After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 10

Later, Wu Zetian actually passed the throne to her son. As a woman, she was a winner in the Tang Dynasty, an era of male superiority and female inferiority. Li Shimin sat on the dragon chair, listening to Li Qingge's talk about the future, and couldn't help feeling a lot of emotions in his heart. Although this was a matter of the future and had not yet happened, he had an inexplicable trust in Li Qingge and felt that her words would come true in nine out of ten cases.

"I never thought that Wu Zetian would become a powerful empress. The name Wu Zetian sounds very powerful!" Li Shimin sighed, with a complicated look in his eyes. He thought of Wu Zetian's charming figure and cunning eyes, and an inexplicable emotion surged in his heart.

"Hmph, I admit that it is not easy for a woman to reach this point, but the Tang Dynasty is our Li family's world. How can we tolerate outsiders, especially such a woman who messes up politics, to steal the throne?" Li Shimin's words were filled with anger and unwillingness. He could not accept that a woman could actually usurp the Li family's throne. This was a great shame for him.

"Look at this kid Li Zhi. We can't rush to make him the crown prince. I have to observe him for a while." Li Shimin pondered. He stared at the ministers of the palace with deep eyes, as if looking for some answers. Although there is no crown prince for the time being, the foundation of the country may be a little shaken, but a hasty decision is not a responsible approach for the Tang Dynasty. He must consider carefully and choose a crown prince who can take on the responsibility.

"Wu Meiniang, I must find her and get rid of her. This woman is a disaster if she stays in the world!" Li Shimin thought of this, his eyes were as sharp as a knife, as if he could penetrate all obstacles and look directly at Wu Meiniang's hiding place. He was determined to get rid of this disaster, so that she would not pose a greater threat to the Tang Dynasty in the future.

Li Shimin suddenly announced: "Li Zhi is still young and cannot be appointed as the crown prince. No one else is suitable either. The position of the crown prince should be left vacant for now." His face was grim and he was obviously unhappy. This decision surprised and disturbed the ministers. They began to discuss and speculate about Li Shimin's true intentions.

"Your Majesty, the position of crown prince cannot be left vacant for long. This is not good for the government!" Changsun Wuji was puzzled and unwilling to see Li Shimin's attitude change. He was afraid that the position of crown prince would fall into the hands of others, which would be bad for the Changsun family. Therefore, he hurriedly stood up to express his concerns.

"Do you want to disobey my order?" Li Shimin glared at Changsun Wuji, anger written on his face. He couldn't accept someone questioning his decision, especially at this critical moment.

"I dare not." Seeing Li Shimin's anger, Changsun Wuji's voice weakened a little. He quickly retreated, not daring to say another word. He knew Li Shimin's temper and majesty, and did not dare to touch his bottom line easily.

"Don't say any more." Li Shimin said coldly, and Changsun Wuji had no choice but to retreat. He was filled with reluctance and doubts, but he didn't dare to say anything more. He knew that Li Shimin's decision could not be easily changed.

[Why did Li Shimin suddenly become so determined? He wanted to establish Li Zhi before, but now he has changed his mind.] The ministers were full of doubts and puzzlement. They speculated on Li Shimin's true intentions and the reasons behind it.

[What is recorded in history may not be true, but the general trend may be like this. Li Zhi later became the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty.] Some people muttered to themselves. They knew that the direction of history could not be easily changed, but they could not predict the specific details of the future.

[Li Shimin's temper is normal. How can a child understand national affairs? It is reasonable to postpone the appointment of a crown prince.] Some people defended Li Shimin's behavior. They believed that Li Shimin was considering the overall interests of the country and was unwilling to make a decision easily.

[The court is stable, Li Shimin naturally has his own plans. If he still wants to make Li Zhi the crown prince, he must consider it carefully.] Some people analyzed it this way. They knew that Li Shimin was a wise emperor who would not make a decision easily and would definitely consider various factors carefully.

Li Shimin glanced at Li Qingge and sighed in his heart: "What a pity! If this child was my son, I would definitely make him the crown prince. Although he aspires to be a free and unrestrained person, I can feel at ease handing over the country to him." His heart was full of admiration and regret for Li Qingge. He knew that Li Qingge was a talented and wise man. If he could become his son, he would definitely be an outstanding crown prince.

"It's a pity that he is not my son." Li Shimin sighed again in his heart, and his eyes dimmed slightly. He knew that the reality could not be changed. Li Qingge was not his son, and he could not hand over the country to her.

"Let's put this matter aside for now. I'll go back and think about it. It's getting late and I'm tired. Let's retire." Li Shimin announced. He stood up and prepared to leave the hall. He knew that this decision needed careful consideration and could not be made lightly.

"Dismiss the court!" the eunuch announced loudly. Although the officials were puzzled by Li Shimin's anger, they did not care about the position of crown prince, so they dispersed. They knew that Li Shimin was a wise emperor and would make the right decision.

Only Zhangsun Wuji left the palace with a gloomy face. He was filled with resentment and anger, and felt that his position was threatened. He decided to go to Empress Zhangsun to discuss countermeasures.

"What happened in the court today was really unexpected." Empress Changsun was also surprised by Li Shimin's actions. She knew that her son Chengqian was not a good person, and her other sons were also mediocre and incompetent. Although Li Zhi had some talent, he was still young and not capable of taking on important responsibilities. Therefore, she was very confused about Li Shimin's decision.

"Your Majesty's mind is unpredictable. Although the position of crown prince is important, the prosperity and decline of our Changsun family also depends on it. I have to fight for it." After saying this, Changsun Wuji sighed. He knew that he had to fight for the position of crown prince, otherwise the status of the Changsun family would be threatened.

"Don't rush into this matter. Cheng Qian is useless, and the other sons are mediocre and incompetent. Li Zhi may eventually become the crown prince. Since your majesty is angry, let's wait for the right time before taking action." Empress Changsun also sighed. She knew that her body was getting weaker and weaker, and there was little hope for Cheng Qian to become the crown prince. Although Li Zhi had some talent, he was still young and was not capable of taking on the responsibility. Therefore, she decided to wait for the right time before taking action. She believed that as long as there was a chance, the Changsun family would rise again.

"Alas, now it seems that this is the only way to go." Changsun Wuji sighed, his brows revealing helplessness and struggle. He knew the importance of the position of crown prince, and he understood the interests involved, but the reluctance in his heart made it difficult for him to let go easily. He looked out the window, the sky was gray, as if foreshadowing the uncertainty of the future.

If this happened normally, it would be like an insignificant prelude, and it would pass by lightly. However, because of Taizong's hesitation, the position of the crown prince was temporarily shelved, like a huge rock hanging on everyone's heart. In the court, all the officials had their own thoughts, but they all kept silent tacitly, not daring to touch this sensitive topic easily.

The next day, Li Qingge entered the palace in a sedan chair as usual. According to the rules, officials of the fourth rank were not qualified to ride in a sedan chair, but this was a special grace given by Emperor Taizong. Outside the sedan chair, the sun was shining and the breeze was blowing, but Li Qingge was lying lazily in the sedan chair, as if she was not interested in all this. She was wearing an elegant dress, her hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and her eyes were a bit lazy and casual.

Suddenly, she saw Wei Zheng's face was not good, and he glanced at her. There seemed to be some disdain and indifference in his eyes, which made Li Qingge feel a little puzzled. However, she was lazy and didn't want to get involved, so she didn't take it seriously. She just glanced at him lazily and continued to close her eyes to rest.

"Let's go." Li Qingge said to the sedan bearer, and the sedan moved in response and continued to move forward. The bearers walked steadily, and the sedan swayed gently, as if taking Li Qingge through a tunnel of time.

Wei Zheng was even more dissatisfied when he saw this scene. He was upright and a typical conservative. He was very dissatisfied with Li Qingge's lazy and careless attitude. He felt that Li Qingge was not worthy of Emperor Taizong's grace, let alone sitting in the sedan chair bestowed by the emperor.

"Stop!" Wei Zheng suddenly shouted loudly, with some anger and dissatisfaction in his voice.

Li Qingge raised her hand to signal the sedan to stop, and the sedan turned around to face Wei Zheng. "Doctor Wei, what do you mean by this?" Li Qingge asked lazily, with a hint of impatience in her tone. She didn't want to get entangled with Wei Zheng any more, she just wanted to get into the palace quickly.

"General Cheng is very impressive, but unfortunately the sweet potato planting method he recommended did not bring a good harvest. I am afraid that your majesty and the people of Luoyang will be disappointed." Wei Zheng said coldly, his eyes full of disdain and ridicule. He glanced at Li Qingge again, "Prime Minister, are you sitting comfortably in the sedan chair given by your majesty?"

When Emperor Taizong gave Li Qingge a sedan chair, Wei Zheng strongly opposed it, saying that Li Qingge's virtue did not deserve such treatment. However, he failed to stop Emperor Taizong's decision, which made him hate Li Qingge even more. He felt that Li Qingge was a person who only knew how to flatter and had no real talent or knowledge.

Li Qingge looked at Wei Zheng in confusion, feeling a little depressed. She didn't know why Wei Zheng was so angry so early in the morning, and she didn't know why he was so dissatisfied with the sweet potato harvest. She racked her brains and suddenly remembered something. At this time of year, famine has already begun, and the Tang Dynasty seems to have encountered new troubles...

Li Qingge's heart tightened, but she still maintained her indifference and casualness on the surface. She thought that since she had come here, she should just take it easy. It would not be too late to discuss countermeasures in the court.

"It's quite good. If Doctor Wei likes it, you can ask His Majesty to give you one." Li Qingge looked at Wei Zheng with a sidelong glance and said leisurely. There was a bit of teasing and ridicule in her words, as if she didn't take Wei Zheng's ridicule to heart.

"I don't have the ability to flatter, so I don't have this blessing. But God is watching, I just hope that General Cheng can sit safely in this sedan chair." Wei Zheng continued, his face still not looking good. There was a bit of coldness and determination in his words, as if he was full of hostility towards Li Qingge.

Li Qingge looked at Wei Zheng in silence, lamenting his straightforward and stubborn character. She didn't want to continue dwelling on these trivial matters, so she ordered the sedan bearers to continue moving toward the main hall. The sedan bearers responded, and the sedan moved steadily forward on the palace road again.

Wei Zheng followed behind with a stern look on his face, his eyes full of dissatisfaction and hostility towards Li Qingge. He felt that Li Qingge was a person who only knew how to enjoy himself and not care about the country. However, he did not know that although Li Qingge seemed lazy and casual on the surface, he was full of wisdom and strategy in his heart.

The atmosphere in the court was solemn. Taizong sat high up in the sky, and although he showed no emotion, his brows revealed a hint of worry. All officials lowered their heads and remained silent, as if they were all waiting for a storm to come.

"Your Majesty, the famine has now spread across the country. People are displaced and many are flocking to Luoyang. Countless people have died and been injured on the road." A minister stood up, his voice heavy and sad. His words were like a knife, piercing the silence of the court.

"Moreover, the locust plague has come again, and most of the crops that the people have worked so hard to cultivate have been destroyed. If this continues, I'm afraid that people will starve to death everywhere." Another minister also stood up, his voice filled with anxiety and helplessness. His words were like a cold wind that blew away the warmth in the court.

"Your Majesty, please make a decision quickly, otherwise Luoyang will become a gathering place for refugees, and the people outside the city will face the same fate." Another minister stood up, his voice filled with pleading and expectation. His words were like a flash of lightning, piercing the darkness of the court.

The ministers made memorials one after another, but none of them could come up with any good solutions. They all knew the severity of the famine, but they didn't know how to solve it. They looked at Taizong, their eyes full of expectation and helplessness.

Taizong sat on the dragon throne, calm on the surface but boiling inside. How could he not know what the ministers said? But the sweet potatoes had just been harvested, which could only temporarily alleviate the plight of Luoyang. Refugees were pouring in like a tide, how much of this little food could save? His heart was filled with helplessness and anxiety.

Although there was still some surplus food in the treasury, which could solve the immediate problem, it was not a long-term solution. He had to come up with a better way to solve the famine.

"Issue an order to set up porridge stalls immediately, open granaries to release grain, and allocate five million taels of silver from the national treasury for disaster relief." Taizong gave the order after a brief thought. His voice was firm and resolute, as if he had already made up his mind.

He knew that this was only a temporary solution, but there was really no better way at the moment. He had to solve the famine as soon as possible, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.

[Emperor Taizong was really generous. He allocated five million taels of silver for disaster relief during a famine. I am afraid no one could match him since the founding of the country.] A minister silently admired Emperor Taizong's generosity and generosity in his heart.

[However, this effect is probably only temporary. It is easy to fill your stomach, but how to solve the long-term livelihood problem? ] Another minister thought about this problem silently in his heart, his eyes full of worry and helplessness.

[The money in the treasury comes from the people's taxes. Now we are constantly spending money without any money coming in. This is not a long-term solution. In the end, it will lead to the people's poverty and the treasury being empty.] Another minister was silently worried about this problem in his heart, and his words were filled with a bit of heaviness and sorrow.

[Although Emperor Taizong was generous, the concubines in the harem probably had to follow suit and live frugally!] A female official silently guessed the situation in the harem, her eyes full of curiosity and concern.

[Actually, it is not difficult to solve the famine. Just continue to grow sweet potatoes.] A minister silently proposed this suggestion in his heart, and his words were somewhat relaxed and casual. However, he did not know that growing sweet potatoes was not that easy.

[Those refugees who have received favors from the country should also be allowed to work to repay the country's kindness.] Another minister silently made this suggestion in his heart, and his words were a bit serious and earnest. However, he did not know that these refugees were already exhausted. What they needed was rest and help, not more work.

Li Qingge pondered these ideas silently in her heart, her eyes flashing with wisdom and strategy. She knew the severity of the famine, and also knew Taizong's helplessness and anxiety. She had to come up with a better way to solve this problem.

After hearing Li Qingge's idea, Taizong gradually understood it. He looked at Li Qingge with admiration and expectation in his eyes. He knew that Li Qingge was a wise and strategic person, and he believed that she would be able to come up with a better way to solve the famine.

Li Qingge's idea was quite practical. She said slowly, "We must quickly open the granaries to release grain for emergency relief, and at the same time encourage the people to work on their own, have enough food and clothing, and stabilize the country through labor. In this way, we can not only solve the current difficulties, but also make long-term plans for the country."

"That's right. It's better to teach people how to fish than to give them fish. Emperor Taizong must have understood this. These refugees are displaced because of famine, but they are not disabled people. They all have hands and feet. As long as they are given a chance, they can stand up again." A minister nodded in agreement, with wisdom in his eyes.

"Especially those young and strong refugees, all of them are good workers. The country will first set up soup kitchens to provide them with relief, so that they have a buffer, and then organize them to open up wasteland and grow crops to give back to society. Plant sweet potatoes, which can be harvested in two months. It is fast and stable." Li Qingge's words were full of confidence and determination, as if he had already seen the scene of a good harvest.

"Within two months, Emperor Taizong will surely find a way to gather enough food. If he can't even do that, then the position of emperor is too empty." Another minister joked with a smile, but his words revealed his trust in and expectations for Emperor Taizong.

"The country and the people are interdependent, just like water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Emperor Taizong is good to the people, and the people will naturally repay him with great achievements." Li Qingge's words were filled with affection and emotion, as if he had seen a bright future where the country and the people live in harmony.

Emperor Taizong was sitting on the dragon throne at this time, listening to Li Qingge's words, and a warm current surged in his heart. He was surprised by Li Qingge's knowledge and wisdom, and was even more moved by her deep affection for the country and the people. He nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, water can both carry a boat and overturn it. Teaching people to fish is much better than giving them fish to eat directly. This really hits the point."

Back then, Emperor Taizong was also thinking about how to govern the country, but he never said it out loud. Now it seems that what Li Qingge said is the truth, and the country and the people must complement each other in this way. His admiration for Li Qingge was beyond words, and there was a little more tenderness and expectation in his eyes when he looked at Li Qingge.

"Although Li Qingge appears lazy, her brain is no worse than those counselors in the court." Emperor Taizong was so happy that he felt as if he had found a treasure, a treasure that could bring infinite possibilities to the country.

"With Li Qingge here, I feel like I have an all-round military advisor. With just a few words from her, she can help me solve most of my troubles." Emperor Taizong muttered silently in his heart, and his trust and reliance on Li Qingge grew deeper and deeper.

However, at this time, Emperor Taizong frowned again. He began to worry about the locust plague: "This locust plague is really a headache." This year's crops are all ruined, this is a foregone conclusion. Even if we plant again, we have to wait until next year. But if the locusts continue to cause trouble, even if there are more fertile fields, the people will starve.

Emperor Taizong frowned, thinking over and over, but still couldn't come up with a proper solution. He looked at his ministers, hoping that they could give a reasonable suggestion. However, the ministers looked at each other, at a loss.

At this moment, Emperor Taizong looked at Li Qingge again. He was more convinced that this guy was definitely a rare talent. He believed that as long as Li Qingge was willing, she would be able to come up with a solution to the locust plague.

Li Qingge felt the Emperor Taizong's gaze and felt a little uneasy. She muttered to herself, "Why is the Emperor Taizong staring at me? Is he trying to get me to give him some advice again? Oh, the sweet potato issue is enough to give me a headache, and I don't want to get involved in this locust plague."

However, despite some reluctance in her heart, Li Qingge could not ignore the expectations and trust of Emperor Taizong. She began to think seriously about the locust plague. She recalled some knowledge she had heard about locusts, and suddenly an idea flashed in her mind: "Oh, locusts are actually edible!"

When this idea came up, Li Qingge was a little surprised. She quickly sorted out her thoughts and said to Emperor Taizong: "Your Majesty, I have an idea that may solve the problem of locust plague."

When Emperor Taizong heard this, his eyes almost popped out: "What? Locusts can be eaten?" This was a new thing in the Tang Dynasty. He had never heard of anyone eating locusts.

"That's right, locusts are not only edible, but also healthy and delicious. I'm not talking nonsense." Li Qingge said seriously, her eyes flashing with confidence and determination, as if she had already seen the scene of people happily eating locusts.

Emperor Taizong looked at Li Qingge's serious expression, and a surge of curiosity and expectation surged in his heart. He thought about what Li Qingge had said before, and they all came true one by one, so he believed her.

"Haha, interesting, really interesting..." Emperor Taizong laughed, with a hint of surprise and joy in his laughter. He turned to look at Yuchi Jingde and said, "General Yuchi, let's put the locust extermination aside for now. Our main focus now is to guard against the Turks. As for the locust plague, let Li Qingge handle it."

Emperor Taizong's words were full of ease and confidence, as if he had seen the scene of the locust plague being solved. After hearing Emperor Taizong's words, the ministers all nodded in agreement. They believed that as long as Li Qingge was there, there would be no problem that could not be solved. For Emperor Taizong of Tang, resisting the invasion of the Turks was undoubtedly one of the top priorities. He often stood on the city wall, gazing at the vast and mysterious land in the distance, his heart full of worry and determination. He knew that the threat of the Turks was like a sword hanging over his head, which could fall at any time.

"Emperor Taizong is really far-sighted. He does not plan to use military force to deal with the locust plague." A minister nearby commented, his eyes full of admiration for Taizong.

"However, Taizong's thoughts are sometimes clear and sometimes dark. Now the Tang Dynasty is facing the dual difficulties of internal and external troubles. I wonder if he can handle them properly." Another minister said worriedly, his brows furrowed, obviously very anxious about the current situation.

Speaking of roasted locusts, Taizong may have never thought of it. In fact, not only locusts can be roasted, but also crops in the fields, vegetables in the garden, and game in the mountains. Which one can't be skewered and roasted? Li Qingge, a slender woman with a gleam of wisdom in her eyes, thought silently in her heart, with endless aftertaste. She seemed to have smelled the aroma of the barbecue and saw the happy scene of people sitting together under the starry sky, enjoying the night.

Taizong couldn't help swallowing his saliva after hearing this, and his thoughts drifted back to the past. At that time, he often hunted, skinned and roasted the meat himself, and the taste was much more delicious than the usual meals. He thought that locusts might also be as delicious as game.

So, Taizong said to his ministers, "My dear ministers, I have an idea. The game we hunt is usually roasted and eaten. It tastes great with a little salt. The fun of roasting is far better than eating everyday meals. Locusts are also a kind of game. I want to try the taste of roasted locusts. If they taste good, I will promote roasted locusts throughout the country. This will not only solve the problem of famine, but also control the locust plague."

As soon as these words came out, the court was in an uproar. The ministers were talking to each other.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not possible!" An old minister stood up tremblingly, his face full of worry.

"Since ancient times, I have never heard that locusts can be eaten. If something goes wrong after eating them, it will be a disaster!" Another minister followed suit to dissuade him.

"Your Majesty, please think twice!" The voices of the ministers were louder than each other. They were obviously shocked and puzzled by Taizong's idea.

Li Qingge muttered in her heart: "These people are really worrying too much. How can roasted locusts be poisonous? Why not try it on mice first? They have never tasted this delicacy, so they naturally don't know the wonderfulness of it." She shook her head gently, feeling a little contempt for the incompetence of the ministers.

"Emperor Zhenguan was a wise ruler who was good at accepting advice and revitalizing the Tang Dynasty. Why are there so many mediocre people in the court today? It's really laughable." Li Qingge continued to complain in her heart, her eyes flashing with disdain and helplessness.

However, she was secretly happy in her heart: "Taizong's ideas coincide with mine, and his wisdom far exceeds that of his ministers." She looked at Taizong's determined eyes, her heart full of admiration and expectation.

Taizong seemed to have heard Li Qingge's thoughts and could not help laughing out loud: "This kid, he praises me and himself at the same time, what does he mean?" But he knew in his heart that although he was conceited, he was indeed more far-sighted than his ministers in this matter.

"That's fine. We can try roast goose in the palace first to see if it is safe and harmless, and then promote it nationwide." Taizong decided, his voice full of confidence and determination.

"Your Majesty, it is still unclear whether locusts can be eaten, so it is better to be cautious!" A minister advised again, his voice filled with anxiety and worry.

The voice of opposition was heard again in the court, and Taizong's face gradually darkened. He glanced at the ministers, and a nameless anger surged in his heart.

"You bunch of incompetent people are only hindering my actions! The locust plague is so serious. If we can't deal with it in time, how can we appease the people?" Taizong scolded angrily. His voice was like thunder, shocking the ministers.

"Do you have a better idea?" Taizong's eyes were sharp, and the ministers were immediately silent. They looked at each other, but no one dared to stand up and speak.

"Since there is no good solution and the locust plague cannot be delayed, then do as I say!" Taizong said firmly. His voice was full of unquestionable firmness and determination.

The ministers looked at each other, their worries evident in their words. They knew that once Taizong made a decision, he would never change it easily.

"Dismiss the court!" Taizong gave the order, and all the ministers left. Only Li Qingge was left. She looked at Taizong with some surprise, her heart full of doubts and uneasiness.

"Keep me here again? What does the emperor mean? Could it be..." Li Qingge began to wonder in her heart. But soon she shook her head again: "There shouldn't be any bad intentions, otherwise why would he keep a woman like me here? There are so many beauties in the palace, but he chose to keep me here. It really hinders my freedom!" Although Li Qingge was dissatisfied, she could only complain a few words in her heart. She looked at Taizong's deep eyes, and an inexplicable emotion surged in her heart. She knew that the emperor must have a bigger plan and vision in his heart. And she was willing to be his think tank and assistant, and contribute her own strength to the prosperity and prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

"My dear Minister Cheng, do you think this idea of ​​roasting locusts that I came up with will work?" Emperor Taizong asked Li Qingge impatiently as soon as he stepped into the inner hall. There was an expectant gleam in his eyes, like a child eager to show off himself.

When Li Qingge heard this, she was slightly stunned, then looked at Taizong, thinking: [Isn't this what I thought before? It's not only feasible, it's absolutely wonderful, and it can also make everyone fall in love with eating locusts! This Emperor Taizong really has my thoughts. ] The corners of her mouth rose unconsciously, and a sly light flashed in her eyes.

[Emperor Taizong and I are really getting closer and closer. Many of the things he does are consistent with what I think. He really doesn't sit on the throne for nothing.] Li Qingge secretly admired in his heart, and his admiration for Emperor Taizong increased a little more.

“I haven’t even said a word in the court yet, but Taizong has already thought the same thing as me. How amazing!” She muttered to herself, surprised at Taizong’s insight.

[It seems that your Majesty's way of governing the country is getting better and better. It is really worth celebrating!] Li Qingge secretly felt fortunate that he could meet such a wise ruler.

Li Qingge's mind was racing, but she said words of flattery to the emperor: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful. Your decisions are naturally in line with the will of heaven and are deeply supported by the people. I firmly believe that this locust plague will be resolved by you soon." Her voice was gentle and firm, full of trust and admiration for Taizong.

Taizong smiled and nodded, looked at Li Qingge and said, "My dear, what you said makes sense. It is indeed a good idea to turn harm into benefit..." There was a gleam of admiration in his eyes, and he praised Li Qingge's intelligence and talent.

Li Qingge was puzzled again: [Can what I just said really make Taizong so happy? ] She looked at Taizong with some doubts, her heart full of confusion.

[Could it be that His Majesty... likes men? Then I have to be careful in the future, because I like women more than men!] She muttered to herself, and had an inexplicable guess about Taizong's sexual orientation.

[Or is it that everyone loves to hear nice things, even the emperor?] She pondered in her heart, gaining a deeper understanding of human nature.

When Taizong saw the change in Li Qingge's expression, a trace of displeasure flashed across his face. He didn't understand why Li Qingge suspected that he had a crush on Long Yang. Li Chengqian's matter had already troubled him enough, and he didn't want to have this kind of misunderstanding again. However, Taizong was a generous person after all, and he didn't care about these things with Li Qingge. He sighed in his heart, feeling helpless about Li Qingge's misunderstanding.

Taizong changed the subject and got down to business: "Minister Cheng, I know that this locust plague is much more serious than expected. Several locusts were found in the imperial garden yesterday. If it's like this in the palace, you can imagine the situation among the people. But officials from all over the country reported that there is enough food, but there are piles of refugees in Luoyang. It's obvious that they only report good news and not bad news. These officials only know how to exaggerate merits and cover up faults, and the atmosphere is getting worse and worse." His voice was full of worry and helplessness, and he was angry and disappointed with the officials' deception.

At this point, Taizong sighed, his face full of worry. His eyes revealed his deep worry for the country and his deep concern for the people.

Li Qingge listened and kept muttering in her heart: [These officials are so far away from Luoyang, how can they know the real situation? When they report, they naturally say whatever sounds good. Telling the truth is afraid of making the emperor unhappy, so exaggerating is the way to save their lives!] She was dissatisfied and contemptuous of the officials' hypocrisy.

Taizong seemed to be able to hear Li Qingge's inner voice, and secretly admired him for his insightful view of problems, even though he was not directly involved in government affairs. He secretly admired Li Qingge's insight and was surprised and admired him.

[What's wrong with Taizong's look? Why is it so ambiguous!] Li Qingge muttered to herself, feeling puzzled and uneasy about Taizong's look. She smiled awkwardly, trying to hide her discomfort.

[It's terrible. I'd better stay away from him from now on!] She secretly decided to keep a certain distance from Taizong to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

……

Taizong also knew that this misunderstanding was difficult to resolve, so he could only shake his head helplessly. He sighed inwardly, feeling helpless and regretful about Li Qingge's misunderstanding.

"My dear Minister Cheng, do you have any good solution to this kind of behavior of officials deceiving their superiors and concealing the truth from their subordinates?" Taizong asked Li Qingge, his eyes revealing expectation and trust.

Li Qingge was slightly stunned, then thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, so you can naturally come up with a good solution. I am a humble minister with little knowledge and talent, so I dare not speak carelessly." Her voice was gentle and humble, full of respect and admiration for Emperor Taizong. However, she continued to complain in her heart.

[This problem cannot be solved overnight!] She muttered to herself, feeling helpless about the complexity of the problem.

[A few days ago, Meng Lingsheng also falsely reported the grain output, saying it was 5 million dan, but in fact it was only over 2 million dan, which was more than double the amount!] She was secretly angry in her heart, and felt dissatisfied and contemptuous of Meng Lingsheng's hypocritical behavior.

[If the people above are not upright, the people below will also learn to be bad. The severity of this famine is probably far beyond your majesty's imagination!] She was secretly worried and felt anxious and uneasy about the future of the country.

When Taizong heard about Meng Lingsheng's story, he was shocked and immediately furious. Meng Lingsheng had always been known for his integrity, but he never expected that he would do something to deceive the emperor. It was unbelievable. His eyes revealed anger and disappointment, and he felt deeply saddened by Meng Lingsheng's betrayal.

[This kind of atmosphere must not be allowed to spread! It must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others!] Taizong secretly vowed in his heart that he must rectify the government and return a clear and bright world to the world. His eyes revealed firmness and determination, and he was full of confidence and expectation for the future of the country.

Taizong knew that this was not an easy matter, but he still followed the topic and tried to slowly express his doubts. His eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything, but he also hid unspeakable worries. After he finished speaking, he turned his head and looked at Li Qingge, and his eyes seemed to be seeking a resonance, or waiting for her to say something to solve the mystery in his heart.

Li Qingge, a gentle and intelligent female minister, was dressed in a simple and elegant official uniform, with a heroic look between her eyebrows. She knew Taizong's doubts very well, but pretended not to know them, and asked softly: "Your Majesty, I heard that Meng Lingda has always been known for his integrity and has no selfish thoughts. Your Majesty suddenly mentioned him, is there any special reason?" Her voice was soft, but with a subtle sharpness that was not easily detected.

She thought to herself: [I thought I could hide this from Taizong, but I didn't expect that he is not so easy to fool! It seems that I have to be more careful.] Her eyes flickered, and she felt mixed emotions.

[Looking at Taizong's expression again, it seems that something is wrong, and his emotions fluctuate greatly. It is true that serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. The emperor's mind is really unfathomable.] She sighed in her heart, feeling a little helpless about Taizong's complicated mood.

When Taizong heard the saying "Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger", he thought it was a bit exaggerated, but he didn't show it on his face. He continued the previous topic with a heavy tone: "Meng Lingda reported that the national treasury had 5 million dan of grain, but in fact there were only 2 million dan, a deficit of 3 million dan, which is more than half of the total!"

At this point, Taizong's face darkened and he was obviously very angry. His eyes revealed a kind of betrayed anger, as if the deficit of 3 million dan of grain was a provocation to his imperial majesty.

"He actually lied to me and made three million dan of grain out of thin air. If I hadn't checked it myself, I would have really thought that there was so much grain to formulate national policy. The consequences would have been serious. I must punish him severely!" Taizong's voice was filled with unquestionable determination.

Li Qingge was listening beside him, trying to comfort Taizong but complaining in her heart. Her eyes revealed a hint of helplessness and worry.

[Taizong was too impulsive to do this. Meng Lingda has a good reputation among the people. Killing him suddenly may cause unrest in the court. What's more, killing is not a good way to solve the problem!] She sighed secretly in her heart, feeling a little dissatisfied with Taizong's decision.

[He is so angry now, probably because the grain count is not accurate and he is anxious. But killing people is not a good idea! Taizong was a very smart child before, why is he confused now?] Her heart was filled with worry and confusion about Taizong.

……

Taizong looked at Li Qingge and said nothing. He was an emperor, but he was secretly ridiculed by a minister. This situation was rare. He calmed down and thought about it, and then he felt that his decision was indeed a bit impulsive. Although Meng Lingda was at fault, he was not guilty of the death penalty.

He sighed softly, his eyes revealing a kind of fatigue and helplessness. He looked at Li Qingge, as if seeking comfort or understanding.

"Maybe he meant well, but the amount of grain was so staggering that I was caught off guard. I thought the grain in the national treasury would be enough for the victims to eat for a year, but I didn't expect it could only last half a year. What should I do if we encounter drought or floods again?" There was a hint of worry and confusion in Taizong's voice.

Seeing Taizong like this, Li Qingge also became serious. She knew Taizong's worries and understood that the future of the country rested on his shoulders. She gently replied: "Your Majesty, I am stupid and don't have any good plans. But now we can only take it step by step. Your Majesty, don't worry. Famine is not formed in a day, and the wind of exaggeration cannot be eliminated in one go. Your Majesty, you are destined by heaven and will definitely be blessed by heaven. Good fortune and misfortune are always dependent on each other, and good luck will definitely come."

Her voice was soft and firm, as if injecting strength into Taizong. Her eyes revealed a kind of trust and admiration, which made Taizong feel a little warm and comforted.

After Li Qingge finished speaking, she was still thinking: [The trend of exaggeration has existed for a long time, even when the emperor was young. It is a good thing that the emperor discovered this problem only two years after he ascended the throne. But I don't know what the effect of his rectification will be.] Her heart was filled with expectations and worries about the future.

[Looking at Taizong's current attitude, it seems that he no longer wants to kill Meng Lingda. Although Meng Lingda deceived the emperor, killing him is useless. On the contrary, it will make everyone more afraid to tell the truth.] She felt a little relieved about Taizong's change.

"I was impatient. This matter needs to be handled slowly. How could I be afraid of locusts and drought!" Taizong's eyes became firm, as if he was swearing to himself. His tone was filled with an unquestionable determination and courage.

Then he looked at Li Qingge and said, "Mr. Cheng, do you have any good suggestions for Meng Lingda's matter?" His eyes revealed a kind of expectation and trust, as if he was seeking Li Qingge's wisdom and help.

Li Qingge looked at Taizong's expectant eyes and secretly sighed in her heart: [Why do you ask me about everything? Is Taizong so dependent on me now? What I said was nothing substantial. ] Her heart was filled with helplessness and self-mockery towards Taizong.

[Could it be that Taizong likes this kind of ambiguous answer? His interests are really special.] She felt a little curious and puzzled about Taizong's preferences.

Although she kept complaining in her heart, since Taizong asked, Li Qingge still had to answer. She smiled slightly, and that smile was gentle and wise: "Your Majesty is wise. How to deal with this matter depends entirely on your Majesty's wisdom. I firmly believe that your Majesty is wise and will make the most appropriate decision." Her voice was soft and firm, as if to instill confidence in Taizong.

(End of this chapter)