Changsun Chong seemed to understand, and Li Mu didn't explain too much. It's not yet time to fully express his purpose. Moreover, if you want to become a beacon of thought for a person, it is impossible to instill it by force.
Subtly, let him want to do this from the bottom of his heart.
On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, the day after the Shangyuan Festival, Li Mu’s imperial edict to concurrently serve as Minister of Household Affairs was officially notified to various places. At this point, Li Mu’s official official title became Minister-in-Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Minister-in-Chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Household Affairs, and Minister of Works.
Although his title is still a marquis, he has a son of a prince. Who dares to regard him as a marquis?
In addition to military power, Li Mu was actually the first person to hold real economic power in the Tang Dynasty.
At present, the Tang Dynasty has a tendency of "three pillars". The military is nominally headed by Hou Junji, the Minister of War, but in everyone's minds, Li Jing is recognized as the number one person in the military, and as long as he is alive, his status will be
Unable to be shaken. In the political world, Changsun Wuji is the leader. Even though Fang Xuanling is a minister, everyone knows that the person Li Shimin trusts the most is his brother-in-law.
As for the economy, which is the so-called 'financial world', Li Mu successfully created a House of Internal Affairs that is completely independent of any system by separating the internal treasury from the national treasury. Today, the revenue of the House of Internal Affairs has reached the original level.
The national treasury is so large. This year, there is an additional Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has taken over part of the power of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and intercepted the profits originally attributed to smuggling. In the foreseeable future, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will definitely become like the current Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Another money bag from Datang.
He controls both the internal and external governments, and oversees the most profitable Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household Affairs, which collects taxes. Li Mu is not the God of Wealth of the Tang Dynasty, but who is? Especially since the Tang Dynasty now implements a budget system, life is tight at every yamen gate.
What should I do if I can't make ends meet? I have to find the God of Wealth, right? As a result, Li Mu's status has become more and more detached. Whether the life at the yamen door will be more comfortable or tighter this year is completely under his control.
Li Mu originally planned to return to Luoyang after the Lantern Festival. But now that the Lantian County development plan has been implemented, he himself has never been to Lantian County. This is ridiculous, so Li Mu postponed his trip back to Luoyang.
It was postponed for ten days and I planned to use these ten days to conduct a complete inspection of Lantian County.
On this trip, Li Mu brought 200 Jin Yi Guards with him. There had never been any traces of bandits in Lantian, and 200 people were enough to cope with various situations, not to mention that they were also equipped with the latest serial crossbows. In addition to the 200 guards, Li Mu also
They also brought along the coolies who had been housed in Chang'an City and the craftsmen assigned by the Ministry of Works. There were another two to three hundred people, gathered here and there, forming another team of four to five hundred people.
Li Mu originally only wanted to bring a few people with him. Seeing such a long queue, he suddenly felt a little headache again.
But there was no other way. Who could let him cause the problem himself? He had no choice but to bite the bullet. Li Mu was going to Lantian County, while Wang Ou and Mrs. Lu were going back to Luoyang. Mrs. Lu's 'base camp' was in Luoyang
, she has a lot of things to deal with when she goes back. Although the relationship with Li Shimin has eased a lot due to various interests, after all, there is still a certain distance between us and complete trust. It is better to stay less in the enemy camp.
.
Wang Ou was just trying to avoid suspicion. She was considering Li Mu's feelings. Although she deliberately avoided meeting Li Shimin when she returned to Luoyang this time, she knew in her heart that Li Shimin had not given up his plans for her. She could not change it.
In Li Shimin's mind, all he could do was stay away from him.
Qiaoqiao, Li Zhien, Jin Chen, and Zhang Tianai all stayed in Chang'an. Qiaoqiao had not seen the accounts for a year because of Feng Qiuhuang's accounting. Mei Lan, Zhu Ju and the other four girls begged her to
Take a look. Li Zhien has always been wherever she is, but this time besides this reason, there is another reason. The civil strife in Silla has reached Li Shimin's ears. The situation in Silla directly affects Li Shimin's attitude towards
Regarding Goguryeo's military use, we still have to ask Li Zhien from time to time for some details. At the same time, Li Zhien's identity can also be used. Li Shimin is considering whether to accept Li Zhien as his adopted daughter, so that when he attacks Goguryeo, he can hold high the flag of righteousness.
Firstly, it is to avenge the vassal country, and secondly, it is also to avenge the adopted daughter. The enemy of the country and the family, isn't it a teacher of justice?
Zhang Tianai originally wanted to go back to Luoyang, but the reason why he didn't go back was that the Gaochang delegation arrived in Chang'an before the Lantern Festival and presented tributes from Persia to Li Shimin. Among the people who came, there were many people from Zhangjiazhai, and Zhang Tianai missed it.
These people stayed for a few days, and when the Gaochang mission returned, she would go back to Luoyang.
When Li Mu went to Lantian this time, he brought Wei Yingluo with him. He had already gone to see Wei Zheng, and after the first lunar month, he would give the betrothal gift. This time he went to Lantian, it was for official business, and there was absolutely no reason for any personal relationship or relationship cultivation.
, that’s definitely not the case.
Li Mu patted his ass and ran away, and all those who wanted to stop him from talking about cement were left hanging. These people did not dare to chase, so they had to get together and discuss with each other.
…
No one knew that Wang Gui had sneaked back to Chang'an. Of course, his younger brother Wang Pu also came back together. Instead of returning to Wang Gui's original residence, they found an inconspicuous small courtyard and rented it.
Come down. This time Wang Gui came to Chang'an despite disobeying the imperial edict because he was anxious. He came to block Wang Ou. He wanted Wang Ou to help the Wang family in Taiyuan and put in a good word in front of Li Mu, hoping to buy a stake in the cement factory.
.But Wang Ou didn't see them and returned to Luoyang, making it clear that he didn't want to take care of them. Wang Gui had no choice but to sigh. Because he hadn't had a good rest for several days, his eye sockets were black, as if he was going to be seriously ill.
"Brother, why do you think this Marquis is so powerful?" After three glasses of wine, Wang Pu's face turned red. Wang Gui glanced at him and said, "If you can't drink, don't drink. If you drink too much, just talk and do things."
It’s easy to go wrong.”
"What trouble can we two brothers cause?" Wang Pu disagreed and continued to mutter: "Coal has been piled in the soil for thousands of years, but no one took it seriously. Mr. Hou invented the earthen kang and put it to use immediately.
Especially in Taiyuan, who doesn’t have a Tukang? There is coal everywhere, isn’t it better than going up the mountain to collect firewood?
He drank too much and talked a lot: "Now I have found cement worth thousands of gold in the idle Lantian County. How can I explain this? Brother, you said he is not really the reincarnation of a god in the sky.
Bar?"
"Hahaha." Wang Gui scolded him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? The sage said, 'You don't talk about strange powers and confuse the gods.' Just stay away from them. If you say too much, you will make many mistakes. Can you afford to offend the gods?"
As he spoke, he guessed: "But what you said makes sense. There are really many magical things in Li Mu."
"It's really hard to guess!" Wang Pu sighed with deep understanding, and then asked: "Brother, tell me, are the shares in the cement plant now more valuable than the Datang Mining in our hands?"
"It's much more valuable!" Wang Gui said without hesitation: "Although we have a lot of coal there, it's not lacking in other places. It's everywhere. It's just easier to dig here, but don't forget that coal is
, it is easy to dig out, but difficult to transport. Once the freight exceeds the excavation fee, no one will buy it."
"But cement is the only one in the world! Just for this reason, if anyone trades Datang Mining's shares with me for one, I won't trade with him!" Wang Gui said in a low voice: "
Besides, besides making some money, what value does the coal business have? The beauty of the cement business is that it’s even more valuable. Even if it doesn’t make money, it’s still more valuable, much more valuable!”
"Why?" Wang Pu asked, dumbfounded.
"Because its value to businessmen is secondary, but its value to officials is as high as heaven!" Wang Gui couldn't restrain his excitement and said: "What kind of cement is this? This is a mark of history.
It’s a panacea!”
Seeing Wang Pu's confusion, Wang Gui looked like he hated iron and explained, "Why don't you understand? To an official, is that cement? That is clearly a blinding achievement!"
"Which official in every state, county and county in the world doesn't want to leave behind political achievements? However, the cost of the project is high and the risks are high. The key is that it takes a long time, often several years."
"As time goes by, there will be more variables. The most disturbing thing is that when the work is almost finished, an order comes down and you have to move the place for others. As a result, all your hard work has turned into making wedding clothes for others. How many do you think?
As an official, can you make up your mind to do it?"
Wang Pu nodded with deep understanding. His political achievements in Linyi were just making wedding clothes for others. Although this other person was also a descendant of their Taiyuan Wang family.
"But cement is amazing! It's fast and strong! With enough cement, you can build a house in two days! If you have solid political achievements, who can stop you from getting promoted?"
"Yeah." Wang Pu nodded and said, "Brother makes sense, but now, it's clear that we don't have a share, what should we do?"
"Don't show off your shame and apologize!" Wang Gui said very firmly, saying: "If we can get cement, we will get the talisman to stabilize the foundation. With cement, our Taiyuan Wang family can hold on, otherwise more than ten years later,
Is there still a place in the world for our Taiyuan Wang family to establish itself?"
Wang Pu couldn't help but said: "Brother, you are exaggerating. There is a saying that a centipede will die without becoming stiff. Our Wang family in Taiyuan has been inherited for thousands of years, how could we lose in ten or twenty years? It's not like the Boling Cui family.
, there is no successor, our Taiyuan Wang family has always been prosperous."
"What does this have to do with the population!" Wang Gui said angrily: "The general trend of the world, do you understand the general trend?"
Wang Pu shook his head seriously and almost made Wang Gui angry to death: "I thought you would make some progress if you went out to practice, but I didn't expect you are still so short-sighted!"
"Do you know why aristocratic families can be passed down for thousands of years without declining?" Although no one was around, Wang Gui still lowered his voice and said: "Earlier, during the Qin and Han Dynasties, only aristocratic families had books and could cultivate students.
Talents. Whether they are emperors or kings, they have to use the children of aristocratic families, so the aristocratic families remain standing."
"Then, during the Three Kingdoms, the Two Jins and the former Sui Dynasty, all the heroes of the Central Plains emerged side by side, and powerful men and women stood side by side. The aristocratic families had their own soldiers and their own forces. Even if they respected their strength, the status of the aristocratic families was also very stable."
"But now, the world has been unified again. You and I don't need to tell you what kind of person Li Shimin is. He is only in his thirties now, at the peak of the Spring and Autumn Period. When he is done with his work, he will definitely wield his sword against the aristocratic family. And
Now, it is the time when the foundation of my family's power is at its weakest. What is even more desperate is that he is now assisted by people like Li Mu. Think about it for yourself, let these two people work together for twenty years, how many families can
Survive? Liang Cui is an example. The hatred of killing his son, the hatred of taking his wife, great shame and humiliation, look at what the two thousand-year-old family has done to Li Mu? Not only do they not dare to provoke him, they don't even dare to fart!"
Wang Pu was stunned.
Doesn't Wang Pu understand? He understands very well that after following Li Mu for so long, how can he not know how strong Li Mu is. But in front of Wang Gui, he has to show shock.
He murmured: "Then, what should I do -"
Wang Gui sighed and said: "When the enemy is so strong that you can't resist it, there is only one way to join. Wang Pu, remember this sentence, as a descendant of the Wang family, nothing is more important than continuing the family, face? Then?
What is it? It’s not worth showing off in the face of the family’s interests.”
"You are my brother, and as an elder brother, I cannot harm you. I let you get in touch with Li Mu, and you should know what I mean. I don't really want you to be his lackey, I want you to get in touch with him and learn from him.
Him, join him. Once you get his support, you will be the next leader."
"What does eldest brother mean," Wang Pu asked, "that we should move closer to the imperial court?"
"No!" Wang Gui said resolutely: "The five surnames and seven sects are connected by the same spirit. We must not rely on the imperial court!"
"But brother, you just said -" Wang Pu was puzzled, and Wang Gui said sternly: "I want you to be able to do everything with ease. For thousands of years, the Wang family in Taiyuan has been standing tall because of these few words.
"
"When the aristocratic family was least close to the royal power, no one was willing to serve as an official. Only the Taiyuan Wang family was willing. And when the aristocratic family was willing to serve as an official, the Taiyuan Wang family returned to seclusion. In this way, they wandered between the government and the public, gaining both fame and benefits.
, this is the way to survive.”
Wang Pu worriedly said: "But your Majesty is wise and the Marquis is smart, so he may not be able to see through it."
"So what if you see through it?" Wang Gui said with a smile: "As long as there is value in using it, no matter whether it is a wise person or a smart person, it is impossible to leave the capable person unused. With your position, you will be exposed to it for a while.
You can't reach His Majesty, and even if you come into contact with it, you may not be satisfied with His Majesty's ability, so you have to hang around Li Mu and find a way to come into contact with the cement. If it's too late, it's over. If what I expected is true, other families will not be able to get it.
If they would let this opportunity pass by, they might even have started taking action already!"