One wave after another, Qin Liuxi originally planned to summon the ghost king and explain the matter of finding the stone beast, but he did not expect to learn from the Dongfang Ghost King and the others that the other two southwest ghost kings had fallen into Si. Luo's matter.
There will be a big battle in the northwest now, but there is a ghost tower over there that is haunting people. It is estimated that many people will die in this wave.
Qin Liuxi immediately performed a spell and turned into a paper crane and sent a message to the capital. He went back to watch and took a handful of blood-nourishing pills, took some yellow paper, and hurriedly left under the resentful eyes of the people watching, followed by The Eastern Ghost King heads to the northwest.
It’s almost November. Natural disasters have occurred frequently this year, and the weather has been extremely reactionary. Not to mention that in the south during the golden autumn harvest in October, heavy rains were still falling in various places. There were also flash floods in Lingnan, and outsiders didn’t know the cause. It can only be regarded as abnormal weather. Because of this, it seems that early winter has entered in the north early. People in Shengjing have already put on thin coats, and they have to put on big cloaks in the morning and evening to keep out the cold.
Ordinary people are worried and depressed. After the snow disaster last year, life has not been easy. It is cold so early this year. Is it possible that there will be a more severe snow disaster than last year?
With this worry, they did not dare to waste food at will. They even wanted to stock up on food, but found that the price of food in the city had risen beyond their reach, because there were too many natural disasters this year, including droughts, droughts, and waterlogging. Not to mention the various diseases caused by improper handling of natural disasters, there are more beggars and refugees in Shengjing than in previous years.
Various reasons have caused grain output to drop sharply, and grain prices have naturally risen. In addition to grain prices, the prices of cloth, salt and oil are also rising.
No matter how ignorant the people are, they can all see that this year will not be easy, and seeing that the weather is getting cold early, they can't help but make every effort to stock up on food and things to keep out the cold.
The common people at the bottom already have this concern, and the officials of the imperial court are even more troubled. Among the six ministries, no matter who is the worst, they are all like cats.
This year, due to natural disasters and epidemics, food production has been reduced and prices have been high. Naturally, taxes and taxes in various places are not as good as before, and expenditures have to continue, such as disaster relief, such as allocating funds to the Ministry of Industry for flood control, and the Ministry of War to pay for military supplies.
As for the Ministry of Punishment, it also has a headache. The so-called country is rich and the people are strong, the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the people have houses to live in, food to eat, fields to cultivate, and live and work in peace and contentment. Who among these people will become the despised bandit?
However, natural disasters occur frequently, and many refugees are forced to become bandits. Some mobs also commit crimes so brutally that the prisons of the Ministry of Punishment can no longer accommodate them.
But, who can tell them why the saint suddenly decided to offer sacrifices to some god? Does offering sacrifices to the sky cost nothing? At this juncture, the bigger the battle, the more people and money will be wasted.
Just as Prime Minister Lin told the court in the morning that there would be war in the northwest, the next day, 800 miles was rushed to the court. Yangguan was raided by aliens and seized a city. Our army suffered 5,000 casualties, and the aliens When the attack entered the city, the defender Liu An was drinking in the flower house with several of his men that night, and missed the military flight, causing the city to fall.
It can be said that in the household department in charge of the national treasury, every adult's hair is decreasing day by day, and the black eyes are getting darker and darker. They are all worried about money. They have no money and no food, and they are panicking.
In fact, Qin Liuxi, aside from talking about it, he had a feeling that the country was about to be in chaos. After all, the country's fortunes were getting worse and worse this year, and disasters were happening one after another. No matter how full the national treasury was, it couldn't bear to do this, let alone it was not full.
When a war occurs when the treasury is empty, it is a disaster.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs is busy engaging in corrupt officials, catching examples, and evaluating hundreds of officials for transfer.
Winter is about to come, prices outside are soaring, and it’s cold winter again. If there’s another big snowstorm right now, it could be fatal, especially if it’s a war, so everyone should tighten their belts, right?
It is said that people without long-term worries must have immediate worries. He was in a high position and had already seen this big hidden danger in his sight, but he did not expect that it would come so quickly.
The Ministry of Rites is probably the most idle. Because this year the Queen Mother passed away and the Prince passed away, the saints did not hold any longevity banquets, and the concubines in the harem did not dare to hold any Qianqiu banquets. Even the sacrifices were kept simple.
Someone from the Ministry of Industry also said that water control and water conservancy also require money. Without it, nothing can be built.
Prime Minister Lin also felt extremely bald. God knows how shocked he was when he saw a flying paper crane speaking human words to him. He almost shivered with fright. But what was even more shocking was the message conveyed by the paper crane.
When everyone hears that there is going to be a war, everyone is paralyzed. How to fight for those who are short of money and supplies?
The Ministry of War is also bald. Military pay and military supplies have to be distributed to various places. There is not much money in the national treasury. Winter is about to come again. The weather has also changed greatly this year. Everyone in the Qintian Prison said that this winter will be a cold winter, and the soldiers stationed on the border must not Do you want to buy cold clothes and get military pay as soon as possible?
Sacrifice to heaven is a matter of common concern. Who dares to say that this is inappropriate?
As a result, the court every day was as noisy as a vegetable market, and the theme discussed in each memorial could not escape the word money in the end. For this **** thing, those polite officials who usually talk a lot but also regard money as dirt, just I almost rolled up my sleeves and had a fight with my opponent.
The Northwest War is coming.
What, no money, no military pay, this will force people to mutiny, who can afford this?
The Ministry of War is bickering with the Ministry of Revenue every day, and asking them to hold charity auctions to collect money, but this kind of thing happens again and again, and if it happens too much, everyone knows it, it is obvious that there is no money. , it’s time to rip off everyone’s pockets, and the times are tough, so we don’t dare to be taken advantage of!
That Liu An was a cousin of King Zhao, the eldest son of the Liu family who was the Prime Minister of Shuntian Prefecture at that time, and the nephew of Concubine Shu.
The whole court was in an uproar.
However, there is a saying that what you are afraid of is what you are afraid of. Prime Minister Lin actually said in the early morning court that there were frequent small battles on the northwest border. After several attempts by foreign tribes from other countries, they might enter the border to grab food and supplies for the winter. After all, it was not just the Central Plains that was affected by the disaster. The grassland is also dry and dead, and rats and insects have seriously damaged the grass, making it difficult for livestock husbandry. If there is no food, we can only go to the pass to rob it.
The situation is difficult, and he will inevitably think that foreign enemies will take advantage of the situation. Whether it is due to disaster or long-term covetousness, this is an excellent opportunity. After all, it is already so difficult inside the pass, let alone outside the pass.
King Zhao turned pale on the spot and immediately knelt down to admit his mistake. It was a serious crime to lose the city for the pleasure of a woman. He finally arranged this guy into the Northwest Army. Before he could use him, he first Got dragged down, you idiot!
Old General Quan was livid with anger. He had been guarding the northwest for many years and had never lost a city. In order to reassure the saint, he returned to the capital to be prosperous. In just two years, he lost a town.
He has known for a long time that these young gentlemen can only use force on women. When it comes to going to the battlefield, they are of no use. They only want to seize credit and power.
Bah!
Old General Quan's eagle eyes were sharp, he glanced at King Zhao, and asked the sage to go to war. He would definitely drive the Turkic ghost back to his grandmother's house and regain the territory of Dafeng without losing any city or town.
The saint stared at King Zhao as if his eyes were tempered with ice. He was about to go to worship the sky, but now an urgent report came that there was a war in the northwest and a city was lost. If he didn't send troops to recapture it, wouldn't he say Is he a coward?
But when fighting a war, the grain and grass are moved first before the troops are launched. Natural disasters have occurred frequently this year, and the grain harvest is not good at all. If there is still a war, where can we get money?
He held a sacrifice to heaven and asked for a large sum of money. He spent money everywhere. Who would give it?
The person who lost the city was the cousin of King Zhao. Even if Liu An was not killed by his horse, he would have his body divided into five horses. Now that he is dead, it is a good time to ransack his house to replenish the national treasury.
The saint first scolded King Zhao bloody, and then issued an edict. As a general, Liu An neglected his duties and indulged in women, which led to the fall of the city, the tragic death of the soldiers, and was sentenced to be whipped. Liu Fu Cheng was not strict in educating his children. He took advantage of his power to corrupt officials during his tenure. He was dismissed from his post and sentenced to thirty lashes. All the men in the Liu family were exiled for three thousand miles, and their female relatives were used as official prostitutes. All their family properties were confiscated into the national treasury to pay for the soldiers who died in the war.
This was not over yet. The saint also asked him to personally lead a team to raid Liu's house. He also said that he heard that some merchants had given more than 500,000 taels of gold and silver in order to please Mrs. Liu, and he wanted to see every bit left. to those bribes.
Wang Zhao shook his body. Is there so much silver in the Liu family? He understood in his heart, but his father said that there must be, that there must be, this is not enough, whoever fills in, naturally he was clicked by him. Who said that now that the treasury is empty and he is worried about money, and his mother-in-law happened to hit the iron plate, who will be arrested if not him?
There is still little money to do, which offends the emperor's father. How can he still have a chance at the big position?
As soon as the Ministry of Revenue heard that the house was being searched, Qian Shangshu immediately winked at his men. Cui Shixue immediately stood up and expressed an indignant speech condemning Liu An's actions. Then he was willing to follow King Zhao to Liu An. If a house is searched, not a single copper penny will be left in the treasury.
King Zhao glared at the man named Cui bitterly, fearing that he would show mercy to the Liu family in private and hide his property.
Cui Shixue looked at his nose and heart, and just pretended that look didn't exist. Just kidding, five hundred thousand taels, it would be better if everything fell into the national treasury, especially if they were going to fight, if they didn't get more money to fill the national treasury, they would really do it. Bald.
He wished that the saint would have more corrupt officials and raid more houses. He was familiar with this matter.
King Zhao wanted to say that if he didn't bother the Ministry of Household Affairs, he would definitely supervise it, and he also said that he would not join in the sins of the country.
However, the sage agreed.
Compared with the Liu family, he values money more. Who knows if the second son will pity the Liu family and keep something with one eye open and the other closed. Cui Shixue just keeps an eye on it.
As for the lost city, he made a decree, appointed Quanjing as the general, and sent troops to Yangguan to recapture the city.
Old General Quan's face was a bit ugly. It was okay to order his grandson to fight, but the military supplies and food and grass should be allocated first. Without these things, how can we fight, especially when the weather is cold, the soldiers don't have enough to eat, and their hands and feet are weak. If you can't even run, why should you give me a fart?
Prime Minister Lin inadvertently turned his gaze to Qi Qian, and then brought up the food and military supplies. Especially since they had just lost a battle and lost the city, in order to improve their morale, they had to make them feel that the imperial court had not abandoned every city in the northwest, so the supplies were Food must be sent to the northwest to stabilize the morale of the army and boost morale.
Qi Qian also came out of the queue, raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to march the army to the west to help my good son Lang of Dafeng regain the territory of Dafeng, and I am willing to expand the territory and protect the mountains and rivers for the emperor."
King Zhao slapped his face a few times, good guy, this **** will take advantage of him whenever he gets the chance. Who can believe that he is not ambitious?
The saint looked at Qi Qian's face, and could vaguely find familiar shadows in his facial features. At this time, he looked at his righteous and resolute look, and then looked at the second child who was kneeling on the ground and grinding his teeth, and who was standing in the team and wandering around. The third child's head was pounding wildly.
He thought about what happened to Rufei recently. She wanted to adopt the child in her name, but he was suppressing it.
This child is also his cub.
The saint didn't know what he was thinking, so he agreed, and asked the Ministry of Household Affairs to fully cooperate, and then asked the Ministry of Rites to prepare matters for offering sacrifices to heaven. He had to go.
Qian Shangshu: How about we copy more copies? Five hundred thousand taels is really not enough!
After the court ended, King Zhao walked to Qi Qian and sneered: "You really never miss an opportunity."
Qi Qian said calmly: "When my second brother ransacked his house, be sure not to show mercy, otherwise the sage will ask you to provide more subsidies. After all, Liu An lost a city and died of five thousand soldiers."
“You!” King Zhao jumped in anger.
Qi Qian raised his hands and was about to leave when he was stopped by the chief steward next to the saint. The saint invited him.
King Zhao watched Qi Qian heading towards Zhongqin Hall, his face turned black instantly, but the lingering Cui Shixue came over and urged him to ransack his house.
Damn it, they are all bastards!
Not far away, Qi San, also known as Cheng Wang, bumped into his cousin Lu Xun and said, "Brother Xun, do you think Lao Er and Hao Ran are weird? These two people are becoming increasingly difficult to deal with. "
Lu Xun's eyes flashed lightly and he said, "It's actually quite good for you to be a wealthy and idle king. If you don't fight for that position, you might be able to live a long life." No need to think twice.
The prince was demoted, and the few princes of the saint, namely the second and third sons, were either dead or were only a few years old and could no longer be used.
But that’s not the case, there is another adult, and this one looks more and more like a saint, and the one in the palace still wants to adopt him.
Ah.
It’s adopted, isn’t it justifiable?
Wing Cheng said: "Brother Xun, I think you look down on me, do you think I am not useful?"
"no!"
Wang Cheng grinned and was about to say something, but he heard him say: "It's because you have no good fortune."
The people and things he found were all aligned with Qi Qian. They were really following the rhythm of feeding!
Cheng Wang dissatisfied, but he was the dragon of the eight classics, and his life was not good?
Even if it is, it will definitely be miscalculated by those magicians.
Lu Xun looked in the direction of Zhongqin Hall. It seemed that he had to go back to talk to his mother and concubine. The team was now clear.
There were many things going on in the court. Qin Liuxi knew something about it through the puppet imperial master who stayed in the palace, but she didn't care. She just glanced at the emperor when the imperial master said that the saint was going to go his own way to sacrifice the people and money. Xing frowned slightly.
The Emperor Star is dim and unclear. This is an unlucky rhythm. He is seeking death.
Honest words don't persuade the devil to die. Let him bear everything on his own.
“Here we are, that’s the Ghost Tower.” Dongfang Ghost King pulled Qin Liuxi’s consciousness back and pointed forward. (End of chapter)