The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"This is the most important reason."

Chen Huai'an smiled and said, "The next two sections of the route, from the Xiang River to the Ling Canal and then to the Gui River, constitute the third section. The fourth section is the Xi River."

"The water conditions are different for each section of the route, and the boats used are also different. Moreover, it is easily affected by the weather. If the water level in a certain section of the route decreases, the goods can still be stored in the warehouses of the previous section of the route, so there will be no loss."

"By using a segmented management method, the overall transportation cost is greatly reduced."

"I have no objection." Changsun Wuji shook his head. "You are the Minister of Revenue, so you are definitely the most skilled at accounting."

"I have no objection to the collection of commercial taxes, but if you want to set up warehouses and establish a whole system, then it will involve a lot of new official positions."

"This point...I think we need to discuss it properly."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression changed. These four sections of the Grand Canal would undoubtedly become the imperial court's treasure trove, with immense profits at stake. If anyone in that position were to harbor any ulterior motives, they could embezzle an unimaginable amount of money in a year.

This is exactly what Changsun Wuji wanted to express.

The selection of these officials must be approached with great care.

"What are your ideas?" Li Shimin pondered. "Should we set up a special agency, or should the Ministry of Works manage the warehousing, while the Ministry of Revenue handles taxation directly?"

Du Ruhui and the others frowned. Logically speaking, Li Shimin's idea was not wrong.

This was the scope of responsibility for the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to hand it over directly to the two departments, and all the ideas were proposed by Chen Huai'an, and he was the one who made the achievements. It would be most appropriate to hand it over to him.

But they had a vague feeling that this move was probably inappropriate.

The opening of the Grand Canal between the Central Plains and Lingnan involved more than just commercial and tax benefits; the most important aspect was politics.

But these are things they can't bring up.

Seeing everyone's silence, Chen Huai'an found it somewhat amusing; these people simply didn't want to offend him.

However, he didn't have those thoughts and said directly, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and cannot be directly handled by the Ministry of Revenue."

"I believe that a new Lingnan Transport Commissioner should be established."

"Among them, the Lingnan Transport Commissioner was the main person in charge. He was a third-rank official appointed by the imperial court and rotated every three years. He was in charge of the canal transport, taxation, and monopoly, and oversaw affairs in the Central Plains and Lingnan."

"Tongzhi of Lingnan Transport Office, a fourth-rank official, assists in managing local affairs and coordinating with local officials."

"The Guangzhou Customs Office, a fifth-rank official, was appointed by the imperial court and was in charge of shipping, the monopoly on spices, and so on."

"In addition, the Lingqu Canal is of paramount importance between the Central Plains and Lingnan. It is necessary to establish a Lingqu Canal Works Commissioner, a fifth-rank official appointed by the Ministry of Works, to be in charge of the maintenance, navigation, and sluice gates of the Lingqu Canal."

"In addition, tax supervisors and grain transport ship commanders should also be established in the various prefectures below, and censors dispatched by the Censorate should supervise them."

Everyone's eyes lit up when they heard this. Establishing a new agency was obviously much better than having the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works directly in charge.

Of course, when it comes to such matters, the Lingnan Transport Office is definitely under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue, just like the relationship between the Ministry of Works and the Directorate of Works.

Yu Shao, a third-rank official in charge of the Imperial Workshops, is he not subject to the Minister of Works?

However, if it is separated into its own, its significance is different.

"That's a good suggestion." Li Shimin pondered for a moment and nodded.

He actually shared similar ideas with Du Ruhui and others, but he just didn't want to say it.

To reiterate, everything was handled by Chen Huai'an. Now that he has done a wonderful job, it's unreasonable for you to take away his achievements.

It's like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose.

But if Chen Huai'an brings it up himself, then it's different.

Li Shimin looked at Chen Huai'an with a hint of relief. Although this guy always thought of making things difficult for himself, he never made a mistake in doing things and never caused him any worry.

"Does anyone have any objections?"

"I have no objection..." Xiao Yu said, and most of the other officials also had no objection.

Those who have opinions believe that some details need to be added.

In return, Li Shimin asked Chen Huai'an, "Since that's the case, we can roughly decide on the position of Transport Commissioner of Lingnan. Who do you think would be the best candidate?"

Chen Huai'an thought for a moment, hesitated, and replied, "Your Majesty, Ouyang Shu of the Ministry of Works might be suitable."

"He had been in charge of the canal transport for a long time and was experienced and qualified to serve as the Lingnan Transport Commissioner."

"The Vice Minister of Works?" Li Shimin nodded without hesitation, "Alright, let's temporarily appoint Ouyang Shu. If there are any other opinions later, we can discuss them again."

Most of the others didn't have any objections either.

In fact, they themselves felt that it would be better to appoint someone familiar with this field as the first Transport Commissioner of Lingnan.

They all knew Ouyang Shu; he was reliable and had a long career. His promotion from a fourth-rank Vice Minister of Works to a third-rank Transport Commissioner of Lingnan was in accordance with the rules.

However, what they didn't know was that Li Shimin actually wanted Chen Huai'an to take on this position concurrently.

But when he thought about how the other person always managed to steal a moment of free time, and how they seemed eager to get rid of this hot potato, he only thought about it in his mind.

"Then..." Li Shimin raised his eyes, his tone indifferent, "Let's first discuss the specific institutional arrangements for the Lingnan Transport Office, and... how to manage Lingnan."

"..."

By April 20th, the rain had long since stopped.

Chen Huai'an was living a very leisurely life during this period. He liked this approach very much, copying the system from later generations and then letting people like Du Ruhui improve it.

So he had some free time, while Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji, and others became busy.

After finishing his daily affairs, Chen Huai'an strolled around Chang'an City and was recognized by many people who greeted him, to which he responded in kind.

While buying his favorite mutton flatbread, the middle-aged shop owner, surnamed Huang, tentatively asked, "Your Excellency, the locust plague is getting worse. What policies does His Majesty, the court, and you have to deal with it?"

As soon as this question was raised, many people perked up their ears.

Well, the other officials were all high and mighty, and their daily travels were always escorted by guards and they rode in carriages. They simply had no way of getting close to them.

Even in Chang'an, the city with the most officials, the highest-ranking official they could meet was a county magistrate.

Chen Huai'an was the only exception.

He was like a street urchin, always running out to buy food every day, and everyone got to know him.

Huang Yun, the owner of the flatbread shop, only mustered up the courage to ask when he saw the locust plague getting worse and the grain price starting to rise.

"..."