Chapter 213
Words:1556Update:22/06/25 06:01:02
"What? How can there be so much? "
"This … Oh my god! Why did the Ministry of Works announce that there are less than forty million taels? Where did the remaining two thousand taels go? "
"Oh my god! The taxes in the treasury are the lifeline of the Tang Dynasty! "
"Your Majesty! It's a capital offense! "
"This is a capital offense!"
Hou Can panicked.
Under the reprimanding of the ministers, he hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty! The taxes are there! I just haven't … haven't sorted out the accounts yet … "
"Enough!"
Zhangsun Wuji smiled coldly.
"Lord Hou, I believe you were preparing to fill the hole yesterday, right? After all, it's only been half a year. With your ability to embezzle more than ten thousand taels of tax under the Emperor's nose, you definitely can't fill it up in a day! "
"Half a month!"
"In your document to the Emperor, you said that you needed half a month. I believe you were planning to fill the hole in half a month, right?"
"But did you forget that the Emperor would suddenly want to check the treasury?"
Zhangsun Wuji looked at Hou Can indifferently, then knelt on one knee and took out a bill from his chest. He said loudly, "Your Majesty! I have a copy of the accounts of Hou Can's various businesses in the past three months. Please take a look, Your Majesty! "
"What …"
"The Ministry of Justice … actually found evidence of Hou Can's crimes?"
"If that's the case, doesn't that mean …"
"A capital offense! A capital offense! "
"How dare you, Hou Can! Do you still want to quibble? Take advantage of the fact that His Majesty hasn't gotten angry yet and quickly admit your mistake. Perhaps His Majesty will spare your death sentence for the sake of Marquis Hou! "
Wei Zheng raised his Buddhist sleeves and scolded Xiao Guizi as he handed the bill to him.
"Lord Hou! Admit your crimes! "
"Otherwise, you will really have your entire family executed!"
"Lord Hou!"
"Hou Can …"
The ministers of the Ministry of Works and those who had connections with Hou Can, or even those who had business dealings with him, panicked and hurriedly asked Hou Can to admit his crimes.
"Your Majesty … I admit my crimes!"
Of course, Hou Can knew that if this booklet was opened in front of Li Shimin, what awaited him would be the execution of nine generations of his family!
In the end, Li Shimin did not open the booklet. He waved his hand indifferently.
"Jinwu Guards!"
"Send Hou Can to the Supreme Court and have him wait for interrogation!"
He knew that if the investigation continued, more than half of the people kneeling on the ground would deserve to die!
But now, he knew that if he killed all these people, then …
It was also very difficult for him!
Actually, he knew that the booklet Zhangsun Wuji handed over was not evidence of his crimes.
How could he have the time to investigate within a day?
To be able to find out the amount of money deposited in the treasury overnight had already expended a large number of people. If they continued to investigate, then …
Forget it.
Since Hou Junji was involved, Li Shimin could not bear to do it.
With a wave of his hand, he dejectedly said, "Ever since the founding of the Great Tang, We know that many of you have strived so that the Great Tang can walk out of its current predicament, but … how could We not know that everyone has their own selfish motives?"
"We have never asked about these matters. Why is that?"
"For the sake of face!
"After the Wei River, the foreigners have always been eyeing our Tang Dynasty covetously. We also know that this meager amount of money is a little tight for all of you. Thus, We have always turned a blind eye to your businesses.
"Why did We do this?"
"This subject … is guilty!"
How could the officials still dare to stand after hearing this?
They hurriedly kneeled on the ground, and some of them even wanted to cry out loud.
But who was really crying and who was faking it? Only the benevolent could see benevolence.
Li Shimin did not say anything. As if he did not see the officials, he continued to speak as if he was sleep-talking, "Actually, how could We not be worried about this matter?
"Do you know that because of this matter, every night when I wake up in the middle of the night, I think that the court robes you all wear are all made of the best golden silk?"
"Do you know how much effort We have put into feeding the people of the Tang Dynasty?
"What kind of place is the treasury? It is the lifeline of our Tang Dynasty! You dare to touch it? What is the difference between you and those foreign barbarians? You are gnawing on the flesh and blood of the people of our Tang Dynasty! "
Li Shimin looked up at the Political Announcement Hall and pointed at it. "Come and take a look. This is the Political Announcement Hall of our Tang Dynasty. It is the place where We issue every order. Look, are they more dilapidated than your study?"
The officials all bowed their heads and did not dare to make a sound.
They all knew that His Majesty was furious because of this.
"But … even so, We have never thought of repairing the palace! It is not that We don't have money, nor that We don't want to repair it, but We don't want to waste it!
"Look!"
Li Shimin lifted his dragon robe and pointed at the boots on his feet. "This is made by My Empress, the Empress of the Tang Dynasty. She sewed this stitch and thread for me. Why?
"Tell me, why?
"You just want to save a little money for the Tang Dynasty and let the people have more money, right?"
Li Shimin's voice suddenly turned cold.
He shouted angrily, "But there are always some of you who think We are fools!"
"…"
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