hsntnovel Chapter 2784 You Shouldn't Have Said It
Chapter 2784 You Shouldn't Have Said It
Those who are blind to the darkness of the world cannot understand the true nature of the world; neither side is able to recognize their own strength.
Tang Lin was diligent and frugal throughout his life. As the Minister of Justice, he received a considerable annual salary, but he had never actually witnessed any grand occasions.
He asked Li Shen for twenty strings of cash, which was the cost price, including the paper, ink, and labor costs for the manuscript.
A classic book might only cost a few strings of cash outside, but books written by Prince Ji, Li Shen, sell for a very high price.
Tang Lin never believed that his book could sell for the astronomical price that Prince Ji commanded.
When Wang De heard Tang Lin's words, he fell silent. What an honest and simple official! In Wang De's view, the 50,000 strings of cash were all obtained through the trickery and coercion of Prince Ji, who forced Tang Lin to agree.
If it were His Majesty, it would require at least 500,000 strings of cash, and possibly even a million.
"Minister Tang..." Wang De opened his mouth, but in the end he didn't finish his sentence. He just patted Tang Lin on the shoulder, then turned and entered the Liangyi Hall.
Wang De couldn't really comment on such an upright official. Was he stupid? Or was he not smart enough?
To be able to reach the position of Minister of Justice, a third-rank official, one must be exceptionally talented and intelligent, possessing extraordinary abilities.
But if you say he wasn't stupid, he only asked Prince Ji for twenty strings of cash.
Hasn't he heard of Prince Ji's earning power all these years? Even His Majesty can't find such an opportunity.
Tang Lin stared blankly at Wang De's disappearing figure, not understanding what Wang De meant by doing that last thing.
However, he quickly turned and left, completely disregarding his cooperation with Li Shen.
In the Ganlu Palace, Li Shimin, having drunk wine, was resting with his eyes closed on his couch.
"Your Majesty, Prince Ji is waiting outside the palace," a eunuch whispered at the door.
"Let him in," Li Shimin ordered with his eyes closed.
Soon, Li Shen strode into the study with an air of indifference, and knelt on one knee before Li Shimin:
"Your son greets Father, may Father enjoy eternal happiness and longevity, may you live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years!"
"Kneel down to the side." Li Shimin raised his eyelids slightly, his voice calm.
"Thank you, Father... um?" Li Shen was about to get up, but then he immediately realized what was going on.
"What did Father just say..." Li Shen asked uncertainly.
"I said kneel to the side." Only then did Li Shimin open his eyes and glance at Li Shen.
"But... but why?" Li Shen asked, looking puzzled.
I've only just arrived, and after all that flattery, they're making me kneel? What's going on here?
"Hmm?" Li Shimin's face darkened.
"Yes." Li Shen immediately wilted and obediently knelt down.
"Kneel over there." Li Shimin pointed with his chin to the doorway in the distance, indicating that Li Shen should kneel there.
Seeing this, Li Shen didn't get up, but instead used his knees as feet and shuffled over.
Upon seeing this, Li Shimin's lips curled up slightly, and then he closed his eyes again.
Li Shen looked at the back of his father's head, wondering if he had done anything wrong today.
He thought through everything that had happened that day.
Yeah, I was a bit arrogant in front of the city gate just now, but didn't I already give chase? I almost exhausted myself.
According to the rules, if it wasn't pursued at the time, it was considered over.
Was there a problem with the gift? But judging from my father's reaction just now, he really liked my gift, so it must have been a mistake.
Did I say something wrong during my explanation? But I didn't say anything.
Li Shen was completely baffled and began to review the events with his head down.
Shortly after, Wang De and Li Chengqian walked in.
As he passed by the door, Li Chengqian was startled to suddenly see Li Shen kneeling on the ground.
"Tenth brother, what's wrong with you...?"
Li Shen then raised his head, but instead of answering, he looked at his father and gestured with his chin towards him.
Li Chengqian immediately understood that Li Shen had been punished by his father by being forced to kneel.
So he made a helpless gesture to Li Shen, then bowed to Li Shimin.
"Greetings, Father. Is there anything else you wish to instruct me to do?"
Li Shimin opened his eyes and nodded slightly:
"There are no outsiders here, so there's no need for formalities. Please sit down."
Li Chengqian didn't stand on ceremony and sat down immediately.
"Father, what's wrong with my tenth brother...?"
"Hmph." Li Shimin glanced at Li Shen, then snorted.
"This rebellious son acts recklessly all day long; it's time to discipline him properly."
"Father, where have I gone wrong again? Please tell me."
Li Shen quickly inquired, asking if he had made any mistakes today.
"Do you think you haven't made any mistakes?" Li Shimin asked rhetorically.
"This... I think maybe there shouldn't be?"
Li Shen suddenly became somewhat insecure after being asked that question.
Li Shimin sat up and looked at Li Shen, reprimanding him:
"No? Then tell me, isn't it wrong to slaughter other races? At such a young age, you have such a strong desire to kill. Aren't you afraid of going astray?"
Although they are of a different race, as a member of the royal family, you should not utter the words of this slaughter.
This could easily become a handle for others to attack in the future.
Don't you know how many enemies you have?
Li Shimin's voice contained reproach and resentment. In officialdom, even a small flaw could become a sharp sword in someone else's hand, cutting down the opponent and leaving them with no hope of redemption.
Li Shen has many enemies; most of the civil and military officials in the court have had conflicts with him. If someone were to use this against him in the future...
It could very well become the final bargaining chip for conviction, the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
Li Shimin knew very well that his son was not good at political maneuvering; he only knew how to use force to overcome skill and cleverness to defeat a thousand pounds.
In official circles, such enthusiasm is considered reckless and can easily lead to losses.
"Father, I have no intention of killing anyone. I never said I wanted to slaughter other races," Li Shen quickly retorted.
"But you're going to capture them all and enslave them. How is that any different from slaughter?"
Li Shimin questioned him, blaming Li Shen for revealing the matter, which was tantamount to the royal family doing it.
Li Shen can do it, but he cannot say so. In the future, it can be said that someone else suggested, entrusted, or forced Li Shen to do it.
"Father, please calm down. Tenth brother is only saying this so that the Li family's rule can be more secure and so that future generations can resist foreign invaders."
Li Chengqian pleaded on the sidelines, saying that he had just seen the area around Malacca and that it was indeed very important and had extremely high strategic value.
As Li Shen said, that was a gateway to the Tang Dynasty's seas.
The capital of the Tang Dynasty was too far from the south. If it were invaded by foreign tribes, even with the fastest courier service, it would take at least half a month for a round trip.
In half a month, the enemy had already established a firm foothold, burning, killing, and looting. Even if a large army came to their aid, the enemy could simply leave because they were no match for them.
(Riding the spring breeze, the horse's hooves are swift.)