I opened a tavern in Datang/Datang: My peerless talent was exposed

These words are not only for Zhang Nuo, but also to reassure Changsun Wuji's heart, directly pointing out that he is not a fickle person, and will not forget Changsun Wuji's contributions over the years.

Changsun Wuji also recovered now, and hurriedly made amends when he had nothing to say,

"Hehe, I'm also very surprised. The main reason is that Zhang's words are too scary."

Zhang Nuo is not convinced anymore, what's the matter, you still don't believe what my buddies said, right?

Is it true that he memorized history test papers and history exercises in vain back then?

You know, it is clearly recorded in history that after Li Shimin's death, Tang Gaozong Li Zhi, who succeeded Li Shimin, not only exiled Changsun Wuji to Qianzhou, but also forced Changsun Wuji to hang himself to death.

This was the most tragic end among the 24 heroes in Lingyan Pavilion. Tang Gaozong Li Zhi was his nephew.

It is precisely because of this original historical background that Zhang Nuo is very confident at the moment,

"What's so scary about this, you have to know that not every emperor is as wise as the current emperor."

"Your Majesty dares to use the eldest grandson today because he has the mind and means, but what about the future emperor? By then, the eldest grandson must have already become an extremely powerful minister. Do you really dare to continue to use it like this?"

"The eldest grandson is the prince's real uncle! How could the prince..."

Li Shimin retorted almost immediately. This was the first time he interrupted Zhang Nuo's narration. He didn't know whether he didn't want to hear it, or he didn't dare to hear such words at all.

As an emperor who killed brothers and brothers and snatched the throne from life to life, what Li Shimin was most afraid of was that this kind of thing would retribution to his own descendants.

So even though Chengqian is still young, he has established Li Chengqian as the prince early on, taught him to care for his brothers and sisters since he was a child, and invited famous Confucian officials to teach Li Chengqian.

At the same time, he also confessed to those great Confucian officials that they must be stricter and stricter in teaching Li Chengqian, and they must not teach a bastard.

But what is Zhang Nuo talking about now?

He actually said that the crown prince would kill his eldest grandson Wuji and his own uncle after succeeding to the throne?

How can this be?

But he didn't realize that even the tone of the voice he yelled just now had become sharper.

On the contrary, Changsun Wuji was completely relieved at the moment. It turned out that it was not Li Shimin who wanted to kill him, but the future emperor.

Whether he can live to that time is still up for debate, after all Li Shimin is younger than him.Besides, it's a big deal to resign and go home when the time comes, so Mingzhe can protect himself.

So, instead, he asked easily,

"Shopkeeper Xiao Zhang, do you think the prince will attack his own uncle in the future?"

Holding the wine glass, Zhang Nuo drank it down in one gulp, then took a deep breath, and said quietly,

"My eldest grandson is not the prince's own uncle!"

Chapter 17

The conversation at noon today was really full of ups and downs and climaxes. Even Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji, the monarch and his ministers, who had never changed their faces before the collapse of Mount Tai, lost their composure several times.

It can be seen how shocking Zhang Nuo's remarks are.

The food was finished, the wine was drunk enough, and even the chat was full. Before coming here, the two monarchs and ministers who wanted to talk to Zhang Nuo about the collection of the treasury had nothing to do at the moment.

With a forced smile, he cupped his hands at Zhang Nuo, Li Shimin untied the money bag directly, didn't bother to pay for it, put it on the table, and then left.

After Zhang Nuo sent the two to the door and watched them get into the carriage, he happily returned to the table and picked up the money bag left by Lao Li.

Just weigh it casually, hey, I'm afraid there must be more than three sticks, yesterday's expenses have been earned back, happy——

Changsun Wuji originally wanted to go back to the yamen, but it was only noon, and he followed Li Shimin to play dress-up after the court today, and he hadn't even dealt with the official affairs of the official department.

But Li Shimin dragged him to the palace, and went straight into the Lizheng Hall. He looked at Changsun Wuji seriously and said,

"Auxiliary machine, you don't have to worry too much about Xiao Zhang's words today, Cheng Qianzhen will teach you well, and today is a wake-up call for me."

"I'm still not enough in Chengqian's teaching. I will absolutely not allow the future emperor of the Tang Dynasty to become a heartless person."

Changsun Wuji looked calm at the moment, as if the person who Zhang Nuo mentioned just now had a bad end was not his eldest grandson Wuji at all, and replied with a smile,

"Your Majesty, everyone has their own source of blessings. Your Majesty has valued your ministers. High officials and rich salary have never been missing. I am already satisfied."

"As for the future after the Crown Prince succeeds to the throne, I'm afraid I won't be able to live until that time. Even if I manage to survive to that day, I'm sure I'll be old and dim-sighted, and I can only stay at home to take care of myself. Naturally, I don't have to worry about not having a good death."

Having said that, in fact, Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji have already completed a confession.

Li Shimin naturally promised to continue to reuse Changsun Wuji, and Changsun Wuji said that if he really survives until the next emperor succeeds, he will definitely resign as soon as possible and go home to take care of him, and he will resolutely not get involved in these things.

This is to show Li Shimin that he has no intention of interfering with the change of imperial power, and absolutely obeys Li Shimin's arrangements.

After the two sides confessed, they both secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

However, since this topic has already been discussed, it is not suitable to continue in-depth, and the two of them will be taboo if they continue to talk.

So Li Shimin naturally brought up another topic that both of them were interested in,

"Auxiliary machine, when you saw it today, what do you think of this shopkeeper Xiao Zhang?"

After Changsun Wuji pondered for a while, he said seriously,

"I have a unique vision, a deep chest and a talent for ghosts and gods!"

Li Shimin was a little surprised, he didn't expect that after such a chat today, Changsun Wuji would have such a high opinion of Xiao Zhang's shopkeeper.

What is the talent of ghosts and gods?

It means that the world can no longer tolerate this evildoer, and what he does is basically not what normal people can do. This is called the talent of ghosts and gods.

Changsun Wuji went on to say,

"Your Majesty, think about it. Next year will be the first year of Zhenguan, but this shopkeeper Xiao Zhang can think about the next year right now. Who would think so far without being a ghost?"

Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, he has just ascended the throne of God.

It is only planned to change to Zhenguan reign name next year, but at this moment, shopkeeper Xiao Zhang has already helped Changsun Wuji to calculate the next emperor.

This kind of thing is really not something that ordinary people can do, and it really deserves the evaluation of Changsun Wuji's "talent of ghosts and gods".

Originally, the two wanted to continue chatting with shopkeeper Xiao Zhang, but the servant reported outside the door that Cai Guogong and Minister of the Ministry of War Du Ruhui asked to see him.

Although Li Shimin had told the servant before that he wanted to talk to Changsun Wuji alone, the others disappeared, but the servant was the most discerning, knowing that Du Ruhui, a confidant, was different from the others.

Sure enough, Li Shimin let Du Ruhui in as soon as he reported it.

Even before Du Ruhui saluted, Li Shimin shouted there,

"Keming (Du Ruhui's nickname) is free of courtesy, there is no one else, we don't have to be so polite between our monarchs and ministers."

But Du Ruhui still respectfully saluted before speaking,

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion, but etiquette cannot be discarded after all!"

Li Shimin felt helpless for this courtier who was both a teacher and a friend. Du Ruhui was ten years older than him.

Naturally, it is not an exaggeration to respect such an old official, but Du Ruhui is extremely stubborn in this regard, and Li Shimin can only obey him again and again.

Du Ruhui didn't talk nonsense, and said directly,

"Your Majesty, now that winter is approaching, the surrounding Turkic, Hun, Xianbei and other countries are about to move, and there is a high probability that they will invade the border again this winter."

"Originally, at this time, it is time to prepare troops and prepare armaments, but now the treasury is empty, and even though I have tried every means, it is still difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice!"

Hearing that he came to cry and beg for money, Li Shimin felt a headache and his brain was buzzing.

No way, I discussed this matter with Zhangsun Wuji yesterday, but I couldn't think of a way out. I originally planned to try my luck at Xiao Zhang's shopkeeper today.

As a result, Zhang Nuo's shocking words directly made the monarch and his ministers come back without even opening their mouths.

But before he could discuss any solution, Du Ruhui came to the door again.

But Li Shimin is not the kind of emperor who does not take responsibility, he said frankly,

"Keming, I have been discussing with the auxiliary machine for two consecutive days, but I haven't come up with a good plan yet. You are the inspector, what advice do you have?"

The so-called school servant is actually a temporary position, which is roughly equivalent to doing the work of a prime minister, but it is not the name of a prime minister, but a very important position.

If Du Ruhui was just the minister of the Ministry of War, then he could just ask for money. After all, his job was to deal with the military and war affairs of the whole country.

But it’s not enough to be a school attendant, because the whole Tang Dynasty has to be in charge of it, inside and out, and the treasury has no money?Then you, the school inspector, don't hurry up and think of a way?

Although Du Ruhui smiled wryly in his heart, he actually guessed about this situation before he came, so he answered directly,

"Your Majesty, why don't you temporarily increase the tax for three years, and after these few years, how about reducing the tax?"

"No!"

Before Li Shimin could speak, Changsun Wuji took the lead in vetoing it!

"Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and it is time to gather the hearts of the people. If taxes are raised at this time, the people's minds will change, and Keming still hopes to speak carefully!"

Chapter 18

How did Du Ruhui not know that raising taxes at this time would easily arouse public anger?

But seeing that the war is about to start, it is a certainty that the Turks will invade the border this winter.

Once the armaments are not well organized and the war goes wrong, if there is another Weishui alliance, he will be the minister of the Ministry of war.

So in comparison, in Du Ruhui's view, as long as he made it clear to the people that the tax increase will only increase for three years, after these few years, when the national treasury gradually fills up, it will naturally return to the state of levity and levity.

Therefore, he is still advocating tax increases at this moment, and began to persuade Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, as long as the supervision is in place and officials are prevented from raising taxes layer by layer and other exorbitant taxes, the temporary three-year tax increase will definitely not shake the foundation of the country."

"However, if the armament and training are not effective, it will be a major event that will really shake the foundation of our country. Please think twice, Your Majesty!"

Speaking of this, Du Ruhui is also dark-bellied, and added secretly,

"It's not that there are other ways. If His Majesty can subsidize or lend part of the internal funds to the national treasury, there is no need to increase taxes."

Li Shimin stared blankly at Du Ruhui, not knowing what to say.

Du Laohei, Du Laohei, you really dare to kill me. I thought you were thinking of the people with thick eyebrows, but I never expected that you would actually do something to me!

Speaking of internal money, it is actually the emperor's private money, which is mainly responsible for the salaries of the eunuchs and maids in the entire palace, the maintenance of the palace, and the expenses of the concubines in the harem.

As an upright, upright, self-restraining and dedicated emperor, Li Shimin's small coffers have never been full.

Even Empress Changsun rarely buys new clothes and jewelry, and rarely sees any rare treasures, and it's not all because of poverty.

Otherwise, as for making a dignified empress unable to mop the floor even with her skirt?

Anyway, Li Shimin's eyes were almost full of bitter tears when he talked about his small treasury.

Thinking about other emperors, wanting to practice the palace, wanting to travel to the south of the Yangtze River, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty even played the allusion of the golden house.

But he, who is also the emperor, even went to the shopkeeper Xiao Zhang to have a meal, and he could only give copper coins as a reward, and he was reluctant to give silver, and it was all because of poverty.

But he has become so miserable, Du Laohei, who is black-hearted, actually wants to poach someone from him?

This is no longer a black heart, this is a big sunspot whose heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys are all black, so he can be so cruel!

Du Ruhui was terrified by Li Shimin's resentful gaze, and he kept muttering in his heart, as for what, didn't all dynasties come here like this!

For the courtiers, there is only so much income that the imperial court can get their hands on. If they can't start with taxation, there is no other good way to cheat some money from the internal funds other than asking the emperor to fight the autumn wind!

After a while, Li Shimin withdrew his staring gaze and said faintly,

"Du Aiqing, there is no need to mention the tax increase. I do not agree. As for the internal funds, I will save with the Queen. I estimate that we can spend [-] guan."

Before Du Ruhui opened his mouth to counter the price and planned to ask for more, Li Shimin stared at him firmly, gritted his teeth and said word by word,

"Du Aiqing, I took out all the queen's cosmetic money, not even a copper coin!"

Changsun Wuji was not in the mood to laugh at Du Ruhui, let alone Li Shimin.After all, as a courtier, the emperor and empress were forced to save money to fill the treasury.

Telling this matter is not very honorable to the courtiers, because it means that their work has not been done well, otherwise, the treasury will be empty.

Du Ruhui didn't know what to say at the moment, although he couldn't spend more money from His Majesty's internal funds.

But looking at His Majesty like this, it is not easy to have five thousand guan, it is better not to push too hard.

However, these five thousand strings are still a drop in the bucket for the entire northern border of the Tang Dynasty!

As the saying goes, the emperor does not send hungry soldiers, and the frontline soldiers fight bloody battles with their heads hung on their waists. If the money and food are not in place in time, it will be fine for a while, but if it takes a long time, there will be big problems.

In history, it was not once or twice that military mutinies were caused by money and food.

Thinking about it is also a headache.

For a while, the three monarchs and ministers looked at each other speechlessly, and could only sigh silently.