Because the letter was not put into the envelope, it meant that Zhang Jiuli could also read the letter. Having been with Li Xiang for a long time, he naturally knew the rules around Li Xiang, so Zhang Jiuli opened the letter and took a look.
If Zhang Jiuli had not seen it with his own eyes, he would not have believed that this letter was dictated by Li Xiang. The attitude in the letter was very humble, almost as if he regarded Master Jinghong as his own master. Even the memorials to the emperor were probably not so humble.
"Your Highness, I think what we did yesterday was pretty good. Can we wait a few days? If we keep doing this, someone will definitely notice something, and that would be bad."
Zhang Jiuli has been with Li Xiang for a long time and is no longer as timid as he was at the beginning. If he has any worries in his heart, he will say them directly. This is what Li Xiang has always pursued. Three cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang. It is best to have people around you who talk more.
"Normally, you're right. We should have settled down for a few days. But you didn't see what happened yesterday. General Su saw it clearly. The people of this country are in a state of morbidity. Their worship of the Buddha is beyond our imagination. So, if we put our efforts into this, they won't have any doubts. They will just feel that they have found a kindred spirit, a capable one."
Li Xiang said with a smile, Zhang Jiuli looked at Su Dingfang next to him with some doubts, and Su Dingfang nodded affirmatively. Judging from the expressions on those people's faces yesterday, they were definitely in a pathological state. They were so sick that they didn't know how to do things next. Their minds were full of Buddhist teachings.
"Your Highness, aren't you giving them too much? We just gave them five thousand taels of gold yesterday to buy that golden roof, and today they're giving them another twenty thousand taels. We're certainly not short of money, but we can't spend it like this, right?"
Su Dingfang leaned over to take a look at his big head. He was too lazy to care about other things, but he couldn't bear to spend money like water. It had only been a few days since we arrived in Nanzhao Kingdom, and 70,000 strings of cash had already been spent. This amount of money was not a small amount even in Chang'an City, not to mention in a place like this.
"Don't be so short-sighted. My money is all for a good purpose. I personally gave 5,000 taels of gold to Tianlong Temple. This money isn't enough for them to paint the golden roof. But will other officials watch? Will local tycoons watch? They'll continue to pay Tianlong Temple. Once this money enters the temple, it's basically impossible for it to flow anywhere else."
After Li Xiang finished speaking, Su Dingfang and Zhang Jiuli's eyes lit up. Both of them were smart people, so they naturally understood the meaning of his words.
If this money is thrown into society, economic flow will definitely be generated. Although the amount of money is not large, if the economy flows, the development and stimulation of the economy will definitely be obvious. However, all this money must be turned into gold powder and then painted on the top of the temple. This means that this money can only be bathed in sunlight on the top, so that all believers can be psychologically satisfied.
Li Xiang threw out five thousand taels of gold, and other officials threw out even more. This was equivalent to throwing out a bait to lure others to jump into the pit together. Nanzhao was a small country with weak people, and when they rushed in, it meant that the economic share occupied by the temples was getting bigger and bigger.
Besides, the 20,000 strings of cash taken out later sounds like a lot, but according to the standards of temples in Nanzhao Kingdom, this amount of money cannot build many temples. At that time, they will have to rely on donations from all over the country, from rich people to farmers, and I am afraid no one will be able to escape. By the time temples are built all over Nanzhao Kingdom, everyone will know where the money of the entire country has gone, which is also a big pit.
"Your Highness is wise."
After the two of them figured this out, they both gave a thumbs up in their hearts. Li Xiang was an absolute king on the battlefield. At least in these years, no country had been able to stop Li Xiang's progress.
But I didn't expect that he was so cruel in private. It was nothing more than taking out some money. Combined with his performance yesterday, there would definitely be officials of all ranks who would follow suit. These people were also the richest in Nanzhao Kingdom. After investing their money in the temple, they would continue to enjoy a luxurious life. But by then they would have no money left. How could they enjoy life?
At that time, the problem of exploiting the people began to emerge. If one or two officials exploited the people, it would not have much impact on the entire Nanzhao. But if all the Buddhist officials in the country did so, it would be a fatal matter for the entire country.
Isn't your Nanzhao state's officialdom clean? Aren't officials generally good-natured? Then we'll guide you. Where previously there was no place to spend money, now we'll find a way for you to spend it. And if you don't spend enough, it won't do.
Once these officials' pockets are empty, they will probably have to find a way to get the money. Add to that the various nobles in Nanzhao Kingdom, and it will be hard for the entire country to be free from crisis.
"What are your plans for today?"
Li Xiang knew that his schedule in Nanzhao Kingdom was full, so he didn't think about taking a day off here. As the crown prince of the Tang Empire, there were many things that were beyond his control.
"The King and Queen of Nanzhao hosted a banquet for all of us in the palace."
Qian Ping stepped forward from the side and, when discussing state affairs, unless Li Xiang asked, he would never take the initiative to speak. But if he asked about these trivial matters, he knew that he was being used.
To put it nicely, it was a banquet for Li Xiang, and to put it bluntly, it was the mother-in-law who wanted to see her son-in-law. In the palace, it was just the female members of the royal family who wanted to see him, and it was even possible that the princess would take a look in private. This was a very normal thing, and it was also done in the Tang Dynasty palace.
If it were someone else, they might feel shy and embarrassed, but Li Xiang didn't have such an idea.
According to him, as a man, am I afraid of being looked at by others? Besides, we are born to be looked at by others. Since we were born into this family, our whole life has been under the spotlight of others. Not to mention a small country like Nanzhao. If they don't like each other, do they have the courage to cancel the engagement?
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is departing."
An hour later, Li Xiang, accompanied by his entourage, headed to the Nanzhao Kingdom Palace. This was the first serious business he had to attend to. The previous two days had been filled with idle chores...
