"Let them in."
For some reason, Li Shiming felt that something big was about to happen.
Soon, Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui walked in from outside.
When they arrived in front of Li Shi Min, the three of them cupped their hands at the same time and said,"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Why have the three beloved ministers come to find me so late at night?" Li Shimin asked.”
" Your Majesty," Zhangsun Wuji said," I just received news that there was a sudden flood outside Chang 'an City. All the roads have been flooded. Now Chang' an City has become an isolated city."”
"What?"
Hearing this, Li Shi Min was shocked.
If Chang 'an was really surrounded by the flood, what would happen to the people in the city and the imperial court?
Many things in Chang 'an City needed to be transported from outside.
Once they were surrounded by the flood, it was equivalent to cutting off their supplies.
" Your Majesty," Fang Xuanling said," the most important thing now is to think of a countermeasure. Chang 'an is surrounded by floods, and the people in the city will face the risk of food shortage.”
"His Highness the Crown Prince reminded us to stock up, but we didn't pay attention to it. It's too late to stock up now."”
"I just hope that the storm won't last for more than a few days. Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."”
However, the storm did not only last for a few days. It continued for ten days without stopping.
In the beginning, the people in Chang 'an City could still rely on the food at home to support themselves.
However, after ten days, all the people had no food in their homes.
At this time, the rich would spend a high price to buy grain, while the poor would surround the government and ask for the opening of the granaries to release grain.
However, the granary of the government had long been empty. There was no food left for them.
Imperial Palace, Taiji Palace.
Li Shi Min threw the memorial on the ground.
"Opening the warehouse to release grain again. I want to ask everyone, is there any more grain in the warehouse?”
Seeing Li Shi Min's anger, all the officials lowered their heads and no one dared to speak.
Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng and said angrily,"Wei Qing's family, didn't you say that Chang 'an wouldn't have a flood?" What explanation do you have now?"
Wei Zheng couldn't figure out why Chang 'an City suddenly flooded.
After all, it had been hundreds of years since a flood had occurred in Chang 'an.
"Your Majesty, there is always an exception.”
"An exception. If you are willing to listen to me, will an accident happen?”
When Wei Zheng heard this, he lowered his head even more.
Indeed, if he had listened to Li Shiming's suggestion to store up food in advance, he might have been able to last longer.
But now, not only did the commoners have no food, but even his family did not have much food.
Just as all the officials were at a loss, a eunuch suddenly walked into the hall and cupped his hands at Li Shimin."Your Majesty, Cui Ming, the head of the Cui family in Chang 'an, has something to ask for.”
"Chui Ming, what is he doing here?"
"I heard that Chui Ming is the head of Chang 'an's aristocratic families. He must have bad intentions in coming to the palace this time.”
"The five families have always been a threat to the Imperial Court. Now that the flood has descended from the heavens, they might want to take the opportunity to slaughter the Imperial Court.”
Hearing the discussions of the officials, Li Shi Min had many guesses.
"Let him in."
Li Shi Min still wanted to know why Chui Ming came to see him.
Soon, a thin middle-aged man in a gorgeous green robe walked into the hall.
"This commoner Cui Ming greets Your Majesty."
When he arrived at the center of the hall, he cupped his hands and said to Li Shiming.
"Cui Ming, why did you enter the palace to see me?”
Li Shi Min stared at him and asked.
As the leader of the aristocratic families in Chang 'an, Li Shiming naturally knew about Chui Ming's existence.
Chui Ming smiled and cupped his hands." I heard that the imperial court is short of grain, so I'm willing to donate 30,000 dan of grain to the imperial court."”
"What? Are you willing to donate 30,000 dan of grain to the Imperial Court?”
"That's impossible. Why would the Cui Corporation be so kind?”
Hearing Chui Ming's words, all the civil and military officials widened their eyes.
They did not believe that the Cui family would donate food to the imperial court.
The five families had always prioritized benefits.
They wouldn't do anything that didn't benefit them.
Li Shi Min knew this very well.
Not only was he not happy, but he also asked with a gloomy expression,"Tell me, what is your request for donating food to the Imperial Court?”
Chui Ming cupped his hands and smiled," Your Majesty is wise. I have no other requests. I just hope that Your Majesty can exempt the grain tax of my Chui Clan for 50 years."”
"What? Exemption from the grain tax for fifty years?”
"50 years of grain tax can buy at least 100,000 dan of grain.”
"I knew your Cui family wouldn't be so kind. Go back, I won't exempt you from the grain tax for fifty years." Li Shiming said coldly.”
He was not a fool. Fifty years of grain tax was not a small amount.
Chui Ming didn't get angry when Li Shimin didn't agree. He cupped his hands and said,"Since Your Majesty doesn't agree, then I'll take my leave. If Your Majesty thinks it through, you can send someone to find me.”
After saying that, Chui Ming swept a glance at all the officials present, then turned around and left arrogantly.
The Chui family had influence all over the country.
However, with the power behind him, he wasn't afraid of Li Shi Min at all.
Because he knew that the Imperial Court wouldn't dare to touch the five families, let alone Li Shimin.
After Chui Ming left, Li Shimin said angrily,""How dare the Cui family threaten me. The young Abbey Dean is right. Although the Tang Empire is prosperous and the people are safe, the aristocratic families are a hidden danger.”
"When Zhen has free hands, I will definitely destroy the five families.”
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