strictlysupreme Chapter 1928: Counting on Li Chengqian to Pay Salary
Chapter 1928: Counting on Li Chengqian to Pay Salary
Li Chengqian certainly knows Li Shen's character after all these years of getting along with him. This guy never suffers any loss.
This is the case with their fathers, let alone with themselves.
Last time, I took out a tea table for Pei Mingli. Today, I just wanted to borrow Wang Yuangan for half an hour every day, but I took out such a top-quality jade necklace. Isn’t it a loss?
Besides, Li Shen just flattered and gave expensive gifts, it was definitely not just for Wang Yuangan.
After Li Chengqian finished speaking, Li Shen chuckled:
"Brother is indeed very perceptive and quick-witted. I do have a small matter to trouble you with."
Sure enough, Li Chengqian thought to himself. His guess was right, Li Shen had other things to do.
So he asked calmly:
"Oh? Then tell me, I think this matter might not be too small, right?"
"Look at what you said, it's really a small matter. I just want to borrow a few more people from you."
"Borrowing people?" Li Chengqian was stunned, then asked: "Who else do you want to borrow? Let me make it clear first, if it's someone I need, I won't give him to you, Prince Ji."
Li Chengqian was afraid that Li Shen would take away talents like Pei Mingli again.
"Don't worry, big brother. I'm not a talented person. I just want to borrow a thousand guards from you." Li Shen said lightly.
"How many? A thousand people?" Li Chengqian was stunned and almost dropped his jaw.
"Is this what you mean by borrowing a few people?"
Li Chengqian really wanted to have Li Shen dragged out and given him a beating.
He asked for thousands of people right away. He is really arrogant, especially the guards.
"Brother, I only borrowed the money because I really have something to do." Li Shen also knew that Li Chengqian might be a little excited after borrowing so many people.
"What's the matter? Are you going to recruit people to rebel?" Li Chengqian rolled his eyes at Li Shen and said unhappily.
"Hey, big brother, don't say anything careless. Don't accuse me of treason all the time. I can't bear it."
Li Shen was shocked and hurried to explain. He thought to himself, isn't treason a serious crime?
Why do people talk about treason all the time now? It's as simple as drinking water, it's too much of a joke.
"Then why do you need a thousand guards? Your guard camp has three thousand guards. In addition to the guards of your Ji Wang Mansion,
There are at least 3,750 people in your house, and they are well-equipped elite.
These people alone are equal to ten thousand people." Li Chengqian asked with a serious expression.
He was afraid that Li Shen would get into trouble again.
"Brother, I borrowed these people to protect my property. I may need to go out for fun in a while, so I need to take all the guards with me.
But if they were all taken away, then there would be no one to protect my property. The other properties would be fine.
There are a few important places that I'm worried about.
The medical school, research institute, and paper mill are all very important, especially the research institute and paper mill. The things inside are related to the stability of our royal family and cannot be lost.
That's why I thought of borrowing some guards from you, big brother, so that they can guard these places for me when I go out.
Wait until my brother comes back before changing guard." Li Shen did not beat around the bush, nor did he have anything to hide, and told Li Chengqian his thoughts truthfully.
This also shows that I have no other intentions.
After hearing Li Shen's words, Li Chengqian fell into deep thought. What Li Shen said was reasonable.
He was also very pleased that Li Shen was able to entrust the property to him to protect.
Li Chengqian certainly knew how important these three places were, as gunpowder came from the Academy of Sciences.
Although Li Shen’s other industries are very profitable, these three are more important.
Medical schools can develop Tang Dynasty’s medical skills and increase its population.
The Academy of Sciences represents the military, while the paper mill increases the number of scholars so that the court can select talents.
Li Shen was able to hand over these three places to him, which was also to show him his attitude.
"What you said is fine, but why don't you ask Aye to borrow some soldiers? When you went out to the paper mill before, weren't the Yulin Guards there to take over?"
Li Chengqian asked curiously after agreeing.
After hearing this, Li Shen replied slyly:
"Brother, they are the emperor's personal army, the Six Guards of the Northern Court. It's impossible for us to keep borrowing them, right?
I still have so much money to spend, and I don’t want to die.”
Are you kidding? If I could lend it to you, would I still ask you?
After hearing this, Li Chengqian felt that this was true and even he had to avoid suspicion.
"You have a point, but you don't have to be so cautious. Our Aye is wise and brave, and he won't punish you for such a small matter."
"Brother, I have been punished for minor offenses many times. These are all bloody lessons.
Over the years, I have been either beaten or fined, which has harmed my body and money. My salary can only be received after 20 or 30 years.
Brother, I have received salary for nine years, but it was all taken by my mother. Not a penny actually fell into my hands.
My life is miserable, and I hope that my elder brother will give me some salary after he succeeds to the throne."
Li Shen felt like crying when he mentioned this. He felt wronged. The only thing he could hope for now was to wait for Li Chengqian to give him a salary after he became emperor.
Let yourself have a taste of what it is like to receive a salary.
Li Chengqian knew about his brother's tragic experience, so he comforted him:
"Tenth brother, I do know about your situation, and you don't have to be so sad, but I can't do anything about it.
Even if I succeed to the throne, I cannot give you a salary."
"What? Why am I doing this?" Li Shen put away his sadness upon hearing this.
"Because this is Aye's will, how can I change it? If I do, people will accuse me of abandoning traditions and forgetting my ancestors. You should also understand my difficulties.
I changed Aye's will just after I ascended the throne. How do you think the ministers will view me?
If this gets out, Aye will be dissatisfied with me, and what will people say about me?
Even if you want to change, you can't change it right away. Just be patient for a while."
Li Chengqian explained earnestly and reasonably, which made Li Shen unable to refute for a while.
As soon as the new emperor ascended the throne, he changed the old emperor's edict. This was a sign of dissatisfaction and disrespect for the old emperor. Not to mention that Li Shimin was still alive,
Even if Li Shimin died, this matter would still be opposed by the ministers.
With Li Shimin's prestige, even if Li Chengqian ascended the throne, as long as Li Shimin raised his arm, most of the civil and military officials in the court would respond and push Li Chengqian off the throne.
After Li Shimin ascended the throne, no matter how dissatisfied he was with Li Yuan, he never denied Li Yuan's will.
Understanding this, Li Shen could only nod helplessly:
"Well, I'll just have to wait a few years. I wonder when you're going to give me my salary?"
"Don't worry, Tenth Brother, it won't take too long, at most twenty years, by which time you will be only forty years old."
(I am looking for some new historical figures, and try to let everyone know more about people and events in the Tang Dynasty.
If you have any unknown people or things, please provide them.)