hsntnovel Chapter 2819 Li Shimin's Ultimate Goal
Chapter 2819 Li Shimin's Ultimate Goal
After the imperial court builds water conservancy projects, it will expand rice cultivation, which will surely increase the yield. In that case, it will definitely be impossible for me to monopolize Liaodong white rice.
If others sell for fifty or even thirty coins a bushel to deliberately go against me, wouldn't I be cursed to death?
He's even planning to raise the price if it sells well.
Li Shen's mind raced, and he said:
“Father, I don’t have any insights on this, but... Liaodong has a sparse population, and there aren’t many places where rice can be grown.”
Even if the imperial court were to undertake water conservancy projects, there simply wouldn't be enough people to expand planting.
My son thought that this matter should be handled gradually and that there was no need to invest so much manpower, material resources, and financial resources.
As the population of Liaodong Circuit increases, naturally more land will be cultivated.
"Yes, Liaodong does have a small population; it's a vast and sparsely populated area. However, this white rice is said to prolong life, so I can choose not to eat it."
But your mother and concubine cannot not eat.” Li Shimin nodded slightly.
"Don't worry, Father, the palace will continue to supply white rice, so that everyone in the palace can eat Liaodong white rice."
Li Shen immediately made a promise.
"Liaodong white rice, oh, now it seems to be called pearl rice, crystal rice, right?"
"Such valuable items are too much for your mother to bear, so she'd rather have Liaodong cultivate more and send them as tribute, so as not to affect your earning potential."
Li Shimin shook his head.
Li Shen took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and then looked at Li Shimin:
“Father, I am willing to give up 20% of the rice business, so that Mother will not feel bad.”
My mother has always treated me like her own son and has always thought of me first. These two-tenths of the shares are a way of showing my filial piety to her.
Li Shen finally made up his mind; it seemed that he wouldn't be able to leave this palace without paying a price.
Since ancient times, the imperial palace has been the bloodiest place, and today Li Shen finally experienced it firsthand. Killing people with a dull knife was extremely painful for him.
"Forget it, your Prince Ji's mansion still has a large family to support, and now that a new member has been added, it's a time when money is needed."
How could your mother and I accept your filial piety at this time?
"Keep these two-tenths to raise my children and grandchildren well." Li Shimin waved his hand, appearing to be considering Li Shen's well-being.
Is it too little? Is it really too little? Li Shen cried out in his heart.
But he still said:
"Thank you for your consideration, Father. This two-tenths of rice is enough to feed the entire palace for several years."
The remaining 80% can barely make ends meet.
Twenty percent is already more than enough; the rest should be used to raise his children. That's Li Shen's intention.
"In fact, expanding planting is not just for the sake of satisfying our appetites, but mainly for the sake of people's livelihood, so that people can have enough to eat."
The people of Liaodong have had a hard life, having endured the ravages of war. I have heard that Goguryeo, disregarding the lives of its people, plundered their grain.
Many people starved to death as a result, and some even resorted to cannibalism. Gao Ming said he personally witnessed the sight of corpses floating for miles, which was simply too horrific to bear.
Now that they have become subjects of my Great Tang Dynasty, I must ensure they are freed from their suffering as soon as possible.
Li Shimin began to explain, but his explanation sounded so weak and powerless to Li Shen.
All they want is more, yet they make it sound so grand. The people of Liaodong are not yet integrated into the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shenyi was ruthless:
“Father, you have made your meaning clear. Father, you may as well speak frankly. After we finish talking, I still need to go and pay my respects to Mother.”
Li Shen didn't want to get entangled with his erratic father any longer, otherwise who knew what might happen later.
He even suspected that his father was also suffering from a brain disorder.
"Since my son is so filial, then I will be frank. I want fifty percent." Li Shimin suddenly smiled, revealing his fangs.
“Fifty percent? Impossible. That’s too much.” Li Shen immediately shook his head and refused; his bottom line was thirty percent.
"Don't refuse. I won't take your 50% stake for nothing."
I will issue an edict that from now on, the people of Liaodong will be allowed to pay taxes with other grains, and their rice cultivation will be exclusively supplied by your Prince Ji's residence.
As for how you talk to the people of Liaodong, that's your business. As long as you don't coerce, bribe, or persecute them, I won't interfere.
They will also help you suppress this matter.
Do you think others wouldn't be tempted by such huge profits?
If nothing unexpected happens, it won't be long before someone submits a memorial accusing Liaodong Circuit of using other grains as taxes to deceive the imperial court.
And you couldn't have foreseen that someone would go to Liaodong Road in advance to conduct private transactions with the people, could you?
"The rice planting season is just a few months away. If they provide the rice seeds, wouldn't you be at a disadvantage?"
Li Shimin began to analyze the pros and cons for Li Shen, explaining how beneficial his involvement would be for Li Shen.
Li Shen pondered this for a moment; it was indeed something he hadn't expected.
He was able to acquire so much white rice because he traded it for millet. He used his power as the Prince of Ji to influence local officials, allowing the people who grew rice to pay taxes with other types of rice.
But that's the loophole. It doesn't matter when no one talks about it, but if someone reports it, it becomes a weakness.
Li Shen won't face any major consequences; at most, he'll be fined three years' salary.
But the local officials will have to be replaced, as deceiving the imperial court is a serious crime.
He might end up with officials from powerful families, which would mean the end of his rice business.
There's no need to hold Li Shen accountable for this matter; it's enough to hold the local officials accountable.
As for the special supply of rice seeds, that doesn't matter. Anyway, no one else has his rice seeds; they are all hybrid varieties, different from those in the south.
After much deliberation, Li Shen finally nodded:
"Alright, fifty percent, fifty percent. Consider it my way of repaying my father for raising me."
However, I'll need to use Father's name later; Father just needs to remain silent. This is all in order to earn more money.
"This is not a problem, but don't go too far. If it damages my reputation, don't blame me for using family discipline."
"When the time comes, we'll confiscate and fine your Prince Ji's mansion, and your entire family will be begging on Zhuque Street."
Li Shimin said fiercely.
Ah~~~ That's more like it, that's the taste, that's the dad he knows, the real deal. What was that thing that possessed his dad just now?
"Don't worry, Father. I'm just using your name. I won't say anything else."
"Besides, I wouldn't dare to be disrespectful," Li Shen replied.
"That's for the best. You handle the outside affairs yourself. You need to calm things down as soon as possible, understand?"
I do not want the news to spread everywhere, and I also want to find out who did this as soon as possible.
Those who instigate infighting within the royal family will not be let off easily by me.
Li Shimin's smile vanished, replaced by a gloomy expression. Wasn't this just a ploy to make the Crown Prince wary of Li Shen, so that a fratricidal conflict could erupt?
These people are incredibly audacious; they're still alive!
"Father, don't worry, I will handle this matter. But as for my elder brother..." Li Shen mentioned Li Chengqian.
“You don’t need to worry. If your elder brother can’t even see through this little scheme, he might as well just pass the throne to you and make you the crown prince.”
Li Shimin replied dismissively.