Li Chengqian wanted to leave him alone.

"My dear Dai, take a hundred treasures with you and follow me to Da'an Palace."

"..."

Okay.

It turns out it was because of this.

Can I not send it?
Dai Zhou: "I obey your order."

After a stick of incense.

Dai Zhou brought hundreds of carefully selected treasures and followed Li Chengqian to the Da'an Palace.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty and the Minister of Revenue are here."

"Does he need to be notified specifically when he comes?"

Li Shimin had a calm expression and didn't even raise his head.

"I, your son, pay my respects to your father."

"I, Dai Zhou, pay my respects to the Supreme Emperor."

"Stand up, Wang De, and take a seat."

Li Shimin put down the book in his hand and looked up at Li Chengqian and the other man who were sitting down. "Are you so kind as to pay your respects to me?"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Of course I have good news to share with my father."

Li Shimin leaned back and chose a comfortable position, "What's the good news?"

"Reporting to Father, Japan has been conquered, and the Dongying Protectorate is already being planned."

Li Chengqian smiled, "In addition, General Su Dingfang has taken over hundreds of silver mines in Japan, and he has sent a lot of gold, silver and jewelry this time."

"I have selected one hundred of them and sent them to you for your enjoyment."

Li Shimin nodded. "The news that Japan was taken down has spread a few days ago. It's not a big deal."

For Li Shimin, it might be a good achievement for Li Chengqian to conquer powerful countries like the Turks and Tibet.

After all, the combat power of both sides is almost the same.

As for Japan, it is just a small country, so it is normal to take it down.

"You brought Dai Zhou here, but is there anything else?"

"nature."

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "In addition to presenting precious treasures to the emperor, I would also like to hear his opinion." "What opinion?"

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows.

Li Chengqian spoke slowly, "An economic and trade war against the Arab Empire, Tubo and other countries."

"Economic trade war?"

Li Shimin showed a curious look on his face, "Are you talking about Guan Zhong destroying Lu with grain?"

Li Chengqian nodded.

Li Shimin was silent.

I was almost confused by the professional term Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian: "Lord Dai, you should have made some preparations during this period, right?"

Dai Zhou said in a deep voice: "I have prepared some."

Li Chengqian: "Then, Lord Dai, please start."

Dai Zhou nodded and recounted in detail his preparations during this period.

Ever since listening to Su Chen's trade theory, Dai Zhou has been thinking about its actual implementation plan. Especially with the continuous good news coming from Japan and Pei Mingli's smooth return, Dai Zhou has been constantly planning.

In terms of trade, what the Tang Dynasty could offer, besides large quantities of silk, tea, and porcelain, was the endless supply of silver mines from Japan!

Therefore, Dai Zhou used all these things as weapons, especially the silver mines.

"We will gradually lower the selling prices of various goods, and vigorously dump them on Tubo, Persia, and the Arab Empire. At the same time, we will appropriately increase the tariffs on caravans from Western countries that come to the Tang Dynasty to do business in the Western Regions Protectorate..."

"In addition, Pei Mingli will bring silver to various Western countries to disrupt local market prices, especially food prices."

"I have also selected the personnel on the Tibetan side. When the time comes, he will bring the goods from the Tang Dynasty and dump them into the Tibetan territory in an endless stream..."

Listening to Dai Zhou's detailed description, Li Shimin frowned unconsciously.

This way.

Doesn't Li Chengqian regard the western countries, and the closer Tubo, as enemies?

Can the Tang Dynasty really face so many countries at the same time?
“Will such a large-scale move provoke resistance from other countries?”

"Maybe."

Dai Zhou said in a deep voice, "We have to prepare for the worst, but the Tang Dynasty may not be unable to afford it."

"I have investigated the situation in Tubo during this period, and it is far worse than we imagined."

"Worse?"

"Correct!"

"Your Majesty, you don't know that the new king Songtsen Gampo is a great man, but the situation in Tubo is that there are many slaves. These people have been whipped, oppressed, and even easily beheaded by their masters for many years."

Li Shimin did not find it strange, "Most slaves have such a fate."

Dai Zhou smiled and said, "But the emperor forgot about the miracle of King Bingjian on the grassland?"

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows.

Dai Zhou: "Buddhists often say that all living beings are equal. Chen Sheng once said, are there any different kinds of kings, princes, generals and ministers?"

"Since there are so many slaves in Tibet, why can't we do both and cause chaos in Tibet as well?"

Li Shimin understood a little, and when he looked at Dai Zhou, he felt a little more scrutinizing.

Is this still the Dai Zhou he is familiar with?

Different.

Very different!

Perhaps because he was too close to Su Chen, Li Shimin actually vaguely saw some of Su Chen's shadow in Dai Zhou.

vicious.

Use the price of goods to stimulate the nobles and common people in Tubo, and use the idea that all beings are equal and there is no difference between kings, princes, generals and ministers to stimulate the slaves.

What will these slaves do when they have no way to survive?
Die willingly, or fight hard before death and shout loudly, are kings, princes, generals, or ministers of different species?

No one knows.

"Is this your plan?"

"Yes."

"Of course, it may not succeed, but I think that if we do this, there will be chaos in Tibet."

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian thoughtfully, "After conquering Japan, your target has become Tubo?"

Li Chengqian nodded: "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because the Tang Dynasty is developing too fast."

Li Chengqian said frankly, "Ever since the steam locomotive at the Manufacturing Bureau was completed, I have had a premonition that the Tang Dynasty will enter a period of rapid development."

"There is one more thing that Father doesn't know yet."

"What's the matter?"

"Su Bing returned from the sea, bringing with him a large amount of grain."

Li Shimin frowned, "Could it be that there is something unusual about these grains?"

Li Chengqian said slowly: "The yield of these grains can reach at least a thousand kilograms per mu!"

"This is impossible!"

Li Shimin immediately shook his head to express his disbelief.

The yield per mu reached more than 1,000 kilograms, which was something he had never seen or heard of before.

Even the so-called auspicious rice may not be able to reach thousands of kilograms per acre.

"It is currently impossible to give the emperor a satisfactory answer as to whether this matter is true or not. However, Dugu Duzhi has already brought Liu Renjing and others to study the method of planting it."

Dai Zhou said with a smile, "According to King Bingjian, if those grains are grown properly, they can even reach an astonishing yield of several thousand kilograms per acre."

"In other words, as long as these grains are cultivated and sent to various states and prefectures for planting, from now on, the people of the Tang Dynasty will never go hungry."

Enough food!
Japan has an endless supply of silver mines!
The ever-growing and expanding products of the Manufacturing Bureau...

Li Shimin understood.

"So, this is your confidence in planning to attack Tubo?"

"Correct!"

Li Chengqian said in a deep voice, "As long as Dai Zhou does a good job, I only need one decree to make the people in Tubo take action!"

Li Shimin: "You are very arrogant now."

(End of this chapter)