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

Chapter 83: The Eighty-fourth Clan’s Action Cuts Off the Food and Grass
The twelfth lunar month has arrived, and the sea breeze blows gently, bringing a hint of warmth.

At the port of Laizhou, hundreds of huge ships were docked there quietly, with battle flags fluttering in the wind, as if telling of the impending war.

"Your Highness, the food and fodder have not yet arrived. If we delay any further, I'm afraid it will affect the course of the war!"

Liu Rengui's face was solemn, and his voice revealed deep worry and self-blame.

As a general, he was well aware of the importance of food and fodder to the army, but now he couldn't even complete the most basic food and fodder preparation smoothly, which really let down Li Chengqian's trust in him.

Li Chengqian frowned when he heard this: "According to common sense, this situation should not happen."

He turned and looked at Liu Rengui with a questioning look in his eyes.

"The states and counties along the river have no food."

Liu Rengui said in a low voice, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes. This unexpected news put them in a difficult situation.

"Impossible, how could there be no food?"

The war mobilization had been advanced a long time ago, and even if there was no food in the local area, the transfer of food from other places should have been completed.

Moreover, before the autumn harvest, orders were sent to the prefectures and counties along the river that tax grain should not be turned in and should wait for ships to pick it up for use in the war.

There is sufficient food and fodder in all places along the river.

"Local officials said that the flood was severe, the people were displaced, and there was no tax grain. In addition, the grain from previous years was used to help people's livelihood." Liu Rengui said.

"Have you sent people to the treasury to check?" How could Li Chengqian believe such a low excuse?
"We sent people to search, but found no food or fodder."

Liu Rengui came to report to Li Chengqian only when the situation showed no improvement. This was beyond his authority and responsibility.

"How brave!"

Li Chengqian knew that only the aristocratic families who controlled officials at all levels could have such great power.

The implementation of the imperial examination system could not change the fact that the gentry monopolized official positions. This situation was not changed until the Song Dynasty.

Because after the An-Shi Rebellion, many of the aristocratic clans were killed. By the time of the Song Dynasty, there were not many aristocratic clans left, and they no longer had the voice they had when the aristocratic clans were at their peak.

This made the imperial examination system more fair and just, and it truly became a channel for people from poor families to advance in their careers.

The so-called imperial examination system in the Tang Dynasty was nothing more than a self-consolation.

Because the people who set the test questions were from the gentry, the people who supervised the examinations were also from the gentry, and the people who graded the papers were also from the gentry.

Otherwise, with Huang Chao's literary talent, why did he fail the exam several times?

It was because he was not from a noble family that his background had already been discovered by the time he entered the examination room.

You are a person from a poor family, so no matter how well you write, if the examiner says it is not good, then it is not good.

Does Li Shimin have to correct thousands of papers personally?

Of course not, it still needs the officials below to do it.

Therefore, the imperial examination system was just a changed form of the recommendation system. Not only did the poor people have no conditions to study, but even if they were very good at studying, they would never be able to succeed.

There are no poor families in the upper class, and there are no noble families in the lower class.

The middle and low-level officials are all descendants of aristocratic families, and they control the fate of the country.

"Your Highness, the land of the Two Rivers has plenty of food and grass, but now we can't get any food. I'm afraid someone is interfering."

Li Zhen whispered on the side, how could he not see the trick here.

"Wu Xing, is there any news about the Bad People?" Li Chengqian asked.

"Your Highness, there is news coming from Chang'an. It may be related to the Cui and Du families. The two families are now in frequent contact."

Wu Xing bowed and said that the Bad People were still unable to infiltrate the government, and they could not enter that group without the introduction of acquaintances.

The bad guys all come from humble backgrounds, which limits them a lot.

"Sure enough!" This was also within Li Chengqian's expectations. The aristocratic families started to make trouble.

"Don't these bastards know that this will harm the entire army?"

Cheng Chumo slammed the railing and said angrily.

"Do you still expect them to have a sense of home and country?"

Li Chengqian snorted coldly.

"There are also members of their clan in this army. Aren't they afraid of killing them all?"

Cheng Chumo found it hard to imagine what good would come of doing this.

"No, they are withholding food now because they don't want this battle to start, or they want to put pressure on Your Majesty in the court to achieve some purpose."

The war against Goguryeo was a war of plunder. The aristocratic families were all sharks that smelled blood. It was impossible for them not to support it because it was too profitable.

It was the sons of the common people who went to the battlefield, but after the city was captured, it was the upper class who enjoyed the fruits of war.

If they did not agree to go to war with Goguryeo, they would have opposed it long ago.

And now that he is making trouble, he is probably targeting the royal family, or himself, or he has other plans.

"The hearts of these people are so sinister. In order to achieve their shameful goals, they actually treat war as a joke and play with the lives of tens of thousands of people. It's simply lawless!"

Li Zhen was furious, but also felt helpless.

"Your Highness, the obstruction they are now doing is obviously aimed at you, Your Highness. Perhaps this is an act of resistance they are taking to express their dissatisfaction with your appointment."

Liu Rengui said on the side that he believed all this was caused by the turmoil caused by Li Chengqian handing over the full command of the navy to him.

In fact, this was a strong attack on imperial power by the aristocratic families.

It is the result of power game.

"Things are not as simple as you think." Li Chengqian shook his head.

He knew very well that he could not retreat, otherwise the imperial power would be further eroded.

Controlling the entire country's materials is the terrifying thing about the aristocratic families. This is also the lifeline of the entire empire. Most of the resources are in their hands, giving them great say.

Through this incident, Li Chengqian deeply realized the evil intentions of the aristocratic families. They not only dared to act, but also possessed sufficient strength.

In other words, without their approval, the imperial power is just a formality.

"They are plotting a rebellion!" Cheng Chumo's eyes were filled with murderous intent. Disobeying the emperor's orders, how could this not be a rebellion?

"The question now is how to resolve this dilemma. If it cannot be resolved, then the only option is to withdraw the troops."

Pei Xingjian's face changed slightly. He didn't know whether his Pei family was involved.

But being able to achieve such a comprehensive blockade must be related to this.

If the soldiers and horses are not moving, the grain and grass will go first.

The remaining food now may not even be enough to survive this winter.

"I want the list of officials who will be transporting the grain this time." Li Chengqian said.

"Yes!" Liu Rengui responded.

"Has it been reported to the court?" Li Chengqian asked again.

"It has been reported!" Liu Rengui replied.

Not only was their army facing a crisis, but Li Shimin was also further constrained in the court.

The aristocratic families are taking advantage of the situation.

(End of this chapter)