Cut meat

People will die, and goods will be thrown away.

I am afraid of comparing everything. How do I say something? There is no handsome, only more handsome; there is no best, only better.

Just like the five hundred suits, pants, shoes, and hats in front of Li Ji, I originally thought that although the clothes of the government army were not as good as those wealthy families, they were already much better than ordinary people. It was already good that the court could spend a lot of money to buy these clothes for them.

Even Li Ji himself felt that these clothes were several times better than when he was a soldier more than ten years ago, and were enough to allow his soldiers to survive the cold winter, so Li Ji never considered the idea of ​​changing outfits for the soldiers in the army.

But now, when he saw the five hundred sets of clothes sent by Liu Cheng, Li Ji suddenly felt that all the soldiers in his army were like garbage, with rough work and simple texture, no sleeves covering their wrists, and trousers not covering their ankles. What's even more annoying is that many of the hemp boots are filled with straw, which makes many soldiers now look like they are red, swollen and ulcerated.

At the same price, why are there shoddy linens and trousers on one side and even straw sandals on the other side and high-quality cotton coats, cotton trousers, cotton boots and even cotton hats on the other side?

Both are garment workshops and offer the same price. Why is there such a big gap between the two?

Even if these cotton coats and trousers are specialties of Liu's, the garment workshop of the Ministry of Industry cannot be produced and produced, but why does things of the same price have such a difference between heaven and earth? Can't we make military uniforms better with hemp coats?

Or do some people think that soldiers who may die on the battlefield at any time deserve to use inferior clothes and be cold in the ice and snow?

Li Ji's face covered with clouds told everyone present that Li Ji was very angry and the consequences were serious.

As the commander of the first army, what Li Ji usually attaches importance to and focuses on is the tactical terrain deduction of soldiers during wartime, and he rarely has time to pay attention to the small matters of food, clothing, housing and transportation of soldiers. In his concept, he instinctively believes that the court will never treat the warriors who fight for the country unfairly. As long as the military pay can be paid on time, and the food and clothing and warmth on weekdays will not affect normal training, it is enough.

There was no problem before. The military pay was never arrears, and there was never any complaints or dissatisfaction in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation. In fact, if it weren't for the 500 sets of refined cotton clothes brought by Liu Cheng today, Li Ji would not have noticed that there were such huge hidden dangers and tricks in the dress of his soldiers.

Someone actually hit the Tang soldiers who worked hard for the country and the people? A cloud of anger surged in Li Ji's heart. He could not bear to see someone ignore the safety of the Tang warriors for some benefit.

If they were like this, such soldiers who were about to go on expedition, it was not difficult for Li Ji to imagine what kind of treatment would be for some other standing guards.

Being vigilant with profit, being brave enough, not to cherish death!

After suppressing the anger in his heart and politely sent Liu Cheng and his party out of the military camp, Li Ji directly rushed to the military camp and questioned Li Huai, the quadron chief responsible for military logistics, with a gloomy face.

"I don't know, but I really don't know!" He was obviously frightened by Li Ji's tone and actions. The quarantine officer was so anxious that tears almost fell. He made a move anxiously. He didn't understand why the Grand Marshal, who had always cared about military affairs, had aroused the problems of their military officers' warehouses.

"Since the lower official took office," said the quarrel official. "Whether it is in the general or in other camps, all the food and clothing utensils are basically the same specification. What General Li said about cutting corners and stripping them layer by layer. The lower official has never heard of it, really doesn't know."

He had been a military officer for at least three years. Li Huai had been accustomed to all the material dispatches in the military camp. He did not think that there was anything wrong with this military camp that was about to go to Gaochang. Whether it was military pay, food, clothing, weapons, the court was equipped with the highest specifications. No one dared to be slackened in it. Li Huai really didn't understand what was the reason that made their marshal so dissatisfied and angry with the soldiers' clothes?

"I really don't know?" Li Ji stared at Li Huai with a bad expression, pointed at the clothes and trousers of a soldier beside him and asked Li Huai: "Since you are a military officer, you should have some understanding of the price of clothing and ready-made clothes. I will ask you, how much is the actual price of this piece of clothing? And how much is the cost of each set of clothing that the court stipulated and pulled out?"

"Uh?" Li Huai was stunned, then looked at their marshal incredible and disbelief. He finally understood the reason why their marshal was angry and angry, but what's the use? The fact that the money was inconsistent with practical clothing has lasted for nearly three years and has long become a hidden custom in military supplies. The military supplies and individual generals who had previously had doubts were now retreating, and the surrenders were surrendered, and no one could really solve this problem.

All the situations are vaguely pointed out that behind this matter is a big man who can't afford to offend anyone, so few people are touching this bad news again. Over time, this has become a hidden custom for all military camps and military personnel. Time is common, because no accidents occur again, and everyone is used to it, and it's no wonder.

Moreover, although these military clothes and boots are of poor texture, they can last for two or three years. They may feel uncomfortable when worn on them, but they are enough to protect themselves from wind and cold.

It does not affect marching training or fighting on the battlefield, so there has not been too much mistakes over the years due to these inferior military uniforms. Li Huai doesn't understand, for a good reason, how could their marshal keep his eyes on this matter?

"Report to the Marshal," Li Huai felt a little clear-headed in his heart after finding the reason for the matter. Thinking of their Marshal's problem, Li Huai bowed and replied: "The set of clothes worn by the soldiers, from the emperor nodding to the Ministry of Revenue allocation, to the production of materials in the garment workshop, until the clothes are made and distributed to the soldiers, the links are too complicated, and it is not surprising that there will be some price difference in the middle. The subordinate advises the marshal to..."

"No need to talk so much nonsense," interrupted the general's chief officer's words, and Li Ji said coldly: "You only need to tell me the general that the government's grants and the market price of a ready-to-wear piece is enough."

Li Ji also had some ability to observe his face. He was still wondering why Li Huai looked confused when his clothes were rough. He even had a clear conscience in his normal fearful eyes, which made Li Ji think that he was not thinking well and wronged the military officer.

However, when he asked about the specific price of the clothes, Li Ji then regained some confidence, because he saw a trace of real panic and understanding in Li Huai's eyes.

This is not a problem for the military officer. He does not have that courage and ability. However, Li Ji is also sure that although this matter has nothing to do with the military officer in front of him, he must have a lot of knowledge about the so-called "insider" here, so Li Ji kept asking Li Huai for questioning.

"Back to the Marshal," stopped the topic just now, and Li Huai, who was staring at them, was unable to bear it, and replied directly: "For each set of clothing, the Ministry of Revenue stipulates that the 300-yuan citation is allocated, and the market price of the clothing made is 100-yuan citation."

"One hundred ci?" Li Ji's body was so angry that he was a little trembling. He only made 100 ci for 300 ci. If the goods were good, it would be strange. What's more important is, where did the two hundred ci in the middle go? In the end, it fell into whose hands?

Although the military supplies are not big, not everyone can get involved. In order to make huge profits in this way, in addition to having great courage, it is unlikely that others will be able to do so if they are not willing to act regretfully or are unwilling to provoke power.

Li Ji is not a fool. If he had pursued this matter before only out of a moment of anger, then now, he knew the huge profits there existed, as well as some unknown power hidden in it, and he would not have to face it or take it seriously.

Now, Li Ji even began to doubt whether Liu Yi had already known the flowers and flowers here. The reason why he sent someone to send him five hundred suits this time was that in addition to really wanting to take over the military clothing business, did he also want to use his own hands to eradicate some commercial opponents and obstacles for him?

"His grandma, he fell bear!" Gongsun Helan, who had been following Li Ji, was so angry that she swears. She even learned the catchphrase of a comrade in the past: "I just said that when I was in the northwest, why did I always feel that wearing anything is not warm? Even when I was sleeping on the couch, I was trembling with the cold. After a long time of trouble, it turned out that Gen'er was here!"

"Say!" He kicked Li Huai to the ground with a kick. Gongsun Helan raised Li Huai's front again with a tantrum and asked viciously: "Who is it you who did it? Even you dare to tease me?"

Knowing that Gongsun Helan is taking advantage of the situation, he has already seen the purpose of his brother Liu sending someone to deliver clothes, and wants to force the person behind the scenes to clear the obstacles for Liu Yi.

Li Ji stood quietly by the side without scolding or stopping. In fact, he also wanted to use this to get more accurate information from the quarantine officer. Now that Gongsun Helan is a bad temper and knows how to remove bones and impotence, it would be better.

"I don't know, I really don't know!" A kick in the stomach made Li Huai cry in pain. Now Gongsun Helan is holding him to look at him, and he is even more frightened and said in a crying voice: "I am just a small military officer. Since I took office, all the dominance of military uniforms has been like this in the past three years. Marshal Mingjian! This young general's famous critic! I really don't know!"

"I don't know at all? You think I'm a second!" He raised his leg and kicked him again. He had been a military commander for so long and had done unethical things for so many years. Gongsun Helan didn't care whether this kid really didn't know. Anyway, he would be beaten up.

"Stop hitting, stop hitting! I say! I say!" I have to say that Gongsun Helan kicked very well, and directly made Li Huai kneel on the ground and vomit. Afterwards, regardless of wiping the filth on it, seeing that Gongsun Helan was still trying to make huge profits again, Li Huai cried and shouted: "I heard that I heard that the clothes making workshops that supply clothes to the government army and various garrisons were the confidant of His Royal Highness the Prince."

"So," Li Huai raised his arm and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. He continued, "So, no one dared to pursue the matter in the past few years, and these clothes and boots were naturally distributed to the soldiers of various battalions."

"I'm not hiding the Marshal's knowledge," anyway, Li Huai simply let go of his mind and said straight: "The clothes we distributed to us this time are the best batch of Xiaguan who has seen in the past three years. Marshal Mingjian, Xiaguan really has no deduction or replacement. This matter really has nothing to do with Xiaguan!"

"Crown Prince?" Hearing these two words, Li Ji's heart suddenly lifted up and his eyes tightened. He didn't expect that there was a shadow of the prince in this matter. In a small matter that was not too big, he actually made him mess with a big Buddha.

"Li Huai, slander the prince and provoke disagreement. You are so brave!" Li Ji glared at him. Before everyone could react, he opened his voice to his left and right commands: "Come on! Take this nonsense villain to me and take it down! Without my general's order, no one will be allowed to interrogate or visit!"

Regardless of whether it is true or false, please lock the person up first. After all, it is about the prince. If it is fake, it would be better. If what Li Huai said is true, it would be a big trouble. Li Ji was secretly thinking about whether it is worth offending the prince for this small matter?

If nothing unexpected happens, the prince must be the general in charge of the army during this trip. Li Ji was worried that if he offended the prince at this time, would the prince make things difficult for him during the war?

"Uncle Li, what should I do next?" Seeing Li Huai being escorted, Li Ji was hesitant again. Gongsun Helan's eyes rolled, and she deliberately came to Li Ji's side and said strangely: "Or, let's just hand over this Li Huai to the prince and let the matter be left unresolved. Anyway, those clothes cannot be frozen to death, so there is no need to offend His Highness the Prince for a group of big-headed soldiers who may die at any time, right?"

"What kind of bastard is this?!" Knowing that this kid was deliberately provoking him, Li Ji slapped Gongsun Helan on the forehead with anger and said sternly: "Do you really think that uncle is a foolish general who bullies the weak and is afraid of the strong, ignores the safety of the soldiers, and only cares about his future?"

In a moment, Li Ji had a countermeasure in his mind. Since this matter was difficult to solve by himself, it would be better to throw it to the emperor and make a decision.

He said nothing or did nothing. At that time, he would just put the cotton suits sent by Liu and the hemp suits that the soldiers wore now in front of the emperor, and then raised the price offered by Liu Yi. The right and wrong are obvious at a glance, and the emperor will naturally make the best choice.

As long as the cotton suit can be replaced with the hemp suit and the soldiers can wear the best cotton military uniforms, Li Ji's purpose will naturally be achieved. As for the price difference between the hemp suits, whether it involves His Royal Highness the Prince, it doesn't matter.

As long as you don't put the matter openly, as long as you pretend not to know the link, even if this move harms part of the prince's interests, it will cause some dissatisfaction or resentment, but it will not offend him too much, leaving each other with no room for slowing down.

"Let's go!" After thinking about this festival, Li Ji was in a good mood. He waved his hand and said to Gongsun Helan: "Sui Wei, bring the five hundred suits to the palace to meet the saint!"

At the same time, Li Qing, the eunuch in the Eastern Palace, hurried to the prince's bedroom and reported to Li Chengqian a lot of things that happened in the Sanyuan Liu Mansion in the past two days.

"Didn't Gu say that," lying on the couch, too lazy to turn his head and look at Li Qing. Li Chengqian said indifferently: "During this period, Gu must calm down and recuperate in order to prepare for the battle in Gaochang. During this period, he must let go of all distractions, no joy or worry. If there is no need, no need to bother me again?"

Since last time I heard Empress Changsun’s consolation, Li Chengqian’s temperament has been much more restrained during this period, cultivating his mind and cultivating his nature, and temporarily letting go of everything, even though he has never paid much attention to the Liu Mansion.

The queen said it was right. Liu Yiu did not have much threat to him now. What he had to do now is not to resolve the hatred with Liu Yiu, but should follow Gaochang in the army, win the trust of his father earlier, and take the position where his father is now.

As for Liu Yiu, Li Chengqian has long been disregarded. If he had been on the throne and became the king of a country, he would have wanted to deal with these merchants and civilians, wouldn’t he have to talk about it every minute?

"Go back to Your Highness," Li Qing bowed and replied, "The villain doesn't want to come and disturb Your Highness's cultivation, but this matter is really very involved, so the villain has to come and report to Your Highness."

"Since you've all come in," turned your head and looked at Li Qing, and Li Chengqian said indifferently: "Then let's talk about it?"

"Yes, Your Highness!" His body bent down a little further, and Li Qing reported respectfully: "Just just now, the villain received a secret report, saying yes, that was, an hour ago, Liu Cheng, the manager of the Liu Mansion, brought a cart of goods suspected to be cotton coats and trousers, and directly entered Li Ji's military camp. It seemed that he wanted to sell their Liu's cotton clothes to Li Ji, and he intended to make the business as military supplies."

"Considering the excellent texture of Liu's cotton clothes, it may affect the grand plan of the Crown Prince in military supplies," he looked up carefully at Li Chengqian on the couch, and Li Qing replied: "So, the little man ignored disturbing His Highness's Qing Xiu, and came to report to His Highness."

"Hmm?!" After a surprise, Li Chengqian sat upright, with a cold light flashing in his eyes, and asked Li Qing coldly: "Where is Li Ji? What is his attitude?"

"Go back to Your Highness," he knew that the prince would ask like this, and Li Qing replied: "Half an hour ago, Li Ji had already brought Liu's cart of clothes and went straight into the palace."

"Have you entered the palace directly?" Li Chengqian looked at Li Qing with some suspicion and said, "Have he been to other places before entering the palace? For example, the garment workshop of the Ministry of Works, or other ordinary garment shops?"

"Go back to Your Highness," Li Qing replied in a straight voice: "Leave the barracks, Li Ji and his party went directly into the palace, and had never been elsewhere."

"Well, okay, I know." Hearing this news, Li Chengqian felt a little relieved, and he slowly lay on the couch again, closing his eyes slightly, and waved his hand to signal Li Qing to leave.

Another way to make money was snatched away by Liu Yip.
Chapter completed!