Chapter 10 People have entered the stage in the Tang Dynasty
Wang Zi'an frowned.
"For the sake of you being a guest today, if I don't beat you today, why don't you follow me? The most disgusting thing in my life is you traitors!"
Li Shimin was immediately stunned and couldn't laugh or cry.
I, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, am a traitor?
Cheng Yaojin didn't expect that this guy would fall out whenever he wanted.
"You brat, what do you want to do-"
With that said, he was about to rush over.
Li Shimin wiped the drink from his face and reached out to block Cheng Yaojin.
"I'm afraid I have misunderstood, little brother. I am indeed smuggling, but I am secretly smuggling cattle and horses from outside the customs to our side..."
Wang Zi'an laughed twice, stepped forward and patted Li Shimin on the shoulder.
"It's just such a small thing. Why do you do it so mysteriously? Look at the fuss this made -"
Li Shimin:......
"I'm just telling you, you two have an official air about them. It turns out that you are really working for the imperial court. Come on, this matter really has something to do with you. I will tell you about it, but the following words are from my mouth.
If it enters your ears, you are not allowed to go out and blindly..."
Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin nodded in unison.
"For the outside world - that's great. It will definitely expand the territory and make the barbarians flee in all directions. If nothing goes wrong, this winter will probably be the time for the imperial court to use a large number of troops!"
When Li Shimin heard the first sentence, he felt a little proud. As soon as the second sentence came out, his eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light.
The attack on the Turks is still in the process of being planned. Even I don't know when it will start. Why is this young man so sure?
"Little brother, who did you hear this from?"
Wang Zi'an looked at the shocked expressions of the two of them, and stood up pretending to be calm, as if he was thinking deeply, but his mind was running rapidly, looking for a reason to get over it.
Seeing this, Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin did not dare to disturb him and could only wait quietly.
"Do you need to listen to who else? This is what the mutton in the pot told me——"
"mutton?"
Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but look at each other, and both saw the confusion in each other's eyes.
"Fortunately, you are still running outside the customs to do big business. With your brains, I advise you to go home and retire as soon as possible, lest the war breaks out and you lose your head and don't know what happened..."
"Little brother, how do you say this -"
"Have you not noticed that since the beginning of winter, the business of fur, cattle and horses has become more and more difficult..."
Have it?
He really didn't pay attention to such small things.
He nodded blankly.
"How do you know this, and what does this have to do with the imperial court's imminent dispatch of troops?"
"How do you know? Of course the mutton in the pot told me - do you know that since the beginning of winter, the price of mutton in Chang'an has soared by 60%, and the price of cattle and horses has soared by 70%..."
Ah—ah?
The two of them continued to be confused.
How could two people care about such trivial matters? After hearing what Wang Zi'an said, he couldn't help but ask.
"In previous years, when winter comes, prices also rise. Isn't it strange?"
"I've asked around. In previous years, it has risen, but at most it's been 20 to 30% higher than usual. Do you know what it means if it's risen so much this year?"
Pretending to be boring all by yourself, this stall needs someone to praise it.
"What does it mean?"
Li Shimin frowned and asked subconsciously. Cheng Yaojin slapped Wang Zi'an on the shoulder.
"You bastard, don't be so pretentious! Come on, it's so unpleasant to complain!"
Wang Zi'an's legs were not strengthened, so he staggered after being slapped by this guy. The noble demeanor he had managed to cultivate suddenly disappeared.
"It means that this year the north has encountered an unprecedented severe cold, and many cattle, sheep and horses have died of cold and starvation! Therefore, the market will tighten, there will be a shortage of goods, and prices will naturally rise all the way. If you don't believe me, wait and see, in a few days
, the price has to go up..."
After taking a look at the old man Cheng, who had no sense of self-esteem at all, Wang Zi'an felt that he had an appetite.
"For Datang, it's just that the price of fur and mutton has increased. For ordinary people, it doesn't matter. They can't afford it without the price increase anyway. For dignitaries, it doesn't matter. They can't see the money.
But do you know what it means to Xue Yantuo, Huihe, Bayegu, and Tongluo tribes?"
Hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes suddenly flashed and he was thoughtful.
"Xue Yantuo, the Uighur tribes are affiliated with the Turks and need to pay tribute to the Turks every year. If the situation is really as you said, life will definitely be more difficult..."
"Oh haha - Lao Li, that's not bad. He still has some brains. That's a good point!"
Wang Zi'an had a teachable look on his face, and he patted Li Shimin's shoulder affectionately and encouraged him.
"Come on, continue -"
Li Shimin had completely entered into a state of thinking. He ignored Wang Zi'an's questioning tone and continued to speak with some excitement.
"The usual habit of seeking profit will definitely increase the exploitation of Xue Yantuo, Huihe and other tribes. Are you saying-"
Having said this, Li Shimin suddenly became excited and looked at Wang Zi'an with burning eyes.
"Little brother, you are saying that Jieli will have conflicts with small affiliated tribes such as Xue Yantuo and Uighur!"
"Boys can be taught—but that's not all..."
Wang Zi'an was already caught up in the drama. He coughed slightly and pointed at the wine glass.
Li Shimin subconsciously went over and poured it for him. Wang Zi'an reached out to take the glass and nodded with satisfaction.
"Xue Yantuo, how much more money can be squeezed out of Huihe? If they want to survive this difficulty, I guess they will definitely send their troops south..."
Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin subconsciously leaned forward, not daring to miss a word. With their two eyes, they naturally knew that if the north really encountered severe cold, this young man's inference would be very likely!
Having said this, Wang Zi'an paused and glanced at the two of them.
"You said, I know this little truth. The current emperor is so wise and powerful, and there are so many talents in the court. Do you think those big bosses don't know?"
Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin both felt ashamed at the same time.
My heart said, don’t tell me, I really don’t know this!
"Besides, is that a good thing? Since the Turks openly tore up the alliance, it is equivalent to giving the reason for sending troops into his hands! Will he let go of this great opportunity in front of him? I believe that with his talent and strategy,
We will definitely take the opportunity to send troops to wipe out the shame of the Weishui River!"
Li Shimin and Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but think of those grim days.
At that time, Jieli Khan took advantage of the turbulent change of power in the imperial court and led an army to invade the Central Plains. The main army arrived at the Weishui River, and even approached Chang'an City and reached the north bank of the Weishui River. His prestige was almost reduced to the freezing point...
Outside the city of Chang'an, flags were flying, and the Turkic army stretched for dozens of miles. But inside the city of Chang'an, the troops were empty, people were panicked, and rumors were spreading. Many people even took the opportunity to attack His Majesty, and the demand for the Supreme Emperor to take charge of the government was growing day by day.
Internal and external troubles almost made him grow old overnight.