Chapter 50: The Prophecy

"You’re worried that Long Chen’s alliance with the Dragon Gang will infringe upon the interests of the World Society, and they might target us."
The Empress understood what Shadow Phoenix was concerned about.
"That’s exactly my worry. The Dragon Gang has profited immensely from Beauty’s Intoxication and honeycomb coal. The World Society won’t be pleased, and when the time comes, the world may once again fall into chaos."
The World Society’s influence stretches across the land, wielding vast wealth and playing the game of balance, manipulating the rulers of nations as they please.
The Empress sneered coldly. "The World Society—just a bunch of troublemakers. If the prophecy is true, they will be eradicated sooner or later."
The Dragon rises from the wilds, and the world becomes one.
Everyone knows this prophecy.
Long Ye’s name fulfills the first half; Li Chengdao’s name fulfills the second.
Li Chengdao, courtesy name One.
Li Chengdao believes that as long as he kills Long Ye, the prophecy will fall upon him, and he will unify the world.
But the Empress thinks the prophecy belongs to the Long family. Although Long Ye is dead, Long Chen remains.
Shadow Phoenix hesitated. "Your Majesty, what if the prophecy refers not to Long Chen, but to Li Chengdao?"
The Empress smiled. "That would be fate, then—nothing I could do."
Everyone is gambling. Some bet on luck; the Empress gambles on destiny.

...

The Jing household.

The dancing girl poured a cup of wine from a bottle. Jing Heng took a sip, smacked his lips, and his expression turned sour.
"Eight hundred coins a bottle—how does that damned eunuch know everything?"
Jing Heng was no expert in winemaking, but he knew how to appreciate wine.
One taste of Beauty’s Intoxication, and he knew it was quality. He was well aware of the market price.
"Young Master, at this rate, the eunuch will soon fill the treasury’s deficit."
A man with a donkey’s face and rat’s whiskers bent low as he spoke.
His previous subordinate, Chen Hanying, had been executed, so he’d chosen a new one, a man named Tang Wei.
"Two years—not enough. At his current output... What is his current output?"
Jing Heng suddenly realized he had no idea how much wine Long Chen was producing.
The wine workshop was inside the Western Palace, staffed entirely by eunuchs, highly secretive.
Even the World Society had tried to infiltrate the Western Palace to steal the brewing method, but Long Chen’s secrecy was impeccable; there was no way to find out.
Tang Wei shook his head. "I don’t know. We only hear rumors from the Dragon Gang’s branch halls. It’s said that Daughter City alone sells ten thousand bushels a month."
Jing Heng was astonished. "Ten thousand bushels a month in Daughter City—then all of Eastern Zhou, and even Southern Liang, and it’s said to be sold to the northern barbarians. He must be making a fortune every day!"
The more Jing Heng thought, the more unsettled he became. No wonder Long Chen had dared declare in court that he could fill the deficit in two years and even have a surplus. With such a treasure, it all made sense.
Tang Wei spoke gravely, "Young Master, don’t forget the honeycomb coal from Hell Mountain. They’re shipping that as well. It’s said Western Xia loves it and buys plenty."

Jing Heng scratched his head incessantly, feeling the Ministry of Revenue wager slipping away from him.
"When will Father return? If he doesn’t come back soon, the court will be in turmoil."
Jing Heng stood up, pacing anxiously, his large belly swaying.
"I’ll go speak to Mother."
He left his room and entered Madam Sun’s chamber. Madam Sun was lying down as a maid massaged her legs.
"Mother, that damned eunuch has brewed the finest wine, and now he’s making a fortune. The treasury deficit will soon be filled."
"So what am I to do? The Ministry of Revenue won’t belong to our Jing family anymore. When will Father return?"
Jing Heng was anxious, but Madam Sun replied languidly, "So what if he fills the treasury deficit? As soon as your father returns, the Ministry of Revenue will still be yours."
"Let that damned eunuch do as he pleases. In the end, he’ll just prepare your wedding attire."
Madam Sun was certain Long Chen couldn’t stir up much trouble, or rather, she believed Eastern Zhou needed Jing Tianlie, the pillar of the realm.
Without the Jing family’s Scarlet Flame Army, Eastern Zhou could not withstand the three-sided siege.
"But since the Empress dismissed me, she hasn’t assigned me a new post."
Madam Sun smiled, "That just shows the Empress is keeping the Ministry of Revenue for you."
Jing Heng thought it over and still felt uneasy. "But in court, the Empress promised Long Cheng’en that if he could fill the deficit, the Ministry of Revenue would be his."
Madam Sun snorted, "Promises mean nothing. He’s just a eunuch—what if she simply doesn’t give it to him?"
Jing Heng considered this and agreed. With the Scarlet Flame Army, it would be normal for the Empress to renege.
"Mother, write Father a letter. Tell him to come back soon. Ever since that damned eunuch appeared, I feel the entire court has changed."
Jing Heng felt Long Chen was an unpredictable factor.
Madam Sun agreed, knowing her son was unreliable, so she decided to placate him for now.

...

Ministry of Works.

Long Chen sat in the main hall, holding a charcoal pencil and sketching designs. Below him, a dozen embroidery maidens were crafting special garments according to his drawings.
Zhang Qian stood before him; Long Chen would glance at her from time to time, then continue sketching.
"Master Long, what exactly are you doing?"
Zhang Qian was bewildered.
Long Chen set down his pencil, gazed thoughtfully at Zhang Qian’s bosom, then stood and reached out to take measurements.
He often styled and beautified Zhang Qian in the bathhouse—such things were routine.
But in the Ministry of Works, with a dozen embroidery maidens present, Zhang Qian’s cheeks flushed red as she whispered, "Mind your reputation!"
Long Chen answered seriously, "This is work. You’re my best model."
With that, Long Chen publicly took a measuring tape and measured her upper body, occasionally feeling for texture, making Zhang Qian blush fiercely.
"Good. We’ll use these dimensions and this shape."

Long Chen hung the measuring tape around his neck, looking every bit the tailor.
On his paper, the design for a brassiere was finally finished.
"Make ten like this, and work through the night."
He handed the design to the embroidery maidens.
They began bustling about in the Ministry of Works.
"Master, I feel you’re neglecting your duties," Zhang Qian said, both embarrassed and annoyed.
Long Chen laughed, "No, this will be a bestseller. But the World Society will soon copy it. We must rely on brand effect, make our name, so they can’t surpass us."
Zhang Qian was left speechless.
The embroidery maidens were deft, and with Long Chen’s guidance, production was swift.
Soon, the first batch of ten brassieres was done.
In the Autumn Prosperity Hall, Long Chen pulled Zhang Qian into the inner chamber, holding a super-sized one. "Take off your clothes."
Zhang Qian frowned, embarrassed and indignant. "I won’t!"
Long Chen grinned, "This is work, not me taking advantage. For the treasury’s sake, isn’t that right?"
"We’re all working for the court, for Her Majesty’s good, for Eastern Zhou’s sake. You can’t be so selfish. You must support my work."
Long Chen reasoned with emotion and logic, and Zhang Qian finally hung her clothes on the screen and cooperated, raising her arms.
"I still feel like you’re taking liberties."
Zhang Qian sensed something was off, but couldn’t quite say why.
"I’m just a eunuch, devoted to the court, with no ill intent."
With that, Long Chen fitted the first brassiere of Eastern Zhou onto her.
He fastened the back, and even gave it a special lift.
"Now, whatever you do, you needn’t worry about sagging or excessive movement."
Long Chen gazed at the perfect creation and perfect figure, as if admiring a work of art.
Zhang Qian practiced some boxing moves, and indeed, nothing bounced.
"This is wonderful. Before, with the bellyband, nothing held firm. Now it’s perfect."
Zhang Qian was thoroughly satisfied.
Long Chen laughed, "I told you it was a good thing, yet you refused—like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, unable to recognize a good heart."
Zhang Qian dressed again. "The princess will love it, and so will Xuan Yi and Qing Yue."
Long Chen pointed to the brassieres on the table. "I’ve set some aside for them. Come, let’s have them try it on."