Wu Meiniang was a little unhappy and said in a stern tone: "Lang Jun's original intention of establishing the 'Shanghao' was to provide rice for Linyi, Annan and other countries. It was related to people's livelihood and ensured that every common people in the Tang Dynasty could have rice to eat, so the 'Shanghao' Not about benevolence and righteousness In a moral place, you should do whatever you can to ensure a sufficient supply of rice. It has only been a few years since the establishment of the 'Shanghao', but you have forgotten your original intention and returned to the hypocrisy of Confucianism. "< br>
Wang Xuance was sweating profusely. He stood up and tied his hands, not knowing how to reply.
In fact, this is exactly the case. After the situation was opened up with the cooperation of the navy's invincible fleet, the "firm" seemed to be slacking off. "Benevolence, justice, etiquette, wisdom and trust" once again gained the upper hand, and things began to pay attention to "the atmosphere of the country and the celestial dynasty". "Demeanor", intending to promote "Confucian benevolence" in the barbarian lands of the foreign countries, completely forgetting that the original intention of establishing the "trade name" was to plunder food from the foreign lands to enrich the country.
The purpose of the existence of "Business House" was to allow more people in the Tang Dynasty to have food to eat, rather than to spread "Confucian benevolence" to those people who were foreigners.
True "benevolence and generosity" should be reserved for one's own people, instead of wasting the resources of the empire to spread "celestial grace" to the barbarians...
Seeing that Wang Xuance was frightened, Wu Meiniang smiled warmly and said softly: "Send a letter to the south and ensure that the entire year's grain purchase amount is completed before August this year. No matter what method they use, there is no need to bargain. If Linyi, Annan, etc. If there is resistance, let the navy Send out a group of people to kill them fiercely. The empire spends countless money on the navy every year. They are not allowed to arrogantly roam around overseas. The blood of the barbarians must be used to show the empire's toughness. For this matter, you will set off for Chang'an to take up your post.”
"Here."
Wang Xuance was sincerely convinced and respectfully agreed.
In fact, when Fang Jun founded the "Dong Datang Company", his intention was to "grab profits by any means necessary" and use overseas wealth to fill domestic deficiencies. The first thing he did was to purchase rice to supply domestic needs.
However, after running for a period of time, public opinion in the country began to boil, accusing the "business" of being arbitrary and profit-seeking. This caused the barbarians of the foreign countries to complain against the Celestial Kingdom, and the people were plunged into dire straits.
How can we base the well-being of the people of the Tang Dynasty on the suffering of the people of friendly countries?
The Tang Dynasty governed the country with Confucianism and the world with filial piety, which should benefit the people...
At some point, this argument gradually gained the upper hand, causing the "firm's" code of conduct to change subtly. At this moment, when Wu Meiniang pointed it out, Wang Xuance suddenly woke up.
The navy was created by the empire with huge financial resources, and the salaries of the officials were the people of the Tang Dynasty. How could we use the material resources of the empire to please the country?
That doesn't make sense.
*****
When Wu Meiniang arrived at Cihuifang, the court's latest appointment for Ashina Zhong also arrived at Shangshanfang. Li Tai and Ashina Zhong welcomed the angel together.
"I hereby appoint Mr. Xue Guogong Ashina Zhong as the Shaoyin of Henan Prefecture. I hope that you will be loyal to the country, work diligently and live up to my high expectations..."
The appointment was made by the Ministry of Personnel, but it was issued through an imperial edict, which is enough to show that Li Chengqian attached great importance to this matter.
Ashina Tadashi couldn't help but be happy.
As a "surrendered general" and a Turkic nobleman, he has a loyal army composed of tribesmen under his command. However, because of this, he is usually deeply feared by the court, and he must be careful in every word and deed to avoid causing unrest. Necessary trouble.
He has no power, but his hands are tied.
Although "Shaoyin of Henan Prefecture" is only from the fourth rank, he is also the second assistant of the Prefecture Yin. He is also attached to Wei Wang Li Tai and can show his talents.
"It all depends on His Highness's recommendation. I am determined to follow Your Highness's lead and make further contributions to the empire!"
Ashina Chung knew his position and immediately expressed his loyalty to Li Tai.
Li Tai waved his hands disapprovingly and said with a smile: "I have no intention of fighting for the throne. There is no need for you to express your loyalty. Let's do our best to serve your majesty. Your majesty is generous. As long as Xue Guogong makes new achievements, he will definitely be reused. He will never return. Previous suspicions.”
Ashina Zhong laughed heartily: "Although I am a barbarian, my loyalty is flawless. I swore to follow Emperor Taizong to the death, and now I must be loyal to His Majesty. Now I am the Shaoyin of Henan Prefecture, and it coincides with His Highness's construction of the East Du, just obey your orders and serve your Highness, you are serving the empire.”
He knew that he was not good enough for His Majesty yet, but as long as he assisted Li Tai in his affairs, he would be able to get closer to the center and sooner or later he would be able to enter the highest level of power in the imperial court. There was no need to rush.
Even though the Tang Dynasty was vast and profound, tolerant and capable of accepting heroes from all over the world, it was still not easy for a Hu general who came from a Hu noble family to join the center. Ability, timing, and luck were all indispensable.
Li Tai shook his head and said: "The Tang Dynasty is inclusive, and Emperor Taizong is even revered as the 'Khan of Heaven'. How can we differentiate between Hu and Han? As long as they are loyal to the Tang Dynasty and work diligently, they will all benefit from me."
The royal family of Li and Tang Dynasty was born in the "Guanlong Clan", which originally emerged during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Among them, many Xianbei bloodlines, such as Changsun Wuji, Yuchi Jingde, Qu Tutong and others, waited until Emperor Taizong swept across Liuhe. , unify the eight wastelands, Many Turkic and other foreign ethnic groups also integrated into the Tang Dynasty, such as Ashina Simo, Ashina Sheer, Zhi lost Si Li, Qibi Heli, etc. Emperor Taizong treated them equally and made no distinction between them. The Tang Dynasty opened up territories and expanded its territory. All are due to the great contributions of these Hu generals.
This is the national policy of the Tang Dynasty. At least at the policy level, General Hu will be given extremely high treatment.
Of course, it was only limited to Hu generals with high status and ability. It was extremely difficult for ordinary Hu people to integrate into the Tang Dynasty. Even seeking to marry a Han woman was subject to extremely strict restrictions...
Ashina Zhong sighed: "This is an honor for me, Hu'er!"
……
Early the next morning, Li Tai summoned Henan officials to hold a meeting at Guanse, and Xu Jingzong, the Minister of Rites, also came to attend the meeting.
Pei Huaijie is now guilty and has suspended his official position as Henan Yin. Duan Baoyuan, the Shaoyin of Henan Prefecture, was present. Also present were the new Shaoyin of Henan Prefecture, Ashina Zhong, Jia Dunyi, the governor of Luozhou, and Xu Jingzong. He is the highest-ranking official in Henan Prefecture.
Li Tai pointed at Xu Jingzong: "Your Majesty's entrustment to Xu Shangshu is quite important. Please tell me about it."
"Here."
Xu Jingzong agreed and looked at the others: "The Central Committee established more than ten new policies, among which the measurement of acres was the first. The Tang Dynasty inherited the Sui Dynasty, overcoming all difficulties and swept away Shen Ke, and the national power was booming. It looked over the world and unified the eight wastelands. But because of the Sui Dynasty, The world is in turmoil at the end of the world, and dozens of bandits are fighting each other, resulting in the loss of population and the disappearance of land, which has a great impact on the country. The impact of tax collection, policy making, soldier recruitment, etc. on the family is very bad, and if things go on like this, it will become a chronic disease of the empire. Therefore, the central government formulates a plan, measures the land in the world, and compiles it. One is to formulate a map that includes Kyushu, and the other is to control the empire. I know the details of the population and land very well, and I hope you can help me wholeheartedly.”
The scene was very dull and everyone remained silent.
Although the real intention of the central government to measure the world's acres is not clear, the aristocratic families took advantage of the chaos of the late Sui Dynasty to absorb and seize countless lands. Once it is measured, there will definitely be no good.
But this policy was formulated by the central government and implemented nationwide as a national policy. Who can resist it and who dares to resist it?
Li Tai looked at Duan Baoyuan and Jia Dunyi, reached out and knocked on the table in front of him, and said calmly: "Jia Cishi, Duan Shaoyin, please express your stance."
Jia Dunyi remained silent.
Duan Baoyuan coughed lightly and said slowly: "This matter is huge and has a wide impact. It requires the collective efforts of the entire Henan Province. But now that Fu Yin is under scrutiny, Henan Province has no leader and no one can come forward to take charge of the overall situation. In my opinion, we might as well suspend it." It will take some time until the dust settles on the governor’s review before starting.”
Without Pei Huaijie, the "spokesperson" jointly elected by all the Henan clans to preside over the overall situation, who can make the families from all over the country cooperate fully?
Li Tai looked at Ashina Chu.
Ashina Zhong understood what Li Tai meant and said loudly: "How can national policies be stagnant because of someone? Xu Shangshu can make a detailed plan based on the land list of Henan Prefecture, and then the entire Henan Prefecture Yamen will fully cooperate and implement it. . During this process, anyone who dares to hold back will be captured. No one can contradict the central government’s policy, let alone His Majesty’s order!”
He is now a nail driven into Henan Mansion, vowing to drive a hole in this iron plate and then completely tear it apart.
Duan Baoyuan disagreed: "The land account books of Henan Prefecture are not complete. The reason is that at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the land was invaded and the ownership of the land was in a mess. After the founding of the country, it was followed the practice that whoever occupied it would cultivate it. It was a mess and it was difficult to clearly define the ownership of all the land. Without the governor’s call to all the clans, I’m afraid it would be impossible to clarify.”
Xu Jingzong sneered and said: "Who told you that whoever occupies the land will farm it? In the fifth year of Wude, Zuopushe, Sikong, and Wei Guogong Pei Ji took charge of the Shangshu Province, and they sent people to various places to compile land account books. The land is all registered, otherwise where would the Yongye fields that the imperial court has awarded to meritorious people over the years come from? However, there are no more rewarded fields around Luoyang. Where have all the fields gone? You are governing Henan, but you have successively annexed the land to Dingkou, causing the Henan Prefecture to have insufficient troops all year round. It is simply shameless to confuse the facts and try to blame the chaos of the late Sui Dynasty!”
Every rise and fall of dynasties and changes in imperial power meant a cleansing and reorganization of power.
At the beginning of the founding of the dynasty, there must have been years of melee fighting. The population was wiped out in large numbers during the war, and there was a surplus of land. This surplus land became the benefits distributed by the new power group. It was only thirty years after the founding of the Tang Dynasty. The Henan region, where the war was the most brutal and the population decline was the most severe, had no land to allocate. Everyone knows what happened...