blogombal Chapter 1885 Is it a Gamble?
Chapter 1885 Is it a Gamble?
As expected, as soon as Zhang Sun Wuji finished speaking, someone stood up and asked:
"May I ask Changsun Pushe, what exactly is this so-called guessing game? Why do we need to cooperate with the court?"
An official from a noble family stood up and asked.
Li Shen took a look and remembered that this should be an official of the Wang family.
Changsun Wuji seemed to have expected this and looked at Li Shen.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, how about you please come down and explain it to us gentlemen?"
Li Shen nodded slightly:
"Okay, in that case, I will explain to you what this prize-winning guessing game is."
As he spoke, Li Shen turned around and faced his ministers.
“This prince and some of the nobles are planning to host a Tang-wide football tournament, and have selected thirty-two teams from across the country.
They will compete in pairs according to the competition system, and the winner will be rewarded.
This football guessing contest is about predicting the game and guessing who will win.
Those who guess correctly will be rewarded, it’s that simple.”
Li Shen's explanation was simple and vague, and he didn't say some things.
But just because he didn't say it didn't mean others wouldn't ask. An imperial censor from the Imperial Censorate asked:
"May I ask Your Highness Prince Ji, since this is a guessing contest and rewards are given to those who guess correctly, then where does the 30% bonus from the court come from?"
"Well... of course you can't just join for no reason. You need to pay a participation fee to participate in the guessing game."
Li carefully considered his choice of words, trying not to cause any problems.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, isn't that just gambling? Doesn't Your Highness Prince Ji know that the laws of the Tang Dynasty prohibit the opening of gambling houses?
Or did His Royal Highness Prince Ji knowingly break the law?"
The censor asked in a stern voice. He was not from any side. He was just a small censor, not even a supervisory censor.
This time, I finally got a chance to make a contribution. If I can really impeach Prince Ji and succeed,
Then he would have a bright future, and it would not be a problem for him to leave his name in history.
Li Shen took a leisurely look at the censor, who looked unfamiliar.
"I will not ask your name because I do not want to give you the opportunity to leave your name. I will only answer your question.
First of all, as I have said, it is not allowed to open a gambling house, and what I opened is not a gambling house.
Have you ever seen a gambling house doing charity?
If this is considered a gambling house, then I will file a petition to investigate all gambling houses in the Tang Dynasty."
As he spoke, he took a few deliberate glances at the aristocratic families and nobles he knew.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, if you pay money to guess the winner and you get a reward if you guess correctly, isn't this gambling? It's just a matter of winning or losing.
Your Highness Prince Ji, please do not make unfounded arguments. "The censor knew how powerful Li Shen was and pointed out the key point directly.
"You, the censor of the Imperial Censorate, need to find out what you are betting on.
The definition of gambling has been clearly defined in the laws and regulations of the Tang Dynasty, and there are also detailed explanations.
Which one do you think prohibits football guessing?
Moreover, I have already said that this is not gambling, the guessing game is free, and the money they pay is for participating in the event, which has nothing to do with gambling.
Do you understand? "
"This is ridiculous, Your Highness. Prince Ji is confusing the public, mixing fake things with real things, and making specious arguments. I hope Your Highness will make the final decision.
This is clearly gambling." When the censor saw that Li Shen was beginning to act rogue, he immediately bowed to Li Chengqian and asked for justice.
Li Chengqian was also mentally prepared and asked the ministers below:
"What do you dear ladies think?"
"Your Highness, I think that Prince Ji's guessing game is no different from gambling. It is even more inappropriate for the court to cooperate with Prince Ji in business."
“I think so too. Even if your Highness Prince Ji’s guessing game is not gambling, the cooperation between the imperial court and Prince Ji’s palace to interfere in the affairs of merchants is no small matter.
If this gets out, how will the imperial court maintain its dignity?"
"Your Highness, I second this motion."
One after another, people stood up to oppose this matter, making the scene somewhat chaotic. The censor saw so many people supporting him.
He felt a little happy in his heart. Seeing more and more people standing up, there were already twenty or thirty people, which made him even more excited.
Everyone is saying that Li Shen’s guessing is gambling, which should not be supported and should be punished.
"Your Highness, since all the officials think that what I am doing is gambling, then forget it.
Gamblers are truly a disaster. At best, they lose everything they have, and at worst, their country and their families may be ruined.
I advise you to investigate..."
"Your Highness, I have something to say."
Before Li Shen could finish, Lu Chengqing stood up. This was obviously rude behavior, but Li Chengqian didn't care. Li Shen acted as if nothing had happened. This was what he was waiting for.
"What is your opinion, Lord Lu?"
"Your Highness, I have a different opinion. I think what Your Highness Prince Ji is doing is not gambling, but just a new kind of fun.
There are strict regulations in the court laws, and the types of gambling are also clearly defined, but there is no rule prohibiting football betting.
Moreover, Zhangsun Pushe has just said that this action will give charity money to Jibingfang and Beitianyuan every year.
They will also donate money and food to disaster-stricken areas. This has already exceeded the meaning of a gambling house.
No gambling house would do good deeds. So I think this is a good thing that benefits the country and the people."
Lu Chengqing expressed his understanding passionately.
He couldn't let Prince Ji finish his words, he could guess what Prince Ji was going to say.
"Your Highness, I agree with what Lu Zuocheng said. Since there is no regulation in the court law, it is not gambling.
Besides, we have to do such good deeds every year, and contribute money and effort. I agree."
Cui Renzhi also stood up. He also understood the interests involved.
"Yes, even if it is a gambling house, they have donated money. Besides, there is no regulation in Tang law, so why can't we do that?
I, Lao Cheng, agree with this.”
"The old minister also agrees with this."
Then things took a turn, and the censor, who had originally had the upper hand, suddenly fell into a disadvantage.
The twenty or so people who supported him were all silent.
Let's see who agrees with it. The first group is officials from aristocratic families, and then some meritorious officials.
How could they dare to compete with these people? They just wanted to take the opportunity to make threats.
The censor's face turned pale. He knew that he had lost today's event, but he could still consider it an honorable defeat. He could brag to others that he had impeached Prince Ji.
"Cough!" Li Chengqian coughed, and the crowd immediately became quiet.
"My dear ministers, this matter was decided by His Majesty himself, and it was also decided after discussions among the three provinces and six ministries.
So there is no need to worry about it anymore.
As to whether football is gambling, I still need to discuss this with the three provinces in order to make the law more perfect.
There is no need to discuss this matter any further.”
Finally, Li Chengqian gave a summary, which was quite similar to the leaders Li Shen had met.
(Everyone must stay away from gambling and drugs, which are really harmful to the world and can destroy families and people.
If there are such people around you, you must stay away from them and don't believe anything they say.
Don’t even lend them money.)