Li Ji looked at Li Shimin and then at Changsun Wuji.
Co-author: Are you two here singing a double act with me to coax fools?
Li Shimin kept saying that it was sinful to sell officials and titles, and Changsun Wuji kept saying that he could donate some grain to feed the army. When the army returned with a victory, they could use their military exploits to offset their guilt.
Doesn't this make it clear to him that he can use some food to feed the army, and Li Shimin will use his military exploits to pay for his sins and silence those officials?
The problem is, he is also one of the leaders of this army expedition.
Not to mention Li Shimin defeated Liu Heitai, even if he defeated the Turks as well, he still had a share of the credit.
He also used Li Shimin to get military honors to help him pay for his crimes?!
Li Ji finally figured it out. Li Shimin came to beat the autumn wind because he had more food in his hand.
No wonder Li Shimin left all the generals behind and came to find him.
With this opportunity to fight against the autumn wind, he could leave the generals behind and run to find the opponent.
"Since the second brother is interested in the little food in my hand, he just said it. Why bother to scare me with such a lame excuse?"
Li Ji rolled his eyes, looked at Li Shimin, and said calmly.
Are you going to exchange grain for military merit, and then use military merit to atone for your sins?
Whether Li Shimin can win or not is still unknown in the eyes of others. The prisoners are crazy and would risk their family's survival food on an unknown quantity.
Moreover, he is the commander-in-chief of the rear army, and Li Shimin must consult with him when making such important decisions.
Li Shimin made a decision without consulting him, so can he believe it?
"Hahaha……"
When Li Shimin heard Li Ji's words, not only was he not embarrassed, but he laughed and said to Changsun Wuji: "Auxiliary machine, I said that Silang is not what he used to be. You still don't believe it. You have to give Silang a try, your little one."
Shiro saw through the trick at a glance, what do you think?"
Changsun Wuji smiled bitterly and said, "I have offended His Highness the King of Qi, please punish me."
After saying this, Changsun Wuji stood up, bowed and saluted Li Ji, and waited for Li Ji's punishment.
Li Ji pouted.
How could he have the nerve to embarrass Li Shimin's wife and uncle in front of Li Shimin?
Li Shimin wouldn't give him this chance either.
Before he could speak, Li Shimin said with a smile: "You are Guanyin's elder brother. In private, Shiro has to call you elder brother. How could he blame you?"
Sit down. Never underestimate Shiro from now on.
Next time, if Shiro wants to deal with you, I won't help you."
Li Shimin's combination of killing and fighting not only helped Changsun Wuji get out of the siege, but also brought the three people closer to each other.
Even if Li Ji has gas in his stomach, it is not easy for him to have an attack.
Li Ji said calmly: "Second brother has said so, how can I blame Shang Danggong? It's just that it's better not to say such jokes in the future. I have a bad temper. If I hear too many jokes, I may get angry."
Li Shimin's words brought the three people closer, and Li Ji's words opened the relationship between the three people.
If Li Shimin talked about his personal relationship, he would talk about his status.
Li Shimin hit a soft nail and was a little embarrassed.
Changsun Wuji was even more embarrassed.
"How could Shiro be so inhumane?"
Li Shimin deliberately taught him a lesson with a straight face.
Li Ji glanced at Li Shimin and said straight to the point: "If second brother doesn't care about the food in my hand, I will be very approachable."
Li Shimin hit another snag, and could only say with emotion and reason: "I don't want to worry about the little food in your hand, but you should be very clear about how difficult our country is in the Tang Dynasty now.
The army needs food for the expedition, and the refugees fleeing from Hebei also need food. When we capture Liu Heita and appease the people of Hebei, we will also need food.
Daxingtai of Shaanxi Province tried their best to raise the food needed for the army to go on the expedition.
The refugees who fled from Hebei to Luoyang don't have to worry about going hungry with your help.
But what about the people who are still in Hebei?"
Li Ji pondered and did not speak in a hurry.
Li Shimin wanted the food in his hand because it was for the people of Hebei, so he wouldn't be so disgusted.
He could see how miserable the people of Hebei were living in the refugees who fled from Hebei to Luoyang.
The people of Hebei have been miserable for a long time after experiencing one turmoil after another.
If Liu Heitai makes such a fuss, the people of Hebei will definitely live a more miserable life.
By the time the soldiers and horses of the Tang Dynasty put down Liu Heita's rebellion, Hebei would probably have become a place where people died of hunger everywhere and every ten houses were empty.
Naturally, he would not refuse if he could contribute to the people of Hebei.
In this kind of matter, some petty thoughts, some petty tempers, and some petty tempers should all be put aside.
"After relieving the refugees in Luoyang, the food in my hand is somewhat rich, but it is not enough to help the people in Hebei. Even if the second brother takes away the rich food in my hand, it will only be a drop in the bucket."
Li Ji said bluntly.
Hebei has more than a dozen prefectures, and even after experiencing one turmoil after another, the number of people left in the end is probably in the millions.
The little food he had in his hand was not enough to fill the teeth of these people.
Li Shimin took a deep look at Li Ji and said, "Aren't you selling your position?"
Li Ji glanced at Li Shimin and said angrily: "I have almost sold out all the subordinate officials in my hand, and there are no officials left to sell."
Li Shimin smiled calmly and said: "I still have..."
Li Ji was stunned and looked at Li Shimin in astonishment.
The emperor of the ages wants to resell his official titles?
"Don't be surprised. As long as I can dig out food from those wealthy families and help the people of Hebei, I can sell my official position."
Li Shimin said seriously.
He has his own little thoughts, but he also cares about the people of Hebei.
He knew that the foundation of Li Tang was the people. If the people of Hebei could survive this catastrophe, Hebei would soon be revitalized.
If most of the people in Hebei died in this disaster, it would probably take many years for Hebei to recover.
He was about to become Li Tang's heir, so he naturally hoped to inherit a vibrant Hebei, not a Hebei that was starving and empty.
Li Ji stared at Li Shimin thoughtfully, guessing what Li Shimin was thinking.
Li Shimin said generously: "Many of the ministers under my command hold multiple positions. I can ask them to give up some unimportant official positions. There are also many vacancies in the subordinate officials under my command.
When we pacify Hebei, there will still be a large number of official vacancies in Hebei.
My father has entrusted me with the appointments to official positions in various places in Hebei.
These official positions can be sold to you together."
Li Ji looked at Li Shimin in shock.
Is Li Shimin asking him to make white gloves?
Li Shimin reaps the benefits, but he bears the bad reputation?
Isn't this a bit unethical?
And Li Shimin’s generous gesture is a bit shocking, isn’t it?
As for the ministers under Li Shimin, all of them are either Dukes or Marquises, and their part-time jobs are all high-level positions.
Most of them were appointed by Li Yuan. Can these be sold?
There are thousands of official positions that can be appointed in more than ten states in Hebei, including the positions of governor, general manager and other high officials. Can these be sold?
"Why, you don't dare to answer?"
Seeing Li Ji's shocked face, Li Shimin said with a half-smile.
Li Ji came back to his senses but had not yet spoken.
Then Li Shimin said again: "This little official position scares you. I am also planning to inform my father and ask him to sell some vacant official positions inside and outside the court for you to sell."
Li Ji instantly had the urge to scold his mother.
Li Shimin is trying to trick him.
The kind that would lead you to death.
If he really sells all the salable officials in the Tang Dynasty, his reputation in the Tang Dynasty will be ruined.
To describe it as "stinking ten miles away from the wind", it's all light.
"Second brother, do you want my life?!"
Li Ji spoke unceremoniously.
Li Shimin stared at Li Ji and smiled: "You and I are from the same mother, how could I possibly kill you?"
Li Ji glared at Li Shimin and said, "You ask me to help you sell an official position, or thousands of official positions, is it any different from taking my life?"
Once a person's reputation reaches the point where he is notorious, it would be better to be dead than alive.
In life, wherever you go, others will scold you.
Even if you die, you will still have peace.
Li Shimin smiled and said: "Don't you realize that no one is qualified for this matter except you?"
Li Ji rolled his eyes.
Yes, I have a high status and status. I am only below three people. I do not sell my official title or play with power. I am really sorry for my status.
I have a bad reputation and am used to being scolded. If I get some more scoldings, that's okay.
The most important thing is that as the fourth son of the royal family, if I want a good name, I will only make you jealous, but if I want a bad name, I can make you feel at ease.
But why should I burn myself to illuminate you?
Do you think I am a match?!
Although I have no intention of competing with you, I also don’t want to be your chess piece or puppet!
"I think the second brother is more suitable than me."
Li Ji said expressionlessly.
The smile on Li Shimin's face froze, and he winked at Changsun Wuji. Changsun Wuji got up knowingly, apologized, and left the side hall.
Li Shimin's eyes fell on Xie Shufang again.
Xie Shufang looked at Li Ji despite the oppressive feeling conveyed to him by Li Shimin's gaze.
Li Ji knew that Li Shimin wanted to tell him something private, but he didn't want to hear it.
"Second brother, speak directly if you have anything to say. Xie Shufang is one of our own, so there is no need to avoid taboos."
Li Ji said calmly.
Li Shimin glanced at Li Ji and told Xie Shufang: "Send my military order and ask all the generals to go to the front hall of Luoyang Palace in an hour to discuss the military situation."
Li Shimin gave the order as the head coach, and Xie Shufang, a subordinate general, had no way of refusing.
There was no way to retain Li Ji because Li Shimin was the commander-in-chief of the army and he was just a general manager.
"Here!"
Xie Shufang reluctantly agreed and left the side hall.
After Xie Shufang left, Li Shimin looked at Li Ji with a deep look and said: "Silang, I, Li Tang, have only been in the country for four years, and our foundation is still shallow.
The people in the world who can mess up Li and Tang are not only Liu Heita, but also Liang Shidu and the Turks.
Some people who surrendered to me, Li Tang, will also fight back when I, Li Tang, are in trouble and become my enemies.
Some people who suffered under my rule, Li Tang, will also rebel at any time.
What we can do is to conquer the disloyal ministers and appease the people.
But whether it is to conquer the enemy or to appease the people, food is needed."
