Chapter 444 Getting Winter Supplies Secured

"Get out of the way..."

Just then, a group of guards forcefully swept aside the merchants.

Wang Dekuai strode over, surrounded by his guards...

"Oh my, Doctor Wei, we've finally found you."

Wang Deqi ran up to the high platform, panting as he spoke.

"Why did Steward Wang come in person?"

Wei Shuyu thought for a moment and asked, "I don't think I've angered His Majesty recently, have I?"

"..."

You really have a good understanding of your own limitations.

Do you realize that you often anger His Majesty?

"Something terrible has happened."

Wang De whispered, "The Tang soldiers are about to set off, but due to the corruption of officials in the Ministry of War, 50,000 sets of winter supplies are missing."

"By His Majesty's decree, the Ministry of Commerce is ordered to assemble 50,000 sets of winter supplies as quickly as possible."

Wei Shuyu was stunned.

He immediately asked, "Will His Majesty pay?"

money?

The Ministry of Commerce is part of the imperial court, why would it need money?

"Doesn't your Ministry of Commerce have any money?" Wang De asked angrily.

"Yes, I have."

Wei Shuyu pretended to be troubled and said, "But my Ministry of Commerce is about to be promoted to the Tang Dynasty, and the demand is quite large."

"You, you, you..."

Wang De was so angry he didn't know what to say: "You have a huge shortage, why don't you apply to His Majesty?"

“Those guys in the Ministry of War apply to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for supplies every year.”

Holy crap.

So I can actually ask His Majesty for help!

Wei Shuyu was stunned.

Because the Ministry of Commerce's goal was to make money, and it was still in its early stages.

He always believed that he had to be self-reliant.

"Dr. Wei..."

Wang De shouted.

"Sorry, I was daydreaming."

Wei Shuyu's face immediately lit up with a smile: "Steward Wang must be tired from your journey. I have some fine tea cakes. Why don't you try them?"

"..."

Wang De shivered.

The Wei family spends their days either criticizing others or attacking Li Shimin.

He had never seen the Wei family members smile so warmly.

"Please don't say those things."

Wang De asked urgently, "Can we get 50,000 sets of winter supplies?"

“That’s it…no problem!” Wei Shuyu readily agreed.

He then turned to look at the audience below...

"Gentlemen, the time has come for everyone to lend a hand."

Swish.

All the merchants turned their attention to Wei Shuyu…

"The imperial court urgently needs 50,000 sets of winter supplies. Does anyone know if they can procure them?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a merchant stepped forward.

"Dr. Wei."

The merchant clasped his hands in greeting and said, "I happen to have a batch of hemp clothing; would that be of use?"

Wei Shuyu looked at Wang De: "Is hemp clothing acceptable?"

"Can."

Wang De nodded.

Cotton was not yet popular in the Tang Dynasty.

They would not provide soldiers with expensive silk.

Most of the soldiers wore hemp clothing and hemp shoes.

The reason why so many people freeze to death in winter is that they don't have warm clothes!

"Are there 50,000 sets?"

Wei Shuyu looked at the merchants below the stage.

"Replying to Physician Wei."

The merchant replied, "I only have three thousand sets."

These words were spoken.

Wei Shuyu frowned.

That's way too bad!

No sooner had he conceived the idea than another merchant stepped forward...

"Sigh, I thought you had 50,000 sets. I was so scared I didn't dare to say a word."

After saying this, the merchant cupped his hands to Wei Shuyu and said, "Doctor Wei, my Fugui Fang has ten thousand sets of hemp clothing."

As soon as he finished speaking, another merchant stepped forward.

"Dr. Wei, my Jinggong Pavilion also has eight thousand sets."

"Dr. Wei, I also have five thousand pairs of hemp shoes."

"My Xiuyunlou has 20,000 sets!"

As one merchant after another stepped forward, a smile immediately spread across Wei Shuyu's face.

I knew it...

Huxian is a commercial city, how could it not even be able to raise 50,000 sets?

"Then I'll have to trouble you all."

Wei Shuyu cupped his hands in greeting: "These supplies are urgently needed by the imperial court."

"The Ministry of Commerce will purchase them at market price."

"We hope that you will raise the funds quickly."

Upon hearing this, the merchants all ordered their attendants to go back and make arrangements.

As for myself, I urgently need to stay here.

Let's listen to Wei Shuyu's speech.

What if there's another chance to make money?

“Steward Wang, look…” Wei Shuyu said with a smile.

Wang De was stunned.

Is that all?

It seems a bit too easy.

"Hurry up..."

Wang De shouted to a guard, "Go and inform His Majesty that the Ministry of Commerce has resolved the issue of winter supplies!"

"promise."

The guards mounted their horses and rode away.

Wei Shuyu made some polite remarks and then hastily ended the meeting.

"Steward Wang, why aren't you at the city gate keeping an eye on the supplies? What are you doing following me?"

On the way back to the yamen, Wei Shuyu saw Wang De following him and asked in confusion.

"Cough cough..."

Steward Wang coughed awkwardly: "Didn't Physician Wei say he wanted to invite me for tea?"

"..."

I was just being polite, and you actually believed me?

Wei Shuyu looked helplessly at Cui Shenji: "Little Jiji, get some of the best tea cakes for Steward Wang later."

"A high-quality tea cake, right?"

Choi Shin-ki nodded: "I understand!"

*Smack*

Wei Shuyu smacked him on the head: "Don't add anything extra, Chief Steward Wang is His Majesty's man."

"..."

What the heck is this "added ingredients" thing?

Why does the scholar have a sense of foreboding?

"oh oh."

Choi Shin-ki covered his head, looking slightly aggrieved.

"Is there anything else, Steward Wang?" Wei Shuyu then looked at Wang De.

"Cough cough..."

Wang De coughed awkwardly: "I've heard that sugar is profitable, haven't I? I wonder if I could..."

Wang Dexian seemed a little embarrassed.

But the meaning is already quite clear: this eccentric wants to make money!

"..."

Wei Shuyu's expression was strange: "I say, Steward Wang, this sugar belongs to the Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty. How dare you interfere and try to get a share?"

Swish.

Wang De's face turned deathly pale.

If Li Shimin found out about this, he would have to clean the dressing room for several more months.

"That's not what I meant..."

Wang De's mind raced: "What I mean is, are there any similar ways to make money?"

"You are His Majesty's favorite."

Wei Shuyu said speechlessly, "Aren't you afraid of being scolded by His Majesty and losing your position as chief steward if you make money?"

Wang De was dumbfounded.

That seems to make sense.

If the censor finds out about this, he too will impeach the official.

Perhaps I am simply not destined to become rich?

"Don't be sad, Steward Wang."

Wei Shuyu then changed the subject: "I actually have a project that would be suitable for you."

Um?

A sharp glint flashed in Wang De's eyes.

"I don't know..." Wang De hesitated, then stopped himself.

"They're building a road!"

Wei Shuyu smiled and said, "This road construction is not only a good thing for the people, but it will also not be rumored to be competing with the people for profit."

"If you invest in this industry, I guarantee no one will say anything to you."

Wang De frowned.

He arrived late and missed Wei Shuyu's meeting with the merchants.

It wasn't until Wei Shuyu explained how making money from road construction that he realized what was going on.

"So, does that mean a jack-of-all-trades has to invest first?" Wang De asked, puzzled.

"That's obvious."

Wei Shuyu said disdainfully, "Even His Majesty pays upfront, do you expect to get something for free?"

That makes perfect sense.

Wang De thought for a moment and asked, "Can this make money?"

"If you don't believe me, why did you come to me?" Wei Shuyu said sternly.

"Don't be like that."

Wang De said with a smile, "As long as I can make money, I will absolutely not say a word when you criticize His Majesty in the future."

Dog eunuch!

It's as if you could stop me from criticizing His Majesty.

"Then thank you, Steward Wang."

Wei Shuyu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

As the two were talking, a man dressed in a light green official robe walked towards them.

The moment Wang De saw him, his eyes blazed with boundless sparks...

Wang Gui!

A man who wants to compete with her for favor!