The carriage entered Chunming Gate and did not go to the Imperial City, but stopped at the gate of Xingqing Palace.
Zhou Jun got out of the car, followed Gao Lishi, entered the courtyard from the palace gate, then walked north along the long corridor, and came to the back garden of Huaxianhui Tower.
Under the guidance of a group of chamberlains and maids, Gao Lishi walked to the folding door of the second-floor painting pavilion and said to Zhou Jun behind him: "Wait here first."
Zhou Jun raised his hands and said yes.
Gao Lishi entered the painting pavilion, and then there was a long wait.
The sun gradually sets in the west, and the afterglow shines along the window lattice into the corridor.
Zhou Jun looked out the window at Chang'an City, and while he was lost in thought, he heard a call in his ear.
"Tuesu Lang, Tuesday Lang."
Zhou Jun came to his senses, turned around, saw Gao Lishi and said with a smile: "The saint has called you, go in."
After thanking him, Zhou Jun took a deep breath and slowly walked into the hall.
At dusk in midsummer, the heat in the calyx-hui building has long since dissipated, the breeze brings a hint of coolness, and the fragrance of qin brings peace to people.
Zhou Jun stood still in the hall and saw Li Longji, who was sitting in the seat, kneeling on the ground and shouting long live.
The latter spoke and asked Zhou Jun to stand up, but then he remained silent.
Zhou Jun stood in the hall and could feel Li Longji's gaze, but he still couldn't hear the questions he was supposed to ask, which made him a little uncomfortable.
After a long time, Li Longji finally said: "Last year on the Lantern Festival, you told me that you would voluntarily open up the Daqi trade route to Longyou, and the annual tax tribute would not be less than two million guan. I originally thought,
Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers, and it is normal for young people to talk loudly."
Zhou Jun lowered his head and listened quietly.
Li Longji continued: "In the first month of this year, you went to court and mentioned the Daqi Trade Road. You only said that it was a big deal. When I saw it at that time, I thought you were talking big words... I didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, two million yuan would be paid.
All the taxes and tributes have been put into the treasury, but everyone is surprised."
Zhou Jun bowed and said: "The Daqi Trade Road was opened, firstly, thanks to the sage's clear decision, secondly, the support of the DPRK, and thirdly, thanks to the hard work of the staff, we were able to prepare two million yuan in one year.
.”
Li Longji said with emotion: "Young Master Zhou, you are only in your weak years, but you always bring surprises to me... Let me tell you, what reward do you want this time on Daqi Trade Road?"
Zhou Jun leaned down again and said, "I dare not ask for credit from Your Majesty for matters that are my duty."
Li Longji cast his eyes on Zhou Jun, thought for a moment and then said: "You are good at political affairs and know practical things. How about I make you the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Prefecture?"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a slight abnormal sound from the screen at the back of the hall.
When Zhou Jun heard this sound, his face remained calm, but he was shocked in his heart.
There must be someone behind the screen.
Zhou Jun thought carefully in his mind again. The attic of Huaxianhui Building was the private bedroom of a saint. He could hide behind the screen and eavesdrop. With a little guessing, he could get a rough idea of the person's identity.
Thinking of this, Zhou Jun said to Li Longji: "I may not be able to convince the public if I emigrate to another country and become an official, and move to Jingzhao Mansion as a Shaoyin."
Li Longji asked again: "How about giving you a county title and moving you to be the governor of Zhongzhou?"
Zhou Jun said again: "I am from a humble background, and I am of high rank, so I may attract criticism from others."
Hearing this, Li Longji showed a smile on his face and asked, "Then what kind of reward do you want?"
Zhou Jun remembered the previous conversation with Kong You and replied: "As your Majesty said, I am already in my weak years, but I have not yet married a wife..."
Li Longji laughed loudly, pointed at Zhou Jun and said: "In the eyes of Zhou Jun, no matter the official position or the title, they are all boring. What he really wants is my treasure!"
After Zhou Jun heard this, he knelt on the ground and tapped his forehead on the ground, shouting that he was guilty. Li Longji's laughter gradually stopped and he said to Zhou Jun: "Now that I have spoken, I will give you an explanation for your marriage. Go back and wait."
That’s it. I summoned you today, but there is another matter.”
Zhou Jun raised his head: "I wonder what your Majesty is referring to?"
Li Longji stared at Zhou Jun and said: "The Daqi Trade Road has just begun to take shape. Your family is in Chang'an, and you cannot live in the Western Regions for a long time. I plan to transfer you back to Chang'an so that you can reunite with your family." Read a book
Zhou Jun heard this and bowed his head to thank him.
Li Longji paused for a moment and asked: "As for who will take over your position, does Zhou Langji have anyone in mind?"
Zhou Jun was stunned, and Li Longji asked him, who will take over the Daqi Trade Road?
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Jun carefully chose his words: "The Daqi Trading Road is located in the hinterland of the Western Region. Firstly, there are many surrounding forces and there are many conflicts; secondly, the taxes and tributes on the trading road mostly come from the government, so they need to be managed carefully; thirdly, the trading road
If you are close to Tubo and Big and Small Bolu, you may be harassed. Therefore, the person who takes over the trade route must not only be familiar with financial management and business, but also know how to treat the border people, and finally must know how to deploy troops."
Li Longji frowned while listening: "How complicated is the situation on Daqi Commercial Road?"
Zhou Jun raised his head and glanced at Li Longji, and unconsciously advised: "Your Majesty, the Tang Dynasty has a vast territory and is surrounded by powerful enemies. Although the Daqi Trade Road has a lot of taxes and tributes, it must be carefully planned..."
Although Zhou Jun said these words in a vague way, he secretly wanted to remind Li Longji about expenses.
Unexpectedly, Li Longji didn't take these words to heart at all. He just smiled and said: "Tian Tang Shengyou, the Tang army won many victories, the Turks were wiped out, and Tubo was newly defeated. You and Yang Zhao have enriched my treasury. Where in the world are you?"
What other enemies can threaten me?"
These words came from Li Longji. Although he said them arrogantly, the indomitable momentum in his words made people feel confident after hearing them.
However, when Zhou Jun heard these words, he just sighed in his heart.
The Tang Dynasty was strong and prosperous for too long, and had smooth sailing for too long.
As the lord of the empire, Li Longji has long been blinded by this kind of comfort and power, paralyzed his mind, and can no longer listen to any warning words.
Zhou Jun had no choice but to lower his head and say "Hey."
After Zhou Jun left the room, Li Longji sat back on his seat and said, "Come out."
After a while, Yang Yuhuan and Yin Yu walked out from behind the screen.
Yang Yuhuan looked at Yin Yu, who was blushing, and said with a smile to Li Longji: "The female university was not admitted."
Li Longji said deliberately: "I think Zhou Jun is just ordinary and not a good match..."
Yin Yu was startled and quickly raised his head and said, "Father, I promised..."
Before she finished speaking, Yin Yu saw the joking expression on Li Longji's face and knew that she had been deceived. She screamed a few times and ran out of the room.
Only Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan were left in the hall.
Seeing Li Longji's thoughtful expression, Yang Yuhuan asked, "San Lang still has doubts in his heart?"
Li Longji nodded slowly.
Yang Yuhuan: "Zhou Jun's background is indeed lower, but his superiority lies in his character and ability..."
Before Yang Yuhuan could finish speaking, Li Longji shook his head and said: "This is not what I am worried about."
Yang Yuhuan: "What's that?"
Li Longji: "If Zhou Jun becomes the prince-in-law, he will definitely stay in Chang'an and will not be able to hold foreign posts. However, the Daqi Trade Road is too important to the Tang Dynasty, but I don't know who should replace him."
.”
Yang Yuhuan breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this and said to Li Longji: "Why don't we summon the important officials in the court to discuss this matter together?"