Chapter 158 Is Little Wei at his wit's end?
Huh?
As Fang Xuanling finished speaking, the Taiji Hall fell into an eerie silence once again.
Fang Xuanling.
Li Shimin's chief steward was also an absolute confidant!
To a certain extent, Fang Xuanling's loyalty to Li Shimin surpassed that of Wei Zheng!
Wei Zheng's loyalty lay with the common people!
Fang Xuanling was loyal to Li Shimin!
Li Shimin supported the policy of promoting commerce, and Fang Xuanling's opposition was going against Li Shimin's will.
This was completely unexpected by everyone.
Even Li Shimin was momentarily dazed.
"What does Minister Fang have to say?" Li Shimin asked.
Li Shimin also trusted Fang Xuanling completely.
Therefore, he is willing to listen to the other party's opinion.
"Your Majesty, if the curved plow can truly replace oxen, then we should focus even more on agriculture..."
Fang Xuanling declared firmly, "Our main focus should be on reclaiming wasteland and stockpiling grain!"
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin also fell into deep thought.
As long as there is food, imperial power can be completely consolidated.
It seems that whether or not one prioritizes business acumen is no longer important...
"Shuyu, what's your opinion?" Li Shimin asked again.
Now that the debate has come to this point, a single word of opposition would discourage the Wei family.
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu bowed respectfully: "In my opinion, the policy of promoting commerce does not conflict with the policy of reclaiming wasteland for farming!"
Wei Shuyu also realized what was happening.
If we want to implement the pro-commerce policy at this moment, we need to persuade not only Fang Xuanling, but also Li Shimin!
"I still hold an opposing view."
Fang Xuanling stepped forward and looked at Wei Shuyu: "Shuyu, Uncle Fang knows that you have put a lot of effort into this promotion of commerce, but you are still young and do not understand the situation of the court."
"The more a principle is debated, the clearer it becomes; the more a path is discussed, the more explicit it becomes."
Wei Shuyu responded with a confident smile: "Shouldn't the imperial court be a place where everyone can express their opinions and offer suggestions for the Tang Dynasty? What do you think, Uncle Fang?"
"That's right."
Fang Xuanling nodded: "Then I will discuss this with you..."
Wei Shuyu was the same age as Fang Yi'ai, and he always regarded him as a junior. However, Wei Shuyu's words indicated that he wanted to engage in a debate with Fang Xuanling as a court official.
"The Tang Dynasty may seem prosperous, but in reality, many people still go hungry..."
"Moreover, the national treasury is empty, and we must be vigilant against any unforeseen events!"
"If another unexpected event occurs, it will damage the foundation of the Tang Dynasty!"
"The most urgent task should be to focus on agricultural development and rapidly accumulate grain..."
Fang Xuanling spoke eloquently.
Unlike the rebuttals of others.
Fang Xuanling always considered things from the perspective of the imperial court, and compared with some people who had selfish motives, he had more confidence and composure.
And refuting this point will be extremely difficult.
"Uncle Fang is right."
Wei Shuyu nodded: "But these two things don't seem to conflict, do they?"
"The strategy of land reclamation is for the people to cultivate their own land."
"A policy that favors commerce, allowing merchants to conduct their own trade..."
“Those merchants with some money are not willing to lower themselves to cultivate the land.”
Upon hearing this, the courtiers frowned again.
Wei Shuyu's reaction was truly quick.
No matter how you argue, you can always find a flaw in it.
"The policies are not conflicting, but your statement contradicts your previous remarks."
Fang Xuanling said with a smile, "If merchants want to make big money, they have to hire people..."
"They're all recruiting ordinary people."
"The common people have all gone to work for merchants, how many people are left to reclaim wasteland?"
After Fang Xuanling finished speaking, Li Shimin nodded in agreement, finding it quite reasonable.
Wei Shuyu frowned...
Looking at the tablet, I saw that almost everything recorded on it had been said, and there was nothing left to argue.
"Shuyu, what do you mean?"
Seeing that Wei Shuyu was also deep in thought, Li Shimin couldn't help but laugh.
The pro-commerce policy failed to pass, but a new marvel of engineering, the curved plow, was added to the list.
He was already very satisfied.
Moreover, Wei Shuyu's performance today was truly outstanding, and he was very satisfied.
What pleased him most was that Xiao Wei was rendered speechless by his rebuttal...
I don't know why.
It makes me feel very comfortable.
Li Shimin had already made up his mind to visit Wei Zheng after court.
Then, patting Wei Zheng on the shoulder, he kindly asked: "Young Wei is quite capable, but he is still a little lacking compared to the court officials. My dear minister, you still need to teach him more..."
Damn, just thinking about that scene is so satisfying.
"Be prepared for danger even in times of peace."
Just then, Wei Shuyu murmured something.
As the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Fang Xuanling was well-versed in the affairs of the Tang Dynasty. If he continued to argue along the other party's line of reasoning, he would undoubtedly lose!
To win the debate, you have to find a different approach!
The courtiers didn't hear clearly, but what Wei Shuyu said next shocked them greatly...
"The Tang Dynasty may seem peaceful now, but throughout history, other dynasties have also reached this peak."
"But why did they eventually perish?"
"If we blindly follow the rules, what will become of the Tang Dynasty's foundation if a foolish ruler comes along in later generations?"
Holy crap.
Here it comes...
That familiar feeling came back.
In his efforts to pass the bill, Wei Zheng seemed to be going crazy with his words again!
Wei Shuyu has also started to speak recklessly!
Li Shimin's face darkened visibly.
Isn't this cursing the Tang Dynasty?
"Shuyu, watch your words!" Fang Xuanling rebuked sharply.
Wei Shuyu is not Wei Zheng.
If he were to make outrageous remarks in court, incurring the wrath of civil and military officials, even Li Shimin would not be able to protect him!
However, Wei Shuyu ignored him; his goal was to pass the proposal!
If the proposal is rejected on the first day of court, wouldn't that be a disgrace to the Wei family?
His intense gaze fell upon Fang Xuanling…
"According to Uncle Fang, the Tang Dynasty has weathered the temporary crisis, but what will happen to the people if future emperors reform the land system, or if corrupt officials run rampant and impose exorbitant taxes?"
"If the people are pushed to the limit, they will only have one option left..."
"rebel!"
really……
The Wei family father and son are both incredibly outspoken; they're truly fearless.
"Can a focus on commerce really change this situation?"
This time, it was Li Shimin who spoke.
Li Shimin was more concerned about this issue than Fang Xuanling.
"This adds another layer of protection!"
Wei Shuyu nodded: "A large part of the reason why the people rebel is because they have driven themselves to desperation."
"If there's a way to survive..."
"Who would be willing to risk the extermination of their entire family to rebel?"
"Even if someone were to rebel, who would be willing to join them in rebellion?"
Huh?
Wei Shuyu's words truly made Li Shimin think deeply.
How can we increase protection?
Li Shimin not only did not stop Wei Shuyu, but instead began to dig deeper into the matter.
Dynasties changed hands far too frequently.
This is something every emperor knows in his heart, yet is unwilling to mention or face.
"Business thrives across the world!"
Wei Shuyu's gaze was resolute, and he said decisively, "When merchants are found all over the Tang Dynasty..."
Even if later policies go wrong.
Even if there are problems with the land.
"Ordinary people can still make a living by working."
"This is like having another way to survive!"
Everyone was quite shocked by these remarks, as they completely overturned their understanding.
Throughout history, we have only ever heard of merchants bringing disaster to a country, never of them stabilizing it.
The courtiers began to whisper among themselves.
"If there are problems with policies and land, even if ordinary people make money by following the merchants, where can they get food?"
Li Chengqian stepped forward.
The court officials, His Majesty, and the princes all attended.
How could he, as the crown prince, fall behind others?
"I meant the policy was flawed, not that we couldn't get food!"
"If it really comes to the point where even money can't buy food..."
Wei Shuyu glanced up at Li Chengqian, then casually uttered a few words...
"That means the king is incompetent and the ministers are incapable!"
"Then this dynasty naturally has no reason to exist!"
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