noveltune Chapter 14 Turmoil
Chapter 14 Turmoil
Two days later, Li Yuan found Li Jinglong and they went to see the place they had found together.
Looking at the large area of dilapidated and desolate houses on the east side of Tongji Bridge, located on the north bank of the Qinhuai River, Li Jinglong was very satisfied.
"Who owns this garden? Why is it so overgrown?"
Seeing such a prime piece of land being wasted, Li Jinglong looked at Li Yuan beside him with a puzzled expression.
Li Yuan's face showed a hint of embarrassment: "Young master, this land used to be a theater. Later, it was bought by a merchant and given to Hu Weiyong. Since Hu Weiyong was executed for treason in the thirteenth year of Hongwu, this land has been confiscated!"
"Hu Weiyong's manor?" Li Jinglong muttered, then a smile appeared on his face.
Hu Weiyong is great! It's good that he was confiscated!
The garden in front of me covers a full five or six acres. Although the buildings inside are dilapidated, the main structure is not in serious condition. After I take it over, clean it up and renovate it, it will be ready for use.
Moreover, this garden is located in the eastern part of the city, which is the area with the highest land prices in Nanjing. If you were to buy it, it would cost at least 18,000 taels of silver.
Since it's a confiscated garden, why not just shamelessly ask Zhu Biao for a reward without spending a single penny?
If it weren't for his own little cabinet, Zhu Biao would be exhausted. Is it too much to ask for a garden of his own?
Thinking of this, Li Jinglong became even more smug!
Without delay, Li Jinglong mounted his horse and headed towards the East Palace!
"Jiujiang, why are you so late today?" Chang Sheng, who was on duty, asked when he saw that Li Jinglong was later than usual.
"Second Brother Chang, something's held me up. I'll be right in," Li Jinglong said with a smile as he dismounted.
At this time, only Hua Lun and Ding Xian remained of the original Hanlin scholars in the Wenhua Hall. As for Huang Zicheng and others, they were sent back to the Hanlin Academy by Zhu Biao and replaced by some officials from the Six Ministries.
With Zhu's approval, adjustments were made to both the Jinshen Hall and the Wenhua Hall. After all, the Hanlin scholars had not experienced the trials of politics and were somewhat lacking in experience compared to the officials of the Six Ministries.
When Li Jinglong entered, he did not disturb Zhu Biao, but sat down quietly and waited.
It wasn't until noon, when Zhu Biao and the others were resting, that Li Jinglong explained his purpose. Unexpectedly, Zhu Biao directly rejected Li Jinglong's purchase request.
After listening, Zhu Biao generously said, "After the traitor Hu was executed, all his property was confiscated. This land was originally intended for the Imperial Clan Court to build a princess's residence. Since you want it, I'll just give it to you!"
"Your Highness, this isn't quite right!" Although he was overjoyed, Li Jinglong still declined, "Since it's already royal property, Your Highness's willingness to sell it to me is already a great favor. I'll just pay for it!"
"Jiujiang, you've given me such a good suggestion, and I haven't rewarded you yet. Consider this garden a reward for your advice!"
Zhu Biao waved his hand: "I'll write you a note right away. Take it to the Imperial Clan Court and exchange it directly for the land deed and house deed!"
"This... Thank you, Your Highness!" Li Jinglong bowed and thanked him, thinking to himself: If this club is built, I'll definitely arrange a VIP card for Biaozi!
"You are my closest relative, so don't be so polite!" Zhu Biao smiled and extended his hand to help him up.
That's right, what Li Jinglong wants to do is to replicate modern high-end clubs!
As for the brothels of today, in Li Jinglong's view, although they each have their own charm, they are simply not worth mentioning compared to the club he wants to build.
Having settled the matter, Li Jinglong quickened his pace as he walked out of the East Palace.
After leaving the palace, Li Jinglong did not return to the Duke's mansion, but went directly to the Imperial Clan Court outside the palace.
As an institution specializing in handling royal affairs, many people showed surprise upon seeing Li Jinglong.
When Li Jinglong produced Zhu Biao's approval slip, the clerk's eyes were already filled with shock.
The garden near Tongji Bridge had attracted considerable attention, but now that it had been bestowed upon Li Jinglong by the Crown Prince, the officials couldn't help but have their own thoughts.
You should know that last month, the son-in-law of the Duke of Han and the Crown Princess's cousin both came to inquire, and it is said that they were all rejected by the Crown Prince!
As Li Jinglong walked out of the Imperial Clan Courtyard with the land deeds and house deeds in hand, he could hardly believe it. Zhu Biao had truly been incredibly good to him!
For more than ten days, Li Jinglong stayed at the Left Army Mansion, focusing on designing blueprints. Little did he know that news of Li Jinglong acquiring the land had already spread like wildfire.
"I never imagined that Li Jiujiang would take over this garden!"
Inside the Duke of Han's residence, Li Qi's face immediately darkened after hearing the news from the steward. You see, Li Qi had made many trips to the Eastern Palace for that garden.
"Young master, it's just a garden. If our manor wants a garden, we just need to spread the word, and plenty of wealthy merchants will come knocking on our door!" The steward said smugly, though he didn't understand why Li Qi was so angry.
Upon hearing this, Li Qi frowned and reprimanded, "What do you know! Do you think this is just a matter for the garden?"
Seeing that Li Qi was angry, the steward immediately lowered his head and dared not look him in the eye.
At this moment, an unnamed jealousy welled up in Li Qi's heart. Princess Lin'an, as the eldest daughter of the emperor, received less than half the dowry of Princess Shouchun. This showed that in the emperor's heart, he, as the imperial son-in-law, was not as good as Fu Zhong.
Why did I ask the Crown Prince for the garden? Wasn't it all to prove him wrong?
Zhu Biao initially refused to speak, but now he's given the garden to Li Jinglong. Isn't that a clear sign that he doesn't respect me?
Li Qi couldn't accept that he, the eldest son of the Duke of Han's family, was less important than Fu Zhong and Li Jinglong.
"You can go now!" Li Qi waved his hand, dismissing the steward, and then got up and walked towards the backyard.
Meanwhile, at the Lü residence, Lü Ping, upon hearing that the garden had been bestowed upon Li Jinglong by the Crown Prince, felt even more resentful. He instructed the steward beside him, "Keep an eye on things and see what Li Jiujiang is planning to do."
"Young master, this... the garden has already been bestowed upon the Duke of Cao by the Crown Prince, shouldn't we...?"
Upon hearing this, the steward knew that his young master was holding a grudge, so he tried to persuade him:
"Young Master, Li Jinglong has just inherited the title of Duke, and he has been frequently visiting the Wenhua Hall lately, enjoying increasing favor. It would be best if you didn't clash with him!"
Lu Ping sneered, "Who said I wanted to clash with him? He stole my garden, so what if I get a share of the profits?"
The steward was startled and quickly said, "Young Master, the Duke of Cao is related to His Majesty, could it be...?"
"Just do as I say!" Lü Ping glanced at the steward, sneered, and said with a smug look, "What kind of close relative is he? I'm the Crown Princess's cousin!"
Li Jinglong, of course, had no idea that two petty people had become jealous over a garden, and they looked at the blueprints in front of them with satisfaction on their faces.
"My lord, according to your requirements, the construction of this garden will probably cost a lot!" Li Yuan looked at the decoration requirements with a worried expression.
"What's there to be afraid of? We'll earn back tenfold, a hundredfold, the money we spend!" Li Jinglong said nonchalantly, then asked, "It's been half a month, hasn't the messenger returned yet?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yuan looked troubled: "My lord, that's exactly what I was about to tell you! Apart from the Marquis of Yongping's side, Shaanxi and Beiping are still the same!"
"Not giving me face?" Li Jinglong's face immediately turned gloomy.