The emperor invited you to dinner, and you refused?
In the entire Da Qi, it is estimated that only Li Mingyue in front of him can do such a thing.
The key point is that even after hearing such words, Li Zhuo didn't get angry at all. He even asked with concern: "Is there anything going on between Xianmei and Concubine Wang?"
"I heard that Concubine Wang's family has a good relationship with some medicinal herb merchants. The Four Cities are in need of herbs, and the prices of herbs are quite high right now. I plan to discuss this with Queen Wang and see if their family can help lower the prices."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhuo immediately stood up and said, "This is indeed a serious matter that cannot be delayed. I will accompany you. We will have dinner at Concubine Wang's place today."
After saying that, the two of them stood up and left. This scene left Queen Qiao stunned.
She hurriedly caught up and said, "Your Majesty, there's no need to rush to discuss this matter. Why don't you finish your meal first?"
Li Zhuo waved his hand as he walked away, saying, "Queen, please stay. The epidemic situation is changing rapidly, and I am extremely anxious. It is better to resolve it as soon as possible. Besides, the price of herbal medicine has been extremely high recently, and the people are complaining. It really needs to be suppressed."
After saying this, the two men walked out of Queen Qiao's bedroom. Queen Qiao could only watch them leave.
She stood at the door with a livid face, her body trembling with anger.
How could she not see that this was Li Mingyue's disrespect to her?
She had already informed the Imperial Food Bureau, but ended up not eating here. Judging from the behavior of those slaves in the palace who only flatter the powerful and look down on the weak, I don't know how they will frame her.
What made Queen Qiao even more uneasy was when did Li Mingyue become involved with Concubine Wang? Concubine Wang was the biological mother of the Third Prince. Would this affect the eldest prince's succession to the throne?
Thinking of this, she immediately turned back to the bedroom and said, "Come here, bring some writing brush and ink!"
She wanted to write a letter to the eldest prince who was on patrol outside, asking him to come back as soon as possible!
In the six months since Lu Chen was born, there have been some big changes in the court!
On the way to Concubine Wang's bedroom, Li Zhuo said worriedly, "My dear sister, we really need to take better care of the medicinal materials. I recently cracked down on a group of people who were driving up drug prices, but the effect was minimal. These people don't seem to be afraid of being beheaded. Do you have any better ideas?"
Although the question was directed at Li Mingyue, Li Zhuo actually wanted to know if Lu Chen had any good ideas.
Li Mingyue also responded very tactfully, "Regarding this point, the Imperial Master actually already had some advice. He said that the market follows certain rules. Once prices are inflated, even if people start killing people, it's impossible to control them. The only way is to guide the market to make the right choices."
"Hmm? What's the plan?"
"Some time ago, the Imperial Master spread the word that Artemisia annua could treat modern diseases, so now the market is hyping Artemisia annua, and the prices of other medicines have naturally dropped. This at least ensures that ordinary people can use the medicine."
"But if that's the case, won't the price of Artemisia annua become outrageous? Then what will happen to the anti-epidemic efforts in the four cities?" Li Zhuo said with a frown.
Li Mingyue chuckled, a look of immense pride on her face as she said, "This is the brilliance of the Imperial Master. The skyrocketing price of Artemisia annua will not affect the fight against the epidemic, because the drug that can truly treat this epidemic is not Artemisia annua."
"Amazing!" Li Zhuo clapped his hands excitedly. Thinking of the merchants who had driven up the price of Artemisia annua and would lose everything, he said with genuine joy, "It's time to teach those reckless merchants a lesson. Sister, go talk to Queen Wang and ask them to contribute. I'll just watch from the sidelines."
Li Mingyue smiled and pulled out a contract from her sleeve. "Of course we have to talk. I believe Queen Wang is also a sensible person and will definitely cooperate with us. But before that, please sign this contract, my brother."
"What is this?" Li Zhuo took the deed, glanced at it, and asked in surprise, "Are you planning to open a bank? Do you need royal investment?"
Li Mingyue nodded solemnly and said, "Yes, this is what the Imperial Master specifically instructed. The Royal Family must hold a stake in this, and a significant portion of it."
As she spoke, Li Mingyue gave Li Zhuo a meaningful look and said, "The Imperial Master also said that as long as this bank can be established, the court will have a third place to get money, in addition to the national treasury and His Majesty's private treasury."
There is such a good thing in the world?!
This was Li Zhuo's inner voice. He suppressed his anger and took a quick look at the contract. He immediately ordered, "Bring me pen, ink, and my seal!"
After signing and stamping, Li Zhuo handed one of the contracts back to Li Mingyue and said, "Sister, I wonder when this central bank will be established?"
Li Mingyue looked at the contract in her hand and sighed, "The Imperial Master said we have to wait for him to come back, because he has to personally oversee this matter. Also, he has to come personally to collect some debts!"
"A-choo!" Lu Chen sneezed violently, rubbed his nose and looked unhappy.
Zi Yan hurried forward and said, "Master Imperial Master, the water surface is very humid in the morning and evening. You should wear more clothes and be careful not to catch a cold."
"Don't try to play tricks on me. I want to ask you, why did the price of Artemisia annua suddenly rise? I've only told you this. Did you leak the news?"
Zi Yan's face was filled with fear. She knelt on the ground and said, "I'm innocent. Regarding such a serious matter, I naturally understand the importance of keeping it secret. When I contacted my friend to purchase Artemisia annua, I didn't mention that it was for treating the epidemic."
Lu Chen snorted and waved his hand unhappily, saying, "Those merchants are very shrewd. They can even pluck out their eyelashes and use them as whistles. Now that you've followed me to Yangzhou, and you suddenly want to buy Artemisia annua, if you think about it carefully, I can guess what your purpose is."
Lu Chen said with deep sorrow: "Miss Zi Yan, you are so confused. Do you know that your decision may lead to a shortage of medical care and medicine here, and may even kill a large number of innocent people!"
When Zi Yan heard Lu Chen describe the consequences as so serious, she was also panicked.
She didn't care about the lives of ordinary people, but what about her brothers and sisters in the Holy Church? That was a huge group.
Compared with the imperial court, their Holy Church is poorer. The price of Artemisia annua is now so high that it is unbelievable. At this price, it would be a blessing for only one or two out of ten people in the Holy Church to survive.
Zi Yan felt heartbroken when she thought that the Holy Church had suffered such a loss because of her reckless behavior.
She was about to be overwhelmed by this feeling of guilt, and could only look at Lu Chen in despair and say, "Please, Imperial Master, please think of a way. I will repay your kindness even if it means staking my debt to you!"
Lu Chen didn't say anything, but he felt happy in his heart.
"Look, the first step of the PUA courtesan has already been successful!"
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