At this time, Yuhang was only a small county town, and it was still in the development stage.
The population was quite small, the entire Qiantang County added up to only about 10,000 households.
Moreover, many of the wastelands had not been reclaimed yet. Swamps were everywhere, and camphor trees grew everywhere.
In addition, there were many primitive tribes in the surrounding mountains that had existed for an unknown period of time. It was really not safe.
Purging the south and increasing the population was also one of the important strategies of the Great Tang, but it had yet to be implemented.
Therefore, Li Er's worries were not groundless.
What worried him even more was that Li Yun actually wanted to go to Yuhang by land!
Most people would choose to go south by water. They would go along the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal and pass through the Han 'gou Canal to reach Kaifeng.
After passing through the Luo River, they could reach Luoyang. Finally, they could reach Chang 'an along the Guangtong Canal of the Wei River.
This was a very mature trade route. Over the years, grain from Jiangnan had been transported along this route.
There were many people coming and going every day, and the safety was relatively guaranteed.
If they were to travel by land, it would be difficult and the distance would be longer.
They had to pass through many mountains, and there would often be no one in a ten-mile radius along the way.
His Majesty Li Er had once advised Li Yun to take a boat, but Li Yun had refused.
In Li Yun's words, he never took a boat because he would get dizzy!
This reason made Second Emperor Li choke.
In order to ensure Li Yun's safety, he first created the Emperor's Order, which was like the Emperor's personal presence, and arranged for a hundred cavalry to protect him in secret.
But now, the situation had changed. If he allowed Lizhi to travel with him, Li Junxian would be able to openly serve as a guard.
This way, he could truly rest easy.
It was not an exaggeration to say that 200 well-equipped elite cavalry was more than enough to wipe out a grassland tribe of 10,000 people!
With their protection on the surface, it would be strange if an accident could happen!
"Isn't Your Majesty's action a little too much?”Empress Zhangsun said in surprise,
"Li Junxian is in charge of guarding the Imperial City. How can he leave so casually?”
" It doesn't matter," Li Er said." I'll make other arrangements for the guards of Chang 'an Fortress. Now that the world is peaceful, there won't be any accidents!”
Seeing that the Emperor had made up his mind, Empress Zhangsun did not say anything more.
After sitting for a while, Second Emperor Li left the Political Hall and went to the royal study.
"Your Majesty." Zhangsun Wuji, who had been waiting for a long time, cupped his hands and said.
"Ancestors, sit!" Second Emperor Li waved his hand and said,
"I called you here today because I have an important matter to entrust to you.”
Hearing this, Zhangsun Wuji subconsciously trembled!
The Emperor had already made similar opening remarks twice. Both times, he had asked him to take the lead to scam the Guanlong family and the Shandong family.
could it be
Soon, his worries became a reality. Second Emperor Li continued,
"I recently found a new way to make paper at an extremely low cost.”
"I need your help now. Use your Zhangsun Clan's workshop to secretly rush the production.”
"I have great use for it!"
When Zhangsun Wuji heard the first sentence, he began to feel a little dizzy!
In an instant, he thought of the key point!
Making paper and printing books?
This was destroying the foundation of aristocratic families!
Could it be that His Majesty was really going to raise his saber?!
After a moment of absent-mindedness, Zhangsun Wuji bitterly agreed.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I'll do it well.”
Since he was the one who took the lead in this matter, he would be the one to face the storm!
This was not a good job!
However, he couldn't refuse. It really wasn't that Second Emperor Li deliberately gave him a difficult problem.
Among the people the Emperor trusted, only his Zhangsun Clan had a large number of workshops.
Although it was a workshop for smelting iron, the place was ready-made, and the manpower was also ready-made. If he wanted to hide it from others, this was the best choice.
" You don't have to worry too much." Second Emperor Li seemed to have seen through his thoughts." I won't make a move directly this time."”
"The printed books will only be sold at a slightly lower price to the aristocratic families. The rest will be temporarily sealed.”
Upon hearing this, Zhangsun Wuji heaved a sigh of relief before smiling bitterly.
His Majesty was really too ruthless. It wouldn't end if he didn't scam all the money of these aristocratic families!
"I understand. Please rest assured, Your Majesty.”
......
After leaving the royal study, Zhangsun Wuji's mood was still not calm.
During the morning court session today, the plan that His Majesty had mentioned against the Tubo had shocked him greatly!
Such an ingenious idea was exactly the same as the previous schemes.
Plus, there's such a magical paper-making method
Zhangsun Wuji shuddered.
He could vaguely feel that there was a pair of big hands behind His Majesty secretly controlling everything!
This feeling made him very uneasy!
After returning home, Zhangsun Wuji did not delay for a moment. He gave secret orders one after another and began to set up the workshop according to Second Emperor Li's instructions.
After everything was arranged, he called his son Zhangsun Chong over.
"Do you still remember the young man who beat you up last time?”
Zhangsun Chong was stunned by his question, and then his face revealed hatred." Of course, I won't forget it for even a moment!”
After saying that, he gently touched his mouth. The place where his front teeth should have been was now empty!
"Tell me in detail about the day you met.”Zhangsun Wuji continued.
His intuition told him that the Emperor's change must have something to do with this youth or the power behind him!
If something really happened to His Majesty, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Although it seemed that nothing unusual had happened, he still felt very uneasy.
Based on his understanding of Second Emperor Li, there must be someone else who came up with those brilliant ideas!
There was definitely something wrong with such a scheming person hiding behind the scenes!
Therefore, Zhangsun Wuji gritted his teeth and decided to get to the bottom of this matter!
"Is there any news about that thief?”Zhangsun Chong's eyes lit up!
After Zhangsun Wuji's warning, he was very well-behaved for a period of time, but the hatred in his heart never disappeared.
Could it be that he could finally take revenge this time?
Thinking of this, Zhangsun Chong racked his brains and recounted what happened that day in great detail.
Zhangsun Wuji fell into deep thought after listening.
This time, he noticed a detail that he had overlooked before.
The guards of that mysterious youth had actually beaten the guards of his residence so badly that they could not even fight back!
And these people, including the youth, were all wearing hemp clothes!
In Zhangsun Wuji's opinion, this was definitely a cover-up!
"When he spoke to you, did you notice his accent?”Zhangsun Wuji continued to ask.
"It's just a normal accent from Guanzhong, nothing special.”Zhangsun Chong said.
Guanzhong people?
Zhangsun Wuji's frown deepened.
"Aye?" Zhangsun Chong saw that he was in a daze and called out," Can you avenge me now that you have news of that thief?”
Zhangsun Wuji was shocked by his words and reprimanded," Didn't I already tell you last time? Don't think about provoking that person again!”
Zhangsun Chong was dumbstruck!
"I'm warning you again. If you see that person again, you must be extra careful.”Zhangsun Wuji continued,
"If that person did it on purpose last time, I'm afraid he has other intentions. Don't get into trouble for no reason!”
Zhangsun Chong's heart skipped a beat!
It was rare for him to hear Zhangsun Wuji warn him about something so solemnly. After all, with his family's power and status, he could do whatever he wanted anywhere except in the palace.
However, Zhangsun Wuji's current tone clearly showed that he was extremely afraid of that person!
There was even some fear!
This shocked Zhangsun Chong. He hurriedly nodded and said," I understand. The next time I see him, I'll definitely turn around and leave. I won't cause any trouble!”
Seeing that Zhangsun Wuji's expression had eased up, he asked again," Aye, who is that person?”
" I'm not sure." Zhangsun Wuji shook his head and said," But I feel that that person's background is definitely not small."”
"Think about it. If it was an ordinary person, would they be able to do such a thing to the three of you without any fear?”
"Don't ask too much. Remember what I said.”
Zhangsun Wuji waved his hand in frustration.
After Zhangsun Chong left, he suddenly remembered that Fang Jun had been severely reprimanded by Fang Xuanling for this matter and was punished to not leave the house for half a month.
Did this mean that Fang Xuanling knew the inside story?
However, after much hesitation, Zhangsun Wuji did not dare to act rashly. Before he figured out the true colors of this mysterious force, he could not trust anyone!
Therefore, he silently made a decision to use his own people to investigate in secret.
......
Seven days later, in the royal study.
Zhangsun Wuji had just reported the progress of the paper workshop to Second Emperor Li.
His Majesty was very satisfied with his efficiency and praised him.
As soon as he left, a hurried announcement came from outside the royal study.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to report!”
"What is it?" Second Emperor Li asked in a deep voice.
It was Dai Zhou, Minister of Civil Affairs.
"Your Majesty, something strange happened in the Yamen of Wannian County today!”
"According to the county magistrate, someone found something that seems to be a celestial treasure and wants to present it to Your Majesty!”
"Oh?" Second Emperor Li asked curiously," What treasure? Could it be that you've discovered another auspicious sign?”
"According to the description, it's a treasure that can emit seven-colored light!”Dai Zhou continued," The person who presented the treasure claimed that this item was a celestial treasure that could bring prosperity to a country!”
"Seven-colored light? Prosperity of a country?" His Majesty Li Er frowned.
Ever since he was hit by the poison pill, he no longer believed in these gods and monsters. Why did a treasure suddenly appear now?
"Have you brought that thing? Let me see it.”Li Er said.
" It's still in the Yamen of Wannian County," Dai Zhou said." The person who presented the treasure said that this item was too precious and could only be given to the current Emperor.”
"The county magistrate of Wannian County sent a message saying that the person was right. The treasure can indeed emit seven-colored light!”
"There's actually such a thing?" Li Er was even more curious." Let's go. I'll go and take a look myself!"”
If there's nothing today, try to make up for it tomorrow
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