While Li Jia was busy governing the country, the Song Dynasty in the north was also busy.

In the second year of Jianlong (AD 961), the summer harvest arrived unknowingly in the midst of busy work.

Inside and outside Bianjing City, there seems to be no difference from previous years. The official family has changed, but it has little relationship with the people.

Of course, those who bully orphans and widowed mothers are likely to attract criticism. However, this change of dynasty did not cause much damage to the city of Tokyo. There were not many deaths and not many plunders.

It has been almost two years, and everyone has gained some recognition of the Song Dynasty. After all, all rebellions have been eliminated, and there is no need to live in fear.

Summer grain was put into storage and put on the market, so the streets were bustling, but it still couldn't cover up the various problems that were increasingly exposed in the Song Dynasty...

The population is too small, the territory is too small, and the army is too large.

Half of the good Huainan granaries were destroyed again. The imperial court had been fighting for a year and could not make ends meet. It also needed rewards from the generals. The imperial treasury was extremely tight.

Even though summer grain is on the market, grain prices have only dropped a little and are still several percent higher than the same period last year. The ragged civilians can only complain while buying grain and continue to struggle hard for tomorrow's survival.

On the second floor of a restaurant, a commoner servant suddenly came down. He hurried to the nearest grain store. He couldn't wait in line for a while, so he asked the person who had just bought grain: "How much does the grain cost per bucket?"

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"Hey, now, even though the summer grain has been harvested, each bushel of wheat still costs one hundred and twenty yuan. How can we, the common people, survive?" The man who bought the grain sighed.

The servant rushed upstairs and said: "Now we need one hundred and twenty money for each dou of food!"

"One hundred and twenty dollars? It's still too expensive!" The big man had a dark complexion, a broad face and a strong body. Although he was wearing a robe, he looked particularly awkward.

"Officials, in the current city of Tokyo, there are as many as 200,000 forbidden troops. Including their families, there are at least 500,000. Plus civilians, etc., there are one million people in Bianliang, Tokyo, which is enough for one day.

The grain and grass are extremely huge!" When Zhao Pu heard this, he couldn't help but sigh:

"There are so many soldiers. The real elite soldiers are only tens of thousands. The rest are mediocre soldiers and rotten soldiers. Dismantling them can alleviate the shortage of the treasury!"

"Exactly like this, hundreds of thousands of forbidden troops have gathered in Bianliang. How can the price of food in Tokyo be reduced? The scorched earth in Huainan will not recover until several years ago!"

Zhao Kuangyin was also speechless. The imperial court was so poor that it was reluctant to set off more fireworks during the New Year. With food prices so high, how could it win back the hearts of the people!

"However, if the imperial army is abolished like King Sejong did, the feudal vassals all over the world will be ready to move again, and it will be even harder to lower the price of food!"

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. To wipe out Li Jun and Li Chongjin will attract the attention of the whole world and the court will be shocked. Who dare not be convinced?" Zhao Pu said in a deep voice.

"In the decades since the end of the Tang Dynasty, the emperors have changed their eight surnames. Fighting has continued and people have died. What is the reason? I want to stop the fighting and make the country long-term and stable. Qing's family has learned a lot from ancient times to the present. I don't know what good strategy is there?" Zhao Kuangyin looked solemn.

asked.

In this restaurant, Zhao Pu couldn't help but fell into deep thought when he heard such a question. However, he did not let the emperor wait for too long, and said directly with bright eyes:

"Your Majesty mentioned this, it is the blessing of heaven, earth, humans and gods. In fact, there is no other reason. It is just that Fang Zhen has too much power, and the king is weak and his ministers are strong. Now if we want to rule it and make the world peaceful, we can only seize the power of Fang Zhen and control its money and food.

Recruit their elite soldiers, and the world will be at peace."

"When the time comes, if we collect the grain from the feudal town, why worry about the price of grain in the capital not falling? If we collect the elite soldiers from the feudal town, why worry about the local instability?"

Zhao Kuangyin's face turned red and he said repeatedly: "You don't need to say any more, I already understand everything!"

"The affairs of the vassal town can affect the whole body, so you must plan it carefully!"

Zhao Pu suddenly had something in his mind, knowing that the emperor had a plan in mind, and he was instantly calm. However, he suddenly looked out the window and remained silent for a long time.

Zhao Kuangyin was curious and looked around.

I saw several arrogant Imperial Guards walking on the street astride their horses with swords in hand. Various stalls were also destroyed, disturbing and frightening many people. The street was in a mess for a while.

"I am in the Privy Council, and I have always known that the Imperial Guards are unruly, but I never thought that in broad daylight, they would have no law and bully the people, which can be described as extremely arrogant!"

"We will have someone control it!" Zhao Kuangyin's face turned darker.

"Your Majesty's imperial edict was only a temporary fear to the Imperial Guard, but after a few days, it was as good as before!"

Zhao Pu shook his head and said softly.

Zhao Kuangyin always felt that there was something in these words, and he was confused and said directly:

"Why should the Prime Minister hide something behind his words? We have known each other for many years and we know everything!"

"The imperial army controlled by your Majesty only restricts the generals. Many generals have great achievements in their own right and are extremely unruly to the outside world. Even I, the prime minister, don't take it seriously. I say that all the officials and families belong to me.

Brother, why do you, a weak scholar, care about me?"

"This..." When Zhao Kuangyin heard this, he felt fear in his heart and continued to listen.

"Since the Five Dynasties, unruly soldiers have been the norm. In just a few decades, the throne has changed hands several times. Your Majesty must be on guard!"

"They are all my brothers, and they are all loyal!" Zhao Kuangyin said insincerely, a bit falsely.

Zhao Pu seized the opportunity and said: "I am not worried that they will betray Your Majesty, but if their subordinates are greedy for wealth and honor, if there are evildoers supporting them, can they be independent?"

These words actually reminded Zhao Kuangyin to remember the history of the Chenqiao Mutiny and to avoid the recurrence of similar incidents.

"That's it for today!" Zhao Kuangyin looked uncertain and turned around to leave.

Zhao Pu pinched his beard and smiled, obviously the emperor listened.

The ninth day of July.

In the late dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin left Shi Shouxin and other senior generals of the Forbidden Army to drink. When the wine was in full swing, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly dismissed his attendants.

He took a sip of wine, then sighed again, voicing his difficulties, and said with explosive acting skills: "If it weren't for your efforts, I wouldn't be able to reach this position. For this reason, I have always thought of your merits from the bottom of my heart.

However, when life is too difficult, it is better to practice festivals to make me happy. I dare not sleep peacefully all night!"

Shi Shouxin and others were horrified and hurriedly asked why, and they all bowed down. They thought that the emperor's acting skills broke out last year when he wore the yellow robe, and now that he is here again, something big might happen.

Zhao Kuangyin was very satisfied with the effect and continued: "It is not difficult to know, who doesn't want me as emperor?"
Chapter completed!