Chapter 157 Conferring Titles, Fang Xuanling Also Comes to Rebut
"Your Majesty, cattle production has been poor lately, and many have died for no apparent reason."
"If we prioritize commerce, I suggest increasing cattle production!"
Huh?
Three question marks appeared above the heads of the assembled officials.
How to improve?
Do you have a calf with an old cow?
We're here to talk about serious matters, what are you talking about?
"Stop talking nonsense and stand there obediently!" Li Shimin was speechless.
This guy is reckless and will always do something reckless.
"Your Majesty, I am speaking the truth. With fewer oxen, the land cannot be plowed, which severely impacts agricultural development," Cheng Yaojin retorted.
"Go back!"
Li Shimin finally lost his temper and started cursing.
Cheng Yaojin curled his lip.
Even a cow producing many calves is a matter of national importance...
"A focus on commerce is a good thing, but it's not so easy to implement..."
Cheng Yaojing retreated, and then an old man stepped forward.
Gao Shilian!
After bowing to Li Shimin, Gao Shilian went straight to the point...
"Since ordinary people don't have the money to start businesses, this policy doesn't seem to bring any real benefit to them, does it?"
"On the contrary, those wealthy merchants are accumulating more and more money..."
"Just as you said before, once the people have saved enough money, it will be a peaceful and prosperous era. Why would they need to do business then?"
The ministers' eyes lit up.
yes.
How can ordinary people become wealthy if they don't have money to do business?
"I think you've misunderstood the meaning of commerce."
Wei Shuyu calmly replied, "As the saying goes, let some people get rich first, and then let others get rich too!"
"As we said before, besides farming, there were many people in the Tang Dynasty who had nothing to do."
"And this group of people who have become wealthy will hire workers, thereby creating opportunities for another group of people!"
Let me give you an example...
“A merchant who produced and sold his own silk made a living.”
"Firstly, his purchase of silkworm silk led to the development of a group of people engaged in silkworm farming."
Secondly, the production of silk into clothing also spurred the growth of a new group of clothing makers.
"Thirdly, selling clothes also created a group of clothing-selling servants."
"This inevitably requires some miscellaneous personnel such as accountants and guards."
"If you count them carefully, even a small merchant can lead a hundred or so people."
"Ten, a hundred, a thousand..."
"And what about those wealthy merchants?"
Swish...
The courtiers were almost numb to it.
Wei Shuyu managed to smooth things over again.
They couldn't find any words to refute it.
"That's not right either!"
Gao Shilian shook his head again in rebuttal: "Silk is expensive, and ordinary people simply cannot afford it. People mainly rely on clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Where would they get so many things to sell?"
Wei Shuyu pondered for a while.
"As for this question..."
Suddenly, Wei Shuyu looked up at Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, I remember mentioning innovative strategies to you before. I wonder what the results are now?"
If Wei Shuyu hadn't mentioned it, Li Shimin would have almost forgotten about it.
He immediately shouted, "Where is the Minister of Works?"
"Your subject is here!"
Duan Lun stepped forward and bowed.
"It has been almost a month since the innovative strategy was proposed. Tell me, what are the results?" Li Shimin asked authoritatively.
"Your Majesty, since the Ministry of Works issued the reward, we have received nearly a thousand innovative items."
"The Ministry of Works is currently verifying this, and among other things..."
As he spoke, Duan Lun couldn't help but glance at Cheng Yaojin: "Among them are many national treasures and many merchant goods that benefit the people!"
Um?
Li Shimin immediately became interested: "A national treasure? Are you sure?"
"Your Majesty, the most fascinating of these is an invention called the curved plow."
"It replaced the straight-shafted plow, eliminating the need for oxen; it could be pulled by just one adult!"
(The curved plow originated in the Tang Dynasty)
What?
Li Shimin was startled and stood up.
If oxen are no longer needed for plowing, it means that the Tang Dynasty can expand its territory to more land.
That way we can have more food!
The equal-field system distributed 100 mu of land to each adult male. Was the Tang Dynasty's land insufficient?
no.
The Tang Dynasty didn't have that many powerful figures!
"Duan Lun, speaking nonsense in court is a crime of deceiving the emperor. You should think carefully before you speak!"
"Such a miraculous artifact, if it were real, would allow the grain production of our Great Tang Dynasty to increase dramatically..."
"A divine artifact has descended upon the world; may Heaven bless the Great Tang!"
The courtiers were utterly shocked and began to speak.
This curved plow is simply too important.
"Duan Lun, has this been verified?"
Once back on the dragon throne, Li Shimin once again became the majestic emperor he once was.
"I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
"The Ministry of Industry has already tested it, and there are no problems for the time being."
"However, this curved plow is of great importance. In order to avoid disappointment, I would like to conduct several tests before submitting my report."
Duan Lun bowed in response.
Such a meritorious item must be repeatedly tested and verified before it is presented to the emperor.
In his haste to claim credit, the curved plow malfunctioned, enraging Li Shimin.
Being scolded a few times is a small matter, but being demoted or dismissed because of it would be a huge loss.
“What you say is very true, my dear minister. Such a powerful instrument that benefits the country should be treated with utmost care.”
Li Shimin nodded in agreement.
As long as the curved plow is real, whatever you say is right!
As he spoke, Li Shimin seemed to remember something and began to ask, "You just said that the people provided more than a thousand items?"
"Your Majesty, we underestimated the wisdom of the people. If we had proposed innovative policies earlier, perhaps the Tang Dynasty would have already undergone earth-shaking changes." Duan Lun sighed.
"oh?"
Li Shimin immediately became interested: "Could there be some other surprise?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Duan Lun began to recount his story one by one.
Hunters, fishermen, furniture makers, cooks...
There was also a blacksmith who not only developed a long-range crossbow but also invented horseshoes.
Hearing Duan Lun's words, Li Shimin was stunned, and so were all the officials...
Are there really that many talented people in the world?
"His Majesty!"
Just then, Wei Shuyu stepped forward and said, "As the saying goes, there are 360 professions, and every profession can produce an expert!"
"We humbly request Your Majesty to reward these innovators handsomely!"
Li Shimin suddenly awoke with a start.
He then burst into laughter...
The hearty laughter echoed throughout the entire Taiji Hall!
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"Under Your Majesty's leadership, the Tang Dynasty is destined to last for millennia..."
With the flattery of his ministers, Li Shimin's smile deepened.
Suddenly, Li Shimin shouted, "Minister Duan!"
"Your subject is here!"
"I order you to draw up a list and submit it to me. I want to see for myself who invented these amazing things!"
"promise."
Li Shimin then turned his gaze to Wei Shuyu.
"Shuyu, you're very good."
Li Shimin smiled broadly: "I remember that this innovative idea was first proposed by you."
"Now that such a great achievement has been made, I cannot show favoritism to one another!"
"By imperial decree, Wei Shuyu is hereby granted the title of Baron of Wannian County for his meritorious service in offering his strategy, with a fief of three hundred households and a reward of five hundred bolts of silk!"
Title of nobility?
baron?
You old bastard...
Wei Shuyu was not happy at all; instead, he seemed to have just woken up from a dream.
You promised me a noble title if I found the Imperial Seal of the State, but you've been delaying it ever since.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Wei Shuyu bowed deeply in gratitude.
Just as Li Shimin was overjoyed, an unexpected person suddenly stepped forward...
Fang Xuanling!
He stepped forward and bowed to Li Shimin...
"Your Majesty, does the emergence of various innovative measures mean that merchants are no longer important?"
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