Chapter 235 Changsun Wuji Uses Another Underhanded Tactic

"Do any of you have any objections?"

Li Shimin spoke with an air of authority.

"We have no objection!"

The assembled officials bowed in unison.

This policy doesn't affect their interests, so it doesn't bother them.

only……

Changsun Wuji once again stood out from the crowd.

He felt Li Shimin's gaze.

Changsun Wuji's cheeks twitched involuntarily, and he bowed his humiliated waist once again.

"I have no objection."

She secretly glanced at Wei Shuyu.

Don't let me catch you doing anything wrong, or you'll regret it sooner or later.

"Where is the Minister of Rites?" Li Shimin nodded and then asked.

"Your subject is present."

Doulu Kuan stepped forward with a miserable expression.

It would have been better if Wei Shuyu hadn't proposed the tribute trade; now that he's introduced a new policy, he's going to be held accountable.

The Censor has resolved your Ministry of Rites matter.

This is a dereliction of duty by the Ministry of Rites.

"Shuyu is right. If you don't advance, you fall behind. The Ministry of Rites has indeed become somewhat complacent."

"But considering your hard work over the years, this punishment will be waived."

Li Shimin only offered a symbolic criticism.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Doulu Kuan quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"From now on, the tribute will be paid according to what Wei Shuyu said... this..."

Li Shimin paused, then turned to Wei Shuyu and asked, "Shuyu, this is the policy you proposed. You can name it."

"Your Majesty, this is called tribute trade."

"The Tang Dynasty has money to spend, foreigners shouldn't even think about taking it home."

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow.

That brat dares to spout nonsense in the imperial court.

But it sounds quite catchy.

"allow."

Li Shimin nodded and looked at Doulu Kuan: "From now on, tribute will mainly consist of trade accompanying the tribute."

"The Ministry of Rites will determine the specific details; as for the merchants..."

"You can discuss the merchant issue with Shuyu yourself."

After Doulu Kuan received the order, Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief.

Today's court assembly was quite eventful.

Old Wei crashed into a pillar.

My inner conflict has been resolved.

Xiao Wei also proposed a policy of paying tribute accordingly.

Most importantly...

Doesn't this tribute policy make me seem even more wise and powerful?

My patience still needs a lot of work to develop...

"His Majesty."

Just as Li Shimin was about to announce the end of the court session, Changsun Wuji stepped forward again.

"If I heard correctly..."

"It seems that Wei Shuyu's memorial mentioned the destruction of the Gaochang Kingdom?"

Um?

The civil and military officials, who were secretly stretching and preparing to leave the court, all stopped in their tracks.

Damn it.

Is it even possible to end the court session?

Don't you know it's tiring to stand during court sessions...?

"Shuyu, tell me about it."

Li Shimin said naturally.

Anyway, he didn't feel tired sitting on the dragon throne.

"Your Majesty, tribute is extremely important to the development of the Tang Dynasty, so the Silk Road must be opened!"

Wei Shuyu composed himself, and his expression became serious.

"Then what do you mean by attacking Gaochang?" Li Shimin asked, frowning.

The Tang Dynasty was the boss, and Gaochang was the underling.

The boss's tendency to kill his underlings can, if not handled properly, lead to a series of upheavals.

"The Tang Dynasty did not deploy a single soldier in the Western Regions and other places."

"Its deterrent effect on the Western Regions is extremely small."

"Your Majesty, to put it bluntly..."

"The reason why the Tang Dynasty can now command the submission of all sides is not only due to the prestige it has gained through years of conquest."

"It relied more on the lingering power of the Sui Dynasty!"

Damn it...

Not again?

The courtiers secretly glanced at Li Shimin.

As expected, Li Shimin's face darkened again.

Li Shimin placed his hand on the dragon table, his fingernails digging into the paper and creating several wrinkles.

Before, it was just Lao Wei who would get angry with himself every few days.

Now it's the two Weis, one big and one small, who get angry at themselves two or three times a day.

Don't get angry, don't kill!

Old Wei and Little Wei can offer advice and strategies to the Tang Dynasty!

Li Shimin took a deep breath and silently recited the mantra.

But if things continue like this...

I hope I don't die young from anger.

"How dare you!"

Changsun Wuji sternly rebuked, "Wei Shuyu, the previous times you and your son praised the Sui Dynasty and belittled the Tang Dynasty, His Majesty forgave you for your past actions."

"What are your true intentions in repeatedly insulting the Tang Dynasty?"

Li Shimin was shocked.

The auxiliary machine operator deserves the criticism.

I support you!

"What's wrong with me stating the facts?"

Wei Shuyu replied earnestly, "The Sui Dynasty was indeed stronger than the current Tang Dynasty!"

"No matter how you try to distort the truth, it's all clearly written in the history books!"

"But you, Changsun Wuji..."

"Distorting the facts before His Majesty and deceiving the Emperor..."

Wei Shuyu suddenly took a step forward: "What? Are you trying to deceive the emperor?"

Li Shimin raised his eyelids slightly.

I'll tell you then.

You've never won an argument, so why are you jumping out?

"Nonsense!"

Changsun Wuji retorted without backing down: "The Tang Dynasty has unified the world, and under Your Majesty's rule, its national strength is no weaker than that of the Sui Dynasty."

Li Shimin nodded in agreement.

The assistant machine will speak like a human...

"Go to hell, you big cucumber!"

Wei Shuyu stepped forward: "Do you know what the peak of the Sui Dynasty was?"

"The Sui Dynasty was the only dynasty in history that foreign tribes dared not invade!"

The courtiers remained silent.

have to.

They started arguing again.

We'll have to stand here for quite a while longer.

"So what if the Sui Dynasty was powerful?"

Changsun Wuji looked disdainful: "Wasn't it replaced by my Great Tang?"

"How dare you ask such a question? The reason why the Tang Dynasty was able to..."

Just as Wei Shuyu was arguing, Wei Zheng coughed...

"Cough cough..."

Wei Shuyu was taken aback.

He immediately swallowed the rest of his words.

You son of a bitch, the eldest grandson of yours.

I almost fell for your trick...

The reason why the Tang Dynasty was able to replace the Sui Dynasty.

This was because a million-strong rebel army rose up in rebellion, and various warlords vied for power.

The Sui Dynasty was not defeated by the Tang Dynasty.

Instead, it was destroyed by the people of the world...

These are things that cannot be said.

As soon as he spoke, Changsun Wuji seized on his weakness.

Wei Shuyu said that the Sui Dynasty's strength was related to the court's politics, which could be used to smooth things over.

However, Changsun Wuji kept digging pits, consistently guiding Wei Shuyu to praise the Sui Dynasty and belittle the Tang Dynasty.

That would be a real taboo.

Even if Li Shimin did not get angry, the civil and military officials would still impeach him.

After being embellished by civil officials, the wording was absolutely accurate, making the accusation of being a remnant of the Sui Dynasty!

Never doubt the eloquence of a civil official.

They have that ability!

"The reason why the Tang Dynasty was able to replace the Sui Dynasty was because it was ordained by Heaven!" Wei Zheng said, echoing his son's words.

snort.

Changsun Wuji snorted coldly.

If we had said a few more words, we could have found something to use against Xiao Wei. What a pity...

"His Majesty."

Wei Zheng stepped forward, bowed to Li Shimin, and said, "Shuyu has spoken frankly and directly, and what he said is true..."

"On the contrary, Changsun Wuji exaggerated the achievements of our Great Tang Dynasty."

"There's an element of only reporting good news and not bad news!"

"He is the head of all officials and a role model for all ministers."

"If all court officials followed this behavior, what would the court become?"

"The Holy Hearing has been deceived, and the facts have been misled..."

“If this continues, the imperial court will be in grave danger.”

"Your Majesty, this trend must not be allowed to continue..."

Damn it.

Are you two, father and son, bullying me?

You're right...

I am the head of all officials.

I have plenty of helpers!

Changsun Wuji gave a wink to someone behind him, and immediately an official stepped forward...