A Good Landlord in the Tang Dynasty: Starting from the Village Chief

Chapter 262 Tower View
"Take these people away and give them a proper rest. Find all the coin minters from the workshop and detain them in a separate camp. Give them an extra meal of millet porridge every day."

Talent is always precious.

Li Yi felt that these people were able to mint tens of thousands of coins a month and could also mint such high-quality Wuzhu coins. They definitely should not be detained like ordinary bandits and refugees.

Li Jing handed him a list of workshops that had been confiscated.
"The workshop minted a lot of copper coins, but most of them have been used up. The workshop only collected a few hundred coins and a pile of materials."

Old Cheng was puzzled: "These thirty-six coin-making furnaces, if working at full capacity, could produce ten thousand strings of coins in a month. How come we only managed to collect a few hundred strings? Did someone embezzle some?"

Li Jing smiled and looked at Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin.

Luo Shixin glared at Cheng Yaojin angrily: "Old Cheng, are you asking for a beating? My second brother and I captured Yishou Palace, and we also sealed off this workshop. Are you saying that we embezzled it?"

"Luo Dadan, that's not what I meant. I was saying, could it be that during the darkness and chaos when you attacked last night, your soldiers stole it, or could it be that this bandit hid the minted coins somewhere else?"

"Old Cheng, don't talk nonsense. After we attacked Yishou Palace last night, we immediately sealed off every place. No one looted at all, and those thieves had no chance to move.
We have already interrogated them. Although this workshop has a large amount of private casting, they also buy a lot of copper materials. In addition, they also purchase a lot of food, cloth, salt, horses, iron materials, etc., so they can't save much at all.
There are nearly 20,000 refugees in this mountain, with plenty of food for people and horses, and many more refugees come into the mountain to seek refuge every day..."

Yishou Palace is now a huge refugee camp in the mountains.

There's a mess everywhere.
Outside the palace, many refugees gathered in the valleys. They reclaimed wasteland, planted crops and vegetables, and raised pigs and chickens.
It has a bit of apocalyptic wasteland style.
It's a pity that this damn place can't support so many people. Even if they mint copper coins privately, they still need materials and capital, not printing paper money.

The increasing population not only greatly increased Zhu Shanhai's strength and expanded it, but also forced them to go down the mountain to attack cities and plunder, otherwise they would collapse.

However, this expansion did not improve the actual military strength. Even though they defeated He Panren and Zhao Qin twice, it was only because the other side underestimated the enemy and used their ambush tactics.

Although this Black Mountain Valley is dangerous,
But it can only support a small group of about a hundred people at most, no more than that.

"Wei Ting is already on the way," Liu Heizi reported.

Li Yi was writing to the emperor, reporting the discovery of a private minting workshop. He hurriedly wrote to the emperor, "Please mint new coins for the Tang Dynasty." "Has Sheren Cui returned yet?"

"Not yet. I'm checking the camp and questioning everyone, both the soldiers and the prisoners."

"Just send a team of people to follow and guard him, and don't worry about the rest."

After writing the memorial,

Li Jing came over and said, "The abbot of Louguan, Qi Pingding, sent people to deliver food from the abbey to reward the troops."

"Has Louguanqi been pacified?"

"Well, that person is also the Jinzi Guanglu Dafu official bestowed by His Majesty himself."

Louguan Dao was an important Taoist sect in the north during the Wei, Zhou and Sui dynasties. It had a tradition of observing the stars at night. People built towers out of grass and observed the stars and the weather, hence the name Louguan.

Louguandao is located in the Zhongnan Mountains in the south of Zhouzhi County.

The current Louguan abbot was originally named Qi Hui, a disciple of the previous abbot, Su Daobiao. Legend has it that in the seventh year of the Daye reign, Emperor Yangdi issued an edict to conquer Liaodong. Qi Hui, having observed celestial phenomena, foresaw a change in the heavenly order and told his disciples that the descendants of Laozi would soon rule the world, and that our religion would flourish thereafter.

Two years ago, Li Yuan raised an army in Jinyang, and Li Sanniang stationed troops in Yishou Palace. Qi Hui provided food and grass from the temple to support the army. When Li Yuan arrived at Puzhen Pass, Qi Hui even declared that this true master had come and would pacify the four directions. So he changed his name to Pingding and sent more than 80 Taoist priests from the temple to welcome him. He was therefore awarded the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu.

Before Li Yuan attacked Chang'an City, he specially sent envoys to Louguan to hold a ceremony and pray for blessings, and he indeed conquered Chang'an the next day.

It can be said,
Louguan has always had a good relationship with the imperial court and the royal family, and now the relationship is even better.

"Last year, Lü Baosheng, and this year, Zhu Shanhai, have been occupying Sizhu Garden and Yishou Palace. They've been neighbors with Louguan for so long. How do they get along?"

"It is said that they don't interfere with each other and get along quite harmoniously." Li Jing said with a smile.

One is the Taoist Louguan sect who is detached from the world, and the other is a bandit who is leading refugees. Louguan sect looks down on them, and the bandits dare not provoke Louguan sect.

This Louguan is not a small sect, but the most powerful sect in Taoism today.

However, Li Yi doubted that they could live in peace with each other after being neighbors for so long. Maybe they had some private dealings, but there was no evidence, it was just speculation.

Li Yi stood up to greet the Taoist priest from Louguan.

When they arrived, they found out that Qi Pingding had come in person, bringing with him more than a hundred Taoist priests and hundreds of tenants from the Taoist temple, carrying mules and people carrying bags, and a lot of food and fodder.

There were also one hundred jars of Taibai wine, twenty live sheep, and some bacon, smoked chicken, etc.

The reward is quite generous.

"I heard that General Li is punishing evildoers, so I sent you a small gift to thank you for protecting the country and the people."

Li Yi, the newly promoted Yinqing Guanglu Doctor, was only a third-rank official, while Qi Laodao was a third-rank Jinzi Guanglu Doctor.

"Thank you Master Qi!"

Qi Hui is in his fifties, very thin, and has a somewhat immortal look.

"I heard that Manager Li also practiced Taoism in the past?"

"I was adopted by Taoist Master Li from Wuji Temple in Yusu Township, Wannian County when I was young, and I studied Taoism for sixteen years..."

"I heard that Master Li is quite capable. What a pity it was an accident."

Old Niu Bizi and Little Niu Bizi were very friendly when they met and had a good chat.

The old Taoist was wearing the purple Taoist robe awarded by the emperor, and Li Yi was wearing the purple round-collar official robe.

"How does Chief Li plan to deal with these bandits?"

"Your Majesty has issued an edict. After a careful screening, the ringleaders will be sent to Chang'an for trial and sentencing. The rest will be pardoned and resettled in various prefectures and counties in Guanzhong."

"Blessings are endless."

Li Yi drank tea with the Taoist priest, chatting casually. He was actually a little confused about the old man's intentions. Even if he knew the government troops were suppressing bandits, sending some food and fodder to support them would be normal. But coming in person, bringing over a hundred Taoist priests and hundreds of tenants, seemed a bit too much. When he went to welcome Li Yuan into the country, he only brought about eighty Taoist priests.

But after talking with the Taoist priest for a long time, I still couldn't understand anything.

In the afternoon,

The sun came out of the sky,

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

Li Jiancheng, surrounded by many generals, came slowly on horseback, wearing gilded silk armor and a white fox fur coat.

Li Yi, Qi Hui and others went forward to pay their respects.

The prince first greeted Li Yi warmly, then looked at Qi Hui and said, "I didn't expect Master Qi to be here too. I was planning to go to Louguan tomorrow to pay homage to Laozi's lecture platform."

Li Jiancheng had some expectations for the Yishou Palace,

But after he took a walk around with Li Yi, he found that the place had been ruined beyond recognition, so he left with a look of disgust on his face.
The East Palace entourage set up their tent on a beautiful mountain far away from the chaos.

Set up the tent, set up the tables,
Make tea, grill meat,
And good wine.

Li Jiancheng seemed to be on a picnic in the mountains.

The prince sent an order to summon all the powerful families in Zhouzhi, and invited them to hunt in Nanshan.

This made Li Yi a little confused for a moment. He had said before that he was in a hurry to march to Yuanzhou, but now he still had time to come here hunting?
Li Yi still didn't quite understand His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

On that day, all the powerful and wealthy families in Zhouzhi County and Hu County were summoned.

The prince invited them to go hunting together, and they dared not refuse.

But when the hunt started, Li Yi discovered Prince Jiancheng's plan. He actually wanted to use the name of hunting to continue to clear out the bandits in Nanshan.

"Since the Sui Dynasty's rebellion, bandits have been gathering in the Nanshan area around Sizhuyuan. There are countless gangs, both large and small. This time, Lord Qianshui defeated the most powerful group, Zhu Shanhai, on behalf of the imperial court.
But there are still many in the mountains. If we don't eradicate them completely, they'll soon start causing trouble again. This time, we might as well wipe them out completely."

The prince summoned the powerful and wealthy people from the two local counties to act as guides and provide food and fodder for the suppression of the bandits.

"I would like to borrow some food and fodder from all the local sages present here, and I will return them all to you later!"

Hearing that the prince wanted to borrow grain,

A group of wealthy and powerful people all looked miserable. Food was so expensive these days. If they lent it to the prince, there was a high probability that they would never get it back.

"Borrowing 1,800 dan is not too much, and borrowing 180 dan is not too little," Li Jiancheng said with a smile, but it was equivalent to saying that at least 180 dan must be borrowed from each person.

The wealthy and powerful people looked at each other, and no one was willing to speak first.

The atmosphere was a little awkward for a moment.

Li Jiancheng laughed twice.

Prince Zhongyun Wang Gui stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I have received a report that someone is secretly colluding with bandits and making deals with them.
Some sold grain to the mountain bandits at high prices, even selling prohibited materials like iron, copper, cattle and horses to the bandits. Some even recruited the bandits to rob their enemies.

"Oh, really?" Li Jiancheng's eyes swept across the faces of the wealthy people, and some of them had already changed color when they heard his words.

"Who is it? Do you have any evidence?"

"Yes, they have named many people and provided evidence. As long as we follow the clues, I believe these people will have nowhere to hide!"

"Humph, colluding with bandits, not only doing secret deals, but also passing on information, and even hiring thieves to kill people, how audacious! If we find anyone like this, we will punish him severely. Confiscating his property and exiling him wouldn't be too much!"

Li Yi secretly observed the expressions of those wealthy and powerful people. Many of them had changed their expressions, and some even turned pale. Sweat appeared on their foreheads in the cold weather.

Even Qi Hui, the abbot of Louguan Dao next to him, looked a little unnatural.

"Your Highness, Louguan Dao is willing to donate a thousand stones of grain to help the army eliminate the bandits and bring peace to the villagers." Qi Hui stepped forward and donated a thousand stones of grain.

At the current grain price, this is worth ten thousand pieces of silk, and he just sent over three hundred shi of grain.

The building is grand and magnificent.

But it also made Li Yi more convinced that they must have dealings with Zhu Shanhai and other thieves. It cannot be said that Lou Guan was behind Zhu Shanhai and other thieves, but they must have had a lot of transactions behind the scenes.

"I am willing to provide 100 stone of military rations!"

"I will donate 200 shi!"

With Qi Hui taking the lead, all the powerful families began to donate grain. Some donated 100 dan, some donated 200 dan. In a blink of an eye, Wang Gui had recorded 10,000 dan of grain donations.

Li Jiancheng smiled brightly and handed the so-called letter of accusation given to him by Wang Gui to Li Yi.

"Shallow Water County Lord, the matter of collusion with bandits will be left to you to investigate."

Looking at the folded booklet handed to him, Li Yi felt countless eyes cast upon him.

He knew that this booklet was a hot potato.

"Your Highness, everyone makes mistakes. I believe many people were simply coerced by bandits. I suggest that we give those people a chance to redeem themselves. Anyone who has had contact with bandits,
You can come to me privately later and explain the situation clearly. Depending on the severity of the situation, I can then offer you money, silk, and food to atone for your sins, or lead soldiers to find the bandits' hiding place and help suppress them. I will forgive you for your sins!"

"If you conceal it and don't report it, then when I find you, don't blame me for not giving you a chance, not to mention that the law of the country is ruthless!"

(End of this chapter)