Wang's little calculation might be able to bluff him for a while when he first saw the memorial, but if he thinks about it carefully, he can't hide it from anyone.
Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji saw through it one after another, let alone Li Mu. He was responsible for this damaging move. How could he not be clear about it? Li Shimin squinted at Wang with his eyes, thinking in his heart, a person who lives forever is a thief, this old guy
Sure enough, you are full of tricks. You are building roads for your own business, but you say it so grandly.
Why don't I just agree?
Li Shimin opened his mouth, then thought about it and decided to give up. He wanted to be a wise man and could not leave such a stain that could be criticized by others.
Li Shimin looked at Changsun Wuji, who shook his head slightly and signaled Li Shimin to refuse. But it was impossible for Li Shimin to refuse this matter. No matter what the king's purpose was, building the road itself was beneficial to Li Tang's rule.
As long as there is a possibility of promoting something, there is no reason to refuse.
Li Shimin glanced at Li Mu and saw that he looked like it had nothing to do with him. He felt angry for no reason and said, "Li Mu, you heard it too. Do you think I can agree to Wang Aiqing's proposal?"
"I feel that I have no control over this matter."
Li Shimin was almost distracted by him. If you can't control it, you can't control it. Why are you gasping for breath? Li Shimin glared at him angrily and said: "What can't be controlled? I'm asking you, and your answer is, where did it come from?"
So much nonsense!”
"Oh," Li Mu responded, blinked his eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, you are embarrassing me. I mentioned the road construction to your majesty. Didn't your majesty say at that time that this matter will wait until next autumn when the grain is harvested?
After that, the imperial court will take the lead.”
Li Shimin frowned when he heard this. He didn't remember saying this. What was Li Mu making up?
"What are you talking nonsense about? When did I say that?!"
Li Mu hurriedly got up from the chair, fell on the ground with a face full of horror, and shouted: "I said something wrong, please forgive me!"
Seeing Li Mu suddenly lying on the ground to plead guilty, the expressions of the three people present had different expressions. Changsun Wuji was completely confused. He was thinking that there was something wrong with this voice. When did Li Mu talk to His Majesty about road construction?
Li Shimin was also confused, but at the same time he felt confused. Why on earth did this kid talk like this? Could it be that he had a brain disease and was suffering from hysteria? Or maybe he had something in his words and wanted me to cooperate with him in acting? But
I'm so annoyed, what idea did you come up with, you didn't discuss it with me in advance! What should I do now? Should I be angry? Or should I help him up?
The king was frightened. What Wang Pu said when he came back turned out to be true. Li Mu did not lie to him. His Majesty was really thinking about building roads after next year's harvest. No wonder his face looked a little bad when he just talked about it. It turned out to be because I, Taiyuan
The Wang family was the first to get in! According to the terminology of playing mahjong, isn't this just cutting off the beard?
But what should we do about the current situation? From His Majesty's words, I should have guessed that it was Li Mu who leaked the news. The king secretly thought in his heart, Li Mu has already apologized, and if I continue to pretend to be stupid, His Majesty will be furious.
The king simply bowed to the ground and said loudly: "Your Majesty, please don't blame Zhuluhou. It is my greed for profit. Your Majesty can put all the blame on me."
Changsun Wuji:???
Li Shimin:???
Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji, who just thought they had a little grasp of the situation, were completely confused again. Neither of them could figure out whether they had made a mistake somewhere, or they still didn't wake up. Wang said that he would use money and food to build roads, and he didn't need a penny from the court.
, and then he prostrated himself on the ground to plead guilty, saying that he was driven by greed?
Oh, well, if the world were full of such greedy people, the world would be peaceful!
Li Shimin felt that he had to clarify the situation, otherwise he would immediately become a fool. Li Shimin said without showing his face: "Wang Aiqing, you get up first. Auxiliary engine, you two are waiting outside the hall. I have something to ask."
Li Mu."
The king bowed again: "Your Majesty, please do not punish Zhuluhou!"
"Back off!"
Li Shimin said coldly, Eunuch Gao came over and helped Wang up, and the three of them went out to wait.
Li Mu heard the sound of the palace door closing and stood up without waiting for Li Shimin to speak. Li Shimin glared at him and said: "I knew that this matter must have something to do with you. Why didn't you discuss anything with me?
?”
Li Mu chuckled and said, "Isn't it too late? I've already written half of the memorial at home. Who knew the king was in such a hurry?"
Li Mu briefly explained the matter, skipping the question of how to deceive Wang Pu and focusing on his thoughts and the feasibility of the matter. After hearing this, Li Shimin was overjoyed and agreed with Li Mu's guess.
Likewise, Li Shimin was a poor and crazy emperor, and it was impossible for him to refuse someone offering money to build roads.
"My beloved, you are truly my Guan Zhongye. You have accomplished all these unbelievable things! I really don't know how to reward you!"
Li Mu automatically filtered out this sentence. He didn't know how to reward it. It was roughly equivalent to "I won't reward you this time." If he said it, he didn't say it.
"Your Majesty, I just said that deliberately to give the king some color. You can't let him get an advantage and still behave, right? Your Majesty will look angry but helpless later, and then I will bargain with him.
Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will not let the king take advantage of me."
"Okay, I trust you. Aiqing can do whatever she wants, and I will cooperate." Li Shimin agreed wholeheartedly, feeling a little excited in his heart. He now understood what Li Mu meant when he said, "Fighting with others is endless fun." It was indeed very interesting.
The two discussed it and rehearsed it to be on the safe side. Suddenly Li Mu saw a pot of tea on Li Shimin's desk. He poured some tea into his hand and splashed it on his face. Li Shimin didn't know why, and Li Mu didn't explain. Wait.
After he made himself sweaty, he put the teapot back and said to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, you can let them in. If you are angry, pay attention to your expression."
Li Shimin nodded, took a deep breath, and said coldly: "Senior officials, let them in!"
The palace door opened, and Eunuch Gao, Changsun Wuji, and Wang returned to the palace.
Seeing the scene in the hall, Li Shimin's face was full of anger, and Li Mu was bowing his body and trembling. Looking at this, he knew that Long Yan must have been furious just now, and Li Mu was scolded until he was furious.
Li Mu used his body to shield him and made a gesture to Li Shimin.
Li Shimin saw it, sighed, and said: "Wang Aiqing, I agree to your proposal. I can't let you suffer any loss. I will let Li Mu talk to you about the matter."
The king quickly bowed: "I thank your Majesty for your kindness."
"snort!"
Li Shimin snorted coldly and didn't look good.
Li Mu grinned and said, "Your Majesty, I take my leave."
"Retreat for what? Just say it here!" Li Shimin said coldly: "If you leave my sight, maybe you will say something else? Just say it here, in front of me, I want to see, you
Which side are you on?"
"promise."
Li Mu swallowed hard and turned around. Wang and Changsun Wuji were shocked when they saw his appearance.
They had all heard the word "sweating profusely" before, and this was the first time they saw a real "sweating profusely" person. Li Mu's face was covered with sweat, as if he had taken a shower. Eunuch Gao saw it.
, shouted: "Ah, what's wrong with Mr. Hou?"
"My father-in-law, please don't panic. I'm not cured yet. I'm weak. I'm very weak."
When Changsun Wuji saw this, he said: "Your Majesty, Marquis Zhulu is in ill health. Look."
Only then did Li Shimin know what Li Mu meant by tinkering with tea. He was funny and angry, and snorted: "Leave him alone! He asked for it!"
Li Mu hurriedly took the words and said: "Yes, yes, you asked for it, you asked for it... let's get back to business."
Li Mu sighed and said: "Shizhong Wang, what you do is too unethical. I am close to your brother, so I said a few more words. I didn't expect you to make an issue out of this matter. Shizhong Wang, you do things like this, but in
Are you plotting against me?"
"Unjustly accused!" Wang swore and said: "I have no intention of plotting against the Marquis. I am just self-righteous and smart. I hope the Marquis will forgive me."
"Alas!" Li Mu sighed and said, "What can I do if I don't forgive you? That's all, Wang Shizhong, now His Majesty has promised you to build the road between Chang'an and Taiyuan. You will first recruit refugees with food to build the road, and then
Set up a card to charge. Now you have two options. One is to charge for three years. During the three years, no matter how much, no more charges are allowed. The other is to price the food consumed by the Wang family in Taiyuan based on the current average price of food. You are allowed to
Spend two and get three, as long as you have enough. Choose one of the two, it's up to you to decide."
When Changsun Wuji heard this, he suddenly realized. It turned out that Wang had this idea. He first used food to recruit refugees to build roads, and then set up cards to collect money. Isn't this a 'road tax'?
Spend two and get three, 1.5 times, a guaranteed profit of 50%! Where can I find this business? Moreover, it consumes hoarded grain, but in exchange for real money, the abacus is really good!
No, it is absolutely impossible for the Wang brothers to come up with such an idea!
Changsun Wuji was stunned for a moment and understood it completely. The story was complete when linked to what Li Mu just said. This matter should be Li Mu's plan for Li Shimin. He let it slip during a chat with Wang Pu. Wang knew it and wrote it down.
That memorial was discovered by Li Shimin.
Yes, this will make it round.
No wonder Li Mu broke out in so many cold sweats, he had cut off the imperial court's financial path!
Changsun Wuji rolled his eyes and thought to himself, no, we can't let the king take advantage. He quickly bowed and saluted, saying: "Your Majesty, minister..."
"Auxiliary machine, you don't need to say anything."
"Your Majesty..."
"I told you to stop talking!" Li Shimin's voice was stern. Changsun Wuji opened his mouth and sighed helplessly. Although he envied the Wang family in Taiyuan for getting a big deal, he did not dare to go against Li Shimin and looked at Wang with envy.
After a quick glance, I thought to myself, I still have to let my son walk around with Li Mu more, otherwise I don’t know how many good opportunities like this will be lost!
The king was very excited. This memorial was really timely. If it were a step later, this good thing would be gone. However, why is this reward so different from what his younger brother said? He clearly remembered that Wang Pu said yesterday
The life span is five to ten years, and the profit is at least doubled, but now it has shrunk. Five to ten years has become three years, doubling it has become two-for-one, three-for-one, only 50%!
Wang just wanted to open his mouth, but when he saw Li Mu staring at him, Wang understood. It seemed that His Majesty was still angry. The shrinkage meant that there was only so much profit. You could do it or not. It's fine if you don't. Wait until next year.
Just do it yourself!
That’s it! Just a little less, let’s do it!
The king was not very proficient in arithmetic, so he was not sure whether it was appropriate to calculate by years or by money. After thinking about it for a while, he had no clue. He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I don't dare to choose. Please make the decision."
"Humph." Li Shimin said without comment, "Li Mu, I'll leave this matter to you. You have already disappointed me once, and I don't want it to happen a second time. Otherwise, don't talk about a winter vacation, I will give you a lifetime vacation."
"ah?"
Li Shimin made a 'beheading' gesture, and Li Mu shrank his neck in fear.
"Everyone, please step aside. I have a toothache and don't want to see you!"
"I'll take my leave."
The three of them turned around and walked out of Tai Chi Hall. As soon as they stepped out of the hall, Li Mu raised his fist and gave Wang a black eye. Wang screamed in pain and covered his eyes. Changsun Wuji quickly hugged Li Mu's waist, and Eunuch Gao sent him off.
They came out and were about to go back when they saw a fight starting and quickly ran over to stop them.
"What are you doing, what are you doing... Oh, Mr. Marquis, why are you beating someone! Stop it, don't disturb His Majesty!"
"Wang, you old man, how dare you harm me! I originally promised you the benefits of the Taiyuan Wang family. You, an old villain who repays kindness with revenge, wait for me. I... I will buy night incense right now. I,
I'll pour them all into your well!"
"Master Hou, I'm so stupid, I'm so stupid! Don't be angry, don't be angry!" Wang didn't dare to defend himself and shouted loudly, covering his beaten eyes.
"Let go of me!" Li Mu broke free from the restraints of Eunuch Gao and Changsun Wuji, and strode away angrily, cursing as he walked, but Wang did not dare to reply.
Eunuch Gao looked at Wang's beaten eyes, clicked his tongue, and said kindly: "Wang Shizhong, your eyes are all blue. How about we help you ask the imperial doctor to come over and take a look?"
"No, no, thank you for your kindness, father-in-law." Wang quickly waved his hands. He had already lost a lot of shame. How could he still have such a face?
Changsun Wuji didn't take advantage and was already unhappy. Seeing that Wang was beaten, he felt better and exclaimed: "Uncle, I'm not talking about you. You are just too narrow-minded. You want to take advantage of him."
My dear, you say you are immoral or not. It is rare for Li Mu to reveal information to you. You just have to submit a report and discuss it honestly. Why are you pretending to be selfless? Do you think His Majesty is confused or do you think Li Mu is a fool?"
"It's okay now. First, His Majesty snatched the meat from his mouth, and then offended the cook. I see you, you have got into the eyes of money, and you can't tell the difference between right and wrong. Don't blame Li Mu for being angry, people like you are not worthy of pity.
!”
After Changsun Wuji finished speaking, he threw down his sleeves and strode away.
Wang covered his eyes and opened his mouth to explain, but he didn't know what to say.