Help! The innocent prince always tries to seduce me clumsily

A bowl of ice porridge costs only thirty cents at Michelin. Currently, the daily sales can reach more than 800 bowls, with a turnover of 24 taels and a net profit of more than 23 taels. And this is just the price of this single ice porridge dish at Michelin.

Chu Shitong adopted Yuan Xi's suggestion and added a delivery function. As long as a deposit is paid in advance to make a reservation or someone is sent to pass on the message, and the amount of food and dessert ordered reaches 200 wen, it will be delivered to your home free of charge within the west of the city. The tableware for the meals is given away free of charge and will not be recycled.

This is thanks to the fact that Chu Shitong owns a porcelain kiln that specializes in firing fragile simple porcelain. The cost is extremely low and the output is amazing. It looks good but is not practical, making it perfect for delivering takeout.

If the ice supply can be negotiated this time, even if a box of ice only costs 300 wen, the large supply can support the profit, and we can sell more with small profits.

What is important is not the ice, but as long as the ice is used as a communication network, Chu Shitong can place spies and personnel in various places and achieve a perfect surveillance chain in the capital.

"I almost forgot to mention one thing. Although the price of ice supplied by that merchant is low, there is a delivery fee. Your Majesty, don't worry. The delivery fee for a box of ice is only a few dozen coins. If your Majesty agrees, I will send someone to contact him when I go back today and strive to supply ice to the palace as soon as possible."

Chu Shiyu looked at Chu Shitong with a bit of satisfaction, and said, "Of course I will agree. The national treasury is in deficit, and I think there will be a lot of discussion after the summer vacation is cancelled. If this ice can be delivered to each palace and mansion, the summer vacation will be settled. Xiaoqi is thoughtful and has solved a big problem for me."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is my duty as a son to share your worries."

Chu Shiyu picked up the memorial on the table, and his face, which had just improved a little, became gloomy again.

"Xiao Qi, do you know how much tax Jingzhou owes the national treasury?"

Chu Shitong lowered his eyes and said, "I don't know."

"A full 130 million taels!"

Chu Shiyu was furious when he thought of this. He threw away the tax report submitted by each province. "The taxes owed by each province to the national treasury are hundreds of millions! Not to mention food and other things!"

Chu Shitong and Wang Zexu both knelt down in unison.

When the emperor is angry, how can you not kneel?

"Father, calm down."

"Your Majesty, calm down."

Chu Shiyu slammed the table and said angrily: "I also want to calm down. Disasters are happening frequently in various places now, and taxes have been owed for several years. In order to deal with the disasters in various places, I have almost emptied the treasury! But where is the tax money? Even Jiangzhou, that place of wine and meat, has owed taxes for five years! Can they be penniless? I don't even want their heads anymore!"

Neither Chu Shitong nor Wang Zexu said a word.

After all, this is a national affair, and no one can say anything about their identities.

It is even more impossible for Chu Shitong to take the initiative to ask to go and investigate.

Chu Shiyu was angry for a while, but finally calmed down slowly. He leaned weakly on the chair and let out a long sigh, like an old man who has been worried and busy for half his life and cannot get a moment of peace.

"This matter is headed by Jingzhou. I want to send someone to secretly investigate this matter. Xiaoqi, who do you think is more suitable to do it?"

Chu Shitong said: "Father, I think...it is best to have someone who is inconspicuous but capable to conduct a secret investigation."

Chu Shiyu rubbed his brows, and Wang Zexu immediately handed him iced tea.

Chu Shiyu took a sip and said, "Among your brothers, I can't think of one at the moment."

"Perhaps Father can consider the third brother. The third brother is more suitable."

Chu Shiyu refused without hesitation.

"No, the third one can't."

Chu Shihan is too upright. This kind of secret investigation requires contact with some grassroots talents and requires a certain level of brains and means. It is definitely not suitable for him to do this with his official attitude and temperament.

"It seems that there are no other suitable ones among the other royal brothers."

Chu Shiyu remained silent, as if he was thinking and hesitating about something in his mind.

Chu Shitong said: "If Your Majesty really can't find a suitable person, I am willing to help Your Majesty."

Chu Shiyu shook his head subconsciously.

However, he didn't know that when Chu Shitong said this, he quietly raised his eyes, just in time to see Chu Shiyu directly refused without even thinking after hearing his words.

The anger that had been accumulating in Chu Shitong's eyes for many years sounded like thunder.

Whenever it comes to power and money, Chu Shiyu never thinks about himself.

The only things he could think of were Chu Shixuan and Chu Shifeng!

Chu Shitong silently suppressed all his emotions and said, "Father, I have been to Jingzhou to handle a case before, and I don't have much to do in the court. Why don't you let me have a try?"

Chu Shiyu stared at Chu Shitong thoughtfully for a while, and said, "Xiaoqi, although you have been to Jingzhou before, I am not sure if you can go there. You are still young."

The last sentence was like the burning incense sticks igniting the firecrackers.

Chu Shitong frowned, with a look of doubt and confusion that had never appeared before.

"Father, I am already seventeen years old."

At this moment, she could hardly suppress her murderous intent.

Chu Shiyu was always like this. He always doted on her because she was the youngest, but when it came to any major matter that could determine right or wrong, he would also refuse on the grounds that she was the youngest.

Even though she was so outstanding in her previous life, Chu Shiyu was unwilling to see Chu Shitong before his death. Instead, he secretly summoned Chu Shixuan into the palace and left the imperial edict of succession to him.

Chu Shiyu's expression was desolate and a little helpless.

"Xiao Qi, I can see your efforts and filial piety. I just want you to have a safe and prosperous life."

Chu Shitong lowered her head. She was almost amused by Chu Shiyu's words. She was really afraid of seeing the hatred in her eyes that was as sharp as a knife.

It turned out that in Chu Shiyu's heart, he had never thought that he could succeed to the throne.

It has actually reached the point where I can tell it directly to Chu Shitong.

Chu Shiyu continued, "I have also heard the rumors in the capital these days, but I don't want to ask you about it. I didn't call you here to blame you. I still need to think about the matter of Jingzhou for a few days. As for the rumors... you can handle them yourself, just don't go too far."

Chu Shitong raised his head, smiled harmlessly, and said, "Father, you are thinking about me. I am grateful and will be more filial to you in the future."

......

The first thing to do when leaving the palace.

For the first time, Chu Shitong called Rushuang.

She has rarely used Rushuang recently. Generally speaking, Rushuang is training new secret guards or guarding Si Jingli in Prince Rong's Mansion.

The reason why Rushuang was called out this time was naturally because there was something important for her to do.

After returning to the palace, Chu Shitong couldn't wait to start preparing.

The first thing they did was to increase the fare for delivering ice from fifty cents per truck to ninety cents.

Originally, Chu Shitong had no intention of taking action against Chu Shiyu. In his previous life, Chu Shiyu suddenly fell ill two years later, but in this life, Chu Shitong didn't want him to suffer in pain for two or three years before dying.

She wrote several letters and sent them out overnight.

The next day, the chief steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs came to Prince Qi's mansion right after court to sign the ice supply contract.

Chu Shitong found a subordinate to pretend to be the subordinate sent by the merchant and signed a one-year supply contract.

Even in winter, ice was still used in the palace, but the quantity was much less.

The contract was signed, and the plan for delivering ice for three consecutive months was to deliver 300 trucks of ice to the palace every day, with each truck containing five boxes of ice, for a total of 1,500 boxes.

The amount of ice delivered to each mansion each day varied. There were a total of 46 mansions of the royal family, nobles, dukes and important officials, and each truck had five boxes, for a total of 1,300 boxes.

The total amount of ice used every day is 2,800 boxes, and the daily expense is 840 taels.

The travel expenses for delivering ice for one day is fifty-nine taels and four hundred wen, and the total daily expenses for ice are eight hundred and ninety taels and four hundred wen.

This saves a lot of money compared to going to Qingliang Mountain Villa with great difficulty.

Qingliang Villa not only has to ensure the daily supply of meals, but also has to increase expenses due to various ceremonies.

After three months, the amount of ice delivered will gradually decrease, but the specific amount will be announced again at that time.

It is agreed that the money for ice for three months will be delivered tomorrow, totaling eighty thousand one hundred and thirty-six taels.

In addition to this money, Chu Shitong also added a deposit, which roughly means that if there is a breach of contract midway, the money can be refunded according to the amount already supplied, but the deposit will not be refunded.

Chu Shitong didn't ask for much as a deposit, just two thousand taels.

Originally, Yuan Xi invented something called Bingjian. The jian can was composed of a wine vessel, a zun can, and a jian. The square zun can was placed in the middle of the square jian. The square jian had a lid with a perforated pattern, and the square opening in the middle of the lid just fit the neck of the square zun can.

There is a movable mechanism at the bottom of the jian, which firmly fixes the zun and guan.

There is a large gap between the jian and the zun guan, which can be used to hold ice cubes in summer and hot water in winter, achieving an immediate insulation effect.

But Chu Shitong had no intention of selling this thing, let alone selling it to the palace.

If something as easy to melt as ice is well stored, then she, as an ice seller, won't make much money.

The person who wants it to rain the most is the umbrella seller. It's the same principle.

The next day, boxes of ice were delivered to the palace and various government offices.

The amount of ice that Chu Shiyu bestowed on each royal palace was actually not enough. For example, Chu Shifeng needed at least three carts of ice every day, because the ice had to be kept in his bedroom or study all the time to keep away the heat.

If the ice delivered is not enough, people who have heard the price of ice will try to find this mysterious supplier to buy it from.

in the afternoon.

Chu Shitong was in the study listening to his subordinates talking about what Chu Shifan had done at Michelin in recent days, when Bishui came in to report.

"Your Highness, King Kite is here."

Chu Shitong frowned. Why was Chu Shixuan running around in such a hot day?

She waved her hand to signal the person who was reporting to go down, and asked Bishui to invite Chu Shixuan in.

Chu Shixuan was rarely seen wearing dark blue clothes, which matched his handsome and gentle appearance. He looked like a piece of jade that had been deposited for many years, and his calmness revealed an inviolable dignity.

Chu Shitong said with a smile: "It's so hot, why did my brother come here?"

Chu Shixuan didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

"Father summoned me to the Imperial Study after the court session today."

Chu Shitong's eyes darkened.

She knew that Chu Shiyu would only look for the answer to the question about Jingzhou between Chu Shixuan and Chu Shifeng.

Chu Shitong said nothing and waited quietly for Chu Shixuan's next words.

Chu Shixuan said, "My father mentioned that Jingzhou's tax revenue is insufficient, and he wanted me to go over and investigate."

Chu Shitong waved a white jade fan, the breeze lifted a strand of hair on his face, and he smiled slightly, half-jokingly saying, "I guess he'll be leaving in the next two days. Did my brother come to tell me before he leaves?"

Chu Shixuan's throat rolled, as if he wanted to say something, but he suddenly choked when the words came to his lips. After a few seconds of pause, he said, "That's not the case. Jingzhou is remote, and it's not easy to investigate the tax issues, so I thought maybe Xiaoqi could help me."

Chu Shitong waved the fan in her hand a little slower, she looked away and said with a hint of meaning: "Little Seven is still young, what can I do to help my brother?"

"You also know what your brothers are like. It is really difficult to use them. I want to split the troops into two groups. Xiao Qi will visit Jingzhou directly, and I will investigate secretly. In this way, even if the officials of Jingzhou take action, I think they will not expect us to do so."

Chu Shitong did not agree directly, "Does the emperor know about this?"

Chu Shixuan said: "I have already convinced the emperor about this matter. As long as Xiaoqi agrees, the emperor will naturally have no objection."

Chu Shitong lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, his tone was normal, but with a hint of vagueness.

"My brother, come to me, I will naturally agree."

When Chu Shitong mentioned this matter to Chu Shiyu, Chu Shiyu was extremely reluctant.

But as soon as Chu Shixuan opened his mouth, Chu Shiyu agreed.

But it doesn’t matter. At least Chu Shitong is going to Jiangzhou this time.

Chu Shitong had previously been to Jingzhou to handle a murder case and had made acquaintance with many officials, so she was not suitable for secret investigations. Chu Shixuan had never been to Jingzhou before, so it was likely that the local officials would not recognize his face.

As long as he doesn't walk around the street with this eye-catching face, no one will recognize him.

Since Chu Shixuan came in, his eyes have been on Chu Shitong.

"Xiao Qi, is there anything bothering you lately?"

Chu Shitong said: "No."

Judging from Chu Shixuan's slowly relaxing tone, he should be talking about some trivial family gossip after finishing his serious business.

Chu Shixuan asked, "Xiao Qi seems to have rarely gone to play with Sixth Prince today. Is Xiao Qi worried about the rumors in the capital?"

"No."

Chu Shitong has been troubled these days only because he can't go to Jingzhou and see Song Nian. But once he leaves, he won't be able to come back for several months, and Zhan Qing will be delayed again.

It’s easy for Zhan Qing. I can just write a letter and send it to Michelin. Then I can give it to him directly and make another appointment.

But Song Nian always went to different places for sightseeing. He had already agreed on the time and place in the letter. Even if Chu Shitong didn't go, he couldn't send him a letter to explain the reason.

He felt bad for making people wait for Chu Shitong in vain.

Thinking of this, Chu Shitong couldn't help but want to curse a few words. She hadn't even agreed to meet him, but Song Nian had even written down the time and place without even asking if she had time. It was really hateful.

"That's good, but I heard that there is a skilled craftsman in the capital who has created something that can propel the disabled, called a wheelchair. I think the Sixth Prince's concubine will be able to go to the hunting competition the day after tomorrow."

The wheelchair that Chu Shixuan was talking about was made by a carpentry workshop under Chu Shitong, and the design drawings were obtained from Yuan Xi.