"Use their money for my own use?" Li Shimin looked at Li Mu suspiciously, but the words in his heart were not spoken: "If it were so easy, I wouldn't worry about money."
"To be precise, it is for the country's use."
"I am the country!"
Li Mu smiled and shook his head. Li Shimin was slightly angry and said, "I am the country. Is this wrong?"
"Your Majesty, the country is more than just Your Majesty. This is just a flattering word from a flatterer. If one person is the country, then anyone can say that he is a country. Isn't this ridiculous?"
Li Shimin remained silent, obviously not thinking of anything to refute.
Li Mu continued: "I believe that a country must meet at least four conditions: land, people, culture, and court. All four are indispensable. Without a country, it is impossible to talk about a country. Without people, it is impossible to travel thousands of miles away. With a country,
If there are people but cannot be educated, how are they any different from wild beasts? If you have all three but no court, isn't it a troubled world? In troubled times, if human life is like grass, how can it be considered a country?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is also the Emperor. The Emperor is also the Human Emperor. As the Human Emperor, Your Majesty must also shoulder the responsibilities of the Human Emperor. Your Majesty's responsibility is to make this country better and make the people richer. I also heard the old saying: Jun
"A boat is a boat; a person is water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Therefore, we can never say that Your Majesty has made the country successful, but that the country has made Your Majesty the best."
Li Shimin considered Li Mu's words, and the more he thought about it, the more reasonable he felt. He suddenly stood up and bowed. Li Mu quickly took half a step back, as if to avoid it, but in fact he accepted the gift without moving.
Li Shimin straightened up and said: "Li Mu, your words are like enlightenment, which made me wake up. You are right, I am not the country, and the money does not belong to me. I only have the right to use it for the country and cannot
Use it to enrich yourself and benefit yourself.”
"Your Majesty can understand this truth, so I have not wasted my words." Li Mu thought for a while and felt that he could say more, so he continued: "Actually, this is very simple to understand. Your Majesty's inner treasury and national treasury,
If Your Majesty uses the money from the inner treasury to subsidize the national treasury, you will have a reputation as a virtuous person. If your Majesty uses the money from the national treasury, everyone in the world will think that your Majesty is a foolish king. Since your Majesty wants to be a wise king, you cannot have the idea of taking money from the national treasury. In this market
Your Majesty cannot use the money, nor can anyone be tempted to do so."
Li Shimin wondered: "How can I use it if I can't use my mind?"
"Simple." Li Mu chuckled and said, "Just take advantage of the situation. You can use means to make the money flow in the direction Your Majesty wants. Although it is not direct, it still achieves the purpose of use."
"Tell me more about it."
"Your Majesty, the richest people in the world are hoarding gold, silver and copper coins with nowhere to spend them. I have asked some of them and found that some people have money cellars, and most of the copper coins in them have rotted because they have been stored for too long. Copper coins, gold and silver
The quantity is limited, and since they are all stored up, there is less circulation on the market, and it is inconvenient for the people to use it. But after the Luoyang trading market, because there are many opportunities to participate in investment, the money can be used."
"At the same time, because you are involved in shares and not in operations, the geographical restrictions will be reduced. This will be quite beneficial for Your Majesty to break the shackles of the local area."
"In addition, in my conception, at least one-third of the transactions in this trading market should be with Fan Bang." Li Mu showed a wicked smile and said: "Your Majesty, just imagine, if Fan Bang wants to trade in the market, he needs to first
If they pay a security deposit and the transaction is successful, they also have to pay taxes. In order to facilitate trade, they need to deposit money in Datang's bank. As for the idle surplus money deposited in the bank, can the court borrow it? As long as the books are clear, they can only
We need a little, negligible interest, and use money from other countries to strengthen our Tang Dynasty!"
"Once the two countries are at war... no, it is not necessary to go to war. When their money is in our hands, if they want to go to war, they have to weigh their own money. There is a common saying among the people, it is called, owe money
That’s the truth!”
"It's the uncle who owes money -" He was born in a family of Li Shimin, so he has never been exposed to such vulgar behavior, but the truth is very simple, and you can understand it with just a little thought. Li Shimin laughed and said: "What a man who owes money.
It's you! The truth is absolutely right and wonderful!" Li Shimin looked at Li Mu with admiration and said: "Li Mu, you are indeed a genius. I saw you right! Don't worry, I support you!"
"No," Li Mu said very seriously, "I don't need your majesty's support. On the contrary, I hope to ignore this."
"How can I ignore the great plans of the country?"
"If Your Majesty attaches great importance to it, wouldn't it be Sima Zhao's intention and everyone on the road will know it? If it arouses the defense of other countries, how can the plan of luring him into a trap be carried out?"
Li Shimin was silent, seemingly having trouble making a choice. Li Mu said again: "Your Majesty, I have one more thing that I would like to discuss with your Majesty." Li Shimin looked at Li Mu, and Li Mu said seriously: "Has your Majesty already seen Qingque?"
It was fine that Li Mu didn't mention this matter. Li Shimin also remembered it and became very angry and said, "I'm just about to settle a score with you. Why did Qing Que become so thin? What on earth did you say to him?"
"Your Majesty can't rely on me for this. It's something Qingque himself is willing to reduce. When I say Qingque, I want to ask for your Majesty's permission to set up a literature museum in Luoyang."
Hearing the words 'Literary Museum', Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, stared at Li Mu, and said, "Why do you think so? What did Qingque say to you?"
"Qing Que didn't say anything. He just showed me the Kuo Di Zhi he compiled."
Li Shimin asked again: "Are you optimistic about Qingque?"
"I have no unreasonable intention to discuss the crown prince."
"Then do you know what the Literature Museum means?"
"I know that in the fourth year of Wude, the Supreme Emperor allowed His Majesty to open a literary museum. His Majesty ordered eighteen members of his staff to serve as officials and bachelors of the literary library, known as the Eighteen Bachelors. They stayed in separate groups and introduced and discussed literary classics every day. People at that time envied
When a bachelor enters the palace, it is called ascending to Yingzhou. Later, these people became His Majesty's staff, handling all matters big and small."
"Since you understand, you still suggest this? Have you ever thought about what the prince would think of you if this matter came to his ears?" Although Li Shimin preferred Li Tai, at this time, he had no idea of Yi Chu, so Li Mu acted like this
, which made him very angry: "Li Mu, although Cheng Qian's literary talent is not as good as Qingque's, he respects you very much. He is the prince, but he is willing to call you big brother. Are you worthy of him for persuading me like this?"
"I don't think so. Your Majesty thought that what I said was related to the prince's affairs, but I didn't think so. I told your majesty about this because it was Qingque's wish. As for the prince, I have already
I have plans to teach the prince slowly about the major and minor affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the pace permitted by His Majesty."
Li Shimin's eyes were blazing: "You want to bet on both ends?"
Li Mu smiled and said: "Your Majesty, whether you believe it or not, I only regard the prince and the king of Yue as my brothers. Doing these things has nothing to do with what your majesty thinks. I am just a brother."
I just want to give them what is suitable for them. Just like your Majesty said, they call me big brother, and I have to give something in return. As for what your Majesty has in mind, I believe that only your Majesty can make the decision.
, anyone else’s participation is meaningless to the final result.”
"If you think like this, there is no guarantee that others will think so too. Once I allow Qingque to set up a literature museum, people with ulterior motives will join in. Qingque is still young after all. What if he is bewitched by others and does something he shouldn't have done?
I don’t want the Xuanwu Sect incident to happen again, so stop talking, I won’t allow it!”
Li Mu was not in a hurry, and remained very calm, saying: "Your Majesty, please allow me to say a few more words. Not to mention, as far as I know, Qing Que does not have such thoughts, even if he does, I think it is human nature. Cheng Qian
As a prince and an elder brother, if he does not have the courage to face the challenges from his brothers, he is not worthy to be the future monarch of the Tang Dynasty."
Li Mu spoke loudly and said word by word: "The monarch of the Tang Dynasty cannot survive in his infancy. Only the strongest prince is qualified to inherit the throne!"
"Li Mu——"
After Li Mu finished speaking, he bowed and saluted, and said: "I said a lot of things that I shouldn't have said today. Your Majesty, don't worry. Kuo Di Zhichen will help Qingque complete it. This is a book that can be recorded in history. At Qingque's age
, it is extremely rare, I just cherish my talent."
Li Mu turned around and left, but Li Shimin suddenly stopped him: "Do you really think so? The book compiled by Qingque is enough to be recorded in the annals of history? Didn't you teach him this book?"
Li Mu turned around and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, although I may be said to be very talented, I am not a god who knows everything about the world. Your Majesty should have more confidence in your son."
"Then where do you think Chengqian's talent lies?"
Li Mu thought for a while and replied: "If your talent is not obvious, it does not mean that you have no talent. Chengqian is doing a good job as an urban management officer now, isn't he doing a good job? If your majesty intends to hone Chengqian, I can also help your majesty think of a way."
Li Shimin frowned and said, "Please allow me to think about it again. If you are a senior official, send Li Mu off for me."
"I excuse myself."
Eunuch Gao sent Li Mu to the outside of the palace, bowed deeply and said, "Master Hou, thank you very much this time. The Za family has long felt that Yuan Tiangang is going to cause trouble, but they just can't think of a way to deal with it. If you weren't here today, our family would probably have to do something bad."
Suffered a loss."
Li Mu smiled and said: "My father-in-law overestimates Yuan Tiangang, and he underestimates himself too much. Today, if you talk about people whom Your Majesty can rest assured, my father-in-law is definitely among the top three."
"I don't dare think about it." Eunuch Gao said humbly, but there was no hint of humility in his demeanor. It was obvious that he recognized what Li Mu said from the bottom of his heart.
"I just don't know how the East Factory and the West Factory will go in the future."
"Father-in-law, you only need to remember four words."
"Master Marquis, please tell me."
"Loyal to Your Majesty."
"Loyal to Your Majesty?" Eunuch Gao frowned and asked strangely, "Isn't this what we should do?"
"I mean, absolute loyalty." Li Mu didn't explain anything more, nodded slightly, and turned to leave. Eunuch Gao watched Li Mu walk away, returned to the palace, and saw Li Shimin standing by the window looking at Li Mu, and came to him
Behind him, there was no sound to disturb him.
"What did Li Mu say to you?"
Eunuch Gao had no intention of hiding anything and answered truthfully: "The old slave thanked him for Yuan Tiangang's attack, but he said that the old slave overestimated Yuan Tiangang's position in His Majesty's heart and underestimated the old slave's position in His Majesty's heart.
.The old slave asked the East Factory and the West Factory where they would go in the future? He said four words."
"Which four words?"
"Loyal to Your Majesty."
Li Shimin turned his head and asked, "Isn't this what it should be?"
"The old slave also asked the same question, and he said something else."
"Absolute loyalty."
"No more?"
"No more."
Li Shimin waved his hand, and Eunuch Gao withdrew. Li Shimin walked back to the desk, picked up the pen, put it down, picked up the pen again, and wrote an imperial edict.
…
Chang'an City was in chaos because of an imperial edict.
His Majesty suddenly issued an order to confer Li Mu the title of Marquis of Luoyang. He was originally a Marquis, but he was briefly promoted to County Duke and was deprived of his title. However, everyone knows that the reason for deprivation is untenable, so Li Mu's title will come back sooner or later. This is all
This is something that everyone recognizes. Therefore, when most people meet Li Mu, they still call him Lord Marquis. No one will find it strange that Li Mu is granted the title of Marquis.
He is now the Order of Luoyang and changed the title of Marquis of Luoyang, which is what the title means and is understandable. The reason why it caused such a big commotion is because of His Majesty's decree. The title system of the Tang Dynasty was inherited from the Sui Dynasty and was divided into two categories.
There are seven types, including royal titles and fifth-rank titles. Royal titles are divided into princes and county princes. The fifth-rank titles are the familiar fifth-rank titles of princes, uncles, and men.
Marquis ranks second among the five nobles. This is everyone's generally accepted understanding. However, Li Shimin named Li Mu the Marquis of Luoyang this time, but did not add the word "founding the country" or "county marquis" in his decree.
Three words: "Marquis of Luoyang". Looking at the content of the decree, Li Mu was given a gold seal and a purple ribbon, and was allowed to open a mansion and appoint his own ministers and other subordinate officials.
This is no longer a Marquis in the title of Tang Dynasty, but equivalent to the Marquis of Che in the Qin and Han Dynasties. The Marquis of Che was the highest among the twenty-rank nobility system in the Qin and Han Dynasties. The highest title available to the opposite sex in the Han Dynasty was the Marquis of Che, such as
The famous champion Hou Huo Qubing had a fief of up to 10,000 households. Although the imperial edict did not specify the number of Li Mu's fiefs, Luoyang was the companion capital. Although it was a county, its population was more than 10,000 households. Is it possible for His Majesty to make Luoyang his fiefdom?
In my heart, can Li Mu be compared with the champions of the Han Dynasty?
Wei Zheng didn't rub sand in his eyes, so naturally he would not allow this to happen. The censors at the Yushitai were also as if they had been given blood, and the memorials flew to Li Shimin's desk like snowflakes. Under such momentum,
Next, the other two imperial edicts seemed less eye-catching.
The two imperial edicts were that Li Tai, the king of Yue, was renamed the king of Wei, and allowed him to set up a literary museum in Luoyang City and recruit scribes to compile the geographical records.
A separate copy of the notes on all major and minor affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs should be sent to the Prince's Mansion for the Prince's knowledge.
When Li Mu learned about these two things, he was delivering warmth to the orphans at the Salesian Bureau. When he heard this, he just smiled lightly and did not make any comments. He played with the gold seal in his hand and looked at the three 'Marquis of Luoyang' above.
With this word, a playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.