NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59: Nine out of thirteen returns with huge interest!
As Li Shimin contemplated, Zhang Anan hurried over, “Your Majesty, Lord Zhangsun, and Lord Fang request an audience!”
Li Shimin smiled, “Please!”
Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling soon met the energetic Li Shimin. Fang Xuanling was surprised. Li Shimin didn’t seem desperate, unlike someone risking everything.
Zhangsun Wuji glanced at Fang Xuanling, seemingly saying: “See, Your Majesty doesn’t seem reckless!”
This was also why Zhangsun Wuji was willing to borrow charcoal.
“Bowing before Your Majesty!” “Dispense with formalities!” Li Shimin smiled, “Wuji, how much charcoal did you borrow?”
Li Shimin couldn’t wait to know the amount crucial for his strategic moves.
Zhangsun Wuji presented the document, “Your Majesty, a total of 1.5 million catties of charcoal, with 1.35 million already in the warehouse.”
Li Shimin was somewhat shocked; the quantity was indeed substantial!
The thought of so much charcoal while people still suffered from the cold intensified Li Shimin’s disdain for the aristocrats.
“Well done, quite a considerable amount!” Li Shimin nodded.
Fang Xuanling calmly said, “Your Majesty, according to the document, next month, we need to return 1.95 million catties of charcoal… Where will we find it?”
Calculating the figures, Fang Xuanling felt a sense of dread. Taking 135% of the borrowed 1.5 million catties meant returning 195% the next month.
Li Shimin’s monthly interest was nearly 600,000 catties of charcoal—a frightening realization!
Zhang Anan handed over the document, and Li Shimin said, “No worries.”
Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling couldn’t fathom why Li Shimin was so confident. The monthly interest of 600,000 catties of charcoal was substantial, and not repaying it would only lead to more accumulating interest.
Li Shimin handed the document to Zhang Anan, instructing, “Keep it safe for me!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty, can you explain why we need to borrow charcoal?” Zhangsun Wuji couldn’t hold back.
Li Shimin stood up and said, “Bring it here!”
Two eunuchs brought over the covered brazier. Li Shimin gestured, and Zhang Anan wisely led everyone else away.
Li Shimin walked to the brazier with a smile, “The answer you seek is here. To dispel any doubts, I’ll show you firsthand.”
Li Shimin was a bit thrilled. Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling were even more excited! The two quickly approached, unsure of what Li Shimin was up to but filled with anticipation.
They thought, “Isn’t it just a brazier?” Li Shimin’s mysterious demeanor had reduced the hall’s occupants to just three people, even forcing Li Shimin’s eunuch to step aside.
[The Zhang Anan tomb is the only known burial site of the eunuch accompanying Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. To be buried alongside Taizong indicated significant honor, typically reserved for high-ranking officials, princesses, or consorts. Zhang Anan’s recognition suggested deep appreciation from Li Shimin.][Zhang Anan was responsible for Taizong’s inner servants, serving as the chief eunuch. In the Tang dynasty, the Inner Servant Province managed the emperor’s inner servants, including eunuchs and palace ladies. Zhang Anan’s role as an inner eunuch required careful and considerate actions, earning him Taizong’s satisfaction. He was appointed the Left Prison Gate General, a third-ranking official in the palace.]
Before Li Shimin could speak, Zhangsun Wuji eagerly opened the lid, curious about what was happening. Seeing the flames, Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling were puzzled, unable to discern anything special.
Without waiting for Li Shimin, Zhangsun Wuji exclaimed, “Coal… this is coal!” The two were bewildered, unable to grasp the significance.
Li Shimin urged, “Look again! Carefully, notice anything different!” Pointing to the brazier, he smiled.
Staring at the brazier once more, Zhangsun Wuji widened his eyes, saying incredulously, “Coal… this is coal!”
Fang Xuanling also realized, wearing a look of disbelief. It was completely different from their impression of charcoal.
“Coal!!!” Fang Xuanling exclaimed in shock.
“Your Majesty, how can coal be like this?” Zhangsun Wuji excitedly asked, pointing to the brazier.
Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling felt their understanding collapsing.