Li Mu thought to himself, what kind of magical logic is this? You are angry when others do something bad, but you come to me to vent your anger. Do you really treat me like a cow?
Why does this sound familiar?
Oh, I remembered, I said this, the common people's oxen, His Majesty's thousand-mile horse. In this way, there seems to be nothing wrong with being treated as an ox or horse.
Li Mu chewed his teeth and could only comfort himself like this. As he was thinking about random things on his mind, Li Mu remained silent and led the way with his head down.
Seeing that Li Mu was silent, Li Shimin thought that what he had just said had hurt his heart. He cleared his throat, changed the subject, and said, "I heard from the senior officials that you and Cheng Aiqing had a quarrel over the stock purchase. What happened?"
thing?"
Li Mu briefly explained the matter and couldn't help complaining, saying: "Your Majesty, everyone says that I love money, but in my opinion, Uncle Cheng is the one who loves money the most. In order to save a small amount, he
You've been nagging me for seven or eight days."
Li Shimin couldn't help but said: "Li Mu, I find it strange. You said that Cheng Aiqing gave you a member alone, why didn't you want it? This polo match really has nothing to do with me. The land where I came from, the racecourse, didn't give you a member, you
If you ask for another share, you can't blame Cheng Aiqing for not giving it. Li Mu, I don't need you to show your loyalty like this. I see all the hard work you put in and you will get some benefits. Not only do I not blame you, but I am happy to see the results.
.”
Li Mu led Li Shimin into the bank and sat down in the VIP room. Someone brought hot tea. Li Mu took a sip of tea and said, "Your Majesty, I am not showing my loyalty. I am just fulfilling my duty and keeping my word."
"What's the meaning?"
"Your Majesty, do you still remember that day in the Golden Palace, when the imperial censor, King Jingze, had a tit-for-tat confrontation with me, and I was completely defeated by his refutation?"
Li Shimin laughed and said: "This happened not long ago, and it was a rare defeat for you. How could I not remember it? Speaking of this, you didn't bother him, which is beyond my expectation."
Li Mu said resentfully: "It turns out that in His Majesty's eyes, I am an unreasonable person."
Li Shimin took a sip of tea and said, "I didn't say that."
Li Mu curled his lips and continued: "As your Majesty said, this is a rare defeat for me in a quarrel. After returning home, I began to wonder why I lost."
Li Shimin raised his eyelids and asked, "Have you figured out anything?"
"I've figured it out." Li Mu said, "I thought about it several times inside and out, and found the problem. I'm not being reasonable."
"Oh!" Li Shimin laughed and said: "It's rare that you are irrational. Didn't you say that fighting with others is endless fun, but you have to argue even if you are unreasonable? Why did you suddenly become irrational again?
Woolen cloth?"
Li Mu's face turned pale and he said: "I am only a hindsight, your Majesty, please don't make fun of me. What I want to understand is that although I am the minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs does not belong to me.
When dealing with people, the face they give is not because of me, but for His Majesty's sake. So, how can I pocket the money that I didn't earn through my own ability? I said that if I don't take a penny, I will do it.
If you don’t take a penny, then you are a real man.”
Li Shimin waved his hands and said: "You can't say that. Although my face is valuable, without you and without these businesses, I can't make money. Your hard work cannot be erased. I know it well, so you don't have to be humble."
"Your Majesty is right, but I still have something to say about this point."
Li Mu said seriously: "Your Majesty, in my analysis, there are two conditions for a thing to succeed. One is called a necessary condition, and the other is a non-essential condition. The necessary conditions form the basis for the success of this thing.
, rather than a necessary condition, is like the icing on the cake, useful but not irreplaceable.”
"Just like the affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, His Majesty's prestige and face are necessary conditions. As for ministers, they are not irreplaceable. When the Ministry of Internal Affairs gets on the right track in the future, as long as it is replaced by a mature and prudent person and acts in accordance with the existing rules, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will
Anyone who is in charge of the minister can do it. I also laid the foundation in this way. In a year or two, when I have a son, I will resign and stop working."
"Shut your mouth!" Li Shimin said angrily: "I have never seen a person like you, open your mouth and resign, shut up and resign, as if I am begging you to become an official?"
Speaking of this, Li Shimin suddenly stopped for a moment, and he suddenly realized that this seemed to be the case. If he hadn't been asking Li Mu to do this and that, he would have gone on winter vacation long ago.
"...Even if I ask you to be an official, is it wrong? I am a man who has made great achievements and I will give you a chance to show your talents. This is an opportunity that many people can't ask for. You are not satisfied yet!"
"Of course I'm so grateful." Li Mu said quickly, with a rather helpless tone. Li Shimin glared at him and said, "Don't talk about nothing, tell the truth. Don't think that I'm too stupid to hear what excuses are.
.”
Li Mu looked at Yuan Tiangang and Eunuch Gao. Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "You go out for a walk."
The two got up, and Li Mu called a scribe to take them to visit.
"Since Your Majesty asked, I will tell you." Li Mu seemed to have finally found an outlet and poured out his bitterness: "Your Majesty, think about it carefully, who are the people I deal with? It's not Xun Xun.
Noble means a powerful family, who can I offend? I am just relying on His Majesty's power to pretend to be powerful for a while. They can only use me, and everyone understands it tacitly, that's all."
Li Mu sighed and said: "You have also seen that when there is an advantage, just like road construction, everyone comes up. When I encounter trouble, like that time I was scolded by Wang Jingze,
Has Your Majesty seen someone who speaks for the minister? It’s not that they can’t help, they don’t want to help, or they are waiting for the minister to beg them so that they can sell face and ask for rewards in the future. I am not a fool, how can I see clearly?
Woolen cloth?"
"Today's allies will be tomorrow's enemies. Now that I have His Majesty's support, I seem to be prosperous, but my prosperity is like a flower in midsummer that will wither when autumn comes. And
Nobles and nobles are like towering trees. They may not look as bright as flowers, but they can endure year after month, day after day, year after year. Your Majesty, among these flowers and trees, which one has the deepest roots? Do you need to elaborate further?
"
"I am a man with a family now, with an old mother on top, wives and concubines on the bottom. I will also have branches and leaves in the future. How can I not have any worries? If I use means to obtain benefits today, even if they don't say anything
, in the future, when I lose the Holy Family, or may not be as useful as now, they will use this as a basis to make threats, so as not to harm His Majesty's interests. If I don't want to do this, it is better not to start it."
Li Shimin understood Li Mu's meaning and frowned: "Am I that cold-blooded person? How could you lose the favor of the Holy Family if you serve me so wholeheartedly?"
Li Mu chuckled lightly and said: "Your Majesty, you have heard this saying, there is no beauty, no flowers, no red flowers. I really have no confidence that I can always satisfy Your Majesty. Maybe I will do something to disappoint Your Majesty in the future.
It is unknown that Long Yan will be furious about this matter."
Li Shimin wanted to say something else, but Li Mu added: "Your Majesty, you don't have to feel that you have treated me badly. These are all trivial matters. Your Majesty, have you forgotten that I am famous for treating money like dirt and not loving money? Your Majesty."
There is already enough dung, and it is useless to add more. But I am reluctant to take advantage of others, so I am arrogant and want to give all the benefits to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so that your majesty’s internal funds can be filled up, and your majesty can complete your work earlier.
The expectation is to earn a million dollars.”
Li Shimin sighed and said: "I really didn't expect that you would be afraid sometimes. Li Mu, this makes me feel very uncomfortable. I consciously regard you as my nephew and will not let you down. Why do you have no confidence in me?"
Woolen cloth?"
"Your Majesty, I believe that Your Majesty is sincere at this time. But Your Majesty, I have read "Historical Records" and there are too many examples that tell me that things in this world are often not according to people's wishes. Many times, you can't help yourself. Even Your Majesty,
I can't control it either. I'm just trying to prevent this kind of thing from happening in the first place. The loss of some money is nothing compared to the righteousness between the king and the minister between me and His Majesty. I hope your Majesty can understand my sincerity."
"Okay, this matter is up to you. But I also tell you, don't underestimate me. If I say I won't let you down, I will definitely live up to you."
"I believe in Your Majesty."
Li Shimin sighed and said: "I originally wanted to visit the Ministry of Industry, but I'm not in the mood now. It's getting late, so I went back to the palace. I'll handle the matter I asked you as soon as possible. The matter in Gaochang gives me a headache. This matter
Things don’t make me happy, I’m too tired from living every day.”
Li Mu promised: "I will do it tomorrow!"
"Okay." Li Shimin stood up, waved his hand, and said, "Just remember, it won't be more than a day or two before we leave!"
Li Shimin said and walked out. At this time, Li Chongyi ran over in a hurry and almost bumped into Li Shimin.
Li Mu quickly shouted: "Chongyi, why are you so reckless? You almost hit your majesty!"
Li Chongyi quickly saluted Li Shimin, remained silent, and handed Li Mu a letter.
Li Shimin didn't care about Li Mu's personal letters, so he was about to go out. Li Mu saw that the letter was written by Li Siwen, and his heart moved. He quickly opened it, glanced at it, his face showed joy, and shouted: "Your Majesty, stay here.
I have a surprise for Your Majesty!"
Li Shimin stopped, frowned and turned back: "What surprises can you have? Could it be that you can still solve Gao Chang's problem?"
"Your Majesty, maybe it's really possible!" Li Mu handed the letter to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, please read it."
Li Shimin took the letter and looked at the envelope. It was from Li Siwen. He frowned and said, "What should I read about the letters between you brothers..." After saying this, he also unfolded the letter and read it.
stand up.
"Huh?"
After just one glance, Li Shimin was surprised. After reading the letter carefully, he stared at Li Mu and asked, "Is this serious?"