About building the research institute, of course it will cost money.

Although the address is on Wei Yu’s manor, that doesn’t mean he will spend that unnecessary money!

After confirming that the research institute will be built, Wei Yu looked up at his father with a flattering expression, rubbing his small hands, “Father, about this money, don’t you think you should give some? Your son is so poor he doesn’t even have a copper coin in his pocket…”

No copper coins, but there is silver, right?

Emperor Wei gave him a sidelong glance, not only refusing to give money, but also asking Wei Yu back, “You said before that you would make money for me, where is that money?”

Wei Yu was prepared for this, he took out an account book from his chest pocket and handed it to the Emperor.

“Here, the account book of the money earned in Jiaozhou over these past two months.”

The Emperor took the book and casually asked while flipping through it, “How much did you earn?”

“Oh, not much, just roughly around 190,000 taels.”

The Emperor: ……

That stopped him immediately.

The Emperor silently raised his eyes, “Over two months, 190,000 taels?”

Even if he was completely ignorant about commerce, he knew making 190,000 taels in just over two months was not an easy thing!

“Yeah.”

Wei Yu blinked innocently, “I know you definitely don’t care about such a small amount, it’s okay, you scolding won’t hurt this son’s heart, I just worry you’ll get sick from anger. But don’t lose heart, trust me — making money is about sustainable development. After a while, when the people I arranged set up the commercial alliance, then the money will definitely come in by the bucketful!”

“I know you want to rebuild the military, but this can’t be rushed, it needs to be done gradually. I happen to have some ideas, so please listen to me.”

“This 190,000 taels, if put into the military, it would just be a drop in the bucket, but if you give it all to me, I’ll invest it in the research institute. Let me properly manage that research institute, give the researchers some security so they can work in peace. With someone as smart as me assisting, the gunpowder and firearms you want will come immediately!”

Wei Yu spread his hands with a loyal expression as if to relieve the emperor’s worries, “Look, isn’t this splash much better than that tiny splash in the military?”

The Emperor: ……

To say or not to say, this guy alternates between tea and cake, nearly stuffed the Emperor full.

Though stuffed, would the Emperor accept it?

He would.

This unfilial son keeps scheming to pinch his money, calculating openly right in front of him, but he had to admit this kid really understood him!!

The reasoning sounded quite reasonable, and the painted prospect was so tempting. For an aspiring wise ruler who hopes to bring a prosperous era, how could he not be tempted?

A good man should have ambitions to unify the world!

Anyway, the Emperor felt he was still in his prime and could still do something big.

The Emperor was quite tempted by Wei Yu’s words, but after all, he was a stingy miser. Before Wei Yu left, he only gave him 2,000 taels. Now thinking about handing over 190,000 taels to the unfilial son made him uncomfortable.

Mainly because he couldn’t stand the unfilial son succeeding.

He was not a good father.

“Hmm…”

The Emperor reflected for a moment in his heart, then turned to Wei Yu and said, “I have thought it over. Since you explain so reasonably, and the money is earned by yourself, then…”

All 190,000 taels belong to him?!

Wei Yu held his breath, staring eagerly at his father.

“Then you and the eighth brother are responsible for this matter together. I see you cooperate well in Jiaozhou. The 190,000 taels will be split into three parts: you take 60,000 taels, eighth brother takes 30,000, and the rest will stay with me for now. We’ll talk when more is needed.”

Wei Yu: ……

Isn’t that stingy?!

The money he and eighth brother get combined is less than half!

—

Leaving the palace, Wei Yu did not return to his own mansion like the eighth prince, but went to the fourth prince’s mansion.

Because the glass business was doing so well lately, the fourth prince’s face would almost smile into a sculpture just from looking at the daily income books.

Successful people naturally have a rosy complexion. When proud, they want to enjoy themselves. Wei Yu went to the fourth brother’s mansion but didn’t find him there. Asking the steward, he learned the fourth prince had gone to the countryside club.

Wei Yu originally wanted the fourth brother to take him to visit the kiln factory, but since he went to the club, what else could he do?

Of course, he followed along to check it out!

By the way, this club was the one Wei Yu mentioned to the fourth brother before. Unfortunately, Wei Yu didn’t see it when it opened. All that hosting poetry gatherings, inviting scholars in to enjoy the courtyard and recite poetry, he missed all that.

But no matter, Wei Yu thought he didn’t have the talent for poetry anyway, just regretted missing the fun.

After changing clothes at home, Wei Yu took Fang Sheng and rode horses to the countryside club.

This club the fourth prince built was a place Wei Yu had never been before. He only knew a rough address and had seen the blueprints.

But blueprints and reality are quite different.

Anyway, when Wei Yu stood at the club’s entrance, he was stunned by the flashy and obviously very expensive exterior.

Damn, the two pillars at the entrance were covered in gold leaf and jade!

Wei Yu touched the golden pillars, almost brought to tears, “Fang Sheng, look, this is what true wealth looks like, this is wealth…”

Fourth brother is way too rich!

Using gold leaf on pillars but won’t spare some money to help out his brother!

Fang Sheng: …

He glanced at the several door guards and clearly saw the shocked disdain in their eyes… So embarrassing. When will His Highness stop loving money so much?

Fang Sheng silently sighed, thinking whether he should bring a mask next time when going out, then expressionlessly reminded his prince:

“Master, someone’s coming.”

Behind came the rumble of a carriage. Wei Yu immediately straightened up and seriously turned to look.

No special regulations on the carriage, it was large, with dark blue curtains, couldn’t tell whose it belonged to.

Wei Yu was about to withdraw his gaze and go inside, but the person who suddenly popped out from the carriage pulled back the curtain and made Wei Yu’s eyes light up!

“Oh, Brother Chang—”

The call was long and winding. Chang Ning looked up, saw that face smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum, and was immediately shocked.

“Hurry, hurry, go back, quickly drive the horses back!”

Without another word, Chang Ning turned and hurried into the carriage with such agility that even the driver didn’t react in time.

But Chang Ning was fast, and Wei Yu was quick too.

He followed Chang Ning to the carriage side. Chang Ning hadn’t even settled when he heard robbers calling outside.

“Brother Chang, what a coincidence! After parting yesterday, who would have thought we’d meet here again today? Don’t you think this fate is destined by heaven and should be celebrated?”

Chang Ning: …!