Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

February in the north is still cold and windy, and there was a light snowfall not long ago. In the fields that should be quiet, you will see some people stumbling from time to time.

They dug through the snow on the ground, looking for the few plant roots.

Especially people who live near the mountains start going into the mountains early to look for everything they can eat.

This is the current situation in Goguryeo. The people are hungry, cold and homeless. The war has spread to the entire Goguryeo.

There is no pure land in the country, and there is a shortage of food to catch young men. Some people dare not go too far to collect firewood and suffer the cold because they are afraid of catching young men.

The fundamental reason for the current situation is all because of Li Shen. He persuaded the King of Treasures to become independent and rule across the river from Yeongae Suwen.

He purchased millions of stones of grain from Goguryeo and spread false news that grain was coming from the Tang Dynasty. As a result, the people now have no grain in their hands.

He sent people to secretly burn the granaries of King Bobo and Yeon Gaesooun, causing Yeongaesoun and King Bobo to rob the people of their unharvested grain. He also sent people to burn many fields.

He sent people to persuade the people to rebel. Goguryeo rebels rose up everywhere.

It can be said that the current situation in Goguryeo was caused by Li Shen.

And today, the shadow of Li Shen appeared again in the area of ​​both Treasure King and Yeon Gaesumun.

"Have everything been arranged?" Cai Rong asked.

"Go back to the shopkeeper, everything has been arranged, and ten carts of food have been sent to their military camp. They will keep us safe."

"That's good."

As an official of Honglu Temple, Cai Rong was the one who collected grain during the last operation. When Chen Dade returned to Chang'an, he left all the personnel from the previous operation at the border military camp.

He intended to cooperate with Li Shen's actions, but he didn't expect to wait three months before taking action.

It was he who collected the grain last time, and it is he who sells it this time.

They hired a thousand garrison troops from Liaodong City to protect them when they came to various cities.

"Open the door and prepare to sell grain." Cai Rong ordered.

It's still the same rice shop as before, but now there's a sign selling grain in front of the door.

There are several Goguryeo characters clearly written on it: "Selling grain, one hundred coins per dou."

Soon it attracted crowds of people.

"There is food, there is food."

"A hundred coins a dou!!!"

"What's a hundred coins a dou?"

"too expensive."

There was a lot of chatter around, saying it was too expensive.

"Everyone, it's not that we sell it expensively. You also know that there is no surplus grain in the country now. We transported these from Datang.

The cost of transportation in winter is too high, and we also need to hire escorts, so this is already the cost price. "Cai Rong said to the crowd.

"Shopkeeper, you originally collected our grain for twenty cents per dou, but now you sell it to us for one hundred cents per dou. This is a bit of a robbery." said a man who seemed to be a scholar.

"It's not that we are taking advantage of the situation, it's because the transportation costs are too high. And we are the only ones who can transport food from the distant Tang Dynasty.

Coupled with the up and down management, you should know whose territory this is now. All aspects must be cleared. "Cai Rong continued to explain.

"Hey, I'll give you a fight." Finally someone in the crowd stood up. If he didn't buy it, he might not have the chance to buy it in the future.

Two buckets of rice was enough to feed their family for several days. They haven't had food for a long time.

"I'll fight with you, too."

"I'll give you five buckets."

"Can I get ten buckets cheaper?"

Many people suddenly realized a problem. No matter how expensive it was, they still had to eat, and it might be gone soon.

Everyone started to grab it like crazy. Fortunately, there was no food placed at the door.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have been robbed by these people.

The news spread quickly, and in the afternoon people from villages outside the city came to the city to buy food.

The next day, people who were a little further away also got the news and rushed to the city.

Such scenes were staged in all cities throughout Goguryeo. Of course, except for the domestic city and Pyongyang. Because this is the capital of King Hobo and Yeon Gaesumun.

Li Shen had ordered not to sell grain to the two of them.

And they didn't dare to rob them. They knew that these people selling grain were subordinates of the prince of Tang Dynasty. Now Goguryeo was in a state of crisis. If Tang Dynasty was angered and the army pressed on, Goguryeo might be doomed.

Not only cannot it be robbed, but it must also be protected, and Datang cannot be given any excuse to send troops.

"Your Majesty, I found out that these people are the same people who collected the grain in the first place. And their price has increased five times compared to the price of the grain when they purchased it. Now one hundred coins per dou of rice."

"A hundred coins and a dou of rice?" The Treasure King was extremely surprised. This Tang Dynasty prince had such a big appetite. He was even more ruthless than they were in robbing the people for their wealth.

This is to scrape down two layers of Goguryeo and dig three feet into the ground.

"Do we still have enough food?" Treasure King asked.

"Please tell me, Your Majesty, that we have plenty of food. There is no problem in maintaining the needs of our soldiers. However, it may not be enough if we go into battle."

Now I can only eat half full. If I want to fight, I have to eat full. Otherwise, how can I fight?

"Go and get in touch and see if you can sell me some grain at a cheaper price. A hundred cents per dou is too expensive." The Treasure King thought for a while and said.

The person who reported "Yes" went down.

Not only the Treasure King's side, but also Yeon Gaesumun's side was the same, except that he directly recruited an envoy.

Just like staying at the Goguryeo Embassy, ​​Chen Dade also left some members of the mission behind when he left, mainly to check the situation and report to the country in a timely manner.

"I've met the king," Lu Wenxuan said politely. He was the head of the Tang Dynasty envoy.

Now Yeon Gaesowun has become the king, otherwise how could he command the whole country, and this is what he has always dreamed of.

"May I ask Lu Gong, why is your country now selling grain in various cities? And the price is so high." Yuengai Suwen asked.

"I don't know about this Lu either. I only know that it was done by the caravan of His Highness Prince Ji, the Prince of the Tang Dynasty." Lu Wenxuan replied calmly.

"Come here, bring it up." Seeing Lu Wenxuan's appearance, Yeon Gaesumun said to the outside.

I saw the eunuch bringing in a box, and Yeon Gaesumun opened it. There were four large pearls inside, which were pure, flawless, round and delicate. The four pearls showed a perfect prototype and exuded a soft luster.

Good thing, this was Lu Wenxuan’s first thought.

"Gong Lu, I spent a lot of money to buy these four pearls. Gong Lu and I hit it off right away, so I will give them to Gong Lu today."

Lu Wenxuan took the box and accepted it without any hesitation.

"Since the king gave such a precious gift to XX, then XX accepted it. The king and I also cherish each other." Lu Wenxuan said implicitly.

"I don't know..."

"Ah, your Majesty is asking about selling grain. Don't worry, Your Majesty, this has nothing to do with your country. There are some things..." He looked at the box in his hand and finally made up his mind.

"Well, since your Majesty has a heart-to-heart relationship with me, I can't hide anything."

He looked around again, and Yeon Gaesowen waved his hand after everyone left. Lu Wenxuan continued;

"To be honest, Your Highness, I also support His Highness Prince Ji, so I was retained by Mr. Chen. Now His Highness Prince Ji is short of money."