Chapter 0173: Shared Intentions Sheng Yiren, Laziness Spreads Shen Quanchen

The Ice Sculpture Festival would remain open for a month. As the wind and snow gradually subsided, more and more people flocked to see it.

“Your Highness, excluding the disaster relief funds allocated by the court, the sponsorship from the three major merchant associations, and the expenses from your private treasury, we have made a total profit of 230,000 taels!”

Inside the government office, Sheng Yiren, having finished the calculations, couldn’t contain her excitement. “Even after deducting the substantial initial capital, we still made this much profit. Truly befitting of Your Highness!”

This was only the profit the court had earned. The smaller merchants had also profited handsomely from the price increases during the Ice Sculpture Festival, likely enabling them to invest in larger ventures this year.

“Only 230,000 taels,” Xie Chengze lay lazily on a wooden rocking chair, wrapped in a soft, warm fur cloak, his eyes closed as he spoke indolently. “It’s not even enough to cover the disaster relief funds for Yi Province. Jian’an’s fiscal deficit is truly a pitiful sight.”

“Only? Just that?” Sheng Yiren put down the ledger in her hands and exclaimed, “Your Highness! Do you know that throughout history, projects funded by the imperial family, such as the Dragon Ascension Tower or flood control dams, have always ended in losses without recovering the initial capital! Your Ice Sculpture Festival not only recouped the capital but also generated additional profit!”

“Not 10,000 taels, not 100,000 taels, but 230,000 taels—and that’s only up to today!” Sheng Yiren clutched her head, her gaze filled with both reverence and disbelief. “This is the first time I’ve ever seen a court-funded construction project actually turn a profit!”

Throughout the dynasties, costly constructions were either for royal prestige or to exploit the people for personal indulgence, ultimately depleting the national treasury and causing suffering for the populace. The ones who profited were mostly corrupt officials lining their own pockets, not the court itself.

In contrast, the Ice Sculpture Festival not only earned money from merchants but also opened up trade routes in the northern regions. It facilitated commerce with the grassland tribes and established connections with merchant associations across the land. Although only the profits from this first Ice Sculpture Festival belonged to the court, its benefits for the future development of Jian’an’s northern territories were boundless.

This alone demonstrated the Second Prince’s exceptional skill in governance.

Damn it!

Why isn’t the Second Prince the Crown Prince?

I wish the Second Prince could become emperor right now!

At this moment, Sheng Yiren’s thoughts aligned perfectly with Li Dongyao’s—their desire to see the Second Prince ascend the throne had reached its peak.

“Alas,” sighed the lazy kitten on the rocking chair, “you’re right. If only the imperial palace could charge merchants for tours, Jian’an wouldn’t be this poor.”

His eyes sparkled with anticipation as he said, “What if people could pay 100,000 taels of silver to sit on the Dragon Throne for a quarter of an hour and experience what it feels like to be emperor? How much money could the court make in a single day?”

Sheng Yiren: ???

Y-Your Highness, that’s really not necessary!

Royal dignity is still essential!

Seeing the eager and enthusiastic expression on Xie Chengze’s face, Sheng Yiren immediately suppressed her desire to see him ascend the throne.

Because she felt that if the Second Prince were to become emperor, he might actually do something as shocking to the court and history as selling tickets for the “Dragon Throne”!!!

“By the way, the Spring Examination is approaching soon. Scholars from all over will be preparing to come to the capital for the exams, right?” Xie Chengze rocked his chair gently, his tone growing slightly somber.

“Indeed, after the New Year Festival concludes, scholars from distant regions must begin their journeys to attend the examinations.” Sheng Yiren nodded. “Your Highness, why do you mention this so suddenly?”

On the wooden rocking chair, Xie Chengze slowly opened his eyes.

“Nothing significant, merely…” He smiled faintly, his tone gentle yet chilling in its implication: “The snow has ceased, and it is time for certain individuals to lose their heads.”

The snow had truly stopped.

For over half a month, Liaozhou had been spared heavy snowfall. The harsh winter had passed, and the northern lands welcomed renewal.

At a shop near the city gate, a pregnant wife gave birth to twin newborns. Their cries were vigorous, yet upon hearing the carriage sounds of the Second Prince departing the city for the capital, their wails turned to laughter.

The man of the household stopped Xie Chengze’s carriage, earnestly requesting the Second Prince to bestow names upon the twins who had survived the blizzard’s calamity.

In Jian’an, naming a newborn typically signified using one’s own fortune to protect and influence the child. Simultaneously, the blessings represented by the newborn would be reciprocated to the name-giver, with twins embodying doubled auspicious fortune.

One could say that being chosen by the household sufficiently demonstrated their profound trust in the individual, hoping their children would grow to emulate them.

Xie Chengze naturally did not decline. Learning the family surname was Jiang, he declared, “To safely endure this blizzard was achieved through the collective efforts and unyielding spirit of countless common people. Storms may return, but with steadfast determination and unity, there is nothing we cannot overcome.”

“Hence, I bestow the names: Jiang Buqu [Unyielding] and Jiang Jianyi [Perseverance].”

Later, Jiang Buqu and Jiang Jianyi diligently practiced martial arts from childhood. Their youthful brilliance shone brightly, and they became two great generals guarding Jian’an’s borders. Together, they confronted the Xiongnu king who tore up the peace treaty, took his head, successfully reclaimed the grasslands for Jian’an, and left a profound mark in history.

——

Inside the carriage returning to the capital.

Xie Chengze lay languidly sprawled across the seat, beside him a handsome man whose hands slipped inside his fur robe.

“Hiss… Mmm~”

“Ah, so comfortable…”

“I say, Shen Lang, your skills seem to have improved? Mmm… Ha, could it be you’ve been secretly practicing with someone?”

Shen Yuan’s fingertips pressed down slightly, and Xie Chengze let out a muffled groan, turning to glare at him with moist eyes. “Why must you be so rough all of a sudden!”

“Merely felt the atmosphere was somewhat amiss,” Shen Yuan lightened his touch, his starlit eyes brimming with amusement. “The carriage’s soundproofing is rather poor, and outside are the Crown Prince’s troops. This subject believes Your Highness is aware what those rough soldiers might misconstrue if peculiar noises were to emanate from within.”

Xie Chengze immediately offered an awkward smile. “It’s just a skilled massage, what else could they possibly think?”

He swiftly changed the subject. “I wonder if the 230,000 taels of silver we’ve acquired this time will suffice for relocating and rebuilding Pingcheng’s populace.”

“It remains challenging. However, after the Spring Examination concludes, Yang Qinghui’s illicit funds should be fully accounted for, at least ensuring we won’t be strapped for cash when needed,” Shen Yuan pondered. “As for the remaining funds, confiscating properties proves more expedient. With the Spring Examination set to select new officials to replace the old, it aligns well with replacing the outdated with the new.”

Xie Chengze narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “Lord Shen, you’ve changed. You’ve become someone who only knows how to solve problems by confiscating family properties.”

In their previous life, this Powerful Minister had been remarkably skillful, knowing how to win over various officials and wealthy families like the Jiangs to resolve such financial difficulties.

“Isn’t that what they say – lie down with dogs, rise with fleas?” Shen Yuan’s hand tightened again, tracing along the young man’s waist and giving a slight pinch, his crescent-shaped eyes filled with teasing amusement.

Xie Chengze abruptly arched his back away, crying out from the mix of pain and ticklish sensation: “Ow—!”

Who’s the dog here! You’re the dog! This lord is certainly not lazy!