hsntnovel Chapter 2670 provides answers
Chapter 2670 provides answers
Although Li Boyi and Li Fengci were both dissolute by nature, they were not stupid.
Li Shen's initial invitation to do business with them delighted them, which made them somewhat blinded by his enthusiasm.
However, as soon as Li Shen told them what to do, Li Boyi immediately realized something was wrong.
"Uncle Wang, please feel free to speak your mind if you have any doubts," Li Shen said with a smile after a moment of surprise.
Li Boyi cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:
“Prince Ji, I have some doubts. I just heard you say that what you asked us to do is actually very simple. Even without the two of us, Prince Ji could do it on his own.”
Just now, Prince Ji said that we can go if we want, or we can stay there if we don't want to. There are jobs waiting for us.
Then why seek our cooperation? Why doesn't Prince Ji do it himself?
This is where his doubts lie. Prince Ji could have done this himself; it's obvious that the two of them were dispensable.
It is said that Prince Ji was cunning and treacherous. Could it be that he had other plans for the two of them?
Li Shen smiled slightly upon hearing this:
"Hehe, Uncle Wang, that's a good question. Since we've chosen to cooperate with you, we naturally need to trust each other."
Then the young man should speak frankly with Uncle Wang.
As Uncle Wang said, I could have done this myself; acquiring spices was insignificant to the Ji Prince's household.
Li Shen's smiling face turned somewhat worried as he spoke, and he sighed:
"Alas~~~~That may be true, but you two uncles should have heard that I have made too many enemies over the years."
If my Prince Ji's Mansion were to make the purchase, not only would some people deliberately try to antagonize us and drive up the price, but there would also be others who would rush to buy it first.
Although my nephew has some family wealth, he doesn't want to be taken advantage of or ridiculed for spending too much money.
"Wouldn't this be a disgrace to our royal family?"
“But Prince Ji could have done this in secret, without letting anyone know that it was a property of the Prince Ji’s residence,” Li Fengci said.
“Uncle, the amount of spices purchased by Prince Ji’s mansion is enormous. If we continue with the purchases, it will be noticed. Who in Chang’an would buy such a large quantity of spices?”
Or, to put it another way, who do you think has the capability to acquire large quantities of spices?
Seeing the other person's confusion, Li Shen asked a question in return.
Upon hearing this, the two immediately understood. Indeed, in the entire Chang'an, or rather, in the entire Tang Dynasty, who would acquire spices without regard to cost like the Prince Ji's mansion?
Although those nobles and wealthy merchants used spices in their homes, they also considered the price.
Many people are indeed stockpiling spices these days, but they're not willing to pay any price.
Moreover, the amount of money that Prince Ji's mansion acquired was exceptionally large.
"But many people already know that the two of us are cooperating with you, so doesn't that mean they also know that this is an asset of your Prince Ji's Mansion?"
Li Boyi thought for a moment and asked.
He felt that Li Shen's reasoning was somewhat illogical. Their cooperation with Prince Ji could not be kept secret from others, and eventually people would find out that it was Prince Ji's property.
Li Shen shook his head and smiled:
“You two uncles are mistaken. Even if they know we are cooperating, they would not dare to make things difficult for you two.”
Offending my nephew is just a personal grudge, but if they offend you along with him, wouldn't that mean they are targeting our clan?
What would the other uncles and aunts who do business with their nephew think?
If other members of the royal family see this, won't they feel like they're trying to take advantage of us?
You represent not only yourselves, but also the Li Tang imperial family, my father, and the entire royal family.
Local warlords would inevitably retaliate against these people by suppressing and exploiting their businesses; this is what is known as a vested interest group.
"Is it so serious?"
Looking at Li Shen's smiling face, the two suddenly felt a little regretful. They hadn't expected that getting involved in an ordinary business deal would turn into a grand drama of the royal family fighting against outsiders.
And the two of them were the catalyst for this whole drama.
They naturally understood Li Shen's meaning: anyone who made things difficult for them was making things difficult for the other members of the imperial clan.
They were princes, and there were dozens of princes and dukes in the Tang Dynasty.
You can bully Li Shen, that's a personal grudge, but if you bully three kings, it means they don't respect imperial authority.
At that time, it is very likely that all the kings will get involved, and even the emperor may have to step in.
"This... Prince Ji, isn't this having a bit too much of an impact?" Li Fengci said timidly. Making a little money, does it really have to be this big?
They simply enjoy luxury, not fighting, killing, or treachery. It seems Prince Ji is using them as a shield.
"Rest assured, my two uncles, this is just a speculation by your nephew. I believe no one would be so foolish as to offend our royal family."
Even the powerful clans wouldn't dare. This sky now belongs to the Li family, this land belongs to the Li family. As long as they stand under this sky, they must submit to the Li family.
Li Shen stroked the cat in his arms, his words full of domineering power, which made the two of them suddenly pause, as if they were seeing what the current emperor looked like when he was young.
That year, my cousin Li Shimin, who was in his twenties, ascended the throne. Just like the Prince Ji in front of me, he was confident, arrogant, and domineering.
Your Majesty once said that King Wu Ke was as brave and decisive as I am, and many ministers have been having wild thoughts about this.
But now it seems that the Prince Ji before them is the one who most resembles His Majesty. That cunning, that ruthlessness, and that style of doing things, the way he speaks and acts—they have all seen these qualities in His Majesty before.
For a moment, it felt as if the person sitting in front of them was their cousin from when they were young.
“My two uncles, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask, and I will tell you the truth.”
Seeing that the two seemed dazed, Li Shen asked.
"Well... Prince Ji may say so, but what if they target us? We might end up delaying your plans."
Li Fengci was having second thoughts.
"Yes, what if they deliberately raise the price and try to steal it from us?" Li Boyi also felt a little guilty.
"Hehe, it seems Uncle Wang still doesn't quite trust me."
Li Shen smiled and continued:
"My two uncles, I don't need to say how you're doing these days, do I? What do you think you have that I would covet?"
Look at all these princes and emperors in Chang'an. Aren't they all richer than you? If I were to cheat, I should cheat them. You don't have anything for me to cheat.
Would I stoop to cheating you out of your few hundred strings of cash in salary? Just a few random ornaments in this hall cost more than your monthly salary.”
"This..." The two looked slightly embarrassed upon hearing Li Shen's words. Indeed, even the cheapest ornaments in this supply area would cost several tens of strings of cash.
The larger ornaments cost over a hundred strings of cash each and are all rare treasures. Some of them are tribute items from the imperial kilns, which you can't buy even if you have the money.
(Please recommend some books, thank you. You are all cultured people.)