For the same 1,000 miles, there are places where you can't ride a horse, because you need to cross mountains and mountains, and even swim over, even if there is a bridge, the carrying capacity of this bridge is not the same, and it may take several months to walk alone.

But some places are different, faster, you can arrive in three or four days.

This is also why the enemy in the desert gives the Central Plains Dynasty a headache, this tens of thousands of miles of border, the other party attacks here today, tomorrow there attack, if the Great Wall is not built, any place may let the enemy go deep into the hinterland to burn and loot.

And the other party's horse is fast, and it is a flat horse, and no one can stand it.

Li Shimin looked up at Chen Zhengtai: "The princess's mansion was built after Shuofang, what about after that?" How to keep it, how to create it, and what is the role? ”

Chen Zhengtai had already thought about these questions, so he said: "With the princess's mansion, it is natural to build a city, this city is still Shuofang, and then relocate the people, carry out farming and grazing in the surroundings, and gradually there are more and more people, it is a chess piece of my Datang in the desert." in, which can control all parts of the grassland; Retreat, you can defend the city, so that the enemy of the desert is like a fish in the throat.

Of course, Li Shimin knows the significance of this formula.

At the beginning, the Han Dynasty built a city in Shuofang, which was not unreasonable, but he tapped his fingers on the case and sighed: "It takes a lot of money." ”

This is honest, after all, he can't learn from Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and he can't use all his national strength to consume in the desert.

"Rather than that, you might as well restrain the ministries."

Chen Zhengtai said: "It's just Your Majesty, relying on fetters, can you make the Hu people die?" The more Hu people the Tang Dynasty absorbs, the more it will be when it is strong, but once the national strength declines, those who disrupt the world of the Tang Dynasty must be these Hu people. Students are not alarmists, but restraint can only be used as an expedient measure, and it must not be used as a national policy of Datang. As for the money and food spent on building the city, there are some here in the Chen family. ”

"What are some of them?" Li Shimin looked at Chen Zhengtai thoughtfully.

The princess's mansion belongs to Princess Sui'an.

The city was built by your Chen family.

This guy has a lot of thoughts.

Chen Zhengtai said without hesitation: "In the early stage, I plan to get 300,000 yuan first, and as for the future...... And it will be added more and more. ”

As soon as these words came out, Li Shimin was dumbfounded.

300,000 ......

That's a terrifying number.

And obviously it's only in the early stage, Chen Zhengtai has said it, and it will increase one after another.

Three guan money is almost the expense of a family, but how much is 300,000 guan worth?

Li Shimin couldn't help but ask: "How much can it be increased in the future?" ”

Chen Zhengtai smiled bitterly: "This is not for sure, but ...... Hundreds of thousands more is for sure. If the demand is greater in the future, it is not possible to have a million. ”

Li Shimin is completely convinced, is there such a good thing?

The Chen family paid money to build a city in the desert, which was obviously of great benefit to the Tang Dynasty.

The reason why the Tang Dynasty was reluctant to follow the example of the Han Dynasty was that it was unable to bear this huge capital cost, not to mention wasting a lot of people's power.

After all, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty has accumulated a lot of wealth through the rule of Wenjing, and he has accumulated a lot of money and grain by fighting Haoqiang and the autocracy of salt and iron, but where does Datang have this spare strength, and the money must be used on the blade.

Now that Chen Jiaken is willing to pay this money, what else can he say?

Li Shimin still said very kindly: "It is not easy to build a city, if you are not careful, all this will come to naught." ”

Chen Zhengtai said: "Although this money belongs to the Chen family, if you can't share the worries of the world, what's the use of holding on to these wealth?" After all, money is a dead thing, and if it can be used to benefit the community, students will be willing to eat it even if they have lost their wealth. ”

Li Shimin couldn't help but be pleased, and said with a smile: "If all the clans in the world are like the Chen family, where will there be so many things in this world?" I'll be able to worry about it. You let it go, I issued an order to give 60,000 yuan, plus 110,000 stones of food, to build the princess's mansion, and the Ministry of Industry will also allocate a group of craftsmen, no matter how many others there are, I can't give them, I have many daughters, and the emperor also has many children......"

In fact, Li Shimin is very willing.

Chen Zhengtai said: "The teacher is already very generous, and the students will definitely spend all this money in useful places, and will never waste a penny." ”

Li Shimin was happy, is this considered a thousand pounds?

Compared with other surnames in the world, the Chen family did a great thing, and he never imagined that Chen Zhengtai actually wanted to move his people to the desert.

Such a request is really unheard of.

At this time, Li Shimin was eager to drive out all the other clans, and out of sight was pure.

But it's clear that no one is as 'stupid' as Chan.

At this time, Li Shimin's mood was very good, and he immediately thought of something, so he said: "I really heard that Changsun Chong and Fang Yiai have entered the school, so I expect them to be uncomfortable." ”

Chen Zhengtai said with a straight face: "Teacher, they are well-behaved, since they entered school, they have been studying wholeheartedly, and they have not heard anything outside the window." ”

When Li Shimin heard this, he looked incredulous.

Even Li Shimin knows that these two guys are notorious, and in Chang'an City, no one knows about it, and no one knows it.

Several times the hundred horsemen played secretly, all of which said that the two spent all day drinking, eating, drinking and merrymaking, day and night, and they were also rampant in Chang'an, clashing with people everywhere.

If it weren't for the sake of the eldest grandson Wuji and Fang Xuanling, such an evil boy, Li Shimin would have ordered it to be cleaned up.

Li Shimin decided in his heart that Chen Zhengtai's so-called hard study, nine times out of ten, is just a statement that is not to cover up his ugliness, which is not credible.

Li Shimin said: "As long as they don't come out to harm people, it's not a bad thing, but you have to worry about it." However, Fang Qing and the eldest grandson Qing's family are very worried about their children, and it is not easy to ask you, but they ask me every day, and I am also troubled. Do it yourself. But...... After all, they are young people, and if they make any mistakes, you should be patient. ”

These two guys belong to the kind of people who will give up on treatment if they see it.

Li Shimin doesn't even expect these two guys to come out, this is the safest, it's good that people can live, anyway, Datang can always afford to raise two wastes.

Chen Zhengtai can be regarded as having served these two scumbags, not only is he notorious, but even the emperor knows about it, and His Majesty's tone is like solving two pieces of garbage casually.

Roughly speaking, you cover these two pieces of garbage, don't let their stench come out, this is your Chen Zhengtai's great credit.

Chen Zhengtai couldn't cry or laugh a little, so he had to respond.

Li Shimin was in a very comfortable mood, and suddenly felt that Chen Zhengtai seemed to have helped him solve two big problems, thought about it, and then instructed: "Actually, Guanyin is the eldest Sun Chong, after all, he is a nephew, if he can teach, he will teach some knowledge." But this son is very evil, I don't expect him to be able to study, the woman always thinks that the child is still young, and he will be sensible when he grows up. But in this world, where is there such a thing, small fashion and so, big, then pay it back? You don't have to worry too much, if something happens, I'll call the shots for you. ”

His Majesty was obviously on his side, Chen Zhengtai was grateful and happy in his heart, and nodded: "The teacher has worked hard." ”

"Where is the hard work." Li Shimin said with a straight face: "It's your hard work." This year...... So much has happened, but next year, everything will be fine......... This princess's mansion, in fact, I should give more money and food, but this year...... Hey, let's talk about it next year, if there is a bumper harvest in Guanzhong next year, I will give you some more, and you can't just rely on money to build a city, you also need food........."

Speaking of next year's bumper harvest in Guanzhong......

Chen Zhengtai remembered that in the early years of Zhenguan, it seemed that there were not many harvest years.

Next year will be the fifth year of Zhenguan.

It's November now, and the four years of Zhenguan are fast passing.

He remembers what he had been to the museum in Xi'an...... It is said that there is a village that was buried underwater in the fifth year of Zhenguan......

Oh, yes, if nothing else, there may be a flood next year, and the location is the Wei River that flows through Chang'an.

This Weishui River is the largest tributary of the Yellow River, but also the lifeline of the entire Guanzhong region, the Guanzhong region, since the Qin Dynasty began to set the capital here, with more and more population, wanton felling, so that the original dense forest, gradually decreased, and once encountered a huge rainstorm, it immediately became a disaster, directly the entire Guanzhong Plain, into a swampy place.

If there is really a flood at that time, I am afraid that there will be another life in this level.

Chen Zhengtai's mood suddenly became heavy, thoughtful, and did not speak for a while.

Seeing that he was silent, Li Shimin couldn't help but say, "What are you thinking?" ”

Of course, Chen Zhengtai didn't dare to crow's mouth, but just sneered: "The teacher mentioned the harvest, and the students were thinking, for so many years, there have been frequent disasters in this pass, drought and locust plagues, maybe there will be floods......

When Li Shimin heard this, he couldn't help but drop his face, frowned, and said: "Can you do this less in front of me, the drought and locust plague have just passed, and I think it will not happen again in recent years." As for the floods, in the past 20 years, Weishui has been calm, and there have been no major disasters...... When this disaster comes, no one can say for sure, but you say every day, if the heavens have a sense...... Do you really bring calamity? ”

Chen Zhengtai was speechless, but he also understood Li Shimin's mood, after all, the ancients really believed in this thing.

He looked up at the sky, but at this time he could only see the huge beams and pillars of the palace, so he said in a speech: "What the teacher said makes sense, and the student just said it casually, so I must pay attention to it in the future." ”

So he sighed silently and obediently said goodbye.

Out of the Tai Chi Palace.

Chen Zhengtai was looking for Ma Zhoulai, Ma Zhou was a bachelor in the Zhan Mansion as a bachelor in Youchunfang, and there were a lot of things on weekdays, but when he heard Chen Zhengtai's call, he came in a hurry.

Ma Zhou came at a trot, panting and saying, "What does the benefactor command?" ”

Chen Zhengtai glanced at him: "If I say, well, I mean if Ha, if there is a flood in this Weishui River, what will it do?" ”

Ma Zhou was confused, and said very puzzled: "The Weishui River has not had a disaster since the Sui period, why did the benefactor suddenly worry about the sky." ”

Chen Zhengtai was angry, in front of the emperor, he was scolded, of course he didn't dare to say anything, but when you were in front of Ma Zhou, I Chen Zhengtai couldn't lose my temper?

So Chen Zhengtai said: "What is it called worrying about the sky, is it a good word to worry about the sky?" I mean if. ”

Ma Zhou no longer refuted, so he said seriously: "If it is, in the second year of Emperor Xiaomin of the Later Zhou Dynasty, there was a flood in Weishui, and the flood directly washed away Guanzhong, and the grain production was reduced by forty percent that year, and more than 700,000 people died of starvation, and the people were hungry at that time, and it had reached the point of cannibalism." ”

Chen Zhengtai now felt creepy when he heard cannibalism, and he frowned and said, "If there was such a flood at the beginning, could it have been prevented in advance?" ”

"It's not impossible, the biggest way is to build a reservoir in the low-lying places in advance, and then when the flood comes, they dig this place, introduce water into the low-lying places, and lead the flood to form a lake, so that although it can flood some places, at least it can protect Guanzhong. It's just that...... By the time the flood comes, it's already too late, and before the flood, there will be torrential rains, and the torrential rain will continue to fall, and it will be so easy to divert floods. ”

Ma Zhou is well-read and strong, and almost all the information on literature and history is remembered clearly.

Chen Zhengtai thought thoughtfully: "In other words, theoretically, as long as you give up the low-lying places, you can save Guanzhong, but why doesn't anyone care?" ”

Ma Zhou smiled and said: "A low-lying place means a good field." Think about it, Lord, the low-lying areas are the most susceptible to flooding, and after washing, there is a lot of silt, and as soon as the flood waters recede, naturally, there will be people who will seize these lands and plant them with crops, and who will give up such fertile land. In order to preserve the harvest, the imperial court had to build embankments in these places, so that it would not be easy to break down. ”

Chen Zhengtai was speechless for a while, paused for a while, and then he suddenly said: "Zhan Shifu has to do one thing these days." ”

Ma Zhou asked very simply: "What's the matter?" ”

Chen Zhengtai looked at him with a straight face and said: "You take people, take a walk, see which place is suitable for water storage, if you find it, find a way to take down these lands, and then find a way to transform it into an artificial lake, then I will be of great use." ”

Ma Zhou was stunned, he opened his mouth, and wanted to say that Chen Zhengtai was worried.

But looking at Chen Zhengtai's very solemn appearance, thinking about it carefully, it is not right, although there has been no big water in the past 20 years, but who can guarantee the future? The benefactor is clearly taking precautions, which seems to be stupid, but in fact it is a move for the benefit of the country and the people.

Ma Zhou felt more and more that the benefactor was wise, but he still couldn't say: "It's just that most of these lands are fertile, and I'm afraid that the owner of the land will not sell them." ”

Since Chen Zhengtai has made up his mind, he has made up his mind, so he said: "You do your best." ”

Ma Zhou had no choice but to say, "Oh." ”

Ma Zhou left, and Chen Zhengtai began to do what really mattered.

Since His Majesty has approved the construction of the Princess's Mansion, a large number of people should migrate over in advance and prepare for the construction in advance.

For example, if there are enough rocks in the vicinity, a large amount of materials will be prepared, and even grain will be transported in advance.

It's just that...... With so much money, food and materials sent over first, if you can't get a safety guarantee, I'm afraid that you will end up making a wedding dress for someone.

Then the best way is to have a respite period of one or two years, at least to ensure safety for one or two years.

After thinking about it, Chen Zhengtai decided to send a letter to Tulixiu, the king of Guiyi.

Since Tuli became the Khan of the Eastern Turks, he attached the Tang Dynasty, because he could not encircle all the Turks, his strength in the desert had been greatly damaged, but twenty or thirty thousand cavalry could still be pulled out.

In the letter, Chen Zhengtai expressed his longing for Tuli, saying that there is still a batch of fine wine here, and he is willing to give it directly to Tuli as a gift between brothers.

Then he changed his mind and said that he planned to build a small city in Shuofang as a base to increase trade between himself and the Turks.

Of course...... He never mentioned that this city would be an important military town for the Chen clan to enter the grassland in the future.

After all, he knew that Tuli was not a fool, and once a large number of Han people entered the grassland under the leadership of the Chen clan in the future, then his Turkic department and living space would inevitably be suppressed.

Chen Zhengtai only mentioned trade-related, under the guise of Princess Sui'an, hoping that the Turkic Department could send some cavalry to protect the safety of the craftsmen, as long as there were no problems with the project here, there would be good rewards in the future.

Truth be told, this epistle is very deceptive.

Chen Zhengtai still has a somewhat uneasy conscience.

But when I think about it, my own brother, if you cheat, you cheat.

If the brothers don't lie, who else can he Chen Zhengtai deceive?

So, he suddenly felt that his heart was steady, and he was busy sending the letter to the desert non-stop.