"Old Li's words lack consideration." Qin Fang chuckled.
"How is it lacking in consideration? "The imperial court really doesn't have any more grain." Before Li Er could answer, Old Wei had already told Li Shimin that he had seen all the accounts of the imperial court and there was indeed no more grain in the imperial court.
"May I ask Old Wei, who is Li Er?”
"Naturally, it's the Son of Heaven of the Great Tang, the ruler of the world.”
Qin Fang chuckled after hearing this, but he did not say anything.
"Young Master Qin, is Old Wei wrong?" Li Er was surprised.”
"No, Old Wei is right. Since Li Er was the Son of Heaven of the Great Tang, the ruler of the world…Then let me ask, is it true that all the land under the heavens is the land of the king, and all the land by the coast is the land of the king's subjects?”Qin Fang smiled.
"Of course. Ever since King Wu of Zhou unified the world, the entire world has to obey the orders of the Han Emperor. If anyone dares to disobey, they will be exterminated.”When Li Er spoke, his aura was domineering and grand. As expected of the founding emperor.
Qin Fang looked at Li Er. For a moment, he felt that Old Li had the aura of an emperor. Could this Old Li be Li Shimin? However, he immediately shook his head. How could the emperor come to him?
"Then may I ask Old Li, since Li Er is the ruler of the world, then isn't the food in the world Li Er's?”Qin Fang smiled.
"Of course, but there's no food in the world now. Even the Yangzhou area was starting to run out of food.”Li Er said.
Because the Eastern Jin Dynasty established the capital in Jianye, the area around Suzhou and Hangzhou became a land of fish and rice during the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
The rice in the Central Plains depended on the supply there.
Ever since the autumn flood, the imperial court had been collecting grain from Su and Hang several times, but they could no longer do so.
As for Guanzhong, North China, and the Central Plains, they were all affected by the drought and floods, and there was no food.
It could be said that there was no more food in the world.
"Old Li, why else would I say that you're just a businessman who doesn't understand state affairs? You only know one thing and don't know the other.”Qin Fang said.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. I don't know how many grains of rice there are in this world.”Li Er sat upright and firmly denied it.
"Old Li, let me tell you, most of the food in the Great Tang is not in Suzhou, Yangzhou, or the hands of the common people.”
"The big families in Guanzhong, including the Central Plains, Jizhou, and Youzhou, are the gathering places of the big families. Since the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, they have built their own forts, armed forces, and farmers. Ordinary people had no food because of the war at the end of the Sui Dynasty. They did not serve in the military and did not pay taxes. There was definitely food in the warehouse, but it was hidden well. The natural disasters had only started this year. Although there were floods and droughts in the past, they were not serious. How could they not have food?”
"These people are just watching to see if Li Er can keep the throne. If they could secure the throne, they would lend the food to the imperial court or sell it to the imperial court in exchange for high positions and generous salaries. If Li Er couldn't hold on, they would be stingy. In addition, Li Jiancheng's remaining party was still there, and the remnants of the Sui Dynasty were also in the Turks. These people are all wall guards."
"So, if you want food, just ask them. As for the means, do I need to tell you? Cheng Yaojin was familiar with Li Er's gang of bandits who came down from the Wagang Stronghold. They robbed the rich to help the poor and split the land with the local tyrants. If they were more civilized, they would exchange food for official positions, and the price would be clearly stated. No one would scold Li Er for selling official positions for the sake of the people's rations.”
When Cheng Yaojin heard that Qin Fang had exposed him, the corners of his mouth twitched.
Qin Fang said a lot in one breath, and Li Er was dumbfounded. Qin Fang even explained clearly how to get food from the hands of the aristocratic families.
This…why did the officials in the court never say anything about it?
"These ministers think of ways all day long, but they don't talk about this matter.”Li Er was very angry. This group of good-for-nothings.
"Old Li, those ministers have aristocratic families. They hoarded their own food. Would they tell you?”Qin Fang shook his head and smiled.
Old Li was enlightened. "Listening to you is better than reading ten years of books. I listen to those old men nagging all day, but none of them can come up with a solution.”Old Li sighed.
"Young Master Qin has the talent to govern the world and has unfathomable schemes. Why don't you become an official? The Emperor was now desperate for talents, if Young Master Qin volunteered himself, he would definitely be put in an important position.”Li Er wanted to probe Qin Fang's intentions.
He would never let go of such a talent.
Just that move of using work as a form of relief was an unprecedented move.
Of course, Li Shimin didn't understand that this large-scale implementation of work-for-relief and becoming a national policy was invented by the crippled commander of the Eagle Sauce Country during the economic depression.
"No, no, no. If I go to the Imperial Court now, I'll be ostracized to death. There were no Humble Families in the upper ranks, and there were no Nobles in the lower ranks. Ever since Cao Pi adopted Chen Qun's suggestion and implemented the ninth-rank official system, these Humble Families 'descendants had never made a name for themselves. I have food and water here, and my days are so comfortable. Why go to the imperial court and compete with those idiots?”
Qin Fang knew that now was not the time. Even if Li Shiming valued him, he could do nothing about it.
The government was controlled by the aristocratic families. The emperor could be changed, but the big families were just like that. The ministers could be changed but not changed.
Li Er was speechless. What Qin Fang said was the truth.
They also wanted to solve it, but there was no way to do so.
It had been more than 450 years since Cao Pi had implemented the Nine Grades Officer Law. It was not something that could be solved in a day.
It was a pity that such a rare genius could not occupy a high position and seek the world. What a pity.
Although Li Shimin had many civil and military officials under him, most of them were too old to be used. Qin Fang was so young. If he could become an official in the court, it would be a blessing for the Great Tang and the world.
Seeing that it was getting late, Li Er stood up and bowed."I have benefited a lot from the conversation with Young Master Qin today. It is getting late, so we will visit again another day.”
Li Junxian immediately put on Li Er's clothes and fastened his belt.
"It's freezing cold and I didn't entertain you well. Please forgive me.”Qin Fang stood up and smiled.
"You're too humble. Even the palace can't compare to your food.”Li Er said goodbye again and again, and Qin Fang sent him to the door.
"Erniu, send Old Li and Old Wei off.”
"Yes, Young Master."
Two oxen sent Li Er and Wei Zheng out.
…………
Outside the village,
Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but say,"Your Majesty, why do I feel like we've entered the Immortal's Cave?"”
"I think so too." Li Shi Min felt that what he saw today was unbelievable.
"Let's go back to the palace immediately."
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]