Chapter 421 Continuing the Lawsuit Against Li Chengqian

"King Wei is of noble character."

Wei Shuyu smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "But this still doesn't change one fact..."

"The order was issued by the King of Wei."

"The money was collected by the King of Wei."

"King Wei's escape won't be so easy..."

You bastard, you have no mercy, huh?

Li Tai thought bitterly...

However, he still had to maintain a calm expression: "I wonder what my subordinates have done to make you so indignant, Uncle Yu?"

The historian gave Li Tai a disdainful look.

That sounds nice, but all you're really trying to do is put up a fight.

Keep arguing, I, being a righteous person, will still record the facts as they are.

"I won't go into the details of your extortion and oppression of the people."

Wei Shuyu replied, "Anyway, the Dali Temple will handle them."

"..."

Li Tai was dumbfounded.

Why don't you follow the usual moves?

I finally managed to wink at the official and get him to arrange a scapegoat.

You're telling me you're not going to say anything more?

"May I ask you something..."

Wei Shuyu asked, "Was it King Wei who ordered the change from tax one to tax two?"

"good."

Li Tai nodded, then added, "Hu County is a major commercial center, and I believe that increasing taxes slightly is not excessive."

"Moreover, the previous tariff was also 2%, so changing it back now should be acceptable."

The ministers all nodded in agreement.

"What the King of Wei said is very true."

Wei Shuyu nodded in agreement: "The purpose of promoting commerce is to collect commercial taxes, thereby reducing the taxes levied on farmers."

"but……"

As he spoke, Wei Shuyu paused.

He turned his gaze to Li Tai: "You can't even walk properly, yet you're thinking of running?"

Li Tai frowned: "What do you mean?"

"The policy of promoting commerce has only just reached Chang'an and Hu County, and you're already so eager to reap the rewards?" Wei Shuyu rebuked, "How can the Tang Dynasty's policy of promoting commerce be extended to the whole country?"

The courtiers were abuzz with discussion.

With the promotion of commercialization imminent, this kind of incident is indeed a bit much.

It's like a new emperor ascending the throne...

Generally, a general amnesty is granted to demonstrate one's benevolence and magnanimity.

The Ministry of Commerce made its first appearance.

Naturally, it should be done in the most dignified way.

"It's not as serious as you say, is it?" Li Tai replied awkwardly.

"How can it not be serious?"

Wei Shuyu coldly retorted, "I just lowered the Ministry of Commerce's taxes, and merchants across the Tang Dynasty are sharpening their knives at this crucial time. Now you suddenly announce a tax increase?"

"What are you expecting the merchants to think?"

"How are they supposed to obey the Ministry of Commerce's orders in the future?"

Li Tai frowned.

What if I can't win an argument? I'll remain silent!

Li Tai remained silent, but Changsun Wuji immediately jumped out...

How can an uncle stand up for his nephew when he's being bullied?

"Mere merchants, do you think they would dare disobey the imperial court's orders?" Changsun Wuji sneered.

"How dare you, Changsun Wuji!"

Wei Shuyu shouted, "It's because the Tang Dynasty has people like you who treat merchants like dirt that they avoid the court like the plague!"

"You bastard!"

Changsun Wuji's face flushed red with anger.

That damned Xiao Wei, he starts cursing at him the moment he sees him.

Now they don't even bother to come up with excuses...

Do you think that's all the offense the King of Wei committed?

Wei Shuyu changed the subject: "As everyone should know, during the period of valuing commerce, I lowered tariffs but added a commercial tax."

"The commercial tax mainly targets those shops."

"The King of Wei used his cleverness to downplay the seriousness of the matter and conceal the truth..."

"He not only raised the tariff to level two, but also increased the commercial tax to level two!"

"Do you know what the consequences of increased commercial taxes will be?" Wei Shuyu glanced at the assembled officials.

The ministers whispered among themselves.

Some people looked enlightened, while others frowned and pondered.

"The consequence of increased commercial taxes is..."

"Prices in major shops are getting more and more expensive, making it unaffordable for ordinary people and preventing merchants from making money."

"The entire economic system of the Tang Dynasty will be impacted."

"The people will become poorer and poorer!"

Wow.

The courtiers were in uproar.

Then they whispered among themselves to their colleagues.

To my shock, it turned out that this was indeed a possibility.

Stop exaggerating!

Changsun Wuji's expression was extremely solemn.

If this matter is not handled properly, Li Tai's crime could be even more serious than Li Ke's.

"how?"

Wei Shuyu sneered: "Can't you, a Grand Minister of Works, see the key point?"

Changsun Wuji had a cold face.

He could see it, of course, but he couldn't admit it.

Once Li Tai is acknowledged, it's all over.

"If the livelihoods of ordinary people will be affected, why did you set up commercial taxes in the first place?"

Changsun Wuji suddenly rebuked him: "You are harboring evil intentions and are sowing the seeds of disaster for the Tang Dynasty!"

The courtiers were taken aback.

yes.

If commercial taxes are so harmful, why were they even established in the first place?

"You don't know anything!"

Wei Shuyu scoffed and said, "Although I increased commercial taxes, I reduced or exempted customs duties."

"The Ministry of Commerce advocates encouraging merchants to engage in trade!"

"Only when all the merchants of the Tang Dynasty are on the move will the Tang Dynasty's economy become active."

The courtiers wore thoughtful expressions.

The economy of the Tang Dynasty became active.

With more products available, more workers will naturally be needed.

While reducing or exempting tariffs, commercial taxes were used to fill the gap.

"you……"

Changsun Wuji didn't know how to refute it.

He's good at scheming, but he really doesn't know much about business.

"Stop with all that 'you' and 'me'..."

Wei Shuyu rolled her eyes at him: "This has nothing to do with you, so why did you step forward?"

"..."

Changsun Wuji was taken aback.

That makes perfect sense.

I have more than one nephew.

Li Tai is finished, but there's still the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian!

"I'm too lazy to lower myself to your level."

With a flick of his sleeve.

Changsun Wuji returned to his seat, holding his official tablet, and began to doze off.

"..."

Li Tai was not disappointed at all.

As he had predicted, Changsun Wuji's repeated defeats had become the norm.

"Father."

Li Tai bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Your subject was unaware of the Ministry of Commerce's intentions and almost made a grave mistake. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

Wei Shuyu couldn't help but glance at Li Tai.

There was a reason why the chubby boy was favored by Li Shimin.

Given his willingness to admit his mistake, Li Shimin was unlikely to actually punish him.

"We'll discuss this later."

On the dragon throne, Li Shimin's face was dignified, but his mood was terrible.

He had four outstanding sons, and now three of them have been sued by Wei Shuyu...

"clever."

Li Shimin couldn't help but shout.

"Your subject is here."

Li Chengqian respectfully stepped forward.

"I recall you weren't involved in the affairs of Hu County, were you?"

"Your subject did not participate."

"Um."

Li Shimin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If Li Chengqian is sued by Xiao Wei again, then his four most outstanding sons will all be caught in the crossfire.

"Wei Shuyu, is there anything else you wish to sue?" Li Shimin asked.

"Your Majesty, I wish to file a complaint against the Crown Prince..." Wei Shuyu replied, bowing.

Grass!

Are you going against my son?

Li Shimin clenched his fist in anger, wishing he could rub Wei Shuyu on the ground a hundred and eight times.

"Wei Shuyu, you can't just say things like that!"

Li Chengqian immediately jumped out: "I spend all my time in the Eastern Palace, when have I ever been involved in the affairs of Hu County?"