Wei Zheng's eyes widened when he heard this. He didn't expect that Li Mu had such a skill!
In fact, after Li Mu proposed the Zhenguan plow, both the government and the public were very skeptical about the practicality of the Zhenguan plow, and Wei Zheng was one of them. Later, Li Mu asked Yu Wengui to demonstrate with the Zhenguan plow, which dispelled the concerns of the court officials.
Wei Zheng had seen the effect of the Zhenguan plow with his own eyes. If all parts of Shandong could not use the Zhenguan plow, the losses could be imagined.
Wei Zheng said angrily: "Zhuluhou, you, how can you treat me so differently? You are just avenging a private vendetta!"
Li Mu did not answer this question, but asked: "Zheng Guogong, do you know the allusion of Confucius asking Laozi for courtesy?"
Wei Zheng was a little stunned. He didn't understand why Li Mu suddenly asked an irrelevant question, but if he didn't answer, it would seem that his knowledge was shallow. He still replied: "Of course I know." Confucius asked his disciple Nangong Jingshu, saying: 'Zhou
Lao Dan, the guardian of the Tibetan Chamber, is knowledgeable about the past and the present, knows the origins of rituals and music, and understands the essentials of morality. Now I want to go to Zhou to ask for advice. Would you like to go with me?' Nangong Jingshu happily agreed, and then the two of them asked the king of Lu for instructions.
After getting the approval of the monarch, a two-horse carriage, a book boy, and a coachman were dispatched. Uncle Nangong Jing accompanied Confucius to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty to learn etiquette from Laozi. We were talking about the Zhenguan plow. Why do you ask?"
"According to you, I taught Confucius?
Confucius is already a saint and should not be judged easily. Wei Zheng didn't know what Li Mu had in mind. After thinking about it carefully, he said: "It's just a courtesy, it doesn't count as a master and disciple."
Li Mu smiled and said, "Then do you know why I am willing to teach Confucius?"
Wei Zheng vaguely felt something was wrong, but he still didn't know what was wrong. He answered more cautiously and said: "There is no record in the ancient books, I don't know."
"I know!" Li Mu couldn't hold it in anymore and said, "I am willing to teach Confucius, of course because I am happy. Let me ask you again, why don't I teach others?"
Wei Zheng had already understood the meaning, and kept silent with a stinky face.
Li Mu laughed loudly: "Nothing else, because I don't like it!"
"I invented the things, and the secret method is mine. I can give it to whomever I want. I just think the Shandong nobles don't like it, so I won't give it to them. Can't I?"
Wei Zheng was so angry that his eyes were filled with stars. He took a deep breath and saluted Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, did you hear that? If I remember correctly, Marquis Zhulu once said that he would dedicate it to the imperial court so that the common people could farm. But
Now, Zhuluhou actually doesn't care about the life and death of the people, and Zhenguanli has also been used as a threat. Your Majesty! Zhuluhou keeps saying that he is serving the country and the people, but it is just an appearance. Your Majesty, please be aware of such a selfish person."
Li Shimin was also a little unhappy. He could understand Li Mu's request for money. After all, it was real money and silver. But now Li Mu wouldn't even use the Zhenguan plow. Although it was just treating the Shandong gentry differently, Li Shimin still felt a little uncomfortable. That's right.
When he wanted to ask, Li Mu said: "What a moral kidnapping! But it's useless. I won't accept this!"
"Your Majesty, let me explain. I have reported to Your Majesty before that the plowshares of the Zhenguan plow require a special forging method. If Zhenguan plows are to be manufactured in large quantities, there are only two ways. One is that the Ministry of Industry sets up a factory. I made it the day before yesterday.
It was mentioned in the memorial, if your majesty forgets, you can take a look again. This factory is still in its infancy and will not be able to borrow power for a while. Even if it is established, it will not be able to supply the whole country. Secondly, there is a minister who personally teaches the forging method.
, But your Majesty must understand that if this secret method is taught, it cannot be kept secret. Now the Shandong nobles regard me as a thorn in their flesh, and I am too small-minded to repay evil with kindness. Furthermore, I have long heard that the things that the Shandong nobles love to do most
Even if I annex the people's land and I pass on the secret method to them, the people will not get much benefit, so I won't pass it on, I just won't pass it on, and I won't pass it on at all!" After a pause, he added: "Unless..."
When Wei Zheng heard that he was still alive, he quickly said: "Unless what?"
Li Mu raised his chin, his face full of arrogance, and said: "Unless those Shandong scholars and students who scolded me yesterday, and you, Duke Zheng, knelt down in front of me three times and kowtowed three times, shouting that Zhulu Hou is magnanimous, we are all villains.
I have wronged you, Lord Marquis. Please be merciful and teach us the secret method. Set up a high platform at the entrance of the imperial city, kowtow three times, and shout three times. If I feel better, I may be able to agree!"
Wei Zheng was so angry that the Three Corpse Gods jumped and said angrily: "Huangkou kid! You are delusional!"
"Oh haha! You still dare to scold me, you old dog? You guys scolded me and you still want my secret method. Why, why don't you steal it instead? You are so shameless. Which saint's knowledge is it? I really
I want to learn! I just asked you to apologize to me. After I apologize, I will still teach you the secret method. After all, who doesn’t know that I, Li Mu, care about the people most? Now you not only don’t apologize, but you insult me again, okay
! The secret method will never be given! You will be responsible for all the consequences. It has nothing to do with me, Li Mu. Who told you to value your face more than the lives of the people?!"
"You, you..." Wei Zheng was so angry that his face turned red and white. He pointed at Li Mu and was speechless. Li Mu glanced at him sideways and said, "Why are you pointing at me? Are you angry? If it doesn't work, send a few agents.
Come and steal from my house. There is no defense in my house, and you may or may not succeed. Once you steal it, you can use it shamelessly. I don’t mind. Whoever steals is shameless anyway."
"you!"
"Okay, just say a few words. If you vomit blood and die again, it will still be on me."
Wei Zheng held back the blood that was about to spurt out of his chest and gritted his teeth and said: "If you don't give it, you won't give it. There was no Zhenguan plow in the past, and the people in Shandong did not starve to death. The honest ones will not be eaten by others. Zhuluhou, there is no need for you to beat me with words."
, we just don’t need it!”
", is this right? Don't think that you are the only one who can use the method of provoking generals. When I read history books, I first read the Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms. I know by heart the part about Zhuge Kongming making Wang Lang angry to death.
!”
Wei Zheng knew that he could not speak, so he simply closed his eyes and ignored him. Li Mu rolled his eyes at him, and when he saw Li Shimin's unkind look, he quickly calmed down and said, "Your Majesty, I'm a kid. Please forgive me."
"Hmph!" Li Shimin glared at him fiercely and said, "I'm not just keeping you here because of this kid's affairs. I also have something important to tell you, dear friends."
Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on him, Li Shimin said: "Prime Minister Du's body is in ruins. Prime Minister Du has written repeatedly, asking me to remove him from the post of minister's right servant. I remember his contribution in my heart.
There has been no answer, but now there are major national events, and there will be another imperial examination next year. The position of the minister's right servant is vacant, and only the prime minister is left. It is really stretched, and now I have made a decision."
Everyone was refreshed, it seemed that the Tang Dynasty was about to have a new prime minister.
"Li Jing."
"His Majesty."
"The former Sui general Shi Wansui defeated Datou Khan, but the Sui Dynasty refused to reward him, which led to his destruction. I will not do this, and rewards and punishments must be clear. I have already punished you for your incompetence in running the army, but you
I have not given you any corresponding representation of the great success of defeating the Turks and destroying the country. Now I want to worship you as the minister's right servant. What do you think, Ai Qing?"
Li Jing was stunned when he heard this, and everyone else was also a little stunned. The right servant of Shangshu shot this position. The rumors he heard before were all from Wei Zheng. Now that Wei Zheng has caused so many things, everyone knows that he is probably going to die, but
After thinking about it, no one thought of Li Jing.
Li Jing himself didn't expect it, so he quickly bowed down and said: "Your Majesty, I am a military general with little knowledge. How can I shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing the country? Please take back your orders!"
"I know Aiqing's character and knowledge well. I want to make Aiqing the prime minister. Isn't Aiqing unwilling to assist me?"
"This..." When the words came to this, Li Jing couldn't refuse, so he had to bow again and said: "I can only do my best."
"Very good." Li Shimin helped Li Jing up and said, "I have ordered the imperial eunuch to choose a good time and prepare the ceremony. The matter of paying homage to the prime minister must not be careless. Just wait for your wishes."
Li Jing Nuonuo said yes, and Li Shimin added: "Li Jing has been promoted to Minister of the Ministry of War. The position of Minister of the Ministry of War is vacant. I have decided to appoint Hou Junji to take over. In addition, the prince is getting older and needs someone I can trust and rely on."
The elders will exercise control, and I plan to let Song Guogong Xiao serve as the prince's young tutor to educate the prince. The post of imperial censor will be given by..." Li Shimin glanced at Wei Zheng and said: "Wei Aiqing will take over."
Let Wei Zheng be the imperial censor?
I thought it was a surprise enough for Li Jing to be the minister's right servant, but I didn't expect there would be a bigger surprise. Everyone was shocked. What happened to your majesty? Are you looking for trouble for yourself?
Wei Zheng didn't think of it and hurriedly saluted and said: "Your Majesty has a mind as big as the sea. I admire you very much."
Li Shimin smiled and said: "Am I just a petty person in your eyes? Wei Zheng, although you have repeatedly contradicted me and made disrespectful remarks, I still allow you to be in the court, and I will use you more seriously. You
If you dare to speak out and remonstrate directly, I cannot have people like you around me. Yushitai is perfect for you. If you encounter problems in the future, you should think more about me. I will treat you well."
Wei Zheng finally showed a hint of shame and said, "Your Majesty, I must read more history and study the ways of being a minister."
"Okay, I remember this sentence." Li Shimin waved his hand and said: "Today we have been arguing in the court for a long time, and in this Tai Chi Hall for another half a day. It has finally come to an end, and we can be quiet. I'm tired, everyone.
My dear, please do as you please."
"I'll take my leave."
Everyone left, and Li Mu also walked out. As soon as he took a step, Eunuch Gao grabbed his clothes, and Li Mu took back his legs.
Li Mu returned to the palace, and Eunuch Gao went to the palace door. Li Shimin stared at Li Mu with a sullen expression and an unkind look, and suddenly patted the table, making Li Mu shrink back in fright.
"Li Mu, what Wei Zheng just said is right. How can you let the people of Shandong suffer for your personal grudges? How can the people deserve it? Also, you actually asked me for money. Are you planning to do business with me?!"