Chapter 277 Wei Zheng discovered it!
Outside Xuanwu Gate.
Wei Zheng stepped down from the carriage and straightened his clothes.
His Majesty is really something.
They had just sent me away when they ordered me to go to the palace again.
Isn't this unnecessary?
Just as they were about to enter the palace gate, several carriages suddenly appeared in the distance.
I thought the other party would stop.
To everyone's surprise, the other party drove straight in.
"stop!"
Wei Zheng stepped forward to stop them, saying, "Don't you know this is the imperial palace? Stop your carriage and dismount!"
"Wei Shizhong"
The guards at the gate immediately came forward: "This carriage was personally ordered by His Majesty."
"You bastard!"
Wei Zheng rebuked, "In the imperial palace, no one except His Majesty, princes, and princesses is allowed to ride in a carriage."
"Even if His Majesty himself gives the order, one should dismount and be led away!"
Upon hearing this, the group repeatedly apologized.
Given their status, how could they dare to stand up to the prime minister?
They immediately obeyed and led their horses on foot.
"etc……"
Wei Zheng blocked their way again and scolded the guards, "What's in the carriage? Aren't you going to check?"
"What if there are thieves hiding inside the carriage?"
The guard was sweating profusely.
What incredible luck we had to run into that old fogey Wei!
“What Attendant Wei says is true.”
The guard replied with a bitter face, "But this was ordered by His Majesty himself, and we have no right to inspect it."
Um?
Wei Zheng frowned.
So mysterious?
Then I'd like to see for myself.
"Open it and inspect it!" Wei Zheng shouted.
"Minister Wei, please don't make things difficult for me. Unauthorized access to His Majesty's things can cost you your head..." the guard replied with a wry smile.
snort.
Wei Zheng snorted coldly, not bothering to make things difficult for the group.
But he walked to the carriage himself and lifted the curtain.
What came into view... was a sea of copper coins, as well as silk and brocade.
The first one, the second one... they were everywhere.
hiss……
Wei Zheng gasped.
Has His Majesty struck it rich?
Where did they get so much money?
Looks like I've got work to do again...
He excitedly stepped into Xuanwu Gate.
at the same time.
Inside the palace.
Li Shimin continued his conversation with Wei Shuyu.
It seems he had long forgotten that he had summoned Wei Zheng to the palace intending to reprimand Wei Shuyu in front of Wei Zheng...
"Shuyu, if what you say is true, that Buddhism and Taoism pose a great threat to the Tang Dynasty, then how should we curb them?"
Li Shimin's brows furrowed unusually deeply.
Taoism is another matter, but it hasn't developed yet.
But Buddhism is far too vast.
According to records, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou suppressed Buddhism, resulting in 3 million people returning to secular life.
Less than a century ago, Buddhism has gained two to three hundred thousand followers!
It doesn't seem like much...
But if what Wei Shuyu said is true, that they evaded taxes, embezzled land... then the wealth they accumulated was simply outrageous.
"I dare not speak rashly about this for the time being."
Wei Shuyu bowed and said, "It would be best if Your Majesty and the ministers discussed this together after the information has been verified."
Li Shimin nodded.
Xiao Wei has become much more composed.
Turning his head, Li Shimin scolded Li Chengqian and Li Tai, "See that? Learn from this..."
"Think more, act more, ask more questions, and don't make decisions blindly!"
"..."
Both of them felt a chill run down their spines.
Can you please stop criticizing us?
We only mentioned carp briefly!
"Shuyu, then tell me..."
Li Shimin then asked, "What is the connection between the carp incident and Buddhism and Taoism?"
"His Majesty."
After considering it for a moment, Wei Shuyu replied, "I think we can use the carp incident to test the attitudes of both sides."
"If both sides strongly oppose it, then we must take drastic measures against them."
Li Shimin nodded seriously.
The two started talking again...
Li Chengqian and Li Tai stood obediently to one side, but a fierce internal struggle was raging within them.
Should we try to win over Xiao Wei, or not?
no.
We cannot win them over.
Xiao Wei's attacks are indiscriminate... there's not much point in trying to win him over.
However, it's Choi Shin-ki and Fang Yi-ai.
Both are stubborn, have powerful connections, and are now quite eloquent.
Most importantly... it has many flaws and is easy to fool!
"Your Majesty, Attendant-in-Ordinary Wei requests an audience."
Just then, the eunuch came in to report again.
Um?
ah?
Li Shimin was stunned.
I almost forgot that I had sent someone to find Wei Zheng.
"Announce."
Li Shimin waved his hand.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
When Wei Zheng entered, he saw his son there and immediately looked puzzled.
"Xuancheng..."
Li Shimin gave an awkward smile: "Shuyu just made a suggestion, but I'm not sure what to do. What do you think?"
Li Shimin immediately recounted the events.
After listening, Wei Zheng did not immediately offer his opinion.
"Your Majesty, this matter is not urgent."
Wei Zheng replied with a slightly solemn expression, "Let's wait for Li Junxian and Du Junzhuo to finish their investigation before we talk about it."
Li Shimin nodded upon hearing this.
Just then, Wei Zheng suddenly changed the subject...
"Your Majesty, why did I just see several carriages carrying copper coins and silk entering the palace at Xuanwu Gate?"
Li Shimin was stunned.
Money? Silk?
Is there really such a good thing?
Sudden……
He seemed to remember something and suddenly looked at Wei Shuyu.
That's the income of Wenyun Pavilion.
"Cough cough..."
Li Shimin looked embarrassed.
This investment must absolutely not be discovered by Lao Wei.
If Lao Wei finds out, he'll definitely get a scolding...
what to do?
Li Shimin couldn't think of a good excuse for a moment.
"Father, those are the income of Wenyun Pavilion."
Wei Shuyu immediately stepped forward.
"Um?"
Wei Zheng frowned: "Why are you dragging the income from Wenyun Pavilion to the palace?"
“Dad, we’re officials, we can’t take this money, it’ll be a hot potato.”
"Thanks to Your Majesty's grace."
Wei Shuyu bowed to Li Shimin and said, "I think the safest way is to hand over all the money to Your Majesty."
"Yes, yes, yes..."
Li Shimin hurriedly echoed, "Originally, I didn't want to take this money either, but the money in Wenyun Pavilion kept accumulating, and at Shuyu's request, I had no choice but to accept it."
Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng...
His furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
"Your Majesty, this is inappropriate."
"What if outsiders spread rumors that His Majesty is competing with the people for profit?"
"I believe that since it was earned by Shuyu, the money should be deposited into the national treasury!"
The national treasury?
Li Shimin's eyes widened.
I've already invested...
If the money is put into the national treasury, wouldn't I lose everything?
no!
Absolutely not...
Li Shimin quickly gave Wei Shuyu a meaningful look.
"Father, His Majesty has been struggling financially for so long, it's not unreasonable to give him a little something."
Wei Shuyu continued to persuade him.
"Nonsense!"
Wei Zheng flicked his sleeve and exclaimed, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler!"
"Don't talk about so much money..."
"Not even a few coins will do."
"If this leads to rumors that I am competing with the people for profit and enjoying the people's hard-earned money..."
"Can you bear the responsibility for this crime?"
Wei Shuyu felt a chill run down his spine.
When Lao Wei gets angry, even a god can't stop him!
"Father, but His Majesty is indeed poor."
Wei Shuyu advised, "The expenses of the inner palace have been reduced again and again, and the story of His Majesty dismissing three thousand palace maids is still widely circulated."
"Now that the Tang Dynasty is showing some signs of improvement, it's understandable to slightly subsidize the imperial treasury..."
Um?
Wei Zheng suddenly looked at his son.
“Shuyu, in principle, you have no objection to who you give the money you earn to as your father.”
"But it must never be given to the royal family!"
"If you give money to His Majesty today, others will follow suit tomorrow."
"Your Majesty is wise and able to resist temptation."
"But what about the Crown Prince? What about the future ruler of the Tang Dynasty?"
"If treacherous officials take advantage of the situation, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Li Chengqian was dumbfounded?
Why are you dragging me into this again?
You can criticize all you want, but stop using me as an example all the time, okay?
solitary……
I still want to go back to farming!
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