Steel Dynasty - Chapter 97

[Chapter 97 A battle of wits and courage]

in Prince Qi’s Mansion.

Princess Pingyang got off the carriage and frowned when she first saw the scenery in the palace.

In Chang’an, she was used to seeing all kinds of luxurious houses. Compared with those houses, Prince Qi’s Mansion was indeed a bit shabby.

Not to mention that there is no auspicious Qilin beast in front of the palace, the plaque on the palace is not written with gold powder, and there is a rusty door knocker on the palace door, all of which are incompatible with the status of a prince.

Seeing Princess Pingyang’s expression was strange, Xiao Ming asked: “Aunt, what’s wrong?”

“Ming’er, these five years in Qingzhou have been hard on you, and so has the emperor. You are also a dignified prince, how can you be so biased? This time I return I will definitely tell you about Chang’an.” Princess Pingyang looked like she felt sorry for Xiao Ming.

If he hadn’t known this aunt, Xiao Ming would have been really moved. However, this aunt had such a good reputation that she could easily pull off any mischief. He couldn’t believe it.

“Thank you, aunt, but that’s not necessary. My father has already sent the one million taels of silver to my nephew,” Xiao Ming said.

Princess Pingyang rolled her eyes. If it weren’t for the glass and other Qingzhou products, she would have forgotten her nephew.

In Chang’an, other princes often walked around with her and gave her generous gifts from time to time. However, Xiao Ming was not in Chang’an, and her family’s power was not good, so she naturally didn’t take it to heart.

“Really? I heard that the emperor’s impression of you has changed a bit today. It seems to be true.”

“I don’t know about this nephew. My father has always disliked nephews, but this time he sent silver. Maybe it’s Really?” Xiao Ming hesitated.

Princess Pingyang smiled sweetly and said, “Congratulations to you. Maybe the emperor will allow you to go back to Chang’an to visit the bride when he is happy. Concubine Zhen misses you very much.”

“My nephew also misses his mother.” Xiao Mingqing said with a smile.

At this time, the two of them arrived in the garden behind the main hall. Princess Pingyang sat down in the pavilion and stretched out her hand to signal Xiao Ming to sit down as well.

“I came here this time for Concubine Zhen to see you. Seeing that you are living a good life here, I will go back and talk to her, which will put her at ease.” Princess Pingyang played the emotional card again.

Xiao Ming felt a little admiration in his heart. This Princess Pingyang was indeed a shrewd person, and she could make people get closer to her with just a few words.

It’s just that he is not the Xiao Ming of the past, and this blood relationship is not enough to make him lose his cool. If the Xiao Ming of the past was probably crying, he would have wiped away his tears.

Princess Pingyang was always observing Xiao Ming’s expression when she spoke. Seeing that Xiao Ming’s expression remained as usual, she couldn’t help but be a little surprised. This King Qi was a bit interesting.

“That’s true. I hope my aunt will tell my mother and concubine that I’m fine here and don’t have to worry about it.” Xiao Ming said, “By the way, does my aunt have any other arrangements for coming this time? If not, my nephew can take my aunt with him. Look at the beautiful scenery of Qingzhou. “

Princess Pingyang walked all the way and saw that the surroundings were just remote areas with no scenery to see.

Seeing that Prince Qi’s mansion was in such a state of decline, and she had no intention of staying here for a long time, she said: “I’m just staying here for a few days, and I will go to your Uncle Wei’s Jinling City to sit there in a few days.”

“That’s a good idea. My nephew has always wanted to go to a prosperous place, but he is busy with government affairs and can’t get away.” Xiao Ming found a reason for himself not to accompany this aunt.

“It’s okay, if you can be diligent in government affairs, the emperor will be happy if you know it.” Pingyang tried it out and saw that Xiao Ming seemed to have a sense of inadequacy. He had no use for this nephew’s beauty. She hesitated for a moment and had to explain her purpose, “Ming’er, this time my aunt came here actually for the glass. The glassware you sent into the palace this time alarmed the harem, and your father couldn’t put it down, so he asked me to come to Qingzhou this time. Ask the craftsmen how to make this glass and make it for the ladies to use.”

“Sure enough,” Xiao Ming exclaimed in his heart, this aunt has an unusually big appetite.

Originally, he thought that Princess Pingyang would only ask for some glassware, so he would just give her some. Unexpectedly, she suddenly opened her mouth and directly asked for the production method of glass.

When Princess Pingyang said this, she looked at Xiao Ming again, and saw that Xiao Ming was still as calm as water, but what she didn’t know was that ten thousand grass and mud horses were already running through Xiao Ming’s heart.

“Auntie, I’m afraid this is inappropriate.”

Xiao Ming believed that Princess Pingyang’s words were true. If Princess Pingyang turned a deaf ear in front of Xiao Wenxuan, Xiao Wenxuan would definitely agree to her asking for the production methods of glass, and even the production of all goods in Qingzhou. Method.

Because this is the Great Chongqing Kingdom, the greed of the powerful is unabashed, and in their hearts, this seems to be a matter of course.

Princess Pingyang’s expression changed, her eyes wandered, and she echoed: “Auntie also disagrees. This is what your father said. Don’t you understand your father’s temperament? If he is interested, he will definitely get it. “

Xiao Ming frowned, this Princess Pingyang could be said to be threatening him.

Xiao Wenxuan is savage, domineering, and cold-blooded. This is something that everyone in the entire Chongqing Kingdom knows. Otherwise, how could he, a dignified prince, have fallen to this level in the first place.

Princess Pingyang is still waiting for his answer. This is the worst case scenario he expected.

If he doesn’t give it, Xiao Wenxuan will definitely be furious. If he does, this is the beginning. In the future, any monsters can use Xiao Wenxuan’s banner to ask for things from him.

So he must not let go this time, and he must try not to offend Princess Pingyang and Xiao Wenxuan.

“I understand your father’s temperament, but I’m just an aunt. If you don’t have faith, you won’t be established. I really can’t tell you the method of making glass, because I have already made an agreement with the merchants of the Chamber of Commerce. In addition to future supply, this The method of glass will be opened to them when they reach the membership level. If I break my promise at this time, it will not cause me to lose face. No matter what, I am also a prince. My face does not matter. I have lost the face of the royal family. Father. You won’t be happy either.”

“Oh? Is there anything else?” Princess Pingyang asked doubtfully.

Xiao Ming nodded affirmatively, and then told Princess Pingyang about the Chamber of Commerce.

The more Princess Pingyang heard about it, the uglier her face became. She originally wanted to take advantage of the glass, but she didn’t expect that the glass would involve the interests of so many people.

There are also many vassal kings among them.

If so, this matter is not that easy to handle. It is easy for the royal family to be a vassal, but it is difficult to handle the vassal with a different surname.

Being in Chang’an, she knew that these vassal princes were thinking that the struggle for the throne was about to start, and they would introduce another emperor who would suit their interests just like they supported Xiao Wenxuan back then.

“Exactly, the most important thing is that my nephew has already collected their silver, and has spent it all. If my aunt is willing to pay it back to them for my nephew, my nephew will be happy to give his aunt the method of making glass. “Xiao Ming looked regretful.

“How much money?” Princess Pingyang seemed to feel hope.

“It’s not much, probably more than fifteen million taels.” Xiao Ming said lightly.

(End of chapter)