Chapter 591

King Chen put on a straight face and said, "I've always heard that lobbyists like to bluff people. Is Mister Su trying to imitate them?"

Unlike other monarchs, he addressed himself as "I", which showed that he did not pay much attention to etiquette. What he meant was that Mister Su was a talented person and should not lower yourself to be associated with lobbyists.

Mengqi looked solemn and looked at King Chen without saying a word.

They had rehearsed this meeting many times. Jiang Zhi Wei and the others looked solemn and did not smile at all. For a moment, the hall was silent and the atmosphere was heavy.

King Chen took a deep breath and said, "Although Chu and Tang are like tigers and wolves, we have already attached ourselves to Chu. We have no worries and can resist Tang's reinforcements. What danger is there?"

Even though he was kneeling, Mengqi's back was straight. He shook his head and said, "If Chu and Tang restrain themselves and do not start wars, this situation will last. However, the two states are often in conflict and the people at the border are in misery. Both sides will suffer losses and there is no benefit."

"Neither side benefits. If things go on for a long time, there will be changes."

King Chen changed his sitting posture from leaning to sitting upright. He seemed to be more focused.

Mengqi did not seem to notice and asked, "If Tang abandons Chu and attacks Chen, what will Your Majesty do?"

King Chen was not afraid and said calmly, "Defend the city and wait for Chu's reinforcements. Both sides are allies and Chu will not sit back and do nothing."

If Chu abandoned its ally, the other small states would turn to Tang and its situation would become even more difficult. Therefore, King Chen did not doubt that Chu would send reinforcements.

Mengqi did not refute this and smiled, "If Chu and Tang fight in Chen, the people who are in misery will not be their own. They can also take the mines, fertile lands, exotic minerals and produce, and talented people. Isn't it better than before?"

"In Your Majesty's opinion, is it better to give up what is beneficial or pursue what is beneficial?"

"If this continues, how many times can Chen defend with its strength?"

"Destruction is imminent and Your Majesty still turns a blind eye to it?"

His voice gradually became louder and more powerful!

King Chen took a deep breath and seemed to be suppressing his anger, "Chu can attack Tang and save Chen. There is no need to fight here."

"Besieging Wei to rescue Zhao …" Meng Qi said without batting an eyelid, "The two countries have been at war for a long time. The border cities are heavily guarded and the land is broken. It's hard to see any gains. Tang, on the other hand, can march straight in and plunder the land. Then, they can retreat and launch a pincer attack before the masters of Chu can penetrate deep."

"If this continues, how many times can Tang save with Chen's wealth?"

The King of Chen raised his voice and his tone became agitated. "There are dozens of small states between Chu and Tang, most of which are weaker than us. With Tang's wisdom, why would they give up the easy and take the difficult?"

"Such a small country can be destroyed in a day. At this time next year, will Your Majesty still be so lucky?" Meng Qi sat upright and still with his hands on his knees. His words became equally fierce!

The King of Chen glared at him, his hand on the hilt of his sword. After a long while, he sighed and stood up.

"Sir, you're really clear about the world's situation. Big countries are like huge rocks. I've never heard of two rocks colliding with each other and the egg in the middle surviving. Can you teach me anything?"

His attitude was sincere. It was obvious that he already knew about the situation in the Chen State.

Meng Qi was not surprised at all. Since the King of Chen had invited them into the palace, it meant that he was well aware of the situation. He was just testing them!

He picked up the bronze wine cup in front of him and took a sip of wine, using this to organize his next key words.

Putting down the wine cup, Meng Qi slowly said, "Submitting the entire country to Chu and Tang is a strategy to eliminate any future troubles. However, the Chen Kingdom's aristocrats can do it, but the King can't. If the aristocrats submit to Chu and Tang, they can still keep their fiefs and fiefs.

Chen Wang nodded and waited for the main topic.

"There are three reasons why Chen Nation is in danger. The first is that it is weak. In this world of tigers and wolves, it is a sin to be weak. The second is that it overestimates its own strength and often starts meaningless wars. The third is that it provokes Tang to be wary of it. The third is that it will only benefit Chu Nation and not Tang Nation." Meng Qi spoke with fervor and assurance. This was the result of a month of discussion between the five of them!

"It is not beneficial to Tang?" Meng Qi asked. "It is not beneficial to Tang? To be the grass on the wall and go with the wind? "

"Not really." Mengqi said with a smile. He started from the beginning. "If it is weak, it is necessary to have a strong will. It is necessary to respect ghosts and gods. It is necessary to have the same desire. It is necessary to have the King's order and the King's will.

"To have the same desire, it is necessary to love everyone with impartiality. It is necessary to open public schools and select talents. It is necessary to not be belittled because of the difference in status.

"This is a long-term foundation. It is not something that can be achieved in a short period of time. However, once this matter is known to the world, won't the powerhouses who are not valued by other countries flock here?"

"This is a costly move. Therefore, in the beginning, it is necessary for the King to be frugal."

King Chen agreed with him. However, he frowned at the last sentence. "In the beginning?"

He knew that it was impossible to support the expenditure of opening public schools and recruiting talents by relying on frugal burial. However, according to Mr. Su, it seemed that this was just a temporary measure.

Mengqi smiled but did not explain. He continued, "Overestimating one's strength is a result of not loving everyone with impartiality and being greedy for 'self-interest'. I ask the King to tell all countries that there will be no more wars without benefits. If we go against it, we will be abandoned by heaven and people and our ancestors will be shamed. This will dispel the fear of all countries."

Being abandoned by heaven and people and shamed ancestors were more serious oaths. Although it did not have any binding force, it was still quite credible in the eyes of others. Moreover, it seemed to be reasonable since he believed in the School of Mo who believed in 'non-aggression'.

King Chen's expression darkened. If he could not benefit from other countries, what was the use of strengthening the Chen Kingdom?

If this matter did not concern the survival of his country, he would definitely not listen to the suggestion of 'non-aggression'.

Mengqi did not seem to notice the slight change in his expression. He turned back to King Chen's initial surprise. "To be beneficial to the Tang Kingdom is not to be a grass on the wall, but to be useful to the Tang Kingdom."

"What do you mean?" King Chen still did not understand.

Mengqi smiled. "Chu and Tang have been fighting for a long time and their hatred has deepened. Have they stopped trading goods?"

"Yes." King Chen was able to become a guru step by step. He was not a stupid person and vaguely understood.

"Although Chu and Tang can trade with other countries, some exotic minerals and minerals, as well as elixirs, can only be produced in the other country. For example, Chu's Yunze Herbs and Tang's Guanshan Hidden Treasures are indispensable to them. Even if they can pass through other countries or carry out secret transactions, they will not have enough to meet their needs for cultivation." Mengqi said eloquently.

As they had not gotten to the main topic, King Chen was a little anxious. "Are we going to help the Tang Kingdom buy Yunze Herbs? But if we are found out, the Chu Kingdom will definitely send troops to attack us! "

This kind of thing could not be put in the open. Perhaps Chu and Tang Kingdom would turn a blind eye to it. But if they were found out, the Chu Kingdom would definitely not let the Chen Kingdom go because of the hatred caused by the court discussions and war.

Mengqi shook his head. "Why should we bear this infamy?"

After saying this, he suddenly stood up and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, please abolish the Transit Dues of the Chen Kingdom!"

Countries often set up checkpoints at their borders and within their own countries. One was for inspection, and the other was for tax collection.

"Abolish all Transit Dues? Mr. Su, are you not going to open public schools to recruit talents? " Although King Chen did not understand why the topic was changed to this, he could not help but panic. Thus, there was a sudden gust of wind in the main hall!

It was difficult to support the expenditure of the virtuous for a long time by relying on frugal burial. Now that the Transit Dues was abolished, how could they live on?

Mengqi stood straight like a pine tree. His wide robe swayed in the wind. "Most of the Transit Dues are set by the private fiefs and fall into the hands of the nobles. It has nothing to do with your Majesty. If you can abolish all the Transit Dues, will the merchants of the Chu Kingdom and Tang Kingdom not come for profits?"

"At that time, Shangying will become a place where merchants gather. The city tax will more than double! And the merchants need food, clothing, housing, and transportation. They need to sing, dance, and play. Then, the inns and restaurants will not have to worry about business. The only worry is that there are not enough guest rooms. We need to build more! The only worry is that there is not enough wine and food. We need to prepare widely! "

"Therefore, the people will not pay a low price, so the shops will earn a lot. Therefore, there are all kinds of treasures in Shangying. Does your Majesty need to worry about the lack of taxes, the lack of treasury, and the lack of money to support the soldiers?"

King Chen suddenly stood up, his hands trembling slightly. He looked excited, as if a new door had opened in front of him!

That works too?

But it sounds like it really works!

Mengqi's voice became louder. "In such a place where merchants gather, will there be no lack of the medicine of Yunze and the treasure of Guanshan sent by the people of the Chu Kingdom and Tang Kingdom? This is what they do privately. What does it have to do with your Majesty? At most, it will be the fault of the inspection! "

"With this, your Majesty will benefit both the Chu Kingdom and the Tang Kingdom. It is' mutual benefit '!"

King Chen nodded repeatedly. He could already figure out the crux of it.

At this time, Meng Qi said in a powerful voice,

"Therefore, the Chen Kingdom is not weak. If you want to take it by force, you will hurt yourself!"

"Therefore, the Chen Kingdom is righteous and does not attack other countries. It is harmless to itself!"

"Therefore, the Chen Kingdom is useful and beneficial to itself. It is very convenient!"

"When such a beneficial, righteous, and not weak country is destroyed, why should we destroy it?"

"Therefore, if the victory of the Chu Kingdom and the Tang Kingdom is not clear, the Chen Kingdom will have no worries. When the victory is clear, do you still not know what to do?"

His words were sonorous and powerful. King Chen's eyes became brighter and brighter, and his breathing became heavy. In the end, he walked out of the table and personally supported Mengqi.

"Sir, you are really a rare talent. The Chen Kingdom is fortunate to have received your teachings. I wonder if you would like to be the Minister of Finance of the Chen Kingdom?"

Mengqi and the others looked at each other. There was less than a month left, and there was finally a breakthrough.

"It is my wish, but I dare not!" Mengqi cupped his hands and bowed.

…

Clang!

A bronze wine cup was thrown to the ground, creating a deep pit and making a metallic sound.

Minister of Justice Tian Heng's face was livid. He looked at his eldest son Tian Guang in front of him and said bitterly, "Ridiculous! Ridiculous! His Majesty appointed Sumo from the Mohist family as the Minister of Finance and made a change! "

"Abolishing the Transit Dues and honoring the talented. He wants to destroy our foundation!"

Tian Guang looked solemn and nodded gently, "I also feel heavy."

"I heard that the Wu Kingdom in the southeast appointed a mountain idler, Wu Hao. He said that he wanted to abolish the feudal land, use the land, and build a county. For this reason, the Wu Kingdom fell into a civil war. I am afraid that Sumo will follow his example in the end!"

"Abolish the feudal land, use the land, and build a county?" Tian Heng felt that he didn't know this world anymore.

Was the sky falling?

Tian Guang looked indifferent and resolute, "I think we should get rid of the disaster as soon as possible."

"With the support of the King …" Tian Heng frowned. The King was a guru and the most powerful person in the Chen Kingdom. Who could get rid of the disaster under his eyes? Could it be that he contacted the nobles of the Chu Kingdom?

Tian Guang said, "If you don't want to live, there is a chance!"

"Guang 'er, you?" Tian Heng said in surprise.

Tian Guang clenched his teeth, but his expression was still indifferent and resolute, "In today's world, it's either you or I die. As long as we can get rid of this trend, the world will be stable, and we will be safe."

"Hey, Sumo said it himself. Where righteousness is, I will go forward even if there are millions of people!"