I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Seeing the excited Li Chengqian, Li Shen felt a little guilty. He had just said it casually and had not revealed his true purpose.

I never expected my elder brother, the crown prince, to be so honest and actually believe it.

He didn't know the specifics of the situation in Baekje; he only knew that Kim Chun-chu of Silla had handled it last year and this year.

At the time, he was busy with other matters and had no time to inquire about this.

Extracting oil from soybeans is not a difficult task; we already have the technology for it, so all we need to do is use soybeans.

But what if there are no soybeans? Wouldn't that just be bragging?

Thinking of this, Li Shen quickly offered words of comfort.

"Brother, brother, don't get so excited. It's just a plan. We haven't made any specific preparations yet."

"Tenth Brother, are you sure you can extract oil from beans?"

Li Tai frowned and asked.

“Of course, otherwise why would I have Baekje grow soybeans?” Lee Shin nodded.

"If that's the case, it's indeed a great thing that benefits the country and its people. I just wonder how much money Tenth Brother is prepared to invest?"

Li Tai asked seriously, as he also felt that Li Shen's matter was a good thing.

"What, Fourth Brother wants to get involved?" Li Shenyi raised an eyebrow.

Li Tai didn't pretend and nodded directly:

“That’s right, I do have that intention. I can invest money, and you can take care of everything.”

However, there's only one condition: once this is accomplished, my name must be mentioned when it's discussed publicly.

Li Shen was taken aback. What kind of request was this? But he quickly realized that Li Tai was after his name.

If such a momentous undertaking were accomplished, it would surely be remembered for eternity.

However, Li Shen scoffed inwardly. With the current level of productivity, how could it be possible for everyone in the world to have access to soybean oil?

Not to mention the low oil yield of soybean oil, there isn't even that much raw material available.

The Tang Dynasty now has more than four million households and about ten million people. How many soybeans would they have to grow?

Does this mean we'll stop growing grains and grow soybeans instead?

However, Li Shen's expression remained unchanged:

"Fourth Brother, I need to think about this matter when I get back. But as I said before, if you want to invest, the minimum investment is 500,000 strings of cash. I'll give you 30% of the profits."

Li Shen is now thinking about how to swindle Li Tai out of his 500,000 yuan if Li Tai really invests.

Sure enough, one lie requires countless lies to cover it up.

What he was just talking nonsense about is now actually becoming true.

It seems I should refrain from boasting in the future.

"Tenth brother, 500,000 strings of cash is too much. Fourth brother can't afford it either. He has saved up 200,000 strings of cash over the years by living frugally."

"If you, Tenth Brother, have devised a plan, then let me know. I'm willing to invest these two hundred thousand strings of cash. What do you think?"

Li Tai held up two fingers. He couldn't possibly give Li Shen 500,000 strings of cash all at once; he had his own agenda.

"Two hundred thousand strings of cash..." Li Shen was somewhat reluctant when he heard that more than half of it had been reduced.

This fat Li isn't very honest. He earned at least 500,000 strings of cash this year, yet he still complained to me about being poor, saying that he had saved 200,000 strings of cash over the years.

However, there's no rush. Li Shen really needs to go back and plan things out carefully. He secretly decided that after the New Year, he would recruit a few strategists to see if he could trick Li Tai a little more.

"Alright, I'll inform Fourth Brother once I've made my plans."

However, Fourth Brother, let's be clear from the start: I don't think I'll make much money from this.

Many people know how to press oil, they just use soybeans instead. We can only taste the first bite of meat.

"Once we make money, those powerful and noble families will definitely follow suit, and then we probably won't be able to make any more money," Li Shen warned, giving Li Tai a heads-up.

In case I try to swindle him out of his money, I'll have an excuse.

Unexpectedly, Li Tai laughed:

"It's alright. Nothing in this world is certain. Fourth Brother understands."

His words left Li Shen completely bewildered.

"Tenth brother, you must not delay this matter. If you can really make sure that the people have cheap oil to eat, Father will definitely reward you."

At this moment, Li Chengqian also gave instructions.

"Don't worry, brother, I will start planning this matter after the New Year," Li Shen assured him.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has awakened and summoned the princes to the Elegant Abode for an audience."

Footsteps were heard outside, and Wang Xing came in to report.

Upon hearing this, the group immediately stood up.

"Let's go, don't keep Father waiting." Li Chengqian said, and strode out.

On the way to Yajingju, Li Chengqian and Li Shen walked in front, while Li Tai and Li Zhi walked behind, some distance apart.

"Fourth Brother, you believe Li Shen's words? What if he's just deceiving you again?"

Li Zhi looked at the backs of Li Chengqian and the other man in front of him and whispered to Li Tai.

"Hehe, there's no 'what if,' Old Ten will definitely find a way to deceive me."

Li Tai laughed.

"Then why are you still involved, Fourth Brother? Two hundred thousand strings of cash! Isn't that just letting this scoundrel get it for nothing?"

Upon hearing Li Tai's words, Li Zhi said anxiously.

"What Lao Shi said should be true. Jin Chunqiu mentioned it to me last year, but what he said was not just about pressing oil."

"This old tenth man has grand ambitions." Li Tai said slowly, looking ahead.

"Is he planning something big? I wonder what his intentions are?" Li Zhi asked curiously.

Li Tai shook his head:

“Zhi Nu, it’s not that your fourth brother doesn’t want to tell you, it’s just that this matter has nothing to do with you, so please don’t ask anymore.”

The fewer people who know, the better. If Father finds out someone leaked the news, even I will probably be punished.

Although Li Tai had other thoughts, he was, after all, a prince of the Tang Dynasty, and he was afraid of being found out by his father.

Li Zhi frowned as he looked at Li Tai's face, feeling both incredibly curious and somewhat angry. What was it that he couldn't know?

"Alright, Zhinu, don't worry, this matter has nothing to do with you, otherwise why wouldn't your brother tell you?"

Li Tai noticed Li Zhi's dissatisfaction and gently comforted him.

"Is this related to Fourth Brother's involvement in this matter?" Li Zhi asked.

After hesitating for a moment, Li Tai nodded and explained.

"Hmm...it's somewhat related, but not by much. My main concern is the oil pressing."

This matter is of great benefit to the present and future generations; it is absolutely a major event that benefits the country and its people. As a prince, I naturally want to do my part for the court and the people.

"Money can be earned back, why worry so much?"

At this moment, Li Tai displayed the demeanor of a scholar.

"Fourth Brother is right. We princes should set an example, love the people like our own children, and share their burdens."

I just don't trust Li Shen. Fourth Brother's two hundred thousand strings of cash will probably end up in Li Shen's treasury.

Li Zhi shook his head. He didn't believe Li Shen, he never had. He would even think Li Shen was lying if he farted.

At that moment, as Li Chengqian and Li Shen walked side by side ahead, Li Chengqian suddenly said:

"Tenth Brother, you weren't telling the truth just now, were you?"

I watched a few silly anime these past couple of days, some set in a period drama, and one set in ancient times.

In the beginning, they hunted to develop their lives and support their wives and children, but halfway through, they started cultivating immortality. Another character got a system halfway through his story.

It made me so sad to see.