Li Shimin thought in a blink of an eye, no, who in Chang'an City doesn't know that the heroes of the Tang Dynasty who captured Jieli Khan were Wang Xuance and Xi Junmai?
This brat is deliberately trying to get away with it, trying to settle an old score with himself for deceiving him into training those one hundred "guards".
During this period of time, I haven't seen him settle the matter, so I thought he acquiesced.
I didn't expect to be waiting here.
"Ahem, don't worry too much about the details - besides, I didn't treat your two precious apprentices badly. I gave them a fortune by myself -"
Li Shimin coughed lightly and waved his hand casually.
"It's all trivial things, no need to thank me——"
Wang Zi’an:……
Did I say thank you?
Wang Zi'an said nothing, holding the wine glass and looking at him with a half-smile.
Seeing that he couldn't get around it, Li Shimin had no choice but to smile and fill the prince's glass, then picked up the wine glass and touched it lightly.
"Ahem, I didn't mean to lie to you. This was all His Majesty's intention - there's nothing I can do about it -"
Seeing Li Shimin pretending to be innocent in front of him, Wang Zian couldn't help but be shocked.
Damn it, it’s okay for you to take the blame yourself——
"I just asked, where are they now -"
Wang Zi'an glanced at him angrily and immediately started to discuss the matter. He had no choice but to worry about it. What if he got too anxious and Lao Li couldn't get over it on his own?
I'm not mentally prepared for a showdown with Lao Li yet.
You know, once there is a showdown, it will not only be Lao Li himself who will die, he will not be able to escape either——
Ah, if that time comes, except for Cheng Yaojin who had already removed himself, no one will be able to survive alone.
Tsk tsk——
Important officials of the Tang Dynasty died collectively.
Just thinking about it made Wang Zi'an's scalp numb.
Social death is a matter of time, but it can be counted as a day later.
The main thing is that he doesn't want to be the unlucky guy who lifts the lid. As you can imagine, whoever breaks the secret first and lifts the lid will get a collective beating from the big guys——
Suzaku Gate.
Yuchi Gong, who had just returned from Xiangzhou, couldn't help but sneeze loudly as soon as he entered the city gate. He sat on the horse and rubbed his nose in surprise.
"You're so fine, could it be that you caught the cold? I've been in the north for so many years and nothing has happened. I've only been in Xiangzhou for half a year, and my body is already this delicate and delicate?"
He muttered a curse, subconsciously tightened his robe, and quickly returned home with his entourage.
He went home without saying a word and poured a jar of strong wine first.
He then asked his servants to boil hot water and soaked in the tub for a long time.
This series of operations stunned everyone in the house.
Not to mention that he was busy early in the morning, cleaning the courtyard, and then braved the cold wind outside the mansion for a long time to welcome the maid servant and his biological son Yuchi Baolin. Even his married wife Su Wa could not help but be dumbfounded.
What's going on? This is——
Fell into a manure pit on the road?
Ah, no, this is destroying evidence!
She suddenly remembered that her husband had always taken a bath when he came back every time he went out to have sex.
At that time, I still felt it was quite strange, and the truth came to light only after I was exposed.
How long have you been out now——
"Ah, you heartless old thing, I'll fight for you -"
Su Wa, who understood instantly, felt angry, annoyed and aggrieved.
I respect my mother at home and take care of the housework for you. It’s okay for you to be romantic and happy outside, but you actually have to go out and hang out before entering the house. How much do you dislike me!
After changing his clothes, Yuchi Jingde, who felt comfortable all over, just came out of the room calmly and saw his wife, who was crying and grabbing her.
Suddenly everyone was confused.
Ah, who can tell me what this is going on——
…
the next day.
Love will return.
After the morning court meeting, Li Shimin deliberately stayed with Yuchi Gong to chat for a while.
The monarch and his ministers chatted casually for a while. Li Shimin suddenly raised his head in surprise and looked at Yuchi Gong's face that was covered intentionally or unintentionally.
"Hey - Jingde, why is your face hurt..."
Yuchi Jingde:......
Your Majesty, we can't talk to you today!
"Ahem, yesterday I was scratched by my grandson. Yes, my grandson scratched me - this child has become even more naughty after not seeing him for half a year..."
Yuchi Jingde touched his aching face with some embarrassment and pretended to laugh boldly.
"Well, if nothing happens to Your Majesty, I will go back first——"
Looking at Yuchi Jingde's figure fleeing away, Li Shimin couldn't help but slightly raise the corners of his mouth.
Ha, this guy, if you make trouble for me every day, I will be punished——
…
In the past few days, for ordinary people in the market, the most exciting and anticipated issue is the Datang Evening News, which is published every day. The main reason is that the stories behind it are interesting and the tidbits are also interesting.
Therefore, early in the morning, some teahouses and restaurants are packed with seats, crowded with guests who listen to Mr. Shu's storyteller. Even some beggars like to gather at the base of the wall downstairs, basking in the sun while reading the stories inside.
Today's opening is still "The Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties". The fascinating story has many people hooked up from time to time.
In an elegant pavilion, two young men with outstanding appearance in blue robes could not help but have a complicated expression on their faces as they listened to the cheers coming from outside.
"Brother Shangguan, it is said that the popular "Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties" in Chang'an was also written by that prince?"
Shangguan Yi nodded slightly when he heard this, and glanced at the cheering crowd outside with some emotion.
"That Marquis is indeed a strange person in the world. Not only can he write such a strange book as "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", but he can also write such a story as "The Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties" that can be enjoyed by both refined and popular tastes——"
"This kind of story..."
The young man opposite could not help but frown slightly and shook his head in confusion.
"This kind of story is arbitrarily arranged by His Majesty and the important ministers of the DPRK, and has no respect at all. I don't know why Your Majesty would allow such a story to be published openly, and he specifically asked me to come and listen to it..."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Hearing this, Shangguan Yi glanced at his somewhat depressed friend.
"Brother An Qi, haven't you noticed that this story sounds similar to the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" we have in hand -"
Li Anqi couldn't help being stunned when he heard this, and raised his head in surprise.
"What does Brother Shangguan mean by this? The "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is full of various aspects and situations. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a strange book of military strategists. How is it similar to this random fabrication of "The Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties"? "
"Brother An Qi, what do you think is the most important thing in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, apart from the art of war and strategy?"
Li Anqi suddenly felt something in his heart and asked tentatively.
"Deprecating Cao to respect Han?"
Then the two people couldn't help but look at each other, and their awe for the Marquis immediately rose to an unprecedented height.
It's amazing that this prince can actually use this kind of story that people like to hear and tell it subtly to the people all over the world, even to future generations.
Li Tang conquered the world by eradicating violence and rebelliousness, and exterminating relatives for justice. As the emperor, he was wise and powerful, and he was destined by destiny!
That's why Your Majesty turns a blind eye to such random stories about important officials of the dynasty. That's why the Marquis of Chang'an wrote such stories in an easy-to-understand way, so that even the vendors in the market and even the beggars begging on the streets can listen.
It has to be clear and obvious.
It’s not that his words are vulgar, but his plans are far-reaching.
Fortunately, Wang Zi'an didn't know their inner drama, otherwise he would have been stunned.
Ah, this——
I just randomly found a few stories that I had a rough impression of, just to find someone to help write them out and kill the boring time.
The two talented men consciously realized the true meaning and couldn't help but raise their glasses gently, with a look of relief on their faces.
"Brother An Qi, I finally understand your Majesty's intention of asking us to listen more to "The Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties", and I finally understand the reason why Your Majesty is not satisfied with "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" written by the two of us. We are not writing for scholars.
Look, it’s written to the warriors in the military camp—I’ll write according to this standard when I get back—”
Ah, this——
Li Anqi couldn't help but be stunned.
How can we, two bachelors from the Hanlin Academy, write in this language?
…
In the Chang'an Marquis Mansion, Wang Zi'an looked helplessly at the manuscript of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" sent by Li Shimin, and his face turned dark.
Fortunately, they are still bachelors from the Hanlin Academy, is this the level they are?
How many times have I preached to them, asking them to write in a simple and easy-to-understand way, but they still can’t understand what they are saying!
Turn over the table——
This is bullying. I can’t understand it, right?
"Tell them to write according to the level of "The Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasties". If you can write, write it. If you can't write, forget it. If you can't write a chapter for a few days, just forget it. The writing is nonsense..."
He glanced at it briefly and threw it aside.
I am here to read novels for entertainment, or to do reading comprehension of classical Chinese for the college entrance examination!
The boy in Tsing Yi who was responsible for delivering the manuscript couldn't help but his eyes twitched.
The writing style of a dignified Hanlin University scholar and his colorful articles turned into nonsense when it came to you?
I'm afraid you may have spoken to the wrong person——
But, he didn't dare to say it, and he didn't dare to ask either.
He nodded repeatedly and hurried back to resume his life.
…
Although ordinary people don't pay much attention to government affairs, the scholars who gather in Chang'an must read every issue.
Sure enough, they found what they were looking for in the newspaper.
Further investigation results finally emerged regarding the poisoning of Du Ruhui by Shangshu Pushe. The investigation results show that it is suspected to be related to Du Shangshu's proposal to expand the number of imperial examinations or impose a salt and iron commercial tax a few days ago.
The article then introduced in detail Du Ruhui's proposal to the court to set up another proposal for counterpart enrollment in addition to the normal imperial examination.
Filling in the application form and going to Mobei, to the remote countryside, many young men from official or aristocratic families could not help but frown slightly, but many scholars from ordinary or even poor backgrounds could not help but feel excited.
Why?
Because this is an opportunity!
The issue of levying salt and iron commercial taxes was also suddenly thrown into the spotlight.
The article makes it very clear that salt and iron are a hugely profitable industry. The annual profits are tens of millions, which is several times the revenue of the Tang Dynasty treasury, but they don’t get a penny. The people who farm the land have to work day and night with their faces turned to the loess and their backs to the sky.
His Majesty was deeply aware of the hardships faced by the people despite working hard and still having insufficient food and clothing, so he wanted to levy a tax on salt and iron and at the same time reduce the tax on farmland to 30 per cent.
This is good governance!
Ah, our Du Shangshu was poisoned because he proposed such a policy that benefited the country and the people?
Profiteers deserve to die!
That morning, just as Shangguan Yi and Li An returned to the Hanlin Academy hand in hand, the scholars gathered in Chang'an started to make a fuss again. And as the news spread, ordinary people who were originally indifferent to the government were suddenly poked at the G-spot.
.
Ah, profiteers should be damned!
For a time, the crowd in Chang'an City was excited, and some salt and iron shops that had closed late were almost smashed on the spot.
Royal study room.
Li Shimin, who had just finished teasing Yuchi Jingde and was reviewing memorials in a happy mood, heard the news of the uprising among scholars and people in Chang'an, and his whole body suddenly felt bad.
Come again——
Wang Zi'an, you thief, are you going to let me live a peaceful life for a day?
"Notify Chang'an and Wannian counties immediately and ask them to come forward immediately to organize manpower and maintain order. If anything goes wrong, I want their heads!"
After cursing and cursing for a long time, when Baiqisi, who had reported the news, went to spy, the expression on his face suddenly became uncontrollable, and the corners of his mouth could not help but turn up slightly.
Damn it, this bitch Wang Zi’an really has some stuff.
Now, let’s see who dares to stand up and oppose!
When he thought that these two policies would be passed smoothly tomorrow, he couldn't help but get excited.
Gee, this is the general trend!
Oops, I can finally experience the feeling of being in control of the situation.
…
Wang family.
Wang Yan looked at the newspaper delivered by his confidant butler Wang Zhong and almost spit out a mouthful of blood on the spot.
Is the levy of salt and iron tax suspected to be related to the poisoning case of Cai Guogong?
I'm just a piece of shit about you!
The imperial court is clearly taking this opportunity to stir up trouble and wants to drink the blood of noble families like us!
"What did Duke Qi say -"
Wang Yan took a deep breath and looked at Wang Zhong with a serious face.
Wang Zhong glanced at his master carefully and replied in a low voice.
"Qi Guogong didn't say anything..."
Wang Yan:……
Salt and iron are certainly the lifeline of their Wang family, but they are not the lifeline of their eldest grandson's family. Did this eldest grandson Wuji go to such an unprincipled level in order to please His Majesty?
…
Changsun Mansion.
After sending away the countless visitors who inquired about his identity, Changsun Wuji finally breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Head of the family, salt and iron are the main business of our eldest grandson's family. Do we really have to take the lead in paying taxes?"
The confidant butler glanced at his family master and couldn't help but ask.
Changsun Wuji glanced at the diligent old housekeeper, and there was no emotion or anger in his voice.
"Don't forget where the heel of our eldest son's family is——"
"As long as our eldest son's family remains alive, nothing else matters. Let's go down and let the following count these two properties and be prepared to pay taxes at any time-"
The old housekeeper bowed and walked out backwards.
Changsun Wuji calmly took out a deed from his sleeve.
This is the 10% share of the salt farm in the west of the city that your Majesty just rewarded when the court dismissed today.