Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

"Wow!"

At Samurai Go's command, the three large doors opened one after another.

The architecture and decorations of the Royal Construction Bank's Taiyuan branch, which were completely different from those of the Tang Dynasty, were no longer the focus of these merchants' attention.

These people were there more than a month ago, when the new thing called banking first appeared.

I've already handled quite a few things here.

At this moment, although Samurai had arranged for some staff members, who were brought in from the Imperial University and could only be considered interns, to welcome the guests and explain some basic issues, the scene was still occupied with welcoming guests and explaining some basic issues.

however.

The first few merchants to rush in seemed to have a target in mind almost instantly, and quickly ran to the empty counters in front of them.

"Government bonds! I want to buy government bonds! Hurry up and process it for me!"

The procedures and documents that had been prepared in advance were slapped directly onto the counter by the owners of several large businesses in Bingzhou.

"Hehe, Mr. Yan, welcome. May I ask how many government bonds you would like to purchase?"

"Buy me 300,000 strings of cash!"

"I want 270,000 strings of cash!"

"Your Excellency, please process 360,000 strings of cash in national bonds for me..."

The voices of the group were deliberately lowered, and those who were business rivals were also warily observing each other.

He was speaking quietly to the bank employee behind the counter, while covering his mouth with his hand, worried that the employee might read his lips and guess what he was saying...

The entire bank lobby, as well as the private rooms on one side specifically for large businesses or officials, had been open for only a dozen minutes.

It became overcrowded.

The carriage parking spaces around the Royal Construction Bank were completely occupied.

"Hello Mr. Yan, these are the government bond notes and receipts you purchased. Please sign and affix your fingerprint here..."

"Please keep these items safe. You can exchange them at our bank after one year... Next!"

In an office upstairs at the Royal Construction Bank.

Li Chengqian showed no concern for the situation downstairs, calmly reviewing the documents delivered by Wu Shun.

"Are you very worried about your father's abilities?"

The scratching sound of the pen tip continued, and Li Chengqian didn't even look up. But a sudden sentence made Wu Shun, who was clearly distracted, tense up instantly.

"Your Highness, I dare not... I'm just worried that I might delay Your Highness's business."

Li Chengqian glanced up at the sister of Empress Wu Zetian, then casually signed his approval on a document concerning the construction of the Yanmen Pass leather trading market.

"I've heard that your two younger sisters have also entered the First Official Academy for their studies?"

“Yes, Your Highness, my third sister is in the children’s class, and my second sister was admitted to the village school a few days ago…” Wu Shun hurriedly replied.

"Hmm, you've already been admitted to the village school so quickly, hehe, you're quite a bright prospect... I've heard that your mother, Lady Yang, is also a descendant of the previous dynasty's royal family?"

"In that case, your Duke Ying's mansion can be considered to have some unrelated relationship with me."

Wu Shun hurriedly lowered his head, despite the Crown Prince's seemingly benevolent appearance.

however.

Kong Yingda was once addressed as "Master Kong" and treated with utmost respect by Li Chengqian, yet now he too has been stripped of his position as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince...

"My mother is merely a member of a collateral branch of the Yang family. She would never dare to overstep the bounds of the imperial family, much less have any intention of currying favor with Your Highness's distant relatives... Please, Your Highness, understand."

Looking at Wu Shun, who was so nervous that he was sweating profusely.

Li Chengqian shook his head in disbelief.

In any case, she was just a young girl who would be almost an adult in later generations. The current empress was still in the First Official Academy, facing a large amount of homework every day, as well as competition from male students of the same age.

"Go back to your work. I'm keeping an eye on your father; he won't make a mistake."

"Your subordinate takes his leave, and thanks Your Highness for your kindness!"

......

Li Chengqian had no doubt whatsoever about short selling government bonds.

But in the end, they underestimated the power of the imperial court in this era to control merchants and the economy.

A policy favoring domestic city construction contracting led to a frenzy among "Datang Real Estate Developers" who rushed to buy government bonds.

In particular, under Li Chengqian, the government bonds were still allowed to be sold midway.

Both parties only need to come to the China Construction Bank to complete the relevant procedures and documents, and they can sell it themselves.

This has created an opportunity for those with ample funds.

"Your Highness, Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

As noon approached, the clocks in the lobby of the Construction Bank and on Li Chengqian's floor chimed. Then, he finally finished his work.

Just as Li Chengqian stood up and stretched, he heard the anxious shouts and hurried footsteps of Duke Ying, Wu Shihuo.

He frowned.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with the bond sale procedures?"

Wu Shihu looked conflicted, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated to speak, and handed a document to Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness, look..."

Li Chengqian took the document, his brows furrowing instantly: "Prince Lu?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Prince Lu is down here. He borrowed 400 million strings of cash from the Royal Agricultural Bank, using the properties his Tang-Lu Chamber of Commerce had built in Taiyuan, Jinyang, Yanmen County, and Datong as collateral. He used it all to buy our national bonds... Should we proceed or not?"

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment: "Four million strings of cash, he brought them all?"

"They brought the loan documents, along with someone from the Royal Agricultural Bank. The paperwork is in order; the money can be transferred directly from the Agricultural Bank..."

"Then give it to him!" Li Chengqian waved his hand and stuffed the document back into his hand.

"Since it's cash, my seventh uncle wouldn't dare to cheat on the projects he's contracted for. Whatever his ideas are, they're none of our business. Just process them for him directly..."

Li Chengqian stretched and yawned, his voice indifferent.

"This is!"

Not long after Wu Shihu left, a figure came up from downstairs.

"Greetings, Your Highness. Thank you for your trust."

Li Chengqian smiled faintly and glanced at Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, whose appearance was noticeably more refined and wealthy than when he first met him in the Chang'an palace.

"Hehe, Seventh Imperial Uncle, are you planning to do some big business? Have you set your sights on some project? Or... do you want to make a fortune off those merchants by reselling national bonds?"

Li Yuanchang's expression froze instantly, and he became somewhat embarrassed.

"This... indeed, all my little schemes have no chance of being displayed in front of His Highness the Crown Prince..."

He sighed, then cupped his hands in greeting and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"I want to try both of the things Your Highness mentioned. I plan to bid for the construction of the city's market and residential areas in Datong."

Li Chengqian nodded.

I didn't ask any further questions.

This seventh prince is now considered quite talented. Not only is he busy managing some businesses on weekdays, but he also frequently visits construction sites to oversee the construction quality.

He is still studying at the Imperial University's Faculty of Engineering.

Despite being the same age as himself, he already possessed considerable capital and manpower, making him a well-known real estate tycoon in Bingzhou.

"However, Your Highness, rest assured, the houses built by the Tanglu Chamber of Commerce are absolutely both beautiful and sturdy. I guarantee it with my life! I assure you, Your Highness, that it won't put you in a difficult position..."

Li Chengqian looked at Li Yuanchang, who was swearing an oath, and waved his hand with a smile.

"There are only the two of us here, so Seventh Imperial Uncle doesn't need to be so nervous. The Reunion Festival is just around the corner, and I really can't get away to go back and reunite with Father and Mother. Doesn't Seventh Imperial Uncle want to go back to Chang'an either?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang sighed.

"Your Highness, you're busy, and so am I. The winter wheat planting season has already begun in Bingzhou. I need to keep a close eye on the preparation of materials and blueprints. Once planting is complete, we can begin recruiting workers for construction. It's a busy time indeed!"

"No? No matter how busy they are, can they be so busy that they don't even come back for the Dragon Boat Festival? Does he even care about me, his father? Does he even care about you, his mother, Guanyinbi?"

"Outrageous! Bang!"

In Chang'an, at the Lizheng Hall.

Emperor Li Shimin, who was so angry that he slapped the letter on the table and looked furious and resentful, watched as he did so.

Empress Zhangsun sighed.

Although he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, there were just how many things in Bingzhou and Taiyuan that required Crown Prince Li Chengqian to manage and coordinate.

She was aware of it too.

"Isn't there no other way? Chengqian is currently the chief official of several prefectures, including Bingzhou, Zhenbei, and Longyou. He needs to restrain and weaken Tuyuhun, and he also needs to keep a close eye on Luoyang and Dengzhou at all times."

"He holds the livelihoods and futures of countless people in his hands; Your Majesty should be proud..."

Despite saying that, Empress Zhangsun could not hide her disappointment.

She hadn't seen Li Chengqian for half a year.

Li Shimin frowned, picked up the letter in his hand, and read a few more lines. Looking at the increasingly mature and noble Crown Prince's slender gold script, he couldn't help but recall the appearance of his son when he left Chang'an half a year ago.

"Hmph! That unfilial son! He is my eldest son, and even he won't come back. What's the point of celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival!"

Li Shimin stood up abruptly.

He took a few deep breaths, as if he had made a decision, and snorted coldly.

"Even the common people of the Tang Dynasty can still reunite as families. Now that I am the supreme ruler, am I to separate my family again?!"

"Since that rebellious son refuses to return to Chang'an, then I will take my harem to his Taiyuan Prefecture!"