Chapter 52: A Trio of Astonishments
“Let them be. Our task is simply to craft the finest, most exquisite breastplates. I’ll design the styles myself and the Ministry of Works will handle the production.”
Originally, Long Chen had considered inviting the famed courtesan from the capital’s Flower Lane to be their spokesperson—he could even indulge in a day, two, or even seven days of pleasure there. But since he was still keeping his identity secret, and as a eunuch, what use would such an outing be? With no sun in sight, why go out only to be caught in the rain? So Long Chen dismissed the thought of seeking out the courtesan.
“You’re so clever, Little Long,” Qingyue exclaimed with admiration.
After dressing, Di Luoxi regarded herself in the bronze mirror. Even clothed, the support of the breastplate made her figure all the more striking.
“Did you not prepare one for Mother?” Di Luoxi suddenly asked.
Long Chen replied awkwardly, “Your Majesty, I truly did not. I only thought to make some for you and a few others at first.”
He had seen the Empress’s figure before and kept her measurements in mind. Black would suit her—dignified and imposing. But he dared not presume; if the Empress saw it as an affront, it would be troublesome.
“Make one for Mother. How can such a wonderful thing not be given to her as well?”
“Very well, I’ll see to it,” Long Chen agreed, secretly wondering if he would be asked to help the Empress put it on. Her figure and bearing were particularly alluring.
Leaving the West Palace and returning to the Ministry of Revenue, Long Chen found Duan Shuangshuang busy balancing the accounts. The dozen or so people he’d borrowed from Di Yuwei were highly capable, and the ministry’s ledgers were now in order under Duan Shuangshuang’s supervision.
Seeing Long Chen enter, she quickly saluted. “Minister.”
At first, while polite, Duan Shuangshuang had not been particularly respectful toward Long Chen. As the Empress’s steward, she had always looked down on this eunuch. But after witnessing Long Chen’s repeated cunning strategies and the substantial profits he had brought, her opinion had gradually changed.
“How are the recent revenues and expenditures?” Long Chen asked.
Duan Shuangshuang replied promptly, “Income exceeds expenditure. The Dragon Society settles accounts promptly. Excluding military and daily expenses, we have a considerable surplus. At this rate, we can erase the deficit within two years.”
She was clearly pleased.
“Contact the Hidden Dragon Hall for me. I wish to discuss the next business venture with Shi Jian.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Another new venture?”
Long Chen smiled. “Just do as I say.”
Duan Shuangshuang immediately sent someone to deliver a message to the Hidden Dragon Hall.
Long Chen returned to the main hall and began reviewing the ledgers.
Shi Jian arrived at the Ministry that very afternoon. Ever since their collaboration began, it was always Shi Jian who came to discuss matters. He understood the arrangement, for Long Chen had twice survived assassination attempts and it was unsafe for him to leave the palace. If anything happened to Long Chen on the Hidden Dragon Hall’s turf, Shi Jian would bear the blame.
Entering the hall, Shi Jian greeted with a broad smile, “Greetings, Minister Long.”
Long Chen set aside the ledger and grinned. “No need for formalities. I have something marvelous to show you today.”
With that, Zhang Qian entered, accompanied by several tall, statuesque palace maids. Their attire was strikingly unique: one-piece garments from neck to toe, with fair arms exposed and distinctive shoes upon their feet.
Shi Jian, known for his love of wine and women, swallowed hard at the sight.
“These were designed by you, Minister Long?” he asked.
Long Chen smiled. “Indeed. This is called a ‘qipao.’ It perfectly accentuates a woman’s figure.”
“And these are high-heeled shoes—they make a woman’s hips appear especially shapely.”
Shi Jian rose to inspect them, clicking his tongue in admiration. “I never imagined you had such talents, Minister.”
Long Chen laughed. “What is life but eating, sleeping, and admiring women? Alas, as a eunuch, all I can do is look.”
Shi Jian burst out laughing, “Minister Long, you are truly a man of humor and feeling.”
Long Chen clapped his hands, and the palace maids cast aside their qipaos, revealing the breastplates he had designed beneath. The sudden display of allure took Shi Jian by surprise.
“These are my women’s breastplates. Didn’t they all appear particularly upright and poised just now?”
Shi Jian nodded. “No wonder—the secret is right here. Do you intend to sell these, Minister?”
“High heels, qipao, breastplates—the three as a set. I will handle the design and production.”
Shi Jian praised the idea, but then shook his head. “But the World Society could easily copy us; we won’t have a monopoly.”
The mind of a businessman, quick to spot potential pitfalls.
Long Chen replied, “No matter. We’ll build a brand. I need you to invite the courtesans—let them wear only our garments. The famed courtesans of both Eastern Zhou and Southern Liang.”
Shi Jian pondered for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed, “A brilliant plan! Leave it to me.”
Long Chen added, “I’ve already hired expert embroiderers. I’ll design new styles each season; you just worry about selling them.”
Shi Jian was delighted. “To collaborate with you, Minister, is the Dragon Society’s honor.”
As he admired the palace maids, he asked, “Could you spare me a few sets to take back?”
Long Chen nodded for several to be brought over.
After Shi Jian left, Zhang Qian asked curiously, “You’ve designed three things for us—why only give us the breastplates?”
“Qipao are for women at home. You are warriors; you have no use for them. As for high heels, imagine fighting a battle in those—your feet would fail you before the enemy even arrived.”
In truth, Long Chen simply wanted an excuse to have them undress so he could personally help them don the breastplates. Pure intentions, of course—for a eunuch, what mischief could there be?
“Indeed, Minister, you are most thoughtful.”
Zhang Qian nodded earnestly.
Long Chen laughed to himself: truly, beauty and brains rarely go hand in hand.
Following Long Chen’s plan, Shi Jian dressed the courtesans of Eastern Zhou and Southern Liang in the three-piece set, stunning the public. He also enlisted scholars and poets to extol their elegance, sparking a nationwide craze. The World Society quickly followed suit with similar garments, but the courtesans had signed exclusive agreements with the Ministry of Works and wore only their designs, so everyone flocked to buy Dragon Society’s clothes. With Long Chen releasing dazzling new styles each season, the World Society simply could not compete. The Dragon Society began to eclipse them.
...
Phoenix Song Palace.
The Empress had shed her stately robes. Shadow Phoenix attended her, helping her into the custom black breastplate Long Chen had made, then a black qipao, and finally, high heels. Once dressed, the Empress’s feminine allure was on full display.
Shadow Phoenix was astonished. “Your Majesty, you are simply... beyond compare.”
The Empress gazed at her reflection, smiling. “Long Chen is truly a genius, to have conceived all this.”
Shadow Phoenix exclaimed, “Indeed! No wonder the World Society is anxious and wants to meet him face to face.”
With Long Chen’s support, the Dragon Society’s business was booming, and the World Society, unable to compete, began to worry. They sent a letter requesting a meeting with the Empress to discuss cooperation.
Hong Qi, master of the Four Directions Tower, was sent as their envoy. As sovereign, the Empress would not lower herself to negotiate directly, so she instructed Long Chen to do so.
“The delegates from Four Directions Tower have arrived?” the Empress asked, turning before the mirror to admire her flawless figure.
“They have. Long Chen is currently negotiating with Hong Qi,” Shadow Phoenix replied.
Every move Long Chen made was under their observation.
“Let him handle it,” the Empress said calmly, still gazing at herself, lost in thought.
Shadow Phoenix asked, “What result does Your Majesty hope Long Chen will achieve?”
The Empress paused. “That depends on how he manages it.”
Shadow Phoenix understood—this was a test for Long Chen. The negotiations with Four Directions Tower were not merely a business deal—they would determine the very fate of Eastern Zhou. Four Directions Tower represented the World Society, with the power to sway the course of the world. If these talks failed, Eastern Zhou could face encirclement and calamity.