Chapter 94: The Grand General Returns to Court
After the launch of the lip balms and Moonflower Frost, they immediately sold very well, and at extremely high prices.
One reason was the high production cost, using a great deal of spices and precious herbs.
On the other hand, the consumer base was high-end, especially the Moonflower Frost, which was basically sold to noble ladies and wealthy men who enjoyed dabbling in makeup.
This way, the selling price ended up very high.
The Ministry of Revenue made a huge profit once more, and the Heavenly Alliance was also very pleased, feeling that doing business with Long Chen was truly worthwhile.
Hong Qi relied on Long Chen as a money tree, allowing the Four Directions Pavilion to surpass the branches of South Liang and become the number one pavilion master of the Heavenly Alliance.
South Liang, Jinling City.
The second prince Li Jiye wore a gloomy expression, hurrying into the inner court.
Upon entering the imperial study, Emperor Li Chengdao was reviewing memorials.
“Your minister son pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Li Jiye bowed deeply, terrified and fearful.
In the imperial family, father and son were still sovereign and subject, without so much affection between them.
Li Chengdao continued reviewing the memorials without looking up, asking indifferently, “What did Fuyuan Pavilion say?”
Fuyuan Pavilion was the branch of the Heavenly Alliance in Jinling City of South Liang, with the pavilion master named Hua Yiyi.
Li Chengdao had four princes, with the eldest prince as the crown prince, responsible for assisting in state affairs.
Li Jiye, on the other hand, oversaw the Ministry of Revenue and the national treasury, handling all business and trade of South Liang; naturally, he was the one to contact the Heavenly Alliance.
“Fuyuan Pavilion said that Eastern Zhou has already agreed to stop expanding, with Caishi City as the boundary, and also asked us South Liang not to start hostilities again.”
Li Jiye spoke very carefully.
Li Chengdao’s brush in hand suddenly paused. He raised his head to look at Li Jiye, his expression unreadable, and said calmly, “So the Heavenly Alliance and Long Cheng’en make money from business and won’t target Eastern Zhou.”
Li Chengdao had originally believed Eastern Zhou would be sanctioned by the Heavenly Alliance, which was why he had sent Li Jiye to negotiate.
Of course, Li Chengdao had also prepared a bargaining chip, willing to cede some state-run businesses to the Heavenly Alliance.
But the Heavenly Alliance expressed no interest.
“Your Majesty, your minister son heard that Long Cheng’en launched two more items. These sell extremely well and at incredibly high prices.
Now the kings and nobles of Jinling City are all rushing to purchase them, and even reselling doubles the price overnight.”
Li Jiye took out a jade lip balm and a box of Moonflower Frost from his sleeve, respectfully presenting them.
The eunuch Zhong Gui accepted them, then passed them to Li Chengdao.
Li Chengdao held the items in his hand for a long time, not knowing how to use them, and asked, “How do you use them?”
Li Jiye immediately demonstrated the proper use for Li Chengdao.
“This Long Cheng’en always manages to produce surprising things.”
After receiving the jade lip balm and Moonflower Frost, Li Chengdao asked coldly, “I asked you to create some new things. How has it gone?”
Li Jiye secretly cursed; this matter could not be accomplished at all.
Li Chengdao saw Long Chen producing good items and wanted some new things of his own to sell.
But such matters could not be managed; Li Jiye had gathered many skilled craftsmen, yet none had succeeded.
“Your minister son... has made some progress.”
Li Jiye said timidly.
Li Chengdao’s expression cooled slightly. Li Jiye shivered all over: “Your Majesty, calm your anger. Your minister son will gather more skilled craftsmen and definitely think of good things.”
Li Chengdao did not continue asking about new products but instead inquired, “Have the Dragon Gang been contacted?”
Li Chengdao and the Heavenly Alliance had always had a poor relationship. This time South Liang had suffered a great loss, yet the Heavenly Alliance not only refused to target Eastern Zhou but also demanded that South Liang not retaliate. Li Chengdao felt utterly stifled.
Since the Heavenly Alliance would not cooperate, Li Chengdao planned to seek help from the Dragon Gang.
“Your minister son contacted the Dragon Gang. They said they would report to the gang leader.”
Li Jiye finished with the Heavenly Alliance, then turned to the Dragon Gang, but the reply from the Vermilion Bird Hall hall master was vague and unclear.
Li Chengdao finally exploded in fury, cursing, “That dead eunuch Long Cheng’en, even the Dragon Gang speaks for him!”
Long Chen had cooperation agreements with both the Heavenly Alliance and the Dragon Gang; he knew all about this matter.
Li Jiye trembled with fear, not daring to speak.
“Inform the Dragon Gang that if he cooperates with me, I can expel the Heavenly Alliance from South Liang and leave only the Dragon Gang!”
Li Chengdao was truly furious.
Li Jiye was shocked; he had not expected Li Chengdao to be so reckless as to declare the expulsion of the Heavenly Alliance from South Liang. Was this not openly declaring war on the Heavenly Alliance?
“Your minister son obeys the decree.”
Li Jiye knew this was absurd, but he did not dare to object.
“Go quickly!”
Li Chengdao roared in anger. Li Jiye bowed and exited the imperial study.
Outside, he ran straight into Xuanji Zi.
“Second Prince.”
Xuanji Zi had the appearance of a worldly high immortal.
“Taoist Priest.”
Li Jiye wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking terrified and disoriented.
“His Majesty flew into a rage?”
Xuanji Zi chuckled.
Li Jiye forced a dry laugh. “No, no. I’ll take my leave first.”
Seeing Li Jiye’s dejected and beaten appearance, Xuanji Zi knew something had gone wrong and hurriedly entered the imperial study.
Li Jiye rushed out of the palace and headed straight for the Vermilion Bird Hall.
He knew Li Chengdao’s actions were inappropriate, yet he did not dare disobey.
Just as he stepped out, Zhong Gui caught up and blocked Li Jiye’s carriage.
“Your Highness, His Majesty has revoked the decree. This matter is off.”
Li Jiye breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Your minister son receives the decree.”
Eastern Zhou, Western Palace.
Long Chen spread a camel-wool blanket on the kang, then brought over several duck-down quilts and laid them out.
“Done. Now winter will no longer be cold.”
Long Chen had built a heated kang for Di Luoxi and specially prepared several duck-down quilts.
Di Luoxi removed her shoes and sat on the kang. It was indeed warm.
Previously, burning honeycomb coal and charcoal had required the rooms to be kept with windows open, as the temperature could not rise. Now the windows could stay closed.
The kang’s heat could slowly warm the entire room.
“Not bad. Did any other places make heated kangs besides mine?”
Di Luoxi asked casually.
Long Chen’s heart trembled. He immediately said, “Besides the Saintess’s Phoenix Song Palace, only I made one. No one else did.”
The last time he had sent Moonflower Frost to Di Yuwu and Di Xingwan, Di Luoxi had cleaned him out for an entire night, leaving him exhausted.
A fall is a long-term lesson. Long Chen would never make such a low-level mistake again.
Di Luoxi sat on the heated kang. Xuan Yi brought a specially made small table and said, “Princess, the small dragon dragon is specially made for you.”
Qing Yue placed a small red-clay stove nearby and said, “The small dragon dragon is for the princess to drink tea.”
Di Luoxi was very satisfied and praised, “You know what’s good. The previous incident is forgotten. I forgive you.”
Long Chen breathed a sigh of relief. It had finally ended.
“Princess, I have not made heated kangs for anyone else. But if they envy you and make them themselves, that is not my concern.”
Such a wonderful thing as a heated kang, Di Yuwu and Di Xingwan would definitely follow suit. If the bill were later placed on Long Chen, it would truly be a miscarriage of justice.
Therefore, Long Chen had to make his position clear first.
Di Luoxi said, “That does not concern you.”
That was good. Long Chen also climbed onto the kang and picked up the small teapot to brew tea.
Outside the door, Zhang Qian walked in quickly and said, “Princess, adult, Jing Tianlie has returned to court.”
Di Luoxi’s originally happy expression suddenly changed. She said coldly, “Jing Tianlie has returned? Why no prior notice?”
Long Chen and Jing Heng had always had conflicts. With Jing Tianlie back, many things were about to begin.