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

Changsun Wuji was somewhat taken aback.

What he found even more indescribable was that, as he followed Wang De with one foot into the Shougong Hall, he found himself in a completely different situation.

No one in the room was looking at him.

But it gave him the feeling of being stared at by hundreds of eyes in an instant.

A little chilling.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ming, the governor of Bingzhou who had entered with Wang De, suddenly pushed Changsun Wuji aside and pointed angrily at Xiao Rui, who was also standing on the side of Li Chengqian's desk, and shouted at him.

"Xiao Rui! As everyone knows, our New Policy Reform Department has produced a large number of novel products. We only advertised them once in the newspaper, and merchants from all over the country have already taken notice."

"You're telling us you have no money? At such a young age, are you already engaging in corrupt and illegal activities?!"

"Where's the money!"

Xiao Rui immediately glared at him coldly.

"As the son of the founding Duke, I have been entrusted with important responsibilities by His Highness. How dare you be so insolent!"

"Money? You dare to mention money to me?!"

"Of the cement produced by the cement workshop so far, has it been unclaimed by your Road Administration Office, your Canal Transport Office, or even your Prefectural Governor's Office?"

"Where is my money?!"

"You all give me IOUs one by one, fine! How about I give you IOUs too? Let all the people of Bingzhou take these IOUs to the streets to buy vegetables and grain!"

Kong Yingda was furious amidst the crowd.

Despite being a thin old man, he pushed Wang Ming, who was still serving as the Vice Minister of War of the Tang Dynasty, aside.

"Young man of the Xiao family, don't try to fool me. I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice!"

"Let me ask you this: We compiled the Great Tang Dictionary, we compiled the New Imperial Examination Outline, and now we have received His Highness's order to work with the craftsmen to clarify the Outline of Engineering."

"Everything we've done is related to the great cause of the nation. Where is my money?!"

Xiao Rui, however, did not give an inch. Like a stingy miser, he imitated the posture of his own Crown Prince and the two princes, putting his hands into his sleeves.

He raised his neck.

"We'll talk about these things once your paper mills have received their payments. Instead of wasting time whining here, you should hurry up and recruit more scholars and famous writers. Right now, our Great Tang National Bookstore isn't even fully operational yet."

"Your Highness, the year-end imperial examination in Bingzhou is just around the corner!"

Kong Yingda and the scholars behind him immediately burst into a tirade of curses.

"You despicable brat! His Highness entrusted you with the finances of the New Policies and Reforms Department, and this is how you treat us!"

Xiao Rui's brows furrowed instantly: "Kong Taibao's words are truly rude. The flow of money is not a child's play. The money circulation I am in charge of is related to the implementation of the new policies of the entire Bingzhou Province. The budget system was set in advance by His Highness. Why do you not take it seriously!"

"Now that you lack funds, you blame me! What kind of logic is that!"

The two glared at each other, looking as if they wanted to fight on the spot.

Changsun Wuji, who was about to say something, hesitated, wondering if it was inappropriate for him to interrupt at this moment.

However, seeing so many people gathered here, it's clear now.

Although His Highness the Crown Prince faced numerous difficulties in implementing the new policies in Bingzhou, the situation remained relatively stable, judging from the level of peace and prosperity among the local people.

After gaining a better understanding of the situation, they then devised a plan to keep their two sons by the Crown Prince's side.

Then I can return to Chang'an to report back with peace of mind...

"Alright! Have you all argued enough?!"

Li Chengqian's timely rebuke instantly silenced the Shougong Hall, which had been as noisy as a marketplace.

He slowly rose from his seat, and as his clothes shifted, a patch was revealed, appearing so deliberate and glaring.

He waved his hand wearily.

"Master Kong, you should go back and continue compiling the book. This matter cannot be delayed. I am aware of this. I will raise some of the missing funds."

Kong Yingda and Li Chengqian exchanged glances, their eyes subtly conveying their feelings.

Seeing Li Chengqian nod slightly, Kong Yingda reluctantly bowed and left with his men.

Afterwards, Li Chengqian arranged for the officials from various departments and yamen present to leave one by one.

He looked utterly aggrieved, as if he were signing a settlement agreement.

After most of the officials of the Eastern Palace had left, Li Chengqian sighed and turned his gaze to Changsun Wuji, who had watched the whole show from beginning to end.

"Uncle, you must be laughing at me. Alas, this is the situation on my side, it's tough!"

Changsun Wuji nodded in deep agreement, but his face still wore a smile full of encouragement and approval.

“Your Highness, please do not worry. What I have seen and heard on my way from Jiangzhou to Bingzhou has exceeded my expectations. The people are busy in the fields, free from the pain of exorbitant taxes, and everyone is obviously more energetic.”

"Furthermore, since entering the territory of Taiyuan Prefecture, I have also seen many workshops outside the city, such as carpentry workshops, cement workshops, and some other things that I have not looked at in detail."

"But my original worries when I set out from Chang'an have completely vanished!"

Changsun Wuji smiled very kindly.

However, this smile and approval, when heard by Li Chengqian and his two brothers, sounded as if to say, "Your Highness, stop pretending, you must be rich."

"Cough cough!"

"Actually, these are all just superficial phenomena. In reality, there are undercurrents surging within Bingzhou Province..."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and then suddenly sighed.

His gaze turned to his third brother, Li Ke, who was standing to the side.

"Third brother, it has been some time since I published the business information in the Tang Dynasty Daily. Have any merchants from other regions come to Bingzhou?"

Li Ke immediately understood and shook his head in frustration.

"Aside from a few small merchant guilds coming, there has been no news from the major merchant guilds. However, this may be because the Embroidered Uniform Guard doesn't have enough manpower to investigate. Recently, I plan to find a few corrupt officials in Bingzhou and confiscate their property to make up for it."

Li Tai's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Your Majesty, since those merchants are unwilling to come, why don't we lead our own caravan? I am willing to personally lead the team..."

Before he could finish speaking, Changsun Wuji's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly waved his hand.

"Your Highness, Prince Yue! Absolutely not! As a prince, a noblewoman of noble birth, it's understandable that you'd be involved in some business matters while helping the Crown Prince implement his new policies. But if you were to personally lead a delegation to engage in commerce, wouldn't that tarnish the royal family's reputation?"

"His Majesty would never agree to this!"

Upon hearing this, Li Tai immediately pouted and kicked the table next to him in annoyance.

"This won't do, that won't do! And all this talk about being from a wealthy and noble family? Uncle, do I look like someone who can produce a thousand taels of gold right now? Why don't you help us out a little, Uncle?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian and Li Ke immediately turned their gazes intently to Changsun Wuji.

He stared at Changsun Wuji's old face and his expression changed.

"Your Highness, have you forgotten that when Jieli invaded, I sold most of my family property to raise funds for the Tang Dynasty? Now I only have some scattered fields and the mansion bestowed by His Majesty left."

Changsun Wuji spread his hands, indicating that his uncle was also powerless to help.

However, in the eyes of Li Chengqian and his two brothers, this behavior seemed to say, "Playing the victim won't help; even a poor son can't make his father poor. You'd better hand over the money obediently."

Li Chengqian and the other two exchanged glances and then chuckled awkwardly.

He's quite troublesome. It seems that without some tricks up my sleeve, my uncle will definitely not return empty-handed to report back.

In this case...

"Then Uncle, please sit down and rest for a while. If Father has any decrees, we can discuss them in detail after I finish dealing with the current affairs at dinner."

Without waiting for Changsun Wuji's agreement, he immediately gave Wang Ming, who was still standing quietly to the side, a wink.

The latter quickly bowed and stepped forward.

Behind him, the eunuch Wang De had already had several eunuchs report in most of the bamboo slips and documents that he had brought with him, which were carried in a cartload.

Upon receiving the Crown Prince's signal, he immediately understood.

He picked up a book and went forward to report.

"Your Highness, the magistrate of Yuci County has reported that the silver originally allocated to purchase grain from the people to ensure grain prices is almost gone. However, winter is approaching, and the people are selling their grain in order to buy some clothing and winter supplies."

"The magistrate of Yuci County has requested another batch of silver, saying that some grain merchants in Yuci County are now preparing to drive down grain prices and maliciously buy up grain..."

Li Chengqian gritted his teeth: "Keep an eye on those grain merchants and order them that even if they buy grain, they cannot go below 8 wen per dou! If they go below that price, their heads will be on the line!"

Wang Ming nodded helplessly.

Changsun Wuji, who had already found a seat, nodded in satisfaction.

There's no need to be polite about this. As the current law enforcement officer of Bingzhou, Your Highness the Crown Prince, if that so-called grain merchant dares to show his teeth, then it's just right to kill him and eat him!

The three Li brothers exchanged a subtle glance; this old man seemed a bit difficult to deal with.

Wang Ming took out another memorial.

"Your Highness, the magistrate of Fenyang County has reported that the western embankment of the Fen River in Fenyang County urgently needs reinforcement and requests that the government organize corvée labor..."

“I have already said it! Within the territory of Bingzhou, there will be no more corvée labor…” Li Chengqian interrupted, then suddenly gritted his teeth.

"Have Xiao Rui send men to set up several cement plants in Fenyang County, recruit workers, and provide meals. As for wages, if the people are willing to trust me, let them wait half a month; I will pay them in full after half a month."

"If you don't want to wait, you can use some soap or other goods as collateral..."

Despite being in such a predicament, Changsun Wuji nodded in satisfaction once again after hearing Li Chengqian's solution.

Since ancient times, corvée labor has been something that should be avoided as much as possible.

The project was originally intended to repair the local river embankment. His Highness not only funded the project but also provided meals. Furthermore, once the embankment was repaired, the cement plant could be used for the repair of local roads and city walls.

This is killing three birds with one stone.

"Excellent! Excellent!" Changsun Wuji exclaimed with satisfaction.

The three Li brothers, Li Chengqian and Li Chengqian: "......"

Damn it! This old bastard is truly impervious to reason!

at the same time.

The Imperial Kitchen of Yangcheng Palace.

At this moment, Chu Dahai, the imperial chef who was personally assigned by Empress Zhangsun to accompany His Highness the Crown Prince to Bingzhou, was completely astonished.

"Miss Yingying, what did you say? His Highness works so hard every day, it's one thing not to eat something good to replenish his energy, but now he has to live such a frugal life?!"

"Who the hell said that? Isn't this just trying to get our prince killed?"

I'll chop him to pieces!

Inside the imperial kitchen, the apprentices and kitchen helpers behind Chu Dahai echoed his sentiments.

"That's right! His Highness the Crown Prince works until at least midnight every day, and gets up early the next morning at dawn. Even my parents who farm at home don't work this hard!"

"Your Highness has treacherous officials around you! They must be those aristocratic officials. When I was in Chang'an, I often heard the concubines in the palace who were associated with aristocratic families speaking ill of the royal family!"