The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 100 But what does this have to do with anchoring salt?

Li Yichen had already prepared his explanation, and he answered calmly with an unchanged expression.

"Your Highness, it is a lost scroll of the 'Secret Essentials of Creation' from the previous dynasty, which contains the method of 'leaching brine and frying white.' I had not paid attention to it before, but recently, after pondering Your Highness's financial difficulties, I have repeatedly considered it and realized that this method might be worth a try. Fortunately, with the blessing of Heaven, it was successful."

He deliberately made the process vague, attributing it to ancient books and luck.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian became even more excited.

The ancient book, the rare copy, the strange and secret techniques—this perfectly matched people's imagination of "miraculous encounters" and "destiny," making him feel that this might be a turning point bestowed by heaven.

"Excellent! What a wonderful 'Secrets of Creation'!"

Li Chengqian clapped his hands and limped two steps in front of the table, seemingly overshadowed by the immense joy in his right ankle.

"Yichen, you have rendered such a great service, and I will reward you handsomely! Gold, silver, silk, official positions, and land—just ask for it!"

At this moment, he felt that Li Yichen was like an endless treasure trove, and every time he dug into it, he could find amazing results.

reward?

Li Yichen sighed inwardly, thinking that this prince still hadn't fully grasped the situation.

At this moment, any reward given to him would be like lighting a torch in the darkness, drawing everyone's attention.

The emperor's spies, the Prince of Wei's agents, and the curiosity of those high-ranking officials would all instantly focus on this little study companion.

Once investigated thoroughly, this meticulously planned scheme could be exposed.

At that time, let alone a reward, one's life will likely be in danger.

He took a deep breath, his face showing no desire for the reward, but instead bowed with unusual solemnity.

"Your Highness's kindness is appreciated. However, this is not the time to bestow rewards."

Li Chengqian felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, and he shivered instantly.

The excitement on his face receded like a tide, replaced by a trace of lingering fear.

He suddenly remembered the time Li Yichen slipped him a note reminding him to "be careful with his words," and he recalled his father's deep and unfathomable gaze.

Yes, he was so caught up in his joy that he forgot where the most deadly danger came from!
Father wants to know who made me 'different'!
Yichen is my only support right now. If he is targeted by my father, even...

He dared not think any further, only feeling a chill creep up from the soles of his feet.

We mustn't let him attract any attention!

"I understand!" Li Chengqian exhaled a heavy breath, his voice regaining its composure, even carrying an unprecedented calmness.

"It was my oversight. Yichen, rest assured, I know what's important. Until the time is right, as you said, you will remain an ordinary companion in the Eastern Palace, and no one will notice you. I will remember all your contributions!"

He pointed to his heart, his tone resolute.

Seeing the change in Li Chengqian's expression, Li Yichen felt slightly relieved.

Good, he realized it.

Only by making Li Chengqian feel that he is his unique, indispensable, and must-be-hidden trump card can he be truly safe and continue to advance the plan.

"Your Highness is wise."

Li Yichen bowed again, then smoothly steered the conversation back on track.

"The most important thing right now is to use this method to quickly organize reliable manpower to produce large quantities of this refined salt."

"This is easy!" Li Chengqian's confidence soared, as if he could already see the white salt piling up like snowflakes.

"The Crown Prince owns several imperial estates, located in secluded areas, and the estate managers are all reliable household slaves. I can assign trusted guards to watch over them, find a separate location, recruit absolutely loyal craftsmen, and carry out this matter in secret! As for the raw materials... well, there are plenty of saline-alkali lands and saltwater wells in Guanzhong, so obtaining materials will not be difficult!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, feeling that he could finally do something real, something that could bring huge benefits.

However, this excitement didn't last long. A hint of hesitation and embarrassment flashed across his face, and his voice lowered slightly. "But... Yichen, I am, after all, the Crown Prince. For me to engage in... the work of a merchant and artisan, personally organizing the production and sale of refined salt, is... is it somewhat inappropriate for my status?"

"If the censor finds out, I'm afraid that the Grand Secretary will be accused of 'competing with the people for profit' and 'neglecting his duties,' and..."

After all, he was a prince raised under the education of Confucian ethics and social norms, and the hierarchical concept of scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants was deeply ingrained in him. Asking him to directly engage in "artisan" and "merchant" matters made him instinctively feel resistant and uneasy.

Upon hearing this, Li Yichen was not disappointed; instead, a glimmer of relief flashed in his eyes.

He is indeed growing.

If it were the old Li Chengqian, he would either not have thought of this at all and would have acted recklessly, or he would have thought of it but would have deliberately done it out of rebellion.

Now he understands how to consider his identity, the impact on public opinion, and how to weigh the pros and cons, which is a huge improvement.

"Your Highness is absolutely right," Li Yichen said encouragingly.

"This shows that His Highness has begun to view this matter with the mindset of a crown prince, rather than just a merchant."

He paused slightly, then guided the conversation: "Does Your Highness still remember what I analyzed with you a few days ago about the potential credibility you possess?"

Li Chengqian was immediately drawn to the task and tried hard to recall.

"I remember!"

"You said that my identity is that of the Crown Prince, the legal heir apparent, which is the greatest endorsement of my credibility. Furthermore... after my actions in the past period, I have become a variable that needs to be taken seriously in the hearts of the court officials and the Emperor. This is the beginning of my political credibility."

"Furthermore... the development of Xizhou itself is legitimate, and my participation and willingness to take on responsibilities are also adding points to my credibility."

"Your Highness remembers it perfectly." Li Yichen nodded approvingly, then changed the subject.

"Then, Your Highness, is our ultimate goal in holding this refined salt really to sell it for money?"

Li Chengqian was taken aback by the question and subconsciously replied, "Isn't that right? Without money and provisions, how can the affairs of Xizhou proceed? How can my prestige be established?"

“Selling salt for money is the most direct, but also the most clumsy and risky option.”

Li Yichen denied it without hesitation.

"Just as Your Highness fears, it is easy for others to use this as a pretext. Your Highness's goal has never been the mere profit from salt!"

His voice was calm yet powerful.

"Our goal is to use this item to transform Your Highness's potential credit into real credit that can be circulated, lent out, and used to influence resources!"

Li Chengqian's pupils contracted slightly, as if he had caught something, but it was obscured by a thin veil, making it difficult to see clearly.

"Real credit? How to convert it?"

"Issue bonds!"

Li Yichen uttered four words with a resounding tone.

“Bonds?” Li Chengqian repeated the unfamiliar word, his face full of confusion.

This was another concept he had never heard of before.

“Not bad.” Li Yichen began to explain in detail, speaking slowly and clearly to ensure that Li Chengqian could follow his train of thought.

"In simple terms, a bond is a credit certificate. It is a special kind of note issued by the Eastern Palace in the name of Your Highness the Crown Prince to merchants, wealthy people and even officials who are interested in investing. It specifies the amount of the loan principal, the loan term, such as one or two years, and promises to repay the principal and interest upon maturity."

Li Chengqian frowned as he listened.

"Borrowing from the common people? This... The imperial court sometimes borrows from wealthy households due to famine or war, but for the Crown Prince to do it... This is unprecedented!"

"But what does this have to do with anchoring salts?"

(End of this chapter)