Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 485: Imperial Business Division, Shenyang Sect

Then, the Minister of the Honglu Temple Zhang Cong stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, the prince of the Lee royal family, Lee Yuan-tseh, wants to see Your Majesty. Do you want to see him?"

"Forget it, let him stay here quietly." Emperor Yanping waved his hand and said lazily.

The Lee royal family is the royal family of the Lee Seong Dynasty. Since the 29th year of Seongpyeong, the Silla Kim family seized the throne of the Lee Seong Dynasty. The prince of the Lee royal family, Lee Yuan-chul, fled to Daerong and wanted to ask Daerong to send troops to help him regain the throne.

Emperor Chengping was old at the time and was busy selecting a suitable crown prince, so he had no intention of taking care of the affairs of the Li Sheng Dynasty.

And now, Emperor Yanping has been on the throne for less than two years and has no energy to take care of the affairs of the Li Sheng Dynasty.

However, Daerong has not yet recognized the throne of Silla Kim, and this matter will probably continue to arise in the future.

Uh, not later.

"Your Majesty, the Jin family of Silla has sent envoys again to request Your Majesty to confer the title. The envoys said that as long as Your Majesty is willing to confer the title, they are willing to pay a tribute of 100,000 taels of silver and 8,000 taels of gold to Your Majesty every year." Zhang Cong, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, spoke again.

Emperor Yanping's eyes lit up, "Oh! Are they really willing to pay tribute every year?"

Eight thousand taels of gold is equivalent to eighty thousand taels of silver. The annual tribute of eighteen hundred thousand taels of silver may not seem like much, but it is not small either. The key is that it is a tribute every year.

"That's what Jin's envoy said!" Zhang Cong said.

Emperor Yanping looked at Song Yuange and said, "Let's discuss this matter with the cabinet after the court session ends!"

Obviously, Emperor Yanping was somewhat tempted.

It would be strange if you are not tempted by the free money.

"I obey your order!" Song Yuange responded.

Afterwards, all the officials began to report on their affairs one by one. Yang Zhengshan, standing in the line of military officers, was really bored listening to them. As the Right Commander-in-Chief of the Left Military Governor's Office, he had nothing to do with these court affairs. Even if it involved matters related to the Left Military Governor's Office, the Left Commander-in-Chief An Huairen was in charge of it, so he didn't have to care about it at all.

In fact, the things discussed at the morning court were not big deals. Many things had been discussed long ago and were just confirmed again at the morning court. For example, the allocation of relief grain to Liaodong, the Ministry of Revenue must have already reported to Emperor Yanping and the Cabinet.

For example, the matter of Kim of Silla. Although this matter had not been discussed in advance, it would obviously not be discussed in the court. It would have to wait until the court was adjourned for the cabinet to discuss it first.

Yang Zhengshan felt bored, so he simply closed his eyes and started practicing.

That’s right, he started practicing during the morning court session. Anyway, practicing doesn’t require any specific conditions, as long as you calm your mind, you can practice.

From the outside, it looked like he had fallen asleep while standing.

Time passed by minute by minute, and the sky outside began to brighten.

"Marquis Jing'an, Marquis Jing'an!"

Suddenly Yang Zhengshan heard someone calling him, and he quickly opened his eyes and looked up, only to see Emperor Yanping looking at him strangely.

An Huairen next to him winked at him.

"Ahem, I'm here!" Yang Zhengshan hurriedly stepped out and said.

I was a little absorbed in the practice just now, and I don’t know why, but I felt that practicing in the court seemed to be particularly effective.

Emperor Yanping leaned back on the dragon throne and said, "It was your suggestion to set up the Imperial Merchants Department. Lord Sun from the Ministry of Revenue thought it was inappropriate. What do you think?"

Yang Zhengshan looked up at Sun Wenjian in astonishment.

How did it get involved with the Imperial Merchants Bureau?
Are we going to discuss the establishment of the Imperial Commercial Bureau today?

He thought that Emperor Yanping had forgotten about this matter. After all, he was the one who reported it to the emperor several months ago.

"I wonder what Lord Sun thinks is inappropriate?" Yang Zhengshan asked Sun Wenjian.

Sun Wenjian frowned and said, "Merchants are lowly people, how can they be officials?"

"Well, then don't appoint an official. Just give him a chief without rank or grade!" Yang Zhengshan said nonchalantly.

There are two main contradictions in setting up the Imperial Merchants Bureau. The first is the distribution of interests, which is a matter between the emperor and the Ministry of Revenue. The second is whether merchants can become officials.

Yang Zhengshan had expected from the beginning that someone would oppose this.

Emperor Yanping frowned upon hearing this, but did not say anything. There was a reason why he proposed to set up the Imperial Merchants Bureau today.

He was short of money, and so was the court. The Imperial Merchants Bureau was undoubtedly an organization that could bring money to him and the court.

If it weren't for Nan Sheng's matter, he would have mentioned the establishment of the Imperial Commercial Bureau in the court long ago.

As for the affairs of Nansheng, a huge dynasty has many things to do. Although the affairs of Nansheng are of great importance, it is impossible for Emperor Yanping to focus all his energy on one thing. Other things still need to be done.

Sun Wenjian didn't expect Yang Zhengshan to say that, and was speechless for a moment.

"I think this is inappropriate. Merchants are lowly businesses. How can they be named after the emperor?" Zheng Shizeng, the right vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, stood up and said.

Yang Zhengshan replied: "Then let's not call it the Imperial Merchants Department, let's call it the Chao Merchants Department! Uh, the Commercial Affairs Department will also work!"

Zheng Shizeng was slightly stunned. Is this possible?

Yang Zhengshan looked at him, as if asking him if he had any other questions.

Isn't it just that you think the name is bad?
Just change your name!

"I also think it is inappropriate. Using the name of the court to conduct business is actually competing with the people for profit. I think the glass method should be handed over to private merchants, who can operate it, and the court can collect taxes from it!" Luo Ren, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, stood up again and said.

Yang Zhengshan looked at him. This man was either stupid or bad.

What does it mean to compete with the people for profit?

The Huangshangsi was established mainly to deal in glass.

But what does glass have to do with the people?
Nowadays, the production of glass is not high, but the price is very high, which is simply not affordable for ordinary people.

No matter how huge the profit from glass is, it has nothing to do with ordinary people.

If the method of making glass were spread, it would not allow ordinary people to make money, but only officials and wealthy businessmen.

However, Yang Zhengshan did not argue with him. Wouldn't it be asking for trouble to argue with a civil servant?
Others can quote from classics, but Yang Zhengshan can't!

So he said, "I think Lord Luo is right. It is not good to compete with the people for profits. I think the glass method can be handed over to merchants to operate!"

"..."

All the civil and military officials in the court looked at Yang Zhengshan in astonishment.

No, wasn’t it you who proposed to set up the Imperial Commercial Bureau?
Why are you objecting now?
If the method of making glass is passed on to merchants, then what is the point of setting up the Imperial Merchants Bureau?
Sun Wenjian frowned and looked at Yang Zhengshan, then immediately said: "I think it is not possible. The glass method involves tens of millions of taels of silver. Setting up the Imperial Merchants Bureau is beneficial to the country. How can it be left to merchants to manage?"

Yang Zhengshan lowered his head, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.

Why did Sun Wenjian agree to set up the Imperial Commercial Bureau?

The reason was very simple. The establishment of the Imperial Merchants Bureau could bring money to the Ministry of Revenue. What he opposed was not the establishment of the Imperial Merchants Bureau, but the fact that the Imperial Merchants Bureau would not be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue after its establishment.

Luo Ren, the right vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue, felt a little embarrassed when he saw his boss jump out to object.

Li Zhijie, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, thought about it and stood up and said, "I second the proposal. The glass method cannot be handed over to merchants!"

After saying this, he glanced at Yang Zhengshan. Humph, Jing'an Hou is really bad, he actually wants to hand over the glass method to merchants.

After thinking about it for a while, the other officials understood why Yang Zhengshan agreed to hand over the glass manufacturing method to merchants. Of course, their understanding was only what they thought.

Among all the civil and military officials in the court, no one knew more about glass than Yang Zhengshan.

This glass method was originally created by Yang Zhengshan.

If the glass making method was handed over to merchants, Yang Zhengshan could easily earn a lot of money from it.

When they thought about it this way, they understood why Yang Zhengshan agreed.

But does Yang Zhengshan really want to make money by using glass?

If he really had such an idea, he would not have registered the glass workshop under the name of the General's Mansion.

He agreed to this so that he could change his position.

Previously, he was in favor of establishing the Imperial Commercial Bureau, but these civil servants opposed him.

Now he was in a position where he disagreed with the establishment of the Imperial Commercial Bureau, and these civil servants still opposed him.

Although not all civil servants are against him now, it is enough if some of them are against him.

This would split the civil servants into two factions, one in favor and one against.

Then do the remaining matters still have anything to do with Yang Zhengshan?
there is none left!
What remains is the debate among the civil servants themselves, who is in favor and who is against. You can debate slowly. Yang Zhengshan quietly retreated back to the queue.

"I think it's inappropriate!"

"What's wrong?"

"How can the imperial court manage the affairs of merchants?"

"Salt and iron are both business of merchants. Why can the imperial court deal in salt and iron but not glass?"

……

For a while, the hall was filled with constant arguments and noise, as noisy as a vegetable market.

Emperor Yanping sat on it, looking at Yang Zhengshan standing motionless in the queue of nobles, with a playful smile on his face.

At first he didn't understand Yang Zhengshan's intention, but how could he not understand it now!
Looking at the civil servants who were arguing, Emperor Yanping said, "Let the cabinet discuss this matter first! Let's adjourn the court!"

The current debate does not have much significance. He needs to deal with the cabinet first and then get the approval of the six ministries. Today he just mentioned it to see the reaction of the ministers.

Now it seems that the situation is not bad.

Emperor Yanping stood up and left, and all the ministers also dispersed. Yang Zhengshan was also preparing to return home, but as soon as he walked out of the Taiji Hall, he was stopped by a young eunuch.

"Marquis Jing'an, His Majesty invites Marquis Jing'an to the imperial study to discuss matters!" said the young eunuch with a smile.

Well, I can’t leave!

Yang Zhengshan had no choice but to turn around and walk towards the imperial study, but when he arrived there he found that Duan Rui, Zhou Mao, Liang Chu and Lu Baishu were all there.

In addition to them, there were also the supervisors of the Secret Guards, including Wang Zhongzhi, Lu Hua, and Ning Qi, and four admirals.

Of course, Chen Zhongshu was there too.

Now Chen Zhongshu once again serves as the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department and is in charge of the Imperial Guard Department again.

Yang Zhengshan looked at Wang Zhongzhi, who nodded at him but said nothing.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

"Well, Wang Zhongzhi, you tell us about it!" Emperor Yanping leaned back in his chair and said calmly.

"Yes!" Wang Zhongzhi responded, and said to Duan Rui and others: "The Secret Guard has done some investigation on the Nansheng case, and has already figured out the general situation!"

"The mastermind behind the rebellion in Nansheng is the Shenyang Cult!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Duan Rui, Zhou Mao and Liang Chu's faces suddenly became solemn, while Yang Zhengshan and Lu Baishu looked confused.

What the hell is the Shen Yang Sect?

Underworld forces?
Wang Zhongzhi saw the confusion of Yang Zhengshan and Lu Baishu and said, "The Shenyang Sect originated in the Huaide period of the Sheng Dynasty five hundred years ago. It was founded by a martial artist named Mao Shiyuan. At first, the Shenyang Sect was called the Shenyang Sect. The Shenyang Sect was passed down to the third generation. Mao Shiyuan's grandson Mao Ziyang was listed as a traitor by the Sheng Dynasty because he defected to the vassal king."

"At the end of the prosperous dynasty, the world was in chaos. The fifth generation leader of the Shenyang Sect, Mao Yucheng, changed the name of the Shenyang Sect to the Shenyang Religion, with the Shenyang Saint as the leader. He followed the rule that the Sheng Dynasty was immoral and the people were living in misery. The Shenyang Saint shines his light on the world. Since then, the Shenyang Religion has recruited many believers, and the believers are spread across Longyuan, Longnan, Bashu, Yungui, Nanyun and other places."

"The imperial court of the Sheng Dynasty has launched multiple campaigns to suppress the Shenyang Sect, but each campaign ended in failure."

"Until our great ancestor started his rebellion and rebuilt the world, the Shenyang Sect was still widely spread among the people."

"Since Taizu founded the country more than 300 years ago, the Shenyang Sect has rebelled many times. The last time the Shenyang Sect rebelled was the Yongwang Rebellion 130 years ago!"

When Yang Zhengshan heard this, a strange look flashed in his eyes.

The Yongwang Rebellion was the largest rebellion since the founding of the Darong Dynasty.

In the eighth year of Emperor Dezong's reign, Prince Yong raised an army in Yonghe Prefecture, Longnan. In just three months, he had annexed the three provinces of Longnan, Longyuan and Longxi, with a force of up to 800,000.

At the beginning of the ninth year of Emperor Dezong's reign, Prince Yong led his troops to attack Shanhe Province. The imperial army mobilized a million troops to stop them, but they suffered defeats in successive battles. In the tenth year of Emperor Dezong's reign, Prince Yong's army arrived at the gates of Kyoto.

The twelve battalions of the imperial guards and the twelve guards of the royal army defended the capital for two months until the various armies coming to support the king came to support them, and only then were they able to repel the army of Prince Yong.

At the end of the tenth year of Emperor Dezong's reign, the imperial army launched a counterattack, and it took three full years to completely wipe out Prince Yong's army.

For example, many noble families such as the Ningguo Duke’s Mansion, the Rongguo Duke’s Mansion, and the Nanyang Marquis’ Mansion were awarded titles for their contributions in serving the king.

If they had not come to the rescue in time, there would probably be no Emperor Chengping and Emperor Yanping now.

However, it was precisely because there were too many titles conferred at the beginning that the group of nobles in the court became too large. After Emperor Chengping ascended the throne, the first problem he faced was the group of nobles. This was also the reason why Emperor Chengping was unwilling to confer titles during his reign.

Yang Zhengshan had learned about this history, but he didn't expect that there was a Shenyang Sect involved.

Wang Zhongzhi continued, "According to the captured Shenyang Cult members, the Shenyang Cult has been active in Kyoto since ten years ago. During these ten years, they have used various means of coercion and inducement to win over the imperial guards, the imperial guards, and the eunuchs in the imperial city. Nan Sheng was caught by them five years ago and had to submit to them!"

"In addition to Kyoto, they are also active in Bashu, Jiangnan, Yungui and other places!"

"However, due to their secretive actions, the Secret Guards have not found much trace of them yet!"

"As for the strength of the Shenyang Sect, we don't know it yet. The innate warrior killed by Jing'an Hou was a leader of the Shenyang Sect named Chi Jun, who practiced the Xuling Lianxue Gong."

Speaking of the Xu Ling Blood Refining Technique, everyone's faces became more solemn.

Xu Ling Lian Xue Gong is an evil skill that uses the method of absorbing the blood and qi of warriors to condense the innate true qi.

If only one person practices such an evil skill, then it is nothing, but if a huge force practices such an evil skill, then it is an extremely terrifying thing.

This means that the other party can cultivate a large number of warriors at the half-step innate and innate levels.

Of course, this large quantity cannot be just a few hundred or a few thousand, but even a few dozen half-step innate and innate realm warriors are extremely terrifying.

(End of this chapter)