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

Li Chengqian stared intently at Li Shen for a long time, trying to discern something from Li Shen's face.

"What, is there something on my face?"

Li Shen turned his face away, not letting Li Chengqian see, worried that Li Chengqian would discover his secret.

"Are you sure it really has nothing to do with you? But why do I always feel that you're going to do something big?"

And it's related to spices, you're not going to use spices to set them up again, are you?

What was said in jest was taken seriously by Li Chengqian; Li Shen was startled by Li Chengqian's casual guess.

Holy crap, did I make it too obvious? If so, wouldn't the aristocratic families find out about my plans?

He was shocked, but his expression remained unchanged:

"Haha, look at what you're saying, brother. How could I do such a thing? Don't you already know that I've arranged for the two royal uncles to purchase spices?"

Soon the palace's spices will run out, and Father will surely blame us then.

"Yes, the two imperial uncles submitted a memorial yesterday, requesting that spices be sent to the palace in the next two days, but..."

Li Chengqian was still somewhat suspicious. He was certain that Li Shen was hiding something, but judging from the guy's expression, he didn't intend to be honest with him.

"See, I didn't lie to you. This is what I asked them to deliver. I have something to do at home, so I'll have to go now. We can talk again when we have time."

Li Shen spoke first, and without waiting for Li Chengqian's reply, he strode away.

Watching Li Shen's departing figure, Li Chengqian seemed lost in thought.

"Your Highness, should we take a look?" Wang Zhong asked in a low voice from behind.

Li Chengqian glanced back at him, then shook his head:

"No need. I'm just a little interested. It has nothing to do with politics, so there's no need to investigate."

Besides, do you think everyone around Prince Ji is mediocre?

If you go, the people around Prince Ji will definitely notice. Don't ruin my friendship with Prince Ji over such a trivial matter, do you understand?

"Yes, I understand. I was wrong. I beg Your Highness to punish me." Wang Zhong quickly bowed and begged for forgiveness.

"Alright, let's go back to the East Palace. We won't look at the memorials today."

Li Chengqian waved his hand and then strode forward.

Li Shen left the palace first. The carriage from Prince Ji's residence had already returned, leaving only Tie Niu and his personal guards waiting.

Li Shen boarded the carriage and returned to the Prince Ji's residence. He encountered Lu Dingniang as soon as he entered the inner courtyard.

"My lord, what's wrong with you?"

Lu Dingniang immediately noticed the bruise on Li Shen's forehead and quickly stepped forward to ask him with concern.

"It's alright, this is what I caused by offering my death as atonement, it's just a pity that I couldn't atone for it." Li Shen touched it nonchalantly.

"Huh? Atone with death?" Lu Dingniang was startled. What mistake had the prince made that required him to atone with death?

Seeing his wife's nervous expression, Li Shen could only explain:

"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. This bag of mine is worth a million strings of cash. If it weren't for it, my Prince Ji's mansion would probably have suffered a financial loss today."

"A bag worth one million strings of cash?" Lu Dingniang was even more bewildered.

However, she didn't ask any more questions and quickly ordered someone to fetch a doctor. Even though Li Shen said several times that he was fine, Lu Dingniang insisted that Li Shen take a look.

Lu Dingniang knew that Li Shen had a brain disorder. What if the collision made things worse?

Having no other choice, Li Shen went to Xiaoyao Pavilion and let the doctor from the Prince's Mansion take his pulse. Only after hearing that he was alright did Lu Dingniang feel relieved.

He skillfully took out the wound medicine and applied it to Li Shen.

"Stone, go and summon Wang Xuance and Wang Hongfu. I have important matters to discuss with them."

While applying the medicine, Li Shen gave an instruction to the stone at the door.

"My lord, since you're already injured, why don't you rest for a while?" Lu Dingniang felt sorry for Li Shen; what prince gets beaten up for no reason?

Being a prince in the Tang Dynasty was actually a high-risk job; Li Shen was beaten more often than he attended court.

"It's alright, I have important business to attend to and cannot be delayed." Li Shen shook his head.

"By the way, is Xiaoxiao about to give birth?" Li Shen thought of Su Xiaoxiao.

"Is she about to give birth? I wonder if she'll stay at home or go to the medical school?"

Lu Dingniang asked.

Li Shen thought about it. He originally wanted to have it done at home, since they had midwives, doctors, and even an operating room.

But now he suddenly feels he should go to medical school, because he will also be hospitalized there, and he can get away for a few days to have some peace and quiet.

"Then let's go to the medical school. We'll set off this evening, and I'll stay there for a few days to recuperate."

"Alright, I'll do as you say, my lord. I'll go and have someone prepare right away." Lu Dingniang nodded.

Lu Dingniang never objected to any of Li Shen's decisions.

After applying the medicine, Li Shen went to the study, and soon Wang Hongfu and Wang Xuance arrived.

Upon entering the room, the two bowed to each other, and upon looking up, they saw Li Shen's one million yuan bag.

"Your Highness, what is this...?" Wang Xuance asked.

"I've broken down the door, please sit down."

Li Shen sat down next to the stove and rocked slowly in the rocking chair, without explaining how he got the bump on his head.

After the two sat down, Li Shen began to speak:

"Old Wang, the plan I told you about not long ago can begin now. I've also spoken to His Majesty about the coal issue."

Let's start recruiting people to mine. We can also begin our plan against the Japanese; this will save us a lot on labor costs.

"I will send someone to inform Young Master Di shortly," Wang Hongfu replied.

"Yes, tell him that I have not forgotten him, and that we will meet again soon."

It's best not to let him show his face, otherwise it will affect our Tang Dynasty Never Sleeping City.

He should know those powerful figures and nobles; offer them some benefits and get them to do it.

Li Shen nodded, but added a sentence.

He wanted to do business there and couldn't ruin his reputation. The common people of Japan were poor, but there were many nobles and daimyo there, and they also had a lot of gold and silver.

"Your Highness, do you need my cooperation?" Wang Xuance asked. He had his own people on hand.

"Hmm...no, let's leave it to Di Renjie this time, and give him a chance to prove himself."

"The men in your hands, I have other uses for them."

Li Shen thought for a moment and then shook his head. Di Renjie needs to grow; only through trials and tribulations will he become the formidable Di Renjie he is today.

If everything goes smoothly, it's very likely that it will be ruined.

Wang Xuance nodded upon hearing this.

"Old Wang, I've already bought the copyright to *The Underworld Chronicles* from Tang Lin. Send him 50,000 strings of cash later and sign the contract."

It must be stated that these two volumes of legends must be exclusively sold by my Prince Ji's Mansion.

The contract must also be published in the newspaper, stating that from the date of publication of the newspaper, no one may sell the "Underworld Records" anymore, and the Prince Ji's Mansion will pursue any violations.

"Once the newspapers have been received nationwide, send people to each prefecture and county to investigate who else is selling them. I will teach you what it means to protect your rights."