Chapter 194 The Power Behind the Imperial Academy Army

Huh?

Wei Shuyu frowned, but quickly relaxed.

"Does the King of Wei mean that Hu County alone cannot represent all the merchants in the world?" Wei Shuyu chuckled.

Isn't that so?

Li Tai wore a disdainful expression.

“What the King of Wei said makes some sense.”

Wei Shuyu smiled and nodded: "It's just that your vision is a bit short-sighted."

"What's the meaning?"

Li Tai's heart skipped a beat.

Wei Shuyu's calm demeanor gave him a bad feeling.

"Today, the merchants of Hu County are dissatisfied, but the King of Wei doesn't take it seriously."

"Farmers in Lantian County will be dissatisfied tomorrow."

"The craftsmen of Chang'an are dissatisfied the day after tomorrow..."

"Does the King of Wei not take this seriously at all?"

"Does the King of Wei realize what these expressions of discontent mean?"

Li Tai suddenly awoke.

Just as I was about to explain something, I heard Wei Shuyu suddenly shout...

"The merchants throughout the county are dissatisfied, and you still say it's not a big deal!"

"Are you waiting for all the merchants in the world to rebel before you'll take this seriously?"

Swish.

Li Tai's face turned deathly pale.

Even his body began to tremble.

A ruler's vision and perspective are extremely important.

These words...

When he turned his head to look at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin's face was so gloomy it seemed to drip blood.

"Father...Father Emperor."

Li Taigang was about to speak.

But then someone interrupted me!

"Qingque, how can you be so narrow-minded?"

Li Chengqian walked to the front of the hall, pointed at Li Tai, and demanded: "Whether you are a merchant or a farmer, you are all subjects of my Great Tang Dynasty."

"Don't even mention the wishes of the merchants of this county!"

"Even if it's just an ordinary citizen or a merchant, the imperial court should take it seriously!"

Wow, not bad...

Wei Shuyu raised an eyebrow.

This crown prince is usually very quiet, but when it comes to anything that might hurt Li Tai, he becomes incredibly energetic.

"You...you..."

Li Tai's expression kept changing, but he couldn't say anything.

Finally, he bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Father, Qingque misspoke."

Li Shimin's expression softened somewhat.

It's never too late to admit your mistakes.

"Your Majesty, I believe that executing Li Chongyi was a bit too much."

Just then, Li Daozong slowly stepped forward.

Whether for public or private reasons, he has to step in.

His son, Li Jingren, was also one of the main perpetrators of the vandalism at Wenyun Pavilion.

"What does the Prince of Rencheng think?" Li Shimin replied.

"Your Majesty, this emphasis on commerce is unprecedented."

"The Tang Code did not specify that this crime required execution."

After a moment's thought, Li Daozong said, "I believe a small punishment is sufficient as a warning!"

As Li Daozong finished speaking, Li Shimin nodded noncommittally.

The courtiers all agreed that this made sense.

but……

Would Wei Shuyu agree?

Li Xiaogong has not apologized yet!

How could Wei Shuyu possibly give in so easily?

"His Majesty!"

Wei Shuyu stepped forward, his voice still resolute: "As the person in charge of commerce, I have the right to convict him!"

"Shuyu, this is actually a small matter, don't make a big deal out of it."

Li Daozong acted as a peacemaker, offering earnest advice.

"Whether this is a big deal or not is irrelevant to me!"

Wei Shuyu showed no mercy: "As long as the merchants have no objections, I have nothing to say!"

Using businessmen to pressure me?

Li Daozong's eyes flickered...

"Although the King of Wei made a mistake in his words, he did not say one thing wrong."

"You are the person in charge of Hu County. You opened Wenyun Pavilion in Chang'an, which belongs to the Yue region!"

"and……"

A smile crept across Li Daozong's lips: "Did you report this matter?"

"As an official, your every word and action represents the imperial court!"

"Who gave you permission to engage in business?"

Um?

The courtiers were taken aback.

Li Daozong's voice was calm, but every word he uttered was piercing!

Officials engaging in business is unprecedented!

This is tantamount to defying public opinion...

This kind of thing must be approved by a resolution.

Alternatively, it could be implemented only after the Ministry of Personnel and Li Shimin's approval.

What? You don't have any?

Seeing that Wei Shuyu did not reply, Li Daozong smiled like an old fox: "As for this crime, it is not specified in the Tang Code!"

"According to the military camp, this is disobeying orders, and he should be executed!"

"According to the imperial court..."

"To deceive the Emperor and commit the crime of treason... deserves the execution of the entire family!"

hiss……

The courtiers gasped in shock.

Treat them as they treat you.

Xiao Wei killed one person.

Your entire family will be executed right from the start!

So the real hidden mastermind was you, Li Daozong...

"Isn't that considered filing a report?"

Wei Shuyu stroked his chin and pondered for a while.

What does it mean to "report"?

Li Daozong pressed further, "Ambiguous statements are not acceptable in the imperial court."

Turning around, Li Daozong bowed to Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, I dare to ask..."

Did Wei Shuyu obtain your permission to open the Wenyun Pavilion?

Li Shimin was embarrassed.

The pressure is now on him.

Although he could claim that he had given his permission, he would definitely face a barrage of criticism from his advisors afterward.

When it comes to criticizing oneself, ministers are like moths to a flame... one after another they are cut down.

But if he says he didn't get permission, then his five thousand strings of cash would be wasted.

For a moment, Li Shimin found himself unable to make a decision.

"Prince Rencheng!"

Just then, a voice rang out from inside the hall...

Fang Xuanling stepped forward, bowed to Li Daozong, and said, "I, Fang, agree to the matter of Wenyun Pavilion!"

Um?

No one expected Fang Xuanling to step forward.

Weren't you just arguing quite enthusiastically with the Wei family?

How could they betray us so quickly?

"Fang Xuanling, do you know that harboring a criminal is also a serious crime?"

Li Daozong questioned him with dissatisfaction.

During the Zhenguan era, the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat was not established, so Fang Xuanling was the highest-ranking official in the Imperial Secretariat!

Therefore, his words represented the entire Ministry of Personnel!

“My son Yi’ai was involved in Wen Yun Ge, so this matter can be considered as my consent.”

Fang Xuanling answered truthfully.

"Your Majesty, I agree as well."

"Your subject agrees."

"Your subject is also..."

As Fang Xuanling took the lead in stepping forward, more officials immediately followed suit.

Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works...

Each of the six ministries had a vice minister step forward!

“Your Majesty, I am aware of and agree to this matter…” Cui Yixuan also stepped forward.

What's going on?

Why did the court officials suddenly side with Wei Shuyu?

Li Daozong was dumbfounded.

Wei Shuyu smiled.

The power behind the Imperial College army has finally been unleashed.

Perhaps they are adversaries in the imperial court.

However, since the Ice Pavilion and the Literary Pavilion could bring benefits to the officials, they naturally wouldn't easily give them up.

As for officials engaging in business?

That's the younger generation's business; it's none of their concern.

Why not just transfer the assets out when the younger generation grows up and becomes officials?

"well."

Li Daozong sighed.

We lost.

As Li Daozong withdrew, the court fell silent.

Wei Shuyu alone is difficult to deal with.

Now so many ministers have stepped forward to protect Wenyun Pavilion.

How can I even criticize this?

"Wei Shuyu, I will remember you!"

Li Xiaogong gritted his teeth.

He originally thought that he could suppress Wei Shuyu with the help of his ministers.

Who could have imagined it would turn out like this?

What does the Prince of Hejian mean by this?

Wei Shuyu said calmly, "Does Li Chongyi think he has a right to smash things?"

"How about I go and smash up your Prince's Mansion, and then I'll compensate you with some money after I'm done?"

That's ruthless...

With the Prince's mansion vandalized, where does Li Xiaogong put his face?

"Does the Prince of Hejian have anything else to say?"

Wei Shuyu asked with a smile, "If there's nothing more to say, then is Li Chongyi's crime settled like this?"

snort.

Li Xiaogong sneered, "You want me, the Prince, to apologize?"

"Let me tell you right now, the person who wants me to apologize hasn't been born yet!"

He then bowed to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, it is my fault for neglecting the discipline of Chongyi."

"I will bear full responsibility for his crimes!"

"Kill me or torture me, I will have no complaints!"