Chapter 365 Still Vigorous in Old Age
Prince Fu originally intended to simply select a few decent merchants to complete the task.
If the emperor is not satisfied, he can take the opportunity to change jobs.
For over fifty years, he hasn't touched anything related to the imperial court. Wouldn't it be better to just focus on making money?
Isn't money better?
At first, Prince Fu tried to avoid suspicion, fearing that his elder brother would become suspicious. Later, he simply got lazy and didn't want to deal with those matters anymore.
Anyway, he is a prince, and a prince of a very high generation. As long as he doesn't do anything reckless, he can enjoy wealth and luxury with his whole family.
He planned to gloss over today's incident...
only......
On the third night after the imperial edict was delivered, just as he was about to write a memorial to appease Emperor Xiao Wu, a distinguished guest arrived at the Prince's residence.
Shen Qingming—the second young master of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and also His Majesty's most trusted cousin.
Of course, he's also the other party involved in this matter...
"Is there anything I can do for you, Second Young Master Shen?"
After inviting the person into the reception hall, Prince Fu looked at Shen Qingming with a smile.
He remembers that kid.
Before the New Year, this kid suddenly went to his Qianjinfang to collect taxes. As soon as he arrived, he sat down in the accounting office and said that his superiors had sent him to collect taxes.
Everyone in the capital knows that this is the second young master of the Shen family!
The accountant sent a message to me on horseback, asking how much tax should be paid. Since the second young master of the Shen family had come to collect the tax, I definitely couldn't pay it the same way as before.
"Submit it according to the highest standard!"
"It's rare for the second young master of the Shen family to come all this way, so it would be a disservice to his status not to exchange some gifts with him." That's what Prince Fu instructed at the time.
At the time, Prince Fu never imagined he would have any further dealings with this young man...
Shen Qingming chuckled, first accepting the tea brought by the servant, and then taking a big gulp.
"Excellent tea! The tea here, Your Highness, is the best."
Prince Fu was just about to say, "If you like them, I'll just give you a pack..."
“Your Highness, I have come on His Majesty’s orders,” Shen Qingming continued.
Upon hearing this, Prince Fu immediately sat up straight.
His Majesty's decree? Didn't he just issue a decree to himself? Could there be some other decree?
"Second Young Master? Is this decree related to me?" Prince Fu asked hastily.
Shen Qingming nodded, then took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket.
"His Majesty gave me 50,000 taels of silver."
Prince Fu was stunned. What did this mean?! It meant that since His Majesty had already given him 50,000 taels, he himself would also give him 50,000 taels or more...
This is no way to rob someone!
"His Majesty told me to take these silver notes to the Prince and then open a gambling den similar to Qianjinfang in the northern border city."
"Also, open another brothel just like the Hibiscus Pavilion," Shen Qingming continued.
Prince Fu...
He was a little confused. What was going on?
Every emperor, no matter which one, must have despised gambling dens and brothels!
What's wrong with this emperor now...?
"Second Young Master, is this matter... really ordered by His Majesty?" Prince Fu couldn't help but ask.
Shen Qingming slapped his forehead.
"Look at my mouth, it's so clumsy, I can't speak properly."
Actually, this is what happened...
Shen Qingming spoke for a long time before recounting what had happened after Burilege came to the capital last year.
The story focuses on the idea of a young prince from the border region wanting to open a gambling den and a brothel in the border town.
"Your Highness, you are a member of the royal family, and also a respected elder prince by His Majesty."
Do you really not know the purpose of gambling dens and brothels?
The border city and the capital are far apart. If something happens to the Northern Hu, and we can't find out in time, we'll be in a very passive position.
So, His Majesty's meaning is that since I want to take a stake, he should provide the money.
At the same time, he felt that I was young and didn't understand many things, so he asked me to come and find you.
"If I told you that you are the best prince of Dayu, and that you have spent your whole life thinking about Dayu, you would definitely support me." Shen Qingming continued to persuade Prince Fu.
Prince Fu was stunned for a long time.
Gambling dens, brothels...
It is indeed the fastest place to gather information.
It wouldn't cost much money to invest in and open a gambling den or brothel.
Especially in gambling dens, he had a group of men who played dice with more obedience than his own sons...
"Then why me?" Prince Fu suddenly asked.
"Because His Majesty said that the old prince is still vigorous despite his age and cares deeply for the Great Yu."
They had a clear sense of right and wrong, setting an example for the royal family.
Furthermore, His Majesty also said that although the Prince has neglected state affairs in recent years, he has been wholeheartedly thinking about the future of Da Yu.
Every year, the Prince's daughter's house is among the first to receive disaster relief donations.
Even the young masters and noblemen of the manor were very approachable and were highly praised by the people.
So…” Shen Qingming didn’t finish his sentence.
Some of the words were spoken by his cousin, the emperor, while others were embellished by him.
In any case, in the entire capital, besides myself, Prince Fu is the most suitable person to handle this matter.
Even my grandfather said so.
If Prince Fu is willing to take on this matter, then the task is half accomplished.
Prince Fu lowered his head and pondered for a while.
Over the years, relying solely on Qianjinfang, he has amassed a fortune of more than a million.
But often, he would wonder what he could do if he weren't royalty...
If he were to do something legitimate, could he run a gambling den just as well?
"Since this is His Majesty's will, then I must accept it."
Second Young Master, didn't His Majesty give you 50,000? I'll give you another 50,000.
One hundred thousand is definitely enough to open a gambling den.
As for the people needed in the gambling den, I will select a group from Qianjinfang.
In any case, they will definitely help the second young master run the gambling den in the border city.
As for the brothel...
Let me think about who I should ask to make the arrangements.
The Furong Pavilion in the capital is backed by Prime Minister Xu, and I also have shares in it.
It should be able to be opened.
However, I can have my second son help me with these matters.
"He's been with me all these years and has done a lot of things; he's become quite adept at many tasks," Prince Fu said with a smile.
Is there anything Shen Qingming doesn't understand?
Prince Fu has two sons. The elder son will inherit the title, but what about the younger son?
"Your Highness, His Majesty also said that the Second Young Master can lend a hand."
They say the second son is diligent and capable, and will surely achieve great things in the future.
"They say you're like an old horse in its stall, still eager to gallop a thousand miles, but you're the one who's truly vigorous despite your age." Shen Qingming immediately flattered him.
Prince Fu was pleased to hear this.
It seems I can finally get something for my youngest son to do.
How could the son of a prince spend his days idly loafing around gambling dens...?
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