Chapter 19 The 19th Round of Quartet Inspections to Investigate the Facts and Report the Good News
After hearing Yuchi Jingde's recitation of He Jiluo's words, Li Shimin decided to go down to investigate the truth.On the second day, he ordered Fang Xuanling and Li Jing to be summoned to discuss this matter with them.
"I have seen the forms and chapters in the newspapers from various states, and there are many words describing the great order of the world. I think how difficult it is to achieve the great order of the world. How can it be achieved so easily? I put these letters aside and don't read them. I listened to them yesterday. Jingde recounted what He Jiluo had seen and encountered, Fang Wu these years, things in the world have indeed changed a lot. We may not trust ourselves, but an outsider will not be wrong if he sees it this way." After finishing speaking, he will He Jiluo's fate was briefly described.
Fang Xuanling cupped his hands and said: "After the early years of Zhenguan, Your Majesty promoted Qingming politics, and the customs of the states became more and more simple and authentic. Officials did not dare to pretend to be hypocritical, and what they played was seeking truth from facts. If we say that the world has changed, it is actually very serious. Great. In the first two years of Zhenguan, the harvest was not good due to natural disasters. After the third year of Zhenguan, the weather was good every year, and the pockets of the government and the people gradually became full. Li Pushe led the army to fight against the Eastern Turks, and the surprise attack received great results. First, it did not waste the country's money and food, and second, it stabilized the northern border and promoted the country to be more prosperous. Everyone didn't think about other things, but only wanted to live and work in peace and contentment. This has led to the current situation of great governance. Tracing back to the source, it is still the original plan set by His Majesty to "help the people to Jing, only the national policy of "emphasizing education" conforms to the public opinion, and has such a good result. Your Majesty wants to investigate this matter, and I think it is necessary, and I can use it to review the achievements of the past few years."
Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "I will not go to Weifu privately for this visit. I thought about it last night, and I think that I can use light and dark lines to conduct the visit. Tomorrow, I will issue an edict to send ministers in the court to serve as patrol ambassadors in various ways. They're going to go through the states. What we're going to do today is decide who will be the ambassadors."
The three of them discussed for a while and roughly settled on the personnel. When it came time to discuss Ambassador Guanneidao, the three of them had a little disagreement.Because the officials of Guannei Dao, including the capital, have intricate relationships, and they need a prestigious and capable person to calm them down.
Li Shimin asked for the opinions of the two, and Li Jing said firmly: "This ambassador cannot be qualified unless Fang Fushe."
Li Shimin said: "Brother Yao, why are you so sure? Could it be that without Xuanling, others can't do it?"
"Your Majesty, the Guannei Road is in a special position. The officials under its jurisdiction are inextricably linked with all the officials in the court. Ordinary people can't grasp it well. The house servant has both prestige and decisiveness. Among the ministers, he is the most suitable."
Li Shimin shook his head and said: "Brother Yao, don't be too modest, but I think you are the only one. In terms of prestige and ability, how can you be worse than Xuanling?"
Li Jing thought for a moment, thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, I have not been in good health for the past few years. I am afraid that I will not be able to do my job well."
Li Shimin insisted that Li Jing be the patrol ambassador of Guannei Road, and others, such as Xiao Yu, the ambassador of Henan Province, and Chen Shuda, the ambassador of Jiangnan Province, a total of 22 officials from the DPRK and China.
After deciding on these things, Li Shimin continued: "I want to send some people to visit in secret, so that the information of the visit will be more authentic and comprehensive. After I have thought about these candidates, I will send Ma Zhou, Du Zhenglun, Cen Wen Wen and Hou Junji. By the way, I heard that Chu Liang’s son, Chu Suiliang, has a good official reputation recently, and I sent him to experience it. What do you think? If I travel in low clothes, there will be too much movement, and it will be difficult to find out the truth , and send these people to travel on my behalf.”
Fang Xuanling thought it was feasible, Li Jing also nodded in agreement.He thought to himself, Li Shimin did this to allow these people to secretly investigate the truth, but the deeper meaning was to let them practice for a while, so as to test their talents and prepare for great use.
Li Shimin made it clear in the imperial edict that the inspection time is limited to March.
The two bowed to receive the order, ready to leave.
Li Shimin stopped them again and asked: "There is an old saying that 'cheap grain hurts farmers'. In recent years, the price of grain has been continuously low, and a bucket of rice is only worth four yuan. Looking at the situation this year, there is no doubt that there will be a good harvest. If so Going on, the price of grain will get lower and lower, and farmers will no longer be interested in growing grain. How do you solve this problem?"
Fang Xuanling and Li Jing had never thought about this matter, so they couldn't answer it for a while.Fang Xuanling hesitated for a moment before replying: "Falling food prices are always a good thing. The weather has been good these years, and if there is a catastrophe in the future, we can resist it. As for the saying that 'cheap grain hurts farmers' is just the beginning, it has not yet come." to this point."
Li Jing said: "There is a lot of grain, and the government can increase the amount of purchases. In the past, when the Sui Dynasty was full, its storehouse could feed the people of the world for decades. Compared with the current collection of our dynasty, it is far behind. The low price means that the harvest is good, and such a good time is hard to come by, His Majesty thinks so, but it’s actually a bit overwhelmed.”
Li Shimin shook his head and said: "It seems that the two of you have never thought about this matter at all. Forget it, I will find time to chat with Chen Junbin. You can retreat."
Taking advantage of the time when the patrol ambassadors were traveling, Li Shimin wanted to go back to the old house in Wugong County for inspection, and asked the supervisor in the palace to send someone to repair the old house Qingshan Palace.Beforehand, he was afraid that Wei Zheng and others would come to remonstrate again, so he called Wei Zheng and several admonishing officials over, and said, "When ordinary people go out and succeed in their careers, it is a blessing to return to their hometown. I have been the emperor for several years, and I should return to my old age." I’ve just had a look at the house, and it’s not a luxury for me to let people repair the old house, so you don’t want to go up and tell me.”
Wei Zheng and the others thought about it: it is human nature for the emperor to go back to the old house to make inspections and slightly repair the old house.What's more, now that the world is rich and the treasury is surplus, he bows down and agrees.
When it was time to go out, Li Shimin led his eldest son Jiamin and a concubine Ying to march to Wugong County.
The county magistrate of Wugong knew in advance that the emperor was going back to the old house for a tour, so he started to get busy a month ago.He made people build colorful sheds and repair roads.Find the neighbors around Li Shimin's old house and ask them to meet Luanjia at the entrance of Wugong County.
Li Shimin's car arrived at Wugong County on September 29 along a road paved with fine loess.He saw the magistrate of Wugong County leading a group of elderly people to welcome them there. Li Shimin understood that this was the highest etiquette for welcoming nobles in Wugong County, so he stepped out of the chariot.An elderly man held a bowl of water, knelt down and brought it to Li Shimin, saying: "Your Majesty, this water is the cleanest and sweetest water that the boy has drawn from the plateau. Please drink it up, and it will be regarded as a cleansing for Your Majesty from home. gone."
Li Shimin leaned over to pull the old man up, took the water bowl with one hand, and said: "Everyone get up. I'm going back to the house to wait and see, and it's really wrong for all the old people to come here to greet me." He turned his head and called out, "Reward."
The eunuch behind brought a whole plate of horseshoe gold, and handed the envelopes of horseshoe gold to the elders one by one.
Li Shimin picked up the bowl and said, "The water from my hometown is the sweetest." After speaking, he made a gesture to drink.
For all the things imported by the emperor, for example, people from Shangshi Bureau first tried them with silver needles, and then tasted them with their mouths.Holding a silver needle in her hand, a maid of the dining hall said cautiously: "Your Majesty, let this servant drink it after trying it."
Li Shimin ignored her, raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.
Li Shimin's car set off without stopping at the county government office, and went straight to Qingshan Palace.
After Li Shimin entered the palace, he asked his followers to retire, and only brought his elder Sun Jiamin to the Pixiang Hall.He took his eldest grandson Jiamin by the hand to climb onto the high platform beside the hall, pointed to the Pixiang Hall and asked, "Sister Min, this hall is called Pixiang, do you know the origin of this name?"
It was also the first time for eldest grandson Jiamin to come to Qingshan Palace. She pursed her lips and said with a smile: "Although the concubine came here, she is familiar with the story of His Majesty. The name of this hall is Pixiang, which means that when Empress Taimu gave birth to Her Majesty, The strange fragrance in the house surrounds the room, and the hall is full of brilliance, which is the origin of the name of this hall."
Hearing grandson Jiamin mentioning his mother, Li Shimin's eyes turned red, and he said with emotion: "Empress Taimu died early, and I will never see my father rule the world. As a son, I am now the emperor, and I can't be filial to her knees. Really sorry."
Grandson Jiamin caressed his hand and said: "Your Majesty will return to the old house today, and Empress Taimu will definitely know about it. In fact, Your Majesty always has a heart of remembrance, and Empress Taimu will be happy under the nine springs."
Li Shimin still recalled the past: "Empress Taimu is smart and capable, especially good at calligraphy. She imitated her father's characters, and outsiders couldn't distinguish them. Thinking about it, I love calligraphy so much, and I have been learning books since I was a child. I was probably influenced by her. Min Sister, in this world, there are only a few people who can love him in his life. For me, besides mother, the other woman is you."
Eldest Sun Jiamin shook his head and said, "What Your Majesty said refers to ordinary people. The love of the people in the world for His Majesty is better than the love of a family."
Li Shimin looked into the distance and sighed: "Yes, when a person becomes an emperor, all he thinks about is the affairs of the world. If you are satisfied with being a mediocre emperor, it's easy to do and you don't have to worry too much. I always If you want to be worthy of your ancestors and the common people of the world, it will be difficult if you always have a trembling heart."
The elder Sun Jiamin was speechless, and kept his hand in Li Shimin's big hand. The two were silent for a moment, and they could feel each other's heartbeat.
In Li Shimin's silence, lines of poetry welled up in his heart, so he recited them word by word.His poem says:
The elder Sun Jiamin discerned the poetry carefully and felt the joy overflowing from the poem.Li Shimin recalled his achievements in calming the world with his sword and his achievements in governing the world by doing nothing.The last sentence of "Happy than the wind poem" is to compare yourself with the scene when Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty returned home.In comparison, Liu Bang's "Great Wind Song" shows a mighty spirit, but it is only an achievement of entrepreneurship and founding a country, while Li Shimin can not only stabilize the country, but also realize the great rule of the world.
Li Shimin felt that the poem was well written, so he called the historian who recorded his words and deeds, and asked him to write down the poem.
Li Shimin and eldest grandson Jiamin walked out of the Pixiang Hall, and a person came to meet him. It turned out to be Lucai, the living man.He played to Li Shimin: "I heard that the emperor just wrote a poem, and the song and dance rehearsed by the minister is missing some lyrics. Please give this poem to fill the lyrics." The person who wrote "The King of Qin Breaking the Battle" is currently the living doctor of Zhongshu Sheng.It is said that the music and dance are handled by Taichang Temple and have nothing to do with the province.It's just that Li Shimin valued Lu Cai's musical talent and asked him to revise the Tang gala music together with relevant personnel of Taichang Temple.This time when Li Shimin returned to his old house, he wanted to perform a song and dance for the martial arts elders to watch, so he specifically asked Lu Cai to handle it.
Li Shimin said with a smile: "I just finished writing this poem, but I haven't considered it yet. You got the news so quickly."
"The minister has been waiting outside the hall, and heard that His Majesty called the historian to record the poems, so I learned."
Li Shimin asked the historian to copy the poem again, and then handed it to Lu Cai, and said: "I wrote this poem on the spur of the moment. If you want to match the lyrics, I don't know if it is suitable. If it is not good, you can choose another one."
Lu Cai bowed and agreed.
It was night, and Lu Cai built a high platform outside Qingshan Palace as a place for singing and dancing.As soon as it was dark, the neighbors around heard that there were singing and dancing here, and they came here to help the old and the young.Chang He followed over to take charge of the guard duty. Seeing that there were more and more people, he was afraid of accidents and wanted to ask the soldiers to try to stop them.Chang He's intention was discovered by Li Shimin, and he hurriedly reprimanded him: "I enjoy the fun with the people. The people come here without calling, which is to lift up my face. If you stop them from going back, it is to wipe away my face." In one sentence, I was so scared Chang He didn't dare to move, so he had to cheer up and try to protect the safety of the emperor and concubines.
There are several rows of chairs in front of the stage, covered with brocade mats, where Li Shimin and his concubines sit around.Behind him, people sat in darkness.They didn't dare to make a sound, and seemed very silent.It is the first time since ancient times that the emperor and the common people enjoyed the music together.Chang He asked the soldiers to change into casual clothes in advance, and surrounded the emperor to guard him. Seeing that the arena was in order, his heart was slowly relieved.
Both sides of the stage are full of musicians holding eight-tone instruments, leaving an open space in the middle of the stage for dancers to use.Around the high platform, there is a circle of qi-death wind lanterns, illuminating the platform like daytime.
Suddenly, the music on the stage began to play, only to hear the music is graceful and luxurious, the melody is melodious, and there is a chorus in the background, and the lyrics are "Shouqiu is only the old trace..." Li Shimin thought to himself after listening, this Lu Cai really has Talented, in a short period of time, he integrated his new poem into the music without showing any traces.
After the opening, there is the second rhyme.It turned out that after Lu Cai finished reading Li Shimin's poem, he temporarily adjusted the repertoire and divided the song and dance into ten chapters according to the meaning of the poem.Starting from the second rhyme, sixty-four children wearing golden crowns and purple pleats enter the arena and dance.They have long-sleeved lacquered buns, are elegantly dressed, and do not hold weapons in their hands.They danced slowly to the crisp and melodious tune, showing a spirit of joy and generosity.
Li Shimin nodded while watching, thinking that Lu Cai's "The Music of the King of Qin Breaking the Battle" was done for Wu Wu; today he made this music again, it was for Wen Wu.Such a piece of writing and a weapon can be said to complement each other.The eldest grandson Jiamin also felt the same way, bowed his head and said to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, this song sounds elegant and elegant, but it also feels gorgeous and solemn, and I feel deeply." Li Shimin replied: "It seems that the music plays according to the time. During the battle, Lu Caifu wrote "The Music of the King of Qin Breaking the Battle", which inspired the fighting spirit of the soldiers. He performed this song again today, which not only depicts the scene of prosperity, but also has the function of enlightening. Lu Cai has put his heart into it."
After the music and dance, Lu Cai came down to Li Shimin, knelt down and said, "Please give this song and dance a name, Your Majesty."
Li Shimin smiled and praised: "Lu Qing, I think it took a lot of effort for you to perform this song today. It's very good, let's get down. I used my new poem in the song and dance. This poem is for me to revisit my hometown, It was written with emotion in mind. This palace is called Qingshan Palace, and I have heard a lot of victorious and successful victories in the song, so it may be called "Gongcheng Celebrates Shanle"."
Soon thereafter, "Gongcheng Celebrating Shanle" gradually became popular all over the world and became a prominent symbol of the New Deal.
Li Shimin called Chang He again, and said, "It's really rare for the folks in my hometown to share the joy with me. I have prepared rewards, and you can distribute them immediately. You can't miss one person."
Chang He received the order and hurried to arrange the reward.It was night, and all the people who came to watch the dance received rewards, and everyone was elated, as happy as a festival.
Not long after Li Shimin returned to Beijing, the officials sent out to inspect various channels gradually returned to the capital.After these people returned to the capital, they immediately asked Li Shimin to play again, and the news they said made Li Shimin very excited.
After the implementation of various measures to promote agriculture, the enthusiasm of the people for farming was stimulated.They devoted themselves to farming, making farming and mulberry matters full of vitality.
Xiao Yu is the ambassador of Henan Province this time. During the inspection process, he discovered an interesting phenomenon, that is, all the farmers here use Quyuan plows.In the past, the plow went straight, and it was not easy to turn back.Due to its flexibility and convenience, this new type of curved plow has gradually become popular all over the country, improving the efficiency of farming.When Xiao Yu went to the south a few years ago, this kind of plow had just been invented and used. Unexpectedly, within a few years, this plow was widely used all over the world.Xiao Yu once asked the local governments about this matter, and learned that the government did not promote this plow.This plow can be promoted quickly, when it is the spontaneous behavior of the people.He sighed: "Some things have been vigorously promoted by the government, but they still can't be implemented satisfactorily. Although this thing is small, it can penetrate into the hands of the people in all the desolate villages, which shows the power of the people."
Li Shimin praised: "It's really not easy for Xiao Gong to see the spirit in a small place. Quyuanli was raised in the south of the Yangtze River, and now it is not only used in Henan, but also in places like Shandong, Hebei and even Guanzhong. I think of this incident. Meaning: First, if one thing is done by the common people, their ability is astonishing. When they come into contact with farming and mulberry, they can study it carefully and invent many methods and utensils to improve the efficacy of farming and mulberry. If you want to implement something, you must conform to the will of the people and benefit the people. Only in this way can you get twice the result with half the effort. The imperial court will issue edicts on farming and mulberry in the future, and you can't go against the trend. If you are really in doubt, you would rather not do it. Otherwise , can easily dampen the enthusiasm of the people.”
After detailed explanations by the ambassadors, Li Shimin discovered that the Nongsang incident showed two new features.
One feature is that the density of cultivation is roughly balanced across regions.Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, there has been a large disparity in the farming density between the river basin and the river basin. The river basin has always been the main food producing area, while the fields in the river basin have been slowly reclaimed and produce very little grain.Up to now, the unbalanced development between the north and the south has been greatly alleviated. The agricultural and mulberry harvests in the river basin are roughly balanced with the harvest in the river basin. Due to reasons such as geography and climate, the development speed of the river basin is showing a strong trend.In Chen Shuda's memorial, he used this sentence to describe the appearance of Jiangnan, "In the past, where the hazel thorns were, they were the hometown of japonica rice. Within the four seas, there are high mountains and cliffs, and Leisi is also full." After reading it, Li Shimin deeply believed it.I thought to myself, the reason why such a situation can be formed has a lot to do with the strict implementation of the land equalization system and the implementation of the rent-yong adjustment method at the beginning of Zhenguan. The people have land to plant and have enthusiasm for reclamation. It can be seen that the doubling of the acres of cultivated fields has been realized.
The second feature is that the grain yield per mu has been greatly increased.Due to the advancement of farming techniques and farm tools, and the fact that people are increasingly planting wheat and rice, the rate of multiple cropping of grain has increased unprecedentedly, and the phenomenon of three crops in two years and two crops in one year has appeared.Li Shimin asked Chen Junbin to do a calculation, that is, to compare the grain yield per unit area between the Han Dynasty and the present through the conversion of the mu system and weights and measures.Not unaware, when Chen Junbin's calculation result came out, everyone was surprised.It turns out that the current grain yield per unit area has doubled compared with that in the Han Dynasty.This created a problem for the Ministry of Household Affairs. According to the regulations of the Rent and Yong Adjustment Law, the Rent Fu was collected once a year. At that time, it was considered that the grain was cooked once a year.Now that the situation has changed, the Ministry of Households has complained that it is a disadvantage, thinking that the rent and tax have been under-collected, and they let it out, declaring that they will change the method of collecting rent and tax, that is, they will collect it every time the grain is cooked.If this law is changed, it will have the greatest impact on the states in the south of the Yangtze River. After hearing the news, those governors believed that this move by the Ministry of Household Affairs violated the purpose of light corvee and thin taxation, and it was a method of killing chickens to get eggs.The governors of several states united together, claiming that as long as the household department dared to change the collection method, they would go to the emperor to argue it out.These winds gradually reached Li Shimin's ears, he smiled slightly and didn't want to pay attention.
There is no doubt that the matter of Nongsang has undergone earth-shaking changes.As for the simple folk customs, not picking up lost things on the road, and not closing the house at night, the ambassadors also expressed it in their inscriptions, and they all spoke highly of the peaceful and prosperous age.
After some days, Ma Zhou, Du Zhenglun, Hou Junji, Cen Wenwen, and Chu Suiliang also returned to the capital.I saw them travel and dusty, their faces were tanned and red, obviously they were very concerned about this visit.
Li Shimin met them in the Hall of Liangyi, saw the colors on their faces, and said with concern: "It seems that Zhu Qing's trip is not leisurely. You are dressed in casual clothes and stayed overnight without official support. It must be hard work." .”
Hou Junji replied: "I follow the orders and travel privately. Wherever I go, I can only see the simple nature of the world. It is very different from the travels of the past, but it has a special taste."
"What's the taste?"
"When I was traveling, I talked casually with people, and I lost a lot of polite words. If I missed the inn, I lived in the farmhouse nearby. Although the fruits and vegetables from the mountains and vegetables were eaten, they were really delicious. Although the trip was busy, the travel process was very pleasant. , what you hear and see are all new things, the minister's mind is really relaxed."
"Haha, so to speak, I asked you to visit incognito, and it became a pleasant trip inadvertently."
Ma Zhou reported: "If the mountains and rivers are ruined, there is really no interest in traveling. Only in this prosperous age, traveling abroad is more comfortable."
"Prosperous age? These two words are often used by the ministers recently. Could it be that the world has really achieved great order? Gentlemen, here are the memorials reported by the patrol ambassadors from all walks of life. Compare the areas you visited to see what you have heard and heard. See if it matches what they played!"
The five people took the stack of memorials before they arrived at the case, and then sorted them out and watched them intently.
The places Ma Zhou visited this time were Henan, Hebei, and Shandong, which were the same as Xiao Yu's inspection tour.He reads very fast, almost ten lines at a glance, and can see the contents of the memorial at a glance.After he finished reading, he reported to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, what Xiao Gong investigated is roughly the same as what the ministers observed. In a word, it is an indisputable fact that farming and mulberry are prosperous, and the people have more than enough food and clothing. The idea of culturalization has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Even though the folk customs are simple and honest, they know etiquette, such as the scene of not picking up lost things on the road and not closing the door at night. That is also true. I really do not need to bring dry food along the way from Henan to Shandong. In most villages, when travelers pass by, they must give generously. Hospitality, guests will also give gifts when they leave, this is my personal experience."
"Cangmen know etiquette in real terms. This sentence is true. If the households have no time to take care of themselves, how can they entertain others? It is unrealistic to ask people to talk about etiquette on an empty stomach. I discussed with Xuanling and Li Yaoshi a while ago. The topic of 'cheap grain hurts farmers', it seems that no matter how cheap the grain is, it is necessary to encourage all places to plant hard. As for how to store and use the grain after it is produced, it is the next step. Do a good job in farming and mulberry things, the common people will have food and clothing, and the biggest problem in the world will be solved.”
"What His Majesty said is very true."
"I asked you to inspect incognito, not to let you blindly seek the footnotes of singing and dancing, but also to find out some shortcomings."
"Before I left, I saw a scene of singing and dancing in Beijing. Everyone liked to say, 'Don't pick up things on the road, and don't close your doors at night'. When I was inspecting, I deliberately observed what the common people did. It's a bit exaggerated to say that 'I don't pick up things on the road'. Relics, or waiting for the owner in the local area, or handing them over to the local government, there are many such things. However, the personalities of the characters are mixed, and some greedy people pick up the things they love, and they can't put it down and keep them as their own. , but we can’t say that there is no. As for “the door is not closed at night”, it is even more bizarre. Everyone is not a grand duke. It is a private world. There are rooms, doors and locks in the house. Why not close it? On summer nights, some people want to cool off It is also common for households to sleep in the hall. If it is generalized from this, it is purely whitewashing, and it is too beautiful, please be discerning."
Li Shimin said with a smile, "Some of my ministers wanted to use the Datong society described in the book as a metaphor for today. Although the meaning is good, it is a bit too beautiful after all. I understand this."
"There is another point. After the turmoil at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the population of our country has decreased greatly. Although the population has been increased by the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor Xing, after all, the time is too short and the population has increased. As the population expands, the population tends to gather in places with convenient transportation, fertile soil, and easy farming. In other places, the number of people is relatively small. When I passed the flooded area of the river this time, the people were afraid that the river would often change its course or the river would break its embankment and flood. There are thousands of miles around and no one lives there. It is difficult to see people when I pass by, but I can only see a huge marsh thousands of miles away, which is very desolate. From this point of view, it is said in these memorials that "within the four seas, there are high mountains and cliffs, and Leisi is also full". The occasion is somewhat exaggerated."
Du Zhenglun, Cen Wenwen, and Chu Suiliang agreed with Ma Zhou's words, and felt that what he said coincided with what they saw, but Duhou Junji disagreed and objected: "What you see is the appearance of a prosperous age, as for the words, there are some beautiful words. , is also normal."
Li Shimin disapproved of Hou Junji's words, and lightly reprimanded him: "I am a monarch, and you are ministers. If you listen to beautiful words every day, but you can't tell the difference, you can be said to be stupid and mediocre. Junji, you must Learn humility."
Hou Junji was silent, bowed and agreed.
Chu Suiliang said: "When I visited and investigated, I not only looked at farming and mulberry, but also saw that the silk weaving, ceramics, papermaking and other industries were flourishing, and there was a new dynasty."
Li Shimin was very interested, and said: "Suiliang is the youngest, and the angle of view must be novel, so I can explain it in detail."
"Porcelain firing is known as 'Southern Qingbeibeibai', that is, the south is mainly made of celadon, and the north is mainly made of white porcelain. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, the firing of porcelain gradually declined. After these years of recovery, the firing of porcelain It has been restored to the grand occasion of the Sui Kaihuang period, and there are many new things. Like the north, celadon also appeared, which shows that the integration of the north and the south has become a general trend. I passed Luoyang this time and found that there was a new kind of porcelain. I found it fresh, so I brought one for the emperor to look at." After speaking, he leaned over to open a box that came with him, and took out a colored porcelain from it.
This is a horse-shaped porcelain, which is fired with white, blue and red colored glazes.The horse is fat and strong, with a vivid and lifelike expression. Although the firing technique is rough, the porcelain is not very delicate, but it can show a majestic momentum.
After watching it, Li Shimin praised: "This three-color horse appeared in our dynasty. It can be seen that these craftsmen can devote their efforts, which is admirable. Looking at this porcelain horse, it is round and full, with strong color charm and majestic spirit, which is very suitable for our dynasty. Suiliang, you can visit this thing, which shows that you can pay attention to everything, which is very much in line with my wishes."
The development of porcelain from white and blue single-color to three-color mixed firing is indeed a great revolution in porcelain firing. Ma Zhou, Hou Junji and others are also full of praise.
Li Shimin signaled Chu Suiliang to continue.
Chu Suiliang said: "Silk fabrics have been an important commodity exported abroad since the Han Dynasty. In recent years, the country has been stable, and merchants from all over the world have come in droves. I asked some merchants and found that they not only trafficked in exquisite Tang silk and Tang brocade, but also woven fabrics. , printing technology and equipment are quite interesting.”
"Interested? Do they also want to sell these things to other countries?"
"That's right. There is a reason for this. Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, most of the weaving has been done by hand. In our dynasty, these weavers invented the pedal loom, the hollow printing technique and the method of making the dye safflower. Brocade products are more exquisite and more colorful, attracting the covetousness of foreign merchants. In addition to selling finished products, they also racked their brains to export these utensils and technologies abroad. For example, they also tried to buy fine silkworm eggs and transport them to foreign regions.”
Li Shimin was very happy and praised: "These foreign merchants are still very discerning. It is time-consuming and laborious for them to transport the finished silk brocade from the middle land. It is better to move the workshop to other regions and make it locally. In this way, we can make our Tang Dynasty famous. At this time, Li Shimin didn't pay much attention to business affairs, and believed that China was the center of the world, and it was a very proud thing for China's various advanced things to be spread to foreign countries and to make the Tang Dynasty famous.
Chu Suiliang went on to say: "Papermaking was invented in the Han Dynasty. At first, it was like the spring and white snow, and it was mostly used in the court. Since His Majesty revised the "Original Version of the Five Classics" and opened various subjects to select scholars, the students competed to read books. It is a spectacular sight. As a result, copying books has become popular all over the world. The demand for paper has increased sharply, and a large number of paper mills have been built. Nowadays, paper mills are spread all over the north and south, and paper has become common among the people. Reading in the prosperous age. From this point of view, the prosperity of the paper industry is also an example of the prosperous age."
Ma Zhou, Hou Junji, Du Zhenglun, and Cen Wenwen saw that Chu Suiliang was able to interpret the prosperity from these three angles, and admired him for his unique and keen eyesight.
Li Shimin really appreciated it greatly, and said: "Silk brocade, porcelain, and paper are my unique creations in China. It is really not easy for me to make progress in these three industries. I did not copy the achievements of my ancestors. Sui Liang , you can see the difference from these three items, which shows that you are well-intentioned and good at thinking. Well, the five of you have done your best in this investigation on behalf of me. You have lived up to my expectations and let me know the real situation in the world. You have made great contributions, and I want to reward you." Li Shimin still had a word to say, which was that among the five, the performances of Ma Zhou and Chu Suiliang were the most satisfying to him.
Li Shimin finally asked Cen Wenwen: "Cen Qing, you are good at diction and have profound knowledge. How do you explain the word "prosperous age"?" Some important edicts of the Qing Dynasty came from his hand.
Cen Wenwen clasped his hands and replied: "Shuowen says, 'The millet in the vessel is also the one who sacrificed'. The so-called prosperous age refers to a prosperous era when the treasury is full, the people have more than enough food and clothing, and the mood is happy."
"Could it be called a flourishing age right now?"
"Your Majesty calmed down the people, made all businesses flourish, pacified the Eastern Turks, and made the borders stable and peaceful. Based on what the ministers have seen and heard, it can be called a peaceful and prosperous age. It's just..." Cen Wenwen stopped talking.
"Cen Qing, if you have anything to say, just say it."
"It's just that the time is too short. Now Baiye seems to have just embarked on the track of great governance. If everyone shouts a peaceful and prosperous age, it is a bit too optimistic. I think that the result of the world's great governance is a peaceful and prosperous world, and now it is still in the hands of the government and the people. During the process, rather than when you are complacent, it is better to be cautious about the peaceful and prosperous times."
Ma Zhou also said: "I agree with the words of the text. Your Majesty, the great rule of the world must benefit all generations, not just a few years of short-term prosperity."
Li Shimin laughed, and said: "You advise me to be modest and keep a clear head. I understand. Yes, if the prosperity is extreme, it is time to go down. For example, going up and down the mountain, I like the process of going up the mountain. Going up the mountain Although it was tiring at the time, climbing to the top of the mountain and looking down at the mountains is such a wonderful joy.”
Seeing the prosperity of the world and the prosperity of the people, Beijing officials and foreign officials all praised the prosperous age, Li Shimin's eyebrows and eyes were filled with joy.
At the time of the court meeting this day, Taichang Shaoqing's ancestor Xiaosun said: "I have completed the "Da Tang Yayue" with the help of Lu Cai and Zhang Wenshou according to the imperial decree. Today I would like to present it to your Majesty for reading." He is a well-known temperament master in the Sui and Tang dynasties. He learned the old music of Chen, Liang, Zhou, and Qi, the sounds of Wu and Chu, and the tricks of Hu Rong.After Li Shimin came to the throne, he was asked to compose "Galaxy of the Tang Dynasty" together with Lu Cai and Zhang Wenshou.They considered the north and the south, and studied the ancient sounds, and it took several years to complete.After the score was first completed, Li Shimin ordered Chu Liang, Yu Shinan, Wei Zheng and others to compose new movements.
Li Shimin flipped through the cover of the "Galaxy of the Tang Dynasty" inscribed by Yu Shinan, and saw that its score is based on nine pieces of music in the Sui Dynasty, namely Yanyue, Qingshang, Xiliangyue, Funanyue, Gaoliyue, Qiuciyue, Anguoyue, and Shuleyue , Kang Guole nine kinds.On this basis, ancestors, filial piety and grandsons broke the boundary between the north and the south, integrated southern music and northern music, reconciled the sounds of Wu Chu and Hu Rong, and made Xinyue a grand and inclusive music.The music is played with eight-tone instruments, and the size of the instruments is doubled compared with that of the previous dynasties.
After watching it, Li Shimin was very happy, and said: "It's the right time for Zu Qing and others to complete "Da Tang Yayue". Dear friends, let's stop playing for now and let Zu Qing lead the others to perform the next song first. Zu Qing, let's play "Gala Music of the Tang Dynasty" "Showa" chapter, who filled this word?"
Zu Xiaosun said: "The words of "Showa" were filled in by Chu Shangshu."
After a while, grandparents and grandsons commanded the musicians to play a chapter of "Showa", only to hear the octave suddenly, and the singer behind the scenes sang the words according to the rhyme, the words said:
The singer sang the words three times, and the music just stopped, and the lingering sound still lingered endlessly.Since ancient times, court music has had the mission of enlightening people with rites and music. The completion of "Gala Music of the Tang Dynasty" is now complete, and there will be a unified music sound on various occasions in the future, which is indeed a great event.After hearing this, all the officials bowed their hands to congratulate Li Shimin.Li Shimin was overjoyed, and immediately rewarded those who made great achievements in Xinle.Li Shimin remembered something again, and called out Lu Caidao: "From now on, in addition to practicing court music proficiently, the second piece you created must also be perfected. "The Music of the King of Qin Breaking the Array" can be renamed "The Dance of Seven Virtues", and "The Dance of the Seven Virtues" "Gongcheng Celebrating Shanyue" can be renamed "Nine Gong Dance". You can improve this piece of literature and martial arts according to the title, and I love these two pieces the most."
Lu Cai led the order to retreat.
At this time, Fang Xuanling came out of the class and said: "Your Majesty, I have ordered to revise the old rituals. The first draft has been completed. Please read it."
Li Shimin was very happy to hear that it was another happy event, and said: "The so-called good things come in pairs, and it really is. Now that the new music has been completed, so are the new gifts. All right, let me present it."
Li Shimin flipped through it briefly, and said: "I don't need to read it carefully. This manuscript will be reviewed by Mr. Kong in the end, so it will not be wrong. Let the Ministry of Rites delineate the scope and try it out. If there are any imperfections, then gradually make a ruling. Okay. Ah, it seems that today is a good day. When there is nothing in the world, we can build rites and play music to educate the world. It is necessary for great rule of the world. Xuanling, you have produced the first draft of "Zhenguan New Rituals" today, and I will reward you as well."
Fang Xuanling resigned and said: "At the beginning, the minister presided over the ritual repair, and he was the minister of the Ministry of Rites at that time. Therefore, it is the duty of the minister to repair the ritual, so I dare not accept the reward."
"No, must there be a reason for my reward? What's more, even if you don't accept the reward, how much effort and effort did the scholars like Mr. Kong and others put into setting the new ceremony? This reward is a matter of course. Xuanling, Zhen I'm in a very good mood today, don't spoil my good mood."
Fang Xuanling didn't dare to insist any longer, so he bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Li Shimin stood up, walked to the imperial platform, stood opposite the group of officials and said: "At the age of eighteen, I raised volunteer soldiers with the Supreme Emperor. After that, I conquered east and west, and at the age of twenty-four I made great achievements and laid down a large area of land; at the age of two I took the throne at the age of nineteen. After several years of hard work, I finally realized the great rule of the world when I was thirty-five years old. I said this, not to show off myself, but I actually wanted to say that if I achieved these achievements by myself, then It is impossible, only relying on the full assistance of the ministers. I am well aware of the desires of human nature, selfishness and greed, especially the desire of the monarch, which is related to the world, because I often restrain my desires in order to cultivate the state. If I do this consciously, it will inevitably be difficult缺失，这些年劳众卿极力谏诤，终于使朕少犯过失。嗯，朕在这里谢谢众卿了。”说完，他拱手一揖。李世民的这番话说得固然诚恳，然其自矜之意也彰显无遗。
果然，李世民的这番话刚一落地，立刻就有数名臣子出班，秘书省著作郎许敬宗行在最前。他执笏恭维道：“陛下以仁政治国，短短数年时间就取得天下大治，其文治武功堪与尧舜之治、周朝文武之治相媲美。自三代以来，如此功绩未有也。”许敬宗原来也是天策府十八学士之一，其既善文辞，又能辩敏捷，且生得倜傥风流。然李世民即位之后，不知何故不看重他，仅仅授他一个从五品官员，未加重用。后面又有数人前来大唱赞歌。
李世民却不愿意听这些恭维之言，挥手让这帮马屁精退回班中，斥道：“朕之功绩若何，自有后世公论，不用诸卿评价。自今以后，不许有人在朕面前恭维朕之功业，有再言者，朕当罪之。”
这番掷地有声的话，使得许敬宗等人顿时羞愧得低下头来。班中的魏征、马周、王珪等人暗暗赞道：“看来皇上并未被喜悦冲昏了头脑。”
李世民接着刚才的话题问道：“诸卿，帝王之业，草创与守成哪个更难一些？”
房玄龄出班奏道：“当天下乱离之时，群雄竞起，破城乃得降地，胜敌才生势力。由此来看，草创最难。”
魏征也出班奏道：“不然。要知帝王取得天下，正是衰微之时。此时百姓人心思定，会遵新帝号令，以成国势。由此看来，取得天下并不是难事儿。然帝王取得天下之后，以威福自重，渐渐骄逸，百姓欲静而徭役不止，百姓凋残而侈务不息，国势衰敝，由此而起。以是观之，守成最难。”
李世民点头赞许，他默然片刻，继而道：“你们说得都对。玄龄以前跟随朕定天下，备尝艰辛，出百死而遇一生，所以说草创最难。魏卿多从朕安定天下，懂得若君主生出骄逸之念头，必踏上危亡之境地，所以说守成最难。眼下草创天下之事，已成往日之旧，不用再虑，我们要把全部精力用在守成这件事情上。像汉高祖原为泗上一亭长，他费了许多力气，终于拯危诛暴以成帝业。然其成了皇帝，不到十年时间，就办了一些不得人心的事情。像其太子温恭仁孝，而汉高祖见惑于爱姬，欲行废立；萧何、韩信有大功于国，而萧何被囚禁数日，韩信被诛，致使其他功臣如黥布等人恐惧不安，终于反叛。汉高祖能得天下，其治理天下的本事就大打折扣。由此来看，治理天下更应该使人全心全力。朕所以不敢恃天下安定，时刻存危亡之念以警诫自己，无非是想常保天下。其实天下来之不易，守之也不易，不敢有一点疏忽。”
魏征接话道：“自古以来，明主圣臣难以同时具备。或君主当时圣明，臣却不贤；或有贤臣，然无圣主。如今陛下圣明，从善如流，使臣等能竭尽全力。天下现在固然太平，臣等不敢张狂，今后的日子还长着呢。伏愿陛下居安思危，同样孜孜不怠。”
李世民微笑道：“魏卿任何时候不忘谏诤，确实是谏臣之领头人。朕有时候也想松弛一下，然诸卿日日瞪大眼睛，时时举谏对朕鞭策不已，朕不敢有一丝的懈怠啊。”
此时已近散朝时分，群臣听了李世民这句话，不禁莞尔。
许是因为大唐国势渐强，是岁来京城朝贡之国数量最多。到了岁末之时，就见来京朝贡之人络绎不绝，使者相望于道。
康国这日来使，求见唐俭，转述了康国王的请求。唐俭觉得事体重大，遂入宫求见李世民。是时，李世民正在政事堂和一帮宰臣谈话。
康国即是汉朝康居国，其王姓温，先居于祁连山之北昭武城，后被西突厥所破，迁居于葱岭以北，与波斯国相接壤。康国人虽迁往绝域，依旧以昭武为姓，示不忘本之意。其男子长到二十，即远适他国，行商贾之事，当时有句话叫做“若利之所在，则康国人无所不到”。康国此次来使，中心意思是要回归中土，示归附之意。
李世民明白了康国的来意，问道：“唐卿，康国要求归附，你以为如何处之呢？”
唐俭答道：“我国实现大治，国势兴旺，百姓安居乐业。现在康国要求归顺，亦是天下大治的一种表现。当国势衰败之时，肯定没有他国要求归附。依臣意见，这康国在汉朝之时即是中土之人，似以答应他们为好。”
李世民不置可否，转问其他人道：“你们以为呢？”
温彦博、萧瑀、陈叔达、王珪与唐俭意见相同，他们最近被天下大治所鼓舞，皆说既然有国来附，可以增强大唐的国势，没有理由不答应。
房玄龄、魏征、李靖比较持重。房玄龄说道：“康国要求归附，是一件好事。只是他们远在葱岭，中间又隔有诸国，使者往返一趟需数月之久，不像国内的州县可以就近管理。”
李世民思索了一会儿，开口答道：“不错，玄龄说得对，康国离我们太远了。前代帝王，好招徕绝域之国以图服远之名。其实这样做，无益于自身而糜弊百姓。现在康国若归附，他们若有急难来此求救，唐卿，你会答应他们吗？”
唐俭答道：“既是大唐属国，其若有难来求，按理应该相救。”
“对呀，其有急难，于义不得不救。只是师行万里，将士岂不疲劳？即使一战能胜，康国转危为安，可是大军不能在那里长驻，万一其再有难，大军付出最多的就是耗费在路上的工夫。所以劳百姓而图虚名的事儿，朕不为也。”
“陛下不准康国归附，如此，臣就下去回复来使了。”
李世民微笑道：“人家万里迢迢来京请归，你上来就给人家一个冷面孔，岂不让人心寒？唐卿，你不能如此拒人于千里之外啊。”
唐俭茫然道：“莫非陛下又要答应他们吗？”
“康国来使未到过中土，你可派人领着他们到各处走一走，正好让他们看看天下的繁荣景象。朕不答应他们举国归附，然两国和睦，经常互相走动，那也是好的。”
唐俭答应后离去。
温彦博感叹道：“国势既兴，则四方来朝。现在国内安定，四夷皆服，确实为盛世之状。”
李世民道：“那日魏卿让朕居安思危，不能有些许懈怠。你这样说，即是有懈怠之意。如今国势固然好了一些，然国内人口及镇抚外藩数目，尚未达到隋文帝开皇年间时的水平，我们的头脑还要时刻清醒才是。
“昔汉武求马，终于拓下西域大片疆土。如今呢，国土向西到了阳关即止，其间更有吐谷浑在那里骚扰，再南面的高山雪域上，近来又兴起一个吐蕃国在那里逞强。听唐俭说，向西贩运货物的商贾经常抱怨说通行不便。朕无意动辄兴兵四处征伐，使百姓受累，可那西域之国貌似恭顺，常来朝贡，其内心里总想来中土讨一些便宜。药师兄，如今北境已安，可这西域之事还要费上一番周折的。你知事兵部，须留心西域的动静。”
李靖点头答应，心里暗暗想，莫非皇上动了西域的心思？
房玄龄说道：“皇上所虑极是。那吐谷浑王伏允一直对大唐持强硬态度，这几年见来硬的不行，遂主动要求和亲与互市，可内心里却不是那么回事。听唐俭说，吐谷浑来朝贡之时固然带来些贡物，可其索去的东西倍之。且来人态度蛮横，甚至对索去之物还挑挑拣拣，嘴里胡说八道。更有甚者，他们徒仗地利，往往中途截走从西域来的朝贡之物。”
李世民神色平静，并不恼怒，淡淡说道：“多行不义必自毙！朕对吐谷浑仁至义尽，其若狂妄，则是咎由自取，怨不得别人的。吐谷浑之流，若再向我国挑衅，我必征之。此为正义之战，想天下百姓定会拍手称快。”
魏征说道：“陛下心存百姓，若征战时仍留意百姓的态度，即为仁主。今后若有这些为维持国内安静的征伐之事，臣不会一味反对。”
“对呀，魏卿。你莫非没有发现？朕这些年每定一事，都要事先想一想你们大臣的态度，拿不准的时候还要向你们问讯一遍。朕所以这样做，是想朕所定之事，应该与你们的心意暗合。你若不反对，也就不足为怪了。”
群臣眼望李世民，觉得他所言确是实话。李世民多次说过要君臣一体，看来不是空泛之言，他也是踏踏实实这样做的。