Kays Translations

Chapter 44: No Good Banquet

The Second Prince wants to do business with Li Xian? 

Everyone was stunned, including Li Xian. In the eyes of most people, cultivation was the proper path; for a prince to engage in commerce was quite disgraceful.

However, Li Xian’s mind raced through several thoughts in an instant: What does this mean? Is there some ulterior motive here?

In a moment, Li Xian’s brain was running at full speed. “Your Highness, I know my own limitations. Everything I’ve done is merely due to Mr. Xu’s assistance. With your status as the Second Prince, you could easily recruit several advisors.”

“Li Xian, stop being modest. I’m planning to establish a factory with 100,000 looms, and you must teach me how to manage it. I think no one has more experience than you in running such a large factory.”

So that’s what it is!

Hearing this, Li Xian felt much more at ease; if that was all there was to it, then it was no problem. But could things really be that simple?

With the Second Prince’s interruption, the Crown Prince could no longer pull Li Xian aside for a chat, and as night deepened, everyone dispersed.

However, a little tail followed Li Xian closely.

“Zhao Fei, aren’t you going home? You can come back to play tomorrow.”

“Elder Brother, can I follow you? I don’t want to go back.”

Li Xian blinked and looked at the girl beside him. “May I ask how to address you, miss?”

The girl hesitated slightly before stiffly saying, “My surname is Qing, Qing as in the color green.”

That’s a lie! A simple thought would reveal that she was hiding her identity. But at least there was a name now.

“Miss Qing, if Xiao Fei doesn’t want to go back, she can stay with me for now. How does that sound?”

“Auntie, Auntie, I don’t want to go back!” Zhao Fei shook “Miss Qing’s” hand.

“Ah… then I’ll trouble you, Young Master Li.”

“It’s no trouble at all. It’s so late; I’ll send Miss Qing home.” Li Xian wanted to take this opportunity to discover her true identity.

Unexpectedly, “Miss Qing” suddenly smiled brightly, her words laced with a hint of playful teasing: “Young Master Li, although I am a woman, I am also at the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Li Xian’s face turned red; he only had Xu Ren beside him at the Foundation Establishment stage, while everyone else was at the Qi Refinement stage. This was really embarrassing.

It felt like a rich young man offering to drive his beloved girl home, only for her to shake her head and say, “No need, I have a private jet to pick me up.”

Li Xian felt just as embarrassed.

But he had thick skin. “Miss Qing, it’s dark at night. This is our latest research, a variable-focus night lamp. It’s just a prototype, not worth much; please help me see if there’s anything that needs improvement.”

“Alright.” “Miss Qing” finally accepted Li Xian’s gift with a smile.

Military use for the night lamp? Keep the variable-focus technology and convex lens technology a secret? To hell with that; Young Master wants to “love the beauty, not the empire.” Didn’t they say, “Enjoy life to the fullest”? There’s no saying that warns, “Be cautious when in good fortune.”

Moreover, what’s so secret about the night lamp? It could be easily replicated with just a glance. To be honest, in this era where celestial arts are everywhere, there are countless talents in the world; there are many things better than the night lamp.

Also, the Emperor said that the night lamp cannot be sold to outsiders, but he never said it couldn’t be “given” away. Hmm, I, Young Master, have not violated the imperial decree.

And Zhao Fei has someone to escort her home to rest.

Li Xian watched “Miss Qing” leave the expo before reluctantly withdrawing his gaze.

However, Xu Ren beside him sighed, “Young Master, this girl is not simple.”

Li Xian replied confidently, “I can tell; she must be a descendant of a fallen noble. Though her clothing is plain, her demeanor is that of a proper lady, not something an ordinary family could cultivate.”

Xu Ren shook his head. “It’s likely even more complicated than that. This girl has a royal air about her.”

“Royal air? You can read qi, Mr. Xu?” Li Xian suddenly realized how much Xu Ren knew.

“Hehe, Young Master, it’s not easy to be a strategist. However, my ability to read qi is just superficial. If someone deliberately conceals their identity, I am powerless.”

“If you want to inquire about this girl’s background, you’ll probably need to go to the Crown Prince.”

“Why the Crown Prince? Not someone else?”

“Because just now, I noticed the Crown Prince stared at her a bit longer, and his expression showed surprise. It seems he must know something.”

“Uh…”

“Young Master, when meeting others, always pay attention to their gaze; you’ll gather a lot of information.”

“Alright, alright, thank you for your guidance, Mr. Xu.” Li Xian was already feeling overwhelmed by a string of possibilities and decided to go rest.

The next day, the expo continued. Li Xian took the opportunity to actively seek out the Crown Prince—since the Prince had come to him the night before, Li Xian felt he should return the visit. After sitting down, he took the initiative to speak: “Your Highness, is there something you need Li Xian’s assistance with?”

“Not much. I want to entrust the commerce of Baofeng County to you.”

“What?” Li Xian suddenly sat up straight in surprise. Baofeng County is the Crown Prince’s “governed territory”—his internship area. Baofeng County is located to the west of Chen Country and southwest of Qi Country. It is one of the larger counties in the Great Xia Kingdom due to its proximity to these two nations, making its commerce quite prosperous.

Such a place is actually to be entrusted to me? To be honest, Li Xian felt a bit pleased; but after the joy came the realization—this Crown Prince was clearly trying to form alliances and drag him into the murky waters.

Should he participate?

No, he couldn’t accept it! Almost instantly, Li Xian made his decision; he should be cooperating with the Emperor, not investing in some Crown Prince’s schemes.

“Your Highness, I must apologize; I am incapable of fulfilling this request. I haven’t even managed the commerce in An Yang well, so I dare not rashly take on the business of an entire county. When I feel more confident, I may trouble Your Highness personally.”

The Crown Prince smiled nonchalantly, “I know, I know; that’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

Damn it! Li Xian cursed inwardly, realizing that despite his roundabout scheming, he had already fallen into the other’s grasp.

Seeing Li Xian’s somewhat stiff expression, the Crown Prince laughed even more joyfully. “Li Xian, actually, what I want most are 100,000 looms. Baofeng County is conveniently located near Chen Country and Qi Country, making it ideal for executing your business strategies. How about we cooperate?”

“You provide the looms, and I’ll supply the raw materials, personnel, and sales; we’ll split the profits three to seven.”

Li Xian nearly lost his temper, his nostrils flaring in anger: Oh, you want to make a profit without investing anything! A three-seven split clearly means you get the larger share.

But Li Xian was prepared. “Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness; however, these looms aren’t particularly difficult to produce; they mainly require an engine. Considering the talents at Your Highness’s disposal, producing 100,000 engines should be a minor task.

But I’m different; I only have a few ordinary craftsmen under me, and it took us three months to make fewer than 300 looms.

I wouldn’t want to delay Your Highness’s grand business plans.”

The Crown Prince shook his head. “Li Xian, you’re much smarter than before. So I’ll be direct: I’ve seen the looms you gifted to Father, and there are three components I can’t obtain. One is the bearings and shafts, and the other is—sea soul silk!

I’ve also roughly calculated that while it’s possible to produce one or two engines using jade to carve formations, for mass production, sea soul silk is essential.

Li Xian, I want to purchase the raw materials for 100,000 looms from you, including bearings, shafts, and sea soul silk. You mustn’t say you can’t provide them. There are specialized exhibition areas for shafts, bearings, and sea soul silk at this expo.”

“Your Highness is wise. For now, I can provide 20,000 bearings and matching main shafts, along with related sea soul silk each month. Anything more would be beyond my capabilities. However… however… it’s something I promised the Emperor.”

Li Xian spoke vaguely, not clarifying what he had promised the Emperor, but the implication was clear—why should I sell to you? After this industrial expo, who knows how many bearings, shafts, and sea soul silk the Great Xia Kingdom will need? Not to mention, bearings can be used across various industries, especially for carriages. The market is as vast as the sea!

However, the next words from the Crown Prince turned Li Xian’s initiative into a passive response. “I know some information about Miss Qing.”

Li Xian’s eyes brightened immediately.

The Crown Prince pulled a card from his sleeve. “Tomorrow evening, there will be a banquet at the palace for the officials. This is an invitation to the ladies’ area, handled by Mother. It has her seal, and only you are permitted to enter; you cannot bring anyone else.”

As he spoke, the Crown Prince glanced at Xu Ren, who was behind Li Xian.

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