Seeing Li Shen's smile, everyone suddenly felt a bad premonition.
But after thinking about it carefully, there was indeed no loophole. Li Shen had to charge more for three years.
Otherwise it will be difficult to recover the cost, but if the fees are increased, it will inevitably lead to complaints.
At that time, many censors will be impeached, and noble families will not miss this opportunity.
His Majesty will also consider taking back the road in order to appease the public grievances.
Li Shen carefully folded the contract and put it in his arms.
Then he saluted Li Shen.
"Aye, since there is nothing else to do, it will not prevent Aye from discussing state affairs with the princes.
I'll go back and make arrangements for road construction. "
"Then I wonder which road you want to build first? I heard before that you want to build a road to Luoyang?" Li Shimin asked curiously.
Others were also curious. Luoyang was the capital and was as prosperous as Chang'an.
Therefore, there are many merchants on both sides, and naturally there are more cars and horses passing by.
If King Ji Xuance built Luoyang, it would be a correct choice.
"Back to Aye, I have already made plans. The first way is the road around Chang'an City.
All vehicles and horses passing through this road must pay road maintenance fees. "Li Shen said with a smile.
"Surrounding Chang'an?" Li Shimin was stunned.
"Yes, there are checkpoints at all intersections. As long as you step on my road, you have to pay a fee, which is ten cents a time."
"You'll charge ten cents for stepping on your road for only a few meters?" Li Shimin raised his voice.
"A few meters of road is also a road. If you step on it, you will be charged." Li Shen nodded.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, what's the difference between doing this and taking it by force?" Gao Shilian asked.
"There is a difference. This is a right granted by the imperial court. I will announce it in the newspaper." Li Shen shook his head.
"This..." Gao Shilian was speechless, he just signed the contract.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, this is simply unreasonable. It's only a few meters away, and you charge ten cents.
The disaster must be blamed on the imperial court. When word spreads about it, how will the people of Tang Dynasty evaluate the imperial court? "Yang Shidao asked.
"How to evaluate is their business, how to explain is your business,
I act in accordance with the contract and do not break any laws. Everything is within the regulations. What does it have to do with me? "Li Shen curled his lips disdainfully,
Li Shen's words left everyone present not knowing how to respond.
If King Ji did this, the court would not be criticized, but if he was punished,
King Ji also has a contract signed with the imperial court in his hand. King Ji will definitely tell the world the contents of the contract.
In this way, the people in the world will only curse the imperial court secretly, but will not talk about King Ji.
Because the money for road construction came from King Ji, all this was allowed by the court.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, if you are like this, aren't you afraid of being reviled by the people?
After all, His Highness is also a member of the royal family, so it’s fine if he doesn’t serve the imperial court. How can he be worthy of the Tang Dynasty if he does such an ugly thing? "
Gao Shilian was a little angry, and only he, the queen's uncle, dared to say this.
"Shen Guogong, I believe that this Tang Dynasty is not only the Tang Dynasty of our Li family, but also the Tang Dynasty.
It is also the Tang Dynasty for millions of people in the world.
I think that when our great ancestor Taiyuan launched his army, it was not because of the tyranny of the former Sui Dynasty, which made the people miserable.
Many of you here are heroes who fought against the former Sui Dynasty with Emperor Gaozu and fought with me, Aye.
Start now and see what you have become, being selfish and using power for personal gain.
In all matters, one must first consider the interests of oneself and the family, and be full of benevolence, justice, morality, and loyalty to the emperor and patriotism.
Have you ever been unable to sleep at night because it was for the sake of the people of the world?
You have now forgotten your original intention, why you fought, and those soldiers who died fighting for our Tang Dynasty.
You are not as good as me, a dude, who knows what it means to not forget your original intention. "
Li Shen's scolding was vivid and vivid, and Li Shimin listened happily from above.
It seems that his son has made some progress over the years.
Not only can you act rogue, but you can also use righteousness to curse people.
Li Shen's words left Gao Shilian speechless and the ministers present silent.
They were unable to refute Li Shen's words, but it was impossible to make them change their ways with just a few words from Li Shen.
Not even the slightest bit ashamed. (Free reading of Tomato novels)
For them, this is how it should be. If people don't do it for themselves, they will be punished by heaven and earth.
"Although what His Highness Prince Ji said is correct, I would like to ask how this has anything to do with His Highness Prince Ji's attempt to conquer the people.
Could it be that His Highness Prince Ji was robbing the people just for the sake of the Tang Dynasty? "Cen Wenwen broke the silence.
What you said has nothing to do with your arbitrary charges.
"Of course it does matter. Why do I charge such a fee? It was you who forced me to do so.
You don't want the court to spend money to benefit the people. You always want to let others do things, and you gain a good reputation by picking up the slack yourself.
In fact, you all know in your heart that I will not be able to recoup the cost in three years.
But in order to go against me, you insist on a three-year period so that I can lose money.
You ignore the people for your own selfishness. Am I wrong? "Li Shen asked sternly.
"That's wrong. We decided to set a three-year period in order to let the people pay less for a few years. How can we say we don't care about the people." Ma Zhou retorted.
"Hmph, what about after three years? Will these two roads be built after the Tang Dynasty?" Li Shen snorted coldly.
"Didn't King Ji say that we should continue to cultivate?" Cen Wenwen replied.
"Hahahaha, are you telling me stories about ghosts and gods? I lost a lot of money building a road.
Is this king still building roads after three years? Isn’t this king suffering from a brain disease? "Li Shen felt that they had some IQ problems.
Or do you think it's natural for them to take advantage?
"As a prince, isn't it right to do something for the Tang Dynasty?" Ma Zhou said.
"Is the king's money given by the treasury? Is the king's money given by you?
Let me tell you that this king earns his money by his own ability. You are all important officials of the imperial court. Why don't you donate all your family property to serve the country.
As long as you dare to donate, I will donate twice, no, five times.
How are you guys? "
Ma Zhou's words made Li Shen so angry. Is he guilty of having money?
Seeing that everyone was silent, Li Shen continued:
"The money from Prince Ji's Mansion didn't come from strong winds. I earned it in a serious way.
Not a penny of dirty money.
Moreover, I have not done much for the imperial court. The cement road from Chang'an to Xinzhou is 2,500 miles long.
I spent more than two million yuan, which not only solved the drought problem in Henan Province, but also enriched the people on both sides.
Don't talk to me about benevolence, justice and morality. I have done much more for the Tang Dynasty than you.
Anyway, in one sentence. Now that we have signed a contract, we must act in accordance with the contract.
I promise not to violate the laws of the Tang Dynasty.
Moreover, my second road is to build the road from Chang'an to Goguryeo.
Tang Shangshu, you'd better prepare the tolls now.
Horses cost one hundred cents, and siege engines larger than horse-drawn carriages cost two hundred cents for the entire journey.
In the future, if Tang Shangshu doesn't want to pay tolls when transporting supplies to Goguryeo, then please go around and don't say that I didn't notify you when the time comes. "
(I predict that some people will think that what Ma Zhou and others think is a bit out of their minds,
But often the reality is like this,
Someone asked us businessmen to take money to do something. The merchants took it and gave it to someone. It's a joy to do it.
The next year, a certain person came to discuss it with us and others, and we asked him,
Someone said: You have a lot of money, so it doesn't matter. )
