Time Travel: I am the idle king Li Shen and Li Shimin in the Tang Dynasty

Li Shen was stunned by his own words at the end. He had been talking nonsense, but suddenly realized that it was feasible.

The others also looked at Li Shen in surprise, as Prince Ji had casually mentioned a business deal worth over a million strings of cash.

The permanent population of Chang'an City was only a few hundred thousand, but because of its thriving commerce, many merchants came to Chang'an City to do business.

The population has increased to one million.

Houses in Chang'an City's market area have now increased in value several times over, making every inch of land extremely valuable.

Prince Ji's method is very feasible. Even if he doesn't charge three strings of cash, but instead charges five hundred coins per month, he can still earn tens of thousands of strings of cash per month, which would amount to more than one million strings of cash per year.

In the entire Tang Dynasty, those who could earn a million strings of cash a year were extremely rare, belonging to only a few powerful and influential families. None of the nobles in Chang'an could achieve that.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room became strange, and the eyes of the nine high-ranking officials of the court were gleaming with a green light when they looked at Li Shen.

Before anyone could speak, Tang Jian suddenly stood up, startling everyone else.

Tang Jian bowed deeply to Li Shimin:

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that the court could also establish a newspaper, which could not only publish some of the court's laws and regulations, but also let the people know about some of the court's political affairs."

"Regarding matters like publishing His Majesty's daily activities, this old minister believes it is more appropriate for the imperial court to handle them."

The others immediately looked at Tang Jian. This old scoundrel was actually the first to stand up and steal business. If the imperial court did this, how could the others do anything?

Who could be more powerful than the imperial court?

After everyone finished reading Tang Jian's article, they all turned to look at Li Shen. The Prince Ji's residence was the first to have a newspaper business, and it was he who came up with this great idea.

Now that Tang Jian is so openly seizing business, everyone wants to see how Prince Ji will react.

Sure enough, as soon as Tang Jian finished speaking, Li Shen suddenly stood up, pointed at Tang Jian, and angrily cursed:

"Old Tang, have you no shame? This idea was mine, and you still want to steal the credit for yourself."

"You're so despicable, aren't you afraid I'll retaliate against your family's纨绔 (sons of wealthy and powerful families)?"

"Hehe, Your Highness Prince Ji, what are you saying? Since it was Your Highness Prince Ji who offered this suggestion, then this suggestion belongs to the imperial court."

How could I possibly claim it as my own?

"To be frank, I seek revenge against His Highness Prince Ji. This old minister is of lowly status and lacks the power to speak with him, but I believe Your Majesty will surely avenge me and bring me justice."

Tang Jian forced a smile, his face full of wrinkles, his old face like a chrysanthemum. What face did he care? Who among them cared?

If he had any sense of shame, he wouldn't be in his current position.

“You…” Li Shen was furious, gritting his teeth: “Do you believe I’ll beat your sons so badly they can’t take care of themselves? I’ll make sure your Tang family line ends.”

"It's alright. I already have grandchildren, so I'm not worried about whether they live or die. I also hope that Your Majesty can make a decision for me."

This old minister has served Your Majesty for half his life, working diligently, conscientiously, and loyally, and now in his old age he suffers the tragedy of a white-haired man burying a black-haired one.

Tang Jian was completely unyielding; he knew that Prince Ji wouldn't do such a thing, otherwise His Majesty wouldn't have agreed.

"Hehe, Lord Tang, rest assured, your rebellious son is just being outspoken. You have followed me in battle, how can I allow you to suffer such humiliation?"

Li Shimin knew Tang Jian was faking it, but he still had to say nice things.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Tang Jian bowed in a perfunctory manner.

Li Shen was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth. The others actually had the same thought.

Previously, the newspapers published by Prince Ji's residence cost one coin per copy, and they made money by selling advertisements. They did not have advanced papermaking technology, so they could not do what Li Shen did.

But now that they're making money, they can buy paper, and making a million strings of cash a year is still worthwhile.

However, it now seems that Tang Jian is going to get involved.

“Tenth Brother, you can’t let all the money go to you. The government runs the newspaper, which is a government-run business, while your newspaper is a private business. Actually, the two don’t conflict.”

Li Chengqian said with a smile. He also enjoyed seeing Li Shen get his comeuppance.

Li Shen glanced at Li Chengqian, then slowly calmed down. He was angry earlier because Tang Jian had plagiarized his plan.

However, after calming down, Li Shen chuckled slightly:

"Hehe, if Minister Tang really wants to do it, then do it well. I will not stop you."

However, whether or not he can make money depends on Minister Tang's abilities.

Li Shen controlled both papermaking and printing techniques, keeping costs extremely low. The paper used for newspapers was different from the writing paper sold in stores; it was several grades lower.

"Alright, Lord Tang, you shouldn't even think about it. The imperial court's papermaking and printing are not as cheap as those produced by Prince Ji's residence; the cost is too high."

You can tell by looking at the smile on his face.

Li Shimin waved his hand. He also had the technical formulas for papermaking and printing, but he didn't give them to the Ministry of Works.

This is the Li family's trump card. If it were given to the Ministry of Works, all the aristocratic families would know about it the very next day.

Tang Jian's smile froze; he had actually forgotten about that.

"Haha, Your Highness Prince Ji is truly remarkable. This old minister is impressed. It seems that Your Highness will have to earn this money."

"Minister Tang, you are too kind. I was just saying it casually; I never intended to do so."

Li Shen lay down again.

"Let's do it your way. I'll leave the task of spreading the news to you, and the court will also release some information to the public."

"Everything is for the sake of completing our plan." Li Shimin handed the empty teacup to Li Chengqian.

"Yes, I will arrange for Wang Xuance to handle this matter when I get back," Li Shen replied.

Next, the group began to discuss some details. Fortunately, Li Shimin was present today, so there was no need to report everything one by one.

Li Shen didn't join in, only occasionally offering his own suggestions while sitting on the couch, eating a plate of grapes.

An hour later, a report came from outside:

"Your Majesty, it is almost finished."

A eunuch came in to report.

"It's all done? That's great."

Li Shen immediately climbed off the bed and put on his shoes. Li Shimin followed suit, slowly putting on his own shoes, and then they went out together.

Ganlu Hall was the inner hall, where Li Shimin rested and worked. It had nine bays in width and five bays in depth, with the council hall in the middle.

It is twelve feet and six feet wide and five feet and six feet deep.

After everyone went outside, they saw a bronze-colored metal piece laid on the ground in the middle, with many patterns on it.

It is about ten zhang long and about four zhang wide. The craftsmen are still doing the final finishing touches.

"What is this?"

Li Shimin took a closer look but couldn't understand it.

Li Shen stood on top and explained with a smile:

"Father, this is a gift I prepared for you. It is called the Great Tang Landscape Map. It depicts the territory of our Great Tang Dynasty, including all the prefectures, counties, mountains, and rivers."

Moreover, it includes the surrounding vassal states, and even the entire world's territory.

"The entire territory of the world?" Li Shimin was surprised and quickly stepped forward to examine it carefully, and the others followed suit.