Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 59 Aren’t you cheating the people?

"Put this pair of celadon vases in the main room, so it won't look monotonous when you come in."

"Your house is so lifeless. Without any decorations, it looks like a funeral hall."

Chen Ce looked resentful: "..."

"Don't thank me, we are friends, and it is normal for friends to help each other."

Chen Ce: “…”

"Also, this tea is from the Ming Dynasty. Have you tried it? It's just two taels of silver."

"The tea leaves you drank before were no different from the leaves of dead trees. Let's try it out today."

Chen Ce looked at Zhu Houzhao in confusion and asked, "Do you have anything to ask of me?"

Zhu Houzhao: “?”

"What are you talking about? I am a high-ranking official of the Imperial Guards. What can I ask of you?"

Chen Ce asked suspiciously: "Why did you suddenly buy so many things?"

Zhu Houzhao smiled but said nothing.

Enjoy yourself while you still can. I don't know if I can find a famous doctor to save you. If you really die young one day, living in poverty all your life without even having a good cup of tea, how miserable would that be?

If you were to die, I would have no friends to talk to… Who would I show off to? Who would I turn to if I didn’t understand something?
I don't think highly of those teachers in the Eastern Palace at all. They are not worth a hair of yours.

"Hey, friends don't have to be so polite. Just don't ask me for money when you eat out in the future."

Chen Ce thought for a moment and said, "I don't want these things. I still have to pay for meals in the future."

I rely on!

Do you have to be so stingy? It's just a meal.

Liu Jin said indignantly, "How can you, a consumptive idiot, talk like that? I don't even have any pocket money, but I squeezed out some to buy you these good things. And you ask him for money for your meals. That's too much!"

Zhu Houzhao's teeth chattered with anger. He pointed at Liu Jin angrily and said, "You're talking nonsense! Who doesn't have money? I'll beat you to death today!"

It’s over.

Liu Jin had a bitter look on his face. He stretched out his face and said with a wronged look: "Master, I was wrong, I was wrong, Master, hit me quickly, hit me hard."

Chen Ce was also speechless about this master and servant. He smiled knowingly and said, "Okay, stop fighting."

Liu Jin was full of gratitude. This consumptive man was a good person. He repaid evil with kindness. Look, this was the quality that a scholar should have.

Chen Ce continued, "Go back and fight again. Even if you kill someone, no one will say anything."

Liu Jin: "..."

Shit! You're such a vicious tuberculosis bastard!

Chen Ce smiled. He had heard a long time ago that Peking was conscripting civilians to repair Wansui Mountain. It seemed that Emperor Hongzhi must have been rejected by the Ministry of Revenue and had no choice but to use the imperial treasury, otherwise he would not have asked the Crown Prince to tighten his belt and save money.

Emperor Hongzhi made a good judgment about Chen Ce. Chen Ce could infer a lot of things from the slightest details.

It's not easy for the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty to live. No wonder he allowed Liu Jin to plunder money and release his nature to build a Leopard House for fun after he ascended the throne.

Chen Ce moved a small stool and sat on the threshold of the central hall, squinting his eyes to bask in the winter sun. He said lazily, "I heard that the two uncles of the Zhang family improved a farming tool."

It seemed like this was the case. Zhu Houzhao tilted his head, the sun shining on his face, and it was difficult for him to open his eyes. He asked Chen Ce, "What happened next?"

"Alas, it's a pity that I don't know them, otherwise I might be able to make a lot of money."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up and he said, "Oh? Please elaborate."

You don't know them, but I do. They wet the bed last night.

Chen Ce said: "We should make more and sell them before the court promotes this kind of farming tool during this period of time." Zhu Houzhao shook his head. If the emperor and the teachers knew that I was competing with the people for profits, they would probably scold me to death. It is better not to do such a suicidal thing.

Although it is very tempting, a gentleman who loves money should still make it in a proper way.

Zhu Houzhao put on a stern face and taught Chen Ce, "Little brother, I have to talk to you about this."

"You said before that you would be nicer to the people, but now you are thinking about making money from them. This idea is wrong. You need to correct it."

You also educated me.

Chen Ce smiled and said, "I didn't say to sell it to the people."

"As long as you tell the wealthy and powerful people in the capital area some inside information from the court, saying that the Ministry of Industry is manufacturing a new farming tool, the efficiency of farming will be greatly improved."

“This group of people will definitely buy it enthusiastically.”

Zhu Houzhao asked in confusion: "Why?"

Chen Ce said: "It's for the sake of profit. They got the farming tools from Zhang's uncle, so they will definitely raise the price and sell them to the people. This way they will make huge profits."

Zhu Houzhao said with a bitter face: "Shouldn't we let the people pay for it?"

Chen Ce said: "So we have to find a good time. If we sell the goods today, the Ministry of Industry can promote this kind of farm tools tomorrow. The price offered by the court will definitely be fair, right?"

"Those wealthy merchants and officials who wanted to raise the price had no choice but to hold their noses and sell to the people at the same price as the imperial court."

"That's why I said that you can make a little money by taking advantage of the time difference. The specific amount depends on how we negotiate. I don't really understand it, I'm just providing an idea."

It seemed a bit confusing, and Zhu Houzhao had to think about it carefully.

First, they make farm tools and sell them to the gentry at high prices. After this group of skinned people get the efficient farming tools, they will find ways to sell them to ordinary families who don’t have cows, and they will sell them at high prices. This way they can make more money.

But if at this time, the Ministry of Industry is promoting farming racks at low prices, who would buy the high-priced ones from the gentry?

So...the money that is finally obtained belongs to those greedy rich people and officials.

What the hell!

Zhu Houzhao finally figured out the logic behind it and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, his eyes widened and he trembled with excitement.

What a sinister trick…I love it!
He couldn't bear to cheat the common people out of their money, but he had no psychological burden at all to make money from the gentry and wealthy people!
As expected, it has to be you, my little brother!

This is a good idea. Then my East Palace will get a lot of money! I still want your emperor's money? Pah! I don't even want a dog!

You want to get rid of me just by giving me a few melons and dates? Haha, father, I'm sorry!

You want me to make money on my own? Do you really think Zhu doesn't have the ability to do that?

Well, the New Year is coming soon. When I make some money, I will add a stone table to my brother's yard, move a tree there, and add some calligraphy and paintings as decorations.

I don’t know if my father and mother will beat me to death if I spend New Year’s Eve here. I think they will, but never mind.

"Your idea does make sense. I have actually thought about it too." Zhu Houzhao said casually and glanced at Chen Ce cautiously.

Chen Ce said "Oh".

"Really, I won't lie to you, I have thought about it."

Chen Ce smiled warmly at him and said, "Then our ideas really coincide."

Zhu Houzhao said carelessly: "That's not the case. We smart people always think alike."

"Is General Wang coming back?" Chen Ce suddenly asked.

Zhu Houzhao: “? What?”

Chen Ce shook his head and said nothing more.

(End of this chapter)