Chapter 153 Money Power is Also a Power
The Eighth Prince somehow got the news.
As soon as he heard that Ninth Highness was going to be the class monitor, he immediately refused.
Class monitor?
Why him? Just because he has a bit of money?
What a joke!
When it comes to money, the Eighth Prince isn't afraid of anyone!
Zhao Lü rushed to the Imperial Heirs Residence, about to kick open the door, but his foot stopped halfway and he put it down.
He gently pushed open Shen Yulou's door and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Mr. Shen! This isn't fair!"
Shen Yulou was leisurely drinking tea when Zhao Lü's shout startled him, causing him to spill half a cup of tea.
"You scared me!"
"Why are you yelling?"
Zhao Lü pointed at his own nose, looking indignant.
"Mr. Shen, I heard you made Ninth Highness the class monitor of the Imperial Academy? Why! Is it just because he advanced some money? Whatever he can offer, this Prince will double it!"
Shen Yulou put down his teacup, overjoyed.
Well, well, the fish delivered themselves to his doorstep, and two of them at that.
He shook his head, feigning seriousness.
"Your Highness, that's not right. The position of class monitor carries great responsibility; money alone isn't enough."
Zhao Lü looked like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. If Shen Yulou didn't take a good slice, how could he face such a proactive Eighth Prince?
Shen Yulou changed the subject.
"However, since Your Highness has this intention, I can tailor an even more impressive position for you."
"What position?" Zhao Lü's eyes instantly lit up.
"Battalion Leader! Also known as Five-Stripe Leader."
Shen Yulou spoke decisively and with conviction.
"Think about it, 'class monitor' sounds a bit petty. 'Battalion Leader' sounds imposing! From now on, you will wear five stripes on your shoulder!"
"Five stripes?!" Zhao Lü was stunned.
"Exactly!" Shen Yulou gestured, "Five stripes represent the highest honor of the Imperial Academy! It symbolizes comprehensive development in virtue, intelligence, physique, aesthetics, and labor! You, Eighth Prince, will be the role model and leader for all Imperial Heirs and princesses!"
Zhao Lü's mind was already envisioning himself with five stripes on his shoulder, majestically patrolling the Imperial Academy, with even Ninth Highness and even Seventh Sister nodding and bowing to him.
That scene would be absolutely magnificent!
"Then what does this Prince need to do?"
"Simple." Shen Yulou smiled slightly, "Ninth Highness is responsible for the exterior wall construction, which is infrastructure.
Your Highness will be responsible for the internal facilities, food, clothing, and daily necessities. This is called soft power!
Whether an academy is good or not depends on its soft power!
Think about it, other noble children eat steamed buns, while the Imperial Heirs of our Imperial Academy eat abalone and bear paws. Can the prestige be the same?
In the future, when your imperial younger brothers and sisters go out, they will proudly say that these silk robes were bestowed by my Eighth Brother.
How impressive would that make you?"
Zhao Lü slapped his thigh, making a decision on the spot.
"Done! This Prince will handle it! Isn't it just money? This Prince still has some!"
Watching the satisfied Eighth Prince leave, Shen Yulou contentedly sipped his tea.
The Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince, these two'Sleeping Dragons and Phoenix Chicks,' are truly prodigies; they need to be properly guided in the future... After Emperor Ren returned to the palace, an imperial edict was proclaimed to the world.
The Imperial Academy was established, Shen Yulou was given full responsibility, and his rank was raised to the third grade.
This news, like a bombshell, exploded in the entire Imperial Harem.
Suddenly, the consorts in various palaces couldn't sit still; everyone was in a state of anxiety.
Their children were to be sent to that Imperial Academy, and it would be a fully enclosed management, only allowing visits once a month?
How was this different from tearing their beloved flesh from their hearts!
Although they knew Shen Yulou wouldn't mistreat the Imperial Heirs and princesses, with nearly twenty children in the Imperial Academy, how could he manage them all by himself?
What if their own child was wronged?
And so, a silent war, without the smoke of gunpowder, quietly began in the Imperial Harem.
The consorts in various palaces secretly instructed their trusted eunuchs and Palace Maids to covertly sell their jewelry and imperial gifts, exchanging them for stacks of light silver notes.
Their goal was only one.
To send gifts to Shen Yulou!
...Princesss Residence.
Qingqing reported all the news she had gathered from the palace to the Princess.
Although the Princess could now freely enter and leave the residence, she still maintained the habit of spending money to buy information.
Being well-informed was the key to self-preservation.
"Princess, the palace is in chaos now. Many consorts are selling their valuables, hoping to send gifts to Lord Shen."
The Princess was trimming a pot of orchids. Hearing this, her movements paused slightly, and a cunning smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
As expected of her man, his way of making money was truly unique.
"Qingqing, go, take out all the silver from our treasury."
"Ah? Miss, are we sending gifts too?"
"What are you thinking? Why would we send gifts?"
The Princess rolled her eyes at her, "Go and buy back all the things those consorts want to sell! Remember, be ruthless and drive down the prices. They are eager to sell and dare not make a fuss, so it's a good opportunity for us to pick up bargains."
Qingqing listened, dumbfounded. How was her Miss's operation so similar to Lord Shen's method?
"Princess, won't this money eventually end up in Lord Shen's hands anyway? Do we really need to go through all this trouble?"
The Princess said, "Of course, this wave of price difference is not a small profit. Before, we didn't have capital, so we didn't dare to do anything."
"Now that we have silver, making money from money is the fastest way."
"You figure out a way to contact those Palace Maids who are selling their valuables, give them some kickbacks, and have them sell to you."
"For something worth a hundred taels, you write her a receipt for fifty taels, and then give her ten taels as a kickback, understand?"
Qingqing's mouth twitched, "Understood, Princess."
"Go on, don't reveal your identity. If anyone insists on asking, just say you're a relative of Consort Shu."
"Then... should we tell Lord Shen?"
"No need. Just give him a surprise in a few days."
...Fengyi Palace.
The Noble Consort looked at her sleeping son in the swaddling clothes, her eyes slightly red.
Xiaoyue was tidying a brocade box nearby, which contained several large denomination silver notes that had just been exchanged.
She couldn't help but complain in a low voice, "Consort, what kind of situation is this? You even personally nursed the little Imperial Heir, but he still has to be sent away. Didn't you breastfeed him for nothing?"
The Noble Consort sighed faintly, her gaze drifting towards the window, her voice carrying a hint of unknown resentment.
"I've given away many things for nothing..."
Fortunately, the child was entrusted to Shen Yulou, not the Empress.
Although that Shen Yulou was a scoundrel, he was capable, and he had made a military pledge, so the child's safety should not be an issue.
"Xiaoyue, go and send a message to Lord Shen, tell him that I personally made some pastries and invite him to come and taste them."
The Noble Consort said, getting up and walking towards the inner chamber, her cheeks flushing.
"First, serve me for a bath."
...At this moment, Shen Yulou was in Cining Palace, fiercely playing mahjong with the Empress Dowager, Consort Su, and Tao Hong.
"Hu! All one suit, paired pairs!"
The Empress Dowager pushed her tiles, smiling broadly.
Shen Yulou, while losing money with a pained expression, skillfully helped the Empress Dowager win.
Underhandedly, his hands playing mahjong were not honest. While shuffling the tiles, he would occasionally touch Tao Hong or Consort Su's small hands, making the two little beauties blush, yet they dared not speak out.
That feeling, it was incredibly stimulating