Chapter 238: Chang Sun Wuji

"Shopkeeper."

Two waiters stepped forward to report, "Firewood prices have gone up again~"

Lin Dao, who had just entered, frowned. "Prices up again?"

"This economic barometer keeps rising, highlighting the deteriorating economic environment."

Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea.

The seven necessities of opening a household — firewood ranks first.

Lighting a fire to cook, keeping warm in winter — none of it can do without firewood.

Even the yamen's salaries include a portion paid in firewood.

People eat and light fires every day, which means firewood is burned every day.

Modern people living in air-conditioned rooms find it hard to understand the cold of ancient winters.

It is a cold where, without burning firewood, people can truly freeze to death!

Firewood ranks first because it is a strategic material intimately tied to production and daily life.

Repeated price hikes reflect the worsening hardship of the common people's livelihood.

Buying firewood costs money.

The shop had not yet opened, but outside a large batch of diners had already gathered.

Many passersby would curiously ask why this shop's business was so good.

Naturally, enthusiastic and helpful Gourmands would explain.

"This shop is particular about ingredients — it uses spices directly!"

Newcomers were naturally shocked. "Who can afford that?!"

"The price is indeed high, but not to the point of being unaffordable. After all, spices and meat have been added — the ingredients are right there."

In the early Tang, spices were brought by Western Regions merchants on camels from distant Heaven's Help.

Measured by the standard that the farther the distance, the higher the price.

Spices sold in Chang'an City were priced basically equivalent to the same weight in gold.

An ordinary restaurant in the West Market actually splurged on spiced big meat.

Once the news spread, diners naturally came like clouds.

Customers took turns entering the shop and feasted heartily.

As the shopkeeper, Lin Dao sat to one side, quietly listening.

The shill he employed for a daily meal waiver received instructions, carried a bowl of Mutton Paomo, and came to share a seat at a square table.

His tablemates were all minor clerks from the Shi Shu.

Don't be fooled by their low rank — their information has always been well-connected.

"Who knows what's going on."

The shill ate, drank, and complained, "Firewood has been getting more and more expensive lately."

"My family can barely afford firewood anymore."

Chatting while eating to show off one's wide information sources has existed since ancient times.

A clerk beside him chimed in, "Nobles enclose fields and mountains — fewer places to cut firewood, so prices naturally rise."

Another said, "City taxes have also increased; prices are bound to go up too."

"Not just firewood — everything has gone up."

After this round of idle chat, Lin Dao, listening on the side, roughly understood the whole story.

Li Yuan had granted too many noble titles and official posts.

During the dynasty's founding phase, this was indeed assistance.

But now, as the realm moves toward stability, these angel investors have begun demanding their repayment.

Enclosing fields and land — not even mountains, forests, rivers, and streams are spared.

Fish in the rivers cannot be caught; firewood on the mountains cannot be cut.

These are all the nobles' property — whoever dares touch them will be arrested and punished by their slaves and household guards, even beaten to death on the spot.

Without a doubt, this directly affects the common people's income.

As for market tax, it's not just market tax — all kinds of taxes and levies have increased.

The Li Tang's successive military campaigns are the external cause.

Li Yuan's own extravagance and pleasure-seeking, massive palace construction, and endless enfeoffments are the internal cause.

The realm is not yet fully pacified, yet here in Li Tang's Chang'an City, the powerful nobles' revelry has already begun.

The shill eating the paomo tore the flatbread into pieces, threw them into the bowl, and continued steering the conversation.

"Life is hard enough as it is — how can things go on like this?"

"His Majesty and the Crown Prince — don't they care?"

The clerks ate and drank, replying casually.

"Heard that the matter of Zhang Jieyu's father still hasn't caught anyone — His Majesty is busy comforting the beauty; where would he find the mind to care about these things?"

"As for the Crown Prince."

"Lately he's busy picking trusted aides to go to Hebei and Shandong to fight Prince Qin for position."

"Firewood and rice get expensive, taxes increase, the people's lives get hard — who cares?"

The clerks are just the lowest rung of officials; they don't get much benefit from the imperial court.

Rising prices and falling income affect their families too.

Among the marketplace, complaints naturally never cease.

He silently recorded what he had heard in his notebook.

He thought for a moment, then added an evaluation and a score at the end.

A burst of clamor came from outside the shop.

Before long, a group of people entered the shop.

He scanned the surroundings; the leader cupped his fists and greeted, "May I ask where Da Da Daozhang Lin Dao is?"

Putting away his paper and brush, Lin Dao stood up. "Who are you?"

The visitor's eyes lit up; he hurried forward and saluted. "I am Changsun Wuji."

Looking at the smiling, slightly plump young man before him, Lin Dao nodded. "Speak inside."

Under the gaze of the many diners, Lin Dao led Changsun Wuji to the rear courtyard.

His opening line: "How did you find me?"

Changsun Wuji hurriedly replied, "Da Da Daozhang took over this shop; the Shi Shu went to verify."

Lin Dao's identity for coming to Chang'an City was arranged with Li Erfeng's help; his guarantor was also someone from the Wangfu.

He took over the shop, the Shi Shu went to verify, so the Wangfu naturally learned of his location as well.

"I see."

Lin Dao nodded. "What matter brings you to seek me?"

Changsun Wuji had received the Second Letter sent by Yuchi Gong.

From this letter, he learned of Lin Dao's True Ability and Li Erfeng's Strict Arrangement, which was why he came seeking in such haste.

"The Qin Wang commands: whatever Da Da Daozhang requires, the Wangfu will spare no effort to serve!"

These words made Lin Dao smile.

"If I want to do away with the Crown Prince, you'll help too?"

Changsun Wuji's smiling face instantly turned Weird. "Th-this this this~~~"

Even If he had that thought, he couldn't say it out loud.

The Qin Wang being Incompetent is one thing; peacefully being a Wealthy Prince isn't bad.

But the problem is, the Qin Wang has the Emperor's Bearing!

Almost all of the Great Tang was conquered by the Qin Wang, yet in the end it went to the Crown Prince.

Just because the Crown Prince was Born earlier?

Why!!

Even if the Qin Wang himself lacks this ambition, the Wangfu people, in pursuit of advancement, will push him forward.

The Qin Wang is not just himself, nor just his own family.

Rather, he is a massive group composed of Countless people surrounding him.

Everyone wants advancement too badly.

The Crown Prince, the Biggest Obstacle, naturally becomes an Obstacle in their eyes.

Only right now, it is Obviously Unsuitable to Propose it.

Lin Dao smiled again. "Wait, I'll go Write a Letter; you help deliver it to Li Erfeng."

"Li, Li Erfeng?"

To dare address the Qin Wang like this~

Before long, Lin Dao took out a letter and handed it to Changsun Wuji.

"Da Da Daozhang, rest assured."

Solemnly accepting the letter, Changsun Wuji saluted again. "I will certainly deliver this letter to the Qin Wang's hands."

"Right." Lin Dao spoke again. "Do you know about the recent price increases in Chang'an City?"

Changsun Wuji blanked for a moment; he truly hadn't expected Lin Dao to ask this.

"I've heard a little."

Lin Dao asked again, "What do you think should be done?"

At this time, someone with low EQ would say, 'This is the Jingzhao Yin's Consideration; what does it have to do with me?'"

Changsun Wuji, after Pondering a Moment, spoke: "Issue documents to all places, mobilize supplies to transport to Chang'an City to alleviate prices."

This is considering from the angle of managing Chang'an City.

A higher Tier of arrangement would be for an even higher official to Consider.

Lin Dao smiled and nodded, then asked, "The Territory of Hebei is newly pacified, the people's hearts are Unstable; what do you think should be done?"

Someone with low EQ would say, 'This is the Chancellor's job; what does it have to do with me?'"

Changsun Wuji replied, "Implement Land Equalization, Tax Reduction, Amnesty for Former Rebels, station Garrison Troops to suppress bandits and collect civilian Armor and crossbows, select capable ministers and officials to go to the Territory of Hebei to Comfort the common people."

Land distribution is forever the matter the common people care about most.

Once land is distributed, the people's hearts will settle along with it.

Tax Reduction is bestowing grace, and simultaneously relieves the people's pressure, used to win hearts.

Amnesty needs no further elaboration.

The people who followed Dou Jiande number not just Hundreds of thousands.

If not granted amnesty, could it be you'd Kill All of them?

Historically, the Li Tang engaged in retaliation, causing heaven's anger and people's resentment.

The apparent result was triggering Liu Heita's rebellion again, nearly Sweeping across the entire Territory of Hebei.

Although it was pacified later, the root of disaster was firmly planted.

A hundred years later, this root of disaster Exploded violently with the An-Shi Rebellion as the fuse.

It blasted the Great Tang from prosperity straight into collapse.

Lin Dao here shifted the conversation again: "I have something I want to ask you to help with."

"Da Da Daozhang, please speak freely."

"I've heard there's a coal mine forty li outside the city; I want to buy it."

"Da Da Daozhang, rest assured, I'll go handle it as quickly as possible."

"And one more thing," Lin Dao said again, "I want to buy a plot of land in Yanshou Fang next to it, and I'll also need a batch of blacksmiths."

Changsun Wuji saluted again: "I'll go handle it right away."

Just as he was about to take his leave, Changsun Wuji was called back by Lin Dao once more.

There was not a trace of impatience on his face; he still waited with a smile.

This kind of temperament and ability—he was simply born to be a prime minister.

Lin Dao pulled out a windproof lighter and handed it over: "First time meeting, a small token of my regards."

"Many thanks, Da Da Daozhang, for the gift~~~"

Changsun Wuji was very capable at handling affairs, and with the signboard of the Wangfu on top of that.

All matters were handled very smoothly.

The land in Yanshou Fang was secured the next day, and a batch of blacksmiths gathered, waiting.

"First build the shed walls."

Lin Dao instructed the blacksmiths: "You forge iron sheets, then build kilns to fire bricks."

"These are the blueprints; look them over carefully."

The blueprints were very simple—just buckets wrapped in iron sheets.

For these blacksmiths, there was no pressure at all.

Amidst the clanging sounds, the blacksmiths began working.

Iron sheets of various sizes were forged into pieces; the large ones wrapped refractory bricks, while the small ones were simply wrapped into buckets.

"Da Da Daozhang."

Changsun Wuji, with a difficult expression on his face, sought out Lin Dao again: "The coal mine matter has hit a snag."

"Tell me."

"That coal mine," Changsun Wuji said somewhat shamefacedly, "belongs to Yin A Shu, the father of Yin Defei."

"On Yin Defei's side, she has been disrespectful toward His Highness the Prince of Qin."

Far more than mere disrespect—they are outright political rivals.

Naturally, they won't sell it to the Wangfu.

"Understood."

Lin Dao nodded: "I'll handle this matter personally."

The letter Lin Dao had written earlier was sent off by fast horse to Li Erfeng's place.

After receiving it, Li Erfeng opened it solemnly; only one sentence was written on it.

"What do you think of the aristocratic clans?"

Li Erfeng's expression turned grave.

"This is the second time the Immortal has asked me."

"You attach such importance to it—it's a major matter!"

End of Chapter