Chapter 25 Hedong Road Qiuhong

After giving detailed instructions and arranging a group of slaves, Tang Sufan directly returned to Jinghe Village with Zhang Wen, Liu Xiao and the mother and son.

When Zhang Wen carefully stepped out of the carriage and saw the familiar yet unfamiliar gate, he burst into tears and kowtowed to the gate.

"Master and madam, the old slave is back."

"He's back! The old slave is back..."

Tang Sufan did not pull Zhang Wen out of tears this time. He waited for Zhang Wen to calm down before taking them in.

"Xiu Niang, you and Xiaoying will live here from now on."

On the way back, Tang Sufan learned the names and life experiences of the mother and daughter through conversation.

The mother and daughter were originally from Lingzhou, and they were also victims of the war. After Zhao Xiu's man died in the battle, Zhao Xiu took his daughter Tao Ying'er and ran around to avoid the Turks.

However, his family had no money and no way to make a living, so he was sold into slavery and lived in Chang'an.

The reason why Tang Sufan didn't put them in the restaurant was because sometimes he was too busy with chores at home, and he would have more and more things to do in the future.

He brought Zhao Xiu back and planned to let her be a cook and take care of the cleanliness of the home.

And Zhao Xiu insisted that his daughter Tao Ying'er be Tang Sufan's personal maid.

Tang Sufan thought for a while and agreed.

Zhao Xiu glanced at the clean and tidy room in the west courtyard and thanked Tang Sufan repeatedly.

Then Tang Sufan asked Liu Xiao to find an old doctor to look at Uncle Wen's legs.

In this way, a few days passed slowly...

……………………

In the second year of Zhenguan, the day of Beginning of Winter.

There was solemnity and solemnity in the Jinluan Hall.

Li Shimin, who looked gloomy, shouted helplessly: "Retreat!!!"

The ministers bowed and left one after another.

Li Shimin returned to the Chengqing Hall with a displeased look on his face. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He couldn't help but slap the case and said angrily: "You farm boy, I will kill you sooner or later!"

Just today, he proposed attacking the Turks in the coming year, but as soon as he started, he was opposed by the officials.

Countless civil servants remonstrated and warned Li Shimin not to start another war in order to improve people's livelihood.

When the fight turned red-faced, Wei Zheng's iron-headed boy even jumped out and said that he was a foolish king who only cared about the people and only wanted to conquer.

Li Shimin was so angry that he finally broke up unhappy.

In addition, today another local official came to report that autumn floods occurred in Hedong Road, affecting three states, causing heavy losses and making it impossible for the people to survive the winter.

This meant that countless more refugees appeared, which made Li Shimin feel sullen again.

Therefore, even if Li Shimin wanted to attack the Turks again, he had to suppress it and deal with the matter at hand first.

After taking a sip of tea, Li Shimin slowly calmed down and glanced at the king hanging on the wall. People are like water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it...

Suddenly, a guard walked outside the palace.

Make a ceremony announcement with a deep and powerful voice!

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Liang and the Minister of Finance are asking for an audience!"

Li Shimin raised his head, his gloomy expression had improved a bit.

"Xuan!"

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui walked into Chengqing Hall and bowed cautiously.

"Your Majesty, Xuanling (Du Ruhui), my minister, pays homage to your Majesty!"

Li Shimin stood up from the table, waved and walked out.

"Xuan Ling Ke Ming doesn't need to be polite. What do you want to see me for?"

Fang Xuanling smiled and said with narrowed eyes: "Your Majesty, that old man Wei is just an outspoken person. He is not worthy of Your Majesty's anger~"

Du Ruhui on the side also echoed: "Yes, Your Majesty, Old Man Wei just cares about the people and was rude for a moment."

Li Shimin replied with an unhappy expression: "What? Are you two here to intercede with the farmer?"

He naturally knows that Wei Zheng is a virtuous and loyal minister, but this iron-headed boy is sometimes too stubborn. Will he die if he gives me a little face?

"Your Majesty has misunderstood. We are not here to intercede with Old Man Wei, but for the matter of Qiu Hong in Hedong Road."

"Oh? My dear friends, what do you think?"

Du Ruhui's face froze, and then he said: "Your Majesty, what you just said in court is to open Hanjiacang and Luokou warehouse to provide relief to the victims. Although it can relieve the temporary emergency, it is only a drop in the bucket. At the beginning of the next spring, the people will

Without production, the three states are exhausted."

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui are not the tough guys like Wei Zheng. If the boss makes mistakes in his decision-making, it is better to tell him privately. Only then can he be a qualified and good employee, and the effect will definitely be much better.

The reason why Fang and Du were called "Fang Mou Du Duan" by later generations was because Fang Xuanling was resourceful and Du Ruhui was good at making judgments.

When Li Shimin made this decision, the two of course saw the subsequent drawbacks of this issue.

Due to the atmosphere in the court at that time, the two did not speak.

So after going to court, the two came over to discuss the matter immediately.

Li Shimin sighed helplessly: "Well, of course I know this, but what good strategy is there at hand? The attack on the Turks can only be put on hold for the time being. Winter is about to come, and building water conservancy projects at this time will waste people and money."

In fact, Hanjiacang and Luokoucang had already been emptied once in the famine year of the first year of Zhenguan. This was only a year's accumulation, and it could only relieve urgent needs.

Du Ruhui said again: "Your Majesty, if the cultivation of the people in the world is stable, why not increase taxes on other states' roads and wait until the autumn floods of Hedong Road recede before building canals and expanding them?"

Before Li Shimin could speak, Fang Xuanling said with a serious face: "Ke Ming, no, raising taxes in vain will upset the people's hearts. Now that the customs are stable, the people's livelihood in other states and roads are also poor, so the increase in taxes for the common people will actually

It’s not good!”

Li Shimin and Du Ruhui thought about it with a deep expression. It is indeed true. Conflicts in the world all arise from poverty.

If taxes are imposed and people in the world think that the emperor has changed his mind, someone might rise up, and that would be a bigger trouble.

Li Shimin shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Well, let's open two warehouses to pacify the victims first. We can make plans for the rest after the treasury is closed at the end of the year."

"Keming, you take charge of this matter. Remember, corruption of money and food for the victims will be strictly investigated! Anyone who violates the law will be severely punished."

Du Ruhui hurriedly bowed and responded vigorously: "My lord, I obey the order!"

Li Shimin rubbed his forehead, looked at the sky outside the palace gate, and sighed: "I just hope God will give me a good year next year, otherwise I will have a terrible headache again."

At this time, Fang Xuanling called out: "Your Majesty..."

Li Shimin turned around: "What's the matter with Xuan Ling?"

"Do you still remember that Tang Xiaozi said that day that next year the Turks will have severe drought and heavy snow disasters that are rare in a century?"

"Of course I remember."

Not only did Li Shimin remember it, but it was because he overheard Tang Sufan talking about it while drinking and talking that afternoon that Li Shimin couldn't wait to advance the day and announced in court that he would attack the Turks.

But who would have thought that he would collide with Hedong Dao Qiuhong. This made Wei Zheng's head become even more rigid~

Du Ruhui on the side stared at Fang Xuanling and Li Shimin, thinking to himself, who is Tang Xiaozi? Can he predict the secrets of heaven?

"Since there will be severe drought and heavy snowfall in the Turks next year, and since the Turks are neighbors to our country, the Tang Dynasty, maybe..."

Fang Xuanling did not finish his words, but Li Shimin understood what he meant. Since the Turks were not going to have an easy time, then the Tang Dynasty would not have a good time either.

Li Shimin frowned immediately, and Fang Xuanling's words reminded him.

If it is still like this next year, what plans should be made for the future?

I recently read books about Tang Dynasty society, and gained a lot more knowledge and insights into the secular world of the people. I want to change my mindless and refreshing writing route. I think that only after laughing and having fun can you still have some understanding.

It is the foundation of a good book~

PS: I made a mistake before, and I realized it after reading the comments today. In the first few chapters of "Eldest Grandson", I wrote the empress's eldest grandson as Gongsun. I'm sorry, because I knew he should be the eldest grandson, but I couldn't use my hands when writing it.

My mind is a little faster, hehe~
Chapter completed!