Chapter 26: Taking Advantage

"Li Zhubu, isn't the imperial estate exempt from taxes? Go check it out. See how the people below are handling it. They're even collecting taxes from the prince's residence!" Chen Tang turned to the chief clerk sitting below him and said.

"Yes, yes, I'll go right away. If I don't keep an eye on them, they'll cause trouble!" Li Zhubu hurriedly responded.

"Governor Chen, this isn't quite right. I mean, we should still pay what we owe," the chief steward said.

"Zheng Steward, the prince hasn't moved out yet, so his estate is still part of the imperial estate. Besides, whether it's collected or not, it all goes to the Emperor, the same as before!" Chen Tang interrupted him and said.

"Thank you, Governor Chen!" The chief steward clasped his hands and said, pleased that the estate would save a lot on taxes.

"Prince, I have a small estate over there managed by my good-for-nothing brother-in-law. It not only brings no income but also costs me money every year. Since the prince wants to buy land, why don't I transfer it to you?" Chen Tang smiled and said to Zhao Cheng.

"Oh? Governor Chen wants to sell land? Are they good fields? Are you willing to part with them?" Zhao Cheng asked, taking a bite of the dish.

"Why not? I bought them a few years ago, and they've been a headache. If the prince doesn't mind, take them. It will also help me out!" Chen Tang said, though he was pained inside. It was over 200 hectares of land, and the rent alone could bring in over 20,000 strings of cash each year. But he couldn't afford to be picky now.

"In that case, I'll take them, but I can't take advantage of you. Give me a price!" Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and said 'seriously'.

"I bought this land a few years ago. Let's go with the original price. Just give me 10,000 strings of cash!" Chen Tang said. Everyone at the table was surprised. The governor was generous. Good land now sold for over 2 strings of cash per mu, and this was a gift of 40,000 to 50,000 strings of cash.

"Phew!" Zhao Cheng drew a breath. "10,000 strings of cash? The Empress gave me 10,000 strings of cash. Chief Steward, you haven't touched it, right?" He tapped the plate and said to the chief steward.

"Ah?!" The chief steward was taken aback. What did the prince mean? Even if the Emperor had given it, the Empress had sent 30,000 strings of cash. "Prince, I have sinned. I used 2,000 strings of cash to repair the house and granary and to cover the previous steward's deficit!" The chief steward said 'fearfully'.

"You, you, you are truly bold. I'll settle accounts with you later!" Zhao Cheng slapped the table and turned to Chen Tang with a regretful look. "Governor Chen, I'm really sorry, but I don't have the money. You'd better sell it to someone else!"

"Ah, we agreed to sell it to the prince. How can I sell it to others? Whatever money you have, that's fine!" Chen Tang said hurriedly. He couldn't let this opportunity to curry favor slip away.

"Prince, I can't even come up with 8,000 strings of cash!" The chief steward said with a sad face.

"Bind him! Did you embezzle the money?" Zhao Cheng jumped off his chair and said.

"Prince, calm down. Listen to me. The New Year is coming. We need to buy land, pay the servants, give them bonuses, and buy food and drink. The expenses are high."

"Stop rambling. Just tell me how much you can come up with!" Zhao Cheng said angrily.

"5,000 strings of cash!" The chief steward closed his eyes and calculated for a while before answering.

"Governor Chen, I'm sorry, but we really don't have that much money. How about I pledge this belt? It should be worth 3,000 strings of cash!" Zhao Cheng said, unfastening the golden belt from his waist and placing it on the table.

"Prince, you can't do that. This is a relic from Emperor Taizong. I can't keep it. 5,000 strings of cash it is!" Chen Tang quickly put the belt back around Zhao Cheng's waist, pretending to be generous, but his heart was bleeding. The land was already at a rock-bottom price, and now it was halved again.

"Governor Chen, your estate has a house and livestock. How about you give me a price, and we'll buy them together?" The chief steward said, seeing the deal was sealed and understanding the prince's intentions.

"Zheng Steward, I don't live in the countryside, so I don't know the market price. You decide!" Chen Tang forced a smile. "If I give a price, you'll cut it in half. You decide!"

The chief steward didn't hesitate. "Your house is rough. Let's say 200 strings of cash for the house and land. I don't know how many cattle and horses there are, so let's estimate 100 strings of cash. We don't want the furniture; you can take it. 300 strings of cash is a fair price!"

"Fair my ass! I spent 500 strings of cash building that garden, and you're only offering 300 strings of cash!" Chen Tang was angry but couldn't show it. "Fine, fine, let's go with Zheng Steward's price!"

"Governor Chen, you're generous. I'll write a note. We'll pay you next year with the rent. The interest will be 20%, so it will be 360 strings of cash in total!" The chief steward said, calling for a servant to prepare ink and paper.

Chen Tang was almost in tears. 300 strings of cash and a note, to be paid next year. The prince's monthly salary was 400 strings of cash. "Ha ha, Zheng Steward, I was just joking. The house and livestock are a bonus. How can I charge for them?"

"No, the deal must be fair. We must pay. We can't let people say our prince's residence is stingy. I'll go without meat for a year to save the money!" Zhao Cheng said sternly, making Jiansi shudder. The prince wanted both the substance and the appearance, clearly trying to take advantage but speaking with a sense of righteousness.

"Prince, no need!" The two insisted on not taking the money, while the other insisted on giving it. Everyone was stunned. The prince was truly sincere, unfastening his belt, writing a note, and even vowing to eat vegetarian to pay the debt. Jiansi was almost laughing out loud but had to hold back.

"Alright, since Governor Chen doesn't want it, Jiansi, give my lion cat to Governor Chen to play with!" Suddenly, Zhao Cheng stopped arguing and said loudly.

"Ah?! Prince, that cat was given to you by the Grand Tutor in exchange for a calligraphy piece by Chancellor Cai. Besides, it's your beloved pet!" Jiansi thought it was his turn to play his part and said 'surprised'.

"How can you be so unreasonable? Governor Chen gave us a house and livestock. How can you be so stingy about a cat?" Zhao Cheng scolded.

"Hmph, you can't sleep without the cat. What will you do now?" Jiansi grumbled, retreating with a frown.

Everyone was confused. The prince was calculating, but now he was generous. A cat might not be much, but it was exchanged for a calligraphy piece by Chancellor Cai, which could be worth 3,000 strings of cash. In a way, the governor wasn't losing much. Children might not understand the intricacies, but giving away a beloved pet showed sincerity.

After settling the land deal, the servants brought a steady stream of dishes. Zhao Cheng's performance had won him favor, and everyone toasted him. He couldn't drink, so the chief steward and Jiansi took his place. By the time the banquet was over, many were already drunk.

Chen Tang had the drunk guests escorted to a room to sober up. He found a private room and invited Zhao Cheng to rest. The servant brought tea and was dismissed by Chen Tang. Zhao Cheng only had his 'bodyguards' stand at the door.

"Prince, save me!" Seeing no one else in the room, Chen Tang knelt and said. Zhao Cheng didn't ask him to stand, just watched him with a cold smile, waiting for him to continue.

"Prince, my disobedient son has offended you. He deserves to die, but he is my flesh and blood. Please, for my sake, spare his life!" Chen Tang's face was wet with tears as he sobbed.

Zhao Cheng knew the drama was about to begin. "Governor Chen, I want to spare him, but your son insulted my parents. If someone insulted your father, what would you do?" Zhao Cheng asked 'seriously'.

"Well, if it were a normal person, it would be easier, but your father is the Emperor, and your mother is a noble lady. Insulting the Emperor is a crime of treason, punishable by the extermination of the entire family. 'Prince, my son didn't recognize you. It was an unintentional mistake. Please show mercy!'"

"Governor Chen, this is a difficult matter. If others know someone insulted my father and I can't retaliate, they'll say I'm unfilial!" Zhao Cheng shook his head like a rattle drum.

Chen Tang had never been so troubled. The person in front of him was a child, but also the Emperor's son. He couldn't be soft, and he didn't dare to be hard. He could only beg, hoping to move the prince.

"Alright, Governor Chen, stop crying. It's annoying!" Zhao Cheng felt a bit uncomfortable seeing a grown man crying on the floor. "I don't want his life, but I can't just let it go."

So the prince is soft-hearted. If I had known, I would have just cried and saved the estate. Chen Tang thought this but didn't show any dissatisfaction. "I will do as the prince commands. As long as he lives, I will accept any punishment."

"His mouth is foul. Let him slap himself 100 times outside the government office!" Zhao Cheng thought for a moment. He wanted to say 100 lashes, but he didn't trust Chen Tang's subordinates to carry it out properly. Slapping himself in public would not only hurt but also humiliate him, preventing him from being arrogant again.

"Fine, as the prince commands. I thank you for sparing his life!" Chen Tang breathed a sigh of relief. This punishment was truly something only a child could think of.

"Governor Chen, what do you plan to do with those who attacked the prince's residence?" Zhao Cheng asked, taking a sip of tea.

"According to the law, I will exile them 3,000 miles!" Chen Tang said with a serious face.

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