The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

Li Fu shook his head: "There's nothing wrong with that. Besides, tea is subject to heavy tax. After all, I know this thing too well. It's very profitable."

"In the future, my brother's tea making method will no longer be kept secret, and there will be more people doing tea business. During this period of time, you have also seen that the income from tea is so high in Chang'an City alone. What if tea shops are opened all over the Tang Dynasty in the future? There are even caravans from the Western Regions, or caravans from the northern grasslands, or from the east and the south. They bring tea to their countries, and that means one tael of tea for one tael of gold."

"As a precious commodity, tea will be traded with other countries in the future, and the money will come in continuously. The benefits of this are beyond my imagination."

Li Fu told Li Shimin about the future development prospects of tea.

That is to bend down to pick up money, even copper coins are not rare to pick up, you have to pick up real gold and silver.

"Second brother, I am the only one doing this business now. Although the tea tax is not very meaningful and will not increase the revenue for the national treasury much, it is better to do it as soon as possible." Li Fu said.

Li Shimin wondered what Li Fu was thinking.

People all thought that it was better to pay less tax, so why did he rush to pay taxes?

Even if he made a lot of money, what's wrong with him having more money as a royal family member?

It is his ability to make money, and others cannot learn this ability, which means that he should make money.

As for being suspected because of his wealth.

If he has a lot of money, as long as he does not raise soldiers, it is easy to say.

The court has regulations on how many armored soldiers a county prince can have in his mansion. As long as it is within the scope of the court's regulations, it is easy to say.

If it exceeds the court's regulations, where does the armor come from? Buy it? Or make it yourself?

If you make it yourself, you can't blame the court.

Li Shimin thought about it, and decided not to impose taxes on tea as Li Fu had said.

As for the future, we'll talk about it later.

"The tax law you mentioned can be drafted first, but it won't be implemented for the time being. As for when it will be implemented, it depends on the timing." Li Shimin said, "There are many important things now, and things should be prioritized. It's still what I just said. The court also needs a reputation, and it's not something you take for granted.

You told me whatever you thought of, and the court officials are the same. I sit in this position and have to make choices and judgments to deal with these things. Brother Fu, being an emperor is difficult."

It's easy to be an emperor, but it's difficult to be a good emperor, especially for the title of the greatest emperor in history. If you want to be a wise ruler, you must have ability and judgment, and most importantly, you must restrain your desires.

Li Fu nodded and agreed with Li Shimin's words.

"Today, I just proposed this idea to you, brother. Many things will be simpler if they are done in advance. As for you, brother, you should wait for the right time. You always think more carefully than me." Li Fu said with a bow.

Li Shimin sighed slightly.

He wanted to do it all at once? What can be done immediately? But there is no such thing in the world that can be done completely quickly.

"Brother, let's decide on the service area. The original official post station in Linying will be replaced by the newly built service area." Li Fu said: "When the time comes, the post station of the original official post station can be placed in the newly built service area to replace the court and supervise the service area. In this way, when the service area replaces the post station in the future, the people of the original post station will not lose their livelihood."

Li Shimin thought for a while and nodded in agreement.

"Then let's do as you said. The service area you mentioned will be put into use after it is completed. From then on, I will see the results in one year. This result is related to the follow-up. If it fails, the official post will still be an official post." Li Shimin said: "I can't add burden to the court because of this."

Li Fu bowed and promised: "Second brother, don't worry, I will do this beautifully for you, but I still have to ask you for someone to build the service area."

"Is it Yan Lide?" Li Shimin said casually, but his tone was very certain.

"Yes, Yan Lide is one of them, and there is also Jiang Que. I have worked with them for such a long time and I am familiar with them. If you can assign a few more people from the Craftsmen's Supervisor to me, I will not refuse." Li Fu smiled and said, "The more the better."

"You wish. Yan Lide and Jiang Que are at your disposal. The palace still needs people for the rest. The Craftsmen's Supervisor is responsible for palace affairs. Such a large palace also needs people. It is impossible to assign them all to you."

"Also, the New Year is coming soon." Li Shimin looked straight at Li Fu."Yes, the New Year is coming soon." Li Fu nodded and said, "So I followed your order and came back from Linying County."

"During the New Year, the palace will host a banquet for all the ministers again." Li Shimin pretended to sigh: "On the day of the New Year's Day, plus the rewards for the ministers during the New Year, you really don't say it, I feel bad for the New Year."

Li Fu suddenly realized.

I understand.

"Second brother, after a few days, when I finish the account book at home, I will send the share of tea to the palace immediately." Li Fu smiled and bowed, saying, "During the New Year, we just want to have a lively and festive time."

"Well, you are right." Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.

Li Fu was secretly happy in his heart.

It turned out that His Majesty Li II was waiting for him here.

These days, the emperor's family probably has no extra money.

Li Shimin saved up a small treasury to prepare for revenge.

Seeing that it was getting late, Li Fu did not stay for dinner and simply left the palace to go home.

He quickly read through all the account books and sorted them out, and asked his subordinates to divide the money and silk, so that he could go to the palace to see the emperor.

If he sent money to the palace this time, the amount sent would be more than the first time.

Li Fu sat in the study and wondered if it was too high-profile.

By then, there would be a long line of people with carriages along the street.

However, it was also good to let everyone in Chang'an see that he was sending money to the palace, so that they would be more sober again. The property of the Jingyang King's house was the palace's share, so they should not get involved.

After dinner in the evening, Li Fu went into the study and began to look through the account books accumulated during this period of time.

Old Zhao had read all these account books, so he also knew how much money should be divided for the emperor and His Majesty. Li Fu had already explained when he came back that this part of the money should be divided.

So, Lao Zhao began to instruct the people in the house to start the construction.

Yes, they started the construction, and the workload was not small.