The Great Tang Dynasty: The Celestial Master Descends the Mountain, Starts by Being Deceived into Ma

Chapter 51 Glass Pre-sale

On the dragon throne, Li Shimin fiddled with the glass in his hand, looking at it and tapping it, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Jinghe, tell me the truth." Li Shimin looked up, his eyes fixed intently on Lu Jinghe. He had an idea, but he didn't know if he could pull it off.

"How much does this thing cost?"

Lu Jinghe smiled slightly and slowly said, "The cost is not high, in fact, it can be said to be very low."

Li Shimin's eyes lit up. Very low? How low can it be?

Lu Jinghe saw Li Shimin's expectation and didn't keep him in suspense, saying directly, "The main raw materials for glass are things like quartz ore, and the cost is really not high, not even as expensive as the labor."

"I paid the glass factory workers a monthly wage of one yuan, since they are the main ones who make the glass."

"Oh right, and fuel too. Labor and fuel are the main costs of glass production."

"But it's not much; compared to its price, it's just a drop in the ocean."

Li Shimin's heart pounded as he heard this. "A drop in the ocean?"

Does that mean that you can make pure profit by selling any item?

He took a deep breath and asked solemnly, "What price are you planning to sell it for?"

Lu Jinghe smiled and said, "We have the power to set the price. We can set it however we want."

"However—" he changed the subject, "Glass products, given the current level of production capacity, can only be the exclusive domain of the nobility."

"Although we could lower the price so that ordinary people could afford it, there's no need."

"Why?" Li Shimin frowned and said, "As the ruler of all under heaven, shouldn't I allow all my people to use such exquisite glass cups?"

"If it comes in handy, it will surely be a great achievement, and we will be remembered in history."

Lu Jinghe shook his head: "I know that my father-in-law cares about the people, but glass is too brittle; it will shatter at the slightest touch."

"Ordinary people buy these things and are reluctant to use them as utensils, or even as decorations? They can barely afford to eat, let alone buy an ancestor to worship. Isn't that crazy?"

"Furthermore..." Lu Jinghe paused, then turned his attention to the powerful clans, "How much wealth have those noble families and wealthy merchants amassed over the years? Doesn't Father-in-law want them to return it?"

"Yes, of course I want to!" Li Shimin cursed. "What else can these people do besides amass wealth! The money they have could probably buy the entire Tang Dynasty!"

"They should be made to spit it out!"

Li Shimin patted the dragon throne, already imagining the wonderful scene of ripping them off.

These powerful families, who are usually so arrogant and don't even give him, the emperor, any face, are finally being dealt with! Now there's a way to get them to hand over all their money and put it in his hands!

Thinking about it, Li Shimin laughed heartily. After he had finished laughing, he asked, "If I want to use this thing after it's made, will it cost money?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the windows, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation.

The palace windows are terrible; they let in drafts in winter and are stiflingly hot in summer. They should have been replaced long ago.

How bright it would be if we could replace it with this transparent glass?

Upon hearing Li Shimin's words, Lu Jinghe immediately laughed and said, "If my father-in-law wants to use it, of course there's no need to spend money. You can have as much as you want."

"Alright then." Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction and directly stated his idea, "I want to replace all the windows in the palace with glass."

"No problem." Lu Jinghe readily agreed. "Father-in-law, just send someone to measure the dimensions and give me the data. I'll have Lantian specially produce a batch of flat glass to replace the glass in the palace."

Li Shimin nodded with great satisfaction; this son-in-law was truly a treasure.

He picked up the glass again, examined it carefully for a while, and asked, "How do you plan to sell this? Will you sell it directly in your shop?"

How much will it cost?

"No," Lu Jinghe shook his head, "I don't plan to sell it myself."

"What do you mean?" Li Shimin asked curiously. If he didn't sell them himself, how would he make money?

"Why should we sell them ourselves?" Lu Jinghe asked rhetorically, then explained, "Fine glass ornaments, like those small animals and trinkets, are limited in quantity. We can hold an auction, with the highest bidder winning."

"As for the ordinary ones, like this cup, we can mass-produce them and hand them over to the Chamber of Commerce."

"A chamber of commerce?" Li Shimin was taken aback and asked, "What is a chamber of commerce?"

"A chamber of commerce is simply a group of merchants getting together to sell their goods."

Lu Jinghe explained, "The people in the Chamber of Commerce are businessmen we have trained. They get goods from us and then resell them at a higher price."

"Anyway, those who can afford these things are all nobles, and my father-in-law doesn't like them either, so let's fleece them to death."

"Besides, this way they can't trace it back to us, so they can't impeach you, Father-in-law."

Li Shimin's eyes lit up when he heard this.

That's a great idea!

Let the merchants sell it; those powerful families won't be able to trace it back to him even if they wanted to.

Even if someone impeaches him for competing with the people for profit, that's the businessmen competing, what does it have to do with Li Shimin?

"What if the members of the Chamber of Commerce turn against us?" Li Shimin asked again, "For example, by secretly colluding to drive down prices, or taking the goods and then denying their obligations?"

Lu Jinghe smiled: "Father-in-law, you are the Emperor himself."

"The suppliers are their only source of supply; how dare they disobey?"

"Besides, which member of the Chamber of Commerce doesn't know you're backing them? They're too busy currying favor to turn against them!"

Li Shimin nodded, agreeing.

"What about candidates for the Chamber of Commerce? Do you have any suitable candidates?"

"Yes." Lu Jinghe remembered someone, "We met a businessman named Sun Qi in Lantian before."

"This man originally did business in Chang'an and was doing quite well, but unfortunately he was ostracized by someone using their connections in officialdom and almost had to slink back to his hometown in disgrace."

"He has a good foundation and is clever, but he lacks a powerful backer."

"Now that we're his backer, he'll definitely be completely devoted to us."

Li Shimin thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, I entrust this matter entirely to you. I trust you to handle things."

As he spoke, he suddenly glanced at Gao Yang standing beside him, then looked at Lu Jinghe, and jokingly asked with a smile, "It's getting late, are you going to have your meal in the palace?"

Gao Yang's face flushed red instantly.

"Father Emperor————"

What does that mean?

Shouldn't she stay in the palace and go live with Lu Jinghe?

Although... although she really wanted to, it was still very embarrassing to have her own father say it so bluntly!

What kind of father is this!

Seeing her like this, Li Shimin laughed even harder: "Why are you blushing? Do you still want to live in the palace? That would be perfect."

He realized that this daughter was not an honest child at all.

She usually acts well-behaved in front of him, but she's actually very bold.

As for Lu Jinghe?

This Taoist priest is different from ordinary people; he cannot be judged by common sense.

Li Shimin didn't believe that nothing had happened after the two of them had been gone for so many days.

It's a miracle that they didn't consummate their marriage.

"Alright," Li Shimin waved his hand, too lazy to tease her anymore, "I don't want to interfere in your affairs. Just keep it to yourself."

"Go see your mother. She's been away for so many days and she misses you all."

"I won't stay with you any longer; I still have memorials to review."

As he spoke, he put the little ox down from his arms.

As soon as the little ox landed, it immediately toddled over to Lu Jinghe's side, tugged at his Taoist robe, and looked up, shouting, "Brother, hug me!"

Lu Jinghe bent down and picked her up. The little girl immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed against him affectionately.

Gao Yang and Lu Jinghe bowed to Li Shimin and then turned and left the Taiji Hall.

Inside the Lizheng Hall, Empress Zhangsun sat by the couch, looking at Chang Le lying on the bed with a worried expression.

On the bed, Princess Chang Le was pale, breathing rapidly, and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

Beside him, Imperial Physician Zhang Cimo was carefully brewing medicine. Steam was rising from the pot, and the whole hall was filled with a bitter smell of medicine.

"Your Majesty, the medicine is almost ready," Zhang Cimo said softly.

Empress Zhangsun nodded, but her gaze never left Chang Le.

Chang Le caught a cold, which triggered a qi disorder.

Zhang Cimo could only alleviate the symptoms, but could not cure the disease. Chang Le's condition had been fluctuating these past few days, which pained her greatly.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the hall, followed by Little Sizi's cheerful cry: "Mother! Mother! Persimmon's back!"

Empress Zhangsun was taken aback, then a smile appeared on her face.

The palace doors were pushed open, and Lu Jinghe walked in carrying Xiao Sizi, followed by Gao Yang.

"Mother!" Gao Yang rushed forward, taking Empress Zhangsun's hand. "We're back!"

Empress Zhangsun smiled and patted her hand, but her gaze fell on Lu Jinghe: "Jinghe is here."

Lu Jinghe put down the little ox and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

Little Sizi had already rushed into Empress Zhangsun's arms, holding up Xiao Li and saying happily, "Mother, look! Xiao Li! Xiao Li is so pretty!"

Empress Zhangsun smiled and patted her head, but her gaze was fixed on Chang Le on the bed.

Lu Jinghe followed her gaze and saw Princess Chang Le lying on the couch, her face pale and her breathing somewhat rapid.

Upon seeing Lu Jinghe, Zhang Cimo's eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Highness! You've arrived!"

Lu Jinghe nodded, walked over to look at Chang Le's face, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Cimo hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, Princess Changle has caught a cold, which has triggered a qi disorder. I...I am limited in my abilities and can only alleviate the symptoms, not cure the disease."

He paused, a hint of expectation in his voice: "Does the Prince Consort have a solution?"

Gao Yang also came over, looking at Chang Le on the bed with concern, and asked Lu Jinghe softly, "Jinghe, can you cure her now?"

Lu Jinghe did not answer immediately, but reached out to feel Chang Le's forehead and then took her pulse.

Chang Le opened her eyes groggily, saw Lu Jinghe, her lips moved, but she couldn't say a word.

Lu Jinghe withdrew his hand and nodded: "More or less."

The healing techniques evolved from the "Supreme Pure Spirit Immortal Technique" are nearing completion, and curing qi ailments is not a difficult task.

He raised his right hand, and a soft, emerald-green light shone from his palm.

Empress Zhangsun, Gaoyang, Xiao Sizi, and Zhang Cimo all held their breath and watched intently.

Lu Jinghe held his palm above Chang Le, and the emerald green light slowly descended, enveloping Chang Le's entire body.

Chang Le's brows gradually relaxed, her tightly pursed lips loosened, her breathing became steady, and the paleness on her face faded at a visible speed, replaced by a healthy rosy glow.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Lu Jinghe withdrew his palm, and the emerald green light dissipated.

"Alright." Lu Jinghe clapped his hands. "After resting for a while, you should be fine."

Zhang Cimo stared wide-eyed at Chang Le in disbelief.

That's... all done?

He painstakingly brewed medicine for several days, tried all sorts of remedies, but could only barely relieve the symptoms... and the prince consort just reached out and applied it, and it was all better?

Empress Zhangsun quickly stepped forward and gently took Chang Le's hand.

Chang Le's hands were no longer cold, but warm and soft. Her breathing was steady, and her complexion was rosy. She looked as if she were asleep.

"Jinghe..." Empress Zhangsun's eyes reddened slightly as she looked at Lu Jinghe, "Is he... cured? Really cured?"

Lu Jinghe nodded: "Yes, it's cured. The qi ailment has been completely suppressed, and the cold is gone. With a few days of rest, you'll be back to normal."

He paused, then added, "However, Princess Chang Le's health is weak, so she should take care of herself in the future, eat more meat, eggs, and dairy products, and exercise more. She shouldn't stay cooped up in the room all the time."

Empress Zhangsun nodded repeatedly, and tears finally welled up in her eyes and fell.

The ailment that had plagued them for years could finally be completely cured.

She held Lu Jinghe's hand, choking back tears, and said, "Jinghe, thank you... thank you..."

Empress Gao stepped forward and took Empress Zhangsun's arm, saying softly, "Mother, Jinghe is one of our own, there's no need to thank me."

Empress Zhangsun nodded, wiped away her tears, and smiled, "Yes, we're on the same side, we're on the same side."

Little Sizi lay by the bed, looking at Chang Le curiously, and asked in her childish voice, "Mother, is sister asleep?"

Empress Zhangsun patted her head: "Yes, sister is asleep. She'll be fine when she wakes up."

"Oh..." Little Si nodded, then lifted Little Li up again, "Then Little Li will sleep with her sister!"

She placed Xiao Li next to Chang Le's pillow and said in a serious tone, "Xiao Li, you have to be good and not bother your sister."

Everyone who saw this couldn't help but laugh.

Zhang Cimo watched from the side, his shock lingering for a long time.

He knew the prince consort was no ordinary man, but he hadn't expected him to be this extraordinary, so he asked curiously, "Prince Consort, is this medical skill...?"

"It's so amazing!"

Lu Jinghe glanced at Zhang Cimo and said, "It should be considered medical skill."

It's a specialized treatment, so there's no doubt about its medical expertise.

Zhang Cimo nodded as if she understood, but she made up her mind that she must ask the prince consort for advice more often in the future!

Empress Zhangsun pulled Gaoyang to sit down and asked about their experiences in Lantian. Gaoyang picked out the interesting things to talk about, and when she mentioned Alu, Empress Zhangsun was stunned.

"Snake...snake...snake demon!" Empress Zhangsun's eyes widened.

Gao Yang nodded and lifted Xiao Sizi's sleeve.

Ah Lu was sleeping curled up inside when the light shone on her, and she groggily poked her head out and flicked her tongue.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress," A-Lu whispered, sticking out her tongue.

Empress Zhangsun was stunned for a long while before she managed to squeeze out, "No need...no need for formalities."

"There really are monsters in this world..."

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