Chapter 14: Work-for-Relief, Building the Fief

Half an hour later.

Everyone had arrived at Furong Garden and saw that Su Liang had not yet woken up.

Li Shimin went straight to Su Liang's bedroom but did not see Su Liang.

At this moment, Su Liang was still lying in Zhangsun Yue's bedroom.

Then he found Uncle Fu and asked Uncle Fu to wake Su Liang up.

A quarter of an hour later.

Su Liang washed up and came to the main hall.

Seeing Li Shimin, Zhangsun Wuji, Du Ruhui, and Cheng Yaojin sitting there, he asked, "What's the situation? You don't even let people sleep in?"

Du Ruhui spoke first, "Imperial Son-in-Law, there is a severe drought in the north this year, and the people have no food to spend the winter. Currently, there are tens of thousands of refugees outside Changan City, and it is expected that the number of refugees will reach 500,000 in the next half month."

Su Liang said disdainfully, "Just this little thing? And you came to disturb my sleep?"

Li Shimin saw Su Liang's playful attitude and was instantly furious.

He pointed at Su Liang and shouted, "In your eyes, 500,000 refugees is a small thing?"

Su Liang said indifferently, "Yes, it's a small thing."

"Humph!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly and continued, "I ask you, how much food do you have there?"

"Hehe..."

Su Liang chuckled and then said.

"Your Majesty, what does this mean? Is this trying to take advantage of your son-in-law?"

Li Shimin gritted his teeth, "I... I'll buy it, okay!"

Su Liang said without hesitation, "Not for sale!"

Li Shimin, Zhangsun Wuji, and Du Ruhui had black lines on their faces when they heard this.

Cheng Yaojin giggled, "Imperial Son-in-Law, stop teasing His Majesty. I know you have a lot of food. You didn't hoard so much food just to sell it, right?"

He then turned to Li Shimin, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Son-in-Law's food is all with me and Old Qin, one million shi each."

Su Liang was speechless, this Cheng Yaojin...

Li Shimin, Zhangsun Wuji, and Du Ruhui were all unbelievable.

Li Shimin only knew that Su Liang had hoarded food, but didn't know he had hoarded so much.

Two million shi of food, one catty per person per day, enough for 500,000 refugees to eat for sixteen months...

Li Shimin also reacted at this time, and then looked at Su Liang with a gentle tone, "Virtuous son-in-law, do you have other ways?"

"Hehe..."

Su Liang chuckled.

"Your Majesty knows to call me virtuous son-in-law now?"

Li Shimin said depressedly, "Stop teasing me, if you have any good ways, just say it."

Su Liang asked with a smile, "Shouldn't Your Majesty be more concerned about the pension corruption case?"

Li Shimin said, "I have already asked the Duke of Liang and the Duke of Wei to handle this matter, and the Duke of Wei can lead troops if necessary."

Su Liang wondered, "Oh?"

Li Shimin said disdainfully, "Why, do you think I can't handle this well?"

Su Liang was speechless, "I didn't say that."

Li Shimin asked, "Then what does my virtuous son-in-law mean?"

Su Liang said helplessly, "Nothing... just woke up early by you, not happy."

Without waiting for everyone to react.

Su Liang immediately said, "Okay, let's talk about business."

Li Shimin asked, "Can my virtuous son-in-law solve it?"

"Which thing is Your Majesty talking about?" Su Liang asked back.

"Of course it's the arrangement of food and housing for 500,000 refugees." Li Shimin confirmed.

Su Liang said firmly, "Yes!"

Then he said, "Does Your Majesty want me to solve it, or are you asking for my opinion?"

Li Shimin wondered, "What's the difference?"

Su Liang said indifferently, "If you want me to solve it, Your Majesty can go back now."

Without waiting for Li Shimin to speak.

Su Liang continued, "Those who dare to be corrupt now are nothing more than people from the Five Surnames and Seven Clans. Your Majesty should prepare early!"

After Su Liang finished speaking.

Li Shimin couldn't help but ask, "Then what if I ask for your opinion?"

"I don't have all the food here, there is quite a lot on the side of the aristocratic families, and there is even more on the side of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans. Why doesn't Your Majesty go to them?" Su Liang asked back.

Then he continued, "Your Majesty doesn't need to buy it, just find a way to make them donate it willingly!"

Li Shimin said depressedly, "This... this... how could the aristocratic families donate food willingly."

Everyone was also puzzled.

"Alright."

Seeing everyone like this, Su Liang immediately said.

"You think about it slowly, I'll go have breakfast first. I'll have someone prepare some for you in a while."

"If you can't think of it by noon, I'll tell you again. You can also have lunch here, I don't lack a few pairs of chopsticks."

Everyone was speechless.

Half an hour later.

Su Liang had finished breakfast and came over, seeing that everyone hadn't touched the beef and egg porridge sent over, he shook his head helplessly.

This is the person who thinks for the people.

Truly a group of cute people.

Su Liang also forced everyone to finish breakfast.

He went for a stroll himself, and if everyone couldn't think of it by noon, he would tell them.

No way, the thinking style of modern society needs to be slowly adapted to by them.

Su Liang drank tea alone in the back hall.

At this time, Princess Changle ran to Su Liang's side and asked Su Liang to teach her how to play the handpan.

Everyone still couldn't think of it at lunchtime.

Su Liang helplessly told them.

"You can set up a merit stone tablet in front of the Zhu Que Gate and carve all the donation details on it."

"So that the students of the Imperial Academy and the people of Changan can see it."

"The Five Surnames and Seven Clans have always valued their reputation, and they will definitely donate a lot by then."

"After the merit tablet is carved, it can be printed into a book and spread throughout the Great Tang."

Everyone was dumbfounded when they heard this, and then shouted that it was a wonderful plan.

Su Liang saw that everyone was too excited, and immediately said, "The food problem is solved, then how do you solve the housing problem?"

"The imperial court should naturally provide housing for the refugees." Cheng Yaojin said carelessly.

Su Liang asked back, "Early winter is coming, the weather is getting cold, what should we do?"

Zhangsun Wuji said, "The imperial court should provide charcoal for the refugees to keep warm."

Su Liang shook his head slightly and said, "If the refugees are not full, they will definitely be dissatisfied; if they are full, they will have nothing to do. What will happen when they see the big fish and meat in Zhangsun's house?"

Li Shimin blurted out, "Although the refugees will be grateful to the imperial court, they will inevitably complain in their hearts."

Du Ruhui saw this and said, "It is indeed so, if someone incites... this year is relatively special, there are many families of sacrificed soldiers among the refugees..."

Li Shimin immediately looked at Su Liang and asked, "If my virtuous son-in-law handles it, what should be done?"

"Use work for relief! You can also recruit refugees as soldiers!"

Su Liang said slowly, "Using work for relief can not only help refugees return to their jobs and solve their livelihood problems but also facilitate the construction of dams, schools, city walls, and other projects."

"Recruiting refugees as soldiers can supplement the soldiers sacrificed in the Turkic war, provided that Your Majesty properly handles the pension corruption case!"

Everyone listened to Su Liang and shouted that it was wonderful.

Du Ruhui couldn't help but sigh, "The Imperial Son-in-Law is truly a genius of governing the country!"

Zhangsun Wuji laughed, "Hahaha... my virtuous son-in-law's talent is truly peerless in the world!"

Hearing this, Li Shimin had black lines on his face, and laughed secretly in his heart: Hehe, that is also my son-in-law!

"Does Your Majesty handle it yourself, or let my virtuous son-in-law handle it?" Su Liang asked with a smile.

"Haha..."

Li Shimin laughed, then patted Su Liang on the shoulder and said.

"Let my virtuous son-in-law handle it, I will go to raise money and food for you, and you can arrange the follow-up matters, so I can learn."

"Good!" Su Liang agreed.

Then he said, "I will donate 100,000 shi of food, and I won't donate silver."

Cheng Yaojin said, "I will also donate 100,000 shi, and I will also decide for Old Qin to donate 100,000 shi."

Du Ruhui scolded Cheng Yaojin, "The food needed by the imperial court is only 700,000 shi, don't you want the aristocratic families to donate money and food?"

For this reckless Cheng Yaojin, Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji had black lines on their faces.

Su Liang also realized that it seemed to be a bit too much.

A moment later.

Everyone also determined a more suitable amount.

After eating a rich lunch in Furong Garden, they left.

That afternoon.

Su Liang's recruitment notice was posted outside Furong Garden again.

Not only that, most of the city gates in Changan City were posted.

In front of the Zhu Que Gate.

Li Shimin had already asked people to move a giant stone, and only the three characters "Merit Tablet" were carved on the right side of the stone.

Below the left side of the three characters "Merit Tablet" was a line of small characters: "Donation Details for the Northern Drought in the Ninth Month of the Ninth Year of Wude".

On the side, a notice was posted that all donation details would be registered in a book.

It would end in three days, and then it would be engraved on the merit tablet.

At the same time.

Changan City, inside the Cui Mansion.

The patriarchs of the various clans of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans were all here.

Patriarch of the Qinghe Cui clan Cui Li, patriarch of the Boling Cui clan Cui Yuan, patriarch of the Longxi Li clan Li Chong, patriarch of the Zhao Junli clan Li Ji, patriarch of the Fan Yanglu clan Lu Ming, Xingyang Zheng clan Zheng Qian, patriarch of the Taiyuan Wang clan Wang Xing.

Cui Li, who was sitting in the first seat, looked at everyone and said, "Everyone, tell me how much is appropriate to donate."

Zheng Qian said, "His Majesty is doing this to build a good reputation for us, in my opinion, the more the better."

Cui Li asked in confusion, "Oh? What does Patriarch Zheng mean by this?"

Zheng Qian continued, "Have you forgotten how much food Su Liang bought from our Five Surnames and Seven Clans last month?"

Li Chong blurted out, "A full two million shi!"

"So even if we don't donate money and food, the refugees outside Changan City won't starve to death."

Li Ji on the side also suddenly realized.

At this moment, Wang Xing suddenly said, "His Majesty's move should have come from Su Liang. If we still sell food at a high price like in the past, I'm afraid it will cause criticism from the world."

"That's why I said the more the better, such a reputation that will last for generations, how can it be handed over to others!"

Zheng Qian wiped his beard and said happily.

Cui Yuan looked at Zheng Qian and said, "Haha, Patriarch Zheng is right, it should indeed be so!"

"Such a reputation that will be passed down through the ages, our aristocratic families should grasp it." Lu Ming also affirmed with a smile.

At this point, everyone discussed it one after another.

The next morning.

A piece of news shocked Changan City...

The 700,000 shi of food needed by the 500,000 refugees was covered by the Five Surnames and Seven Clans.

A steady stream of food was transported from all over to Changan City.

At this time, in the Ganlu Hall of the Taiji Palace.

Li Shimin and the confidant ministers were stunned when they heard the news, their faces full of disbelief.

The operation of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans made everyone at a loss.

A moment later.

Cheng Yaojin said, "Why not ask the Imperial Son-in-Law?"

Everyone felt it made sense.

Half an hour later.

Everyone had arrived at Furong Garden and saw that Su Liang had not yet woken up.

It was still Uncle Fu who woke Su Liang up.

A quarter of an hour later.

Su Liang washed up and came to the main hall.

Seeing Li Shimin, Zhangsun Wuji, Du Ruhui, and Cheng Yaojin sitting there, what was different from yesterday was that there was one more Wei Zheng today.

Yesterday afternoon, Wei Zheng learned about Su Liang's work-for-relief method from Li Shimin.

Su Liang saw this and immediately asked, "The food problem hasn't been solved?"

Li Shimin laughed, "That's not it, it's that there is too much food!"

Su Liang couldn't help but wonder, "What do you mean?"

Zhangsun Wuji smiled, "Virtuous son-in-law, the 700,000 shi of food needed by the 500,000 refugees was covered by the Five Surnames and Seven Clans."

Su Liang was stunned for a while when he heard this, and couldn't help but sigh that the operation of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans was really showy.

Then he teased, "You were worried when there was no food, why are you at a loss when there is too much food?"

Wei Zheng suddenly said, "Imperial Son-in-Law, I came here this time because I want to hear what high opinions you have on the arrangement of refugees."

Su Liang chuckled, "The old have support, the young have education, the poor have reliance, and the difficult have help."

Wei Zheng was excited when he heard this, "The Imperial Son-in-Law is benevolent, I am ashamed, what should be done according to the Imperial Son-in-Law's words?"

Li Shimin also looked at Su Liang and said, "Virtuous son-in-law, if you have any good ways, say it quickly."

Su Liang then stared at Li Shimin and said, "Confucius said: Therefore, people do not only love their own relatives, and do not only love their own children. So that the old have an end, the strong have use, the young have growth, and the widowed, lonely, disabled, and sick all have support."

"Refugee shelters should be set up in each prefecture and county to arrange for refugees and beggars. Let them have reliance when they are poor and help when they are in difficulty."

"Old-age welfare homes should be set up in each prefecture and county, so that the elderly who cannot end their lives can have support."

"Children's welfare homes should be set up in each prefecture and county, so that homeless children can have education."

"17 years of war, the previous nursing homes and welfare homes were mostly abandoned, it is time to rebuild."

"The era of 'the vermilion gates smell of wine and meat, while there are frozen bones on the road' can be ended in Your Majesty's hands."

At this time, everyone's hot eyes were staring at Su Liang, and they were silent for a long time.

Then they discussed it in Furong Garden, and Su Liang also answered many questions for everyone.

At noon, two uninvited guests came, Su Dingfang and Ma Zhou.

The two were recruited by Li Shimin to serve, and they took office yesterday. Su Dingfang was appointed as the General of Loyalty and Martial Arts, and Ma Zhou was appointed as the Attendant of the Menxia Province.

The two came here today to thank Su Liang.

Seeing that His Majesty and the dukes were also there, they hurriedly saluted.

Su Liang immediately interrupted, "His Majesty has an order, no need to salute in Furong Garden, you two sit down too."

Li Shimin saw this and teased, "Are you two here specifically to thank Su Liang?"

Su Dingfang said, "Replying to Your Majesty, we are indeed here to thank the Imperial Son-in-Law, but we happened to meet on the way."

Ma Zhou said, "Replying to Your Majesty, I am too."

Li Shimin saw that the two had not yet taken their seats and immediately said, "Alright, you two hurry up and take your seats, no need to be polite in this Furong Garden."

After the two took their seats, Su Liang also asked someone to bring tea.

Not long after, Li Shimin looked at Ma Zhou and said, "The Imperial Son-in-Law says you have the talent of a prime minister, tell me how to arrange the refugees now."

Ma Zhou blurted out, "Now that the food problem has been solved, Your Majesty can make use of the refugees."

Li Shimin was interested when he heard this, it tasted a bit like work-for-relief, so he signaled Ma Zhou to continue.

Ma Zhou continued, "The curved plow invented by the Imperial Son-in-Law can be pulled without manpower. Your Majesty can let the Ministry of Works build more curved plows to reclaim wasteland. It is almost early winter, and the reclaimed wasteland can be sown next spring."

"Anything else?" Li Shimin asked.

Ma Zhou said, "You can recruit refugees as soldiers, which can not only supplement soldiers but also relieve the pressure brought by refugees. The salary of soldiers is enough to maintain the life of a family of five. It's just..."

Li Shimin frowned and asked, "Just what, just say it."

Ma Zhou said, "It's just that Your Majesty needs to handle the pension corruption case first."

Li Shimin said coldly, "Those moths in the imperial court, I will clean them up myself."

Li Shimin liked Ma Zhou more and more, then looked at Su Dingfang and asked.

"General Su, tell me when to attack the Turks, and when should we attack?"

Su Dingfang said, "We should attack before next spring. At that time, the grass in the Mobei grassland has not yet grown, and the horses are relatively thin. Now that the Eastern Turks have only 200,000 troops left, 60,000 cavalry will be enough; if there is a blizzard in the north this year, cattle, sheep, and horses will definitely freeze and starve to death, so we should take the opportunity to go north."

"60,000 cavalry can be divided into three routes, attacking from Lingzhou, Shuozhou, and Youzhou respectively. The Shuozhou direction should lead troops to surprise Dingxiang, and the Lingzhou and Youzhou directions can form a pincer movement."

"Haha... Good!"

Li Shimin laughed loudly. The preliminary plan coincided with his own, and he truly had the talent of a great general.

Then he looked at Su Liang and asked, "What does my virtuous son-in-law think?"

Su Liang spat out a word slowly, "Good!"

Then everyone continued to discuss the arrangement of refugees.

Two days later, early morning.

Inside the back hall of the inner courtyard of Furong Garden.

Su Liang had just finished breakfast and was practicing musical instruments with Princess Changle.

Uncle Fu came over and said, "Young Master, the Wang Xuance you are looking for has arrived, and he is in the main hall now."

A moment later.

Su Liang came to the main hall and saw a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy sitting on the side.

Su Liang couldn't help but wonder, "Are you Wang Xuance from Luoyang?"

Wang Xuance got up and bowed respectfully, "Commoner Wang Xuance has met His Highness the Prince of Chu."

"Alright..." Su Liang interrupted hurriedly.

"No need to salute, just call me Young Master from now on. What can you do?"

Wang Xuance saw that Su Liang was so approachable, thought about it seriously, and then replied, "I have some literary talent, know some martial arts, and am good at riding and shooting."

Su Liang saw that he was so humble, thinking that he was definitely the Wang Xuance who destroyed a country alone.

Then he asked, "Are you willing to follow me?"

Wang Xuance said without hesitation, "I am willing!"

Time passed slowly...

The ninth year of Wude, October.

On the south side of Su Liang's Taoyuan Villa.

With the efforts of hundreds of thousands of people, a city was quietly built, which was spectacular.

This city was named Taoyuan, twenty miles long and twenty miles wide.

The city walls had three gates on each side, totaling twelve gates.

There were thirty-six workshops in the city, and the middle four workshops were the Taoyuan Academy.

The academy had an agricultural college, an engineering college, a business college, and a medical college.

There were two workshops on the east and west sides of the academy, the east market on the east side and the west market on the west side.

The two workshops on the north side of the academy were brothels, and the two workshops on the south side were used for city office work.

There were two workshops on the north and south of the east and west markets, totaling four workshops, and four large parks were built.

One workshop in the southeast corner of the city was a large medical center, one workshop in the northeast corner was an old-age welfare home, one workshop in the southwest corner was a refugee shelter, and one workshop in the northwest corner was a children's welfare home.

The remaining sixteen workshops in the east, west, north, and south of the city were residential areas.

Each workshop could accommodate 10,000 households, each household averaged two hundred square meters, designed according to the style of modern courtyard houses, with blue bricks, green tiles, and white walls, and some places were added with stone, wood, steel bars, cement, and yellow sand.

Each household in the city was equipped with a heated brick bed, and there were drainage facilities on the streets.

There were seventy-two villages around the city, which were also the locations of Su Liang's workshops.

The thirty-six workshops in the city were named after the thirty-six Tiangang.

The seventy-two villages outside the city were named after the seventy-two Disha.

After two months of construction, all facilities were completed.

For the seventy-two villages outside the city, you only need to work for Su Liang for one year to have your own house, each household is about one hundred square meters.

Or buy it, each square meter only costs three hundred wen.

The residential area of the sixteen workshops in the city was all used for sale, with different house sizes and different prices.

The cheaper ones were priced at one thousand wen per square meter, and the most expensive ones were ten thousand wen per square meter.

The smallest courtyard house was one hundred square meters, and the largest courtyard house was one thousand square meters.

Su Liang also kept ten thousand sets for himself.

At the same time, with Li Shimin's permission, the city was equipped with a security guard team, totaling 3,600 people, all in white clothes and white robes, which Su Liang named the White Robe Guard.

The 3,600 people were divided into thirty-six teams, each with one hundred people, with one guard captain and two deputy guard captains, totaling one hundred and eight generals, all selected from Su Liang's fellow villagers in Jiangning.

Only these people who knew the roots and the bottom could Su Liang use them with confidence.

Similarly, the thirty-six guard captains were named after the thirty-six Tiangang, and the seventy-two deputy guard captains were named after Disha.

The White Robe Guard not only had to be responsible for the security in the city but also had to be responsible for the safety of the workshops in the seventy-two villages outside the city.

At this point.

Su Liang's Taoyuan Villa was also completed.

Taoyuan Villa was built against the mountain, covering an area of three hundred mu, with 108 rooms of various sizes.

The villa was transplanted with many exotic flowers and plants, and there were many rare trees. ===== CHAPTER 15 =====