Time Travel: I am the idle king Li Shen and Li Shimin in the Tang Dynasty

When Ashina Liang asked about building a city in the north, Wang Hongfu said that Prince Ji had no such idea at the moment.

This inevitably made Ashina Liang a little puzzled, because Prince Ji had said so when he conquered the Tiele tribes in the north.

They also talked about building a college or something like that.

How come I don’t have such thoughts in just one year?

"No idea? Shopkeeper Wang, my uncle said it back then, and all the Tiele tribes in the north heard it.

Why aren't you planning to build it this year?

Or is it that Shopkeeper Wang is not in a position to disclose it?"

Ashina asked doubtfully.

He wondered if Wang Hongfu was not going to hide it and was not going to tell him.

"My dear young master, you have misunderstood. Everything I said is true.

During this year, His Royal Highness Prince Ji did not mention the matter of being allowed to build a city.

The biggest thing that my Ji Wangfu has done now is to build a cement road from Chang'an to the important city of Qinghai.

Hundreds of thousands of workers have already spent more than a year on the construction, and it is estimated that it will take another two years to complete.

There is also a cement road from Chang'an City to Liaodong Road, which will be completed next year. It has been under construction for several years. I believe that young man should know about it.

As for the rest, His Royal Highness Prince Ji has not issued any orders yet. I am just His Royal Highness Prince Ji’s servant. I cannot guess what my master is thinking.”

Wang Hongfu took a sip of wine and explained.

The Jiwang Mansion is different from other principalities. The development of other principalities is mainly based on the management of fiefdoms.

There are still some restrictions on what a prince does. The principality is like a small imperial court, although the fiefdom actually belongs to the imperial court and has nothing to do with the prince.

But how it develops still depends on the officials of the kingdom.

All the chief historians of the prince's palace were sent by His Majesty himself. In addition to correcting the prince's words and deeds, they also monitor whether he has any intention of rebellion.

There are many rules and we are subject to others’ control.

But the Ji Wang Mansion is different. It has no fiefdom and has less than ten officials.

The chief secretaries were all appointed by Prince Ji himself, not officials from the imperial court.

Prince Ji has the final say in the entire Prince Ji's Mansion, and no one can disobey Prince Ji's orders.

Because all operations of Prince Ji's Mansion have only one purpose, which is to enable Prince Ji to enjoy life well.

Whatever you do must be built on this foundation.

As long as King Ji is happy, anything can be done without considering money or benefits.

Therefore, all the plans of Prince Ji’s Mansion are proposed by Prince Ji and have nothing to do with other people.

To put it bluntly, as long as Prince Ji is happy.

After listening to Wang Hongfu's explanation, Ashina Liang thought about it and felt that what Wang Hongfu said should be true.

As far as he knew, his uncle always did things unconventionally and was difficult to understand.

He Ata is often an extraordinary person doing extraordinary things.

At this time, Wang Hongfu continued:

"But, young master, His Royal Highness Prince Ji did mention the market."

"market?"

Ashina knew what a market was. Every state and county had a market.

But how to build a market on the grassland? It is endless, vast, and the population is not dense enough.

Wang Hongfu explained:

“Yes, it’s the market.

Although the Tiele tribes in the north have now become dependent on the Tang Dynasty, the population of each tribe is sparse.

If completed, the two large cities would be able to accommodate the population of all the tribes in the north.

But if that happens, there will be no one to manage such a vast territory in the north.

So King Ji once mentioned that a market should be established among several or a dozen tribes.

There is no walled market, where everyone can buy what they want. It is organized by the First Chamber of Commerce of the Tang Dynasty.

Everyone can trade freely, no forced buying or selling is allowed, no bullying or market domination is allowed, and the possibility of northern people being deceived is reduced.

King Ji named it the Free Trade Market. "

"Free trade market?"

Ashina Liang pondered over what Wang Hongfu had said.

Everyone can trade freely, no forced buying or selling, no bullying or deception is allowed.

This is exactly the trading environment that northern herdsmen dream of.

These herdsmen have not been educated and do not have many cunning ideas.

Unlike the Tang people inside the Great Wall, who are well-educated and cunning, the northern herdsmen often suffer losses when trading with them.

But if it is really as Wang Hongfu said, it would be a great thing for all the Tiele tribes.

"By the way, why do I feel like what you said is a trade fair?"

Ashina Liang thought for a while and suddenly asked, isn't this the same as trade?

Wang Hongfu shook his head.

"Young Master, there are other places to go, most of the trade is barter.

As for the market, His Royal Highness Prince Ji said that transactions should be conducted with money as much as possible.

In recent years, the Ji Wang Mansion has been cooperating with various northern tribes to purchase livestock, horses, furs, and specialties.

But bartering is too troublesome.

Your Highness Prince Ji will purchase it with money in the future, and will try to pay with money at the market."

As for why, Wang Hongfu didn't quite understand. Li Shen just said that there was too much money now.

After hearing this, Ashina Liang nodded, not quite understanding.

“I see. Thank you, Manager Wang, for your explanation. I wonder if we can build a market near our Ashina tribe.

Our Ashina tribe can also send herders to protect the market."

"this......"

Wang Hongfu thought about it and it seemed that King Ji did not say where to build the market.

"My dear, this is just an idea of ​​His Royal Highness Prince Ji. I have no say on where to build it.

It still needs to be decided by His Royal Highness Prince Ji himself, but I can mention the Ashina tribe to His Royal Highness Prince Ji when the time comes.

But I cannot guarantee whether His Royal Highness Prince Ji will adopt my suggestion."

Wang Hongfu didn't dare to agree to it. Prince Ji always had his own purposes in doing things, so how could he have the right to decide Prince Ji's affairs?

"Thank you very much, Manager Wang.

Don't worry, Manager Wang. I understand all of this. My uncle has the final say in Prince Ji's Mansion.

It would be enough if Shopkeeper Wang could give some advice. If it really succeeds, Shopkeeper Wang, rest assured that our Ashina tribe will definitely reward us handsomely.

Come, have a drink."

Ashina Liang raised his glass happily and toasted Wang Hongfu.

If he could really accomplish this, he would also be able to save face in front of his Ata and Ana. Young people all hope to get recognition and praise from their parents.

Wang Hongfu also raised his glass and said a few words "I dare not, I dare not", then drank it all in one gulp after being polite.

Wang Hongfu felt that this little Khan was indeed interesting. He was not only bold and generous like the northern peoples,

They also have the etiquette and wisdom of the Tang people and understand the ways of the world.

Wang Hongfu speculated that this was most likely because Ashina Liang grew up in Chang'an, learned Tang culture, and was influenced by his mother, Princess Dingrang.

This makes Ashina Liang even better.

(I forgot to explain that the word Ata in the text means father, just like Aye.

Ana means mother, which is Turkic and was the name used at that time.)