Li Zhi was stunned when he heard the people's complaints. He had already paid a high price to buy dilapidated houses, so why should they build houses for free?

However, the people of Qunxianfang were also devastated by Li Zhi's answer.

"You won't build houses for us, so why are you coming here to collect houses from us!"

"Hey you, get the property deed back right now!"

"If you delay the neighbors' important house-building project, believe me, I'll dig up your ancestral graves!"

The homeowner, who was being criticized by the locals, panicked on the spot. The neighbors around him were people who had lived in the neighborhood for generations. Even though he had sold his ancestral home, he still lived in the neighborhood.

If he really did it because he was greedy for the extra money he made, the angry neighbors might really dig up his ancestral graves!

"Your Highness, I don't want to sell the house anymore. Please give me back the deed!"

Others who had sold their houses to the Crown Prince also jumped out, demanding the property deeds from him.

Some people would even pay an extra 10 or 20 strings of cash in interest, just to ask the Crown Prince not to make things difficult for them.

Li Zhi was devastated when he heard the people's grievances. He had clearly paid a high price to buy their houses, so how did he become their enemy?

When Li Zhi broke down, Li Shimin was filled with confusion.

The scene before him was beyond his comprehension. In his view, a dilapidated courtyard could fetch an extra hundred strings of cash, which seemed like a great thing.

Even if Li Zhi suffers a loss, it will be Li Zhi who suffers, so it shouldn't cause dissatisfaction among the people, right?

However, the scene before him told him that his understanding was wrong!

"Li Jue, what exactly is going on?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue blinked and said with a mischievous grin.

"Nothing happened!"

"The people just don't want to sell anymore!"

Why would they be willing to sell to you?

"Because I bought a lot!"

"many?"

"How much more?"

"Not by much, just about 70-80% of the 100 wards in Chang'an!"

"What!"

Li Jue's words shocked not only Li Shimin, but also the officials who had come to watch the spectacle.

They had only heard rumors that the eldest grandson wanted to buy up all of Chang'an. But after hearing Li Jue admit it with their own ears today, they realized that this grandson really wanted to do it!

But can he really afford it?

Li Shimin didn't believe he could afford it either, and immediately said very seriously.

"Li Jue, this is no child's play! Explain yourself to me clearly what exactly is going on!"

"Yes, Grandfather, it's just as the people are saying!"

“I buy their houses, then rebuild on their land, and sell the new houses back to them!”

Li Shimin still couldn't understand this, after all, the common people would benefit from this, but Li Jue had worked so hard and gained nothing!

Is this bastard also spending money to buy a reputation?

No, no, no!

impossible!

That bastard is so greedy, how could he possibly do a losing business!

Li Shimin really understood Li Jue. Li Jue would never do a losing business; in fact, he would do a business that was extremely profitable!

Although he promised to help people rebuild their houses, there was a condition: that they would exchange land for houses.

The mansion, which occupies ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) of land, will be divided in half after it is rebuilt!

Even so, the residents of Qunxianfang still felt they had gotten a great deal.

Li Shimin looked at the agitated crowd, then at the bewildered Li Zhi, and sighed inwardly.

"Zhi Nu, return all the houses you've acquired!"

"ah?"

"Give it back to the people!"

"oh……"

Although Li Zhi was very unwilling, he still ordered people to bring over the house deeds and distribute them to the people in turn.

The money for the house will naturally be recovered, but Li Zhi doesn't need to worry about these matters; the officials of the Eastern Palace will handle them for him.

In front of Li Shimin and a group of ministers, the people of Qunxianfang handed over the house deeds to Li Jue again before asking questions with great anticipation.

"Eldest grandson, when can we move into our new house?!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue took out a drawing from his sleeve, stared at it for a moment, and said...

"If my grandfather doesn't keep me locked up in the palace all day, you'll all be able to move into your new house in less than a month!"

"ah?"

"So fast!"

"Your Majesty, could we make a deal? Could you let your grandson out more often and have him build us a new house?"

Li Shimin rolled his eyes in anger when he heard this. Did this grandson really want to leave the palace?

Although Li Er was extremely unwilling, he really couldn't ignore the many requests from the people.

"The main reason I don't let him run around is for his safety!"

Several old men nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"I know, I know. I don't even dare let my little grandson go out on the street, for fear that he will be kidnapped by human traffickers!"

"However, Your Majesty, you can rest assured. With the arrival of the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife, he is a great honor to our Qunxianfang. Tens of thousands of people in Qunxianfang will risk their lives to protect him!"

"Anyone who dares to harm the eldest grandson is an enemy of our entire Qunxianfang!"

Li Shimin was thrilled when he heard this. This grandson is too good at playing games. He has won over the hearts of the people in Qunxianfang to such an extent!

The other ministers also turned their heads when they heard this. If all the people of Chang'an thought this way, then Li Jue would be the crown prince even if he wasn't!

Only Li Jue didn't take it seriously. After all, the people of Qunxianfang had their interests tied to his. If he were killed, they would never be able to live in a new house in their lifetime!

After a moment of slight hesitation, Li Shimin immediately agreed to the request of the people of Qunxianfang.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!