Chapter 511: Too Clever for One’s Own Good 2
"After so many years in business, I’ve run into this sort of thing often. It’s nothing surprising."
"Then... Boss Gu, what are your plans now?" Prince Yu felt uncertain.
"Our other option, Beili, offers a low price for their projected yield, and it’s effortless. Your Highness should return." Gu Shuo didn’t want to discuss it further.
"Boss Gu, please reconsider. We can lower the price." If they missed out on this deal, Nanyuan wouldn’t be able to find another partner.
Besides, he wasn’t sure if this incident would affect the coal deal with Minister Qian. After all, Minister Qian had only given his word; no contract had been signed.
"That won’t be necessary. This is the kind of partner I despise the most. Your Highness need not say more." Gu Shuo’s attitude was firm. "Someone, show our guest out."
A servant boy entered the room. "This way, please."
"Boss Gu, let’s talk this through. If it comes to it, we can sign the contract at Nanyuan’s current price." Internally, Prince Yu cursed his imperial brother dozens of times.
’Such a good deal, ruined just like that. How are the people of Nanyuan supposed to survive the winter?’
"I do trust your character, Prince Yu. But, if you’ll forgive my impertinence, I don’t trust your country’s Monarch. I believe your words, Your Highness, but..." Gu Shuo chuckled and shook his head.
Prince Yu immediately understood his meaning. "Boss Gu, as long as you agree to do business with Nanyuan, I can absolutely make this happen at our current selling price."
"If you had come with this information earlier, Prince Yu, the contract would have been settled long ago. But now... Ah, forget it. For that little girl’s sake, I’ll agree. If you can get approval for the deal at Nanyuan’s current selling price, I will still accept. If not, don’t force it, Your Highness. After all, seafood can be sourced from anywhere," Gu Shuo said.
"Good! It’s a deal. I will set off for Nanyuan tomorrow. I’ll send word to you, Boss Gu, whether I succeed or not," Prince Yu vowed.
It wasn’t until he had walked out the gates of the Water Mirror Platform and boarded his carriage that Prince Yu slammed his fist against the carriage wall several times. His face was a mask of vexation. ’My imperial brother is truly a fool. A fool!’
’He’s too suspicious. Interests, value... our future is nearly at a dead end, yet he’s still like this.’
’Twenty copper coins is a high price you wouldn’t find in any of the four nations. What is he still hesitating for? Is he trying to drive the people of Nanyuan to their deaths?’
A prince is still just a prince. He can never make decisions for an emperor.
Currently, the highest price Nanyuan’s seafood sold for was only eight copper coins. Selling at that price could sustain the livelihoods of the Nanyuan people, but at twenty copper coins, Nanyuan would surely have become prosperous within a few years.
Sigh!
’Exhaustion and resentment... that must be what this feeling is!’
「May 29th」
The Crown Prince of Xi Yan departed from the Beili Capital City. On the day of his departure, the Beili Emperor personally went to the posthouse. Ostensibly, he was there to see the Crown Prince of Xi Yan off, but secretly, he wanted to personally confirm who was in the Xi Yan delegation.
Although nearly a month had passed since the incident, the city gates were still under strict guard, yet no suspicious individuals had been found.
The Beili Emperor had always been certain that the people of Xi Yan had a hand in Xi Fengying’s disappearance, but he had never managed to find any clues.
Still, he felt something was odd about Xi Yan. Until he confirmed it for himself, a knot of unease would remain in his heart.
When Xiliu Yuan left the posthouse and boarded his carriage, the number of people in his retinue was the same as when they had arrived. The only anomaly was Xi Yan’s Great General, Mo Geluo.
Mo Geluo was heavily injured and being transported in a prison cart. The rumor was that he had committed a grave error.
The Xi Yan party exited the gates of the Capital City, their carriage wheels turning slowly.
The Beili Emperor stood on the city wall, watching the departing group. She wasn’t among them.