The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 181 The Crown Prince Amasses Wealth and Spends Money to Buy Peace

At the Crown Prince's wedding banquet, the toasts were actually used to promote advertisements.

Of course, people of this era, even high-ranking officials and nobles, did not have the concept of advertising. However, it felt strange that the Crown Prince would announce such a thing so publicly in this setting.

What... what's going on here?
What's going on here?!

However, many people soon connected Cao Yin, the Jiangning Textile Commissioner, with the current Crown Prince's concubine.

Tsk tsk tsk!
The Crown Prince had barely married the girl when he started speaking up for his father-in-law. His efficiency was truly remarkable!

After the Crown Prince offered a toast and left, the high-ranking officials present began to whisper among themselves.

As the old saying goes, "A low profile leads to a long journey, and a quiet life brings great wealth." Although these high-ranking officials and nobles do not want to flaunt their wealth, money is indeed a powerful motivator.

"Third Brother, is what the Crown Prince said credible? If we deposit gold in Cao Yin's gold shop, can he really guarantee a one-tenth interest rate for a year?" Prince Gong asked Prince Yu in a low voice.

As the emperor's younger brother, Prince Gong received many gifts from Emperor Qianxi. In addition, through his hard work over the years, the gold in his mansion, though not quite ten thousand taels, was close enough.

If you keep this 10,000 taels of gold at home, it will still be 10,000 taels of gold a year later.

However, if placed in Cao Yin's gold shop, that would be worth eleven thousand taels a year.

Wow, a thousand taels of gold is equivalent to ten thousand taels of silver, which is as much as his princely salary.

Prince Yu looked at his younger brother, whose eyes were shining, and gently patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Throughout history, it has always been a matter of course to deposit money in a money exchange and pay interest to the money exchange."

"When have you ever heard of a money lender offering interest, and such a high rate at that?"

Upon hearing what Prince Yu said, the people present became even more suspicious.

"Third Brother, are you saying that there's something wrong with the gold shop the Crown Prince mentioned?" Prince Gong's voice was even lower.

Prince Yu also whispered, "I think the Crown Prince might be short of gold. He's ostensibly asking everyone to save money, but actually he's waiting for everyone to offer him tribute!"

"Think about it, is it possible to not only earn interest on your savings, but also one-tenth of that interest?"

"Besides, once the gold is in the Crown Prince's hands, it's not up to you when he gives it to you!"

Prince Gong pondered for a moment, then said to Prince Yu, "Third Brother, thanks to your reminder, otherwise I would have suffered a great loss this time."

"Damn it, I won't deposit a single tael of gold in this gold shop."

Seeing Prince Gong's angry expression, Prince Yu quickly waved his hand and said, "Fifth Prince, don't act rashly. We should still save this gold."

"The Crown Prince has already made it clear that if neither of us saves any money, it would be disrespectful to him!"

"From now on, the Crown Prince will be the one in charge of the court."

"Although he can't do anything to you, our children and grandchildren will still have to make a living under his control."

"In my opinion, we should each deposit two hundred taels of gold in the gold shop, which would be a tribute to the Crown Prince."

When Prince Yu heard this, he was a little reluctant, after all, it was two thousand taels of silver. But thinking about his brother's words, he felt that they made sense.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Then let's do it this way."

In fact, there are many people who share the same thoughts as Prince Yu.

Everyone felt that the Crown Prince's so-called gold shop was just a name; in reality, the Crown Prince was short of money and wanted to take advantage of everyone.

The person who used to freeload was the second-best in the world. It's okay that he's no longer around, but the real concern is that once the "second" is gone, he might seek revenge.

That would be troublesome.

The wedding banquet was eaten very quickly, after all, no one could delay the Crown Prince's wedding night.

After leaving Yuqing Palace, the princes dispersed. Those who were on good terms stayed together, while those who were not on good terms scattered like birds and beasts.

The Eighth Prince and the First Prince walked side by side. The First Prince's mother was Consort Hui, and the Eighth Prince was raised by Consort Hui from a young age, so the two were naturally close.

"Brother, what do you think of the gold shop the Crown Prince mentioned?" The Eighth Prince glanced around and whispered.

These days, the Crown Prince has solved several major problems for the court, earning praise from both the court and the public.

As the Crown Prince's reputation soared, the First Prince's influence as a competitor declined somewhat. Therefore, the First Prince has been keeping a low profile these days.

However, when facing his younger brother, whom he was closer to, the eldest prince said, "Your Highness must be short of money, but you can't just ask directly."

"Therefore, this gold shop was created so that people could deposit their money there."

“Once the money is deposited, if he doesn’t pay it back, who can ask him for it?”

In the end, the eldest prince's words carried a hint of disdain.

The Eighth Prince, with a slight smile, said, "Big Brother is right. So, is Big Brother planning to deposit money into it?"

"Heh, others may fawn over him, but I won't."

"Anyway, it's pointless to save it."

He hesitated for a moment, then solemnly said to the Eighth Prince, "Eighth Brother, you are different from me."

"If you should deposit money into it, then deposit some."

"Just consider it money spent to buy peace of mind."

"After all, he'll be resented sooner or later... but you're different!"

The Eighth Prince understood what the First Prince meant: the First Prince was going to throw caution to the wind, while he himself had no grudge against the Crown Prince and the matter could still be resolved.

The Eighth Prince was somewhat disdainful of the First Prince's statement.

Once he decided to enter the struggle for the throne, he had no way out.

But at this moment, he smiled and said, "Thank you, brother. I'll save some."

"However, I believe this is also an opportunity."

"Isn't the Crown Prince looking to amass wealth? Then why don't we find someone to deposit more gold in this gold shop?"

"Wait a few days, then let the person who deposited the money go and ask for it back. If they don't give it to us, there might be other unexpected things to happen."

"After all, that's someone's life savings!"

The eldest prince, who had been looking somewhat downcast, instantly perked up.

He stared at the Eighth Prince, his eyes gleaming.

Greed is not a big deal.

However, if greed leads to the plundering and extortion of wealth, causing members of the imperial family or senior officials of the court to commit suicide in grief and indignation, then the crime is enormous!
At the very least, Emperor Qianxi would certainly give the Crown Prince a good scolding.

On a larger scale, that could mean the crown prince is deposed.

The eldest prince never expected that what was originally a trivial matter could become a potential threat to the crown prince's position in the mouth of the eighth prince.

He patted the Eighth Prince on the shoulder and said solemnly, "Eighth Prince, your idea is very good."

"Haha, I know what to do."

"If you have any ideas in the future, just tell your brother. Your brother will never treat you unfairly."

The Eighth Prince said solemnly, "Brother, there's no need for you to be so polite between us brothers."

"I grew up by Consort Hui's side, so naturally I hope that one day she can go to a higher position."

"At that time, I, your humble brother, will also be able to benefit from it, won't I?"

The eldest prince patted the eighth prince on the shoulder and said, "Eighth brother, if that day ever comes, I dare not say anything else, but you will be an iron-hat prince."

Upon hearing the eldest prince's promise, the eighth prince's face showed even more excitement.

Shen Ye had no idea that his casual advertisement had been interpreted in so many ways, and that someone had already started setting traps for him.

He has now returned to the backyard of Yuqing Palace, where there is a fork in the road, one side leading to Shi Jingrong's room and the other to the bride's residence.

Where should we go?
　The third update of the day is here! It's almost the end of the month, so please support me and vote for me!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)