Early Dynasty, Taiji Palace.

Just before the start of the early dynasty, when Xiao Qian, who had not been in the court for a while, appeared, everyone felt that it was a little unusual.

The early dynasty first discussed some daily affairs of the various ministries, and was ready to disperse, and the eldest grandson Wuji came out and said:

"Your Majesty, the ministers and others discussed the terms of rewards for patriotic merchants, mainly the following two points: first, the imperial court will issue the title of student and volunteer businessman, and the local government will issue a plaque to allow it to be hung on the gate.

Second, he was allowed to recommend a nephew to enter the official school to study, participate in the imperial examination, and according to his results, meet the requirements for selecting officials, and appoint him as a lower-level official of the imperial court. ”

Don't underestimate such a small reward, but it opens a skylight for businessmen to participate in politics. With this beginning, this skylight will no longer be difficult to close, and as the economic conditions of the society improve, this window will open wider and wider.

After the eldest grandson Wuji finished speaking, Li Shimin asked, "What do you think of Aiqing?" ”

Li Tai immediately came out and said: "The opinion of the eldest grandson, the sons and ministers agree, the merchant has such a patriotic act, and the imperial court praises him, which is a basic measure to encourage the merchant to continue to maintain a patriotic heart. It is very beneficial to the country and the people. ”

Li Ke saw that Li Tai had taken the lead, and he was not far behind, so he immediately came out and said: "Father, the sons also agree with the opinions of the eldest grandson, and the merchants are also the people of my Tang Dynasty. ”

Li Chengqian didn't rob them, so he had to wait for them to finish speaking, and came out and said: "Father, the sons agree with it, and the sons second. ”

"The minister seconded the proposal."

"The minister seconded the proposal."

The hall was filled with voices of approval.

The officials of the gate valve clan system among the civil officials felt that something was wrong, but they still did not understand Li Shimin's true intentions. A few thoughtful officials have already guessed a rough idea, but they can't confirm it now, and they can't discuss it with each other.

"Wait a minute." Wei Zheng still has something to say. He asked, "The minister still has a few questions. ”

Li Shimin asked dissatisfiedly, "What other questions do you have?" ”

Wei Zheng said: "Your Majesty, whether these merchants are really voluntary, the minister is still a little skeptical, whether someone coerced them to do so. ”

"Yes, the minister also has questions."

"Ministers too, those businessmen are rich and unkind, why did they suddenly come to their senses?"

The civil servants finally began to speak.

Wei Zheng said: "The minister asked those merchants to come to the palace to confront him. ”

"The minister seconded the proposal." The civil servants said.

Li Shimin asked, "Chu Heng, are those businessmen here?" ”

Chu Heng said, "Your Majesty, they are already waiting outside the palace. ”

"Xuan." Li Shimin said.

Soon, grain merchant Jia Jinxian and others came in.

When they finished saluting, Li Shimin asked, "Is it voluntary for you to donate to the official education of the imperial court?" ”

"Your Majesty, please let the minister inquire." Wei Zheng said.

Li Shimin snorted and said unhappily: "Okay, you ask." ”

Wei Zheng said to Jia Jinxian and the others with a pleasant face: "Don't be afraid, speak the truth boldly here, no one dares to coerce you." ”

Jia Jinxian said: "Yes, my lord, the grass people must tell the truth. ”

He bowed to Li Shimin again and said, "Your Majesty, Caomin is a businessman who has experienced war and suffering. The grass people's family of 11 died at the hands of the rebels of Liang Shidu. ”

Speaking of this, he felt a pang of sadness.

After a pause, he continued: "Now, in addition to rebellion in the imperial court, there are border troubles outside the court, and a peaceful and stable environment has been given to the grass people and others, and the grass people and others have lived a rich life.

Cao Min and others thanked the imperial court and had long had a desire to serve the imperial court. It's just that I haven't had a chance.

This time, Caomin and others heard that Guozijian and other official schools urgently needed to repair the school building, but they lacked funds, so they specially donated some money and asked the court to accept it. The grass people and others were all voluntary, and no one coerced them. ”

"Yes, the grass people and others are all voluntary." The merchants said together.

Wei Zheng nodded and said, "Your Majesty, there is no doubt about the minister. ”

At this time, someone said, "Wait a minute. Everyone saw that it was Wang Yuan, the servant of the Ministry of Rites. He is a son of the Taiyuan Wang clan and one of the representatives of the disciples of the gate valve clan.

He said: "Your Majesty, there are also businessmen in the minister's family, and they are usually afraid of the government, but the minister still suspects that these people have been coerced in some way, and they dare not tell the truth. ”

Jia Jinxian and others knelt down and swore an oath together.

However, there are still skepticism in the civil service.

Now, it's really hard to explain this matter clearly.

At this moment, Xiao Qian stood up.

Li Shimin was nervous for a while, if Xiao Qian said something against it, the situation would become chaotic.

Xiao Qian cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, my lords, the minister personally investigated this matter. Ahem. ”

Speaking of the critical moment, he coughed.

At this time, people felt uncomfortable for a while, and they didn't know what conclusion he would come to.

Xiao Qian said: "The minister personally inquired about these merchants, and also sent people to the market to investigate, these people are good on weekdays, and they have a good reputation in the neighborhood.

The minister can be sure that they are sincere. ”

Xiao Qian's status among civil officials is extremely high, and his words immediately calmed down the doubts of those officials.

Then, the old guy hesitated for a moment, saluted Li Shimin, and said: "Your Majesty, the old minister thanked those students for the day, the old minister contradicted His Majesty the day before yesterday, and his words were inappropriate, and I ask Your Majesty to punish him." ”

"Hmm." The old guy rarely gave in public, and Li Shimin had both face and lining.

Li Shimin was very happy and said: "Xiao Aiqing is worried about the country and the people, and her words are fierce for a while, I will not blame you." ”

At this time, there was no opposition in the court.

Li Shimin announced: "In accordance with the opinion of Zhongshu Province, this matter will accept donations from patriotic businessman Jia Jinxian and others.

Their children were allowed to enter the official school on the premise of passing the unified examination of the imperial court. Those who can pass the imperial examination, have excellent results, and meet the conditions for the selection of officials by the imperial court, can hold official positions below the seventh rank. ”

The ministers said together, "The ministers obey." ”

So far, the matter has passed smoothly.

Soon after, the Liangyi Palace.

Li Shimin, the princes and the important ministers were all very happy, and everyone worked together to fight a great victory.

It was a great victory, because the results were huge.

At the heart of this victory was the fact that the imperial court allowed the children of merchants who donated money to study to participate in the imperial examinations, making them eligible to be officials.

On this basis, the imperial court was about to issue a decision.

It reads as follows:

According to the model of Jingyang County, all prefectures, counties, and areas above the township level in the country allowed businessmen to donate to an official school, and these schools mainly enrolled the children of ordinary people.

All the funds and teachers of this government school were also provided by businessmen, and after completion, they were handed over to the government and provided operating funds for three years.

Correspondingly, the merchants were rewarded by the imperial court, that is, the resolutions passed by the court.

The eldest grandson Wuji said excitedly: "Your Majesty, through the commendation of the businessmen of Chang'an City and Jingyang County for their charitable deeds of helping students, all prefectures and counties can also do the same.

The minister has already calculated that there are 336 state capitals, 1,578 counties, and 11,034 townships in the country, and each place is allowed to donate one official school, and my Datang will be able to have 12,023 more government schools at once, and according to the average enrollment of more than 30 students in each school, it will be able to increase by more than 400,000 people a year. ”

Gao Jingming said: "Yes, the minister has also calculated it, and the amount of money saved is no less than 70 million, if it is according to the current financial situation of the imperial court, it will not be possible in 10 years." ”

"Great!" Everyone was very excited.

Li You's suggestion that the imperial court did not pay a penny, and 12,023 more government-run schools came out of thin air. This is a breakthrough to break the monopoly of educational resources by the gate valve clan.

Li Shimin worked hard with everyone to accomplish this task, and this is really a great victory.