Not only had the Xuan Jia Army and Hong Fu Nu heard about their names, but they had also seen their terrifying power with their own eyes.
This is the emperor's life-saving army, how could it become Zhao Chen's trump card?
If the Xuanjia Army had not been present during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, history would probably have been written in a different way.
"Are you sure?" Hongfu Nu still felt uneasy.
She still found it hard to believe that the emperor would hand over this army to Zhao Chen.
"What is the relationship between Zhao Chen and His Majesty, and why can he gain such trust?" Hongfu Nu asked again.
"What relationship? Anyway, it should be a relationship that none of us dare to think about." Li Jingtur smiled mysteriously and stopped talking to Hongfu Nu.
Hongfu Nu opened her mouth. She always felt that the old man Li Jing in front of her should know something, but he would not tell her.
She still didn't ask any more questions. As long as the two children were fine, she was relieved.
…
In the Tai Chi Hall, today's court meeting is still not over.
All the ministers were hungry.
However, the emperor seemed to have no feeling and was still asking them how to solve the locust plague.
Locust plagues have existed since ancient times. If it were so easy to solve, it wouldn't be scary.
All the ministers felt that the emperor was deliberately punishing them.
Duan Lun was busy all night yesterday, just to investigate the agricultural affairs reports in various places. Not to mention having breakfast, he didn't even sleep yesterday.
Now that I am sleepy and hungry, I suddenly thought of what Yuan Tiangang said in front of the emperor yesterday.
"Your Majesty, didn't Yuan Tiangang of Si Tiantai say yesterday that His Highness the Crown Prince would be the savior of this locust plague? Why don't Your Majesty ask His Highness the Crown Prince if there are any other clever ideas to avoid this locust plague?" Duan Lun also pressed.
There is nothing I can do, I will be dizzy, and I don't care if I will offend the prince.
If he offends the prince, he may be retaliated by the prince, but that will happen in the future.
But if he hadn't said this, he might have died trapped here right now.
After a brief weighing, Duan Lun did not hesitate at all.
Li Chengqian was just relaxing with his eyes closed.
The scene he had just played with several ministers who had taken refuge in him was very useful to Li Chengqian.
Anyway, the ministers in Taiji Hall now look at him with admiration in their eyes.
This has not happened for a long time since Zhao Chen appeared in the court.
But before he could enjoy it for long, Duan Lun, who had most likely been with Zhao Chen for a long time, suddenly came to him like this.
Li Chengqian glanced at Duan Lun coldly, feeling nervous in his heart.
If he knew how to deal with the coming locust plague, he would have said it in one breath and accepted everyone's praise.
Where can I wait until now?
Even if he just said that he would take the lead in eating locusts, he was just following the emperor's ideas and showing an image of being loyal to the emperor and loving his father.
What else can you do? Isn't it obvious that you will make a fool of yourself?
In just that moment, Duan Lun was hated by Li Chengqian.
"Prince, tell me, is there any other good way?" Li Shimin's eyes fell on Li Chengqian and asked with a smile.
Li Shimin didn't think about it and just told him the method that Zhao Chen told him.
But he was worried that if he relied on Zhao Chen for such a long time, what else would these ministers do?
You get a salary for free, but you just eat dry food?
Many things require collective efforts rather than just pointing at one person.
The eyes of the others also fell on Li Chengqian.
Among them, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling and other ministers summoned by the emperor yesterday were even more serious.
Everyone is waiting for Li Chengqian's performance.
Li Chengqian was also forced into a desperate situation. If he couldn't tell this, or if he said it wrong, he would be really disgraced.
"What? Is there nothing the prince can do?" Li Shimin said slowly without any fluctuation in his expression.
"Father, I think..." Li Shimin had already said such words. If he didn't speak again, Li Chengqian would feel that he was really finished.
"I have read in ancient books that locusts are like moths and like to fly to bright places. Is it possible to use this characteristic of them to deal with them?" Li Chengqian spoke in a very soft voice and a very urgent tone.
Obviously there is not much certainty.
After he finished speaking, he lowered his head and did not dare to look at Li Shimin again.
Li Shimin was somewhat pleased that all these years of education were finally not in vain.
After all, Li Chengqian still has some abilities.
"The prince is right, you can indeed use this characteristic to deal with locusts." Li Shimin nodded, with a satisfied smile on his face.
Li Chengqian took a deep breath, his face showed joy, and he cupped his hands with the emperor and said, "My son and I are ignorant because of my father's teachings."
Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling looked at each other, showing joy.
As Yuan Tiangang said, His Royal Highness can solve this locust plague.
"It is my decree that from now on, in areas with long-term drought and locust plagues, it is prohibited to kill, sell, and eat frogs, lizards, birds, and all kinds of bees. Anyone who violates the order will be severely punished."
"In addition, according to the order, in areas where there is a locust plague, every household must raise chickens and ducks. If you don't have enough money, you can borrow it from the local government. After the locust plague, all the chickens and ducks will be handed over to the government, except for exemptions.
For the money you borrowed in advance before going, you can also get twenty cash for each chicken or duck."
"Third, if the locust plague is severe, you can dig pits and light fires near the fields. As the prince said, locusts like the light. When the fire breaks out, they will definitely swarm in. However, this can only be done at night.
,
It’s not feasible during the day.”
"Fourth, let us know that the government will purchase locusts and encourage people to round up locusts. All the money required for the purchase will be paid by the Salt Bureau."
Li Shimin followed the methods that Zhao Chen had told him before and explained them to the courtiers in full detail.
This last method was what Zhao Chen had told the emperor last winter.
This time, I didn't mention it again.
However, Li Shimin remembered clearly. He remembered that Zhao Chen told him that the dried locusts, ground into powder, were a good medicine for treating gas diseases.
This cannot be wasted.
Although the cost may be a bit high, the previous establishment of the Salt Bureau has already filled the national treasury quite a bit.
The emperor is not short of money now.
Everyone looked at Li Shimin blankly, with a strange look in their eyes.
Many people even looked annoyed.
Changsun Wuji even scratched his head and looked at Fang Xuanling in surprise.
Fang Xuanling also opened her mouth, not knowing what to say to Changsun Wuji.
Good guy, really good guy.
They were thinking so hard here that they were almost hungry, just thinking about how to solve the locust plague.
Fortunately for the emperor, he actually knew the method a long time ago, and the methods were done one after another.
But just don’t say it.
Isn’t this just trying to laugh at their jokes?
When did His Majesty the Emperor's heart become so dark?
Who was influenced by?
The ministers felt dissatisfied.
"Why, do you have a better way?" Li Shimin said slowly with a smile on his face.
Chapter 394: Bring someone in and smash it for me
Li Shimin was happy in his heart.
This feeling of having a pearl of wisdom in your hand is so refreshing.
Especially when he saw the astonished expressions on the faces of the ministers, Li Shimin felt even more happy.
This was because Wei Zheng was not here, otherwise Li Shimin would have laughed at him.
Ask him if he has any good ideas.
"Your Majesty is wise, I admire you." Changsun Wuji took the lead and shouted loudly.
The rest of the people followed the crashing waves and bowed to the emperor and shouted.
"Everyone is safe. This matter is of great importance. Don't take it lightly. Let's all go back." After Li Shimin finished speaking, he waved his sleeves and said to everyone.
…
Zhao Chen also didn't expect that this old Wei leader was following behind him like a dragster.
He made it clear that he wanted to find out his plan.
This guy was obviously the prince's teacher before, but now he is so close to him.
"Old Wei, are you sure you want to come so close to me?" Zhao Chen put down his hoe in the field and asked Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng raised his head, his eyes fell on Zhao Chen, and said with a smile, "Aren't I worried about you?"
Wei Zheng was worried about Zhao Chen.
He was afraid that if Zhao Chen was really impulsive, he would directly confront the prince.
Zhao Chen has some good abilities, but to be hostile to the prince is to be hostile to the imperial power.
Can it end well?
"Zhao Chen, you are a smart man. I know that many worldly rules are nothing in your eyes."
"But you are in this era after all, and there are some powers that you can't deal with just by thinking about it."
"If you really feel uncomfortable, be like me and be a loyal minister. Even if you are the prince, you can point your finger at him and scold him." Wei Zheng advised Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen shook his head.
What's so good about Zheng Chen? Old Li Tou has a good temper, but after Wei Zheng died, didn't he even have his grave dug?
Li Chengqian?
Can it be compared to Li Shimin?
Once he takes the position of emperor, I'm afraid he will be the first to be killed.
Because of his arrival, many things have changed, but the only thing that cannot be changed is that Li Chengqian cannot firmly hold the position of prince.
"Ruoshuang, come here." Zhao Chen and Li Ruoshuang shouted.
Li Ruoshuang is helping weed the fields.
Although it is my first time to work in the fields, I still try my best to make it the best.
After hearing Zhao Chen's words, Li Ruoshuang walked over and looked at Zhao Chen with bright eyes.
She knew early on that Zhao Chen had something to say to her.
"Ruoshuang, before the Spring Hunting, there will be an assassination attempt on me..."
"Who? The prince?" Li Ruoshuang's eyes sharpened instantly, and the look on his face became terrifying.
"The Bolingcui family, the news came from the prince. He probably wants us to fight with the Bolingcui family." Zhao Chen took Li Ruoshuang's little hand and explained.
"What should we do?" Li Ruoshuang did not threaten to rush to their house and kill them like before, but asked Zhao Chen for his opinion.
"Before, I worked with Old Li Tou to deal with the aristocratic family, which made the aristocratic family completely hate me."
"The Bolingcui family is the head of a family other than the royal family. The assassination will not be just once, but I will not sit still and wait for death."
"Today I will ask Cheng Er and the others to make preparations. Once the matter here is settled, we will return to Chang'an."
"Even if we can't uproot the family's roots, we will cut off all their branches this time." Zhao Chen said slowly.
As if he was just saying something simple
things.
Li Shimin felt that after all, the aristocratic family had contributed a lot when Li founded the Tang Dynasty.
Even if we have to deal with them, we must protect their foundation.
As long as the stability of the Tang Dynasty was not threatened, Old Li Tou was a kind-hearted emperor.
But Zhao Chen is not the case. Since the family is determined to die, Zhao Chen will not sit still and wait for death.
It just depends on who dies first!
"What about Li Chengqian?" Li Ruoshuang asked again.
She also has a vengeful character, especially when others bully Zhao Chen, which makes her hate her even more.
It is really hateful for the dignified prince to regard Zhao Chen, who has done so much for the royal family, as his enemy.
"That's the prince!" Wei Zheng couldn't help but remind him.
He still didn't want to watch Zhao Chen confront the prince.
This doesn't do any good.
"Old Wei leader, Li Chengqian will not be the crown prince for long." Zhao Chen smiled, sounding as if he was just joking with Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng's heart twitched, and he felt that something bad was going on.
The three of them didn't say anything anymore, and after working for a while, they walked back to their residence.
As expected, Cheng Chumo didn't leave. This guy actually had fun with the children in the village.
I led the children to jump up and down, so unhappy.
Seeing that Zhao Chen was back, he followed him back.
In the yard, Luo Tong was helping to chop firewood, and Qin Huaiyu was helping to clean up. When Zhao Chen came back, he also put down his work.
"Luo Tong, I'll give you this. Go and gather the people here. Once traces of the assassins are found, they will all be strangled."
"Cheng Er, Qin San, you two go back to Chang'an and gather all the students from the academy."
"Wherever there is Bolingcui's shop in Chang'an City, bring someone to smash it for me."
"Tell the students that the teacher will accept their feelings."
"Tell the shopkeeper of the Cui family in the shop that as long as I, Zhao Chen, are here, the Cui family will not be able to gain a foothold in Chang'an."
"If they want compensation, let them come here to find me." Zhao Chen said to a few people, concisely and to the point.
This is to meet Zhenzhang face to face with Boling Cui.
"Okay, don't worry, we don't know how to do anything else. We've done a lot of these dandy things."
"We must let all their Cui family's shops close down."
"Don't worry, Zhao Da. Within three days, if any Cui family shop is open in Chang'an City, I, Qin San, will cut off the head."
The two of them were inexplicably excited. After saying something to Zhao Chen, they hurriedly went to get the horses.
It seems that after a while, Zhao Chen will regret it.
Luo Tong didn't leave. He held the token in his hand, a little surprised.
"Sir, I..." Luo Tong opened his mouth and looked at the token in his hand, seeming a little dazed.
"You won't let me down, right?" Zhao Chen looked at Luo Tong with a calm expression.
What was given to Luo Tong was none other than the Black Armor Silver Rabbit Talisman.
A command talisman that can mobilize three thousand Xuanjia troops.
But Luo Tong would never have thought that Zhao Chen would hand over such an important thing to him.
"Luo Tong swears on his life that he will never let you down." Luo Tong suddenly knelt on the ground again, holding the token in both hands, and said respectfully.
Wei Zheng hurriedly hurried and finally caught up with him.
Unexpectedly, he saw Luo Tong kneeling in front of Zhao Chen.
Luo Tong said he was the Duke of Yue, so how could he kneel in front of Zhao Chen, a county official.
Wei Zheng was also extremely surprised. He walked over quickly and before he could speak, he saw the Black Armor Silver Rabbit Talisman in Luo Tong's hand.
"Xuan... Xuanjia Talisman?" Wei Zheng couldn't hold it back and screamed out in surprise.
"Is this the Black Armor Talisman?" Li Ruoshuang didn't notice that what Zhao Chen gave Luo Tong was actually the Black Armor Silver Rabbit Talisman.
Zhao Chen never told her about this matter.
Looking at the two words "Xuanjia" shining in dark gold on the token, Li Ruoshuang's eyes went straight.
Chapter 395 Let’s find someone
"Guanyin Maid, are you going to find me?"
Li Shimin met Empress Changsun walking towards him on the road.
"Your Majesty." Empress Changsun saluted Li Shimin.
"Let's go, I'm in a good mood today, come with me for a walk." Li Shimin felt very happy, thinking about the stunned looks on the faces of all the courtiers just now.
Even hunger has been forgotten.
Empress Changsun originally wanted to come to the emperor to discuss matters, so she might as well take a walk.
All the eunuchs and maids who were serving him followed at a distance.
Queen Changsun was silent for a while, and then took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty, I heard that Zhao Chen suddenly left Chang'an City, but it was because of me."
Queen Changsun was on the road just now and had a lot on her mind.
Zhao Chen's sudden departure without saying goodbye seemed to have happened right after he held a banquet at the Lizheng Hall.
After that, Zhao Chen suddenly left.
"Definitely not. That boy went to the village in Wannian County because he was worried about the locust plague this year. He went back to take a look. He will be back soon."
"Mr. Guanyin, let me tell you, last night that guy Yuan Tiangang predicted that the prince would help solve this locust plague. Everyone else thought it was Cheng Qian. Only I know that Yuan Tiangang was talking about Zhao Chen."
"But what I can be sure of is that even Yuan Tiangang himself didn't know that the person he was talking about would be Zhao Chen." Li Shimin said happily.
Of course, it concealed the real reason why Zhao Chen left Chang'an.
Only
But after saying this, Queen Changsun would naturally not think about herself.
"This Yuan Tiangang still has such abilities?" Empress Changsun was a little surprised.
"I still have some abilities, but they are far from enough to compare with Mr. Zhao."
"But you didn't see that I was just in the Taiji Palace telling the ministers about the method Zhao Chen told me to deal with the locust plague, and those old guys were all staying there."
"Everyone thinks that I came up with the idea myself."
"Well, the only pity is that I found that none of these people combined can be Zhao Chen's opponent in dealing with such problems." Li Shimin was quite excited, but then he sighed inexplicably.
Hearing the emperor say that the idea given by Zhao Chen shocked everyone, Empress Changsun was naturally happy.
But after all, she was still worried about the relationship between Zhao Chen and Li Chengqian.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Chen didn't come over last time when he knew that I invited the prince to a banquet. I am still worried that the two of them will cause trouble." Empress Changsun and Li Shimin expressed their inner worries.
Li Shimin frowned.
Although Li Chengqian didn't pursue what he said against Zhao Chen in the Tai Chi Hall today, he still felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.
At this moment, when I heard Queen Changsun mentioning this matter again, my mood instantly cast a shadow.
"The prince's recent behavior is indeed outrageous. In the academy, he plotted against his husband, and almost caused a scene on Mrs. Fang Xuanling's birthday."
"I don't know if his kindness in the past was just an act."
"Mr. Guanyin, I think it's time to beat the crown prince?" Li Shimin looked at Empress Changsun and said in a deep voice.
Beating the prince is not her harem's responsibility.
Moreover, after all, the prince is the child she has raised for more than ten years, and Empress Changsun cherishes him very much.
"Your Majesty, the prince is the crown prince, even if his status is..." Queen Changsun paused and then said
"Everything should still be based on guidance. I feel that if your Majesty has time someday, you should go to the East Palace to see the prince and talk to him more."
"Well, Maid Guanyin, you are right. Although Chengqian is not my biological son, the relationship is like that of father and son. I will find time to go to the East Palace to see him." Li Shimin nodded.
It can be regarded as agreeing to Queen Changsun’s suggestion.
"Then Zhao Chen's child..." Empress Changsun was still concerned about Zhao Chen after all.
"It's okay, that old guy Wei Zheng is with him, and Ruoshuang also went to Wannian County yesterday. That kid is living a more comfortable life than us." Li Shimin smiled and comforted Empress Changsun.
…
Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaiyu ran all the way back to Chang'an City from the village.
At this moment, the academy has already gone on holiday, and the students are also in disarray.
Without Zhao Chen, the students would have no intention of studying.
The academy has long been empty.
"Qin San, let's go separately to gather people and try to contact them all before night."
"When time comes tomorrow morning, we will attack all the shops of the Boling Cui family in Chang'an City." Cheng Chumo discussed with Qin Huaiyu.
"Wait a minute, we need to discuss. Some people have a good relationship with the prince. Should we call him?" Qin Huaiyu asked Cheng Chumo, who was about to leave after calling him.
The relationship between Zhao Chen and the prince was already extremely tense.
This incident seemed to only embarrass the Bolingcui family.
In fact, he was telling the prince that Zhao Chen would not sit still and wait to die.
Then whether to contact those academy students who have a better relationship with the prince is a big question.
Contacting them is equivalent to breaking up with the prince. Others don't know that the prince cooperated with the Bolingcui family to deal with Zhao Chen, and the prince himself doesn't know.
At this time, if the people looking for the prince to deal with the Bolingcui family are not dealing with the prince himself?
Isn't this just an open and honest declaration of war with the prince?
After all, he is the prince, and putting everything on the table will ultimately be detrimental to Zhao Chen.
"I feel that once we attack the Bolingcui family, we will definitely offend the prince. In this case, it is better to be cruel and tell the prince that we are not afraid of him."
"Qin San, don't be afraid, I'll handle it if something happens." Cheng Chumo patted his chest and vowed.
Qin Huaiyu had no other good idea at this time.
Anyway, since we have decided to do something ruthless, we should not be timid.
He also wanted to see if the prince would jump out.
"Let's go find someone." Qin Huaiyu nodded.
…
In Duke Xing's Mansion, Fang Yizhi was leaning against a pillar. The fish mark in the water was swaying slightly, but Fang Yizhi didn't feel anything.
The academy was closed and he had nowhere to go.
In the past, he liked to walk birds and fight cocks with other people, but he also found those things boring.
Fishing is just to pass the time.
"Sir, when will you come back?" Fang Yi sighed and shook his head.
He felt that he was happy when he studied with Zhao Chen, but now he is unhappy.
"Eldest Young Master, Young Master Cheng is looking for you." Fang Yizhi was just thinking about when Zhao Chen would be able to return to the academy when he heard someone outside saying that Cheng Chumo was here.
This guy Cheng Chumo is Zhao Chen's follower.
He must know when Zhao Chen will return to Chang'an.
Throwing down the fishing rod, Fang Yizhi's face lit up with joy and he shouted to others, "I'll be there right away."