hsntnovel Chapter 2648 Set the Tone
Chapter 2648 Set the Tone
Li Shen tearfully recounted his tragic experiences over the years, a story that moved all who heard and saw it to tears.
When he gets emotional, Li Shen will wipe the corner of his eye with his sleeve.
Looking back, I originally wanted to take advantage of the situation, but I only managed to get the opportunity to build the city after arguing my case in the imperial court.
But who would have thought that building a city would be so expensive, and he even developed cement technology for it.
This is Li Shen's biggest investment failure in all these years. The relationship between Tibet and the Tang Dynasty is complicated now, which has a great impact on the tea-horse trade. There is no way to make back the cost in the short term.
Now that Li Chengqian is making him build a city, does he think he's gone mad, or does he think he's crazy?
"Tenth Brother, you've really had a tough time. Here's what we'll do: if you're willing to build the city, then we'll stick to the old rules. The imperial court will only take 50% of all the profits, and the rest will be yours."
Li Chengqian was completely immune to Li Shen's tearful pleas and seriously discussed terms with Li Shen.
Li Shen was almost laughing in exasperation at Li Chengqian.
"Hehe, big brother, you're really good at scheming. The rest is all mine. You can just say it's 50/50. I'm all grown up now, I'm not a child anymore."
I've been swindling people since I was ten. Your tricks are old news to me.
I don't want the court's 50% cut. Let the court build the city itself; then I can still do business there, right?
Hmph, trying to play these tricks on me? While I was lying, you were still lying on your comfortable machine gun.
Li Shen felt disdain.
"Alright, Gaoming, let the imperial court build the city. Conscripting laborers won't cost much."
Furthermore, it's not like we're building a major city.
Finally, seeing that Li Shen truly had no intention of getting involved, Li Shimin spoke to Li Chengqian.
Since the city was built in the north, not on the border, there was no need to build it into a major city for the Tiele tribe.
Otherwise, if they rebel, wouldn't it be easy to defend but difficult to attack?
"Yes, Father." Li Chengqian accepted the order; he simply wanted to save the court some money.
Building cities throughout the north is quite expensive.
"Yes, the academy should also be built together. With Lao Shi here, doing business shouldn't be difficult."
As for the land…”
Li Shimin stroked his beard and began to think as he spoke.
“Father, forget about the land. They are a nomadic people, and there are grasslands everywhere. It would be easier to manage without land to grow crops.”
As long as they obey, we can provide them with cheap food, even cheaper than that of the Tang Dynasty.
I will also open a chamber of commerce there at that time.
Control their economic lifeline and their food supply; given enough time, it won't be so easy for them to rebel.
Li Shen offered his suggestion. Imperialist methods can sometimes be quite effective.
"Well, then so be it." Li Shimin nodded after hearing this.
And so, the three of them settled on the overall tone here, and then discussed the specific details with the three provinces and six ministries.
Li Shimin was still alive, and these people knew it was His Majesty's will, so they dared not object.
At this moment, all the veteran ministers are afraid of one thing: that His Majesty will take them with him when he leaves.
Or perhaps they were eliminated in order to ensure the succession of the crown prince.
No one knew better than them how ruthless the current emperor was; they had witnessed it firsthand.
There are many things that are unknown to others, and they have guessed some of them.
So many orphans of the late emperor died mysteriously, and the concubines of the late emperor who opposed Your Majesty died mysteriously. How many people were buried with you in Xianling?
Although it was heartless and not recorded in history, these people knew it all too well.
So at this point, no one dared to oppose the emperor, since they couldn't endure it for more than a few years anyway.
There's no reason for someone to be the crown prince for decades. Li Chengqian is already thirty years old. All they can do now is endure and obey whatever His Majesty says.
Everyone else present was deeply moved by this scene, especially Zhou Daowu, who was standing at the very back.
Unexpectedly, Prince Ji was able to participate in the formulation of national policies. He had always thought that Li Shen did not participate in politics and that his unbridled behavior was entirely due to His Majesty's favor.
Now it seems that's not the case.
Li Zhi felt a mix of emotions. That scoundrel Li Shen was actually able to get involved in politics, while he could only watch from the sidelines.
What merits or abilities does this guy possess that makes Aye trust him so much?
After the matter was settled, Li Shimin took a sip of tea and, as if chatting casually, asked Li Shen:
"You're going back to Xizhou?"
"Yes, my son still has some things to finish over there." Li Shen nodded and lay down.
"Guo Xiaoke is already back, why are you going back? What good things can you possibly do there?"
Li Shimin chuckled.
"Wasn't it said that Guo Xiaoke was going to be punished?" Li Shen was taken aback after hearing this.
He seemed to remember that he was going to punish Guo Xiaoke.
"This hasn't been decided yet. If it's about punishment, then as your elder brother said, we'll send Chai Zhewei to serve as the Protector-General of the Anxi Protectorate."
Li Shimin said.
Guo Xiaoke committed such a grave mistake that Li Shimin would have had him executed long ago if it weren't for the fact that he was a meritorious official.
“Chai Zhewei…” Li Shennian uttered this name.
"You bastard, don't you know Chai Zhewei?" Li Shimin kicked Li Shen and shouted angrily.
Li Shen winced in pain, his face contorted in agony.
“Tenth brother, Chai Zhewei is the eldest son of my aunt Pingyang, and he inherited the title of Duke of Qiao. That Chai Lingwu is his younger brother.”
Li Chengqian kindly explained.
“I know who Chai Zhewei is. How could I not recognize my aunt Pingyang’s eldest son?” Li Shen glared at Li Chengqian, annoyed.
Then he said to his father:
"Father, I just want to ask about Chai Zhewei's abilities, reliability, and character."
The Western Regions have just been pacified, and the people are still unsettled. If we send a spoiled brat there, given his character and tendency to misbehave, it would be disastrous.
Won't Xizhou descend into chaos then?
I've heard that Chai Zhewei has a tainted past."
Li Shen was somewhat worried, mainly because of his businesses there. Xizhou couldn't afford to fall into chaos again, otherwise he would never be able to earn back the money he had lost.
He even sent people to inquire about Chai Zhewei.
He was afraid that after Guo Xiaoke left, Chai Zhewei would be the same kind of person, only doing things for money and having no ability whatsoever.
"You found out about this too?"
Li Shimin was still somewhat surprised. This happened several years ago, and it was handled very discreetly back then, without any major conflict.
I never expected that this rebellious son could be found out.
"Father, the specifics of the matter were not found out at the time. I only know that it seems that it was due to corruption back then, and Father did not punish her severely because of my aunt."
Li Shen shook his head. He had only asked Wang Xuance to inquire casually at the imperial court.
"Alas, since you already know, then I will tell you. It did happen back then, but the person who committed corruption was not Chai Zhewei himself."
He was actually his wife's brother-in-law.
(A song that breaks my heart~~~~~)