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

Chapter 68: Contributing to the Construction of Datang

Royal study room.

Li Shimin had a headache looking at the account books sent by the Ministry of Revenue.

Although Dang Renhong led his troops to encircle and suppress the Li Dou rebels and won, the expenses during this period were not small.

Ke Yeyuzhi represented Liugui State on a diplomatic mission to the Tang Dynasty. He not only conferred the title of Cavalry Commandant on Liugui, but also rewarded him with a large amount of gold, silver, jewelry, and various rare silks to show the Tang Dynasty's recognition of Liugui State as a tributary state.

The huge amount of spending has almost emptied the national treasury, making him feel a little restrained when he wants to reward Dang Renhong and the soldiers.

"Ugh……"

Li Shimin sighed and had to take out some money from the treasury.

That's all my money!

"Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince would like to see you."

Li Shimin looked up at the eunuch who came to report. Why was the prince coming here at this time?
"Xuan."

"My son, I will meet my father."

"Give me a seat."

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand.

Li Chengqian thanked him but did not sit down. Instead, under Li Shimin's curious gaze, he took out a beautifully packaged wooden box and placed it on Li Shimin's desk.

"This is……"

Li Shimin frowned and looked at the wooden box, as if he had thought of something. When he opened it, he found that there was indeed soap inside.

However, the shapes of these soaps are very unique, and each piece of soap is in the shape of a different dragon.

Some are circling, some are soaring.

The scent of each soap is also very different.

"This is the soap that I specially prepared for you, father."

really.

Li Shimin nodded with a smile, "I put in a lot of effort."

When Li Chengqian saw these dragon-shaped soaps for the first time, he was also very curious.

He didn't even know when Su Chen came up with it. It seemed like he was just waiting for an opportunity to present it to his father.

This is not.

He brought the soaps to the palace.

"Your Majesty, I have brought not only these special soaps, but also some silver."

"Silver?"

Li Shimin raised his eyebrows, "Is it the money that Su Chen earned from the soap?"

Li Chengqian nodded, "That's right, I dare not deceive you, father."

Li Shimin: "Do you know that those who receive salary should not compete with the people for profit?"

"My son understands."

Li Chengqian said respectfully, "It's just that Su Chen is neither a member of my Eastern Palace nor has he ever served in the court. He is just a businessman. I think there is nothing wrong with this matter."

"If Your Majesty suspects that I have abused my power for personal gain, you can send someone to verify the truth!"

Li Shimin smiled and said, "I know your character very well."

Li Chengqian secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "I know that your father is worried about rewarding General Dang Renhong, so I brought ten thousand taels of silver to help your father out of his urgent need."

"In addition, Su Chen decided to give 20% of the soap profits to my father for free, to congratulate General Dang Renhong on his triumphant return!"

Li Shimin pondered and looked at the soap in front of him.

If he had just given him soap, it would not have been a big deal, but Li Chengqian actually brought 12,000 taels of silver and wanted to give him 20% of the profit for free.

This left Li Shimin no choice but to doubt Su Chen's purpose.

"He asked for an official position?"

"No."

"He wants a name?"

"Never."

Li Shimin smiled and said, "He doesn't seek an official position or fame. What does he want to do by sending money here?"

Li Chengqian: "He just wants to run the soap business well and contribute to the construction of Datang."

"...?"

Li Shimin had a strange look on his face.

Contribute to the construction of Datang? ?

What's the reason?
Li Chengqian paused and said softly, "Father, Su Chen's soap business is growing bigger and bigger, so I would like to ask you to give me a calligraphy."

calligraphy?

Li Shimin was skeptical.

Li Chengqian continued: "If he has the calligraphy of the emperor, his business will be unimpeded in the territory of the Tang Dynasty."

"By then, Father won't have to worry about lack of money."

Li Shimin immediately laughed. So this was the purpose. It seemed feasible after thinking about it.

but.

"If he uses my calligraphy to commit crimes, how should I deal with him?"

"Please rest assured, Father. I have been keeping an eye on him."

Li Chengqian smiled slightly. Based on his understanding of Li Shimin, he knew that Li Shimin was moved.

However, a tranquilizer is still needed.

"Su Chen is in Chang'an City. If he dares to commit crimes, how can I protect him?"

Li Shimin pondered, "You go back first, I will think about it."

"My son, I obey."

Li Chengqian bowed and left the imperial study.

Although Li Shimin did not agree now, Li Chengqian believed that he would not refuse.

"Big brother?"

At this time.

A surprised voice sounded behind him.

Li Chengqian looked over and immediately smiled, "Third brother, when did you come back?"

The visitor was none other than Li Ke, the King of Shu. Li Ke smiled and said, "I came back this morning. What a coincidence! I just entered Chang'an City when this heavy rain came."

"I went to the East Palace just now, but I didn't see my elder brother. I didn't expect to run into him here."

Li Chengqian: "What are you doing?"

Li Ke: "I plan to go see my mother."

Li Chengqian nodded, "You finally came back, it's time to see mother. I won't bother you anymore. Come to the East Palace later and I'll welcome you."

"Thank you, brother."

Li Ke smiled and nodded, and after talking for a few more words, the two of them separated.

at the same time.

A eunuch walked into the imperial study, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Shu just entered the palace. He learned that Your Majesty was handling government affairs, so he planned to go to Concubine Yang. On the way, he happened to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and chatted with him for a while."

Li Shimin smiled and nodded, "It's not easy for him to come back from Shu, and he is here at Daming Palace."

Li Shimin admired Li Ke very much.

I have even said that Ke'er Yingguo is similar to what I said.

Now that he has returned to Chang'an City, Li Shimin also wants to see how he is doing in Shu.

……

"I pay my respects to my mother."

"Hurry up and let me take a good look at you."

Yang Fei pulled Li Ke up from the ground with a look of joy, and looked left and right, "He has become thinner and darker."

Li Ke smiled and said, "Mother, Shu is not like Chang'an, so I will be thinner. But I have practiced martial arts since I was young, so I am strong."

Concubine Yang smiled and nodded, pulled Li Ke to sit down, and ordered someone to bring Li Ke's favorite cakes.

"Mother, what is this?"

"This is the soap sent by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince himself."

"Soap?"

Li Ke looked surprised. "I heard about this thing on the way here and have used it before. Why is it so different from what I have seen before?"

Concubine Yang said with a smile: "This was specially made by his good friend Su Chen, who was specially asked by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. It was extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive, and only the concubines in the palace have it."

"I heard that just a box of soap like this would cost a lot of money. If it weren't for the Crown Prince, Mother wouldn't be able to afford it."

Li Ke nodded, "Indeed, I ran into him on the way here just now. He said he would welcome me at the East Palace later."

Concubine Yang nodded continuously, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is kind and gracious, please do not lose your manners."

"It's saved by the child."

"Come on, eat more. You look so thin."

Concubine Yang smiled and stuffed the pastry into Li Ke's hand.

"That's enough, mother, I'm almost choking..."

Outside the palace.

Li Shimin stood quietly by the wall, watching the warm scene in front of him.

Su Chen...

He is just a businessman.

What do I have to fear?
"His Majesty?"