Chapter 288: Chen Yan: I Want to Raise Troops

At this moment, Li Shimin also understood Chen Yan's meaning, as well as the concrete implementation method.

He couldn't help exclaiming: "This fully exploits the Crown Prince's status, equivalent to the future Tang Dynasty emperor personally endorsing it; private shops and local Money Shops might go bankrupt, but everyone will absolutely trust that the Crown Prince will not default on debts."

"Exactly!" Yuan Tiangang added: "As long as we maintain the people's trust, the Money Shop becomes the world's largest treasure basin, no longer describable as merely profiteering."

Li Shimin turned his head to Chen Yan and said: "I increasingly feel that assigning Weinan County to you was the right decision; whether it's the policies you mentioned earlier or the current Money Shop, both serve as an excellent pilot site."

"I will later discuss with Ke Ming and the others, and then see if we can open a Money Shop in Weinan County first."

After finishing, he paused, "Of course, I won't let you take a loss; the initial investment for the Money Shop will be entirely provided by me, with Cheng Qian endorsing it. If it succeeds, I will give you a portion of the Money Shop's profit each year. How does that sound?"

"Very well, thank you, Your Majesty." Chen Yan found no objection and happily agreed.

The reason he steered the conversation here is that it is directly related to his subsequent plans.

Otherwise, why would he have said he would bring those wealthy merchants to meet the Crown Prince?

In fact, opening Money Shops in the Tang Dynasty—essentially future banks—has countless benefits, far beyond mere profit, so it cannot be delayed any longer; the matter must be put on the agenda.

"......"

Li Chengqian saw that they settled the matter in just a few words and felt somewhat depressed.

Using my name to endorse it, all without my consent?

You guys are kind of treating me like I'm not a person, huh.

Moreover, putting the Money Shop under his name sounds good, but there are also many risks involved.

If any mistake occurs or the people lose trust, the responsibility will fall on his shoulders.

As the Crown Prince, he would naturally be the one to take the blame.

That's why we don't need the emperor's endorsement.

If the Money Shop succeeds, it's a great boon for the Crown Prince; if it fails, the Crown Prince will naturally be the scapegoat.

However, now that things have come to this, Li Chengqian has nothing more to say.

Anyway, he trusts Chen Yan!

Then Li Shimin slowly rose, "I know you still have many things left unsaid, but let's stop here for today; there are many matters I need to ponder when I return."

"You all do whatever you need to do; I'm leaving first."

Ah?

You're leaving already?

Chen Yan was dumbfounded.

He still had one very important matter left unsaid.

When everyone stood up to see them off, Chen Yan hurriedly chased after them.

"Your Majesty, don't go, don't go yet."

"Do you still have something?" Li Shimin turned his head in surprise.

"Uh....... hehe."

"....... Fine, let's talk as we go." Li Shimin nodded and was the first to go downstairs.

Chen Yan and Li Chengqian followed, with Wushe and Li Junxian behind them.

Coming out of the restaurant, Chen Yan said bluntly: "Your Majesty, could you lend me the Crown Prince for a noon? I've identified several wealthy merchants in Weinan County who can help with my upcoming arrangements."

"At the same time, opening a Money Shop will require some wealthy merchants' support in the early stage to set an example for everyone, so I want to take Cheng Qian to court them and pave the way in advance."

What the heck is this thing?

Li Chengqian was stunned, looking at his good brother beside him in disbelief.

He couldn't believe what Chen Yan said.

Lending me?

I'm the damn Crown Prince, not some object!

What thing are you borrowing!

Really, you don't care about my feelings at all, huh?

Li Shimin stopped, turned back, his smile not reaching his eyes, "A few wealthy merchants—do they need the Crown Prince himself to court them?"

"They probably don't even have the right to be courted by you, right? You kid, stop spouting nonsense here and speak honestly."

"You truly misunderstood me this time," Chen Yan hurriedly said. "These merchants are very helpful to me and to our upcoming plans; I intend to have them stand on stage later, to showcase them to merchants across the realm."

"Not only for Weinan County, the Money Shop, but also for the first step we just mentioned—producing large pastries—they can all be utilized."

"Fine." Li Shimin waved his fingers vaguely, then gave a helpless smile, "Since you say so, if I don't agree, wouldn't that delay your arrangements?"

"Alright, I'll lend you the Crown Prince for a noon."

Li Chengqian: "......"

Li Chengqian felt exhausted and indicated he didn't want to speak.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chen Yan was initially delighted, then rubbed his hands, a look of anticipation on his face.

Li Shimin, seeing this, couldn't not understand that the guy still had something, "What else? Let's just get it all out!"

Chen Yan: "......"

Li Chengqian: "Yay!"

Chen Yan was bold, not caring about Li Shimin's words, glanced at Wushe and Li Junxian behind him, and said nothing.

Li Shimin understood and waved his hand, telling them to stay farther away.

The two exchanged a glance, lowered their heads, retreated silently, while keeping an eye on the surrounding people.

"Alright, speak, I'm listening."

Chen Yan scratched his head, seeming a bit at a loss.

Aside from Li Chengqian's curiosity about what he wanted to say, Li Shimin showed no urgency at all, hands behind his back, walking slowly ahead at a pace neither fast nor slow.

After a long while, Chen Yan whispered, "Your Majesty, I suppose I have earned quite a few merits, haven't I?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin understood that what Chen Yan was about to say must be significant, but he still nodded and said, "Putting aside everything else, merely presenting the method of making salt is enough for me to grant you the title of Duke."

These words affirmed his merits.

Chen Yan said to himself, "Your Majesty, actually I'm quite lazy. At first I only wanted to lie low; had you not suddenly bestowed a marriage upon me, I would probably still be idling away the days in Chang'an City."

"I am easily satisfied; I don't care much for power; I just want two piles of money at home, enough to guarantee a comfortable life."

"My ideal is to find a place not far from the city, a spot by mountains and water with a small courtyard, where I can live there with my wife and children."

"In my spare time I would tease the birds, fish, and each day personally cook a meal for my wife and children; seeing them eat with oil running from their mouths makes me very content…"

He spoke at length, while Li Shimin and his son listened silently, not interrupting.

Chen Yan's ideal is simple, yet difficult.

It sounds easy to say, but in practice, it's not that simple.

Until the end, Chen Yan seemed to have finished speaking, lowering his head so that no one could discern the look in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, all this time I have never asked you for anything; apart from marrying your two daughters, I have never requested anything else from you."

"Today, may I ask you for one thing?"

Li Shimin said nothing, only nodded.

Chen Yan said in a deep voice, "I want to raise private troops!"

"......"