C15 Your Highness Is Not Well off Either

Since ancient times, Chinese farmers had been the most sincere and loyal of people. They simply believed that by relying on their own hands they could support themselves and lead a happy life. They worked hard day and night, working hard, hoping that they would be able to eat their fill, hoping that their families would be able to eat their fill. This was all they could hope for. It was incredibly simple.

However, such simple expectations still often fell through. The only reason why they fell through was because of one word: natural disaster, human disaster. The wind does not tune the rain not smooth, drought waterlogging, the soil harvest is not good, this is a natural disaster. It was a human disaster to run into a cruel and merciless master and rent that weighed so heavily that it was hard to breathe.

Li Xin looked at old man Zhang, who was kowtowing to him without end and refused to stop no matter what he tried to persuade him. He felt very upset in his heart. He clearly didn't do anything to help old man Zhang, yet he received such sincere gratitude from old man Zhang, almost treating him as if he was a new parent. This kind of strange feeling of dislocation made him feel a little heavy.

After sending off Old Man Zhang, who had even said that everyone in the manor would worship Li Xin, Li Xin suddenly lost the mood to go out and play.

Wang Gui, who had been standing at the side without a word, finally spoke up. "Actually, Your Highness only needs to reduce the rent by a few percent. You shouldn't directly eliminate all of the rent."

Li Xin looked at Wang Gui in confusion.

"Actually, the palace is also lacking in money." Wang Gui laughed bitterly.

As the Lord of Chu, Li Xin had three main sources of income: the government's salary, the rent paid by the owners of the estates, and the rewards he had received from Second Emperor Li from time to time. Amongst them, the largest one was the second piece.

Usually, Li Xin's food, clothing, living arrangements, and the places that he needed to spend his money on were just like ox hair, and the income of the prince's mansion was only barely enough. Right now, Li Xin had conveniently exempted several hundred families from one year's rent. The consumption rate of the Wang Mansion had suddenly become stretched to the limit.

"Last year, when I saw that the prince's cloak was a bit old, I thought that I would buy a new one this year. Now, it seems that I won't be able to do so." Wang Gui grumbled, but there was a sense of gratification in his eyes. No matter what, the young prince still carried the shadow of the old prince's benevolence. To him, this was a type of great happiness.

Li Xin waved his hand and said, "There's no need to worry about such a small matter. If I starve to death for two pieces of clothes, that would be my real sin."

"That's why the prince is too generous." Actually, only half of the rent will be taken this year. Since the prince is keeping the starving people in the manor, there is no need for the prince's mansion to be so anxious. " Wang Gui sighed.

Li Xin smiled and said, "Alright, I'll think of a way to get the money. There are so many ways to earn money in the world, why fight over food with those farmers who dig in the fields? "

Wang Gui smiled wryly without saying a word. From his point of view, Li Xin did not have any talent in management. Looking around the entire Chang'an, which family didn't secretly manage their businesses, only the Chu Clan had nothing. If it wasn't for this, he wouldn't have minded the taxes of the feudal fiefdom.

Li Xin also knew what his previous status was, so he didn't explain any further. In fact, when he had been drinking with Qin Huaiyu yesterday, he had come up with a plan to earn money. Today, he had encountered an accident that only allowed him to start this plan ahead of time.

Li Xin decided not to go out for a fall stroll and asked Wang Gui to find him a few skilled blacksmiths. He then went straight into the study. Rushuang naturally obediently followed.

Upon entering the study, Li Xin spread out a piece of white paper on the table. Yi Niang immediately took down the smoke and ink, which was emitting a faint fragrance, and began to carefully study the thick black ink on top of the exquisite inkstone.

Li Xin lowered his head and thought for a moment. Then, he picked up a brush and dipped it in ink. Then, he started to write and draw on the paper.

In his previous life, Li Xin often did industrial drawing, and he was used to using pencils and all kinds of precision drawing tools. But right now, he didn't have a pencil, nor an appropriate drawing tool. He could only draw on paper with his brush, so naturally, he wasn't used to it. Fortunately, he still had some skill in painting. He could barely make out a straight line with his bare hands, so he wouldn't be twisted and confused.

As Yi Niang studied the ink, she curiously looked at Li Xin's actions. She was completely unable to understand what Li Xin was doing — what was this painting about? It was strangely shaped, like a huge pot, and there were also many strange pipes.

Wang Gui's efficiency was still quite good. When Li Xin had just finished drawing the design, he had brought two old blacksmiths with him to the study room to ask for an audience.

Li Xin immediately picked up the design that had yet to dry. He excitedly walked out of the study and showed it to the two blacksmiths. He asked, "How is it? Can you make something like this?"

The two blacksmiths looked at this design for a long time. They were surprised that they couldn't understand what Li Xin's design meant. Li Xin could only seriously explain the main points of the map to them. Only then did they understand what this design was drawing and how to fight it. But as for what use this strange thing had, they were completely unable to understand it.

Fortunately, after understanding the design, the two blacksmiths both expressed that this item wasn't difficult to fight. They would be able to create a set in two days. Li Xin was overjoyed and said, "Alright, you guys can go back and fight. As long as you do well, I will reward you."

When the two blacksmiths heard about the reward, their eyes immediately lit up. They patted their chests and promised that they would do it well. Then, they carefully rolled up Li Xin's design and left. It seemed like they were researching how to build it.

After they left, Wang Gui curiously asked, "What did the prince draw for them just now?" Is it a pot? " He really didn't know what was wrong with his master to make such a strange pot from a blacksmith, much less what the pot was used for.

Li Xin smiled mysteriously and said, "You don't know about that. "This is no ordinary pot. If I succeed in this experiment, you can stay at home and count the money. It won't be a problem for you to earn a few hundred slots. I'll let you see my ability."

Looking at the confidence on his prince's face, Wang Gui didn't have much hope in Li Xin's ability to earn money. However, he still revealed a smile and silently prayed that his prince wouldn't feel too sad if the experiment failed.