Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 38: Father is old, it’s time to give up power [Please read]

Li Xiaochang and his men were steadily advancing their campaign to purge the imperial court according to Li Chengqian's plan, but Li Chengqian did not participate in it.

After he talked with Li Tai about the "Zhenguan Grand Ceremony" that day, Li Tai ran to find Li Shimin with great interest.

Although Li Shimin did not agree to Li Tai compiling the "Zhenguan Da Dian" now, he also allowed Li Tai and the 18 scholars of the Hongwenguan to compile the catalog of the "Zhenguan Da Dian".

Therefore, in recent times, the little fat boy has been living a life of going back and forth between home and abroad, and has no time to cause trouble for Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian was also relieved and prepared to leave the palace for a trip with the palace ban token he had obtained from Li Tai.

However, just as he was leaving his courtyard and walking towards the Lizheng Palace, Xiangling called him back on the orders of Empress Changsun.

At this moment, he stood in front of Empress Changsun, feeling uneasy, fearing that Empress Changsun would find out about him tricking Xiaopang with the uterine ban sign.

However, Empress Changsun did not talk to him about the little fat boy at all, but instead raised questions about the sales of bean sprouts.

"Cheng Qian, why can't we sell bean sprouts the same way as soap? They are obviously a novelty, but the price can never be raised." Empress Chang Sun asked in confusion.

Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Although bean sprouts are a novelty, they are just vegetables. Besides, the method of making them is not very difficult. It's generally difficult for Mother to sell bean sprouts at a high price!"

"But if bean sprouts don't make money, we can't just make money from soap and soap, right?"

"From what mother said, it seems that the palace's expenses are still very high?"

"Yes!"

Empress Zhangsun sighed and said, "The number of palace maids hasn't been reduced much. Although I have already cut the expenses of other concubines, there are so many people in the palace, and the total expenses are not small."

"Yes, I know."

Li Chengqian nodded in understanding and then asked, "How's business going at that custom soap shop?"

"At the beginning, business was good, but then people realized there wasn't much difference between the exclusive soaps and regular soaps, and business started to decline. Also, the fragrances for the exclusive soaps are scarce these days, so we can't even make the exclusive soaps for some important people."

"In that case, the popularity of soap has passed. Unless we sell soap outside of Chang'an, it will be difficult for mother to make a lot of money."

“But with the current output of the Royal Manufacturing Bureau, it is difficult to sell soap and soap outside of Chang’an.”

"Yes, that's why I found you to see if you have any other ways to make money!" Empress Changsun sighed.

Li Chengqian glanced at Empress Zhangsun, then thought about what he had promised Li Yuan. He pondered and said, "Mother, I have a way to make money, but I'm afraid you, the most noble woman in the world, will have to use some tricks."

"What means?"

Empress Zhang Sun was stunned for a moment, then said seriously: "If it is illegal, I will not do it."

"What are you thinking, mother? How could I possibly let you do something illegal?"

Li Chengqian raised his hand to his forehead and said, "I just want you to use your status as queen to find a few noble ladies to help you endorse it!"

“What does endorsement mean?”

“That’s what publicity means!”

Li Chengqian explained, "No matter what era, women's money is the easiest to make, especially in a place like Chang'an, where women are either rich or noble. It would be a shame not to create luxury goods in such a great market!"

“What is luxury?”

"Mother, do you know what it means when something has the attributes of a luxury item?"

"what?"

"Sky price!"

"This"

When Empress Changsun heard Li Chengqian say the word "sky-high price", her eyes lit up and she could not help but wait eagerly for what would happen next.

Li Chengqian smiled faintly. "I already have an idea for creating luxury goods. Our exclusive soap shop has already gained attention among the aristocratic circles in Chang'an. However, soap alone doesn't reflect the status of the nobility. Therefore, a new luxury product is about to emerge."

"Oh?"

Empress Zhangsun raised her eyebrows and immediately became interested: "Then what exactly is this luxury item my son is talking about?"

"Since you're making money from women, then mother, do you know what women care about most?"

"Appearance?"

"Not bad!"

Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, "Women care most about their appearance, so the direction of our luxury goods is very clear, which is to create a luxury brand exclusively for women, such as the new rouge and powder!"

"What is the difference between this rouge and powder and the rouge and powder sold on the market?" Empress Changsun asked curiously.

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "Apart from the difference in design, there isn't much difference. However, there is one crucial point: it's expensive!"

"expensive?"

"Yes! The more expensive the better!"

Empress Changsun was surprised and asked, "If it's no different from the rouge and powder on the market, why is it better the more expensive it is?"

"Because sky-high prices are the best marketing!"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "The more expensive it is, the more people will talk about it. The more people talk about it, the more attention it will attract. In this way, the rouge and powder that mother sells will become luxury goods among the Tang Dynasty's aristocracy!"

"Once it becomes a luxury product, it will definitely have a significant impact on the aristocratic community. For example, if a noble like you owns a limited edition lipstick, how can you survive in the aristocratic community if you don't buy one?"

"So, it's normal to buy luxury goods at high prices."

"This"

After listening to Li Chengqian's marketing strategy, Empress Changsun was stunned and speechless for a long time.

In fact, Li Chengqian's marketing strategy is similar to the routine of selling coconut shoes in later generations.

But things like rouge and powder have too small an audience and cannot completely profit from the nobles.

Of course, if Empress Changsun understood this strategy, it would not be difficult for her to create new luxury goods and reap more benefits from the nobles in the future.

"Mom, since we're talking about buying and selling, I'd like to increase my previous investment. What do you think?"

Seeing that Empress Changsun's eyes gradually became clear, Li Chengqian continued.

Empress Changsun was slightly taken aback when she heard this: "Why increase the previous investment?"

"Because I want more money and to build up my own power."

Li Chengqian said very frankly.

Empress Zhangsun frowned and asked, "Are you going to compete with your father for power?"

Li Chengqian sighed, "The Emperor and the Crown Prince are born enemies. I'm only doing this to protect myself. I hope Mother can understand me!"

"This"

Empress Chang Sun was speechless.

How could she not understand the meaning of Li Chengqian's words? Throughout history, countless emperors and princes had become enemies because of power.

Let’s not talk about anything else, just take Li Shimin and Li Yuan as examples. Wasn’t it because of power that they ended up in this situation today?
Thinking of this, Empress Zhang Sun couldn't help but sigh: "I don't want to see you and your son turn against each other, do you understand?"

Li Chengqian said sternly, "Don't worry, mother. I'm still young and don't need any power. When I grow up and my father gets old, it's time to give up power."

"Besides, a crown prince with a stable position is also a good thing for the Tang Dynasty, isn't it?"

"This..." Empress Changsun was speechless again, but she did not refute Li Chengqian.

"Let me think about this matter again, you go down first!"

"Yes, mother."

Li Chengqian knew when to stop and did not want to put Empress Changsun in a difficult position.

Even if Empress Changsun tried to stop him, he would still do what he had to do.

Because as early as when he was cooperating with Li Yuan, he had made up his mind that he would never follow the old path of deposing the crown prince in this life.

So, why did the dethronement of the crown prince fail?

In addition to Li Shimin's failure in playing the balancing act, there was also the congenital deficiency of the deposed crown prince.

His entire Eastern Palace seemed to be quite powerful, but in fact most of them were Li Shimin's men.

No matter how hard he tried, he could not escape Li Shimin's circle.

For a Donggong like this, it would be a pipe dream to successfully rebel.

Therefore, Li Chengqian must build a force that belongs entirely to him in this life.

The Li Tang Dynasty, at its core, was mainly composed of three major forces.

One is the Guanlong Group.

One is Shandong Group.

One is a scholar from Jiangnan.

The Guanlong Group was a military group composed of Xianbei nobles of the Northern Wei Dynasty, most of whom were noble relatives of the Li family.

The Shandong Group mainly includes Shandong gentry and Shandong heroes.

The Shandong gentry has a long history, very strong economic strength, and a powerful clan and village base. The huge political power generated from this can control the court when it is advanced, and control the local gentry when it is retreated.

As for the heroes of Shandong, they were basically a group of humble landlords who rose to prominence during the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty.

In other words, they were local tyrants who rose to power during the great turmoil at the end of the Sui Dynasty.

It’s similar to the underworld in later generations.

In addition, the Jiangnan literati cannot be ignored.

They were already an existing aristocratic family before the Sui Dynasty unified the south.

On the one hand, they participated in the various national policies of the Tang Dynasty, and on the other hand, they exerted their influence in the Jiangnan region.

These three power groups played a very important role in the establishment and consolidation of the Li Tang Dynasty.

If Li Chengqian wanted to build his own power, he had to pay attention to these three forces.

Therefore, he still needs to make long-term plans for the future.

"Ugh!"

After leaving Lizheng Hall, Li Chengqian looked up at the direction of Xuanwu Gate, couldn't help but sigh, and said silently to himself: "I hope you can help me, otherwise I will die if I wait for another two months."

At the same time, Taiji Palace, Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin frowned as he looked at the secret report in his hand and said in a calm voice, "I didn't expect that Prince Changle was also involved!"

"Ah!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but snort. He sneered, "Prince Changle was involved from the beginning! Without him, how could those exotic spices have been transported from the borderlands to Chang'an, and how could they have fallen into Concubine Zhang's hands?"

"So according to you, Prince Changle will really rebel?" Li Shimin asked with a frown.

Fang Xuanling smiled and shook his head, but did not answer the question.

But then, Changsun Wuji's voice rang out. "In my opinion, Prince Changle wouldn't be so foolish as to commit treason. After all, he's still relatively young. If he were to rebel, he'd be the next Li Yi at best."

"Yes, no one can tell what these people are thinking or what they are going to do!" Du Ruhui nodded in agreement.

Li Shimin's frown deepened: "Then what do you say we should do?"

"This"

The three of them looked at each other, and couldn't help showing hesitation.

After a while, Fang Xuanling said thoughtfully, "Your Majesty once sent people to deceive Prince Changle, but they failed to expose his true intentions. This proves two things: one is that Prince Changle really has no intention of rebellion, and the other is that Prince Changle has the guidance of an expert, and he is hiding very well!"

"Advice from an expert?"

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes slightly: "Who are you referring to?"

"I don't know who it is, but I'm worried about another thing. Will touching Prince Changle destabilize the border? After all, Liang Province borders the Turks."

"I think that dealing with King Changle will not have much impact on the border. That's because we have just signed an alliance with Jie Li Khan. Even though the Turks have always been untrustworthy, it is not wise to invade our Tang Dynasty at this time!" Du Ruhui shook his head.

Li Shimin tilted his head and asked, "What did the Minister of War mean when he said he would punish Prince Changle?"

Du Ruhui thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, we should try to trick Prince Changle again. We can ask him to come to Chang'an to cooperate with the investigation of the smuggling. If he comes, it means that he has an open mind. If he doesn't come, it means that he has something to hide!
By then, the imperial court can prepare early and take preemptive action!"

"Well, that's a good idea."

Li Shimin nodded, then changed the subject: "However, the evidence of smuggling is irrefutable. How should we deal with him?"

"kill!"

Before Du Ruhui could answer Li Shimin, Changsun Wuji spoke first.

When Li Shimin heard this, he was suddenly shocked and looked at Changsun Wuji in surprise.

He was a prince, and also his grandfather from the same family.

How can you kill someone just like that?

But Zhangsun Wuji said seriously, "Smuggling is illegal in itself, not to mention colluding with the Hu people, which raises suspicions of treason. Furthermore, killing him will serve as a warning to others."

"Yes! We must punish them severely and show no leniency!" Du Ruhui also echoed.

"But, have you forgotten? The Supreme Emperor has a close relationship with Prince Changle. If Your Majesty kills him, will it embarrass the Supreme Emperor?" Fang Xuanling said hesitantly.

Zhang Sun Wuji sneered, "At this point, why are you still concerned about whether the Emperor is the Grand Emperor or not? The Zhenguan era should be conducted in a Zhenguan manner!"

Hearing this, Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and was about to make a decision when he saw Wushe rush in from outside, holding a list and saying breathlessly, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

Li Shimin's face darkened, and he couldn't help but shout loudly: "What are you so flustered about? How can this be so disgraceful?!"

"Your Majesty, a lot of flyers have suddenly appeared in Chang'an City. They say, 'Kill Changsun Wuji and purge the imperial court!'"

"What!?"

Li Shimin suddenly stood up from his seat.

Even Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui looked at Changsun Wuji in surprise.

　[Seeking monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, follow-up reading, collection]

　　
　
(End of this chapter)