Chapter 555 Unexpected Part II(1/2)
Obviously, Li Chenan could not convince Li Wenhou, and Li Wenhou had nothing to do with Li Chenan.
This is the difference in their respective ideologies.
From Li Chenan's perspective, he certainly knows the importance of boosting the handicraft industry and revitalizing commerce.
But after all, this is a society where farming culture is the mainstay. Being educated in feudal ideology, Li Wenhou’s persistence is understandable.
So Li Chenan gave up persuading Li Wenhou, because even if he persuaded one Li Wenhou at this moment, he would face countless ministers like Li Wenhou standing up to stop him later.
This doesn't mean he gives up.
Instead, he needs to summon many important ministers to solve this problem at once.
Instead of using force or power to push things forward, he needs to present facts and reason to convince them and make them understand the profound significance of this move.
After all, the final execution is done by the ministers.
If they resist in their hearts, this matter cannot be carried out at all.
But to cure Ningguo's poverty, we must start with industry and commerce.
Li Chenan waved his hand, "We won't talk about this anymore."
Li Wenhou refused to give in: "If you are wrong, you are wrong!"
Li Chenan raised his neck and said, "It's too early to say something wrong at this moment!"
Li Wenhou: "The boy is stubborn and cannot be taught!"
Li Chenan: "Old and decayed, cannot be carved!"
Li Wenhou, a blushing guy with a thick neck, stood up: "I quit!"
Li Chenan also stood up with a fierce look in his eyes: "If you dare to put down your burden, I will throw fireworks into your yard!"
Li Wenhou was stunned and his eyes widened, "Damn it, I'm not Ji Tai! Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
Eunuch Chang on the side took a look and said, oh, both of them are stubborn, but they are in trouble, and if it doesn't work, they have to persuade them.
So, Eunuch Chang walked over and smiled.
"Master Li, this is all for Ning Guo!"
"Whether it is Mr. Li or the Regent, everyone has a good intention."
"If you just give up your responsibilities because of political differences...this is not the style of the old Li family!"
"The Zajia family also took the liberty to say something more. Although the regent is young and kind-hearted, he is very serious in his work!"
"If you really quit, the regent may really dare to throw fireworks into your yard... If word of this spreads, it may make you a good remonstrator, Mr. Li, but Mr. Li should also think about how the people will view the regent.
!”
This is said lightly but with a heavy weight.
The implication is that if Li Wenhou really quit because of this matter, wouldn't the people think that the regent was an overbearing tyrant?
It's not a good name.
Li Wenhou glared at Li Chenan fiercely and sat down angrily.
Wang Zheng Jinzhong, who was standing in the corner watching the excitement, also came over at the right time: "Prince Regent, what do you want me to do with you?"
"sit!"
"Thank you, Prince Regent!"
Li Chenan also sat down and did not talk to Li Wenhou anymore. He looked at Wang Zheng Jinzhong:
"There are a few things for the Imperial City Department to take care of."
"Please give me the regent's orders!"
"First, all the food in Shuangjiao Mountain will be transported back to Kyoto and handed over to Mr. Li!"
"Secondly, the next main task of the Imperial City Department is to collect information from across the country!"
"I want the reviews of officials in various places and the conditions of people in various places, especially in places where disasters and banditry occur. The information must be sent as soon as possible!"
"Third... I want information from all the countries surrounding Ningguo!"
"Whether it's military, agriculture, commerce, or major changes in their government, etc.!"
"From now on, the Imperial City Department only has the power to supervise, not to execute!"
"That is to say, the Imperial City Secretary and his superiors can no longer kill people at will like in the past!"
"For any official who has done bad things, the Imperial City Department can collect evidence of the crime and hand it over to the Criminal Department for interrogation and execution."
"No more things that go beyond the rules or override the law will happen, otherwise... I will take you, Wang Zheng Jinzhong, for granted!"
Wang Zhengjinzhong listened carefully. He knew that the power of the Imperial City Division was restricted by the regent at this moment.
He did not raise any objection, because Sun Jinghong once said something.
He said...
"This big-leafed banyan tree is crooked. Maybe the Imperial City Secretary's buttocks are crooked."
Now the regent wants to put the Imperial City Secretary's butt in order and separate the powers. The Imperial City Secretary has the power of supervision and the Ministry of Punishment has the power of law enforcement. This is a good thing.
"I obey my orders!"
"Go ahead."
Wang Zheng Jinzhong clasped his fists and resigned.
Li Wenhou seemed to be less angry because of Li Chenan's decision, and he even looked at Li Chenan twice more.
Because he understands the benefits this decision will bring.
"I've got nothing to do now, so I'll take my leave!"
"etc!"
"Still arguing about that?"
"no!"
Li Chen'an poured a cup of tea for Li Wenhou, "Today I invited the princes from the four major princes' offices to come. Don't our household department have no money?"
Li Wenhou was startled, "Are you asking them to donate money?"
"It's not a donation."
Li Chenan picked up the tea cup and took a sip, "When I sent them all back to their homes, I told them something."
Li Wenhou leaned over: "What are you talking about?"
"I told them that since the emperor has passed away, the title of Duke of the State that the late emperor bestowed upon them... will go with the late emperor!"
"Since everyone thinks highly of me, Li Chen'an, then I, Li Chen'an, will protect the lives of your whole family on the condition that I make up for the taxes on the properties in their hands for twenty years!"
"In addition, from now on, those industries that originally belonged to Ningguo, whether they are pastures, mines, salt fields, water transportation, weaving, etc., will all be state-owned!"
"These industries are all classified under the Ministry of Household Affairs, which will set up a commercial department to handle the production, operation, sales and other matters of these state-owned industries."
"This requires a group of officials with business acumen. Of course, we can also hire the original heads of industries and give them official positions to serve Ningguo."
Li Wenhou was shocked.
Because that is a huge wealth!
Those wealth have always been occupied by Ningguo's high-ranking nobles, and no emperor in the past dynasties would act like a villain and take back those wealth.
Because that was the reward given by the founding emperor of Ningguo to the heroes of Conglong!
The ancestral system cannot be violated!
But now, this kid Li Chenan is going to openly violate this ancestral system...
This is of course great for Ning Guo, but it is a huge blow to the four major princes!
In particular, the Duke of Cheng and Duke of Qi had greatly helped Li Chenan.
He took a deep breath and whispered: "It is not a good thing to burn bridges across rivers!"
Li Chenan waved his hand: "Someone has to be the villain."
"Wouldn't it be better for the eldest son of the emperor to do the work when he returns to the throne?"
Li Chenan pondered for a moment: "It will take some time to find the emperor's eldest son, but now Ning Guo has no time to wait."
"Will they agree?"
"They are all old foxes. They can distinguish what is important and what is important. Besides, although these industries are under the management of the Ministry of Household Affairs, there are still many things that need help from them."
Li Chenan also leaned over and whispered: "Second uncle, can you use this matter to make some fuss with them?"
Li Wenhou was stunned for a moment: "What do you mean?"
"Joint venture!"
"You won't be able to find people to run those industries for a while. I think we can give them 20% of the profits. The Ministry of Household Affairs will take ownership of those industries and sell the management rights to them!"
To be continued...