The carriage slowly moved forward along the street, and on the way back, Li Yong frowned in the carriage and thought, just now he had a long talk with Qin Huairen, the training of the navy is not a big problem, with Liu Renliang with them, the problem is not big, now the main thing is the upgrade of the battleship, the steam engine has been successfully developed, and it has begun to be used in various places, the original battleship must be upgraded, the existing warships are driven by the wind, the speed is slow, laborious, the steam engine can get rid of such a problem, now it is mainly a matter of time.

"There's still a lack of time, I've got to go back faster, I've been dragged here for many days, alas, it's a real delay."

After a sigh, Li Yong was attracted by the noise outside, lifted the curtain of the car and saw that countless people were going in the same direction, one by one with angry faces, scolding something, the forbidden army did not stop it, Li Yong was a little surprised, and shouted.

"Maverick, go ask what's going on."

Since Liu Renyuan followed this Zhang Renyuan to the Western Regions, Xue Rengui could only rearrange a new guard chief to Li Yong, this is called Xiao Niu is Xue Rengui's guard platoon leader, and his experience is excellent, which can be regarded as a promotion in the line of fire, Xiao Niu is very clever, and after agreeing, he hurriedly stopped someone to ask a few words, and quickly came to the carriage and whispered.

"My lord, they said to go to Jingzhao Mansion to theorize, there is no salt at home."

Li Yong nodded and was about to leave, but suddenly found a large group of people walking on the street, dressed up as students of the National Prison, shouting slogans such as "What salt merchants have no way, what court is incompetent, what people have no salt", and the water is in dire straits, and they are marching towards the direction of Taimiao with great momentum.

"It's so big?"

The corners of Li Yong's mouth hooked up a smile, the students of Guozijian are all hot-blooded young people, easy to be instigated, and there is a prominent family standing behind the key ones, all of whom are the second generation of officials, the future pillars of the country, and if they are not handled well, they will cause big things, and some Li Er has a headache now.

"Let's go back."

"Yes."

The carriage started again, heading towards the mansion in the city, at this time Cheng Yanjin hurried over with a team, looking at the leaving carriage was a little familiar, but he had something important to do, he didn't care about checking, and hurriedly led the team to catch up with the students of Guozijian, he was not good at stopping, signaling the team to open the way, to ensure everyone's safety, and soon those students came to the temple, and the students of Guozijian rushed directly into the temple and sat down, and some people shouted at Cheng Yanjin.

"Lu Guogong, I will sit here quietly, waiting for the saint to deal with it, if the salt is not solved for a day, I will wait for a day and not retreat, for the sake of the people of the world, there will be no regrets in death!"

Cheng bited the golden tooth and the gang hurt, it was really beating and not beating, scolding and not scolding, seeing that they were just meditating, and not messing around, he was a little settled in his heart, and when he was about to go to the palace to face the saint, he found that the Guozi priest wine and a group of doctors also came, sat down in front of the students, and sat down with the funeral.

"Kong sacrificial wine, why bother?"

"Disciple of the saints, what is there to fear when you petition for the people?"

Kong Yingda said coldly, and a doctor next to him echoed.

"That is, how can the people survive without salt? The rut of the former Han Dynasty, the teacher of the past, if the salt is not solved, the world will be in chaos, and the Tang Dynasty is in turmoil. ”

"Merchants have no way, they don't sell salt if they have it, they hoard it, and they deserve death."

"Please give the students of the world and the people of the world an explanation."

One by one, angry voices sounded, the crowd was excited, Cheng Biting Jin's brain was buzzing, and he couldn't wait to slap him alone, and then grab it and beat a hundred military sticks, but reason told him that he couldn't do this, glared at Kong Yingda, said a few words to his subordinates, and left in a hurry, not long after, Cheng Biting Jin saw Li Er in the Ganlu Palace, and told the teachers and students of Guozijian about the petition, Li Er didn't expect that the teachers and students of Guozijian would go to Taimiao to petition, isn't this a slap in the face, telling the ancestors that they are incapable of governing the country? It just doesn't make sense.

"Nonsense, what do they want to do?"

Li Er was furious, his eyes were full of murderous intent, where did Cheng Yanjin know what the people of Guozijian wanted to do, the petition can go to the street, you can come to the imperial city, and it is too much to run to the Taimiao, just like someone running to the grave of your ancestors to accuse you of all kinds of wrongs, who can bear this? But the stakes are very high, Cheng Yanjin didn't answer, they are all the second generation of officials, the pillars of the future, it will definitely not work to fight, it is useless to scold, at this moment Li Erqi wants to kill people, and the whole episode is eventful, isn't this adding to the chaos? Han Sheng said.

"A bunch of bastards, don't they have any salt in their house? Or are the poor unable to afford salt? The people can survive and are not making trouble, why should they make trouble? Cheng Aiqing, you come. ”

Cheng Yanjin couldn't avoid it, so he had to answer hard.

"Back to the saints, it is true that they can't buy salt, but the poor people can't buy salt."

"What do you mean?"

A flash of surprise flashed in Li Er's eyes, Cheng Yanjin hesitated, but still said truthfully.

"The salt merchants in Chang'an City have no salt to sell, but the poor people who work for three meals a day can buy snowflake salt, and the poor people who work for three meals a day can also find acquaintances to buy on their behalf, or four pennies and a pack, the price remains the same, but the merchants, scholars, and nobles have no one to do things at three meals a day, and they usually do not make friends with the poor people, and they can't find them to buy on their behalf, and they lack salt at home."

"What...... What? ”

Li Er really didn't know about this situation, and after hearing this, his face changed greatly, and he asked.

"What do you mean that farmers can buy snowflake salt in various ways, and sell salt not only to the workers but also to their acquaintances for three meals a day, while the merchants, scholars, and nobles cannot buy salt?"

Cheng Yanjin nodded silently, of course there is no shortage of snowflake salt in his home, but he can't say it.

"What is he doing here?"

Li Er was furious, his eyes were red, and he looked like he was going to kill, Cheng Biting Jin still didn't answer, indifferent, but Li Er was furious, his emotions were a little out of control, and he continued to yell.

"He's buying people's hearts and isolating the court, can he rebel?"

The crime of rebellion is not small, Cheng Yanjin decided to say something, coughed lightly, and said after attracting Li Er's attention.

"Li Yong likes to be at ease, unrestrained, impossible to rebel, this can be guaranteed by the head of the item, however, it is really inappropriate to only sell snowflake salt to farmers, how can Shi farmers and industrialists treat it differently, this minister said to him, but he said that there is not much salt, plus this is not his industry, it is the industry of the eldest princess, and if it is not sold to the worker, it will be unintentional to produce, and the loss will be huge, of course, he also said that if the saint thinks it is inappropriate, he can not sell it."

"He's threatening so-and-so, eldest princess, that my daughter would do such a philistine thing, and that he would treat us all as fools? Who doesn't know that those properties are his, it's just that the contract is written with Changle's name, he just took off his pants and farted. ”

Li Er scolded angrily, the foul words broke out directly, but Cheng Yanjin just pouted and didn't answer, there are tens of thousands of people living in Huating, that is, tens of thousands of families, tens of thousands of people live and die, if it is not handled properly, the consequences are definitely more serious than the lack of salt.

Blocking people's money, such as killing their parents, when tens of thousands of people make trouble in Chang'an City, who can stop it? Who would dare to order the repression? Li Er naturally thought of this, a sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart, he sat on the dragon couch and looked forward fixedly, his eyes were a little unfocused, the majesty of the emperor, that is based on the support of countless people, the emperor who is not supported by no one is a lonely person, and he can be replaced at any time, and the people's heart is everything! The hall fell into a dead silence, the temperature plummeted, depressed, cold, everyone in the hall did not dare to come out, and their eyes were frightened regardless of the mess, for a while, Li Er, who was known for his conceited and eloquent strategy, was full of heroic loneliness, and his sloppy eyes fell on Cheng Yanjin, and he had more expectations.

"You and that kid are close, let's help me go."

At this moment, Li Er seemed to be a little old, a little helpless, a little bitter, a dignified and holy to the courtiers, admitting defeat and compromise, how could he be embarrassed? Cheng Biting Jin is not stupid, he didn't agree immediately, this is a thankless drudgery on both sides, his three sons all follow Li Yong to do things, and he can earn back tens of thousands of dollars of silver by running a business route, which is several times more than his own annual salary, and he can't afford to offend, of course, Li Er He can't afford to provoke him, so he can only hide, hesitate for a moment, Cheng Yanjin said.

"Saint, the minister can go and pass the word, but he may not listen."

"Does he dare to resist the decree?"

Li Er's anger surged up again, his eyes were as sharp as a knife, seeing Cheng Biting Jin bowing his head and not saying a word, he suddenly thought of something, and his anger was vented again, that kid would not be stupid to resist the decree and fall into the handle, but he would mention a bunch of conditions that could not be fulfilled, he wanted to leave Chang'an in every possible way, thinking of this, Li Er had an idea, instead of the two of them confronting each other, it is better to retreat as advance, he doesn't like the land, then simply give him some land, then he and the court will occupy the righteousness, the world's soldiers will return to their hearts, the court situation is stable, and all aspects have explanations, I also have enough reasons and names to make a request, at least the problem of lack of salt can be solved, anyway, the land can be recovered at that time just find a reason, the problem is not big, at this moment, Li Er suddenly brightened up, found that many problems were easily solved, carefully scrutinized, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that it was advantageous, and gave him some irrelevant rewards, with this title, he Li Yong had to do things for the court, otherwise it would be disloyal to the ministers, and the court would be able to depreciate it, and even dismiss him and take back his title, which was simply beneficial and harmless.

"Why didn't you think of it before? Pure care about suppression. ”

Li Er's eyes lit up and said.

"You go to Taimiao first, be careful of trouble."

Cheng Yanjin saw that Li Er's tone changed greatly, and he thought that he didn't have to go to Li Yong, so he was full of curiosity, but he didn't ask much, and promised to leave in a hurry.

"Someone, Xuan Du Aiqing, Fang Aiqing to meet!"

Li Er was in good spirits and in a good mood.

"What, seal the land?"

In the study, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling explained their intention to visit, Li Yong exclaimed in surprise, his face changed, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling were also surprised by Li Er's sudden change, and vaguely guessed something, but it was not easy to break it, and nodded.

"Li Yong, the sage's intention is very clear, you have no way to get him this time, so he will make this decision, this time I will mainly discuss with you, you want the land there, what are your own plans?"

Li Yong was silent for a long time, thinking about Li Er's true intentions, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling waited for a long time to no avail, and Du Ruhui couldn't help but ask.

"Li Yong, the sage has already shown his sincerity, you might as well accept it when you see it, after all, he is a sage and your father-in-law, occupying the righteousness, it is not good for you to stalemate, the old man came over by order to ask for your wishes first, see if you want the land there? Other people don't have this treatment, they are all directly rewarded, and they don't have a choice. ”

Li Yong waved his hand and said nonchalantly.

"I refuse!"

"What? Do you refuse? ”

Fang Xuanling's face changed, and he couldn't help but ask.

"Why?"

"As the old saying goes, eat people with soft mouths and soft hands with people, once you take these lands, you must accept the control of the imperial court and obey the dispatch, how can you be so unrestrained and comfortable now? Besides, do you really think he is kind enough to reward him? Once sealed, the next step will be for me to come forward to solve the problem of lack of salt, if I don't follow, it is disloyal, the court will put the responsibility for the lack of salt on my head, spurned by the people, if it is you, how will you choose? ”

Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling have never heard this ancient saying, now is not the time to dwell on this, Du Ruhui said solemnly.

"The old man will accept the reward and solve the problem of salt shortage."

Li Yong's face was stunned, and then he asked with a smile.

"Du Xiang, Fang Xiang, you have the suffering of the people in the world, which is admirable, but how do you plan to solve it?"

"Uh......"

Now Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling hesitated, what can they do with enthusiasm? The key is to be capable, after thinking for a while, Fang Xuanling asked rhetorically.

"You can't solve it with your talents?"

Li Yong shook his head, not that he had no choice, but that he didn't want to, an emperor with suspicion was not worth helping, seeing what Du Ruhui wanted to say, he waved his hand and said.

"Du Xiang, Fang Xiang, this matter is over."

"But the people in Chang'an City are innocent."

Du Ruhui persuaded unwillingly, when other people come to persuade him, Li Yong will not see him, but Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling are different, they are both good officials who sincerely serve the people, such people are worthy of admiration, not to mention that they are really good to themselves, it is difficult to save face, Fang Xuanling continued to persuade.

"Li Yong, with the old man's understanding of the saint, he just gave you some land, and you don't want to be an official anyway, which is beneficial."

Li Yong's people don't care about being an official or anything, everything about himself is in Xishan, in Huating, Li Yong saw that the heat was almost the same, and he could close the net, he proposed.

"Du Xiang, Fang Xiang, don't let you be embarrassed, so let's do it, no matter how much land is sealed for me, I can't manage it, so it doesn't make much sense, and it's troublesome to carry a name, I just want to leave Chang'an as soon as possible and return to my one-acre and three-point land, as for the shortage of salt in Chang'an, the younger generation will solve it, starting tomorrow, three meals a day will sell snowflake salt, twenty wen a pack, no two prices."

There are so many things to do in front, what I am waiting for is the wool at this moment, the price of twenty wen is not low, usually it is ten wen, of course, it has risen to twenty wen recently, it is still ordinary sea salt, the quality is not as high as snowflake salt, of course, more than twenty wen is a bit of a slap in the face of Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, it will be counterproductive, Du Ruhui said with a sigh of relief.

"Thank you for understanding our difficulties, if there is no solution, Chang'an City may be chaotic, and the old man will not be able to explain to the saint, but it is better not to refuse the fiefdom, and we will discuss it with these old things and help you do it, we can't lose you."

After chatting a few words, Li Yong returned to the study after sending Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling out of the door, and couldn't help laughing anymore, when the four yuan bought out the batch of salt in the imperial court, and later the three money bought a large amount of salt from the salt merchants, and the consumption after processing it into snowflake salt was not too large, according to twenty wen a pack, each bag made a net profit of more than 15 wen, it was a huge profit, not to mention that Li Er, who was beaten by capitalism, took the initiative to seal the land for himself, it was really two birds with one stone, and he was angry, and after a while, Li Yong suppressed his excitement. Let someone call the old bachelor and admonish.

"Tonight, we will vigorously refine the snowflake salt, allocate more manpower, and sell the snowflake salt for three meals a day tomorrow morning, and say to the outside world that the boss's transportation team is sleepless, and dozens of horses are sent over day and night, and the price is twenty wen a pack."

"Twenty Wen?"

The old bachelor's eyes lit up, and he wished to sell it for a high price, anyway, he praised it.

"Master Hou is wise, poor quality sea salt dares to sell for twenty wen, our such a good snowflake salt should be sold at a higher price, so let's prepare."

"Don't worry! The purchasing point can not be withdrawn, continue to sell snowflake salt to the worker, the price remains the same, the people are poor, life is not easy, not to mention that there is also a little profit in a pack of four papers, and there is no need to cancel the purchase, the relatives and the deceased, give everyone face, everyone can do things with peace of mind, and it will be easy to recruit people in the future. ”

Li Yong stopped and said

"Understood, it's to be treated differently, it's our own people who help us do things, it's cheaper, it's equivalent to the internal price, and others are more expensive, but let's still recruit people?"

The old bachelor suddenly realized.

"Recruit, the more people, the safer we are, the more the court does not dare to move us, and moreover, there are many people and large outputs, and there are several trade routes that are not out of stock, why not recruit?" There are already at least 20,000 people on the Xishan side, mainly on the Huating side, and I have asked Liwan to expand the factory, dormitory and warehouse over there, and it will be completed in a month at most, and then recruit people when the time comes. ”

"20,000?"

Jia Youcai's face changed, but he quickly became excited, he hadn't been back to Xishan for a long time, and he didn't know the specific population situation very well, now that he heard this, there were more than 20,000 people in a small Xishan, and now tens of thousands of people's livelihoods are related to Li Yong. Thinking of this, the old bachelor had an epiphany and said with heartfelt praise.

"It's still Hou Ye who is wise and far-reaching."

After Jia Youcai left, Li Yong buried himself in drawing, carefully studied the use of the steam engine on the ship, the steam engine can form kinetic energy by burning coke or coal, Li Yong is not lacking now, the steam engine is sailing on the ship, then there must be a base or supply ship to replenish, as long as these are satisfied, then this era is a wooden ship, using a steam engine to drive the sea ship, and then creating an ironclad clipper across the ocean, directly colliding with the enemy, crushing, dimensionality reduction strike, who can be the enemy? The idea is good, but the reality is cruel, and what about ironclad ships? What about welding technology? Just by riveting? Are you kidding? That ship was built in the Year of the Monkey, or honestly continued to use wooden boats, but in terms of power, it was still based on the concept of steam engines and sails as the supplement.