Huangming

Chapter 495 Imperial Snow Banquet, Prince's Real Estate

For the officials of the Ming Dynasty, the period after the first day of the Lunar New Year was a rare time of rest, but for Zhu Youxiao, the end of the year was busier than usual.

The ancestral worship ceremony required fasting and bowing, the New Year's Day court assembly required receiving congratulations from all officials, and the repeated meetings with vassal envoys were even more exhausting. It wasn't until the second day of the first lunar month that they could finally have a half-day of leisure.

The weather has changed every three years, and it's the second day of the first lunar month.

In the Imperial Garden, snow fell like cotton wool, covering the pavilions, towers, flowers, and branches with a thick layer of white.

The pavilion in the middle of the lake was decorated to be warm and cozy. Inside, a three-legged bronze stove was set up, burning the finest silver frost charcoal. The warmth overflowed from the carved window lattice, creating a thin mist as it clashed with the chill outside.

Inside the pavilion was a round table covered with a scarlet felt rug, upon which various tea snacks were laid out.

Candied kumquats, pine nut cakes, rose pastries, and freshly warmed Tusu wine—the aroma mingled with the smell of charcoal fire, exuding a warm and cozy atmosphere of family reunion.

Zhu Youxiao, dressed in a bright yellow casual robe, leaned back on a chair covered with a sable fur coat. Several concubines surrounded him, some dressed in simple and elegant clothes, others in bright and colorful attire, each with their own unique charm.

Several infants of the royal heirs were held by their wet nurses. The eldest princess was wrapped in a white fox fur cloak, her little face rosy, and she occasionally let out a few babbling sounds.

The eldest prince slept soundly, his brow furrowed, much like Zhu Youxiao when he was reviewing memorials.

The only ones who could run and make noise in the pavilion were Prince Xin, Zhu Youjian, and his eighth daughter, Zhu Huiti.

Zhu Youjian was twelve years old, wearing a royal blue brocade robe with a jade pendant tied at his waist, and was restlessly swinging his legs.

Zhu Huiti was three years younger than him. She was wearing a pink jacket and skirt and was eating pastries, occasionally glancing at the snow scene outside the window.

After several rounds of drinks, Zhu Youxiao put down his wine cup, his gaze falling on his younger brother Zhu Youjian, and asked with a slight smile:

"Your Highness, how have you been studying lately? Your tutor came to the palace the other day, and when he saw me, he seemed hesitant to speak. I suppose you've upset him again?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian immediately sat up straight, chuckled, and revealed a sly look:

"Your Majesty is joking. The tutor praised my intelligence!"
The other day, when we were discussing the Analects, I was able to debate with him for a bit, and he even praised me for "drawing inferences from one instance!"

"Oh?"

Zhu Youxiao raised an eyebrow, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke with a hint of mockery.

"Then tell me, how many teachers did you drive away in your three years of schooling?"
The first two said you were "unruly and difficult to control," the third said you were "restless and irresponsible," and last month the one went even further, resigning from his post and returning to his hometown.

Is this what you mean by 'intelligence'?

Upon hearing this, the concubines in the pavilion couldn't help but laugh.

Zhu Youjian blushed, scratched his head, and retorted defiantly:

"What those teachers taught was too rigid!"
What's the point of those phrases like "ruler, minister, father, son"? They're just repeating the same few sentences over and over again.
Besides, my brother is a prince, not someone who needs to take the imperial examinations to become the top scholar. What's the use of learning those pretentious essays?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was not annoyed, but simply shook his head slightly.

He had always known that his younger brother was intelligent, but he was also impulsive and impatient.

Moreover, he also felt that for the prince, learning how to treat people and understand the ways of the world was far more important than studying Confucian classics.

After all, if Zhu Youjian is to take up his fiefdom in the future and doesn't even understand the hardships of the common people or the ways of the world, trouble will inevitably arise sooner or later.

"Fine, you can read those books if you want, or I won't force you if you don't."

Zhu Youxiao changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious.

"However, I have heard that you have been going out of the palace frequently lately. Sometimes you go to Liulichang to watch acrobatics, sometimes you go to Qipan Street to browse shops, and you have even gone to the farms outside the city."

Tell me, after going out so many times, what are your thoughts?

Zhu Youjian's eyes lit up, and he instantly became interested.

"It's much more fun outside than in the Forbidden City!"

The sugar paintings in Liulichang can depict tigers and rabbits, which are more interesting than the pastries in the palace.

The shops on Qipan Street sell silks from Jiangnan and clocks from the West—they're all so novel!
By the way, the old farmer at the farm outside the city said that last year, he planted the sweet potatoes that the Emperor promoted, and the harvest was 30% higher than in previous years. Every household had enough to eat, and he even praised the Emperor as a 'sage ruler'!

Zhu Youxiao listened, a slight smile playing on his lips, but then suddenly changed the subject, looking at him with a half-smile:
"That's all you see? Aren't the girls at Nuanxiang Pavilion prettier than the palace maids? And isn't the wine at Zuixianlou more to your liking than the imperial wine?"

"what?"

Zhu Youjian froze, his smile instantly turning to ice. His eyes darted away, avoiding Zhu Youxiao's gaze, and he could only manage a dry, forced laugh.
"Brother... how did you know? I... I was just curious, wanting to experience all walks of life, so naturally I wanted to see everywhere..."

It turned out that he had secretly left the palace a few days ago and was spotted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The details of his visit to Nuanxiang Pavilion to listen to music and to Zuixianlou to drink were reported to Zhu Youxiao.

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but laugh and reached out to tap his forehead:

"You're not that old, but you've got a lot on your mind."

Experiencing the full spectrum of life is a good thing, but places like brothels, taverns, and gambling dens are often dens of iniquity. An occasional visit is fine, but one must not become addicted.

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of an older brother's expectation:
"You are my younger brother, and you will be in charge of a region in the future."

Going out to see things isn't about having fun; it's about seeing how ordinary people live their lives, how businessmen do business, and how officials govern.

Only by understanding the hardships of the people can one comprehend why I ordered the land survey and the promotion of sweet potatoes.

Only after witnessing the comings and goings of merchants can one understand the usefulness of the Ming Dynasty Bank.

These are far more useful than reading the Analects of Confucius a hundred times.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian nodded earnestly:

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I understand. Next time I leave the palace, I will definitely look around more and not go to those places of entertainment anymore."

"After observing so many aspects of everyday life, have you discerned any underlying principles?"

Zhu Youxiao continued to ask, but this time his tone became much more serious.

Zhu Youjian, who had just been displaying a youthful playfulness, instantly suppressed his smile upon hearing this.

He subconsciously straightened his back, placed his hands on his knees, and turned his gaze away from the snow scene outside the window, becoming exceptionally serious.

He knew that his elder brother was testing his true knowledge, not listening to his idle chatter.

"Your Majesty, I see that the people outside Beijing are truly living a better life."

Zhu Youjian carefully considered his words before speaking.

“A few days ago, when I went to Tongzhou, I saw two strings of dried sweet potatoes hanging under the eaves of a farmer’s house, and half a bin of millet piled up in the yard.”

An old man said that last year he planted sweet potatoes, which His Majesty promoted, and even in a famine year, he harvested a good amount. This year, for the New Year, he can not only afford to feed his grandson white rice, but also send him to the village's elementary school to learn to read.

"Not to mention the city. The market outside Zhengyang Gate is crowded with people from morning till night. There are vegetable vendors, storytellers, and merchants. Even the vagrants that used to be common are rarely seen."

Your humble servant believes this is the prosperous age the people speak of.

Zhu Youxiao picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, a faint smile flickering in his eyes, but he shook his head:

"That's all? What else?"

"besides!"

Zhu Youjian immediately responded, his tone becoming more lively.

"When I go to teahouses to listen to storytelling or eat at taverns, whether it's a scholar in a long gown or a small vendor carrying a load, they all give a thumbs up when they talk about Your Majesty's new policies."

Especially the Great Ming Bank. I saw with my own eyes that there were long queues at the gate every day. Some were common people depositing small amounts of silver, and some were merchants depositing loans. They all said, "The bank opened by Your Majesty is safer than my own cellar, and it even pays interest."

He recalled the scene he had witnessed outside the bank that day and couldn't help but laugh:

"There are also houses next to the academy in the outer city. When I passed by, I saw many people surrounding the salesman asking about them. A cloth merchant from Jiangnan was willing to pay three times the price so that his son could enter the academy and study with the Hanlin scholars."

I truly admire this idea.

This benefits the people, earns the court money, and cultivates talent—a win-win-win situation!

As Zhu Youxiao listened to him recount his experiences in a clear and organized manner, the smile on his face deepened.

But then he changed the subject, his tone becoming serious:
"You only see the good, but don't you see the bad?"
"Beneath the glitz and glamour of this capital city, are there no sordid affairs hidden?"

"Not good?"

Zhu Youjian was taken aback, his brows furrowed slightly, and he pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Your Majesty, I have indeed encountered some unpleasant things."

A few days ago, outside Chongwen Gate, I saw two clerks collecting grain. They insisted that the farmer's measuring cup was "missing a corner" and demanded an extra cup of millet.

Another time, while passing through Liulichang, I saw two Imperial Guards, under the pretext of "banning the printing of privately made books," demand "tribute money" from booksellers. When the booksellers refused, they deliberately threw perfectly good books on the ground and stomped on them.

"There is still corruption, although it is less than before, but it has not been eradicated."

However, I think it's mostly good.

"Your Majesty is adept at employing people. Take Manager Wang of the Great Ming Bank, for example. I've observed that he wears only a simple blue cloth robe every day, and his meals consist of just a dish of vegetables and a bowl of coarse rice. He lives a very simple life and doesn't seem like someone who would embezzle. Yet, he is extremely efficient in his work. When merchants have disputes, he can resolve them in just a few words. He is an upright and honest minister."

"Oh?"

Zhu Youxiao put down his teacup, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"You're quite observant. But how can you be so certain that he's honest and upright?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Zhu Youjian blurted it out.

"He dressed and ate plainly, and didn't employ many servants in his mansion. He didn't look like a rich man."

Besides, I secretly glanced at the bank accounts, and they were perfectly accurate. How could it be that money had been embezzled?

"Then you are very wrong."

Zhu Youxiao shook his head slightly, his tone calm but carrying an astonishing amount of information.

"This Manager Wang not only embezzled, but embezzled a lot of money, at least ten thousand taels of silver."

"what?!"

Zhu Youjian was so startled that he stood up abruptly, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"How...how could this be? He looks so honest! Since he embezzled ten thousand taels of silver, why doesn't Your Majesty arrest him and punish him? This is a huge act of corruption!"

"Does this mean all corrupt officials should be arrested?"

Zhu Youxiao looked up at him, his eyes deep.

"Shouldn't... they have arrested him?"

Zhu Youjian was stunned by the question and subconsciously asked it back.

In his eyes, corrupt officials should be brought to justice; there is no reason to let them go unpunished.
"They should be arrested, but not all corrupt officials should be arrested."

Zhu Youxiao explained slowly.

"This manager did indeed embezzle ten thousand taels, but did you know that he runs the Great Ming Bank and earns the Imperial Household Department three hundred thousand taels of silver every month?"

What are the ten thousand taels he embezzled compared to the benefits he brought to the imperial court?

"Moreover, I have evidence of his corruption, which makes it easier for me to use him."

I ordered him to investigate the flow of money among merchants in Jiangnan, and he dared not shirk his duty.

He dared not refuse when asked to lower the interest rates on salt merchants' deposits.

But what if it's an honest and upright official?

Zhu Youxiao recalled the Ministry of Revenue official who refused to accept bribes last year and couldn't help but scoff.

Last year, there was an honest official in charge of the grain transport in the Ministry of Revenue. When I asked him to transport more sweet potato chips to Liaodong, he said, "There is no such precedent in the ancestral system." He insisted on transporting only millet according to the old rules, which caused a delay of half a month and almost caused the soldiers in Liaodong to run out of food.

An honest official is good, but being too rigid in his principles can sometimes lead to serious mistakes.

Zhu Youjian stood there, his brows furrowed, his eyes filled with thought.

He used to think that there was only one line between right and wrong, that corrupt officials should be punished and honest officials should be rewarded.

But the Emperor's words were like opening a new door.

It turns out that when it comes to hiring people, we should also consider whether they are easy to use and whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, rather than just whether they are honest or not.

"Your Majesty... seems to understand, but not quite."

Zhu Youjian slowly sat down, his eyes becoming much brighter.

“But I understand that Your Majesty is not condoning corrupt officials, but rather weighing the pros and cons, which is a skill of managing subordinates.”

Zhu Youxiao looked at his thoughtful expression and a gratified smile appeared on his lips.

He raised his hand and patted Zhu Youjian on the shoulder:

"You're still young. You'll understand these trade-offs as you go."

I'm letting you leave the palace not so you can watch the spectacle, but so you'll know that things in this world are never simply black and white.

"From now on, if you're going to help me with my worries, you'll have to learn to see through these 'tricks of the trade.'"

"Your subject understands."

After examining Zhu Youjian, Zhu Youxiao's gaze fell on Zhu Huiti, who was huddled next to Zhang Yan.

The little girl was wearing a pomegranate-red jacket and skirt, her black hair was styled into two buns and adorned with two round pearls. She was holding a plum blossom pastry and taking small bites. Her cheeks were covered with sugar frosting, making her look like a little squirrel stealing food.

Zhu Youxiao couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to pinch her cheek. His fingers touched her delicate skin, which was warm and soft.

"Huiti, you're nine years old this year. In a few more years, it'll be time to choose a husband for you."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Huiti immediately put down the plum blossom pastry, rubbed her little hands on the hem of her skirt, and looked up at him with her bright eyes, like stars, yet with a defiant spirit:
"My consort must not be inferior to my imperial brother! He must be like my imperial brother, able to protect me and also ensure that the people live a good life!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of soft laughter erupted in the Imperial Garden.

Zhang Yan covered her mouth, her eyes full of laughter, and reached out to wipe the sugar frosting off Zhu Huiti's cheeks:
"You child, you're quite the talker. How many people in the world are better than His Majesty? Even if there were, it's another matter whether they would be willing to be the prince consort."

"Of course not!"

Zhu Huiti pouted, grabbed Zhu Youjian's sleeve with her little hand, and shook it gently. The little girl looked both cute and stubborn.

"My brother, the Prince of Xin, said there are many powerful people out there! When I grow up, I'm sure I can find one!"

Then she turned to Zhu Youjian, shaking his arm and acting coquettishly. "Brother, next time you go out of the palace, can you take me with you? I want to see the powerful people outside!"

Zhu Youjian was helpless against her shaking him, but afraid of hurting her if he used too much force, he could only smile and nod:

"Alright, alright, once my brother agrees, I'll take you there."

Zhu Youxiao sat to the side, watching his younger siblings bickering and Zhang Yan gently coaxing Zhu Huiti, and a rare sense of relaxation arose in his heart.

Since ascending the throne, he has been overwhelmed by memorials, wars, and new policies every day. Only at this moment, in the Imperial Garden, there are no war reports, no disputes, only the laughter of his family, like the warm sun in winter, soothing his tense heartstrings.

He couldn't help but think: How wonderful it would be if every day could be this peaceful.

But just as this thought crossed his mind, Wei Chao's light footsteps could be heard outside the Imperial Garden.

The old eunuch paused at the doorway before cautiously peeking in.

"Your Majesty, Prince Fu requests an audience."

Zhu Youxiao's smile faded slightly, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Did he say why?

Wei Chao lowered his head even further and spoke even softer:
"Your Majesty, Prince Fu did not say anything, only that he had important matters to discuss with me."

Zhu Youxiao was silent for a moment, then raised his hand to rub his temples, and finally said:
"Understood. Tell him to wait at Qianqing Palace. I will be there shortly."

"The slaves obey."

Wei Chao bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youxiao slowly rose to his feet, and Zhang Yan immediately stepped forward, reaching out to straighten the collar of his python robe, her eyes filled with heartache.

"You just had a short break, and now you're already busy again?"

"There's no other way; family matters and national affairs must be prioritized."

Zhu Youxiao held her hand, feeling the warmth of her palm through his fingertips, which warmed his heart.

He turned to look at Zhu Cikun, the eldest son of Zhang Yan, in her arms. The little guy was not yet a year old, wrapped in a bright yellow swaddling cloth, and was looking around with his round eyes.

Zhu Youxiao reached out and hugged the child. The little guy immediately reached out his little hand, grabbed his beard, and giggled.

Zhu Youxiao felt a slight pain from his grip, but couldn't bear to push him away. He just gently shook his arm, making the child laugh even harder.

After a moment, he carefully handed Zhu Cikun back to Zhang Yan.

"I'm leaving this place to you. Let them have fun; they don't need to wait for me."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will take good care of her."

Zhang Yan took the child and straightened his collar.

"It's cold, walk slowly on the road."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, taking one last look at the scene in the Imperial Garden.

Zhu Huiti was still clinging to Zhu Youjian and acting coquettishly, while the concubines were laughing and sharing snacks. Zhang Yan was holding her child, her eyes full of tenderness.

Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao reluctantly turned and left the Imperial Garden.

soon.

Zhu Youxiao then went to the Qianqing Palace and the East Warm Pavilion.

He had just settled into his throne, which was covered with white fox fur, when he raised his hand to rub his temples.

"It is said that Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, has entered the cabinet."

A moment later, heavy footsteps came from outside the pavilion, mixed with heavy breathing, like a clumsy bear moving around.

Immediately afterwards, a round figure squeezed in.

It was none other than Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun.

He was dressed in a crimson brocade robe of princely rank, embroidered with a four-clawed golden dragon, but it was stretched taut by his 300-pound body, and even the jade belt around his waist looked like it was about to burst open at any moment. When he walked, the hem of the brocade robe swept across the ground, creating a gust of wind.

"Your subject... Your subject Zhu Changxun pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Prince Fu knelt down with a thud, the movement so heavy that it seemed to shake the gold-brick floor.

He was already overweight, and this kneeling exhausted him even more. His cheeks turned red, and beads of sweat dripped down his chin. Even his breathing became rapid, as if he had just run ten miles.

Zhu Youxiao looked at him with a hint of helplessness in his eyes and nodded at Wei Chao.

Wei Chao and the eunuchs serving in the hall rushed forward and supported Prince Fu's arm. It took the two of them to help him up.

Prince Fu leaned back in a camphor wood chair, catching his breath for a long time before recovering. His thick hands kept rubbing his knees.

"Your Majesty... I didn't want to bother you during the New Year, but I have urgent business to discuss..."

"Uncle, please speak frankly."

Zhu Youxiao picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and his gaze fell on the Prince of Fu's face, which was full of "eagerness".

Prince Fu swallowed hard, leaned forward, and spoke in a somewhat ingratiating tone:

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the Great Ming Bank in the capital is making a fortune every day, it is a very good business... I am thinking that after returning to Luoyang, I will also open a 'Luoyang Bank' to deposit money for the people of Henan, and to share Your Majesty's burdens. I ask Your Majesty to grant my request!"

"bank?"

Zhu Youxiao put down his teacup.

"Uncle, you seem to have forgotten that I have already issued an imperial edict that financial matters are related to the foundation of the country. Those who privately open banks will have their property confiscated and be exiled without exception."

"This bank's business can only be led by the Imperial Household Department; how can it fall into the hands of private individuals?"

"I am not a private individual!"

Prince Fu panicked and hurriedly waved his hand, shaking his fat head like a rattle drum.

"Your Majesty is my uncle, a prince of the Ming Dynasty! How can I be considered a private individual? If this Luoyang Bank is established, I will certainly do my utmost and will never cause Your Majesty any trouble!"

Zhu Youxiao glanced at him, his eyes sharp as knives:

"The Imperial Uncle is a prince, but he is also a 'private' person."

This financial lifeline, I cannot relinquish it.

If all the princes in various regions were to follow the Imperial Uncle's example and open their own banks, each acting independently, wouldn't that throw the Ming Dynasty's finances into chaos?

His tone was resolute.

"This will not work."

The smile on Prince Fu's face instantly vanished, and his thick lips pursed, like a wronged child.

He was silent for a moment, then, as if he had thought of something, his eyes lit up, and he changed his request:

"If Your Majesty forbids the opening of banks, then... then after I return to Luoyang, I will build some houses to sell, just like in the capital. Surely that will be permissible?"

He had long heard that His Majesty had sold five hundred small houses in the outer city under the guise of the capital's premier academy, earning nearly a million taels of silver.

The thought of that gleaming silver made his heart itch.

He has completed the task of receiving five million taels of silver from the emperor.

He could have returned to Luoyang to assume his fiefdom long ago.

The reason he's been lingering in Beijing these days is partly because he can't bear to leave the city's wealth, and partly because he's waiting for an opportunity to get a share of the spoils.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao's lips curled into a faint smile.

He naturally knew what Prince Fu was planning. This business of selling houses, though seemingly simple, was actually a source of revenue monopolized by the imperial court. Anyone who dared to touch it would be courting death.

But Prince Fu is a prince, and if used properly, he could help him extract money from other princes.

"Selling houses is a viable business."

Zhu Youxiao spoke slowly, and seeing the Prince of Fu's eyes light up instantly, he changed the subject.

"However, the Ministry of the Interior must be involved, and the accounts must be supervised by personnel appointed by the Ministry of the Interior."

Prince Fu's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood.

The emperor is trying to divide the profits.

He gritted his teeth and forced a smile: "Of course! It's my good fortune that the Imperial Household Department is willing to participate! I'm thinking of splitting the profits 50/50 with the Imperial Household Department. What does Your Majesty think?"

He thought he had already made enough concessions, after all, he was the one who proposed the business and provided the start-up capital; the emperor was only providing the title, and a 50/50 split was the limit.

Zhu Youxiao held up three fingers and waved them in front of him.

Prince Fu was immediately overjoyed and quickly said:

"Your Majesty means you only want 30%? That's wonderful! I thank Your Majesty for your consideration!"

He figured that if he gave 30% to the Imperial Household Department and kept 70% for himself, he could still make a profit, or even a lot.

"Uncle, you're overthinking it."

Zhu Youxiao chuckled lightly, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery.

"It's not 30%, it's 70% that I want. The Imperial Household Department will take 70%, and you will take 30%."

"what?"

Prince Fu seemed to have been doused with cold water, instantly freezing on the spot, his fat face turning bright red.

"Seven...seventy percent?"
Your Majesty, this will not do! Building a house costs money; hiring craftsmen and buying materials—all of these require money.

If it's only thirty percent, wouldn't I be begging on my knees?

"Ok?"

Zhu Youxiao's eyes darkened, and he glanced at him lightly.

There was no anger in his eyes, but he carried the oppressive aura of an emperor, which silenced Prince Fu instantly. He shrank back, like a fat goose whose neck had been grabbed.

He muttered to himself, "Thirty percent is better than nothing..."

Seeing his angry but speechless expression, Zhu Youxiao softened his tone:
"You don't need to feel like you're at a disadvantage."

This business of selling houses isn't limited to Luoyang.

"If you do a good job, the regions of Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi can all be entrusted to you."

"what?"

Prince Fu suddenly looked up, his eyes shining like two lanterns.

"Can it be done all over the country?"

If one could build houses in various provinces and sell them, the profits would not be hundreds of thousands of taels, but millions or even tens of millions of taels!
He instantly forgot about the grievances he felt, his mind filled only with the sight of piles of silver.

"However, there is one condition."

Zhu Youxiao changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.

“Those vassal kings who want to participate in this business must first donate one million taels of silver to the imperial court.”

Only after donating enough money are you eligible to participate in real estate development with me.

If you can't donate enough, you can only watch.

Prince Fu instantly understood Zhu Youxiao's thoughts.

Your Majesty is using this lucrative business deal to extract money from the other vassal kings!
He was secretly delighted: he had long been drained dry by His Majesty, and now that he could see the other vassal kings also bleeding heavily, it could be considered "sharing weal and woe".

"Your Majesty, don't worry!"

Prince Fu patted his chest, his large chest trembling.

"After I return to Luoyang, I will make this business a great success, so that those vassal kings will be envious!"

"At that time, they will definitely bring the silver themselves, begging His Majesty to let them participate!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said nothing more.

Upon seeing this, Prince Fu said a few more flattering words before turning around and leaving.

The heavy footsteps sounded somewhat light now, as if they had gotten a great deal.

Watching his retreating figure disappear outside the pavilion, Zhu Youxiao shook his head helplessly.

This imperial uncle is truly obsessed with money to the extreme.

He could have gone back to Luoyang to enjoy his retirement long ago, but he stayed in Beijing to make money. Now that he has this job, he will probably be even more reluctant to leave.

"What a wonderful person."

Zhu Youxiao muttered a complaint under his breath, then picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold, but it just happened to extinguish some of my fatigue.

Real estate can make money.

However, unless it's a place with a large population and many wealthy people, it's almost impossible to sell a million taels of silver.

The capital city is where the most powerful and influential people in the country gather, which is why this has been achieved.

but.
The same effect probably wouldn't have been achieved in other places.

but.

By using Prince Fu as a "greedy pawn," one can both make money and extract wealth from the princes' savings, achieving two goals at once.

After all, these princes are far too wealthy; they should contribute to the revival of the Ming Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)