In the back hall of Taiji Palace.
Li Er supported his chin with his hand and was thinking about what Li Zexuan had said. The foundation of the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes was too huge, and they had a high reputation everywhere. It was easier said than done to weaken the aristocratic families.
The eunuch in the hall picked up the memorial that Li Er had used to hit Li Zexuan and carefully placed it beside Li Er's hand. Then, he quietly retreated to the side.
Li Er's eyes inadvertently swept over and realized that the memorial was the secret memorial that Qin Qiong had presented to him yesterday.
It was over. He was so angry that he forgot about the important matter.
"Men, quickly summon Li Zexuan back!"
Li Er hurriedly ordered.
"Yes!"
Although the eunuch was puzzled, he did not dare to ask. He quickly retreated and chased after Li Zexuan.
.....
"Waves, waves, waves. I don't need to go to court and don't wake up early. I'll sleep until daybreak tomorrow!"
Li Zexuan happily walked on the palace road. Although he was unable to kill the mastermind behind the scenes, Li Er had promised him that Wang Renyi would not come to provoke him in the future. More importantly, he would no longer have to attend this damned morning court.
Guessing that Han Yuxi should have come out of Qin Manor by now, Li Zexuan planned to go home and eat. He only had a bowl of porridge in the morning and did not even eat a steamed bun. Now, he was so hungry that his chest was sticking to his back. Uh, he almost forgot that the steamed buns of the Tang Dynasty were too disgusting. They were sour and had a strange taste. He once vomited after eating a mouthful.
"Lord Li, Lord Li, wait, His Majesty summoned you back!"
It was the same voice, the same place. Li Zexuan really wanted to jump into the pond and drown.
.....
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Li Zexuan bowed weakly. You dare not to come back when Old Li asked you to? You could say that he was a coward, but if you transmigrated, why don't you try being a coward?
"Don't make trouble. I just forgot something. I'll let you go after this."
When Li Er saw Li Zexuan fooling around, he wanted to laugh. He shook his head and said, "This is the secret memorial that Shu Bao presented yesterday. Take a look!"
A servant passed the secret memorial to Li Zexuan. Li Zexuan took it and flipped it open. It was a prophecy about the locust plague. It seemed that Qin Qiong could not wait any longer.
Li Zexuan skimmed through it and was stunned when he saw the last few lines.
"This old subject believes that the prophecy of the plague of locusts is eighty percent true. I hope that Your Majesty will make early preparations to prevent the plague of locusts from coming. Every time this old official thought about this, I couldn't bear it and boldly wrote a letter to inform His Majesty. If the plague of locusts does not arrive next year, I am willing to relinquish my title of Duke and hand over all of my family's assets to the national treasury to make up for the losses suffered by the imperial court. "
Li Zexuan was deeply touched. At the time, he had agreed with Qin Qiong to write a joint letter and share the responsibility if something happened. However, he did not expect Qin Qiong to go back on his word and take all of the responsibility.
Li Zexuan was both angry and touched. This was an old man worthy of his lifetime of respect.
"Is the prophecy of the plague of locusts true?"
Li Er saw Li Zexuan finish reading and asked in a low voice.
Li Zexuan sorted out his emotions and said seriously, "Your Majesty, my master did say that in June next year, there would be a plague of locusts on the Guanzhong Plains. I have never doubted my master's words since I was young and am willing to vouch for it. If the plague of locusts does not arrive next year, I am willing to relinquish my title and hand over all of my family's assets to make up for my sins. However, Your Majesty, for the sake of the millions of people in the world, please believe in this prophecy and make early preparations. "
Since Qin Qiong had bet all of his assets on this prophecy, Li Zexuan had nothing to be afraid of.
He had time-traveled to the Tang Dynasty. Although he had invented some new things, they were not enough to change the course of history, let alone the timing of a natural disaster like the plague of locusts. The plague of locusts next year would definitely arrive as scheduled.
When Li Er heard this, he was slightly surprised. He did not expect Li Zexuan, a person who did not want to suffer losses, to say such words that were obviously harmful to him. This made him take this prophecy even more seriously.
"Since Shu Bao and you are so sure, then I will believe in this prophecy. However, even if I know that there will be a plague of locusts next year, what can I do? Last year, the Turks emptied the Chang 'an Local Government's treasury. The imperial court will not be able to take out so much money to store food for millions of people in advance. "
When Li Er mentioned the Turks, he could not help but hit the table with hatred.
Li Zexuan was silent. The Wei River Alliance was indeed a mark of shame on the Tang Dynasty. However, in less than two years, Li Er would be able to wash away the shame. He thought for a moment and said,
"Your Majesty, people only store food in advance to survive the plague of locusts. Why did no one think of controlling the plague of locusts?"
Li Er frowned and said, "Control? Since ancient times, there have been countless plague of locusts. Why have I never heard of a way to control the plague of locusts? "
Li Zexuan said embarrassedly, "Your Majesty, do you still remember the 150,000 chickens I raised in the Han Village and Plum Village?"
Li Er widened his eyes and said in disbelief, "Do you want to use these chickens to control the plague of locusts? But when the plague of locusts comes, the locusts will be overwhelming. How can your chickens eat all the locusts? "
Li Zexuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't underestimate the ability of chickens to hunt locusts. I once read a book. It said that an adult chicken can eat up to 300 locusts a day. At that time, I estimate that 20 to 30 chickens can almost guarantee that there will be no locusts in one acre of land."
Since you don't believe me, then let's use data. Anyway, I have said the same thing more than once.
Li Er was also a well-read and cultured person. He frowned and said in disbelief, "Would there be a book that recorded such a boring thing? Why haven't I seen it before? "
Li Zexuan choked and said awkwardly, "Erm, this is the only book left behind by my master. It is long gone. But what I said is true. If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, you can send someone to catch a chicken and test it. "
Li Er nodded thoughtfully. Suddenly, he pointed at Li Zexuan's nose and scolded in a bad mood.
"No wonder you bought so many chickens. Last time, you deliberately quibbled in the imperial court. You said that you bought the chickens for the farmers and for the chicken feast next year. You are deceiving the emperor. Tell me, what do you think you should be punished for?"
Old Li was really unkind. He actually killed the donkey after it had outlived its usefulness.
Li Zexuan was speechless. He cried out in grievance, "Your Majesty, the two reasons I mentioned are indeed true. As for the locust plague prophecy, this is a matter of great importance. This humble subject would not dare to speak nonsense."
"Your Majesty, the Empress said that it is time for lunch."
At this time, a delicate palace maid came in and said to Li Er.
Li Er nodded. He stood up and said to Li Zexuan, "You are a slippery fellow. Later, write a detailed plan of your plan and present it to me."
Li Zexuan suddenly felt tired. He said listlessly, "As you wish."
Li Er was angry when he saw him like this. He resisted the urge to slap Li Zexuan on the back of his head. Li Er flicked his sleeves and said, "Okay, then you can go back first."
Li Zexuan cupped his hands and left. He complained to Li Er in his heart. He kept me here for half a day and didn't even eat. How stingy.
However, it was better that he didn't stay for lunch. There were so many rules in the palace. If he made Old Li unhappy, wouldn't he be looking for trouble?
Li Zexuan walked out of the palace quickly. He was afraid that Li Er would send someone to call him back again. He came to the palace gate and found his horse. Li Zexuan tidied his clothes and mounted the horse. He rushed towards Yongle Lane.
In the palace, Li Er was on the way to Xi Nei Court. He said to the servant beside him, "Go and summon Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Zhangsun Wuji to the palace for a meeting in the afternoon."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
.....
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