I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

When Li Shimin mentioned Li Tai, others realized that Li Tai had not said a word when Li Shen and Li Zhi were arguing just now.

He never expressed his opinion from beginning to end.

The whole process was about Li Shen and Li Zhi arguing, and Li Chengqian trying to persuade them, and it finally turned into Li Shimin coming out to defend Li Shen.

He was as steady as a rock, watching the development of the situation from the sidelines.

He didn't stand up until Li Shimin called him.

Looking at his beloved son, Li Shimin felt filled with emotion. Li Tai was once his favorite son.

He was smart since childhood, had outstanding literary talent, and was able to please them.

However, with the rise of Li Shen in recent years and some of the things Li Tai did, Li Shimin no longer liked him as much.

"Qingque, as a brother, you should have dissuaded them from getting along. But you just sat on the mountain and watched the tigers, not getting involved.

He even fanned the flames and spread rumors.

Don't think I know nothing. If it happens again, I will never let you off easily."

After hearing this, Li Tai remained calm and bowed, saying:

"What Aye taught me is true. I will remember Aye's teachings."

His sincere attitude is impeccable.

But Li Shen looked at Li Tai twice more. He didn't expect this guy to be so calm, and he didn't know whether what his father said was true or not.

After his three sons finished speaking, Li Shimin turned his attention to his eldest son.

Li Chengqian stood up consciously and bowed to listen.

"Gao Ming, do you know your mistake?" Li Shimin was still very satisfied with his eldest son.

"I know I was wrong." Li Chengqian bowed and replied.

"Then tell me where you went wrong?"

"I didn't take good care of my brothers." Li Chengqian replied sincerely.

"Gao Ming, as the eldest brother, it's understandable that you take care of them, but this is where you go wrong.

The eldest brother is like a father. In addition to taking care of them, you also have to discipline them on behalf of the father.

If they make mistakes, as the eldest brother, I should punish them severely.

But in this regard, you have failed in your duty as a brother, and I am very dissatisfied."

Li Shimin did not say what Li Chengqian had done, but only emphasized that he did not discipline the three people well.

What's more, the implication is that since Li Shen and the other two made mistakes, as their elder brother, he should punish them.

Li Chengqian humbly accepted:

"I will remember your teachings and keep an eye on them from now on and prevent them from making mistakes again."

Li Shimin nodded and looked at his four sons, his heart filled with helplessness.

He didn't know whether his words today would work, he just thought that as long as it could have some deterrent effect, it would be good.

In fact, he had already made up his mind and knew that speaking it out would not have much effect, but he still said it out loud.

"Okay, sit down."

With a slight sigh, Li Shimin waved to his four sons.

"Zhi Nu, although Lao Wu made a mistake, he was not the mastermind. He was just deceived by Yin Hongzhi.

I have already punished him by exiling him to a smoke-filled and polluted place like Lingnan.

It is understandable that the tenth brother takes care of the child occasionally out of consideration for his brother's feelings.

Don’t make assumptions.”

"But..." Li Zhi still wanted to mention the fact that Li Shen had taken over Li You's property.

Before he could finish his words, he was pulled by Li Tai beside him. Li You turned his head and saw Li Tai gently shaking his head at him.

The obvious meaning was to ask him not to dwell on this matter anymore.

Although Li Zhi was unwilling, he finally endured it.

"By the way, Old Ten, I heard that your mansion has started purchasing spices on a large scale. Now most of the spices on the market have been collected by your Prince Ji's Mansion.

Do you know why there is such a shortage of spices in the market?

It shouldn't be like this, right?" Li Tai changed the subject and spoke to Li Shen.

"Fourth brother, my family started buying spices before Yuanzheng. It's nothing new.

You also know that my Ji Wang Mansion uses a lot of spices. Apart from the Flavor House, the spices in the palace are also supplied by me.

If I didn’t have some inventory, I’m afraid I would be out of money now.”

Li Shen took a sip of tea and replied.

"How could this happen? Hasn't the spice market always been stable? Prices are not as expensive as they were in the beginning.

Why is it suddenly in short supply, and the price has increased fivefold.”

Li Tai asked doubtfully.

The price hike of spices has a wide impact. Because the Ji Wang Mansion purchased them at high prices, it is now difficult for dignitaries to buy them.

Those who have stock at home have started to use it sparingly.

Li Shen thought for a while,

"I don't know about this. The price of spices in the market was stable before because people transported a large amount of them from the sea.

This time I heard from Wang Hongfu that it seemed that several large merchant ships transporting spices had encountered accidents at sea.

This led to a shortage of spices.

The Western Regions are too far away, and it takes time to come from the West every year.

Each journey takes at least half a year, so the round trip takes a year.

Now we are about to go to war with the Western Turks, so land transportation is very dangerous and we can only go by sea.

But I heard that there are pirate groups on the sea as well.

So I estimate that spices will only become more expensive and in short supply in the next few years.”

Listening to Li Shen's judgment, everyone present was thinking. For example, Li Tai and Li Zhi were considering whether what Li Shen said was true or false.

Could this be another scam by Li Shen?

But looking at Li Shen's expression, it doesn't seem fake.

“In fact, there is no need to worry. This will not have a big impact on the court, and passing ships will occasionally bring some spices.

It’s just that the price may be higher in the future.”

Seeing everyone thinking about it, Li Shen added casually.

"Tenth Brother, this isn't another of your schemes, is it?" After thinking for a moment, Li Tai couldn't help but ask.

The others immediately turned their eyes to Li Shen.

"What are you talking about, Fourth Brother? You think too darkly of me, blaming me for everything.

Can I call the wind and rain to sink merchant ships? I am not a god.

Besides, I don’t have a lot of spices, so how can I play any tricks?

You think too highly of me."

Li Shen showed a sarcastic smile on his face, but he sneered in his heart, he didn't expect Li Tai to be so cautious.

"Haha, Fourth Brother was just joking, don't take it seriously.

But you have used this method to cheat people many times over the years, and have ripped off many aristocratic families' money.

Now when something like this happens, everyone is terrified.”

Li Tai laughed.

"Fourth brother, how can that be called cheating? That's just a normal business strategy.

Those noble families lost money because they were too greedy. It has nothing to do with me.

It’s better if they don’t participate this time, and I can save some money.

Otherwise, if more people buy it, the price will go up, and I don’t want to spend more money.”

(My head is groggy. I haven’t slept all night. I’m a little stuck. My mind is blank.)