Dashang Palace.
Fengtian Temple.
After the announcement of the imperial edict to confer a marquis for the head of the Li family, the officials were furious, especially the aristocratic faction headed by Hai Qinggong, who reacted fiercely.
The ennoblement of merchants was tantamount to completely breaking down the class barriers that the nobles had finally built. The merchant class, which was even lower than farmers and workers, would also begin to step on them.
How could the nobles, who had always been aloof, allow such a thing to happen.
Therefore, the representative of the nobles, Hai Qinggong, made a request to see the Shang Emperor.
For a time, all the ministers in the court agreed and asked to meet the Shang Emperor.
Beside the dragon chair, Mu Bai sat there quietly, watching the reactions of the ministers below, a chill gradually revealed in his calm eyes.
No wonder Brother Li said that the corruption of Dashang has reached its core.
In order to protect their own interests, the nobles have to completely block the possibility of promotion for common people. How hateful.
After thinking for a short time, Mu Bai gathered his thoughts and said calmly, "My father is ill and needs to rest. Now, I have been ordered to supervise the country. I can take charge of matters in the court, so there is no need to trouble my father."
"Your Highness, Fourth Prince."
In the main hall, Duke Hai Qing raised his head, looked at the fourth prince under the dragon chair, and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness has only been in charge of the country for a short time and is not familiar with the government. This matter is very relevant. Your Highness may not be able to see the interests in it. I request you." Your Highness, please allow me to meet with Your Majesty!"
"Please, Your Highness, allow me to meet with Your Majesty." From behind, all the ministers agreed with their fierce attitude.
"Mr. Hai Qing may not understand what I mean."
In front of the dragon chair, Mu Bai looked at the ministers below, a cold look flashed in his eyes, and said again, "Father is in ill health. Now, I have full authority to make the final decision on matters in the court!"
"Your Highness."
In front of all the ministers, Duke Haiqing still refused to give in, and responded with a heavy expression, "This is a major matter involving the country. I think it is more appropriate for His Majesty to make the decision himself."
He knew very well that the relationship between His Majesty the Fourth Highness and the legitimate son of the Li family was extraordinary. Only when he met His Majesty could things turn around.
"Kunimoto?"
In front of the Dragon Throne, Mu Bai, who could no longer bear it, stood up, a strong pressure spread out from his body, and said in a cold voice, "This king is the foundation of the country! Mr. Hai Qing, don't think that just because you are a veteran of three dynasties, you can stand up in front of me. Presumptuous, let me tell you one last time, I am now ordered to supervise the country, and my words are equivalent to an imperial edict. If you continue to violate the following, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Bai waved his right hand. Suddenly, beside the dragon chair, the Emperor's Sword was unsheathed, shot out of the air, and was inserted in front of Hai Qinggong with a clang.
In front of the ministers, Hai Qinggong was shocked. Looking at the Emperor's Sword so close at hand, his body trembled involuntarily.
Behind them, the faces of the other noble-born ministers also showed expressions of shock. They did not expect that the fourth prince, who had always been gentle to others, would have such a domineering side.
"The third young master of the Li family is announced to come to the palace." After shocking the ministers, Mu Bai spoke and ordered.
On the side, Eunuch Zhang, who was also shocked by the fourth prince, was the first to come to his senses and shouted quickly, "The third son of the Li family is invited to the palace!"
at the same time.
Below Fengtian Hall, Li Ziye, who was walking slowly and unhurriedly, heard the sharp sound coming from the hall in front, and a smile appeared on his lips.
Not bad, faster than he thought.
Fortunately, he has good legs and feet, otherwise he would not be able to make it in time.
There are really too many steps built in front of Fengtian Hall, not a thousand, but hundreds, right?
While thinking, Li Ziye walked up the thousand stone steps and walked step by step to the Fengtian Hall ahead.
In the main hall, the ministers saw the young people coming from behind with different expressions. Except for a few, most of them were hostile.
Since ancient times, the confrontation between nobles and common people has become an eternal issue. The nobles in power will subconsciously destroy any untouchable who dares to climb up, just like crushing an ant to death. They think it is so natural.
Equality is nothing more than a daydream intertwined by the nobles in power for the common people, and the common people are always deceiving themselves and others in this daydream day after day.
Li Ziye, who came from a humble merchant family, single-handedly brought the Li family to an unprecedented height. Today, he finally came to the front of the powerful emperor of the Manchu Dynasty.
This is no longer a gain or loss of personal interests, but a collision of classes.
Therefore, after Li Zi went to the palace at night, the civil and military officials of the court clearly showed extremely strong hostility.
Li Ziye was unaware of this, the smile on his face was gentle and polite.
"Your Highness."
In the hall, Li Ziye cupped his hands and saluted respectfully.
"How dare you, the Fourth Highness is ordered to supervise the country. When you see His Highness, you are like seeing His Majesty. How dare you, a commoner, not kneel down!" In front of all the ministers, Duke Hai Qing saw the Li family's legitimate son worshiping without kneeling in front of him. He immediately took the opportunity to attack. shouted angrily.
On the side, Li Ziye saw the angry look of the old guy in front of him, and the smile on his face became stronger, but he was not in a hurry to refute.
The protagonist today is not him.
Just watch the show with peace of mind.
"It is a law of the Great Shang Dynasty that state officials are not allowed to kneel down."
In front of the dragon chair, Mu Bai glanced at the old guy below and said calmly, "Mr. Hai Qing, do you have any objections to my Great Shang Law?"
"I don't dare!" Hai Qinggong's expression darkened, and he clenched his hands and responded.
"Professor Li."
Mu Bai walked down the hall and said, "Get ready to be conferred."
"yes!"
Li Ziye bowed again and responded.
From behind, Eunuch Zhang came up with a court robe, a gold seal and an iron certificate, and said with a kind expression, "Li Jiaoxi, no, your eldest son, these are the court robes, gold seal and iron certificate of alchemy written by Mr. Li Hou. "
"My lord, thank you Lord for your kindness."
Li Ziye stretched out his hand to take over the court clothes, the gold seal and the iron certificate of the alchemy book, and responded respectfully.
"His Majesty."
Just when Li Ziye was being granted the title on behalf of his father, among the ministers, Lu Siqing, who had never spoken, came out and said seriously, "The Li family was granted the title of Imperial Shang, and the head of the Li family was granted the title. It is natural that I have no objection, but , the iron certificate of the alchemy book and the hereditary qualifications cannot be given to ministers unless they have made great achievements. The head of the Li family has not made such a great contribution, so it may be difficult to convince the public by granting the iron certificate of the alchemy book."
After Lu Siqing finished speaking, the ministers who had always remained neutral also looked over, waiting for the fourth prince's explanation.
After the Li family became an imperial merchant, it was understandable that the head of the Li family would be granted a title, whether he was an earl or a marquis. It was just a matter of the title. However, this hereditary and irreplaceable qualification was really incredible.
"No, the Li family has this qualification."
Mu Bai turned around, looked at the old minister in front of him, and said calmly, "Master Lu, what did you burn for heating in your mansion last winter?"
"coal."
Lu Siqing was stunned for a moment, and replied truthfully, "The long winter brings high charcoal prices. Therefore, the old minister's house did not burn any more charcoal this year. Instead, we burned the coal sold by the Mineral Resources Department."
"Where's Mr. Zhang?"
Mu Bai looked at another civil servant and asked.
"The minister's mansion, like Mr. Lu's, is also burned with coal."
Zhang Qizheng came out and said truthfully, "The price of coal is much cheaper than charcoal."
"When the two adults were officials in the court, they both felt that charcoal was expensive, so they switched to burning coal from the Mineral Resources Department. Then the people of our great merchants would no longer be able to afford charcoal."
Mu Bai looked calmly and said, "Two adults think that the Mineral Resources Department's search for coal has solved the people's urgent need."
"certainly."
Lu Siqing said sternly, "The establishment of the Mineral Resources Department by His Highness the Fourth Highness will benefit the country and benefit the future. It is definitely a great blessing for the common people of our business."
"So, what if I say that the idea of establishing the Mineral Resources Department and the method of finding coal were all taught to me by Li Jiaoxi?"
Mu Bai said lightly, "Two years ago, when Mr. Li saw that the people were suffering from the cold winter, he suggested that I set up a mining department and taught me how to find coal mines. Otherwise, do you think that why coal desulfurization is so difficult? Only the Li family knows the law?"
As soon as the words fell, everyone present was shocked. For a moment, it was difficult to accept this fact.
"Master Lu, Master Zhang."
Mu Bai looked at the two veterans in front of him and asked, "Now, do you think the Li family is qualified to be awarded the iron certificate of alchemy and the qualification of hereditary succession?"
When Lu Siqing and Zhang Qizheng heard this, they looked at each other, then bowed respectfully to the young man in front of them, and said, "I have met the Crown Prince."
Seeing the attitude of the two elders, Li Ziye immediately returned the gesture and said softly, "I don't dare."
