I am the cook, but I am Li Er's son-in-law

Li Shimin glanced at him, raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder: "I have had people test things like cement, and it won't cause any problems after long-term use."

The servant of the Ministry of Industry just nodded and did not continue to speak.

Li Shimin continued to walk forward.

But he stopped again after a few steps, and he didn't look back, just took a deep breath: "I'm going to build a road, using cement, from Chang'an to Luoyang."

Duan Lun responded with compliments: "Your Majesty's move should be a unparalleled act of righteousness in ancient and modern times."

"Our Ministry of Industry will definitely try our best to do this well."

He started to grab the credit - he has been the secretary of the Ministry of Industry since the beginning of Zhenguan. Although he was not from the Ministry of Industry, his experience over the years also made him understand how great a feat it is to build a road.

This is something destined to go down in history.

I heard that His Majesty is preparing for the Lingyan Pavilion to be canonized as the most useful official in the Tang Dynasty. With this achievement, maybe he can also be among them.

Li Shimin glanced back at him, and said softly: "I don't plan to use corvees, but I plan to hire people to build."

Except for a few people who had heard from Yin Xuan a long time ago and were mentally prepared, the other officials were all dumbfounded, looking at Li Shimin's back, a little at a loss.

Hire?

Does the imperial court use hired people?
Is corvée bad?
Duan Lun's body was a little stiff, and he forced a smile: "Your Majesty, please be careful, the people of the world are in corvée service for the imperial court, as it should be."

"I know that Your Majesty is sympathetic to the people, but you should also think about the court and the treasury. If you hire someone to repair this kind of expenses, I'm afraid it will not be cheaper than laying a stone road to Luoyang."

Li Shimin nodded: "I know."

"I just don't want to follow the example of Emperor Sui Yang's trip."

Duan Lun shook his head: "Your Majesty is worrying too much. Emperor Sui Yang built the canal and wasted money and people."

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Li Shimin. The emperor of the Tang Dynasty turned his head, looked at Duan Lun, and sighed: "Isn't it a waste of people and money to build roads?"

"In the eyes of the common people, what's the difference between the roads I built and the canals built by Emperor Sui Yang?"

"If corvée is used, it's just forcing them to do things that they may not be able to use in their lifetime. The common people don't care if I build roads or canals."

"All they know is that they're back with a potentially exhausting job."

Duan Lun fell silent, and after a long time, he complimented again: "Your Majesty is benevolent, and I am ashamed."

After being praised like this, Li Shimin's face turned red. He took Yin Xuan's words and pretended to be such a wave, and he couldn't stand it with his face.

He waved his hand, signaling to the rest of the officials not to follow suit.

"This is not what I thought of." Li Shimin thought for a while, but still told the truth, "It was Yin Xiannan who reminded me when I was chatting with him."

"The idea of ​​hiring people to repair the road was also proposed by him."

"In addition, he also raised some opinions on how to use these roads to make the court pay back."

"I hesitated for a long time, I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep during this time, just thinking about this question."

As he said that, Li Shimin sighed again, and his voice of resentment was sharp and ear-piercing.

"Would you like to try his idea? The risk is very high." Li Shimin continued, "I know that if the follow-up fails, then my court will have to bear such a huge burden."

"But I still don't want this opportunity."

Li Shimin raised his hand, spread his fingers, and looked at his palm: "This is an excellent opportunity. I know that if every city in my Tang Dynasty is connected by such a road, my Tang Dynasty will be transformed." Into a real monolith."

"I hate this opportunity."

"So I plan to give it a try and build such a road between Chang'an and Luoyang."

"My dear friends, what do you think?"

The officials looked at each other.

Is that Yin County man again?They really never thought that a small county man without any official position would have such a sense of existence.

How capable and attractive is that man.

Of course, their minds just passed such thoughts, and they were still thinking about Li Shimin's follow-up words.

To use corvee or not to use corvee?
Naturally, using corvée is the safest way - but, it won't be repaired much, maybe it's not too difficult a task to get from Chang'an to Luoyang, after all, there is only [-] miles between these two cities.

But Datang is not limited to these two cities.

There are also Taiyuan, Qufu, Qizhou, and Yizhou.
If you want to connect all the cities in the country with cement, the cost, manpower, and damage will probably be far more than the excavation of canals.

If the employment method can be used to recover the expenses as the county man said, then it will be extremely good.

But who can be sure that this will definitely work?
The problem before them now is - if anyone takes over the task of hiring people to build roads, the responsibility for not making money in the future and the court losing money will certainly not be held accountable to him.

But how much cost was spent on road construction and how to save money as much as possible, this responsibility must be borne after taking over this task.

Who dares to bear this burden.

Duan Lun touched his little heart, he felt that he was not courageous enough.

This is the case with the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, let alone other officials, who are even less courageous.

Li Shimin looked at them, a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes, and he sighed softly.

It's just that before he finished sighing, a voice came to his ears, it was the minister of the Ministry of Industry who didn't care about his image at all.

He cupped his hands towards Li Shimin, and then said softly: "I am willing to help His Majesty solve problems."

"The minister is willing to take charge of this matter."

Li Shimin looked over. He didn't have a deep impression of this man, but he still remembered his name——Lu Yigong, although his surname was Lu, but he didn't have much relationship with the Lu family of Fanyang—just like he was with the Li family of Longxi and Zhao Jun. Li's same relationship.

"Think about it, this is not an easy task." Li Shimin looked at him, his voice gradually became serious.

Lu Yigong nodded: "I understand."

"The minister will do his best to improve this matter."

Li Shimin nodded.

Fang Xuanling glanced at Lu Yigong, and stood up uncontrollably: "This matter...hasn't been settled yet, and it still needs to be discussed in the court, and Lu Shilang doesn't have to be like this."

His words ruined the atmosphere at this time.

Li Shimin was annoyed and stared at him.

Lu Yigong also breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled at Fang Xuanling, thanking him for relieving himself of a lot of pressure.

He dared to take this matter, naturally he had the confidence.