Li Qing proposed to publish "Yongle Dadian". The main purpose was not to make money, but to pass on the culture.
This grand collection of books from all over the world contains so much cultural knowledge that it covers almost everything. It would be a pity if it was just left in the dust.
Now that it is spread in this way, it can be regarded as avoiding the loss of the grand ceremony.
"Sir, it's time to eat!" Lianxiang came over wearing an apron and said with a smile, "I'm cooking today, and it's all your husband likes to eat."
Li Qing stood up with a smile and complained, "Just let the servants do these things. Why don't you enjoy it?"
"Being idle is also idle." Lianxiang said with a smile, "It's good to have something to do. By the way, today is Sister Hongxiu's birthday."
"That's right." Li Qing suddenly realized, "We need to celebrate properly. After dinner, let's go shopping on the street and give Hong Xiu some birthday gifts."
"What about my concubine?" Lianxiang pouted.
Wan Ling also looked expectant.
"Both." Li Qing was quite generous, "Sir, he doesn't have much, he just has a lot of money."
The salary, rewards, and gifts received over the years have made Li Qing's family extremely rich, and there is no way they can spend all of it.
Li Qing said softly: "Just say whatever you want, sir. I won't refuse anything."
"Sir, you must keep your word."
"Of course."
While chatting and joking, the three of them came to the backyard lobby.
The dishes and chopsticks were ready. When Hong Xiu saw them coming in, she sent her servants away.
Hongxiu took out a small jar of wine from the cupboard and said with a smile: "Sir, would you like to drink something at noon?"
"Well, okay." Li Qing nodded, "Why don't you tell me about your birthday? Sir, I don't even have time to prepare a gift for you."
"There is nothing missing at home." Hongxiu said sadly, "Being one year older is not something worth celebrating."
Li Qing paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Look, you're overthinking it, right?"
"No, I'm just feeling a little emotional." Hongxiu said quietly, "I am already fifty-one."
"Sir, he's more than ten years older than you." Li Qing smiled, "What's the big deal?"
Hong Xiu was stunned for a moment, then smiled and poured him a glass of wine, imitating the scene of their first acquaintance and said, "Sir, please have a full drink of this glass."
…
After lunch, Li Qing fulfilled his promise and took the three girls to visit Jinling City.
The shop owner was quite amused when he saw that he was talking like a girl, but he adhered to the principle that the customer is God and was not ignorant of current affairs.
The four of them spent the whole afternoon shopping, and it was not until late afternoon that they returned home exhausted and bought a lot of large and small bags.
Li Qing has no interest in money. He almost never touches money, which is kept by Hongxiu. However, he is very interested in spending money.
He believes that money can buy happiness, which is its value.
The printing of the ceremony went very smoothly. Li Qing only made occasional inspections. He spent most of his time at home or chatting with the little fat guy.
More than two months later, with the expectation of Suhang Fushen, the Royal Bookstore opened for business.
Li Qing once again saw the wealth of the wealthy gentry. A set of supreme limited edition grand ceremony was once sold for fifteen thousand taels.
He still uses the previous sales model, which is a set of one hundred volumes.
Thanks to the rich gentry's pursuit, five hundred sets, each with one hundred volumes, were sold out in just half a month.
After excluding costs, the net profit was more than 400,000 taels, which made Xia Yuanji extremely happy.
In the following time, Xia Yuanji collected the accounts, and Li Qing was busy printing the next round.
At the same time, Zhu Di also personally went out and asked officials from all over the Ming Dynasty to advertise all over the world. Six months later, there was another sales ceremony.
The fourth child tasted the sweetness and smiled from ear to ear. If he printed all the canons, he would not only recover the cost, but also make a lot of money. The profit would be more than what Sambo made on his next trip to the West.
The white money and grain entered the treasury, and Zhu Di's waist gradually became hard again.
…
Time flies like an arrow, the sun and the moon fly by, and in a blink of an eye it is already the twelfth year of Yongle.
Royal study room.
"I want to make the Northern Expedition."
"I don't have any money, Dad." Xiaopang was confused.
Xia Yuanji echoed: "Your Majesty, the treasury is really tight!"
How can Zhu Di believe that he doesn't know whether the treasury has money or not?
"Stop talking nonsense." Zhu Di said displeasedly, "I have endured it for so long and you still say you have no money?"
"Father, do you believe me?" Xiaopang asked.
"I don't believe it!"
"Then I quit."
"Do you want to do it or not?" When Zhu Di knew that he was rich, he immediately turned his back and said, "Second brother, second child..."
After looking around and seeing no sign of the second child, Zhu Di raised his voice and said, "Go and call the King of Han to come over."
Seeing this, Xia Yuanji hurriedly changed his words: "Although the national treasury is not rich, it can still support a war."
Huang Huai, Jin Youzi and other cabinet members hurriedly nodded in agreement, fearing that the prince's status would not be guaranteed.
"Are you rich now? It's too late!" Zhu Di sneered, "You actually colluded with Prince Hang to deceive me. Your crime is unpardonable. Someone comes and puts all these people in prison."
Xiaopang's face changed, "Father, think twice."
"Don't worry, you will be indispensable." Zhu Di continued, "From now on, you will reflect carefully in the East Palace. You will not take a step outside without imperial orders."
Zhu Di cursed: "One by one, they teamed up to deceive me. Can I be deceived?"
The Ouchi guards rushed in and suppressed Xia Yuanji, Jin Youzi, Yang Shiqi and others, and Xiaopang was also invited out.
Li Qing stood aside and watched without saying a word.
Lao Si, like Lao Zhu, is a stubborn donkey, so there is no point in talking about it. Anyway, the final winner can only be Xiaopang, so there is no need for him to be anxious.
Moreover, I have been working really hard these past few years, so there is nothing wrong with taking a break.
Not long after, Zhu Gaoxu hurried over, the joy on his face could not be suppressed. He already knew the general information from the young eunuch.
After all, there are so many golden beans scattered, how can it be ineffective?
"Father, are you looking for me?" Zhu Gaoxu said reservedly.
"Yes." Zhu Di took a deep breath, "From now on, you will begin to supervise the country."
"My son obeys the decree." Zhu Gaoxu's face turned red, "Father, don't worry, my son will do his best."
Zhu Di smiled and said, "Well, you go down first and get ready."
"Yes, my son, please retire." Zhu Gaoxu bowed respectfully and retreated.
"Your Majesty, are you going to fight Wala this time?" Li Qing confirmed.
"Well, since the Tatars are weak, they have been disloyal." Zhu Di nodded, "Zhanji is sixteen, and he can be taken out to practice. You should be ready to go to war in two months."
"Should I go too?"
"Yes." Zhu Di said, "You are very skilled in martial arts, so protect him for me."
Li Qing nodded, cupped his hands, and was about to leave when he was stopped again.
"Is there anything else, Your Majesty?"
"How is the printing of the book?" Zhu Di asked.
"Everything is in order." Li Qing advised, "The next sales will be in two months. If I also want to go on the expedition, then sales... Why don't we release Xia Yuanji?
Your Majesty, to be honest, I don’t like the civil service group either, but there are always exceptions in everything. Xia Yuanji is indeed a good and powerful official. It is not appropriate for you to be the Emperor..."
"Don't worry, I will definitely release him before I go on the expedition."
Hearing this, Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief, "Then Prince...?"
"Let him rest for two months." Zhu Di stretched, "It's not easy for the boss either. Let's take this opportunity to let him have a good rest."
"The second brother...ahem, where is the King of Han?"
"He?" Zhu Di snorted, "How can he look like he can supervise the country? When I go to war, I will take him down."
Li Qing: "..."
The dick is so miserable!
It's really unlucky to have such a father on the stall!
Although Li Qing doesn't like the second child, he still feels sorry for him. He is really... such a pitiful person.
"Okay, if you have nothing to do, go and tutor Zhan Ji. His bow and horse skills still need to be improved." Zhu Di said angrily, "I am particularly doting on you, the dragon of the holy family..."
Li Qing couldn't hear this the most, and quickly interrupted, "Your Majesty, please stop talking. I understand, I understand everything. I will teach the emperor's grandson."
The fourth child is addicted to drawing cakes, but Li Qing is not a fool.
He is allergic to flatbread.
~
East Palace.
Seeing Li Qinglai, Zhu Zhanji hurriedly stepped forward and said anxiously, "Mr. Li, my grandfather has removed my father from the position of superintendent of the country. I'm afraid that the next step... you are so good at talking, you have to help my father!"
"..." Li Qing said with a smile, "Your father is tired enough, there is nothing wrong with letting him rest."
"But……"
"It's nothing to worry about." Li Qing interrupted, "We will go on an expedition in a while. This time we will attack Wala. Grandson, you will also go."
"Am I going too?" Zhu Zhanji looked surprised.
"You don't want to?"
"Of course I want to!" The surprise on Zhu Zhanji's face was replaced by joy, "I can only dream of it."
After a pause, he pulled Li Qing to the side and whispered: "Uncle Qing, we are our own people. Tell me the truth. Does the emperor intend to let his second uncle take over?"
"This..." Li Qingwei said, "Go and ask your father."
Li Qing scratched his head and said: "Keep a normal mind, be yourself, and what is yours is yours."
"How can we maintain a normal state of mind?" Zhu Zhanji asked anxiously, "Second uncle is eyeing him, and my father will not fight for it. If grandpa really changes his position and establishes a crown prince, then..."
"Uncle Qing, you don't have to look at me like that." Zhu Zhanji said, "My father is the prince and I am the grandson. This is not called ambition."