After Li Qinzai revised the road construction plan into a pilot project, the difficulty of advancing this matter in the court has actually been reduced a lot.
Regardless of whether it was out of public or selfish motives, those courtiers who objected could not find any reason to continue their opposition.
It has been reduced to one state and one county. What else do you want?
If the pilot fails, many people will be beaten up in court. If it succeeds, there will be straight and smooth roads everywhere, so why not?
Liu Rengui, who was the most vehement in his opposition, lost his temper, and naturally the other courtiers could not say anything.
Li Zhi was overjoyed as he sat in the hall. He knew that this national policy could be officially promulgated today. The next step was the issue of site selection. Which prefecture and county to choose for the pilot project no longer need to be discussed in the hall. This is the emperor's decision.
Things that can be decided privately with the prime ministers.
Seeing that the discussion in the palace was getting quieter and quieter, Li Zhi turned to look at Xu Jingzong and said with a smile: "What do you think, Mr. Xu?"
Xu Jingzong looked serious, bowed his head and said: "I think it is feasible."
Li Zhi looked at Master Xu Yu again and said with a smile: "Where is Prime Minister Xu Zu?"
Master Xu Yu also straightened his clothes and said, "I also think it's feasible."
After a pause, Master Xu Yu added another sentence: "If the states and counties of the Tang Dynasty can be connected by road, the country will be extended for thousands of years, and the prosperous age is not far away. Your majesty's civil and martial arts have surpassed the ancient and modern emperors and emperors. I congratulate your majesty on this thousand-year achievement!"
"
Although this flattery was an afterthought, it was still very powerful and hit Li Zhi's itchy spot.
What Master Xu Yu added was not purely flattering, but mainly because he was already one step behind Xu Jingzong when it came to road construction.
The old fox was very shameless. He changed his camp in advance without saying hello, which almost made the emperor have a bad impression of his master Xu Yu. Therefore, he had to make up for this flattery and regain the lost points.
Both prime ministers agreed, and Liu Rengui, who was the most opposed, remained silent.
Even if the ministers in the palace still had objections, it was inconvenient for them to speak out again for the time being.
At this time, Zuo Wuwei General Su Dingfang stood up and bowed: "I believe that Li County Bo's advice is beneficial and harmless. I am a general who leads the army. I don't understand the affairs of the government. But if the prefectures and counties in the Tang Dynasty
The roads are connected, and I can guarantee that there will be no more rebellion in the Tang Dynasty from now on. If there is, the king's dynasty will be over, and it will be decided in a moment."
Liang Jianfang also stood up and said: "If the roads in all states and counties are connected, no matter where King's army sets out, the consumption of logistics grain and grass on the road can be reduced by half. In every war, countless grains and grass can be saved. Uncle Li's advice is of great merit.
.”
Xue Rengui also stood up at this time and said: "In the past, Li County Bo dispatched more than 30,000 soldiers from the Ningshuo Governor's Office in Bingzhou to help the Bingzhou government dig canals and build warehouses. This method can be used as a reference. If a place in a state is selected for trial, I will
It is recommended to use this method to complement each other with the local people, use corvee instead of work, and use work instead of relief, so that things can be settled, the road can be opened, and the achievements will be made for thousands of years, which will benefit their descendants."
As one general came out to support Li Qinzai, the ministers looked at each other in confusion.
Damn it, the military is on the sidelines, the situation has become one-sided, and the opponents have completely lost their momentum.
What else do you object to? What other reasons do you have to object to?
In the silent hall, Li Zhi looked around at the ministers and said slowly: "Do you have anything else to say, sir? If you have anything to say, feel free to tell me. I will understand if you listen and I will accept your advice."
No one said anything.
After waiting for a long time, the smile in Li Zhi's eyes became more and more obvious, and he could hardly hide it.
Covering his mouth and coughing twice, Li Zhi said solemnly: "Since there is no objection, then... the matter will be settled. As Li Qinzai said, as for where to choose the pilot site, I will decide after discussing it with the left and right ministers."
…………
The court meeting dispersed, and the officials slowly walked towards the palace gate.
Prince Teng rushed to Li Qinzai's side, raised his nostrils and said, "You owe me a favor today."
Li Qinzai was stunned: "What do I owe you?"
"At the court meeting just now, if I hadn't spoken out and stopped that old guy Liu Rengui from spouting shit, would you have had a chance to say that fallacy of yours?"
Li Qinzai blinked: "If you don't have a chance to say it, just don't say it. Will it affect me whether to build the road or not? Will I get any benefits?"
Prince Teng was stunned for a moment and said, "It's true that... I won't get any benefits."
Li Qinzai spread his hands and said: "I'm just a teacher in a remote area. Your Majesty wants me to make up for it. I will only attend the court meeting today and build roads. It's just a passing mention. If everyone is opposed to it, then I won't do it."
Still receive my salary and earn my money."
After sizing up Prince Teng, Li Qinzai smiled again: "Your Highness, Prince Teng, if the road construction is abolished in the Golden Palace, guess where you should be at this moment?"
King Teng felt dejected and sighed: "I should be on my way to Hongzhou after being demoted."
Li Qinzai nodded: "Of course, but fortunately this proposal has passed the palace meeting and will be implemented soon. In other words, His Highness has some errands to do, so... Does His Highness owe me a favor?"
Prince Teng's head was buzzing.
Li Qinzai's words sounded right at first, but Prince Teng still didn't understand the logic and always felt that something was wrong.
Prince Teng immediately came to his senses and narrowed his eyes warily: "I will not increase the money!"
Li Qinzai pushed him and said angrily: "What extra money? It sounds like I've blackmailed you. You and I are both decent people. We don't need to talk about money or anything like that. It's enough for Your Highness to accept my favor."
."
Just as Prince Teng was about to show his embarrassed smile, he suddenly remembered something and said warily: "I will not make any deal with my daughter!"
"The more I talk, the more I go too far. Your Highness, can't you treat me as a gentleman?"
Prince Teng couldn't help but said: "A gentleman will make me penniless and in debt..."
Li Qinzai said sternly: "Debts are debts. Your Highness, please don't mention your butt. What you owe is not a debt of your butt."
Prince Teng raised his head and took a deep breath.
It’s really tiring to chat with this bastard...
Li Qinzai looked at him and said: "The matter of road construction has been decided by the court. Next, it is up to Your Highness. After His Majesty and the Prime Minister select the prefecture and county, Your Highness will take office immediately to supervise the project and the use of materials, money and food. Remember not to neglect your duties."
."
Prince Teng hummed: "Do you need to tell me?"
Li Qinzai said solemnly: "I'm not joking with you. Your Highness has a heavy responsibility, and you have to bear the money and food allocated by the court. Your Highness not only represents the emperor, but also represents the court. Money and food are the basis for the survival of thousands of people. You must not be greedy.
."
"Other officials who are greedy for ink will at most be dismissed from office and exiled. If His Highness is greedy for a penny from ink, he will lose your majesty's trust forever. From now on, the lineage of King Teng will only be demoted further and further, and may even be expelled from his rank and questioned by your majesty. For that
It’s not worth paying such a price for a little money.”
Prince Teng suddenly became serious, nodded and said: "I know that this is my only chance to turn things around, and I will never lose a big thing for a small thing."
As he spoke, King Teng continued: "When the Bingzhou grain merchants offered me a large sum of money to persuade me to join in the evil deeds, I sternly refused. I have countless farms and shops under my name. I am not short of that little money, and I will not take dirty money."
Li Qinzai smiled happily: "Then, I wish your highness a safe journey. Your highness can go on your journey with peace of mind. Your daughter is in Chang'an, and I will help you take good care of it."
King Teng was shocked and said angrily: "No need! Stay away from my daughter. It won't bring harm to the family. If you have any problem, just come at me!"