"Your Highness, although there is enough money for building materials, the Ministry of Industry has too many projects and really does not have that many manpower. In addition, in order to ensure the victory of the Northern Expedition, labor has been collected three times this year."

Gao Jian did not want to shirk responsibility, but the Ministry of Industry was really too busy.

"Secretary Gao, I know that the Ministry of Industry is in trouble, but we cannot neglect the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country.

What are they doing by sleeping on snow and ice, sleeping in the open air, and is the small amount of compensation given by the court worth selling their lives?"

"Since the labor force has been collected, just spend money to hire it and ask the Ministry of Household Affairs to increase the payment for you so that the people will not suffer a loss."

Li Chengqian suppressed the anger in his heart. He could not forget the soldiers who fell beside him. They were so simple and kind, but in an instant they turned into cold corpses. Some of them did not even leave their corpses.

This is not the worst. The worst thing is the wounded soldiers in Minzhou who committed suicide in order to leave food for their comrades.

If he had to do other things, he would never go to the Ministry of Industry to question him just because General Dong Gong participated in the performance. That would make him think he was too narrow-minded.

But this time was different, especially those soldiers of the Sixth Army. They followed Li Chengqian in the wind and snow, climbed cliffs, walked on cliffs, and embarked on this unforgettable road, but not one out of ten survived.

People who have not experienced that battle will not understand the circumstances under which they were defeated.

Duan Lun presented to Li Chengqian the document in his sleeve urging the Ministry of War to request weapons, and said: "Your Highness, although the battle on the front line is over, the requirement for the number of weapons has not been reduced. The replacement of the Sixteenth Guards and the Border Army alone is a big problem.

The numbers are now in my hands."

Before Duan Lun finished speaking, Gao Jian took over the words. Now he had to complain to the prince, and maybe he could avoid the Ministry of Works and replace it with someone in his own hands.

"Your Majesty, why don't you talk to His Majesty and see if we can delay it for a few more months? Once the ministry regains its composure, I will do my best. The court cannot just care about them. The officials of the Ministry of Works are also working very hard.

of."

Snap, Li Chengqian threw the document presented by Duan Lun directly at Gao Jian's face, pointed at him and shouted: "Secretary Gao, do you think I am negotiating with you? Is His Majesty's decree something you can bargain with?"

The soldiers risked their lives, so why don't you risk your life for me? Don't think that just because you are from the mother clan of this palace, you can speak so brazenly."

Li Chengqian did this and immediately confused Gao Jian. He originally wanted to sell it with Li Chengqian, but he didn't expect that he became very popular with this young man.

"Your Highness, please don't be angry. Mr. Gao is usually very attentive in his duties. He has never fought in a war and does not understand what is going on on the battlefield. Please be kind and don't argue with him."

Li Chengqian's favorite scolding of Gao Jian was of course Duan Lun, who was usually very angry. Although he was also a relative of the emperor, Li Yuan was already angry after all. How could he compare with the queen's cousin?

"Your Highness, you should know that the current financial resources of the imperial court are very difficult to increase. Moreover, weapons production cannot be stopped. If the supply of border defense is cut off, there will be big trouble.

But if His Highness can get some money and transfer some craftsmen from the industrial area, I promise to complete the work on time. What do you think?"

What if Duan Lun can be a minister but he can't? He understands both official and official characters clearly. He can avoid delaying his errands and not offending the prince. It's the best of both worlds.

"Okay, don't worry about the money. I will find a solution. You can talk to Zhang Xuansu and Du Gou about the craftsmen. Duan Shangshu, no matter how much money you spend, you can't chill the hearts of the frontline soldiers."

After saying that, he walked down the steps, patted Duan Lun and left the Ministry of Industry. Seeing that Gao Jian had not yet reacted, a sneer flashed across Duan Lun's face.

"Secretary Gao, these soldiers are not only the heroes of the country, but also the honor of His Highness the Crown Prince. I heard that the six soldiers who led the expedition with the Crown Prince suffered heavy casualties this time. As his cousin, you should understand him."

After all, you are stirring up trouble in a government office, and you still have to carry the suitcase when you need to be reminded. Although this guy is a bit domineering and outrageous, he is better than those people who are full of bad intentions.

"Yes, what Lord Shangshu said is that the lower officials did not think carefully. They did not realize the love and care of His Highness the Crown Prince for his subordinates."

"Okay, then let's go on errands. If you want to restore the impression on His Highness, you have to work harder."

Looking at Gao Jian's leaving figure, Duan Lun couldn't help but shake his head. Gao Shilian had been shrewd all his life, but he failed to teach his nephew well, and he thought Li Chengqian was the baby prince who was easy to fool.

"I heard that you got angry in the lobby of the Ministry of Industry during the day and scolded Gao Jian." Li Shimin, who had been busy with government affairs for a day, relaxed his numb arms and asked Li Chengqian with a smile.

"It must be Duke Shen who came to beg for help. I really don't know what the old man is thinking.

That Gao Jian he is used to is really a typical high-minded but low-handed person. If everything in the imperial court is so easy to handle, why let them be this official?"

Hahaha... Hearing his son's comment made Li Shimin laugh heartily. If it weren't for Gao Shilian's favor, how could such an important position as Minister of the Ministry of Industry be given to this noble son?

"Shen Guogong has no choice. His brother is the only one left behind, so I still have to help him if I can.

As long as you don't commit too big a crime, the Gao family will still give you preferential treatment. After all, your mother was raised by the Gao family, and she never forgets the well diggers. We can't let others say that we have forgotten our roots."

Alas, of course Li Chengqian knew this, otherwise he wouldn't have let him go so easily during the day. Who's family doesn't have a few poor relatives, and the emperor's family is no exception, and there's nothing we can do about it.

"No, I understand. I have ordered Du Gou to dispatch the best craftsmen to participate. They will assist Duan Shangshu to ensure that this project is completed on time, and we will not let those soldiers shed tears after they have shed their blood."

In Li Shimin's view, Li Chengqian's ability to love his soldiers as his son was entirely due to his excellent genes.

"The imperial court is studying the resettlement of those refugees, so you should pay more attention to the military mausoleum."

Of course he understood what Li Shimin meant. It was a time of drought, and there were still so many refugees on the grasslands waiting to be resettled. The imperial court's financial resources were indeed stretched thin, and it was already very difficult to come up with so much money.

"No, it's your duty to ask your father to be at ease and share your worries with your father. If you can do your part for those brothers, your heart will feel much better."
Chapter completed!