The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 466: Not Even a Rebel

From the Han, Wei, Jin, and early Sui dynasties to the Eastern Expedition during the Zhenguan period.

In September of the sixth year of Qianqing, the Tang Dynasty handed in a very complete answer sheet, with 20 million shi of grain grown in Liaodong.

In addition to Jiangnan, Shuzhong, and Lingnan, the Tang Dynasty now had another very large granary.

This granary owns nearly 80 million acres of land.

Guo Luotuo was walking in the crowd, eating soup noodles with his children.

Xu Jingzong walked over quickly and said, "Brother Guo, did Sinong Temple really grow so much grain in Liaodong?"

Today, the court has not yet opened. After the hot summer has passed, Guo Luotuo took his children for a walk in the city. He explained, "In fact, a lot of grain has been grown in Liaodong since a few years ago. At that time, Your Majesty and I did not make it public."

Xu Jingzong looked a little confused, but he couldn't hide his surprise, and his expression was complicated, so complicated that he was smiling and frowning at times.

Guo Luotuo said: "Some people say that Liaodong is bitterly cold, and some say that Liaodong is too close to foreign enemies. In fact, these words are correct, but Liaodong is a rich place, much better than the Western Regions. There is no need to dig karez there, only sowing and reclamation are needed."

"Well..." Guo Luotuo paid the store owner a few cents for the meal.

The shopkeeper hurriedly said, "We dare not accept money from Guo Siqing. Guo Siqing is a great benefactor to our farmers."

Seeing that the store owner would not accept it, Guo Luotuo left the copper coin on the table and said, "My family was poor before, but now that Your Majesty has given me such a generous salary, my family is no longer poor."

As he spoke, Guo Luotuo patted his son's head gently again.

Seeing Xu Jingzong still standing in front of him, he continued, "There were results several years ago. For the sake of Liaodong's stability, Your Majesty acquiesced to Ashina She'er to attack the Mohe people. The Mohe people are just to the north of Liaodong. Now the news of Liaodong's bumper harvest is spreading in Chang'an City. It's nothing but that it can't be concealed."

"I can't... hide it." Xu Jingzong was speechless for a moment.

"I just can't hide it." Guo Luotuo said calmly: "I have been to Liaodong myself and saw many tall trees in the mountains and forests of Liaodong. I know that the land there is very fertile and the trees are tall and reach the sky."

Xu Jingzong said with emotion: "I must visit Liaodong in my lifetime."

Guo Luotuo shook his head and said, "Xu Fuyin doesn't need to go. This year, the court has sent thirty officials and two hundred teachers to Liaodong."

Xu Jingzong and Guo Luotuo were about the same age, both over 40 and approaching 50. He sighed again and said, "You have suffered the most among us. You have been in the Western Regions for several years, and then went to Liaodong and Shuzhong. It has really been hard for you."

"My job is not that hard, I just do farming. The young people in Sinong Temple are all capable of doing things on their own, so I can enjoy my old age."

Xu Jingzong said: "Your Majesty will probably reward you."

Guo Luotuo nodded, "I have already been admitted to the Lingyan Pavilion, what other rewards do I need? This life is enough."

During the Zhenguan period, the then Tian Khan conquered a large territory for the Tang Dynasty. He conquered the Turks in the north for two years, conquered Tuyuhun for a year, conquered Gaochang, and swept the Western Regions for another five years. He fought a battle with Tubo in Songzhou, and then conquered the east for another three years.

There was the subsequent Eastern Expedition, and during the Zhenguan period of a total of twenty years, at least ten of those years were spent on war.

In the Tang Dynasty, wars were very frequent.

During the reign of Emperor Qianqing, there had only been one battle, the Battle of Pamirs.

The battle in India was fought with borrowed troops by Wang Xuance, so it can be considered as a win-win.

It’s not that this dynasty was not warlike, but the Tang Dynasty was still in the process of digesting the vast territories opened up during the Zhenguan period, and it is even a little unable to digest it now.

This indigestion was specifically reflected in the system, or in the construction of the Chongwenguan, or the construction of the Protectorate, or the construction of the Four Anxi Towns.

Guo Luotuo dug karez in the Western Regions, which was also a means of digestion.

The food from Liaodong is also part of the means of digestion.

The problem facing the Tang Dynasty today is very simple. It is to digest and utilize the conquered territories and turn them into nutrients to make the Tang Dynasty stronger, with a larger population and more food.

After Li Chengqian ascended the throne, he talked about three-year planning and five-year planning, but in fact he was just digesting the accumulation of the Zhenguan period.

The battle of Pamirs must be fought. Otherwise, there will be no peace for the Ili River. Whether it is driving out the foreign enemies or killing them all, it is all for the peace of the Tianshan Mountains and the Ili River.

In this way, the Tang Dynasty could peacefully digest the foundation and territory laid during the Zhenguan period.

What about the Arabs in the distance? Their rule should be more primitive and more brutal.

The lack of manpower and systems in the court has also made the current territory really difficult for the Tang Dynasty today.

What's more, Wang Xuance...

Ugh!
Nothing more...

When Li Chengqian thought of this, he could only think about patching up the system and trying to make it as detailed as possible.

It’s not good for the father to be too powerful.

Li Chengqian walked in front of the Taiji Hall with his hands in his pockets, followed by his two daughters and youngest son, who were also walking with their hands in their pockets.

Dad walked in front, and the three children walked in a line behind him from tallest to shortest.

The eldest son is now eleven years old and has been raised by my father. My father had said at the beginning that he would raise Yu Tu.

Li Chengqian suddenly stopped, and the three children behind him also stopped.

A eunuch came hurriedly to report, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhao is here."

Li Chengqian nodded and signaled to invite the person over.

When Changsun Wuji arrived, the three children came forward and surrounded him, calling him uncle.

Ever since my uncle retired, he seldom comes to the palace.

The three children surrounded their uncle for a long time, until Changsun Wuji took out a kite, and then they started to play together.

Li Chengqian said, "Thank you for your help, uncle."

Chang Sun Wuji said: "Don't bother me. I heard that Liaodong has grown 10 million dan of grain?"

"Yes." Li Chengqian continued walking with his hands in his pockets, saying, "Liaodong has grown so much grain, I'm afraid some people will laugh their heads off. Even the Ministry of Civil Affairs can't buy all the grain."

Changsun Wuji said: "I think the court does not need to buy all of them."

"Don't buy it?" Li Chengqian said, "Those who hope that the Tang Dynasty will fall soon, and those famous officials who teach and resist, probably think so, but I can afford it."

Changsun Wuji was speechless for a moment.

"I can afford it, why not buy it?"

I heard from the retired emperor that the court is very wealthy now.

The three words "can afford" were like a huge rock hitting his heart. Changsun Wuji suddenly coughed twice and then said, "Since you can afford it, then I am worrying too much."

"They worry too much. I also trouble those famous officials to care about my country. I really appreciate their concern."

Changsun Wuji smiled silently again.

Li Chengqian continued walking on the open ground in front of the Taiji Hall and said, "In fact, they are a very interesting group of people. They are not officials in the court, but they point fingers at the government. They are not even considered traitors."

He paused and continued, "Uncle, just think that I am too idle. I have nothing to do, so I want to study their thoughts. This will happen after studying for a long time."

Changsun Wuji bowed and said, "Your Majesty is in such a state of mind, I am relieved."

Li Chengqian looked at the children flying kites in front of the Taiji Hall and said, "I was young before, but now I am over thirty years old. My attitude towards things and people is different." Changsun Wuji thought of the Zhenguan period, when the court was still compiling clan records and the emperor was still His Majesty. He was very dissatisfied with the ranking of surnames.

If the Emperor at that time had the same state of mind as Your Majesty does now, Duke Zheng, Duke Liang and my uncle would have much less worries.

After thinking about it, what happened back then is now in the past.

Although His Majesty is strict in his actions, he is a very open-minded person.

Changsun Wuji thought to himself, His Majesty said that his mood has changed, but from what I can see now, His Majesty still looks as young as when he was eighteen or nineteen years old, and His Majesty's heart is the same as it was back then, and the same is true when facing the doted King of Wei.

It was like this then, and it is like this now.

Although he has changed, in fact, the young Majesty in front of him has not changed at all. It should be said that His Majesty has never thought about changing himself.

Before his uncle left, Li Chengqian sent fruits and vegetables as tribute from all over the Western Regions.

At the morning court session after summer retreat, Li Chengqian listened to the arguments of the court officials as usual, and dozens of people stood up in the court.

Liaodong produced so much grain that the court would certainly have to advise against it. Although the price of grain in Chang'an has now risen to eight cents per dou, it is only because the population has increased that grain has become more expensive.

However, if the grain from Liaodong is transported to Guanzhong, the manpower and cost consumed will not be worth it.

Some people in the court even said that the grain should be stored locally in Liaodong, and even if it rotted in Liaodong, it should not be transported to Guanzhong.

Minister of Civil Affairs Chu Suiliang stepped out of the court and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, you can use the canal to transport grain from Liaodong to the granary in Luoyang."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers stopped talking.

Li Chengqian asked: "How is the course of the canal?"

Chu Suiliang added: "Your Majesty, the canal is now unobstructed. As long as the transportation is smooth, it will be no problem to transport tens of millions of dan of grain and grass to Luoyang."

Whether it is the right time or the right place, God is blessing the Tang Dynasty.

I don’t know if it’s because there are really too many fools in the Tang Dynasty that God favors the Tang Dynasty so much.

Li Chengqian said solemnly, "Have the Minister of War Yu Zhining prepare personnel to assist the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Jingzhao Prefecture, and Sino-Agricultural Temple in transporting grain and grass, and deliver them to the Luoyang granary before the beginning of next spring."

Upon hearing this, all the ministers bowed in greeting.

Although there were some arguments in the first morning court session after Xia Mu, it ended smoothly.

Nearly 20 million shi of grain still sounds scary. There is no shortage of grain in other parts of Hebei, and there is no shortage of grain in Guanzhong and Luoyang.

Does this mean that after the food is delivered, we have to stuff it into people’s mouths?
Even if the more than 3 million people in Guanzhong did not farm the land for a year, the grain alone would be enough to feed them.

But that’s not how you calculate the account. Doing so will only lead to more and more losses.

One stone of grain can make 100 kilograms of dry food. If it is made into food, the price can be higher. With the raw materials, the population can be increased, and the city tax generated by production, sale and consumption can be generated. After these processes are in operation, one stone of grain can benefit all links.

Even if it's brewing wine, it should be more cost-effective.

A penny can be broken into pieces and used as several parts.

Li Chengqian drew a picture for this purpose. This picture seemed perfect. The labor force in the Tang Dynasty was so cheap that it was a fertile place to start a business and get rich.

It was not only His Majesty who smelled the business opportunity, but also various merchants who got first-hand information.

Of course, there is also my sister.

Two younger sisters, Qinghe and Gaoyang, stood in front of him, with their heads down and looking a little nervous.

Li Chengqian asked: "You want to open a food store?"

Qinghe whispered, "Brother, this is not a food store, it's a workshop."

"Where are the staff?"

"Sister Li Zhi said she would help us."

Li Chengqian drank a sip of tea with a serious look on his face, and then asked, "Where's the money?"

Gao Yang said timidly to his brother, "Five strings of cash will be enough."

"I will give you one hundred strings of cash."

The two sisters thought they had heard it wrong for a moment. It turned out that the emperor doted on them so much. They were so moved that they wanted to cry.

Li Chengqian continued: "But..."

Speaking of "but", the sisters looked a little more nervous.

Li Chengqian added: "The workshop you opened will be managed by the eunuchs in the court, and all accounts need to be handed over to Concubine Ning. Your market taxes will not go through Jingzhao Prefecture, but will be paid directly to me."

In front of their royal brother, they were completely obedient and nodded slightly.

Li Chengqian instructed again: "Go back and write a detailed plan."

"Here."

Qinghe and Gaoyang walked out of the new palace. The two girls still looked worried. Gaoyang asked, "How should this plan be written?"

Qinghe said: "The Queen Sister Linchuan and the Queen Sister Dongyang will help us."

Gao Yang also nodded heavily in response, "Yes."

When they have difficulties, they turn to their brothers and sisters. This is what they learned in the Eastern Palace since they were young. And the brothers and sisters in the Eastern Palace at that time, whether they were young slaves or married imperial sisters, everyone always followed the same principle.

In the Wude Hall, Li Yuan heard about this and said with some displeasure: "Look at these grandchildren of mine. They don't manage their fiefs well, even if they just annex some land! Look, look at them, they all want to build workshops, hospitals, and colleges. What is this..."

Gao Shilian stroked his beard with a smile and asked, "As princes and princesses, they went to annex land. Are you relieved?"

Li Yuan said: "That's natural."

Since ancient times, anyone who had a fortune had been thinking about annexing land. Who would want to start a business if they could annex land?

Land annexation is the main business of the aristocratic families. Even those with a little wealth know that land annexation is the right way to go. Those who do not think about annexing land are not good descendants and can even be labeled as unfilial.

Gao Shilian said: "Your grandchildren all grew up in the East Palace, and were raised by the current emperor. The knowledge those children learned since childhood makes them sneer at land annexation."

Li Yuan took a sip of tea and asked, "Are you making fun of me?"

Gao Shilian said: "You are the auspicious sign of the palace. How dare I make fun of auspicious signs?"

"Hmm..." Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then said, "What have they learned? What did Donggong teach them?"

The old man was losing his temper again. Everyone inside and outside the palace was very nervous. I heard that the old man even broke a lot of glass cups.

Li Chengqian stood in front of a sand table, looking at the overall planning map of the future counties.

"Your Majesty, the old man is smashing things again."

"Let grandpa smash it. If it's not enough, I'll give you some more. Smash it to your heart's content."

(End of this chapter)