"This Wei Zheng is extremely hateful!" Li Shimin pointed at Wei Zheng outside through the glass window and cursed: "He is always against me. I think he is just looking for trouble! It turns out that when I followed Li Mu, he jumped out, and now he is again
Jump out, what does he mean?"
Eunuch Gao said cautiously: "Your Majesty, I think this shows Duke Wei's loyalty."
"Humph!" Li Shimin was still angry. He glanced at the summary of Wei Zheng's earnest talk, hesitated for a moment, pointed at it, and motioned for Eunuch Gao to pick it up, and said, "Come and see, is everything Wei Zheng said true?"
Eunuch Gao knew clearly that what Wei Zheng said was true, and Li Shimin also knew that what Wei Zheng said was true, but he still picked it up and pretended to look at it, then walked down the steps to Li Shimin and said: "Your Majesty, this old slave thinks...
Mr. Wei has conducted a detailed investigation, and the contents of the minutes are consistent with what he said. It seems that Mr. Luoyang County has really been wronged."
"Aren't I aggrieved? The one I love most and the nephew I value most, aren't I aggrieved?"
"I don't dare, old slave."
"That's all!" Li Shimin waved his hand, as if chasing away a fly, and said: "I don't care about personal relationships, senior officials, let me ask you, do you think Li Mu should be killed?"
"Old slave feels... inappropriate."
"reason?"
Eunuch Gao said seductively: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, with a mind that encompasses all corners of the world, so he must be so generous. Moreover, tens of millions of eyes in the world are staring at Your Majesty. If Your Majesty punishes the Duke of Luoyang County for personal reasons, I'm afraid it will cause criticism."
Your Majesty also knows that there are all kinds of people in this world. To be honest, it is quite controversial. If you add a little more jealousy, your Majesty's wisdom will be damaged."
Li Shimin was silent for a while and murmured: "That makes sense."
When Eunuch Gao saw that there was something going on, he quickly said: "Why don't your Majesty release Li Mu to show your Majesty's fairness and open-mindedness?"
"I'm still angry!"
Eunuch Gao observed his words and said: "Then it's better to give him some hard work and struggle for a while. Your Majesty, the Duke of Luoyang County is a great talent. If Your Majesty doesn't use it, the loss will be too great."
Li Shimin thought for a while and said: "I know." After a pause, he added: "Let's do it. I will go with you to visit the prison tomorrow. You can ask him for me, and I will listen by the side. If he has any regrets,
I mean, depending on the situation, I might spare his life, but if he has no regrets, then I will definitely not spare him."
When Eunuch Gao heard this, he knew something in his heart. His Majesty was making excuses for himself. This is easy to handle, isn't it just a step? That's all. Eunuch Gao understood it and bowed and said: "No, old man
I will make arrangements now to ensure that Li Mu does not know that His Majesty is eavesdropping."
"Um?"
"Interrogation, interrogation!"
"There is no such thing as literary talent. The description is so inappropriate. It's none of your business. Go ahead and do it!"
"Old slave, please retire." Eunuch Gao withdrew, found a young eunuch, and asked him to pass the news to Li Mu. He did not specifically ask Li Mu to say anything. He believed that Li Mu could understand it.
…
"Your Majesty is coming to visit the prison?" Li Mu spit out the chicken bones in his mouth and was stunned for a moment. Changsun Chong and others all looked happy, poured wine for Li Mu and said: "Teacher, this is great news, Gao
The father-in-law brought this news to me, and it must have been your Majesty's instruction. When the time comes, all my mentor has to do is cooperate and admit his mistake. Your Majesty will have a step forward, and my mentor will be able to escape from the prison."
Xu Jiye said: "Let's book a table at the bar tomorrow and let's celebrate in heaven and on earth!"
"Yes, yes, let's join together."
"Whatever you want to share in a banquet, I'll do it!"
A group of people started arguing, but Li Mu narrowed his eyes, thought for a while, and said: "No, it will be business as usual tomorrow. What kind of people will we share and what kind of drinks will we drink? Your salary is only a dozen dollars, where does the money come from?"
"
"My mentor didn't know something. Now every bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs..." Changsun Chong said halfway, realizing that he had made a mistake, he quickly shut up. But it was already too late. Li Mu scolded him sternly and said: "You are evil, my mentor."
How did I teach you? Don’t touch a penny when you are not supposed to take money! As long as the word money is involved, even if you handle it impartially, you will end up causing trouble. You really let me down -
"Suddenly, the conversation changed, and Li Mu said earnestly: "There are many ways to make money. Why do you say it openly? Why don't you say it out loud even if you make money? You are really. Alas? Did someone say that just now?
You're the one who raised the money? You are very talented, I will teach you in my spare time."
The speaker immediately showed a happy expression. It was such a rare thing to get a compliment from Li Mu. He had been scolded these days, including Chang Sun Chong and others.
"Help me go back to Eunuch Gao. I'll note it down. Thank you very much." Li Mu said and stretched out his hand in front of Changsun Chong. Changsun Chong was stunned. Xu Ji had already taken out the money bag and put it in Li Mu's hand. Changsun Chong suddenly realized and quickly took out the money.
But it was too late. Li Mu took out an ingot from Xu Ji's purse and gave it to the little eunuch. The little eunuch went away happily. Xu Ji was also very happy. Li Mu spent one of his ingots. This was really
It’s so embarrassing.
There is no airtight wall in this world, especially in the palace where there is air everywhere, there is no secret. Before the eunuch who helped Eunuch Gao returned to the palace, the news that Li Shimin intended to release Li Mu had already spread.
After Wang Gui got the news, he was trembling in his heart. He recalled Changsun Wuji's words and finally made a decision!
…
The next day.
After the morning court, Li Shimin left the palace incognito and came to Dali Temple. It was still early, but the entrance of Dali Temple was already busy. The carriage stopped all the way and there was not a single 'parking space' left. Li Shimin frowned and said: "These are all
Who is he? Why did he block the entrance to Dali Temple? It is really unreasonable."
"Your Majesty, he is probably a merchant."
"Merchant?" Li Shimin asked displeasedly: "How can a merchant enter and exit Dali Temple?"
"Your Majesty, you don't know something." Eunuch Gao explained: "Your Majesty, most of the people working in the Ministry of Internal Affairs today are businessmen. This was handed down by Li Mu before he left. The main positions are appointed and removed by the imperial court, and the minor positions are...
Let talented merchants rotate. According to the set rules, merchants who hold concurrent positions cannot have direct interests involved, and they can only be rotated once within three years."
"once?"
"Yes." Eunuch Gao explained: "If you use it too much, you will inevitably form cliques for personal gain. It can only be used in this way. Luoyang County Duke's explanation is that this will allow merchants to understand the Ministry of Internal Affairs better, so they don't have to be afraid when dealing with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
"
"I really thought about it." Li Shimin said noncommittally, got off the carriage and said, "Forget it, there are only a few steps left, let's take two steps."
"Your Majesty is wise."
Eunuch Gao led the way, and Li Shimin got off the car and walked. As soon as he reached the door, he heard a commotion in the yard. It turned out that two businessmen-looking people were arguing, and each of them held something like a memorial in their hands.
It was so noisy.
Li Shimin heard words such as "tender document" and "bidding" in the two people's words. He didn't understand what they meant at all. He looked at Eunuch Gao inquiringly. Eunuch Gao also responded with a wry smile. He stayed in the palace all day, not talking to the outside world.
What he knows about the matter is very limited. Unless Li Shimin orders an investigation, he really doesn't have that much curiosity.
Seeing Li Shimin's curiosity, Eunuch Gao had no choice but to ask. Merchants are the humblest people. Although their status is now rising, Eunuch Gao's voice sounded like that of a eunuch. Those who can afford eunuchs these days are undoubtedly people in the palace. What's wrong with merchants?
Dare to offend? I have no choice but to explain in detail.
It turned out that these two people were bidding for the "renovation of the old city of Chang'an City". They spent money to renovate the dilapidated buildings in the 108th square of Chang'an City. Because they both liked the same place at the same time, they argued endlessly.
After hearing this, Li Shimin wondered: "High-ranking cadres, did I hear you correctly? They use their own money to help the court repair it? Are they still fighting for it? What's going on?"
"Your Majesty, this old slave asked about it. I heard that this is what happened. The roadway repair project that was originally going to be shelved was almost shelved because Li Mu left Chang'an. But this time Li Mu came back, and the matter was brought up again.
It has become a hot project. As for using money to do things yourself - most of the projects of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are done using money. The lanes put up for auction are the main locations of each workshop and are good places for shops. They use
If you spend money to repair the alleyway, you can get the right to use this lot."
"Build your own shop and use it yourself. You don't have to spend much money. You can also choose the place. Naturally, you have to fight for it."
"But for the court, it saves money - Li Mu, the only one who can think of such a method." Li Shimin shook his head and smiled, motioning to Eunuch Gao to lead the way.
Walking to the door of the cell, the cell leader saw Eunuch Gao and Li Shimin coming. He was so frightened that he almost peed his pants. He didn't know Li Shimin, but he knew Eunuch Gao. The person who could make Eunuch Gao serve him respectfully would be known without guessing.
The cell leader wanted to report, but Eunuch Gao stopped him and whispered something. The cell leader quickly took Li Shimin to a 'single room' that was separated from Li Mu by the wall. Only then did he shout loudly, saying that Eunuch Gao had come to act as emperor.
The question came.
The sound was so loud that it alarmed everyone in the room. Changsun Chong, Xu Ji and others winked at Li Mu and retreated one by one. The cell suddenly became quiet, and Li Mu motioned to Eunuch Gao to sit down in front of him.
He said: "Eunuch Gao is here to deliver the message?"
"No, I still want to ask."
Li Mu chuckled lightly and said, "Your Majesty, do you have anything else to ask?"
"His Majesty asked: Putting aside the massacre of the city in Gaochang for the moment, why do you want your father-in-law to be the king of Gaochang? Why not allocate Gaochang to the territory of the Tang Dynasty?"
"There are two reasons."
"speak."
"The first one is to consider my wife. I am going to propose marriage, so I must give you some decent betrothal gifts. The second one is that it is necessary for planning."
"What's the plan?"
"The plan to let the Tang Dynasty control the Silk Road and make it unimpeded."
The cell next door coughed, and Eunuch Gao hurriedly continued: "Abandoning public service for private purposes means abandoning public service for private purposes. Do you dare to do it or not?"
Li Muqi said: "How can this be called abolition of official duties for personal reasons? I asked my father-in-law to be the king of Gaochang, but this is not the root of the problem? Someone must be in charge of the position of king of Gaochang, and the wealth will not flow away.
In an outsider’s field, good things can only happen to one’s own people, so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Since you want to employ people, you have to choose someone you can trust, right?”
"I asked you why you didn't allocate the territory of the Tang Dynasty!"
"It's not that I haven't thought about it, but later I felt it was impossible." Li Mu said calmly: "If the Tang Dynasty is allocated to the Tang Dynasty, it will not be a great cause of justice. I don't think how many cities the Tang Dynasty needs to capture in the Western Region to have an impact.
Li. I asked the businessmen who traveled to the Western Regions. There were many people who narrowly escaped death during their trip to the Western Regions. And the small countries in the Western Regions were thousands of miles away from the Tang Dynasty. If they were all managed by the Tang Dynasty, the cost would be really high. After all, the Tang Dynasty needed
It's the Silk Road, not a desolate desert."
"Occupying Gaochang will put everyone in danger. If you don't occupy Gaochang, you will have a reputation for benevolence. This is the influence I understand. The reputation of a country is more about cultural and moral identity. Let Gaochang
Being the spokesperson of the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions is far better than occupying Gaochang."
Li Mu made a money-making gesture and said: "And I have emptied Gaochang's treasury. The money obtained is enough to cover the military expenses. This way, this year's rest and recuperation plan will not be affected."
"Yes, I remembered it."
Eunuch Gao responded, not knowing who it was for. He paused, gave Li Mu a look, and said, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing you want to ask you? Well... do you know you are wrong?"
As Eunuch Gao spoke, he winked at Li Mu, but Li Mu said seriously: "I don't think there is anything wrong."
Eunuch Gao was so anxious that he stamped his feet, hinting to Li Mu to seek compensation. But on the other side, Li Shimin was already furious. There was no one in the cell at this time, and Li Shimin didn't have to hide. He stood outside the cell door, pointed at Li Mu and said, "You kid
Dare you say it? I trust you so much, but you dare to hide it from me...?"
"Your Majesty." Li Mu looked at Li Shimin, not surprised at all, and said: "Your Majesty, please recall carefully. I once admitted my feelings for Heou in person, but Your Majesty did not believe it at the time."
"When did you admit it..." Li Shimin suddenly remembered that it was in heaven and earth. Queen Changsun was there at that time. Li Mu said that he had an affair with Wang Ou, but at that time he only thought that it was Li Mu who came to his rescue. He didn't expect that it was Li Mu who rescued him.
real.
"You -" Li Shimin was so angry that he wanted to scream, but he really couldn't refute it. Li Mu did admit it. He gritted his teeth and said: "In that situation, how could I - why didn't you say anything later?"
"Your Majesty, do I still have to talk about this kind of thing?"
"You!" Li Shimin gritted his teeth: "Then you and Ou, how can she like you?"
"Your Majesty, please pay attention to the excellence of me -" Li Mu pretended a little, and then smiled bitterly: "It is true that I don't like her. Your Majesty, didn't you see it too? She has left me now."
"To avoid disaster, just say avoid disaster."
Li Mu shook his head and said: "Your Majesty, long before I left Chang'an and before Your Majesty knew it, she left me - now, I don't know where she is."