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

"I have no objection."

Chen Huai'an shook his head, knowing that his suggestion had become part of Li Shimin's scheme.

What other opinions could he possibly have?

He had previously found it strange that Li Shimin knew about these difficulties, presumably from Li Chengqian.

At that time, he also talked to the villagers of Xiaoxi Village about borrowing seeds, and Li Chengqian should have told Li Shimin about it as well.

Why do you never bring it up on your own initiative?

It turns out they deliberately let him bring it up, and they had already planned it all along.

Second Empress... This emperor is becoming more and more competent.

He has gradually detached himself from the identity of General Tian Ce and is moving towards becoming the Heavenly Khan.

"Then let's decide on that!"

Li Shimin immediately made the decision: "Let's decide on this matter for now, and then discuss it carefully and try to finalize it before the end of this month."

"Next, let's talk about the imperial examination..."

During the ensuing discussion, many people were lost in thought, because whatever was discussed next was no longer important.

The imperial examinations have already begun, and the major examination will be held next year. What else is there to worry about?

The most noteworthy matter is the borrowing of seeds.

Cui Xuan glanced at Chen Huai'an, sighed inwardly, and lamented once again why this person wasn't born into the Cui family.

Many people also glanced at Chen Huai'an from time to time.

Chen Huai'an was so bored that he couldn't even listen to what Li Shimin was saying, and he was utterly speechless.

Why are you looking at me?

I didn't know beforehand!

Look at Li Shimin!

"..."

"Mr. Chen, you are truly brilliant!" After leaving Ganlu Hall, Wei Zheng came to Chen Huai'an's side and kept exclaiming in admiration.

"So that's what you and His Majesty were planning. I never even thought of it until later."

Chen Huai'an's face darkened, and he didn't want to say a word.

"Mr. Chen, that's impressive!"

Du Ruhui also rushed over, clicking his tongue in amazement: "You were having another secret meeting with His Majesty, weren't you? You didn't even invite us, leaving us completely unaware beforehand!"

"Isn't that right?" Fang Xuanling nodded repeatedly from the side. "I'm not saying this to criticize you, but you can't do it this way. You always discuss things privately with His Majesty and only reveal them on formal occasions, which always catches us off guard."

"Aren't you treating us like outsiders?"

Fang Xuanling said this jokingly.

Chen Huai'an was annoyed: "Would you believe me if I said I didn't know beforehand?"

"Do you think we believe it or not?" Changsun Wuji's voice suddenly rang out from behind.

Wei Zheng gave him a look that said, "Do you think I'm a fool?" "Mr. Chen, doesn't your conscience hurt when you say that?"

"If you hadn't discussed this with His Majesty beforehand, would this have happened today?"

"You're asking us if we believe it or not? Guess if we do?"

"Don't believe me if you don't want to!" Chen Huai'an said irritably. "If you don't believe me, why don't you ask? What's the point of asking?"

"And you, Lao Fang, no offense, but when did I ever exclude you? How could you say such a thing?"

"Holding secret meetings? Do I?"

"Don't you have one?" Fang Xuanling's expression was intriguing.

Chen Huai'an: "..."

"Forget it, I'm too lazy to talk to you. I have things to do at the Ministry of Revenue, so I'll be leaving now."

Having been falsely accused, Chen Huai'an had no desire to talk to these people anymore, so he left after saying just one sentence.

The group looked at each other, then burst out laughing.

"Alright, I don't think I need to worry about the content of next month's court report," Fang Xuanling said in a relaxed tone.

Changsun Wuji nodded, a hint of admiration in his voice: "Truly brilliant..."

"Isn't that right?" Du Ruhui shook his head. "I'm leaving too. Everyone's busy."

Soon, everyone dispersed; some went home, and others went about their business.

Du Ruhui went home.

Upon returning, Du Ruhui sat in his study for a long time, his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought.

He didn't even notice his son, Du Gou, bringing in tea.

"Father...Father?"

"Hmm?" Du Ruhui slowly opened his eyes, and when he saw his son, his expression softened. "Gou'er."

"Father, what are you thinking about? Why are you so serious?" Du Gou asked while pouring tea for Du Ruhui. "I called you several times but you didn't respond."

Du Ruhui clicked his tongue: "Today, His Majesty summoned us and spoke of something... very interesting."

Du Gou blinked: "Interesting?"

In his view, things that his father called special or interesting were, to some extent, even more important than some major events.

He was very curious about what had happened that Du Ruhui had called interesting.

"It's like this..." Du Ruhui began slowly, "Today His Majesty spoke of the people's difficulties, mainly the inability to afford curved plows and the lack of grain seeds..."

Next, Du Ruhui recounted in detail the content of the first half of the conversation in Ganlu Hall to Du Gou.

This was obviously against the rules, but he knew his son's personality; the other party would never bring this up.

Moreover, Du Ruhui really valued Du Gou and wanted to cultivate him.

This isn't the first time he's done this; he did it before.

After he finished speaking, Du Ruhui asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Du Gou pondered for a moment and said, "Father, isn't this a good thing?"

"Mr. Chen's suggestion is excellent. From his perspective as Minister of Revenue, there is nothing wrong with finding ways to increase tax revenue. From the perspective of His Majesty and the officials, this matter benefits the people and has no downsides."

"Isn't this a good thing?"

"It is indeed a good thing, at least on the surface." Du Ruhui remained noncommittal, then added, "But think carefully about His Majesty's last words."

"His Majesty's last words?" Du Gou was lost in thought.

Du Ruhui explained it in great detail, and almost all of his words were copied verbatim, so Du Gou quickly remembered it.

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

Is this the sentence?

"Yes!" Du Ruhui gradually guided her, "Think carefully, what's wrong with this sentence?"

"What's the problem..." Du Gou frowned and pondered, various guesses popping into his mind.

But he really couldn't understand what was wrong with that sentence. Isn't that normal?

The common people had no seeds and could only borrow from landlords and wealthy merchants, but the interest rates were too high. His Majesty said that it would be no problem for the court to lend them the seeds.

The second half of that sentence is fine too.

If we lend out the seeds, won't that stabilize tax revenue?

Du Gou really couldn't understand it, so he honestly said, "Father, please forgive my stupidity, I really don't understand what special meaning this sentence has."

"Look at yourself now, just like most officials," Du Ruhui rebuked mercilessly. "Many times, problems are right in front of you, and opportunities for advancement are right in front of you, but you can't even see them."

"It's laughable that some people in the court today still have designs on the position of Transport Commissioner of Lingnan."

"..."