Chapter 547: Abandoning Officials to Join Business
Li Qi is famous for his shocking words, but in the past, he would only choose to take the wrong approach when he was under pressure, and now it is the time to ask for reward. He made such a statement at this time,
It's really hard to understand.
Zhao Liangsi and Zhao Kai looked at each other, and then looked at Li Qi at the same time, confusion flashing in their eyes.
Li Qi lowered his head, assuming a posture of acknowledging death and beheading, which made people even more curious.
In fact, Song Huizong had already received the letter sent by Zhao Liangsi, and was about to reward him based on his merits. However, Li Qi immediately went to plead guilty, which actually confused him.
Wang Fu, Bai Shizhong and other important officials could not understand what Li Qi was up to, and they were all puzzled.
After a while, Song Huizong came to his senses, frowned and said, "I don't know why I am guilty of loving you?"
Day. I thought you were mute. Li Qi bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I have a feverish mind and made the decision without authorization. I promised the Kingdom of Jin to exchange the one million land donation for a businessman from the Song Dynasty to go to the Kingdom of Jin."
Investment is really a crime worthy of death, but this matter was all caused by Wei Chen alone, and Wei Chen is willing to bear the responsibility."
The more Song Huizong listened, the more confused he became, and said: "This is a good thing."
Wang Fu was anxious. Seeing that success was just around the corner, he didn't expect that Li Qi would do the opposite. He didn't know what his intention was, so he stood up and said passionately: "What the emperor said is
, Doctor Li, by doing this you not only reduced the pressure on our country's finances, but also did not make the emperor lose his trust to the people, but also increased the friendship between Song and Jin. Of course, the most important thing is to help us, the Song Dynasty, regain the land of Yanjing. This is
If you succeed in one fell swoop, what's the mistake?"
Song Huizong nodded vigorously and said: "What Wang Aiqing said makes sense. This is a great good thing. What crime is there?"
As expected of Wang Fu, he is so eloquent. He told me all the credit in just a few words. He is indeed a good hand in claiming credit. Li Qi sighed and said: "Reporting to the emperor, Wei Chen also thought so at that time, but in
When he came back, Weichen realized that Weichen was completely wrong. If Weichen was given another chance, Weichen would never speak."
Song Huizong's good mood was completely ruined by Li Qi. He frowned and said: "Okay, okay, you keep saying you want to apologize. Then tell me, what crime have you committed?"
Li Qi's eyes twitched for a moment, and he said dejectedly: "Excuse me, does your Majesty already know about the tentative agreement we have made with the Kingdom of Jin?"
Song Huizong nodded and said, "Doctor Zhao has made it clear to me in his letter."
Li Qi shook his head and sighed: "Actually, this plan is simply impossible to complete."
When everyone heard this, they looked shocked.
Wang Fu was particularly exaggerated. He took two small steps back and almost fell to the ground.
Li Qi almost laughed out loud when he saw it.
Song Huizong blinked a few times blankly and asked in astonishment: "Why is this?"
Li Qi let out a long sigh and said: "Your Majesty, the central purpose of Weichen's plan is to enrich ourselves first, and then our neighbors."
Wang Fu said hurriedly: "It would be even better if we could also enrich ourselves. Why is it impossible to accomplish this?"
Song Huizong also nodded in agreement.
Li Qi sighed: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, throughout the Song Dynasty, we have been adhering to the idea of agriculture and the end of Shang Dynasty, and using pragmatic methods to enrich the country. However, my plan is to enrich the country through business. In fact, it is putting the cart before the horse."
If Tong Guan were here, Li Qi would have to die in a hurry. He had repeatedly warned Li Qi to avoid this sensitive topic that day. But Li Qi just faced the difficulty.
Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty frowned and said, "Making a country rich through business?"
Li Qi nodded and said: "Yes, not to mention whether those businessmen are willing to do business in the Kingdom of Jin. That is a later matter. If we in the Song Dynasty do not have rich enough businessmen, then there is no need to talk about investing in the Kingdom of Jin."
"Yeah. What you said makes some sense." Song Huizong nodded, glanced at the ministers, and saw that the conservatives' faces were a little strange. After thinking for a while, he said: "Then first, tell me how to enrich the country through business?"
Li Qi bowed and said: "The first step is to improve the status of businessmen. It is best to allow businessmen to serve as officials."
Wang Fu raised his hands and said to the sky: "Back in the reign of Emperor Yingzong, he issued an edict, 'In business and miscellaneous industries, and those with extraordinary talents and unusual practices, we will also listen to the explanation.' Otherwise, I am afraid that Dr. Li will not be able to become an official in the court."
Although this move loosened the idea of focusing on agriculture and suppressing business, it only provided an official career path for wealthy businessmen and promoted collusion between government and businessmen. Even poorer businessmen could not enjoy this provision.
Li Qi shook his head and said: "But compared to scholars and peasants, if businessmen want to participate in the scientific examination, there is a restriction of 'wizards and strangers should also listen to explanations'. I think it should be relaxed a little more."
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed. Businessmen value profits and are good at making money through tricks. Their hearts are treacherous and unbecoming of a gentleman. How can such a person enter the court and become an official?" Song Moquan stood up and shouted.
Before Song Huizong could speak, Li Qi said: "Your Majesty, what the scholar of Song Dynasty said is absolutely right. Wei Chen was also worried about this, so he felt that this plan was absolutely unfeasible. Wei Chen thought it was better to follow the Jin people's instructions.
They asked for one million yuan to be handed over to them, and then the taxes from Yanjing were also given to them."
Li Qi's move was to retreat in order to advance, which almost made Gao Qiu, Cai Sui and others laugh out loud. They all cursed secretly in their hearts. This guy is really bad. He will use this million to stab him at every turn. With this,
A huge amount, I believe he will win this debate.
Song Huizong glanced at Song Moquan, his face slightly displeased. Wang Fu stood up and said: "From what the scholar of the Song Dynasty said, there seems to be a better way. You might as well speak out and listen."
One million? Song Moquan almost vomited blood on the spot, his face was sweating profusely, and he said sarcastically: "Your Majesty, this humble minister is incompetent, please forgive me."
Li Bangyan suddenly said: "Doctor Li, there are so many businessmen in the Song Dynasty, so why should we do this?"
Song Moquan nodded in agreement.
Li Qidao: "What Zuo Xiang said is true, but our country's business has reached a bottleneck and can no longer make breakthroughs, and there are very few businessmen who can really invest in the Kingdom of Jin. All talented people would rather be hungry at home."
People who studied in order to become officials in the court were unwilling to go into business, which led to the decline of talents in the business world of the Song Dynasty and the inability to make major breakthroughs. Only by improving the status of businessmen can more talented people join the business world.
, Only in this way can our economy in the Song Dynasty be improved."
Song Moquan argued: "If we follow what Dr. Li said, everyone has gone to do business, and who will grow food, this will clearly push our country, the Song Dynasty, into danger."
Li Qidao: "Master Song, you have underestimated the businessman. Do you think everyone can do this businessman?"
Song Moquan hummed: "Businessmen just buy here and sell there, taking advantage of them and making a profit on the price difference. It is tantamount to getting something for nothing. It is really shameful and hateful."
“Incisive.”
Li Qi nodded in approval and said, "I really didn't expect that Academician Song could see things so thoroughly. I admire you so much." He changed the subject and said, "But Academician Song, just what you said, how many people can do this?"
If you get it, you can do it well. Not everyone in the Song Dynasty is making money, and most of the businessmen are heavily in debt."
Suddenly someone stood up and hummed: "Then according to what Dr. Li said, who can be a businessman?"
This person is Sun Jian from Zhongshushe.
Li Qi chuckled and said: "Of course the smarter the better. Just like Sun Sheren."
Sun Jian rolled up his sleeves and raised his head and said, "Doctor Li, please respect yourself. Sun Jian would rather die than be associated with such a humble profession."
The academicians nodded and praised Sun Zhan for his noble integrity.
Damn it! If you don't want to be with people who eat, I will admire you. Li Qi shrugged his shoulders and said ruthlessly: "Sun Sheren. I am complimenting you. Do you deserve to be so angry? And besides,
There is no need for you to open fire on me. I already know that I was wrong and I have apologized to the emperor. I hope the emperor can punish me, abandon this agreement, and negotiate with the Kingdom of Jin separately. I am standing with you."
Shameless! It’s so shameless! Gods are you too, ghosts are you too.
Song Moquan and others cursed secretly in their hearts, but they were not sure what Li Qi wanted to do, and it was difficult to prescribe the right medicine for a while.
Song Huizong's heart tightened when he heard this, and he said in a deep voice: "Li Aiqing, what are you talking nonsense here? Our Song Dynasty is a country of etiquette and a country of gentlemen. How can we break trust easily?" After a pause, he turned to Li again.
Bang Yan and others said: "My dear friends, don't be too busy questioning Li Qi. Now that the national treasury is empty, since you all don't agree with Li Qi's approach, can you find a way to raise this million yuan? In addition, you have to appease
The people of our country should accept the fact that the land of Yanjing was handed over to the Kingdom of Jin."
The officials were speechless. If they could think of a way, they would have asked Song Huizong for credit long ago. How could they wait until today?
Zhao Kai took this opportunity and whispered beside Li Qi: "What tricks are you playing?"
Li Qi lowered his head and said: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I am leaving a way out for myself. You have also seen how excited these people are. If I speak directly, I will probably be cut into pieces by them. Be safe."
good."
Zhao Kai was stunned for a moment, then understood and said: "You are taking retreat as an opportunity to advance."
"My life is at stake, so I have no choice but to do it."
"You are truly a profiteer."
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness."
"Uh, pretend I didn't say anything."
.
Song Huizong was also a little angry with these people. He would not say anything about serious matters and would talk about trivial matters here. Now he only wanted to regain Yanyun and achieve great achievements that no emperor of the Song Dynasty could achieve. When he saw this, he would
It's done, whoever hinders the development of this matter at this time is undoubtedly his biggest enemy.
Wang Fu suddenly stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I think that the Yanyun matter has already consumed too much time and financial resources. If it is delayed any longer, something unexpected may happen, and the suggestion put forward by Doctor Li is really the best for me, the Song Dynasty."
Song Huizong nodded, glanced at Song Moquan and other conservatives, and said solemnly: "Since you have nothing to say, then don't say anything and listen to Li Qi."
"As commanded."
All the ministers said in unison.
Song Huizong glared at Li Qi slightly and said: "Li Aiqing, agriculture is the foundation of our Song Dynasty, and its status is unshakable, but I believe you can think of a way to get the best of both worlds."
Sweating! You think so highly of me! Li Qi felt the pressure doubled and cried: "Your Majesty, I have already confessed my crime. Please don't embarrass me."
You kid has always acted cautiously. If you are not sure, how can you dare to make the decision on such a big matter without authorization? Song Huizong was so angry that his teeth itched with hatred and he frowned and said: "Nonsense. Since you proposed this plan, of course you have to take responsibility. Just say
That is, as long as what you say is reasonable, I will definitely make the decision for you."
Li Qi pretended to hesitate for a while, and seeing that Song Huizong was about to kill someone, he said: "Your Majesty, Wei Chen thinks that improving the status of merchants does not mean harming the status of farmers, and what Wei Chen does is not to encourage farmers to engage in business.
, on the contrary, Wei Chen actually wanted to encourage officials of the Song Dynasty to abandon their official positions and engage in business."
When these words were spoken in this era, they were undoubtedly a bolt from the blue, and everyone was shocked. (To be continued...)