The prince is more stable

Chapter 18: Ways to Make Money
Life was unbearable and Zhao Xiaoqian almost died on the spot.

It's just like a bolt from the blue.

"Why do we have no money?" Zhao Xiaoqian looked very anxious.

Even when the palace was in danger of ruin, Zhao Xiaoqian had never lost his composure like this.

If you lose your home, you can buy a new one, but... if you lose your money, it's really gone!

"As a royal palace, you must have a lot of land and shops under your name, right? How could you be out of money?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked in shock.

Zhao Hao sighed and said, "My son was knocked unconscious by a cuju last time and was unconscious all night. His life was in danger. I was so worried that I made a wish in front of the statue of the Taoist Lord. If my son is safe and sound, I will donate all my wealth, not a penny left, to the Jade Purity Palace to build a golden statue for the Taoist Lord."

Then Zhao Hao continued, "Perhaps the Daoist Lord heard my wish, and fortunately my son is safe. This morning, the money and treasures in our treasury were finally emptied and sent to the Jade Purity Palace. This old man has fulfilled his wish, and I have finally given an explanation to the Daoist Lord."

Zhao Hao said this with a pious look on his face. He bowed from afar towards the Yuqing Palace and told Daojun that he had just sent a thank-you text message from a distance.

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed silently and miserably, his body shaking.

That damn Qingyang Ox Nose, that divine egg-grabbing move last time had somehow proven its correctness.

Infinite sadness surged into Zhao Xiaoqian's heart.

I'm broke. My family is already bankrupt before I even paid for everything...

Zhao Xiaoqian began to think, if he lay on the ground and rolled around like a tantrum, would it be a bit shameless?

After all, I'm eighteen years old now, and my skin is getting thinner and thinner. I feel a little shy about doing things that are beyond my age range...

"My son doesn't look right. Is he sick?" Zhao Hao reached out and touched his forehead, his concern evident in his words.

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and thought, forget it, he has his own father, so he has to live on even with tears.

"My father has fulfilled his vow and donated all his wealth to Yuqing Palace. I have nothing to say, but you... can at least leave some for yourself? How are we going to live in the future?" Zhao Xiaoqian said helplessly.

This living father really makes me worry about him.

Zhao Hao shook his head sternly, "My son, you are wrong. In life and work, you can deceive others and yourself, but you cannot deceive Heaven."

"There is a god above us. We promised to give away all our wealth. Since my son is safe, it means that the Taoist god has shown his power. I must keep my vow as a father. I cannot keep a single cent of our wealth. Otherwise, there will be retribution."

"Haven't you heard Li Bai say, 'Gold may be spent, but it will return again'? My family owns countless properties and businesses. It's just that we're short of cash, so we're living a tight life for now. But we'll make it back soon."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked sad and looked up at the sky speechlessly.

The good wish of paying for the whole place may have to be put on hold...

However, Zhao Hao suddenly perked up and whispered, "Although the palace is out of money, there is a way to make money. My son will need to contribute to this matter."

"What's the secret?" Zhao Xiaoqian finally regained some spirit.

Zhao Hao asked seriously, "My son, the method you used to make the snow salt...was it something you came up with on your own, or was it already a proven method?"

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately understood what he meant and sighed, "That's my own idea. Actually, it's just an extra distillation and purification process..."

Before the Song Dynasty, salt was mostly produced by scraping mud and sprinkling brine, or by drying salt. Zhao Xiaoqian vaguely remembered that the distillation method of making salt was only used in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

In this day and age, he is probably the only one who can distill and make salt.

Zhao Hao, of course, didn't understand any of this. Upon hearing this, he slapped his thigh vigorously and exclaimed in delight, "That's great! Qian'er, this business is doable! Once we set up the stall, making a fortune every day won't be a problem!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was not that surprised. His original intention of making salt today was not to make money, but to eat.

After all, he felt that the palace had many industries and a considerable income, so there was no need for him, a prince, to think of ways to make money.

Man proposes, God disposes. The rich prince was eventually trapped by money.

"Father, making salt is easy, but I remember the imperial court has the Salt and Iron Bureau. What we're doing is considered smuggling salt, right? Selling smuggled salt is a serious crime. Father is already at the center of public controversy, aren't you afraid of being criticized?" Unexpectedly, Zhao Hao sneered, "Is my position as the King of Chu in vain? Don't worry, I have a way to ensure that the salt we make is legal and legitimate, and no one will dare to find fault with us."

Zhao Xiaoqian finally had some hope, and his dead heart came back to life.

Anyway, as long as he has money coming in, he is actually not far from the brothels, only about... a few hundred kilograms of salt?
After that, he swaggered into the brothel, and the receptionist shouted upstairs, "Heir apparent of the King of Chu and salt merchant, Mr. Zhao, has arrived!"

Well, that doesn't sound very good.

However, Zhao Hao took salt making very seriously and dragged Zhao Xiaoqian out.

"Draw the blueprint of your salt-making mechanism and write down the method. I'll personally keep the secret recipe. I'll have my trusted people craft the tools. Try making a few hundred kilograms first!"

Zhao Hao paused and suddenly looked up to the sky and shouted: "My remaining wealth has just been spent, and now I have new wealth. I am so happy!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was so upset that he subconsciously moved away from him.

The servants of the palace who passed by looked at the father and son in astonishment. Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly explained, "I'm not very familiar with him, really."

…………

Forbidden Palace, Funing Hall.

There was agarwood burning on the table. Official Zhao Xu was sitting on a cushion with his eyes closed, resting. His young face showed a bit of fatigue.

Since taking power, Zhao Xu has hardly had a day of relaxation. Not only does he have to review a large number of memorials every day, but he also has to summon a group of court officials to discuss state affairs.

Being a human being is too tiring, and being an emperor is even more tiring, but he has no choice and even enjoys it.

The feeling of holding power is indescribable.

A middle-aged eunuch hurried into the hall. His name was Zheng Chunhe. He had been serving Zhao Xu for many years and was a close confidant of the emperor.

When Zheng Chunhe entered the hall, he saw Zhao Xu pretending to sleep with his eyes closed, so he hesitated for a moment and stood in front of the table, not daring to disturb him.

Zhao Xu still had his eyes closed, but he said leisurely, "What do you want to say? Tell me."

Zheng Chunhe bowed and whispered, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have already inquired about what you asked me to do the other day."

Zhao Xu hummed lightly.

Zheng Chunhe continued, "I've inquired and found out that the memorial submitted by the King of Chu was not actually written by him. It was written at the behest of his son, Zhao Xiaoqian. The King of Chu merely signed it."

Zhao Xu finally opened his eyes, a smile on his face. "As I expected, I summoned Zhao Xiaoqian the other day. He spoke to me with openness and dignity, neither humble nor overbearing. His words were full of opinions. This man is extraordinary, and he knows how to hide his edge."

Zheng Chunhe smiled and said, "Yes, the emperor has far-sightedness and foresight. On that day, the Dali Temple was about to enter the palace to question the King of Chu. Crown Prince Zhao Xiaoqian arrested the Dali Temple officials and rushed into the palace study. It is said that he forced the King of Chu to write the memorial..."

"Until the King of Chu finished writing, the Crown Prince rushed to the Forbidden Palace with the memorial in his arms, and the King of Chu entered the Dali Temple without even understanding what had happened."

"I can confirm that the King of Chu's sudden change of heart and his proposal to abolish the old law and reinstate the new one wasn't his own idea at all, but that of his crown prince, Zhao Xiaoqian. From beginning to end, the crown prince was in control of everything."

Zhao Xu finally revealed a look of surprise: "My cousin actually has such insight? He... is only eighteen years old?"

"Yes, sir, the Prince of Chu is exactly eighteen years old this year."

Zhao Xu pondered for a long time, and the smile on his face grew deeper and deeper.

"Interesting, my cousin is becoming more and more interesting. How can he guess what I'm thinking?" Zhao Xu was very confused.

The matter of restoring the law was the biggest secret in his heart. Zhao Xu had never mentioned this secret to anyone, not even a hint of it.

After all, the old party in the court has almost absolute dominance. This is a serious matter. Zhao Xu would not reveal a single word before he is fully sure and has laid the groundwork in advance.

Among all the dignitaries in the court, only Zhao Xiaoqian guessed his thoughts. It was amazing.

(End of this chapter)