Five years as county magistrate, hundreds of millions of kilograms of grain shocked Li Shimin Chapter 423 The emperor was furious and incited public dissatisfaction
Chapter 423 The emperor was furious and incited public dissatisfaction
At night, Li Shimin was woken up.
Normally, if the emperor is asleep, things that are not very urgent cannot disturb the emperor's sleep.
The death of four guards in Chang'an City is a trivial matter, and it should not disturb the emperor's rest.
But the nature of the report is different depending on the person reporting it.
At Fang Yuan's strong request, Wang De went to wake up Li Shimin.
"Fang Yuan, couldn't you just go directly to the Punishment Department and Dali Temple to deal with the death of four guards?"
Li Shimin appeared with a dark face.
He didn't even change into his pajamas, he had a loose nightgown, messy hair, and a dissatisfied tone.
"Your Majesty, the person who died was not an ordinary guard, but a guard of Huaxia Bank, a guard who protected Lu Xia and Wu Ruyi."
"They met more than a dozen men in black on their way back from Huaxia Bank tonight, warning them not to press the issue of price control."
Fang Yuan said in a deep voice.
Li Shimin originally looked dissatisfied.
After listening to Fang Yuan's words, the dissatisfaction disappeared and turned into fierce anger.
"How brave, can you find out which family is instigating this?"
Li Shimin said coldly.
If you dare to warn Lu Xia and Wu Ruyi when you know they are doing things for you, you don't take yourself seriously.
The five surnames and Qi Wang are no longer in the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty can no longer stop the emperor's will. They deserve to die!
"There is no way to investigate."
"The four guards are dead and there are no residents nearby."
Fang Yuan shook his head and said.
The place chosen by the man in black happened to be the intersection.
The nearby stores are all for business, not residential areas.
"Death without evidence?"
Li Shimin’s brows furrowed into a frown.
"I suggest that all aristocratic families be ordered to immediately lower their prices!"
"Anyone who disagrees will be regarded as an accomplice in the assassination of senior executives of Huaxia Bank!"
Fang Yuan said in a deep voice.
This is a stick to kill someone.
But it is far better to kill a few arrogant families than to burden the people of the world.
"Fang Yuan, you are solely responsible for this matter. I allow you to mobilize the Criminal Department and Dali Temple to investigate."
Li Shimin said in a deep voice.
There was suppressed anger in his heart, anger towards those arrogant families.
When these five surnames and Qiwang families were around, he kept suppressing them, but there was no need to suppress them when they were away.
All uncooperative aristocratic families will either exterminate them or drive them out of the Tang Dynasty.
This is the emperor!
"Yes!"
Fang Yuan didn’t think too much.
He cares more about the living conditions of ordinary people.
At this time, those who are unwilling to give ordinary people the right to live must be dealt with.
At night, Fang Yuan left the palace.
Immediately send orders to the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple.
Among them, Chang'an County Government is also among Fang Yuan's transferees.
The Third Division was dispatched to investigate the warnings given to Lu Xia and Wu Ruyi.
At the same time, Fang Yuan summoned the heads of the aristocratic families in Chang'an City as the Minister of Household Affairs and the person in charge of Huaxia Bank.
Yes, convening overnight.
The guard who delivered the message was very rude and kicked the door down for the procrastinating family.
For a time, Chang'an City was crowded with people in the dark night, and the aristocratic families felt a strong pressure.
At the same time, they who didn’t know the whole story also knew what happened, and many of them were sweating coldly for a while.
"Which bastard got his brain kicked by a donkey?"
"Damn it, it's hard to be kind with such a big movement, isn't it?"
Time passes minute by minute.
More and more people are gathering in the Huaxia Bank meeting room.
Finally, most of the family heads or representatives arrived, and Fang Yuan finally arrived.
As Fang Yuan arrived, the aristocratic families present stood up one after another and looked at Fang Yuan with different expressions.
"There are very stupid people among you, maybe one, maybe two, maybe more!"
"I don't need to say anything. I think everyone already knows it, so I won't say more. I just want to ask, whoever is willing to lower prices please raise your hand!"
Fang Yuan talked as he walked, and finally came to his seat and sat down, looking at everyone coldly.
These are all aristocratic families in Chang'an City, all powerful people, with various identities.
As soon as the words fell, the seventy or eighty people present were in an uproar, whispering and whispering to each other, with great opinions.
"Fang Shangshu, this matter is of great importance. Can we discuss it further?"
"That's right, Fang Shangshu, it's not easy for us to make a living. If we lower prices arbitrarily, our family will be ruined."
Many people are talking about it and have opinions.
Fang Yuan listened, ignored it, and just sat there.
The noisy scene lasted for a while, and it seemed that something was wrong with the atmosphere, and it gradually became quiet.
Everyone still looked at each other, but compared with just now, it was slightly different. Everyone was worried.
Suddenly, someone raised their hands, then more people raised their hands, and finally almost everyone raised their hands.
"For those who don't raise their hands, I will give you one last chance."
Fang Yuan stood up and glanced at the representative of the family who did not raise his hand.
There were about six or seven people in the crowd, but none of them raised their hands.
"Fang Shangshu, our family has a small business and we really can't lower the price."
"Fang Shangshu, we are also human beings and part of the Tang Dynasty. You can't force us, right?"
"The rise in prices is caused by Huaxia Bank printing too much money, but we should be held responsible to the end, shouldn't we?"
These people bravely said.
"Now that we've come to this point, let me explain."
"This time there are more Huaxia Banks, so Huaxia Banks will support you and give you privileges."
"But you still don't listen. It's difficult for the stability of the world and you still stand in the middle of the road. Then don't blame the imperial court for being ruthless."
Fang Yuan said coldly.
The rise in prices is indeed caused by Huaxia Bank printing too much money, and there is no way to clean up this.
But things have already happened, so the only way to solve the problem is to ask the family that produces the goods to lower their prices.
For the stability of the world and the lives of the people, we can only sacrifice our small family to take care of everyone. Anyone who is not sensible can only say sorry.
"Fang Shangshu, for the sake of the stability of the world, we can understand."
"But the conditions offered by Huaxia Bank are too simple, and we have no use at all."
Among the seven noble families who raised their hands, someone stood up and said.
"There are seventy-eight people present, seventy-one of them have met the conditions, and only seven of you are not."
"The conditions of the imperial court can only satisfy most people, but it is difficult to satisfy everyone."
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"In addition, regarding the murder last night, I think you are the most suspicious."
Fang Yuan said in a deep voice.
Since you don’t want the dignity given to you, then don’t blame the court for not giving you the dignity.
After finishing speaking, more than a dozen people from the Criminal Department walked into the conference room and walked towards those who did not raise their hands.
Instantly, the representatives of the aristocratic families present changed their colors in an uproar, and the few aristocratic families who did not raise their hands stood up in fright.
"Fang Shangshu, is it more than that?"
"Fang Shangshu, the court didn't even give us a chance to express our opinions?"
"Fang Shangshu, if you treat us like this, the whole world will feel chilled!"
The representatives of several aristocratic families who did not raise their hands shouted inwardly.
"I just asked you to cooperate with last night's assassination. Why are you so excited?"
Fang Yuan's expression did not change and he said calmly.
In the end, seven uncooperative families were forcibly taken away.
The remaining representatives of the aristocratic families had different expressions on their faces, and they did not dare to express their grievances.
"Within three days, prices will return to their original state."
Fang Yuan made a final summary, and the meeting ended.
It almost caused a stir in the whole city, but it stopped before even a stick of incense was burned.
After Fang Yuan left, the representatives of the major families left one after another without saying anything else.
However, the major aristocratic families did not return to their own families. Instead, the aristocratic families who were usually close to each other walked together one after another and finally disappeared into the night.
"The court's move is too much. If we endure it, we will suffer more suppression in the future."
"Yes, I think so too. We can agree to lower prices, but the court is not allowed to force us to lower prices with such an attitude."
"Then let's unite with other families and not bargain on price?"
In the darkness, many aristocratic families were talking quietly.
Although there are no longer five surnames and seven hopes in the Tang Dynasty, there are still many aristocratic families in the world, and the power of aristocratic families is still very strong.
The major aristocratic families do not need to unite to shake up the rule of the Tang Dynasty, so the aristocratic families still have something to rely on.
"Contact some aristocratic families who usually move around a lot and ask them what they think?"
In the end, many aristocratic family factions came to the conclusion that they would unite with other aristocratic families to resist.
The night passed like this.
At dawn the next day, people in Chang'an City were talking about what happened last night.
Many people are aware of the situation and are simultaneously looking forward to and worried about it.
The expectation is that prices will drop soon.
What worries me is that the aristocratic family may cause chaos.
But not many people are worried, most of them are looking forward to it.
"Dear fellow villagers, come and take a look, the price is greatly reduced!"
"It's hard to miss today. Don't miss it at clearance price!"
On the fourth day, major stores collectively lowered their prices.
Most of them lower the price and bring it back to the original price under the slogan of clearance and price reduction.
The people in Chang'an City watched and breathed a sigh of relief, but then they couldn't help complaining about the pretentiousness of the major shops.
“It’s so funny that it’s obviously going to be restored to the original price, but it’s said to be a big price cut.”
"They also talked about clearance and price reduction. Everyone knows it. Is it necessary to be so face-saving?"
The people laughed.
I feel ridiculous about the slogans of major stores.
Everyone knows that Huaxia Bank has taken action in the name of the emperor, but all the major families are so shameless in saying that they are clearing out their stocks and reducing their prices.
Who believes they will really clear out their inventory?
Prices in Chang'an City have returned to normal, and the people are happy.
In order to protect their lives, many people have bought a lot of things, and they have really cleaned out some stores.
Soon, Fang Yuan, Li Shimin and others also found out about the situation, and they also found their slogans ridiculous and disapproved of them.
However, after several days passed, the people in the city finally realized that something was wrong.
Those stores with discounts and clearance slogans that sold out actually closed their doors and never opened again after they were sold out.
As stores sold out and closed one after another, people in the city began to panic and scramble to buy.
Likewise, the news reached Fang Yuan.
"Let Lu Xia and Wu Ruyi check."
Fang Yuan said in a deep voice.
The control issue is not over yet, Wu Ruyi is still working with Luxia.
Soon, Lu Xia and Wu Ruyi met Fang Yuan and relayed the investigation situation to Fang Yuan.
"Those aristocratic families that closed their doors are still in Chang'an City."
"According to our investigation and inquiries with them, their products are almost sold out, leaving only a small amount for their own use."
Lu Xia and Wu Ruyi reported one after another.
Both of them looked a little ugly, feeling like they had been tricked, but they couldn't find anything wrong with the other.
"Interesting, interesting. Are you going to play dirty tricks with me?"
Fang Yuan laughed angrily.
Major aristocratic families have been liquidating their stores and closing their doors one after another. At the same time, they have no surplus, and the small amount leftover is for their own use.
Judging from these circumstances, they have already responded to the imperial court's regulation, and there is nothing they can do about the rest.
They told Fang Yuan and the imperial court: We have responded to the imperial court, and it is up to you to decide the rest.
"What do we do?"
Wu Ruyi said anxiously.
In the past, when prices rose, people complained, but they could still survive.
Now that prices have been lowered, but the goods have disappeared, it is difficult for people to survive, and their complaints are even greater.
If it is not resolved as soon as possible, public dissatisfaction will be greater, unrest may occur, and the emperor will be more likely to hold her and Lu Xia accountable.
"What's the hurry?"
"Keep them happy for a while."
Fang Yuan sneered.
The five surnames and the Seven Hopes were all driven away from the Tang Dynasty. Can they join forces to resist the imperial court?
The princes of the imperial court have a lot of resources, and they have no problem replacing these aristocratic families.
"Sir, the imperial court has issued a decree asking you to enter the palace now."
At this time, the guard guarding the door came in to report.
"You go and do your work, I'll go to the palace first."
Fang Yuan said calmly.
Enter the palace with the eunuch who announced the decree.
In the imperial study room, Li Shimin's face did not look good.
"Do they think I don't dare to kill them?"
When Li Shimin saw Fang Yuan arriving, he said with murderous intent.
"Your Majesty, let the princes of the court replace them."
"Since they don't want to make money, some people want to make money."
Fang Yuan responded.
The princes in the imperial court also belong to major aristocratic families.
But they responded to Huaxia Bank’s regulation.
For example, the Changsun family, the Gao family, the Wang family, the Du family, etc. are all big families among the big families.
Therefore, it seems that many shops in Chang'an City are closed, and the people are panicking, but there are still many shops that are normal.
"They won't handle it?"
Li Shimin said coldly.
The princes of the imperial court can indeed replace them.
But Li Shimin did not allow them to be so arrogant.
Qi Wang, the fifth surname, is no longer in the Tang Dynasty, and Li Shimin does not allow any other aristocratic family to act like Qi Wang, the fifth surname.
The imperial power must be above that of the aristocratic family. This can ensure the continuation of the imperial power and allow the royal family Li to survive for generations without following in the footsteps of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty.
"Let them be happy for a while first, and we will settle the matter later."
Fang Yuan sneered.
There is no rush to liquidate them, as long as they are still in Chang'an City.
Starting from today, they will be restricted from leaving the city, and dealing with them in the future will be nothing but a trap.
"Pass an order to let the Changsun family, Gao family, Du family, Wang family...purchase them, operate normally, and keep prices unchanged."
Li Shimin ordered.
A eunuch immediately left with Li Shimin's wishes.
However, when the eunuch came back to report, Fang Yuan and Li Shimin were furious.
"Your Majesty, the Du family expressed their intention to take immediate action. The remaining ones...the remaining ones indicated that they had no money to purchase them and could not fulfill His Majesty's mission."
The Changsun family, the Gao family, the Wang family, etc. are all powerful families. They have a lot of resources, so how can they have no money?