Wentang

Chapter 757

Li Shimin repeatedly asked questions, Cen Wenwen showed embarrassment, while Chu Suiliang and Liu Ji were obviously dissatisfied.

Liu Jie said: "The division of labor is determined by the sages. All workers perform their own duties. Being an official and herdsman is the responsibility of a scholar. This law cannot be messed up."

Chu Suiliang also said: "Building bridges and paving roads is a trivial matter, how can it be compared with trains. Moreover, trains were not made by ordinary craftsmen, but were created by Duke Xia. How can they be attributed to his generation."

Li Shimin smiled and said: "Building bridges and paving roads is a trivial matter? That's good, the Weishui, Hanshui, Huai, Yangtze River, Yellow River, and tens of thousands of rivers in my Tang Dynasty need to build bridges and pave roads. How about I entrust this task to Chu How are you?"

"Ah? This..." Chu Suiliang was dumbfounded and didn't know how to answer for a while.

Li Shimin didn't wait for his answer, but asked Liu Ji, "May I ask which sage made the appointment of scholars, farmers, industry and commerce?"

Liu Jie opened his mouth and said, "From Guanzi Xiaokuang, a scholar, farmer and worker..."

He didn't realize until halfway through the talk that Guanzi was not a saint, and the most important thing was that he was a representative of Legalism, not Confucianism.

Li Shimin said: "Why don't you say it? Do you want me to say it for you? Scholars, farmers, businessmen and four people are the country's stone people. If I understand correctly, this sentence should say that these four are the pillars of the country's lord. High and low, right?"

Liu Ji was also speechless. You, a Confucian, still misinterpret the meaning with the theory of the School of Law, how shameless you are?Are legalists really easy to bully?

He glanced at Sun Fujia unnaturally, and when he saw the calm expression on the other side, he felt a little more at ease.

Li Shimin continued: "You scholars always like to take meaning out of context and distort the words of the saints to achieve your own goals."

"What is the original meaning of strange skill and obscenity? Kong Yingda has explained long ago that strange skill means strange skill, and obscenity means excessive craftsmanship. The two are very different."

"What we want to guard against is someone who uses strange skills to commit adultery and ingenious things, just like guarding against official corruption, not to deny him."

"In the end, you confuse the public and confuse the two, and use them to attack all kinds of craftsmanship."

"What else is there to repay grievances with kindness? Did the saints ask you to repay grievances with kindness? He asked you to repay kindness with kindness and repay grievances with straightness. What did you misinterpret?"

"Yue Shan's Analects of Confucius and justice have been written for many years, and there are still some old-fashioned people who refuse to repent. Are they really trying to promote the knowledge of the saints? They are using the knowledge of the saints to pursue their own interests."

"From now on, it is not allowed to slander Baigong with strange skills, but those who disobey will be expelled from the court."

Everyone dared not speak again.

After losing his temper, Li Shimin's expression suddenly became gentle again, saying:
"However, what the three Qing family said is not unreasonable. Although scholars, farmers, businessmen and commerce are the pillars of the country, Huainanzi has a saying: Farmers and farmers speak forcefully, scholars speak and act with scholars, workers speak skillfully with workers, and merchants talk about numbers. "

"Scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen have their own strengths, and it is a long-term way to perform their own duties. Therefore, it is not the right way to let all the workers participate in the herdsmen. Therefore, although the museum has an official status, it is not allowed to participate in the herdsmen, and can only engage in the work of all the workers."

“The transfer of promotion also needs to be limited to the interior of the museum, and if you want to transfer outside, you need to participate in the imperial examination selection like scholars.

"I have given a separate name to the officials of the museum. They are affairs officers to distinguish them from scholars. What do you think?"

"My minister seconded the proposal, the sage's method is indeed a good one." Changsun Wuji got up and said.

Fang Xuanling also got up and said: "The Tang Dynasty really needs all kinds of talents, not only that, but also needs to take the initiative to cultivate more talents with superb skills for the future."

"In the past, talented people all wanted to study and become officials, but they could only become officials. Not many people were willing to do lowly jobs."

"Elevating the status of Baigong by the museum will encourage many talented people to enter this industry and cultivate more skilled craftsmen."

Ma Zhou said: "The minister seconded the proposal."

It is also rare for Li Ji and Liu Hongji to express their opinions: "The ministers and others also agreed that only by cultivating more and more comprehensive talents can the global strategy plan be completed, otherwise everything can only be empty talk."

This matter is indeed related to the future of the military, and it is reasonable for them to speak.

Only Sun Fujia didn't speak, but everyone was used to it.As long as it does not involve the judicial system, he basically does not speak unless Li Shimin asks.

This is a wise way to protect oneself, and other ministers are also happy to see this situation.

Cen Wenwen seemed to be persuaded not to object, and Chu Suiliang and Liu Ji were not good at insisting on their views, so the matter passed.

At this time, Ma Zhou asked a question: "Sage, who is the leader of the museum, the selection criteria, and how are the salaries determined?"

Li Shimin said: "The dean of the museum is temporarily held by Xia Guogong. He will find you for what to do, and you will cooperate."

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, but they didn't expect to move out the hermit Yue Shan in the end.Ma Zhou, Sun Fujia, Fang Xuanling and others were naturally secretly happy, while Chu Suiliang and Cen Wenwen looked a little ugly.

Changsun Wuji sighed secretly in his heart, the sage was always wary of Yue Shan, but he was the one he trusted the most in his heart, and he was the first thing he thought of when encountering difficult things.

It is not in vain for a courtier to achieve this level.

Seeing this matter passed, Li Shimin said: "The second thing is that the focus of the imperial court's work this year and next will be tilted towards Nanzhao and Pyu. At least 50 people will be relocated to Nanzhao, and the road to Pyu and Tianzhu will also be opened. transportation."

Changsun Wuji was also puzzled. If he knew something about the previous order, he didn't know about this order before.He couldn't understand Li Shimin's thoughts at all, so he didn't dare to speak casually.

But he is not in a hurry, someone will take the initiative to ask questions for him.

Sure enough, Cen Wenwen said: "In recent years, the imperial court has focused on the operation and development of the Western Regions and Nanyang. If we speed up the development of Nanzhao, we will fall into a situation of multi-front war, which is not conducive to the stability of the country."

Li Shimin said: "The barbarians in Nanyang are ignorant and unrepentant. They have no power to fight back against our Tang fleet. The court's energy is only one-tenth of it."

"The most troublesome Western Regions only allowed the imperial court to devote three-tenths of its energy... The north has already got rid of its dependence on the imperial court last year, and the four ways of Liaodong can support the situation."

"Counting the energy involved in building roads, water conservancy, and relocation of the people in the country, at least half of the energy of the imperial court is idle."

"Even if we have to leave three parts of our energy to deal with emergencies, we can spare two parts of our energy to devote to the Southwest. Why not enough energy?"

Cen Wenwen wiped off his sweat and said, "Can I ask the sage why he is suddenly so anxious to develop the Southwest?"

Li Shimin stretched out two fingers and said, "Two reasons: First, there are copper mines in Nanzhao, and the total content is astonishing. When it is mature, it can produce tens of millions of catties of copper every year, which is enough for the Tang Dynasty to use for hundreds of years."

The eyeballs of the nine prime ministers immediately turned green, money, money, money, a lot of money.

Liu Ji stood up awkwardly, and said excitedly: "I dare you, may I ask where the saint got the news and whether it is accurate."

Li Shimin said: "The news is very accurate, you don't need to doubt it."

Liu Ji said on the spot: "The minister agrees with this strategy and develops Nanzhao."

Fang Xuanling did not express his opinion in a hurry, and asked: "Then why did the saint open up the road from Nanzhao to Tianzhu?"

Li Shimin said: "Prepare for the attack on Tianzhu in the future. Tianzhu is very close to us, but the road is blocked because of the high mountains. Whether it is from the Western Regions or from the Nanyang Sea Road, the journey is too far away."

"Our shortest road to Tianzhu is from Nanzhao through the Pyu Kingdom, and we can reach it directly. The most convenient way for the imperial court to conquer Tianzhu is to open this road."

"Besides, if we develop Nanzhao and get through this road now, we can also get the full help of the Buddhist family, which will get twice the result with half the effort."

"Buddhism? Why are they..." Ma Zhou was puzzled at first, and suddenly realized in the middle of the sentence: "They want to use the power of the imperial court to open up the road to Tianzhu, and make it convenient for them to pay homage to the Buddha?"

Li Shimin shook his head and said with a smile: "This is the second reason I want to tell you to open up this road, and it is also the reason why Buddhism donates 100 million yuan of money and food to the Privy Council every year."

"Buddha's Buddhist kingdom had already perished 1000 years ago, and the development of Buddhism in Tianzhu was far inferior to that in Tang Dynasty, so Buddhism moved his mind."

"They want Tang Buddhism to become the main line of Buddhism in the world, and they want to bring the power of Buddhism in the Central Plains to invade Tianzhu to promote their ideas."

"At the same time, the Buddha's ancestral land of the Buddha's country is also included in the land of the Tang Dynasty, and the Buddha is turned into a citizen of the Tang Dynasty, thereby breaking the barriers for Buddhism to join the Chinese civilization."

"That's why Buddhism will contribute money, and this time they will also contribute people to help Datang complete the governance of Nanzhao and open up this road."

Everyone was surprised again, for two reasons.

The first one is that I didn't expect that Buddhism's plan is so deep, I want to change from a branch to a clan, and I want to turn Buddha into a Tang Dynasty.No wonder they are willing to pay so much money, and they say they will contribute people.

The second is that I did not expect that the imperial court would have this kind of cooperation with Buddhism. It cannot be said that it is unprecedented, but it is definitely not much.The point is that this level of cooperation is too deep.

At the same time, a name appeared in their minds, Yue Shan, he must have led this matter.

Everyone knew that he went to visit Xuanzang, and everyone thought he was going to beat the monk, and didn't take it seriously.

In a few days, the Buddhist leaders of the Tang Dynasty gathered in the capital, and then wrote a letter to enshrine the Buddha in the Temple of Sages. Buddhism donates 100 million guan to the Privy Council every year, and will do its best to help the imperial court expand its territory.

At that time, they thought it was Yueshan's beating success, and reached an agreement with Buddhism by the way: let the Buddha be holy, and reduce the suppression of Buddhism, but Buddhism will bleed heavily.

Only now do I know that the agreement actually looks like this.

They were all shocked by Yue Shan's methods. They only thought about suppressing Buddhism and squeezing more money, but they never thought that they could cooperate in this way.

They all know how powerful Buddhism is, and with their help, it will be much easier for the imperial court to develop the southwest and conquer Tianzhu.

While admiring Yueshan's unpredictable methods, I was also very sour in my heart. You have already retired, so don't jump out at every turn, okay? It seems that we are very capable.

The second thing was naturally passed without any doubt.

It’s just that the reasons for everyone’s agreement are different. Some people are for the copper mines in Nanzhao, some people are to open the way to prepare for the conquest of Tianzhu, and some people think it would be interesting to include the Buddha Kingdom into the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

Then Li Shimin began to talk about the third thing: "The imperial court should devote more energy to the Western Regions, and the goal is the Ningyuan Kingdom. First, the land will be gradually completed and the occupation will be completed. I will make this place the Ningyuan Road of the Tang Dynasty."

This time Changsun Wuji finally spoke, and said: "Ningyuan Country is indeed a fertile land in the Western Regions. If Datang can directly occupy this land and complete the development, it can provide supplies for the Western Regions Legion and reduce local consumption."

"However, this place is far away from the Central Plains. It will be very difficult to move the people there. Forced relocation may cause civil uprisings. The sage must guard against it."

Li Shimin said: "What the auxiliary machine said is exactly what I am worried about. That's why I negotiated with you. I hope you can come up with a suitable development plan as soon as possible. It is best to move some people from the Central Plains smoothly."

The others didn't speak, Ma Zhou said thoughtfully, "Saint, I have a suggestion about the relocation of the people. I don't know if it's feasible."

Li Shimin said happily: "Oh, tell us quickly what good plan King Bin has."

Ma Zhou said: "Criminals, all criminals who need to be exiled for serious crimes will be exiled to Ningyuan Kingdom. You can also negotiate with the prisoners in custody. Anyone who is willing to go to Ningyuan Kingdom will be pardoned for their crimes and will be freed after five years."

Sun Fujia immediately said: "No, some prisoners have committed serious crimes. If they are allowed to return to the Central Plains with resentment, the possibility of committing crimes again will be very high."

Ma Zhou smiled and said, "Prime Minister Sun is worried about the return of the prisoners to the Central Plains, right? This is easy to handle. All prisoners exiled to Ningyuan Kingdom need to be screened by Dali Temple."

"Anyone who has committed a heinous crime will not be allowed to return to the Central Plains after the five-year period expires and will be free. They can only stay in Ningyuan. Only those who have committed lesser crimes will be allowed to return. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"

"Besides, the Western Regions are thousands of miles away from the Central Plains, and there is a dangerous desert in between. It is very dangerous to go back and forth."

"If the imperial court gives them a marriage and a home in the local area, distributes land or cattle and sheep, so that they can live in peace, I believe that not many people are willing to take the risk and come back. What does Prime Minister Sun think?"

Sun Fujia immediately said: "I have no objection." After finishing speaking, he sat back in his original position, and did not say a single extra word.

Fang Xuanling said: "Prince Bin's strategy is very clever. There are not a few prisoners in the Tang Dynasty. Staying in the Tang Dynasty will be a waste of food. The court will also recruit more officials to manage them and increase management costs."

"Allocating some of them to Ningyuan Country can not only relieve domestic pressure, but also develop Ningyuan Country. It really is the best of both worlds."

"As long as one-tenth of Datang's prisoners can be taken over, the work of farming can begin. In a few years, I would rather be owned by Datang."

Li Shimin nodded again and again, and said: "Bin Wang's method is very fast, Sun Zhengqing, after you go back, carefully select a group of prisoners and send them over."

"Well, the Western Regions are far away, and ordinary officers can't escort them. Prepare the prisoners and send them to the Privy Council, and then go with the army. Mao Gong, you also send someone to hand over to Dali Temple."

"Here." Li Ji and Sun Fujia responded together.

Li Shimin said again: "Whoever has a good solution, you can play it to me later."

"Here." Everyone responded together.

Li Shimin glanced at everyone, a strange smile suddenly appeared on his face, and said: "Now let's talk about the fourth matter, which is also a major matter related to you and the nobles of the Manchu Dynasty."

"I'm going to restart the encapsulation."

(End of this chapter)