Steel Dynasty - Chapter 396

[Chapter 396 Signing the Agreement]

Only Yang Zhen and Xiao Wenxuan were left in the room.

There is a scar on Yang Zhen’s face from the left side of his face to the right side of his face. Ordinary people would be frightened if they saw it.

But not only did Xiao Wenxuan not show any disgust, but his expression softened when his eyes rested on the scar.

It was Yang Zhen who blocked a knife for him on the battlefield that left this scar. Because of this, he trusted Yang Zhen so much.

“It’s just the Emperor. If it was really the second prince who did it, I’m afraid it will be the Emperor who is in trouble.”

Yang Zhen said suddenly.

Xiao Wenxuan nodded slightly, and Yang Zhen got to the point of this issue. What can the second prince do? The best result is just like before, this matter will be reduced to a small matter.

For so many years, he had dealt with the disputes between the princes in this way. After all, they were all his flesh and blood, and the palms and backs of his hands were all flesh.

“This matter has not yet been concluded, you should investigate it clearly.” Xiao Wenxuan said calmly.

Yang Zhen bowed and said yes, and left the imperial study room.

Sighing, Xiao Wenxuan shook his head and murmured: “Erlang, don’t force me to do anything.”

…

Leaving the palace, Xiao Ming went directly to King Yong’s residence. Just as he thought, King Yong He readily agreed to Xiao Ming’s conditions, and the only reward was that Xiao Ming helped conceal the truth about the Battle of Jizhou and added fifty artillery pieces.

Compared to the trade agreement and fifty artillery pieces, this was just drizzle to Xiao Ming, and the contract he signed with King Yong was somewhat different, and that was about minerals.

Speaking of which, King Yong’s fiefdom extended all the way to present-day Shanxi, a place rich in coal resources.

The agreement he signed included coal mining rights in twelve areas. These twelve coal mines were famous high-quality open-pit coal mines in later generations.

Although there is coal near Qingzhou, the coal mines are not deep and the quality is not high. It is not worth spending a lot of manpower and material resources.

So he has been playing with King Yong’s ideas, and the Battle of Jizhou gave him this opportunity, otherwise it would be really difficult to deal with King Yong’s character.

But it was different now. In his opinion, King Yong not only wanted him for the war, but also since seeing the power of artillery and muskets, King Yong couldn’t put it down. He thought that in order to get these weapons, King Yong would be willing to sell his pants. Don’t talk about some coal mines that no one cares about.

After all, the amount of coal used in Dayu State is not large now, and there is no need to mine many coal mines. These things are not valuable to King Yong, so it is better to exchange them for some actual things.

“My dear nephew, I have signed this agreement. From now on, you can take whatever you like from the imperial uncle’s fiefdom.” King Yong laughed.

In the eyes of King Yong, Xiao Ming was just a fool, but he had to thank this fool, because Xiao Ming not only took in 400,000 to 500,000 victims from his fief to help him solve the famine problem, but also gave him artillery in exchange for a bunch of useless What a valuable coal mine.

As for the free circulation of goods, he didn’t care at all. Merchants were just pariahs to him, and giving him this treatment was just equivalent to having another chamber of commerce similar to the Imperial Merchant.

“My nephew is really touched by how cheerful the Fourth Emperor is. If nothing else, I will give this to the Fourth Emperor as a gift.” Xiao Ming placed a box on the table.

The box was opened, and there was a short-barreled musket inside. This was a short-barreled matchlock gun.

“Nephew, this is a musket? Why is it different?”

King Yong had probably seen a flintlock gun, but he didn’t know the specific structure. However, he also knew that the musket was long, and this musket was too short.

“Uncle Four Emperors, can my nephew give you something ordinary? Those are just for soldiers. This kind of musket symbolizes power and status.” Xiao Ming said.

King Yong immediately scratched his head and ears with joy. He gave Xiao Ming a thumbs up, “It is better for a good nephew to treat an imperial uncle.”

As he said this, King Yong picked up the musket and started playing with it.

At this time, Xiao Ming introduced the use of the musket to King Yong, and finally helped him fire the first shot. After seeing the power of the musket, King Yong fell in love with it even more.

After confirming the contents of the agreement with King Yong, Xiao Ming returned to the palace.

After getting rid of King Yong, Xiao Ming was thinking about who to look for next. At this time, King Wei came again and agreed to the contents of the agreement, but the prerequisite was the supply of muskets.

Xiao Ming naturally agreed to this question. He didn’t know how to practice the musket array. The muskets were just like fire sticks in the hands of these people.

What’s more, the King of Chu is already secretly equipping muskets. At this time, arming the King of Wei can suppress these southern vassal kings.

“My dear nephew, in order to make the agreement more specific, why not write this article into the agreement.” King Wei was always worried about the muskets. After hesitating for a long time, he still asked for the muskets to be included as a clause in the agreement.

“Since it is the emperor’s uncle’s request, my nephew should write it in.” Xiao Ming chuckled, like a little fox.

As long as this agreement is in effect, he will dominate the trade, and a few guns are nothing.

The agreement was re-drafted, Xiao Ming and King Wei formally signed it, and the trade agreement was basically finalized.

After dealing with the matter, King Wei said: “My good nephew, in addition to muskets, it is said that my good nephew also has a hot air balloon. When can I open my eyes to the emperor?”

“No need to wait any longer, we can see you after tomorrow morning. Xiao Ming said with a smile.

The next day, he went to the morning court with the officials. As agreed, Xiao Wenxuan gave him the title of Prince Sanzhu and ordered the Qingzhou Chamber of Commerce to enjoy the treatment of imperial merchants.

It seems that because of Xiao Ming’s great contribution here, the court was surprisingly quiet this time, and none of the courtiers objected to Xiao Wenxuan’s decision.

But after thinking about it carefully, he understood that these courtiers were probably secretly happy, thinking that Xiao Wenxuan deliberately suppressed Xiao Ming and only gave him the royal merchant treatment. They had no idea that this was what Xiao Ming and Xiao Wenxuan had agreed upon in advance.

“King Qi, it is said that you used two very powerful weapons in this battle in Jizhou. Can you show it to us?”

After announcing the reward, Xiao Wenxuan said with a smile. This is what he is looking forward to most today.

“Of course, the things are outside the palace. Please allow them to come in.”

“That’s right,” Xiao Wenxuan said.

At this time, Feng Deshui immediately shouted: “It is reported that the goods brought by King Qi are entering the palace.”

As he shouted, the voices continued to the palace entrance.

At this time, the carriage waiting behind Luo Xin said: “Enter the palace.”

Liang Yubin and He Cheng nodded and followed the small yellow gate leading the way to the palace.

At this time, Xiao Wenxuan and his ministers were waiting for them in the square in front of Chengqing Hall.

“Luo Xin, let’s start.”

Xiao Ming said to Luo Xin and others.

Luo Xin nodded and immediately took out the musket from the box. Liang Yubin and He Cheng also began to prepare the hot air balloon.

(End of chapter)