The more Li Mu spoke, the more excited he became, and he got closer and closer to Wei Zheng. The spittle he sprayed while speaking had already flown into his face, and everyone present was still immersed in what he just said, and they even forgot to stop him.
"I heard that everyone in the government and the public privately called you 'Xiang', but you actually acquiesced to this? It's really disgusting! The 'Xiang' is the prime minister of the country and the assistant of the emperor. How can you be so virtuous and capable that you dare to call yourself 'Xiang'?"
'? Of the four ministers in the court, which one does not value both character and talent? Others don't care, they only talk about Wang Shizhong. Wang Shizhong was born in the Wang family of Taiyuan. The Wang family of Taiyuan also suffered losses due to the court restructuring, but Wang Shizhong still spoke out in support. Why?
Or? It’s just four words: serving the country and the people.
"Today, I have seen the grace of the Wang family in Taiyuan. I am afraid that Duke Zheng Guo doesn't know about it. I also want to mention that the daughter of the Wang family who donated 100,000 yuan when the Yellow River flooded was the niece of Wang Shizhong, which shows that the king of Taiyuan
Family tradition. I have great respect for aristocratic families like the Wang family in Taiyuan, but most aristocratic families are not like this. For example, the Shandong nobles behind Zheng Guogong are only for personal gain and ignore people's livelihood. I am despised and feel chilled.
As a minister of the Tang Dynasty, how can I not stand up and fight with him?!"
"Li Mu, that's enough!" Li Shimin finally regained his composure and said sternly. He had to say that if Li Mu continued to speak, he would offend the entire Shandong gentry to death. In the current situation, no matter how much he hates the powerful family,
It cannot change the fact that the powerful family dominates the local area. If the entire Shandong noble family is really offended, Li Mu will have a difficult life in the future. The thousand-year-old family is not just talk. If this hatred is forged, Li Mu will
It was difficult for Li Shimin to stop him at this time, it was definitely for his own good.
Li Mu saluted Li Shimin again and smiled. Because of the close distance, Li Shimin could even see his own shadow reflected in Li Mu's eyes. Li Shimin couldn't help but feel something in his heart. Only such a clear and open child could say such heartfelt words.
Bar.
"I thank your Majesty for your kindness, but since I dare to tell the truth today, I have already thought about the consequences. Your Majesty just promised me to have a debate with Zheng Guogong, and I also ask your Majesty not to interfere. Let me finish my words."
"you!"
Li Mu knew that the nerves of the people present were stretched to the limit, and there was not much time left for him to speak. He couldn't help but speed up his speech and continued: "When I heard about Zheng Guogong, I felt a little strange in my heart. I am the Duke of Tang Dynasty."
, which one is not a person who has made great achievements in war or has made great contributions to the country, but Zheng Guogong is an exception. As a Duke of the country, Zheng Guogong is only in the fourth rank. There are no good plans for Zheng Guogong in the major events of the country.
On the other hand, when the government wants to reform, it is common for Zheng Guogong to jump out and criticize. I didn't understand at first, and thought that Zheng Guogong was asking for orders for the people. But today I saw that he was the mouthpiece of the Shandong gentry. In my opinion, this Duke of Zheng is not the country of Wei Zheng.
The Duke is the Duke of the Shandong gentry, and he is the only one in ancient and modern times who has advanced the country by deceiving the world and stealing his reputation!"
"Now that the Tang Dynasty has just been established, people's livelihood is in decline, and there are many wastes waiting to be revitalized. Money is needed everywhere. Duke Zheng said that wealth is hidden in the people, but the people you mentioned are unwilling to help when the court is in trouble. This kind of
How is hiding wealth different from enriching private interests? The current policy can increase the national treasury's surplus by several million dollars every year, but it is unknown how many people can be fed. However, people like Zheng Guogong are blocked due to their own selfish desires. People who do practical work talk lightly, while those who talk empty talk are high in the temple.
, how can we, the Tang Dynasty, talk about prosperity? Wei Zheng, you are such a brilliant man, what qualifications and face do you have to criticize the strategy of rejuvenating the country? Don’t you feel ashamed in your heart?!"
"That's enough!" Li Shimin had to stop drinking. He slammed the table and said, "Li Mu, you are so presumptuous! Duke Zheng is your elder, how could you..."
"Your Majesty, I am not related to Zheng Guogong, so I cannot recognize him as my elder. Moreover, today my mother was humiliated, but Zheng Guogong protected my enemy, so I cannot recognize him as my elder." As he said this, he took out two sticks from his sleeves.
The memorial said: "Your Majesty, here are two memorials written by me, which put forward my thoughts on various matters of the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Industry. I would like to present them to Your Majesty, in order to fulfill the obligations of the king and his ministers."
Li Shimin's expression suddenly changed and he said angrily: "Li Mu, what are you talking about, what do you want to do!"
Seeing that Li Shimin didn't answer, Li Mu put the two memorials on the table. He straightened up, looked at Li Shimin and said, "I am from a humble background. I was wrongly loved by your Majesty and was favored several times. Now I am a third-rank military prince.
Minister of the Ministry. I am deeply favored by the emperor, and I don’t know how to repay it. I think in my heart, I can only do my best. Therefore, I don’t save, buy land, or buy a house. I rack my brains every day to think of ways to relieve the emperor’s worries. At my home
Your Majesty has also witnessed the establishment of a studio. When I return home every day, except for eating, I work in the studio and never dare to sleep before midnight. Your Majesty thinks that the Zhenguan plow comes out of thin air? Your Majesty knows that I
How many days and nights have you spent for this?”
Li Mu opened his eyes and tears flowed down his cheeks, but his tone was not choked at all and was still sonorous: "In order to repay the kindness of the emperor, I dedicated all my family property to the Ministry of Industry. But I also know that a cup of water cannot solve the salary, so
I have suggested that your majesty collect the mineral deposits and bring them to the imperial court so that you can profit from them and spread your favor to the world. However, I don’t want young people to emerge one after another. And my mother, who is innocent, has been implicated for this.”
"Today in the court hall, His Majesty changed his decree, and I am heartbroken. Just like when the Wei Zheng was talking eloquently, but the princes did not dare to refute, I am heartbroken. It is not that I do not want to serve the country, but what I saw today is that all the ministers are like flies and dogs.
Your Majesty, you must continue to say that the king is not like a king, and the ministers are not like ministers. The Tang Dynasty is not like the Tang Dynasty that I imagined in my mind when I came to Chang'an on the way to Chang'an.
, I don’t dare to hold a high position, so please resign now and ask for your majesty’s permission!”
After saying that, Li Mu prostrated himself on the ground.
Li Shimin suddenly stood up, trembling with anger, and pointed at Li Mu and said: "Li Mu! You, you dare! Just because you don't go your way, you speak nonsense, and now you dare to resign? Who gave you the courage! Don't think you have
You can be arrogant just because of your talent, do you really think I won’t punish you?"
Li Mu raised his head, with a stubborn look in his eyes, and said, "I have said all I have thought in my heart, and now I have nothing to say."
"You!" Li Shimin glared at Li Mu. The two looked at each other, neither giving in. Seeing that Li Mu had no intention of retreating, Li Shimin gritted his teeth and said, "I don't agree with your resignation. Today's business is not over yet. You go back to my house."
Close your door and think about your mistakes, and don’t leave the house even a step without my will! Someone, please send Marquis Zhulu back to his house!"
Li Mu stood up, smiled casually, and said: "Your Majesty, please take care!"
After saying that, he bowed to Tang Jian again and said, "Please stepfather remember the appointment we made when we first met."
Leaving behind this meaningless sentence, Li Mu followed Eunuch Gao away. Li Shimin looked at Li Mu's back blankly, feeling happy and angry at the same time. How could what Li Mu said today not be what he thought? But what on earth is this child doing?
You are still young, how can you put this kind of thing on the table?
"Your Majesty, the old minister has nothing to say about the accusations made by Marquis Zhulu. Please punish your Majesty."
Wei Zheng knelt down and banged his head on the ground. It seemed that he was admitting his mistake, but in fact he was rebelling against the general. Today, Li Mu had refuted him as worthless. If there was no resolution between him and Li Mu, he would be in court in the future.
, he would no longer have a place to stand. And the Shandong nobles would not support a loser, so he lost his mind and knelt directly on the ground, forcing Li Shimin to make a choice between him and Li Mu.
Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng. To this day, the two of them have been together, and he has never hated this face as much as he does today. Even when Wei Zheng encouraged Li Jiancheng to kill him, Li Shimin was never so angry. But today, his patience has reached its limit, and Li Shimin has never been so angry.
After the case, he stepped out, kicked Wei Zheng on the shoulder, and cursed: "Old man, do you really think that I need Li Mu to tell you before I can recognize your face? I know it all! It's just that I don't want to argue with you.
That's all! Don't think that I can't do anything to you because of the support of the Shandong nobles, I..."
When Li Shimin wanted to say something more, Changsun Wuji rushed over, knelt at Li Shimin's feet, grabbed his robe tightly, and shouted: "Your Majesty!!"
Others also reacted and knelt down: "Your Majesty!! Calm down your anger!"
Hearing these shouts, Li Shimin suddenly woke up and gave a wry smile. At this moment, he felt extremely sad. He was an emperor, and he wanted to be a Mingjun emperor. A Mingjun must do things without considering the consequences. There are some things Li Mu can say
, but he couldn't say.
"I'm not as good as Li Mu..."
Li Shimin sighed, pulled away Changsun Wuji's hand, slowly bent down, and helped Wei Zheng up. Then he turned around and returned to the desk.
"I'm tired today, so just come here..."
Li Shimin waved his hand, and everyone bowed and exited one by one. Wei Zheng did not bother him. Li Shimin's kick just now made him realize the reality.
Li Shimin was stunned when he looked at the two memorials left by Li Mu. He was about to pick them up and take a look. Suddenly, Eunuch Gao ran in in a panic. In his haste, he stepped on the hem of his robe and fell over, sliding onto Li Shimin's back.
before.
"What are you doing!"
"Your Majesty!" Eunuch Gao got up and said urgently without having time to salute: "Your Majesty, as soon as we left the palace gate, Zhulu Hou galloped on his horse. The people led by the old slave were on foot and could not catch up... The old slave was worried that he would
, something is going to happen..."
"What?!"
The words "take care" that Li Mu said before leaving suddenly flashed through Li Shimin's mind. He felt something bad in his heart and asked hurriedly: "Where is Zhao Yuanlang being held now?"
Eunuch Gao was stunned for a moment and replied: "I have been sent to the Dali Temple prison according to His Majesty's wishes."
"Go quickly! Take the Jinwu Guards and stop Li Mu. Don't let him do anything stupid!"
Eunuch Gao quickly got up and ran out. Li Shimin became more and more panicked. Finally, he also got up and strode out of the palace.
Eunuch Gao ordered a team of Jinwu guards and rushed out of the palace. Then Li Shimin also changed into civilian clothes and came out with four guards. The two teams went straight to Dali Temple. Not long after, Li Shimin arrived and saw Dali Temple.
A lot of people had gathered nearby, and for some reason, there was a large hole as high as one person on the wall on the east side of Dali Temple.