The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 166 Talking about Work Schrödinger

Tu Chengyu couldn't understand what Xue Xu was thinking, so he asked:
Why would you ask such a question?

Xue Xu explained, "Your Highness, after I took over the salt fields, I discovered a problem among the salt workers."

"Those are the salt workers from the salt fields that were given to Your Highness. They all know that Your Highness has taken over the salt fields."

Moreover, they all believed that after the prince took over the salt fields, he would be even stricter with them because of the Emperor Taizu's decree, so they were all very antibacterial.

Some were even reckless, wanting to emulate the previous rebellious salt workers and cause trouble as well.

"I believe this matter is of great importance. If it is not handled properly, it may cause trouble for Your Highness. Therefore, I have come to ask Lord Lin for advice on how to proceed."

After hearing his words, Tu Chengyu understood the reason for the matter.

At the same time, they also looked at Xue Xu with a different eye, noting that a businessman could be so thoughtful.

The key point is that he can take the initiative to solve these problems, which is truly commendable.

Tu Chengyu asked, "Have you thought of a good solution yourself?"

Xue Xu said, "I do have a few immature ideas, but I'm not sure about them."

Tu Chengyu said, "It's alright, tell me your thoughts first, so that Lord Lin and I can hear them."

Upon hearing Tu Chengyu's words, Xue Xu replied directly:
"I have two options for now. One is to hire some of the managers from the saltworks to appease them."

"While appeasing them, we should also strengthen our supervision. After all, these salt workers have already been given to the prince. As long as they are not treated even more harshly later..."
Over time, these people will naturally stop suspecting anything.

This method sounds feasible and doesn't require much effort, although it might take a while.

However, this differed somewhat from what Tu Chengyu had in mind, so he asked, "What's the second method?"

Xue Xu said, "The second method is to send people to spread rumors that Your Highness has sold the salt fields to someone else, and then find a way to make them believe this rumor."

This would put the salt workers at ease. Furthermore, these two methods could be used in combination.

Combining the two methods may yield better results.

Moreover, given the status of salt workers, if Tu Chengyu simply wanted to make money in the salt fields like other salt merchants, he wouldn't need to worry too much about these things. He could do very well just by following Xue Xu's methods.

However, Tu Chengyu's purpose in seizing these salt fields was not to make money, but to find a way to fundamentally solve the problems existing in the salt industry.

Therefore, the method Xue Xu just mentioned is not suitable for Tu Chengyu's needs.

However, Tu Chengyu did not immediately object to Xue Xu's opinion, but instead asked Lin Ruhai first.

"Lord Lin, do you think that following Master Xue's method will solve the problem of the saltworks?"

Lin Ruhai was aware of some of Tu Chengyu's thoughts, so after hearing Tu Chengyu's question, he said:
"If the goal is simply to stop the salt workers from causing trouble, Master Xue's method is sufficient. However, Your Highness is not simply after making money; perhaps there are other ways to handle this."

Lin Ruhai did not directly reject Xue Xu's method, but he used it to elicit Tu Chengyu's thoughts.

Hearing this, Xue Xu knew that Tu Chengyu had other ideas, so he asked:
"Your Highness, what do you think should be done about this?"

After thinking for a moment, Tu Chengyu expressed his thoughts.

He said, "I have been to the salt fields and seen with my own eyes where the salt workers live. To me, the salt workers' lives are too hard."

Therefore, I thought it best to slightly increase the wages of the salt workers in my salt fields so that they could live a better life.

Xue Xu said, "Your Highness, this could significantly reduce the profits of the saltworks."

Tu Chengyu gently shook his head and said, "I came to these salt fields not for money, so a slight decrease in profits is fine."

Furthermore, I can tell you this: as long as the saltworks don't lose money, I'll be perfectly satisfied.

These words shocked Xue Xu even more. He couldn't understand why the Prince Su in front of him, who had gone to great lengths to seize several salt fields from the Yangzhou salt merchants, was not doing so for the purpose of making money.

He was somewhat confused and didn't know how to proceed with this unprofitable deal, so he asked, "Your Highness, why is this?"

Tu Chengyu said, "You don't need to ask about the specific reasons. Just answer me: if I raise the wages of the salt workers, will they still complain?"

Xue Xu said, "It depends on how much we increase their wages; less probably won't make a difference."

Tu Chengyu said, "The wages that allow them to live a normal life like people outside should be enough to meet their needs."

Upon hearing that he was to have the same standard of living as ordinary people outside, Xue Xu silently calculated the difference between the two sides in his mind.

Then he said, "This would stop them from causing trouble, but if they are paid this much, then the salt workers' wages would basically double."

Tu Chengyu asked, "Will doubling the price cause the saltworks to lose money?"

Xue Xu shook his head and said, "Your Highness, how could we let the saltworks lose money when there's only a small amount of money?"

Tu Chengyu said with a smile, "Since we haven't lost money, let's double it for them."

Tu Chengyu optimistically settled the matter, but Xue Xu, who was directly in charge of the salt fields, was not so optimistic.

He said with some concern, "Your Highness, if our saltworks do this, it could cause a lot of trouble."

Tu Chengyu asked, "What kind of trouble will there be?"

Xue Xu said: "Although the salt workers in Jianghuai are scattered in various salt fields and managed by twelve salt merchants, their wages are basically the same."

If the prince suddenly raises the wages at our salt fields, the salt workers at other salt fields will inevitably be dissatisfied.

Then these salt workers will cause trouble for other salt merchants, and the twelve salt merchants will inevitably come to cause trouble for our salt field.

After listening, Tu Chengyu sneered and said, "Do they still dare to trip me up?"

Xue Xu said, "They may not dare to cause trouble openly, but they will have many ways to deal with us in secret."

For example, they might secretly hire someone to sabotage the salt fields, or collude with salt dealers from various places to prevent them from buying salt from our salt fields.

Tu Chengyu thought they had some amazing tricks up their sleeves, but it turns out they were just using underhanded methods.

Tu Chengyu wasn't afraid of such tactics. He was more concerned about whether salt workers in other salt fields would find out about his increased wages than about trouble from salt merchants.

He asked Xue Xu, "Won't the salt merchants stop us from raising wages and prevent the salt workers in other salt fields from finding out?"

Xue Xu thought for a moment and said, "That won't happen, because salt workers in different places often have private interactions."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu was delighted and said, "It's good that the other salt workers know."

Xue Xu asked curiously, "Why does Your Highness insist that the other salt workers also know about this?"

In Xue Xu's understanding, it was best to keep the matter of raising wages for several salt workers a secret.

In this way, the twelve salt merchants will not cause trouble for them, and the saltworks' business will not be affected.

However, judging from the current situation, Prince Su clearly does not think that way.

Not only did they not try to hide the news, they were also worried that other salt workers wouldn't hear about it. Xue Xu was very curious about the reason, which is why he mustered up the courage to ask.

Tu Chengyu had no intention of hiding this from Xue Xu.

He said, "The salt workers of Jianghuai are the most impoverished people I have ever seen. I want to change their lives, but I don't have a good way to do so at the moment."

"Therefore, we can only use this method: by raising wages in our salt fields, we can force salt merchants in other salt fields to raise wages as well."

Upon hearing Tu Chengyu's words, Xue Xu felt a deep respect for the Prince Su before him.

He never imagined that a prince who had lived in the royal family since birth would be able to witness the suffering of the lowest-class people.

Not only can they see it, but they also deeply sympathize with the plight of the people and are trying to find ways to help them overcome this difficult life.

Such thoughts are admirable, not only for an eleven-year-old child, but also for an adult.

So after Tu Chengyu finished speaking, Xue Xu immediately said:

"Since Your Highness is doing this to help the salt workers, I will certainly do my utmost to help Your Highness accomplish this task."

Xue Xu expressed his opinion in person, and Tu Chengyu was very happy, smiling as he said:

"If you can help me with this matter, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Tu Chengyu's words also pleased Xue Xu.

He risked offending the Yangzhou salt workers to take over the saltworks for Tu Chengyu.

On the one hand, due to his status as a royal merchant, he had no choice but to obey orders.

On the other hand, wasn't he also trying to curry favor with Tu Chengyu, the current prince?

However, his joy was short-lived, and he said somewhat awkwardly and nervously:

"Your Highness, I happen to have a favor to ask of you."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu thought, "This guy is really bold. He just said he wouldn't treat him badly, and he immediately started complaining."

However, during the conversation just now, Tu Chengyu had a good impression of Xue Xu.

So when he made a request, I wasn't particularly averse to it, and I asked:

"What is it? Tell me first."

Xue Xu said nervously, "This humble subject dares to ask Your Highness to take my son under your command."

"Your son, Xue Pan?" Tu Chengyu asked, somewhat surprised. "You want him to come with me?"

Xue Xu quickly nodded, indicating that this was exactly what he meant.

Tu Chengyu was stunned for a moment when he saw it.

He didn't understand what Xue Xu was thinking, why he would entrust his son to him.

Based on what Tu Chengyu saw today, this Xue Pan was about the same age as himself.

At such a young age, it is the best time for parents to stay by his side and educate him. Why did Xue Xu let Xue Pan work for him?

Moreover, Tu Chengyu knew from his past life's memories that Xue Pan would later become a famous domineering tyrant.

Not only is he incompetent, but he's also incredibly prone to causing trouble. He's definitely one of the worst spendthrifts out there.

Tu Chengyu didn't know if Xue Pan now possessed the virtues he would later have.

However, it's inevitable that this guy wasn't raised well at home.

In the original timeline, many people speculated that Xue Pan became this way.

It was because his father died early and his mother was unable to control him that he developed such an unruly personality.

But this time, his father is still alive and well, and according to the diagnosis of the imperial physician brought by Tu Chengyu, his health is quite good.

Therefore, Xue Xu should keep Xue Pan by his side and educate him properly.

Tu Chengyu asked, puzzled, "How old is your son this year?"

Xue Xu replied, "My son is actually eleven years old this year."

Tu Chengyu said, "So he's the same age as me. At such a young age, he should be studying and learning right from wrong. Why don't you keep him by your side and teach him personally? Why are you letting him follow me?"

Upon hearing Tu Chengyu's words, Xue Xu's face showed an embarrassed expression again.

He said, "This humble subject dares not deceive Your Highness. This humble subject originally intended to personally teach my son, but because this humble subject has been away on business for many years..."
My wife dotes on my son, gradually raising him into a spoiled brat. By the time I discovered this, it was too late to change him using ordinary methods.

Therefore, I wish to entrust my son to the Prince, so that he may learn to do things under the Prince's tutelage.

Upon hearing Xue Xu's words, Tu Chengyu couldn't help but laugh.

He said, "So you want me to educate your son for you?"

Xue Xu said, "This humble subject dares not trouble Your Highness to educate my son. I only hope that my son can stay by your side and learn some principles of being a person and doing things."

Xue Xu's actions were out of necessity, as Xue Pan's personality had already taken shape by this time.

With his mother's support at home, even if Xue Xu wanted to strengthen his education, the results might not be significant.

Therefore, if you want to fundamentally change Xue Pan's personality, you can't keep him at home.

At the same time, the person educating Xue Pan must also be able to suppress Xue Pan in terms of status and position.

Previously, Xue Xu had thought of finding a strict private school or academy in Jiangnan for Xue Pan to study in, hoping to use the teachers there to temper Xue Pan's temperament.

However, such people are generally not found in private schools or academies.

Compared to Xue Pan's age, he is at a time when he fears nothing and no one. Without absolute power, it would be impossible to suppress him.

Xue Xu had been troubled by this matter for a while, but after meeting Tu Chengyu, he found that Tu Chengyu perfectly met his criteria for finding someone.

First, Tu Chengyu will inevitably leave Jiangnan, so that he can take Xue Pan away from home and deprive him of his family's support.

Secondly, Tu Chengyu's status was high enough that even if Xue Pan was a gangster, he wouldn't dare to cause trouble in front of Tu Chengyu.

Furthermore, Tu Chengyu and Xue Pan are of similar age, yet Tu Chengyu was able to lead a large group of people to Jiangnan and fight back and forth with various forces in Jiangnan. His abilities must be quite remarkable. If Xue Pan could follow Tu Chengyu and learn even a little bit of his skills, he would benefit from it for the rest of his life.

Last but not least, as long as Xue Pan stays by Tu Chengyu's side and maintains a good relationship, even if he remains a playboy, his connection with Tu Chengyu will guarantee him a lifetime of wealth and luxury.

Xue Xu had put a lot of thought into this, but he didn't know if Tu Chengyu would agree to the request.

(End of this chapter)