The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

"Prime Minister Pei is wrong." Xiao Yu was the first to refute.

When he was in Zhuangzi, he had already figured out what was going on. Now, when he heard others say that the locust plague was a warning from heaven in the court, he was no longer moved.

His Royal Highness King Jingyang said that there was something about ecology, biology, science, and so on.

Anyway, it's not a punishment from heaven, so don't link this matter to God.

People did something wrong? What did they do wrong?

Xiao Yu was disdainful in his heart. Didn't he just want to use the fact that in the ninth year of Wude, His Majesty became the Prince of Qin and now ascended the throne?

The Emperor Taizong had no objection, so why did you bring it up again?

The Yu family, now His Majesty and the Emperor Taizong have a good relationship. His Majesty often takes the Prince and many other princes to Da'an Palace to share the joy of family with the Emperor Taizong. The family is happy.

Yu Guo, since your majesty ascended the throne, you have governed the country with trepidation and without any fault. Even when there was a flood last year, the court responded quickly, opened the warehouses to release grain, and helped the people, doing what the court should do.

What's wrong? Is it necessary for you, Pei Ji, to say these words in secret?

"Oh? What do you think, Mr. Xiao?" Pei Ji raised his eyelids and glanced at Xiao Yu.

"The next year, I lived in a farm outside and saw what the land looked like. Every spring, the rain is not so abundant. The spring without rain is not only this year, but it is because the drought this year is worse than in the past. The locust plague is caused by drought."

"Isn't drought also because God doesn't rain?" Pei Ji said sarcastically.

"Yes, it's because God doesn't rain, but there are so many times when God doesn't rain." Xiao Yu retorted: "If it's true as Pei Xiang said, that it doesn't rain because people did something wrong and God punished them, then why was there good weather and good harvests last spring?

Does it mean that people did everything right last year? At the beginning of this spring, what did the court and the people do to anger God?"

After Xiao Yu's words came out, Pei Ji didn't know how to respond.

Then he said: "Last autumn."

"Pei Xiang wants to say that last autumn, there was a lot of rain, which caused the river to burst its banks and Guanzhong to flood, right?" Xiao Yu didn't wait for Pei Ji to finish and blocked his words.

"If it is as Prime Minister Pei said, then someone did something wrong. They did not properly inspect the river channel, consolidate the river bank, and did not dredge the local water conservancy project, which led to the breach." Xiao Yu said: "In this case, according to Prime Minister Pei's meaning, the court can issue an order to investigate and punish all officials in all places that suffered from the disaster last year, from county magistrates to assistant governors, and even the governors and governors of a state, all of whom should be held responsible for this matter."

"This... I don't mean that." Pei Ji hurriedly distanced himself from the matter.

If Xiao Yu said so, how many people would he offend if the court really did so? Those officials involved would hate him to death?

"What does Prime Minister Pei mean?" Li Shimin, who was sitting at the top, said faintly: "However, after being reminded by Prime Minister Pei, I feel that the court only provided disaster relief for the flood last year, and the follow-up matters were not done well. Prime Minister Pei's proposal can be discussed."

"Right servant." Li Shimin looked at Changsun Wuji.

"I'm here." Changsun Wuji responded.

"Which places suffered from disasters last autumn? Who was in charge of the local areas? The river channel is related to the survival of the people, so it cannot be sloppy. They made such a mistake. The court should be held accountable." Li Shimin said expressionlessly.

He looked at Pei Ji from the corner of his eyes.

Pei Ji couldn't help but shudder.

You can't let your majesty continue with this topic.

"Your Majesty." Pei Ji hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, last year's flood caused the river to burst its banks. Many local officials have been holding on. As a result, some officials even missed the time to leave in order to evacuate the people and died in the flood. I think that the court should not pursue the matter of last year."

"Well? Shouldn't it be pursued?" Li Shimin looked at Pei Ji with some amusement: "It was also Prime Minister Pei who said that someone did something wrong and God punished him... Now I will rectify the chaos of last year, and then find out who did something wrong this year and give an explanation to God. Isn't it right? Well?~"

"This..." Pei Ji was speechless.

Xiao Yu was silent.

Li Shimin was in a good mood when he saw Pei Ji sitting there with his head down and had nothing to say.

What Prime Minister Xiao said in the court today was really exciting!

In addition, Zhuangzishang in Jingyang County is really a good place. Even Xiao Yu went there once and said this in the court after returning.The words were very much in line with his wishes.

Li Shimin was happy, but Pei Ji was not happy. He wanted to take this opportunity to do something, but he did not expect that he would be rebuked by Xiao Yu's words.

"However, what Prime Minister Pei said makes sense. After all, it happened last year." Li Shimin said slowly.

This gave Pei Ji a way out.

Anyway, this scared Pei Ji and he dared not talk nonsense anymore. Li Shimin was also happy.

For what happened last year, we can't really follow what we just said and blame someone.

It was a natural disaster, which was inevitable. Which emperor in the past dynasties did not experience it when he was in power?

It happened during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han and Emperor Jing of Han, and during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui.

"Let's not talk about the past. Let's talk about the present." Li Shimin brought the topic back to the locust plague.

"My dear ministers, do you have anything to say?" Li Shimin glanced at the people in the court and asked.

"Your Majesty, I think you should order a sacrifice to the locust god, and the people from all over the country should go to the Ba La Temple to burn incense and pay homage."

"I think the Zongzheng Temple should be responsible for the sacrifice, and Your Majesty should come in person to show your sincerity."

The officials couldn't think of any good solution, and they were unwilling to say that locusts should be killed in large numbers, so they could only rely on sacrifices.

"I think the court should also encourage the people to kill locusts." Xiao Yu said.

"Absolutely not!"

As soon as Xiao Yu finished speaking, an official came out to object.

"Killing locusts in large numbers will anger the locust god."

"It's really inappropriate to do so long ago."

Soon, everyone stood up to oppose Xiao Yu.

"Mr. Xiao, even if the imperial court ordered the people to kill locusts, they would not do so." Pei Ji said, "They dare not, nor do they have the courage like Mr. Xiao, to anger the locust god."

Pei Ji had just been humiliated by Xiao Yu's remarks, and now he had to get back at them.