Datang: My apprentice is Li Chengqian

Chapter 60 Can Always Surprise Li Shimin
It has been more than a month since the Turkic soldiers came to the city.

But every time he thought of the empty warehouse, Li Shimin felt a dull pain in his heart.

During this time, the twelve guards of Chang'an City have strengthened their training.

Li Shimin even set aside half an hour every day in the East Palace to train with the guards.

Of course, in addition to improving Datang's military strength, Li Shimin also attaches great importance to people's livelihood.

Today, he was just meeting the envoys of various countries in a symbolic manner according to the arrangement of the Ministry of Rites.

As a result, the gift sent by the envoy of Linyi was a bit unexpected.

If they hadn't added that this gift was suggested by Qin Xiedao, Li Shimin would have thought that these barbarians were trying to take advantage of Datang again.

Every time envoys from foreign countries entered Chang'an City, they only brought some local specialties and exchanged them for a lot of rewards.

To put it bluntly, for these vassal states, paying tribute is actually a business.

And it's a money-making business.

Datang's silk is comparable to gold overseas.

Other porcelain, ironware and so on are all of great value.

This is also one of the reasons why there are so many envoys from feudal states in Chang'an City.

Of course, in the eyes of the people in the Ministry of Rites, the fact that the Great Tang was able to attract so many envoys from foreign countries was due to the meritorious service of the Ministry of Rites.

"Your Majesty, Qin Dalang is here!"

After seeing the envoys from various countries, Li Shimin immediately asked Wang De to find someone to announce Qin Xiedao.

"The Linyi envoy said that he originally prepared other tributes, but you suggested that he take all the rice as tributes. Why?"

When Li Shimin talked to Qin Xiedao, he was not polite at all.

The level gap between the two sides is too large, and there is no need to talk too much about the empty head.

"Qin Dalang, the Ministry of Rites received the tribute from Lin Yi's envoys today, and other vassal states will definitely follow suit in the future. When the time comes, the imperial court will lose face. What should you do?"

Dou Lukuan, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, also felt that his face was dull, and reprimanded Qin Xiedao.

Dou Lukuan is a typical noble son.

He is the son of Dou Lutong, the Duke of Nanchen County in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the nephew of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty Yang Jian, and his mother is Princess Changle.

Now that you are the Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, let alone Qin Xiedao, even if Qin Qiong is in his heart, it doesn't matter.

"Your Majesty, Dou Shangshu, do you know the difference between Linyi's rice and Datang's rice?"

Qin Xiedao calmly asked a question.

"What difference can there be? Left and right are just a little different in taste. Could it be that their rice can turn into gold and silver?"

Dou Lukuan said angrily.

"The people of our Tang Dynasty mainly grow wheat and corn in the north, and rice in the south, no matter which one they are, they are all crops that are harvested once a year.

In addition, the output of these crops is generally not very high, even if the common people are exhausted every day, it is difficult to have a chance to fill their stomachs.

For most people, the beginning of spring and summer is the hardest time of year.Because at that time, the stored grain was almost used up, but the autumn harvest had not yet arrived. "

"Qin Dalang, who are you as His Majesty? Can he not know these basic truths?"

Dou Lukuan, who felt that he had lost face because of Qin Xiedao today, was obviously very upset.

For those of them who were born as noble children, face is sometimes more important than actual interests.

"Dou Shangshu, the rice in Linyi country can be harvested three times a year, do you know? The people of Linyi country can fill their stomachs as long as they work casually, do you know? The rice output of Linyi country is higher than that of our Tang Dynasty taller, you know?"

If the original Qin Xiedao had been attacked by Dou Lukuan in such a way, he would probably have stopped cooking immediately.

But now, Qin Xiedao, who was he afraid of?
He is not afraid of anyone if he beats the sky and the ground.

After sending out these three consecutive questions, Dou Lukuan was immediately confused.

"I've never been to Linyi, how would I know?"

He became angry from embarrassment, and directly said something that lowered his style.

"Xiedao, is there anything special about the rice that the envoys of Linyi paid tribute to? Also, you said that the rice in Linyi can be harvested three times a year?"

Seeing that Dou Lukuan was about to fail to step down, Li Shimin interjected.

"Your Majesty, this rice is the best seed in my opinion. Although these rice seeds are estimated to be only enough for a few thousand acres of paddy fields.

But as long as this is done and everyone sees that rice in Linyi can be harvested twice a year, then naturally businessmen will go to Linyi to buy rice seeds and sell them in Datang, and the common people will take the initiative to plant Linyi rice.

After a few years, Datang's food problem will almost be solved. "

In Qin Xiedao's view, it is still very difficult for the people of Tang Dynasty to live a life without worrying about food and clothing.

But only on the current basis, it is still very hopeful that the people will not be hungry.

Not to mention anything else, as long as all the paddy fields are planted with rice from Linyi, it will be equivalent to doubling the output.

This meaning is great.

"Qin Dalang, you sometimes say that you have three acquaintances, and sometimes you say that you have two acquaintances. Why don't you have a correct sentence in your mouth?"

Dou Lukuan, who felt that he had caught Qin Xiedao's handle, immediately interjected another sentence.

"Linyi is located in Nanyang, the climate is hot and there is no winter, so people can grow rice three times a year; in the south of Lingnan Road, there are also some places that can grow rice three times a year.

But if it is planted in the Guanzhong area, it can only be grown twice a year at most.But if it is placed in Jiangnan Road, there will be no problem with two crops a year. "

Qin Xiedao didn't come here to argue with Dou Lukuan today.

He would suggest that Zhang Hua use rice as a tribute, naturally hoping that Li Shimin could promote Linyi rice in Datang.

"Is this Linyi rice really as miraculous as I told you?"

Li Shimin looked at Qin Xiedao suspiciously.

He naturally hoped that what Qin Xiedao said was true, but as an emperor, he knew very well how important the change of grain seeds was, so he still needed to confirm it carefully.

"Your Majesty, the envoys of Linyi are currently in Chang'an City. You can arrange people to confirm them in various ways. Even if it is not good, you can also arrange for officials to go to Linyi directly to confirm on the spot, and buy a few ships by the way. The seeds are back."

When Qin Xiedao said this, Li Shimin knew it immediately.

This Qin Xiedao can always bring surprises to himself.

"Jun Xian, please arrange it so that people can find out as soon as possible."

"Subordinates obey!"

Dou Lukuan on the side opened his mouth when he saw this scene, but he didn't make another sound.

He is not stupid, if what Qin Xiedao said is true, then this tribute from Lin Yiguo will immediately change from a bad thing to a good thing.

Maybe the Ministry of Rites still has some credit.

(End of this chapter)