Li Xiang had announced to the public that he was seriously ill, so even if he went to see Li Shimin, he could only change into the clothes of a eunuch. Li Xiang hated such clothes, but if he walked in openly, there would be too many people in the palace and the news would spread immediately, and everything he had done before would be in vain.
Li Shimin suppressed Li Xiang in all aspects, but there were some things that Li Xiang had to do, for example, regarding the salt permit auction, Li Xiang had already obtained enough salt permits, but how to handle the remaining things still required Li Xiang to interpret. Although Li Shimin handed this matter over to Fang Xuanling, he still had to ask the necessary questions.
When the grandfather and grandson met again, Li Shimin suddenly felt a little guilty towards his grandson. A few days ago, he had staged a drama of establishing a queen in this hall, trying to make Li Xiang and Li Ke enemies.
As a result, Li Xiang fainted and got away with it. Later, after returning, he began to resign from his position, which was considered to be relatively sensible. However, Li Shimin still felt uncomfortable. Such a young person had already threatened the imperial power. This was his grandson. It would be hard to say if it were someone else.
"Regarding the salt voucher auction, I'm going to let you guys take possession of the treasure. I have something to ask you. Should we auction it off in different places, or should we concentrate it all in the capital?"
Li Shimin himself also felt strange. When he said this, it seemed as if there was a bit of flattery. He was afraid that this guy would quit.
"The Emperor has countless capable ministers under his command, and I, your grandson, dare not interrupt."
According to Li Shimin's idea, if Li Xiang was a great hero, he would not reveal his true identity at this moment no matter how he suppressed him. He should tell him the details of the auction. However, after Li Xiang stood up, he looked nonchalant and leaned directly against the pillar of the hall.
"Look at yourself. Do you still have the dignity of a royal family member?"
No matter whether it was Li Shimin's brothers, sons, or some of his grandsons, when they came to the hall, they all sat upright, unlike Li Xiang.
"My grandson is ill now, and it's quite serious. This is the diagnosis of several doctors from the Imperial Hospital. Moreover, there's no one else here. Who would want to maintain etiquette in his grandfather's house? Isn't this exhausting?"
Li Xiang found a place to sit while talking. This disrespectful act actually brought a smile to Li Shimin's face. What had happened to him these past few days? Perhaps he was a little nervous. How could he regard his grandson as his enemy? After all, he was just a little kid in his teens. He was his grandfather. The reason he had been so arrogant before was because of his grandfather's praise.
With just a simple move, Li Xiang immediately made Li Shimin feel that there was still family affection in the royal family. Li Shimin had been very fond of this move before, and Li Xiang had not expected it. Now that he had thought of it, he had to use this trick.
"You little bastard, you're not really sick, are you?"
Li Shimin naturally knew what was wrong with Li Xiang's health, but seeing that Li Xiang looked pale and sick, he thought to himself that Li Xiang must be prepared to take his illness for real. If he was really sick, it would be a big loss. Looking at all the royal children of the Tang Dynasty, he was probably the only one who could do things.
"I haven't had a good rest these past two days. I got scared here today, and I have to resign there tomorrow. It's a wonder my health is getting better."
Li Xiang picked up a fruit on the table next to him, wiped it on his body and started to eat it. It was indeed offered to the emperor. This thing was sweeter than the ones in the East Palace.
After hearing what Li Xiang said, Li Shimin knew that Li Xiang was not really sick, but he must have been scared these days. He had been rewarded all the way before, but now he was treated with indifference all the way. Thinking of what he had done, Li Shimin blushed a little, but of course he became normal in an instant. If an emperor does not even have this ability, he is an incompetent emperor.
"Just stay home and be quiet for a while. You've been jumping too high lately. Grandpa did this to protect you, so that you won't become the target of public criticism. If everyone attacks you, how will you live? Let's not talk about those useless things. Let's talk about the salt auction first. What should we do?"
Li Shimin comforted this guy a few words, thinking that he should change his attitude in the future. He should not let the civil and military officials in the court think that this kid has fallen out of favor. If so, it would not be a good thing for the future heir. It would be easy for him to take a paranoid path. If he ended up on the opposite side of himself, it would be like picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons. It would indeed restrict the kid's rights, but it would not be good for the future of the Tang Dynasty.
Hearing that Li Shimin had started to talk about business and had resolved the conflict between the two of them some time ago, Li Xiang also started to talk about the salt permit auction.
The Wang family of Taiyuan is the largest salt merchant, and they will suffer the greatest losses in this auction. Therefore, one thing must be done before the auction, which is to send elite troops into Shanxi to prevent them from doing anything desperate. Although the probability of them rebelling is relatively small, we must be prepared.
Previously, the Wang family of Taiyuan had an affair with Tuyuhun, and Li Shimin had obtained all the relevant evidence, but because he had no way to make it an ironclad case, he did not take any action. But this anger had been suppressed in his body. If he did not release it, then we would be the ones who would be hurt. Taking this opportunity to make them bleed heavily, or even reduce them from a top-tier family to a second-rate one, this would be the most satisfying way to vent his anger.
"Grandpa, you should have a list of all the officials of the Wang family in Taiyuan, both overt and covert. Before the auction begins, you must control all of them. Those who can be transferred should be transferred as much as possible, and those who cannot be transferred must not be allowed to get into trouble."
Both grandfather and grandson are smart people. Before they start to plot against others, they must first keep the overall situation unchanged. After all, they are the helmsmen of the Tang Dynasty. Once there is any disturbance in the Tang Dynasty, they will suffer the greatest losses.
Li Shimin watched the clerk next to him finish writing, then nodded to signal Li Xiang to say the second one.
"How much money is left in the treasury?"
While discussing how to weaken the Taiyuan Wang family, Li Xiang suddenly said this. Li Shimin suddenly became nervous. "You kid are not planning to take the money in the national treasury, are you?" The money in the national treasury supports the operation of the country. It is of paramount importance.
