"Cao Zhongcheng, your close subordinate must be a thief, otherwise how could you come up with such a bad idea?" In the lobby of Nanya, Duan Wei, Duan Shangshu, one of the eight noblemen of Dongdu, sighed, half-smiling but not smiling.
"Nowadays, people say that Jing'an Terrace is a den of thieves. Zhang and the three thieves were already pulling the strings at Jing'an Terrace."
"Is it bad? Where is it bad?" Cao Lin ignored the unnecessary things and just asked seriously.
Duan Wei sneered, but said nothing, as if he was just using the topic to express himself, and he actually didn't know the relationship at all.
However, the Prime Minister Su Wei next to him said seriously at this time: "It is indeed a bad idea... The territory of the gang is too big, and it is useless to waste money. The simplest one is that if they receive too much money, they can directly make it into copper ingots.
Bronze can be quickly stabilized...but it is equivalent to giving away copper for nothing."
"So that's it." Cao Lin suddenly realized and sighed again. "So, Li Twelve's idea is really just an idea on paper?"
Su Wei was about to speak but stopped.
Duan Wei, who originally wanted to laugh at him, knew it was Li Twelve's idea, but he didn't say anything anymore, because the other party was from a decent Guanlong family, and was not the one he really wanted to attack... The situation became increasingly complicated.
With the chaos getting worse, the Guanlong clans are speeding up the process of forming alliances, and now marriages are happening everywhere.
"If Mr. Su has any opinions, just speak up." Cao Lin looked around and chose to try his best to encourage Su Wei.
There was no way, as the situation worsened day by day, Uncle Cao could clearly feel that senior civil servants such as Su Wei and Niu Hong were becoming more and more frustrated, and they were not willing to get involved in many things.
This is also a direct reason why he is becoming more and more powerless in Dongdu.
"Actually, I think it's normal for Li Twelve to understand the basics of money and food at such a young age. Even what he said about using money to waste money and using food to waste food is just an excuse, and it's okay. The key is,
I think his original intention is to say that we should open a warehouse to provide relief to win over the people." Su Wei trembled and tried to speak slowly. "This is right."
Cao Lin immediately fell silent.
At this time, Weifu laughed again:
"Su Gong, I also think that it is normal for Li Twelve Lang to not understand some things at such a young age, but don't you understand? We have argued about this matter many times, and only you and Niu Gong agree that it is the joint effort of the six of us.
Are you rising up to suppress you two husband-in-law? No! What I am saying is that you who are husband-in-law, those who study, and those who do not go into battle, like to talk about empty morality, and think about officials and thieves, the enemy and ourselves, and the military.
"I say it again, it is extremely useless to open a warehouse to provide relief in order to gain the support of the people, because the so-called people's support is the most useless thing in the world! What you want is military morale, soldiers and horses, and practitioners! Of course, you can also be a scholar.
!It is true that great things cannot be done without scholars. But to recruit these people, why is it necessary to flood the country with people?
"Let's take a step back and say, yes, win the hearts of the people in Henan and Hebei, but why win the hearts of Henan and Hebei? The hearts of the people of Guanxi are not yet stable! Please issue an order from Nanya to win the hearts of the people of Guanxi first!"
By the end of his words, his smile had already subsided and he actually looked a little ferocious.
Su Wei lowered his head and said nothing, reasoning. Of course he still had many reasons, but he really didn't want to argue.
"What you said makes sense." Niu Hong, on the other hand, was willing to argue again. "But I would like to ask you, have you considered the fact that Li Twelve Lang said that there may be a drought in Henan and Hebei this time? If it is true.
There was a big disaster, and we still didn’t release food... When the Wei Dynasty reached this point, how did the people’s hearts gradually disappear? Shouldn’t we reflect on it? "
"It's just that there may be a drought, even a minor drought." Bai Hengjin said in a calm tone. "As for introspection, it's not our turn to reflect, right? What does Cao Zhongcheng mean?"
Cao Lin has been silent for a while.
It was obvious that compared to before, he was a little shaken this time.
In the past, he did not agree with the opening of warehouses because of the tradition of governance and the instinct of military governance. He was determined to maintain the policy of the late emperor, and the policy of the late emperor was that he would rather kill the victims than open warehouses.
The Wei army can clear the place; while the military is in power first and foremost and has no option of actively handing over money and food.
But now that the situation has reached this point, with wars and smoke rising again and again, the thieves are getting out of hand. His efforts have been in vain in almost all aspects, and the situation is about to encounter new impacts again and again. Even with his toughness,
and stubborn, began to hesitate, the so-called people's hearts should be tightened a little or two?
Is it possible to give it a try?
Seeing that Cao Lin didn't speak, Gu Yi, the usually upright and serious Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly expressed his position: "Then let me say one more thing... I won't mention the drought, but I agree with winning the hearts of the people, but I
We are opposed to opening warehouses in Hebei and Henan because the thieves are too close... Mr. Su just said that if you put money directly in Henan and Hebei, you won't be able to destroy the money of the gang, because they can easily use it to cast bronzes to maintain their value, which is equivalent to
Zi Enemy. Have you ever thought about it, if you open the warehouse and store grain, how can you ensure that the food will not flow into the gang's territory? Or you can simply let the people in the territory eat in front of the warehouse. We can't tell. So,
Opening a warehouse to release grain itself may also end up endangering the enemy, making the gang no longer afraid of grain and becoming more unscrupulous."
Duan Wei nodded repeatedly: "That's what I meant just now... and I heard it. Shangshu Gu did not say it because he was concerned about the court's face. That is, other places in Hebei and Henan are the territory of the imperial court at this time. Will they be in the future?
Is this the imperial territory?"
"Not bad!" At this moment, Zhang Shiben, who was left behind in Dongdu, suddenly shouted, but he didn't know who he was responding to. "Don't say that the rope stringing the money is rotten in the warehouse, but the money is rotten in the warehouse.
You can't send it out either. If you send it out, you will endanger the enemy! There is also food. When Jijun and Xingyang can't keep it, they burn down the warehouse and don't give it to those people! The common people in Hebei and the east are full.
It will only strengthen thieves! Let me tell you, the counties of Hebei and Kinki will no longer be provided with money and food! Sooner or later they will become thieves!"
Everyone knows that Zhang Shiben will never forget the revenge of killing his son, and his position on this matter is more stable than anyone else.
Cao Lin glanced at Zhang Shiben with complicated thoughts, and then went to see Qian Shiying, the last of the so-called Eight Nobles in Dongdu, who had never expressed his stance, but the latter only looked at the roof with a half-smile.
So, after pausing for a moment, Uncle Cao Huang slowly came to Zhang Shiben and said: "Chang Gong's hatred must never be forgotten. It is true that we cannot be enemies. However, we still have to pay the expenses of the local government soldiers, otherwise we will immediately push him away."
In the past...this was definitely not feasible."
Everyone in the hall had no objection to this statement, and most people nodded accordingly.
In this way, due to various reasons, Li Qingchen's proposal was easily rejected in the Nanya lobby. Then, in the afternoon of that day, Li Twelve Lang received the answer at the top of the black tower.
To be honest, Li Qingchen was a little frustrated when he heard the news:
"So, using money to waste money is useless, right?"
"Since Su Gong said this, it should be so." Cao Lin said with a smile. "But you don't have to be too depressed... The eight people in Nanya, probably Su and Niu Gong, can tell at a glance, who are you?
age?"
"Then instead of doing these things, wouldn't it be okay to just open a warehouse and distribute grain relief?" Li Qingchen asked seriously.
Cao Lin answered seriously: "We still don't think it's feasible to just talk about the warehouses in Jijun and Xingyang, because it will also increase the strength of the gang in disguise... Li Twelve Lang, you were in Huaixi before, but now you are in Hebei, you should pay attention
It is very clear that the areas in the periphery are actually out of control, and it is getting harder and harder to maintain the power of the imperial court. Guanlong, Bashu, Xiangfan, and Jin can be released."
"It is precisely because it is difficult to maintain that we have to work hard to win people's hearts." Li Qingchen tried hard to argue.
"This is the truth... But on the other hand, it is also reasonable for Nanya to abandon this measure out of consideration for the interests of the gang." Cao Lin's reply was spotless. "Besides, the court has not told the truth now.
Even if these places are abandoned, the money and food in the warehouse will still be distributed to the government."
Li Twelve hesitated for a moment, and finally asked: "What if there is really a drought?"
Uncle Cao Huang was silent for a moment, and then he said: "I wanted to talk about it later, but in fact, the eight people in power in Dongdu, such as Bai, Qian, Duan, and Zhang, all came from the military, and they have always been advanced and retreated.
The consensus seems to be that Guanlong is the basis, and other places are useless. They also hate bandits and rebels extremely. Their intention is very clear. They will not save them if there is a disaster or not. For example, Su and Niu have said more
Benevolent government and morality are all about giving food to people from the beginning..."
"What about you, Zhongcheng?" Li Twelve knew that the other party would continue talking, but he still couldn't wait.
"Me, I am similar to Gu Yi Gu Shangshu." Uncle Cao Huang said sternly. "I can win people's hearts, but if I have help, I have to consider how strong I am. I can't let the thief grow bigger just for the sake of a person who can't win back the people's hearts afterwards. Moreover, I am now
We must try our best to maintain the unity of the Eastern Capital."
Li Twelve was stunned and silent, as if extremely disappointed, and actually sat there for a long time without saying a word.
As a great master, Cao Lin was naturally aware of the opponent's condition. Then he quickly remembered the opponent's internal injuries, sighed slightly, stood up and walked with his hands behind his back, but he actually maintained great patience and continued to deal with this problem.
Explain in detail.
Amidst the sound of wind chimes, the Grand Master’s words clearly echoed through the top of the Black Tower:
"Li Twelve Lang, I think you still have some misunderstandings about thieves... The current situation of thieves is no longer something Zhang San or Li Shu can simply talk about. It has become a climate, you know?
"You young people have always thought that I underestimated thieves. In fact, it's the opposite. I feel that you have always underestimated thieves... For this generation, it was indeed just a small rebellion established by Zhang Xing and Li Shu at the beginning.
By now, it has already changed. We can no longer think of it as a rebellion led by Zhang San and Li Shu, but as a result of the heroes from the hometown of Eastern Qi taking advantage of the chaos.
"I admit that Zhang Sanlang is great, otherwise I certainly wouldn't think of accepting him as his adopted son. But if the thief has Zhang Xing, it will only be more powerful than the tiger. Without Zhang Xing, the hozens will not really fall apart. Li Shu will lead them instead."
, are still our mortal enemies. Even after Li Shu died, there were also Wei Xuanding, Xiong Bonan... Let me put it bluntly, Zhang San defeated Zhang Xuguo and killed Zhang Changgong in the battle at Mount Li that day. I heard about it in Dongdu.
It's like being so courageous that a man often flies out to kill this officer, but do you know why he doesn't?
"On the one hand, I didn't dare to leave the tower easily, but on the other hand, I vaguely realized that since the thieves defeated the Qilu army, all the forces in the east would turn against the rebels. Killing Zhang Xing alone would probably
Anyone who can't stop the Eastern Territory is a thief, so it's not worth it.
"You also know what happened later. The situation became more and more difficult. Just after Nanyang was leveled, the entire Huaixi rebelled. Then the thieves crossed the river and hooked up with the people from the North. And it was just as I expected.
, the Wu clan should move south in large numbers after autumn.
"In short, since the Wei Dynasty has retreated, there must be dead souls of the Eastern Qi Dynasty, and the powerful gangs will be stronger because they arrived first. They have gained the spirit of the old place of the Eastern Qi Dynasty and have a foundation. As for us, we have also faintly returned to the days of the Western Wei Dynasty.
The situation must be considered in all aspects... So I dare to ask at this time, how can I allow warehousing to help the enemy's territory? Those places in Hebei and Henan can survive day by day. "
At this point, Cao Lin sat back again: "Zhang Xing is someone we have experienced in Jing'an Station. You and he are colleagues and peers. You have always regarded him as the only one who is ordinary, but you have forgotten some big things."
situation."
Li Twelve listened quietly, his expression remained unchanged, and he just shook his head slowly: "Zhongcheng's words did make me feel a little enlightened. I admit that I underestimated the gang, and always regarded Wei as the one who had the world before.
Da Wei came to see him, but I still have a few words to say..."
"Just say it." Cao Lin was obviously extremely patient today.
"First of all, although I underestimated the gang, did Zhong Cheng underestimate Zhang San too much?" Li Qingchen said seriously, and at the same time took out a book from his arms and handed it to him respectfully.
"What is this?" Cao Lin took it curiously and looked through it. However, after only casually reading a few pages, his expression changed so much that the wind chimes sounded loudly around the top of the tower. "This military book was written by Zhang Xing?"
"Not necessarily. According to the insiders of the gang, this should be an old book first, and then the leaders of the entire gang sum up their experiences and lessons, and constantly revise and subsidize it... But the main writers are undoubtedly Zhang San and Xu Da from Dongjun.
." Li Qingchen spoke clearly. "I feel very good."
"It's indeed very good." The ringing tone slowed down a little, and Cao Lin returned to normal, but he continued to read with one hand on his forehead. "It's indeed very good. I understand that such regulations are also found in the military. Mr. Bai
The entire chapter was compiled back then... Generally speaking, those above the rank of general can learn battle techniques, but those who are not above the rank of general can't see the soldier selection chapter. The general selection chapter is about the generals of Yiwei and Zhuguo.
Only then can I get the award. As for the logistics chapter, I will not show it to anyone easily in the past twenty years. This is the system since the late emperor... Did Zhang Xing get it from Bai Sanniang?"
"I don't think so." Li Qingchen responded calmly. "And the key thing I want to say is that after Zhang Xingcong got the old book, he passed it around and copied it. Almost everyone who led the army had a copy, and the subsequent repairs were distributed all the time.
"
Cao Lin was stunned on the spot, then raised his head.
"The official is not saying that Zhang Xing is better than the late emperor, but that at least when he rebelled, his behavior is probably better than treating this military book as a treasure. Similarly, there are forced foundation construction, fair land allocation, taxation and labor
Equality..." Li Qingchen sighed and stopped talking. "Zhongcheng, Zhang Xing is not the two wings of the thief. The two wings are Wei Xuanding, Xiong Bonan and those people. He is the real leader, the leader! If the gang has such a leader, he will do it.
A dragon can fly without wings; without a head, it becomes a tiger; with broken wings, it can only lie down."
"I know what you mean." Cao Lin unexpectedly did not argue anymore, but pressed down the "Six Tao", and then responded seriously. "In the future, any similar book stickers, including any announcements, should be given to me.
Send it here, and I will re-rate Zhang San."
Li Twelve Lang immediately nodded briefly, but asked another sensitive question without any interruption: "Zhongcheng, why don't you dare to leave the tower? Are the rumors true? There is a great master or several masters waiting for you?
Is it the Bai family who wants to cause civil strife? Or is it someone else?"
Cao Lin was silent for a moment, but unexpectedly did not deny: "There are some things that you can't comment on... You only need to know that it is not the same thing for a grand master to have a pagoda or not, so it is not easy for them to meet each other, because once they meet,
A great master is often at a huge disadvantage... This is the original meaning of the saying "two dragons never meet". And what happened to Yang Shen a few years ago almost made it clear that a great master wanted to rebel against us, the Wei Dynasty
But I don’t know which one it is, so I really don’t dare to bet.”
"If this is the case, there is nothing to say. Once Zhongcheng is not in charge of the Eastern Capital, I am afraid that the entire Wei Dynasty will collapse immediately." Li Qingchen was also helpless.
"Actually, if you think about it, you'll know. Let's not talk about these rebels. If I could really leave, why didn't I just go to Jiangdu that day?" Cao Lin let out a long breath.
Li Qingchen was stunned and speechless: "Yes, even if we can go now, we should go to Jiangdu."
"Stop talking about this, have you straightened things out?" Uncle Cao didn't seem to want to talk more about this topic, so he just continued to ask.
"I can't say I'm straightening it out. I just managed to hold my breath." Li Qingchen said quietly. "Actually, there are still some problems..."
"Tell me."
"Zhongcheng...what's going on with Sister Sisi?"
"Of course she is an enemy rather than a friend at this time, but she may not be a friend rather than an enemy in the future." Cao Lin answered simply.
"You mean, Sister Sisi must change?" Li Twelve was stunned for a moment.
"That's right." Cao Lin didn't pay any extra attention to this topic. "You people, you have underestimated the cultivation of geniuses like Sisi and Sima Erlong, and the relationship between visualization and action... You have reached this point at such a young age.
The situation makes it impossible for them to make any unnecessary cover-ups. They want to practice both life and life, and unite their Tao and practice... Sima Erlong is already close to the master, and based on this, within one or two years, Sisi will also reach a point, or have a great enlightenment.
, or change his ways, in short, he will not be like now, hiding in Dengzhou and being a sheathed sword."
"Then I don't have any more questions." Li Twelve nodded, breathed a sigh of relief, and then continued. "But there is one thing I want to tell Zhong Cheng, and another thing I want Zhong Cheng to help me with."
"Come on." Grand Master Cao Lin actually breathed a sigh of relief.
"In fact, this matter was not something that Qin Er and I had discussed together. It was just that Qin Er was in Ji County and saw the abundant warehouses and asked me why I couldn't release grain. I guessed that this matter was unlikely to go down well with the Nanya people.
Master, but after thinking of a way to waste money with money, he felt that it seemed possible to mix it up, so he came to find Zhongcheng... Qin Er is not that stupid, nor does he mean to violate taboos, nor does he mean to provoke me to deliberately cause trouble.
, it’s just that I am personally self-righteous, and I want to take credit for him by the way. He has a harder time on the front line than me." Li Twelve said seriously.
"I guessed it." Cao Lin's expression was as usual. "Don't blame him, I don't blame Qian Tang... Since I threw you into that kind of den of tigers and wolves, as long as you have some thoughts on doing things, you will be overwhelmed by the situation. At this time, you have to look at
I am determined...but there are always people who have to do things in front of me, and once you follow the thieves, you are the enemy and not me."
At this point, Cao Lin rarely felt sad: "It's really a pity, but it's actually Cao Shancheng and Zhang Xuguo. It's my fault that I couldn't save these two people."
Li Twelve had no expression on his face, and after thinking for a moment, he continued: "The last thing I want to do is to find a future for my clan sister Thirteenth Niang."
"Qingzhou, isn't she..."
"It's about getting married." Li Qingchen sighed. "But she prides herself on her cultivation and experience, and is independent enough without marriage. She doesn't want to be a tool for marriage with the Duan family... As Zhong Cheng said, there is always someone who has to do things in front.
Please Zhongcheng, for the sake of her previous efforts in Huaixi, and for the sake of Jingan Terrace's decline, please give me a document, I will take it with her, and let her go! Hebei, Shanxi
Everything is fine.”
Cao Lin did not refuse, but directly took a black-striped appointment document and wrote it down casually. He only paused briefly when writing down the place of appointment, but it was only a pause, and then wrote it down immediately, but it turned out to be Beidi.
Snow Hill City, one of the seven cities.
Li Qingchen took it and took a look at it. He didn't have any additional comments. He just nodded, bowed his hands, and left.
In the afternoon of that day, when I returned home, I handed the appointment document to my sister, went to speak to the elders in the family, and then left the house regardless of the time.
At first, he only walked along Tianjie and slowly headed south. His family thought he was going to Jing'an Terrace again. Unexpectedly, he went straight past Jing'an Terrace and came to Chengfufang. He stood stunned for a moment.
After a while, after hesitating for a long time, he turned his horse again and headed east.
After walking up to the east gate, suddenly a gust of south wind blew up, blowing Li Twelve Lang. As if by mistake, he tied his horse and turned to climb the city.
Let's also say that his appearance is majestic and his cultivation has been stuck in the pill condensation for a long time. He is naturally a step behind among the famous figures in the world today, but compared with ordinary people, he is still handsome for a while. In addition, he returned home yesterday to change his clothes.
His clothes, the so-called military crown, brocade clothes, and silver leather boots, are also very elegant.
Who dared to stop him like this? He actually let him go up to the city gate tower.
After ascending to the city, Li Twelve Lang just took advantage of the light from the west and looked into the east capital city with his hands behind his hands. He actually saw a magnificent scene.
It turns out that it is summer, but this year Dongdu has not suffered from continuous heavy rains, but it is close to the Luoshui River, and there is no shortage of water vapor. Therefore, the poplar trees all over the city are growing non-stop. At this time, the wind blows up the poplar flowers.
When the snow comes to dance, more than a hundred squares in the city, plus a Luoshui River, seem to fall into the curtain of flowers.
Li Qingchen was fascinated by what he saw on the spot. He wanted to be intoxicated for a while, but unexpectedly, the south wind kept rolling, and it became stronger in a moment. The wind and clouds surged slightly, and the clouds slightly moved to cover the sun. While the poplar flowers all over the city were still rolling, unexpectedly,
Many branches and leaves of trees fell together.
It's obviously summer, but one moment it feels like spring, and the next moment it feels like autumn.
Li Twelve Lang stood at the top of the city with his hands behind his hands, letting the strong wind blow. He took a deep breath of Dongdu's smoke and dust, and exhaled it again and again. Then he felt inexplicably depressed, but he actually thought of the founding hero who was known as the first civil and military man in this dynasty.
Yang Bin’s old poems praising autumn:
"The north wind blows through the old forest, and the sound of autumn cannot be heard.
The geese are flying, the sea is cold, the cranes are chirping and the frost is clear.
The heart of Han Hao has not been conveyed, and the way to hear the sound is still unclear.
Only the moon in the lonely city lingers and reflects alone.
I feel sorry for myself, how can I know that I am tired and sick?"
Li Qingchen did not recite it, but recited it silently in his mind for a while, then turned and went downstairs. After going down to the city gate tower and exiting the upper east gate, there was already the clan sister Li Shisanniang Qingzhou who had changed into men's clothes waiting here.
impatient.
He didn't say anything more, but got on his horse and headed northeast with his clan sister.
PS: Some people say that you always wish everyone to get rich. If everyone gets rich, won’t they get rich? If you think too much, the worst thing you can do is make bronzeware! Inflation can’t stop everyone from getting rich together!