Li Mu came to the palace early in the morning to invite Li Shimin.

In the past, he was a doctor in the fifth-rank work department and was not qualified to see him at any time, but now he is a fourth-rank work department minister and has this qualification. Li Shimin is a diligent emperor and got up early. But Li Mu came a little early and he had not finished his breakfast, so Empress Changsun was also by his side.

After hearing that Eunuch Gao said that Marquis Zhulu was asking for a meeting, Empress Changsun wanted to avoid her. Li Shimin stopped her and said, "Li Mu is different from other officials. In my heart, she looks like a son and nephew, so there is no need to avoid suspicion too much." As she said, she said to Eunuch Gao: "Call him in."

Eunuch Gao was surprised when he heard this. He served Li Shimin since he was the King of Qin. He had seen many people, but he had never had one person yet. He had received such a "special" evaluation from Li Shimin. The emperor's nephew was the royal relative. Did he regard Li Mu as the royal relative in his heart?

When Eunuch Gao thought about this, he became even more shocked. He made up his mind to be more friendly to Li Mu in the future.

Not long after, Eunuch Gao brought Li Mu in. Since Li Shimin was able to move to Tai Chi Hall, it was the first time Li Mu saw him in the palace. When he came to Tai Chi Hall last time, he and Li Yuan got drunk and climbed onto the roof. The scene was still vivid in my mind. Today, the main hall has changed its owner.

Li Mu suddenly felt a little moved, and seemed a little distracted. Li Shimin didn't know what he was thinking. Seeing that he was halfway through salutation, he looked down at the porridge in the bowl and said, "It's coming so early, didn't eat?"

"Ah?" Li Mu recovered from his senses and didn't know how to explain, so he had to take the opportunity to step down the donkey and said, "Your Majesty, you didn't eat it."

In order to deepen the credibility, Li Mu also licked his lips.

Li Shimin frowned. He actually had no habit of giving food to his ministers, but he had asked Li Mu yesterday. Today, he was talking back and forth early in the morning and didn't even eat the food... If he didn't give a bowl of porridge, it would be too cold and thin. Empress Changsun was watching, and before Li Shimin could speak, she asked the palace maid to bring another pair of bowls and chopsticks and raised her hand to call Li Mu: "Horse Zhulu, come and eat together."

Li Mu glanced at Li Shimin, and Li Shimin had a terrible face and said, "The queen has said that, so come and eat together."

"I thank the Queen for giving the porridge." Li Mu actually had dinner in the morning, but in order to make up for his lies, he had to pretend to be very hungry. Fortunately, at his age, it was not obvious that he could drink an extra bowl of porridge. He took the porridge bowl and slapped it in.

Empress Changsun had never seen anyone like this before, and was speechless. After a while, she said, "I didn't expect Zhulu Hou to be so hungry, let me have another bowl?"

Seeing that there was not much left in the pottery basin, Li Mu shook his head and said, "I just need to put it on. I come and ask Your Majesty. I have something to say."

Li Shimin snorted and said, "It's pretty good. I haven't forgotten the serious business... Let's talk about it, has the matter I promised me yesterday been done?"

Li Mu nodded and said, "Report to Your Majesty, the matter has been told to Duke Su."

Thinking of Cheng Yaojin's tired look, Li Shimin also had a headache and said, "Have he agreed?"

Now that I am not seeking credit, Li Mu said, "Uncle Cheng refused at first, but I bargained with him, and finally agreed."

“Tell me.”

"Um..." Li Mu hesitated for a moment and said, "I have granted Uncle Cheng the right to stand alone for His Majesty."

"Another outrage!" Li Shimin slapped the table, and the bowl and the basin were all raised. Li Mu shrank his neck in fear. Queen Changsun glanced at him and said, "Your Majesty, you have to let others finish your words. Don't doubt others, and who said this sentence?"

Li Shimin took a deep breath, suppressed his heart and said, "When will I give you the right to be arbitrary? Li Mu, if you don't explain it clearly, I will punish you today!"

"Yes, yes..." Li Mu quickly left the mountain and bowed: "Your Majesty, I think this cannot be considered an arbitrary, so I should do this. It is just because Your Majesty does not understand business that I feel that I am an arbitrary."

Li Shimin was calm and said nothing. Li Mu grinned and continued, "Your Majesty, one of the prerequisites for making money in this Marseille is that it must be unique. Your Majesty, if there are four horse farms in Chang'an City and competitions are held at the same time, which one will the people go to see?"

Li Mu asked and answered himself, "Maybe, you can see which one is wonderful, or maybe you can see which one is close to your home. But no matter what the situation is, it will lead to dispersion. If you disperse, you will not be able to make money. After all, Your Majesty cannot do business as much as your ministers. If you want to make profits through Marseille, you have to ensure that there is only this horse farm in Chang'an City. Otherwise, where will the money come from, Your Majesty."

"Um..." Li Shimin did not respond in a hurry. Empress Changsun next to her understood. After Li Shimin came back yesterday, she had already told her about the matter and said, "Your Majesty, this statement from Zhulu Hou is reasonable."

Li Shimin refused to comment and said, "Just talk about it, how to decide in the end."

"Your Majesty, this is the final decision. In addition to the pure profit of the horse farm, your Majesty, Uncle Cheng, and ministers each account for 30%. The remaining 10% will be rewarded to the shopkeepers and friends of the horse farm as a bonus other than the monthly payment, provided that the income of the horse farm gradually increases. In addition, for the sake of your reputation and the pure profit given to your Majesty, Uncle Cheng came forward to give it to the treasury on the grounds that the horse farm used the royal land. Your Majesty naturally didn't want it, but Uncle Cheng was deeply grateful that the emperor's grace was great and he must express it. Your Majesty refused repeatedly, so as not to accept it, and promised to use it for the people."

Seeing that Li Mu was serious, Empress Changsun couldn't help laughing. Li Shimin was somewhat embarrassed and said annoyed: "Do you think I am a clever person to take advantage of me?"

"No, no, Your Majesty is definitely not such a person. I am just thinking about it. If Your Majesty disagrees, then tell the truth..."

Li Shimin glared at Li Mu and said, "The words have been said, are you going to take them back? Let's say that!"

"I received the order."

Li Shimin stared at Li Mu for a while, suddenly sighed, and said, "I know that there is something wrong with doing this, but I also have my difficulties. Now the Tang Dynasty is in ruins and needs money everywhere. The Yellow River has suddenly suffered from flooding this year, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs has already arranged money. I can only take out the money from the treasury to block this hole. However, my treasury is not abundant, and there are so many people in the palace. I can't treat the concubines and palace servants repeatedly and save money, right?"

"What your Majesty said is that I can understand."

Li Shimin said again: "It's a pity that these aristocratic families are having troubles along the Yellow River and the people are living in poverty, but they ignore them. Not only do they not provide relief to the victims, but they also raise the price of food, wanting to see my jokes. Whenever I think of this, I can't wait to... "

Empress Changsun touched Li Shimin's elbow and whispered: "Your Majesty..."

Li Shimin stopped talking and said, "Anyway, you have to understand that I asked for money not for my own enjoyment as the emperor of the previous dynasty. Therefore, I have a clear conscience."

Li Mu's heart is as clear as a mirror. Li Shimin explained so much, but in fact, it is like being a bitch and having to set up a archway. The meaning I want to express is nothing more than, yes, I am robbing your money, but I am not for myself, I am for the people of the world...

In fact, this kind of thing has been done by both wise and foolish monarchs throughout the dynasties. But Li Mu is willing to believe that Li Shimin really wanted to spend money on the people at this time.

"Your Majesty, I will do my best to share your worries. I have always done this. In addition to the 3,000 guan lost to Wang Pu yesterday, most of the money I have earned recently has been spent on the construction of the craftsman's workshop, and I will try my best to invest in it in the future."

Li Shimin frowned slightly and said, "Li Mu, I have always wanted to ask you. Since the craftsman workshop was built, you have never spoken to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. You have always used money to build it yourself. You are not afraid that one day, I will transfer you from the Ministry of Works and all the money will be used as wedding dresses for others? Even if I don't transfer you, you will spend money to build a house for the craftsmen. What do you want?"

"Your Majesty," Li Mu replied, "Since I am working in the Ministry of Works, I have to let the craftsmen be heartbroken? Eating and living in warmth is just the basics. I think that the previous system of the Ministry of Works was too low and reforms must be carried out. If I open my application to the Ministry of Works, will the Ministry of Culture give me funds happily? At that time, I was just a doctor in the Ministry of Works and could not be the head of the Ministry of Works. If I waited for my lobbying, I would not know how long I would wait. Since reforming the Ministry of Works is what I want to do and I still have this ability, I would do it with money. As for whether I would make wedding dresses for others, will Your Majesty transfer me from me? I have never thought about it, but just doing what I think I should do now."

“That’s all?”

Li Mu focused his attention and said, "It's really that. Your Majesty, money can make me feed, but it cannot make me happy. But using money to do things can make me happy. If this matter can make me feel that I am a useful person, it will make me happier. I only need to keep enough food, clothing and expenses for my family, and I will not stingy in spending the rest of my money. It's better to spend useful things, but I will spend it on useless things... I will spend it when I spend it, and I will not think about it after spending it. It will only increase my worries and not talk about it, but it will not help!"

Seeing that Li Mu's eyes were not as fake, Li Shimin was moved and suddenly remembered something and said, "In my opinion, you didn't say all this."

"I don't understand."

"Arguing with others seems to make you happy. When I saw you quarrel, I looked eager to try and there was a ball of fire in my eyes, for fear that others would not fight. Isn't you afraid of offending others with this temper?"
Chapter completed!