Tang Dynasty: The poisonous scholar in the Eastern Palace, please abdicate and let the wise one take

Chapter 306 Parting on bad terms
Prince Yongzhou's Palace.

Upon learning that His Majesty was about to return to Chang'an, Li Tai immediately called Wei Ting and Du Chuke.

"Based on my understanding of His Majesty, he may have already arrived in Chang'an City when the news was released."

Li Tai looked at Du Chuke and asked, "Is there any news from the city gate?"

Du Chuke smiled and said, "Your Highness, your guess is correct. Someone indeed saw Lord Changsun at the city gate."

Li Tai nodded, "I think it's Changsun Wuji who is waiting for father there."

"However, what makes me curious is why my father returned to Chang'an City at this time."

If it were under normal circumstances, Li Tai would naturally not care.

However, there was continuous snow and wind in the past two days, so Li Shimin actually rode his horse and led his men back to Chang'an City first.

"Could it be that something unexpected happened at Jiucheng Palace?"

Du Chuke speculated and said, "May I ask Your Majesty, has Concubine Yin sent any letter?"

Li Tai shook his head. "Even if my mother knew that my father had left Jiucheng Palace and sent someone to send the news back, she would have to wait until tomorrow."

Du Chuke nodded secretly.

After all, His Majesty's trip was a secret.

Even if Concubine Yin discovered it from some details and arranged for someone to deliver the letter, there would still be some time gap.

"Who are the people who came back with Father this time?"

"I don't know."

Du Chuke shook his head. "Changsun Wuji is there, so the city gate commander naturally doesn't dare to get close."

Li Tai pondered, but seeing Wei Ting remained silent, he asked, "What does father-in-law think?"

Wei Ting: "Could it be because of the prince's matter?"

"Prince?"

"Yes, just a guess."

Wei Ting said slowly, "It can only be the Crown Prince who can allow His Majesty to return to Chang'an ahead of schedule and in the snow."

"The previous fight between the Persians and the Arabs outside the city caused quite a stir. With your Majesty's eyes and ears in Chang'an, you will naturally be the first to learn about it."

"But what's strange is that it took ten days for His Majesty to return to Chang'an."

Li Tai rubbed his stomach and said, "Father, you are such a headache."

At this time.

A servant walked in quickly, "My Lord, I have something important to report."

"explain."

"I just received news that His Majesty not only returned, but also went to the Jiangxia Palace."

"Jiangxia Palace?"

"Yes, not long after that, the princess went to the prince's residence in a secretive manner and stayed there. However, Hegan Chengji, who followed the prince, brought some people and some food and drinks to the Jiangxia Palace."

"???"

Li Tai frowned and glanced at Du Chuke and Wei Ting who also looked confused.

Isn’t this too weird?
Hegan Chengji went to the Jiangxia Palace with some food and drinks?

In other words, Li Xueyan informed the Crown Prince of the news that her father was in the Jiangxia Palace...

"What are Father and the Crown Prince doing?"

Li Tai rubbed his head and felt that his brain was not enough.

Wei Ting also frowned, trying to infer something useful from these details.

However, neither Li Shimin nor Li Chengqian played by the rules.

Li Xueyan went to the Prince's residence in a secretive manner and told Li Chengqian the news that His Majesty was in the Prince of Jiangxia's Palace, surely hoping that Li Chengqian would be able to respond.

However, Li Chengqian asked Hegan Chengji to send some food over.

Aren’t there any of these foods in the Prince Jiangxia’s Palace?
Do you still need to send someone to deliver it?
Du Chuke knocked on the table and said slowly, "Your Majesty, no matter what His Majesty and the Crown Prince are doing, we just need to find something to impeach the Crown Prince."

Li Tai glanced at Du Chuke and nodded, "Mr. Du is right."

Since we can't figure out what the father and son are up to, we might as well just ignore these things.

As long as they have enough evidence in their hands, they can impeach Li Chengqian in front of all the officials.

"Are you all ready?"

"Everything is ready."

Wei Ting said in a deep voice, "As long as your majesty shows up tomorrow, everyone will rush forward."

"in this way……"

Li Tai smiled and said, "It depends on when the emperor goes to court."

……

East Palace.

Li Chengqian sat quietly in the study.

He is waiting.

After learning that Li Shimin had gone to the Prince of Jiangxia's Palace, he knew that Li Shimin was waiting for his action.

He ordered Hegan Chengji to send fine wine and delicious food, firstly to show that he had learned that Li Shimin was in the Jiangxia Palace, and secondly to show filial piety and weakness.

I know you came back early and that you are in the Prince of Jiangxia's Palace, but I have never thought of rebelling.

This was the kindness shown by Li Chengqian. The fact that Li Shimin peacefully enjoyed the food he sent was enough to prove that Li Shimin accepted his kindness.

only.

Li Chengqian sighed and looked at Li Tai, whom he had written down in the little notebook.

I hope he won't cause any trouble.

otherwise……

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived." "Got it."

Li Chengqian put away the small notebook, stood up, shook his sleeves, walked out of the study, and saw Li Shimin coming over with Tiancai.

"My son, I will meet my father."

"No gift."

Li Shimin waved his hand and walked straight into the study.

Li Shimin looked around and finally his eyes fell on the table.

"What are you doing in the study at this hour?"

"I am checking the map of Chang'an."

Li Chengqian explained calmly, "The snowstorm was raging. Although I sent some winter clothes and stoves to some people in the city, their houses were too old and had fallen into disrepair. They were all dangerous."

"I have discussed with the officials of the Ministry of Works. When the snow stops, we will set aside a temporary residential area in the city to provide a temporary residence for the people living in dangerous houses."

Li Shimin thought, "To prevent the snow from crushing their houses?"

Li Chengqian nodded, "That's right."

"What are you going to do with their house?"

“Tear it all down and rebuild it.”

Li Chengqian explained his detailed plan, "The Ministry of Industry and Su Chen built a brick factory in the city, which can produce about 100 cubic meters of bricks per day."

"With the remaining bricks and stones, we can demolish all these dilapidated buildings and rebuild them before the spring."

"Firstly, it not only ensures the safety of the people, but also provides many jobs for some people in the city. Thirdly, it allows the construction team newly assigned by the Ministry of Works to build uniform houses, which are extremely beautiful."

Li Shimin listened and nodded, "That's a good idea."

When winter came, the people in the city lost a lot of their livelihoods.

Without jobs, they naturally have no extra money to survive this cold winter.

However, once the construction team starts construction, a large number of jobs will be added, providing relatively stable jobs for many unemployed people, ensuring their livelihood while meeting the living needs of their families.

"When I returned this afternoon, I saw a uniquely shaped manor outside the city."

Li Shimin said casually, "It looks like a new building that you guys are tinkering with. Why did you stop halfway through the construction?"

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, you must be talking about Pei Mingli's manor outside the city. This man is a businessman who has recently gained fame in the West Market. This time he raised 5,000 taels of silver and invited the construction team of the Ministry of Works to build a manor for him."

"This is one of the representatives of the Ministry of Industry's new style of building!"

"Passersby will see this uniquely shaped manor when they enter or leave Chang'an City. It is very likely to attract a large number of guests and bring huge profits to the construction team."

"As for why this manor was only half built, I guess it was because of the weather."

"After all, this matter involves architectural details, and I am not very clear about it. Perhaps I can ask Lord Duan tomorrow."

Li Shimin said calmly: "It will bring certain benefits to the Ministry of Industry. Do you want to make the Ministry of Industry independent from the six ministries?"

Li Chengqian: "Of course not."

"Every business that the construction team assigned by the Ministry of Industry takes over..."

Li Shimin raised his hand to interrupt Li Chengqian, "Business, business, why are you talking about business all the time?"

"Are you a businessman or a prince? How can you be so stinking of money?"

Li Chengqian frowned, "How can we do things without money?"

"When my father was still in Chang'an, the Ministry of Revenue was already in deficit. Even during the Mid-Autumn Festival set by my father, I was unable to take out money from the Ministry of Revenue to reward the officials!"

"Father went to Jiucheng Palace and handed all matters over to me, your son, to handle. Don't you still need me to solve them one by one?"

Li Shimin looked displeased, "Are you blaming me for leaving you with such a mess?"

"Don't dare."

Li Chengqian's expression remained unchanged, "I'm just being realistic."

"What a pragmatic approach."

Li Shimin snorted coldly, "In my opinion, you have been with Su Chen for too long, and all you have in your mind is money."

"A ruler should care about the world, how can he be swayed by money?"

"You just said that everyone has their own expertise. You can leave the money-making matter to the Ministry of Revenue. Why bother with so much?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and laughed, "Since father thinks the Ministry of Revenue can provide enough money to support the house reconstruction work this time, then let the Ministry of Revenue do it. I will not interfere."

"It's getting late. Father, you should go back to the palace and rest. I should go to bed now."

Ok?
Li Shimin raised his eyebrows, his face full of displeasure.

The prince was actually chasing him away!

"Humph!"

Li Shimin suddenly stood up and left with a flick of his sleeves.

"Farewell to my father."

Li Chengqian watched Li Shimin leave with an expressionless face, and only when the other's figure disappeared in the wind and snow did he purse his lips.

Smelling of money?

You are living a carefree life as a hands-off boss, so why do you just ignore the huge deficit of the Ministry of Revenue?

Now that the situation has improved a little, you come to teach me a lesson. You talk all the time about business. Don't you look more like a prince than a businessman?
ridiculous.

Early the next morning.

The snowflakes that had been falling for two days showed no signs of stopping, and in fact grew larger.

With the help of Su, Li Chengqian put on court clothes.

"Prince, now that His Majesty has returned, please do not argue with Him anymore."

"Well, no."

Li Chengqian smiled, took the heater from Su's hand, nodded and left.

(End of this chapter)