After a month, the essay contest ended.

Tai Chi Hall, Li Su's office.

In order to honor Emperor Taizong, his original study and bedroom were kept as they were.

Li Su's office is with Zhongshu Province, so it is more convenient to run a business.

The three prime ministers of the Government Council, Wei Zheng, Hou Junji and Huang Furui, as well as Zhongshu Ling Cen Wenwen, reported to Li Su on the situation of the essay contest.

Wei Zheng said: "Your Majesty, a total of 17,940 articles were received in the essay contest, 10 articles were selected after review, and three excellent articles were also evaluated.

However, none of the articles can be used as a guide for the work of the Tang court. The event didn't seem to be serving the purpose it was intended to achieve. ”

Li Su has now figured out what the imperial court wants to do, and he said with a smile: "No, it should be said that the goal has been achieved, and the future development direction of the imperial court cannot be completely planned by an ordinary person."

However, these 17,940 articles, according to the current number of literate people in Chang'an, have accounted for a large proportion, what does this mean?

It shows that the vast number of subjects actively and enthusiastically participated in the proposal for the work of the imperial court, which is a great achievement.

I also read some of the articles, in which some of them put forward hopes and suggestions, and some criticized the court, which are very good, and they all express the expectations of the subjects for the court.

It is difficult to say that there is an absolute standard for the future development direction of the imperial court. However, it is not wrong to develop the economy and improve people's livelihood at any time.

What the imperial court wants to do, I have considered it, mainly in the following aspects:

The first aspect is to vigorously develop the economy and continuously improve the people's living standards.

In this regard, the imperial court should formulate corresponding economic development plans and do a good job in the construction of infrastructure such as highways, farmland and water conservancy.

The second aspect is to straighten out the social atmosphere between the Tang Dynasty and the opposition and advocate universally recognized social values such as patriotism, unity, loyalty and bravery, and scrupulously abiding by trustworthiness.

People and things that meet the above-mentioned social value standards should be commended. On the contrary, it is necessary to crack down on behaviors that do not meet ethical standards. To promote positive energy,"

Although positive energy is a new word, everyone understands what it means.

Li Su continued: "Third, we must continue to strengthen our national defense strength and build a strong iron army. Without affecting people's livelihood, we will expand our territory and leave more wealth for our children and grandchildren. That's what we should do. ”

Hou Junji said: "The emperor is right, and the minister agrees. ”

Wei Zheng and others should also agree with this opinion.

Wei Zheng said: "The emperor's proposal to promote positive energy is very important. It is difficult to develop the economy and improve people's livelihood, and it is even more difficult to expand the territory.

However, what is more difficult than these is that the society establishes good social customs, that is, the positive energy advocated by the emperor.

In this regard, great efforts must be made.

With a good social atmosphere of positive energy, it will also have a great effect on the other two jobs,"

Li Su said: "Master Wei is right, let's start from paying close attention to the social atmosphere, starting from Chang'an."

First of all, a good social atmosphere was formed in Chang'an, so that Chang'an became a model for the whole country. ”

Huang Furui said: "In this essay contest, the first ten articles, the minister suggested that the court struggle be announced and rewarded heavily. ”

Li Su said: "Very good, my opinion is that on the conditions of the awards announced in advance for this award, add some rewards.

The first place in the essay, the imperial court awarded the title of county man.

It is to establish the credibility of the imperial court, so that the people know that the imperial court is trustworthy in its word, and as long as it implements the decrees of the imperial court, it will be praised. ”

Everyone was unanimous in favor.

Li Su said: "I also want to arrange some tests to show the attitude of the imperial court. ”

Hou Junji asked, "How to test?" ”

Li Su said: "Let's ...... like this"

Hou Junji said excitedly: "The minister agrees." ”

Wei Zheng and the others were also looking forward to it, and said, "The ministers are in favor." ”

Weijia Village, Chang'an County.

Weijia Village is all surnamed Wei, and there are 132 households in the village, which is not a small village.

Wei Xuewen is 19 years old, thin and thin, and is a teacher at the village primary school. His family was poor, his father died young, and he was dependent on a sick mother.

On this day, when he came home from class, his mother looked at him and said very helplessly: "Awen, the matchmaker just replied to the letter, and the people disagreed, alas, they all blame our poor family, and blame my mother for her poor health, which dragged you down." ”

Wei Xuewen has never been able to get married, and his mother is worried about him, so she asks people everywhere to talk to the matchmaker, but his family background is like this, and he always fails.

Not long ago, Wei Xuewen had a relationship with the daughter of a rich family in this village, and the two also established a relationship.

Wei Xuewen saw his mother's sad appearance, comforted her and said: "It's okay at the moment, this family can't do it, let's find a way in the future, don't be sad, if your son doesn't believe it, you won't be able to find a daughter-in-law.

Someday, I will make those who look down on people's sons regret it. ”

Now that I see my sensible son, I feel very sad. She was silently crying, cooking for her son.

Suddenly, the rich man came, and as soon as he saw Wei Xuewen's mother, he said affectionately: "Mother-in-law, I'm really embarrassed, when the matchmaker went to my house to propose marriage, I happened to be not at home, and my mother-in-law was ignorant, so she blew the matchmaker to death."

When I got home, I found out about it and taught her a hard lesson. ”

Wei Xuewen's mother saw the rich man's respectful attitude, and she couldn't react for a while.

This rich man, who usually sees her, nostrils to the sky, doesn't even look at her, what's wrong today?

The rich man said: "I understand the situation, my daughter, and your family have long been in love, I am very much in favor of this family matter, as long as you are willing, I don't want a dowry, you can take it at any time, my daughter has passed the door." ”

Wei Xuewen was also confused, not knowing what was going on?

It turned out that Wei Xuewen won the first place in this essay contest, and the imperial court gave him a large bonus, and also named a third-class baron.

The news had already spread to the county, and the rich family got the news in advance and regretted it very much, so they rushed to Wei Xuewen's house to propose their relatives.

Later, when Li Su heard the news, he couldn't help but smile, and he said to Hou Junji: "I had such an idea at that time, and I made that kid a baron, and I actually achieved a beautiful marriage!" It was a bonus. ”

Hou Junji said: "Your Majesty, the test you asked your ministers to arrange has been prepared. ”

Li Su said: "I don't care about this matter, you can do it." ”

Hou Junji said with a smile: "The minister is very interested in this matter, so the minister will go to do it." ”