Temple of Manna.

Qin Huaidao came in a hurry, and when he was waiting for the report at the door, he saw Princess Yuzhang coming out of it, and saluted: "Huaidao, I have seen Her Royal Highness the Princess." ”

"Let's go in, my father is in a hurry." Yu Zhang said a word, lowered his head and hurriedly left, his face blushing.

Qin Huaidao was a little surprised, what are you doing with a good blush? I didn't say anything, I shook my head, I didn't bother to think about it, and the waiter came out to let me in.

In the main hall, Li Er and several ministers were talking around the brazier, the atmosphere was quite harmonious, Li Er looked over and shouted: "Huaidao, come and sit, I'll wait for you, I heard that you made a big waterwheel, what's the matter?" ”

Qin Huaidao stepped forward and sat down, and said with a smile: "Go back to the saint, so that everyone can grind wheat in the future." ”

"But it's also the way of Gewu left by the pre-Qin warlock?" Li Er asked, seeing Qin Huaidao nodding, he continued: "I heard that it is very majestic, when I have time, I will go and have a look, I summoned you to ask something, the grain was sold according to your method for three or four days, and the situation has improved significantly, but today, the price of other grain merchants has suddenly dropped from ten to five Wen, which is the same as the imperial court, I and all Aiqing have analyzed it for a long time, and I want to hear your opinion." ”

"Ten Wen down to five?" Qin Huaidao was a little surprised, this drop is a bit big, what is this for? Worried that he would not be able to sell it, he was about to sell it, so he couldn't help asking: "How is the situation of the imperial court's grain collection?" ”

Fang Xuanling took over the topic and said: "Honeycomb coal is very popular, the first day is not very good, the second day rose by 30%, the third day rose by 50%, I heard that it is liked by the people, can your output keep up?" ”

"The output should be fine, but other grain merchants suddenly reduced the price to Wuwen, is it because there is too much grain, they are worried that they can't sell it, and they can't get rid of it as soon as possible?" Qin Huaidao said with some surprise.

"It's hard to say, the imperial court has already sold 100,000 stones, and it has been exchanged for 100,000 stones in the past few days, as long as it is put into the market, the people don't have to worry about the lack of food for a while, will it be that the grain merchants can't hold on? What do you suggest? Fang Xuanling asked.

Qin Huaidao pondered, the price of grain returned to Wuwen, this is a normal level, and it is also very reasonable, the grain merchant followed the price jump, do you really plan to stop? Is there really a ghost behind it? He suggested: "Holy Lord, my lords, if there is a conspiracy among other grain merchants, you have to try to find out, and you don't have to worry about it. ”

"Tell me what you think." Li Er was interested, and his eyes were full of anticipation.

"The imperial court has collected 200,000 stones, the lack of grain for the people of Chang'an has been controlled, the minister suggested that the three cents be sold, sell at a loss, one is to let the people of Chang'an buy more grain for the winter, and make up for the deficit of the previous high-priced grain, and the people's will is settled, and the other is to pull the grain merchants to follow up, if they don't follow, they can't sell their grain, if they follow, it means that they are in a hurry, they are in a hurry to sell too much grain, and the court secretly buys it, and buys as much as it wants, until they buy up the grain in their hands and make up for the deficit in the court."

"If Sanwen can really buy it, the court won't have much silver to make up for the shortfall, this is a good way, I'm afraid they won't sell it." Fang Xuanling reminded.

Qin Huaidao smiled: "The imperial court sells Sanwen and has enough grain, don't they sell it and keep it moldy?" ”

"It makes sense, I think it's feasible, even if you don't follow up, it's okay, it's a good thing to let the people profit, after all, the people have eaten a lot of high-priced grain before, and it's best to follow up, the court secretly buys it, and saves it for later use, just in case, the Khitan and Tubo are about to move, I am worried about the lack of food, and Huaidao is a great good, that is, you pay the cost is not low, right?" Li Er looked at Qin Huaidao and said.

"It's really a lot, if you can, please allow Weichen Sanwen to buy 100,000 stones for backup, today the people of Zhaojia Village also went to Qinjiazhuang, more than 1,000 more people to eat, and Weichen is uneasy when there is no food."

"That doesn't need 100,000 stones, there will be a harvest after the beginning of spring, and the imperial court is short of grain." Li Er asked, food is too precious, how can one person be allowed to hoard it.

Qin Huaidao hurriedly cried and said: "Shengshang, Weichen's fief has been changed to a pond, and he is going to raise fish in the coming year, and he will not plant wheat, so there will be no end, 100,000 stone is calculated by the minister, of which 50,000 stone is reserved, and the other 50,000 stone will be put into the market in the coming year, and sold according to Wuwen, and some costs will be recovered. ”

Li Er was a little embarrassed, from the offer to the cost input, honeycomb coal production is Qin Huaidao, such a big credit only requires the purchase of 100,000 stones, not to mention 50,000 to feed more than 2,000 people, then the population of Zhaojia Village should have been borne by the imperial court, and if he didn't agree, he was a little unkind, so he said: "Yes!" ”

Qin Huaidao was secretly happy, thinking about turning around and quietly collecting tens of thousands of stones, anyway, it was impossible for the imperial court to reconcile the accounts, to check the quantity, and the grain for brewing wine was there.

Fang Xuanling looked at Qin Huaidao with some emotion and said: "The old man said that Huaidao has a way, and sure enough, in this way, the imperial court will have the initiative, and this battle for grain prices will be a complete victory." ”

"This time, Huaidao should be the first credit." Li Jing also said, looking at Li Er, meaning something.

Of course, Li Er understood the meaning behind it, but he just guessed that the price had not really come down, and he looked at Qin Huaidao and asked, "Huaidao, tell me, is there any other way for the grain merchant to go back?" ”

"Back to the saints, as long as the exchange of honeycomb coal remains unchanged, the people are willing to exchange the surplus grain, and the court can control the price unchanged, plus it is sold by the person, and the grain flows into the hands of the people, and the grain merchants will not be able to buy the grain of the imperial court, and once the price is reduced, the court can buy all their grain, unless they also buy it by the person."

"What if it's really bought per person?" Li Er asked.

"If the price is reduced, it means that he is in a hurry, he wishes to sell out as soon as possible, it is impossible to buy by person, this will increase their cost and sales speed, if it is really reduced to buy, there are hundreds of thousands of forbidden troops in the saint, change into civilian clothes to buy it, how many can buy them out."

"Hahaha, this method is good, great good!" Li Er laughed happily.

The others followed suit, and the atmosphere instantly livened up.

The eldest grandson Wuji was a little uneasy, and asked: "Virtuous nephew, if, I mean if, if the grain is not bargained and bites Wuwen to death, the imperial court will need to continue to put grain into the market, at least for more than two months, this cost is too great, and you need to continue to supply honeycomb coal for more than two months." ”

Qin Huaidao couldn't help but glance at the other party, no wonder he could get Li Er's trust, he was a confidant, he was indeed talented, seeing that everyone else was not smiling, he looked at it one after another, his face was a little worried, so he had to explain: "Then it will last for more than two months, the coal can not be dug up in two months, and besides, 200,000 stone of grain is put into Chang'an, it is not difficult to maintain it for two months, if you can buy 300,000 stones, you don't have to worry about it at all in two months." ”

"300,000 stone should not be difficult, there are already 200,000 stones, only 100,000 stones, it is really not good, the counties find local rich businessmen to raise a little donation, the problem is not big, two months later, the ice and snow melt, the river transport resumes, and grain can be transferred from Luoyang into Chang'an." Fang Xuanling said.

"Okay, after the problem of food is finished, let's talk about Tibet, after I refused to kiss them, they jumped up and down, there was news that Tubo was preparing for war in China, and it had close contacts with the Western Turks, if it was in the past, I was fearless, but the Khitan has not been honest recently, and the enemy has been attacked before and after, the situation is not good, pharmacist, you talk about it first." Li Er looked at Li Jing

Li Jing didn't say anything, but looked at Qin Huaidao, and asked with a smile: "Virtuous nephew, the old man knows that you are proficient in the art of war, and a few of them don't believe it, why don't you tell me, how to crack this game?" ”

"Master Li, I'm afraid this is inappropriate." Qin Huaidao refused.

"I also want to hear your thoughts, the pharmacist has said in my ear more than once that you are an unborn master of the art of war, at a young age, you have never led a soldier, you have been on the battlefield, how can you be a master of the art of war without actual combat experience, but I know the character of the pharmacist, never exaggerated, and never so overestimated a person, there must be something unique." Li Er also smiled.

The saint opened his mouth, and if he didn't say it, he was bullying the king and resisting the decree.

Qin Huaidao thought about it a little depressedly, and said, "It's cold, it's really not suitable to send troops." ”

"You mean the war will take place after the beginning of spring?" Li Jing asked.

"No, what the younger generation means is that it is indeed not suitable to send troops in winter, we can think of it, the enemy can also think of it, and the enemy will not think that we will send troops, which is called surprise and unpreparedness." Qin Huaidao said.

Fang Xuanling and the others didn't know about the soldiers, and they all looked at Li Jing, and even Li Er would ask Li Jing for his intention in using soldiers, and they also looked at it.

Li Jing said with some curiosity: "You have to mean that the imperial court will make the first move and catch the opponent off guard?" This is impossible, although the Tang soldiers are not afraid of death and are brave and good at fighting, they are not good at fighting in the snow, they are too cold, and their bodies can't stand it. ”

"There is a cavalry from the Turks in the imperial court." Qin Huaidao reminded.

The Turkic cavalry is good at fighting in winter, everyone knows this, Li Jing knows better, but he still vetoed: "This is not good, the Turkic cavalry is only 5,000, and the number of troops is too small, how to fight?" ”

"Five thousand, that's a lot." Qin Huaidao thought that there were 3,000 people, but there were 5,000 people, and he could do a lot of things.

Li Jing still wanted to object, but Li Er became interested and said: "Huaidao, your idea is too risky, if it's just like that, then I will be disappointed." ”

"Actually, three thousand is enough." Qin Huaidao said with a smile.

"Three thousand? It's even more unlikely. Li Jing insisted.

Li Er became more interested, and interrupted: "Pharmacist, you pay attention to the dignified division with soldiers, although you are also in danger, but in terms of strange soldiers, I am not as good as me, and the three thousand men and horses obviously want to be used as strange soldiers, Huai Dao, tell me what you think." ”

"What the Holy Lord said is that the minister is in a hurry." Li Jing decisively admitted and also looked at Qin Huaidao.

Qin Huaidao had no choice but to continue: "Shengshang, Tubo and the Western Turks are about to move, they must have learned that the Khitan is going to take risks, once the fire breaks out in the rear of the Tang Dynasty, it is not surprising that they will rob it, but if the Khitan fire can't be burned, the Tubo and Western Turks will not dare to move, is this so?" ”

"You want to move the Khitan?" Li Er saw that Qin Huaidao thought the same as himself, and his eyes burst with light.

Qin Huaidao nodded: "With three thousand Turks disguised as one of the eight Khitan tribes, sneak attack one, and then retreat, and then disguise as another tribe, attack other tribes, to fight to feed the war, turn the world upside down, in wartime, not to kill the enemy, but to destroy their winter grain and grass, burn some tents, without these things, even if you know that it is a soldier sent by the imperial court, the Khitan tribes can only rob each other and fight in order to survive." ”

"Shhhh

Everyone gasped, this is a desperate plan.

But no one felt bad, on the contrary, they were faintly excited and looked at Li Jing.

Li Jing's eyes also lit up, and he kept deducing in his mind, and said after a while: "Shengshang, this method is feasible, as long as you grasp the key to destroying grain, forcing the Khitan tribes to entangle each other, it will inevitably be chaotic, and it is easy to complete it if you only destroy the grain, not for the purpose of killing and injuring the Khitan living forces, but the battlefield is changing rapidly, and you need a very flexible general to be competent, once it is encircled, you will definitely die." ”

Everyone looked at Qin Huaidao one after another.

Qin Huaidao hurriedly shook his head and said, "Look at what I'm doing, I can't do it." ”

"This tactic is proposed by you, who can you not do it, others rush to lead the troops, expand the territory, make great contributions, and leave a name in history, you actually refuse, this is not like your father." Fang Xuanling said with a smile.

"I still have more than 2,000 people in Qinjiazhuang to feed." Qin Huaidao hurriedly said.

"Shengshang, the minister recommended Huaidao to lead the troops to go, win, then the Khitan can be destroyed, the crisis is lifted, and the defeat is not a big loss, with Huaidao's ability, it is no problem to retreat with the whole body, it is a Turkic cavalry, even if the body is found by the Khitan, the court can also push it clean." Li Jing said with some excitement.

Everyone present was a human spirit, how could they not see that Li Jing was taking the opportunity to cultivate Qin Huaidao.

With Li Jing's status and influence, once recommended, everyone has to pay attention to it, and no one dares to fight.

Li Er also has to pay attention to Li Jing's recommendation, even if he doesn't use it, he has to give a reasonable explanation and ponder.

Qin Huaidao hurriedly said: "Holy Lord, the minister has not brought soldiers, no." ”

"Huo Qubing has never led soldiers, and he can seal the wolf Juxu on the battlefield for the first time." Li Jing said with a smile.

Qin Huaidao can see that Li Jing has to let himself go to the battlefield, although he has the intention of cultivating and giving himself the opportunity to splash the sky, but he is not interested, so he has to refuse, at this time, Li Jing came over with his ears and said in a low voice: "Wang Tongbiao." ”

One sentence, three words, suddenly sounded in my mind like thunder.

Qin Huaidao instantly understood Li Jing's good intentions, in addition to meritorious service, there was another point, he took the opportunity to destroy Wang Tongbiao and never suffer in the future, otherwise he would not be at peace, and his heart was immediately moved.

"Shengshang, the minister is willing to go, but the minister needs 5,000 people, and he also needs the Ministry of Industry to help make something, and after he is done, he will set off to take the entire Khitan for Shengshang."

"Take the Khitan with only 5,000 people? You're sure you can do it, no jokes. Li Er frowned and said.

"The minister is willing to make a military order, for a period of three months, maybe two months is enough, but it needs the assistance of the three brothers of the Cheng family, the two brothers of the Wei Chi family and Luo Zhang, if it can't be done, let the saint dispose of it." Qin Huaidao said confidently, when it comes to fighting, he really doesn't accept anyone.

Li Er also wanted to take advantage of the cold weather to move the Khitan, but he was worried that the hundred officials of the court would not agree, and it would be different to transfer five thousand people. ”

"Worst case scenario?" Qin Huaidao didn't react for a while.

"If you don't win, you must lose first, and if you can bear it, you can make a decision." Li Jing explained.

"Shengshang, the minister never thinks about defeat in battle, because it is impossible, maybe the Shengshang thinks that the minister is arrogant, but it is a fact, if you have to give a worst result, it is to reduce the number of troops by one-half, or in the case of taking the Khitan, if you can't retreat, the attrition is at most a quarter, and one more person is punished by the saint."

"It's only a quarter." No one believed it.

Li Er didn't believe it either, but seeing the confident gaze in Qin Huaidao's eyes, he decided to take a gamble and said: "Okay, if you are defeated, demoted to two levels, and dismissed, this time the merit of the grain price will not be rewarded, as a punishment, if you take the Khitan, I will be rewarded heavily, and consider marrying Princess Yuzhang to you, do you dare to make a military order?" ”

"Ah...... In the end, don't think about this holy one. Qin Huaidao hurriedly said.

"Why, my Yuzhang is not worthy of you?" Li Er's face suddenly sank.

Qin Huaidao hurriedly explained: "No, Princess Yuzhang is very good, but the minister is not worthy of Princess Yuzhang." ”

"Then it is decided, and many ministers testify." Li Er smiled with satisfaction, about the price of grain, Li Er saw that Qin Huaidao's talent was extraordinary, plus he had visited Princess Yuzhang last night, Yuzhang was intentional, Li Er didn't mind matching the two, if he won the Khitan again, it would be a great talent in both civil and military affairs, and such a person must be encircled.

A family is the real one of your own.

In front of the great cause of the emperor, the princess should also do her part, right?

It's just that Qin Huaidao was anxious when he heard it, Princess Shang is not a good thing to be happy about, she has no status in the future, and she can only wait for the princess to summon her when she goes to bed, what is this called?

How can a dignified man compromise and seek perfection? Hurriedly made up an excuse and said: "Shengshang, let's change to a different one, it's okay to cancel this article, I'm the only one in the minister's family, and I'm still waiting to marry a few more branches, Princess Shang can't marry other women, how can I spread the branches." ”

"Bastard, what kind of truth is this, if you dare to talk nonsense, I won't spare you." Li Er was so angry that he wanted to beat someone, and he wanted to marry another woman after marrying a princess, don't even think about it.

Several ministers looked at Qin Huaidao one after another, this is too bold, so he is not afraid of cutting off his head?

Qin Huaidao saw that Li Er was really angry, but insisted for the sake of a happy life: "Holy Lord, let's change it, the minister is not unwilling, he really wants to marry a few more and spread the branches, which is also the wish of my father." ”

"What does Second Brother Qin mean?" Li Er was a little surprised.

Everyone is also a little confused, Qin Qiong is such an upright and responsible person would make such a request, can't it?

"That's right, my father." Qin Huaidao emphasized, anyway, no one is there, and there is no way to verify it.

Li Er hesitated for a moment, but still said: "That's not good, if you marry my daughter, you still want to do something else, what kind of system will it become?" I'll go back to the second brother's mausoleum and say yes. ”

This is a bit strong and dictatorial, Qin Huaidao's face suddenly sank.

Li Jing hurriedly came over and whispered: "Don't make a mistake, be careful of your head, as long as you have no reputation, no one will care about you if you want to marry a few in the future, hurry up and thank you." ”

Qin Huaidao still didn't let go, marrying a few more is just a pretext, the real purpose is not to want Princess Shang, although Yuzhang has a good personality, is knowledgeable, and is beautiful, and it is good to marry home, but why.

Li Eryin stared at Qin Huaidao suspiciously, feeling insulted, the dignified princess, my heart's flesh and blood, was actually rejected, where is my face when it is passed out? What is the princess's face? Moved to a real anger, he said coldly: "Lord Qin, are you sure what you are doing?" ”

Even the title has changed, which shows that he is really angry.

Li Jing hurriedly said: "The saint is angry, maybe it was too sudden, Huai Dao didn't turn a corner for a while, Rong Chen persuaded him, and the minister promised that Huai Dao changed his mind." ”

Fang Xuanling also hurriedly said: "Huaidao, don't thank you yet." ”

Qin Huaidao didn't want Li Jing and Fang Xuanling to be embarrassed, and he also knew that marriage in this era was the order of his parents, the words of the matchmaker, there was no free love, whoever he married was a blind box, it was all up to luck, at least Yuzhang was familiar, if he really objected, it would be disrespectful to the decree, that is, disrespectful to the imperial power, the crime was a bit big, and he had to lose his head, but it was difficult to calm down.

Li Jing is worthy of being a master of the art of war, his eyes are vicious, he saw Qin Huaidao's thoughts, decided to stimulate it, lowered his voice and said in his ear: "Your Uncle Cheng has a daughter, interested in you, I talked to the old man, and the daughter of the old man is fine, or——"

Qin Huaidao didn't know that Li Jing was talking nonsense, scaring himself, remembering the appearance of Cheng Biting Jin and Wei Chigong's women, which was far worse than Yu Zhang, with the temper and style of these two people, once they got their minds, they couldn't refuse at all, and they would be tied up, and hurriedly said: "Holy Lord, the minister is willing!" Thank you for being on Long. ”

Marry an ugly monster and go home, it's better to marry Yuzhang, anyway, if you don't fall in love freely, why don't you choose a beautiful one? It's a big deal to live a good life after marriage, and if you don't get along, you won't lose, and if you don't get along, you will go out and live blindly, and you won't lose.

When I think about it, my mind is clear.

Seeing that the plan had succeeded, Li Jing stroked his beard and smiled with satisfaction.

Li Er also breathed a sigh of relief, if it really started a fuss, everyone would be embarrassed, and they couldn't really slaughter people because they didn't agree, even if they were slaughtered, they couldn't save the face of being rejected, they were angry, but they held back and slowly cleaned up after thinking about it, and asked differently: "Tell me about your plan." ”

Several ministers breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Qin Huaidao one after another.