When Li Shimin learned that Li Jue and Li Tai had gotten together, he couldn't sleep that night.
He knew Qingque too well and was afraid that this guy would lead Li Jue astray.
Therefore, early the next morning, he secretly returned to Chang'an and hid in the former Qin Prince's Mansion to spy on every move in Chang'an.
However, this matter was kept very secret; not only was Li Jue unaware of it, but none of the court officials knew about it either.
Upon returning to Chang'an, Li Shimin began to re-examine the imperial capital.
Then he was surprised to find that although an epidemic was raging in Chang'an, its prosperity seemed to remain undiminished.
Every day, a considerable number of merchants and ordinary people line up to enter the city.
What's going on? Could it be that the epidemic in Chang'an has disappeared, but the officials are keeping it from the emperor?
Upon realizing this, Li Shimin immediately strengthened his guards in secret and even secretly met with several generals of the Imperial Guard.
Only after he was certain that his safety was guaranteed did Li Shimin secretly slip back to the capital.
Upon entering the capital, Li Shimin immediately sensed something was different; it was a classic case of outward relaxation but inward tension.
Although the area outside the city was bustling with activity, all the other wards inside the city, except for the West Market and the East Market, were closed.
Fortunately, daily necessities such as grain and vegetables can still be brought in and out through the gates.
However, this raises a new problem: if ordinary people don't work, where will they get the money to buy rice and vegetables?
Just as Li Shimin was about to sneak into Judefang, he was stopped by Han Fang, the ward's head.
Who is it?
"Don't you know the rules now? You're not allowed to wander around without permission!"
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin quickly told a lie.
"I'm from Xianyang, and I've come to Chang'an to visit relatives!"
"My cousin lives here. I came here specifically to bring him some money so he can buy rice and vegetables!"
Upon hearing that he was from Xianyang, the magistrate immediately asked Li Er a question that left him completely baffled.
"Those from Xianyang, have they ever been infected with any epidemic diseases?"
Upon hearing this, Li Er lied again.
"No!"
"No?"
"No one who hasn't passed the test can enter!"
"What's the logic behind this?"
Fangzheng snorted coldly upon hearing this.
"I'm not letting you in because I'm deliberately making things difficult for you; it's for your own good!"
"Dr. Sun said that people who have never had it have weak immune systems and are easily infected."
Upon hearing this, Li Er suddenly realized what was going on.
"What if I win?"
Fangzheng replied indifferently upon hearing this.
"It doesn't matter if you've had the disease before. According to Doctor Sun, once you've had it, you'll have a divine protection within you that will ensure you don't get it again for several months!"
"oh?"
"There's such a saying?"
"That's right!"
"According to Dr. Sun, all epidemics are similar, just like smallpox. Once you've had it and survived, you'll never get it again in your life!"
Li Shimin felt a little jealous when he saw that Fang Zheng kept mentioning Physician Sun.
"What a coincidence, I just had the disease a few days ago, so can I go in now?"
When the warden heard Li Er say this, he immediately stepped aside to let him in.
"Since you've been sick before, you can go in."
"However, let's save our money. Your cousin's family is definitely not short of cash!"
This time it was Li Er's turn to be puzzled.
"You don't lack money?"
"How is that possible? If their whole family gets sick, no one will earn money. How will they live?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng immediately cupped his hands in the direction of Taiji Palace.
"The eldest grandson, Renyi, knew of the suffering of the people in the city and distributed copper coins to every household."
"And regardless of wealth, they will be distributed according to the number of people!"
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Li Er immediately flew into a rage and cursed Li Jue as a spendthrift.
It's not easy for the imperial court to save up its silver coins. If he squanders them like this, what will they use to deal with Goguryeo next year?
How much will each person receive?
"It's not much, only thirty coins per person, but for us ordinary people, it's a huge help!"
"Thirty coins..."
Li Er silently calculated in his mind: Chang'an had at least a million people, and if each person earned thirty coins, that would be thirty million coins... thirty thousand strings of cash...
After all that, it doesn't seem like much.
Are grain prices in the city still normal?
"normal!"
"The price remains normal; a bushel of rice costs only three coins!"
Li Shimin felt a little better after hearing this, thinking that Li Jue, that rebellious grandson, had finally done something worthwhile.
"How many people died in the city?"
"many!"
Fangzheng's face showed pain.
"My mother passed away the day before yesterday, sob sob sob..."
"Uh..."
How old is your mother?
Eighty-eight!
"puff……"
Li Er couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter on the spot. When the magistrate saw Li Er laughing, he was not annoyed at all, but instead laughed along with him.
"You must be quite old?"
"The neighbors are all so envious, saying that everyone in the Chen family lives a long life, hehehe!"
"Your mother was indeed very old; many emperors and generals in the court did not live as long as she did!"
"That's right!"
“My mother has always been in good health. If it weren’t for this epidemic, she could have lived for at least another ten years!”
The people standing by couldn't stand it any longer and exposed his lie on the spot.
"You're just bragging. I've heard that your mother has been sickly ever since winter started. Even without this epidemic, she probably wouldn't have made it!"
Upon hearing this, Fangzheng immediately flew into a rage.
"fart!"
"My mother is just in poor health, she's not sickly at all!"
The other people didn't argue with him, but just smiled with a hint of mockery.
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