hsntnovel Chapter 2701 Lowering the Price of Spices
Chapter 2701 Lowering the Price of Spices
The crowd discussed the matter animatedly and began to offer suggestions, but the ideas they came up with became increasingly outrageous.
"Silence! You there, are you out of your mind? Let's not even talk about whether you could successfully drug someone; even if you did,..."
You want to die, but we don't.
That's my own father! How could I possibly drug him? Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?
Li Shen pointed at a spoiled brat in the crowd and cursed him.
Good heavens, someone actually came up with such a trick. His father has someone watching over and tasting his food every day, so how could it possibly succeed?
He wouldn't eat anything from outside, let alone his father.
The difficulty of poisoning her own emperor father was no less than overcoming numerous obstacles and defeating six generals. Every servant who had access to food was utterly loyal.
It's not like you can bribe them with money; that's too difficult. You'd be better off thinking about how to defeat them.
"Does Your Highness have any brilliant plan?" Cheng Chuliang asked humbly.
"Of course," Li Shen said confidently.
"That's wonderful! Please enlighten us, Your Highness." Everyone was immediately delighted upon hearing this, as they all knew that Prince Ji was full of ideas.
"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed. What if someone leaks the word? Don't worry, this time I will make these high and mighty nobles feel what the darkness of the human world is like."
Li Shen smiled mysteriously, his eyes full of wisdom, which gave these people some confidence.
"Alright, let's leave it at that. Your Majesty interrupted me just now. I have other matters for you to attend to."
Li Shen returned to his seat, and the others followed suit.
"Gentlemen, I have something for you to do. As you have seen, the price of spices outside is still rising."
This is detrimental to the stability of my Great Tang Dynasty, so I need to lower the price of spices.
However, this matter is not convenient for me to handle personally; I can only rely on your assistance.
Li Shen had told Li Boyi that he would suppress spice prices so that they could acquire spices more easily.
Whether Li Shen actually meant that or not, no one knows.
"Your Highness, this matter is probably difficult to handle. Spices are extremely scarce outside, and only a few occasionally appear at the port."
But as soon as they appear, they are immediately snapped up.
Regardless of the price, the need for spices extends beyond Chang'an. Wealthy merchants, nobles, aristocratic families, and even members of the imperial family require them.
Even if it's not for hoarding, the consumption of food alone is enormous.
Currently, the market is experiencing a supply shortage, making it virtually impossible for prices to drop.
At this moment, Li Shen's cousin, Li Jingren, the second son of Li Daozong, stood up and said that his elder brother, Li Jingheng, now held an official position, and he had come alone to represent their family.
Their family is a major consumer of spices, so they know a lot about this.
"I am aware of this, of course, but the persistently high price of spices is not good for any of us here."
To be honest, my Prince Ji's mansion started purchasing spices a long time ago, but the price was too high and the cost was too great.
As far as I know, many people in Chang'an have large quantities of spices, but they are hoarding them and waiting for a better price to sell them.
"I don't want to be tricked by them, so we must fight back."
Li Shen explained to everyone.
"Then I wonder how we should retaliate. Indeed, as Your Highness said, many nobles have spices in their possession."
Cheng Chubi stood up and asked.
"I've thought about this for a moment. You will each go and spread rumors that the Western Expeditionary Army will return to the capital soon, and that the Western Regions are already in the hands of our Great Tang."
Soon, a large number of merchants from the Western Regions will arrive, bringing enough spices, at which point the price of spices will drop rapidly.
Furthermore, this year the Prince Ji's Mansion will increase its maritime trade and go overseas to do business, bringing back a great many spices.
Prices will return to what they were two years ago, or even be cheaper.
"I refuse to believe they won't panic upon receiving this news. We'll lower the price and buy them for a while; I don't believe they won't sell."
Li Shen stood up, looked at everyone, and his expression was firm.
"Is what Your Highness said true?" someone immediately asked after hearing Li Shen's words.
If what King Ji said is true, then the price of spices will definitely come down.
"Don't worry about whether it's true or not, just do as I say, and you'll be able to buy spices then, won't you?"
"I know that everyone is running low on spices these days. Nobody wants to eat boiled food, right?"
Li Shen did not give a direct answer.
"Alright, we will all listen to Your Highness. Your Highness has never harmed us."
Fang Yi'ai then stood up and agreed.
"Yes, following the prince means we'll have good fortune. We'll do as the prince says."
Tang Shanshi also stood up and echoed, and others followed suit.
"Great! As long as we unite, we can drink and eat heartily. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Li Shen expressed his satisfaction, and as for whether these people would be implicated in the end, he would wait and see.
"See His Highness the Crown Prince."
Just then, Stone at the door suddenly shouted loudly.
Li Shen quickly shut his mouth and looked toward the door.
Li Chengqian walked in with Li Tai and Li Zhi, and Li Chengqian was also holding Li Shen's daughter Xixi's hand.
This surprised Li Shen. Had his daughter really gotten so successful?
It's one thing to associate with the emperor, after all, they're grandfather and grandson, but how could he possibly associate with the crown prince?
"Ah-ye~~" Xiao Xixi called out and ran over.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Prince of Wei, Your Highness the Prince of Jin." The group bowed.
"Greetings, eldest brother, fourth brother, ninth brother." Li Shen picked up Xi Xi and nodded in return.
"Haha, everyone, there's no need for such formalities," Li Chengqian said with a smile and a nod.
"Tenth brother, I just heard from Father that you are plotting a rebellion here."
Li Chengqian smiled at Li Shen.
Holy crap, Li Shen almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Are they not even avoiding the word "treason" anymore? His own father just blurted it out. Is he afraid the whole world won't know, or does he think that if more people say it, it will become a fact?
"Brother, please don't speak nonsense. How could I possibly have such disloyal thoughts? I'm a very timid person."
Li Shen quickly offered an explanation.
"Hey, I think Old Shili has quite the nerve. Is there anything in this world you wouldn't dare to do?" Li Tai said sarcastically from the side.
"Fourth Brother, if I had the guts, I would be the first to challenge you to a duel, to determine who is superior and who lives."
Li Shen didn't tolerate him at all and glared at Li Tai directly.
"Hahaha, I can't beat you, brother." Li Tai laughed heartily.
"Xixi, how come you're with these uncles?" Li Shen changed the subject, looking at his daughter in his arms.
Xi Xi smiled sweetly:
"My grandfather suddenly left, and then I started playing with my ninth uncle. Later, I met my fourth uncle, and then my eldest uncle."
Finally, he played with his three uncles.