Chapter 189: Everything Has a Scheme
Shangguan Jin still reminded Boss Ye that he had only given the Crown Prince's Mansion a 20% stake.
"Isn't the amount from the Crown Prince's residence a bit too little? How about our Duke of Dingguo's residence only takes 10%? After all..."
Boss Ye shook his head.
"Madam Shen, I know what's important."
Initially, Ye also intended to give the Crown Prince's residence 40%.
Then I thought about it again and realized that giving too much would be bad. If I gave too much, the Crown Prince's residence would probably think that I had some huge problem to ask them for!
Instead, let's give those 20% to the Marquis of Changsheng's mansion.
At least in the north, the Weiyuan Army's intervention earned them respect from both bandits and government officials.
As for the 20% from the Crown Prince's residence, I will consider it as a regular tribute to the Crown Prince's residence.
It's just routine tribute.
Shangguan Jin thought about it and agreed that this was a good idea.
It would be better to give the Weiyuan Army of the Marquis of Ever Victory to the Crown Prince, who does nothing!
I wonder if that petty Crown Prince will have any complaints...
......
Shangguan Jin guessed correctly; the petty-minded Crown Prince was currently in Empress Xu's palace, discussing this matter with her!
"The wealthy merchant from Jiangnan sent a very valuable gift to the Crown Prince's residence yesterday as a token of gratitude."
"Mother, I have already instructed the Crown Princess to select some fine items, which will be sent to the palace in a few days. Many of these things are only worthy of Your Majesty's possession."
Empress Xu smiled and quickly asked another question.
"So that means that Granny Sang has given in and confessed everything, and that the wealthy merchant has found his sister?"
The crown prince shook his head.
"That wealthy businessman said that it has been thirty-three years and he still hasn't found his sister."
But Granny Sang revealed something else entirely.
The late Emperor's Consort Wan was poisoned by this old woman, Granny Sang, who poisoned the Empress at the time, resulting in the deaths of Consort Wan and the imperial fetus.
In a fit of rage, the wealthy merchant stabbed Granny Sang to death, thus avenging his aunt.
As for the missing sister…”
Empress Xu understood; that Granny Sang was dead, and the matter was pretty much over.
Oh, that old woman, what terrible things she's done!
Why didn't God take her away...?
"Mother, there's nothing happening in the Empress Dowager's palace, is there?" the Crown Prince asked in a low voice.
Empress Xu smiled calmly.
"Don't you trust me to handle things?"
So what if we're missing an old palace maid? The palace is always short of people, and the number of people killed by those two—aunt and niece—is more than enough to fill a well.
Don't worry, they'll fill the hole themselves.
The crown prince was relieved.
The Empress Dowager is becoming increasingly adept at controlling the inner palace.
"Mother, there is one more thing. That wealthy merchant surnamed Ye said he has set up a caravan that specializes in doing business with the north."
"However, they only gave me a 20% share," the Crown Prince said softly.
When Empress Xu saw the Crown Prince's expression, she knew that his petty nature had resurfaced.
"Twenty percent? That's quite a lot. Do you really expect him to give you fifty percent?" Empress Xu asked with a smile.
The crown prince quickly smiled.
"Mother, that's not what I meant."
"My son, let me have a good talk with you about this matter!"
That wealthy businessman was right to only give you 20%.
Because you are the crown prince, he only wants to pledge allegiance to you; this 20% is just a portion of his tribute to you.
As for what you can do, he won't care.
To be precise, he doesn't have much to rely on for business in the north.
Think about it, if he gave you 40% or 50% of the shares, would you send someone to talk to Changsheng Hou and ask him to take care of you?
When doing business in the north, he himself receives very little.
Taking 20% of the shares is already quite a lot.
Do you think you should bribe the government offices along the way? Since you're in Weiyuan Army's territory, shouldn't you make some concessions?
Also, if he wants to do business with the Northern Hu, does he need to bribe the local government officials there?
Even if you write to Marquis Changsheng and ask him to look after things, and Marquis Changsheng verbally agrees...
But if they haven't actually received any benefits, will they care?
If the Marquis of Changsheng ignores you and says one thing but does another, then the caravan won't make any money, and in the end, you'll also suffer losses.
My son, while you are eating meat, you should also let the people below have some soup.
Only in this way will others be willing to follow you.
Haven't you always been worried about not being able to directly win over Marquis Changsheng?
"Isn't this an opportunity?" Empress Xu said patiently.
The prince suddenly realized.
Yes, without benefits, who will do things for you!
"Mother, may I have someone speak to Marquis Changsheng about this?" the Crown Prince asked immediately.
Empress Xu thought for a moment and then shook her head.
"It would be better if you sent someone directly to say it."
Oh, is that wealthy businessman surnamed Ye still here?
Write a letter to Marquis Changsheng and have this wealthy merchant take it with you. In Marquis Changsheng's eyes, this wealthy merchant is the one you recommended.
Since you were the one who recommended him, you should at least give him the courtesy of meeting him.
Once they meet, the wealthy businessman will definitely show the appropriate sincerity.
"In this way, you'll benefit from both sides, so why not?" Empress Xu said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince admired Empress Xu even more.
The Empress Dowager's method is better; this way, both sides will benefit from it.
Then I can safely pocket those two-tenths of the shares.
The Crown Prince's residence and the Ministry of Revenue are under close surveillance right now. Having a source of such funds would be a huge help...
"Thank you for your teachings, Mother."
Your Majesty, there is one more thing I would like to tell you.
That wealthy merchant surnamed Ye not only frequented the Crown Prince's residence more often, but recently he has also been going to the Duke of Dingguo's residence.
Could there be something we don't know about this?
Empress Xu was taken aback at first, but after thinking about it carefully, she immediately understood.
This is normal!
Which of those traveling merchants isn't cunning and shrewd?
He only came to your side because of Xiao Qi, so in a sense, Xiao Qi was also his benefactor.
However, Xiao Qi did not establish her own residence. Whenever she left the palace, she would either go to the Duke of Dingguo's residence or the Shangguan residence.
The Shangguan government was a censorate, so merchants didn't dare to have much contact with them.
Therefore, the merchants frequented the Duke of Dingguo's mansion more often, which was also to give Xiaoqi face.
He is, after all, a prince.
I estimate that the wealthy merchant probably also gave the Duke of Dingguo's mansion a 10% stake.
After all, there are still quite a few people in the Weiyuan Army who are waiting for the young master of the Shen family to take over the Weiyuan Army!
"Burning incense everywhere and spreading goodwill in all directions, this wealthy merchant is quite shrewd," Empress Xu praised.
After hearing Empress Xu's explanation, the Crown Prince immediately stopped worrying.
Yes, only shrewd merchants can make money...
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