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Ang Lee had no intention of punishing Lu Shangyi. Otherwise, he would not have come to visit. However, Lu Shangyi's mind was still stuck in the nightmare of Zheng Laoliu's execution. He was frightened for a while.
"Assistant Minister Li, since you are here, I don't think you will make things difficult for our family. If you have any conditions, please tell me, Assistant Minister Li."
Lu Shangyi's son was not frightened. He bowed respectfully to Ang Lee.
"Haha! I like to talk to smart people. It's not tiring. "
Ang Lee was very satisfied with Lu Shangyi's son's answer. He praised him and looked at Lu Shangyi himself.
At this time, Lu Shangyi finally understood and asked for Li An's conditions even though he already knew the answer.
Ang Lee tried to persuade him with reason and said, "His Majesty asked me to implement the Two Tax Laws. You should all know that. Of course, I know that you have a lot of land in your hands. Once the Two Tax Laws are implemented, your interests will suffer. But you should know that at the current speed of annexation, most of the land in the hands of ordinary people will be in the hands of your big families in a few decades. In this way, how much tax can the imperial court's rent adjustment system collect? Once the imperial court runs out of money, how can the imperial court run out of money? Once the Northern Invaders invade the Tang Dynasty, what will the imperial court do when it has no money to recruit soldiers? Do you aristocratic families want another Five Barbarians Rebellion?"
"Assistant Minister Li is right. However, our Tang Dynasty is famous all over the world. Which Northern Invaders dare to invade our Tang Dynasty? It's a bit of groundless fear."
Lu Shangyi deliberately changed the topic. In fact, he knew that Ang Lee was telling the truth and was very reasonable. However, implementing the Two Tax Laws would violate the interests of their big families. As the representative of Fanyang's Lu family, he considered the interests of his family more than the interests of the Tang Empire.
The nature of aristocratic families was so selfish. Everything they did could not avoid the scope of protecting the interests of their families. For the interests of their families, they did not care at all even if the country was destroyed. The Great Sui Empire had been destroyed for a long time, but their big families were still alive and had begun to be loyal to the Tang Dynasty. Once the Tang Dynasty was destroyed, they could still be loyal to others. As long as their interests were not damaged, it was not impossible for them to be loyal to a foreign country.
Ang Lee knew that the family concept of Lu Shangyi and the other members of the big families had been deeply ingrained in their bones. It was impossible to change their minds. Of course, Ang Lee did not have the time to change their minds. Now that the Sword of Damocles was in his hands, there was no need to talk too much nonsense with them.
"I won't force you to think what you think in your hearts. My condition for letting you go is that Fanyang's Lu family must express their support for the Two Tax Laws promulgated by the imperial court. Of course, you can also refuse, but I won't be soft-hearted. Now, I not only have evidence of you and your father's annexation of land, but also evidence of many people in your family's annexation of land. To put it simply, my first target is Fanyang's Lu family.
Think carefully! "Ang Lee's half-threatening tone revealed his intention to temporarily ignore the other big families and focus on Fanyang's Lu family. This way, the other big families would definitely watch from the sidelines and eliminate one competitor. If Fanyang's Lu family was really targeted, the losses they would have to bear would definitely far exceed the losses caused by accepting the Two Tax Laws.
In the eyes of Lu Shangyi, who prioritized protecting his family's interests, there was no better way than to accept Ang Lee's suggestion. After all, Ang Lee was already targeting Fanyang's Lu family.
But as an elder in his fifties, it was easy to imagine the feeling of being manipulated by Ang Lee. In addition, he was not the patriarch of Fanyang's Lu family. If he took the initiative to agree to Ang Lee's suggestion, how would the people in his family view him in the future? Would the patriarch suppress him in order to quell public anger? Also, would those Lu family members who were officials in the imperial court listen to him and support the Two Tax Laws?
At this moment, Lu Shangyi had a bitter expression on his face. He was so worried that he was about to cry. His son was also frowning with a helpless expression.
Of course, Ang Lee would definitely not pity this pair of father and son. After a pause, he gave an ultimatum. "Tomorrow morning, this official hopes that Fanyang's Lu family can fully support the Two Tax Laws. Otherwise, the consequences will definitely not be what you want to see."
The reason why he was so anxious to get Fanyang's Lu family to express their stance was to prevent undue delay from causing trouble. After all, these big families were very resourceful and might play some tricks.
"Assistant Minister Li, it's only been a day. This time is too short. This one is not the patriarch and I'm afraid I don't have the ability to rally the clansmen to obey."
In the end, Lu Shangyi still had a trace of hope in his heart and wanted to delay.
The corner of Li An's mouth curled into a faint smile. "If Steward Lu doesn't have the ability to rally the clansmen to obey my orders, then this official will first deal with your family tomorrow afternoon. Then, I will personally look for your clan leader to discuss this matter."
Threatening and not giving the opponent the slightest bit of time to prepare — this was Ang Lee's method.
"Assistant Minister Li's work is indeed swift and decisive. However, Assistant Minister Li should know that the Two Tax Laws will offend all the big families. For Assistant Minister Li, there is no benefit. Why should Assistant Minister Li risk offending all the landowning households in the world and forcefully push for the Two Tax Laws?"
Lu Shangyi's son spoke. This was also the question in his heart.
Ang Lee was angry and said loudly, "As a member of the Li Tang imperial family, this official is wholeheartedly for the imperial court. Unlike you landowning households, who only think about your own small interests and don't care about the safety of the imperial court. How big of a loss can a 15% land tax be to you? Also, once the imperial court has money, in the future, all the landowning households will benefit. When that day comes, you will all understand. Farewell!"
After saying this, Ang Lee did not stay and walked away. [Love ↑ Go △ Little ↑ Say △ w
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】
"Assistant Minister Li, take care, take care."
Lu Shangyi helplessly sent Ang Lee off for more than ten steps. When he saw Ang Lee step out of the mansion's gate, he stopped and sighed.
"Father, what should we do now? Ang Lee only gave us one day."
Lu Shangyi's brows furrowed into a big knot. After thinking for a long time, he raised his eyebrows. "Get ready, we will visit the Right Prime Minister again."
"Father, tomorrow afternoon, Ang Lee will make a move on us. What's the use of visiting the Right Prime Minister now? Moreover, the last time we visited the Right Prime Minister, he didn't want to see us at all. If we go this time, I'm afraid we will be rejected again."
"Even if we can't see him, we still have to try. If we really can't reverse the situation, we can only be the sinners of the Fanyang Lu family."
Lu Shangyi's face was full of pain. He once again shamelessly went to visit Li Linfu. This was his last life-saving straw. He wanted to bribe Li Linfu to help him get off the hook. He even decided to spit out the two thousand mu of land he had annexed.
"You should go back! The Right Prime Minister is not seeing any guests today. "
Lu Shangyi and his son were once again rejected. The servants of the Prime Minister's mansion did not let them in, and they naturally did not have the courage to break in.
"Father, what should we do? The Right Prime Minister is not willing to see us. It seems that we can only do as Ang Lee said."
Lu Shangyi ignored his son and directly presented the gifts. He respectfully said, "These are my gifts to the Right Prime Minister. Please pass them to the Right Prime Minister. I will take my leave."
After throwing down the gifts, Lu Shangyi hurriedly left the Right Prime Minister's mansion with his son. He sighed as he walked. He originally wanted to watch the fire burning across the river, sit back and watch Ang Lee and the Zheng family of Xingyang fight, and then reap the benefits. But unexpectedly, Ang Lee turned his target to him and his son. Moreover, in such a short time, he found very unfavorable evidence against them.
"Father, since the Right Prime Minister is not willing to see us, we still give him so many gifts. Isn't this feeding the wolf?"
"What do you know? The Right Prime Minister is the head of the officials. Maybe he will help us for the sake of the gifts."
Lu Shangyi still held a glimmer of hope. After turning a corner, he stopped and secretly looked at the movement at the gate of the Prime Minister's mansion.
"Alang, Lu Shangyi and his son have left, but they left a big gift."
Li Linfu glanced at the gifts and sighed, "It is the Emperor's idea to implement the two tax laws, but these aristocratic families do not understand!"
"Alang, do you want to return these gifts?"
"No need. Zhonglin, go and tell Lu Shangyi that the two tax laws are the Emperor's idea. Tell him not to lose his life for being unable to see the situation clearly. Go!"
For the sake of the gift, Li Linfu decided to remind Lu Shangyi so that he would not make any more unnecessary struggles.
"Yes, Alang."
After Li Zhonglin went out, he found Lu Shangyi and his son after a dozen steps. He truthfully told them what Li Linfu said.
"Father, what does the Right Prime Minister mean? Does he mean that the Emperor is determined to implement the two tax laws? "
"Yes, that is what he means."
Lu Shangyi's bitter face suddenly became even more bitter. He was already in complete despair.
"Father, then what should we do?"
"What else can we do? Hurry back and gather all the people that the family can gather. Prepare for a meeting."
Lu Shangyi was already somewhat flustered and exasperated. The Lu family was the first to stand up and support the two tax laws. This would undoubtedly cause the dissatisfaction of the other families. And he, as the representative of the Lu family, had vowed in front of the representatives of the other families that he would fully oppose the two tax laws. At this moment, yielding was undoubtedly slapping his own face. But Ang Lee's knife was already on his neck, he had no other choice.
Fifteen miles south of Chang 'an City, Ang Lee was preparing to do an experiment. And the experiment project was to test the power of the black gunpowder that he had made.
In a small room in the mansion, Ang Lee mixed sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal powder into the black gunpowder according to the best ratio and filled three small clay pots. In order to make it easier to ignite, cotton ropes soaked in oil were stuffed into the three small clay pots and connected to the outside.
"Alang, this earthen wall is six feet high and one foot thick. Do you think it will work?"
Zhao Liu found a suitable earthen wall and ran over to Ang Lee to report.
Ang Lee glanced at it and nodded. "Not bad, very suitable for this experiment. Come, put this small clay pot in the corner and ignite the cotton rope. Then come back immediately. Also, no one is allowed to be within a hundred steps of the earthen wall."
"Yes, Alang."
Zhao Lu nodded and went to do it himself.
There was no one near the earthen wall. After igniting the cotton rope, Zhao Liu quickly ran back according to Ang Lee's request and stood beside Ang Lee.
"Alang, the rope has been ignited."
Zhao Liu looked at Ang Lee in confusion. He did not understand what kind of experiment Ang Lee was doing. Igniting the rope for no reason, and no one was allowed to be nearby.
"Zhao Liu, cover your ears and squat down."
Ang Lee squatted down and covered his ears with both hands.
"Alang, why do you have to squat down and cover your ears?"
Zhao Liu also squatted down and pinched his earlobes with a puzzled expression.
"Boom …"
After a violent explosion, the six feet high and one foot thick earthen wall was smashed to pieces. A large number of earthen chunks fell everywhere, and a strong dust cloud drifted up to three feet high.
Zhao Liu did not cover his ears. He was shocked by the violent sound and unconsciously sat on the ground. The surrounding area was filled with Ang Lee's servants and recruited workers. When they heard the noise, they all stretched their necks to look over.
Some of the junior stewards, who were the leaders, quickly ran over with a few of their subordinates, wanting to see what was going on.
"Alang, what happened to the earthen wall? How did it become like this?"
Tortoise was the first to arrive with two subordinates.
"It's nothing. You guys go back to work. Don't worry about this."
Ang Lee waved his hand and let the servants who were running over quickly go back. After all, the gunpowder experiment was very dangerous. It was not safe to have so many people around.
The curious crowd was splashed with cold water and walked back unhappily. However, they still looked back three times with every step, wanting to see what was going on.
"Alang, what the hell is going on? I just lit a small jar just now, but it has such great power."
Zhao Liu was completely shocked. He knew that the earthen wall was blown up and it must be related to the small jar, but he did not know why.
Ang Lee was too lazy to explain to Zhao Liu. He was more concerned about the power of the gunpowder. So, he quickly walked to the earthen wall to see the damage caused by the jar of gunpowder.
"Not bad, not bad. Such a small jar actually has such great destructive power. It's enough, it's enough."
There was a deep pit where the small jar was placed. The earthen wall next to it was completely overturned. There was only a foot of broken wall left at the base of the wall. It looked a bit tragic.
"Alang, what the hell is this? How can it have such great power?"
Looking at the big pit, Zhao Liu touched his head and asked with a look of horror.
Ang Lee smiled and explained: "This is called black gunpowder. It is a very powerful material and has a wide range of uses. However, you are not allowed to leak it out so as not to cause trouble for me. Do you understand?"
"Alang, you can rest assured that I will not tell anyone."
Ang Lee smiled and looked into the distance. He shouted: "Zhao Liu, take the remaining two small jars. We will go to the place where there are stones to test the power of the explosion."
"Yes, Alang."
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