Prince of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 571 The Steam Engine and the Cui Family

Since coming to Datang, Gao Ming has never underestimated anyone, especially these "old people" who have been following Li Shimin, Gao Ming will not underestimate them.

Because Gao Ming feels that there are no fools in the court, especially those who have been active in the court for decades, and there are no fools.

Like these people, every move of them must have his real intentions, as for others, they are just appearances used to cover up.

Even if Cheng Yaojin looks like a hob, if anyone takes him for a fool, he is the real fool.

He was just playing dumb.

This well-known "hob meat" may have shadows of aristocratic families behind it, such as the Qinghe Cui family.

Gao Ming's idea is not unfounded, because Cheng Yaojin's current wife is from the Qinghe Cui family. Although Gao Ming doesn't think that Cheng Yaojin will favor the aristocratic family, it doesn't mean that he won't be for his wife's natal family. Matchmaking.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on the corner of Gao Ming's mouth.

"Among the five surnames and seven surnames, the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Lu family of Fanyang have already taken refuge in me, and they are doing well now. The Zheng family of Xingyang has been suppressed by me so much that they can't hold their heads up. With this time I was appointed as the supervisor of the country, and I am waiting and watching. It's time for the family to act, too."

But what made Gao Ming a little puzzled was that according to Qinghe Cui's current state, even if he didn't bow to him, he wouldn't be affected too much.

And even if they took refuge in him at this time, they might not be able to gain much benefit. According to the temperament of these aristocratic families, they should not do such a loss-making thing.

"What exactly do they want?" At this moment, Gao Ming suddenly became a little confused: "Could it be that I am wrong, in fact, Cheng Yaojin is just here to see this time?"

After thinking about it for a long time, Gao Ming didn't come up with a reason, since he couldn't figure it out, he simply put the trouble aside.

"If you can't think of it, then don't think about it. What should come will always come. Just wait for a while and it should become clear. It's more important to be with Wan'er now!"

Thinking of this, Gao Ming happily ran to accompany his wife.

But Gao Ming's prediction was not wrong, after a few days, Cheng Yaojin invited Gao Ming to his house as a guest, and the reason was to let his wife celebrate her birthday.

After receiving this invitation from Cheng Yaojin, Gao Ming immediately showed a clear smile.

"It seems that my prediction was not wrong!"

Cheng Yaojin's wife is from the Cui family of Qinghe, she is celebrating her birthday now, so it is not surprising that someone from the Cui family of Qinghe came.

Therefore, as soon as Gao Ming left, he would naturally get in touch with the Cui family. Everything was very natural.

After thinking about this, Gao Ming made a decision.

"Then I'll go and see what kind of medicine Qinghe Cui's family sells in the gourd!"

In fact, last year, Gao Ming had already decided on a strategy to deal with these aristocratic families, that is to win over a group, suppress a group, divide and dissolve, and gradually eliminate them.

Gao Ming is very clear that the two biggest hazards of aristocratic families are the annexation of land and the monopoly of talents.

The former shakes the foundation of the country. For example, in the late Tang Dynasty, the seriousness of both land and land led to the collapse of the military system, which is the evil result of both land and land.

The latter will hinder the selection of talents. The saying "there are no poor families in the top grade" is not just talk.

For this reason, Gao Mingcai suggested that Li Shimin implement an annual land restriction system, exempt farmers from half of the tax, and at the same time crack down on landlords' wasteland, in order to prevent land annexation.

Judging from the present, the effect is really good. In addition, after Cheng Yaojin and others returned to the court, the new fiefs granted by Li Shimin have a limited number of years, which is tantamount to giving this system a big boost!
And just a few days ago, the decree to completely exempt farmers from exorbitant and miscellaneous taxes has been issued, so Qinghe Cui's actions at this time seem to be understandable.

With a glimmer of expectation, Gao Ming asked someone to prepare some congratulatory gifts, and then took two female wrestlers to Cheng Yaojin's mansion.

When Gao Ming arrived, Cheng Yaojin's mansion was already full of people, watching the flow of people coming and going, Gao Ming couldn't help laughing immediately.

"I didn't expect that the interpersonal relationship of this demon king in the world is quite good."

When Gao Ming was muttering, Cheng Yaojin came out with a smile on his face.

"Hahahaha, His Royal Highness is here? It's really a long way to welcome me, hurry up, please come inside!"

"Duke Lu is being polite!"

Seeing Cheng Yaojin's enthusiastic expression, Gao Ming immediately smiled and bowed to him, and then followed him into the mansion.

As the most distinguished guest, after Gao Ming sat down at the main table, Cheng Yaojin immediately asked the servants to serve the dishes.

Of course, those who can sit at the main table are not ordinary people, at least they are at the level of Dukes, and the Dukes of Chang'an are very familiar with each other, so after the dishes are served, everyone chats and laughs while eating and drinking, and the atmosphere is very harmonious.

But after drinking for three rounds, Gao Ming found that there was an unfamiliar face on the table.

This is a man in his 50s, wearing slightly fat clothes, but judging from his clothing and behavior, he should also be an official of Datang, but it may be at the state and county level.

If a person like this appeared at Gao Ming's main table at this time, there was no need to guess his identity.

People from Qinghe Cui's family!

After realizing this, Gao Ming did not reveal it on the spot, but continued to drink with everyone pretending not to know, and played a few "truth or dare" games by the way.

When it was almost time, he pretended to be too drunk and passed out, and was helped by the Cheng family's servants to the guest room to rest.

Not long after Gao Ming was helped to lie down on the bed, he heard the sound of the door opening, and at the same time Cheng Yaojin's voice reached Gao Ming's ears.

"His Royal Highness?"

Hearing Cheng Yaojin's voice, Gao Ming, who was "drunk" unconscious just a moment ago, opened his eyes immediately, then sat up from the bed, and turned his head to look at Cheng Yaojin.

"Uncle Cheng, the person who plans to talk to me should come, right?"

Seeing Gao Ming smiling, Cheng Yaojin also smiled and nodded.

"Here we come, Your Highness, wait a moment, ahem!"

Speaking of this, he immediately coughed twice, and after hearing his cough, a person walked in from the door immediately.

After entering, he immediately bowed to Gao Ming.

"Cui Zhang, the governor of Cangzhou, has met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Looking at the person who was saluting towards him, Gao Ming smiled and nodded again.

"I remember you, I met you at the wine table just now, and I already understand the reason for your visit, so we don't need to talk nonsense, I just ask, what do you Qinghe Cui family want?"

"Uh……"

Gao Ming's going straight to the topic completely exceeded Cui Zhang's expectations, and he was completely stunned.

Seeing him in a daze, standing beside him, Cheng Yaojin slapped him on the back immediately, and said with a smile, "Why are you in a daze? His Royal Highness is asking you something. Your Highness is a cheerful person, so you don't have to hide it." Tuck it in, just say it!"

Hearing Cheng Yaojin's words, Cui Zhang came to his senses and quickly bowed to Gao Ming.

"His Royal Highness, we hope to obtain the method of making steam engines from His Highness, and please allow His Highness!"

"How to make a steam engine?" As soon as Cui Zhang's words fell, Gao Ming narrowed his eyes: "The Cui family's appetite is a bit big!"

Hearing Gao Ming's words, the expressions of Cheng Yaojin and Cui Zhang changed immediately.

(End of this chapter)