The universe was operating according to a certain set of rules, and the Earth was moving. The people living in Great Tang were still living for their own ideals and habits.
Everyone in Great Tang knew that the war was ongoing, and they could see the situation on the frontlines every day through the newspapers. The country's army didn't drive straight in, and they only tried their best to occupy the resources of the other countries by the river.
Then, it was the grasslands, snowy mountains, forests, swamps, and deserts. The country's army had always been at strategic points, and with advanced weapons, they advanced very slowly. It could even be said that every step was taken with caution.
Such a result might seem unsatisfactory, but what was satisfying was that the number of casualties on the battlefield was very small, and the natural environment was filled with danger.
For example, someone in the desert got heatstroke, someone was bitten by a snake in the grasslands, poisonous fog in the forests, and the snowy mountains were extremely cold. As for the casualties in battle, it was said that when disassembling the guns, they squeezed out bloody blisters from their hands. When throwing grenades, they were told to use grenade launchers, but some soldiers didn't listen and threw their arms out. Not only did they strain their arms, but when the grenade was thrown too close, the shrapnel that flew out cut a piece of their scalp, making it easy for them to get infected.
The commoners couldn't help but curse in the taverns and tea houses. They scolded the design of the guns, the soldiers who joined the army for not training properly, and some even scolded the commanders for not bringing the cannons to the snowy mountains and firing down. That way, they could have fired further.
In a situation where there were casualties, there were always a few people who were sad. When a family member died, they could only sigh about their bad luck, but they didn't complain about the country. In a short period of time, they had the comfort of their neighbors and large amounts of money from the government, but the pain in their hearts would take time to heal.
During the morning court session, Li Longji would always read out the names of the new casualties. Sometimes, it would be twenty to thirty, and sometimes, it would be four to five. There had never been a case of zero casualties.
"How did this happen? There are people dying every day. Didn't they say that with advanced weapons, there should be no casualties? " Li Longji had read out fifteen names during the morning court session. Six of them had died from illness, two had fallen to their deaths, one had been bitten by a snake four days ago, two had died from a heart attack when they swam across the river. One had seen a bear at night and chased after it, only to be swatted to death by the bear. The remaining three had died in battle. After the cannon fire, they had chased after it, but when the horses had gone crazy, they had died under the hooves of the horses, which counted as battle deaths.
Fifteen people represented a member of each of the fifteen families. Thus, Li Longji appeared to be very sad. "Don't look at the number. Fifteen people isn't a lot. If it were your family, who would you say should die?"
All the ministers fell silent. They had really treated the deaths as a number, like money. However, when it came to themselves, it was too sad to lose a family member for no reason.
"Your Majesty, I think that the speed of our army's advance is still too fast. We should slow it down and strengthen our self-protection training. From the intelligence, we can see that our people are dying unjustly. It's better to die under the enemy's weapons than to die like this."
Jiang Cen from the Western Agriculture Temple felt that the problem was due to the lack of training. The geographical environment was too bad, and there shouldn't be too many casualties.
The Minister of War, Xiao Song, snorted coldly. He stood up and said, "If we were to die under the enemy's swords, spears, bows, and arrows, I reckon Minister Zhang Zhong would be condemned. It is because of the weapons that we are in danger. Actually, we are military officers.
When everyone heard this, they felt that it made sense. In a head-on confrontation, the cannons opened the path, the cannons provided cover, and the guns killed the enemy. Advancing so slowly and allowing the enemy to succeed in a melee battle, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War would be dealt with.
"If it were up to me, we shouldn't have started a war. If we didn't go over, how could anyone die? Great Tang is doing well now, so why are we attacking others?" Wang Bei spoke up again. He had no regrets. He had just solved part of the investment and return problem, and now he was thinking of ways to make trouble for the Zhang Family and Wang Family.
Li Longji didn't pay attention to Wang Bei. If a country didn't fight after becoming strong, it would be over soon. The prerequisite for peace was that others accepted the rule and submitted. Otherwise, one shouldn't have any interaction with others, especially in terms of trade.
As long as there was interaction, there would be conflicts. At that time, should one protect the interests of one's own people? Even neighbors would occasionally fight, not to mention between countries.
Seeing that no one responded to Wang Bei's words, the Minister of War said, "Minister Wang, are you afraid that the national treasury won't be able to support you because you've spent too much money?"
"Too much. According to Wang Juan's strategy, every inch of land is worth money. The money in the national treasury is flowing out like water. In a few more months, the national treasury will be empty."
Wang Bei said with a gloomy face.
In the end, no one supported his words. The civil and military officials were not fools. They could roughly estimate how much money the country currently had. The money spent was spent on weapons and transportation. However, transportation was not directly shipped to the other side. It was carried over from the other side.
These things were already being shipped to various parts of the Great Tang, but they weren't sold or processed. Moreover, in this process, many things that couldn't be sold in the past were used up. For example, with the new technology of silkworm breeding and the large amount of cotton from Xinluo, who would take a few feet of coarse linen home to make clothes?
Those things were all used to make gunny sacks. Because of the transportation of war, the demand for gunny sacks increased, and a lot of hemp rope that was originally going to rot was used up. Wasn't that money?
Also, in the course of the war, the roads were easier to travel on. Everyone was helping to repair the roads. In the future, when the Ministry of Works under Zhang Zhong produced more asphalt, they could repair even better roads. Moreover, they had a foundation. This part of the long-term income wasn't counted in the Ministry of Revenue?
There were even more things that were overstocked. Now, the demand was very good. For example, four years of grain. Other than wine, who would be willing to buy it back home?
Seeing that no one was supporting him, Wang Ke felt very lonely. He planned to continue complaining about the expenditure of money and the emptiness of the national treasury. However, Prime Minister Yu Wenrong stepped forward.
"Minister Wang, I hope that you can consider the big picture and not always think about some small personal matters. If Xiao Bao and Cuckoo are as narrow-minded as you, I believe you know the consequences. I have offended them in the past. Cuckoo didn't use weapons against the country, and Xiao Bao kept retreating.
Not to mention being a person, just to protect yourself, you have gone a little too far. Do you really want to force the two of them to turn back? Are you sure you can hold on even if we don't help you? "
Yu Wenrong said a part of his opinion. His eyes swept over the others. They didn't avoid his gaze and nodded.
Yuan Qianyao chuckled and said, "Xiao Bao has never been internal. When they were young, we knew that we would always leave some leeway. Therefore, please don't treat their tolerance as weakness. Japan and Xinluo are crying rivers of war. Without using weapons, ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.
What I want to say is that the heavens are watching. Whoever has the ability to deal with them, stand on Vermilion Bird Avenue and shout. If they can survive, I will support them. Their lives are tough. "
Wang Ke retreated. Not only did the court officials object, but he was also afraid that the news of the morning court would spread. Not to mention shouting on Vermilion Bird Avenue, as long as the people in the capital knew, his family would probably not have a day of peace.
Li Longji quickly mediated, "Let's not talk about this. Minister Wang, you don't have to worry. I know Xiao Bao and Cuckoo. They definitely won't do anything directly. At most, they will earn less money. They won't let the investors lose money. Xiao Bao controlled it very well.
Speaking of serious matters, before today's court session started, the news that came back said that 15 people had died. Those who were injured were not included. Actually, actually … "
Li Longji seemed to be in a dilemma. In the end, he gritted his teeth and said, "Actually, it's not that we haven't fought in wars before, and more people died. However, no one cared. Now that we've been influenced by Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, we've been influenced. Everyone values human lives more, and I'm very gratified.
Actually, actually, actually, even if we don't fight, do you think that our Great Tang doesn't have many people dying every day due to accidents? Right now, there are more than 300,000 soldiers on the frontlines. If we disband them and let them return to their normal lives, can you guarantee that they can live well every day? Not a single one of them will die? "
Everyone shook their heads. It was 300,000 soldiers, how could they all live unscathed? There were all kinds of accidents that could cause deaths.
Thinking of accidents, Yu Wenrong spoke up once more, pointing at Zhang Zhong, "Minister Zhang, I would like to ask, why isn't the Medical Academy working yet? There are always people who can't be treated and die. Every time one of them dies, we're heartbroken. "
"Bullshit," Zhang Zhong changed his previous amiable attitude and scolded, "Do you think the Medical Academy is a godly academy? Don't you know what it was like in the past? Don't you know what it's like now? Don't I want them to research better medicine and improve treatment methods? Don't I feel sad seeing others die of illness? "
"Calm down, Minister Zhang is still a good person," Li Longji consoled.
"Calm down what? The speed of medical development is there for all to see, so what if you can't see it? Not to mention other things, in the past, when you gave birth to a child, you felt like dying or prayed to Buddha. Now, which family wants to give birth to a child? Why don't you let them die so easily? If they can't give birth, they'll just perform an operation. What's the big deal?
I know that a relative of Prime Minister Yu's concubine died of tuberculosis. She's your cousin, your childhood sweetheart. Who wouldn't feel sad seeing her vomiting blood? But there's no medicine. You only know how to talk about me. Don't you know that after I told the news to my family's Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, they ordered the Medical Academy to attack something they call 'Remifeng'? "
At this moment, Zhang Zhong didn't even give Li Longji any face as he questioned Yu Wenrong.
Yu Wenrong's mouth twitched, but he didn't say anything. One was sad, and the other was scared. Honest people can be very fierce when they get angry.
Li Longji couldn't possibly blame Zhang Zhong for taking the blame for himself. He knew Zhang Zhong very well. He was a loyal and patriotic person. Not to mention punishing him, even a scolding would have unimaginable consequences. Without him, who would be able to suppress Xiao Bao and Cuckoo? If he scolded him, what would his son and daughter-in-law think?
Gao Lishi stood up at the crucial moment and asked, "Brother Yongcheng, can this Remifeng cure tuberculosis? Xiao Bao didn't tell me. "
"Yes." Zhang Zhong replied, "Xiao Bao and Cuckoo said that tuberculosis is nothing. It's just that the current technology can't keep up. In the past, there were many people who died from smallpox, but look at who died from smallpox now. Also, there were many worms in children's stomachs in the past as well. Now, we can just go to Xiaobei and the others' precious candy house to get them.
Everyone, give us some time. Xiao Bao and Cuckoo are already in a difficult situation. Assistant Minister Jiang, how is the planting of the Chinese medicine? Especially the topical antidote and oral medicine. "
Zhang Zhong nodded at Gao Lishi, meaning that he didn't want to explain too much to him. Go ask your godson yourself. He turned around and asked Jiang Cen.
Jiang Cen quickly replied, "Everything is being planted. Also, your family has provided the information for the ginseng. The planting area isn't small, and when the time comes, we will handle it according to the needs. Brother Zhang, don't worry. Xiao Bao has already said that the ginseng looks like a carrot, but that's because our technology isn't there yet.
Otherwise, we can make a comparison. The most direct method is to eat ginseng and carrots. Your family has already planted two seasons of ginseng. Some are five, six years old, and some are eight years old. According to the age of the ginseng, if a normal person eats a jin of carrots, nothing will happen to them. Try to eat a jin of five years old ginseng and see if they will die.
We've done experiments before. Normally, a strong man would eat half a jin of ginseng and have a nosebleed. If you cook it with other ingredients, there won't be much of a problem. "
"Remember not to use people from the Great Tang for experiments. Nowadays, the Medical Academy is raising rats and monkeys in large numbers. Although all things have spirits, the spirits of all things are not humans. When a snake swallows a frog, the snake doesn't think of the frog's spirit. When a tiger eats a rabbit, the tiger doesn't pity the rabbit. Since the weak are prey to the strong, in order to live well, we still have to do what needs to be done. "
Zhang Zhong was very satisfied with Jiang Cen's answer and said more things.
The officials were indifferent. They didn't care whether other animals and people died or not. If it were in the past, it wouldn't be a big deal to kill one's opponent. If it were a dozen years ago, it would be too easy to persecute a person to death through political means.
But now, it couldn't be done, because His Majesty's strategy had changed. His Majesty was no longer looking for balance, but to unify the thinking. Why? Because damn it. If others wanted to unite against His Majesty, they first had to consider Xiao Bao and Cuckoo. If the two of them stood on His Majesty's side, no matter what they did, it would be useless.
Could it be that they were going to mobilize the troops? If Cuckoo didn't show up, there might be a possibility that she could command the military forces in other places to rebel. If Cuckoo showed up, she would do whatever she said. Incite the merchants to raise prices and cause unrest in the country? The merchants first had to consider Xiao Bao's mood. Once he raised his voice, not to mention the merchants, even boiling oil would instantly cool down.
As for the common people, just look at the grandeur of people before they got married and the appearance of younger brothers and sisters when they were born. The whole Tang Empire was in jubilation, with colorful flags flying and firecrackers rumbling.
With them around, they, including the forces behind them, couldn't expect to force His Majesty to give in.
"Your subject requests a report." Pei Yaoqing stepped out. "The current military training system must be checked and strict to prevent additional casualties in future wars."
"Approved." Li Longji didn't want to delay other issues because of the death of a few people, so he directly passed this topic to His Majesty.
At the same time, he ordered, "Ask Xiao Bao and Cuckoo, when will the preliminary results be out?"
*****
Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were still in Yizhou, with no intention of making a move. The main reason was that Yizhou's location was too crucial. On one hand, they could manage the battle lines, and on the other, they could reinforce the military operations against Zhenla in time.
If Zhenla didn't make a move and Liu Xing didn't send back any news, they couldn't leave.
Therefore, the two's impression of Zhenla was getting worse and worse. Zhang Xiaobao was gnashing his teeth in hatred.
"I've decided. No one can stop me. After this period is over, I'll send all of Zhenla's people to the north of Hebei Province to dig coal for me. However, I have to leave the amber and coal essence there."
"The natural environment there is different from where they live. They won't go. Are you trying to catch them?" Wang Juan was also disgusted with Zhenla, but she hoped that Zhang Xiaobao would use other means to deal with it.
Zhang Xiaobao smiled. "Not going? That's because the temptation isn't enough. Do you think it's you or me? When faced with other temptations, they think of their own integrity. I don't believe that they won't be tempted if I give them a high price. For example, three times the income of our Tang Empire's miners. "
Wang Juan was stunned. She looked at Zhang Xiaobao in confusion. After thinking about it, she was even more puzzled. "If you do this, what will happen to the Tang Empire's people?"
"What does it have to do with the Tang Empire's people? You said it yourself. They are in the southwest and can't adapt to the northeast environment of our country. One is the weather, the other is the diet. Not adapting to the environment means that the flora in their body is different. Different flora makes it easy for them to get sick.
So what if I give them three times the income? Their medical treatment isn't free. The possibility of them falling sick is very high. When the time comes, I'll use the medical fees to get back the money they earn. If they're sick, do they want to see a doctor? If they don't, then they can just wait for death. They won't get a single copper coin. If they do, then they can pay.
If I charge the Tang Empire's people for medical treatment now, how much do you think our Imperial Court's revenue will increase? The price of the pharmaceutical factory is low, but they have to pay taxes, right? Middlemen selling medicine have to pay taxes, right? When the hospital director is bribed by others, he has to spend money. When he sets the price for the patients, he has to pay taxes, right?
All in all, in the process of cost and sales, most of the burden is given to the patients. However, the people who benefit from the various middlemen's spending is also part of the GDP. "
Zhang Xiaobao said with a cold smile. After saying this, he realized a problem. Times were different now. It seemed that he didn't need to do this. Thus, he smiled embarrassedly and said, "What I want to say is actually the instinctive pursuit of survival. I give them a chance to make money, but I don't give them any benefits. Then, I will complete my revenge plan."
After hearing Zhang Xiaobao's words, Wang Juan was not in a good mood. She pursed her lips and thought about it. Then, she said to Zhang Xiaobao, "Xiao Bao, as long as we are alive, you have to promise me that you will never charge for medical treatment and education. That is the foundation of a nation's strength and survival."
"I know. A country is actually a family. In the past, politics was actually a family world. In the beginning, it was the other people in the tribe who supported you. They thought that you could lead them to a better life, so you were the chief, the leader of the tribe.
Now, it is still the same. The people are your children. They support you to be the emperor because they are waiting for you to bring them a better life. If you forget, or even think that you are in charge of some people who have weapons and start to eat the flesh of your children, I don't know if you are still a person, but at least your children will overthrow you one day.
Don't think that you can do it just because you have weapons. In the past, weapons were used to feed your children and treat their prey. When you turn your weapons to your children one day, you will eventually die. How many dynasties have proven this? "
Zhang Xiaobao said.
Wang Juan echoed, "Yes, so don't think that you are very powerful just because you have ruled for a few decades or a hundred years. In fact, many dynasties have ruled for a long time, but in the end, the people had no way to make a living. The officials forced the people to rebel. Moreover, it was easier for them to lose their political power as time went on. Because everyone has the knowledge, it is not difficult to build a nuclear weapon.
A high school student, or even a junior high school student, as long as they are talented enough and work hard, they can definitely build a small nuclear bomb after a few years of learning. Once the people are forced to this extent, if ten thousand people build a thousand small nuclear bombs, what do you think the consequences will be once they are detonated? "
"So let's work hard and try not to cause too much polarization. Sometimes, we really don't know what to pursue in life." Zhang Xiaobao said as he looked down from the window and saw a few officials of the Yizhou Prefecture holding up a sign.
Wang Juan also saw them. Those officials usually did not come out so casually. Now that they came out, they would not be recognized by her and Xiao Bao.
You are not working in the yamen, but standing below the Blue Sea Silver Sand Restaurant and holding up a sign. Is this the greatest reflection of your social value? If this is the case, you might as well keep holding up signs and not be an official.
Many people did not know. When they saw the officials standing there holding signs, they felt that the officials were very nice and considerate. Those who were illiterate asked someone about the contents of the sign. It said that starting today, there would be doctors at both the Blue Sea Silver Sand Restaurant and the Sea Cloud Restaurant in Yizhou.
Every one of the people thought that the officials were really nice. In fact, they did not know that if the value of the officials was only reflected in this aspect, then the imperial court's control arrangement was a failure.
Who did the local officials hold up signs for? If it was for the people, then why didn't they usually do it? Why did they have to wait for a higher official to do it?
Xiaobei and the others, who had finished talking about the ten dog competitions, happened to see this scene. They glanced upstairs and all of them had ugly expressions.
"I am so disgusted. You said you didn't do anything wrong, so why are you here? Waiting for us to investigate you? Why are all the doctors here today? It's different from before. Didn't you go to the local medical hall when you went to a place? "
Xiaobei stared at the official holding the sign and said. She was angry mainly because she had already investigated when she came, and there was no problem with the local officials. Now that they were standing downstairs and advertising, it did not seem to be a problem. But in fact, it was a show for her brother and sister. Why are you not working?
Xiaoyuan also frowned. After thinking, she said to Xiaobei, "In the past, when we stayed in a place for a short time, we had to go to the local medical hall mainly to collect information about the local diseases.
Now that we have to stay for a long time, our family's doctors have already gone to the medical hall to collect information. It's not good to hide at home and not show up, wasting resources. "
"Let's go and find a nearby place to take a look." Xiaobei stared at the official holding the sign again. Can't you just stand there? Why do you have to hold it up?
The people were already lining up. It was not that they were sick and looked down on them, but that they felt that they were sick. However, when they arrived at the medical hall, they did not find out.
"Why are you squeezing here, child?" Xiaobei came to the side of the line and said to a boy standing there who was about two years older than her.
"Recently, I've been sleepy in class. The teacher, me, and my parents all feel that I'm sick. The doctor at the medical hall said that I'm not sick, but I didn't believe him, so I came to take a look. Who are you? Why are you asking me?"
After the boy answered, he realized that he had talked too much to other people, especially girls who were younger than him. He was very unhappy. Perhaps he would only understand when he grew up. If a girl took the initiative to talk to him, he should seize the opportunity.
Xiaobei was puzzled. Seeing that the boy was unhappy, she was also angry. "Look at who I am. Look carefully. There are nine of us. Do you know? I'm Xiaobei. You are not in class, but you came out to see a doctor. How long have you been sick? "
"Xiaobei? Ha, really. Nine. No wonder you look so fun. I've been sick for a few months. I'm sick. You can't catch me. I'm a patient. "The boy looked seriously and counted the number of people. He was a little afraid and a little stubborn.
Xiaobei was about to say something when Xiaohai pulled her and pulled her behind him. He stood in front and said to the doctor who was treating others, "Let him see the next one."
There were many doctors below the restaurant. Not only here, but there were also doctors in the Hai Yun Restaurant in the other direction. They were all doctors from the Zhang Family and Wang Family.
They usually went to the local medical hall to understand the situation first. Now that they understood, they were sent out to treat others because it was a waste of resources to stay at home. The doctors in the medical hall were naturally much worse than them.
The commoners also knew that the Deyi Medical School was opened by the Zhang Family and Wang Family. The first batch of doctors was also provided by them. It was obvious how good the doctors who could follow Xiao Bao, Cuckoo, and Xiaobei were.
However, the commoners wouldn't scold them. They would say that the Zhang Family and Wang Family pulled good doctors to their side. In the eyes of the commoners, this was very right. If the doctors were bad, what would Xiao Bao and the others do when they fell sick?
Then, how good were the doctors now? The little boy went up and tried to find out. The doctor first listened and didn't find any problems. He took the boy's pulse and felt it. He asked, "You sleep very late every night, right? And you're picky about your food. "
"Doctor, no. My child sleeps very early," the woman who came with the boy said anxiously.
"He sleeps early, but he might not sleep. What games have you been playing recently?" the doctor asked again.
"Big, Monopoly." The boy was frightened. The doctor was so right.
Xiaobei slapped her forehead. "I'll ban Monopoly tomorrow. I know. He played it during the day and always thinks about it when he sleeps at night. Maybe he also thinks about it during class. He's also picky about his food. He doesn't have enough nutrition, so of course he's sleepy."
"No, Monopoly is very fun. It looks like it depends on luck, but it's actually calculated." The boy was even more afraid this time. If Xiaobei said to ban a game, no one would dare to play it.
"Doctor, please think of a way." The boy's mother first looked at Xiaobei and the others gently, then asked the doctor anxiously.
The doctor who was treating the boy, Weiwei, looked at Xiaobei and the others. She sighed and said helplessly, "I really can't do anything. If only they were like my little ancestors. They would listen to everything I say, and all of them are obedient and sensible. Your child … I can't prescribe Chinese medicine. I can only prescribe prescriptions for strengthening the spleen, regulating the Qi, moistening the lungs, clearing the intestines, and regulating the stomach. The key is …"
"Picky about his food." Xiaobei squeezed out from behind her brother and said. After the doctor nodded, she said, "It's okay. It'll be solved soon. The problem now is that he's always thinking about games."
"Games are easy to deal with," Xiaobei said. "From today onwards, we'll invite him to play Monopoly at home every day. There's no need to go to class. We'll take turns playing with him. We'll play for ten days first and see the results."
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