The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

Li Fu wrapped himself in his shiny black bearskin coat and got on the carriage and headed for the palace, bringing along 20 boxes of premium tea.

Ten boxes for the emperor, and 10 boxes for Li Shimin.

The New Year is coming soon, and the ministers have been tired for a year. Li Shimin can still use this thing to win the hearts of the court officials.

For the three of them, premium tea is not a rare thing, but for others, it is a good thing that cannot be bought. The key is that it has a resounding name, which is valuable, not to mention that it is a reward from His Majesty.

What an honor it is.

This is a reward from His Majesty the Emperor for a minister who has been diligently handling state affairs all year round. It is respect and encouragement.

However, this reward needs to wait for Li Fu to make some efforts and sell all the ten boxes in his hand. In this way, the value will be more intuitive.

The meaning of the name must be there, and the actual value must also be there.

If this box is sold for hundreds of strings of cash outside, and His Majesty gives it to the ministers in the palace, the ministers will be flattered.

In the side hall of Liangyi Hall, Li Shimin was still discussing the affairs of Lizhou with Changsun Wuji and others. Although the candidate for the governor of Lizhou had been decided, Li Xiaochang's rebellion this time involved many officials in Lizhou. These officials, knowing what Li Xiaochang did in Lizhou but not actively reporting it, were all considered Li Xiaochang's accomplices. According to the law, they should be dealt with together.

However, in this way, many positions in Lizhou were vacant, and the court needed to consider candidates and fill them one by one.

Changsun Wuji and Du Ruhui were sorting out the list.

Lizhou needed to stabilize people's hearts. Li Xiaochang's influence in Lizhou was not small. In order to eliminate these influences, all officials who would take office in Lizhou next had to be from their side.

The eunuch walked into the hall and bowed.

"Your Majesty, the King of Jingyang is here." said the eunuch.

Li Shimin nodded: "Let him in."

According to Li Fu's personality, after what happened yesterday, he should be hiding at home and taking a rest now. Why did he come to the palace to find me again today?

Li Fu walked into the hall.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

In the presence of outsiders, Li Fu still behaved like a decent person, straightened his back and chest, bowed his hands, and saluted in a proper manner.

"Is there anything wrong with you?" Li Shimin asked.

"Look at what you said. If there is nothing wrong, can't your humble servant come to share your worries?" Li Fu smiled, and his smile was very warm.

"Stop, just tell me what you want to say. I'm discussing the issue of Lizhou officials with them now." Li Shimin said, "Why don't you sit down and discuss it together?"

"No, no, no, that's not necessary. I came here to say that there was something that was supposed to be done, but I went to Linying at that time, so I delayed it. I told the emperor two days ago, and he said that he wanted to change the name."

Then, Li Fu told Li Shimin about the special tea gift box.

Li Shimin frowned.

"You are trying to make money with my name."

"How can you make money by praising my merits? It's vulgar, too vulgar." Li Fu said, "Your Majesty is also a gentleman, don't say it so bluntly."

Li Fu laughed.

"Aren't they all the same?" Li Shimin said, "You said originally that this special tea is only for the palace and will not be sold outside. Now, how much do you want to set for this gift box of special tea?"

"No price." Li Fu said.

Then, Li Fu told Li Shimin his idea that this box has no price. At that time, an auction will be held at the tea shop in the East Market of Chang'an City, and the highest bidder will win.

"This time, a total of 30 sets of boxes are prepared, but only 10 sets are auctioned. The rest, of course, are 10 sets for you and 10 sets for Da'an Palace. The New Year is coming soon. I believe you will need them, second brother." Li Fu showed Li Shimin a "you know" smile.

In Li Shimin's view, once Li Fu showed such an expression, he must have been holding back his fart.

"You are still going for the money." Li Shimin said, "Are these gift boxes the old rules?"

Li Fu was stunned. What old rules?

"Is it the old rules for tea?" Li Shimin repeated it again when he saw the puzzled expression on Li Fu's face.

This time Li Fu finally understood.

"It must be the old rules." Li Fu said with a smile: "Anything about tea is the same rule."

After all the fuss, it's about money.

"Well, since the emperor said so, I agree." Li Shimin said: "You have to do this right away.?”

“Wait two days, until the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month.” Li Fu said, “The news about Lizhou and Li Xiaochang has spread in Chang’an in the past two days. It is not the right time to do this. In two days, people will focus on the upcoming New Year’s Day, and naturally they will forget about Li Xiaochang’s rebellion.”

It will be appropriate to sing praises to the current emperor at that time.

“Okay, then you can do it yourself.” Li Shimin said.

“The ten gift boxes that I sent to my second brother have been brought into the palace. Do you want to send them to the emperor’s sister-in-law?” Li Fu asked.

Li Shimin thought about it and nodded in agreement.

“Just send them there.”

“Yes.” Li Fu bowed and responded, “Then I will not disturb my second brother and the two ministers to discuss matters. I will take my leave. "

After Li Fu finished speaking, he left the Liangyi Hall obediently.

After Li Fu left, Changsun Wuji spoke.

"King Jingyang is really a talent." Changsun Wuji praised.

"Yes." Fang Xuanling also sighed.

They also heard what Li Fu said just now. If the ten sets of tea boxes were put in the tea shop for auction, it would definitely attract many people in Chang'an City to compete.

There is no price, the highest bidder wins, and the special tea is better than the first-class tea.

Things are precious because they are rare. The special tea specially supplied to the palace, once it appears on the market, and it is limited, it is a symbol of status and wealth.

King Jingyang is capable.

Just look at the ten boxes he took out. Who will be the winner of the tea ceremony in the end...

If it falls into the hands of the nobles who usually complain about poverty to the court, it will be fun to watch.

In front of the court, they told the emperor that their family was not rich and that the reward should not be reduced, but secretly took the money to spend a fortune on tea. Then they will have to think twice before speaking in the court.

Changsun Wuji and Du Ruhui looked at each other, and soon their eyes met and their thoughts met.

They have to push the tea shop behind the scenes.