Chapter 342: Everyone Has Their Own Little Calculations

Shangguan Jin was a little angry.

You can do whatever business you want: a restaurant, a teahouse, a silk shop, an antique shop, a jewelry shop, or anything else.

Why did they specifically choose brothels and casinos?

"Speak! Let's see what you can say!" Shangguan Jin put away the ruler, turned around and sat down in the chair.

Shen Qingming chuckled twice and fawned over Shangguan Jin, massaging her shoulders.

My mother made a very imposing gesture, but she didn't actually hit me once.

It either hit the door frame or the armrest of the chair.

Not only did he miss the first time, he also exhausted himself.

"Mother, I actually had ulterior motives for doing this."

"It's also for the sake of Da Yu!" Shen Qingming explained while gently patting Shangguan Jin's shoulder.

"Hmph! Don't try to pull the strings! Talk to me properly!" Shangguan Jin snorted.

Upon hearing this tone, Shen Qingming knew that his mother's anger had subsided by half.

"Mother, really, I have selfish motives, but these motives are for the sake of Da Yu."

Think about it, the Chongqing and the Northern Hu will inevitably clash sooner or later.

Although the battle with the Northern Hu was a matter for the Weiyuan Army, shouldn't some preparations be made before the battle?

"For example, news?" Shen Qingming said softly.

Shangguan Jin was taken aback.

"You mean you want to use casinos and brothels to gather information?" Shangguan Jin asked.

Shen Qingming nodded.

"Yes, these two places have a diverse population; all sorts of people are there, not to mention the Tibetans."

It's also the best place to get information.

We all know that border towns are unlikely to experience any major disturbances.

But what if the Northern Hu want to win over the border city?

"I don't want the border city that I've worked so hard to build to end up being plucked by the Northern Hu." Shen Qingming said solemnly.

Shangguan Jin...

Shen Huaichen, did you hear that? Your son is planning to plant spies in your border town...

He still wants to pick your peaches...

"Is it that simple?" Shangguan Jin asked.

"Of course! Mother, I am the second young master of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. I will just invest in the company secretly."

"Don't worry! I definitely won't let Father down," Shen Qingming said confidently.

Shangguan Jin looked at Shen Qingming with a hint of sympathy.

You silly boy! Your father was so angry with you that he almost smashed a cup.

He's convinced you've been to casinos and brothels...

“Tell your mother the truth: have you been to Qianjinfang and Furongge? Be honest!” Shangguan Jin suddenly asked.

"Definitely not... Mother, I... went there." Shen Qingming dared not lie to Shangguan Jin.

Shangguan Jin felt her blood pressure rise again.

“You…” Shangguan Jin turned around again to get the ruler.

Shen Qingming quickly stopped her.

“Mother, I’m going to these two places on official business.”

"Two months ago, the Vice Minister asked me to go to these two tax collection offices, and I only went there once," Shen Qingming explained.

"Why are you being asked to go?" Shangguan Jin pressed.

“Because… I am His Majesty’s cousin, the second son of the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion, and the current prime minister is my maternal grandfather,” Shen Qingming said honestly.

Shangguan Jin...

Okay, she understands!

Actually, these two families have powerful backers. One is owned by an old prince, and the other is affiliated with the Xu family.

Ordinary minor officials would definitely fail to collect taxes in these two places.

But someone else, identified as Shen Qingming, went instead...

Well, not only do we have to accept the gifts, but we also have to greet them with a smile and welcome them to come again next time...

"You only went that one time?" Shangguan Jin asked.

"Really! I only went once! But I think I'll go again in a few days," Shen Qingming said honestly.

"Or should we collect taxes?" Shangguan Jin asked.

"No! They paid a year's worth of taxes in advance."

The reason I went there again was to learn from their experience! You see, if I wanted to run the casino and brothel successfully with that young prince, I had to ask him for some advice!

Furthermore, we might be able to persuade them to invest as well!

"Wouldn't that mean I could pay less?" Shen Qingming said with a smile.

Looking at her second son, who was full of scheming ideas, Shangguan Jin thought for a moment and suddenly asked a question.

How much silver do you have?

"At most, it's less than a thousand taels of silver, Mother. I know that's less than a drop in the ocean."

But I can borrow it! I can borrow it from you, from my sister, or even from my grandmother…”

"Go ask His Majesty to borrow it!" Shangguan Jin interrupted Shen Qingming.

"Huh?" This time, Shen Qingming was confused.

“I said, go borrow it from your emperor cousin.”

You're working for Da Yu, doing things for him, shouldn't he be the one to pay for this?

"Don't worry! He'll definitely be happy to pay for it," Shangguan Jin said.

Shen Qingming...

Well, when it comes to scheming, no one can outsmart Mother...

"Mother, does that mean you agree to me doing this?" Shen Qingming happily went over and massaged Shangguan Jin's shoulders again.

"I neither support nor oppose it; you can decide what to do."

But let me remind you, the main thing now is to establish an official trade route with the border city.

There are many things to pay attention to, both in terms of the general direction and the details.

This is a huge project.

It's not something that can be solved with just a little bit of cleverness.

Ming-ge, you're smart and quick-witted, but you're young, and many people won't support you.

"So you'll be under a lot of pressure, and you need to be mentally prepared for that," Shangguan Jin said seriously.

Shen Qingming's expression also became serious.

Indeed, he will be under tremendous pressure.

If you touch the interests of nobles, you will definitely face tremendous pressure.

"Mother, I understand. I will be careful!" Shen Qingming solemnly bowed to Shangguan Jin.

Shangguan Jin smiled and said nothing more.

This is a huge and complex matter. Shen Qingming is so young; Shangguan Jin can easily imagine the immense pressure he's facing...

Shangguan Jin was lecturing Shen Qingming.

Shen Huaichen was also in the west courtyard, speaking earnestly to his chair.

"Burileg, do you really want to open brothels and casinos in the border town?"

“Yes! Abu! Is that not allowed? I think it’s great!” Burilege said, blinking his big eyes.

Shen Huaichen...

He thought the kid was just talking!

Who knew that after he returned, Burileg would drag him along to discuss where in Sakhalin they should open the brothel and casino.

That's when he realized this kid was serious...