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

Li Shen looked so disappointed in Wang Xuance that his face turned red.

I really can't keep up with King Ji's ideas.

These people have mediocre talents, and their paintings usually sell for only a few dozen or a few hundred coins.

There is no one who can reach a thousand words.

Not to mention them, even the current masters of painting only cost a few thousand coins for a painting.

How could a painting sell for a million dollars as Prince Ji said?

"Your Majesty, I..."

"Okay, this is not your fault. It is normal for a civil official like you to be not good at business.

If it were Lao Wang, he would dare to sell it for five thousand strings of cash.

His heart is much darker than yours."

Li Shen waved his hand and comforted Wang Xuance indifferently.

However, this made Wang Hongfu, who was standing by, look bitter.

This is using himself as a negative example to comfort Wang Xuance.

Li Shen continued:

"Let me do this. You will be responsible for writing invitations in my name to the princes and nobles in Chang'an.

Don't sign your name. After you finish writing, give half of it away and give the remaining half to Lao Wang to sell it.

At one hundred strings of cash per piece, it could be sold for at least ten thousand strings of cash.

What do you think, Lao Wang?

Wang Hongfu said quickly:

“Your Majesty, we will sell at least 10,000 strings of cash, and then we will send out the list of invited nobles.

Taking advantage of their desire for fame and fortune, as well as their jealousy and desire to compare with others, I bought the invitations at high prices.

We can also announce that we will write the names of the participants in the newspaper and report it so that people all over the country will know about their good deeds.

When the time comes, the price may be as high as one thousand guan per piece."

"Xuan Ce, look, I'm telling you, you're not as cruel as me.

Every profession has its own expertise, and that’s what Lao Wang does.

Lao Wang, I am giving you some bargaining chips. My father and mother will also be present at the auction.

You can take advantage of this. When the Chamber of Commerce notifies you, you can also say that the King will invite His Majesty and the Queen.

But don’t be too sure, it’s better to be ambiguous, the effect will be better.”

"Your Majesty and the Queen will also attend?"

Wang Hongfu was extremely shocked. He thought that Prince Ji was just planning to make money this time.

It seems that is not the case.

"Old King, I forgot to tell you that His Majesty wants me to do something.

It is to launder the black money obtained by cheating the magic pearl into legitimate money so as not to be discovered by others.

Therefore, this auction is just a prelude and a way to make some money.

The key point is to improve the reputation of His Majesty and the Queen, and this will require the cooperation of the newspaper."

Seeing Wang Hongfu's shock, Li Shen then remembered that Wang Hongfu didn't know that he had laundered money for the emperor.

After hearing Prince Ji's explanation, Wang Hongfu suddenly realized that Prince Ji had other purposes for this auction.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will definitely find a way to solve the problem, and there will be no mistakes." Wang Hongfu assured quickly.

"That's good, now that you're back, you can handle the matter that Xuan Ce was told to do.

Spread the news and say that I have recently become interested in calligraphy and paintings and ancient artifacts. The older the things are, the more interested I am.

There are also calligraphy and paintings. The more unique they are, the more I like them.

If anyone has antiques or paintings by famous artists, I am willing to buy them at a high price.

You can arrange to collect some good, unique items worth more than a thousand strings of cash. Just collect a few pieces and let the outside world know that they are real.

As for the rest, I will arrange it for you after Yuanzheng.”

"Yes, I know, and I will never let the prince down."

“Well, go ahead and get the job done, and bring those painters to the palace tomorrow.

I am tired today. I got up so early, so I need to take a nap."

Li Shen waved at the two of them.

"Your Highness is very busy and exhausted. Please have a good rest. I will take my leave now."

When it comes to speaking, Wang Hongfu is the best. Wang Xuance sometimes admires him.

Although he had learned a little from Wang Xuance, it was only the basics. He did not have the ability like Wang Hongfu to speak to people's hearts.

If Wang Hongfu were to work in officialdom, Wang Xuance felt that he would definitely be able to thrive there and would be better off than himself.

"My minister retire."

Both men bowed and then stepped out.

"Xiao Xiangxiang, I'm sleepy, you two should stay with me to sleep for a while.

My hands are a little cold, Xiao Xiangxiang, please warm them up for me."

After the two left, Li Shen lay down with Chunxiang and Dongmei in his arms. Shitou took a thick quilt and tactfully went outside the study to endure the cold.

The news that Prince Ji was pulling things into the palace spread quickly. The carriage team was so long that it spanned half of Chang'an City.

All the court officials were aware of this matter, and several censors even submitted memorials to impeach Prince Ji.

It was said that Prince Ji was tyrannical, occupied the Yanping Gate, and drove out the people. If Prince Ji had evil intentions in the future, there would be endless troubles.

Li Chengqian was also troubled after reading the memorial. If it was considered as an act of tyranny, it would be fine, but he could just keep it in his pocket and ignore it.

But since it involves future troubles, Li Chengqian has to take it seriously, but Wang De comes over soon.

He said that the Yanping Gate incident was arranged by His Majesty and told Li Chengqian not to pay any attention to it.

Just when Li Chengqian was wondering why, news came that Li Shen was sending money to the palace.

Li Chengqian knew that the father and son must be doing something.

Not only Li Chengqian knew about it, but even Prince of Wei Li Tai and Prince of Jin Li Zhi, who were at home doing nothing, knew about it.

"Shanbin, guess what Lao Shi sent to the palace?"

In the garden, Li Tai looked at the plum trees he had planted himself and asked.

Du Chuke, who was standing behind Li Tai, replied with a smile:

"Your Majesty, I don't even need to guess, I know it must be money."

"Yes, it must be money. If the Hu people enter the pass without the order of your majesty, even the three ministers do not have the right to do so.

In addition, Prince Ji's palace transported back so many carts of treasures, and there was no inspection at any checkpoints along the way. I guess they must have received a secret order.

Given how much Aye dotes on the Tenth Prince, and how much treasure the Tenth Prince has, it is impossible for Aye not to be jealous and will definitely want a share.

I just don’t know how much Lao Shi lost.”

Li Tai reached out and grabbed a plum branch and spoke leisurely.

Du Chuke chuckled after hearing this.

"Haha, Your Majesty, I don't think it will be less. If it is less, Your Majesty will not agree to Prince Ji's request."

"But if there are more, Old Ten will never agree. Aye and Old Ten must have had a heated argument."

Li Tai turned around and walked towards the pavilion.

"Anyway, no matter how much, it's all Prince Ji's own money. He still has a loss, and it has nothing to do with us."

Du Chuke followed behind him and said nonchalantly.

“Yes, it has nothing to do with this king.

But I wish I could have something to do with you.

Shanbin, how is your relationship with your young men? "

Li Tai sat down in the pavilion and asked.

Du Chuke hurried forward to pour tea for Li Tai:

"Your Highness, I have a good relationship with my son. Although we cannot call it a loving father and filial son, we do have some affection."

(Du Chuke, courtesy name Shanbin, his elder brother is Du Ruhui, and his father is Du Zha.)