It's messy!

It's all messed up!

It would be strange that this economic crisis was spreading throughout the country at an alarming rate, prices were rising, and the imperial court was imposing taxes indiscriminately.

This official camp is really not so simple, you have to engage in official camps, first of all, the central government must have a strong control over the locality, but as far as the system of the Tang Dynasty is concerned, it is very loose, and the land is sparsely populated, the general state and county governments, that are all small governments, there are only a few, taxes are levied by the local gentry, pay attention to the cooperation between the government and the people, this court suddenly wants the official camp, that can only recruit people from the outside, and these people are all good and bad, mixed, they are just mixed food, not the kind of aspiring professionals.

These straw bales, when they encounter those smuggling elites, are they just being toyed with, the gentry themselves are smuggling, and the government is even more powerless.

As soon as the people saw that smuggling was so profitable, then I would also give it a try, and there would be no food to eat if I stayed here, and the court would have to levy taxes again, and prices would rise again.

A large number of people began to flee, as a result, tax evasion, tax evasion is more, the imperial court is even more unable to collect taxes, the government has so many people, the government is also forced to operate, you don't pay wages, everyone doesn't work, they not only don't work, but also collude with the smuggling group, collude with this side, at least there is money to be made, in the end they directly take the official salt to smuggle, this smuggling is even more rampant, the local government is basically facing the dilemma of shutting down.

It's a vicious circle.

But the most serious thing is the deficit of the state finances.

Once the treasury runs out of money, there is no way to support the local government, so the local government can only do it on its own, regardless of the court system.

The governments of some salt-producing areas are also engaged in smuggling themselves.

It is equivalent to the salt and other goods sent from Chang'an, as well as the remaining assets in the local area, all of which fell into the pockets of private individuals, and some officials fled directly with the money, he knew that he could not manage it, and if he stayed here, he would die, which was really worse.

The "honest" Li Yifu didn't know that there was such a mess outside, he only had himself in his heart, so he wouldn't care about the lives of those people, and he was still constantly giving orders to urge all localities to pay taxes, but unfortunately those local officials didn't know where to go.

......

The beauty of freedom.

"Childe, someone wants to buy 10,000 goods from us."

Xu Jiu said in a low voice, as if he was a thief.

Zheng Shanxing was extremely surprised when he heard this, now in this world, everyone is thrifty, who can afford to buy so many clothes, and asked curiously: "Who is it?" ”

Xu Jiudao: "I don't know about this, it's not from our Chang'an Luoyang, it seems to be from Jiangnan." ”

Zheng Shanxing saw Xu Jiu's expression different, frowned, and said, "You always say, what's going on?" ”

Xu Jiu swallowed and said, "It should be a smuggler." ”

Zheng Shanxing was stunned for a while, and reprimanded: "You are confused, smuggling is a crime, aren't you trying to trap me in injustice?" "I'm also curious, isn't the imperial court cracking down, why did it smuggle to Chang'an.

Xu Jiu also let go, and said: "Eldest prince, where do I want to do this, but we are almost unable to open the pot now, and now in the entire Chang'an, we have not laid off people in terms of the beauty of our freedom, and it has been operating, those goods are piled up almost can't be put down, and you are still donating to Zhaoyi Academy, what is the difference between going on like this and waiting for death." ”

Zheng Shanxing sighed: "Even if we go bankrupt, we can't do this illegal thing." ”

Xu Jiudao: "But we didn't break the law, we didn't have a penny less in taxes, let's open the door to do business, now the other party comes to buy goods, let's sell goods, this is legal, as for how they sell, sell there, it has nothing to do with us, if Gongzi doesn't sell it, then anyone who comes to buy our goods in the future may be used for smuggling, so why don't Gongzi close the door." ”

Zheng Shanxing was speechless by Xu Jiu.

At this time, you still have to worry about the principle, then we all have to starve to death, the beauty of freedom is a big tax, Zheng Shanxing insisted on not laying off people, in two or three years, almost all the previous earnings were folded in, if there was no Cui Jijian shares, they would not have lasted so long.

Xu Jiu said again: "Childe, those big truths, villains don't know, villains only know, thousands of people are waiting for us to eat, otherwise, Childe, you should treat it as if you don't know, it's all up to the villain." ”

Zheng Shanxing struggled for a while, sighed, and said, "Okay, you can do it." ”

If Li Yifu knew that Li Yifu would be so angry that he vomited blood, he would have issued a death order to let all prefectures and counties severely crack down on smuggling, but the more he cracked down, the more rampant the smugglers became, and they had already smuggled to Chang'an.

What he doesn't know even more is that even if someone is caught now, if you give money, you will pass the customs, and those who crack down on smuggling are all rushing for money, because the government can't send money, I will fight you, I can't get anything, the central government knows that let me arrest the smugglers, and I don't send money, and let me tax the central government, then I might as well ask for money, and the central government is responsible for the chaos of the prime minister and do my.

But where can the imperial court get the money, the central government is too busy to take care of itself, and it has lost control of everything. Even Li Ji began to realize the seriousness of this matter, it is not as simple as a party dispute, a few people can solve the problem, the crisis is beyond their ability, he hurriedly came forward, and constantly had to tell them that they must stabilize the military, if the military is chaotic again, then Datang may really be over, and nothing can be recovered.

Li Zhi was on the way back to Chang'an, and the recitals were one after another, and they didn't stop, Li Zhi himself was so anxious, he still didn't know what the situation was in Chang'an, and he kept urging him to hurry.

Hurry up and hurry, and finally came to Chang'an, but when he saw the situation in Chang'an, Li Zhi's eyeballs were about to fall out, is this still my Chang'an? Is it the capital of the Tang Dynasty?

Displaced people are everywhere, wailing all over the wilderness, like hell, inside and outside the city are the same, the former prosperous Chang'an City, is a depression, all the shops are closed, who dares to open the door at this time, in case of riots, they will give you the essence of robbery, North Lane since the opening, the first time to close is not a family left, this businessman has already gone.

Not only are the shops closed, but even some small officials are closed, you don't give a bite of food, the officials don't work anymore, the only function of opening the door is to be scolded by people blocking the door, and the officials are afraid of death, where do you dare to open the door.

If there is a natural disaster, it is reasonable, but the problem is that there is no natural disaster, and if it is like this, it is really impossible to explain it to the people of the world.

Li Zhi is really angry!

The main thing is that it came too fast, and there seemed to be no warning at all, and I don't know how to play like this.

In fact, there was a foreword in advance, but at that time, Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang were struggling with Hongchen matters, where were they in the mood to pay attention to these things, and by the time they reacted, it was already too late, and this crisis broke out too quickly.

Palace.

Li Yifu, Xu Yushi, and Lu Chengqing stood outside the palace gate, all of them were about to hang their heads down to their hips, and they couldn't raise their heads, as if they had no face to see people. When they learned the news of Li Zhi's return to the palace, they immediately rushed over, they didn't have the face to see Li Zhi, but at this time, they would definitely shirk their responsibilities in Li Yifu, everyone was afraid of carrying this pot, because no one could afford to carry this pot, so they were all scrambling to see Li Zhi and explain this matter to Li Zhi.

Li Yifu was also prepared.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Your Majesty has just returned, and he is very tired, so let you go back first, and summon you again tomorrow."

Li Yifu and they waited for a long time, just waiting for Zhang Desheng's words.

But they didn't force it, so they went back, anyway, Li Zhi didn't see anyone, so they could reluctantly accept it.

It's a pity that Li Zhi didn't see anyone, although Li Zhi was very tired, but at this time, where could he take care of this, he was now meeting a person in the Liangyi Palace, and this person was Li Ji. In fact, before Li Zhi entered the city, he had quietly ordered someone to invite Li Ji to the Liangyi Palace.

"Sikong, now that the country has reached the point of life and death, the only thing I can rely on now is Sikong you."

Li Zhi said to Li Ji with tears in his eyes. He was really going to cry, such a good situation, becoming like this, where did he make sense.

Li Ji hurriedly bowed down and said, "The old minister is willing to smear His Majesty's liver and brain." ”

Li Zhi listened, his heart was extremely moved, he was also responsible for making it like this, but Li Ji was still extremely loyal to him, but now he didn't have the time to say this, Li Zhi then said: "Now there are so many displaced people in Chang'an City, if you are not careful, there may be a civil uprising. ”

The implication is that the army will take over first, and the officials will be paralyzed anyway, so it doesn't make a difference whether there is or not.

"The old minister takes the order." Li Ji clasped his fists and saluted, and said: "But Your Majesty, this is a palliative rather than a cure after all, the old minister implores Your Majesty to recall Han Yi as soon as possible, and at present, he may only have the means to turn the tide." ”

If a foreign enemy invades, he is naturally duty-bound, but in terms of economy, he really can't play, and in this regard, everyone is convinced of Han Yi.

Li Zhi said: "I have already sent someone, but Han Yi is in Yangzhou, and he may not be able to come back for a while." ”

Li Ji said again: "Then Your Majesty should also be anxious at this time, Xu Shilang and Li Zhongshu to discuss countermeasures?" ”

Li Zhi laughed when he heard this.

Li Ji was stunned, can you laugh out loud at this time?

Where is Li Zhi laughing, he is obviously crying, and said: "Sikong, I handed over the government to them at the beginning, but it has only been a few years, and it has been like this, what else do I want them to do, I don't have the time to settle accounts with them now, I don't want to see them again for the time being, you will pass on my order to temporarily remove them from all their duties, let them wait at home, and not send troops to block their mansions." ”

Speaking of the back, he gritted his teeth.

Li Ji hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, this move must not be, if they are all dismissed from their official positions, then --- who will help Your Majesty through this difficulty." ”

Li Zhi was already mad, and roared: "I'd rather use those three-year-old children, I will never use them again, anyway, no matter how bad they are, they can't be worse than now." ”

Li Ji was furious when he saw Long Yan, and he had never seen Li Zhi so mad, and he didn't dare to say more, "The old minister takes the order." ”

At this time, Zhang Desheng walked in and said, "Your Majesty, there is a letter from Yangzhou." ”

Li Zhi said excitedly: "What about Han Yi coming back?" ”

Zhang Desheng shook his head and said: "Back to Your Majesty, when the people sent by Your Majesty arrived in Yangzhou, Han Yi had already taken his wife and children on a trip. ”

"Travel?"

Li Zhi was stunned for a while, this reason really made him not know what to say, and subconsciously said: "Isn't he filial piety at home?" ”

"Your Majesty, Han Yi has long finished his filial piety, and it is said that he has been out for more than half a year."

"This stinky boy, when will you go, it's just at this juncture."

Li Zhi was so anxious that he almost fainted.

Li Ji was also anxious, at present, in his opinion, only Han Yi could turn the tide, and no one else could count on it, so he hurriedly asked, "Do you know where he is traveling?" ”

"According to Yangzhou Thorn History, when Han Yi left at that time, he just said that he wanted to visit the magnificent rivers and mountains of my Tang Dynasty, and no one knew where he went."

Magnificent rivers and mountains?

It's definitely a kind of irony to say this at this time!

Li Zhi was so angry that he couldn't speak.

"Your Majesty, don't be in a hurry." Li Ji hurriedly said: "Han Yi must not be one or two people on the trip, Lao Chen immediately sent people to look for him in various places, and I believe that he will be able to contact him soon." ”

Li Zhi nodded again and again, and the hatred for Han Yi in his heart immediately surpassed Li Yifu, if you want to say that you died violently, then it's okay, you go on a trip? Aren't you cheating on me? But he had no choice but to quickly ask people to find it, and said: "If Chang'an is the case, there will be Lao Sikong." ”

......

As soon as this decree was issued, generals such as Li Ji, Xue Rengui, Qibi He Li, Ashina Misha, and Gao Kan immediately commanded the forbidden armies of the north and south and began to take over the entire Gyeonggi region.

This Beiya is the emperor's pro-army, and naturally guards Chang'an City.

Nanya is the national army that controls the suburbs.

......

Lee's House!

"It's not good, it's not good, there are a lot of forbidden troops outside."

When Li Yifu and Liu Yuanzhen heard this, they hurriedly came to the gate of the mansion, only to see that there were columns of troops on both sides of the gate, surrounding the entire Li Yifu.

Li Yifu immediately shouted: "Who are you, you dare to spread wild here. ”

The leading general clasped his fists and saluted, "Back to Li Zhongshu, we are here to protect Li Zhongshu by His Majesty's hand." ”

Li Yifu is not stupid, there are so many generals in my mansion, I need your protection?

You're clearly trying to put me under house arrest!

But the general said that he would no longer pay attention to him, and ordered the soldiers to surround all the places, and ordered in front of Li Yifu that no one should enter or leave.

As soon as Li Yifu saw the situation, he immediately fainted.

......

After the army took over, there was no need for Wenchen, and Li Zhi also overturned all of them with one rod, and Xu Jingzong, Li Yifu, Xu Yushi, Lu Chengqing, Liu Xiangdao, Wei Siqian, Xin Mao, Ren Yaxiang, almost all the important ministers were deprived of power, were placed under house arrest, and all the government orders were under the control of the army, and the current military department immediately became the highest authority of the country.

Harem.

"General Xue, what are you doing here?"

Wu Meiniang, who rushed back later, had just entered the palace, and she didn't even come back, so Xue Rengui immediately led the forbidden army to immediately block the entire harem.

Wu Meiniang was also stunned, blocking the harem, is this a coup?

Xue Rengui hugged his fists and said: "Please forgive the queen, the minister is also acting on orders." ”

"What is being ordered?" Wu Meiniang's eyes widened, and she said, "I want to see Your Majesty, this is a conspiracy, this is a conspiracy." ”

With that, she went outside.

Two spears immediately lay in front of her.

A soldier does what he is told, so he doesn't care who you are.

Wu Meiniang was immediately stupid, this is a harem, it is next to her, someone dared to put a weapon on her face, she was really embarrassed, and looked at Xue Rengui in disbelief.

Xue Rengui had received the favor of Wu Meiniang, and he was very embarrassed, hung his head, and said: "Please also ask the queen not to make it difficult for the ministers, Your Majesty has decreed that no one is allowed to enter or leave here, including the queen, otherwise, the ministers will all fall to the ground." ”

Wu Meiniang only felt very aggrieved and angry. She was also racking her brains to find a way along the way, this matter became like this, she felt that she had to come forward to solve the problem, after all, this matter was caused by her, but she never expected that Li Zhi would not meet her in person, nor would he listen to her explanation, and he directly put her under house arrest.

The same is true of Li Yifu and others, they originally wanted to shirk their responsibilities, but they didn't expect that the first thing Li Zhi did when he came back was to order the army to be dispatched. If Li Zhi really wants to see them, he has to tear them apart, and Li Zhi has no time to take care of them now. Li Zhi thinks that I still believe in you, then I am a pig, you play the country like this, pigs can't do it, the only thing you can expect is punishment.

Li Zhi now doesn't care which of you is loyal and who is traitorous, since you are important ministers, if something happens, you have to be responsible, he doesn't have the time to investigate right and wrong now, since this is the case, then cut it down.

It can be seen that Wu Meiniang and they are all a group of paper tigers, usually with great power, showing off their might, but the emperor can directly beat them into the abyss with a word, because the military power is in the hands of the emperor, Wu Meiniang does not have any military power in his hands, Li Zhi directly sent the forbidden army to surround the harem this time, Wu Meiniang is now not to talk about the scenery, she can't even spread a word, the palace maids and eunuchs all listen to her fart, they have all been reduced to the crowd being monitored, who dares to act without authorization, they can be killed on the spot, and the palace is full of forbidden troops, That's why the emperor likes to reuse Wenchen, because Wenchen is scum, if I really want to kill you, you have to die, I really can't, the army will take over.

At the beginning, the eldest grandson Wuji still had a little power in the military, but he didn't dare to act rashly, for fear that the emperor would come to make this move.

However, if the emperor is not in a desperate situation, he will not make this move, because this is a double-edged sword, the army will take over, then the general's power will be very large, and the military order and military government will be combined into one, this is by no means a long-term solution, it can be seen that Li Zhi is now forced to the edge of the cliff.