Chapter 452 The Pitfall of Li Tai

"We ordinary folks are really happy today."

Wei Shuyu was in a great mood...

They swindled another 50,000 strings of cash, making it 110,000 strings of cash in total.

The money for the bank's materials should be almost ready.

The prefectures near Tuyuhun and Eastern Turkic Khaganate can be put on hold for now.

If that's still not enough, we can go and get some from the retired emperor.

"Shuyu!"

Just as he was happily pondering this, another voice rang out from afar.

Wei Shuyu looked closely.

That's not my lucky charm... oops, isn't it His Highness Prince Wei?

Now we don't need to trouble the Emperor Emeritus!

"Your subject Wei Shuyu greets the King of Wei."

Wei Shuyu offered another flattering remark: "May Your Highness the King of Wei have everything go perfectly, may all your endeavors be successful, may all your wishes be fulfilled, and may all your desires be fulfilled."

Huh?

Is Xiao Wei flattering him?

What an extraordinary event!

"Shuyu, there's no need for such formalities."

Despite his inner wariness, Li Tai still put on a friendly expression: "I just saw that Your Majesty was in a hurry. Has something serious happened?"

No, absolutely not!

Wei Shuyu imitated Cui Shenji, shaking his head like a rattle drum.

"Shuyu, you shouldn't keep it from me anymore."

Li Tai said earnestly, "I know that you had a long private conversation with Minister Fang and Minister Tang in the Imperial Study."

What?

Wei Shuyu's expression changed drastically: "You actually dare to plant someone by His Majesty's side?"

"I not only know about your secret meeting, but I also know that Father Emperor sent people to the Imperial Treasury to withdraw money..." Li Tai said nonchalantly.

snort.

Wei Shuyu gave a haughty snort: "Just wait and see, I'll go and report you to His Majesty."

In response to this.

Li Tai, however, disagreed.

He continued talking to himself, "My brother left in such a hurry just now, you must have said something, right?"

"Leaking secrets within the Forbidden City, leaking confidential information from the Imperial Court..."

"This kind of thing is a serious crime!"

Swish.

Wei Shuyu's expression changed again.

He pointed at Li Tai and shouted, "Are you threatening me?"

In response to this.

Li Tai, however, was not angry at all.

Instead, he smiled and pressed Wei Shuyu's hand down.

"What threats?"

"I just want to be friends with you, Uncle Yu."

As they were talking.

Li Tai stepped forward and said, "You know, we don't have any deep-seated hatred between us. It's always better to have one more friend than one more enemy, right?"

friend?

Wei Shuyu gave a haughty snort.

"Shuyu, would you like to be my friend?"

Li Tai said with a smile.

Like a cunning little fox.

"So what if you're willing?"

"What if you don't want to?"

Wei Shuyu's face showed loyalty and determination.

Just like those upright and honest officials, they are unyielding and impervious to reason.

"If you're willing, could you tell me what you discussed with your father?" Li Tai finally revealed his purpose.

"Is this something you can just say so casually?"

Wei Shuyu rebuked, "You said you'd be my friend, but I think you just want to harm me!"

Well……

Li Tai was stunned.

That's when I realized I was being a bit too hasty.

He immediately changed his tune, saying, "I was being rash. Let's change the subject..."

"I wonder what Shuyu and the Emperor discussed?"

Wei Shuyu remained silent.

You can guess for yourself.

I'm not going to tell anyone.

Seeing this, Li Tai could only continue to earnestly persuade him: "Shuyu, you can tell your elder brother, why can't you tell me?"

"I also want to share my father's burdens."

Li Tai launched into a long, scathing plea...

A cup of tea's time has passed.

Wei Shuyu was deeply 'moved' and hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's not impossible to tell you."

"oh?"

Li Tai's expression immediately turned serious: "Shuyu, please speak freely. I am all ears."

"Well, about this... cough cough."

Wei Shuyu glanced at the eunuchs behind Li Tai.

Li Tai understood instantly.

He waved his hand and said, "All of you, step back."

After only the two of them remained in the room, Wei Shuyu began to speak…

"His Majesty is preparing a grand plan."

"A grand plan involving millions of strings of cash!"

What?

As expected, Li Tai also looked shocked.

"Does Father have that much money?" Li Tai asked subconsciously.

"..."

Wei Shuyu remained silent.

That's why they say this chubby boy is so clever.

I immediately thought of Li Erqiong.

To be honest...

Wei Shuyu said seriously, "The Crown Prince went to make money."

"Once he gets the money, that will be a great achievement!"

Li Tai's eyes flickered.

Suddenly, a look of disdain appeared on his face.

"Is my elder brother rich?"

Li Tai said disdainfully, "Even if he has money, would he dare to take it out?"

"King Wei, you mustn't speak nonsense!"

Wei Shuyu put on a stern face and said, "The Crown Prince may not have money, but for the sake of the Tang Dynasty and His Majesty, he is willing to borrow it!"

Li Tai's face darkened.

If the crown prince were to shamelessly borrow money, he would be criticized.

But lending money to Li Shimin was a great achievement.

Li Shimin would not only not scold him, but would also treat him with special regard.

"Then how will my elder brother repay this debt?"

Li Tai frowned.

It's possible to pay your father to praise you a few times.

But if it's too expensive, then it's not worth it.

"Who said he had to pay it back?"

Wei Shuyu said with dissatisfaction, "The Crown Prince is only helping to raise money; the Ministry of Commerce will repay it in due time."

"Not only that, we'll also give you 10% interest on the principal!"

There's interest?

Li Tai now understood why Li Chengqian had been in such a hurry.

He could earn money and also receive praise from his father.

This kind of deal is quite rare.

"Shuyu..."

Li Tai's smile grew even more solicitous: "I wonder how much Your Majesty intends to contribute?"

"Don't ask any more questions!"

Wei Shuyu glared at him and said, "I am, after all, the Crown Prince's tutor. Answering one of your questions is already breaking the rules!"

You're a servant my ass.

Since taking office, you have visited the Eastern Palace several times.

"Don't be like that..."

Li Tai stepped forward even more enthusiastically and asked, "Shuyu, you weren't like this before."

“In the past, you didn’t care about anyone’s feelings when it came to the Tang Dynasty.”

Yeah?

I'm just afraid that if I'm too harsh, I'll drive you away.

I still can't say.

Wei Shuyu said sternly, "You'll have to guess for yourself."

"If you also wish to contribute, I will report this truthfully to His Majesty as well!"

Li Tai pondered.

Based on his understanding of Li Chengqian.

That guy's got no brains; he'll probably pay a lot of money!

"Is 20,000 strings of cash enough?" Li Tai held up two fingers.

Are you trying to get rid of a beggar?

Wei Shuyu's eyes widened: "Is this all the Crown Prince has to offer?"

"Fifty thousand strings of cash?" Li Tai held up five chubby fingers.

"I don't know anything about 50,000 or not."

Wei Shuyu turned his head away: "Don't ask me anymore, I won't say anything more."

Li Tai squinted.

He's confident that the price will be around that level.

And it will not exceed 60,000 strings of cash.

It would be bad if we surpassed Li Shimin's offer of 60,000 strings of cash.

One more thing...

Li Chengqian's money was nominally borrowed.

If he lent a little money, Li Shimin would be pleased, thinking that his son knew how to share his burdens.

But if you borrow too much, that's considered wasteful and a disgrace to the royal family.

"I will offer 55,000 strings of cash!" Li Tai said domineeringly.

"..."

The chubby boy is really clever.

"I can't say."

Wei Shuyu replied solemnly, "If the King of Wei is also willing to help gather a portion..."

On behalf of all the people of the world, I thank you!

"And they will also write memorials to His Majesty!"

I've been waiting for just one sentence from you...

Moreover, Li Tai had no doubts whatsoever.

The Wei family wouldn't embezzle funds.

Wei Shuyu controlled the Wenyun Pavilion and the Ministry of Commerce...

They would never ruin their future for a few hundred thousand strings of cash.

"good!"

Li Tai readily agreed: "Once Your Majesty has prepared the money, my money will certainly be ready as well!"

"At that time, I will trouble Shuyu to put in a good word for me with Father..."