From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 216 Qingzhou Chess Game: Chaotic Star Map

Sun Chengli stood in the study, cautiously watching the Prince of Jing'an, who was intently examining the account books.

He wasn't sure if the Crown Prince could understand the account books, but he was certain that the Crown Prince would be taking over a matter concerning his palace. This was evident from the old steward's instructions and the piles of documents in the study.

As Zhao Xun flipped through the account books, he gained a certain understanding of the status of the Jing'an Prince's Mansion in Qingzhou. Its power could be described as limitless, or as negligible.

As the fiefdom and estate of the Jing'an Prince's Mansion, Qingzhou theoretically belongs entirely to the Jing'an Prince's Mansion. However, the Jing'an Prince's Mansion is merely a vassal state, not an independent nation, so it also needs to pay a portion of its taxes to the Liyang Dynasty to demonstrate its subordination to the Liyang Dynasty.

Therefore, after the taxes collected in Qingzhou Prefecture were collected, 70% went to the Jing'an Prince's Mansion, and 30% went to the Liyang Dynasty.

In the governor's office and the prefectural governor's office of each county, the household offices contained both people from the imperial court and people from the Jing'an Prince's Mansion, who checked and supervised each other.

Tax revenue accounts for 70% of the Prince's Mansion's income. In addition, the Prince's Mansion also owns a large number of properties, estates, and shops in Qingzhou, and operates various businesses, which is also a major source of income for the Prince's Mansion.

Sun Chengli was the general manager of these properties, estates, and shops.

"Over the years, our royal family has collaborated with some wealthy families in Qingzhou on some business ventures. In your opinion, which of these wealthy families in Qingzhou are the most trustworthy in their business dealings?"

“Uh!” Sun Chengli was slightly taken aback, then smiled wryly, “Well, when it comes to integrity, everyone doing business with our Prince’s Mansion is very honest, but when it comes to doing business with outsiders, that’s another story.”

"Are there any shrewd people like that?!"

"A shrewd person?!"

"The kind of person who's really good at business and can grow a business into a big, successful one!"

Sun Chengli understood his meaning and pondered for a moment before saying, "In Qingzhou, there is only one person like Wang Linquan. However, he has close ties with Beiliang and is able to build such a large business. There must be some connection with Beiliang in this, after all, he is the largest agent for Beiliang's salt and iron business."

"Let's forget about him."

Zhao Xun tapped his knuckles lightly on the table and said, “When I was hanging out in the Yuewen Pavilion of Shangyin Academy, I found a few interesting secret recipes. One of them has been confirmed to make sugar as white as snow and extremely sweet. This is a big business, and our Jing'an Prince’s Mansion alone probably can’t handle it. You’ve always been in charge of the business in the manor, so I’m handing this secret recipe over to you. Find a few trustworthy aristocratic families to cooperate with and do this business together.”

As he spoke, he pointed to a small jar on the table and a piece of paper under the jar, "This is a sample and a secret recipe. Take it back first and find a few craftsmen to try it out, but be careful to keep it a secret."

"The villain understands."

Watching Sun Chengli leave with the samples and the secret formula, Zhao Xun smiled slightly. He offered a small reward to test Sun Chengli's abilities before taking further action.

In this era when technology was still very primitive, he had far too many trump cards at his disposal, only limited by the body he possessed and the power of the Jing'an Prince's Mansion.

In the grand scheme of the world, Qingzhou is just a small place, not worth his time and effort to scheme against.

※※※

Tai'an City

Qin Tianjian

Just after Zhao Xun led Yu Xuanji on a stroll around Xiangfan City, in a tightly sealed room within the Imperial Observatory, the current Director of the Observatory, Nan Huaiyu, was suddenly jolted awake from his deep meditation. The next moment, a sharp pain came from the top of his head, as if someone had hammered him hard with an iron nail, causing him to let out a low cry of surprise. Immediately afterwards, he felt a sweet taste in his throat, and blood gushed from his mouth.

Her once rosy complexion instantly turned deathly pale.

"What's going on here?!"

He suddenly opened his old, dim eyes, staggered a little, and rushed out of the room toward the Sky Terrace.

The starry sky was clear, the moonlight was dim, and the twinkling stars adorned the night sky, creating a magnificent spectacle.

Nan Huaiyu stared intently at the sky, as if trying to find some inspiration from the starlight, but after more than ten breaths, he still couldn't make out the utterly ordinary celestial phenomena.

Nothing has changed; it's the same as yesterday, the day before yesterday, and the day before that...

It was the same as every other night, exactly the same.

The celestial phenomena remained unchanged, and therefore offered no revelation. It was as if…

It looks just like a fake.

Fake!!
A chill ran through him. Was there anyone in this world who could change the course of the heavens?

impossible.

He couldn't do it, Huang Sanjia couldn't do it, the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain and the monks of Liangchan Temple couldn't do it.

No one can do it.

Since no one can change the celestial phenomena, then why would I receive such a terrifying warning from the unseen world?
cover!!
The next moment, an idea popped into his mind.

Some people conceal their vital energy and fortune, thus deceiving the heavens.

Only this situation can explain everything.

A person who will have a huge impact on the world situation in the future, or even now, has concealed the secrets of heaven. However, he has also accomplished a major event that is enough to affect the world. Only in this way can one have such a feeling.

So, what did he do?

My reaction was even greater than when I predicted that the Northern Liang princess would give birth to the reincarnation of Zhenwu!
Is the world, which has only been peaceful for a little over a decade, about to descend into chaos again?

Nan Huaiyu pursed his lips, savoring the metallic taste of the blood in his mouth, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"I need to see His Majesty!"

※※※

At the same time, outside Qingzhou City, an old man squinted, gazing at the starry sky.

"The celestial phenomena today look like they were painted!"

Drawn.

At first glance, it doesn't seem like much, but upon closer inspection, tonight's starry sky is exactly the same as last night's, without the slightest change, as if it were fixed in the sky, or as if someone had copied the starry sky from last night onto the sky.

However, this feeling was short-lived. Before the old man could finish his reflections, the celestial phenomena resumed their flow, as if the strange phenomenon from before had never existed.

"Just now, someone did something, but then covered it up."

The old man, known as Huang Sanjia, had a gleam of eager anticipation in his eyes. Ever since he instigated the Spring and Autumn Period wars, things in the world had gradually become dull, as if nothing could arouse his interest enough anymore, until…

"In this world today, what else could have such a huge impact? Something worth going to such lengths for?!"

※※※

The next day, early morning

Xiangfan City
Zhao Xun, holding Yu Xuanji's small hand, wandered aimlessly through the city. On the way, they "accidentally" encountered several playboys and found a restaurant to dine until dusk.

After several such encounters, and more than a month later, he had become one of the most popular young playboys in the city, as if they were no longer distinguished from each other.

On this day, upon returning to the palace, before the two even reached Chengbi Courtyard, they bumped into Zhao Heng, who was hurrying over, and the Queen, who looked worried.

"Father, what has happened?!"

"His Majesty has heard that your painting skills are unparalleled and wishes to summon you to the capital."

(End of this chapter)