The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"According to you, isn't the imperial court doing a good deed?" Xiao Yu questioned. "Moreover, have you considered that they might take the seeds and not plant them, but instead eat them?"

"Furthermore, if they can lend it out, who would want to buy it?"

"What should we do with the curved plow?"

"Doing good deeds?" Chen Huai'an found it laughable and looked around at everyone, saying, "Since Master Xiao thinks that lending something out and having to return it, but not charging interest or charging less interest, is doing good deeds..."

"What about before the work-for-relief program was implemented, when the imperial court spent huge sums of money and grain to feed the people for free? What about that?"

"A living Buddha?"

"Oh, no, that's not right," Chen Huai'an said sarcastically. "Bodhisattvas only care about the incense offerings in the temple, they don't care about the lives of ordinary people like us."

Upon hearing this, many people nodded in agreement, while others showed dissatisfaction.

However, no one said anything; almost everyone was watching Chen Huai'an and Xiao Yu.

Because from the conversation just now, they sensed something... very special.

Xiao Yu was completely speechless.

Upon closer reflection, it seems that the problem wasn't with Chen Huai'an's words, but rather with his own thinking.

In the past, no one would have cared about these things, but ever since Chen Huai'an appeared, the imperial court has always managed to get things done while profiting from them.

Unbeknownst to them, their thinking gradually changed, as if they believed that it was wrong for the court not to profit.

In fact, these are things that the imperial court should have done, things that they should have done.

Many things should not be judged by gains or losses.

What made Xiao Yu even more embarrassed was that they used to be the ones who always shouted about putting the people first and prioritizing the common people.

Now they are calculating gains and losses, while Chen Huai'an, who brought about this change, has always persisted.

The difference between the two is obvious!

The saying goes that there is no harm without comparison, and now that we've compared them, the way people around Xiao Yu are looking at him is somewhat strange.

Li Shimin glanced at Xiao Yu casually; there was a reason why he repeatedly rejected Xiao Yu's proposal.

This person is capable, but sometimes his actions and words are indeed displeasing to him, and he has offended many people in the court.

Wei Zheng then spoke up, saying, "I personally think that borrowing seeds is feasible. Just as Minister Chen said, if the people have seeds to grow, they can feed themselves and pay their taxes."

"This matter benefits both the people and oneself, so it cannot be considered a good deed."

"Furthermore," Wei Zheng glanced at Xiao Yu, "the common people value seeds far more than others imagine."

"After all, they plant seeds and will reap a greater harvest in the future. Even a fool can tell which is more important."

"In ordinary people, many would rather starve to death than touch the seeds for the following year. I have seen this many times, so there is no need to talk about it again."

"Finally, I also acknowledge that under special circumstances, a small number of people might actually eat the seeds, but that's only a small number."

"As long as the corresponding laws are established and lending is not done indiscriminately, I believe this matter can be resolved."

Du Ruhui praised, "That's right. If they weren't truly forced into a corner, who would eat seeds? I've seen many parents who would rather starve to death than not plant seeds the following year."

"In the first year of Zhenguan, so many disaster victims traveled thousands of miles, gnawing on tree roots and eating tree bark along the way, and many people still carefully kept the seeds in their arms."

"Because they know that it's fundamental to their future survival."

Li Shimin nodded slightly: "I am aware of this matter, so I think Minister Chen's suggestion is excellent, and the court should have done so long ago."

"Work-for-relief programs have indeed improved the lives of many people in a visible way, but people cannot just have money; food is the foundation of everything."

"Since they are suffering from the torment of usurious seeds, why not let the imperial court lend them seeds? This would also... effectively stabilize tax revenue."

Upon hearing this, Chen Huai'an was startled, Wei Zheng abruptly raised his head, and Fang Du, Xiao Yu, and others all showed surprise in their eyes.

Cui Xuan and many other aristocratic officials, as well as those who were neutral or even biased towards Li Shimin, all lowered their gazes.

However, most people failed to understand Li Shimin's meaning and its deeper implications, only feeling that the atmosphere around them was somewhat strange.

Ouyang Shu hesitated for a moment, his gaze towards his Minister filled with complex emotions.

So that's what they were planning!

Ouyang Shu sighed inwardly, determined that once he took office as the Transport Commissioner of Lingnan, he would listen more to the opinions of his Minister.

These people... are all terrifying.

In fact, after advancing from a fourth-rank official to a third-rank official, Ouyang Shu's spirits recovered considerably, and he couldn't help but feel a little proud.

Even though it's still a third-rank official position, it's quite close to the pinnacle of power. Although it can't compare to core figures with real power like Du Ruhui and Chen Huai'an, the power in its hands is still enormous.

More importantly, entering the third rank means that if he performs well in these three years, he may be able to advance further before retiring to his hometown.

It's inevitable to feel proud.

But at that moment, all his pride vanished.

Ouyang Shu fully realized how terrifying these people were; they planned three steps ahead for every one they took, and every step was fraught with danger.

"What's wrong?" Li Shimin stroked his mustache. "Why are you all silent?"

"Is there anything wrong with what I say?"

"No!" Wei Zheng, ever the stubborn man, bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise; this measure is indeed beneficial to tax revenue."

"Your Majesty, I support you."

"Hahahaha." Li Shimin couldn't help but laugh, stood up, and pointed at Wei Zheng with one finger. "Wei Zheng, Wei Zheng, it's not easy for me to hear a word of support from you!"

"Your Majesty is too kind," Wei Zheng said quietly. "Your Majesty has made a wise decision, and I naturally support it."

"Xuanling, Keming, where are you two?" Li Shimin's lips curled up slightly.

In this court, only two people praising him would give him immense satisfaction.

The first one is Wei Zheng.

Do we even need to think about this?

You criticize him all the time, always finding fault with him, and it's extremely rare to get a single word of praise from him.

Another one is Chen Huai'an.

This strange, starving ghost always manages to flatter him to the core, and he absolutely loves hearing what he says.

Li Shimin was in an extremely good mood.

Du Ruhui hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I have no objection. I think Mr. Chen's suggestion and Your Majesty's decision are excellent, and I support them."

Fang Xuanling quickly echoed, "That's what I think too."

"The imperial court must ultimately prioritize the people's welfare. Natural disasters cannot last forever; it is time to consider the possibility of favorable weather."

"I fully support the matter of borrowing seeds."

"Good, very good!" Li Shimin nodded with a faint smile, then looked meaningfully at Chen Huai'an: "Huai'an, what about you?"

"..."