I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

In Chang'an City, within just half a day, the news that more than a dozen officials' residences were struck by lightning had spread throughout the city.

The streets are full of people talking about it.

This is different from when he was the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

It would be a crime to make irresponsible remarks about the crown prince, and if not handled properly, you might even lose your head.

However, discussing these officials would not be such a serious crime.

Therefore, people of all ages and genders in the community all use this matter as a topic of conversation.

Most people believed that this was a demon that had appeared in the world and a punishment from God.

These dozen officials are evildoers. They must have done something that has angered God and the people.

The news became more and more incredible, and even the people in Changsun Wuji's Zhaoguo Mansion did not dare to go out.

Li Shen did not come out of the palace until after noon. Having done such a big thing, he was not beaten, which made Li Shen feel like he had survived a disaster.

As soon as he returned to the palace, Wei Fugui reported that Wang Hongfu and Wang Xuance were waiting in the study.

"See you, Your Majesty."

Li Shen came to the study, and the two had been waiting for a long time.

"Well, please take a seat. I have been delayed for a while in the palace."

Li Shen entered the study, asked the maid to take off his royal robes, and lay down on the couch in his inner clothes.

He let out a long sigh:

"Oh, finally finished, let's make tea with stones."

“Your Majesty, I followed your instructions and just received news of more than a dozen families being struck by lightning today. I immediately sent people to spread the news in the 108 districts.

Now the entire Chang'an city has been covered by our news, and almost no one talks about the East Palace anymore."

Wang Hongfu bowed and reported.

These were all arranged a few days ago because we were worried that Li Shen would not be able to make arrangements immediately after entering the palace.

"Well, you did a good job. The important thing to mention is the two old thieves Gao Ji Fu and Zhang Sun Wu Ji. Those dozen small fish and shrimps are nothing to worry about.

They will leave the area below Chang'an within three days."

Li Shen nodded and praised, then gave the order.

For Li Shen, the focus is on Gao Ji Fu and Zhang Sun Wu Ji.

Although we cannot bring them down, it is good to deal a blow to their reputation, which will only last a long time.

Moreover, Li Shen’s target this time was not Changsun Wuji, but Gao Ji Fu.

Gao Ji Fu and Zhang Sun Wuji were in the same group. Two of the three provinces were in league with each other, which was very disadvantageous to the imperial court and Li Chengqian.

Li Shen guessed that his father would not want this to happen, so Li Shen, as a knife, would first cut off Changsun Wuji's left and right arms.

Gao Ji Fu was the Minister of the Palace, so he would be the first person to be attacked.

"Xuan Ce, have the newspapers been distributed?"

Li Shen asked Wang Xuance again.

"Your Highness, not yet. I think it is better to wait a while."

Wang Xuance bowed and replied.

"Well, I am so free, so let the rumors spread for two days, and then we will come out to clarify.

Otherwise, spreading rumors and clarifying things at the same time would not be worth the effort.”

Li Shen also agreed with Wang Xuance's approach.

It is better to wait a while. Li Shen wants to popularize the information in newspapers just because he doesn't want the people to be so ignorant.

Don't always associate everything with ghosts and gods.

"Your Majesty, I think our goal has been achieved now, so why not clarify it?"

Wang Xuance looked at Li Shen and said.

"Oh? Why is that?"

“Your Majesty, at present, the decree we received has been completed, and there is no need to explain the matter of thunder and lightning.

Even if it is explained, ordinary people will only have a vague understanding and may not believe it.

I think we should keep this secret, maybe it will be useful in the future."

What Wang Xuance said was very meaningful. After listening to it, Li Shen pondered for a moment and understood the truth.

Wang Xuance wanted to keep something in reserve for future use.

After thinking about it, Li Shen agreed with Wang Xuance's idea.

"You're right. Then we can send the printed newspapers to the paper mill for recycling."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"By the way, how is Lao Wang's road repair going?"

With nothing to do, Li Shen also wanted to know about the current progress of the palace.

Li Shen hasn't paid attention to these things for a long time, and now the Prince Ji's Mansion is on the right track.

He didn't need to worry about many things, as the financial affairs were managed by Princess Ji Lu Dingniang, with assistance from Wu Meiniang.

Li Shen didn't need to take care of either the business or government affairs in the palace. All he had to do was eat, drink, play and enjoy himself every day.

So since he had nothing to do today, he just asked casually.

"Your Highness, the road to Luoyang has been completed, and the road to Liaodong will be almost completed by the end of the year.

The road to Qinghai Yaoyi has been mostly built, and I estimate it should be completed next year."

Wang Hongfu hurried to report.

"Next year? Why next year? Didn't you say two years would be enough?"

Li Shen immediately sat up and asked,

It was not completed last year, but they said it would be completed this year, and this time they said it would be completed next year.

"Your Majesty, building a road is not a simple matter. Although it is built on the original road,

But we also need to dig the foundation and widen the road. Many terrains are different.

So there is no way to fix the construction period.”

Wang Xuance defended Wang Hongfu.

"Nonsense, the First Emperor ordered Meng Tian to build the Qin Straight Road, and 300,000 people built a 1,600-li road in two and a half years.

The narrowest is about five or six zhang wide, and the widest is ten zhang.

Why does it take three years when we have something as convenient as cement?

We have quite a few people.”

Hearing Wang Xuance's words, Li Shen immediately became angry.

With 300,000 people, they built 1,600 miles of road in two and a half years under such poor conditions.

They have more people than others, better living conditions, and advanced things like cement.

Why can't I compare to others?

"this...."

For a moment, Wang Hongfu and Wang Xuance were speechless after being asked by Li Shen.

They didn't know how to explain it either.

The Qin Straight Road was completed in the pre-Qin period and is still in use in the Tang Dynasty.

"It is my incompetence, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Wang Hongfu quickly apologized.

"Forget it, let's do it next year, but hurry up. If you can't finish it next year, don't blame me for being rude."

Li Shen finally waved his hands helplessly. This matter could not be blamed entirely on Wang Hongfu.

There are many things beyond human control.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Don't worry, I will do my best to complete the construction of the road to Qinghai Road next year."

Wang Hongfu quickly assured.

"Let's talk about the other industries in the palace."

Li Shen stopped worrying about it.

Wang Hongfu took out a notebook from his pocket, on which were all his records of matters concerning the industry.

This was just in case King Ji suddenly asked him something and he couldn't answer it.

"Your Majesty, our wine, soap, tea and other products are unique in the outside world.

Sales volume has been increasing every year. According to the prince's request, we pay great attention to that thing called brand.

We make all three in different grades and put our own brand on them.

These types of income account for 30% of the total income of Prince Ji’s Mansion.”

"Why is it only 30%?"