Don't be a prince

It can only be a plague of locusts!

If you want to use troops on the grassland, a lot of food and grass will be consumed.Disaster relief in one or two states is nothing to the treasury.Sending troops is the thing that consumes the most treasury.Even if it is a partial war, a granary will be emptied at every turn, let alone a war of annihilation.

The shame of Weishui is still there, but before the locust plague that is likely to occur in the country, no matter how shameful it is, the emperor, as the lord of the country, has to endure it.

Looking at Li Jing and Niu Jinda who had not very good-looking faces, Li Chengqian was also a little helpless.

Unlike civil servants, the peaceful and prosperous times are actually the sorrows of generals.As generals, only the battlefield is the place where they can reflect their value and allow them to accumulate meritorious deeds.Every family does not have only one eldest son. The eldest son can inherit the title, and although the second son can also accept the shade, but if he wants to be superior to others, he still needs the father's generation to earn credit.

It is not convenient to directly disclose the matter of the locust plague.

However, Li Chengqian couldn't bear to see his two teachers drinking too much and hurting their spirits here.

Can't help but said: "Niu Gong, Wei Gong, you two are dukes, why don't you have some savings at home? After you go back today, you might as well buy more food and hoard it. Look at my East Palace, I have already hoarded tens of thousands Carried food."

"Hoarding food? What are you doing hoarding food?"

Hearing Li Chengqian's confused words, Niu Jinda was puzzled for a while.

Li Jing didn't understand the meaning, and looked at his disciple suspiciously.

Pointing to the sky, Li Chengqian walked towards Li Ke and said, "Don't you two think that there hasn't been a single snowfall this year?"

"What does snow have to do with stockpiling food!"

Niu Jinda roared in dissatisfaction, but turned around to find Li Jing's mouth widened, as if thinking of something terrible.

Stretching out his hand to poke Li Jing, Niu Jinda asked, "Duke Wei, what did you think of?"

In terms of wisdom, Niu Jinda knew that he was no match for Li Jing, so he could only ask questions directly.

Li Jing took a big sip of wine, suppressed the anxiety in his heart, and said, "Don't ask, you didn't tell the prince directly before seeing the prince? Willing to mention something obliquely, it shows that His Highness no longer regards us as outsiders. You must know This news is at your own risk. Don't ask too many questions, and don't tell others, just stock up on food when you get home. If outsiders ask, don't say it was the prince who said it, just make up an excuse to fool them. .”

After finishing speaking, Li Jing stopped staring at the fight between the crown prince and the King of Shu, and rushed home in a hurry.

Although Niu Jinda wanted to catch up and ask some more questions, but the prince's training was not over yet, so he could only sit down.

Keeping the matter of "stockpiling food" in mind, Niu Jinda did not think too much about it.

Seeing that the prince fell over his shoulder and made the king of Shu scream out, he shouted: "King of Shu, your foot is not stable, and you will continue to practice horse stance tomorrow! It's the same move, why did you deliberately release the water?" What's the matter? Forgot what the old man told you? The lion binds the rabbit, and you must do your best!"

Li Chengqian turned around, and Li Ke, who fell down again and again, got up, and the two answered in unison.

...

When the New Year's Eve is approaching, the streets of Chang'an are more crowded than ever.Although there are many people who transport New Year's goods, the most transported to and from ox carts and horse-drawn carts is food.

The news did not leak out, but there was no way to hide the locust plague of the previous year and the warm winter without snow this year.Anyone with experience can guess the possibility of locust plagues in the second year.Compared with preparing for the New Year, hoarding food is obviously more important.

Merchants have always been heroic. Some grain merchants even sold their property in the hope that there would be no heavy snowfall in the next year, so as to make a fortune.

When more people buy food, the price of food will inevitably rise a lot.Originally four pennies a bucket of grain, even once soared to seven pennies.

While the grain merchants were hoarding grain with red eyes, Zhao Yongsheng and Li Dahai, under the order of the prince, still transferred grain from other places.

The whole Guanzhong will be affected. If food is mobilized from Guanzhong, it will be the same as eating with the left hand instead of eating with the right hand.When you don't expect food to make money, but to save lives, there is no need to worry about the gains and losses of shipping costs.

Sun Simiao did not know where to get some news, and the doctors who came out to organize Chang'an also started to hoard, but what they hoarded were medicinal materials.Under a catastrophe, it is easy to have a catastrophe. Sometimes, people under a locust plague may not all starve to death.

Sun Simiao, who was busy buying medicinal materials everywhere, even gave up the fixed discussion time every afternoon.Surprisingly, he was originally penniless, but this time he received strong support from Laojunguan. Yuan Tiangang said that as long as Sun Simiao needed it, Laojunguan would supply it even if he smashed the plaque.

"Do you still need to think about it? Once the locust plague really occurs, the Taoist priests will be able to attract a lot of believers by virtue of the name of helping the world and saving people. Fame is hard to buy! Look, as long as the locust plague is together, open a warehouse to release food and provide it for free There will not be one or two people who take medicine. It is only the first year of Zhenguan. Although there is no incident this year, many people still have a sense of crisis. Since the founding of the country, thousands of titles have been awarded. In the future, His Majesty will definitely find various Some of the seeds were cut off. This has been the case in all dynasties.

The present opportunity, as long as you seize it, will gain a certain amount of popular support.You see, with the hearts of the people, your father can't do it easily.Under the catastrophe, who would worry about whether it is a serious crime to invite people to buy people's hearts?At this time, as long as he is a kind person, he must be a good person. "

I like the old gentleman's straightforward way of speaking the most. Li Chengqian listened carefully and benefited a lot.

These rules hidden under the surface of the officialdom, probably only the old gentleman would say so unscrupulously.

The matter of the locust plague was never hidden from the old man.

Although a person is old, his eyesight is also somewhat degraded, and his ears are also deaf.But Li Gang looked at some things more openly.A lot of things can be deduced from some inconspicuous little things.

Reaching out to pat Li Chengqian on the shoulder, the old man smiled and said, "I'm afraid that's why you found the farm that I named you. Using poultry to fight locust plagues is indeed a good way, but even if your farm is filled with chickens So what about ducks? Compared to the locust plague that ravaged a whole state, they are nothing!"

Now that the old man already knew about the locust plague, Li Chengqian did not hide it: "You are right, the farms are really not very useful before the locust plague. But after the locust plague, they will be of great use. The disciple is going to pour the East Palace How do you feel about buying locusts from the common people?"

Li Gang blinked, then laughed out loud.

It was only when he heard this that he realized that this disciple of his was planning to buy locusts as feed for the farm!

After laughing for a long time before he stopped smiling, Li Gang waved his hand and pushed the wheelchair back to his room.

It is already the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, but the old man has not returned to his grandson's house.

This year is different from previous years, Li Anren did not stay in Chang'an to celebrate the New Year, but returned to his hometown in Guanzhou, with the old man's instructions.

The older a person is, the more he misses his hometown.

When he was young, he was high-spirited, pointed out the country, and was an extremely personable minister, but in old age he could not resist the nostalgia.

Li Chengqian was not at ease when there was no one in Li's house, so he simply left him in the East Palace for the New Year.

In the New Year with the old man around, I can't shiver anymore.Therefore, under the order of the prince, the East Palace was decorated with lanterns and festoons just like the Imperial Palace.Chicken, duck, fish and so on are nothing, but the most coveted thing is that Li Dahai took advantage of the cold winter to freeze a whole decomposed cow, and specially asked the border county magistrate to witness it, and then transported it to Chang'an.

After getting the beef, in addition to leaving some good ones for making sauced beef and making dumplings, Li Chengqian made another big show.

Although some families have little blacks (river crabs) who have obtained their own beef, none of them dare to show it.

Cheng Yaojin or something, the sick and dead cows in the family are not one or two.So Li Chengqian didn't send it away.

As for the law-abiding Dai Zhou and Wei Zheng, I'm afraid they haven't tasted beef in this life, so Li Chengqian specially sent them some.

After sending the bull's head and a large piece of beef to the harem, the former was used to worship the ancestors, and the latter was used to eat meat, the Eastern Palace closed its doors.

This year's Chinese New Year, I haven't been to the harem...

Chapter 141 Trading Grain for Locusts

The dumplings stuffed with beef still tasted the same, but seeing the old man chewing repeatedly in his mouth and unable to swallow it, it was like a rare delicacy.

"We all know that beef is delicious, but there are not many who dare to kill cattle to eat meat. Even the royal family, when encountering important sacrifices, have to order to the surrounding counties that only cattle that die of illness or fall can be used. The cow's head was used as a sacrifice. The only beef I ate in my life was during the state banquet of the Sui Dynasty."

Not only the old man regarded dumplings as a delicacy, but even the eunuchs and court ladies who were only allocated one were treated as treasures. The number of vegetarian and mutton dumplings in the bowl has been decreasing, but the beef is not touched.

In addition to eating and drinking, Chinese New Year is probably about keeping the year old.But this year there is an old man here, so it is a bit inhumane to let the old man stay up late to watch the new year.

So Li Chengqian visited the harem after dinner was over and the old man was sent to bed.

The Hall of Liangyi was still so lively today, and the eldest grandson with a big belly would naturally not attend the annual banquet hosted by the emperor at the Lizheng Hall.

Both Concubine Yang and Concubine Yin consciously distanced themselves from the Queen.

The pregnant queen is the most dangerous individual, and no one dares to get too close.Although the pregnancy of a queen and concubine is a great joy for the royal family, it is not so friendly to court ladies and eunuchs.If you serve well, you will naturally get a lot of rewards. If you do not serve well, it may even lead to miscarriage.

The queen's circle will naturally not work against Li Tai.

Nestled next to his eldest grandson, Li Taizheng was chattering, using chopsticks as pens, dipping in tea to write on the table.

Li Ke was rather dull, and he would only answer when Concubine Yang spoke.

They all have their own things to do, and the off-court dancing is a bit redundant.

Seeing the prince coming, the eldest grandson was overjoyed, and immediately asked the maid to prepare a cushion on the other side of her.

Li Tai consciously gave up the seat on the left and sat on the right.

Just a small gesture, it can be seen that he respects his elder brother very much.

"Master Li fell asleep? When I heard that you were going to stay in the East Palace for the New Year, I thought you wouldn't come here for one night."

After sitting on the left side of the eldest grandson, Li Chengqian smiled slightly: "After all, it's Chinese New Year, and I still want to come and see my mother."

Looking up, he saw dense meat on the table, Li Chengqian was pushed away by the meat and dishes, moved the light dishes closer, and said: "You are pregnant, it is better to eat some light food."

The eldest grandson accepted his son's filial piety with peace of mind, and couldn't help but reach out and touch his stomach.

If Kuan'er hadn't died young, at this moment, she should be one on the left and one on the right, holding a son in her arms.

After eating a few mouthfuls of the food brought by his old lady, and drinking two sips of tea, seeing that the concubines in the harem were all doing their own things in a dull manner, and there was no Chinese New Year atmosphere, Li Chengqian stood up, left the stage, and took the dancer who was dancing They were all driven away.

Seeing his son end, although he didn't know what to do, the eldest grandson clapped his hands excitedly.

Walking in front of the dull Li Ke, Li Chengqian invited: "Third brother, today is New Year's Eve, what can you do here if you are bored, come on, do two tricks with your brother, and let Concubine Yang know what you have gained during this time."

Naturally, Li Ke would not refuse the prince's brother's invitation.

The two simply took off their jackets, put on their underwear, and stood still in the middle of the field.

The lady-in-waiting got a small drum from somewhere and sent it to the queen's table.

Seeing that Li Ke and Li Chengqian were ready, the curious eldest grandson beat the small drum vigorously.

However....

The two people who were confronting each other remained motionless.Remember in one second on the mobile phone → .B\\.\ provides you with wonderful novels to read.

Two pairs of eyes were fixed on the opponent's body, trying their best to find a flaw.

No one urged, and all the concubines could feel the smell of gunpowder between the two of them.

After a long time, Li Ke moved first, and his speed was so fast that many people only blinked, and in the next second they found that two people were close.

He slapped Li Ke's straight fist with a slap, not seeking to change direction, but only seeking to borrow strength.

With this strength, Li Chengqian spun around on the spot, and his left leg had already reached under Li Ke's.

However, this time, Li Ke didn't fall directly because of the instability of his foot plate, but turned over with a kite, stood firm and jumped up again.

Although he knew that he was not the elder brother's opponent, but in order to show off in front of his mother and concubine, Li Ke had already used all his strength at this time.

Seeing that Li Ke had improved on his shortcomings, Li Chengqian secretly praised him, changed his defense to offense, and rushed forward to meet Li Ke.

After getting close, there was a burst of fists and kicks.

After the sound of crackling fists and palms, Li Ke showed a flaw. Li Chengqian grabbed Li Ke's chest with both hands without hesitation, and threw him out.

This time, Li Ke couldn't adjust his figure anymore, and his butt fell to the ground hard.

From the beginning to the present, it seems that the time is very long, and it seems that the time is very short.But no matter which one, Li Ke and Li Chengqian's true talents and learning cannot be faked.

Led by the eldest grandson, all the concubines and court ladies cheered in unison.

Walking up to Li Ke and pulling him up, Li Chengqian said with a chuckle: "The foot is still unstable, and the opening in his chest is still too big when he punches straight. The problem that can be seen by such a flamboyant elder brother can be seen by Niu Da. In front of the general, I'm afraid you will be scolded!"

After rubbing his butt twice, Li Ke said indifferently: "I know the mistake, just correct it. One day, I will defeat you!"

Li Chengqian didn't care about his younger brother's dissatisfaction.Although he considers himself to be of average talent, although Niu Jinda is teaching the two at the same time, in fact he is obviously biased.In such an obviously unfair teaching environment, if Li Ke wants to catch up with himself, he cannot do it simply by working hard.

After returning to his seat, Li Chengqian realized that his old lady had put a lot of food on his plate.

After praising the eldest son's skill, the eldest grandson turned his head, pinched Li Tai's fat lightly, and said with feigned anger: "Look at your two brothers, and look at yourself, how fat you are!" , I don’t know how to exercise.”

Li Tai let out a scream, and then said cunningly: "Leaving aside such evildoers as the prince and the emperor, when it comes to academics, even if Li Ke is half-brained by my son, he is not an opponent. Empress, you can't let me study and study again." It's good, and martial arts training is also good."

Patting Li Tai's butt casually, the eldest grandson smiled without saying a word.

In fact, she is already very satisfied with the achievements of this youngest son.

For a Confucian like Li Gang to say, "King Wei is wise enough to look around Chang'an, but only the crown prince may be slightly better." It shows that Li Tai has not wasted time in addition to his great talent.

That's fine, if nothing else happens, the next emperor is destined to be Cheng Qian, and Li Tai will be a Prince of Taiping.Poor martial arts skills are not so good, as long as you have literary talents, you will not be underestimated by outsiders.

The dance did not recover, and Li Ke, who went back to rest for a while, took the initiative to challenge the prince this time.

As he wished, Li Chengqian dumped him once again.If he didn't throw it out but hugged Li Ke and directly inserted the onion upside down, Li Ke would definitely die or be disabled.

The door of the palace opened at some point, and the drunken emperor finished the banquet at the Lizheng Palace and returned to the harem.

Although he only watched half of the competition between the two sons, he still pointed out:

"Prince, it's too obvious that you let the water go. Just during the time I saw, you had a few chances to win with one blow, but you were worried that you would hurt Li Ke, so you didn't make a move until the end. Although this is a way to protect brothers , but after a long time, it will also make your own eyesight go backwards."

"Li Ke, if you can't fight, just defend and wait for an opportunity to counterattack. But what is the matter with your attack, trying to suppress the prince with all your strength? If the prince didn't let you, I'm afraid you would have been lying down by now Went to bed."

The emperor's voice sounded, and the concubines were just about to stand up and salute, but the complicated etiquette was canceled with a wave of Li Shimin's hand.

During the scene, Li Chengqian laughed dryly, and Li Ke lowered his head in shame.

If the emperor hadn't revealed it, he wouldn't have known that he had been let down so many times by his elder brother.Comparing the before and after, I suddenly felt that my words of threatening to surpass my brother were very arrogant, so I became more and more ashamed.

When the emperor came back, the positions of the tables and chairs had to be adjusted.

A eunuch brought a new small table, and placed it on the side of the empress table, slightly in front.