Sure enough, after Changsun Wuji brought up Li Shimin, Li Zhi decisively backed down.
"this……"
"Uncle, is there a way to help me without Father finding out?"
"Disaster……"
When Li Zhi saw that Changsun Wuji did not refuse directly, he was immediately happy and grabbed Changsun Wuji's arm and started to act coquettishly.
"Uncle, please help me!"
Changsun Wuji actually quite enjoyed this feeling, but because Chu Suiliang and Liu Rengui were present, he pretended to dislike it and gave them a lecture.
"You're eighteen already, why are you still acting like a little kid!"
"Uncle, no matter how old I am, I'm still a child in front of you!"
"Hahaha……"
Changsun Wuji was successfully amused by Li Zhi, and then patted Li Zhi on the shoulder.
"I'll figure something out!"
"It's just a couple hundred thousand strings of cash, your uncle will cover it for you!"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhi happily hugged Changsun Wuji's arm and shook it again.
"Thank you, Uncle!"
"I knew my uncle wouldn't stand idly by, hahaha!"
Changsun Wuji pushed Li Zhi's hand away and led Liu Rengui and Chu Suiliang to the backyard of the county government office to sit down as host and guest.
"I have a few thoughts. We should not only keep an eye on our basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, but also on the temples!"
"temple?"
"right!"
"His Majesty and the Empress are a loving couple. His Highness the Crown Prince can use the pretext of praying for his mother's well-being to renovate the Great Ci'en Temple!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Rengui's eyes lit up. He thought to himself, "No wonder Changsun Wuji has been able to stay in the court for so many years. His mind is indeed extraordinary."
"That's a great idea!"
Upon hearing this, Chu Suiliang also flattered him.
"Lord Changsun is indeed wise; he has struck at His Majesty's weak spot in one fell swoop!"
Hearing the two men's flattery, Changsun Wuji's face showed a hint of pride.
"We can also use this as an excuse to deal with the clothes. The Crown Prince can take 10,000 strings of cash from the Eastern Palace and donate it to Ci'en Temple, so that Ci'en Temple can send cloth to the poor. I can then call on the wealthy merchants and tycoons of Wannian County to donate money and goods. Wouldn't that provide the money for the new clothes?"
"Even if there is a shortfall in the end, I can use the pretext of praying for my sister to make up for it!"
Everyone who heard this praised it.
"Lord Changsun is truly a pillar of the nation!"
The next day, Wannian County issued several government orders in a single day.
The first rule was to strictly limit price increases for grain, cloth, and salt, prohibit the sale of inferior goods as superior ones, and forcibly restore the price of grain from five copper coins per dou (a unit of dry measure) to three copper coins, the price of a few years prior!
The second provision was that the government would fund the repair of dilapidated houses and build uniform courtyard walls for the residents along the street, and cover thatched houses with tiles.
The third point was an appeal, calling on merchants in Wannian County to donate money and goods to renovate Ci'en Temple, build Bao'en Pavilion, and erect a statue of Empress Zhangsun in the pavilion to enshrine her personal belongings.
While Li Zhi was making great strides, Chang'an County, where Li Jue was located, remained completely silent.
Li Jue was not in a hurry, but Su Dingfang and the others were.
Although Chang'an was divided into two counties by Zhuque Avenue, with Wannian County to the east and Chang'an County to the west, officials and clerks from both counties lived in different areas.
More than half of the officials in Chang'an County live in Wannian County, and they are secretly anxious as they watch the changes in Wannian County every day.
"Your Excellency, it is said that Wannian County has already distributed clothes to the people for free. Should we do the same here?"
"Also, the price of grain in Wannian County is two coins cheaper than here, and the price of salt is more than ten coins cheaper. This has caused many people from Chang'an County to go to Wannian County to buy grain and salt. Should we adjust our prices as well?"
Su Dingfang was nearly in tears upon hearing his subordinate's report. He truly wanted to roll up his sleeves and get to work, to earn face for his eldest grandson. But apart from visiting once on the first day, the eldest grandson hadn't been seen since!
"Wait a little longer. I'll inform the eldest grandson of his arrival before we discuss this further!"
"well!"
"Sir, what should we do now?"
"Let's follow the previous orders for now and strictly enforce hygiene and traffic safety!"
The officials of Chang'an County all looked bitter upon hearing this.
"My lord, you have no idea, the people of Chang'an are now criticizing us for only putting on a show!"
"They ignore their tattered clothes and spend all day focusing on trivial matters on the street, while they still call us freeloaders..."
Su Dingfang felt extremely frustrated upon hearing this, and helplessly spread his hands.
"What's the use of you complaining to me? If the eldest grandson doesn't come, do you think I'd dare change course?"
"Stop complaining and get to work."
After saying this, Su Dingfang walked out, but was stopped by several officials on the spot.
"Sir, where are you going?"
"Where else can we go? Of course, we'll go find the eldest grandson!"
The Prince of Qin's Mansion.
Since Li Shimin ordered Li Jue and Li Zhi to each govern a county, Li Jue has stayed in the Prince of Qin's residence and has never entered the palace again.
He didn't care about the competition; in his view, such a competition was meaningless.
Therefore, apart from showing his face on the first day, he never went to Chang'an County again, and never even entered Chang'an City.
Li Jue didn't care, but Li Xiang cared a lot.
"Brother, what are you doing all day at the Prince of Qin's mansion fiddling with these mechanisms and secrets? Why don't you go and compete with Uncle Jiu?"
"Struggle?"
"What's there to argue about!"
"My senior brother taught me a saying: 'Only by not contending can one be invincible in the world!'"
As soon as Li Jue finished speaking, a hearty laugh came from outside the door.
"You brat, when did you learn about cultivating the Tao and comprehending profound mysteries?!"
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