Tibet

Strength is the best explanation for status. After the First World War in Jiangxia, there was movement in the prefectures and counties around Dongting Lake and along the Xiangjiang River. State and county officials from all over the country came in groups to Hanyang to meet Lu King Li Ye, just like they did before It’s the same as forming a team to meet Yongwang Li Lin.

For seven or eight days, Li Ye was meeting with officials. Although he was very fed up, he still had to cheer up to meet with these officials. He also knew that these officials were dependent on the strong, not on himself, but this was the law of officialdom. , Li Ye doesn't care, as long as these officials deliver taxes, money and food on time, it is enough.

This morning, he was meeting with the governor and chief historian of Chenzhou. Chenzhou is located close to Lingnan and is very remote. However, Chenzhou has good things. It has one of the three major silver pits in the Tang Dynasty, Guiyang Silver Pit, with an annual output of dozens of silver Wanliang, there are also copper mines, the output is not small.

The governor's surname was Jiang and he was a Jinshi in the 20th year of Kaiyuan. He told Li Ye that he had set out ten days ago and did not arrive in Hanyang until today.

Jiang Governor and Han Changshi repeatedly invited Li Ye to inspect Chenzhou. Of course, Li Ye understood their intention, which was to let him solve the problem on the spot.

"Is there no river in Chenzhou to connect with the outside world?" Li Ye asked with a smile.

“There is a river!”

Governor Chiang hurriedly said: "The Chenshui River flows through most of Chenzhou and finally flows into the Xiangjiang River. But the problem is that there is a section of the Chenshui River that is unnavigable. It was three hundred miles long at the longest. Successive governments have successively cleared it, and now there is about fifty miles left. There is no navigation left or right.”

"Why is it impassable? Is it the difference in the river water in the mountainous area?"

The two shook their heads, "It's not the problem of the height of the river, but that the water in Chenshui is generally too shallow. The river is full of huge rocks, and even bamboo rafts can't walk on it. The previous section has been rectified and can be used for boating, but the last section must be If we can carry people on our shoulders and clear this last section of the river, we can at least use boats to transport various supplies out and in."

"Then why didn't the government organize the people to clear and remove the huge rocks in the last section of the river? Wouldn't the river be completely dredged?"

Jiang Governor sighed and said: "During the Kaiyuan period, Chenzhou's prefecture and county officials organized tens of thousands of people to dredge the river. It took three years to clear most of the huge rocks. However, in the second year of Tianbao, a flash flood broke out and we had to move again. The removed boulders washed back into the river. To the government, three years of work was considered in vain, but the people thought it was God's will. God did not allow them to move the stones. Later, we organized manpower, but no one was willing to do it. It’s impossible to organize the people at all. If they are forced to do so, fighting will break out between the government and the people, and lives will be lost.”

Li Ye smiled and said: "Since the people are unwilling to carry stones anymore, what can I do? I can't let my army clean up the river for you!"

"no no!"

Governor Jiang quickly waved his hand, "I dare not trouble Your Highness. In fact, civilians can collect. The key is to give money and food. We need to raise a large amount of money and food. But our government can hardly even pay salaries. Where can we raise money and food?"

Only then did Li Ye realize that they actually came to ask him for money and food. Li Ye smiled slightly and said, "Chenzhou is a place where silver is produced. Is there still no money?"

"Your Highness doesn't understand! If we open a mine without the approval of the court, our official title will be over. Besides, even if we open a mine, we need capital, and we can't even come up with the capital."

Li Ye nodded, he thought for a moment and said: "Let's do it! We will pay for the mining in the name of Jianghan Jiedu Mansion, and you will be responsible for mining the mine, mainly mining the silver ore, and smelting it on site in Chenzhou. I will arrange the smelting craftsmen. In the end, we got three to seven cents of the coarse silver, the local government got three points, and the Jiedu government got seven points.

Then I use money and grain to buy your crude silver, so that you have money and grain in your hands, and start cleaning up the river. We must open up water transportation. This is your greatest political achievement. "

"Your Highness, can you advance us part of the money? Cleaning up the river can't be delayed any longer." The two officials begged cautiously.

"Okay, I'll advance you 20,000 guan of money and 10,000 shi of grain first, but I'll tell you the truth first. I'll send someone to check the accounts."

The two officials were overjoyed and stood up together to thank Jiedushi for his full support.

The two officials said goodbye and left. Li Ye shook his head. He understood the difficulties of these officials. They were guarding the treasure mountain but did not dare to move. More importantly, even if there were mines, they would not be able to exchange for the food and supplies they needed.

It is just a matter of cleaning up dozens of miles of riverbed, but it has been delayed for nearly a hundred years and still cannot be managed.

At this time, the soldiers reported at the door, "Your Highness, the military advisor is here. I need to see you for something urgent!"

"Invite him in!"

After a while, Li Mi walked in. He went back to Xiangyang a few days ago to learn about the situation in Xiangyang, and returned to Hanyang yesterday.

"Your Highness, are the receptions by the officials finished?" Li Mi walked in and said with a smile.

Li Ye smiled bitterly and said: "Finally, there are Daozhou and Lianzhou. We will meet together tomorrow and it will be over!"

"Your Highness, there is something important. Ji Guangchen sent his second son to see His Highness. He has a letter that he wants to hand over to Your Highness."

Li Ye was startled. Ji Guangchen sent his son to see him. Why?

Li Mi saw his lord's doubts and smiled: "Liu Julin has completely surrendered to His Highness, let alone Ji Guangchen?"

Li Ye nodded, "Where is he? Tell him to come see me!"

After a while, Ji Chunzhi was brought into the inner hall. He bowed and saluted, "Ji Chunzhi, a humble citizen, comes to see His Highness King Lu!"

"Did your father give me a letter?"

Ji Chunzhi took out the letter from his arms and presented it to Li Ye. Li Ye took the letter and asked with a smile: "I heard that your father has been appointed as the governor of Hongzhou? Is he planning to go east with King Yong?"

Ji Chunzhi said solemnly: "My father's departure or stay depends on His Highness's thoughts."

This sentence was a reasonable answer. Li Ye opened the letter and took a closer look. He was really shocked. Li Lin planned to transport seven million kilograms of crude copper and five hundred thousand taels of crude silver away. Is there so much?

After reading the letter, Li Ye smiled and said, "Does your father still have a message for me?"

Ji Chunzhi shook his head, "Everything my father wants to say is in the letter."

Li Ye smiled slightly and said: "Go back and tell your father that Li Ye is deeply honored to have his help!"

Ji Chunzhi bowed excitedly, "I will go back and report to my father right now."

"Take a day off! Let's go back tomorrow."

"Young man, you can rest on the road, or you should leave today. Thank you for meeting me, Your Highness!"

Ji Chunzhi saluted again and again, said goodbye and left.

Li Ye handed Ji Guangchen's letter to Li Mi, "It's really surprising that there are so many copper ingots in Yuzhang County!"

Li Mi read the letter and smiled and said: "These mineral products are actually the wealth of the powerful. They are not owned by the imperial court. They are hoarded. This is the usual behavior of the powerful. It is not surprising at all. As a result, they were all confiscated by Li Lin. It should be arranged by the Supreme Emperor." Yes, I guess Li Lin planned to mint money for military salary, but before he could implement it, Ji Guangchen actually told His Highness such important information, this should be his certificate of surrender!"

Li Ye nodded and said with a smile: "Talents are rare, I accept this certificate of nomination!"