it offset 20% of the taxes, but you could also avoid paying one person's head tax. This half acre is the most cost-effective. Why don't you plant more" Li Chen asked.Hearing this, the old farmer beame...Chapter 115: Maritime Prohibition

The entire hall was deathly silent.

They didn't know what had happened, but the foreman's words were unprecedentedly severe.

One of the three treasures' confidantes bowed and said, "Sir Factory has an order, we will certainly die without hesitation, but Sir Factory, what exactly happened"

Sān Bǎo raised his hand and slowly touched the bloodstain on his neck, gritting his teeth and saying: "Just now, this old man almost had his head chopped off by His Royal Highness the Prince!"

"It is precisely because the Xishan Province was scattered and destroyed that important military information was delayed. Right now, three counties of Xishan Province have been occupied by a group of rebellious peasants!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room was filled with astonishment.

The very words "rebellion" are thrilling and terrifying even just to think about. And yet, someone actually did it.

Sān Bǎo's Yin Li eyes swept over everyone, and he rose to his feet, saying: "Everyone, apart from those essential personnel at headquarters, the rest of you will follow me to Xishan Province. This time, the Crown Prince is furious, even if it means bloodwashing Xishan Province from top to bottom, we must investigate this matter thoroughly. Otherwise, I die, and none of you can survive."

Under the accumulated weight of the Eunuch's authority over many years, all the elite guards present bowed and shouted in unison: "We obey your command, Master!"

The Three Treasures and the others left the capital city overnight, while in the East Palace, Li Chen put on his clothes under Liu Sichun's somewhat clumsy service.

Handing a handkerchief to Liu Sichun, Li Chen calmly said, "Wipe the marks off your face."

Liu Sichun's face was flushed red, she didn't need a mirror to know how disheveled and shameless she looked at this moment.

"Thank you, Your Highness." After taking the handkerchief, Liu Sichun wiped away the dirt on her face that still smelled of Li Chen. She clutched at her chest and shivered as she stood in the middle of the Xizheng Hall. Her body trembled slightly, and she lowered her head without saying a word.

Li Chen remained silent, staring at Liu Sichun.

Liu Sichun was unlike other women. This woman was the most selfish and self-serving, turning everything into a deal or transaction. Today, she played it safe, guarding that last line fiercely. Nothing truly happened, perhaps this was her bottom line, or maybe she saw chastity as her most precious and valuable bargaining chip, unwilling to give it up easily.

But she still did the wrong thing, taking a big step forward. This was because she wanted to benefit from this situation.

As for a woman like Liu Sichun, Li Chen knew exactly what she wanted.

“Last time, you took the Liu family’s house as well. I heard from the Dongchang people that you rented houses in the countryside to avoid danger, and your entire family didn’t even have a proper place to shelter from the wind and rain. After returning, you should move back to your original house with your family. This palace has specially approved it.” Li Chen said.

Liu Sicun nodded and calmly said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace."

Leaning back in the chair, Li Chen said faintly, “What, too little”

Liu Sichun's teeth were clenched tightly.

The prince's manner made her feel like a commodity on display, priced and ready for purchase.

Then Liu Sichun smiled wryly, isn't this exactly what he wanted

Kneeling, Liu Sichun said: “Please, Your Highness, show further mercy and allow the Liu family to use sea transport. We would ship salt directly from Zhejiang and Fujian provinces by sea to northern Zhili province, entering the capital city through Tiangjin port.”

Li Chen frowned and said indifferently, "The imperial court has banned sea trade since two hundred years ago. If we make an exception for you, there will be a lot of trouble afterward."

Liu Sichun gritted her teeth and persisted, "But the salt transport is a desperate gamble for me and my entire family, staking everything on our lineage. If we fail, I can only die to appease my father's spirit in heaven. Please show mercy, Your Highness."

Li Chen looked at Liu Sichun, but did not give an immediate reply.

From his perspective, it was clear that the maritime ban had more disadvantages than advantages. However, given the current state of affairs, opening the ban would face enormous political resistance.

This is not the same as killing a few corrupt officials.

If he dared to propose lifting the maritime ban, it would be a direct provocation of the rules set by our ancestors. In the Great Qin Empire, which governs with filial piety, this would be considered a grave transgression.

However, it might not be a bad idea to let the Liu family test the waters and gauge reactions first if they make an exception this time.

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!Chapter 980 The Deep-Laying Plan