Chapter 47: Matches
Li Yuanji looked at Li Shimin and then at Zhangsun Wuji.
So you two are playing a double act with me here, trying to fool people?
Li Shimin kept saying that reselling official titles was a crime, and Zhangsun Wuji kept saying that he could donate some grain as food and fodder for the army, and when the army returned victorious, he could use military merit to offset the crime.
Isn't this a clear indication to him that he can take out some grain to serve as fodder for the army, and then Li Shimin will use his military merits to atone for his crime and shut up those censors?
The problem is that he is also one of the commanders of this military expedition.
Not to mention defeating Liu Heita, even if Li Shimin managed to defeat the Turks as well, he would still have contributed to that.
He also used Li Shimin's military merits to help him atone for his crimes?!
Li Yuanji figured out that Li Shimin came to take advantage of him because he had too much food.
No wonder Li Shimin abandoned all his generals and officers and came to find him.
If there was such an opportunity to get something for free, he would abandon all the officers and run to find the other party.
"Since you have set your sights on the grain I have, just say so. Why bother to scare me with such a lame excuse?"
Li Yuanji rolled his eyes, looked at Li Shimin and said indifferently.
Exchange food for military merits, and then use military merits to atone sins?
Whether Li Shimin could win was still an unknown in the eyes of others. The prisoners were crazy to gamble with their family's lives on an unknown outcome.
Moreover, he was the commander-in-chief of the rear army, so Li Shimin had to inform him before making such an important decision.
Li Shimin made the decision without informing him, so how could he trust it?
"Hahaha……"
When Li Shimin heard what Li Yuanji said, he was not embarrassed at all. Instead, he laughed and said to Changsun Wuji: "Fuji, I told you that Silang is no longer the same as he was before, but you didn't believe me and insisted on testing him. How do you feel when Silang saw through your tricks?"
Chang Sun Wuji smiled bitterly and said, "I have offended Your Highness the Prince of Qi. Please punish me."
As he said this, Changsun Wuji stood up, bowed to Li Yuanji, and waited for Li Yuanji's punishment.
Li Yuanji curled his lips.
How could he have the nerve to embarrass Li Shimin's brother-in-law in front of Li Shimin?
Li Shimin would not give him this opportunity.
Before he could speak, Li Shimin smiled and said, "You are Guanyinbi's brother, and Silang has to call you brother in private, so how could he blame you?
Sit down, and never underestimate Silang from now on.
If it happens again, Shiro will punish you, and I won’t help you.”
Li Shimin's combination of defense and attack not only helped Changsun Wuji out of the predicament, but also brought the three people closer together.
Even if Li Yuanji was angry, he couldn't get angry.
Li Yuanji said calmly: "Since my second brother said so, how can I blame Shangdang Gong? It's just that it's better to say less jokes like this in the future. I have a bad temper and I might get angry if I hear too many jokes."
Li Shimin's words brought the three people closer together, while Li Yuanji's words separated the three people from each other.
If Li Shimin talked about personal feelings, then he would talk about status and position.
Li Shimin hit a snag and felt a little embarrassed.
Changsun Wuji was even more embarrassed.
"How can Shiro be so inhumane?"
Li Shimin deliberately put on a stern face and gave him a lecture.
Li Yuanji glanced at Li Shimin and said straight to the point: "If Second Brother doesn't want the grain in my hand, I will definitely be very approachable."
Li Shimin hit a snag again, and could only persuade him with emotion and reason: "I don't want to worry about the little food in your hand, but you should know how difficult the Tang Dynasty is now.
The army needs food when it goes out to fight, the refugees fleeing from Hebei also need food, and when we defeat Liu Heita and pacify the people of Hebei, we will also need food.
The Grand Chancellor of the East Shaanxi Circuit tried his best but could only raise enough food for the army to set out on the expedition.
The refugees who fled from Hebei to Luoyang don’t have to worry about starving because of your help.
But what about the people who are still in Hebei?"
Li Yuanji pondered and did not speak in a hurry.
Li Shimin wanted the grain in his hands for the sake of the people of Hebei, so he was not so disgusted.
He could see how hard life was for the people of Hebei from the refugees who fled from Hebei to Luoyang.
The people of Hebei have long been living in misery after experiencing one turmoil after another.
After Liu Heita's disturbance, the people of Hebei will definitely live a more miserable life.
By the time the Tang army put down Liu Heita's rebellion, Hebei had probably become a place with starving people everywhere and nine out of ten houses empty.
Naturally, he would not refuse to contribute to the people of Hebei.
In this kind of matter, some little thoughts, some little tempers, some little tempers, all stand aside.
"After helping the refugees in Luoyang, I have some food left, but it's still not enough to help the people in Hebei. Even if you take away the food I have, it's just a drop in the bucket."
Li Yuanji spoke frankly.
Hebei has more than a dozen states. Even after experiencing one turmoil after another, the number of people left in the end is probably in the millions.
The little bit of food he had was not even enough to fill the gaps in the people's stomachs.
Li Shimin looked at Li Yuanji deeply and said, "Aren't you selling official positions?"
Li Yuanji glanced at Li Shimin and said unhappily, "I have almost sold all the officials I have. I have no more officials to sell."
Li Shimin smiled calmly and said, "I still have..."
Li Yuanji was stunned and looked at Li Shimin in astonishment.
The greatest emperor in history wants to resell official titles?
"You don't have to be surprised. As long as I can get food from those wealthy families and help the people of Hebei, I can sell my official position."
Li Shimin said seriously.
He has his own little thoughts , but he also cares about the people of Hebei.
He knew very well that the foundation of the Li Tang Dynasty was the people. If the people of Hebei could survive this disaster, Hebei would soon be able to revive.
If most of the people in Hebei died in this disaster, it would probably take Hebei many years to recover.
He was about to become the successor of Li Tang, so naturally he hoped to inherit a vibrant Hebei, rather than a Hebei with starving people everywhere and nine out of ten houses empty.
Li Yuanji stared at Li Shimin thoughtfully, trying to guess what Li Shimin was thinking.
Li Shimin said openly: "Many of my officials hold multiple posts. I can ask them to give up some unimportant posts. There are also many vacancies for my subordinates.
By the time we pacify Hebei, there will still be a large number of official vacancies in Hebei.
My father has entrusted me with the appointment of official positions in various places in Hebei.
These official positions can be given to you to sell together."
Li Yuanji looked at Li Shimin in astonishment.
Does Li Shimin want him to be a white glove?
Li Shimin gets the good stuff but bears the bad reputation?
Isn't this a bit unauthentic?
And the size of Li Shimin's spending is a bit shocking?
As for the ministers under Li Shimin, each of them was either a duke or a marquis, and their part-time jobs were all high-ranking positions.
Most of them were appointed by Li Yuan. Can they be sold?
There are dozens of prefectures in Hebei, and thousands of officials can be appointed, including some high-ranking positions such as governors and general managers. Can these be sold?
"Why, you don't dare to answer it?"
Seeing Li Yuanji's shocked expression, Li Shimin said with a smile.
Li Yuanji came to his senses but didn't say anything.
Then Li Shimin said, "You are frightened by such a small position. I am going to report to my father and ask him to give you some vacant positions in the court."
Li Yuanji suddenly had the urge to curse.
Li Shimin is trying to trick him.
The kind that's designed to kill you.
If he really sold all the official positions that could be sold throughout the Tang Dynasty, his reputation in the Tang Dynasty would be ruined.
To describe it as a place where the stink is so strong that it stinks for ten miles is an understatement.
"Second brother, do you want to kill me?!"
Li Yuanji spoke bluntly.
Li Shimin stared at Li Yuanji and said with a smile: "You and I are from the same mother. How could I possibly want to kill you?"
Li Yuanji stared at Li Shimin and said, "You asked me to help you sell thousands of official positions. What's the difference between that and asking for my life?"
Once a person's reputation reaches the point where it is so bad that it can be smelled ten miles away, then being alive is worse than being dead.
When you are alive, people will curse you wherever you go.
Death can give you peace.
Li Shimin smiled and said, "Don't you realize that no one else can do this except you?"
Li Yuanji rolled his eyes.
Yes, I have a high status and position, second only to three people. If I don’t resell official titles and abuse power, I would be unworthy of my status and position.
I have a bad reputation and am used to being scolded. It doesn't matter if I bear more insults.
The most important thing is, as the fourth son of the royal family, if I have a good reputation, it will only make you jealous, and if I have a bad reputation, then you will feel at ease.
But why should I burn myself to light you?
Do you think I'm a match?!
Although I have no intention of competing with you, I also don't want to be your pawn or puppet!
"I think my second brother is more suitable than me."
Li Yuanji said expressionlessly.
The smile on Li Shimin's face froze and he winked at Changsun Wuji. Changsun Wuji tactfully stood up, apologized, and left the side hall.
Li Shimin's gaze fell on Xie Shufang again.
Xie Shufang looked at Li Yuanji despite the oppressive feeling that Li Shimin conveyed to him with his eyes.
Li Yuanji knew that Li Shimin wanted to tell him something private, but he didn't want to listen.
"Second brother, just speak frankly. Uncle Xie is one of us, so there is no need to be shy."
Li Yuanji said indifferently.
Li Shimin glanced at Li Yuanji and ordered Xie Shufang, "Pass on my military order and ask all officers to come to the front hall of Luoyang Palace in one hour to discuss the military situation."
Li Shimin gave the order as the commander-in-chief, and Xie Shufang, a subordinate general, had no way to refuse.
Li Yuanji had no way to keep him because Li Shimin was the commander-in-chief of the army and he was just a general manager.
“Yes!”
Xie Shufang agreed reluctantly and left the side hall.
After Xie Shufang left, Li Shimin looked at Li Yuanji with deep eyes and said, "Silang, our Li Tang dynasty has only been established for four years, and its foundation is still shallow.
There are not only Liu Heita, but also Liang Shidu and the Turks who can bring chaos to the Li Tang Dynasty.
Some of those who surrendered to us, Li Tang, would fight back and become our enemies when we were in trouble.
Some of the people who have suffered under the rule of Li Tang are ready to rebel at any time.
What we can do is to conquer the rebels and appease the people.
But whether it is to conquer the rebels or to pacify the people, food is needed."
