Just as Prime Minister Cao Yi expected, the fourth prince Li Xiao could only move without moving, and his movement was like a thunder strike. If Xu Wei's dumplings can only be regarded as appetizers, then what Li Xiao presented now was like a thunderbolt, striking

Hit Yongle Emperor Li Jia on the forehead.

Before he finished reading the book, Li Jia coughed violently. When he took away the handkerchief covering his mouth, shocking red blood was splashed on the white snow. Li Jia calmly put the handkerchief into his sleeve and continued

After reading the excerpt, he turned to look at his fourth son, Li Xiao, who was sitting on the side.

I have a total of twelve sons, the eldest and fourth are the most talented. As the eldest son, the eldest regards himself as the natural heir and is always public. The fourth seems to be docile, but in fact he is very independent in his heart. Although the two of them are

In front of him, he was like a lamb, but in private, he fought fiercely. The other sons knew that they could not compete with the two, so they also divided into two groups, as did the ministers in the court. The eldest son occupied the status of the eldest son.

, but he has an advantage in the court, but the fourth child has always been scheming and even more unpredictable than the boss. Just like this time, there was a thunder in the silent place. I thought it was just a disciple doing evil under the banner of the boss, but in the blink of an eye,

After a while, the boss ordered his disciples to smuggle weapons, fine iron, and table salt into Mengdi. This was already a taboo against the imperial court.

After reading these excerpts and confessions, Li Jia has believed 70% to 80% of them. Needless to say Suo Wenhai’s confession, Feng Congyi’s letter is also a powerful testimony. Feng Congyi has been stationed in the border town of Lucheng for decades.

Even though he had white hair, Li Jia still knew about this person. A search forum was set up in Lucheng, and countless people competed for this place that they usually wouldn't even look at. Li Jia followed suit and transferred this veteran back and let him rest for a while.

Time, and then transferred to the court for reuse. This person's understanding of the border town and his character are absolutely impossible to lie.

Gong E walked up gently and placed the warm bird's nest on the desk in front of Li Jia. Just as she was about to exit, Li Jia pointed at Li Xiao and said, "Bring a cup to the fourth child too."

Li Xiao quickly stood up and said, "Thank you very much, Father."

Li Jia nodded, "Sit down!"

"The Ministry of Household Affairs' finances are tight this year and the national treasury is empty. Do you have any ideas?" Li Jia did not ask about the case in hand, but changed the subject.

Li Xiao's heart tightened and he said in a low voice: "I have failed to fulfill my father's trust. The fiscal revenue of the Household Department this year has dropped again compared to last year. My son is in charge of the Household Department and it is difficult to escape his responsibility. I ask my father to punish me."

Li Jia waved his hand, "I also know your difficulties. The southern part of the empire has been flooded this year. There have been several floods in the first half of the year. A spring news has left the entire Binzhou with almost no harvest, and Huzhou,

Ezhou has also suffered a massive reduction in production. It is the granary of the empire. Now, not only is there no food to export, but disaster relief has to be provided. However, in the eastern part of the empire, there has been drought for several months, with no rain falling, the land drying out, and the rivers drying up.

Even people's drinking water has become a problem. Since last year, the whole country has been experiencing one major incident after another, and the country's situation has become increasingly difficult."

Li Xiaodao: "Father, you don't have to worry about this. Although there are floods in the south and drought in the east, Prime Minister Cao has dealt with it well. Now the replanting in Binzhou has been completed. In autumn, although there is no hope of a good harvest, there can still be a harvest.

In the eastern part of the empire, a large amount of money has also been allocated to order local officials to organize craftsmen to dig deep wells. It has been several months now, and some results should be achieved. The Ministry of Revenue has also allocated food funds to provide relief to the affected states, and everything is going smoothly.

It’s all in an orderly manner, and everything will be fine in the second half of the year.”

Li Jia nodded, "Well, I can rest assured that you are practical in doing things. In this regard, you are better than the boss."

"Thank you for the compliment, father. This is a matter that belongs to my son." Li Xiao was secretly happy.

"Although the central government of the imperial court has tried its best to provide disaster relief, it is difficult to say how many of them can be implemented. In the past few days, we have received news from the south, saying that the evil cult White Lotus has frequent activities, gathering people to set up altars, and bewitching people.

Although local governments are trying their best to suppress people's hearts, they are still rising one after another, which is really worrying. These cults are the most capable of deceiving people's hearts and gathering people to cause chaos. If you are not careful, a spark can start a prairie fire!"

"Father, there is no need to worry. Although the south and other places were hit by disasters, the imperial court rescued effectively, the people had food and clothing, and there was hope for the future. Who would follow these bandits to cause trouble? Even if they have minor illnesses, they will be cured in the blink of an eye.

calm."

"Well, having said that, I'm still worried!" Li Jia put the bird's nest on the table and said, "I think so. How about you, go and inspect the disaster-stricken states in the south for me?

On the hunt for the sky, the second thing is to inspect the local officials. Look at those who are competent and those who are derelict in their duties. There is no need to be polite to those who are sitting on the ground and have to suppress them severely. Like Binzhou, this time there is a spring news

Let the river burst its banks. If you say there is no fault in this, I will never believe it." Li Jia patted the table and said.

Li Xiao suddenly fell into silence. His father's intention was very clear. He did not want to pursue his eldest brother's smuggling of arms, but wanted to cover it up. In order to do this, he even had to be arrested.

He was driven out of the capital. I must have thought that by the time he came back from the south, all possible evidence would have been wiped out, and he would no longer be able to catch the fox by the tail of his elder brother.

In exchange for his agreement on this point, his father generously gave himself a Shangfang sword, which allowed him to inspect, appoint and remove officials from several states on patrol. This did not mean that he gave himself an opportunity to install cronies in the local area.

, places like Binzhou, Ezhou, Huzhou and other places have always been prosperous and known as the granary of the empire. By holding these places, you will have a strong local support.

Whether to stay in the capital and pursue his eldest brother fiercely, or to go to the local area to cultivate cronies, Li Xiao suddenly fell into a dilemma. He couldn't let go of either. The eldest brother's handle was not that easy to catch. It was not easy to catch him once, so he gave up like this.

I'm so unwilling.

But staying in the capital is risky. It is possible to bring down the eldest brother in one fell swoop, but it will make the father very unhappy. Now the father obviously does not want the family scandal to be exposed. After weighing the pros and cons, Li Xiao

Finally made a decision.

"My son, I will obey my father's order. After I return, I will make preparations and strive to go south as soon as possible to inspect the south on my father's behalf," Li Xiao said.

"Well, very good!" Although Li Jia knew what decision Li Xiao would make, he was a little surprised that the fourth child made his decision so quickly.

"After you come back from the south, you can take over the Ministry of Works. Your eldest brother is in charge of the Ministry of War, which is enough for him." Li Jia said slowly and calmly.

"Yes!" Li Xiaodao said that when he came back from the south, all the things related to this arms smuggling in the Ministry of Industry must have been cleaned up. His father handed the Ministry of Industry to him, which was also a warning to his elder brother.

He was the source of smuggling these things, but the eldest brother also controlled the most critical military department. In this battle, he only won a small victory.

At this point, Li Jia seemed to no longer want to talk about official matters. The topic changed and he asked about Li Xiao's family affairs.

"Fourth brother, you are already twenty-eight this year, but you only have two daughters. You still have to work harder. Look at your eldest brother, second brother, and third brother, and they all have several sons." Li Jiadao.

"Thank you for your concern, Father."

"Xinmei is not a jealous person. As a prince, you don't even accept a concubine. It will make people gossip. Even Xinmei is not a good person. You might as well accept a few more concubines. That way

Once the children are prosperous, it will be a good thing for me in Vietnam!"

"Yes!" Li Xiao nodded. "Father, if there are no other instructions, I will resign now. I am afraid it will take several months to go to the south. I have to go to the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Punishments."

Make some arrangements to avoid any trouble."

"Well, let's go!" Li Jia nodded and said, "Hurry up, go early, come back early, don't delay returning to Beijing to celebrate the New Year."

"My son will definitely come back."

"Oh, by the way, all the criminals related to the Yunjia Village massacre case should be handed over to Sun Ang!" Seeing Li Xiao about to leave, Li Jia seemed to remember the main reason why Li Xiao came to the palace today.

He ordered casually.

"I obey your order!" Li Xiao kowtowed, stood up, and excused himself.

Watching Li Xiao leave, Li Jia sighed heavily, "Here comes someone!"

"Your Majesty!" a father-in-law responded.
Chapter completed!