Finance had always been a big problem, and everyone knew it. Hearing Li Er's question, someone looked at Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling. Zhangsun Wuji's chubby face twitched, and his two caterpillar-like eyebrows were tightly knitted together. Fang Xuanling had basically confirmed what Li Er wanted to do, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart.
"Your Majesty, it is impossible to rush the financial matters. It is currently the autumn harvest, so it is only right."
The greatest power in this aspect was in Zhangsun Wuji's hands. It was the best result for him to come forward. However, before he could finish speaking, Li Er raised his hand and interrupted him. This was not what he wanted to hear.
Zhangsun Wuji fell silent when he saw this. The others were even more puzzled. Why was the topic of finance involved today? Among them, the generals were the most relaxed because this matter had nothing to do with them. Their existence was to train soldiers and lead them to war.
Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling would be fine with the finances.
Although he already had a conclusion in his heart, Li Er's expression still changed a little, making the hearts of all the important officials hang in the air.
In the short span of a few years, many things had happened in Zhenguan. Droughts, locust plagues, and the war with the Turks. For the sake of the people, Li Er had reduced taxes and lowered grain prices. With a series of combined attacks, it would be strange if the finances were not tight.
However, in this era, agricultural taxes were the main income of the country. This was easy to cause problems. The royal family was easily short of money. Sometimes, even Li Er's harem had to tighten their belts to live.
With the accumulated results of many years, coupled with the countless blood-sucking aristocratic families, how could these officials make the national treasury rich?
Looking at the silent ministers, Li Er made up his mind." Chang 'an County Marquis Li Chen has a method to enrich the national treasury. He has made great contributions. I hereby confer him the title of County Duke. Does anyone have any objections?”
"We have no objections."
With Fang Xuanling's advance notice, it would be meaningless for these old men who had followed Li Er for many years to jump out and apply eye drops on him. Even Wei Zheng had no meaning.
If he couldn't stop them, he would seal them! Fortunately, it was just a title. At most, they would be given some fertile land. They would not have any salary or real power.
No one jumped out to object, and Li Er felt a little better. He did not care if these ministers had communicated with each other and made an agreement. What he cared about was that no one jumped out to fight with him at this time!
With no one applying eye drops, Li Er's anger dissipated a little. He struck while the iron was hot and said,"Because Li Chen has repeatedly rendered meritorious service to the Great Tang, I can see that he doesn't have a wife or children. Thus, after some consideration, I have decided to betroth Princess Changle to him.”
"Here."
Fang Xuanling, who had already known about this outcome, promised to prepare. However, Zhangsun Wuji couldn't hold it in anymore and hurriedly stepped forward to stop him." Your Majesty, you can't!! That Li Chen is a merchant."
Halfway through his sentence, he realized that something was wrong and hurriedly corrected himself. After all, he was already a county duke, yet he still kept calling him a merchant. Li Er could not accept it. The titles were all conferred by Li Er.
"Your Majesty, that Li Chen was born poor, how can he be worthy of Princess Chang Le? Please reconsider, Your Majesty."
It would be strange if Zhangsun Wuji wasn't anxious. If he knew that Li Chen had caused Li Er to not be interested in the matter of increasing his relationship with Li Chen, he might be so angry that he would vomit blood.
Even if Zhangsun Chong had no chance, Princess Changle could not marry Li Chen.
"I have already decided on this matter. There is no need to say anything more.”
Li Er didn't give Zhangsun Wuji a chance to say anything more and directly made the decision. The other officials were still dumbfounded, especially the generals.
The situation changed so quickly that they were overwhelmed.
No one could change what Li Er had decided on. As for the impeachment afterwards, go ahead if you were not afraid of death and implicating your clansmen.
"Did Minister Fang know about this long ago?”
After leaving the main hall, Zhangsun Wuji panted heavily like an old cow. He stared at Fang Xuanling with his round eyes. The other officials also came over, especially Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong, who liked to play tricks and seemed like enemies.
Everyone present knew that Zhangsun Chong was interested in Princess Changle. Originally, Li Er and Empress Zhangsun were more enthusiastic about this matter. Although it was not decided, their inclination was very high. Who knew that in just a few months, everything had changed.
Fang Xuanling glanced at Zhangsun Wuji and said indifferently,""Could it be that this old man can change His Majesty's mind?”
Forget about Li Er, he was the emperor after all, but what did you, Zhangsun Wuji, have to think of riding on my head?
"You…"
Zhangsun Wuji was furious. He looked at the other officials who were making eyes at him and left in a hurry. After all, this was the Imperial Palace. They could not cause trouble here. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing if word got out. Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling were not like Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong.
"Everyone, there are some things that we can follow His Majesty's orders. Don't ask too many questions.”
Fang Xuanling knew that the officials were quite confused about Li Chen's betrothal to Princess Changle. He didn't want to explain, nor would he explain. He left after warning Li Chen.
There were too many things he needed to deal with next. The royal family and Li Chen were doing business together, but they could not appear in the name of the royal family. Li Er could only secretly support them and then wait for the money to be split.
As for what kind of business it was, he still needed to discuss it with Li Chen before he could find out.
"Your Majesty, the Chang 'an County Marquis has left the city.”
Before the imperial edict left the palace, someone came to report to Li Er that Li Chen had left Chang 'an for an unknown purpose.
Li Er frowned subconsciously. He didn't want Li Chen to leave Chang 'an and leave his sight, but he couldn't tie Li Chen up in Chang' an. Otherwise, with Li Chen's personality, he would turn hostile and use some strange methods to leave.
"Send someone to follow him. Don't let the thief hurt him. In addition, if he needs it, give him some convenience.”
He couldn't make it too obvious. Li Er could only send someone to follow Li Chen and secretly give him some support. However, he needed to find out what Li Chen wanted to do.
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