The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 266 Stingy Father and Son Fight Over Money

The ancient alleyway itself is quite large, and with its dilapidated walls and uneven terrain, it was difficult to walk through. So they wandered around for a long time before they could get a general idea of ​​what it was like.

After reading it, Tu Chengyu had a general idea of ​​what was going on, but he still needed to have the old craftsmen from the Ministry of Works come over to check it out. After all, professional matters should be left to professionals.

After exploring the ancient alleyways, it was almost time to leave, so Tu Chengyu and his group didn't continue.

Instead, they returned to the tent at the south gate of the city.

When Jia Lian returned, he originally intended to check on how Lin Daiyu and the others were doing.

But when he arrived, the guards who had stayed there said that Lin Daiyu and the others had already gone back.

Seeing this, Tu Chengyu did not linger and turned to walk back into the city.

That night, Tu Chengyu returned to the Prince An's residence to rest.

The next morning, however, he returned to the palace.

He returned mainly to discuss matters concerning the ancient alleyway; he needed to speak with the emperor. However, he arrived too early, before the emperor had even finished his court session.

So he waited in front of the Imperial Study for another half an hour before the emperor returned from court.

"Why have you returned to the palace again?" the emperor asked with a smile from his imperial carriage.

Tu Chengyu said, "There is something I would like to report to my father."

"Oh, come in."

As he spoke, the emperor alighted from his imperial carriage and entered the imperial study. Tu Chengyu obediently followed him in.

As for the officials who had come with the emperor to report on their work, they wisely stayed in their cells outside the Imperial Study to wait.

After entering the imperial study, the emperor went to the back to change his court attire before coming out and saying to Tu Chengyu:

"What is it that you need to report so early in the morning?"

"Making money," Tu Chengyu said shamelessly, "can make a lot of money."

Upon hearing this, the emperor laughed and said, "You've only been out of the palace for a few days, but you've already learned quite a few tricks to deceive people."

Tu Chengyu was quite helpless upon hearing this, and quickly said:

“Father, I really didn’t lie, it really can make money.”

"Then tell me, how are you going to make money?" After saying that, the emperor sat down in his chair and started flipping through the memorials. He didn't forget to add, "If you want me to invest in your method of making money, then don't bother."

Tu Chengyu originally wanted to swindle some capital from the Emperor, but he didn't expect the Emperor to be so vigilant and block Tu Chengyu's path in advance.

In that case, Tu Chengyu had no choice but to change his strategy.

He said, "Father, I don't want you to invest any money. I want something else."

"I knew you were up to no good," the Emperor said irritably. "What do you want?"

Tu Chengyu said, "Your subject wants that piece of land in the ancient alley of the southern city."

"An old alley?" The emperor pondered for a moment before remembering where it was, and then asked, "That place is in such a dilapidated state, what do you need it for?"

Jia Lian said, "Of course, it's about making money."

The emperor thought for a moment and said, "If you want to sell the land after leveling it, you might make some money, but it's far from making a fortune." Tu Chengyu immediately realized the emperor had misunderstood, and so he said:
“Father, I don’t want to sell the land. I want to build houses there, and then sell them. That’s how we can make money.”

"You want to sell houses in the South City?" The emperor said as if he were watching a joke, "How many people in the South City can afford the houses you build?"

Jia Lian knew his plan couldn't be explained in just a few words, so he said:

"Father, don't worry about that. Just give me that piece of land."

The emperor thought for a moment and said, "I can give you the land, but not for free, otherwise those old guys in the court will be arguing with me again."

The emperor's suggestion coincided with Tu Chengyu's thoughts, and he was unwilling to take it for free.

Otherwise, once he has leveled the land and built the house, when it's time to sell it, those old guys will see there's profit to be made and shamelessly come over, claiming the land belongs to the imperial court, and clamoring for a share of the money.

Don't underestimate the shamelessness of those old guys in the imperial court. They usually act like gentlemen, but when it comes to interests, they can be more ruthless than thugs.

So Tu Chengyu said to the emperor, "Father, I will buy that land, but I cannot pay in cash. I will pay the court after I sell the house. It will probably take one or two years. But don't worry, Father, I will pay the court interest every month according to the market price."

When the emperor first heard Tu Chengyu say that it would take one or two years to give him the money, he thought it was just another way for his son to swindle money.

But when I heard that I could pay interest every month, I realized I wasn't lying.

So he smiled and said, "If you keep this up for a few days, those old guys won't bother me anymore."

Seeing that the emperor had agreed, Tu Chengyu quickly pressed his advantage and asked:

"Father, when can you give me the land? My people are all ready and waiting to start construction."

The emperor thought for a moment and said, "This matter should be handled through the Ministry of Revenue. Here's what I'll do: I'll write a memorial later, and you can take it to the Ministry of Revenue to discuss it."

Upon hearing that the emperor had already considered everything for him, Tu Chengyu quickly said:
"My dear father, thank you very much."

After finishing this matter, the emperor saw that Tu Chengyu showed no sign of leaving, so he asked:
"Is there anything else?"

Tu Chengyu nodded and said, "Father, I have another matter to discuss that can help you solve a major problem. I wonder if you would be willing to do it?"

"My troubles?" the emperor asked seriously. "I'd like to see what troubles you can help me solve."

Tu Chengyu said confidently, "Father, didn't I say earlier that I would help you deal with the coal ash near the palace and in the capital? Do you remember that?"

Although the emperor couldn't quite recall when this happened, it didn't stop him from nodding in acknowledgment:

"Yes, that is true. I remember you said that these things don't cost any money."

Tu Chengyu never expected that his father would turn the tables on him here, completely blocking his way to get money.

It seems that after being emperor for a year, Dad has learned to be stingy.

Since his father had said so, Tu Chengyu had no choice but to come up with another idea.

He thought for a moment and said, “Father, there’s no such thing as working for nothing. But since you’ve spoken, I can’t go against your wishes. So I’ve come up with a compromise: you don’t need to pay for the coal ash, but I’ll have to use the land in the old alley for free.”

Upon hearing this, the emperor smiled, pointed at Tu Chengyu, and said:
"You, I thought you were really going to help me. Turns out you were just waiting for me here. You're just trying to avoid paying me, aren't you?"

Tu Chengyu wasn't embarrassed when his father saw through his little scheme.

(End of this chapter)