Capítulo 1332: Chapter 1327: Difficult Choices
Murong Ping seed to be prepared and casually said that it was because Murong Li was interested in the paper from the Cui Trading House, which made him curious. After so inquiries, he discovered that there were various intricacies behind the paper. Though he was a straightforward person and not involved with refined paper affairs, he knew this business was profitable, thus he sought out Bai Jintong.
Bai Jintong discussed with Murong Ping that if the Emperor of Yan took heed, it might be challenging to avoid taxes in this matter…
Murong Ping, however, was unconcerned, saying that as a prince of a nation, he could manage such a trivial matter. Besides, helping the Cui Trading House evade tax was his concern, and as long as “Cui Fengnian” was willing to cooperate, the rest… were all affairs for him, the second prince.
Naturally… if “Cui Fengnian” refused, Murong Ping would use his royal status to prevent Cui Fengnian from smoothly operating business in Yan Kingdom.
With such coercion and enticent, “Cui Fengnian” was compelled to agree.
However, Bai Jintong was not easily deceived by Murong Ping’s words. She imdiately guessed that Murong Ping might have been instructed by Murong Li to deliberately convey these words to her, considering Murong Li valued the paper’s utility and was contemplating future strategic maneuvers between the two countries.
Bai Jintong thus speculated that the Zhou might propose selecting a few cities as pilot sites to validate the strategic bet between the two nations, as calculating for the entire Yan and Zhou might be too vast and complicated.
She advised her elder sister to pay attention to those who would later enter Yan to sell shop spaces and paper.
Additionally, Bai Jintong did not tell Bai Qingyan that she was already under surveillance, rely stating that after cooperating with Murong Ping, she would inevitably be watched, and her letters ho might beco less frequent. She asked her elder sister to also tell their mother, Mrs. Li, not to scold her for not writing often.
In fact, even if Bai Jintong hadn’t ntioned it, Bai Qingyan already understood from the late arrival of her letters that Bai Jintong was now under surveillance.
She had already dispatched the Hidden Guard to “Cui Fengnian’s” hotown, the already declined and then revived “Cui family,” under the guise of delivering items from the elders of the family to “Cui Fengnian.” Half overt, half covert, they went to Bai Jintong’s side to protect, being under Bai Jintong’s command, providing her people who were not within the surveillance scope of Yan Kingdom.
Murong Li’s intelligence was sothing she was always aware of, yet he was still a child… and exposed his weaknesses to Bai Jintong, suggesting that if the Yan envoy truly proposes choosing certain cities to bet on for the strategic maneuver, it would likely involve paper.
With an extrely subtle smile, she gently caressed the papermaking thods sent back by Bai Qingyun. The thods provided by Bai Qingyun were improvents on the ways given to Bai Jintong, which reduced costs even more than before.
Bai Qingyan was truly amazed, not knowing what sort of hardships her brother faced at Luopan Mountain’s Sihai Pavilion to learn such sophisticated papermaking technology.
Today, the Bai family’s military prowess was also attributable to Bai Qingyun’s contributions. Bai Qingyun first improved the climbing ladders and then the weapons of the soldiers, allowing them to possess crossbows. These crossbows could fire continuously twenty tis and could have pre-prepared arrow boxes, making them efficient in battle without wasting ti. Once one box was empty, it could be imdiately replaced with a new one.
Even Shen Kunyang was repeatedly amazed upon witnessing it, while Cheng Yuanzhi marveled at Bai Qingjue and Bai Qingyun’s prowess, originally wanting to seek knowledge from Luopan Mountain’s Sihai Pavilion.
However, rumors about the Sihai Pavilion at Luopan Mountain never ceased, and its disciples would occasionally descend to take in students, such as Bai Qingjue’s master, Gu Yijian. Yet, few ever truly found the Sihai Pavilion.
Just the toxic fus lingering year-round at the foot of Luopan Mountain prevented anyone from passing through.
Upon entering, Shen Tianzhi paid his respects and greeted Lu Jin beside the hall, only to see Bai Qingyan instructing Wei Zhong to hand the papermaking thod from Bai Qingyun’s letter to Shen Tianzhi, whose eyes lit up upon seeing it.
“Your Majesty…” Shen Tianzhi looked up at Bai Qingyan.
With a smile in her eyes, Bai Qingyan softly spoke to Shen Tianzhi, “These are so things A Yun learned at Sihai Pavilion. Master Shen, don’t act hastily, try them first. If successful… after the strategic maneuver is decided between the two nations, you can gradually promote it in our Zhou. Naturally… this is the skill our King of Xing learned at Sihai Pavilion, don’t forget to proclaim it.”
Upon hearing it ca from the King of Xing, Bai Qingyun’s thod, Shen Tianzhi made a solemn bow, “The King of Xing truly embodies the essence of Xing; he shall invigorate our Zhou!”
Any disciple erging from Sihai Pavilion is renowned worldwide.
Not to ntion, renowned water conservancy expert… Sima Sheng.
Also, Bai Qingjue’s master, the killer who wields just one sword, Gu Yijian.
The King of Xing, having returned from study at Sihai Pavilion, will likely bring a new era to Zhou.
“Thus, Master Shen must find soone trustworthy to handle this matter!”
“Your Majesty finds Xue Renyi suitable?” Shen Tianzhi didn’t keep Bai Qingyan guessing, smiling he said, “If Your Majesty finds Xue Renyi useful, I consider bringing him into the Ministry of Works.”
“Xue Renyi, being the top scholar, is undoubtedly useful, but Xue Renyi is of a fervent and youthful temperant. He needs so tempering, though not excessively; if Master Shen handles it himself… I believe you can strike the balance perfectly, like illuminating unpolished jade. Do as Master Shen suggests, and I’ll speak with the Chief of Staff of Ministry of Personnel, Minister Lu later.”
Fervent? Youthful temperant?
Shen Tianzhi felt that Bai Qingyan’s description didn’t match the Xue Renyi he knows.
However, Shen Tianzhi heard of Xue Renyi beating the Drum for Announcent for students nationwide and debating Bai Qingyan at the Imperial College, so he thought perhaps it truly left Bai Qingyan with that impression.
Moreover, Bai Qingyan had always been astute in judging people, Shen Tianzhi considered that he hadn’t interacted much with Xue Renyi, and perhaps due to Xue Renyi’s recent dispiritedness because of the fake fiancée affair.
Xue Renyi learned the truth from the Sima family, torn between genuine affection for his believed-to-be real fiancée, only to be deceived by the cunning impostor, and escaping pursuit by the Sima family… as his real fiancée made amazing achievents, leaving Xue Renyi in a tough spot.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Shen Tianzhi gracefully accepted the papermaking thod, as if holding a treasure, and exited the hall.
Very soon, the Minister of Judicial Review conducted inquiries and brought the Yan guard involved in the attempted assassination of Liu Rushi before Bai Qingyan.
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