In all official projects, no matter how big or small, there are some unclear things in the accounts.
There are those who make false reports, those who make false accounts, those who pass off substandard goods, etc. It is a dazzling array of methods to talk about, and it is simply eye-opening.
The project of this palace in Puzhou is naturally no exception.
The little bastards took advantage of their status as playboys and swaggered in and out of the construction site. As if they were in a deserted area, the officials and supervisors did not dare to get angry, let alone speak out.
Whatever they want to see, they can only let them see it, and they have to be accompanied by someone.
Whatever data they want, of course, I will happily show it to them.
In short, on this construction site, the officials dare not refuse any request of the little bastards.
A few days later, Li Sujie came to Li Qinzai excitedly with a stack of account books and said that he had completed the task perfectly and had obtained the materials for the construction site and various expenditure accounts.
Li Qinzai took it and flipped through a few pages, then sneered.
This account book is really... eye-catching.
After only reading a few lines, Li Qinzai discovered at least five problems, each of which was basically falsely reported two or three times.
Li Qinzai didn't bother to check into whose pocket the falsely reported money ended up going. He was not an imperial envoy to audit accounts, and he was not interested.
If the water is clear, there will be no fish. The imperial court has carried out such a huge project. Isn't it ridiculous to expect all the officials below to be as clean as water?
Put a piece of pork in the refrigerator, and your hands will be stained with grease when you put it in the refrigerator, let alone a large project that often costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Li Qinzai is not a pioneer in legal affairs, and he has no moral obsession. What he wants to do is to master the data and use it as a basis to advise Li Zhi.
It is not his turn to deal with the investigation and punishment of corruption.
"Good job," Li Qinzai patted the account book in his hand, smiled at Li Sujie, and praised: "Finally, I did something reliable. I will reward you with a chicken drumstick tonight."
Li Sujie humbly said a few words happily, and then said thoughtfully: "Sir, when I look at these account books, the numbers seem wrong. For example, the price of purchasing materials recorded above is a bit high... No, it's not a bit high, it's very high.
I’m afraid I’m famous…”
Li Qinzai waved his hand: "That is not our business. The emperor has not given me the power to investigate and arrest. You and I cannot go beyond that."
Li Sujie said in confusion: "Sir, if you see a crime and don't investigate it, how can you be a minister?"
Li Qinzai sighed and said with a smile: "In ten years, you will know that the darkness in the world can only be controlled, not exterminated."
"Why not extinction?"
"Because where there is black, there is white, and where there is yin, there is yang. Black and white coexist, and yin and yang complement each other, which is the real world. The so-called everyone is virtuous, but it is just an imaginary ideal."
Li Qinzai lowered his head and looked at the account books in his hand, and said quietly: "These account books can be easily obtained by you, which shows that..."
Li Qinzai suddenly stopped here and shook his head.
The account books that can be easily obtained are most likely fake accounts. To put it bluntly, they are the account books deliberately fabricated by officials at the construction site in order to fool dandies like Li Sujie.
Li Qinzai was sure that what was actually submitted to the court for inspection by the prime ministers and ministers must be another account book. Although that account book would have moisture and shady things, it would not be too outrageous, otherwise it would get burned.
Seeing Li Sujie in front of him with a sense of accomplishment, Li Qinzai couldn't bear to hit his child.
"Su Jie, you'd better work hard to learn mathematics well, otherwise you won't be able to understand the account books." Li Qinzai patted him on the shoulder sincerely.
"Sir, disciple, I understand." Li Sujie said blankly.
Li Qinzai shook his head: "Only when you understand the messages hidden behind the numbers in the account books can you truly understand."
…………
Tai Chi Palace.
After the sweet potatoes were planted in the fields of Ganjingzhuang, Li Zhi and Empress Wu were very happy. This happy mood lasted for several days.
The food problem is the ultimate problem that has troubled emperors of all dynasties. It is no exaggeration to say that once the food problem is solved, the rest will basically not be a problem.
From ancient times to the present, the source of dynasty changes is "not having enough to eat." Have you not seen that the changes in each dynasty are all caused by catastrophes. After catastrophes, there will be great changes. Whether it is spontaneous or incited, farmers who are about to starve to death will
In short, with the uprising, the world changed its hands.
If there is a kind of grain that can produce more than 5,000 kilograms per mu, does not occupy fertile land, and is not afraid of droughts and floods, after it is widely planted, will the people still worry about food?
When the people's stomachs are full, who will rise up and rebel if they are full?
A high-yield grain can continue a country's national destiny. In ancient purely agricultural societies, this is no exaggeration.
Therefore, Li Zhi and Empress Wu were in a good mood after returning from Ganjingzhuang.
They knew how important this new food, sweet potatoes, was to the Tang Dynasty and the Li family. Li Zhi counted the days on his fingers almost every day.
"It's been more than ten days since the sweet potatoes were planted, right? I heard from the Imperial Guard that they have sprouted, and the leaves are as wide as your little finger. They are still... well, several months away from maturity."
Li Zhi did the calculation and shook his head again, showing an anxious look: "Why does good food grow so slowly? I really live like a year..."
Empress Wu chuckled and said: "Your Majesty, don't be impatient. No matter what kind of food it is, it will take some time to wait for it to be harvested. Your Majesty counts the days every day. The more you count, the more difficult the days become. It is better to forget about it first and wait for a few months."
Your Majesty will suddenly realize that the harvest is already in front of you."
Li Zhi nodded with a smile: "What the queen said is true. I just wait and see with peace of mind. Even if the harvest is harvested this year, we still need to save seeds and wait until later. It is estimated that it will take several years to be widely planted in the Tang Dynasty. This is a long-term achievement."
, a major event that will benefit thousands of future generations cannot be rushed."
Empress Wu smiled again and said: "Sweet potato was discovered in your Majesty's year of Linde. No matter how many years it takes for it to spread throughout the world, at least according to the historian's pen, your Majesty's achievement is remarkable and must be recorded in detail."
"At the end of last year, outside the Hanyuan Hall of the Daming Palace, palace residents discovered the footprints of the auspicious beast Qilin. It was obviously auspicious blessings given to His Majesty by God. Do you think everything is going well this year? Your Majesty not only accepted Tuyuhun, but also discovered New grain species..."
"While everything is going well, we must let the three provinces start construction as soon as possible. Don't delay His Majesty's enthronement of Mount Tai. Otherwise, I worry that His Majesty will not climb Mount Tai to express his gratitude, and God will be surprised."
Li Zhi looked serious and nodded: "Yes, the construction of palaces and roads in various places must be speeded up. For money and food, we might as well borrow it temporarily from the private landlords and gentry. Since Jingchu discovered the new grain yield of five thousand kilograms per mu, he is still afraid Can’t I afford it?”
The couple chatted for a few more words, and Li Zhi yawned inadvertently, as if he was feeling sleepy. Empress Wu then resigned and left the hall.
Not far out of the hall, a palace maid came up and whispered a few words into Empress Wu's ear.
Empress Wu paused in her steps and frowned.
"Why did Li Jingchu go to Puzhou for nothing? He also brought those disciples with him to check the account books. Did your Majesty give him a title?"
The palace maid shook her head: "I checked the recent official documents from the Ministry of Civil Affairs and found out that Marquis Li County was appointed to an official position by His Majesty..."
Empress Wu frowned more and more.
What kind of fame does this Li Qinzai have when he has nothing to do? What does the Puzhou palace have to do with him?
"Officials from the Ministry of Industry came to report, saying that Li Xianhou and his disciples concealed their identities when they first went to the construction site, and even took the initiative to do hard work with their disciples. Even after their identities were exposed, they did not leave, leaving his disciples Collect the labor and materials expenses for the construction of the palace from everywhere..."