The prince is more stable

Chapter 22 The Embarrassed Emperor
The dispute between the new and old laws, the attitude of the Prince of Chu's Palace, etc., are actually just additional content.

The main purpose of Zhao Xiaoqian entering the palace today is to attract investors.

Right in front of him is an angel investor. If he can join, the future benefits will not only be the profits from snow salt, but it will also allow the Chu Palace and the government to be closely tied together.

The biggest benefit is the connection between the government and the Prince of Chu's Palace.

The court is dangerous, and the Chu Palace will inevitably be involved in various disturbances in the future. For example, last time, Zhao Hao almost fell.

The root cause was that the Chu Palace had nothing to do with the emperor's feelings or interests, so people naturally treated the King of Chu as a pawn and threw him away whenever they wanted.

If Zhao Xiaoqian wants to maintain peace and wealth in the future, he must start from the root and get closer to Zhao Xu in terms of emotions and interests.

Commonly known as "holding the thighs".

It’s not shameful to pray for peace and wealth.

Zhao Xu's expression was very happy, and he was obviously very interested in snow salt.

Rather than being interested in snow salt, Zhao Xu was more interested in Zhao Xiaoqian as a person.

Having just saved the Prince of Chu's Palace from an unexpected disaster, a few days later he created such a wonderful thing as snow salt.

This young cousin is obviously not simple.

Moreover, the two things he did recently were almost completed in a nonchalant manner, revealing a calm and unhurried temperament, a temperament that Zhao Xu had only seen in those old foxes in the court.

It would be great if he was not a relative.

This thought suddenly popped up in Zhao Xu's mind.

From any perspective, Zhao Xiaoqian is a talented person. The new law is about to be implemented, and Zhao Xu needs such a talented person to assist him, and he is also his own brother.

When Taizu founded the country, he was assisted by his two brothers Taizong and Zhao Tingmei, which helped him to secure this great empire.

And he, Zhao Xu, was so young but he had to fight alone, competing with the old party forces in the court, competing with each other in wits and strategies. Both mentally and physically, Zhao Xu felt extremely exhausted.

Looking around, I am all alone.

It would be great if I could have someone like Zhao Xiaoqian to help me.

Unfortunately, Zhao Xiaoqian is a clan member, and clan members cannot hold real power. Zhao Xu now does not have the courage to break the ancestral laws.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Zhao Xu sighed in disappointment.

Zhao Xiaoqian had no idea that in just a short moment, Zhao Xu almost made a decision that went against his ancestors on impulse.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian's heart was corrupted by the word "money".

Money, only with money can you have fun in Bianjing City.

Brothels, brothels, widows' houses...

Therefore, Snow Salt must attract a strong partner.

"Please forgive my rudeness, but Your Majesty is the Supreme Ruler... You shouldn't be well off, right?" Zhao Xiaoqian said nervously.

Zhao Xu was stunned. What you said...how presumptuous!

I am the supreme ruler of the country. I own the whole world and the whole empire. How could I be short of money?
joke!

"...It's indeed not very well off." Zhao Xu rubbed his temples dejectedly.

Zhao Xu couldn't pretend to be rich in front of his brothers. Zhao Xu knew very well how much the royal family needed money.

During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, a fire burned down most of the imperial palace. Decades later, it has not been completely repaired. Some remote palaces deep in the palace are still in ruins and scorched earth.

For the sake of beauty and royal dignity, the palace had to build walls around these ruins, acting as a cover-up to block out the view of outsiders.

Why not repair it?
Is it because you don't like it?
Because I’m poor!

Afraid of being called a tyrant, he was embarrassed to increase taxes. Every year, the Ministry of Revenue squeezed out money from its teeth to provide for the royal family's pitiful treasury, which was barely enough to maintain the expenses of the imperial palace, and there was no surplus beyond that.

Who says the emperor can't be poor? I'll show you how poor I am!
Zhao Xu sighed bitterly in front of Zhao Xiaoqian, looking short of breath. This was a real-life example of a hero being killed by a penny.

Seeing his expression, Zhao Xiaoqian felt more reassured.

There is a play!

Pointing to the snow salt in the paper bag in front of him, Zhao Xiaoqian said carefully, "Your Majesty, if you and our relatives sell this, and the profits are divided and added to the royal treasury, it will surely help alleviate your financial difficulties, right?"

Zhao Xu's eyes suddenly widened, and he stared at Xue Yan in front of him again, then took a breath: "You, you mean..."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked innocently: "Can't I sell the things I made? The business done by our royal family and clan members does not offend the court officials and does not violate the national law, right?" Zhao Xu's eyes suddenly showed joy.

He understood what Zhao Xiaoqian meant. As an emperor, Zhao Xu did not think about the commercial aspects after seeing the snow salt, thinking that simply supplying the palace was enough.

Zhao Xiaoqian’s words reminded him, yes, he could sell it!

"Good idea!" Zhao Xu slapped his thigh.

Zhao Xiaoqian struck while the iron was hot: "The production of snow salt is not a problem. We have as much as you want. The Chu Palace can provide it all. The biggest problem now is... the Salt and Iron Bureau. If we don't get through to them, I'm afraid they will treat us as illegal salt dealers..."

Money can make people excited. Zhao Xu was in an excited state at the moment, but he suddenly calmed down after hearing this, and hesitation appeared on his face.

"How is the price of snow salt...? Do ordinary people..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly said, "This item is very expensive. Ordinary people can't afford it, and we're not selling it to ordinary people."

"We want to sell to the powerful officials and private merchants of the Song Dynasty, as well as... foreign merchants. We will sell to various countries via the Silk Road and sea routes and make money from them."

Zhao Xu breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it didn't cause salt price inflation among the people, it would be fine. According to this idea, snow salt was basically only circulated among the rich and was a consumable luxury product.

Then, this matter will be settled.

"In that case, let's do it!" Zhao Xu happily decided.

"The government, mainly the Salt and Iron Bureau... If we don't have the court's permission, I'm afraid it would be a violation of national law."

Zhao Xu snorted coldly: "What are you afraid of? I am the law of the land!"

Zhao Xiaoqian looked at him with admiration, passionate and immature, but it was impossible to refute.

"It just so happens that the new law is about to be implemented, and a group of officials in the court need to be replaced, otherwise the new law will be difficult to implement. Let's start with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Salt and Iron. I will hold the purse in my hands first." A cold look flashed in Zhao Xu's eyes.

The court, from the prime minister to the six ministries, and then to various powerful government offices, was basically controlled by the old party forces. Zhao Xu had been dissatisfied with them for a long time.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhao Xiaoqian immediately offered flattery, and he had a perfect grasp of the ways of the world.

Zhao Xiaoqian and Zhao Xu had a pleasant chat about the following topic.

As expected, Zhao Xu became the major shareholder of Snow Salt, and Zhao Xiaoqian and a group of relatives' snow salt business finally found a powerful backer.

If talking about feelings costs money, then talk about interests with Zhao Xu.

The interests of the royal family and the clan members are closely tied together from today on.

Today's trip to the palace was worthwhile. Zhao Xiaoqian achieved his goal, and Zhao Xu was also very happy.

Who can refuse a kind person who gives them money for free?
In Zhao Xu's eyes, Zhao Xiaoqian is this kind-hearted person.

Zhao Xu only needs to issue an imperial decree to the Salt and Iron Bureau to make this transaction legal. The palace will then have a large amount of unexpected income every year. Why not do it?
As for the troubles that may be encountered in the sale of snow salt, such as the harassment from officials, the targeting of private merchants, etc., for the clan members, it is not a big deal at all.

Throughout the dynasties, royal family members may not necessarily accomplish anything, but their destructive power is well-known.

Anyone who dares to do anything bad to the sale of snow salt will be made to experience the divine punishment from the royal family.

…………

After walking out of the palace, Zhao Xiaoqian was in a good mood.

The family that had just been ruined by his father was gradually recovering thanks to the efforts of his son.

The palace was in tatters, and the prince patched it up.

Just thinking about it makes me feel so touched, I really want to hug myself.

When they returned to the palace, the clan members had already said goodbye. Zhao Hao came to greet them with an anxious look on his face.

"My son, how did the conversation go with the Emperor?"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded calmly: "It's OK, but the profits from snow salt will be reaped by the government."

"No problem, the government will of course take the lion's share." Zhao Hao's eyes narrowed into slits with joy.

Zhao Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said, "Then the emperor will take 50%, the child will take 30%, and the remaining 20% ​​will be divided between my father and the clan members."

"Okay, that's perfectly reasonable. As your father... uh, wait a minute! You're going to take 30%?"

"Father, please forgive me for speaking frankly. You are such a spendthrift. Why don't you give the money to me for safekeeping? When you grow up... well, when you are retired, I will return it to you." Zhao Xiaoqian vowed.

When I was a child in my previous life, my New Year’s money was defrauded in this way. The lines and expressions are so familiar.

(End of this chapter)