Chapter 64 It would be a waste if we don’t make money from their money!
"Haha, our guests are all gods!" Li Shimin joked, "It would be a waste if we don't make some money from them!"

Xu Luo lowered his voice mysteriously, "You have to speed up the process over there."

Li Shimin smiled knowingly, of course he knew what Xu Luo meant.

Earlier, at Xu Luo's residence, the two reached an agreement that Xu Luo would provide the technology for sweet potato planting, and he would provide the land and manpower. The same was true for refined salt.

"Don't worry about the farmland, sir." Li Shimin was confident. "My family has several acres of good farmland outside the city. I will arrange someone to take you to inspect it. If you are satisfied, you can start at any time. We have enough manpower, and we just need you to teach us the skills."

He paused, and then continued, "As for refined salt, it is indeed not easy to find a house that can meet your needs. However, I have sent people to inquire around, and there should be good news in the next few days."

Li Er was so anxious that he was like an ant on a hot pan, running around in circles.

The treasury of the Tang Dynasty was so empty that you could hear the echo. The emperor racked his brains but could not think of any solution, so he had to think of processing refined salt.

If this thing can really succeed, it will not only help the emergency, but may also make him, Mr. Li, famous.

Over there, Xu Luo reminded him that the Tubo envoy should write a letter to their leader when he returned, as he might bring people back in no time to buy the refined salt.

It would be embarrassing to return empty-handed.

Xu Luo nodded and said, "Old Li, the Tibetan envoy will be back in fifteen days at most if he rides fast. You have to hurry up and don't mess up our first deal."

Li Er heard this and responded confidently, "Don't worry, brother, I'll urge you on the 15th as soon as I get back, and it will be done within two days."

Xu Luo was delighted when he heard this. He turned around and pointed at the three boxes of money and said generously, "Old Li, I'm not a stingy person. This is our first pot of gold, how can I keep it all for myself? Here, let's divide the 60,000 yuan, except for the 10,000 yuan for the cost."

At this time, Li Shimin looked at the three boxes of money, and his heart was so happy, as if he saw a beautiful woman, with her eyes shining with alluring light and her lips slightly parted, as if inviting him to dance with her in wealth and prosperity.

And Xu Luo’s smiling face looked like a naughty boy who had just stolen some candy and was extremely happy.

To be honest, as the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin was troubled by the embarrassing situation of the dwindling treasury. His little private money was also running out.

Without this money, how can the affairs of the harem be handled? This emperor is really a bit aggrieved.

Just when he was hesitating, Xu Luo and Li Junxian actually started to act.

The two men carefully lifted the three boxes of money onto the carriage.

Seeing this, Li Shimin widened his eyes and looked shocked.

Xu Luo approached, patted Li Shimin's shoulder gently, and said with a smile: "Old Li, let's not be polite! Although this deal is difficult, it is for national affairs after all. This little money, although not much, can help you out of your urgent need."

Li Shimin looked at Xu Luo and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: This kid is quite powerful at the critical moment.

At this time, Li Junxian on the side also spoke up: "Your Majesty, this is the deposit given by the Tibetans. Although it is not much, it is enough to help you get by for a while."

Listening to what the two said, Li Shimin's doubts gradually dissipated and a knowing smile appeared on his face.

He secretly felt lucky that he had these two reliable brothers by his side who could help him at critical moments.

"Once the final payments are in our pockets, won't you and I be able to swim freely in the vast sea and soar freely in the sky?"

Xu Luo was beaming with joy, looking very proud. "In the final analysis, I really took advantage of you. However, you have to spend a lot of money to provide some technology, and also the land and people. This deal is very cost-effective!"

When Li Shimin heard this, the corners of his eyes became moist, and the bitterness in his heart surged like the water of the Yellow River.

In this world, Xu Luo is probably the only one who can understand his pain. The identity of the emperor seems to be glittering, but in fact it is like walking on thin ice.

In the court, even when facing the Tibetan envoys, he had to put on a smile and play his role to the fullest.

This is not just a matter of face, but also concerns the future of the Tang Dynasty.

In the harem, diligence and thrift became his motto.

I save money on food again and again, wishing that three meals a day could be reduced to two meals, or even one meal.

Which one of those concubines, princes, and princesses didn't live a tight life?

Princess Changle is one of them. Her eyes are deep, as if they can tell endless thoughts, and her slightly moving lips seem to be silently protesting against such a life.

In the eyes of the world, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty should be living a life of luxury, but Li Shimin's actual life was quite different from what people imagined.

Every day, he is entangled with one trouble after another, leaving him with no time to take care of other things. He can only deal with them one by one, treading on thin ice and trembling with fear.

Li Shimin stared at the three boxes of silver piled on the carriage, knowing in his heart that these valuables were nothing more than a drop in the bucket compared to the country and people of the Tang Dynasty.

However, this is not just money, but also Xu Luo's deep friendship for him.

"Brother Xu has been so kind to me. I, Li Shimin, will always remember this and will repay you one day!" His eyes were filled with tears and he bowed deeply.

Xu Luo put on a stern face and pretended to be serious: "Hey, Lao Li, what are you doing? We are brothers, why should we thank each other?"

His tone was firm, which made Li Shimin nod in agreement repeatedly.

"Haha, that's right!" Xu Luo continued, "You drove here today, so on your way back you might as well take a detour to Matou Village and give the money to my little sister, asking her to keep it for me. This is too much money, and it's really inconvenient for me to carry it alone, and it will easily attract envy."

He smiled and continued, "As the ancients said, 'Don't show off your wealth', which is exactly the truth."

Li Shimin was stunned, and he was suspicious: How could the way back to the palace be through Matou Village? But then he thought again, Xu Luo clearly wanted him to go out of the city to help send the money back.

He looked at Xu Luo, a smile flashed in his eyes. He knew the other party's intention very well, so he nodded in agreement.

Xu Luo chuckled and patted Lao Li on the shoulder: "Don't worry, the money will fly to you!"

Old Li laughed back, and Xu Luo then added:
"When you have time, our new home will treat you to a feast!"

"New home?"

Li Shimin was stunned, with question marks all over his face.

Xu Luo smiled and said, "We are partners for money, right? I am determined to get the house in Chang'an!"

He sighed, his eyes full of deepness, "Speaking of which, my sister and I lost our parents when we were young. We are two orphans, and our lives are miserable."

He paused, a trace of gratitude flashing in his eyes: "If it weren't for her, working for others all over the country, I'm afraid we would have given up long ago."

"Now that I have some cash on hand, I have to let her enjoy a peaceful life and stop working like a slave for others. As her brother, I feel bad."

(End of this chapter)