Chapter 442 Winter Supplies Gone!
at the same time.
The Imperial Palace.
Bang.
Li Shimin smashed the inkstone in Hou Junji's face.
Blood trickled down Hou Junji's face, but he dared not say anything more...
"You bastard!"
Li Shimin roared in fury: "The army is about to set out on a campaign, and you tell me, there's no winter supplies left?"
It's no wonder Li Shimin was so angry.
In February, the weather in the western regions remained cold.
Naturally, it was essential to prepare winter supplies for the soldiers.
But the Ministry of War... couldn't produce it!
It's important to know that the Tang Dynasty used the Fubing system (a military system based on conscription).
What is the Fubing system?
That is to say, during the busy farming season, they cultivate and harvest; during the slack season, they train; and during wartime, they serve in the army and fight!
Because there was no war, no distribution was made!
"Your Majesty, please punish me!"
Hou Junji bowed and accepted his punishment.
Actually, the Ministry of War originally had winter supplies...
The Ministry of War officials took a look.
Since winter is almost over anyway, why keep it?
Why don't we just ask His Majesty for permission later?
So they secretly sold the winter supplies!
Of course... they also kept tens of thousands of sets as backups.
Because there were only tens of thousands of soldiers in the entire city of Chang'an.
(The expedition did not involve all of Chang'an's troops.)
(For example, if 100,000 troops are dispatched, 50,000 will come from Chang'an, and the remaining 50,000 will be transferred from other prefectures.)
Therefore, they believed that tens of thousands of sets of winter supplies would definitely be enough.
This has been done every year.
But who could have imagined that the Tang Dynasty would be fighting on multiple fronts?
Chang'an immediately mobilized its military forces and dispatched 100,000 troops!
That's good now...
Something terrible has happened.
The embezzlement of winter supplies can no longer be concealed.
"Hou Junji, I trusted you so much, is this how you repay me?"
Li Shimin's face was terribly gloomy.
Without winter supplies, what's the point of fighting this war?
"Your Majesty, now is not the time to assign blame."
Fang Xuanling stepped forward and said, "The most urgent task is to raise supplies for keeping warm."
"Every day the army is delayed in setting out, the border is more likely to fall!"
snort.
Li Shimin snorted coldly.
He then looked at Hou Junji and asked, "Is it possible to transfer troops from other prefectures in time?"
"this……"
Hou Junji broke out in a cold sweat.
The winter supplies were all distributed through his team.
After being deducted at every level, how much is left when it reaches other prefectures?
Corruption was even more severe in local areas than in Chang'an.
"You bastard."
Enraged, Li Shimin smashed all the pen holders on the dragon desk.
"Without winter supplies, how are the soldiers supposed to get to the border? Barefoot?"
Hou Junji dared not answer.
They remained in the bowed posture, motionless.
"His Majesty."
Just then, Changsun Wuji stepped forward: "The only solution now is to ask the gentry."
"They have controlled the economy of the Tang Dynasty for many years, so they must have kept some inventory."
Looking for members of the gentry?
Li Shimin's face was terribly gloomy.
Reselling military supplies is a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. Officials who embezzle such supplies would certainly not dare to sell them without authorization.
Only the aristocratic families could withstand this pressure.
"You want me to beg them?"
A murderous glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes.
Seeking help from aristocratic families not only leads to losing face, but also risks being ripped off.
How could Li Shimin save face like this?
"Your Majesty, let me handle the negotiations!"
Changsun Wuji accepted the order and said, "I guarantee that we will gather enough supplies for the cold weather within three days."
Li Shimin's expression softened slightly.
Changsun Wuji was able to rank first among civil officials not only because he was Li Shimin's brother-in-law, but also because he had connections with the gentry.
"If that's the case..."
Just as Li Shimin was about to compromise, Wei Zheng suddenly stepped forward.
"His Majesty."
"Have you forgotten about the Ministry of Commerce?"
Um?
Li Shimin was stunned.
yes.
Officials who embezzle funds and then resell them will almost certainly hand them over to businessmen.
Therefore, the merchant definitely has the goods!
"Issue the decree that Wei Shuyu must enter the palace immediately," Li Shimin shouted.
"Your Majesty, Shuyu has gone to Hu County."
Wei Zheng bowed and said, "This round trip might take a while."
"Moreover, Hu County is the largest commercial city."
Li Shimin suddenly realized.
He immediately said to Wang De, "Wang De, send an order to Wei Shuyu, instructing him to spare no effort in procuring 50,000 sets of winter supplies!"
He paused, then said, "You'll have to handle this yourself!"
Wang De accepted the order.
He left in a hurry.
“Auxiliary Machine, you should also go and sound out the gentry.”
Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "If Shuyu can't handle it, we must make sure we get the winter supplies sorted out."
"promise."
Changsun Wuji accepted the order and left.
"Hou Junji!"
Li Shimin gritted his teeth.
After all, he was a loyal subject who followed him in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
Li Shimin could not have killed him directly.
"Considering you were unaware of the situation, I will spare your life!"
"But while the death penalty may be avoided, punishment is inevitable."
"You'll go to the front lines as a lowly soldier."
Whether you can atone for your sins depends entirely on your own fate!
Hou Junji trembled all over.
I've been completely stripped of my rights.
But the fact that he was alive was already a mercy from Li Shimin.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!"
Hou Junji bowed deeply in gratitude: "This sinful subject will fight to the death, even at the cost of my life, to defend the territory of the Great Tang!"
Li Shimin waved his hand, looking somewhat tired.
at the same time.
Hu County.
Merchants gathered in the square.
I marveled at the cement road beneath my feet.
They had never seen such a smooth surface before.
"What do you think Dr. Wei wants to do with us this time?"
"The invasion of Xueyantuo and Tuyuhun must be a major event."
"Stop talking nonsense. Doctor Wei is in charge of the Ministry of Commerce. What does war have to do with him?"
"I know……"
Swish.
All the merchants turned to look at the merchant who had spoken.
"It is said that the imperial court intends to build roads, and this cement is the best proof of that."
Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in the eyes of all the merchants.
Clearly, this is another money-making business!
"Doctor Wei has arrived."
As soon as a voice rang out, the entire hall fell silent.
All eyes turned to the high platform.
Sure enough, those three familiar figures came into view.
Wei Shuyu, the two fools of Chang'an!
To everyone's surprise, there was also a little kid.
Because of his short stature, he hopped around to look at the audience.
"Wow, there are so many people..."
Qin Shandao had just sighed.
Bang.
Wei Shuyu then kicked him off the platform.
I'm giving a speech, and you're performing a circus act on stage.
Do people listen to me, or do they watch my performance?
"Waaah..."
Qin Shandao stood up, clutching his buttocks, his face full of grievance.
"Everyone, I'm sorry to have disturbed your time for making money again."
Ignoring Qin Shandao's resentful gaze, Wei Shuyu spoke loudly.
"What are you saying, Physician Wei? It is our duty to listen to the policies of the Ministry of Commerce."
"Yes, as citizens of the Tang Dynasty, we should obey the decrees of the imperial court."
"Doctor Wei, tell me, is there another good money-making project coming up?"
The merchants chimed in with their own opinions.
There wasn't much restraint.
"It seems you all know me quite well."
Wei Shuyu laughed loudly: "Then I won't say much more. Can you all see the cement road under your feet?"
The merchants nodded repeatedly.
"Our money-making project this time is... road construction!"
All the merchants were dumbfounded.
Isn't road construction always a thankless and costly endeavor that requires both money and effort?
What benefits could there be besides erecting a broken monument?
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