First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 521
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Seeing Gao Chong leaving with his hands behind his back, Changsun Wuji was full of dissatisfaction, tightened his belt, and muttered in a low voice: "Obviously five or six years younger than me...".

"Huh?" Although Gao Shilian has just reached the age of knowing his fate, he has sharp eyes and ears, and he stared at him immediately and said: "Seniority is seniority, how do you treat it?"

"Uncle calm down, nephew knows", Changsun Wuji grinned hastily and said in a low voice, "Not only because of seniority, but also because of merit".

"It's good that you know." Gao Shilian glanced at the eldest grandson Wuji, and sighed: "The rise of my Gao family is due to their father and son, and your eldest grandson's is due to the two brothers and sisters. You and my two families need help. The car depends on each other."

"Uncle said yes", Changsun Wuji nodded in response, but raised his brows and said with a smile: "Prince Yuji, uncle must pay homage to the prime minister, and Gao can't do without you either."

The uncle and nephew walked together under the palace wall, and the morning glow reflected the golden light on the two of them, just like the future of the two, full of infinite possibilities.

Gao Shilian just sighed with his hands behind his back when he heard the words, "I ask myself that I am not inferior to Duke Yan in knowledge, but there is one thing, I am still inferior to him."

Changsun Wuji was startled, and asked directly: "Where is he not as good as him? I think my uncle has both civil and military skills, and he is not weaker than others."

This is not the flattery of Changsun Wuji, Gao Shilian has been eager to learn since he was a child, dabbled in literature and historical classics, and has a good command of military affairs.

When he was in Jiaozhi that year, he assisted Tan Guogongqiu and defeated Ning Changzhen and stabilized Jiaozhi, which shows his military talent. Gao Shilian has been very talented since he was a child.

"Son", Gao Shilian looked up to the sky and sighed: "I am over fifty years old, and I am no longer young, but your cousin is mediocre, far inferior to Gao Youzhi, and I am afraid it will be difficult to maintain your family status in the future. Gao Youzhi is the only one." Gao's hope for decades to come."

The eldest grandson Wuji was stunned. After thinking about it carefully, it was true. Gao Junya is now over fifty, but she is physically strong and can still draw a strong bow. Hunting in the paddock is not weaker than young people, while Gao Youzhi is the same age as Li Shimin, in the prime of youth , Gao Junya and his son are enough to maintain the Gao family for decades.

On the other hand, Gao Shilian, although his body is fair, his offspring are far inferior to Gao Junya.

Gao Shilian's eldest son is named Gao Xingxing, who entered the officialdom, and now the official worships Qianniu to prepare himself.

It's not that the eldest grandson Wuji looked down on this cousin, he performed Pucheng's best, served his parents extremely filially, and Gao Shilian took care of him when he was sick, but he was too dull in dealing with people and had no unique views on things. An honest boy.

According to historical records, when Gao Shilian's wife, Xian Yushi, passed away, Gao Xing was so sad that he didn't drink rice. After Tang Taizong heard the news, he said: "The way of filial piety can never destroy the surname. You should force food and not be too polite." .

After Gao Shilian passed away, Gao Xing was so sad that he went on a hunger strike again. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty once again preached: "The ancients established filial piety, and the body could not be destroyed. tired".

To put it bluntly, Gao Xing is a simple, kind and honest gentleman who is not good at resourcefulness. Later, after Emperor Gaozong succeeded to the throne, he appointed Gao Xing as the governor of Yizhou. His father Gao Shilian also held this position.

After Gao Xing took office, he followed the rules and followed the rules and followed the good governance of his father Gao Shilian. He was an official and never harassed the people. add.

As for Gao Shilian's second son, Gao Zhixing, and third son, Gao Chunxing, they are currently young and studying, with a simple and sincere personality, but according to the eyes of the eldest grandson Wuji, they will probably continue in succession in the future.

"Uncle is serious. The three cousins ​​are honest and honest, and they will have their own fortunes in the future," Changsun Wuji said in relief.

Seeing Gao Shilian's inexplicable look in his eyes, Changsun Wuji could only cough, and continued: "Besides, my uncle is strong and strong, so he must have a prosperous son...".

Simple and honest... To put it bluntly, it means honesty, uncle, the three cousins ​​are all honest, you should have a few more as soon as possible.

Gao Shilian glared angrily, "As a cousin, we'll see how you support him in the future." After he finished speaking, he quickened his pace.

But Gao Shilian took Changsun Wuji's words seriously in his heart, yes, now that he can still fight, why don't you have more, no matter how powerful your Gao Junya's sons are, there are only two now, the old man should win by numbers.

Later, Gao Shilian actually gave birth to three sons, the fourth son Gao Zhenxing, the fifth son Gao Shenxing, and the sixth son Gao Shenxing.

Among the six sons, only the fourth son, Gao Zhenxing, behaved a little bit. As the name suggests, he was really good at it.

Later, Gao Zhenxing became an official in Shanyu Dadu, Governor of the Protectorate, Governor Youyi and other military forces in the six prefectures, and concurrently the governor of Youzhou.

In the second year of Emperor Gaozong's Tiaolu, the eldest son of Gao Zhenxing, Gao Qiguan, worshiped the prince Dian Shancheng, the eighth-rank official in charge of meals and banquets, and was involved in the case of Zhanghuai Prince Li Xian's rebellion.

Gao Zhenxing is really doing it. He actually killed his son Gao Qi with his own hands, and asked his younger brother Gao Shenxing to stab him in the stomach with a knife, and then asked Gao Xuan, the son of his elder brother Gao Xingxing, to behead him, and finally discarded the body with his head in a different place. On the road, in order to prove his innocence.

After Li Zhi heard the news, he despised him deeply and demoted him to be the governor of Muzhou.

It is true that Changsun Wuji took good care of his uncle's six cousins, but after Changsun Wuji was exiled in Qianzhou and hanged himself to death, all six cousins ​​were implicated.

Seeing his uncle striding away, Changsun Wuji shook his head, turned around and entered the sixth department. What he didn't know was that Gao Shilian entered the Imperial Medical Office with a lot of worries, and when he came out, his entourage was holding a big package, and he returned with a sense of fighting spirit. government went.

East Palace, Chengen Hall.

When Gao Chong came here, he saw Li Shimin holding a bowl of soup, and his eldest grandson Wugou serving at the side.

After seeing each other, Li Shimin casually asked, "Can you eat early?"

"It's better to come early than coincidentally, my stomach is empty," Gao Chong patted his stomach and laughed.

Li Shimin paused, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he just asked casually, so he had to say: "Then I will eat with you again."

Gao Chong didn't understand what he meant, the eldest grandson Wugou covered his mouth and smiled and said: "Uncle Youzhi doesn't know something, just now uncle and elder brother had eaten breakfast here and just left."

Gao Chong's eyes widened, and he shouted: "The two of them finished eating and left, Your Highness, are you eating here alone?"

Li Shimin's face darkened, "Do you want to eat it? If you don't eat it, let's talk about business."

"Eat", Gao Chong nodded and said: "It's free, if you don't eat for free, you don't eat."

Li Shimin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he had to order someone to bring another serving. Gao Chong really didn't eat breakfast, he got up early in the morning to watch Gao Kan compete with Su Di in the martial arts field, and then rushed into the palace.

Seeing Gao Chong wolfing down three pieces of mustache and a bowl of porridge, Li Shimin's mouth twitched, and he said angrily, "Anyway, the magistrate is so dignified, can't it be like this?"

"Your Highness doesn't know, I have to raise two sons and three apprentices now, I can't wrong your sister, the county government has no food left," Gao Chong said poorly.

Li Shimin frowned, shook his head and said with a smile: "Well, you are a high-ranking man, you are playing tricks in front of me, that's enough, I will give you a title in a few days, I remember what I said back then, as rich and noble, I can't treat you badly This guy".

"What I'm waiting for is Your Highness's words," Gao Chong was overjoyed and grinned.

The eldest grandson Wugou stared wide-eyed in disbelief, and sneaked a glance at Li Shimin, seeing that Li Shimin was actually very happy, he couldn't help but feel relieved.

Gao Chong was the first one who dared to demand an official in front of Li Shimin.

As Li Shimin has been in power for a long time, his majesty has become stronger and stronger, and with his mighty beard, his aura has become more majestic. Just now, his elder brother Sun Wuji had a meal here, and he strictly abides by etiquette from beginning to end and dare not play around.

After the food table was withdrawn, Li Shimin was in a good mood, nodded and smiled and said, "You did a good job in Youzhou, and that military exercise was very popular with me. Now it's not appropriate to start a war with the Turks, but it doesn't mean I'm afraid.

Some people in the court came up with admonitions, saying that Tu Li's character is weak, it is better to directly donate property and give a lot of money, in order to make the peace of the Youyan frontier, such a bastard, I have sent him to Lingnan to open mountains and build roads."

Gao Chong laughed when he heard the words, Li Shimin's temper was to his liking, so he immediately smiled and said, "Tuli boy, there is nothing to worry about, I have already played a game of chess in Youyan, I believe it will be effective soon, what I am worried about now is Jie Lee old thief".

The implication is that Tuli is nothing to worry about, we are not afraid of him, but his uncle Jieli is a ruthless character.

Sure enough, upon hearing Gao Chong's words, Li Shimin's smile also gradually subsided.

"This morning, the auxiliary machine came here for this reason. There have been many changes in Turkic recently. In Lingzhou, Daizhou and other places, there have been frequent warnings. There are many Turkic wanderers crossing the border. Do you think Xieli will come for real? "

After Li Shimin became the crown prince, he appointed his uncle Gao Shilian as the crown prince's right concubine, and his eldest brother-in-law's eldest grandson Wuji as the prince's left concubine. , with a complete team.

Speaking of Jieli Khan, the atmosphere was a little depressed for a while, and he was so excited that he couldn't help feeling bored in his heart.

Aggrieved, really aggrieved, Jieli Khan can now be said to be coercing the Tang Dynasty, Ashina Duobi, who inherited his father and brother's foundation, supported Liang Shidu, Xue Ju, Liu Wuzhou and others, and frequently interfered in the internal affairs of the Central Plains. Repeatedly invaded the border, but Datang had nothing to do with him.

If Jieli Khan invaded south, it would be a great challenge for Li Shimin who had just ascended the throne.

Strictly speaking, until the eighth year of Wude, the Tang Dynasty did not unify the world, because Liang Shidu, who ruled Shuofang separately, still called himself the Emperor of Liang.

Since the 13th year of Daye in the former Sui Dynasty, Liang Shidu separated Shuofang and proclaimed himself emperor, and changed his name to Yonglong. So far, the reign name of Shuofang area is still Yonglong. This year is the ninth year of Yonglong, even earlier than the founding of the Tang Dynasty.

Now Datang can be said to have a strong army and a strong horse, but it is definitely not a country that is rich and the people are strong, and the lands of Hebei and Shandong are empty.

Even though the current Tang Dynasty has soldiers and generals, Li Shimin dare not use soldiers. There is really no way, one word: poor.

War is logistics, without food and grass, even if there are many soldiers and generals, it is difficult for a smart woman to cook without rice.

This time Gao Chong temporarily mobilized Youyan soldiers and horses to hold a military exercise, which cost a lot of money. Some people in the court have already impeached Gao Chong for this, don't blame them, because they are really poor.

"Xieli is not a stupid person. My Tang Dynasty is at the critical moment of the change of imperial power. This is his opportunity."

Regardless of whether it was analyzed from the actual situation or based on the known historical process, Gao Chong knew in his heart that the day Li Shimin ascended the throne was the time when the Turks invaded south.

This doesn’t need to be reminded by Gao Chong. In fact, all people of insight know it well, but Li Shimin is still unwilling. Once the Turks invade the south, they have to exhaust their national strength to send troops to resist, or seek peace. Li Shimin can’t bear the two results .

Seeing that Gao Chong didn't seem to have a better plan, Li Shimin was also upset, and shouted: "If he wants to fight, then he will fight. Even if I, Li Shimin, eat bran and swallow vegetables, I will give the old thief a head-on blow."

Gao Chong sighed secretly, and said softly, "Does Your Highness know the price of rice in Guanzhong today?"

Li Shimin paused in anger, then frowned and said: "I know what you mean, but if you can't fight, you have to fight, there is no other way."

Gao Chong nodded and continued to ask: "Does Your Highness know the price of rice?"

Li Shimin paused when he heard the words, "The last time I paid back, it was more than a hundred dollars for a bucket of rice."

Gao Chong just shook his head and smiled. Yesterday he walked around the West Market from beginning to end, not only to observe public opinion, but also to pay attention to all the grain shops along the road.

"Your Highness, forgive me for asking, how long have you been out of the palace? When was the price of rice reported to you?"

"It's not out for half a month... what do you mean?" Li Shimin's expression changed suddenly, of course, it was not aimed at Gao Chong.

"Kaiyuan Tongbao is no longer used for folk rice price transactions, only silk is used, and a bucket of rice is worth a piece of silk," Gao Chong said slowly.

In the fourth year of Wude, in order to rectify the chaotic currency system, Sui coins were abolished, and "Kaiyuan Tongbao" was cast in imitation of the strict norms of the five baht coins in the Western Han Dynasty.

The price of a piece of silk, that is, a bolt of silk, ranges from two hundred to four hundred cash.

"What?" Li Shimin's eyes were fixed, and he was frightened and angry for a moment, with a terrifying aura.

"A bucket of rice and a piece of silk? Why didn't anyone come to report it? Why didn't you use Tongbao to trade?"

People's livelihood is so poor that bartering has already occurred among the people. Li Shimin said that a bucket of rice costs more than a hundred dollars, but now it is a bucket of rice for a piece of silk.

A piece of silk is worth at least [-] yuan, which means that even if you have money, you may not be able to buy rice.

Gao Chong bowed his head and remained silent. He knew that this situation would continue. In history, when Emperor Taizong came to the throne, a bucket of rice was worth a piece of silk.

According to "Zhenguan Zhengyao": "Three years of Zhenguan, Guanzhong is ripe... three or four dollars for a bucket of rice...".

According to the "Tong Dian Shihuo Seven" records: "Since Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong has worked hard for reason. In the eighth and ninth years, it is frequent to Fengren. The rice bucket is four or five dollars, and the horses and cattle are clothed in the field. It takes several months to move outside the house. not closed.

By 15 years, rice is worth two dollars per bucket...

For three years in Qide, every meter is worth five cents...

In the first year of Yongchun, there was heavy rain in the capital, famine, and four hundred dollars per bucket of rice... ".

All these things cannot be done by human beings. Endless wars, disasters caused by frost and drought, disturbances from all over the world...resulted in the failure of agricultural harvests, and the price of rice remained high everywhere.

"Your Highness, believe in yourself, believe in us, and believe in this land. In at least three years, this situation will definitely be changed."

Gao Chong said with a firm expression: "As long as the emperor is wise and the ministers are good, as long as the weather is good, if the industrious and honest Chinese people are not exploited by stupid emperors or squeezed by corrupt officials, it will only take a year or two to recover. The country is rich and the people are strong. It's not about natural disasters and man-made disasters, but about you, the master of the world."

Li Shimin nodded with a serious expression, then turned his face, pointed at Gao Chong and scolded with a smile: "I asked you to come here to discuss countermeasures, but you are here to persuade me."

(End of this chapter)