Chapter 252: Currency Scheme

In the snow all over the sky, Li Qing'an and his party finally returned to Thunder Leaf. The army was stationed outside the city. Li Qing'an, accompanied by Duan Xiushi, rushed into the city.

After several months of renovation, the broken leaves gradually returned to their original appearance. The damaged city walls were repaired, and all the sixteen city gates were replaced with new gates. The originally filthy road on the street was cleaned up. All occupied Han people's houses were also cleaned up. The door was locked with locks. The once damaged Dayun Temple was renovated. When Li Qing'an walked into the city, he saw the broken Ye Han people who had already returned home from Beiting one after another. Groups of children were running in the snow, and laughter spread throughout the streets and alleys. Two ox carts at the gate were loaded with family and various daily necessities, and were full of hope to drive into the city.

In just a few months, Sailyecheng had a new look, which made Li Qing'an feel deeply relieved. He nodded and smiled at Duan Xiushi: "Mr. Cheng, thank you for your hard work in the past few months."

Duan Xiushi hurriedly bowed and said, "I am just resting in the rear. Compared with the fierce battles in front of the soldiers, my efforts are not enough."

"Where should we look at? The shattered leaves are the base camp of our Western Expedition. Soon the Anxi Jiedu Mansion will move here. Only by managing the shattered leaves well can we have room for development. This is why I handed the shattered leaves to you."

Speaking of this, Li Qingan patted Duan Xiushi on the shoulder and said, "Mr. Cheng, you are the person I trust the most. Only by handing the broken leaves to you can I feel at ease."

Duan Xiushi nodded silently. He understood Li Qing'an's trust in him. More than a year ago, he was forced to give up the retreat of Sai Ye. Afterwards, Li Qing'an did not blame him at all. He only said one sentence, "It's not the fault of public!" Then he was still appointed to guard Sai Ye, and even the Ministry of War demotion of him was rejected by Li Qing'an. "The lost Sai Ye is, and the Anxi Army thought it was not the fault of General Duan, and was willing to guarantee him!"

This incident made Duan Xiushi deeply grateful to Li Qing'an. When Li Qing'an was fighting in the front, he also tried his best to ensure that various military supplies and resources from Beiting were continuously supplied to the front line. Therefore, Duan Xiushi's name was also among the credit book of the Battle of Talas, and he made an indelible contribution to ensuring logistics.

At this time, Duan Xiushi suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "There is something I want to discuss with the general."

"you say!"

"Two months ago, the imperial court sent a letter that it would move 30,000 military households from the mainland to Anxi. I wonder if they could be moved directly to Shauye, which would have an immeasurable effect on the development of Shauye."

Li Qingan nodded and said, "Actually this is my idea, but I am worried that Broken Ye will not be able to accommodate them for the time being."

"No need to worry, General, I'm ready."

Duan Xiushi quickly explained: "In the past few months, I have led the soldiers to measure the land near Shuye. This place has thousands of miles of fertile land, all of which are unparalleled. Not to mention 30,000 households, even 300,000 households can be fully resettled. Besides, there are mines, smelting, winemaking, weaving, and transits of East-West trade. In addition, in addition to Shuye, there are also small towns around which can be developed into counties. I have made detailed plans for these, so the general can rest assured!"

Duan Xiushi's pragmatism made Li Qingan highly appreciate it. He laughed and said, "Okay! Cheng Gong really lived up to my expectations. It was decided that all 30,000 military households were placed in Shuye. I will fight for it when I return to Beijing this time, and maybe I will come to more immigrants."

The return of the Tang army made the city of Suiye immediately lively. This time, more than a thousand Sogdian merchants and nearly 6,000 camels were also coming from the east with the Tang army. They were loaded with Sogdian and food items, and were ready to go to Chang'an. According to the Tang court's regulations, goods entering the Tang Dynasty needed to pay taxes in Anxi to supplement the military expenses in Anxi. However, this time, Li Qing'an announced that those who followed him to Beijing could be exempted from taxes and could also be protected by the Tang army. This made the shrewd Sogdian merchants flocked to them and took out the buried valuable goods and rushed to take on this free lunch business trip.

The arrival of a large number of merchants from Shattered Leaf suddenly filled up the inns of Shattered Leaf. The inns were far from enough. Some households even vacated their rooms and rented them to the merchants temporarily to collect some rent. However, the first thing the merchants did when they put down their goods and luggage was not to have a meal and rest, but to rush to the major shops and municipal offices of Shattered Leaf to exchange for Kaiyuan Tongbao silver coins.

This was announced to them by Li Qing'an when he was on the road. An additional condition for tax exemption was that each person had to exchange at least 30 guan of Kaiyuan Tongbao silver coins worth 30 guan. They could even sell some goods for silver coins. On the road, merchants had seen samples of Kaiyuan Tongbao silver coins, just like the silver coins minted in Chang'an, ten liang. According to the official price of Anxi, this silver coins is worth 100 guan. Although Li Qing'an used a forced order to exchange for merchants, the smart merchants immediately discovered the opportunity to make money in the middle. This kind of silver coins can be exchanged for 105 guan, or even 110 guan on the black market in Chang'an.

This batch of silver coins was not cast after Li Qing'an obtained the Dashi silver ingot, but it began to be cast as early as after the First Battle of Sha Ye. In that battle, the Tang army captured thousands of prisoners of war in Shi Ye. These prisoners of war mined and cast silver at Dunduo Silver Mine in Sha Ye, and then transported them to Beiting to cast silver coins. Although these prisoners of war were later rescued by Shi Guojun, they still cast nearly 30,000 guan of silver coins, worth 300,000 guan of copper coins.

After the first Battle of Shattered Leaf, the court rewarded Beiting soldiers with 300,000 guan and 200,000 pieces of silk. The second time the court retakes Shattered Leaf, the court rewarded 200,000 guan again. Together with the conversion of silk, a total of 600,000 guan was rewarded. However, in fact, Chang'an only allocated 100,000 pieces of silk, and the other rewards were only given a quota for Anxi to solve it himself.

In other words, the court has given Anxi the right to mint coins, and all these coins must be minted by Anxi himself, and the copper materials needed to mint coins must also be mined and smelted by Anxi himself.

But the Tang Dynasty only had minted coins in a year of 300,000 coins. How much could it be minted in Anxi? Li Qingan had no choice but to use silver coins instead of copper coins to reward soldiers. Although this batch of silver coins in Anxi were used for Li Qingan's decree, it could not be circulated in the mainland of the Tang Dynasty. In order to solve the circulation of silver coins, he had to convince the court to report his duties this time.

Using Sogdian merchants to put pressure on the court was also one of his strategies. Of course, Li Qing'an's purpose was not just to allow the soldiers' money to be circulated, but he had a more profound intention.

The streets were full of Sogdian merchants holding camels for money, bustling and bustling. At this time, several Han men in robes came to the front of the state yamen. They were Li Huichun, Luo Pinfang and Chang Jin from the Shattered Ye Yinlong Club. They returned from Anxi and Beiting four months ago. For several months, everyone repaired the houses, reorganized the shops, arranged goods, and prepared to do a big fight in Shattered Ye.

But the people of the Yinlong Society were more concerned about Li Qing'an's return. In Xiangyi County, Henan Province, everyone had already determined that Li Qing'an was the young master who had been missing for many years, and made a bloody oath to assist Li Qing'an in realizing the unfinished career of Prince Yin.

The Tang Army Brigade has just returned today, and Li Huichun and the other three came to the door. Li Qing'an officially returned to the Yinlong Club and still has one step to the most important thing that has not been done.

They saluted the soldiers guarding the gate and said, "We are the old friends of General Li, don't you know if General is here?"

"How many people have a visit?"

"Yes! Yes!"

Li Huichun took out his famous post and handed it to the soldier and said, "Please pass it to the general."

"Please wait!"

The soldiers quickly walked into the gate. At this time, Li Qingan had just heard Duan Xiushi's report and was about to go to the street to inspect the exchange of money. The soldiers outside the gate reported: "Report to the general, someone is visiting outside the gate."

"Who is it?"

"I said that it is the general's old friend, and I have a post here."

"Old friend?"

Li Qing'an thought about it and vaguely guessed who was there. He nodded and said, "Take it and see it."

The soldiers walked into the room and handed the bow to Li Qing'an. It was indeed Li Huichun and the others. Li Qing'an smiled and said to Duan Xiushi: "I have some private matters, so I won't go to the streets. I will ask Chenggong to inspect and maintain good order. In addition, if the Sogdian merchants want to change more, you go to the military camp to find Cui Qianyou. I guess there are many soldiers."

Duan Xiushi agreed and hurried away. After a moment, Li Huichun and others were led into the room. There were four people in total, one of them was a woman, wearing a veil and couldn't see clearly. Li Qingan glanced at her deeply and ordered his personal soldiers, "I have something important, no one is allowed to come in!"

The personal soldiers closed the door and went out. Li Huichun and the other two immediately knelt down, "I'm kowtowing you to the master!"

"You guys please get up quickly!"

Li Qingan quickly helped them up and complained: "I told you last time that I will not be allowed to kneel down in the future!"

As she said that, Li Qingan looked at the woman again. The woman took off her veil. It was Mrs. Luo, Li Qingan's biological mother. She stared at Li Qingan silently. The two of them looked at each other. The atmosphere in the room became a little nervous. At this time, Mrs. Luo's eyes became softer. She said to Li Huichun and the other two: "You can avoid it first! I want to say a few words to Feng'er."

Li Huichun retreated, Luo Pinfang was a little worried. He wanted to say something to his daughter, but Chang Jin pulled him and pulled him down.

The door was closed, and Mrs. Luo opened the door and looked at it. Seeing that they had walked away, she locked the door. She smiled at Li Qing'an and said, "Envoy Li, we have seen it, right?"

After she said this, Li Qingan understood that she had recognized that she was not her son who had been separated for twenty years. Of course, no matter how long she was separated, the mother could still recognize her child at a glance.

Li Qingan smiled bitterly, took out the phoenix jade from his arms, placed it on the table, and said, "Take this jade away! It is your son's possession."

Mrs. Luo picked up the jade and looked at it for a long time. A hint of sadness appeared in her eyes. She put the jade back on the table and whispered: "Let's sit down and talk!"

Li Qingan silently ordered a cup of hot tea for Mrs. Luo, "Madam, please have tea!"

Mrs. Luo stared at the teacup in a daze, and she sighed and said, "My squid has never poured tea for me once, thank you."

She picked up the tea, sucked it carefully, and asked, "Mr. Li, where are your parents?"

Li Qingan shook his head, "I have both parents died since I was young, and after my grandfather passed away fifteen years ago, I have no relative in this world."

"Hey! He's also a poor child."

Mrs. Luo sighed sadly, "If my squid is still alive, he will be as tall as you, and his father will be very tall. He is like his father since he was a child. He is twenty-eight years old like you, but he is only a month older than you."

Mrs. Luo felt uncomfortable and tears came out. Li Qing'an whispered to her and said, "Madam, don't worry, I will do my best to find your son for you."

"Really?" Mrs. Luo looked at him in surprise.

Li Qing'an looked at Feng Yu for a while, and he smiled and said, "Of course, since I have promised my wife, I will definitely do it, but I am not sure whether I can find it."

"As long as you have this heart, I will be grateful."

Mrs. Luo picked up the phoenix jade and stuffed it back into Li Qing'an's hand. Li Qing'an was stunned, "Madam, are you?"

Mrs. Luo smiled faintly and said, "Do you think I will expose your identity? No! Actually, I knew that Yi Er was dead. His father went to Persia, called traveling, but in fact he went to find Yi Er. He was angry and asked his enemies to take revenge, but unfortunately he died in a foreign land. Before he died, he asked his entourage to bring me a word. When he went to accompany Yi Er, I knew that Yi Er was dead. I had always kept this matter hidden from my father and the people of the Yinlong Society, so they told me that you were Yi Er when I was a child. I knew that you were not."

"Why didn't the lady expose me?"

"That's because I don't want to follow his father's old path again. I hope he can live his life peacefully. He can't do the career of the Yinlong Society, but you are different. Maybe you can fulfill this century-old wish for them."

"But..." Li Qingan hesitated and said, "If they knew that I was not Mr. Feng, they would not let an outsider fulfill their century-old wish."

At this time, Mrs. Luo's eyes became brighter, and she smiled and said, "If the young master doesn't dislike it, then you are my selves."

Li Qingan raised his head suddenly. He saw a kind of tolerance, a kind of charity, and a glimmer of expectation in Mrs. Luo's eyes. He suddenly remembered his mother in his previous life. He would never see her kind gaze again. Li Qingan's nose felt sour, and he slowly knelt down and kowtowed heavily.

"My mother!"

"Kid, get up quickly!"

Mrs. Luo quickly helped Li Qing'an up, and tears flashed in her eyes, "Child, from now on, you are my sacred."

Mrs. Luo wiped away her tears, looked at Li Qing'an carefully, nodded and sighed, "It turns out to be a handsome talent. In fact, when I saw you the first time, I thought, if my sage was still alive, she would have been as heroic as you. I didn't expect that I would have such a promising son. If sage could be half as good as your brother, I would be really satisfied."

Li Qing'an also sighed secretly in his heart. Although he was willing to recognize Mrs. Luo as his mother, letting him recognize that playboy as his younger brother gave him a great headache.

Mrs. Luo seemed to understand Li Qing'an's thoughts, and smiled and said, "In fact, Xi'er is not bad by nature. She has been spoiled since she was a child and no one can control him. Recently, I accepted an adopted daughter. She really gave up everything. Xi'er was taken over by her and became obedient. She became much more honest and started to study hard. Since you have become his brother, I hope you can take good care of this younger brother."

Li Qingan nodded and said solemnly: "If he could walk the right path, I will naturally take care of him and ask my mother to strictly restrain him."

Mrs. Luo was also extremely relieved. Although Li Qing'an was not her biological son, she could regard Li Qing'an as her adopted son, and she could also be regarded as her son. A promising elder brother would be helpful to his life.

She opened the door and said to Li Huichun and the other two: "You guys please come in!"

Li Huichun and the other two were a little nervous. Although they had already determined that Li Qing'an was the Young Master Yinlong, if Mrs. Luo did not admit it, it would be a huge obstacle. Li Huichun was extremely careful. Seeing that his wife had tears on her face, he knew that the matter was almost done. However, Luo Pinfang did not notice that he had a violent temper. As soon as he entered the door, he asked his daughter: "No problem!"

Mrs. Luo held Li Qing'an's hand and smiled, "That's right, he is my son, my biological son who has been separated for twenty years."

Li Huichun and the other two fell in love with each other. This was great. Mrs. Luo pointed at Luo Pinfang and smiled at Li Qing'an, "Yun'er, this is your grandfather."

Li Qing'an cursed in his heart, and had no choice but to bow and bow and say, "See grandpa!"

"No! No!"

Luo Pinfang was so happy that he scratched his head and laughed. He hurriedly said to Li Huichun: "It's okay, so take the young master to worship the spiritual throne now!"

Visiting the spiritual throne of Prince Hidden Li Jiancheng is Li Qing'an's last and most important step as the Lord of Hidden Dragon. Li Huichun nodded and said, "Don't worry, I have already arranged it. The young master will officially visit the morning of tomorrow."

After completing Mrs. Luo's recognition of her relatives, everyone agreed with Li Qing'an to say goodbye tomorrow, but Li Qing'an kept Li Huichun, and he had something to explain to Li Huichun.

The two sat down again, and Mrs. Luo was gone, which made Li Qingan feel relaxed and regained his calmness and rationality.

He drank tea and smiled, "Mr. Li knows about the Sogdians changing money on the street, right?"

"I was about to ask the young master about this!"

"Don't call me Young Master!" Li Qing'an reminded him: "Remember, it's not the time to reveal my identity."

Li Huichun was shocked and asked quickly: "When can the envoy's identity be revealed to the world?"

"I don't know when exactly, but if the time is right, I will arrange for you to leak it in the right way."

"Yes! I understand."

Li Qing'an nodded, turned the topic back and said, "Now continue talking about money. These Sogdians are just using them to put pressure on the court. They are just part of my plan, and the other part needs to be completed by the Han and Tang Dynasties for me."

"Plan?" Li Huichun was a little confused and asked hesitantly: "What are the plans for you?"

"This plan is hard to describe, so don't ask for it for the time being, just execute my orders."

Li Huichun had never met such a powerful leader of the Yinlong Society. He was not adapted to Li Qing'an's orders for a while, but he immediately reacted and secretly praised in his heart. This was the descendant of Prince Yin, with the momentum of speaking. He immediately stood up and bowed and said, "Please give me the order!"
Chapter completed!