hsntnovel Chapter 2639 Deliberately Provoking Li Zhi
Chapter 2639 Deliberately Provoking Li Zhi
The core tasks of the Maritime Trade Office were to manage the reporting, verification, and random sampling of merchant ships upon their arrival at port, as well as to issue trade licenses.
In fact, this department has existed for a long time, but it has not formed a fixed model.
During the Sui Dynasty, there were similar departments where the percentage of goods taken from the tax collection was not fixed, with higher percentages taken from precious items.
The Maritime Trade Office was responsible for overall planning of foreign trade, controlling trade processes and core rights and interests, and coordinating external matters related to trade.
In modern times, this would be called a customs office, and Li Shen had long wanted to establish a maritime trade office.
At present, the Tang Dynasty is at peace, while the rest of the world is in turmoil, with the Tibetan Empire in the west facing internal and external troubles.
The Western Turkic Khaganate was also very peaceful.
Further west, there was widespread war and endless expansion, and Persia was already on the verge of collapse, and would be destroyed in a few years.
The Tang Dynasty is currently enjoying peace and prosperity, making it an ideal place for trade.
Moreover, the Tang Dynasty was a vast and resource-rich land with many wealthy people and abundant produce, including many fine items.
It's very convenient to both purchase and ship goods.
This attracted a large number of merchants from other countries to come here.
Although Li Shen didn't understand economics and trade, he knew one thing: taxes had to be collected, and foreigners couldn't be allowed to make money off the Tang Dynasty.
Otherwise, it would easily cause economic imbalance in the Tang Dynasty, which is why he proposed the establishment of the Maritime Trade Office.
Originally, it had nothing to do with him, but now the Maritime Trade Office needs someone to sell the customs duties collected, so they need him.
In the Tang Dynasty, who had the power to help the court ship out large quantities of goods? Only the Prince Ji's mansion.
Even if they can't sell the goods, Prince Ji's mansion has the strength to absorb them on its own and then slowly sell them, without delaying the court's revenue.
Of course, Li Shen wouldn't work for nothing; he had to get some commission.
"You're quite the schemer. You actually want to take 40% of the tax revenue, Li Shen. Do you think you're the imperial court?"
As a prince, it is only natural for you to serve the court. Many people are willing to share the emperor's burdens, yet you are so greedy and insatiable.
You are a heartless and ungrateful person, devoid of both ruler and father.
Before Li Shimin and Li Chengqian could speak, Li Zhi took the lead and sternly rebuked them, his voice filled with righteous indignation, making others think that Li Shen had done something treasonous.
Li Shen was completely stunned, not understanding why this guy was so excited.
"Are you out of your mind? Even if I were to take advantage of someone, it would be the imperial court, not you."
Even if you're going to say that it's not your place to criticize someone who's powerless, incompetent, lazy, idle, and can only rely on their parents for support?
"Your father and older brother are still here. If anything, they should be the ones saying anything. Why are you so agitated?"
Li Shen retorted, his eyes contemptuous and his expression eccentric, as if he didn't take Li Zhi seriously at all.
“You…” Li Zhi’s eyes flashed with a fierce light as he suddenly stood up.
Li Shen, however, remained calm and composed, even beckoning to his maid to refill his tea.
"Sit down. Who are you trying to impress? There are so many people here, how dare you lay a hand on me?"
If you're not brave enough, then don't rule it out and make yourself look even more pathetic. Why bother?
Remember, you and I are both sons of our father, there is no difference in rank. Do you think you are the eldest brother? The eldest brother is the crown prince, who will inherit the throne, so naturally he is different from us.
The emperor is the supreme ruler of all under heaven, the most honorable of all, and we should naturally respect him.
As for you... heh.
Li Shen didn't finish his sentence, only a cold smile on his face, but everyone could understand what he wanted to say; it was self-evident.
We are all princes, none of us are more noble than the others, and none of us are the crown prince.
Li Shen has made it very clear that he will not respect you.
His words pierced Li Zhi's heart, and Li Zhi's face darkened.
The word "Emperor" kept growing larger in Li Zhi's mind.
Li Tai suddenly reached out and pulled Li Zhi back to his seat:
"I'm telling you, Lao Shi, we're all brothers, why be so harsh? This isn't right."
Aye hopes that we can help and support each other, and that in the future we can assist our elder brother and contribute to the Li Tang dynasty.
"Your actions go against Father's wishes."
Li Tai gave a half-smile, then squeezed Li Zhi's arm hard, waking him up.
He and Li Zhi were born of the same mother, and no matter what, they were blood brothers, so naturally he would protect him.
From the moment Li Zhi angrily stood up, the people in the hall had already noticed this small group.
Li Zhi's voice was very loud; most people heard it.
Everyone knew that the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Ji had had an unpleasant encounter.
It was widely rumored that Prince Ji and Prince Jin were at odds, and the two fought twice. The first time, Prince Ji led his troops into Prince Jin's residence, and the second time, the two fought on the steps of the Taiji Hall.
I heard that Prince Ji fought against two Princes and even beat up Prince Jin.
But no one knows why the two had a feud.
It seems the rumors were true; things have actually escalated to the point where they are arguing in front of His Majesty.
"Fourth Brother is right. I didn't say anything. He provoked me first. I was just stating the facts."
Li Shen took a sip of tea and said calmly that he knew the two men were brothers and both legitimate sons, so they naturally wanted to stick together and didn't take him, a son born out of wedlock, seriously.
At this moment, Li Shimin frowned. Li Shen's words just now did seem to be deliberately provoking Li Zhi. What exactly did this rebellious son want to do?
Li Shimin suddenly had a bad feeling; it seemed that the thing he least wanted to see was about to happen.
"Alright, what kind of behavior is this in public? Luckily, there are no outsiders here. If you two want to argue, go outside."
If all else fails, the two of you can go outside and have a fight; whoever wins is right.
Li Shimin rebuked him in a stern voice.
"He couldn't beat me in a fight." Li Shenyi muttered under his breath, but his voice was still heard by everyone.
Li Zhi immediately glared at Li Shen:
"Can't beat you? If you're so capable, let's go outside and have a real match."
Li Zhi suffered two unjust defeats. The first time, Li Shen attacked him unexpectedly with a stick, causing him to suffer a hidden loss.
The second time was because he was injured and had been severely beaten by his father, the emperor, making it difficult for him to walk. As a result, Li Shen took advantage of the situation.
This time he was completely healthy, and Li Shen had no weapons on him, so he was confident he could kill Li Shen.
"Father, since he is so eager to die, please allow us two to fight." Li Shen immediately pleaded with Li Shimin in a serious tone.
"You...are you sure you want to fight him?" Li Shimin almost laughed. Was this guy a little too confident?
Can't you see you're protecting him? To put it bluntly, with his fighting ability, he couldn't even beat a maid in the palace.