Han Shizu

Chapter 605
In the early morning of the next day, Meng Chang hid on the couch again. In late autumn, it was very cool in the morning and evening. There was a fragrant couch to warm the brocade, and the beauty was in his arms, so why bother to suffer the pain of getting up early.It's a pity that there are always people who don't understand, and the two prime ministers, Li Hao and Wu Zhaoyi, begged to see him.

Meng Chang was unhappy and complained that it was still early and he was not allowed to sleep longer.It was Concubine Xu Hui who persuaded her with kind words, so she reluctantly got up to wash and left Peony Garden.

Now that the sun is rising, Meng Chang has a good attitude when he sees the two chancellors.He has always been tolerant and valuable to his officials, especially civil servants and talented scholars.

"Second minister joined hands to see me, what happened?" Looking at the second minister, Meng Chang asked.

Wu and Li are both veteran ministers of the Shu Kingdom.Wu Zhaoyi has followed Meng's father and son for decades. He is highly respected and has always been relied on.Li Hao, on the other hand, has a deep relationship with Shu and is extremely talented. He was an official in Qianshu in his early years, and after the establishment of Later Shu, he was promoted by Meng Chang and became a prime minister.

At this time, seeing the emperor's relaxation, Wu Zhaoyi coughed lightly, held a memorial in both hands, and said: "This autumn, there will be a great harvest in the middle of Sichuan. Happening"

Meng Chang took it and browsed it quickly, described Shu Zhan, and said happily, "God bless me, Dashu!"

"There was a flood in Yuzhou, and the government requested that the people be exempted from taxes for two years!" Wu Zhaoyi said.

"When the people suffer from disasters, they should help them. If they are exempted, you can decide on their own!" Meng Chang said: "For the victims in Yuzhou, please ask the local government to comfort them. Don't forget the 'Jing Shi Ming'!"

"Yes! Your Majesty's love for the people, I admire you!" Wu Zhaoyi complimented, and then said: "The price of grain in Chengdu has always been high, I ask you to distribute the grain from the official warehouse, stabilize the price of grain, and relieve the people's worries! "

Hearing what he said, Meng Chang couldn't help being surprised, and asked, "What is the price of food in Chengdu now?"

"Dou Mi Ba Wen!" Wu Zhaoyi replied.

In recent years, the harvest in Shu has been plentiful, which has led to the cheapness of grain and grain. In the past two years, when the bucket of rice in Chengdu was at its lowest, it dropped to three Wen.Compared with the price of grain in the Northern Han Dynasty, it can be said to be extremely cheap. You must know that even now, the price of grain in Tokyo is between twelve and fifteen dollars per bucket.

"Why is it so expensive!" Meng Chang frowned slightly.

Prime Minister Li Hao explained: "My Majesty, there are two reasons for the rise in grain prices. One is that the grain was cheap in the past, and merchants had no profit. In the past, there were fewer people transporting grain in Chengdu. Second, the imperial court recently The more preparations for war, the more grain and grain will be sent to the north, resulting in a shortage of grain in Chengdu."

As he spoke, he glanced at Yan Wuzhaoyi, and Li Hao continued: "That's why, I think that we can spend less official food and calm it down a bit. When the merchants come in when they hear that the food is good, the price of food will drop by itself."

Nodding his head, Meng Chang said: "The Second Minister can discuss and make a decision on this matter. But there is one thing, it should solve the worries of the people!"

"Yes!"

"Is Erqing still busy?" Looking at the two, Meng Chang asked, the meaning of "seeing off guests" was obvious.

Li Hao cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, Li Tinggui, please let the imperial court go to Qin, Feng and Xingyuan mansions to continue to increase the number of troops, horses, grain, and ordnance!"

Hearing this, Meng Chang was a little displeased, and said: "In the past year and a half, the imperial court has mobilized more than [-] elite soldiers to the north, and the food and equipment are enough for half a year. Li Tinggui is not satisfied? With so many soldiers and horses, Isn’t it enough to defend the Northern Han Dynasty? What does Li Tinggui want to do? Does he want me to give all the soldiers and horses in the country to him? Whether the Han army will come is the question!”

"Your Majesty, calm down!" Seeing this, Li Hao hurriedly spoke out to persuade him: "Li Tinggui is defending in the north, and he knows the situation of the enemy and ourselves the most. Since he has something to ask, he must have something to worry about."

"As for the Northern Han Dynasty, in my opinion, I must not take it lightly!" Li Hao said: "Since the founding of the country, our dynasty has lost two times to the other. However, the current Northern Han Dynasty is extraordinary, not like the Tang and Jin Dynasties. , The heart of annexing the world has not been restrained.

Today's Han Emperor is young and vigorous, and can be called wise.After the conquest of the Tang Dynasty, the four realms were temporarily safe, but now they are stationed in the southwest, and their soldiers are pointing directly at them. In my land of Qinfeng, the battle will start sooner or later. Your Majesty must not lose vigilance! "

Among the civil and military affairs of the Shu Kingdom, Li Hao was the first to see the "extraordinary" of the Northern Han Dynasty, and was the first to propose that the army should be prepared.Of course, at the beginning, Li Hao suggested that Meng Chang submit tribute to the Central Plains in order to ensure peace and seek a long-term solution.

However, the high-minded privy envoy Wang Zhaoyuan insisted on admonishing him, instead, he reorganized the army and trained military forces in order to plan the Northern Expedition.When the Northern Han conquered the Tang Dynasty, it was Wang Zhaoyuan who spoke at the request of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and Meng Chang at that time also had the heart of merit.Send troops to invade the Northern Han Dynasty again, what is the result? In Fengzhou, the traces of the battlefield in Donghe Village are still on Sanguan Road.
At this time, after listening to Li Hao's remonstrance, Meng Chang felt a little impatient for no reason. After thinking for a while, he said, "It's the end of autumn now. I think the Han army will not move lightly! I think Li Tinggui is a loser." After one battle, I fear the Han army like a tiger!"

"Your Majesty, the Northern Han Dynasty attacked Tang Dynasty two years ago, and it was also at the end of autumn!" Li Hao reminded.

Hearing this, Meng Chang frowned deeply, stroked his thick short beard, thought for a long time, and said in a deep thought: "When Wang Zhaoyuan returns, I will be the District Office again!"

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Wang Zhaoyuan, the privy envoy of Shu, was ordered to go north to inspect the Qin and Feng imperial defenses, adjust the defenses, and observe the trend of the Northern Han Dynasty by the way.For this confidant general who followed him since childhood, Meng Chang not only recognized his loyalty, but also appreciated his talent.
"Second Minister, let's step back first!" Sighing, Meng Chang said to the second minister in a somewhat dispirited manner.

"Retire!" Seeing that the emperor was obviously not interested, the two ministers bowed and retreated.

As soon as he came out of the palace, Wu Zhaoyi couldn't help but said to Li Hao: "Your Majesty, I've already given birth to the desire to be negligent in governing."

Li Hao showed helplessness, and sighed: "As ministers, we can only do our best to do the king's affairs, so that we can have a clear conscience!"

"Mr. Wu, at present, our court has two worries. One is the bandits of the northern soldiers, and the other is the corruption of officials. Public morality is high and respected, so we need to take care of it!" Li Hao looked at Wu Zhaoyi, and said flatteringly: "Recently, the nobles of Chengdu , Officials, often break the law and occupy people's fields, and the trend of oppression is getting stronger, I am deeply worried!"

Hearing his words, Wu Zhaoyi twitched his eyelids, smiled awkwardly, and replied perfunctorily: "Li Xiang is concerned about the country and the people, so he should speak to His Majesty to get rid of the evils."

Among the group of people Li Hao mentioned, Wu Zhaoyi was included.Although he is virtuous and respectful, and has a clear reputation, he can indulge family members, relatives, and old officials.
As far as Shu Lord Meng Chang is concerned, Li Hao's worries are not within the scope of his vigilance. Although the administration of officials is gradually deteriorating, the country is stable and the treasury is full.As long as the Northern Han Dynasty does not invade.

So far, the only thing Meng Chang cares about is the Northern Han court, which is sharpening its knives.

Over five days later, Wang Zhaoyuan, the privy envoy who went north for inspection, returned to Chengdu, and was immediately called into the palace to consult with him on border affairs.Returning from the patrol, Wang Zhaoyuan was in high spirits, and he was as confident as ever, which made Meng Chang feel at ease.

"Your Majesty, I have inspected Qin and Feng. The fortifications of the cities and fortifications have been carefully inspected. The omissions have been adjusted by the ministers. Now, as long as the soldiers do not slack off and guard according to the danger, it is enough to defend the Han army. If the Han army arrives , will make him return without success!" Wang Zhaoyuan said confidently to Meng Chang.

In fact, although Li Tinggui's ability to use troops is not top-notch, it is still quite satisfactory. Taking advantage of his geographical advantages, at least there are not too many loopholes in the deployment of the Shu army in Qin and Feng. If the Han army attacks, it can withstand it for a while.

However, after being adjusted by the secret envoy Wang, who is "knowledge of soldiers and good generals", the deployment of the Shu army has actually been disrupted.
Hearing what he said, Meng Chang nodded: "Li Tinggui asked for more troops, horses, money and food, do you agree?"

Wang Zhaoyuan shook his head directly, and said firmly, "No need!"

"Why?" Meng Chang seemed to feel that Wang Zhaoyuan was too confident! "

"This year, the Han army will definitely not mobilize troops!" Wang Zhaoyuan explained to Meng Chang: "The minister found out in the north, natural disasters continued in the Northern Han Dynasty, and he was busy with disaster relief and rescue the people, how dare he use troops in our court at this time! If not Now that winter is coming, all the ministers want to lead their troops north to capture Guanzhong for His Majesty!"

Meng Chang was not interested in Wang Zhaoyuan's "big ambition", but cared about the disaster in the Northern Han Dynasty and asked him to speak carefully.Wang Zhaoyuan told Meng Chang about the situation, probably because of the severe drought in Huainan, and floods in more than a dozen prefectures in the Northern Han Dynasty, causing floods and droughts, resulting in 500,000 victims.

Hearing this, Meng Chang was overjoyed and heaved a sigh of relief, lamenting that God blesses Shu and condemning the tyrant.
It seemed that he could live a happy life for a while.

(End of this chapter)