"Do you have any important matters to discuss today?"
With the arrival of midsummer, the rain gradually increased. The sky was gray as if it was about to fall. Some people felt that it was difficult to breathe, while others felt a trace of coolness. In the morning court in Hanyuan Palace, all the officials were in their positions. Li Longji arrived late. As soon as he sat down, he could not wait to ask the officials.
When the officials heard this, they knew that the Emperor was in a good mood today and had something good to say.
Therefore, if it was not something important, there was no need to talk about it. When they were done, they could just write a memorial and submit it to the Emperor.
Li Longji sat there with the same intention. When he wanted to speak, the others should not speak first.
However, among the officials who usually had a tacit understanding with each other, one person stood up today.
"Your Majesty, I heard that at the beginning of last month, Jili Province sent out fast horses and flying cavalry to send news everywhere. Rich merchants from Jingji Province, Guannei Province, Hedong Province, Duji Province, Henan Province, Shannan East Province, Jiangnan East Province, and other places were all sent to Jili Province. Do any other officials know about this?"
The one who stood up was Zhang Shuo. His expression was not very good. After saying this, he stood there without moving. His eyes looked back and forth between the officials in the row opposite him.
Li Longji was stunned. He had never heard of this matter. Recently, he often went to the Ministry of Works and spent a lot of time with Zhang Zhong. Occasionally, he would come back covered in dust. The main reason was that he had participated in a very big project. He thought that he had played a key role in it. Today, he succeeded and wanted to show off.
He never thought that Zhang Shuo would not give him the chance. He had to stand up and talk about this matter. When he said it was about Jili Province, what did Zhang Shuo mean?
The other officials also had their own thoughts. How could they not know that Jili Province had summoned a few hundred people to the prefectures and counties? However, Zhang Shuo brought it up to talk about this matter. Could it be that he felt that his life was too comfortable and wanted to find trouble?
Who did not know that the Emperor did not allow others to find trouble with Jili Province? Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan were so busy that their feet hit the back of their heads. How could they have the time and energy to deal with the impeachment in the capital and defend themselves?
Half a month ago, there was a flood in the west of Jiangnan. The news only came the day before yesterday. As soon as the news from the west of Jiangnan arrived, a pigeon flew over from Jili. It said that the disaster relief supplies around the west of Jiangnan had been allocated and were on their way to the west of Jiangnan.
Even an idiot would understand that this was the reaction speed of Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. There were pigeon stations all over the country. Before the horses set out, the pigeons would go first.
At that time, when they heard the two kinds of news coming one after another, they were relieved. The Emperor was also relieved. However, before they could be happy, Zhang Shuo jumped out again. What did he want to do?
Li Longji also had the same thought. Xiao Bao and Cuckoo were so busy. They had to manage the development of the north of Hebei Province, especially the resource extraction of the Blackwater Commandery. They also had to plot against Xinluo and completely destroy their economy. In the future, they would completely rely on the Tang Empire. They also had to coordinate their own family's trading funds and the system of the Tang Empire's bank. In addition, they had to mobilize goods in the name of the imperial court for disaster relief in the west of Jiangnan.
Looking at Zhang Shuo's expression, he was definitely not praising Xiao Bao and Cuckoo.
Thinking of this, Li Longji's face was as gloomy as the sky. He turned his head to look at Gao Lishi, who was standing next to him. He wanted to know what Xiao Bao and Cuckoo were doing. Why did they mobilize so many businessmen from prefectures and counties to Jili Province?
Gao Lishi really knew. He thought it was a small matter. Looking for businessmen to go to Jili Province had nothing to do with the administration, so he did not take the time to tell the Emperor. Seeing the Emperor looking at him, he took two steps forward and said,
"Your Majesty, Xiao Bao mentioned this in his letter. Jili Province is not short of population and resources, but there are too few people traveling there. There is a bottleneck in development. Therefore, he wants to find more rich people to experience the scenery and scenery there so as to further stimulate the local economy.
The reason for looking for businessmen is to discuss the application and distribution of new technologies. Some of the technologies that were first used in the military can be used for people's livelihood, such as the processing technology of the first generation lathe. In terms of acid and alkali washing, a large amount of cheap washing powder and soap can be made.
Now that the breeding technology of the Tang Empire is gradually improving, there is more oil left for businessmen to collect and process. There is also a fire starter, which is the match that Your Majesty saw. It is more convenient than a fire sickle. Therefore, he wants to find businessmen who are closer to Jili Province and have a smooth journey. It is killing two birds with one stone. "
"Oh!" Li Longji suddenly understood. "I see. In that case, Xiao Bao and Cuckoo can still find time to do other things? I think the two of them should be the Prime Minister. "
Li Longji whispered to Gao Lishi. Then he turned his face to look at Zhang Shuo, who had been standing below for a while, and asked, "I already know what Minister Zhang said. Does Minister Zhang have anything else to say?"
Zhang Shuo knew that the Emperor was going to be biased again, but he had to bite the bullet and say it. Otherwise, what was the use of being the Head of the Secretariat?
The military affairs were originally arranged by him. In the end, it was Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, the compulsory soldier, who took the credit. The relationship with the neighboring countries should also be decided by the Head of the Secretariat. However, the two of them intervened and settled it. In terms of the economy, he could not control the Tang Empire's Bank.
In terms of farming, he did not know how to breed and cross-breed. The arsenal factory was still controlled by Zhang Shuo and Wang Juan. He could not even interfere in the construction of the bridges and roads in transportation.
The most annoying thing was the arrangement of the official positions. Why did Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan have the right to arrange a position for anyone? Did they think that the Ministry of Personnel did not exist? Was the Head of the Secretariat just for show?
"Your Majesty, I think that the actions of Governor Zhang of Jili Prefecture are inappropriate. First, it is a waste of manpower and money. He transferred a few merchants to Jili Prefecture. The journey is not short and the expenses are enormous. If the money is used for civil purposes, the people of each Dao can prosper. Second, our dynasty's technology is ahead of the neighboring countries. However, if it is placed in the hands of merchants, it is feared that spies will get it. Third, with the position of the Governor of a prefecture, he can transfer merchants from all over the country with one word.
Please reconsider. "Zhang Shuo listed the three matters. If he did not know that the Emperor did not allow anyone to impeach Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan in front of the Imperial Court, he really wanted to put the charges on them.
Li Longji listened to Zhang Shuo's words and did not directly express any opinions. Instead, he looked at the other officials and asked, "Does everyone have anything to say?"
"Your Majesty, I have something to say. I think that Zhang Zhongshu's words are not a cause for concern. If it is using power for private purposes, I accuse Zhang Zhongshu of using power for private purposes. He wantonly promoted officials who are on good terms with him. He has been constantly exchanging private letters and gatherings. He has formed his own faction with the Imperial Court. I hope Your Majesty can investigate this."
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