Seeing the beginning of spring, the problem of food and grass deficiency in the Dongwang Army became increasingly serious.

In the spring famine, there was no food around Luoyang, and the army always needed supplies outside, but even the treasury of Jiangdu was empty. After a war, Jiangdu had already been trapped and was exhausted.

At this time, the war in the north could only stop temporarily. The city occupied by Lin Zhan's troops on the original basis was not in a hurry to march further north, and stopped directly to wait for further instructions.

At this time, more and more complaints about returning to Jiangdu reached Han Jian. This time it was not Han Jian who wanted to leave, but the entire Dongwangjun was tired of the days when he was out of the war, and he was thinking about Jiangdu's father, wife and children and wanted to go back.

For several days, Han Jian was worried about food and grass.

If you are not in charge of your family, you don’t know that the firewood and rice are expensive. Han Jian could not understand this kind of suffering before he experienced many things. The Eastern Prince’s Mansion was still wealthy, but after these battles, it was really difficult to allocate grain and materials to continue the supply of the war. After thinking about it, Han Jian might have only one way to transfer the troops back to Jiangdu earlier, develop agricultural production, and then plan to pacify the north after resting.

The pacification of the north is no longer something that can be solved overnight.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, a regular meeting was held in the Ye'an Pavilion of the Imperial Palace. This meeting was chaired by Yang Rui himself. In addition to Han Jian and Yang Luochuan, there were also some officials of the imperial court's Ministry of Revenue. The main issue discussed was still the supply of food and grass.

Han Jian was very quiet. He knew the matters of the East Prince's Mansion and the court. He knew very well that this kind of meeting could not discuss food. If you want to talk about a practical solution, Han Jian did not think about it, but it was difficult to complete it under the current situation. That was to collect grain from large households. But it was so difficult to imagine. It was not a problem that could be solved by force, but it would also lead to a series of political problems. The most important thing was that it would arouse public anger and then cause people to lose their hearts.

Han Jian listened quietly for a while, and Lin Ke was talking freely. As the Minister of the Dongge, Lin Ke is now taking on the role of the chief minister for a while. The best way to solve the food crisis he proposed is nothing more than tightening the treasury or collecting grain in advance.

Lin Ke was not from the Ministry of Revenue, so he naturally didn't know much about the Ministry of Revenue. The food crisis in the court was actually also the food crisis in the Dongwang Mansion. It was just a distortion of concepts. What Lin Ke cared more about was the issue of food and salary of officials from the court.

As expected, Lin Ke's suggestion only received a very cold response from Yang Rui. As the queen, Yang Rui had been in the north for many years. Although she had not made much progress in the border troubles and the four kings and vassal areas, her becoming an emperor finally made the north stable and prosperous for more than ten years, and there was no major civil rebellion. Therefore, Yang Rui still had her own ability in governing the country. However, Yang Rui had many capable ministers around him before, but now these capable ministers are either separated or fled north, or like Gu Weipan, they are still in Jiangdu and cannot care about the government.

If a wise ruler does not have so many wise ministers to help him, no matter how wise arises, it will be just an empty shell.

Yang Rui was not optimistic about Lin Ke, mainly because she felt that Lin Ke was just a responsible person, and was in charge of political struggles. He was not a good player in real affairs.

"I will discuss this matter later." Finally, Yang Rui made an argument for the meeting.

This argument actually means that the issue of grain collection will not continue to be discussed for the time being, and everything will be discussed when it is really needed. But in Han Jian's view, food is now very needed.

Lin Ke and other ministers were about to leave. Yang Luochuan also got up from the chair sitting on the side and smiled at Han Jian. He used to say goodbye like Yang Rui.

"Don't the King of the East leave the palace together?" Yang Luochuan walked over and looked at Han Jian who was still sitting aside in a quiet voice.

"The King of Southern will go first. I will report some things to Your Majesty." Han Jian stood up and bowed and smiled.

"That's good." Yang Luochuan didn't ask what it was. He stayed in Luoyang as if he was very leisurely. He insisted on leaving before, but now he insisted on leaving himself. It seemed that no one could stop him from continuing to stay in Luoyang.

After the others left, Yang Rui seemed a little angry and drove the palace maids and eunuchs out.

"Why should your Majesty be so angry?" Han Jian asked calmly.

"You still said." Yang Rui looked up at Han Jian and said a little annoyed, "There is so many problems that the stalemate of this battle. Do you think I, the emperor, are not bored every day because of these things?"

Han Jian smiled and said, "It turns out that being an emperor is not an idle thing."

Seeing Han Jian's words lightly speaking, Yang Rui gave Han Jian a blank look and said, "Now you are by your side and complaining to you. Didn't these things be hidden in your heart before?"

Han Jian didn't say anything, and walked up to hug Yang Rui and squeezed into a chair with Yang Rui. The two of them were used to such intimate actions in places like Ye'an Pavilion, and Yang Rui would not resist.

"Dongwang, have you thought about how to solve the current embarrassment?" Yang Rui looked at Han Jian and asked.

"Not yet." Han Jian said, "Once a war occurs, it will be a double-sided loss. On the one hand, the farming is not good, the fields are deserted, and on the other hand, the army needs food and grass to supply. In the past two years, the treasury of Jiangdu has been empty. If it weren't for the support of my aunt and the others, I'm afraid that even Luoyang would not be able to enter."

Yang Rui thought for a while and suddenly asked in a low voice: "Do you think there is food in Yuzhou?"

"You're thinking too much." Han Jian sighed, "Even if there is, will King Nan's wise plan think about giving it to the court?"

"You can send people to collect grain. No matter how sinister the King of Southern is, he still has to consider being in the same spirit as the court." Yang Rui said.

Han Jian continued to shake his head and said, "The land of Yuzhou has not been very peaceful in the past two years. I'm afraid there is no food to collect, so I should think of another way first."

"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore." Yang Rui seemed a little discouraged and said, "In the past, there were many talented people in the imperial court who were always able to offer suggestions when they were in trouble. Now you are the only one by your side, so it's useless to ask."

"Your Majesty, are you saying... I seem to be a little lacking in my ability?" Han Jian said with a wry smile.

Yang Rui looked at Han Jian with a smile and said, "What do you think?"

Han Jian spread his hands, which means you say whatever you like.

After a while, Han Jian said: "Butler Lin is still collecting grain from the local area. Judging from her reply, the grain collected this time should be used for a while, but it is not a long-term solution. If the local area collects it like this, there will always be someone coming out to say something."

"Butler Lin? Are you talking about the girl from Lin's family beside you, General Lin's sister?" Yang Rui looked at Han Jian and asked.

"Um."

Yang Rui smiled and nodded, "It seems that he has met her twice. A very ordinary farm girl, but she is so capable. She must have a good experience when she looks back. I heard that your second mother seems to intend to bring her into the mansion?"

Han Jian narrowed his eyes and said, "Your Majesty's meaning, I don't understand it very much."

"You must have thought too much. I mean, your second mother wants to take it into your mansion as your right-hand man." Although Yang Rui said this, he smiled wisely. He seemed to be saying, don't think I would not know what's happening around you.

Han Jian smiled bitterly. It seemed that there was nothing to hide from Yang Rui. Including Han Song's previous mention to him that he wanted to bring Lin Xiaosu into the mansion.

Han Jian thought about it and logically speaking, this matter is very confidential and no one should know it. But Yang Rui's ability to know can only explain one problem. Perhaps among his concubines, some people are still very close to Yang Rui and inform Yang Rui. Because Han Songshi could only tell him about this matter to the concubines in the mansion. It is difficult for others to know.

Ye'an's pavilion was a little silent. It was originally at noon that Han Jian yawned. He had not had a good rest these days, so he wanted to get up and return to the East Prince's Mansion.

"Is it still coming to the palace with Sister Cistan tonight?" Yang Rui saw that Han Jian was about to leave, suddenly came to Han Jian, tidied up Han Jian's clothes for him, and asked.

"Xin'er has been a little tired when entering and leaving the palace these days. If it doesn't work, I'll postpone it for two days. You see, I'll have to rest, right?" Han Jian said.

Yang Rui and Han Jian glanced at him and said, "Since my husband is so arrogant, I will issue an order after noon. Let Cistaner move into the palace to accompany me to see if you come to the palace to see your wife and children!"

"Hey!" Han Jian said with a stern face, "Your Majesty is threatening me?"

Yang Rui snorted coldly and said, "So what if you threaten you? I advise you to send your wife and children to the palace as soon as possible. After a while, your aunts and Xin'er will arrive in Luoyang. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to see you. King Dong, you have to think more about it yourself! Know what priorities are."

Han Jian smiled bitterly. Yang Rui could actually tell him about the family affairs in such a serious tone. Even this "sneaking fun" was a threat. He originally wanted to show his demeanor, but now he had to give up.

"Okay, I'll discuss with Jimbun in the afternoon and let her move to the palace." Han Jian sighed.

"That's right." Yang Rui walked over with a smile again and said, "Husband, go back to rest early. Tonight, let's talk at night?"

Han Jian sighed helplessly and opened the Ye'an Pavilion door. At this time, Yang Rui also returned to his chair and looked at the door. Han Jian was about to go out when he found someone waiting outside. When he looked closely, he found that it was Ning Xiuyan's father Ning Yuan.

"Shangshu Ning?" Han Jian walked down the steps with a smile.

"The old minister has seen His Highness the Eastern King." Ning Yuan bowed politely.

At this time, Ning Yuan was wearing a thin blue shirt, looking like a teenager younger, with a bit of a literatily arrogant look, and he looked like he was about to go to the palace to persuade him.

Han Jian sighed in his heart, "Isn't you afraid of the cold wearing this little?"

Han Jian nodded and said, "Is Shangshu Ning coming to the palace to meet the saint?"

As he said that, Han Jian glanced at the memorial book in Ning Yuan's hand. Ning Yuan immediately hid the memorial book in his sleeve and said, "Yes. The old minister came to ask His Majesty for something to report to you. I don't know that your highness is here too. It's a pity."

"Oh. That book will not disturb Shangshu Ning."

After Han Jian finished speaking, he left the palace gate.

Han Jianben had no good feelings for Ning Yuan, and he was not very grateful to Ning Yuan for giving his daughter to him. However, Ning Yuan's appeal in the Luoyang officialdom is even greater than Lin Ke. Han Jian knew that to maintain the stability of the Luoyang officialdom, he needed a bond, and Ning Yuan was just right as such a bond.

When Han Jian returned to the Eastern Palace, before Han Jian could enter the main courtyard, a guard came to report that it was Su You who was waiting for a long time.

Han Jianxin said that he had just sent Su Tingxia to investigate the detailed work of the army. Could it be that there would be news so soon?

Han Jian entered the main hall and saw Su Tingxia sitting upright waiting. Although Su Tingxia had just been "borrowed" by Han Jian from the Southern Prince's Mansion, because he was the right envoy in the army, if he had something to come to Han Jian, even the guards outside could not stop him. This is also a privilege for the generals and above in the army.

"I've seen the Eastern King." Su Tingxia stood up and saluted.

Han Jian looked at Su Tingxia and said that he had been busy for a few days without any undressing. However, seeing Su Tingxia's haggard look, it really seemed that he hadn't had a few days off.

"Su Youzun's spirit doesn't look very good." Han Jian sighed.

"The King of Dong was a man named Yu Wei. Su has not had much rest in the past few days. He just wanted to do the things entrusted by Dong Wang." Su Tingxia said ashamed, "It's just that Su is not capable. After a few days, he found some progress and came to report to you, Dong Wang."

When Han Jian heard this, Su Tingxia was enough. He found clues in a few days and was still so "humble"? This humility seemed to be showing off. However, when Han Jian thought, Su Tingxia had nothing to show off in front of him. At most, he was to show his loyalty and determination to do things.

It sounds quite smooth.

"What clue did the Su You Envoy find?" Han Jian asked.

Su Tingxia hurriedly handed the sorted copy from his investigation to Han Jian. Han Jian opened it and saw that it was neat and clear at a glance. He was very familiar with the fonts because he had seen Su Tingxia's fonts and writing styles when checking the files before. Therefore, when Han Jian looked at the fonts and writing logic, it was Su Tingxia's own work. This also shows that Su Tingxia did everything himself and did not pretend to others.

In the copywriting, several generals mentioned, and their positions in the military were not low, but Han Jian found that most of these people were under Zhang Xing's subordinates, and some of them were Zhang Xing's confidants. Han Jian frowned slightly, which means that there was a problem with Zhang Xing's subordinates, and then Zhang Xing had a problem?

Thinking about it again, perhaps because Lin Zhan's troops are now on the front line and have not withdrawn, so it is difficult to investigate, so the focus of Su Tingxia's investigation is also on the generals and officials who are in Luoyang and are responsible for the arrangement of Luoyang's defense.

"Did you investigate these people and these things clearly?" Han Jian asked.

"There is no problem," Su Tingxia said, "but because some things were not obtained by someone Su's personal investigation, they cannot be generalized by any means."

"Yeah." Han Jian nodded, closed the copy and said, "It seems that the problem of detailed work in the army is indeed a bit serious. But now, it is not a good time to uproot. In this way, I will set up a special yamen for you to ask Su You to examine them?"

When Su Tingxia heard this, she couldn't help but widen her eyes. Han Jian's proposal was to set him on the opposite side of the soldiers of the Dongwang Army. (To be continued)

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Chapter completed!