Ouchi Taming the Cat, starting with the Ten Tiger Forms!

Chapter 476 Business Opportunities
After announcing the content of this month's competition, the participating princes and princesses prepared to leave the palace to look for business opportunities that suited them.

Although twenty days is not a short time, when doing business, every minute counts.

If you want to be a qualified businessman, you must realize the concept of "time is money".

The three little ones were no exception. After discussing with their friends for a while, they split up and went their separate ways.

After returning to Jingyang Palace, he immediately ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare the carriage as they wanted to leave the palace immediately.

"Axuan, sister Yu'er."

"What kind of business do you think we should start?"

Sitting in the carriage leaving the palace, the three little ones began to discuss.

"Your Highness, we only have twenty days. Most conventional businesses are probably not suitable. We can only start with those businesses that make money quickly."

"But most of this business is somewhat illegal."

Yuer expressed her own views.

Princess Ankang thought about it and realized that this was indeed the case.

"How about we go to those legal gambling houses?"

"Gambling should be the fastest way to make money, right?"

Princess Ankang immediately came up with a solution.

"This……"

Yu'er felt that this method was a little inappropriate, but she didn't know how to refute it.

At this time, Li Xuan waved his tail and said:
"Those who run gambling houses are not doing charity. If they see you winning too much money, they will definitely kick you out."

"Besides, if they have the guts to open a gambling house, they must have some tricks up their sleeves. I'm afraid it won't be that easy to win."

"Besides, the amount we want to bet is not small, I'm afraid that few gambling houses can afford it."

Li Xuan shook his head, thinking that although gambling was a solution, it also had many problems.

Both he and Princess Ankang's five senses are now very sensitive, so listening to the dice should not be a problem at all.

But how many of those who dare to open a gambling house, especially a legal gambling house, are easy to deal with?

There are countless martial artists with great accomplishments in the martial arts world. If there wasn't some ability to suppress these unscrupulous people, any gambling house would have closed down long ago.

"Then Xuan, what do you think we should do?"

Princess Ankang asked with a pout.

"I do have some assets."

As Li Xuan spoke, he took out a number of property deeds and banknotes from the Dihong bone ring.

"Do you remember these things? They were inherited from Mother Zhou of Hu Yulou, and they have been kept with me ever since."

"I heard from Hu Yulou's courtesan Aimu that this was an asset of their Holy Fire Cult, but it was stolen by that Zhou Mama."

"Mother Zhou wanted to escape early by mistake, but these things ended up in my hands by accident."

Princess Ankang and Yu'er's eyes lit up when they saw the pile of house deeds and banknotes.

"Ah Xuan, how much does this cost?"

Princess Ankang's eyes were shining like copper coins, and she asked in a money-grubbing manner.

"The banknotes are over 100,000 taels, plus various property deeds, so there must be several hundred thousand taels, but I haven't calculated it in detail."

Li Xuan smiled slightly and answered casually.

Jingyang Palace had been rewarded with a lot of supplies before, as well as ten thousand taels of silver and one hundred taels of gold. This money helped them escape from their previous predicament and they no longer had to suffer from poverty.

Even if Li Xuan had more assets afterwards, they were of no use to him.

On weekdays, the biggest expense for the three little ones, apart from eating and drinking outside the palace, is paying Xiao Cui's salary, but even so, they don't spend much money every month.

The three little ones were used to being frugal, and they wouldn’t spend money lavishly if they were suddenly asked to do so.

The carriage was heading towards West Market, and they were planning to find Xiao Cui to ask if there were any good business opportunities in the capital recently.

After all, Xiao Cui makes a living in Xishi, so she must know more about this aspect than Sanxiao.

On the way there, the three little ones calculated the prices of the house deeds in the carriage.

They don't know the current market price and can only calculate it based on the transaction price at that time.

The three kids got together and calculated for a long time, and finally figured out the total price before arriving at West Market.

"Seven hundred and seventy-eight thousand six hundred and fifty taels!"

After calculating the total price, the three little ones opened their mouths slightly, all showing shock.

They calculated the total price based on the transaction price on the title deed, so there will definitely be some discrepancies compared to the actual price now.

But according to Li Xuan's understanding, the housing prices in Beijing have skyrocketed in recent years, and even the rent of houses has changed every year.

Many people who were born and raised in Beijing chose to sell their houses in Beijing and move to other surrounding cities because they could not afford the housing prices.

Especially in recent years, there has been a wave of Jiangnan fever, and many people have moved south to Jiangnan, a more livable place.

As a result, Jiangnan has developed rapidly in recent years and has become a prosperous place.

Officials in the capital city all have several villas in the south of the Yangtze River, where they go to relax during their vacations.

But even with this Jiangnan fever, housing prices in Beijing are still rising.

After all, this is the political center of Daxing. No matter where the officials go on vacation, they will always return here to continue fighting for power.

"Ah Xuan, if we hand these in, we should be able to win for sure, right?"

"This should be able to fill a lot of the gaps in the national treasury."

Princess Ankang said excitedly.

As a result, Li Xuan immediately cut the silly girl's forehead with a knife.

"Hey, Xuan, what are you doing?"

Princess Ankang frowned and covered her forehead, asking pitifully.

"Silly girl, it's hard to explain where this money came from. Find a way to launder it first."

"And do you really intend to use hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to replenish the national treasury?"

"This month's competition only says that the person with the most profit wins, but it doesn't say that the profit can belong to you, right?"

"Any money you lose will have to be made up from your monthly allowance. I advise you not to even think about such a good thing."

"Don't even think about getting the money back!"

Li Xuan was not so generous as to give hundreds of thousands of taels of silver to Emperor Yongyuan for free.

In the final analysis, this time it was because Emperor Yongyuan was schemed against by Prince Zheng and the civil officials that this mess happened.

Li Xuan didn't want to fill this hole for Emperor Yongyuan.

He had thought it through from the beginning and planned to embezzle the 12,000 taels of silver.

Anyway, they in Jingyang Palace only have a small monthly salary, and Emperor Yongyuan is planning to deduct the 10,000 taels from their monthly salary to make them pay back the 10,000 taels. Forget about it in this life.

But after thinking about it, it seems a bit unkind to kick someone when he's down.

Li Xuan felt that he could make some money for Emperor Yongyuan, but he must not pay out of his own pocket to fill the hole for Emperor Yongyuan.

It would be best to take this opportunity to clean up the house deed I got from Zhou's mother.

As for the profit portion to be handed in from the competition, Li Xuan still planned to find another way.

Otherwise, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars out of your own pocket may seem a bit arrogant, but it is a bit too foolish.

Li Xuan put the silver bills and house deeds they had settled into the Dihong Bone Ring.

The banknotes can be spent freely, but the house deed is a bit troublesome.

I don’t know whether Mother Zhou handled the matter cleanly or not. It would be troublesome if the Holy Fire Cult found out.

After all, Li Xuan's relationship with the Holy Fire Cult is still relatively harmonious. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if they knew that he had stolen their house deeds?

"We still need to find a professional to help us deal with it."

After arriving at the West Market, the three little ones, accompanied by Xu Lang and other eunuchs in flowery clothes, first strolled on the street.

After stopping and starting along the way, they didn't find any business opportunities here.

To be honest, setting up a street stall can't be a big business.

The three little ones came directly to Xiao Cui and her grandfather's stall in disappointment.

When Xiao Cui saw Princess Ankang and others arriving, she couldn't help but look nervous for a moment, then she came to her senses and greeted Princess Ankang.

Xiao Cui's grandfather was also very surprised that Princess Ankang came so openly. According to his understanding, since Xiao Cui became Princess Ankang's spy, shouldn't the two of them meet in private?
How can it be so open and aboveboard?

Xiao Cui also lowered her voice and asked Princess Ankang:

"Your Highness, why did you come here directly?"

Seeing Xiao Cui's nervous expression, Princess Ankang smiled and replied:

"Xiao Cui, don't be so nervous."

"We should just get along with each other as we normally do, just be natural."

"Otherwise, if I suddenly cut off contact with you, it would cause concern."

"After all, no matter how privately we meet, it's possible that someone will notice us. If we still have this superficial relationship, it won't arouse suspicion."

This was taught to Princess Ankang by Chief Steward Shang.

All things that need to be concealed should be avoided from being abnormal.

The best way is to let nature take its course and solve problems one by one when they arise, otherwise you may end up making things worse.

In this regard, Manager Shang is an expert, and Princess Ankang naturally listens to his advice.

I came here today to remind Xiao Cui to behave more naturally when we meet next time.

"This, okay..."

Although Xiao Cui still didn't quite understand, she had no objection to Princess Ankang's decisions.

"By the way, Xiao Cui."

"I just happened to have something to ask you this time."

Hearing this, Grandpa Xiao Cui, who was selling rope knots nearby, felt nervous, thinking that Princess Ankang was going to talk about something confidential here.

But then, he felt relieved when he heard Princess Ankang's question.

Princess Ankang told Xiao Cui the content of this month's competition and asked her if there were any good business opportunities in Xishi.

"It makes money quickly and takes a short time..."

After hearing Princess Ankang's request, Xiao Cui couldn't help but look strange.

“Oh, and it has to be legal.”

Princess Ankang added another sentence, and Xiao Cui looked even more embarrassed.

She thought to herself, "Is there really such a good business? If so, should Grandpa and I change our careers?"

When Xiao Cui was daydreaming, Princess Ankang urged her:

"Xiao Cui, how is it?"

"Any idea?"

Xiao Cui said with an embarrassed look: "Uh, this..."

She racked her brains but couldn't think of such a good project in a short time.

But at this moment, Grandpa Xiaocui, who had been relatively silent, suddenly said:
"Your Highness, the only place that meets your requirements, besides a gambling house, is a Taobao stall."

No one expected that Xiao Cui's grandfather actually had information.

"Where is the Taobao stall?" Princess Ankang asked curiously.

"Grandpa, don't talk nonsense. How can you make money in a place like that?"

"Don't delay His Highness's business!"

Xiao Cui said hurriedly.

Then, Xiao Cui turned to Princess Ankang and explained:
"Your Highness, my grandfather just said it casually, please don't take it to heart."

"Taobao stalls only sell junk and then deceive people into thinking they are antique treasures. Over the years, I have never heard of anyone finding treasures there."

After saying this, Xiao Cui turned around and glared at her grandfather, as if blaming him for talking nonsense in front of Princess Ankang.

"Xiao Cui, it's okay, it's okay."

"Gather the wisdom of all parties. Your grandfather is doing this for our own good."

When Princess Ankang saw that Xiao Cui was blaming her grandfather, she quickly came out to smooth things over.

As a result, Xiao Cui's grandfather calmly said: "Xiao Cui, someone really found a treasure on Taobao before, and it was worth a fortune."

"Then why have I never heard of it?" Xiao Cui asked puzzledly.

“That was all when I was young.”

Grandpa Xiao Cui’s words left everyone speechless.

That being said, it must have been forty or fifty years ago.

"It happened so long ago, there's no point talking about it now. Anyway, I've never heard of anyone finding treasures there in the past few years."

Xiao Cui didn't know why her old man was in such a good mood today. When Princess Ankang came before, he rarely spoke.

Xiao Cui cared a lot about Princess Ankang's impression of her and her grandfather, so she was afraid that her grandfather would say something nonsense and make Princess Ankang angry.

"Alas, that's because of what happened that year."

Xiao Cui's grandfather sighed and recalled the past.

Princess Ankang loved listening to stories the most, so she immediately asked:

"Grandpa Xiao Cui, what happened back then?"

Xiao Cui's grandfather did not keep the secret and briefly mentioned what happened that year.

When Xiao Cui's grandfather was still young, he had already been making a living in Xishi.

The skill of making knots is passed down in their family. When Xiao Cui's grandfather was young, he set up a stall here to sell knots.

At that time, a business called Taobao stalls was popular in Xishi.

Some people collect some strange and weird things and sell them as antiques. Whether you can buy a treasure depends entirely on your own eyesight.

As a result, a big news broke out at that time. A young man from another place bought a real thing at a Taobao stall for a few taels of silver.

After it was identified as a genuine treasure, before the young man could sell it for a fortune, he was found dead on the street at night, and the treasure in his hand disappeared.

Several months later, it was heard that the treasure was sold on the black market for one thousand and two taels of gold. The whole capital city was a hot topic for several months, so Xiao Cui's grandfather still remembers it vividly.

Later, the business of the Taobao stalls in Xishi became more and more prosperous, with more and more vendors setting up stalls, and even many foreign merchants participated in it.

The old objects unearthed in Daxing alone are hard to tell apart, and when you add the objects brought by these foreign merchants, the things on Taobao stalls today are truly dazzling.

But after that, there was no more news like that, because everyone learned their lesson.

Only when a few antique shops in the West Market found a few valuable items of unknown origin did everyone realize that someone had found a treasure again.

Originally, this kind of thing was only known by people in Xishi who were keen on Taobao and antique-related businesses, but Xiao Cui's grandfather was experienced after all, so he also had some understanding of this.

Seeing that Grandpa spoke in a convincing manner, Xiao Cui knew that he was not talking nonsense, so she immediately asked:

"Grandpa, why haven't I heard you talk about these things before?"

"Alas, this Taobao stall is not much different from a gambling house. Why am I telling you this?" Xiao Cui's grandfather shook his head and continued to say to Princess Ankang: "If Your Highness thinks it is reliable, you can go to the small alleys in the north of Xishi. There are Taobao stalls there. There must be treasures there, but you need luck and vision to make money."

After listening to Xiao Cui’s grandfather’s explanation, the three little ones looked at each other and showed interest.

"It's interesting, let's go check it out."

Princess Ankang made the decision immediately.

"Let Xiao Cui lead the way, Your Highness. I will take care of this place myself." Xiao Cui's grandfather said with a smile.

"Okay, Xiao Cui, let's go."

Princess Ankang greeted.

Xiao Cui immediately walked out of the stall, ready to follow Princess Ankang, but she couldn't help but turn around and say to Grandpa embarrassedly:

"Grandpa, I'm sorry. I just wronged you."

Xiao Cui's grandfather didn't say anything, but just touched Xiao Cui's head kindly.

Grandpa naturally knew Xiao Cui's thoughts, but he had no intention of blaming his granddaughter at all.

"Go quickly, don't keep His Highness waiting too long."

Xiao Cui nodded, turned around and followed.

Grandpa Xiao Cui's eyes were filled with the figure of his granddaughter leaving. He couldn't help but smile and shook his head:
"This girl."

After saying that, the old man stood alone in front of the stall, skillfully greeting customers who came to ask about the prices.

(End of this chapter)