blogombal Chapter 1972: Making money openly.
Chapter 1972: Making money openly.
Li Chengqian saw through Li Shen's tricks, so he naturally couldn't give in.
However, Li Shen had anticipated this and said:
“Your Highness, building a temple to pray for your parents is a family matter, how can it be confused with state affairs?
Using the money from the national treasury to build a temple cannot demonstrate our filial piety as children.
Moreover, if His Majesty knew about this, he would strongly oppose it.
Your Majesty calls for thrift, but this is a waste of money and labor, and it is the money of the court that is hurt. Aye will definitely not agree to this."
"So you mean I should pay for it?" Li Chengqian asked.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince is my elder brother, so of course he has to pay. However, since we are praying for our parents, as their children, we have to pay as well.
The other brothers are all far away from home, serving the court and sharing the worries of Your Majesty, which is considered to be fulfilling their filial piety.
We who stay in Chang'an, and enjoy the splendor and wealth every day, will have to pay some money."
Li Shen looked at Li Zhi and Li Tai seriously.
"Then I wonder how much it will cost to build the temple you want to build?" Li Chengqian asked curiously.
“It’s not much. As the elder brother, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can just pay 200,000 strings of cash. The three of us brothers don’t have 100,000 strings of cash each.
I believe that the fourth and ninth brothers would also like to join in and pray for His Majesty and the Queen, and wish them good health, right?"
"Two hundred thousand strings of cash?"
"One hundred thousand strings of cash?"
Li Chengqian was shocked, and even Li Tai and Li Zhi looked at Li Shen in surprise.
Is it normal to spend 500,000 strings of cash to build a temple?
"Old Ten, you're asking for too much, aren't you? One hundred thousand strings of cash?
One hundred thousand strings of cash is enough to build a temple on its own, and you asked for half a million. This is clearly blackmail."
Li Tai was the first to jump out.
"Hmph, you are so ambitious. I won't pay this money." Li Zhi was more direct.
"I will not explain to you ignorant people, Your Highness, the temple I built will occupy half a block of land and will be extremely grand and magnificent.
Five hundred thousand strings of cash is still a conservative estimate. If it is not enough, I am willing to bear the responsibility alone.
If they don't want to pay, I can help pay, but then their names won't be written on the tombstone."
Li Shen waved his hand indifferently, looking like a local rich man.
Li Tai and Li Zhi glared at Li Shen immediately after hearing this. Doesn't this clearly mean that the two of them are not filial to His Majesty?
"It's only half a block of land, you are so arrogant. It's just a temple, but you want to build it so big? Is this a waste of money and labor?" Li Zhi gave Li Shen a cold look.
"Tenth Brother, what Ninth Brother said is right. Isn't your temple a little too big? It's half a block in size, and it's bigger than the Duke's Mansion."
Li Tai also echoed.
They both thought that Li Shen was trying to trick them, not knowing that they were just innocent victims.
Li Shen’s main goal was to sit on it.
Li Chengqian also felt that Li Shen was making a big deal out of nothing. It was just a temple, but it was a bit excessive to build half a block of land.
However, seeing Li Shen's serious look, it didn't seem like he was joking. The point was that it was a bit difficult for him to take out 200,000 strings of cash.
Li Shen said it very clearly, using money from the national treasury does not count as filial piety.
At this time, Li Chengqian was really in a dilemma. This bastard asked for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Where could he get it?
But as the eldest son, I have no choice but to do it.
All the ministers were silent. They finally realized that this was a game between brothers and they just had to watch the fun.
And King Ji is right. How can we use money from the national treasury to honor our parents?
"Okay, two hundred thousand strings of cash is two hundred thousand strings of cash." Finally, Li Chengqian gritted his teeth. This was a good thing.
"What about you two? I have told you two, don't say later that we didn't notify you." Li Shen looked at Li Tai and Li Zhi again.
"Tenth brother, you are so cruel. You cheated me out of 100,000 strings of cash with just a few words." Li Tai said with heartache.
"Fourth brother, let's make it clear first, you participated in this voluntarily and it has nothing to do with me." Li Shen quickly clarified.
"Brother Jiu, what about you?" Li Shen asked expressionlessly.
Li Zhi really wanted to answer no, but he had no choice but to compromise in this situation.
In the end, Li Zhi had no choice but to say "hmm".
"Haha, that's good. Please send the money over as soon as possible. As long as the money is in place, I will immediately arrange for people to start the work."
After getting the money, Li Shen finally laughed.
Seeing Li Chengqian's frustrated look, they were so happy in their hearts. They didn't know that Li Shen might have additional fees.
Li Shen's mission was completed. After paying his respects, he left the Taiji Hall.
It was not a wasted trip today. He got 400,000 strings of cash. It would not cost so much to build a temple in an area of half a block. Li Shen earned at least half of it with tears.
Li Shen was dazed when he came, but was full of energy when he left the palace.
Everyone knew that today, the princes, including the crown prince, were tricked by Prince Ji, but no one could do anything about it. Who dared to say no to praying for His Majesty and the Queen?
Li Shen left the palace and went all the way back home, then went straight to his study to take a nap.
Li Shen slept until almost noon before waking up. He ordered his servants to bring the meal to the study, and then sent someone to call Wang Xuance and others over.
When the four giants of Prince Ji's Mansion came to Li Shen's study, they saw Li Shen sitting there having a meal.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Several people saluted together.
"Well, no need to be polite. Have you had your meal? If not, let's share some." Li Shen nodded and pointed at the table with chopsticks and asked.
"Your Majesty, I have already used it." Wang Xuance replied.
Others also said that they had eaten.
"Then sit down and make your own tea."
"I wonder why the prince asked us here?" Wang Xuance asked after sitting down.
"I went to court today. This is the decree I just received. Please take a look."
Li Shen pointed at the imperial edict on the study.
Wang Xuance picked up the imperial edict and passed it around among several people.
"Your Majesty is going to stay in Xizhou?" Wang Xuance asked.
“Yes, this was His Majesty’s order yesterday, and I cannot refuse.
The current situation in Xizhou is also the responsibility of my Ji Palace. Moreover, Ji Palace has invested heavily in industries in Xizhou and cannot afford to lose anything.
This king also went to take good care of our property.
I have asked you to come here today because I have something to ask of you, so that I won’t forget it later.”
"Please give me your instructions, Your Majesty."
Li Shen took a sip of tea and put down his chopsticks:
"Old Prince, after I am gone, the affairs of Chang'an will all depend on you, you must assist the princess well.
If there is anything, you can report it directly to the princess for decision."
"Yes, I will do my best to assist the princess and manage the palace's assets." Wang Hongfu stood up and saluted.
"I don't want you to make any more mistakes. If there is something you can't solve, you must send a message to me immediately. Do you understand?
You must also keep an eye on the news in Chang'an City, and send someone to inform me as soon as possible if anything happens."
Li Shen reminded again.
(I’m so sleepy that what I wrote is a bit chaotic. I’m staying up late again.
Get up earlier than the chickens and sleep later than the chickens.)