Du Qi returned to the study. His mood was quite agitated.
The appearance of cement meant that there was a little change. Especially in this more than a month, Chang 'an Bank had already started operating. Although Du Qi kept a low profile and did not publicize it, the Tang dynasty bank in Chang' an started operating and connected with the Tang dynasty bank in Daizhou.
However, the bank had not yet displayed its power and did not show too much of a role. After all, it was a new thing. For the time being, many businessmen did not understand, so it was not clear for the time being.
Du Qi was not anxious about this.
Everything would be done slowly.
The next morning.
Du Qi woke up early to wash up. After eating breakfast, he still stayed in the residence to read. Just after noon, Du Qi finished his afternoon nap. As soon as he woke up, a eunuch in the palace came to convey Li Yuan's verbal order, summoning Du Qi to enter the palace.
The wind and snow outside were very heavy. Du Qi put on a down jacket and rode a carriage into the palace. When the carriage stopped at the palace gate, Du Qi took off the down jacket and entered the palace in official robes.
Arriving at the Sweet Dew Hall, Du Qi saw Li Yuan and bowed. "Your Majesty!"
At this moment, Du Qi looked to the left and right. Li Shentong, Li Jiancheng, and Li Yuanji were there. In addition, there was Li Shimin and the rest of the imperial court's imperial family. The Li family's relatives were all gathered.
This was the Li family's way to celebrate the end of the year.
Li Yuan had already told Du Qi before that he wanted Du Qi to participate. Although Du Qi had to go home to stay up for the New Year at night and did not have to stay in the palace to enjoy with everyone, he could participate together and be lively.
Li Yuan had a smile on his face and said, "Erlang, sit!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Du Qi walked to the last seat on the right. After sitting down, Li Yuan summarized the words of the past year and looked forward to the next year. After these words, Li Yuan toasted everyone with a cup of wine.
After Li Yuan finished speaking, they each drank their wine.
The atmosphere was harmonious as they toasted and chatted.
Although Du Qi was young and not a member of the clan, Du Qi's influence in the clan was not weak. In particular, Du Qi's father had once served Li Shimin. Du Qi could be considered to be on the Duke of Qin's side, and many of his clan relatives were also on the Duke of Qin's side.
Many members of the imperial clan treated Du Qi kindly.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes.
At this moment, the atmosphere became even more lively. However, at this time, Li Shentong stood up. He walked to the center of the hall, and after respectfully bowing towards Li Yuan, he said, "Your Majesty, today is the end of the year, the end of the year celebration is originally an extremely good thing, we shouldn't talk about government affairs. It's just that I have something to tell you. "
Li Yuan said, "There's no harm in saying it!"
Regarding Li Shentong, Li Yuan trusted him very much. Therefore, when Li Shentong said that there was something, Li Yuan did not have any objections either.
Li Shentong said with a stern countenance, "Your Majesty, what your subject is worried about is the official road from Chang 'an to Lantian County. In previous years, the road had to be repaired after the beginning of spring every year. After all, after the heavy snow, many places were sealed off, and many places had problems. "
"This road, year after year, there are problems every year."
"Before this, it had always been your subject who was in charge."
"But your subject's strength is insufficient, and I have always been unable to completely solve the problem of the road. Therefore, your subject hopes that Your Majesty can select a capable and intelligent person to be in charge of this matter, to repair the road from Chang 'an to Lantian County and ensure that there are no problems."
Li Shentong made a suggestion.
After Li Yuan heard it, he nodded and said, "The road from Chang 'an to Lantian County is indeed quite important. After all, this road is related to whether Lantian County and even other places can smoothly transport supplies into Chang 'an. "
Li Shentong said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Li Yuan asked, "Do you have any candidates and suggestions?"
Li Shentong said with a stern countenance, "Your Majesty, your subject believes that the person in charge of this matter must be intelligent and have great wisdom to be able to solve this problem. Your subject believes that Du Qi is extremely intelligent, and he is the most suitable person to be in charge. "
Li Yuan raised his brows.
It was actually Du Qi.
Li Yuan did not expect that Li Shentong would actually choose to recommend Du Qi to be in charge of this matter, which was somewhat strange. However, Li Yuan also did not directly oppose, because Du Qi was indeed intelligent, and Du Qi was very reliable in handling matters.
Li Yuan turned to look at Du Qi and asked, "Erlang, what do you think?"
Du Qi said, "Your Majesty, to be in charge of repairing the road from Chang 'an to Lantian County, it is bound to delay a very long time. This means that your subject will not be able to leave Chang 'an after spring. "
Li Yuan flicked his big sleeves and said with a smile, "I have already said that here in Chang 'an, you are free to come and go, no need to be constrained by time. Therefore, whether you leave Chang 'an or not is up to you. This matter at hand depends on whether you are willing or not. If you are not willing, then forget it, I will arrange for someone else to be in charge. "
Du Qi pondered in his heart.
If there was no cement matter, it would really be difficult for him to handle. Now that there was cement, this was an opportunity.
Du Qi looked at Li Yuan and said, "Your Majesty, when it comes to road repair, it will inevitably require a large amount of money to be able to do things well. How much will the imperial court allocate in this regard? "
Li Yuan said, "Erlang, the imperial court can provide 10,000 strings of cash for the allocation of funds."
Du Qi's cheeks twitched, saying, "Your Majesty, 10,000 strings of cash is not enough."
One must know that to build the official road from Chang 'an to Lantian County, it was bound to consume a great deal of financial, material, and manpower. Without sufficient financial support, it was simply impossible to complete.
After all, this was a big project.
Li Yuan smiled slightly and continued, "Erlang, although the money is only 10,000 strings of cash, I can conscript corvee labor and mobilize the people to do things. In this way, 10,000 strings of cash is still enough. After all, serving corvee labor is what the people should do. "
The matter of corvee labor has been around since ancient times.
In fact, many construction projects were built by conscripting corvee labor, which was unconditional free labor.
It must be obeyed.
After listening, Du Qi shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, the Tang dynasty has just been established, and the people's lives have just stabilized. Large-scale conscription of corvee labor may cause a heavy burden to the people. Such a thing will increase the burden of the Tang dynasty. "
At this time, Li Shentong said, "You, Erlang, have a lot of businesses under your command and make a lot of money. Why don't you pay? As long as you are willing to pay, it will be easy to build the road. "
This was done deliberately.
It was to target Du Qi.
After hearing this, Li Yuan scolded, "Duke Huai 'an, don't talk nonsense. Although Erlang is rich, it's because a gentleman loves money and earns it in a proper way. He deserves it for not stealing or robbing. How can we let Erlang pay just because he is rich? I also heard that your Duke Huai 'an Mansion also has countless singers, and also countless fields and shops. It's quite rich. How about Duke Huai 'an also give some money? "
Swish!
Li Shentong's expression slightly changed.
He was rebuked.
And he was rebuked by the Emperor. One must know that Li Shentong was Li Yuan's cousin, and the relationship between them was very good. He himself was also deeply trusted by Li Yuan. He did not expect that because of Du Qi, Li Yuan would target him like this.
Li Shentong opened his mouth to speak, but seeing Li Yuan's strong side, he swallowed back the words that were about to come out of his mouth.
Forget it, it's better not to look for trouble.
Li Shentong gave up.
Li Yuan looked at Du Qi and said, "Erlang, regarding the road construction, conscription of corvee labor is a helpless move. But this road is related to the stability of Chang 'an, so we can only do this. "
Du Qi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this kid thinks that Duke Huai 'an's words are reasonable. This time, this kid is willing to pay to build the road from Chang 'an to Lantian County, so the imperial court doesn't need to conscript corvee labor. The road built this time is also not an ordinary mud road. Even if there is thunder and rain, or even a heavy rain, it will not affect the road in the future. In short, I promise to complete the task. "
Li Shentong opened his eyes wide, appearing very incredulous.
Du Qi actually agreed.
Li Yuan was also somewhat surprised. Immediately, he recovered. Although Du Qi, this kid, was benevolent and righteous when doing things, he had always not suffered losses. Therefore, Du Qi saying so definitely had conditions.
Li Yuan opened his mouth and said, "Erlang, you agree to pay to build the road. It's just, what are your conditions? "
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Du Qi's face revealed a hint of a smile and said, "Your Majesty, this kid does indeed have a certain additional condition for building the road."
Li Yuan said, "There's no harm in saying it!"
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