Wang Xu was stunned because he was stunned by Li Shimin.
Others also looked at Li Shimin with puzzled expressions, and only a few people sat on their horses thoughtfully and pondered.
Li Shimin ignored Wang Xu and ordered his men to lead the troops into the city quickly. He was anxious to see Li Ji.
In Wang Xu's eyes, Li Ji's behavior was to confer official positions without permission and to resell official titles, which was a serious crime.
In Li Shimin's eyes, that is ability, great ability.
Li Ji used his official position to poach grain from wealthy families. In Li Shimin's view, not only was he not guilty, but he was actually making money with his own blood.
He, Li Jiancheng, dug grain from the hands of a wealthy family, and it was impossible to exchange his official position for it.
Because this is not good for their reputation, they can only exchange it for profits.
In that case, the price they pay will be even greater.
If you exchange something like interest and get it back, it will be as difficult as climbing to the sky.
But once the official position was promised, it would be easy to get it back.
It is no exaggeration to say that if you promise a fifth-grade official today and give it tomorrow, or you can find a suitable reason to cut it off, people from wealthy families can only lament that they are unkind and swear to never trust the person who promised the official position again.
.
If people from other wealthy families knew about it, they would just laugh at his stupidity for falling into such evil deeds, and would never help him go against Li Tang.
The situation is different when it comes to interests. Once you grant a promise and try to take it back, the big family members will use all their strength to resist. Other members of the family will also be worried that you will seek their own interests and will take action secretly.
The most important thing is that even if you don't sell official status to people from wealthy families, you will still have to sell it to their people in the future.
Because most of the knowledge in the world is in their hands, and most of the talents are also in their hands.
If Li Tang wanted to govern the world, he had to give them official positions.
Therefore, Li Ji's behavior was a serious crime in Wang Xu's eyes.
But in Li Shimin's eyes, he had a lot of knowledge. If he did it properly, he would not only be able to obtain a huge amount of food, but he would also be able to slay a big family.
Under Li Shimin's urging, the army quickly arrived at the south gate of Luoyang City.
The south gate of Luoyang City has long been blocked by convoys transporting grain.
Qu Tutong and Luoyang Ling led people to clear the way for a long time, but it didn't have much effect. They could only go to Li Shimin to plead guilty.
"I have failed to supervise and manage the situation, which has delayed the journey of the army. I beg your Highness to forgive you."
Qu Tutong, who was in his sixties, knelt down on one knee in front of Li Shimin's horse and clasped his fists to plead guilty.
Luoyang Ling knelt aside and did not dare to raise his head, let alone speak.
Surprisingly, when Qu Tutong and Luoyang Ling pleaded guilty, none of the civil and military officials behind Li Shimin said anything that Qu Tutong and Luoyang Ling were guilty.
It's not that they dare not speak out because of the lessons learned from Chang'an's order, Wang Xu.
It was because several of them saw the motorcade flying their own flags in the motorcade at the gate of the city.
Qu Tutong and Luoyang Ling gave them face, so they did not forcefully drive them away.
Otherwise, with just one order, the convoy at the gate of the city would have been bulldozed by the army.
The moment Qu Tutong knelt down, Li Shimin quickly jumped off his horse, held Qu Tutong's arms, and raised Qu Tutong, "What are you doing, General Qu Tutong?"
With the support of Li Shimin, Qu Tutong stood up and said with a wry smile: "His Royal Highness ordered me to guard Luoyang, but I let Luoyang City become like this and delayed the army's schedule. I deserve to suffer."
Li Shimin glanced at the motorcade blocking the city gate and said with emotion: "I already know the inside story. This is not your fault. You don't need to blame yourself."
Before Qu Tutong could speak to him again, Li Shimin ordered from behind: "Kaishan, Daozong, you two will lead the army and enter the city from the west gate.
Remember to restrain the soldiers and horses under your command, not to disturb the people, let alone act recklessly.
Those who disobey orders will be punished according to military law."
Yin Qiao rested in Hangu Pass for more than half a month. Under the careful care of the imperial physician, his condition improved.
Although you can't lead your troops into battle now, you can still lead your troops into the city.
Yin Qiao and Li Daozong clasped their fists together after hearing Li Shimin's order.
"Here!"
Immediately, Yin Qiao and Li Daozong led their troops and headed for the west gate.
Li Shimin entered Luoyang City from the "sidewalk" of the south gate in a light carriage.
Li Shimin declined the dust-washing banquet prepared for him by Qu Tutong, Luoyang Ling and others, also declined the visits of Luo Shixin, Guo Zihe and others, and rode straight to Luoyang Palace.
As soon as Li Shimin and his men arrived at the gate of Luoyang Palace, Xie Shufang hurried to the place where Li Ji handled government affairs to report.
Since the last time at Hangu Pass, Li Shimin broke into the pass and Xie Shufang failed to report it in time and was scolded by Li Ji. Xie Shufang has been particularly concerned about this matter.
The side hall of Luoyang Palace.
Li Ji collapsed on the couch, feeling pain and happiness.
What hurts is that the official positions in his hands are almost sold out, and wealthy families from all over the country are still transporting grain to Luoyang City.
I felt really unhappy watching the food arrive in Luoyang City but not being able to keep it for myself.
Happily, the grain in his hand has exceeded that raised by Daxingtai of Shaanxi Province. The grain in his hand can not only feed the refugees in Luoyang until the summer harvest, but also make them rich.
He no longer has to worry about the refugees starving to death because they don't have enough to eat, and he doesn't have to stare at the tragedies in the world.
"Your Highness!"
Xie Shufang hurried into the palace and reported: "His Royal Highness King Qin has arrived at the gate of Luoyang Palace..."
Li Ji was stunned and said suspiciously: "What did he come to Luoyang Palace for? He just arrived in Luoyang City today. Shouldn't he call all the generals together to discuss the matter of conquering Liu Heitai?"
As the supreme commander of the expedition against Liu Heitao, Li Shimin should immediately convene a "military meeting" after all the troops gathered in Luoyang City to discuss the strategy for the subsequent expedition against Liu Heitao.
Going to Luoyang Palace is obviously a bit unreasonable.
Xie Shufang hesitated and said: "Could it be that you are here to ask His Highness to raise an army to question you?"
Li Ji stared and said angrily: "Why should he ask me to accuse him?"
Can he appoint more officials than me?
Not only did he appoint the fifth-rank officials under him at will, he also extended his hands to other places.
I have almost the same power as him. I only appoint officials from the fifth rank to the first under my command. Why should he ask me to accuse him?
As long as he sets the fire, I'm not allowed to light the lamp?
Does Li Yuan agree?
Xie Shufang lowered his head and did not dare to say anything. It was difficult for him to accept Li Ji's words.
Li Ji glanced at Xie Shufang and ordered: "Go and guard the door of the side hall. If he comes to see me, tell him that I am not here."
Xie Shufang smiled bitterly.
"has a problem?"
Li Ji asked.
Xie Shufang smiled bitterly and said: "Although I am an official of His Highness, I am also participating in this expedition. His Highness the King of Qin is the commander-in-chief of the army. If he questions me with his command, I can only tell the truth."
Li Ji was speechless.
During the expedition, command is more important than anything else.
If Li Shimin used his commander-in-chief to manipulate Xie Shufang, Xie Shufang would really not dare to lie in front of Li Shimin.
In the final analysis, it is because Xie Shufang is too upright.
If this were Li Sixing, he would agree to the matter without hesitation, and then send Li Shimin back without violating the commander's order.
Unfortunately, Li Sixing is currently running around Luoyang with Ma Zhou and is not in Luoyang Palace.
"That's all, if he insists on seeing me, just bring him here."
Li Ji sighed and said.
Since we can't avoid it, let's give it a try and see what Li Shimin wants.
Xie Shufang felt relieved and hurriedly agreed and left the side hall of Luoyang Palace.
Not long after, Xie Shufang brought Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji, who were all dressed in military uniforms, into the side hall of Luoyang Palace.
As soon as he entered the door, without waiting for Li Ji to greet him, Li Shimin smiled cheerfully and said: "Silang, I heard that you have become obsessed with business these days. Your business is not bad and you have gained a lot."
Li Ji stood up and also put on a smile, "Second brother was joking."
Li Shimin walked up to Li Ji arrogantly, sat down on Li Ji's seat carelessly, and asked with a smile: "Tell me how much you have gained."
Li Shimin took the main seat, but Li Ji didn't want to sit with Li Shimin, who was covered in sweat after a long journey, so he sat aside and said with a dry smile: "I don't know..."
"have no idea?!"
The smile on Li Shimin's face froze, "How could you not know how much you have gained?"
Li Ji didn't know what Li Shimin was thinking, so he could only say vaguely: "I have left this matter to my subordinates to handle. I really don't know how much I have gained."
After massively selling off official positions, the Qi Prince's Mansion was now considered to have a "strong army and strong horses".
A group of common people from wealthy families who were talented but could not afford much food became subordinate officials of Prince Qi's palace.
With their help, Li Ji barely escaped from the suffering of the documents.
So he really didn't know how much grain he had harvested. After all, he received money every moment, so it was impossible to report it to him all the time. He only knew a rough idea.
"That means you still know something generally?"
Li Shimin stared at Li Ji and asked.
Li Ji said warily: "Why does the second brother ask this?"
Since you can't guess Li Shimin's thoughts, just ask directly.
"Ahem..."
Li Shimin coughed twice and said in a faint tone: "Selling an official title is a serious crime. If those officials knew about it, they would definitely impeach him.
When the time comes, even if your father loves you again, he will still punish you and give an explanation to the officials."
Li Ji stared at Li Shimin suspiciously, you came here with great force just to tell me this?
"so what?"
Li Ji asked.
Li Shimin sighed and was speechless.
Changsun Wuji, who was sitting at the head of the palace, suddenly said: "This time I am going out to the army, the food and grass needed is huge. Daxingtai, Shaanxi Province, raised money for more than a month, but only raised one-third of what the army needed.
A grain of grass.
The commander-in-chief has sent orders to all directions. If those who have been convicted in various places can donate a batch of food, when the army returns victorious, their military merits can be used to offset their guilt."
