hsntnovel Chapter 1675 Li Shen also has supporters
Chapter 1675 Li Shen also has supporters
Cheng Yaojin's words made many old ministers nod in agreement.
They all watched Li Shen grow up, and the younger generations in the family usually played with Li Shen.
He was brainwashed by Li Shen's education and later entered Yucai College. Now he looks like a decent human being.
Most of them entered the court as officials. Although their official positions were not high, at least they had a way out.
As long as he serves as an official, the family will not fall into decline. Perhaps one day a prime minister will emerge and make the family prosperous again.
Although they have no contact with Ji Wangsu, they still have an unusual relationship with him.
"Your Highness, I agree with Duke Lu's words. There must be a reason for this.
We should check it carefully.
It’s very likely a frame-up.”
Yuchi Jingde stood up and agreed. Although he had retired, he still wanted to participate in the court meeting.
"You two old generals are wrong."
Just as Yuchi Jingde finished speaking, Zhongshu Sheren Lai Ji stood up.
“Your Highness, although Prince Ji is wealthy enough to rival a country, it does not prove that he would not do such a thing.
Censor Wang has been strict, and with the testimony of local people and victimized merchants, I think these people should not dare to falsely accuse the prince of the dynasty, right?
This matter is of great importance, and I think it is best to handle it according to the law."
"Nonsense!" Another person stood up, and everyone looked and saw that this person was the Minister of Civil Affairs Tang Jian.
Tang Jian bowed to Li Chengqian, then glanced at the ministers in the court and said:
“You all know that His Royal Highness Prince Ji is financially strong, but there is one thing you may not know.
Originally, this matter should not have been told, and only a few people including His Majesty and the Crown Prince knew about it.
However, since everyone has doubts about His Royal Highness Prince Ji today, Tang must speak up.
How much money did His Royal Highness give to the court in the 22nd year of Zhenguan?"
Tang Jian asked loudly, then looked at everyone.
Censor Wang and others frowned after hearing this. They didn't know about this matter. They only knew that every year Prince Ji would give most of the money collected by the Chamber of Commerce to the court.
However, only the heads of the three provinces and the emperor and the crown prince knew the exact number, and even the ministers of the other five ministries could only guess.
They only know about having money.
After looking around and seeing no one answering, Tang Jian loudly said a number:
"Fourteen million strings of cash."
"Sigh~~~"
There was a sound of people gasping for air, and except for the three heads of the three provinces, all the ministers had looks of disbelief on their faces.
"One thousand four hundred... ten thousand taels!!"
"Is what Minister Tang said not false?"
"No way, absolutely impossible."
None of the ministers present believed it, including Cheng Yaojin and his friends.
They knew that their family had shares in the Chamber of Commerce, but these kids didn't say they made so much money.
"Tsk tsk~~ What a pity." Cheng Yaojin couldn't help but mutter.
"Minister Tang, do you know what 14 million guan represents? The population of the former Sui Dynasty was 9 million households, and the annual tax revenue was less than 14 million guan.
But now you tell us that the No. 1 Chamber of Commerce in the Tang Dynasty handed over 14 million strings of cash on its own.
Is your accusation credible?" Shangshu Zuocheng Lu Chengqing said excitedly.
"Yes, Minister Tang, this is a bit exaggerated." Guanglu Shaoqing and Yinqing Guanglu Doctor Liu Heng also echoed.
He felt that Tang Jian was treating everyone as fools.
Just say a number and let everyone believe it.
You should know that in the fifth year of the Sui Dynasty, the national population was 891 million households, and the total tax revenue for one year was less than million guan.
Now you tell us that Prince Ji alone gave 14 million strings of cash to the court. Are you kidding me?
Everyone's expression was as if to say, "How dare you say that?"
"Why don't you believe it?" Tang Jian asked disdainfully when he saw everyone's suspicious looks.
"Minister Tang, it's not that I don't believe it, but what you said is too irresponsible. My Great Tang has less than five million households now.
How much silver is collected in taxes each year?"
Cui Renzhi said.
"That's because you are short-sighted. You can ask Duke Zhao, Secretary Ma, and Minister Yu whether what Tang said is true or not.
What's more, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is here."
Tang Jian looked at everyone and spoke calmly.
"Well...just go to hell." Changsun Wuji spoke first.
"Minister Tang is right."
"Yes."
Ma Zhou and Yu Zhining also nodded.
Li Chengqian also said:
“I can also confirm this. Last year, the No. 1 Chamber of Commerce under the King of Ji did give 14 million guan to the imperial court.
I didn’t believe it at first, but after I went to the treasury, I believed it.”
"It's actually true!"
"Incredible."
The discussion started again.
However, several officials from aristocratic families had gloomy faces, as the money should have originally belonged to them, the aristocratic families and the gentry.
But now, not only has it been divided up by merchants all over the world, but such a large piece of meat has also been given to the imperial court.
The hatred for Li Shen in my heart deepened.
Tang Jian looked at everyone and continued:
“Everyone, King Ji gives so much money to the court every year, how could he still be interested in the little money of the people of Western Zhou.
If Prince Ji wants money, he can just deduct the money.
You should know that this huge sum of money was voluntarily handed over to the court by His Royal Highness Prince Ji, and it was not mandatory.
So Tang thought that someone must have framed the impeachment of Prince Ji just now."
"Yes, I agree with what Minister Tang said. This matter should be thoroughly investigated."
As soon as Tang Jian finished speaking, someone else stood up and echoed Tang Jian's words.
This man's name was Wei Chong, and he was Shangshu Youcheng, also a powerful person.
“Your Highness, I think there are too many strange things about this matter. Someone must be trying to frame Prince Ji.
This matter is of great importance. I propose that the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate jointly investigate this matter."
Another person stood up, the Vice Minister of Justice... Wei Yijie.
"I second the motion." Wei Kun, the Imperial Censor.
"I second the proposal."
"I second the proposal."
Wei Siqian, Wei Siqi, Wei Siyan, and several other officials from the Wei family stood up to second the motion.
In recent years, because of Concubine Wei, many members of the Wei family have entered the court.
They are all the backbone of the court.
For a moment, the number of people on both sides was almost the same, and they also had the support of old ministers such as Tang Jian and Cheng Yaojin.
Both sides held their own views and refused to give in to each other.
Eventually, it evolved into a confrontation between officials from aristocratic families and the Wei family and a group of old ministers.
The noble family said they had witnesses, and Cheng Yaojin said the witnesses were fake and had been bribed.
There was a huge quarrel and chaos.
Only Changsun Wuji, Ma Zhou and other chief officials of the three provinces and princes and dukes did not speak, but just watched the scene quietly.
Li Tai and Li Zhi stood in front and watched expressionlessly.
Even Li Chengqian didn't expect that even though Li Shen was so unpopular, there were still people speaking up for him.
Li Chengqian, a member of the Wei family, could understand it, after all, it was because of Concubine Wei.
But what are these old ministers doing?
(The names, official positions, and titles in the article are all real.)