mtl008 Chapter 268 Stepping on it
Chapter 268 Stepping on it
Prince?
Why would he come to Jade Butterfly Garden?
Seeing that the young master was standing still, He Yuyan assumed that he still wanted to go back to find Wu Weiwei.
So she stepped forward and took Lu Hanting's arm.
"Your Highness, Yan'er is hungry. Didn't you just say you were going to invite Yan'er to Hongfu Restaurant for dinner?"
Lu Hanting subtly pushed away He Yuyan's enthusiastic attempt to take his hand.
He looked at He Yuyan, who was stunned.
"Let's go! I'll take you to Hung Fook Restaurant for dinner today."
Side hall.
The prince looked at the fat monk who was smiling at him like Maitreya Buddha.
A look of suspicion crossed his face.
"Are you the president of the Qingdao-Dongguan Chamber of Commerce?"
He had heard that Jade Butterfly Garden was Wu Weiwei's property, of course, that was before.
It's likely that Lu Hanting will take it back in a few days.
I just don't know if this fat guy is one of Wu Weiwei's people?
"I am but a humble person, and I am the president of the Qingdao-Dongguan Chamber of Commerce."
Fat Tuo bowed and replied.
The Crown Prince looked at Qiao Yuanliang behind him, his eyes filled with obvious suspicion.
Upon seeing this, Pang Tuo immediately took out the token.
"Your Highness, my identity is not important. What matters is my sincerity in cooperating with you. Don't you agree?"
"Can you really get me a hundred tons of salt?"
If he could obtain cheap salt, it would alleviate the soaring salt prices in the capital, and his father would surely think more highly of him.
"Of course! But..."
Fat Tuo looked troubled.
"But what?"
To be honest, the crown prince was still a little worried, after all, privately selling salt was a serious crime.
However, Qiao Yuanliang told him that their purpose in cooperating with him was simply to have him handle salt permits.
Of course, besides the salt permit, Pang Tuo subtly indicated that they were still short of people, preferably all soldiers.
If it's just salt permits, he can certainly get them.
This is not a problem as long as they can get themselves enough salt.
But the soldiers are a bit of a problem.
The prince scrutinized Fat Tuo.
"What do you need soldiers for?"
Ordinary laborers aren't enough? Why need soldiers?
Fat Tuo looked at the Crown Prince with a beaming smile.
Of course, he wouldn't tell the crown prince that they wanted soldiers because they were trained, while ordinary laborers were not only ineffective in combat but also lacked cohesion.
"Your Highness, obtaining salt is not an easy task for us."
"Without sufficient military strength, it's impossible to take over the salt mine. If I were to hire ordinary civilians, wouldn't that be a waste of money and effort, and thankless work?"
At this point, the Crown Prince pursed his lips and asked, "Where did these people get the salt?"
As far as he knew, the salt mines in the inner lakes of the Great Wei Dynasty were firmly controlled by the government, and no one could mine or sell salt without an official salt permit.
Based on this, it seems that their salt did not come from the salt mines of the Great Wei Dynasty.
Seeing the deep thought in the Crown Prince's eyes, Pang Tuo felt uneasy.
Unexpectedly, the crown prince, who only knew how to eat, drink, have fun, and sleep with women, actually had a brain.
"Your Highness, as you can see, the Great Wei is currently experiencing a salt shortage, and salt prices remain high. Even Envoy Lu is having a headache over this matter."
If you can help the Emperor solve this urgent problem, how could he not value you?
The prince lowered his eyes, realizing that Pang Tuo was thinking the same thing as him.
The problem is that they might make promises but fail to keep them, and be unable to supply goods continuously.
I'm afraid he'll make boastful promises in front of his father, but if things go wrong later, his father will end up punishing him instead.
Seeing the worry in the prince's eyes, Pang Tuo laughed and said, "Your Highness, we are all businessmen, how could we be such people who break their promises?"
The crown prince looked at him.
"But I'm afraid Father Emperor won't allow me to misappropriate funds related to the officials and soldiers..."
At this point, Fatty Tuo laughed and said, "Your Highness, I heard that the court will hold a martial arts competition in a few days. If you show your face then, you can ask the Emperor for a position. Wouldn't that give you soldiers under your command?"
Most importantly, the person leading the troops must be someone they have placed there.
The crown prince nominally manages the affairs, but the commanders of the troops must be their men, so that they can act more conveniently.
Upon hearing what he said, the crown prince immediately felt that there was some truth to it.
It's just a position, but he's already solved the problem of high-priced salt for his father, so he'll probably agree.
He pondered for a moment, then looked at the retainer who had come with him, "Yuanliang, what do you think?"
"Your Highness, I believe you should consider this matter..."
Qiao Yuanliang lowered his eyes; the Crown Prince wasn't really a fool.
If he were to try to persuade me, he might doubt me; it would be better to retreat in order to advance.
Fat Tuo looked at the Crown Prince, thinking to himself, "I didn't expect the Crown Prince to be so easy to fool."
Qiao Yuanliang's words of advice put the Crown Prince at ease.
He looked at Pang Tuo.
"Alright, Mr. Hao, then I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"
If he truly achieves great success, he might not be scolded by his father as a good-for-nothing anymore, nor be looked down upon by the people of Wei!
The prince was delighted and warmly put his arm around Fat Tuo's shoulder.
"Come on, let's go to Xiangyuan Garden. I'm hosting a banquet for you today!"
Looking at the hand on his shoulder, Fatty Tuo thought of his good brother.
Qingzhu, as a brother, you've gone to this much trouble for me, haven't you?
When you make it big, you'll have to give me credit for it.
After the Crown Prince and his entourage left, Wu Weiwei had almost finished preparing her things.
Just as they were about to leave, a carriage came speeding towards them.
"Miss, it's Miss Chen!"
Lingfu said happily.
"Sister Weiwei, I won't be in Beijing for the next few days."
I never imagined you'd been through so much. Hearing you were moving today, I rushed over as fast as I could!
Chen Furong only learned after returning that Wu Weiwei had been divorced by her third senior brother and given a concubine's letter.
Although she was happy that Wu Weiwei had regained her freedom, she couldn't help but feel a little scared when she thought about how Wu Weiwei had almost died because of it.
If she had known that Sister Weiwei would be injured, she would not have gone to Huai County as arranged that day.
"It's nothing, I'm perfectly fine now."
Wu Weiwei held Chen Furong's hand.
"By the way, Furong, I heard you went to Huai County to recruit soldiers?"
Speaking of this, Chen Furong said impatiently, "Don't even mention it! I've been busy for days, and I haven't found many good prospects!"
Speaking of recruiting soldiers, Wu Weiwei thought of what Qingzhu had specifically mentioned to her yesterday.
"By the way, I heard that the Emperor has appointed you as one of the chief examiners for this martial arts examination?"
"Hmm, I don't know what got into His Majesty, why did he choose me to be the chief examiner!"
Chen Furong was still puzzled, because usually such competitions were hosted by Senior Brother Lu.
"Sister Weiwei, do you think the Emperor has had a change of heart and realizes that I actually have good potential, and wants to cultivate me properly?"
Wu Weiwei smiled and said, "Of course, Furong, you're going to be a female general in the future."
The Emperor has a discerning eye; he recognized your talent early on…
As for why the emperor doesn't use Lu Hanting now, Wu Weiwei actually understands in her heart.
First, he wielded great power and was driven by excessive personal desires; second, with concubines stirring up trouble, it's no wonder he couldn't gain the emperor's favor.
If he doesn't reflect on his actions and is easily manipulated by the female lead, he'll eventually fall from grace.
Of course, I have nothing to do with him anymore, so he can do whatever he wants!
It's perfect that it fell; she can take the opportunity to stomp on it again.
"By the way, Sister Weiwei, I heard something when I arrived!"