Zhao Yuanlang's expression changed after being scolded. He was so anxious that he couldn't think of anything to say in reply, so he simply threw himself on the ground and cried: "I have been wronged! Your Majesty, please kill this person who speaks obscene words, makes irresponsible remarks, and slanders the courtiers..."
All the officials looked at Zhao Yuanlang, dumbfounded. Even those who were also hostile to Li Mu thought Zhao Yuanlang was very ridiculous. You must have lost your mind. Who do you think you are? How dare you ask His Majesty to kill Li Mu? I thought
There was a good show to watch today, but I didn't expect that this guy couldn't keep up with his seniors, and what he said was beyond his imagination.
Li Shimin was disgusted with Zhao Yuanlang because of what he just said. After hearing what Li Mu said, he felt very relieved. How could he kill Li Mu? Li Mu was the man who invented horseshoes, the Zhenguan plow, and printing, and he was so loyal.
Kill him? Little censor, you take yourself too seriously!
Li Shimin snorted coldly and said: "Zhao Yuanlang, please pay attention to your manners. This is the Liangyi Palace. Take a look at yourself! If you cry and make trouble in the court, I will expel you!"
Zhao Yuanlang did not dare to cry anymore, but Li Mu had no intention of letting him go. He saluted Li Shimin and then said: "Your Majesty, the Master said: A gentleman is magnanimous, and a villain has a relationship. When I first read this sentence, I didn't understand its meaning.
Today I met Yushi Zhao, and I understood the wisdom of the sage. Today, I also want to be a gentleman, and have a gentleman's discussion with the princes in the court, and I ask for your majesty's permission."
Seeing that Li Mu was confident, Li Shimin felt happy and said, "I'm sure. My dear friends, anyone here can argue with what Li Mu said. I will never punish him for his words."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
After Li Mu thanked him, he said: "I came to court today originally to report on the matter of the Ministry of Industry, but after waiting for two hours and listening to dozens of officials debate, I was only concerned about the mining tax.
You fight with me, each one refuses to give in, which is a waste of time. I only have one feeling in my heart, selfishness, just like a dog and a dog! Those who serve the country and the people, forgive me for being blind today, but I didn't see any of them."
Someone wanted to speak, but Li Mu interrupted him and continued: "I don't want to make a bitch argument, so please let me finish my words first."
Li Shimin also said: "Queens, please wait a moment and let Marquis Zhulu finish speaking first."
"I think that ministers should know that the land within the four seas is not the king's land, and the shores of the land are not the king's ministers. Your Majesty is the lord of the world, and you are His Majesty's ministers. The land in the four seas belongs to your Majesty. Your Majesty wants to take back the mineral deposits.
Why not? Is it possible that anyone feels that the mineral deposits in this world should not belong to His Majesty, but to him?"
Who dares to accept this statement? Wouldn’t it be tantamount to intending to commit rebellion?
"The world is so vast. If your Majesty wants to obtain minerals, he cannot do everything himself, so he needs the help of his subjects. The same is true for emperors in ancient and modern times. In all dynasties, except for salt and iron, all other minerals were mined by local noble families and local governments.
, the imperial court collects mineral taxes every year. It seems that there is no problem, but people's hearts are sinister. The emperor governs the world with benevolence, but there are some sinister people who do not repay with benevolence and righteousness."
"Today I will speak frankly. Nowadays, all the mineral resources in the world are in the hands of high-ranking families, and when the court collects mining taxes, it depends on the faces of these high-ranking families. I have checked the records of the Ministry of Yu to find out how much is mined in a certain mine in Huainan every year.
The amount can be found. People who run mines pay taxes as they please. This year they will pay twenty or thirty guan, next year they will pay thirty or fifty guan. However, the output of the mine is more than 10,000 guan every year. Let me ask, the surplus of 10,000 guan only pays a few tens of guan.
The mining tax harms the public and enriches private interests. Isn’t it a sage act for the emperor to curtail such a big rat?"
"But why did His Majesty summon you and others to discuss, but you are always talking about other things, using excuses to compete with the people for profit, hiding wealth from the people, and obstructing them in every possible way?" Li Mu sneered and said: "It's not because you are used to this.
Are you ready to take advantage of the imperial court? Although I don’t recognize the people who oppose today, I dare to assert that there must be shadows of high-ranking people behind them. Therefore, this move harms their interests, so they tried their best to stop it. Everyone
, I would like to ask, as ministers of the imperial court, where is your conscience?"
"Your salary is your salary, and the people care for the people. Have you really implemented what you said about hiding wealth among the people? In years of disaster, the granaries of high-ranking families are full and the gates are closed. When the victims are driven away, they are not even willing to give out a mouthful of porridge. If
If we can really hide wealth among the people, why will the people be displaced?"
"In the past, the Yellow River flood flooded seven cities, starving people everywhere, and the people were in dire straits. At that time, the world was in chaos, the treasury was empty, and the court had no money for food relief. What could the noble family do? Where is the benevolence, righteousness and morality? If it were not for the queen,
I donated 100,000 yuan to help the imperial court tide over the difficulties. Are there still people on both sides of the Yellow River today? A high-ranking family has been passed down for thousands of years. When the country is in crisis, it is not as responsible as a weak woman. It is simply ridiculous, extremely ridiculous!"
"Since benevolence cannot be exchanged for benevolence and righteousness, why not rule by law? Your Majesty collects mineral deposits in the imperial court and sets up a special department to manage them. The profits obtained will be allocated by the imperial court. If there is a disaster or flood, it will not be
Let some people see the joke!"
"Many people talk about competing with the people for profit," Li Mu chuckled and said, "I would like to ask, how can you have the nerve to say this? Everyone in the world regards business as a lowly profession and despise it, but everyone present
, who dares to say that he does not do business in private? Even high-ranking officials often accept bribes from businessmen. Do I need to explain these things in detail? I know that there are many discussions about my business between the government and the public.
, but I never bother to respond? It is also because of this sage’s teaching that a gentleman is magnanimous and a villain has long-lasting sympathy. Although I, Li Mu, dare not call me a gentleman, I admire the virtues of a gentleman in my heart and am working hard to be a gentleman. I do
Everything is done openly, openly, and not afraid of what others say. Unlike you, who are scornful but do it secretly. When they see that I have made money, they ridicule me with words. Isn't it just the right thing for a villain to live in mourning?
Qi’s language?”
"I think it is a good thing that we are determined to rectify the disadvantages of the mining tax. Instead of all the benefits of the mining industry being taken away by some big guys, it is better to take it back to the court. I am a wise man who spends all my annual income without moving a penny.
When the people's livelihood is not enough, all the internal funds are used. Under the leadership of Queen Changsun, the concubines in the harem are also diligent and frugal, and never extravagant and wasteful. If the king and father are like this, how can we, the ministers, act for our own selfish interests?
Are you arguing here and are blushing? If there is a disaster in the future, will you go to provide relief? Who dares to say this, I will also rebel and stand on your side!"
After Li Mu finished speaking in rapid succession, there was silence in the Liangyi Palace. Those who wanted to stand up and argue just now were all dumbfounded. Li Mu's rhetoric, like a storm breaking a case, swept everyone away one after another.
After taking pictures all over, he still occupies the moral high ground, leaving you unable to argue. If you stand up and argue at this time, wouldn't it be equivalent to admitting that you are a big rat?
Li Shimin was also shocked. He did not expect that Li Mu would dare to say so and put everything out in the open. And when he said this, Li Shimin suddenly discovered that most of the things that everyone had tacitly understood in the past were actually revealed.
It was the imperial court that was in charge. After hearing what Li Mu said, he was also filled with indignation. If Li Mu hadn't punctured the window paper today, he wouldn't have known that the imperial court had suffered such a big loss!
Zhao Yuanlang's face turned pale. When Li Mu was talking, he wanted to interrupt several times, but Li Mu spoke too fast, and he didn't find a chance. When Li Mu finished speaking, he suddenly found that he had no room to speak.
If he spoke again at that time, it would be equivalent to confirming that he was a lackey of the powerful family! And Lu Zhaoling, the minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs who stood up with him, secretly stood back at some point! This old man, seeing that the situation was not good, actually started
Slip away!
But Zhao Yuanlang is not willing to give in. He knows that even if he doesn't say anything now, after today, his official position will be regarded as the end. Instead of sitting back and waiting for death, it is better to fight to the death. In this way, even if he cannot become an official, the forces behind him will give him a chance.
He made a large donation.
"Zhuluhou!" Zhao Yuanlang stared at Li Mu angrily, gritting his teeth and said: "You have said so much, isn't it because of profit? You are the one who competes with the people for profit! You occupy a share in the wine shop and the racecourse, Rijin
Fighting for gold is much more than running a mine. You keep saying that you have a high family name, why don't you look at yourself?!"
As soon as these words came out, all the officials' eyes suddenly gathered like Li Mu's. Yes, you scolded us quite happily, but the world is as dark as crows. Don't just look at others and forget yourself?
Feeling everyone's gaze, Li Mu actually smiled.
"Yu Shi Zhao, if you say something shameless, compared to you, I am like a saint, saying that I strive for profit with the people, haha, are you not afraid of lightning striking your head?"
"How dare you compare yourself to a saint?"
"No, of course I know that I am not a saint. I mean, compared with people like you, I am just like a saint. It's not that I am so good, it's all because of your foil."
After Li Mu finished speaking, he ignored him and saluted Li Shimin, saying: "Your Majesty, you know that I am a low-key person. I don't want to publicize myself at first, but since I have said this, I will defend myself a few words.
. Chen participated in the operation of the winery and horse farm, and accumulated a total income of more than 70,000 yuan. However, except for the expenses of the government, all the remaining money was spent on the Ministry of Industry, and no one was saved. To build a square of the Ministry of Industry,
I did not ask for a penny from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. I funded the construction with my own efforts. So far, except for the land granted by His Majesty when he was ennobled, there is not an acre of land left. The mansion I live in was also donated by my adoptive father.
I have never bought a house. My magnanimity can be revealed to the sun and the moon. Your Majesty can send people to investigate. I have accounts for all the money. Since Zhao Yushi wants to compare with me, I ask your majesty to give Zhao Yushi this opportunity.
, let him also donate his family property, like a minister, and take nine out of ten to repair the Yushitai!"