Datang: Rebirth of Li Chengqian, the beginning of the treason interrogation

Chapter 74: Changsun Wuji comes to the fore again

The memorial ceremony had not yet been completed. After Li Shimin and Li Chengqian lit the incense sticks, they left the Temple of Martial Arts under the escort of the Dragon Guards.

When the imperial guards marched, people all stood far away from them. Anyone who did anything beyond that would be shot.

"Your Majesty, the Right Servant Changsun Wuji comes to pay his respects!"

Outside the imperial chariot, General Li Junxian of the Longwu Imperial Guard came to pay his respects.

He was deeply trusted by Li Shimin and served as his personal guard, but in the end he was blamed for Wu Zetian and executed by Li Shimin.

"Let him in!" said Li Shimin.

The imperial carriage is very large and can accommodate many people at the same time. It is the emperor's temporary work place.

Changsun Wuji walked over hurriedly, his face looking extremely ugly, as if he had swallowed a fly alive.

"Who suggested to your majesty that the army should be paid? This will shake the foundation of the country and cause an uproar in the court and the country!"

As soon as Changsun Wuji entered the carriage, he clapped his hands loudly. Doesn't this mean that Li Shimin has no place to spend the money?
"Duke Zhao, it was I who advised Your Majesty to restore the military pay system."

Li Chengqian spoke directly. He did not want to publicly offend the first meritorious official of Lingyan Pavilion, but as the crown prince, he naturally would not be afraid of him.

If Changsun Wuji were still alive after he came to power, he would definitely be the first one to be taken down.

In fact, this person is no longer Li Chengqian's uncle, so he has no burden.

"this…"

Changsun Wuji hesitated to speak and looked at Li Chengqian and Li Shimin.

"You say it!" Li Shimin spoke. He did not feel anything about Changsun Wuji's behavior which was beyond the line.

"Distributing military salaries is a huge expense. We in the Tang Dynasty can still afford it in the past few years, but in a few years, will our tax revenue be able to pay for such expenses? Where will the money and food come from then?"

Changsun Wuji was worried, not only about the loss of his own money, but also about the turmoil in the court.

Because the expenditure of the national treasury must have a source.

The so-called taxes are either from the people or from businessmen.

"It is not given to every sergeant every month, but it is given when he is in military service."

Li Chengqian said.

The fubing system is a system in which soldiers and farmers are integrated. During wartime, they would rush to the battlefield, but there would be no main labor force at home.

This resulted in fields being left uncultivated, and the elderly and children being unable to make a living. Paying military salaries could only be considered as supporting their families and avoiding a situation in which their families were broken up.

Changsun Wuji frowned, not understanding Li Chengqian's intention.

"Since Your Majesty and the Crown Prince both think it is feasible, then let's do it. However, the ministers may have some objections."

Things have come to this point and have become a settled situation, so Changsun Wuji can no longer make any further comments.

In their eyes, the lower class people are just tools to be used, and they don’t care about their life or death at all.

They don't know that behind a soldier lies a family. If he dies in battle or doesn't return for many years, his original family will suffer a devastating disaster.

The population dropped sharply from more than 4000 million during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui to more than 1200 million during the Zhenguan period. It is obvious that so many people were not killed in the war, but rather in starvation.

Of course, this is not accurate data, because due to tax issues, the aristocratic families would conceal a part of the population of their clan.

If one person serves in the army, the whole family will suffer. Therefore, when recruiting soldiers during the Zhenguan period, many people cut off their own hands and feet in order to escape conscription.

In the end, Li Shimin had to issue a decree that if such incidents were discovered, the punishment would be doubled.

The issuance of military pay is just an effort to maintain the existing population of the Tang Dynasty as much as possible.

The Zhenguan Reign was only a prosperous era for the ruling class.

However, many issues cannot be discussed with these people because their ideas are already solidified. It is because Li Shimin values ​​the Tang Dynasty that he repeatedly listened to Li Chengqian's advice, but this is only a temporary solution and not a fundamental solution.

There are still too many institutional bad habits.

In particular, the equal-field system and the military service system had already developed to their peak. If they were not reformed, even if Li Chengqian was a time traveler and the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, he would be powerless to change the trajectory of their demise.

Li Shimin was also worried along the way. He was also considering a way out. The equal distribution of land had caused destruction, so where should he start? Paying military salaries was just a way to solve the immediate problem.

When they arrived at the imperial city, Li Chengqian also got off the imperial carriage and went to the Eastern Palace.

"Your Highness, what are you worried about?"

Concubine Su gently hugged Li Chengqian's shoulders, making him feel very relaxed.

"Nothing, I just have to go to the battlefield, and may not be able to see the Lantern Festival." Li Chengqian smiled, looking very relaxed.

There are still thirty or forty years before the collapse, so Li Chengqian is not so worried. He has unknowingly adapted to the identity of the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.

Everyone is thinking about the problem from the national level, and they are more concerned about the grassroots people.

They are inconspicuous, but they are related to the future and destiny of a country.

There is no trace of them in the history books; all their civil and military achievements belong to the ruling class.

"When will we set off?" Su Fei asked with concern.

"It may be the middle of the month. The ships have already gathered. It will not work if I, the commander-in-chief of the three armies, do not go." Li Chengqian joked.

"Your Highness, please bring a few more servants with you."

"We are going to fight, not to travel."

Li Chengqian smiled bitterly. If he took the servants with him, the chronicle would probably be several pages thicker.

"That's true. In fact, Your Highness doesn't have to go to the war. Your Highness is the crown prince, how can you make such a long journey?" said Concubine Su.

"Of course there is a reason why I have to go." Li Chengqian did not explain too much, but closed his eyes and enjoyed Su Fei's massage.

……

"Zuo Pushe, come here quickly and tell me what this is. Can such a large martial arts temple really be built in just one month?"

After the sacrifice, the Minister of Works Li Daliang pulled Xu Jingzong's sleeve and came to the concrete pillar.

How come such a big project skipped over him, the Minister of Works?
This stuff is harder than stone.

How to carve like this in such a short time?

Li Daliang has a thousand questions in his mind.

"I've already said that this is cement. As for how it was made like this, you'll have to ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Xu Jingzong also wanted to know. He had been supervising for a month and was still confused.

Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince?
Li Daliang turned around, got on the carriage, and headed for the East Palace.

At this time, Li Chengqian was taking a short rest, lying on a recliner.

Wu Xing and Lin Zhi saw someone trying to rush in, so they stepped forward quickly and asked, "Who are you? How dare you break into the important area of ​​the East Palace?"

"I am Li Daliang, the Minister of Industry, and I have an urgent matter to discuss with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Daliang replied breathlessly.

Wu Xing and Lin Zhi naturally did not dare to neglect it, so they turned around and entered the palace.

(End of this chapter)