Chapter 365: Subtle Court Proposition

As soon as the sky was about to begin, the rumbling drums rang in Chang'an City. Although this was the fifth consecutive morning court, the people of Chang'an were still extremely excited. They also rose up with the drums and started a new day.

Hope! It was inspired by the drum sounds, and the troubled Tang subjects finally saw hope. A new king and a new era kicked off with the diligent drum sounds.

The streets were already bustling, and carriages were passing through Zhuque Street in an orderly manner. Like the previous dynasty, an orange-red lantern was hung beside the car, showing the owner's official title and name, like twinkling stars floating in the morning mist.

There were a large number of carriages in front of Mingde Gate. These were fugitives who had just arrived, while others had been waiting outside for a night. Everyone stretched their necks and waited anxiously for the officials to finish their journey. Some of them were anxious and had already sent their families to walk back to see each other, but more of them complained to each other that they should not have fled from Chang'an in a hurry. I don't know what the situation at home is now?

Some of the carriages that went to court entered the imperial city from Zhuque Gate and went directly to the yamen to handle official affairs, but deacons of fifth rank and above took a deacon to take a deacon to Danfeng Gate and prepared to participate in the morning court. According to the newly established court rules, one major rank and one major rank in Beijing, regardless of the official rank and one official in Beijing, regardless of the official rank and one official, all officials in the capital, must go to Hanyuan Hall to pay homage to the emperor. On seven days, one official at the fifth rank and one official, the deacons of fifth rank and above entered the court to discuss matters, and three days, one minor rank, are limited to doctors of various departments. The real power officials of Shaoqing and above decided on major affairs in the world in the Zichen Hall. Of course, in the absence of court meetings, a joint cabinet meeting would be held every morning, and the emperor and the prime ministers would meet and arrange a day of government affairs.

But since it is an extraordinary period, there are court meetings every day. At this moment, the colorful clouds in the east sky have begun to appear, and the rays of light have penetrated the clouds and dyed the Daming Palace a layer of gorgeous purple-red.

The court officials gathered together at the steps to discuss today's court meeting. As early as three days ago, the palace supervisor had issued the content of the daily court discussion, but the content discussed in the previous three days was the arrangements of the court's main body, formulating rules, mobilizing personnel, etc. The biggest thing was to confer the eldest son of the emperor Li Shi as the crown prince and the crown prince's mother Shen Zhenzhu as the queen. From today on, the court meeting will discuss specific government affairs.

"Li Prime Minister!" Miao Jinqing, the new minister of the Ministry of Revenue, walked through the crowd and welcomed Li Qing, who had just got off the carriage. Miao Jinqing was originally a doctor of the Ministry of Personnel. He was demoted from Beijing for the cheating case of the imperial examination in the sixth year of Tianbao. In the eleventh year of Tianbao, he was transferred back to Beijing to become a doctor of the Ministry of Revenue. After Yang Xuan's death, he was promoted by Li Qing to be the minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the minister of the Taifu Temple.

Because An Lushan occupied Luoyang, the grain transportation was not smooth, the Jianghuai money and grain could not be lifted into Beijing, and the grain prices in Guanzhong were also unable to be reduced for a long time. It is still 800 citrus rice. There is an official relief porridge in Chang'an, which is slightly better. In Huayin County, which is the worst disaster, there has been a disaster of starvation, and a wave of refugees flocking to Chang'an has begun to form.

Li Qingming was ordered to write a report on the current financial situation three days ago. Miao Jinqing collected investigation information from the Ministry of Revenue, Taifu Temple, Censorate and other departments, and wrote memorials overnight last night, which will be discussed at the court meeting today.

As soon as Li Qing got off the carriage, several officials were ready to face him. Now he was in trouble and had many opportunities to mobilize and promote. Especially since Yang Guozhong's party members have long occupied a high position and are about to face purges. If they can leave a good impression in the heart of the right minister, their future prospects will be limitless.

However, because Li Qing was born in the Ministry of Revenue and was in charge of the salt administration, most of the people he promoted were his former subordinates. For example, the Salt and Iron Supervision Order Di Wuqi was promoted to the Minister of Revenue, and was in the same position as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and Liu Yan took over as the Minister of the Salt and Iron Supervision Order; Cui Huan, the former Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was promoted to the Minister of Works, and was in the same position as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and also squeezed into the prime minister. This made everyone in the Ministry of Revenue proud, and even when they talk to others, their voices became a little louder.

That's it now. Seeing Miao Jinqing greeted him first, the other ministers all retreated tactfully. Li Qing was not Yang Guozhong, and the more people he surrounded, the better.

"Right Prime Minister, this is a memorial written by his subordinates overnight last night. Please read it." Miao Jinqing's eyes were worried, and the situation was not optimistic. The food stored on the Chang'an market could only be handled for five days at most.

Li Qing took the memorial and flipped it. At this time, the drums to the court had already sounded, so he said to Miao Jinqing: "You will make a statement at the court meeting later, and I will express my opinions."

The drum sound became increasingly dense, and the court officials were arranged in two rows. The left line was led by the left prime minister Pei Kuan, and the right line was led by the right prime minister Li Qing. Following the Dragon Tail, everyone entered the hall in a row.

According to the rules, all officials above the third rank have seats, and Li Qing put his seat first in the right head. At this time, a crisp chime sounded on the jade steps, and the hall immediately calmed down.

"The emperor is here!" As the deacon eunuch shouted, teams of guards and eunuchs rushed out from both sides of the jade steps, and then under a yellow umbrella, the young emperor Li Yu strode over. He wore a winged crown and a red and yellow robe, full of energy and his eyes were full of confidence.

"See Your Majesty!" Hundreds of court officials bowed and bowed together.

"All my beloveds are calm."

Li Yu waved his hand, glanced at the hall, and said loudly: "I have worked hard for the court meeting for several days, but I have not yet calmed down the thief outside, financial difficulties inside, and people are in trouble. With my own strength, I can't calm the world. I can only rely on the strength of everyone, and we all unite to restore the bright world of our Tang Dynasty. "

His eyes fell on Li Qing and said with a smile: "Li Xiangguo, what am I right?"

Li Qing stood up, bowed to him first, and then turned around and said to everyone: "Your Majesty's words are what we think. God bless our court. You have a monarch who remembers the people of the world like this. It is really a blessing for me to be a Tang Dynasty. Do you think it is right?"

Several important officials stood up and bowed and agreed, "What the Prime Minister said is what we are thinking!"

Li Yu nodded, "Since that's the case, hurry up and start talking to you!"

According to the original plan, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue should be the matter of requesting to calm the price of grain. However, Li Yu looked at the court meeting arranged by the supervisor of the palace and said to the new crown prince, Li Mi: "Does Li Zhan have this memorial?"

The so-called Prince Zhanshi is the leader of all officials in the Eastern Palace, and is generally a matter of Pingzhang, the subordinate of the Central Secretariat, and is squeezed into the prime minister. However, since most of the officials in the Eastern Palace are idle positions, Li Mi did not have much real power, but he could attend the cabinet joint meeting and express his own opinions on some major events.

Li Yu originally appointed him as the Minister of Personnel, but because the Right Prime Minister Li Qing firmly opposed it, he said that Li Mi was just a Hanlin scholar and had no qualifications as a official, so he became the head of the Minister of the State Council in one step. I am afraid that all officials will not accept it. Pei Kuan also advised Li Yu to consider more meritorious officials and old ministers. In desperation, Li Yu could only reach a compromise with Li Qing. According to convention, the Right Prime Minister Li Qing was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. Li Mi could only take a step back and became the prince's secretary, but left a tail to work with the Secretary of the Central Secretariat.

Li Mi walked out of the squad and bowed slightly to Li Qing first, then he bowed to Li Yu deeply and said: "Your Majesty, I think that former prime minister Yang Guozhong used big coins to pay 50 coins for one penny, and reduced the copper content of Kaiyuan Tongbao. This move has caused serious chaos among the people, causing prices to soar, and the people's lives are becoming more and more difficult. I have visited hundreds of merchants in Chang'an, and 90% of them boycotted large coins, and the people avoided it even more. Your Majesty, I suggest that the big coins be abolished immediately and the copper coins minted in the eleventh year of Tianbao are taken back to stabilize the currency system of our Tang Dynasty."

After saying that, he raised the memorial above his head, and a eunuch took it over for him. Li Yu flipped it over and smiled happily. He turned around and asked Li Qing, "What is the advice of the right prime minister who thinks the prince's secretary?"

Li Qing sneered in his heart. Although what Li Mi said was reasonable, he wrote a memorial, which was not a suggestion. He had exceeded his authority. It seemed that Li Yu was always worried about not being able to reuse Li Mi. He ignored the agenda arrangements of the palace supervisor and made his own decision to let Li Mi speak first. After being the emperor for a few days, he began to feel anxious.

Li Qing did not show any expression. He stood up and smiled slightly, "Actually, the advice of the Crown Prince Zhan is not perfect. Can you please add it?"

A hint of unnatural flashed slightly on Li Yu's face, but he still smiled and said, "Please tell me right minister!"

Li Qing walked out of the court and said to Li Mi: "The Prince Zhan hit the current problems. I fully agree with it, but it is up to be discussed in actual operations. The main thing is how to abolish it, whether it is immediately abolished by a decree, or should it be abolished slowly? I think the currency system is important to people's livelihood. Any big move will impact the lives of the people. This unnecessary shock should be minimized. Big money should be abolished. First, stop the minting of big money, and then gradually reclaim it and melt it. Otherwise, abolished by a decree. What should the big money in the hands of the people? Who will compensate for their losses?"

Li Mi was speechless. When Li Qing finally said that, he immediately retorted: "Prime Minister, Li Mi did not want to harm the interests of the people. The big money they had in their hands could be repaid by the court."

"I oppose what Li Zhan said!" A person strode out of the class. It was Di Wuqi, the Minister of Revenue. He glanced at Li Mi with an unhappy face and bowed to Li Yu and said, "Your Majesty, please speak for me!"

Seeing him coming out to object, Li Yu sighed secretly in his heart. Li Mi surpassed his power. It seemed that he would make the public angry. He just wanted him to stand up, but he was a little unconsidered. The formulation of currency laws was originally the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue. Now that Di Wu Qi is about to speak, he has to be sure. Li Yu had to force himself to say, "Please speak with the fifth minister!"

Wu Qi turned around and stared at Li Mi with bright eyes and said, "I don't know if the prince Zhan has read Zuo Zang's account book. How much money can the imperial court save now? Tell you, there are still 800,000 guan, how much does it cost to collect the big money? It requires 2 million guan.

The court is now in a mess, but the money is only a little bit. If you use it to exchange for big money, will you still have to do anything else? The salary of officials, the purchase of grain, and recruit soldiers, are there no money? The right prime minister has recovered all the money robbed in the cabinet, otherwise he will have to pay a sum of money. How can this mere 800,000 guan be enough?"

Originally, Di Wuqi was extremely dissatisfied with Li Mi's overpowering power. Now Li Mi has stepped on the pain of his financial difficulties. How could he not be angry? His voice became a little louder inadvertently, and his voice buzzed and echoed in the hall.

"This..." Li Mi was a little speechless. He glanced at Li Qing and saw that he was smiling but didn't say anything. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart. The emperor was indeed a little too anxious. In desperation, Li Mi had to take back and said: "Your Majesty, I agree with the opinion of the prime minister. The big money should be taken back slowly, and we should not be too anxious."

In fact, Li Mi knew that Li Qing should have a large sum of money in his hand, and they were all copied from each room of the Yang family. Although he didn't know the quantity, a fool could guess at least millions of coins. However, Li Qing only handed over 500,000 coins to Zuo Zang in the end, and the other money disappeared. Although everyone knew it well, some words could not be said.

Li Qing and others retreated to the court squad, and the hall was silent. In the previous confrontation, many ministers could see a little. The emperor intended to let Li Mi lead the court meeting, but Li Qing counterattacked back. Everyone couldn't help but worry about Li Yu secretly. He had only been in power for a few days and wanted to go his own way. After all, he was still a little tender!

Recently, there have been some rumors in the neighborhoods of Chang'an that the deaths of hundreds of princes and grandchildren were not caused by the rebels as the government said, but for another reason; in addition, according to the Yulin Army who returned with the Supreme Emperor, the Supreme Emperor's abdication was actually caused by Li Qing's army to force the palace. The scene at that time was very bloody.

Now Li Qing holds great power, especially the Anxi Army that controls Guanzhong is still in his hands. If Li Yu annoys him, he might have to change to a new emperor again.

After a moment of silence, Li Qing came forward and said, "Your Majesty, I discussed with several prime ministers yesterday that the most important thing at present is to stabilize the rice prices and the wave of refugees, prevent civil unrest, and secondly, to recruit troops in Guanzhong and quell An Lushan's rebellion as soon as possible. I have ordered the Ministry of Revenue to write a report the day before yesterday, asking Your Majesty to discuss it."

After going around, I returned to the schedule. The content arrangements for the daily court discussions were generally formulated by the prime minister and reported to the emperor for approval, and then issued by the supervisor in the palace in advance. In the late period of Li Longji, he no longer asked about this matter. Basically, Li Linfu had the final say. This is an important reason why Li Linfu was able to dominate the court and the opposition. He could dominate the entire court discussion.

Li Qing took this step. All the contents of the court discussion were selected by him in advance from many political affairs and then handed over to Li Yu for approval. Finally, the palace supervisor distributed them to the officials participating in the court discussion, so that they could prepare in advance, rather than the emperor temporarily saying, "My dear friends have the potential to report, but the court has no basis." If that is the case, it would be equivalent to crossing the prime minister and reporting directly to the emperor. This is an act of overreaching power. In the strict bureaucratic system, this situation should not be allowed.

There are two issues today, one is to stabilize the rice price and the other is to recruit soldiers, both of which are urgent matters. Li Yu nodded silently and agreed with Li Qingzhi's statement. He then looked at the queue of officials from the Ministry of Revenue.

Miao Jinqing took a deep breath and took a big step out of the court, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial!"

He took out the memorial and raised it high above his head. A eunuch came down to take it and transferred it to Li Yu. Li Yu listened to his statement while looking through it. "In the past few days, I have collected from various channels, the food situation in Chang'an is indeed not optimistic. The food stored in Taicang is about 700,000 stones, and about 500,000 stones are military rations for recruiting soldiers. It cannot be moved. Others have to deal with the salary of officials, the expenses of the royal family, and the relief porridge for refugees, so I can only do it at most

Allocation of 50,000 shi to Changping warehouses. These 50,000 shi are really a bucket of food for the stable grain prices. Let’s take a look at the grain stored on the Chang’an market. Judging from the grain stored on the major grain stores and markets in the western city, it can only be supported for five days at most. Moreover, the indigenous citizens and hungry people pouring into Chang’an every day have reached more than 20,000. Since yesterday, various grain shops have become reluctant to sell, and the grain prices on the black market have exceeded 1,500 cigars per bucket. ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ． ．

Miao Jinqing's tone was plain, but everyone's heart was heavy. Li Yu tried his best to restrain his worries and kept listening to him before asking: "Will Miao Aiqing have any solutions?"

Miao Jinqing sighed and said in frustration: "There are countermeasures, but the results are not ideal. The Fifth Secretary of the State Council also said just now that the Ministry of Revenue is preparing to allocate some of the money to wealthy households to purchase grain. In fact, from the day before yesterday, the Changping Administration has started collecting grain, but by last night, it only received more than 2,000 stones, which is far from enough!"

At this time, Wei Jiansu, the Minister of War, suddenly asked: "What is the purchase price for Mr. Miao?"

Wei Jiansu was also from the Ministry of Revenue and also served as the Minister of the Taifu Temple (Since Li Qing, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Minister of the Taifu Temple has become a practice, which facilitates the Ministry of Revenue to control the finances). He was very familiar with the price rules in Chang'an. From what Miao Jinqing said just now, the price of grain on the black market has exceeded 1,500 cigarettes per bucket, and he felt something was wrong. He knew that the court could not purchase grain at a price higher than the official price, otherwise there would be a vicious cycle of increasing grain prices.

Sure enough, Miao Jinqing said the price he was most worried about, "Eight Hundred Months!" far lower than the black market price. In this way, the government will certainly not receive food.

Wei Jiansu shook his head and said to Li Yu: "Your Majesty, if you do not take effective measures, there will be civil rebellion in Chang'an, which will greatly weaken Your Majesty's prestige."

If Miao Jinqing's words made Li Yu deeply worried, then what Wei Jiansu said made him restless. As soon as Wei Jiansu finished speaking, he immediately replied: "Does Wei Aiqing have a good way?"

Wei Jiansu turned around and apologized to Di Wuqi, and then replied: "I discussed this matter with the right prime minister yesterday. Our opinions are consistent. In extraordinary times, extraordinary means must be used to achieve results." After that, he nodded to Li Qing and signaled that he would continue to speak later.

"Shangshu Wei is right, do you need to use extraordinary means?" Li Qing stood up again, bowed to Li Yu, and laughed: "It should be the matter of Jingzhao Yin, but Shangshu Wei pushed it to me and asked His Majesty to interfere in his duties again."

When Li Yu heard his interesting words, he couldn't help but smile. His boredom just now was wiped out. Although he didn't like Li Qing to take over military power, Li Yu felt a sense of peace when he saw him stand up in a critical moment.

"The right prime minister doesn't have to be too polite, but please speak out!"

"Your Majesty, I am also an old Ministry of Revenue. I know that although the food storage in Chang'an is tight, it is definitely not as Miao Shi said. I can only support it for a few days. It is the end of June. According to past experience, I think I can last at least two months. The key is the amount of unevenness!"

The four words "uneven" were spoken from Li Qing, and the hall suddenly buzzed. Some people cheered in their hearts, while others were cursing in secret. In fact, everyone knew what the problem was? But no one dared to say it, and I am afraid that only Li Qing would dare to say it in the civil and military affairs of the court.

Li Qing swept the hall around and saw that some people were happy and some were worried. He sneered and said, "The so-called extraordinary means are actually to use heavy chaotic methods. In summary, there are only three items. The first thing is to crack down on the black market. Please issue an order immediately. Anyone who dares to resell food privately will be executed!"

"Your Majesty, is this too much...?" Zhang Yi, the assistant minister of the disciple, immediately stood up to object.

Li Yu waved his hand and interrupted his words, and said coldly: "What Li Prime Minister said is exactly what I want, and I am right!"

Li Qing glanced at Zhang Yi and saw him retreating with a red face. He couldn't help but snorted coldly in his heart and continued: "Please 2, it is strictly forbidden to stock up privately. The Ministry of Households can set an upper limit for each household. Anyone who exceeds the upper limit of ten stones will be exiled to the Western Regions for three years. Those who exceed 10 stones will be executed by the head of the family, and their families will be exiled to the Western Regions for life as slaves. If there are more than 100 stones, the whole family will be executed!"

Li Yu saw that his punishment was more severe than the other, especially those who exceeded 1,000 stones, which was completely targeted at the royal family's powerful family, but nearly half of the royal family men in Chang'an had been executed, and the remaining women, children and children could only be ravaged by him. In fact, Li Yu also vaguely guessed that it was Li Qing's move. However, this could reduce his opponents and was extremely beneficial to him. He was willing to pretend to be confused and put the blame on An Lushan.

However, when he saw that almost half of the court officials had changed their faces, he did not dare to report it easily, so he hesitated and continued to ask, "What about the third one?"

When Li Qing heard Li Yu's tone hesitation, he knew that he was nervous, so he smiled and said, "The third is to cooperate with the specific strategies of the first two, place the four gusts under the Zhuque's Sect, and encourage the public to expose each other's complaints. Once verified, the person who whispered will be rewarded with a heavy reward!"

．

The court meeting took place for two hours without knowing it. Many officials without seats were already standing, their legs and feet were numb. Some were worried about the food stored at home, and they were even more anxious. At this time, the time for the court discussion had arrived. The palace supervisor announced that the court would be dispersed. After Gong delivered the emperor, everyone returned to the yamen in groups of three or three. As soon as Li Qing got up, he saw Wei Jiansu walking towards him with a smile.

"Li Xiang's methods are so vicious that the emperor was frightened!"

"You made the idea, but I asked me to be a villain." Li Qing smiled and gently punched him on the shoulder, saying, "I'll ask you how much food you have in your family. Come and call me honestly, so I can report it to you."

Wei Jiansu smiled and saw that there was no one around, he whispered: "Stupid! If my family had food stored, would I come up with this idea?"

But as soon as he finished speaking, Di Wuqi came out from behind. He sighed slowly and said to Li Qing with a frown: "Prime Minister, although you have a good solution, you have killed me."

Li Qing was stunned, "Why is this?"

"A dou of eight hundred citations is collected, and one stone is eight civers. I heard that Li Cong's grain storage in a manor in the past would not be less than ten thousand s. If his family handed over it, how could I have so much money to collect grain? Besides, if the price of grain is reduced, wouldn't I do a loss business!"

Li Qing and Wei Jiansu looked at each other and laughed loudly. Li Qing stopped smiling, a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes, and he whispered in his ear: "I have already thought about it for you. All those who come to pay the grain will receive the receipt first, and it clearly states that it collects grain at the market price and settles with them when the grain price plummets. Will you lose money?"

Wuqi was stunned. He said for a long time: "Isn't this a bit unkind to the people of Chang'an?"

"Chang'an people?" Li Qing sneered and said, "The people you talk about are probably the same as the people I think of! I only say that only ten stones of rice are considered guilty. Do ordinary people who are promoted to fight will have ten stones of rice? Rich people cannot eat up their food, and they will rot there. People who are hoarding are worthy of it. If they are not so ruthless and make them feel hurt, how can the food price be reduced?"

At this time, Wei Jiansu also patted Di Wuqi on the shoulder and advised him: "Extraordinary times, extraordinary means are indeed needed. Yang Guozhong's actions in the past have really lost too much to the people. If he doesn't want to make up for it, how can he gain the prestige of the emperor?"

Wu Qi nodded silently. Although he never agreed to Li Qing's methods, there was no better way. If the government collects grain at an hourly price of 800 cents, and when the grain price drops to a hundred cents, the government will lose 700 cents per bucket of rice. He, Wu Qi, cannot bear this responsibility!
Chapter completed!