When it comes to the Ministry of War, how should these decommissioned imperial guards be resettled, in your opinion?
Li Shimin then looked at Li Jing.
The memorial did not mention these, so he was unsure of his thoughts.
Your Majesty, the defensive forces on the estate of the Duke of Shenyang County are a good example.
The constables in various prefectures and counties are composed of commoners, and they are always powerless when encountering great thieves or mountain bandits.
Therefore, I believe that these decommissioned imperial guards can be assigned to various prefectures and counties to serve as constables.
Although these men are somewhat inferior on the battlefield, they have after all received training, and are still more capable than temporarily conscripted laborers.
Li Shimin's eyes lit up: Esteemed ministers, what do you think of the Duke of Wei's proposal?
I believe it is feasible!
I second that!
All the officials echoed in unison.
Good! Since that is the case, then this matter shall be handled by the Ministry of War.
Select sites and plan the construction of the Nine Great Protectorates, the Ministry of Works shall cooperate in the construction, and for all administrative matters, the Ministry of Personnel shall select suitable candidates to report, ensuring no mistakes!
Your humble servant, obeys!
Li Jing, Du Yiyang, and Du Ruhui bowed in salutation.
Li Shimin nodded at the three, then looked at the assembled officials and said.
Now that the reform matters are concluded, let us discuss the matter of awarding merits.
The Duke of Shenyang County has this time annexed the three tribes of Xi, Mohe, and Black Water Mohe, adding several prefectures to the Great Tang.
I intend to promote his noble title further, what do you all think?
It is only right!
It is merely a matter of rewarding merits, anyone who opposes this is simply asking for trouble.
My intention is to promote Fang Anzhi to Duke of Shenyang Commandery. If there are no objections, the Ministry of the Chancellery shall draft the imperial decree.
Congratulations to the Duke of Shenyang Commandery!
A group of old and young, straight as a board, offered their congratulations to Fang Er.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Fang Er clasped his hands and retreated to the pillar.
What county duke or commandery duke, I don't care, I'll go back to sleep!
But as soon as he closed his eyes, he heard Li Shimin call his name again.
The court session lasted until one o'clock in the afternoon before concluding.
After the bestowal of honors, Li Shimin proposed the commencement of railway construction.
Previously, it was because they couldn't afford it, but now that Cheng Yaojin and Chai Shao are about to return to court, there will surely be no shortage of war spoils.
Coupled with the silver mines of Japan and the money previously confiscated from aristocratic families, Li Shimin was directly feeling emboldened.
Build it!
After much heated discussion among the ministers.
From Chang'an eastward to Bianzhou.
Then, with Bianzhou as the center, north to Shenyang, south to Yangzhou, and east to Dengzhou.
A cruciform main railway line was thus decided upon.
As for why Chang'an was not chosen as the center, it is simple: at the current level of development, making Chang'an the national railway hub would be too difficult.
Bianzhou, however, is flat in all directions, east, west, south, and north. The biggest difficulty is the Yellow River.
However, compared to carving through mountains, Fang Er felt that building a Yellow River bridge would have a more profound significance.
Therefore, the cruciform main railway line was decided.
After leaving the court, Fang Er did not return to the estate but went directly to Zui Xian Lou.
Zui Xian Lou's business was as bustling as ever, and Zhang Bo was overjoyed to see Fang Er arrive.
My lord!
Zhang Bo, you have worked hard.
Seeing that the white hair on the old man's head had increased, Fang Er pulled him to sit aside.
Zhang Bo, from now on, the business of this establishment will be managed by Brother Cheng's family accountant.
Zhang Bo was startled upon hearing this, and quickly stood up, took two steps back, and clasped his hands in a bow: My lord, have I done something wrong?
Fang Er quickly waved his hand.
It's not that you've done poorly, but you are getting old and deserve to enjoy your retirement.
You don't know yet, but Yue'er is pregnant. From now on, you will stay at the estate and continue as the steward, how about it?
Zhang Bo's eyes immediately turned red upon hearing that Chai Yue was pregnant, and he stammered,
Madam, Madam is with child?
Yes, she is with child!
Fang Er smiled and nodded.
Good! Good! Good! This old servant will make the arrangements and return to the estate with my lord.
Zhang Bo grinned and walked towards the counter.
After a brief conversation with the accountants from the Cheng and Yu Chi families, he then went to the kitchen.
As soon as he left, the accountants from the Cheng and Yu Chi families came to congratulate Fang Er.
Congratulations, Duke, congratulations, Duke!
Thank you, thank you. From now on, I will trouble the two of you to pay close attention to the business of this establishment.
Fang Er returned the courtesy with clasped hands.
The two accountants said in unison. It is our duty, it is our duty.
It was said to be an arrangement, but in reality, there wasn't much to it. Zhang Bo didn't have many responsibilities at Zui Xian Lou.
Soon, he returned from the backyard carrying a small bundle.
Gentlemen, thank you for your trouble. I will be returning to my lord's side now.
After Zhang Bo bid farewell again to the two accountants, Fang Er took him back to Fang Family Village. As soon as they entered the gate, Zhang Bo patted his forehead and asked Fang Er.
My lord, have you reported the good news to Duke Chai's mansion?
Fang Er was taken aback, then shook his head.
My father-in-law is on campaign, so no one was sent to report the good news.
As soon as he finished speaking, he remembered that Chai Zhewei was at home. This was his elder brother-in-law, so he should probably be informed.
Alright, I'll send someone to invite my elder brother-in-law to visit tomorrow.
Zhang Bo nodded happily: Indeed! This old servant will have Qing'er prepare.
After saying that, he walked towards the backyard.
Just then, Chai Yue returned from outside with Xiao Mi, followed by Wangcai.
When did the master return home? Have you eaten?
Seeing Fang Er, Chai Yue asked.
Not yet. I've brought Zhang Bo back. From now on, household chores will be handled by him, so you can rest assured and focus on your pregnancy.
By the way, where did you go for a stroll?
Fang Er reached out, and Wangcai ran over, nudging Chai Yue with his big head.
The master went to court, and Yue'er had nothing to do at home, so she went to the palace to visit her aunt.
Aunt looks like she's about to give birth.
Chai Yue said this with envy, then continued, pulling on Fang Er's arm.
By the way, master, Uncle heard from Sister Ling'er about Sun Lao performing a Caesarean section in Shenyang, and asked you to send Zhang Tian back to Shenyang to fetch True Man Sun.
He said he was worried about any unforeseen circumstances.
This is easy to handle. Xiao Mi, go to the military camp, Zhang Tian should be there, have him fly to Shenyang again.
Having an airplane makes one so willful.
Thank you, master!
Chai Yue smiled sweetly at Fang Er, her face beaming.
What is there to thank? Your aunt is also the master's aunt, isn't she?
Yes!
After Xiao Mi left, the two walked arm-in-arm into the inner courtyard.
Master, the copper coins at home are overflowing.
Chen Xuelian saw Fang Er and said with a worried expression.
Originally, the family's treasury was managed by Xing'er. After she followed Fang Er to Shenyang, it was handed over to Chen Xuelian.
Fang Er: ...
Damn it! Is it that exaggerated?
Come, take me to see.
The three of them arrived at a warehouse in a corner of the backyard.
There were three parallel rooms here, and Chen Xuelian opened them one by one with a key.
The moment the warehouse door opened, the copper coins inside poured out like water with a swish.
Master, the ropes for stringing the coins have probably been bitten by rats again.
Chen Xuelian quickly explained.
Fang Er was speechless.
The family actually has so many copper coins?
I must find a way to spend this!
Spending it is what makes money, leaving it at home just makes it copper coins.
How much is all this?
Reporting to the master, the total copper coins are eight hundred and sixty-three thousand two hundred and seventy-nine guan.
Silver thirty-two thousand taels, and gold eight thousand four hundred taels.
Chen Xuelian recited a string of numbers smoothly without even looking at the ledger.
Well, the maids in the family are all educated and attend classes at the school when they have free time. Fang Er was not surprised by this at all.
Nearly a million guan, what should I do with it?