Zhu Cunji truly wanted to seize that annoying bird, snap its neck—half a twist, then another, a full two rotations—slam it onto the ground, and stomp it ten times just to be sure.
Unfortunately, that bird belonged to Mr. Li.
And so, even if Zhu Cunji didn't respect the monk, he still had to respect the Buddha.
He forcefully suppressed his urge. The anger he couldn't vent piled up in his chest, swelling and vibrating, practically visible as a restless ripple of suppressed emotion.
"Mr. Li, you absolutely must help me," Zhu Cunji said, puffing his cheeks in grievance. "I, this heir, have ordered so many steam trains and railway tracks from your blacksmith workshops. You've already made a huge fortune. Now you really should help me find ways to make money as well. Otherwise, how can I continue ordering more trains in the future? Mutual benefit—mutual benefit!"
"Hm, that's reasonable," Li Daoxuan replied lazily.
Teasing a prince and watching him suffer was, in fact, quite entertaining.
With a faint smile, he said, "Your Highness, if you want to make money, the best method is actually very simple."
"Oh?" Zhu Cunji leaned forward eagerly.
"Promote the movement of people between Sanyuan County and Xi'an."
Zhu Cunji froze. "Promote… people moving around? How does that make money?"
"You just need to find a way," Li Daoxuan explained calmly, "to make people from Xi'an want to go to Sanyuan County, and at the same time, make people from Sanyuan County want to come to Xi'an. As long as people are willing to travel, there will naturally be movement. And once there's movement, there's consumption."
Zhu Cunji listened with a completely bewildered expression. His eyes were round, his mouth slightly open.
"How… how do you do that?"
"If I start talking about economics, tax circulation, and market demand," Li Daoxuan said leisurely, "you'll fall asleep before I finish the second sentence."
Zhu Cunji did not deny it.
"So let's change angles," Li Daoxuan continued. "Let's talk about something you're good at."
His tone shifted slightly. "Your Highness—what are you best at?"
Zhu Cunji grinned immediately. "Eating, drinking, having fun, and enjoying myself."
Beside them, Wang Tang sucked in a sharp breath.
These are skills now? Truly astonishing. If I called you a useless wastrel, would you even dare argue back?
Unexpectedly, the Dao Xuan Tianzhun showed no intention of reprimanding Zhu Cunji at all. Instead, he casually reached out and patted Wang Tang on the shoulder, silently telling him to suppress his urge to retort.
Then he smiled faintly at Zhu Cunji. "Those four things you're best at are exactly what can stimulate the flow of people between these two places."
"Huh?" Zhu Cunji blinked. "These… actually work?"
"Absolutely," Li Daoxuan said firmly. "Your Highness, do you still remember the Huaqing Palace Hot Spring Resort I built in Lintong?"
"Of course!" Zhu Cunji said immediately. "That place is incredible! I, this heir, go soak there whenever I get the chance."
"Good," Li Daoxuan nodded. "Then go to Sanyuan County and spread the word. Tell the local gentry, wealthy families, officials, and nobles that Lintong in Xi'an has an excellent hot spring resort. If they want to enjoy it, they can come anytime."
"And once they come," he continued, "they'll take the train from Sanyuan County to Xi'an, walk from Xi'an North Station to the East Station, then transfer trains to Lintong."
Zhu Cunji's eyes widened, and he slapped his thigh.
"So that's how it is! Mr. Li's hot spring resort can even help me attract people from Sanyuan County onto the train—hahahaha! I get it now! Not only can I promote the hot springs, I can also talk about Xi'an's temples, pagodas, scenic spots, and all kinds of entertainment. I'll practically trick them into boarding the train to come play in Xi'an!"
Li Daoxuan felt quite pleased inside.
This fellow will definitely work very hard to advertise my businesses.
"Exactly," Li Daoxuan said. "Now look—haven't we put your 'play' expertise to good use? Think again. Out of eating, drinking, and having fun, what else can you utilize?"
Zhu Cunji immediately started brainstorming.
"I can promote Dongguanxiang! Let them come eat good food!" he said excitedly. "And the movie 'A Small Soldier from the Dalinghe Border Army'—I can recommend that too!"
Ideas poured out one after another. Unfortunately—or perhaps inevitably—every single one of them was aimed at bringing customers straight to Li Daoxuan.
After all, Xi'an's food, clothing, housing, transportation, entertainment, and leisure industries were now basically under Li Daoxuan's control.
After thinking for a long time, Zhu Cunji finally frowned again.
"Bringing people from Sanyuan County to Xi'an is easy. There's just too much to see and do here," he said. "But how do I persuade people from Xi'an to go to Sanyuan County?"
Li Daoxuan smiled, his expression turning sly. "Is there anything interesting in Sanyuan County?"
Zhu Cunji pondered for a long while before suddenly remembering something.
"The Sanyuan City God Temple," he said. "It was built in the eighth year of the Hongwu reign… but now it's, uh… cough… a bit run-down."
"That's not a problem," Li Daoxuan said smoothly. "Spend some money. Hire laborers. Renovate it properly. Paint it beautifully. Display ritual implements. Invite a few Daoist priests who look impressive enough to preside over it."
Zhu Cunji's eyes lit up. "Then I can publicize that the City God there is extremely efficacious!"
Li Daoxuan shook his head. "That won't work."
"Why?"
"The reputation of Dao Xuan Tianzhun in Xi'an is far too strong," Li Daoxuan explained calmly. "Everyone already comes to Xi'an to seek blessings. Just saying the City God is efficacious won't be enough. You'll need a different angle."
Zhu Cunji hesitated. "Then… what angle?"
"You'll need to make up a story," Li Daoxuan said casually. "Say that Dao Xuan Tianzhun and the Sanyuan City God are sworn brothers, joining forces to suppress demons and monsters."
Zhu Cunji's face darkened immediately.
"This… this heir wouldn't dare fabricate something like that."
"You wouldn't dare make that up," Li Daoxuan laughed, "yet you claim to believe in Dao Xuan Tianzhun?"
He shook his head. "Look at those Daoist priests—aren't they always inventing stories for their deities?"
Zhu Cunji shook his head vigorously. "No, no! Daoist priests make things up because their gods never show themselves. Who knows if they even exist? But Dao Xuan Tianzhun—this heir has personally witnessed his divine manifestations. I wouldn't dare fabricate stories about him."
That answer made Li Daoxuan burst out laughing.
"Fine," he said. "Then we'll change the story."
He leaned closer. "Just say that your Imperial Ancestor once visited the Sanyuan City God Temple, sat on a meditation cushion there, and made a wish. Claim that the same cushion has been preserved in your family. Then take any random cushion and place it in the temple."
He paused. "Would you dare fabricate that?"
Zhu Cunji chuckled lowly. "I dare to fabricate stories about the Imperial Ancestor."
Understanding dawned instantly.
"The Imperial Ancestor worshipped there and even used that cushion!" Zhu Cunji laughed loudly. "People will swarm there just to see it!"
"Exactly," Li Daoxuan nodded. "Now—does Sanyuan County have any specialty snacks?"
The moment food was mentioned, Zhu Cunji didn't hesitate at all.
"Sanyuan Geda Mian, Sanyuan Pao You Gao, Sanyuan Liaohuatang…" he rattled off smoothly. Then he suddenly burst into laughter. "I get it! I really get it! Gather all the vendors together, just like Dongguanxiang in Xi'an. Set up a food street!"
"Then I'll promote it in Xi'an," he continued excitedly. "Encourage wealthy households to take the train to Sanyuan County, eat the snacks, and visit the City God Temple!"
Even Li Daoxuan couldn't help swallowing slightly.
Wait… Sanyuan County actually has good food? I might need to take a train and try it myself.
Zhu Cunji became more and more inspired.
"Sanyuan County is also the hometown of Li Jing, the famous Tang Dynasty minister!" he said. "I can find any old broken house, declare it Li Jing's former residence, and lure people over—hahahaha! By the time they've had enough of Sanyuan County, my railway will already reach Yaozhou, and I can trick them into traveling there next!"
Li Daoxuan gently patted his shoulder.
"Your Highness truly is a genius," he said solemnly. "The AAAA-rated scenic area can officially begin development."