"No, it was Imperial Grandfather who told me to say it.”
Li Tai said matter-of-factly as he munched on melon seeds.
Hearing this, Li Erzhen was shocked. From the beginning to the end, they had witnessed the beginning and the end of this matter as bystanders.
From the morning court session, to the twenty-one land deeds sent by the five surnames and seven Wangs, to the seven stone tablets erected by Li Tai with the excuse of recording merit, to the final seven family heads each offering 150,000 strings, begging Li Tai to let them go.
That wasn't the money of one family.
It wasn't that the five surnames and the Seven Wangs had offered a total of 150,000 strings.
Instead, each clan had 150,000 strings of strings, and the seven clans had a total of 1,050,000 strings of strings!
One-fifth of the total tax revenue of the Great Tang last year!
They were all shocked by Li Tai's methods.
But now, Li Tai was saying that this was the Supreme Emperor's intention?
But it seemed to be right!
Li Jiancheng, Li Er, and Li Yuanji looked at each other in dismay. If every detail of the entire incident was really thought up by Li Tai alone, then it would be too terrifying!
But if it was his father, it would be different.
Since his father could think of a way to abdicate Li Tai to resolve the conflict between the Crown Prince and the King of Qin, how could he not think of a way to deal with the Five Families and Seven Wangs?
Li Jiancheng heaved a sigh of relief and muttered to himself,""Looks like I was thinking too much."
Yes, you're thinking too much.
Li Tai pretended to be innocent and blinked.
How could I have thought of this?
It must be Li Yuan!
Even if he wasn't, he had to be now. How could he be the scapegoat for offending someone?!
I'm just a child!
Li Er looked at Li Tai with a complicated expression.
He had already thought it through. If the plan against the Five Surnames and Seven Wangs was planned by Li Tai alone, it might be very suitable for this kid to sit on the throne. He could easily resolve the urgent needs of the imperial court and even backstab the Five Surnames and Seven Wangs. This scheming was enough to secure the throne.
But now that he heard it, it didn't seem right.
If it's Imperial Father's decree, it has nothing to do with you!
No matter who sits on the throne, as long as they listen to the arrangements of the Supreme Emperor, anyone can be the emperor, such as me!
Just as Li Er was deep in thought, Li Tai's tender voice suddenly sounded,""Oh right, the matter that Imperial Grandfather instructed has been completed. Shen Lian, go and inform Prime Minister Pei of this matter and let him pass it on to Imperial Grandfather!”
"Here!"
Shen Lian respectfully cupped his fists and turned to leave.
————
At this moment, Taiji Palace, Yin and Yang Palace.
"Achoo!"
Li Yuan sneezed and rubbed his nose in confusion. The weather was getting hotter and hotter. Why was he sneezing? He didn't catch a cold.
Shaking his head, Li Yuan sighed. The days of the Supreme Emperor were a little idle.
On the second day after becoming the Supreme Emperor, Li Yuan began to miss the feeling of being in the front hall. He couldn't help but feel a little bitter. It's not good for his son to be too good. It's also a problem if he's too good. If Jiancheng and Shimin aren't good enough, why should I be an idle Supreme Emperor?
For all of you, I have sacrificed too much!
Li Tai, that brat, was also the same. He should just sit on the throne and listen to him. What was wrong with being a salted fish little emperor? Why did he have to cause trouble blindly?
Using melon seeds to banish a minister was something that no wise emperor had ever done. Only a fatuous emperor would use such a despicable method!
Sigh.
Looks like it still depends on me!
Li Yuan let out a breath and stared at the memorial on the table.
Pei Ji had written down everything that had happened in the morning court, allowing him to understand what was happening in the front hall every day.
The other memorials were fine, but Li Yuan would get angry every time he read this one.
The imperial edict that was given to Pei Ji yesterday had been delayed for more than four hours because Li Tai had come to court early today. As a result, the imperial edict could not be issued.
This brat, how can you be late when you are the Emperor? How much criticism will the civil and military officials have? Fortunately, you have this capable Imperial Grandfather here. Forget it, this matter will be settled for you!
Li Yuan lowered his head and pondered.
He naturally knew that the imperial court was short of money, but he didn't expect it to be so much!
From Pei Ji's words, he would need to take out at least 100,000 strings to alleviate the crisis of the Imperial Court.
"We still have to borrow. We can't let them donate!”
Li Yuan picked up a pen and wrote on a piece of paper while muttering to himself,"
"The Five Families and Seven Wangs have great prestige. We can't let them think that the Imperial Court is forcing them. Otherwise, if word gets out, the people will criticize them and it will be detrimental to Li Tai.”
After all, the prestige of the Five Surnames and Seven Wangs was not a joke in the hearts of the people!
Li Yuan's thoughts cleared up after he decided to borrow it. He scribbled on the paper for half an hour. After he finished writing, he picked it up and nodded in satisfaction.
Da da--
At this moment, footsteps sounded outside the hall.
Li Yuan tilted his head.
Pei Ji slightly hunched his back and respectfully said,"I, Pei Ji, pay my respects to the Supreme Emperor!"
Li Yuan smiled and waved at him.""No need to be so polite. Xuan Zhen, I have good news for you!”
Good news?
"Supreme Emperor already knows?" Pei Ji was stunned.”
Hmm? Li Yuan was startled and looked at him in confusion.""Yes, I am."
Don't you know about this matter as well? The court is short of money, and you were the one who told me about this.
Hearing Li Yuan's reply, Pei Ji's breathing quickened.
When he was at home, he did not believe what Shen Lian said. He did not expect that it was really the work of the Supreme Emperor!
It turned out that the Supreme Emperor was sitting in the Yin and Yang Palace and knew everything!
He was behind the scenes, pushing the little Emperor Li Tai to the front, and then planning strategies to win a victory thousands of miles away.
As if an electric current had passed through his mind, Pei Ji felt even more reverence in his heart. He respectfully bowed to Li Yuan and said loudly in admiration under Li Yuan's stunned gaze,"Supreme Emperor is wise!"
Li Yuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he looked at him. This Pei Ji really knows how to flatter. I've just come up with a plan, and you're already praising me. He waved his hand and said humbly,"Zhen feels that we haven't done enough."
Was it not enough?
Pei Ji's eyes widened as he looked at Li Yuan in disbelief. What did he mean?
Forcing the five surnames, seven Wangs, and seven families to donate a total of one million five hundred thousand, was this still not enough? He had almost destroyed the image and reputation of the five surnames and seven surnames in the hearts of the people. Was that not enough? Seven stone tablets were enough to separate the officials from the five surnames and seven Wangs. Was it not enough?!
Supreme Emperor, what else do you want to do?
Pei Ji suppressed the thought that frightened him and asked carefully,""Supreme Emperor, what do you think is enough?”
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