Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5246 Methods of Getting Money
The brothers huddled together listening to Li You's "divine calculations," and were immediately excited, as if they could already see countless riches being transported into their own treasuries, and that their future life in the fiefdom would be just as luxurious and extravagant as it was now.

Li Shen asked curiously, "But we can't exactly go door to door asking for money, can we?"

Although money and silk are good things, one still needs to have some self-respect.

A prince, of high rank, coming to our door demanding money—we've completely lost face...

Li You said confidently, “We are the sons of Emperor Taizong, and are of the highest rank. How could we do such a despicable thing? My brothers, rest assured, as long as you agree, I have a way to make them obediently send the money and silk over. We don’t need to lose face and go to their door to ask for it.”

Li Shen was overjoyed: "If that's really the case, I will be eternally grateful to Fifth Brother!"

The others also expressed their gratitude, their expressions joyful.

Li Yun, being cautious, asked, "Fifth Brother, what brilliant plan do you have?"

Li Youyang said smugly, "It's not difficult at all. Just spread the word among the common people that Jinyang is 'well-educated and courteous, and has deep brotherly affection,' stir up public opinion, and do you think those brothers-in-law will still be able to sit still?"

The younger brothers, being intelligent, immediately understood Li You's intention and showered him with praise and compliments.

Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has always advocated "benevolence and harmony," and has consistently presented himself as "lenient" both domestically and internationally. Even those who plotted rebellion, such as Zhinu, were not only spared from prosecution but were even allowed to go overseas to establish their own states. Not to mention those members of the imperial clan who participated in the "Zhaoling Case," their punishments were all mitigated. Recently, he has repeatedly demonstrated "tolerance and benevolence"...

Your Majesty's governing principle is "benevolence," and the world should naturally follow suit.

Conversely, if even members of the imperial family and sisters cannot show "benevolence" to each other, wouldn't that tell the world that His Majesty's so-called "benevolence" is nothing but wishful thinking and a laughing stock?
How can brothers and sisters demonstrate "benevolence"?
That would naturally be to emulate Princess Jinyang, who gifted money and silk to her younger brothers, who were about to set sail to establish their own fiefdoms, so that the world would know of the unity and fraternity of the royal family...

Li Yun, being cautious by nature, hesitated and said, "Manipulating public opinion in this way is a grave taboo. What if His Majesty becomes angry?"

Li Youyi waved his hand dismissively, saying, "If we continue to live in Chang'an, we certainly cannot violate such taboos. But we are about to set sail to our fiefdoms, and this parting will likely be the last time we see each other. Even if His Majesty is dissatisfied, how could he really be angry?"

Since Your Majesty is playing the "forgiveness and benevolence" card, how can you contradict yourself and make a big fuss because of your brothers' petty thoughts?

Li Yun understood the implication in Li You's words and gave him a thumbs-up to express his admiration.

Li You laughed twice, then his smile faded, and he solemnly said to his younger brothers, “Although His Majesty will not blame us for this, those censors and officials in the court might be watching us princes all day, nitpicking and perhaps even launching an impeachment... So we brothers must be united, and even if something happens, we must speak with one voice. We must not be defeated one by one. As long as we stick together, no one can do anything to us. The law does not punish the masses!”

"Fifth Brother, don't worry. This is a great thing for everyone's benefit. Anyone who dares to be two-faced, betray, or stab others in the back, I'll storm into their mansion and knock their teeth out with a big slap!"

Li Yin thumped his chest loudly, his eyes flashing with a menacing glint as he surveyed the crowd.

The underlings trembled with fear. This sixth brother was unruly and uncouth, always lawless and arrogant. He was a man of his word, and even Emperor Taizong was so angry that he cursed him as a "beast"...

"We will certainly follow the lead of our two elder brothers!"

"Haha, let's all take some money from our brothers-in-law's pockets, how wonderful!"

Li Youxi changed color.

The reason for including his younger brothers was to guard against potential backlash. Now that the brothers are united, their strength is unbreakable. Who can punish these princes who are about to go to sea to take up their fiefdoms?
His Majesty wouldn't allow it.

*****
Soon, news of Princess Jinyang donating most of her family's wealth and treasury to Prince Jin spread throughout Chang'an. People in the city praised Princess Jinyang's "righteous act," especially the brother-sister relationship, which became a popular topic of conversation.

It is said that "there is no kinship in the imperial family", but the deep affection between Princess Jinyang and Prince Jin at present is exactly in line with His Majesty's advocacy of "benevolence".

For a time, Princess Jinyang's reputation for "virtue and gentleness" resounded throughout Chang'an, and many families who had had to suspend their marriage proposals for various reasons were now eager to make their move again.

With noble lineage, intelligence, and virtuous character, what an outstanding and dazzling noblewoman she is.

If you can marry her, she will surely protect your family and enhance your family's reputation.

But that scoundrel Fang Er is inhuman; he actually intends to forcibly take Princess Jinyang as his own…

At the same time, a natural question was raised: Emperor Taizong had so many daughters, so why was it that only Princess Jinyang gave money and silk to her brother when he went to sea to take up his fiefdom, to show her support for his brother's journey?
……

Inside the imperial study, Li Chengqian frowned as he sipped his tea and listened to Li Junxian's report. Hearing that the common people were now criticizing, accusing, and even mocking the princesses and their husbands, he put down his teacup and asked, "Where did this rumor originate?"

As an emperor who had gone through many twists and turns to finally become emperor, and then encountered two or three coups after ascending the throne, he lacked prestige and had a shallow foundation. He paid special attention to public opinion, and when he heard Li Junxian's detailed report, he immediately realized that something was wrong.

Without someone manipulating things, even if there were such rumors, it would never have been possible for them to spread throughout Chang'an so quickly.

Li Junxian hesitated for a moment, then said, "It should have started from the Prince of Qi's residence, but I did not trace the source."

A prince attempting to control public opinion is a grave offense at any time, regardless of whether that public opinion is directed at the princess, the prince consort, or anyone else.

This has already crossed the line for a subject, let alone a prince with such a sensitive status...

Once the source is traced, it means everything is brought to the forefront, and it won't be so easy to take it down again.

Therefore, he could neither do nor dare to do it on his own initiative, unless His Majesty gave a clear order.

However, in his opinion, His Majesty would most likely not pursue the matter of Prince Qi's responsibility...

Sure enough, Li Chengqian frowned and thought for a while. Perhaps he had figured out the key point. His brows relaxed, he snorted, and cursed, "All that cleverness in your head is used for crooked ways. You're useless!"

Li Junxian ignored the warning and asked, "This public opinion is spreading faster and faster, gradually infiltrating the court from the common people. If it is not controlled, it will soon sweep through the entire city of Chang'an. Should the 'Hundred Cavalry Division' take action?"

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Let him be, there's no need to stop him. But we must monitor him closely. If he is exploited by those with ulterior motives and his original intentions are distorted, or if the situation escalates beyond its proper scope, we must be able to stop it immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

"Yes, keep an eye on it. We don't need to stop it, but we can't just let it go unchecked either."

Watching Li Junxian stride out of the imperial study, Li Chengqian picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and let out a soft hum.

In fact, he was also dissatisfied.

If it weren't for Princess Jinyang's act of "gifting gold," his dissatisfaction would have remained hidden in his heart; he wouldn't have bothered to bring it up and would have simply pretended to be oblivious.

But now that Princess Jinyang is a shining example, while the other sisters continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb, his dissatisfaction is growing stronger.

They are all born of the same father and are connected by blood. The brothers are about to go to sea to take up their fiefdoms and establish their own states. Why is there not even the slightest indication of their presence?
Don't you really care about this brotherhood?
Since his brothers had gone to sea and were unlikely to return, he severed all ties with his family and ended it all, becoming strangers from then on.

……

Vice Minister of Revenue Gao Lixing returned to his residence with a gloomy expression, and sat in the hall drinking tea and brooding.

Princess Dongyang, dressed in palace attire and possessing a beautiful face, emerged from the back hall. Upon seeing this, she sat down on a chair nearby and asked curiously, "Is my lord angry? Did you have a quarrel with someone in the ministry?"

Gao Lixing slammed his teacup down on the coffee table and said angrily, "I am truly angry, but it's not with my colleagues, but with your brother!"

Princess Dongyang's expression turned cold. She gave a light snort and said, "I wonder which of my brothers has offended the Imperial Son-in-Law Gao? I will return to the palace immediately and ask His Majesty to punish him severely to save face for the Imperial Son-in-Law!"

The couple had always had a good relationship, and she was extremely fond of her husband. While she didn't exactly follow her husband's lead, she never put on airs and always treated him with respect.

However, these are not grounds for Gao Xing to disregard social hierarchy.

Gao Lixing realized his attitude was inappropriate and quickly apologized. He then complained, "There's a lot of gossip in the court right now, with everyone criticizing us princesses and consorts for not being 'friendly' to each other, for being stingy and unwilling to give a penny... Are we unwilling to give a penny? It's that we can't afford to! So many princes have gone to sea to take up their fiefdoms one after another. If we were to be 'friendly' to each one, we would have to empty the treasury! Princess Jinyang may be generous and friendly, but why is she only 'friendly' to Prince Jin and not to her other brothers? In the end, even Princess Jinyang can't be friendly to everyone!"

After all, he is a prince. Regardless of how frequently they visit each other or how close they are, if gifts are to be given, they must be given equally. Since a prince has a noble status, the gifts cannot be too frivolous. But if each person is given a generous gift, which family can afford it?

Is it time to live?
So all the princesses and their husbands lowered their heads and pretended to be confused...

Princess Dongyang was also annoyed and said with dissatisfaction, "Whether we give gifts or not is none of those idle people's business! They're meddling in our affairs!"

Gao Xingli sighed and said, "Do you think these opinions came out of thin air? There's no smoke without fire. I heard that these were all created by the King of Qi in private. He was too embarrassed to come to our door to ask for money, so he staged this to force us to hand over the money under the pressure of public opinion."

"What? How can this person be so shameless!"

Princess Dongyang's eyebrows furrowed in anger, and she stood up to leave, shouting, "I'm going to his house to give him a good scolding! He wants money? I'll slap him twice!"

"Oh, Your Highness, please calm down!"

Gao Lixing quickly grabbed the enraged Princess Dongyang...