Li Zhi stammered for a long time, but couldn't utter a single word.

In the end, it was the cunning and experienced Liu Rengui who spoke up for him.

"Your Majesty, the Wannian County treasury is indeed running low, but every expenditure has been used for the benefit of the people, and there is verifiable record of it!"

Li Shimin nodded upon hearing this, which was considered an acceptance of Liu Rengui's statement.

After all, as a father, he couldn't very well expose his own son's shortcomings on the spot, could he?

Seeing that things were not going well, Changsun Wuji quickly jumped out to speak up for his nephew.

"Your Majesty, governing a prefecture or county should not be based primarily on the amount of money stored in the treasury, but should also take into account the reputation of officials, their political achievements, and the people's support."

"Under His Highness the Crown Prince's rule, Wannian County is a place where no one picks up lost items on the road and doors are left unlocked at night. It can be described as a peaceful and prosperous place. In addition, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the folk customs are simple and honest. It can be called a golden age."

"On the other hand, in Chang'an County, under the rule of the eldest grandson, although the treasury revenue was quite substantial, the people were unruly and the neighborhoods and markets were full of mercenaries, which was not a good thing..."

Changsun Wuji's words drew praise from many people.

"Your Majesty, Lord Changsun is right!"

"Since ancient times, agriculture has been valued and commerce suppressed. Since the founding of our Great Tang Dynasty, merchants have also been largely suppressed. The reason is that merchants are highly mobile and difficult to manage. Moreover, they buy low and sell high, hoarding and speculating, which is of no benefit to the country."

"Currently, the treasury of Chang'an County under the rule of the eldest grandson appears to be full, but in reality, it is bought with the hearts of the people. The people under his rule are cunning and treacherous, and they always talk about profit."

Mencius said, "Why must we talk about profit? We only need benevolence and righteousness!"

"If the emperor, his ministers, and the people of the Tang Dynasty all speak of profit, and there is a constant struggle for self-interest between the upper and lower classes, then the country will be in danger!"

This passage comes from Mencius's meeting with King Hui of Liang, and is considered a classic example of discussing the concepts of righteousness and profit.

When Chu Suiliang cited this case, it immediately resonated with many people.

This wasn't because they considered themselves superior; rather, it was simply how people in ancient times thought. In their view, merchants were petty profiteers who were not only unworthy of respect but also needed to be suppressed and restrained.

Li Shimin was deeply moved by Chu Suiliang's words, which not only dispelled his prejudice against Li Zhi, but also made him somewhat disgusted with Li Jue's indulgence of merchants.

This child is indeed unable to escape the habits of a merchant!

If he still can't change this bad habit, I'll have no choice but to reluctantly give him up and send him far away to the frontier to be a king...

Ever since Li Shimin met Li Jue in Chang'an, he had been pondering a question: how to deal with Li Jue.

Although he was willing to pass the throne of the Tang Dynasty to this child, the thought of the child's merchant habits made him hesitate.

After all, for a merchant like himself, being a regional king is enough. But if one wishes to rule the world, one must govern with benevolence and righteousness.

Does Li Jue possess a sense of benevolence and righteousness?

Thinking of this, Li Shimin shook his head dejectedly, then boarded his carriage and returned to Chang'an.

However, just as Li Shimin entered Chang'an and heard the bustling noise of the surrounding people, a thought suddenly struck him.

Is it really better for all industries to be in decline than for all industries to be thriving?

From the emperor's perspective, Li Shimin strongly supported governing the country based on morality. However, from the perspective of an ordinary person, he preferred the bustling marketplace and the constant flow of people.

Only in this way could he feel that the Tang Dynasty was full of vitality and everything was renewed.

"Change lanes!"

"Your Majesty, where should we go next?"

"The Prince of Qin's Mansion!"

"promise!"

When Changsun Wuji and the others heard that they were going to the Prince of Qin's residence, they were secretly delighted.

His Majesty is clearly angry and wants to settle accounts with Li Jue!

Upon hearing this, Li Jing and the others felt a chill in their hearts, wondering whether they should send someone to inform Li Jue so that he could make preparations as soon as possible.

Just as they were hesitating, they suddenly noticed that His Majesty's carriage had stopped.

What's going on?

Does Your Majesty not want to go?

Li Shimin would not give up his idea easily. The reason he ordered the carriage to stop was simply because he saw a huge meat stall!

Li Shimin was a man of the world, having witnessed the slaughter of tens of thousands of sheep in the army. However, this was the first time he had ever seen a meat stall several dozen feet long in Chang'an.

What shocked him even more was that people had gathered in front of the meat stall to buy meat, so much so that no one was paying attention to him, the emperor.

Of course, this cannot be blamed on the fact that the people only cared about the meat and not about the emperor.

The main reason is that he did not bring the emperor's ceremonial guard today, but only a few guards and a few ministers from the Lingyan Pavilion.

Li Shimin alighted from his carriage and squeezed into the butcher stall. He was surprised to find the table piled high with pork and mutton. Just as he was about to ask the prices, he noticed a sign listing the prices of various cuts of meat.

"Pork is twelve coins, mutton is twenty-eight coins..."

Is this price expensive?

Everyone else was dumbfounded; they had no idea what the normal price of meat should be. Only Li Jing stepped forward to take a look, then yelled at the shopkeeper.

"Give me twenty catties of lamb leg meat!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin quickly pulled Li Jing aside.

"Lord Wei, how's the price of meat? Is it expensive?"

"Your Majesty, the price of this meat is good; it's several coins cheaper than usual!"

"oh?"

"But the meat isn't fresh?"

Li Jing regularly bought meat for his pet tiger girl, and he could tell at a glance when any kind of meat had been slaughtered.

"Your Majesty, the meat here is very fresh. Look over there, the lamb leg is still steaming hot; it looks like it was just slaughtered!"

Li Shimin was quite shocked upon hearing this.

"If it's fresh meat, why is it so cheap?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing chuckled and then pointed at Yuchi Jingde.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!