Chapter 179 Controversy among Court Officials
"Jiang Huailiang, please be more careful with your words. When did I ever speak without thinking? He has a hard time in his fiefdom because he doesn't know how to handle government affairs and how to take care of the people's livelihood.
I heard that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi is constantly getting into small-scale conflicts with the foreign tribes along the border. Don't you know how expensive wars are? I don't know how all the money in Dongling Mansion has been spent!
"You fart!"
Duke Ling refused to give in to Duke Ping's sweet talk.
"As the old saying goes, a good wife can't cook without rice. Dongling Prefecture is as poor as a wasteland. How can you expect the King of Qi to help the people live a good life?
Now that I have finally found a legitimate business, you are still here complaining and trying to stop me, and then you have the nerve to turn around and blame me?
"Pah, when else have we had a dispute with a foreign race? I heard that you were just being enthusiastic and helping our neighbors mediate a conflict. How come the words become so unpleasant when they come out of your mouth, Duke Ping? Since you are so capable, then go ahead and do it if you can!"
"I'm too lazy to talk nonsense with you!"
As the father-in-law of the crown prince, Duke Ping was a man who valued his reputation. He couldn't possibly curse at Duke Ling in front of the entire court. So, he swung his sleeves hard, not wanting to bother with this unimproving idiot.
"What we're discussing now is that the King of Qi, as a vassal king, must absolutely not touch the most important national treasures! Why are you bringing up such useless things?"
"If you don't argue, you won't understand. When did my arguments become useless? If you hadn't first slandered the King of Qi as incapable of doing serious things, would I have wasted my breath arguing with you?"
Duke Ling followed suit and shook his sleeves vigorously. You know what, it was quite impressive.
"How about this, let's move the King of Qi to a place with abundant resources in Jiangnan Road. Do you think he can handle state affairs and care for the people's livelihood?
Some people are just so good at talking without any hesitation. They enjoy a good life in the capital, but they still have to flatter people who are starving and freezing. What a fool!
Ever since his daughter became the Princess of Qi, in order to give his daughter an honorable reputation, Jiang Zemin has started to cultivate his character and hasn't cursed in the court for a long time.
Well, it still tastes the same as before.
The two dukes argued furiously, their faces reddening. The other intelligent men stood by, silent and waiting for the situation to develop. Even the once-aggressive Marquis Qiao Yunhai was now frowning and silent.
After all, behind the Duke of Ping's Mansion was the Crown Prince, and behind the Duke of Ling's Mansion was the Prince of Qi. Both were nephews of his old Qiao family. So how could he, as an uncle, judge for justice? He could only stand by and keep silent.
"Hey, my dear ministers, stop arguing and talk it over nicely."
The emperor sat on the dragon throne, glaring at the rough-hewn second son, feeling annoyed and wanting to hit him. He'd been a high-ranking official for so long, why was his speech still so lame? Can't you just be more like me? How did I manage to be so classy now?
"While what Minister Liu and Duke Ping say makes sense, what Duke Ling says is also not unreasonable. The Prince of Qi has guarded Dongling Prefecture for several years. Even if he has no merit, he has worked hard. How can you say he can't take care of things?"
Generally speaking, old toads think that young toads are good-looking and capable, and they refuse other toads who point at their faces and say that their sons are useless and ugly.
"However, regarding the sale of salt, we do need to discuss it together. What do you think, Prince?"
The prince, who was called out by the emperor, could only step forward, salute and speak.
"Your Majesty, I have never been to Dongling Prefecture and do not know the specific situation there.
But I understand Lao Si.
Although he has a somewhat erratic temperament, he has never made a mistake in upholding justice."
The prince straightened up and looked at Duke Ping. There was some comfort and some anger in his eyes.
"Duke Ping, whether the King of Qi will govern is another matter. But I am certain that the King of Qi always keeps the soldiers and people of Dongling Prefecture in his heart.
Regarding this matter of selling salt, there are some details that you gentlemen are not very clear about, so I will explain them to you in more detail."
The prince pulled out a piece of letter from his sleeve, shook it open, and pointed to the name and seal at the end.
"This is a letter of promise that the fourth brother brought to me privately after he reported to the emperor.
The salt-making method was developed by the Princess of Qi using her dowry recipe, and it should have been considered her private property. However, the Prince and Princess of Qi, out of compassion for the people and soldiers, offered it to the court. They also promised Dongling Prefecture the right to sell Snowflake Salt for only five years, after which it would be handed over to the court without any demands.
Father holds a memorial from the Prince of Qi, and I hold a letter of commitment from my fourth brother and his wife."
A warm smile appeared on the corner of the prince's mouth. He gently folded the letter of commitment and put it back into his sleeve, then turned around and saluted the emperor to give him some advice.
"I beg you, Father, to grant the Prince of Qi the right to sell salt."
The emperor frowned and thought, looking at the civil and military officials below.
"My dear ministers, do you have any different opinions on the Crown Prince's proposal?"
"Your Majesty, please reconsider this and do not allow this precedent to be set!"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat still insisted on his own opinion, but when the Duke of Ping saw that the Crown Prince had turned against him, no matter how angry he was in his heart, he had to admit it on the surface and uttered it unwillingly.
"It all depends on His Majesty's decision."
When Duke Ling saw that his opponents had retreated, he immediately decided to quit while he was ahead.
"Your Majesty, just take charge!"
Prime Minister Ji looked at the situation, thought of a good explanation in his mind, and then walked out calmly holding the sceptre.
"Your Majesty, I still feel that this matter requires careful consideration. Although His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi has good intentions, this is still not in accordance with etiquette and law.
The most important point is that the snowflake salt produced by Dongling Prefecture is of such excellent quality that it is almost obvious at a glance how much profit it will make once it is launched.
The King of Qi is so happy to let go now, but if he really waits until he is rich, will he still be willing to let go so easily?
"Your Majesty, I think what Prime Minister Ji said makes sense.
Money can attract people's hearts, and huge profits can dazzle the eyes.
But, after all, that is something that will happen after you can make money.”
Lord Qin, the Minister of Personnel who had already made a step up, also came out in a dignified and polite manner, holding a sceptre.
"The most urgent task right now shouldn't be discussing possible future events. I advise that it would be best to support the livelihood of the people in Dongling Prefecture as soon as possible. After all, it's a good business that's obvious at first glance. It's a shame to hold it back and not allow it to open."
"Minister Qin's words are light, but if we don't first think of a solution to the problem, how can we expect them to operate?"
"Prime Minister Ji, that's quite light. If the court considers a solution for three to five years, and if another natural or man-made disaster occurs during that time, the Dongling Mansion will probably starve to death, right?"
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