Datang: My Peerless Talent Has Been Exposed

"Your Majesty, everyone has their own source of blessings. Your Majesty has valued your ministers. High officials and rich salary have never been missing. I am already satisfied."

"As for the future after the Crown Prince succeeds to the throne, I'm afraid I won't be able to live until that time. Even if I manage to survive to that day, I'm sure I'll be old and dim-sighted, and I can only stay at home to take care of myself. Naturally, I don't have to worry about not having a good death."

Having said that, in fact, Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji have already completed a confession.

Li Shimin naturally promised to continue to reuse Changsun Wuji, and Changsun Wuji said that if he really survives until the next emperor succeeds, he will definitely resign as soon as possible and go home to take care of him, and he will resolutely not get involved in these things.

This is to show Li Shimin that he has no intention of interfering with the change of imperial power, and absolutely obeys Li Shimin's arrangements.

After the two sides confessed, they both secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

However, since this topic has already been discussed, it is not suitable to continue in-depth, and the two of them will be taboo if they continue to talk.

So Li Shimin naturally brought up another topic that both of them were interested in,

"Auxiliary machine, when you saw it today, what do you think of this shopkeeper Xiao Zhang?"

After Changsun Wuji pondered for a while, he said seriously,

"I have a unique vision, a deep chest and a talent for ghosts and gods!"

Li Shimin was a little surprised, he didn't expect that after such a chat today, Changsun Wuji would have such a high opinion of Xiao Zhang's shopkeeper.

What is the talent of ghosts and gods?

It means that the world can no longer tolerate this evildoer, and what he does is basically not what normal people can do. This is called the talent of ghosts and gods.

Changsun Wuji went on to say,

"Your Majesty, think about it. Next year will be the first year of Zhenguan, but this shopkeeper Xiao Zhang can think about the next year right now. Who would think so far without being a ghost?"

Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, he has just ascended the throne of God.

It is only planned to change to Zhenguan reign name next year, but at this moment, shopkeeper Xiao Zhang has already helped Changsun Wuji to calculate the next emperor.

This kind of thing is really not something that ordinary people can do, and it really deserves the evaluation of "the talent of ghosts and gods" by Changsun Wuji.

Originally, the two wanted to continue chatting with shopkeeper Xiao Zhang, but the servant reported outside the door that Cai Guogong and Minister of the Ministry of War Du Ruhui asked to see him.

Although Li Shimin had told the servant before that he wanted to talk to Changsun Wuji alone, the others disappeared, but the servant was the most discerning, knowing that Du Ruhui, a confidant, was different from the others.

Sure enough, Li Shimin let Du Ruhui in as soon as he reported it.

Even before Du Ruhui saluted, Li Shimin shouted there,

"Keming (Du Ruhui's nickname) is free of courtesy, there is no one else, we don't have to be so polite between our monarchs and ministers."

But Du Ruhui still respectfully saluted before speaking,

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion, but etiquette cannot be discarded after all!"

Li Shimin felt helpless for this courtier who was both a teacher and a friend. Du Ruhui was ten years older than him.

Naturally, it is not an exaggeration to respect such an old official, but Du Ruhui is extremely stubborn in this regard, and Li Shimin can only obey him again and again.

Du Ruhui didn't talk nonsense, and said directly,

"Your Majesty, now that winter is approaching, the surrounding Turkic, Hun, Xianbei and other countries are about to move, and there is a high probability that they will invade the border again this winter."

"Originally, at this time, it is time to prepare troops and prepare armaments, but now the treasury is empty, and even though I have tried every means, it is still difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice!"

Hearing that he came to cry and beg for money, Li Shimin felt a headache and his brain was buzzing.

No way, I discussed this matter with Zhangsun Wuji yesterday, but I couldn't think of a way out. I originally planned to try my luck at Xiao Zhang's shopkeeper today.

As a result, Zhang Nuo's shocking words directly made the monarch and his ministers come back without even opening their mouths.

But before he could discuss any solution, Du Ruhui came to the door again.

But Li Shimin is not the kind of emperor who does not take responsibility, he said frankly,

"Keming, I have been discussing with the auxiliary machine for two consecutive days, but I haven't come up with a good plan yet. You are the inspector, what advice do you have?"

The so-called school servant is actually a temporary position, which is roughly equivalent to doing the work of a prime minister, but it is not the name of a prime minister, but a very important position.

If Du Ruhui was just the minister of the Ministry of War, then he could just ask for money. After all, his job was to deal with the military and war affairs of the whole country.

But it’s not enough to be a school attendant, because the whole Tang Dynasty has to be in charge of it, inside and out, and the treasury has no money?Then you, the school inspector, don't hurry up and think of a way?

Although Du Ruhui smiled wryly in his heart, he actually guessed about this situation before he came, so he answered directly,

"Your Majesty, why don't you temporarily increase the tax for three years, and after these few years, how about reducing the tax?"

"No!"

Before Li Shimin could speak, Changsun Wuji took the lead in vetoing it!

"Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and it is time to gather the hearts of the people. If taxes are raised at this time, the people's minds will change, and Keming still hopes to speak carefully!"

Chapter 18

How did Du Ruhui not know that raising taxes at this time would easily arouse public anger?

But seeing that the war is about to start, it is a certainty that the Turks will invade the border this winter.

Once the armaments are not well organized and the war goes wrong, if there is another Weishui alliance, he will be the minister of the Ministry of war.

So in comparison, in Du Ruhui's view, as long as he made it clear to the people that the tax increase will only increase for three years, after these few years, when the national treasury gradually fills up, it will naturally return to the state of levity and levity.