In the second year of Lin De (665 AD), the ninth day of the twelfth month of winter, not two quarters.

The mighty Feng Zen team, the emperor Yu Yu to Qizhou, stationed in the south of Changqing County, that is, Jinan Changqing District. It is about 60 kilometers away from the foot of Mount Tai, which is half a month ahead of the original plan. Li Zhilongyan Dayue, rewarded Wukang with ten pieces of cloth, and at the same time passed down the order, and the team rested for ten days.

The long-distance trip, from Henan to Shandong, lasted one and a half months. There are many episodes during the period, which are still fresh in my memory and particularly interesting. First of all, in Jiaozuo City, I met Zhou Xing, a cool official, and gave him a little mention. Around the dry seal spring treasure, a large amount of food hoarding, and formulate evil plans.

In Huaxian County, Huazhou, accompanied Empress Wu and visited Sister Li Yuanyuan. She has been widowed for 30 years, lives in Li Tao's former house, and is in good health. Thirty brocades, thirty-three corns, all kinds of clothes and jewelry, canonized Dongping Junjun.

This is a great honor, the first lady's condolences, enough for her to blow for a lifetime. This title is also an exception. According to the law, only the mothers and wives of four-rank officials can get this title. She touched Li Tao's light, because of the abolition of Wang Liwu, Li Tao turned the tide. Mei Niang knows how to repay her kindness, and she will never treat her benefactor badly.

On November 20, the team arrived in Puyang, the city of Puyang in later generations. When the five prime ministers of the dynasty, the sixteen Wei generals, guarded behind the jade chariot. On a whim, Li Zhi asked Dou Dexuan, the left minister: Puyang was called Emperor Qiu in ancient times, what is the reason?

This question is a bit biased, De Xuan pondered for a long time, and said that he couldn't answer it. Xu Jingzong heard it and volunteered to answer: The ancient Yellow Emperor Dynasty, the third Xuan Emperor Zhuan, once lived here, so it is called Emperor Qiu.

It is indeed erudite, so many scholars, only he can answer, and it seems to make sense. Li Zhi was in a good mood, and he also rewarded him with ten pieces of cloth and pretended to praise a few words.

Jingzong got carried away, and the yin and yang weird ridiculed: As a dignified left-hand minister, he can't be without knowledge, I see that he can't answer, and I feel ashamed of him.

It is a bit too much to belittle others and exalt yourself. Dexuan was provoked, not arrogant or impatient: the ruler is short, the inch is long, people can do something, and they can't. I don't pretend to know what I don't know, it's my integrity and my cultivation.

Scolding without dirty words, Jingzong's anger swelled up, ready to fight-for-tat. Seeing the expansion of the situation, Li Tao became a peacemaker, and persuaded with a pleasant face: It is commendable that the young master learns to be rich and has five cars; The left minister seeks truth from facts, and he is also a model for my generation.

These words are said beautifully, and the left and right sides are patted on the back, and the turmoil disappears invisibly. Li Zhilongyan Dayue, rewarded Dexuan with ten pieces of cloth, and rewarded Li Tao with twenty horses. Wu Kang is convinced, he wants to learn from Li Tao, and he is mixed in the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty, and popularity is wealth.

Passing through Yunzhou Shouzhang (Dongping County, Shandong Province), Shouzhang Zhang Gongyi, the nine generations of the family are in the same house, and it has become a local beautiful talk. The Northern Qi and Great Sui dynasties, including the Tang dynasty, praised the Zhang family. Since he happened to be passing by, Li Zhi came to visit and asked for the secret of the same class.

The old god of public art is here, and he writes the secret with a pen, ninety-nine forbearance words. Li Zhi was amused, and he also felt that it made sense, and he also rewarded him with ten pieces of cloth. Wu Kang deeply believes that if you want family harmony, you must learn to be confused and not be careful. The highest state of being a man, pretending to be confused with understanding, and having a trivial heart.

At noon on the 10th day of the lunar month, Li Tao suffered retribution, stumbled and fell off the horse, and suffered a slight injury to his right ankle. He was very unlucky this year, his eldest son Li Zhen, died in Zizhou, and the white-haired man sent the black-haired man. Now that he has fallen off his horse again, Li Zhi went to visit and asked for warmth. and gave him his own horse.

Li Tao was in tears, kneeling on the ground to thank him, two super-actors, staged a heart-to-heart exchange between monarchs and ministers. When Li Zhi left, Wu Kang took the gift and went to visit the accommodation. The prayer note was handed over to the porter, and after about half an hour, the family was greeted outside.

Jinju Thorn Shi Li Bi, Li Tao's younger brother; Runzhou Thorn Shi Li Siwen, Li Tao's second son; Right Fengyu Li Jingye, the eldest grandson of Li Tao; Li Jingyou, the second grandson of Li Tao, the second grandson of Li Tao; Zuo Fengyu Du Huaigong, Li Tao's second son-in-law.

The two sides greeted each other and gave a lot of face, but he was the only one who was dedicated, and his eyes were full of hatred. Wu Kang didn't care, he was cheated by me at the beginning, it was useless to blame yourself, why bother holding a grudge? was in no mood to take care of him, so Li Siwen led the way to the backyard bedroom.

found that Jingzong was also there, greeted each other, and made sure that Li Tao was fine, and the three of them sat at the same table. Burn the incense of the stove, make a pot of good tea, and talk nonsense. Jingzong is responsible for teasing, Wu Kang is responsible for teasing, and Li Tao is a guest appearance in the audience.

After drinking the two pots of tea, Li Tao emptied the room and ordered Siwen to guard the door. His eyes were meaningful, and he twisted his long hair and said: "Yesterday, Huaigong came to me and borrowed three hundred copper coins, saying that he would hand it over to Changzhi to do some business." Three hundred copper coins is not a small amount, what is a good deal? ”

Jingzong laughed and said: "Uncle Yan is the same, he needs eight hundred times to open his mouth, and he has to hand it over to Change." Money is not an issue, and I believe in change, but as an elder, you must always know the roots. What a big deal, with a changed family background, can't you eat alone? ”

I don't like to eat alone, it will be struck by lightning, Wu Kang shook his head: "I've been bored lately, and I heard Liang Xiaoren say that there have been four years of bumper harvest." As a result, the price of cereals and grains is cheap, and the rice is only five cents, and the coarse grains of beans are even cheaper. The Dongyang Mansion guard said that the rice in Jiangsu and Zhejiang districts is only four cents per bucket. ”

The atmosphere was suddenly embarrassing, the two of them had strange faces, and Jingzong said tentatively: "The merchants hoard grain, mostly in times of famine and war, so they sit on the ground and raise prices. My uncle was lonely and unheard, and it was the first time I heard that he was hoarding grain in a bumper year. If you have to transport it from Jiangsu and Zhejiang and take the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, you will lose all your money. ”

Wu Kang didn't answer, looked at Jingzong and smiled: "Yesterday, Uncle Xu said that when Taishan Feng Zen is over, the sage will change the Yuan Qianfeng. Cast dry seal spring treasure, next year to issue the world, the old money is overdue and invalid. I also got the news that the new money is worth five, is there such a thing? ”

The two old foxes looked at each other, and quickly determined their eyes, and Li Tao smiled without saying a word. Jingzong gushed endlessly, there is such a thing, the specifications have been determined, and the volume is slightly larger than the old money. The saint made it clear that one is not five, but one is ten. Yesterday the edict was issued, ordering the Yuan Yuan Office to cast a new money model. After Mount Tai sealed the Zen, immediately cast reserves, is expected to be put into use in April next year. The new money is sealed Quanbao, and the old money is Kaiyuan Tongbao, one for ten.

After the new money is issued, the saint will also issue an edict to collect the old money and mint new money. The imperial court issued a decree to force the people to exchange and force the promotion of new money. The exchange period is one year, beyond which all old money is forfeited.

This is a secret of the imperial court, the five ministers are public businessmen, if you can get the news, it must be revealed by the queen. After Xu Jingzong finished speaking, the old god was tasting tea, and Li Tao answered: "What is the relationship between the imperial court issuing new money and hoarding grain?" We are not outsiders, please say it clearly, we will listen. ”

even called the knighthood to show that he was serious. Wu Kang was very satisfied, and whispered mysteriously: "The volume and weight of the new money is only double that of the old money, but the value is ten times. Originally, a donkey could be exchanged for a thousand catties of copper coins, but now it is only exchanged for two hundred. The people are not stupid, may I ask the two uncles, how do they deal with it? ”

The room was silent, and the two fell into deep thought. Wu Kang sipped the tea, tapped his fingers on the table, and played the music at will. Li Jiu decided to mint money, first to commemorate Feng Chan, and secondly to alleviate the money shortage. The so-called money shortage is also caused by a financial crisis, because the currency in circulation is relatively insufficient.

The Tang Dynasty was a copper standard, and due to the constraints of science and technology, the mining of copper ore was insufficient. In order to alleviate the money shortage, the official minted money with a small amount of other things to take advantage of opportunism. But again, the common people are not stupid, and the businessmen are more shrewd.

They privately minted copper coins, which were in better condition than the official ones, and exacerbated the government's money shortage. The government cracked down severely, and Tang Law stipulated that the death penalty was for betrayal by casting private money, and at the same time confiscating his family. However, there is no use for eggs, driven by huge profits, private casting has increased instead of decreasing.

Li Zhi found another way, ready to win by quality, relying on exquisite casting to cover up the essence of copper coins. According to Mei Niang, the imperial court wanted to cast the new money into a work of art. It can be said that it is ingenious, there is the shadow of paper money, but unfortunately it is useless, and the people do not recognize this.

As a result, it is foreseeable that there will be two ways for the people to respond. Either they don't recognize the new money, form a variety of black markets, and continue to circulate the old money. Either the price of goods will rise, and you will take one as ten, and I will increase the price tenfold, or even more.

At that time, the new money will depreciate, causing inflation, and the market will be absolutely chaotic. Wu Kang hoarded grain, that is, to take the opportunity to make money, buy every bucket of five wen, and sell it at ten times the price. Excluding transportation and warehousing, at least six times the profit, grain has this profit, it can definitely scare people to death.

At the same time, he also firmly believes that the new money will not live long. Because in the previous life, a dry sealed spring treasure, worth more than 2,000 yuan, is a valuable ancient coin. Rare things are precious, only when they are scarce, the collection value is high.

After meditating all night, he wrote a fate script for Qianfeng Quanbao: after the issuance of new money, it caused inflation and chaos in the market. The imperial court responded urgently, announcing the abolition of the new money and ordering the circulation of the old money. At the same time, new money is recycled and old money is recoined.

Only this reason will lead to the scarcity of dry sealed spring treasures in future generations. The idea of making a fortune by hoarding grain: wait for inflation, and then sell grain openly, no matter whether it is new money or old money, you can buy grain from here.

Due to the government decree, the old money is invalid after the deadline, which will inevitably cause panic. The first choice for people to deal with panic is to buy grain, even if the price rises several times. At that time, collect the old money, temporarily deposit it in the treasury, and wait for the reuse of the old money.

The new money is better handled, and when the edict is issued, go to the yamen to exchange the old money. You can also sell the grain at a slightly lower market price, and it will fall into good shape. With such fame and fortune, as long as you are not a fool, you can make a choice.

I don't know how long it took, Jingzong slowly raised his head and pretended to say: "Uncle Yan is very capable, but unfortunately he is still young, so it is difficult for me to rest assured." If it becomes trust, this grain hoarding plan will be handed over to my uncle to deal with, and I will ensure that it will live up to the trust. ”

The old guy was shameless, Wu Kang scoffed, and then said that he could: "I am really not interested in business, and many livelihoods in my family are handled by Qian Shun." Uncle and uncle should be extraordinary, and Wu Kang can't ask for it. ”

Li Tao couldn't help but be disdainful, and said in a matter-of-fact manner: "If new money is issued, it will inevitably cause chaos. If the saint had given advice, the court would have been spared loss and the people would have been spared panic, wouldn't it have the best of both worlds? ”

Wu Kang is too lazy to talk nonsense, you take off your pants and fart, deliberately disgusting. Li Zhi did everything to suppress me, and if I went to the top, it would definitely backfire. I'm just a military attaché, I can't meddle in political affairs, so I'll make a lot of money in silence.

Taking a step back, it is the loyal ministers who are loyal to the court and ask for the people's lives. All of you here, including me, are traitors. If new money is not issued, how can we speculate? You are loyal and patriotic, you can choose to go up and down, I don't care.

The scene was a little weird, Xu Jingzong couldn't help it, and laughed out loud first. As if it was a signal, it drove the other two, and the laughter became more and more relaxed. This matter was decided, and the three number one traitors formed an evil alliance to dig into the corners of the court.

After Lehe finished doing business, the three of them lowered their voices and formulated a speculative plan. Since you are sure to do it, then do it to the maximum and earn it a lot of money. Select partners first and attract more people to participate, after all, the food business requires too much capital.

The old fox discussed, his eyes shining with golden light, and the atmosphere was in full swing. Wu Kang remained silent, you have a lot of money, you can watch it. My family background is too thin, my daughter-in-law only approves 4,000 yuan, and I don't want to make money. It is relying on this opportunity to win over the officials of the Shu nationality and weave party henchmen for Mei Niang.

The plan was quickly formulated, Wu Kang got the task, and Dou Dexuan joined the gang. Buying rice from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, transporting it through the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, will deal with the household. He is the head of the household, and if he is pulled into the gang, it will definitely be much more convenient if he has common interests.

Jingzong was at odds with him, and Li Tao's legs and feet were inconvenient, so he could only hand it over to Wu Kang. However, it is a pity that the plan could not keep up with the changes, and the abortion was announced before it could be put into action. The front foot had just returned home, and Li Deguan came with the back foot, with a disgusting book. Li Zhi ordered Wu Kang to go to the Taishan construction site to inspect the altar of Fengzen. There is no time to win over Dou Dexuan and throw it back to Jingzong. Pull down your old face and repair the relationship, see if your mouth is still cheap?

On the twelfth, with Zuo Yulin, set off from Lingyandun (southeast of Changqing County, Shandong Province), and hurried to Mount Tai. When I arrived two days later, I was not in the mood to sightsee, so I looked for Si Jiaqing Liang Xiaoren and the celebrant officials to inspect the various altars.

Four miles south of Mount Tai, build a circular altar, there are three layers up and down, each layer has four steps. The center is decorated with cyan, the east is cyan, the south is red, the west is white, and the north is black. There is a high platform built on it, surrounded by three low walls, three sacrificial books, and the jade slips are connected with gold ropes.

All kinds of strange decorations are carried out according to the etiquette, and the entries are too cumbersome. Wu Kang secretly complained that there were no gods, they were all feudal superstitions. It's really boring to waste a lot of money and make the people's lives miserable, just to satisfy vanity.

After inspecting the South Altar, climb to the top of Mount Tai and check the altar of Dengfeng. The sacrifice to the gods is also a behemoth, layer by layer of foreshadowing. The top layer, with a diameter of about five zhang and a height of about nine feet, is also decorated with cyan, and each of the four sides is according to the square color.

Meticulously inspected, made sure that there were no mistakes, and hurriedly left Mount Tai. In the southwest of Sheshou Mountain, a square altar is built to worship the god of the earth, and it is called the altar of descending meditation. Sacrifice to the god of heaven is sealed, sacrifice to the god of the earth is said to be Zen, and the combination is sealed Zen.

In the past, the seal was on the top of Mount Tai, and the location of Zen was different. When Qin Shi Huang sealed Zen, Zen was on Liangfu Mountain; When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sealed Zen, Zen was on the Suran Mountain. Li Zhi chose Sheshou Mountain, I don't know what the reason is.

After looking at all the altars, making sure that there are no mistakes, put your heart in your stomach. In the camp tent of Zuo Yulin, Wu Kang removed his armor and changed into a purple official robe. Preparing to have a few drinks, Shi Qing entered the tent and said: "The last general received news that Duke Liu invited Duke Chu to drink in his tent. ”

Liu Gong is Liu Xiangdao, the prime minister of the official residence last year, was implicated by Shangguan Yi and moved to the Ministry of Rites. I once heard Mei Niang say that he has nothing to do with the Xue Group. Therefore, Wu Kang did not have a bad feeling towards him, but was a little ashamed.

Xiangdao has a soft personality, does not conflict with others, and is polite in everything, quite cautious. In fact, he can't be blamed, his younger brother Liu Yingdao, married to the county lord Wenxi, and is the daughter of Li Jiancheng. There is this reason, you must be careful to behave, if you make a big mistake, it is a disaster.

Wu Kang left the barracks, carrying a wine bag in his hand, followed the servants of the Liu family, and came to the Xiangdao tent. He bowed with a smile and lowered his posture to the lowest: "I haven't seen him for more than half a month, and Liu Gong is in good spirits." The younger generation steals that your body and bones will live for at least 30 years. ”

Xiangdao got up to greet him, and suddenly coughed violently, and the picture was quite embarrassing. It was easy to stop coughing, pulled Wu Kang to sit down, and smiled kindly: "Recently, I was infected with wind and cold, which made Chang Zhijian smile." The old man is seventy this year, and he doesn't dare to expect to be 100 years old. ”

Wu Kang didn't answer the question, pulled the cork of the wine bag, poured himself a full cup, and poured him half a cup: "Since we are unwell, it is better for us to drink less." In fact, I have always wanted to visit Liu Gong, but you are busy with official business, so I am embarrassed to disturb. ”

These are all polite words, Xiangdao doesn't care, and raises a glass to invite a drink. The two put down the wine glass, Wu Kang poured the wine again, and Xiangdao waved his hand to stop it: "People are old and everything is difficult, and the body is at the limit, and when the sealing is over, they will beg for bones." After a busy life, it's time to rest. ”

Wu Kang smiled and said nothing, this is really cautious, especially as the prime minister, trembling all day long. I once heard Mei Niang say that from the year before last to this year, at least six times on the table, please retire and be idle. Li Zhi loves his talent very much, and he doesn't post his words, and even talks to him.

After a short period of silence, Xiangdao said to himself: "Recently, I have become more and more sleepy, and I don't want to get up in the morning. The amount of food is getting smaller and smaller, and I am often dizzy, and I am afraid that my life will not be long. The old man has lived enough, but he is worried about Jing Xian, he is too admitted, and there will be disasters in the future. ”

His son, Liu Jingxian, is now a servant of the imperial history and is responsible for picketing hundreds of officials. The character is indeed upright, the temper of the old scalper, Wu Kang replied politely: "The duty of the imperial history is to inevitably offend people." Liu Gong didn't have to worry, the sage admired him very much and would protect him. I also respect him and would like to work with him if possible. ”

After hearing these words, Xiangdao's sincerity finally achieved his goal. Pick up the wine bag on the table, fill two wine glasses, and invite you to drink again. Raising his glass and drinking it all, he was silent for a long time and said: "Change and keep this in mind, Chu Wei can't eat together." ”

Wu Kang's pupils constricted, and he looked at the old man in front of him, his eyebrows condensed. poured himself three cups, and his attitude was unusually pleading: "Don't dare to hide Liu Gong, when Yan Gong was dying, he specially left me a book, and it was also these six words." I really can't guess, and I ask Liu Gong to say it clearly. ”

Xiang Dao was quite stunned, and finally shook his head and smiled bitterly: "It seems that Yan Guogong doesn't hate you either, he is an understanding person." But he didn't say it explicitly, and I can't say it. Keep it in mind and be on your toes. There's only so much the old man can help you. ”

The tent was silent, the atmosphere was quiet and terrifying, and at some point, Wu Kang stretched his brows. Since he didn't want to say it, I didn't ask too much, just keep it in mind. The two prime ministers mentioned that they must not be underestimated, they must have seen it, what I didn't expect.

He filled his glass again, poured the wine on the ground, and swore a promise: "If Jing Xian is in trouble, I will do my best to help him get through the sadness." If you don't keep your word, it's like this glass of water and wine, which can never be recycled. ”

Xiang Dao smiled comfortably, shook his head and said lightly: "Change the wine and swear, the old man can rest assured." The sentence just now can't be explained too much, and it may wipe out the family. Enlighten yourself, everything depends on creation..."