vstars Chapter 562 When will the disguise be removed?
Chapter 562 When will the disguise be removed?
"What you're saying sounds like something you've witnessed firsthand. Could it be that you have spies in the Tong family?"
"I don't have that much ability to plant a spy in the home of a high-ranking official; that's just a reasonable guess."
The second prince was just saying it casually. He knew that his teacher was capable and learned, but he was probably not good at intelligence gathering.
It doesn't matter, everyone has their own expertise, and the gentleman can help him govern the country in the future.
"But why did you just say that I should confess to my father after the poetry gathering at the Tong family's residence? Is there any connection between these two things?"
"Anyone who thinks about it will imagine something happening at the Tong family's poetry gatherings. And your fifth brother has been a bit too quiet lately."
This person had tested me many times before, trying to get me to work for him. He even used the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince as bait, and staged a scene of helping someone in need.
This man is very cunning. The quieter he is and the less he does, the more wary he becomes. I'm worried he's planning something big.
The fifth prince is different from the first prince. The first prince himself is not very bright, and he doesn't have any capable people under his command.
Although the Third Prince had many capable subordinates, some of them became overconfident and arrogant because of this.
The Fifth Prince was different from the other two; he was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, always waiting for an opportunity to bite off a piece of his enemy's flesh.
Moreover, I don't even have a complete grasp of how many cards the Fifth Prince currently holds. This uncertainty makes it hard to feel at ease.
Jiang Xiaoqi's words made the Second Prince take them seriously.
His biggest rival wasn't the ninth or tenth, or even the fourth; it was actually the fifth.
Now that I have a protective shell, the other party won't attack me.
But if you want to do something and get credit for it, you have to step out of this hard protective shell.
"Does the gentleman mean that the fifth prince will make some moves at the Tong family's poetry gathering?"
"Hmm." Jiang Xiaoqi nodded. "But it's just a guess. I just feel there's a high chance they'll cause trouble around this time."
"Well, sir, what do we need to do?"
"Your Highness is still in a protective shell, staying out of the fray. Even if something needs to be done, you have me, the Qiu family father and son, and the Tan family father and son."
Although we don't have many people, if they're used appropriately, we're not exactly strapped for cash.
"Ahem, yes, but recently Qiu Cheng and his son Qiu Feng seem to have been contacting some candidates for the imperial examinations. Existing officials are too conspicuous, so they plan to take a different approach and create some kind of training program."
Jiang Xiaoqi was somewhat surprised. Could it be that the Qiu family father and son were also from another time? Did the term "raising system" exist in ancient times?
It seems we can test the waters a little next time. If so, then the father and son's acting skills over the years are not bad at all.
"Development system?"
"That's right, that's what they say. They say it's better to train your own talent than to have it come to you. You can trust the talent you train yourself."
"Hmm, that's a... good idea. I wish them success!"
"If the gentleman also thinks it's feasible, then it really is feasible."
Jiang Xiaoqi brought the topic back to the beginning, "In any case, it's good that Your Highness is concerned about the silver mine. When the time is right, it will be your chance to make your presence felt in front of His Majesty the Emperor."
The silver mine incident will greatly impact the development of the Great Zhou's national strength. What His Majesty once wanted to do but was restricted by money will be accomplished as a result.
Even if Your Highness is not the legitimate prince, with such great merit, His Majesty's heart will be tipped in favor.
Besides, when you finally emerge from the protective shell you've held for over a decade, wouldn't His Majesty be overjoyed?
Jiang Xiaoqi raised an eyebrow. When he talked about protective shells, he always thought of a certain small animal, but he'd better not mention it; it would be disrespectful.
The Second Prince's eyes were filled with longing after hearing Jiang Xiaoqi's words.
A protective shell can protect you, but you can't always be a coward.
Shed the pretense and confront the emperor, the court, and the people of the world.
He, Zhao Hongchang, is not an idiot.
He was the chosen one of heaven, the most qualified person to live in the Eastern Palace.
Japan, the silver mine—he was determined to get it! Before he knew it, his fist was clenched.
“What you say is absolutely right, sir. I will remember it! I will stay in this shell for a few more days, and when the time is right, I will break it open myself and stand before people.”
After saying what he wanted to say, Jiang Xiaoqi took out a scroll from his pocket.
"Sir, how did you manage to put such a long scroll inside your clothes? I didn't notice it at all before!"
"Well, it's alright. My official robe is quite loose, so I can always bring a lot of snacks with me. This time, I didn't bring any snacks at all, so I'm saving space to put this scroll in."
Jiang Xiaoqi could lie without thinking, and it was only because the Second Prince blindly trusted her that she got away with it.
"But none of that matters. What matters is what's on this scroll."
After saying that, Jiang Xiaoqi walked to the long table and unrolled the scroll.
"Your Highness, please come forward and take a look."
"This is?"
"This is a map, or more precisely, a maritime map."
"This is the coastal area of our Great Zhou Dynasty. Is this area, which is only a hand's width away, Japan?"
"Exactly."
"Wow, we were actually this close!!"
"Well, it's not that close. After all, this is a map that's been shrunk countless times. If we really wanted to get there, it would take several days by boat."
"Hmm, that's not too far at all. It's perfect as our Great Zhou's money bag and backyard garden!"
The second prince touched it and still felt that the distance was practically within arm's reach, even closer than a trip to Shu.
Jiang Xiaoqi pointed to the map and said, "This maritime map was drawn by me based on a lot of information. It shows the shipping routes from the coast of the Great Zhou to Japan, as well as the distribution of the islands around Japan."
Of course, the specific route still needs to be explored to truly understand it, but the prerequisite is that there must be a seagoing vessel that can withstand the wind and waves.
"Over the years, I've accumulated some wealth through business, and with the Liuxiang Pavilion in the capital bringing in a fortune daily, I believe I have enough silver to build a seagoing vessel."
"Sir, you want to fund the ship's construction yourself! How can that be?! My Tan family will find a solution; this is not something you should be concerned with."
With this map drawn by you, sir, we will have a basic direction if we ever want to go to Japan to search for silver mines. You are truly a genius!
Jiang Xiaoqi smiled slightly, "Your Highness, this map is only the first step. Shipbuilding alone cannot be completed overnight."
The Tan family is indeed a royal merchant family, but Your Highness will have many more places to use money in the future. Now that I still have some spare capacity, I naturally want to do my part.
Your Highness need not worry that I will go bankrupt. The profits generated from the business that Her Majesty the Empress has brought to Liuxiang Pavilion are enough to build a decent seagoing vessel.
"I will use these profits to build Your Highness's first scout ship."