Three whips break the father-son relationship, please call me prince

Chapter 172: Report passed, newspaper published

Changsun Wuji was quite helpless.

He had only been the Minister of Civil Affairs for half a year, but the Ministry of Civil Affairs was concerned with financial power and taxation, and was in charge of the overall land situation in the country, which was related to next year's tax revenue.

The responsibility is heavy, as he is in charge of the purse strings of the Tang Dynasty, but it involves many complex and numerous issues.

It is not realistic to sort out and understand everything in a short period of time.

Even now, he has not yet figured out some of the issues in the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Now he sits before the emperor, accepting interrogation by all officials.

Only he knows the pain in his heart. It's like he is roasting himself on the fire.

But fortunately, the officials did not make it too difficult. They just asked some simple and easy-to-understand questions symbolically and did not ask any further questions.

He was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he suddenly heard the prince speak.

"Minister of Civil Affairs."

Li Chengqian said: "I have a question."

"The Ministry of Civil Affairs is in charge of finance, land, and people's affairs. In terms of fiscal revenue, do you have a goal to increase it next year?"

"In terms of land, is there an expectation of growth? If so, how can we achieve the growth of land? This does not include the use of soldiers to cultivate land, but the Ministry of Civil Affairs should promote the increase in land acreage."

"As for the people, what will the Ministry of Civil Affairs do to benefit the country and the people?"

"Besides, now that the Tang Dynasty has developed commerce and a prosperous economy, what strategies does the Ministry of Civil Affairs have to further improve the economy and commerce?"

Oh open!

All the officials could not help but retreat tactically.

The other departments were not so lucky and had to accept interrogation from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Zhangsun Wuji, the Minister of Civil Affairs and the prince's uncle, was treated with warm care.

Fang Xuanling sat behind Changsun Wuji, his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, without changing his expression.

Li Shimin twirled his beard. What he saw and heard today was something he was happy to see as a reputation-loving emperor.

He believed that such a harmonious atmosphere of consultation between the emperor and his subjects would definitely be recorded in history with a vivid chapter.

As for him, his reputation as the virtuous emperor of the Tang Dynasty would naturally increase a bit.

After Li Chengqian asked the questions, he did not rush to ask more, waiting for Changsun Wuji to digest them.

Changsun Wuji was so confused that he could hardly speak.

Because of the current situation, the prince was almost forcing him to tell what kind of promise he should make as the Minister of Civil Affairs.

aims.

That is how much revenue the Ministry of Civil Affairs will have next year.

Is it lower than this year's or higher than this year's?

If it is too low, his ability as the Minister of Civil Affairs will be questioned. Why is the salary of the Minister of Civil Affairs so high this year, but lower next year?

If it is too high, what if it is not reached?
Can the treasury income be determined by his will?
But now, he had no choice but to answer.

After a moment, Zhang Sun Wuji gritted his teeth and said, "Combined with this year's treasury revenue, the Ministry of Civil Affairs' revenue target for next year is 80 million guan."

Li Shimin suddenly changed from lying to sitting, and said, "Ministry of Civil Affairs, 80 million strings of cash, is that true?"

He was already calculating in his mind the 80 million strings of cash in the national treasury.

Next year, we will double the military budget to a minimum of 30 million strings of cash.

Then the Tang army will be even more powerful.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin felt happy.

The officials of the Ministry of Civil Affairs felt their scalps tingling. Duke Zhao, how long have you been the Minister of State, and yet you dare to make such bold statements?

You are the king's uncle, but we are not.

If you fail to achieve your goal, you will be punished. Can you bear it? But can we?
The officials were also discussing in low voices, and the Taiji Hall was buzzing with noise.

Li Chengqian's mouth curled up slightly. Eighty million, my good uncle, you are ambitious and unwilling to lag behind.

"Your Majesty, I dare not speak nonsense."

"According to the current favorable situation, an income of 80 million guan can be achieved."

Changsun Wuji had no choice but to continue speaking. Since he had already spoken, wouldn't it be a joke if he took it back?
You can make money, but you can't lose face.

"it is good!"

Li Shimin praised him highly and said, "The Ministry of Civil Affairs has such a goal, and I will fully support it."

"It is a blessing for the Tang Dynasty to have Duke Zhao in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

In a word, Li Shimin was very happy.

If you need soldiers, you have soldiers. If you need money, you have money.

What could make an emperor happier than this?

Changsun Wuji felt bitter, so he had to go along with it and said, "I am not sure about the land growth next year, but we can have a target."

"An additional 20 million mu of good farmland and fertile land have been added."

Twenty million acres of fertile farmland.

The ministers almost retreated tactically again.

Even Wei Zheng took a few more glances.

This is really a risk-taking approach.

"His Majesty."

"I really admire the Ministry of Civil Affairs for having such great ambitions."

Wei Zheng shouted: "If all the tribes had the same ambition as the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty would be just around the corner."

His words made Changsun Wuji look a little embarrassed.

It was just a set-up for him.

"Why is the prince planning to put Duke Zhao in trouble?"

Cheng Zhijie said in a low voice. He had been watching the situation the whole time, and the more he watched, the more he felt something was wrong.

It shouldn’t be.

How can someone treat himself like this?

Li Jing shook his head slightly and said, "I'm not sure."

He also found it strange that there was no reason for the prince to target Changsun Wuji.

But from this series of events, anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is suspected to be a targeted move.

No matter how.

Changsun Wuji continued to speak in response to Li Chengqian's question.

Finally, after setting some goals, he was allowed to go down.

Changsun Wuji couldn't help but look at the prince a few more times, wondering what this meant.

Why push him like this?
He didn't think that the prince wanted to dethrone him or do anything else.

Maybe there was something inside that he didn't know.

No matter how many doubts you have, you can only come down and ask.

"Your Majesty, gentlemen."

"The Zuo Pushe has finished his report to the Shangshu Province, and also announced the temple calculations."

"Do you have any objections or opinions?"

Li Chengqian asked.

"We have no objection," said the officials.

Li Chengqian leaned slightly and said, "Your Majesty?" "I have no objection either."

Li Chengqian stood up, and Li Shimin also stood up, followed by all the officials.

"Your Majesty has no objection, and all officials have no opinion."

"I declare that in the 16th year of Zhenguan, the work report of the Ministry of Shangshu was successfully passed."

Hearing this, Fang Xuanling felt relieved.

The four words "successfully passed" completely relieved him of all the pressure.

"This time the Ministry of Chancellery reported, and the ministers of each ministry responded."

Li Chengqian said: "I will order someone to officially print today's meeting in the newspaper after the meeting is over, and publish it to the world to inform all the subjects of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Let all the people in the world know the court's national policies, propositions, governance direction, and the court's work priorities for next year."

All the officials were startled.

What does it mean?
What is a newspaper?

How come I haven’t heard of it before?

Li Shimin was also a little confused, but he didn't ask.

"Your Majesty, please summarize today's grand court meeting."

Li Chengqian bowed.

"Ok!"

Li Shimin nodded. He held his sword with one hand and put the other hand behind his back. He stood on the Danbi and looked down at his ministers.

He said loudly: "I am very happy and excited today."

"Because I seem to see the coming of a prosperous era."

"In order to create an unprecedented prosperous era, the emperor and his subjects are united in purpose and unwavering in their determination."

"Is there anything more worthy of my comfort and peace of mind than this?"

He shouted loudly: "Next year will be the 17th year of Zhenguan, and the 26th year of the founding of the Tang Dynasty."

"I hope that the Tang Dynasty next year will be better than this year's."

"I hope that the Tang Dynasty next year will be stronger than this year."

"I hope that the people of the Tang Dynasty will live a healthier life next year than this year."

"Gentlemen, I will encourage you all!"

Clang!
Li Shimin drew out the Emperor's Sword and raised it high, shouting, "Long live the Tang Dynasty!"

boom!
The ministers opened their arms wide and shouted loudly.

"Long live your majesty, long live the Tang Dynasty!"

"Long live your majesty, long live the Tang Dynasty!"

In the Taiji Hall, the loud voice of Wan Nian resounded, almost blowing the roof off the hall.

Li Chengqian also raised his arms and shouted "Long live the nation".

He looked excited and his eyes were bright.

He likes this kind of Tang Dynasty.

I like the Tang Dynasty where everything is revived.

Everything can be recreated.

He wanted to make the Tang Dynasty a dynasty that could never be surpassed by anyone in the future.

He would never allow anyone to taint the blueprint of the prosperous Tang Dynasty that he had drawn up with any stain.

Absolutely not!

……

The grand court meeting ended successfully.

This is the first time since the beginning of time.

The ministers walked out of the Taiji Hall, just in time to face the sunlight above their heads.

Although it is glaring, it is warm enough to warm people's hearts.

They are marching with steady steps, just like the Tang Dynasty, moving forward step by step with the vision of a prosperous era.

The content of the grand court meeting soon spread throughout Chang'an City, causing a great sensation.

But it is not too detailed, just a few words.

East Palace.

Li Chengqian was giving instructions, "Remember, you must use plain language."

“Don’t use any obscure words.”

“We need to make the people understand better.”

"Do you understand?"

Li Zhi nodded solemnly and said, "Brother Crown Prince, this may take a little longer."

"We have to work overtime to get it done."

"At least 5,000 newspapers must appear in Chang'an City tomorrow."

Li Chengqian said.

"understand!"

"Brother Chong." Li Chengqian instructed Changsun Chong, "When the time comes, arrange for someone to read it out in Chang'an City."

"Remember, always pay attention to the reactions of the people."

Chang Sun Chong said: "I understand!"

"Okay, let's do it."

"Yes!"

……

Printing workshop.

Everyone is waiting for the newspaper content to be confirmed. Once the newspaper content is delivered, typesetting and engraving will be carried out immediately.

As soon as the first version comes out, send it to the prince and wait for his approval.

Officially increase printing efforts.

By dawn, five thousand newspapers had just been printed.

All the newspapers were transported away and officially distributed in Chang'an City at the first opportunity.

"I think we can see the newspaper today, right?"

Xiao Yu got up very early and sent people out to keep an eye on the situation. Any news in the newspapers would be sent back immediately.

He was very curious about the form in which the newspaper was published.

"coming!"

"The newspapers are here."

"Alang, this is a newspaper!"

The housekeeper came running over, Xiao Yu hurried forward, snatched it and took a look, and what he saw was a line of large characters.

"The Tang Empire News"!
His pupils shrank slightly, and then his eyes moved downward.

"At the end of the 16th year of Zhenguan, Fang Xuanling, the left servant of the Shangshu Province, gave a work report of the Shangshu Province in Taiji Hall!"

"The work report is as follows...!"

(End of this chapter)