Li Shimin looked at Dai Zhou and seemed calm.

To be honest, he had seen all kinds of storms and waves, and he just smiled and said, "What's going to do with your family?"

Dai Zhou said, "Your Majesty, the escape from the army is getting worse and worse now, and I heard that they have gone out of seclusion. For a moment, the crowd was angry. I think this is because of this fight between scholars! The reason for the internal struggle between scholars is that many scholars are dissatisfied with Chen Zhan. So I think... the most urgent thing is to solve the problem of escape from the army."

Li Shimin nodded.

How could he not understand that a large number of troops fleeing to the desert is inseparable from the current contradictions?

It is precisely because of the escape of a large number of troops that caused losses to the aristocratic races, and those aristocratic children who became scholars were dissatisfied. This is the reason why the man named Wu Youjing won the hearts of the people.

So Li Shimin said, "What do you plan to do with your family?"

Dai Zhou thought for a while and said, "You might as well set up more checkpoints to find out the people in the checkpoint."

Li Shimin thought about something, then looked at Fang Xuanling: "What do Fang Qing's family think?"

Fang Xuanling was only thinking about his son at this time, and was a little absent-minded! Now His Majesty suddenly asked, and he listened to His Majesty's words, but he was caught off guard.

After being silent for a long time, he thought about the words and said, "Has the court not set up the checkpoints before? But such things are still repeated. The old ministers heard that many merchants were involved in assisting the army in the escape. They bribed officers and soldiers and migrated a large number of people out of the customs. However, I have some simple opinions on this matter..."

Seeing Li Shimin waiting for him to continue, Fang Xuanling paused, "Since Dai Xianggong believes that scholars are infighting in the internal struggles, and the aristocratic clans are dissatisfied with the Chen clan. If they want to solve the problem of internal struggles, they must first solve the problem of the tribe's escape. But the old ministers thought that the tribe's escape was just a manifestation. The real fundamental reason was that these tribes did not live well under the control of the tribe, they lacked food and clothing, and had difficulty in life. Therefore, even if they were asked to leave their hometowns and leave the wells and go out of the desert to make a living, they were happy. If they wanted to manage this problem, the aristocratic clans could treat the tribe well! If they were kind, why would they be willing to travel a long distance outside the far pass, and why would they run away in large numbers?"

"The old minister has also asked about some things. According to my understanding, some aristocratic families have fled many people every day; while some aristocratic families have few fugitives! What does this mean? If benevolence and righteousness are not used, there will naturally be more fugitives. Some aristocratic families treat their tribes like pigs and dogs. Now many aristocratic families still hope to set up more checkpoints in the court, hoping that the government can assist in pursuing them. How can this be completely eliminated? As for those scholars with resentment, it is even more ridiculous. The big test is about to be approached, and reading is the most important thing, but they keep busy and do not concentrate on studying! The man named Wu Youjing, since he is a great scholar, should broadcast benevolence and righteousness, but he hides in the bookstore every day, and talks about right and wrong. Can this also be called a Confucian?"

"What is Confucianism, benevolence and righteousness? If we use this as a measure, Wu Youjing is actually a cunning and naming person! Your Majesty is generous and has not pursued this person, he is already a great kindness and virtue. Now he advocates setting up more checkpoints. This is not what the court must do urgently."

Fang Xuanling’s words are reasonable!

Of course, it is undeniable that he has a vengeance.

Do you really think that Fang Xuanling is a vegetarian?

Although he is a good man on weekdays, his impression of the escape of the army is not too bad. On the one hand, the Fang family has begun to shift the focus of wealth to management rather than farming. On the other hand, this group of bastards actually beat his son!

His house Yiai is just a child. You dare to take such heavy hands, something worse than that of pigs and dogs!

Dai Zhou was the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and thought that it was not wrong to propose this.

But I didn't know that Fang Gong had actually stood up in person? On the surface, it was about treating the exterior or internal medicine, but in fact he slapped his face fiercely.

Dai Zhou was immediately alert and suddenly felt that he was inappropriate to say these words at this time. Mr. Fang was the Minister of the Central Secretariat, the prime minister of the dynasty. Now Mr. Fang has come out to express his attitude. If he insists, he will inevitably take the blame in the future and wears his shoes, so he stopped talking.

After hearing this, Li Shimin laughed.

Fang Xuanling's words were exactly what he wanted, so he couldn't help but say, "This is the word of planning the country. Fang Qing's words have hit the root of the problem. How could the court be called the private weapon of the aristocratic clans, and used specifically to pursue fugitive slaves for them? This desert is hard and not a good place, but now many tribes would rather escape to the desert than be used by the tribes. It can be seen that some tribes are so harsh that they have made them go to the bitter and cold land one after another! I think they should examine themselves carefully and not always blame the world."

Changsun Wuji repeatedly said yes.

Dai Zhou had nothing to say.

In this hall, the most embarrassing thing is Yu Shinan and Dou Lu Kuan.

Fang Xuanling came forward, but now the great scholar Wu Youjing has become a rat crossing the street, which is a bit embarrassing.

Dou Lukuan couldn't help but secretly blame Wu Youjing for being involved in his relationship. On the other hand, he felt that his face was unexplained, so he couldn't help saying, "But if everyone fled to the desert, there would be fewer people who cultivate land in Guanzhong, and there would be no production in the desert. In the long run, I am afraid that the grain production will be reduced, which will affect the national economy and people's livelihood."

This is a huge and must not be ignored.

If the imperial court ignored the matter of the government, if there were so many lands in the aristocratic races and lacked manpower, they would be afraid that they would not be able to plant too much grain. Even if the land in Guanzhong is fertile, it would not be short of food if it reduced this yield. But so many people in the desert still have to rely on Guanzhong to adjust grain?

Can the court ignore the people in the desert? Once the desert is famine, it will be bad.

After hearing this, Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling both turned gloomy.

This statement...is not unreasonable.

"Your Majesty... Actually, I have something to report." Chen Zhengtai coughed.

Finally, after listening to everyone’s conversation, Chen Zhengtai found an opportunity to speak in the midst of everyone’s sorrow!

So the monarch and ministers looked at Chen Zhengtai one after another.

Chen Zhengtai said: "I just received a message from my brother Chen Zhengde yesterday."

Li Shimin only thought Chen Zhengtai wanted to change the topic and said lightly: "What news?"

Chen Zhengtai said solemnly: "Previously, my brother was selecting good varieties in the desert and constantly experimenting with grain cultivation in Shuofang land. In fact, this matter has started a year and a half ago. He has selected many grain varieties. After careful cultivation, he has just sent good news. He chose a batch of cold-resistant potatoes, which have grown in the desert and are growing quite well. Although it only matures every year, the yield per mu is as high as a thousand pounds."

A million kilograms per mu... potatoes.

Potatoes have actually begun to be promoted gradually.

Of course, promotion takes time. In the past two years, people have found that this potato can be cooked twice in Guanzhong, and the yield per mu can reach more than 1,000 kilograms. In some areas in the south of the Yangtze River, it can even reach 2,000 kilograms. This huge number is really amazing.

Of course, potatoes are not without shortcomings, such as... they are not easy to store.

But in this era of food shortage, it is obviously not a problem.

But... you can actually harvest potatoes with a yield of 100 kilograms per mu in the desert. What does this mean?

The problems inside the pass are always full of people and small land, while outside the pass, what people lack is never land, but population.

Once potatoes can be grown in that place, it means that in the desert, the Han people can also feed a large population!

Once the population increases, it can slowly penetrate through the vast land. Will there be something wrong with the Hu people in a hundred years?

Li Shimin's eyes couldn't help but widen a little, and his heart was shocked, and he suddenly thought of what Chen Zhengtai said to him.

He immediately realized that what Chen Zhengtai said about managing the desert was actually this!

And now it is obvious... this strategic desert has begun to show a glimmer of hope.

Li Shimin suddenly felt a little hope, and his heart felt hot!

At this time, the ministers were in an uproar.

Obviously everyone understands what this means.

"Your cousin, the man named Chen Zhengde?" Li Shimin couldn't help but have some impression of this person.

Chen Zhengtai replied: "That is, I have been taking people in the desert for these days, personally selecting and breeding good seeds in the desert and farming them myself."

You should know that breeding good varieties is not a fun thing. Li Shimin has a little understanding of farming. Even if, theoretically, potatoes are feasible to reproduce in the desert, not every bud born from potato can survive in the desert!

In order to allow potatoes to gradually adapt to the soil and climate environment of the desert, they need to cultivate and reproduce good varieties from generation to generation, which requires great patience. The hardships are definitely not as shallow as they say.

Li Shimin looked strange and couldn't help but say, "After all, Chen Zhengde was so down-to-earth and responsible as a prince of aristocratic family, and was not afraid of hardships. Such a person is really rare. In my Tang Dynasty, there are countless people who talk big, but people like Chen Zhengde are rare! Among the princes of aristocratic family, there are even more people like this. It can be seen that the family tradition of the Chen family is beyond the reach of ordinary aristocratic families. He has selected good seeds, which is a great contribution."

After Li Shimin's words were even a little emotional!

Fang Xuanling and others couldn't help but look at Chen Zhengtai enviously.

The land of Shuofang has just been given to the princess. This Princess Sui'an is now very popular. Such a large area of ​​farming land, coupled with the Erpigou shares he owns, this princess is a treasure pot. If anyone marrys it, he can really lie down and eat for three thousand years.

However, the Supreme Emperor has clearly issued an order to marry Princess Sui'an's marriage and will marry Chen. This has been announced to the world and will never be changed easily.

What's more, Princess Sui'an has the most efforts in this day, so naturally no one dares to make any wrong ideas.

But think about the countless lands in the desert, which almost has no ownership, which means that they can all become the land of the Princess' Mansion. As for whether to reward or sell it, it is all about the princess's mansion. In a flash, the value of these barren lands suddenly came out.

As for Chen Zhengde, most people actually have no impression of it.

But now... this person is remembered.

If someone has such a person in his family, it is really a ancestral tomb that has smoke coming out. This is a talent who can make grain grow in the cracks of the stones.

No wonder His Majesty praised him so much. If it were someone else, he would really wish he could offer this person.

All of the Central Plains have been troubled by food problems throughout history.

Even when Yao and Shun were there, why should we control water? The river flooded and people could migrate. The essence of water control was to protect the farmland and crops that could not be migrated? If we can keep everyone from having food to eat, this is the supreme morality and no one dares to deny it.

After all, over the past thousands of years, there have been too many records of "hungry year, people eat each other" and "river water floods, selling children and daughters", and thousands of people feed on soil and then die like fallen leaves.

Food is so important to people of this era!

Even if he couldn't stand the Chen family, he could not help but nod and expressed his approval when facing Chen Zhengde.

Li Shimin showed relief and then said, "This person is enough to be a county duke, so I will be granted the title of county duke! Although it is not for military merit, Chen Zhengde is rare, so how can the court not reward him? The family tradition of Chen family amazed me. If everyone is like Chen family, why worry about the world? The sea is peaceful and the river is clear, and it will only take a day and night."

This is a bit heartbreaking.

However, His Majesty's praise is obviously reasonable, but...it's a bit harsh.

But after thinking about it carefully, there was no denying it, so everyone had to keep their heads shut and pretend to be dead.

Li Shimin was very excited. At this moment, he actually had a lot to say!

For him, food was born in the desert, which was a great thing.

He sat down and said with a smile: "In this way, is the scale of Shuofang, no matter how large it is, is it okay?"

Chen Zhengtai said: "That's right."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Since that's the case, Shuofang is the first city in the desert. It is larger and it is also unhindered. As long as the specifications are not above Chang'an and Luoyang, we will let the Princess' Mansion deal with it at the discretion of the discretion."

To survive the desert, you have to have food. With food, you have to have population. You have to use Han people to replace the Hu people. Shuofang was the first city. Due to the food restrictions, everyone was worried that the scale of urban construction would cause food shortage in Guanzhong. But now... it is obvious that this is no longer important.

Since the problem of food shortage has been solved, the larger the urban construction, the better!

After all, this city is lonely and surrounded by wolves in the desert. If it is not of sufficient scale, who knows if it can persist?
Chapter completed!