The Happy Prince of Tang Dynasty

After resting in the palace, Li Yuan and a group of civil and military ministers continued the afternoon court meeting.

Many ministers were relieved that Li Jiancheng was not in the main hall.You must know that when Li Jiancheng was in the main hall, they didn't even dare to take a breath, for fear that Li Jiancheng would be violent and there would be no place to cry.

"My loves, I have something to report!"

Li Yuan's expression looked quite relaxed, no wonder.Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin, and Li Xiuning, the three capable sons and daughters, basically settled most of the affairs. Apart from reviewing some memorials, he, Li Yuan, didn't have anything to do at all, so his energy and vigor seemed extraordinary. good.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Yellow River suddenly flooded two days ago. The houses in Huazhou, Qizhou, Yanzhou, Haizhou and other places in Henan Province were destroyed. The eunuchs of Zhouzhou, Qizhou, Yanzhou, Haizhou and other places rushed to the eight hundred miles to implore His Majesty to open a warehouse to provide food, and at the same time allocate money and food urgently, otherwise the time will be prolonged, and the hearts of the people may change!" [

After Li Yuan finished speaking, Tang Jian stood up and told the bad news.

The Yellow River is the second longest river in China, and it has been a silt-rich river since ancient times.In the [-]th century BC, the lower reaches of the Yellow River were called "Zhuohe" because of the turbidity of the river.At the beginning of the first century AD, someone pointed out that "the river is turbid, and it is called one stone and six buckets of mud".After the Qin and Han Dynasties, the sediment increased and decreased.Some of these sediments are accumulated on the downstream riverbed, and over time, the riverbed is silted up, completely restricted by dikes, forming a suspended river for a long time.Every autumn flood, the defense is weak.If it is light, the mouth will overflow, and if it is serious, the river course will be changed.

Historically, the Yellow River Basin has been the political, economic and cultural center of China for a long time, and is known as the cradle of Chinese culture.The frequent disasters in history have also made the Yellow River known as "China's sorrow". According to historical records, from 26 BC to the time when Li Jiancheng crossed the Yellow River, the Yellow River burst nearly [-] times, and the major relocations occurred [-] times. .On average, there are two breaches in three years, and a major diversion once in a century.

It can be seen how much harm the Yellow River has caused to the people on both sides of the strait.However, people in ancient times valued their homeland very much.Even if they suffer from the disaster of the Yellow River, they don't want to move.Therefore, every July and August when the Yellow River flooded, the imperial court had to prepare for disaster relief.This has been the case in all dynasties.Even Li Jiancheng can do nothing.With his own strength.There is no way to change the problem of the Yellow River.

"Prelude!"

Li Yuan waved his hand.Without hesitation, he agreed to open a warehouse for food relief.

The [Champa rice] obtained by Li Jiancheng has been planted in various places in the Tang Dynasty, and now the Tang Dynasty has enough warehouses.There is no need to worry about food issues at all.

"It's just that the transfer of money and food is of great importance, and someone needs to be supervised, otherwise it is inevitable that someone will fill their own pockets!"

The amount of money for disaster relief is huge. If there is no supervision, corruption is certain.Even if there is supervision, unless every sum of money is handed over to the refugees, there will still be corruption.However, if he really did this, the inspector would probably be exhausted to death!Therefore, what can be done now is to minimize corruption.

"Where is Ma Zhou!"

"Wei Chen is here!"

Ma Zhou, who was less than [-] years old, came out from the end of the civil service, but not many people looked down on him. You know, this Ma Zhou was personally promoted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

"The crown prince said that your ability to handle political affairs is very good, so this time, the Henan Province affairs will be handled by you. For the time being, let you be the supervisor of Henan Province, and take full responsibility for this disaster relief!"

"The humble minister will definitely not disappoint His Majesty, the good prince!"

Ma Zhou stood back to his position with a little excitement. He is not yet thirty years old, but he has been entrusted with important tasks, and his future is boundless.Ma Zhou naturally knew that he could have such an effect because he was appointed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.However, it doesn't matter how the process is for Ma Zhou, as long as he can do something for the people is enough.Just like this time, he went to Henan Province for disaster relief and benefited millions of people in many states and counties, which made him happiest.

"Qizou Your Majesty, an earthquake occurred in Jiannan Road yesterday morning. Quzhou, Mazhou, Jiazhou, and Rongzhou suffered the most. Most of the houses collapsed. Many people died and injured. The four areas of Langzhou and Langzhou suffered less damage, but there were also many civilian casualties. The prefect of the eight states hastened eight hundred miles, and asked His Majesty to open a warehouse for food and allocate money and food at the same time, so as not to sway the hearts of the people."

Before Ma Zhou stood back, Tang Jian stood up again and told the bad news.

"Hey, what an eventful year!" Li Yuan frowned slightly and sighed softly. "Du Ruhui, let you be the Supervisor of Jiannan Road for the time being, and take full charge of this disaster relief!"

"My minister obeys the order!" [

The officials were a little surprised. Ma Zhou was from Prince Li Jiancheng's lineage, and Du Ruhui was from Qin King Li Shimin's lineage. Li Yuan entrusted them with important tasks. What's the plan?

Of course, the officials couldn't understand, and Li Yuan wouldn't answer them.

"Dear dears, there is still something to report!"

Li Yuan asked loudly, but his eyes were fixed on Tang Jian. The two bad news were brought by Tang Jian. I don't know if there will be other bad news.

Tang Jian is very sorry, can I be blamed for what happened in Henan Road and Jiannan Road?It's not that I let him happen, but Tang Jian also complained in his heart and dared not complain.

"Since it's a matter, let's retreat!"

In fact, the court meetings in ancient times were good.If you have something to say, you can retreat if you have nothing to do, unlike Li Jiancheng's previous life, no matter if there is something to do, you have to wait until that time before you can leave.

"Your Majesty, something is wrong..."

Li Yuan was about to turn around and leave, but an urgent voice came from outside the hall, Nai Li Yuan had no choice but to stop, not knowing what was going on, making him so flustered.

"His Majesty…"

The guard at the palace gate who trot in, didn't care about taking a break, and started to speak, but was interrupted by Li Yuan's shout.

"Bastard, who allowed you to bring a knife into the palace! As the guard of the palace gate, don't you know this? After the matter is finished, go and receive twenty sticks."

"Here!"

"What makes you so flustered? Those who achieve major events should stay calm in the face of danger. Even if the sky falls, there will be tall people to stand up to them." After the punishment, Li Yuan comforted softly. Only when the superiors give grace and power can people be convinced.Of course, it doesn't mean that you can scold if you want, there must be a reason for punishment, just like the guard who entered the temple with a knife, this is the reason for punishment.

When Li Yuan got angry, he showed all his majesty, and all the ministers remembered that Li Yuan was also a decisive master.It's just that it's usually covered up by Li Jiancheng's ruthlessness.With this in mind.Many ministers are much more honest.

"Qizou Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Crown Prince mobilized soldiers from the twelve city gates to surround the east of the city and arrested all thirteen businessmen from the Zhang family, Xu family, Liu family, Xu family, and Wang family. Now there are still some merchants who escaped the net." Their relatives and some other businessmen are all kneeling outside the palace gate to cry for grievances!"

"hiss!"

All the ministers gasped when they heard the words.I was shocked in my heart.certainly.They were not shocked by Li Jiancheng's arrest of these businessmen, they were shocked by Li Jiancheng's mobilization of the twelve city gate captains.

The captain of the Twelve City Gates is responsible for the defense of Chang'an City, and his responsibilities are very important.want to mobilize them.There must be an order from Jing Zhaoyin, but the officials could see from Li Shimin's expression that Li Jiancheng did not directly mobilize the twelve city gate captains through Li Shimin.If Li Jiancheng wanted to rebel, wouldn't it be easy to control Chang'an.

"What is the reason for the prince's arrest!"

Li Yuan asked lightly that he didn't care about Li Jiancheng's mobilization of the captain of the Twelve City Gates.If that kid was really interested in the throne, Li Yuan would look up to the sky and laugh, but that guy is stubborn, even if he doesn't accept the throne, Li Yuan has no choice but to let him.

"Qizou His Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince arrested people on the charge of adultery with foreigners, and read out the charges of these businessmen on the street."[

"Hmph, these businessmen are really getting more and more lawless. What do you think should be done with them?"

"Your Majesty, merchants value profit and have no sense of etiquette and benevolence. This humble official thinks that they should be severely punished to serve as an example to others." Kong Rendi, who had previously opposed Kou Zhong and others being crowned king, stood up and expressed his views on these merchants very simply. .Of course, Kong Rendi did not do this to curry favor with Li Jiancheng.

Kong Rendi is a descendant of the Kong family, and he studied Confucianism, and he is the most repulsive to businessmen.People of Taoism, Legalism, Zajia and other schools do not have such a big prejudice against businessmen.

"Father, my son thinks that these businessmen have fornicated foreigners and harmed the people of Tang Dynasty, so they should be severely punished."

Hearing Li Shimin's words, everyone was surprised again.Li Shimin is usually gentle and approachable, not to mention cursing, even speaking loudly is rare.Why is there such indignation about what to do with these businessmen this time?According to their thinking, at this moment Li Shimin should stand up and accuse Li Jiancheng of bypassing him, Jing Zhaoyin, and arbitrarily mobilizing the captain of the city gate.The situation in front of them made the ministers feel very strange, so they all kept silent honestly.

When these businessmen were arrested, no one considered whether they were wronged or whether Li Jiancheng arrested people indiscriminately.Because all ministers know that is impossible.

All the ministers above the main hall knew that Li Jiancheng was definitely the laziest prince so far, so lazy that he was rarely seen even in the early court.Just say that such a person, how could he be full and have nothing to do to wrong those businessmen?They also understood that Li Jiancheng had an intelligence agency in his hands, just like the last time many family members were stuffed into the army to make meritorious service, but Li Jiancheng found out all about it within a few days.

Needless to say, this time the criminal evidence of these businessmen's fornication with foreigners must have been found out by Li Jiancheng's intelligence agency.

"Your Majesty, it's just that there are too many businessmen involved in this case. They have some indispensable salt, grain and other things in their hands. If they are not handled properly, they may cause a lot of trouble."

Dou Wei's appearance will point out the problems, and the merchants must deal with them. If they are not dealt with properly, they will cause other troubles.

"Since the prince handles this matter, let the prince solve it. I think the prince will not disappoint me!" Li Yuan said with a relaxed face, seeing that kid is lazy, let him solve this matter now.

Listening to Li Yuan's tone, the ministers felt that there seemed to be a feeling of gloating.

"Okay, don't delay the disaster relief. Ma Zhou and Du Ruhui, you two are leaving today. If you have nothing to do, you can leave the court." Li Yuan turned around and left as he spoke, but he stopped and added, as if he remembered something, " By the way, don't forget to receive twenty sticks."

The palace gate guard kneeling on the ground wanted to cry.I thought that Li Yuan had left, as if he had forgotten about himself, but he did not expect to remember it in the end.

"Lord Ma, Lord Du, congratulations, congratulations, His Majesty values ​​you, and you have a bright future!"

"Master Ma, Lord Du, don't forget you and my fellow ministers in the future, take care of me!"

"Master Ma. Master Du is really the pillar of our Tang Dynasty. His name will last forever!"

As soon as Li Yuan left, some ministers immediately congratulated Ma Zhou and Du Ruhui, and the horses kept shouting.Ma Zhou and Du Ruhui were not fools, they talked when they saw people.Anyway, those ministers said something good.They all answered yes.As long as you don't offend anyone, that's enough.However, those ministers were obviously more enthusiastic about Ma Zhou, after all, Ma Zhou belonged to the prince.And Du Ruhui is a member of King Qin.

"Lord Ma, Lord Du, don't disappoint Your Majesty's high expectations!"

Before Tang Jian, Dou Wei, Liu Hongji, and Pei Ji left, they also gave them a word of advice.After all, their identities are the founding fathers of the country, and it is not acceptable to point them out in the tone of seniors.

"Ma Zhou (Du Ruhui) thank you for your teaching!"

The attitude towards Tang Jian and the others was naturally different from those flattering ministers.Besides, with their current identities, there is nothing to deal with in front of the four of them.

After all the ministers left, Ma Zhou and Du Ruhui looked at each other and left separately.

The main hall, which was bustling before, has become empty in the blink of an eye!

……

In Jingzhao Yinfu Yamen, Li Jiancheng sat upright on the seat, Qin Hu and five others stood sideways, and the captain of the Twelve City Gate also stood respectfully by the side.

"His Royal Highness, the crimes committed by these businessmen have solid evidence, should they be directly convicted?"

"Don't worry, my prince is also a reasonable person, so I will give them a chance to defend themselves in front of the common people." Li Jiancheng said casually with a faint smile. "Besides, we should use this opportunity to scare the chickens and monkeys, and let those businessmen know that money is not so easy to earn, nor is it earned like this!"

Following Li Jiancheng's orders, a case-handling area was set up outside Jingzhaoyin's government office.

"His Royal Highness, the grass people are wronged! The grass people are innocent!"

"His Royal Highness, the grass people don't know about this matter, His Royal Highness is very aware!"

"His Royal Highness, the grassroots are guilty, please forgive your life!"

When these businessmen, their relatives, and the guards at home were brought up, they all muttered and said everything.Some pleaded guilty, some complained that they were implicated, and some relatives and guards of the businessman wanted to disassociate themselves from the businessman. Facing life and death at this moment, they really could say anything.

"Looking at these businessmen domineering, they usually pull [-]. I didn't expect it to be today."

"These merchants who deserve a thousand knives usually oppress us civilians, and they should have been cleaned up long ago!"

"Severely punish profiteers, severely punish these vampires!"

"Severely punish profiteers, severely punish these vampires!"

"Severely punish profiteers, severely punish these vampires!"

I don't know who took the lead in shouting, and soon these people vented their dissatisfaction with the merchants in their hearts, and demanded that these merchants be severely punished.

"People, don't worry, the prince will never let a bad person go, nor will he wrong a good person."

Li Jiancheng waved his hand to signal the people to be quiet, and then turned his attention to the thirteen businessmen involved in the case ahead.There were more than 1000 people kneeling in front of Li Jiancheng, including businessmen, their relatives, and guards.The wealth of the merchants can be seen from this. It is difficult for ordinary people to support themselves, so how can they have spare money to support so many guards.

"This crown prince gives you a chance to defend yourself. You can speak out if you think you are wronged." Li Jiancheng said lightly, then his face suddenly turned cold, and he said in an extremely cold tone: "However, if anyone is guilty If you dare to call Gu, if you are found out, the prince will let you live or die."

All the merchants trembled. Li Jiancheng's strength in the master realm and the power exuded by him were not something they could bear.

Some people couldn't stand the incontinence right away, and some even fainted from fright.

"Okay, now you can argue!"

Li Jiancheng picked up the teacup on the seat, without even looking at the businessmen, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

These businessmen looked left and right, as if to see if anyone came forward, so that they could argue later.But after a long time, no one stood up to defend. Thinking about Li Jiancheng's tone of voice before, the little courage he had was already frightened back to his stomach.

They are in business, who dares to say that they have not done anything illegal, and it is obviously impossible to defend.

Of course, there are also some businessmen who feel that they have backers in the court, even if they are arrested, they will be fine, and they can always ask those backers to fish them out.

"Very good. It seems that you are all very honest. If you know that you are guilty, then the prince will directly pronounce your punishment."

"Zhang Datong, Zhang Erniu, Zhang Dameng, Zhang Huize; Xu family Xu Shengchang, Xu Dakai, Xu Shengrong, Xu Shengqian; Liu family Liu Qingshan, Liu Qingwei, Liu Erhu, Liu Qinghe; Xu family...the above 55 people directly had fornication with foreigners, the evidence is solid, The crime is heinous, and the crown prince pronounces that he will be executed at a later date."

"... "

Everyone present was stunned, especially those who were read, were even more astonished.

They originally thought that even if they were sentenced, with the help of their backers, they would still have a chance to come out.Even if it was more serious, it was not uncommon for them to ransack the house, but they never thought that they would be sentenced to beheaded directly.

"His Royal Highness, please forgive me, Caomin is willing to donate all his wealth!"

"His Royal Highness, please spare me. Master Liu is the uncle of the grass people in the court. For the sake of Lord Liu, please spare the lives of the grass people!"

"Master Wang is a grassroots..."

"Master Xu is a grassroots..."

Now that life and death were at stake, these businessmen couldn't care less about other things, they moved out their backstages one after another, hoping to save their own lives. (to be continued...)