Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 208 Guanzhong Needs Talents Like You

Sinong Temple.

As an important agency of the Northern Wei Dynasty responsible for grain storage, granary management, and the supply of rice for officials in the capital, the Sinong Temple was not a standalone building. It was surrounded by affiliated institutions such as the Jitian Office, Taicang Office, and Taicang.

Li Shuang arrived here with Hou Jing and a group of soldiers, and surrounded the place.

Such an important government office now has very few officials.

Upon seeing Li Shuang arrive, they were filled with fear and trembled with apprehension.

"Duke of Tang!"

The official on duty gave a perfunctory salute, and Li Shuang gave the order:
"Get me the grain storage documents from all the major granaries in Luoyang and from Gucheng outside the city."

"it is good!"

The minor officials did as instructed, not daring to ask any questions, simply wanting to follow orders.

Li Shuang led Hou Jing around the Sinong Temple, looking at the scenery and sighing with emotion.

"This place is well-built; a lot of thought must have been put into its construction!"

When the Northern Wei Dynasty built Luoyang, it certainly put in a great deal of effort. As the capital city, it was built to be solemn and magnificent, using only the finest materials.

Hou Jing nodded and suggested:

"How about we tear this place down and take all the bricks, tiles, and pillars back with us?"

Li Shuang rebuked:

"Don't talk nonsense. The Ministry of Agriculture is one of the important government offices. How can it be demolished without cause?"

After listening, Hou Jing offered another suggestion:
"Then I'll set a fire outside, and under the guise of putting out the fire, demolish this place, taking all the bricks and pillars back with me?"

Li Shuang then rebuked:
"I've already told you, this is one of the important government offices. If you demolish this place, what about the government's reputation?"

Hou Jing asked:

"So, what does the lord mean?"

“Go to the west of the city. The neighborhoods around the main market are inhabited by Xianbei nobles and their families. The materials used in their houses are no worse than those here. Now that most of the people there have fled, and since it's in the outer city, we'll dismantle it first and start transporting it.”

Hou Jing was delighted upon hearing this.

"I understand."

As they were talking, Li Shuang entered the room and saw a group of officials bustling about, looking rather flustered.

A large pile of documents was neatly arranged on the table. Li Shuang picked up one at random and started reading.

After flipping through it, he asked again:
"Where are the documents you are in charge of recording the superior breeds of the forest?"

Upon hearing Li Shuang's greeting, no one in the room could answer.

At that moment, everyone knelt down and begged for forgiveness:
"Duke Tang, this matter is personally overseen by the Temple Assistant, who went to Heyin... We can't find him right now?"

Li Shuang listened but didn't care.

"Don't rush, check if it's in the third cabinet from the bottom of that 'A' cabinet?"

Upon hearing this, some people stood up and did as instructed, which surprised many.

"It's really inside!"

The officials were puzzled when they handed the document to Li Shuang.

How did Li Shuang know about something that even officials of the Ministry of Agriculture couldn't find?

However, they dared not ask. Li Shuang, after seeing this, instructed Hou Jing:

"Take these documents and have someone bring back all the improved varieties we've cultivated. Don't let that ignorant Erzhu Zhao waste them."

Hou Jing nodded, but he also had the same doubts in his heart.

He asked softly:
"My lord, how did you know the document was there?"

Li Shuang smiled.

"Do you think I've been in Luoyang for nothing? I've already found out what good things are in the city."

Hou Jing looked at Li Shuang and gasped.

Hou Jing marveled at his lord's skill, which was truly like that of a master butcher, reaching the pinnacle of artistry! At the same time, a sense of unease suddenly arose in his heart.

"My lord, you stayed in my residence for so long last time, you didn't happen to have your eye on something of mine, did you?"

"No, it's just that the ancient jade you secretly hid that you didn't want anyone to know about, I don't think it's real! Also, you'd better hide the gold belt you secretly put under your concubine's bed somewhere else. Your wife probably knows about it and is holding a grudge and preparing to pick a fight with you."

"..."

"As for those chests of gold you hid in your secret vault, I think..."

At this moment, Hou Jing felt as if he had been stripped naked in front of Li Shuang.

"My lord, you need not say anything more. I will write a letter and have my family send those boxes of gold, that piece of jade, and that gold belt to your residence."

"That's not what I meant. It's not like I want anything from you."

"Your Majesty, I know that I am offering these to you willingly. There was absolutely no coercion involved."

"I already told you that's not what I meant. I was just giving you a hint about those villages in the suburbs..."

Before Li Shuang could finish speaking, Hou Jing reached out to stop her, almost crying.

"My lord, please stop! At least leave me some; I've had a hard time too!"

Just then, the official inside brought over the general ledger. Hou Jing was overjoyed, laughing as if he were crying, which startled the official.

"Duke Tang, this is the final account!"

Li Shuang didn't look at it and asked directly:

"how?"

"The major granaries in Luoyang City contain a total of more than 1.3 million shi of various grains and 500,000 bolts of various textiles. In addition, there are firewood, livestock, fruits and vegetables, bamboo, reeds, paper, etc., which are not detailed."

After saying that, the official added:

"However, this is only the figure on paper. After the Prince of Taiyuan entered Luoyang, his men broke into the granary and took away tens of thousands of bolts of fine silk and many precious artifacts, which are difficult to count."

In this era, cloth, like gold, was a hard currency.

Upon hearing this, Li Shuang looked at the document and said:
"These characters are written quite well!"

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. Although we are minor officials, we should naturally write well in order to serve in such a position."

Li Shuang summoned Hou Jing and instructed him:
"Regardless of how much is left in the treasury, half of it will be taken away according to the records on the books."

"promise!"

"Also, these guys are pretty good."

Hou Jing glanced at the official who delivered the account book, and felt a chill run down his spine.

"I understand. I will immediately arrange for someone to send them and their families to Guanzhong."

Li Shuang responded and said:
"Hurry!"

Hou Jing was taken aback, then heard Li Shuang say:

"After we finish up in Luoyang, there's still outside the city to deal with!"
-
"Let me tell you, Luoyang is a wonderful place. Not only are the women beautiful, but everything here is top-notch! Today, I'll show you around!"

Erzhu Zhao smiled and led a group of brothers to open the door to the treasure room.

The moment the door opened, the house seemed unable to withstand the pressure, and the beam collapsed with a loud crash.

Erzhu Zhao was almost hit by the falling object.

He stood up with lingering fear. After the dust settled, he rubbed his eyes and saw that the room, which had been full of treasures that morning, was now empty except for a few mice squeaking incessantly.

Erzhu Zhao angrily summoned the steward, grabbed him by the collar, and questioned him:

"Where's the stuff?"

"The young general had just left this morning when the Duke of Tang arrived with his men. Their skill in carrying things is unparalleled in my life; it's truly a masterpiece!"

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Zhao shoved the steward aside and roared angrily:
"Ohno is cool!"

……

(End of this chapter)