hsntnovel Chapter 1865: Li Shen, the rude one
Chapter 1865: Li Shen, the rude one
Li Shimin was furious. What was this bastard thinking?
In order not to fulfill his promise, he actually wanted to kill the person he wanted.
Li Shen was just talking, and he didn't expect that he had just revealed his purpose.
He didn't know what he had promised his father, but no matter what he promised, he would not admit it.
"What you said is true, I know I was wrong, but you can't take advantage of me when I'm drunk, that's taking advantage of someone's misfortune."
Li Shen quickly admitted his mistake.
"Taking advantage of someone's misfortune? Don't worry, I'm not like you. I still have to save my dignity."
"It's better to have a good face... No, that's good, that's good." Li Shen patted his heart and felt relieved.
"Okay, let's get down to business. I agree to your opening of a gambling house, and I will give you the 30% bonus as you said.
But the percentage of meritorious families is a bit high, do you think this is appropriate?"
Li Shimin asked calmly. Li Shen knew what his father was worried about and quickly explained:
“Don’t worry, Aye. Although the share allocated to them is a bit higher, each family won’t get much out of the more than 40 merits.
And how could I let them take the money like that?
If they have money, they should naturally spend it. How can this money not be circulated?"
Li Shimin was worried that the money earned from meritorious service would not be safe, so Li Shen told them to spend the money.
"You let me spend it? The old man in the Cheng family is very shrewd. It's not easy to make him spit out the money."
Li Shimin looked at Li Shen with some disbelief, and that look made Li Shen feel that he was being provoked.
Isn't this doubting one's own business ability?
"Don't worry, Aye. If they don't spend money, even if I cheat them, I'll cheat them out of everything they have. Is that okay?"
Li Shen patted his chest and promised.
After hearing this, Li Shimin coughed lightly and said calmly:
"Well...it doesn't have to be that serious to let them go bankrupt. Just let them squander it a bit. As someone who has made great contributions, I think it's harmless for them to be a little extravagant.
Just like the King of Hejian and the King of Jiangxia, I heard that these two uncles of yours live an extremely luxurious life, with more than a hundred singing girls and dancers in their homes.
In particular, Xiaogong was extravagant and generous, and liked to show off his power to intimidate the scoundrels. He built a house in the Stone City.
I have also set up outposts and let the guards patrol to protect my safety. I can accept all of this. Do you understand?"
Li Shen nodded quickly:
"Don't worry, Aye. I understand."
Isn't it just spending money to let them live a more luxurious life? Li Shimin was afraid that Li Shen would be too lavish and make these heroes dissatisfied.
It was also for Li Shimin's own face. People had helped the Li family build the country and finally had two days of good life.
Your son even swindled all the money away. Isn't that a bit unreasonable?
Li Shen understood what his father meant.
"It's good that you understand. Tomorrow I will tell the prince about this matter and ask him to discuss it in the court.
However, I'm afraid there will be some troubles at the Censorate, which can be regarded as some training for the prince.
After all, the imperial court meddled in the affairs of merchants and opened a gambling house, which was not acceptable. "
Since ancient times, the imperial court has not participated in commercial activities, except for renting shops, collecting taxes, and lending at high interest rates.
Generally, they rarely interfere in business affairs.
This was the first time Li Shimin had done such a thing since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and he inevitably felt a little uncomfortable.
Li Shen looked around and found no outsiders. Li Shen thought it would be better to mention something.
"Father, I think some things are better controlled by the court, which can not only increase the revenue of the national treasury.
And be able to control the overall situation.”
"Oh? Do you mean to let the court get involved in business affairs?" Li Shimin was a little surprised.
"Yes, that's exactly what I meant. But not everything needs to be involved." Li Shen nodded.
"Tell me in detail." Li Shimin became interested and motioned Wang De to pour tea.
Li Shen pondered for a moment. He didn't quite understand these things. The Tang Dynasty was different from later generations. Many things were not there yet.
After thinking for a while, Li Shen said:
"Replying to Aye, for example, the imperial court can control the steel industry, and the imperial court will also be involved in the prize-winning guessing contest I am organizing.
The court can participate in all the only businesses that can accumulate a lot of wealth in a short period of time.
This can also serve a regulatory purpose.”
Li Shen thought for a long time and only thought of steel for making weapons. Other energy sources and communications were not available at the moment.
The imperial court only needs to supervise the salt and grain related to people's livelihood, and there is no need to interfere.
The court would allocate funds to wherever the goods were sold at a high price, and the problem would naturally be solved easily.
Currently, the only energy source is coal, but the utilization rate of coal is still limited to heating in the north.
The South has no need for it and does not need the court’s control at all.
As for the military industry, the imperial court also has a Ministry of Industry.
"The only business that can accumulate a lot of wealth?" Li Shimin frowned and thought about it, then suddenly looked at Li Shen with a smile.
"The fastest and most profitable business in the entire Tang Dynasty is all in your Prince Ji's Mansion.
Do you mean to get the imperial court involved?"
"Uh..." Li Shen wanted to slap himself twice. After talking for a long time, he dug a hole for himself.
Nowadays, the fastest way for Datang to make money, and it is also a monopoly business, is the industry of the royal palace.
Liquor, soap, tea, glass, clothing, carriages, etc. are all monopolized.
With millions of guan in profit a year, I wonder how many people would be jealous.
Looking at the greed revealed in his father's glowing eyes, Li Shen felt for the first time that he had talked too much and that too much talk would lead to mistakes.
"Well... Father, I have something else to do in the palace, so I'll leave first." Li Shen stood up. He felt that he could not continue the conversation.
Today didn't start well.
"Asshole, sit down, we haven't finished talking about this yet." Seeing Li Shen was about to run away, Li Shimin scolded him.
"Father, I was just talking nonsense, and my business will be known to outsiders sooner or later.
It’s not important.” Li Shen sat down obediently and began to explain.
"Okay, I didn't say I wanted your things. This matter won't work right now. The rules have been set, and it's hard to convince people if we change them every day.
Let's talk about Pei Mingli. "Li Shimin was both angry and amused when he saw Li Shen's expression.
"Father, Pei Mingli is only a sixth-rank official, not as good as Wang Xuance, the former doctor.
Why don't you just give it to me, Aye?" Li Shen pleaded.
"Do you mean to exchange this tea table for Pei Mingli?" Li Shimin asked jokingly.
"This..." Li Shen was a little embarrassed. What did he say when he lost his memory just now? Why did it seem like his father knew everything?
"Aye, you are joking. This tea table was originally given to honor Aye. It is not an exchange.
I also admire Pei Mingli's talent, so I asked Aye for it.
I hope Aye can help me."
(Poke, poke, poke to urge for more updates. I have uploaded some of them. I haven’t slept all night. Go to sleep.)