Qiu Jianqiong is the left minister, so that Li Linfu is speechless, and his heart is cold for a while, expecting that Li Longji will not let himself be the dominant party, he has always believed that Li Longji is using Yang Guozhong as the spokesperson of the Yang clan in the name, but in fact this is just an illusion, Li Longji will never use a despicable and shameless villain to sing against himself, his hidden line is very likely to be Li Qing, for this reason, he laid out early, planted eyeliner around Yang Guozhong, and instigated Yang Guozhong to deal with Li Qing.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Qiu and Qiong were born, it turned out that this is the person Li Longji really wants to use, and the mystery of using Li Qing as the household servant will be solved, he is Zhang Qiu and Qiong's protégé, and he will be Zhang Qiu and Qiong's right-hand man in the future.

Both of them stopped talking, and the atmosphere in the room seemed a little solemn, at this time, Bian Lingcheng walked into the room lightly and knelt down and said, "Back to Your Majesty, Li Qing, the head of the household, has already brought it, and now he is waiting outside the door to be summoned." ”

Li Longji nodded, "Announce him in!" He turned back to Li Linfu and smiled: "I'm afraid the martial arts meeting has already begun, Xiangguo can take a step first, and I will come immediately." ”

"In this way, the old minister will retire first!" Li Linfu slowly withdrew, and was meeting Li Qing who came from the edict.

"My subordinates have seen Xiangguo!" Li Qing hurriedly saluted Li Linfu, but Li Linfu didn't say a word, he looked at Li Qing for a long time, suddenly patted him on the shoulder, shook his head and left.

Li Qingxin was a little surprised, he kept staring at Li Linfu's back and walked away, and then he slowly turned around, but saw Gao Lishi standing at the door waving to him. "Li Shilang, please hurry up, don't let the emperor wait for a long time."

Li Qing hurriedly quickened his pace and walked into the room, only to see Li Longji playing with two walnuts in his hand, and was concentrating on reading a book, as if he had handed over the 'new salt method' to the ground two days ago.

He took a step forward, bowed down to Li Longji and said, "Minister Li Qing see Your Majesty!" ”

Li Longji didn't seem to hear his words, he was still watching intently. Picking up a walnut and tapping it lightly on the table, Li Qing stopped talking, just stood aside and waited patiently.

Li Longji turned another page, and suddenly felt something, and when he looked up, he saw Li Qing standing aside. put down the fold and said with a smile: "Li Shilang has arrived, come!" Sit down first. ”

He first ordered Li Qing to sit down, and then hurriedly read the remaining lines, then closed the music, and said to Li Qing with a smile: "I have read your new salt method three times, only to find that it is different from the salt law of the Han Dynasty, when the government monopolized the entire salt industry, except for those who boiled salt, people and businessmen were not allowed to participate. However, your new salt law only monopolizes the first link, buying raw salt and then selling it to private merchants at a higher price. I don't quite understand this, so you can tell me your thoughts first. ”

"Let's talk about it in detail."

Li Qing bowed slightly and smiled: "The salt industry has a lot of benefits. Since ancient times, all dynasties have attached great importance to this, and there is no need to say more, but Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's salt law and the implementation of the local salt policy since the founding of the Tang Dynasty have not solved a problem, that is, the division of interests between the local government and the court. All of them are carried out by the local government, and the profits are also handed over to the imperial court by the local government. The labor expenditures, losses along the road, the authority of the salt division and even the local distribution of profits in various places are all a confused account, obviously there can be millions of salt profits, but in the end there are only tens of thousands of yuan in the Zuozang (central treasury), so they are not valued by the imperial court.

Therefore, the minister thought that the imperial court should resolutely take over the power of the salt administration, set up a direct agency to carry out monopoly, and did not need to draw salt from the private households to serve in salt, and should set up special salt households like military households, engaged in salt production, directly controlled by the imperial court, and purchased from the imperial court, and then sold to salt merchants at a higher price, all the transportation and sales are completed by the merchants themselves, and the government does not interfere, so that the local government can no longer interfere in the salt profits, and the salt profits with increased prices are directly collected by the imperial court in the form of taxes, and the ministers are the most conservative estimates, The annual salt tax is at least 3 million yuan. ”

Three million, this is equivalent to a year's tax money in the Tang Dynasty, such a huge amount of income, so that Li Longji's hands trembled slightly, with this money, many of his plans can be implemented, but he still does not understand the business of handing over to the people, and he can't help but wonder: "The salt profits belong to the imperial court, I very much agree, but the merchants to carry out the operation and sales of the second and third roads, I don't agree very much, the merchants are all mercenary, salt is a necessity for the people's livelihood, if they control the sale, then the people in the world will not have salt to eat, Or can't afford to eat salt? ”

"Your Majesty, the minister doesn't think so!"

Li Qing shook his head and said, "Shi Jiyun, 'The world is bustling for profit, The world is shouting for profit', the minister is also a businessman, well aware of the nature of businessmen to pursue profits, but everything has two sides, as long as you can be good at using its advantageous side, minimize oligopoly, crack down on bad businessmen, if necessary, the court can also set up a standing position adjustment, so that it can not be hoarded, and for law-abiding businessmen let them operate, the court collects taxes, otherwise everything is done by the government, not to mention that the huge personnel expenses of the court can not afford, and this black box operation, this damage to the public and private things can not be banned, the new salt law of the courtier is from this point of view, it is recommended to directly face the people with private business。 ”

As he spoke, he peeked at Li Longji's expression, and saw that although he was listening, he was obviously a little absent-minded, and he was noncommittal to his words, which made Li Qing sigh secretly, an important reason why the commerce of the Tang Dynasty was not as good as the two Song Dynasty was that the government imposed too many restrictions on merchants, on the one hand, it imposed heavy taxes and set all kinds of rules, but on the other hand, it despised it from the bones, as the king of a country, Li Longji was so contemptuous of merchants, not to mention the military officials below.

However, this is not something that can make Li Longji clear in a few words, only to lure him with profit and speak with facts, so that he can gradually accept his idea of rejuvenating the country through business.

Thinking of this, Li Qing stood up, his face was filled with a firm and decisive expression, and he said: "Your Majesty, now the salt tax revenue is only a hundred thousand yuan a year, and the impact is not great, it is better to let go and let the minister go to the test for two years, the minister is willing to make a military order, if he can't get three million yuan in taxes within two years, the minister is willing to be removed from the post of household squire." ”

I don't know if it was Li Qing's firm attitude that moved Li Longji, or the promise of three million guan that moved him, Li Longji thought about it for a long time, and finally said slowly: "Okay, I promised you this time, you can follow the example of the Jianghuai transfer envoy to set up a salt and iron envoy, but this position is generally held by a Shangshu-level official, you are not suitable, you can be appointed as a deputy position, as for the main position?" ”

Li Longji hesitated, but Li Qing immediately said: "The minister is willing to recommend His Royal Highness Li Jiao, King of Guangping, to serve as the salt and iron envoy." ”

"Yu'er?"

Li Longji was stunned, and then he smiled slightly: "You lent him 300 troops in this martial arts exercise!" ”

Li Qing was taken aback, he took a step forward, knelt down on his left knee and said: "Back to Your Majesty, these three hundred troops have been following Weichen since Nanzhao, and their feelings are deep, I hereby implore Your Majesty to transfer these three hundred troops to the household or."

Let them continue to follow Wechen. ”

Li Longji was silent for a long time, and after a long while, he stared at Li Qing and said slowly: "You took Shibao City for me, but I have not been able to reward you, this salt reform seems simple, even I know how many people's vital interests will be involved, and even the emperor's relatives, so I want to ensure your personal safety, these three hundred troops will be given to you as your personal guard, and you will be loyal to me!" As for the matter of the king of Guangping as the salt and iron envoy, let me think about it again. ”

.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! ”

The dull sound of drums streaked across the racecourse, and although it was cold in early spring, the wind blew the battle flags around it to the sound of hunting. But the arena was already crowded, everyone was drenched in sweat, steaming all over, looking at the stadium with red eyes, and his voice was already hoarse.

The event is gradually entering the **, and the final showdown is about to begin, dealing with the two sides of the king of Qing, the king of Xinping County, Li Li, and the other side is the king of Guangping, Li Li.

At this time, the shouts outside the arena shook the sky, but the Taichang Qing and the horse captain Zhang Yan, who presided over the game, did not give an order for a long time, he had Xiangguo's instructions, and the final final must wait for His Majesty and the concubine Niangniang to come to the rear before it can be held.

Li Qing found his place easily, on the east side of the big wooden platform, it was a coincidence, and Yang Shenjin, the servant of the ministry, happened to sit next to him, he also came with his wife and daughter, Li Qing was not there, he was taking care of Li Qing's family, Li Qing stepped forward to greet him a few words, and there were many people around. It's not good to talk about Yang Shenjin's meeting with Zhang Qiu and Qiong, and he greeted his wife again, and then he came to his seat carefully.

"Sorry! I'm late. ”

Li Qing squeezed between the curtain and Xiaoyu, only to find that Li Jingyan was also beside him, the two looked at each other, Li Qing smiled awkwardly, but Li Jingyan's face was flushed, and he hurriedly looked away.

"Why did Li Lang come after a morning. It's almost over. The curtain couldn't help but complain.

Li Qing smiled apologetically, "Waiting for the emperor to summon me, so it's too late." ”

He got up and put up a curtain to look at the arena, but he didn't see anyone in the game for a long time, so he asked the curtain: "Is the king of Guangping out of the battle?" Is there any news of him? ”

"He's won three games in a row, and here's his showdown with the King of Tan Binh County."

Li Jingyan is also a member of the royal family. They are very familiar with these participating royal brothers, unlike the curtains, and they are still confused after watching them for a long time.

At this time, there was chaos on the wooden platform, and countless guards ran over there, and from a distance, Li Longji and Yang Guifei could be seen appearing on the wooden platform, and they were immediately blocked by a huge Huangluo umbrella.

Seeing that His Majesty and the concubine had already taken their positions, he gave an order, and immediately a huge red flag was erected on the field. This is the signal for the start of the game.

"Woo-woo-" Bull's horn in a low voice~ I saw that they all had bright armor and shining lances. Hundreds of thousands of people in Chang'an suddenly burst into cheers, the cavalry was divided into five teams, under the leadership of Li Li, the king of Xinping County, five hundred long lances pointed straight to the sky, this is the elite people selected from the ten thousand cavalry battalion, it is King Qing to the Yulin Army general Chen Xuanli begged, and the deputy commander of his specific command is Du Qianyun, the head of the generals.

While the citizens were anxiously looking for another team, someone could already faintly feel the vibration of their eardrums. It's the drums, it's rhythmic. Low and dull, gradually the heart beat to the rhythm one by one, and then a black dot appeared from the west, and this black dot slowly turned into a black mass, and then spread out into a black line.

It is also a cavalry, three hundred black armor and black armor of the Doulu army cavalry, the armor stomach is glowing with a cold cold light, they are all low and speechless, the long lance is pointing straight ahead, in front of the team, there are three horses, holding a horizontal knife in the middle, with a grim expression, looking squarely at Li Jiao, the king of Guangping, his waist is straight, his eyes are cold, staring sharply at the front, fearless, full of confidence, exuding a powerful king's air, behind him one left and one right, is the bandit leader Li Fei brother in the Hexi corridor, a long face and long beard,

Li Fei Shouyu, who flashed his eyes with wisdom, and the other was fierce and vicious, with a face full of meat, and the child didn't dare to cry when he saw it.

"This is my eldest grandson, Wang Yu'er of Guangping."

Li Longji pointed at Li Jiao and explained with a smile to Yang Guifei: "He can be martial, but he is gentle and virtuous, and I like him the most." ”

But his eyes secretly glanced at Yang Huahua, who was sitting aside, beautiful and white, but revealing a trace of wildness, Yang Huahua had already discovered Li Longji's peeping, she boldly teased this supreme Tang Tian with her hot gaze, especially her plump chest towering.

When has Li Longji seen this kind of teasing in broad daylight, and suddenly thought that when she first saw her, she actually pinched herself secretly, and her heart suddenly became hot, and she felt that her nose was difficult, her mouth was thirsty, and there was no saliva at all.

.

Suddenly, Li Long's base was attracted by the field, only to see Li Li's cavalry finally moved, as if the ice peak was broken, and it swooped out from the huge iceberg, and the tip of the helmet shone in the morning light, like a twinkling little star in the sky, and three hundred cavalry galloped towards the arena.

There was silence on the field, everyone was staring nervously at this murderous army, all of them heard the sound of horses' hooves galloping in the distance, facing the spring breeze, the war horses were undulating and horizontal, and the black battle flags were fluttering in the wind, galloping towards the competition venue.

The sound of the horn resounded clearly and loudly on the field, and in an instant, it turned into a thunderous roar, and the galloping horse team suddenly appeared in the front of the cavalry general tall and burly, strong and mighty, only to see him He was dressed in the Tang Dynasty military uniform, dancing with an unopened long lance, the momentum was fierce, and the cavalry behind him were all wearing iron armor, the cold light was shining, and the movements were swift, so it was not spectacular.

"Kill!" Li Jiao swung out his horizontal sword, and his short command sounded in the ears of all the soldiers like a thunderclap. "Kill!" In an instant, the explosion turned into a rolling thunder, which exploded continuously under the dark clouds. The wind roared, the horns were bright, the iron arrows were ringing, five hundred long lances were raised high, and turned into the horns of five hundred silver dragons, the spikes flashed with cold light, as fast as lightning, galloping, roaring, rolling up the momentum of thousands of troops, and rushed straight towards the opponent, Li Li's face changed slightly, he tried his best to keep calm, but the war horse had already 'clicked! Click! 'The earth receded.

This momentum shocked everyone, on one side were the well-treated and pampered hereditary Praetorian Guards, and on the other side were the Predators who had been killed from the pile of dead, and needless to say, the victory and defeat were already visible.

Li Longji looked at the calm and mighty Li Jiao, and smiled with satisfaction, he suddenly remembered Li Qing's recommendation, the first salt and iron envoy of the Tang Dynasty, Li Longji nodded slowly, but at this moment, a bold thought suddenly flashed in his mind, why can't he make the emperor and grandson the prince?