Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 860: Chapter 20: Prince Han, Just How Many Hidden Talents Do You Have?_2

"I approve."

The Grand Minister of Agriculture said joyfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Seeing the delighted expression of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, the Emperor couldn’t help but dampen his spirits, "Regarding the matter of glass, that young rascal has considerable objections; he won’t agree to your proposal."

"Why such strong objections?"

The Emperor explained to the Grand Minister of Agriculture the reason for Zhao Yao’s anger. After listening, the Grand Minister of Agriculture remained silent for a while, then sighed lightly, "No wonder Prince Han is so angry; he cares deeply for the people."

"That rascal said the Liang family would submit the glass tax revenue, advising the court not to covet the glass." The Emperor added, "He also said if the court forces him to hand over the glass formula, then any other good things he makes in the future won’t be given to the court."

"What?" The Grand Minister of Agriculture exclaimed in shock, "So ruthless?"

The Emperor watched the Grand Minister of Agriculture with amusement, "Are you still thinking of persuading that young rascal to cooperate with the court on the glass business?"

The Grand Minister of Agriculture quickly shook his head, "No, no." Although it’s a pity not to do the glass business, Prince Han is the court’s God of Wealth, and he must not be offended.

"The cement and the blue and red brick formulas he handed over before have already allowed the court to make a substantial profit, so why come to me with poverty?" The Emperor knew the state of the national treasury. "Stop claiming poverty in front of me." This guy loved to lament poverty in his presence.

"Your Majesty, although the court has begun manufacturing cement and blue and red bricks, these cannot be sold yet. They are currently distributed to the borders to repair the walls with cement and blue and red bricks." Speaking of money, the Grand Minister of Agriculture’s expression became very serious, "Also, we need to repair the official roads. Not only aren’t we making money, but the court is currently losing money on cement and blue and red bricks."

"Can’t you sell some?"

"Your Majesty, more important than making money right now is strengthening the border defenses." Despite appearing like a miser, the Grand Minister of Agriculture knew the priorities of matters at hand.

The Emperor looked at the Grand Minister of Agriculture in surprise, "I didn’t see it; I thought you had fallen into a money hole."

The Grand Minister of Agriculture looked hurt, "Your Majesty, how can you view your servant this way?"

"Enough, stop pretending in front of me." The Emperor displayed a look of "I know your true nature."

The Grand Minister of Agriculture shook off his sad expression and became solemn.

"Your Majesty, Prince Han’s glass business is too tempting, and some might have ill intentions and target Prince Han. You should remind him to be cautious." Wealth attracts desire, and the glass business is so booming that everyone wants a piece of it. Not only the noble families, but even several princes aren’t staying idle. According to him, Prince Dai and Prince Jing want a share in the glass business.

The Emperor understood the Grand Minister’s concern and laughed, "That rascal is sharp; he’s anticipated this."

Still uneasy, the Grand Minister of Agriculture said, "Your Majesty, Prince Han is too young, while those people are all old foxes. If Prince Han doesn’t agree, mark my words, memos against him will flood in." This would be mild; those people might even secretly use insidious means and force Prince Han to hand over the glass formula. "Are you not worried about his safety?"

"If that rascal can’t handle this, then I would be disappointed." The Emperor changed from his earlier frivolity to a serious tone, "Since he wants to run the glass business on his own, he should be aware of the consequences. Moreover, these matters won’t just disappear because he went to Lingnan."

Being a close minister of the Emperor, the Grand Minister naturally knew the importance of Prince Han in the Emperor’s mind.

"Your Majesty, are you trying to put Prince Han to the test?"

"That rascal thinks going to Lingnan means escaping everything from the court; that’s naive." The Emperor squinted slightly, smiled meaningfully, "The show has already started; how can he be absent."

The Grand Minister of Agriculture silently sympathized with Zhao Yao far away in Lingnan.

Poor Prince Han is unaware of what he’s about to face.

"By the way, that rascal Xiao Shi submitted a memorial to me; take a look." The Emperor fished out Zhao Yao’s memorial from a pile and tossed it to the Grand Minister.

Upon hearing this, the Grand Minister’s eyes instantly lit up, a bit excited, "Your Majesty, has Prince Han come up with something good again?" He now felt that when Prince Han was previously in the capital, he had hidden his talents and hadn’t truly showcased them. Since going to Lingnan, he’s produced a series of impressive creations, each more astonishing than the last.

"No, it’s about the customs, take a good look at it."

Upon hearing it’s about customs, the Grand Minister of Agriculture’s expression turned serious, promptly opening Zhao Yao’s memorial.

In the memorial, Zhao Yao informed the Emperor that he planned to establish customs in Swamp Prefecture. He wanted to develop Swamp Prefecture into Great Zhou’s largest overseas trade prefecture and intended to formally establish customs there. He also set various items’ customs taxes in detail.

"Your Majesty, aren’t Prince Han’s customs tax rates a bit low?" They were two levels lower than the court’s established rates.

"These are temporary customs tax rates to attract overseas foreign nations to do business in Great Zhou," the Emperor added, "He plans to hold the first Swamp Trade Conference next May and will invite several neighboring foreign nations to attend."

"You mentioned this before; I think hosting a trade conference is doable." The Grand Minister of Agriculture mused, "If Prince Han’s trade conference is very successful, I think other coastal prefectures can host similar events."

The Emperor nodded slightly, "Arrange for some people to go to Swamp Prefecture next year to observe Xiao Shi’s trade conference and learn well."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor pointed to the memorial in the Grand Minister’s hand and said, "Continue reading."

"Yes." Upon seeing the subsequent content, the Grand Minister broke out in cold sweat, his expression very tense, "Your Majesty, Prince Han is correct; we must be vigilant." If Prince Han hadn’t pointed it out, he would never have noticed.

The Emperor nodded, "Then proceed according to Xiao Shi’s plan."

"Your Majesty, I agree with Prince Han’s proposal to explore the Western Ocean; it is the best way to proclaim our Great Zhou’s might." Oh, Prince Han, you have so many excellent policies and proposals; why didn’t you mention them when you were in the capital? Just how many skills do you have?

"Since you support it, prepare the list, and once Xiao Shi finishes the trade conference next year, send people to explore the Western Ocean."

The Grand Minister asked, "Are we sending court people or those from Prince Han’s side?"

"Collaborate with that rascal, send someone to Swamp Prefecture to find him, and he’ll arrange everything."

The Grand Minister knew exactly how beneficial this Western Ocean plan would be to Great Zhou and was incredibly excited, "I’ll arrange this immediately." Prince Han indeed is the court’s God of Wealth, lining the court’s pockets with this plan. "Your Majesty, Prince Han is set to host a trade conference; should the court notify those foreign nations to participate?" On the surface, Prince Han wasn’t favored by the Emperor and had no power in the court. His invitation might be snubbed by foreign nations unwilling to attend his hosted trade conference.

"He proposed hosting it himself, let him find a way himself." The Emperor decided not to interfere in this matter, as he wanted to see if that rascal could make those foreign nations submit to him.