hsntnovel Chapter 2683 Two Versions
Chapter 2683 Two Versions
"A profit-sharing meeting?" Li Tai was taken aback. He knew about that meeting and had even been envious of it for a while.
"That's right, the source of the news is from that dividend distribution meeting. At the beginning of last year, Prince Ji asked each of the sons of officials to contribute 10,000 strings of cash, saying that they were investing in a business."
And this business was the spice business, worth millions of strings of cash.
I heard that the Prince of Ji sent a merchant ship to Xizhou to purchase spices worth a million strings of cash, intending to buy them back. However, the merchant ship did not return on time.
Rumors circulated that a merchant ship belonging to the Prince Ji's residence had encountered the wrath of the Sea God and sunk to the bottom of the sea, while Prince Ji speculated that perhaps a pirate crew had intercepted their vessel.
Du Chuke told Li Tai the news he had received.
Li Tai looked surprised after hearing this:
"Such a thing actually happened? Shanbin, what do you think? Is it true or false? Which guess is correct?"
Du Chuke thought for a moment and replied:
"Whether it is true or not, I do not know. Perhaps it is Prince Ji who cheated them out of their money. Each person received 10,000 strings of cash, which adds up to more than 1.2 million strings of cash."
Given Prince Ji's personality, he was capable of doing it.
However, I have received news that although the Prince Ji's mansion has not taken any action, its more than one hundred members have sent people to various docks to secretly gather information.
And they've been constantly monitoring the coastal ports, looking for anyone selling spices in large quantities; that person must be a member of a pirate crew.
"Well, whether you say it or not, if I were a pirate crew and intercepted so many spices, I would also come to the Tang Dynasty to sell them. You can't get a good price for them anywhere else."
Especially now, with spice prices constantly rising, if what they claim is true, this is the perfect opportunity.
Li Tai nodded in agreement.
"Does Your Highness believe that we were intercepted by a pirate crew?" Du Chuke asked.
"Of the two versions, I tend to favor the second one. As for your claim that Li Shen cheated these纨绔 (spoiled brats), I don't think it's likely that far-fetched."
Although these people were all playboys, they were all backed by noble officials and were one of the tenth prince's pillars of support.
Lao Shi is a smart man; why would he cut off one of his own allies?
If those spoiled brats found out, who would want to cooperate with him in the future? Wouldn't that offend the more than forty families behind him?
Li Tai began to analyze the situation. He believed he understood Li Shen fairly well; no one would do such a thing, as it would be like cutting off one's own arm.
He overestimated Li Shen's intelligence and underestimated Li Shen's greed. This man dared to deceive even his own father; what wouldn't he dare to deceive?
“Your Highness is quite right. So what should we do next?” Du Chuke asked.
Li Tai thought for a moment:
"In this way, you can send people to various ports to keep an eye on them and observe them secretly. If you find anyone selling spices in large quantities, report back immediately."
If Lao Shi wants to be the mantis stalking the cicada, then we'll be the oriole unaware of it and see if we can profit from it.
They also added more people to keep an eye on several shops belonging to the Prince Ji's residence, to see if the Prince Ji's residence would make any moves.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will make the arrangements upon my return." Du Chuke bowed and accepted the order.
"Oh, by the way, the Tenth Prince also did another business with His Majesty, extracting oil from beans. Could you send someone to try it out and see if it's feasible?"
If it's feasible, we'll join in. I believe we can definitely make a fortune in the early stages."
Li Tai suddenly remembered this matter and immediately gave the order, as he also wanted a share of the profits.
"Using beans to extract oil? That's quite novel. I'll have someone try it later, but Your Majesty's involvement in this matter..."
"Would His Majesty be displeased if His Highness were to join us so abruptly?" Du Chuke reminded him.
"Don't worry, we're not going to compete with them. In such a vast place as the Tang Dynasty, how could we not have a place to stand?"
Any one of these paths is enough for us to make a profit. His Majesty won't blame us.
My concern is that the Tenth Prince might try to sabotage things; he's incredibly greedy.
However, he knew that this skill was too simple to be kept secret.
Li Tai shook his head and replied that he was not worried about his father, but about Li Shen.
This child likes to eat alone and doesn't want others to compete with him for benefits.
"It seems I should find an opportunity to tell him," Li Tai thought to himself.
"Alright, that's all I wanted to say. You may go back now. I'll be accompanying His Majesty on his travels starting tomorrow."
After the Lantern Festival, I'll need to see a teacher to help me lose weight, so I probably won't have the energy to handle anything else.
After finishing the business, Li Tai remembered the matter of losing weight and felt uncomfortable all over. The main problem was that this job was taken by that bad kid Li Shen.
It looks like I'm definitely going to get a lot of torture.
He couldn't not go; it concerned his life, so he had to go.
"Your Highness, I have something to say. We haven't been in contact with them lately, and they haven't been in contact with us either. They're not as eager as they were at the beginning."
"Does this mean they have other plans?"
"Hehe, what plans could I possibly have?" Li Tai chuckled after hearing Du Chuke's words and continued:
"It's simply that they don't see any benefit from us, and they feel that they've given so much while we haven't helped them at all, so they've switched sides."
"Does Your Highness mean they've found someone else?" Du Chuke asked.
"It's not that they found someone else, but that they never placed their bets on me."
What was Old Ten's saying again...? Right, don't put all your eggs in one basket, or they'll all break.
It's not hard to guess who they're looking for; the only people they're capable of working with are the same few.
Li Tai appeared somewhat unfathomable.
"Then what should we do?" Du Chuke asked for instructions.
"Let nature take its course. If they contact us, we will maintain relations with them, but I think they probably won't contact us anytime soon."
Their kings have all been captured and brought to Chang'an; what thoughts could they possibly have left?
"Yes, then I shall take my leave." After Li Tai finished speaking, Du Chuke stood up and bowed, and Li Tai nodded and withdrew.
Li Tai stood up, his large size making it difficult for him to walk. He lay down on the bed and felt much more comfortable.
She closed her eyes and murmured.
"Tenth Brother, did you arrange this?"
The next day, the sun shone brightly, the air was fresh, and the sky was blue with white clouds.
Li Shen was woken up early because someone from the palace came to inform him of the departure time.
Li Shen always travels with his family, and this time was no exception. Except for Su Xiaoxiao, who stayed at home, everyone else went with Li Shen.
The steward had already prepared the supplies, and Li Mengjiang and Zhou Daowu had also finished packing and arrived at the Prince Ji's residence.
Li Mengjiang only came along for Zhou Daowu's future; she was originally a quiet person.
"Is everything ready?" Li Shen asked Li Mengjiang.
"I'll be back in the evening, so there's nothing to prepare. Didn't you already prepare all the ingredients, little brother?"
Li Mengjiang sipped the fresh fruit juice, something that only Prince Ji's residence in the entire Tang Dynasty had; even the imperial palace didn't have it.