Chapter 389 The Ministry of Commerce Takes on Another Job
God the hell, my dear subject...
When Li Shimin was groveling, he addressed everyone as his beloved minister!
"You're just being unreasonable."
Wei Ting flicked his sleeves and bowed to Li Shimin, saying, "Your Majesty, Wei Shuyu spoke nonsense in court. I implore Your Majesty to punish him."
"His Majesty."
Wei Shuyu retorted, "Wei Ting has shown contempt for Your Majesty. I humbly request Your Majesty to dismiss him."
Not again?
We were both dismissed last time because of you.
We finally made it through, and now you're doing this again?
"His Majesty……"
Wei Ting wanted to say something more.
That's enough.
Li Shimin spoke authoritatively: "Minister Wei is right, Wei Ting, you've gone too far..."
"No matter what, you have to wait for Minister Wei to finish speaking before you speak..."
Wei Ting instantly understood Li Shimin's meaning.
If Wei Shuyu can give a reasonable explanation, then this matter will be easy to handle.
If Wei Shuyu can't say anything, then we can start a fight.
"It was my rudeness."
Wei Ting obediently returned to his position.
"Shuyu, let's talk about coal." Li Shimin then looked at Wei Shuyu.
"promise."
Wei Shuyu bowed and accepted the order: "Coal does indeed contain harmful substances, but please don't forget..."
"Our Great Tang Dynasty also uses coal for iron smelting today!"
Um?
Upon hearing this, many officials began to whisper among themselves.
"How can these be the same?"
Hou Junji immediately stood up to refute: "Forging iron should be done in an open, well-ventilated place."
"Heating is done in a small, enclosed space."
"How can the inhaled toxic fumes be compared to what we see today?"
The ministers nodded in agreement.
It's true that coal is harmful, but the ancients weren't stupid either.
When forging iron, not only will a well-ventilated place be chosen, but a basin of clean water will also be placed there.
"That's not what I meant..."
What I wanted to say was...
"Since coal can be utilized, why doesn't the imperial court try to solve this problem?"
"Don't say there's no way to solve it..."
"As long as Your Majesty is willing to gather all the wise men in the land, this problem can definitely be solved!"
this……
The assembled officials were all taken aback.
That makes perfect sense.
If you can't come up with a solution yourself, can't you gather people from all over the world to brainstorm together?
“Your Majesty, I agree with Wei Shuyu’s words,” Yu Shinan stepped forward to support.
"His Majesty."
Changsun Wuji suddenly stepped forward and said, "I have a different opinion."
"Please speak freely, my dear minister," Li Shimin replied.
Changsun Wuji turned to Wei Shuyu: "The reason why the Tang Dynasty did not use coal extensively, besides the fact that the smoke was toxic..."
"More importantly, coal mining is not easy."
"If a large amount of manpower and resources are spent on mining coal, the cost may be more expensive than firewood..."
The courtiers were all taken aback.
Chopping firewood is something that any ordinary person can do.
Coal mines, however, are not easy to extract.
Ultimately, it was because the Tang Dynasty was backward and lacked the capacity for large-scale mining.
“Manpower is not a problem.” Yu Shinan still strongly supported Wei Shuyu.
The ministers nodded.
The cheapest commodity in the Tang Dynasty was labor.
Otherwise, Wei Shuyu's pro-commerce policies would not have been passed.
You misunderstood me.
Changsun Wuji shook his head: "What I mean is... Wei Shuyu proposed this bill so that poor people could afford coal for heating."
"If a lot of manpower and resources are spent, but the people still can't afford it, then what's the point?"
this……
Yu Shinan was speechless.
This is an unsolvable problem.
He couldn't help but look at Wei Shuyu.
"What Minister Changsun said makes sense."
Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "Then I wonder what good plan Minister Changsun has?"
Changsun Wuji was stunned.
I have absolutely nothing.
"If you don't have a better solution, then don't come out and dampen the enthusiasm..."
"They ramble on and on all day, but not a single useful word comes out!"
Wei Shuyu switched to taunting mode.
"presumptuous!"
Changsun Wuji, his face flushed, said, "I am raising my own questions regarding your proposal."
"The more a principle is debated, the clearer it becomes, and the more a matter is discussed, the clearer it becomes..."
"This is the most important matter in the court."
Changsun Wuji started his long-winded explanation again.
Wei Shuyu completely ignored this.
He bowed to Li Shimin...
"Your Majesty, entrust this matter to the Ministry of Commerce!"
"The Ministry of Commerce will definitely produce cheap coal."
"Let all the people of the world no longer suffer from the cold!"
The Ministry of Commerce is really daring in taking on jobs.
But this is just right, it saves His Majesty from taking his anger out on us again.
The ministers couldn't help but mutter to themselves.
"Shuyu, tell me your specific plans first," Li Shimin said.
"promise."
Wei Shuyu straightened up, then swept his cold gaze across the assembled officials: "Why are the labor and resources for mining so expensive?"
"It's nothing more than officials lining their own pockets, using inferior materials, appointing relatives and friends, and keeping idle people around..."
"How dare you!"
Before Wei Shuyu could finish speaking, he was met with angry rebukes from the assembled officials.
We didn't do anything to you today, did we?
It even included a group mockery?
"Shut up, all of you!"
Li Shimin also roared!
However, this time, Li Shimin's target was not Wei Shuyu...
His sharp gaze swept over the assembled officials: "Let Shuyu finish speaking. Anyone who dares to interrupt will be punished with twenty strokes of the cane!"
In an instant.
The courtiers shrank back.
“Continue speaking…” Li Shimin looked at Wei Shuyu.
"promise."
After bowing, Wei Shuyu continued, "Since the court is afraid of losses, then we will take on this task for the merchants."
"Just like iron ore!" (Iron ore mining was permitted in the Tang Dynasty.)
"The imperial court collects mining taxes and imposes certain price controls..."
As Wei Shuyu recounted his story, the ministers' expressions became strange...
How come things that used to be a headache become simple in Wei Shuyu's hands, and even make money for the court?
"What do you all think?" Li Shimin asked.
The courtiers had nothing to say.
How can I put it?
Wei Shuyu didn't waste a single copper coin from the court; he took on the job himself.
They couldn't find an excuse to refute it.
"In that case... then this matter will be handled by the Ministry of Commerce." Li Shimin made the final decision.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't..." Changsun Wuji jumped out again.
Li Shimin looked displeased.
Xiao Wei was right.
Why do you always have to disagree with everything?
"His Majesty……"
Changsun Wuji's lips curled into a smile, and he silently uttered two words: Wei Zheng.
Holy crap.
How could I have forgotten about Xuancheng?
Li Shimin immediately felt a headache coming on again.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured."
On one side, Wei Shuyu confidently assured, "Leave this matter to the Ministry of Commerce, and I guarantee it will be handled perfectly."
"However, the most important thing now is to solve the problem of tobacco poisoning."
"I hope to get the cooperation of the Ministry of Works."
"..."
Son of a bitch.
I've been tricked by Xiao Wei again.
But as emperor, Li Shimin could not go back on his word in front of his civil and military officials.
Left with no other choice, He had to agree.
"Do any of my beloved ministers have anything else to report?" Li Shimin asked again.
Liu Fan actually wanted to impeach Wei Shuyu for hitting him...
But Changsun Wuji was criticized, and Wei Ting, the head of the Censorate, also pretended to be an ostrich.
What's the point of impeaching him?
"Court adjourned!"
Several breaths passed, and no minister stepped forward.
Li Shimin announced his resignation from court.
Just as he was about to get up and leave, Wei Shuyu suddenly stood up.
"Your Majesty, I have something else to discuss with you regarding the coal mine."
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