Three whips break the father-son relationship, please call me prince

Chapter 171: Temple Calculation and Torture in Progress

After a long time, the cheers stopped.

After more than an hour of work report, Fang Xuanling finally finished most of it, and the highlight was next.

"As the ancients said, if you plan ahead, you will succeed, but if you don't plan ahead, you will fail."

"After your Majesty's review and approval, the central government, various government offices, prefectures, and provincial government offices, as well as the prefectures and military guards, are temporarily allowed to try out the temple budget expenditures."

"List the items clearly, make sure the destination is clear, and keep the accounts clear."

Fang Xuanling paused and said, "After statistics, it is estimated that next year, the government expenditure will be 18 million guan."

"These include national fertility policies, road construction, education, medicine, and local government spending."

"Military expenditures are estimated at 15 million guan..."

Hear the words.

There was a commotion in the hall.

Li Chengqian's eyelids also twitched.

My goodness, the military expenditure is almost catching up with the government expenditure.

The total budget of the temple added up to 33 million strings of cash, which seemed to be 2 million strings of cash less than this year.

But the military calculations have increased.

"His Majesty……!"

Someone immediately stood up and expressed doubts.

Li Chengqian stopped him and said, "If you have any questions, we can talk about them later. Let Zuo Pushe finish his story first."

"Yes……!"

The official had to sit down.

Fang Xuanling continued to talk about the temple calculations, announcing to the public the upper limit of court expenditures in the 17th year of Zhenguan.

The ministers in the court were discussing the matter and had different opinions on the temple calculations.

Li Chengqian said: "Okay, now please give us your opinions on the work report of the Shangshu Province and the arrangements for the imperial court that Zuo Pushe has given us."

"I have an opinion."

An official stood up, it was the Minister of Personnel.

"Please say!"

Fang Xuanling sat up straight and waited for questioning.

"Excuse me, Zuo Pushe, last year's military expenditure was more than 13 million strings of cash."

"What was it used for?"

"Why would so much be spent? Even if there was a campaign against Xueyantuo, it wouldn't have cost so much."

The Minister of Personnel said, "Besides, the military budget has increased instead of decreased, rising to 15 million strings of cash. Will there be any foreign expeditions next year?"

"Is there still a war?"

"Even if the government soldiers were reorganized, the military budget for this year would still be over 10 million."

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I think this is unreasonable and you must give the court a clear explanation."

He bowed and said.

Li Chengqian didn't know what Li Shimin's expression was, but he was sure it must not be a good one.

He almost realized the trick behind this military calculation.

I guess some things were inflated.

"Zuo Pushe, what's your explanation?" Li Chengqian asked.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, and all the gentlemen."

Fang Xuanling said: "This military plan was submitted by the Ministry of War and approved by Your Majesty."

"As for last year's military expenditure, as we all know, the battle with Xueyantuo took place in winter, so the expenditure on the march was relatively large. In addition, the rewards for the soldiers were also a large expense."

"and many more!"

Li Chengqian interrupted and said, "Zuo Pushe, you are summarizing it. You have a general understanding but don't know the details."

"How about this."

He looked at the ministers and said, "Minister of War, please explain this to us gentlemen."

"After all, the temple calculation was submitted by your Ministry of War."

Li Xiaogong was stunned. What the hell?

You didn't ask me to take action.

It’s not Your Majesty, why don’t you take care of it?
What can I say now that I am here?

Li Shimin slightly turned his head and did not look at Li Xiaogong's request for help. Since the grand court meeting was chaired by the crown prince and the direction was correct, it was not easy for him to interfere.

"Come on, Minister of War."

Li Chengqian shouted.

The eunuch brought out a cushioned low table and placed it slightly in front of Fang Xuanling, leaving a certain distance between them.

"I……!"

Li Xiaogong had no choice. With all the ministers watching him, he couldn't do anything even if he wanted to.

He had no choice but to hold his nose, stand up and walk forward, bowing to everyone before sitting down.

The military officers all looked solemn and serious.

Even the Prince of Hejian was dragged away and tortured.

Maybe they won't be able to escape.

Li Jing sighed in his heart, see, greed.

It's even higher than what I reported.

Now, stand up and accept the questioning.

"Regarding the inquiry from the Minister of Personnel, I respond as follows."

Li Xiaogong thought for a moment and said, "What Zuo Pushe just said is only part of the story. Regarding the pensions and preferential treatment for the fallen soldiers, our Tang Dynasty has made unprecedented changes."

"Especially for the widows and children of heroes and martyrs."

This can be explained.

But the ministers were not satisfied. How much money could this cost?
"In addition, the reform of the Fubing requires the placement of a large number of Fubing soldiers, the mobilization of the army, and the distribution of food, fodder, and equipment, etc."

“These are all in the account books.”

Li Xiaogong spoke more fluently, his thoughts gradually became clearer, and he said: "This year's temple divination was obtained after careful calculation."

"Next year's military focus will be the deepening of the reform of the Fubing system. We will recruit a large number of soldiers and be responsible for their pay, supplies, clothing, weapons, armor, war horses, etc."

"In addition to the Imperial Guard, we expect to recruit 100,000 to 200,000 troops next year."

"All needs will be borne by the court."

"Gentlemen, the temple calculations are already very conservative. The Ministry of War has repeatedly counted and verified them."

The Minister of Personnel said, "Prince of Hejian, this doesn't cost more than 10 million."

"Does this include the possible war costs next year?"

Li Xiaogong said: "How can we calculate the war? This is another matter..."

"That's strange. With 15 million guan, my Tang Dynasty can support a million-strong army."

"That's too much. The imperial court takes care of everything for the soldiers. How can it possibly support an army of one million?"

Someone stood up and said, "Your Majesty, there is something fishy about the military calculations. There are so many calculations, but the possible wars are not included. It is obviously an over-report."

"I think it should be reduced by a maximum of five million."

Li Xiaogong glared, "Last year, we spent more than 4 million to place the soldiers in the government. This 5 million is nothing." "You don't understand military affairs, so stop talking nonsense."

Another official stood up and argued, "Prince of Hejian, you have too many military plans."

"Government expenditures are only 18 million, but the military is asking for 15 million."

"What's the point of this?"

"Is the military's expenditure comparable to that of the entire Tang Dynasty?"

After these words were spoken, other officials could no longer sit still.

"That's right, he's so arrogant, asking for 15 million right out of the blue, is he trying to support a young master?"

"The total budget of the imperial court is 33 million, and the military budget accounts for more than half of it. Can you use it all?"

"Although the military is important, it is not too expensive. If the tax revenue is high this year, what if it is low next year? Wouldn't that mean the deficit will be spent on the military?"

Court officials expressed their opinions one after another and disagreed with the military plan.

Li Chengqian didn't say anything either. What was he so anxious about?

He still didn't know how it got so high.

Considering Li Xiaogong's expenses, he really doesn't need so much.

"No, why don't you need so much?"

"You are not the ones fighting this war, what do you know?"

Li Xiaogong retorted angrily, but he was alone and weak, and could hardly resist.

In the end, Cheng Zhijie and others also stood up to argue.

Tang Jian's face also flushed as he retorted excitedly.

He had served as the Minister of Civil Affairs and knew that the budget was over the limit and extremely high.

But he is now the ideological guide and civil servant of the army.

No matter how high the budget is, it will be good for him.

We must fight for it.

Princes like Li Ke also enjoyed the feast.

I didn't expect that a temple fortune telling would lead to such a fierce argument.

It’s so interesting.

handy.

Although Li Xiaogong was arguing, his mind was on Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, what should we do?"

"You should list it separately and include the expenses for preparing for the conquest of Goguryeo."

"Now everyone is questioning it."

Li Shimin also knew that if he did not take action, it would be difficult to convince the temple.

"Cough cough!"

He coughed twice, and the Tai Chi Hall became quiet.

"I've seen the military report submitted by the Ministry of War, and there really aren't any major problems."

Li Shimin said: "After all, the times are different now. The reform of the government soldiers will inevitably require money in many places."

"This temple calculation has been decided."

"No need to discuss this further."

After he said that, everyone stopped arguing.

Li Chengqian was certain that this temple divination must have been instructed by Li Shimin, but he was not sure what it was for.

Since he said so, Li Chengqian was not going to intervene.

As for military matters, let’s not worry about them for now.

"Everyone, do you have any comments?"

Li Chengqian asked.

"Your Majesty, I have a question. Why did the Ministry of Works budget so much as two million guan?"

The officials of the Imperial Censorate questioned, "It wouldn't take so much to repair the river bank and dredge the river."

“This looks to be more than three times as much as last year.”

Li Chengqian said: "Minister of Works, you answer it."

Zhang Liang had a solemn expression on his face. He went up and sat where Li Xiaogong had just sat, accepting the torture.

"Since Your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince criticized the Ministry of Works for not making progress and just sitting there doing nothing, the Ministry of Works has been determined to innovate farm tools and develop efficient farming equipment."

"Therefore, this year the Ministry of Industry has decided to invest a large sum of money in the research and development of craftsmen."

"That's one point."

"Secondly, the Ministry of Works will undertake the construction of two official roads, one connecting Chang'an directly to the grassland and the other to Anxi."

"Although the main laborers for the construction are the young and strong captives from the grasslands, we only need to ensure their food, and no other expenses will be incurred."

“But the materials needed for the road are quite a lot.”

"In addition, the Ministry of Works will also repair and maintain the official roads in various places."

After Zhang Liang finished speaking, he said, "Your Majesty!"

"I think there are not enough temples for the Ministry of Industry. It would be better if we could add more."

Originally, torturing him in the Ministry of Works Temple was too much.

As a result of what he said, the Ministry of Industry actually had fewer employees.

"Your Majesty, so according to the estimate, the Ministry of Works has too few temples."

Wei Zheng said: "The military budget is so high. The Ministry of Works is responsible for the maintenance and construction of official roads, and the army will also be used."

"Shouldn't we make some more calculations as appropriate?"

Zhang Liang also said hurriedly: "If there is no increase in temple budget for the expansion of the official road in Hebei Province, the Ministry of Works may not be able to come up with the money."

A flash of surprise crossed Li Chengqian's mind.

Expansion of Hebei Road?
Li Shimin was heading for Goguryeo.

No wonder the military temple is considered so highly ranked, it turns out that’s the trick.

It seems that Li Shimin has already started preparing for the expedition against Goguryeo.

Still hiding it.

He must be afraid of opposition from the ministers.

"In this case, how much do you think should be added to the Ministry of Works?" Li Shimin asked.

"How about a million?"

Everyone fell silent. Li Chengqian felt that future construction would depend on the management of the Ministry of Works.

Adding a million wouldn’t hurt.

Furthermore, next year's taxes should be higher, not lower, than this year's.

The reason why the temple did not plan to cover this year's tax revenue was probably because it left enough margin.

No one knows what will happen next year, and the current budget is also calculated based on last year's expenditure.

Then the temple calculations for other departments followed.

When someone raised some objections, Li Chengqian would arrest the minister of that department and torture him.

Zhangsun Wuji, the Minister of Civil Affairs, was also tortured.

(End of this chapter)