My father is Emperor Wu of Han, how can I be different from him?

Chapter 64 If the mountain doesn't come, I'll be there

How did Sima Xiangru become involved with the salt and iron monopoly?
Very simple.

His father-in-law's family is the largest iron smelting family in the world, the Linqiong Zhuo family!
Why is Sima Xiangru a role model for the generation of gigolos? Because if he doesn't make a move, it's fine, but once he does, he's targeting the daughter of the richest man!

When Zhuo Wenjun eloped with Sima Xiangru, her father Zhuo Wangsun did not agree, but later he could not bear to see his daughter living a hard life with a poor boy.

A big wave of his hand.

Give a hundred servants and a million in money!

The wealth of the Zhuo family was extremely exaggerated. "They had the people of Yunnan and Sichuan, and they had thousands of servants. Their enjoyment of hunting and hunting in the fields was comparable to that of a monarch."

No matter how much Sima Xiangru disliked worldly affairs, he had to do something when his wife's parents came to visit him.

After the last meeting of ministers in the Xuanshi Hall, the news that someone in the palace was advocating salt and iron monopoly spread like wildfire, and the wealthy families involved could no longer sit still.

Those who need connections use their connections, and those who need ways look for ways.

This is not.

Linqiong Zhuo came to see the prince!
Prince's Palace, main hall.

Liu Ju put down the paper in his hand. Facing Sima Xiangru's question, he thought again and again, and said carefully: "The court is still discussing it. Whether the salt, iron and coinage issues will be implemented is still unknown."

When hearing government affairs, Liu said whatever he heard without hiding anything.

But in fact.

What he said were all polite words and nonsense, and the people have already known this.

Zhuo was able to ask Sima Xiangru to visit the Prince's Palace because she naturally wanted to know more information.

such as……

"What is your Majesty's attitude?" Sima Xiangru's face was filled with embarrassment and shame. He bowed his hands and apologized, "My father-in-law's family begged me again and again, and I really couldn't refuse."

Liu Ju nodded repeatedly to show his understanding.

But understanding is understanding.

However, he had no intention of revealing the court's movements. Not to mention his uncle's reminder, just talking about Liu Ju himself.

He couldn't tell outsiders what his father's intentions were, right?

Am I familiar with Zhuo?

When Liu Ju nodded, he looked to his left, where Dongfang Shuo was smiling. Dongfang immediately understood, frowned, and said to Sima Xiangru:
"Old man, can you just ask about His Majesty's will?"

"Besides, your father-in-law has passed away many years ago, and your wife Wenjun is also gone. Now the Zhuo family is in charge, and your... that uncle is in charge."

"Didn't he humiliate you back then? You don't need to run around for him. Be careful not to offend His Majesty!"

Hey.

Sima Xiangru glared at him when he heard this. "Brother Manqian, what are you talking about? The original conflict happened many years ago. Besides, Wenjun and I are husband and wife!"

"How can I ignore it?"

Although Zhuo Wenjun's poem "White-headed Song" nailed Sima Xiangru to the pillar of shame as a scumbag, Sima Xiangru later repented.

The two of them lived together until old age.

Sima Xiangru was heartbroken when Zhuo Wenjun passed away last year. Now that Zhuo has come to him, he has to help if he can, considering the love for his wife.

just.

Dongfang Shuo's jokes did have some effect after all. Sima Xiangru remembered his last sentence:
Be careful not to offend His Majesty!
When he turned around again, he saw the prince copying poetry with a serious look on his face, as if he didn't hear their argument.

Sima Xiangru was stunned for just a moment, then he came to his senses, sighed softly, and never mentioned the salt and iron issue again.

See this.

Dongfang Shuo laughed, picked up a piece of paper covered with handwriting, and took the initiative to warm up the audience: "Come on, come on, Brother Changqing, take a look at my fu."

"The words are gorgeous, the opening is grand, and the meaning is profound. What do you think of calling it "Paper Fu"?"

"It will surely be passed down through the ages!"

Where the founder of crosstalk is present, there will never be a dull moment. Following Dongfang Shuo's nonsense talk, the atmosphere in the Prince's Palace became cheerful again.

While Liu Ju was chatting and joking, he also had some speculations in his mind.

Events like what happened today are definitely not isolated cases. Powerful and wealthy people are everywhere, and they often work in cahoots with ministers in the court.

Today Sima Xiangru couldn't save face and could go to the Prince's Palace. Other ministers also have relatives and friends, and they also have their own difficulties.

Or perhaps, the families of these ministers themselves were making profits in a series of industries such as salt, iron, and coinage!
The current situation is like a stone that stirs up a thousand waves!

……

……

Weiyang Palace, outside the North Palace Gate.

It happened that the regular court session had just ended, and the officials walked out of the palace, bowing to each other and saying goodbye. Prime Minister Li Cai and his colleagues nodded and walked towards their own carriages.

The old servant helped him onto the carriage and, as he drove, he whispered, "Master, the people from the Longxi clan are waiting at your house."

Li Cai, who was resting with his eyes closed, was obviously unhappy, with a frown on his forehead. "Didn't I tell you that the resistance to the salt and iron project is greater than they imagined, and it is impossible to implement it."

"Why come again?"

The old servant leaned to the side and said, "The clan was worried, so they joined forces with several noble families in Beidi County and sent some land deeds, gold and jade, saying that they wanted peace of mind."

Say it.

The carriage was silent for a while, and then Li Cai asked indifferently: "Did they go to find the doctor?"

"I went, but only to complain. My thoughts are still with the master of the house."

"Hmph!" Li Cai snorted coldly.

But there is not much coldness in it, instead there is a sense of satisfaction.

After a pause, he thought of another thing and asked, "I asked the doctor to come to the palace, but he still refused?"

"Yes." replied the old servant.

Ever since Li Cai had a quarrel with Li Guang last time, the cousin has been acting like he really wants to have no contact with Li Guang forever.

"Stinky and hard!"

Li Cai cursed inwardly, feeling depressed, and said coldly: "Go to his house!"

If the mountain doesn’t come to me, I will go to the mountain…

Ok.

The two brothers of the Li family could not reach such an elegant state of mind. They simply... You bow your head, bow your head! You don't bow your head, right? Okay, I won't bow my head either!
It depends on who gives in first.

Judging from the fact that Li Cai took the initiative to visit Li Guang’s mansion today, it was obvious that Li Cai was the first to give in. To be precise, the prime minister was forced into a corner!

Li House.

In the main hall.

Li Guang sat in the main seat, squinting at his cousin, and said in a sarcastic tone: "Wow, isn't this the Prime Minister? What can I do for you?"

His words were half sarcastic and half proud.

Li Cai didn't have time to argue with his cousin. He glanced at the embarrassed Li Gan across from him and said, "Go out first. I have something to talk to your father."

Li Gan wanted to say, "Uncle, please bear with it," but when he saw his uncle's dark face, he held it back and just saluted with his fists.

"Yes."

After Li Gan left, Li Guang also stopped showing his arrogance and raised his eyebrows, saying, "Is there anything you can't say in front of the younger generation?"

If it were not about salt and iron, in the eyes of the prime minister, this matter would either be a fantasy or a castle in the air.

There is no need for him to bow his head and go to Li Guang’s door in person.

What Li Cai wants to say is the foundation of life!
"Li Ji sent someone to contact me, why are you speaking so coldly?" In the hall, the cousin mentioned an unexpected name.

"Li Ji?"

Li Guang waved his hand nonchalantly, "I thought you were going to talk about something important. Why should I treat her with courtesy, a relative of the fifth degree of mourning?"

He said it nonchalantly, and his expression didn't seem to care either.

But Li Cai was furious. He stood up and angrily said, "Stupid!"

"Why do you think His Majesty favors Li Ji?"

"Why do you think I was promoted from the army to the position of Prime Minister? Why do you think His Majesty kept you in the high position of the Nine Ministers even though you were defeated on the battlefield?"

"Li Ji came to contact us, do you think His Majesty doesn't know!?"

Four questions in a row, Li Guang was confused...

(End of this chapter)