Chapter 239 The Sparks Between the Former and Later Attendants
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu stubbornly replied, "The imperial examination is the way the court promotes talent, including scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants..."
"I have said, this matter needs no further discussion!"
Before he could finish speaking, Li Shimin interrupted him once again...
In order to establish the imperial examination system, Emperor Yang of Sui developed a rift with the aristocratic families.
How arduous the journey of the Tang Dynasty must have been!
Five years after the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan finally devoted himself to holding the first imperial examination.
"His Majesty!"
Wei Shuyu asked, "What do those merchants get in return for working for the imperial court?"
This time, before Li Shimin could reply, Cui Yixuan stepped forward first.
Li Shimin gave him so much face.
He naturally reciprocated by taking the responsibility upon himself.
“Nephew, the merchant has gained both money and safety.”
Cui Yixuan stroked his beard and said, "They are now under the protection of the imperial court, and their business is much safer."
Little Kiki's dad.
fine.
If you beat up Little Jiji, I'll beat up Little Jiji too.
Neither of us is afraid of the other.
"This isn't right, is it?"
Wei Shuyu frowned and retorted, "Isn't it only right that the court protects merchants who pay taxes?"
"If the imperial court doesn't protect its people, why should they pay taxes?"
Um?
Not giving me face?
"As you said yourself, they are subjects of the Tang Dynasty."
Cui Yixuan's thinking was extremely domineering: "Since they are subjects of the Tang Dynasty, they must abide by the rules of the Tang Dynasty!"
"The Tang Dynasty has a clear decree that merchants are not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations, so they have to obey!"
"If you don't listen... you'll die!"
Cui Yixuan was all about being domineering!
His imposing presence also instilled great confidence in the aristocratic officials.
Many aristocratic officials looked at Wei Shuyu with mocking eyes.
You think you can fight against the aristocratic families?
You're still too inexperienced!
"So the imperial court won't even give us a single road?" Wei Shuyu's voice turned somber.
"No, no, no..."
Cui Yixuan smiled and shook his head: "The imperial court is still quite reasonable."
“As long as they don’t go into business, they can still participate in the imperial examinations according to their own generation, regardless of four generations above and below them.”
"For example, after his great-grandfather reported to the government..."
"Great-grandfather, grandfather, father, myself."
“When it’s the son’s turn, he can participate in the imperial examination as long as four generations of his family have not been engaged in commerce.”
"Of course, if all the ancestors are dead... then it can only be the great-grandson's turn."
Cui Yixuan appeared to be explaining seriously, but his words carried a strong sense of sarcasm towards the merchant.
Wei Shuyu remained silent.
Fourth generation?
By the time the fifth generation can participate in the imperial examinations, even the grass on their graves will be big enough to serve as sun umbrellas.
Seeing that Wei Shuyu remained silent, many members of the gentry exchanged meaningful glances.
Xiao Wei is nothing special...
They were powerless to refute Cui Yixuan.
Sudden……
Wei Shuyu laughed.
"Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Uncle Cui..."
Wei Shuyu smiled and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "But does that have anything to do with what I said?"
Um?
The courtiers were stunned.
You don't want...you want...
Upon closer reflection, it seems that Wei Shuyu only mentioned seeking benefits for merchants.
The issue was not explained in detail.
"Then what do you mean?"
Cui Yixuan asked with a stern face.
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Your subject is well aware that it is a great taboo for merchants to engage in politics."
"But after the Silk Road was opened, a large number of merchants were needed to drive the economy of the Tang Dynasty..."
"If there were no benefit, why would they travel such a long and arduous journey to leave?"
"I am not suggesting that merchants participate in the imperial examinations, but rather that their direct descendants be given a spot!"
Li Shimin pondered.
If it's just one spot, it's not unreasonable.
But the gentry...
Li Shimin turned his gaze to Cui Yixuan.
"Nonsense!"
Cui Yixuan rebuked, "The reason the court prohibits merchants from engaging in politics is not because the court is targeting them."
"It's because power and money are intertwined that they can easily lose themselves!"
"It makes it easier for them to abuse their power for personal gain and commit embezzlement and other illegal acts!"
The aristocratic official nodded.
Although Xiao Wei was a bit difficult to deal with, Cui Yixuan's approach was still very sharp.
"Therefore, I am not advocating that merchants enter politics!"
Wei Shuyu argued forcefully, "Instead, we should open up one spot for the son of a merchant!"
"If the sons of merchants get into politics and commit crimes in the future, who will take responsibility?"
Cui Yixuan stepped forward and snapped, "You?"
Tensions are rising again.
He's getting angry again.
The courtiers were speechless...
"What kind of bullshit is that?"
Wei Shuyu cursed loudly: "If a subject makes a mistake, who will take the blame? Your Majesty?"
Li Shimin: ? ? ?
The courtiers secretly glanced at Li Shimin.
As expected, His Majesty's face darkened again...
"A businessman is a businessman, and an official is an official!"
Cui Yixuan shouted sternly, "The two are clearly distinct!"
"Businessmen serve the people, officials serve the people!"
Wei Shuyu retorted, "They all belong to the subjects of the Great Tang!"
"Don't try to be unreasonable, kid!"
Cui Yixuan finally lost his temper: "Businessmen and government officials can never work together!"
"Is the old man deaf or hard of hearing?"
Wei Shuyu continued his merciless rebuttal: "What I meant was that father and son would each go their own way."
Grass.
Cui Yixuan gritted his teeth in anger.
I am, after all, Ji'er's father.
You're so close to Gaile, don't you really give her any face at all?
Believe it or not, I'll beat my son so badly he can't get out of bed when I get home!
I'm cutting off all contact between you!
"Shuyu, do you know what the Tang Dynasty meant by emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce?"
Seeing that Cui Yixuan couldn't handle Wei Shuyu, Wang Gui stepped forward...
Cui Yixuan belonged to the Cui clan of Qinghe.
Wang Gui belonged to the Wang clan of Taiyuan.
They all belong to the five surnames and seven prominent families!
When it comes to matters concerning the interests of the aristocratic families, they will naturally band together!
"Agriculture is the foundation..."
"This is a national policy, the foundation of a nation!"
"You advocate for commerce, and His Majesty has graciously given you this opportunity."
"But now you want the son of a businessman to enter politics? This is shaking the foundation of the country!"
"You can make money by running a business, and you can even become an official through it..."
"This will severely dampen farmers' enthusiasm for cultivating farmland!"
"It might not be apparent in the short term."
"But if this goes on for too long, the very foundation of the Tang Dynasty will rot..."
Wow.
The courtiers were in uproar.
As expected of Wang Gui, who served as a court attendant alongside Wei Zheng.
He's usually quiet and doesn't utter a sound.
The crime they committed was so heinous that even nine generations of their family would not be spared.
This barrage of words, seemingly gentle yet subtly menacing, was a deadly attack that could kill without leaving a trace.
On the side.
Wei Zheng's face darkened.
Although the two had a good relationship, but...
For the sake of the aristocratic class, you completely disregarded my son's life and death; you have no compassion whatsoever.
Since you dare to do the first thing, don't blame me for doing the fifteenth!
He immediately stepped forward...
"Putting agriculture at the foundation of the nation's economy is a national policy!"
"But promoting commerce is also a national policy."
Wei Zheng retorted frankly, "First, you need to understand one thing: the decision to favor merchants was made after a proposal was passed by all the civil and military officials and His Majesty..."
"Xuancheng, are you going to argue with me?"
Wang Gui turned around and smiled.
"I'm just stating the facts!"
The two stood facing each other, sparks flying between their eyes.
They were both staff members at Jiancheng.
They both served as remonstrance officials.
They both served as Attendants-in-Ordinary.
The two have almost identical resumes!
Wang Gui's only advantage... was that he was ten years older than Wei Zheng!
"Then let's have a debate..."
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