Li Mu came to the palace early in the morning to see Li Shimin.
In the past, he was a fifth-rank minister of the Ministry of Industry and was not qualified to visit him at any time, but now he is a fourth-rank minister of the Ministry of Industry and has this qualification. Li Shimin was a diligent emperor and got up early. But Li Mu came.
It was still a little early, he hadn't finished his breakfast yet, so Queen Changsun was also with him.
After hearing Eunuch Gao say that Zhuluhou asked for an audience, Empress Changsun wanted to avoid him. Li Shimin stopped her and said: "This kid Li Mu is different from other officials. In my heart, he is like a nephew, so there is no need to avoid suspicion too much."
, said to Mr. Gao fairly: "Let him come in."
Eunuch Gao was surprised when he heard this. He had served Li Shimin since he was the king of Qin. He had met many people, but no one had ever received such a "special" evaluation from Li Shimin. The emperor's nephew
, that is the royal relative. Does your Majesty already regard Li Mu as the royal relative in your heart?
When Eunuch Gao thought about this, he became even more horrified and made up his mind to be even more friendly to Li Mu in the future.
Not long after, Eunuch Gao brought Li Mu in. This was the first time Li Mu saw Li Shimin in the palace since he moved to Tai Chi Hall. The last time they came to Tai Chi Hall, he and Li Yuan had drunk too much and climbed onto the roof.
The scene is still vivid in my mind, but today, this hall has changed its owner.
For some reason, Li Mu suddenly felt emotional and seemed to be slightly distracted. Li Shimin didn't know what he was thinking, but he was stunned when he saw him halfway through the salute. He lowered his head to look at the porridge in the bowl and said, "You came so early and didn't eat?
"
"Ah?" Li Mu calmed down and didn't know how to explain it, so he had to borrow the donkey from Poxia and said, "Your Majesty, I haven't eaten."
In order to enhance his credibility, Li Mu also licked his lips.
Li Shimin frowned. In fact, he didn't have the habit of giving food to his ministers, but after all, he asked Li Mu for something yesterday. Today, he asked Li Mu early in the morning and he didn't even eat... If he didn't give him a bowl of porridge, it would be too late.
It seemed a bit too cool. Empress Changsun was watching. Before Li Shimin could speak, she asked Gong E to bring another pair of bowls and chopsticks. She raised her hand and called Li Mu: "Zhuluhou, come and eat together."
Li Mu glanced at Li Shimin, who said with a tigerish face: "The queen has said so, so come over and eat together."
"I thank the Queen for the porridge." Li Mu actually had eaten in the morning, but in order to lie, he had to pretend to be very hungry. Fortunately, at his age, drinking an extra bowl of porridge would not be noticeable at all, so he took it immediately
The porridge bowl was pulled in by Xili Tulu.
Empress Changsun had never seen someone eating food like this before. She was so shocked that she was speechless. After a while, she finally said: "I didn't expect that Zhuluhou was so hungry. Want another bowl?"
Li Mu saw that there wasn't much left in the pottery basin, so he shook his head and said, "I'll just put a cushion on it. I've come to see your majesty because I have something serious to say."
Li Shimin snorted and said: "It's pretty good. I didn't forget about business...Tell me, did you accomplish what you promised me yesterday?"
Li Mu nodded and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the matter has been discussed with Duke Su."
Thinking of Cheng Yaojin's helpless look, Li Shimin also had a headache and said, "He just agreed?"
It would be a fool not to take credit now. Li Mu said: "Uncle Cheng didn't agree at first, but I bargained with him and finally agreed."
"Talk about it."
"Well..." Li Mu hesitated for a moment and said, "I promised Uncle Cheng the sole right to run Marseille on behalf of Your Majesty."
"Another trespass!" Li Shimin slapped the table, causing the bowls and basins to jolt. Li Mu shrank in fright. Empress Changsun glanced at him and said: "Your Majesty, you have to allow people to finish their words. Suspects don't need to
, Employing people without doubt, who said this?"
Li Shimin took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said: "When will I give you the right to make decisions? Li Mu, if you don't speak clearly, I will punish you today!"
"Yes, yes..." Li Mu hurriedly left the table and bowed: "Your Majesty, I think that this cannot be regarded as overstepping, and this should be done. It is only because Your Majesty does not understand business that I feel that I have overstepped."
Li Shimin remained silent while Li Mu grinned and continued: "Your Majesty, one of the prerequisites for this horse race to make money is that it must be unique. Your Majesty, do you think, if there are four racecourses in Chang'an City, and the races are held at the same time?
.Which one will the people go to see?”
Li Mu asked and answered himself, saying: "Perhaps, you can watch whichever one is exciting, or maybe you can watch whichever one is close to your home. But in either case, it will lead to dispersion. If it is dispersed, you will not be able to earn this money. Your Majesty, after all,
You can't do business in a big way like I do. If you want to make money through Marseille, you have to ensure that there is only one horse farm in Chang'an City. Otherwise, where will the money come from, Your Majesty."
"Well..." Li Shimin did not respond in a hurry. Queen Changsun next to her understood. After Li Shimin came back yesterday, he had already told her the matter and said, "Your Majesty, what Zhulu Hou said is reasonable."
Li Shimin did not comment and said: "Just tell me how it was decided in the end."
"Your Majesty, this is the final decision. Your Majesty, Uncle Cheng, and your ministers will each share 30% of the net profit of the racecourse after excluding expenses. The remaining 10% will be awarded to the shopkeeper and the clerks of the racecourse as bonuses in addition to monthly bonuses. The premise is that
The income of the racecourse has gradually increased. In addition, for the sake of His Majesty's reputation, the net profit given to His Majesty was donated by Uncle Cheng from internal funds on the grounds that the racecourse used royal land. His Majesty naturally did not want it, but Uncle Cheng felt deeply
The emperor's grace is so great that it must be expressed in some way. His Majesty could not refuse it over and over again, lest it be difficult to accept it, and he promised to use it for the people."
Seeing that Li Mu spoke seriously, Empress Changsun couldn't help but laugh. Li Shimin was somewhat embarrassed and said angrily: "When you say this, do you think that I am a robber?"
"No, no, no, your Majesty is definitely not such a person. It's just my wild thoughts. If your Majesty doesn't agree, then tell the truth..."
Li Shimin glared at Li Mu and said, "You have already said your words, do you want to take them back? Just say it like this!"
"I accept the decree."
Li Shimin stared at Li Mu for a while, then suddenly sighed and said: "I know that there is something wrong with doing this, but I also have my own difficulties. Nowadays, the Tang Dynasty is full of waste and is in need of money. The Yellow River has another problem this year.
There was a sudden flood, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs had already made arrangements for the money. I had no choice but to use my internal funds to plug the hole. But my internal funds are not generous, and there are so many people in the palace. I can't
Are you saving money by treating your concubines and palace people harshly again and again?"
"What your Majesty said is true, and I can understand it."
Li Shimin added: "I hate these wealthy families. There are disasters along the Yellow River and people are in dire straits, but they turn a blind eye. Not only do they not help the victims, they also drive up the price of food. They want to see my jokes. Every time I think of this, I can't wait to see it. I can't wait to see it."
…”
Empress Changsun touched Li Shimin's elbow and said softly: "Your Majesty..."
Li Shimin stopped talking and said: "Anyway, you have to understand that I don't want money for my own enjoyment like the previous emperor did. Therefore, I have a clear conscience."
Li Mu's heart is like a mirror. Li Shimin explained so much. In fact, it is the same as being a bitch and building a memorial arch. What he wants to express is nothing more than, yes, I robbed your money, but I don't do it for myself.
, I am for the common people in the world...
In fact, this kind of thing has been done by both wise and foolish kings in all dynasties. But Li Mu is willing to believe that Li Shimin at this time really wanted to spend money on the people.
"Your Majesty, I will do my best to help you with your worries. I have always done this. Except for the three thousand guan I lost yesterday in a bet with Wang Pu, most of the money I gained recently was spent on the construction of the craftsman's workshop.
I will do my best in the future."
Li Shimin frowned slightly and said: "Li Mu, I have always wanted to ask you. Since the craftsman's workshop was built, you have not spoken to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. You have always used your own money to build it. You are not afraid that one day, I
I transferred you from the Ministry of Works and all the money was used to make wedding dresses for others? Even if I don’t transfer you, you spend your own money to build a house for the craftsmen. What do you want?"
"Your Majesty," Li Mu replied, "since I serve in the Ministry of Works, I have to let the craftsmen return to work. Having enough food and shelter is just the basics. I believe that the previous system of the Ministry of Works was too inefficient and must be reformed.
It has to be carried out. If I apply to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, will the Ministry of Civil Affairs readily grant me funds? At that time, I was just a doctor in the Ministry of Works, and could not be the head of the Ministry of Works. If I wait for my lobbying to succeed, I don’t know how long it will take. Since
Reforming the Ministry of Industry is what I want to do. I still have the ability, so I took the money to do it. As for whether I will make wedding dresses for others, and whether your Majesty will transfer me, I have not thought about it. I am just a current minister.
It’s just something I think I should do.”
"That's it?"
Li Mu nodded heavily and said: "That's really all. Your Majesty, money can make me fed and clothed, but it can't make me happy. But using money to accomplish things can make me happy. If this thing can still make me feel
If I am a useful person, I will be even happier. I only need to keep enough for my family’s food and clothing, and I will not hesitate to spend the rest. It is better to spend it on useful things, and useless things... my head
Once it's hot, it's just spent, and I won't think about it after it's spent. It only adds to the troubles and doesn't help the matter."
Seeing that Li Mu's eyes didn't look fake, Li Shimin was very moved. He suddenly remembered something and said, "In my opinion, you didn't say everything."
"I don't understand."
"Arguing with others seems to make you happy. When I see you quarreling, you look eager to give it a try, and there is fire in your eyes, for fear that others will not fight you. With your temper, are you not afraid of offending others?"
Li Mu thought that Li Shimin was going to say something. Hearing this, he immediately said with a serious face: "Your Majesty, I am not afraid of offending anyone. I know that I cannot be liked by everyone, so I also have a choice. As long as Your Majesty likes me, Your Majesty needs me.
, I feel confident. I can choose people I like to get close to. As for those people I don’t like, I don’t want to pay attention to them. If they want to cause trouble for me, I will fight with them. Anyway, I am idle when I have nothing to do.