Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 443
"Shut up!" Seeing that his younger brother blamed himself in turn, Li Shan angrily reprimanded in a low voice.

Li Cunyou was mediocre in talent and learning, and he relied on his elder brother Li Shanchang for his livelihood. Even he felt resentful because of the failure of the treasure banknote, let alone other court officials.

Li Shanchang turned his head and saw that those court princes who had bowed their knees to him a few days ago were now secretly complaining.He couldn't help feeling a little bit in his heart, he wanted to use the benefits of treasure to lure the court officials back, but he didn't want the superiors to play cards unreasonably.I couldn't make a move, and I was devouring myself...

"Li Xiang, you can come up with a way!" Zhan Tong, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, said anxiously.In the court hall, he was the only one who risked his death to play the performance. This time, he must bear the brunt of the additional business tax imposed on the family members of the court officials.If nothing is done, the family property that I have worked so hard to save may be lost...

Under the panic and eagerness, the tone of Li Shanchang was already somewhat unkind.

This is the disadvantage of winning people's hearts with the benefits of gold and silver. Once there is no profit, not only will others no longer be obedient, but they will even beat them back in their hearts, blaming those who tried to lure people for not getting benefits.Seeing the sad faces of his father and second uncle, Li Shanchang's eldest son, Li Qi, was secretly happy.

It's good that the matter of the treasure money fell through, so that the father would not be able to be a powerful minister.Since ancient times, how can a powerful minister end well?The Li family is clearly already ranked as the Duke of the state, and the wealth is extremely high...

"Don't be impatient, gentlemen, I will think about it." Contrary to what Li Qi thought, Li Shanchang did not give up this opportunity. "Today's plan, we need to first dispel the idea of ​​the higher authorities wanting to levy business taxes."

"Whether it is treasure notes or tax increases, the fundamental purpose is to gather wealth for the court and solve the crisis of the treasury's financial shortage."

"Then, as long as this method of levying business taxes fails to amass wealth..."

All the officials were stunned, and Zhan Tong said tremblingly, "Could it be that Prime Minister Li wants me to wait...to resist the tax?"

"Your Majesty has something to say first, and those who refuse to pay will be punished. This..."

"Haha, if you are concerned, you will be in chaos. Your Majesty's increase of business tax must be passed through the Ministry of Households?"

"There is no need to take risks to fight against taxes. Just now, the old man thought of a perfect method..."

As he spoke, so and so, and so and so, he narrated the plan he had thought of.

Following Li Shanchang's words, the apprehensive officials gradually became less anxious, and all of them praised Li Xiang for his wisdom.Behind Li Shanchang, the more Li Qi listened, the more frightened he became.

"Father was blinded by the desire for power in his heart, and it went too far!" Looking at his father who was praised by all the stars, Li Qi was already in a cold sweat.

"If His Majesty finds out about this matter...wouldn't it be...deceitful?"

"...No, for my Li family's survival, I need to find a way..."

Li Qi gradually made a decision in his heart.

……

On this side, Zhu Su came to the Prince's Mansion together with Zhu Yan after he finished his business tax plan.

It's not just looking for Zhu Biao, Zhu Di, Zhu Xi, and Mu Ying are also here.As soon as he saw Mu Ying, Zhu Su told him the good news of the successful steelmaking, and Mu Ying was also overjoyed.

"Your Highness the Third Highness actually refined low-carbon steel? That's great! So, Xiao Wu, what you said, those Thunderbolts that you can carry around, and the new-style Firecrackers that can be fired continuously without worrying about exploding the chamber, Can they all be built?" Mu Ying's eyes shone brightly.

"It's still thanks to Lao Wu's blueprints. Moreover, to make those firearms, you need a lathe and other precision trial production..." He said, looking at Zhu Su: "Old Wu, what other blueprints do you have? Leave it to me as well. You are so unreliable, how can you concentrate on these boring trial productions."

"Besides, you are already in charge of the Guozijian, and the second brother and the fourth child also have positions. I have already applied to my father for the position of head of the Ministry of Industry. How many of these important weapons of the state do you have in your belly? Take them all out and give them to me."

I always feel that there is something in Zhu Yan's words, and his eyes are also difficult to understand. It seems that he can't hide from this shrewd third brother, so Zhu Su can only laugh at him and talk about him: "Okay, okay. I'll take the blueprint of the lathe and so on later. Send it to the third brother. The research and development of firecrackers, boats, cannons, etc., will depend on the third brother."

"With the new weapons, our Ming Dynasty will expand its territory to the outside world, and it will be like adding wings to a tiger!" Zhu Di also said excitedly. "Although Jin Yiwei's position is also prestigious, but now that I think about it, it is still enjoyable to lead troops and kill the enemy on the battlefield."

"Old Five, when is Dad going to send troops to destroy Bei Yuan, do you have an idea?"

"The centipede of the Northern Yuan Dynasty is not so easy to destroy." Zhu Su said with a smile. "But I think what dad means, I guess he wants to deal with Wajima first."

"We have planted a secret on Wa Island before. As long as things progress, Mr. Gao and others will definitely persuade the royal family of Wa Kingdom and submit a letter of credence to my Ming Dynasty to invite soldiers."

"Washima is rich in resources. Taking them can not only eradicate the Japanese pirates forever, but also greatly enhance the national strength. When the time comes to station troops in the Wa country, it is the time when new weapons will be of great use!"

As soon as this remark came out, several people were all excited. Seeing that Zhu Dimuying was gearing up, Zhu Biao almost wished he could fly to Wa Island immediately, and couldn't help laughing: "Fifth brother, don't tease them. It's still a good idea to say these things at this time." It's too early."

"If you want to conquer the Japanese, you need to build ships, guns, and cannons. You also need to have a rich treasury and peace in the government and the public. Now the fifth brother is reforming Confucianism, and the father is also purging the government. You must calm down internal worries before you can concentrate on foreign affairs. These things should not be rushed. .”

"Your Highnesses, Lord Song Lian and Uncle Chengyi are asking to see each other." Several brothers were chatting when a servant came in to report.

"Oh, they must be looking for me." Zhu Su stood up. "After all, I am still young, so I need to ask these two elders to come out to help me with some things."

"Brother, let me borrow the study in the house."

"Let's go." Zhu Biao said with a smile.His own servant came forward and led Zhu Su to the study.After a while, someone brought Song Lian and Liu Bowen over, and Zhu Su quickly stood up to greet them: "I should have gone to find the two gentlemen in person, but there are so many things in the city that I can't get away from them. The two gentlemen have worked hard."

"It's okay, it's okay." Song Lian laughed. "Bo Chengyi and I have been away from the mansion for a long time, and this time when we return to the city, it's a good time to go home and have a look."

"I don't know if His Royal Highness called the two of us here, what advice do you have?"

Zhu Su asked the two to sit down, and respectfully poured good tea for the two old men, Fang said seriously: "To be honest, there are indeed two important matters that need the assistance of the two gentlemen respectively."

"Father Meng holds high esteem and wants me to be in charge of the Imperial Academy. Previously, many Confucian scholars had far-fetched ideas, and those who misinterpreted the meaning of the saints often suffered from the Imperial Academy."

"As the Imperial Academy's sacrificial wine, this king presides over such a place where the country's talents are used, so naturally we must be more cautious."

"Therefore... this king is going to compile a book to speak for the country and redefine the world of Confucianism!" Zhu Su said.

(End of this chapter)