Chapter 0002: Your Highness, this cannot be sold

However, as long as there is money, selling today and buying everything back next year, or purchasing something even better, is not difficult at all

According to Li Kuan's demeanor, it seems he intends to sell off the Chu King's residence completely

Li Kuan continued to walk towards the next room under the astonished gazes of those around him

Clang!

Your Highness, how about we take a break from these calligraphies and paintings for now

Hiss! Wang Fugui, who was standing nearby, also gasped in surprise

Whether it is purchasing a coal mine, a limestone mine, or even an iron mine, it is evidently a losing business, and one cannot be sure if Li Kuan will cause him trouble later on

These items are naturally good; even a single piece placed in future generations would be considered an antique, holding significant value

Wang Fugui suddenly felt that this business deal might not be as easy to execute as he had initially thought

This is a year that emphasizes filial piety; if one carelessly sells off the possessions left by one's ancestors, then one will truly have no reputation left.

Wang Fugui, one who does not serve two masters, I have directly entrusted you with the matter of purchasing the coal mine and limestone mine. Rest assured, after the matter is accomplished, you will not be deprived of your benefits

Used to buy minerals

Wang Fugui, as a prominent figure in the West Market and one of the few merchants with less entanglement with the nobility, was also taken aback by Li Kuan's callous behavior, akin to a child selling off his father's land without a hint of remorse

Your Highness, if you do not intend to repay the debt, then what do you need so much money for

After observing for a month, preliminary actions were taken

Although Wang Fugui does not know the exact number, he generally has an idea of it

Lai Fu watched as Li Kuan, without any concern, had Wang Fugui continuously record the items to be sold, feeling so distressed that he was almost breathless

Although describing it as "five steps a floor, ten steps a pavilion; the corridor winds and turns, the eaves are high and sharp" may be somewhat exaggerated, the grandeur of a royal residence, with its architecture and items, is certainly beyond the imagination of an ordinary household

Indeed, Your Highness, there are several paintings in here that were your favorites in the past; it would be such a pity to sell them. Qing'er, standing by, could no longer bear to watch.

Open the door

Lai Fu inadvertently let slip a significant secret of the Chu Wang Mansion

Gold mines and silver mines? Who said I want to buy those? I am planning to buy coal mines. If I have enough money, I might also buy some limestone mines.

In the event that Li Kuan suffers losses at that time and later blames himself for not having reminded him, the foremost of the Four Evils of Chang'an will erupt in anger, unnecessarily adding trouble for himself

Lai Fu felt even more anxious in his heart

Since it has been given to this king, it shall naturally be disposed of by this king

Li Kuan did not feel that there was anything worth concealing

The matter of Li Kuan's debt has become widely known in Chang'an City

"Buying mines? What kind of mine requires so much money? I haven't heard of any gold or silver mines near Chang'an City." Qing'er looked at Li Kuan with her big watery eyes, a look of confusion on her face

The Chu King’s Mansion is located in an area near the Taiji Palace along Zhuque Avenue

Li Kuan kicked open the rosewood door and looked at the walls filled with calligraphy and paintings, "These, you estimate a price for them, I will sell them all to you!"

Your Highness, based on the valuation of those items just now, it has already exceeded 100,000 guan. I have also heard some things, and this 100,000 guan should be sufficient

The prince is benevolent, granting a small reward of a bowl of rice to eat; this price is truly beyond words

Although as Li Kuan's personal maid, Qing'er had always been obedient to him, seeing her master behave unusually today made her restless

It seems that the King of Chu's residence will be ruined before his own demise; what face will he have to meet his former master in the future

"Repaying debts? Who said that I sold these items to pay off debts?" Li Kuan frowned.

Ah? Your Highness... Your Highness... Is this... is this not meant for repaying debts?

Your Highness, this is not permissible. The strength of the Tang Dynasty is on the rise, and it is precisely the time when the value of these paintings and calligraphy is increasing.

Now, if Your Majesty were to take the blame upon yourself, then it would be...

The items in the Chu King’s residence are indeed valuable, but in Li Kuan's eyes, they lack potential for appreciation, at least not for significant appreciation

Even if one is fully aware of the inherent risks involved

After all, the reputation of King Chu, Li Kuan, in the city of Chang'an is quite poor

Although this is just Li Kuan's normal performance

Li Kuan is no longer interested in the various peculiar items in the residence

Your Highness, all the items stored here are treasures left by the late king and cannot be sold

Wang Fugui, upon hearing that Li Kuan was selling his property to buy a mine, quickly shared what he knew about the situation.

Your Highness, I have some understanding of the market conditions of the mines in Chang'an. There is indeed a large coal mine in the southern part of the city, but that mine holds little value. It is said that those sent by the Changsun family to manage the coal mine are individuals of little importance.

Qing'er noticed that the butler, Lai Fu, was staring blankly and had no choice but to ask again

Although these items from the Chu King's residence are somewhat troublesome to sell, one can still earn at least several tens of thousands of guan. Such a windfall that falls from the sky, Wang Fugui truly has no reason not to seize it

Your Highness, this screen was a congratulatory gift from the Empress Dowager of the State of Chu on your tenth birthday. Is it really appropriate to sell it?

The reason for describing it as an area is that the King of Chu's residence covers a vast expanse, far surpassing that of ordinary nobility.

After all, one merely speaks, while the actual work must be carried out by those below.

In fact, it is fundamentally impossible to conceal; at most, everyone will only know a few days later.

As soon as Li Kuan spoke these words, Wang Fugui and the others were left speechless.

The debt of the Chu Wangfu that he previously estimated was only around 50,000 to 60,000, at most not exceeding 70,000, yet unexpectedly ... ...

Standing in front of a new room, Li Kuan felt the lingering pain on the soles of his feet from kicking the door earlier, wisely choosing not to try again

In the past, Li Kuan had also sold things, but it was nothing like today

This, this, all of it is for sale

Li Kuan rolled up his sleeves and continuously spoke to the merchant Wang Fugui from the West Market who was standing beside him

Then do you not want to make money

Although Laifu does not understand the principles of gold in chaotic times and antiques in prosperous times, he has indeed felt that calligraphy and paintings have gradually become popular in Chang'an City over the past two years

Since one has arrived in the Tang Dynasty, one certainly cannot live while burdened with a heap of debts

"Wang Fugui, I ask you, have I ever negotiated the price you offered?" Li Kuan glared at Wang Fugui.

Lai Fu felt a chill in his heart upon seeing that Li Kuan and Li Zhiyun's collection was also up for sale

"Indeed! Indeed!" Laifu cast a grateful glance at Wang Fugui, realizing that he had not made a mistake in seeking him out. "Your Highness, one hundred thousand guan is already sufficient to settle the family debts, and there may even be a few thousand guan left over."