Chapter 240 Wei Zheng and his son, Li Shimin join forces
"If we're talking about business leaders..."
"It should be Lü Buwei."
"I won't go into too much detail about his deeds; I'm sure Xuancheng remembers them better than this old man does."
Wang Gui spoke slowly and deliberately.
He exuded an air of calm and composure.
The Lüshi Chunqiu states: "If the people abandon the fundamental and pursue the trivial, they will not be able to govern; if they are not able to govern, they cannot defend themselves or fight."
"What does Xuan Cheng think?"
“Even a wealthy merchant like him believed that the national policy should prioritize agriculture and de-emphasize commerce.”
"And how can the facts be refuted?"
The ministers nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Citing classical texts.
Lü Buwei's achievements are beyond doubt.
Most importantly, the Qin Dynasty unified the world.
With this as a foundation, it becomes even more convincing!
Although Qin Shi Huang only began to rule personally and conquer the six states after eliminating Lü Buwei...
However, Lü Buwei's contributions cannot be denied.
As prime minister, Lü Buwei solidified the foundation of the Qin Dynasty!
His work, "Lüshi Chunqiu," encompasses philosophy, history, politics, morality, astronomy, geography, and agriculture, and is the earliest, largest, and most rigorous academic work in history.
"Lü Buwei is not bad."
Wei Zheng nodded: "What about Guan Zhong?"
"Guan Zhong worked as a merchant in his early years, and was later appointed prime minister by Duke Huan of Qi..."
"Vigorously develop industry, fishery, salt production, and iron smelting, and advocate for a prosperous country and a strong military."
"To make the State of Qi the first hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period!"
However, when faced with Wei Zheng's question, Wang Gui laughed heartily...
"Xuancheng, have you perhaps overlooked..."
"Guan Zhong was a figure from the Spring and Autumn Period!"
"And Lü Buwei was a figure from the Warring States period!"
"Guan Zhong's reforms emphasized commerce!"
"Shang Yang's reforms emphasized agriculture!"
"Shang Yang's reforms replaced Guan Zhong's reforms..."
Um?
Wei Zheng's face darkened, and his expression became extremely unpleasant.
This time, he's resorting to sophistry!
They are at a complete disadvantage!
There are too few examples of commercialism in historical records.
Throughout history, the basic policy adopted has been to prioritize agriculture and suppress commerce.
If he were to argue, it would be tantamount to wrestling with the entirety of history...
Seeing that Wei Zheng did not reply for a long time, the officials dared not even breathe.
Could it be that Wei, the troll, is about to lose?
Still couldn't hold on for two rounds and suffered a crushing defeat?
"Xuancheng, step down."
Li Shimin sighed.
He also hoped that Wei Zheng could win the debate and teach those bastards from the aristocratic families a lesson.
However, the power of the aristocratic families in the imperial court was too great.
Once it affects the other party's interests.
The energy unleashed by the samurai clans will be extremely terrifying.
People like Wang Gui are old-fashioned and unassuming.
The aristocratic families have hidden countless...
"Guan Zhong lived during the Spring and Autumn Period."
"Shang Yang and Lü Buwei belonged to the Warring States period."
Just as the assembled officials were leaving, Wei Zheng's beard twitched slightly, and a faint voice drifted out...
"but……"
Wei Zheng suddenly raised his head, as if he had figured something out, and his eyes sharpened again...
"This is the Tang Dynasty!"
"Shang Yang valued agriculture because the Qin state was short of food!"
"Shang Yang valued agriculture because the Qin state needed grain to unify the world!"
Wow.
The courtiers were in uproar.
This... Old Wei's condition is off.
We've been forced to the opposite side of history, how can you still criticize us?
Won't……
Will he beat me in a verbal battle again?
Looking at Wei Zheng's bristling beard, his imposing manner was comparable to that of a charging soldier.
The courtiers felt a chill run down their spines.
"And what about my Great Tang Dynasty..."
Wei Zheng glanced at the assembled officials, his gaze finally settling on Wang Gui: "Our Great Tang Dynasty has swept across the world, and all nations have submitted!"
"The Tang Dynasty was not short of food..."
"What the Tang Dynasty lacked was the wealth to establish its hegemonic status!"
"What the Tang Dynasty lacked was a policy that would ensure its people had enough to eat!"
The ministers' pupils suddenly contracted.
The combined granaries across the Tang Dynasty were enough to feed the entire nation for a long time.
The Tang Dynasty was not without food after the earthquake in Hu County!
It's not that mobilizing food takes time!
Indeed, there are still many people in the countryside who are not getting enough to eat.
However, the imperial court would not give away grain to the people for free unless there were unavoidable natural disasters or other problems.
You have to earn whatever you want yourself!
Since there was no land to cultivate, the imperial court provided curved plows to support the people in reclaiming wasteland for farming.
With no income, the imperial court implemented a pro-commerce policy and provided jobs...
The current policies of the Tang Dynasty are all based on the perspective of the people!
"That's right!"
Wei Shuyu immediately went to Wei Zheng's side.
Both Wei brothers faced Wang Gui.
Then Wei Shuyu spoke...
"The Tang Dynasty had no shortage of food, but it lacked an economy."
"The price of grain in our Great Tang Dynasty is at its lowest point in history!"
Why are there still ordinary people who can't afford to eat?
"Because they have no money!"
"Only when the economy develops can the Tang Dynasty truly be considered a golden age!"
Well said!
Li Shimin shouted in his heart.
Not only because he wanted to suppress the aristocratic families, but also because he wanted more people to participate in the imperial examinations!
Wang Gui frowned in deep thought...
Wei Zheng spoke again.
Since you've already started criticizing, you have to say it all in one go until the other party is speechless.
“Shujie, it’s not that being commercial is bad, it’s just that your vision is too narrow…” (Wang Gui, courtesy name Shujie)
Wei Zheng regained his composure and began to speak eloquently.
"Businesses make their own profits."
"Farming has its advantages."
"Shang Yang's reforms did not replace Guan Zhong's reforms; rather, unknowingly, successive dynasties implemented a two-pronged approach!"
"However, by suppressing commerce, the development of commerce has been neglected..."
"Take, for example, the silk, porcelain, wine, salt, and iron of my Great Tang Dynasty!"
"Which one isn't a commerce category?"
"The Tang Dynasty was strong and well-equipped; how could it have ever been separated from trade routes?"
The courtiers were dumbfounded.
They really did turn things around, and they swept them away completely.
There is no doubt that silk alone brought the Tang Dynasty countless resources every year.
Wang Gui was no longer as composed as before.
His eyes flickered.
Just as he was about to speak, Wei Shuyu interrupted him again...
"Prioritizing agriculture and suppressing commerce is a sound policy for developing into a strong nation!"
"And my Great Tang Dynasty..."
"It has long been a powerful nation that has swept across all countries!"
"What the Tang Dynasty wanted to create was a golden age that surpassed Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han, a golden age that would awe the past and present!"
What constitutes a prosperous era?
Can a prosperous era lasting for thousands of years be achieved by relying on ordinary people to farm?
"Only when all the people of the Tang Dynasty, including scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, are united as one can we create a prosperous and lasting era!"
Wei Shuyu's words once again plunged the assembled officials into deep thought.
Damn it.
Wei Duidui, Wei Xiao Duidui is showing off again.
no.
I must also chime in!
Just as Wang Gui was about to speak, Li Shimin interrupted him again...
"The decision to prioritize commerce was made by my own hand."
Li Shimin looked down at his ministers and said, "After the internal strife is quelled, the direction of the Tang Dynasty will turn to the Silk Road."
As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, the aristocratic families finally panicked!
The aristocratic families were very powerful.
However, one thing is certain: scholars are fond of fame.
For aristocratic families to control scholars, they needed immense prestige.
Throughout history, aristocratic officials have generally had a good reputation!
As long as we use righteousness to suppress it.
They were silenced and everyone in the world believed they were right!
In addition, there was the awe-inspiring power of Li Shimin's imperial authority...
Even the aristocratic families had no choice but to shut up!
"So... what is your policy?" Wang Gui asked coldly.
The courtiers fell silent.
Everyone knew that Wei Shuyu's next answer was very important.
As long as Wei Shuyu's answer can convince the world.
That would potentially open a door for the sons of merchants to participate in the imperial examinations.
"His Majesty!"
Wei Shuyu bowed to Li Shimin and said...
"I believe that the taxes paid by merchants should be registered, especially those who travel along the Silk Road!"
"Once they have accumulated a certain amount of tax payments, they can be granted the privilege of allowing their direct descendants to participate in the imperial examinations."
"Just one spot brings so many benefits..."
"First, with hope in sight, merchants will work even harder to run their businesses."
"Second, it laid the foundation for the dominant position of the Tang Dynasty on the Silk Road."
"Third, merchants are spread along the Silk Road, and they can also serve as the eyes and ears of the Tang Dynasty abroad."
"Fourth, overseas trade can earn the imperial court a huge amount of customs and tax revenue!"
Fifth, the goods that merchants and traders transported were all for the livelihood of ordinary people, supporting even more people.
"Sixth, who says merchants can't be talented...? So-and-so is really awesome."
The courtiers were listening attentively when suddenly a series of names and titles appeared, instantly pulling them out of the story.
Screw you, whoever you are.
Who is it? Tell me!
Old Wei was speechless and had no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward to cover up his son's mistake...
"Fan Li, whose wealth surpassed even that of Tao Zhu."
"The progenitor of Confucian merchants - Duanmu Zigong".
"Bai Gui, the wise ancestor of commerce".
"The great merchant who governed the country - Lü Buwei".
"Yes, that's right!"
Uncle Wei nodded: "These are the ones I wanted to mention!"
"His Majesty!"
Wei Shuyu bowed deeply once again...
"With just one spot, countless merchants from the Tang Dynasty will flock to the Silk Road!"
"I humbly request Your Majesty's permission!"
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