Chapter 350 Competing with the Ministry of Rites for Work!

"Give it to the Ministry of Commerce?"

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow.

"His Majesty!"

Wei Zheng bowed and said, "I suggest that the Ministry of Commerce be responsible for receiving this foreign delegation."

"The idea of ​​tribute trade was proposed by Shuyu. If he doesn't step forward, he might be criticized."

"Moreover, as the one in charge, Shuyu can also avoid some unnecessary troubles."

Li Shimin nodded.

As the initiator of the tribute trade, it would be unreasonable for them not to participate.

On a smaller scale, this is a credit.

On a grander scale, this is something that will go down in history.

If Wei Shuyu is not involved today, it will dampen the motivation of the ministers to offer advice and suggestions.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't."

Doulu Kuan immediately retorted, "Receiving foreign guests has always been the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites."

"If the Ministry of Commerce gets involved, won't the Ministry of Rites be thrown into chaos?"

Silly kid.

Trying to steal my GDP?

If foreigners were to visit Hu County, the income of Hu County would definitely increase several times over!

"His Majesty."

Wei Shuyu immediately bowed and said, "The foundation of the tribute trade lies in enabling foreign countries to purchase goods from the Tang Dynasty!"

"Hu County, as a pilot county for promoting commerce, is the first choice."

Doulu Kuan was furious.

Daring to compete with the Ministry of Rites for work?

I wonder if our Ministry of Rites is still hoping to make some money off these foreigners?

"Wei Shuyu!"

Doulu Kuan immediately shouted, "Does your Ministry of Commerce have enough manpower?"

Upon hearing this, the courtiers exclaimed, "That's certainly true!"

Wei Shuyu's twenty or so officials were forced upon him by aristocratic families and Fang Xuanling.

With such a small number of people, managing merchants would be a struggle, let alone handling other matters.

"There's no need for Minister Doulu to trouble himself with that."

Wei Shuyu smiled calmly: "As long as foreigners arrive in Hu County, all the merchants in Hu County will warmly welcome them."

"You bastard!"

Doulu Kuan immediately shouted, "Do you think this is a child's play?"

"This time, we are receiving nobles from various countries!"

"If we were to be impolite by accident, we would be disgracing the Great Tang Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Regardless of anything else, the majesty of the Tang Dynasty comes first.

"Minister Doulu is overthinking it."

Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "I dare not speak for other things, but when it comes to dealing with people, merchants are definitely more capable than the Ministry of Rites!"

The assembled officials were all taken aback.

To be fair, businessmen are indeed more shrewd than officials in some ways.

"This is outrageous!"

Doulu Kuan rebuked, "Foreign nations come to pay tribute to demonstrate the majesty of our Celestial Empire."

"How could we possibly send them to the impoverished Hu County?"

"How could we possibly allow a group of merchants to receive us?"

"If word gets out, people will think that our Great Tang Dynasty underestimated them!"

"This will have a negative impact on the Tang Dynasty..."

Upon hearing this, the courtiers...

That seems to make sense.

No, it won't.

Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "Whether they go to Hu County or not is entirely up to them."

"If they don't want to go, can't they just stay at the Ministry of Rites' guesthouse?"

Damn it.

Doulu Kuan almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Do you think the Ministry of Rites is a garbage dump?

Those who don't want to go can stay in the Ministry of Rites?

"They came to Chang'an to pay homage to His Majesty and experience the prosperity of Chang'an."

"Sending them to Hu County is putting the cart before the horse!"

Doulu Kuan argued his case forcefully based on reason.

"After the audience, we'll go to Hu County for the trade..." Wei Shuyu said casually.

"Alright..."

Li Shimin stopped the two from arguing.

"This matter will be jointly handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Commerce!"

"If foreign envoys wish to remain in the Ministry of Rites, then they may remain in the Ministry of Rites."

"If you want to go to Hu County, then go to Hu County."

With Li Shimin's decision, the two had no choice but to accept it.

When it comes to receiving guests, the Ministry of Rites is indispensable.

The trade with tribute cannot be separated from Wei Shuyu.

"promise!"

Wei Shuyu and Doulu Kuan exchanged a glance, a spark flashing in their eyes.

Doulu Kuan: The Ministry of Commerce is utterly wicked, and Wei Shuyu is utterly wicked!

Wei Shuyu: You old bastard, you're stealing my Huxian's GDP! Sooner or later you'll steal all of your Ministry of Rites' business!

"Do any of my beloved ministers have anything else to report?"

Li Shimin asked about the case again.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

Fang Xuanling stepped forward and said, "With the Lantern Festival approaching, shall we hold another New Year's Eve banquet?"

Li Shimin pondered.

A New Year's Eve banquet is a must.

After being criticized by Lao Wei for a whole year, I had to let loose and have some fun.

"Naturally, this matter will be handled by the Ministry of Rites..."

Before Li Shimin could finish speaking, Wei Shuyu stepped forward again.

"Your Majesty, leave this matter to the Ministry of Commerce, and they will handle it with absolute brilliance!" Wei Shuyu said, bowing.

Son of a bitch!

Doulu Kuan was furious.

It's one thing to steal my reception duties, but now you're trying to steal my banquet duties too?

Do you really think my Ministry of Rites is made of clay?

"Wei Shuyu!"

Doulu Kuan shouted, "Your Ministry of Commerce only has twenty people in total. Do you have that many people to do the work?"

"Furthermore..."

"Night banquet, night banquet..."

"Does your Ministry of Commerce have a cook?"

Li Shimin also frowned.

It was perfectly reasonable for Wei Shuyu to receive the delegation.

But to even snatch something like this is going too far.

"Shuyu, this is a matter for the Ministry of Rites, not something your Ministry of Commerce can handle!"

Li Shimin also refused.

However, Wei Shuyu's words made him change his mind.

"Your Majesty, this matter can be contracted out to the Ministry of Commerce, free of charge!"

No...it's free?

Li Shimin's eyes widened immediately.

A banquet was held for all the civil and military officials, although it didn't cost much money.

But why spend money when you can get something for free?

"Cough cough..."

Li Shimin coughed awkwardly: "My dear minister Doulu, what do you think of this?"

Doulu Kuan's face turned green with anger.

The officials in the Ministry of Rites were counting on this banquet to make some extra money.

If Wei Shuyu were to seize it, how would he explain it to his subordinates?

"Your Majesty, I have no problem leaving this matter to the Ministry of Commerce."

Doulu Kuan used a strategy of retreat to advance: "But I'm afraid that my colleagues won't have enough fun."

"What if this spoils the mood and ruins the atmosphere of the New Year's Eve banquet?"

Um……

Li Shimin nodded.

That makes some sense.

If you ruin your enjoyment just to save a little money.

Then the point of holding a banquet at night would be lost...

"Shuyu, let's leave this matter to the Ministry of Rites."

Li Shimin advised, "Your Ministry of Commerce has many matters to attend to right now, so don't get involved in this small matter."

"His Majesty."

Wei Shuyu said solemnly, "This is no small matter!"

"Recalling the New Year's Eve banquets of the past..."

"It's nothing more than watching plays, acrobatics, singing and dancing, and drinking for fun."

"And the establishment of my Ministry of Commerce!"

"This is precisely the time when merchants are full of energy..."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you give the Ministry of Commerce and merchants an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities."

Li Shimin hesitated.

If Wei Shuyu had suggested something else, Li Shimin would have refused.

But the Ministry of Commerce made its first request...

"Does your Ministry of Commerce have any new tricks up its sleeve?"

Just as Li Shimin was pondering how to answer, Doulu Kuan spoke up first.

"able!"

Wei Shuyu nodded firmly.

He immediately took a step forward, looked at Li Shimin with great enthusiasm, and said...

What constitutes a prosperous era?

"The Tang Dynasty must surpass Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, and create a super golden age!"

"Then how could we forget the glorious testimonies?"

"Who will be the witness?"

"The common people, foreigners, all people under heaven..."

"How can holding it in the palace truly reflect the prosperity and grandeur of the Tang Dynasty?"

"If we're going to do it, let's do it in a grand and impressive way!"

Swish.

Wei Shuyu then turned and bowed to Li Shimin, saying...

"Drinking with my subjects is a small pleasure."

"To drink with all people is a great joy."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that this matter be entrusted to the Ministry of Commerce!"

"I will not spend a single penny of the court's money!"

"I guarantee that Chang'an will be brightly lit for three days and three nights!"

"It shocked the nations."

"To win the hearts of all people."

"Let history remember the Tang Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, I... I beg you once again!"

"This year's Lunar New Year's Eve banquet is a grand and special event, truly creating a celebration for the people!"