Chapter 1477: An Idea Worth Tens of Thousands

Yao Wang nodded. "Hmm, in your opinion, is the approval for the second phase too quick? The villas for the first phase haven't even been built yet."

You Rongzhi chuckled, "This is actually a small project, with only twelve villas in the first phase. Which of the palaces handled by the Construction Department isn't more challenging to build than this? As long as the materials are ready and we add more manpower, it wouldn't be difficult to complete it within half a year."

Unlike houses elsewhere, structures in Tianshui City are characterized by their sturdy, weighty lines and extensive use of stone, requiring no overly elaborate carvings.

Yao Wang glanced at him, then suddenly chuckled. "You, my dear minister," he said, "are too impatient."

You Rongzhi, uncharacteristically, looked embarrassed. "Your Majesty already knows," he admitted.

Yao Wang stroked his beard. "Why go to such expense?" he sighed. "Alas, among all the officials in court, you are the only one who doesn't need to purchase a villa to demonstrate your loyalty."

You Rongzhi's face flushed crimson with excitement. "Your Majesty," he exclaimed, "your wisdom is as clear as autumn water!"

Yao Wang picked up his brush and wrote swiftly. "Alright," he declared, "I've reviewed the plans for the second phase of Youhu Villa, and I approve them now. You will oversee this process and ensure all departments cooperate to expedite the approval."

Every villa sold served as a pledge of allegiance.

For him, the more such pledges, the better, of course.

And this action needed to be swift; who knew if Qingyang would find a countermeasure once he realized what was happening?

You Rongzhi, full of vigor, responded, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Once he had withdrawn, Yao Wang watched his retreating figure and slowly exhaled.

From behind him, the elderly palace attendant, Qiu Long, chuckled, "Master You is certainly full of vigor."

"Him?" Yao Wang snorted. "He rushed here today simply to let me know that even though he didn't secure a lakeside villa in the first phase, he's already reserved a front-row plot in the second. Thus, his loyalty to me is certainly no less than that of Prince Qing's Manor, the Yuwen family, or Bai Tan."

Qiu Long nodded. "It appears so," he affirmed.

When the monarch spoke, his role was simply to agree.

Yao Wang's eyes narrowed slightly. "Then tell me," he mused, "how did he miss out on the front row in the first phase, and why did Bai Tan secure it instead?"

"Well..."

"You Rongzhi," Yao Wang continued, "is intelligent but indecisive, not as resolute as Bai Tan." At this thought, Yao Wang recalled the last time he had summoned both ministers to discuss Xue Zongwu's death: You Rongzhi kept insisting the evidence was incomplete, while Bai Tan immediately aimed his suspicions squarely at Qingyang.

Yao Wang left one thought unspoken:

When it came to handling the Regent Qingyang, his most capable minister was, surprisingly, not as effective as a foreign merchant.

"Alas, these foreign merchants are truly capable."

Qiu Long then added, "The funds in the box have been verified and found correct."

Yao Wang grunted in acknowledgment.

Qiu Long then continued, "Your Majesty, He Xiao has amassed a considerable sum by selling these villas."

Yao Wang glanced at the roster in his hand and said magnanimously, "He only got a little over a hundred thousand taels. Let him have it. I don't want that fellow to think I'm unwilling to part with such a paltry sum."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Yao Wang cast a glance at the old palace attendant, understanding that the loyal old servant meant that this money, given by ministers as a token of loyalty, should rightfully have gone to him.

Yet it had been diverted by the foreign merchant, He Xiao.

"Consider it me paying for his idea. Tell me, what's the true worth of an idea capable of countering Qingyang?"

The fact that such a small sum could secure the services of such a talented individual made Yao Wang quite pleased.

"Well..." The old palace attendant seemed stumped. "It's priceless. My King is truly wise! It's just a pity that the final payment won't be due for another four months."

Yao Wang raised his cup and took a sip of water to clear his throat. "Actually," he said, "it may not take that long. He Xiao simply devised this method to ensure his safety, as he's concerned about his well-being in Tianshui City."

With Yao Wang's money still in He Xiao's hands, Yao Wang would naturally be more attentive to his safety. Otherwise, if He Xiao were to die, the money promised to Yao Wang would be lost.

This was He Xiao's way of insuring himself, as he was, after all, about to cross the Regent Qingyang.

"My King is insightful; He Xiao's petty schemes cannot escape Your Majesty's keen eye!"

The old palace attendant's remark, however, served as a reminder to Yao Wang. He picked up the list from the table, scanning it again. A thought struck him, and he called Zhao Song in. "Tell He Xiao to include the selling prices when he submits the report for the second phase," he instructed.

For the first phase's approval, various departments had only reviewed Yangshan's qualifications, materials, and blueprints, but had not controlled the price of the villas.

Prince Qing's Manor had acquired the first villa at auction for a hefty thirty-eight thousand after dozens of rounds of fierce bidding, but it turned out that wasn't even the price ceiling. To secure the last lakeside villa of the first phase, Bai Tan had offered a staggering fifty thousand taels in one go.

Even the second and third rows, which were far less ideally located, later sold for twenty to thirty thousand taels.

Even if Yao Wang had been slow-witted, he would have noticed the rapid escalation of prices for Youhu Villa.

The reason was simple: "demand far outstrips supply."

So, with the demonstrative success of the first phase, could the second phase of the villas possibly sell poorly or face a cool reception?

Impossible. Prices would only continue to climb.

Yao Wang murmured, "A land price of one thousand taels of silver, huh."

He had initially priced the south bank of Youhu at one thousand taels, merely intending to cause a slight embarrassment for the Regent Qingyang. That area was in the suburbs, and while scenic, the land itself was virtually worthless.

Who could have known that He Xiao would pull off so many clever maneuvers, and with such remarkably effective results?

One thousand taels for the land was indeed far too little.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhao Song replied, then added, "He Xiao has also implored Your Majesty to dispatch more guards to Youhu Villa. He is concerned that someone might target the construction teams."

Yao Wang grunted in acknowledgment. "His concern has some merit. I will dispatch two teams to guard the south bank for him."

With Youhu Villa soon to be a bustling construction site, would the Regent Qingyang simply stand by and watch? Yao Wang didn't believe it.

He Xiao was indeed meticulous, but to conduct business in Tianshui City, he had to rely on Yao Wang's power.

"Is there anything else?"

"He Xiao is preparing to purchase a residence and establish himself in Tianshui City, with Fan Shuang assisting him."

The Yangshan Chamber of Commerce sought to make a fortune in the Kingdom of Yao, aiming to expand its business and network there, and naturally engaged in typical commercial activities. Yao Wang nodded. "You may go," he said.

Just then, a palace attendant reported, "Chief Commissioner Liang requests an audience!"

Yao Wang knew perfectly well that Chief Commissioner Liang was here about the Qian Xiaohao case.

Over the past year or two, his relationship with the Temple had grown somewhat strained, and it was likely Chief Commissioner Liang had spoken ill of him to the Goddess on numerous occasions. However, Yao Wang also faced his own challenges: the national treasury was depleted and expenditures far outstripped income. Even maintaining the existing hundreds of temples was a struggle, let alone constructing new ones.

Yao Wang took a deep breath and sat up straight. "Admit him!" he commanded.

As night fell, Tianshui City remained as bustling as ever.

Bai Tan was on his way home from the Ministry of Justice, and Ding'an Street was an unavoidable part of his route.

This old street, situated beside the main thoroughfare, was lined with shops and bustled with activity almost from sunrise.

However, it also suffered from a common flaw shared by many old streets in Tianshui City:

It was too narrow.

This busy street could only accommodate two carriages abreast. Moreover, after the Old Tree Crossroads, a ten-zhang stretch allowed only a single carriage to pass. Because of this, the Land Office had specially established a "Road Guard" position, stationing several individuals there to direct traffic.