Chapter 917: Chapter 915: Truly Disappointed Me
The Emperor, in a righteous manner, praised Jinrong profusely, but didn’t hear any official step forward to emulate Jinrong and contribute to the court, leaving him somewhat uninterested.
"If there is nothing else, let’s dismiss. Prince Yu, come with me. I have something to ask you." He thought it might be good to speak with his sixth son to ease his mood. He was very suspicious of the source of Jinrong’s suggestion.
Lih Mian mentioned that he went to Guangsha Construction the previous day, likely to discuss matters with Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Yifan. It could just be a discussion with Ye Xinyan, as she also has a share in Lang Garden.
The ministers, under the Emperor’s gloomy pressure, hurriedly left one by one, internally cursing Prince Yu for being unkind.
Everyone understood what the Emperor meant, but could they compare themselves to Prince Yu?
How many businesses does Prince Yu have in hand, and how large are those businesses? Is there anyone who doesn’t know?
Lang Garden is a business that just opened this year. Although prosperous, it is still just a small garden. Even if the business is thriving and profits are abundant, how much money can renting out the garden really bring?
That scoundrel Prince Yu, why didn’t he donate his cheese business income from various places?
Why hadn’t it been noticed before that this rascal is also a ruthless character? Truly a father and son, he is no less capable compared to the Emperor.
In the Imperial Study Room, where the Emperor routinely rests and handles official duties.
"That garden of yours, how much silver has it earned since it opened?" The Emperor looked at Jinrong with a half-smile, asking.
Jinrong, his face calm and steady, replied frankly, "Reporting to Imperial Father, I have not resorted to cunning tactics to gain attention. I merely wish to express my view towards the bustling capital. Even if all court officials and wealthy people are now cutting back due to the unfavorable situation in Yuanzhou, the saved grain and silver would not be transferred to the State Treasury’s branches, nor would it be used to feed the people of Yuanzhou. Instead, by letting commerce flourish and benefiting from the flow of goods and profit, the state’s strength can be quickly restored."
The Emperor looked at Jinrong for quite a while before asking, "Is this your idea?"
Jinrong said, "The capital is bustling every day, yet the people of Yuanzhou suffer in hunger and poverty, and I feel deep sympathy. So, I went to discuss with Ye Xinyan and considered temporarily closing Lang Garden. Those things I just said were what Ye Xinyan advised me."
Since the Emperor already knew about his visits to Lang Garden outside the city these past few days, it’s likely that the Emperor would also be aware of his trips to Guangsha Construction. Besides, there was nothing to hide about this matter.
It’s Ye Xinyan’s perspective again. This lady indeed possesses profound insights on silver and coin. Unconcerned with worldly views or vain reputation, she focuses solely on substance. Such a disposition, without a robust backing like Duke An, would struggle to find a place in this world.
And Jinrong’s justified tone made the Emperor find it amusing, "You, a dignified man, a prince, still cannot understand such things and rely on a woman for reminders, yet you feel no shame at all?"
At this moment, aside from Zhang Cunhai and two palace maids and eunuchs personally serving the Emperor, there was no one else in the room.
Jinrong, not bothering to mend his expression, disapprovingly rolled his eyes at the Emperor, saying, "What’s there to be ashamed of? I am not omniscient, how can I understand everything? Ye Xinyan once said something that I found very reasonable."
Surprisingly, the Emperor didn’t find anything wrong with Jinrong’s attitude and even commented teasingly, "Oh? Something Ye Xinyan said again?"
Jinrong was not at all embarrassed, "This was conveyed to me by Jiang Yifan. He said that putting the right person in the right position is an art, and collective effort is the key. Ye Xinyan has such abilities, yet she hasn’t been enlisted by others but chose to cooperate with me. This shows that I have done well in this art."
The Emperor is a diligent and studious ruler, engaging in many specific matters. He always believed that only by having extensive knowledge and sufficient understanding of various affairs could he better control the big picture.
Yet, Jinrong’s shameless words surprisingly made sense to him.
Jinrong continued, "I’ve once heard a little anecdote from a rustic scholar. It said that a king in a previous dynasty asked his current general how many soldiers several valiant generals of the court could each command. The general gave numbers like twenty or thirty thousand soldiers, which were not many.
The Emperor found it amusing and asked the general how many soldiers he himself could lead. The general said the more, the better. The Emperor chuckled and then asked: How many soldiers can I lead? The general said ten thousand. The Emperor found it amusingly enlightening, and the general added that His Majesty’s success does not lie in the minutiae but in being able to command generals. (This should be well known as the dialogue between Marquis of Huaiyin Han Xin and Liu Bang.)
I believe this general’s words, though arrogant, are not devoid of reason."
"...This damn kid!"
Internally cursing, the Emperor also pondered Jinrong’s words in thoughtful silence. Being tolerant of subordinates’ excellence might indeed reflect a greater magnanimity.
Jinrong observed the Emperor’s expression and tentatively asked, "I see Imperial Father is in a bad mood today, is it because I am too focused on business and not putting my mind on the Imperial Court?"
Hearing this, the Emperor put aside his previously swirling thoughts, frowning again.
After a while, he spoke to himself, "Lih Mian yesterday sent a confidential letter from his subordinates; small groups of rioters have emerged in the Yuanzhou region."
Jinrong’s eyes flickered; indeed, there had begun to be rebellions.
The Emperor, having already started, made no further cover-up, continuing, "Previously there were rumors that the court’s large-scale construction projects led to excessive taxes, leaving the people destitute. Then there were further agitations, suggesting that the court disregarded the lives of the people, with the full granaries of the State Treasury but refusing to open them for disaster relief. Recently, small bands of vicious bandits mixed with disaster victims attacked several court grain depots."
Jinrong also frowned. If such words were used to incite the hungry populace, driven by hunger, there might be more disaster victims joining the plundering of court grain depots.
The Emperor continued, "Now, although there have been small victories in coastal warfare, controlling the coastal situation, this has not shaken the sea bandits fundamentally. They are still gathering strength for the final encirclement. Naturally, sufficient provisions and military supplies must be stored. Also, concerning the Yuanzhou rebellion, if the situation becomes uncontrollable, troops will need to be dispatched to suppress it, which also requires grain and provisions.
These past few years, the weather has been favorable, and grain is available, but it is hoarded by various wealthy families and grain merchants. Currently, grain prices are absurdly high. Originally, silver coins of three hundred thousand taels could buy food, now it’s only half, or even a third."
The Emperor paused, sighing disinterestedly, "Your second brother... truly has disappointed me greatly."
Hearing the Emperor sigh, Jinrong also felt uneasy. The royal family is inherently not a place for emotions, yet compared to previous monarchs, his Imperial Father places much value on emotions.
However, the Crown Prince, facing the Emperor’s fatherly affection, acts with disregard, which is truly disheartening.
After a moment of silence, with the atmosphere slightly easing, Jinrong spoke, "The other day, I sought Ye Xinyan for a consultation on whether to close Lang Garden, and she proposed an idea that I thought at the time was... not very good..."
Jinrong paused, looking somewhat embarrassedly towards the Emperor.