The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 501 Snow and Trouble

Di Zhixun began to narrate how Li Yifu investigated the case. Li Chengqian drank tea and listened to his story, watching the heavy snow falling outside the palace, with occasional snowflakes falling into the palace.

What Di Zhixun described was what Li Yifu wrote in his memorial.

In the Hengshui case, Li Chengqian realized the merchants of this era's keen sense of business opportunities and the way he underestimated these people. Today's merchants are no less capable than merchants of later generations, or perhaps merchants have always been so powerful, but they have evolved faster than he expected.

At first, when Li Yifu got Xu Yushi's file, he did not rush to investigate. However, from the very beginning, the other party covered up the matter very well and kept in touch with each other.

But the rising ship prices and the various local tycoons who want to make money are real.

Li Yifu allowed bad guys to infiltrate the group and move around in the name of merchants. He also spent money lavishly in Hengshui, disguising himself as a wealthy Guanzhong merchant.

With the promise of money, the other party finally opened his mouth, and the bad guys were able to enter the other party's circle of interests.

Di Zhixun said: "Your Majesty, there is actually another thing in Li Yifu's report."

Li Chengqian put down the tea bowl in his hand and said, "Speak."

Di Zhixun then narrated what happened in Hengshui. At that time, the bad guys disguised themselves as wealthy merchants from Guanzhong who wanted to enter Hengshui's water transport. Conflicts also arose within the interest groups, as they did not want the wealthy merchants from Guanzhong to enter their circle of interests.

The two sides had a conflict and fought each other, even killing several people.

It was a life-and-death conspiracy for the sake of profit. Whether to allow wealthy businessmen from Guanzhong to enter their circle, some people were unwilling to allow wealthy businessmen from Guanzhong to enter for the sake of stability. There are always people who think that the bold ones will die of overeating, while the timid ones will die of starvation.

It seems that merchants have been like this since ancient times. In fact, the merchants in the Tang Dynasty were very smart, so smart that it makes people feel that merchants have been so calculating for thousands of years.

Afterwards, Li Yifu followed the clues and arrested several county magistrates, several village heads, and many boatmen and craftsmen.

While Di Zhixun was still speaking in the hall, Duke Ying had already walked into the hall, and the eunuchs hurriedly brought a chair and a heater to the general.

Lord Ying just sat aside, breathing quietly. No matter how the wind and snow howled outside the palace, he remained unmoved.

Soon, Ma Zhou and Yu Zhining also arrived.

As Di Zhixun continued his story, Xu Jingzong and Chu Suiliang also arrived.

Inside the hall, when everyone arrived, Di Zhixun stopped talking.

The process of Li Yifu's arrest of the criminal officials was not smooth. If the other party had guarded them more closely and there were no brave ones who were fed to death and the timid ones who were starved to death, perhaps he would not have been able to catch them all this time.

This story was actually an insignificant matter during the years when Li Yifu served as the Imperial Censor, and was not even as important as the Qiantang incident.

Li Chengqian recalled Li Yifu's duties. For this censor, the biggest and most difficult case he had ever handled was probably the Lu family case in Bozhou, where a family of three all died in an accident, and a witness also died.

It was a case that lasted six years to investigate. It was caused by a tax case. Originally, it would have been enough if the taxes were paid, and there would not have been a need for so many people to die.

But the other party did not pay the taxes, and the case became more and more serious until my father led an expedition to the east, where people were killed in large numbers.

Therefore, the current difficulties are not considered difficulties for Li Yifu. Compared with the aristocratic families and noble families, these petty disturbances in Hengshui are nothing.

Li Chengqian was surprised to find that such an insignificant matter could make an emperor listen to it for so long. Perhaps it was because this case had similar shadows to those things in later generations.

Investigating cases and catching insects will be a long process for the Tang Dynasty. It is something that has been repeated time and time again in successive dynasties, like a reincarnation.

Therefore, it is necessary to train the officials of the Censorate into alpha wolves and to improve the abilities of the censors.

Li Chengqian looked at everyone and whispered, "I want to build a case database to record all the officials in the Central Plains, including their families, origins, and children."

After the words were spoken, the hall was silent for a moment.

Chu Suiliang said: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Personnel can borrow personnel from each other."

Xu Jingzong stood aside without saying a word. He glanced at Ying Gong who was sitting beside him. Ying Gong closed his eyes and did not speak. Originally, this matter had nothing to do with the Ministry of Rites, so he could just sit back and watch.

Ma Zhou added: "Your Majesty, if we want to investigate everything, it will probably take years."

Li Chengqian signaled to Di Zhixun with his eyes.

All those present were ministers. Di Zhixun was the Minister of Punishments, Ma Zhou was the Minister of Personnel, Chu Suiliang was the Minister of Civil Affairs, Xu Jingzong was the Minister of Rites, and Yu Zhining was the Minister of War.

Except for the Ministry of Industry, all are here.

Receiving the look from His Majesty, Di Zhixun stood up and said, "According to what Your Majesty said, the construction of the Grand Canal has only been two years, and this has happened. We need to increase the punishment."

Ma Zhou asked in return: "How to increase it?"

Di Zhixun added: "Check three generations, including parents, children and grandchildren. If there is anyone who has committed a crime, their descendants will not be employed and cannot serve as officials in the court."

Xu Jingzong took another sip of tea and listened to everyone's words. He felt that this matter was of great importance and he could not just stand by and watch. The Ministry of Rites also needed to get involved. This concerned everyone in the court.

While everyone was still arguing, Li Chengqian sat next to Duke Ying.

Seeing that Duke Ying was about to salute, Li Chengqian quickly stopped him and indicated that there was no need to be polite.

Li Chengqian also let the five ministers in front of him argue, and whispered: "How do you feel about your health recently, Lord Ying?"

Li Ji nodded and said, "Very good."

"What about Li Jingye?"

"This kid is still in the Western Regions. I heard that he is gaining experience in the army."

"Recently, news has come from all over the Congling Mountains, saying that the Congling Mountains have seen unusual movements among the Hu people."

"I have read the military report." Li Ji took a deep breath, glanced at the people who were still discussing in the hall, and whispered, "Your Majesty, don't worry. The king of Xiaoboluo will block the first turmoil in the Congling Mountains for Your Majesty, and then the Anxi Army will go to deal with them. As Your Majesty expected, Xiaoboluo and the entire Congling Mountains will be in Your Majesty's hands."

Even though Duke Ying was stationed in Chang'an City, he was actually still in charge of the situation in the Western Regions from afar. The troops of the Anxi Protectorate were also arranged by Duke Ying. This great general knew exactly what the Western Regions were like.

Li Chengqian said with some worry: "Duke Wei gave me a military book, but now I don't know who to give it to."

Li Ji whispered, "If Su Dingfang is still in the army, Your Majesty can hand him over."

Unfortunately, Su Dingfang also retired.

Li Ji added: "The generals in the army include Pei Xingjian, Wang Xuance, and Xue Rengui. Your Majesty can entrust them all."

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "I thought about giving it to one of the three of them, but I think Duke Wei's military tactics may not be suitable for everyone. Perhaps they each have their own style."

"Your Majesty is holy."

Li Chengqian smiled knowingly and poured more tea for Lord Ying.

The debate was still going on, and Chu Suiliang even came up with the idea of ​​building case files libraries in various places, with the household registration of various places being handed over to the prefectures for safekeeping to save manpower.

Xu Jingzong added: "I don't think it's necessary to do that. We can just check the files to see if the officials have committed any crime. After the imperial examination in Chang'an, the household registration will be recorded. We can find out by checking without much trouble."

Chu Suiliang asked again: "What if someone conceals the truth?"

Xu Jingzong said: "Then let's go check it out locally."

"Haha..." Chu Suiliang snorted coldly, "You're only going to investigate now? Do you know how long it will take? You could have checked it out in advance."

This argument slowly turned into a quarrel between Xu Jingzong and Chu Suiliang. "Well, both of you have made good points, why don't you each come up with your own rules?"

Finally, with Yu Zhining's shout, the conversation ended.

Xu Jingzong and Chu Suiliang waved their sleeves and stood aside with stern faces.

After the discussion, Ma Zhou stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Ministry of War will jointly dispatch personnel. Within a year at most, the household registration of all officials can be checked and brought into Chang'an."

This will be a very long and tedious task, as the paperwork exchanges between different places are complicated enough.

Not to mention, a matter of this magnitude cannot have just one discussion.

Seeing that Xu Jingzong and Chu Suiliang were dissatisfied, he thought that he should let them discuss it more when he had time.

Li Chengqian asked the eunuchs to bring a lot of quilts, saying, "It is very cold in winter, so I will give each of you five quilts."

Several people bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

When they were leaving, they walked into the wind and snow and saw several eunuchs pulling two carts. The two carts were sent to Duke Ying's house, and His Majesty gave Duke Ying twenty quilts.

In fact, no one is envious, after all, he is Mr. Ying.

The snow was still falling, Li Chengqian walked with Ying Gong with his hands in his pockets, and the two of them came to the left leading army

I met Jin Chunqiu who was raising horses. It was winter and Jin Chunqiu was drinking wine in the stable. There were three or five soldiers beside him.

Now Jin Chunqiu is a general of the Tang Dynasty and a Tang citizen.

His Majesty and Duke Ying just looked at him from a distance, and Jin Chunqiu didn't seem to notice the gaze from behind.

After just one more glance, Li Chengqian looked away and looked into the distance with Duke Ying. Those were the scholars who were training in the army. These people wanted to take the imperial examinations and become officials, but before that they had to undergo military training.

In the wind and snow, Li Chengqian watched a group of young people playing in the snow, and suddenly smiled. Then he looked at Ying Gong beside him, and he suddenly smiled too.

"If Jin Chunqiu were asked to return to Silla now, would he still go back?"

Li Ji asked, "Should we arrange for someone to go and ask?"

Li Chengqian said again: "No need, he is doing well this way. I always keep my word. I have given him everything I promised him."

Duke Ying bowed in the snow and said, "Your Majesty is wise and wise."

After Zuo Lingjun left, Li Chengqian personally escorted Duke Ying to his doorstep.

When the emperor returned to the palace, rumors spread among the people that His Majesty showed great courtesy to Duke Ying and personally escorted him to the gate of his mansion.

Duke Ying is the last great general trusted by His Majesty during the Qianqing Dynasty, and His Majesty has also bestowed upon Duke Ying the highest honor.

It was a snowy day, and Li Shimin sat under the eaves and roasted chicken wings with Zhangsun Wuji.

The two men looked like down-and-out middle-aged men, with black and white hair mixed together, occasionally fluttering in the wind.

"Why are these chicken wings not cooked yet?"

Chang Sun Wuji said: "Let me come..."

Li Shimin ignored him and continued to use his chopsticks to flip the roasted chicken wings. He asked, "Do you know what Cheng Qian is going to do recently?"

Changsun Wuji said, "I have heard about it."

Li Shimin laughed and said, "You're still checking the three generations, the auxiliary machine..."

Changsun Wuji nodded in understanding, moved his stool, came forward and whispered, "I'm here."

Li Shimin whispered, "If there is a drought or flood on this day, then that kid will not plan to grant amnesty to the whole country."

There was only one general amnesty during the reign of Emperor Qianqing, and even that amnesty was no different from no amnesty at all, it only happened once.

In other words, the current emperor is not someone who would grant amnesty to the entire nation.

Chang Sun Wuji whispered, "Probably not."

"Alas..." Li Shimin sighed and said, "This kid has lost a way to solve his problems."

Changsun Wuji quite agrees with this. A general amnesty is also a means for the emperor to appease the people, for example, when encountering a birthday or a disaster.

If the emperor could grant amnesty to the people, he would be able to appease the people and consolidate his power.

Li Shimin said: "That guy probably doesn't think highly of these methods."

Finally, the roasted chicken wings were cooked, and Changsun Wuji was able to taste the delicious roasted chicken wings. In fact, the current Majesty has been a very capable person since his youth, so there is nothing to worry about.

Li Shimin ate grilled chicken wings and looked at the snow in the sky very comfortably.

In the tenth year of the Qianqing reign, when the Tianshan Mountains were at their coldest, Pei Xingjian was sitting by a lake at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.

Pei Xingjian didn't know what the lake was called, but he knew there were lots and lots of fish in it. There were so many fish that he didn't have to go fishing. He just had to walk to the river, wait for the fish to swim over, and then reach out to catch them.

Snowflakes kept falling, and Pei Xingjian was sharpening his sword by the river. The sound of sharpening the sword seemed very harsh in the quiet lakeside.

Di Renjie rode up and asked, "Why is General Pei here alone?"

"Come here to relax."

As he spoke, hot air came out of his mouth. Pei Xingjian washed his knife in the lake water and put it back into the scabbard.

Di Renjie handed over a water bag and said, "This is the wine sent from Guanzhong."

Pei Xingjian took the water bag and drank a mouthful of wine and said, "Have they all arrived in Suiye City?"

"Yeah." Di Renjie soothed the somewhat uneasy warhorse in the snow and nodded in reply, "We are all here."

Pei Xingjian hung his sword on the saddle, stretched his limbs, took a sip of wine, let out a long sigh of relief, and said, "Good wine."

Di Renjie continued, "Has there been any news from Tianzhu?"

Hearing this, Pei Xingjian said, "There is no news from Tianzhu, but the small country of Bolor sent news first."

"what news?"

"Murong Shun learned that Dayuan in the Pamir Mountains and the Shi Kingdom wanted to recapture Talas City and even wanted to join forces with the Arabs to attack again."

"really?"

"It's just a rumor. Our informants haven't sent us any news yet."

Di Renjie frowned and asked, "Can you trust Murong Shun's news?"

Pei Xingjian got back on his horse and handed him the water bag. He said, "This Murong Shun is now the king of Xiaoboluo. I heard that he has been preparing for war and trying to find out the news about the Pamirs and the Arabs. He had fought a battle with the Arabs in East India before."

(End of this chapter)