Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 376 We didn't do anything, we were just preparing to flatten Jinyang
"Your Majesty is truly... extraordinary."

Regarding His Majesty Li Ming's recent "brilliant ideas", Changsun Wuji commented as EQ-wise as possible.

There was still some distance between the harem where Empress Dowager Yang lived and the carriage station. The left and right prime ministers of the Ming Empire walked side by side.

In response to the complaints from his old colleagues and rivals, Fang Xuanling remained noncommittal:

"Your Majesty has made his own decisions, and we will follow them step by step."

Although the old man was talking, his steps were very swift, making it difficult for Changsun Wuji, who was about fifteen years younger than him, to keep up.

"Huh, but..." Changsun Wuji took a deep breath:
“Your Majesty has summoned a million civilians to the Shanxi battlefield, that’s all.

“But Your Majesty also wants to collect all the fats and oils in the world and ship them to Shanxi.

"To spend so much money on a local battle that has no impact on the overall situation, is this... too radical?"

To plunder the people's fat and blood (literally), this was the highest instruction Li Ming issued from the Shanxi front to the rear.

Any kind of fat will do: lard, butter, rapeseed oil, tung oil...anything that can act as a lubricant will be accepted.

He and Fang Xuanling, two prime ministers of the Ming Dynasty, visited the Empress Dowager today because of this decree.

This incident made Changsun Wuji very crazy.

"It's just a fight, why do we need so many strong men and lubricants?
"What on earth does your majesty want to do in Shanxi?"

Fang Xuanling shrugged his shoulders:

“Isn’t your majesty’s plan clearly written in your letter?
"First, use the civilians to level the mountain, and then..."

"Yes, I know. But..." Changsun Wuji interrupted:

"What effect do you want to achieve, Your Majesty? Will it really work if you do this? What should you do if you spend a huge amount of money but achieve nothing?"

Fang Xuanling remained nonchalant in response to a series of key questions from his work partner:

"We'll see what happens when it really happens. His Majesty always has his own plans."

Changsun Wuji's temples jumped when he heard this.

Sometimes, he really envied the original shareholders of Li Ming's "Fourteen Traitors".

Whether it was Fang Xuanling, Empress Dowager Yang, Fang Yize, Wei Daijia, or even his own great grandson, Chang Sunyan...

Each of them has an almost blind trust in Li Ming.

No matter what creative ideas the boss comes up with, they can accept, support and implement them with peace of mind.

Unlike Changsun Wuji, who started his career late, he was always worried about this and that, fearing that things would fail.

“Fats are precious things, even in Pingzhou, they are very expensive.

“It is not yet known what impact your majesty’s move will have on the war.

"But it has directly caused the price of oil and fat to soar across the country, seriously affecting people's livelihood."

Changsun Wuji sighed indirectly.

He is not exaggerating.

Although in the eyes of visitors from the Tang Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty was a place full of vitality and flourishing.

However, compared with the Ming Dynasty itself, the war still had a certain negative impact on people's livelihood.

Especially oil products.

The Ming Dynasty did not have productivity that surpassed its time, and oil crops such as peanuts and sunflower seeds had not yet been introduced.

Therefore, the annual oil production is not significant.

The market was already small, and Li Ming suddenly increased the demand for oil and fats using the war as an excuse.

With this operation, Hayek's big hand was decisively activated, pushing oil prices to a high level.

You can't just praise Ha's greatness when the free market works in your favor.

"War always has a price. The rise in oil prices is not a big problem. If the people of Ming Dynasty are educated and enlightened, and everyone stands together with the country, they will understand your majesty's good intentions."

Fang Xuanling still looked indifferent.

Similarly, the old house is not an exaggeration.

The people of the Ming Dynasty are all crazy fans of His Majesty Li Ming.

As long as Your Majesty needs it, it is not impossible for everyone to temporarily endure the soaring prices.

Oil and fat are not necessities of life like rice and grains. You won’t starve to death if you don’t eat them for a few days.

As long as there is no large-scale famine, it's not a problem.

The majority of the citizens of the Ming Dynasty were originally either half-Han and half-barbarian border residents of Liaodong, serfs of Goguryeo, or tenant farmers in Hebei who were doubly exploited by the Tang Dynasty and local clans.

We all have lived through hard times, so as long as we are not starving to death, it doesn’t matter if we use less oil when cooking. There is no need to be so pretentious.

The happy life we ​​have today is all thanks to the kindness of His Majesty Li Ming.

The people of the Ming Dynasty would not do such a thing as eating and destroying the pot.

"War always comes at a price. Fortunately, under your majesty's meticulous work, the foundation of our Ming Dynasty is solid, and there is no need for Lord Changsun to worry too much."

Fang Xuanling also blocked Changsun Wuji's second worry.

"This... Even if the people are not boiling with resentment, the huge cost of this war will also put a huge pressure on the national finances!" Changsun Wuji was still very uneasy.

"It costs a lot to buy oil and fat from all over the country, not to mention the millions of laborers."

When he heard the word "finance", Fang Xuanling's expression finally showed some changes.

If his youngest son Fang Yize was present at the scene, the disturbance would probably not be just “a little” ripple, but a huge storm.

Friends who often govern the country know that Li Ming implemented a set of actively expansionary fiscal policies in the Ming Dynasty.

Keynes is the body and Hayek is the use.

Although such an operation gave a shot of adrenaline to the national economy, it could also easily lead to a huge fiscal deficit.

In order to repay the war bonds, the chief "accountant" Fang Yize was stretched thin and had to use all his financial tricks to pay off the war.

Now, Li Ming's simple order caused even greater expenditure out of thin air.

How to fill such a huge fiscal and tax hole?
"Just issue another bond. Once the war is over, everything will be fine."

Fang Xuanling hesitated.

Even he couldn't convince himself that he would leave the thunder for the future.

Seeing Lao Fang's wavering expression, Chang Sun Wuji took advantage of the situation and pursued:

“Such a huge cost is spent just for a tactical victory.

"Is it worth doing this?"

Fang Xuanling's answer to this question from his colleague was consistent:

"Things will work out when the time comes. Your Majesty Li Ming will always have a solution."

Changsun Wuji was also speechless.

The conversation was like a dead end, back to square one.

The two of them just happened to walk to their respective carriages.

"Mr. Changsun, do you have any other questions? If not, I'll take my leave first."

Fang Xuanling climbed onto the carriage swiftly and couldn't wait to say goodbye to his colleagues, and each went his own way.

Although they both have the same office.

"... So be it. For the sake of the Ming Dynasty's national economy and people's livelihood, you and I need to pay more attention to it."

Changsun Wuji knew that the old fox was avoiding the question, but he also knew that as long as the old fox wanted, he would not be able to pry any meaningful answer out of the other party.

Before leaving, Fang Xuanling stuck his head out of the car window and shouted to Changsun Wuji:
"Mr. Changsun, you are so young but your steps are so unsteady. You should eat more lean meat, exercise more, eat less greasy food and worry less."

Are you teaching me the secret of being strong even in old age, or are you just worrying about my yin and yang? ... Changsun Wuji's mouth twitched as he watched Fang Xuanling's carriage drive away.

What a mess! What a mess!

The upper beam is crooked and the lower beams are crooked. The entire Ming Dynasty, from the emperor on down, is messing around!
"The situation in Shanxi does not affect the outcome of the war.

"But they chose to pour so much resources into this final battle... This is not the way a lion would fight a rabbit!
"Mess around, mess around! Whoever wants to do this job can do it!"

On the way back to the office, Changsun Wuji complained all the way.

But even though he complained, after returning to the office, he still calmly returned to his workstation.

Fang Xuanling had been sitting quietly for a long time, as if nothing had happened, and asked in a normal tone:

"Has the order to recruit one million civilians to the Shanxi front been drafted?"

Chang Sun Wuji replied expressionlessly:
"It has been drafted. Once the Minister of Housing has reviewed it and found it correct, it will be sent to all levels of prefectures and counties for implementation."

Fang Xuanling nodded expressionlessly: "Regarding the 62nd war bond..." Changsun Wuji took over the task expressionlessly:
"I'll draft the prospectus right away."

Even if there are many doubts in your mind.

But since His Majesty Li Ming has made the decision, as a subject, Changsun Wuji has no choice but to carry it out to the end.

This is the biggest difference between Li Ming and his father.

Before making a decision, Li Shimin would discuss the pros and cons with his confidants, emphasizing the importance of listening to advice.

Li Ming, on the other hand, is completely arbitrary and does not need his subordinates' opinions, but only wants them to execute his orders faithfully.

But the father and son also have something in common, that is, there are basically no problems with the decisions they make, and they are all proven to be correct in the end.

As long as the result is okay, no matter how bizarre the process is, in the end... there will be no problem, right?
"As the common people are known to others, I have also been somewhat influenced by the habits of the 'Fourteen Parties'."

Changsun Wuji smiled bitterly helplessly.

…………

A few days later, counties and prefectures across the Ming Dynasty received strange orders from their superiors:
Gather strong men and lubricants and send them to the Shanxi battlefield as soon as possible.

What kind of order is this? How much will it cost, and how will it help the war?
Every local official was puzzled by this incoherent and costly decree.

But when it came to the execution, no official said a word.

They purchased cooking oil and recruited laborers conscientiously and fulfilled the quotas assigned by higher authorities without fail.

With Pingzhou as the center, a large number of personnel and materials began to be mobilized.

They were like blood cells, gathering towards the Yellow River along the complex networks of roads and canals built by the Ming Dynasty across the country, like blood vessels.

On the banks of the Yellow River, tens of thousands of laborers, porters and sailors were ready to go. All resources would be loaded onto ships and sent upstream toward Shanxi.

The Ming Dynasty was like a complete organism, faithfully executing the instructions issued by the brain.

…………

"My son, I pay my respects to my mother."

"…Mother."

After settling in Pingzhou for a few days, Li Chengqian and Li Zhi went to Empress Dowager Yang's residence to pay their respects as agreed.

Li Chengqian was hesitant in calling her "Mother". In comparison, the ritual scholar Li Zhi called her with much more confidence.

Although it sounds a bit strange that the Emperor and Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty called the mother of the chief traitor "Queen Mother".

However, the title held by Empress Dowager Yang at this time was the legal wife of Li Shimin, the retired emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

She is indeed their legitimate “Queen Mother” in name only.

"Please take a seat. Liaodong is a bitterly cold place. You two have condescended to stay here. Are you used to living here?"

Empress Dowager Yang greeted the two of them with a cheerful face and asked the servants to serve tea to the two distinguished guests.

"Thank you, mother."

Although the Queen Mother had an easy-going attitude, the two "sons and ministers" did not dare to relax at all and sat down stiffly.

Because the woman in front of them was not just the empress dowager in name only.

She was actually the Empress of the Ming Dynasty.

They both realized that when Li Ming led the troops to war, Empress Dowager Yang would be in charge of looking after the household.

For all military and national affairs, the two prime ministers must obtain the approval of the empress dowager after reaching an agreement.

The Queen Mother and her retainers formed a stable and delicate relationship of mutual checks and balances.

In addition, the bureaucratic system designed by Li Ming himself is complex and sophisticated, and no one can control it except himself, which directly avoids the possibility of one party dominating.

This is the political basis for Li Ming to lead the army in person.

As for whether Empress Dowager Yang could play a role in restraining the two old foxes Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji, Li Chengqian and Li Zhi did not know.

But they knew that as long as Queen Mother Yang had this intention, they would probably not see the sun tomorrow...

"Hehe, you don't have to be so restrained."

Queen Mother Yang covered her mouth and smiled, then went straight to the point:

"Li Ming specifically instructed us to protect the royal family, especially the safety of the two of you."

The most horrifying words were said in the most gentle tone. After hearing that, the two dared not relax and their bodies tensed even more.

After explaining what needed to be explained, Empress Dowager Yang seemed to feel that the atmosphere was a little heavy, so she changed the subject:
"Have you two gotten used to living in Pingzhou? To be honest, as you know, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is not a person who likes to pay attention to ostentation.

"So, the residence of the royal family may not be as magnificent as the Taiji Palace. Please forgive me."

Empress Dowager Yang was still being conservative. The residence here was more than just “not so grand.”

Compared with Taiji Palace, it is really shabby.

So much so that she herself was embarrassed to call it a "palace" and just generally called it a "residence."

Li Zhi was still quick to react and answered immediately:

"He shared the joys and sorrows with the people, which was quite similar to the style of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty. Our father admired Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty the most."

Empress Dowager Yang nodded slightly at this perfect answer and said:

"Although the residence is small, Pingzhou is very big. If you two don't mind the remoteness, you can walk around the city and see more, and appreciate the different customs and practices from Guanzhong."

Li Chengqian noticed the implicit meaning of this sentence:
"My Queen Mother is saying that we can come and go here?"

Queen Yang covered her mouth and smiled slightly:
"Why do you say that? Of course you two can come and go freely. The second day after Ah Sizi came to Pingzhou, he was wandering around the city."

The two brothers looked at each other in surprise.

No wonder I haven’t seen Li Mingda these days.

That girl really is...easy-going!
"Thank you, mother, thank you, Li Ming... Your Majesty is so magnanimous."

Li Chengqian bowed sincerely.

Indeed, although his current food, clothing, housing and transportation are far from as grand as those in the Tang Dynasty, he is basically equal to the royal family of the Ming Dynasty itself, that is, Li Ming and Empress Dowager Yang.

He even enjoyed a certain degree of personal freedom - although, needless to say, there must be many secret sentries "protecting" him in secret.

For a king of a fallen country, for a man who should have been executed, what more could he ask for than to receive such treatment?

It is hard to say whether Li Ming did this out of brotherly love or because he simply did not take them seriously and did not think that his two brothers would pose any challenge to his family throne.

But judging from the results, it is always a win-win situation.

"Why are you two so polite?" Empress Yang said with a gentle smile:

"we are Family."

Regardless of whether this statement was sincere or not, Li Chengqian and Li Zhi were still deeply touched.

The stiff atmosphere softened unconsciously, and the three of them started chatting naturally.

"There is actually such a thing. Wei Gui has become like this?"

Empress Dowager Yang covered her mouth and sighed.

Li Zhi resisted the urge to burst out laughing and said solemnly:

"Yes, ever since that day when she had a glimpse of beauty with my mother, Aunt Wei has sometimes been bossy, as if she were the master of the world; and sometimes she has been humble and cowardly, like the lowest ant.

"It's like two souls imprisoned in one body."

It sounds like there was a series of palace fights within the Li Tang royal family, and Wei Gui was the defeated party, and was driven into schizophrenia.

Yes, after making sure that the threat to Li Chengqian and Li Zhi's lives had been lifted, how could Wei Gui be their opponent?
"It's really sad that this happened."

Empress Dowager Yang felt genuine regret, as if she had seen a dead cat run over by a carriage on the roadside.

"It seems that a lot of things have happened since you came to Pingzhou."

Li Chengqian immediately followed up:
"I have discovered that the atmosphere in Pingzhou has changed a bit compared to when we first arrived, and the people seem to be busy with something.

"Did something happen after we came here?"

In response to this question, Yang simply replied:
"Compared to Concubine Wei's madness, it's not a big deal."

Having said this, Li Chengqian and Li Zhi did not ask any more questions.

They still have a good comparison.

No matter how nicely Empress Dowager Yang spoke, both sides knew in their hearts that they were just captives.

As a prisoner, it would be impolite to pry into other people's military secrets.

Just when the two thought the conversation ended here.

Then I heard Queen Yang add calmly:
"We are just preparing to raze Jinyang."

(End of this chapter)