Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 801: Chapter 390: Speaking Up for the Tenth Prince (3)

Seeing the emperor shamelessly praising himself, Grandmaster Liu and Prime Minister He almost couldn’t resist rolling their eyes.

"I’ve been scolded, what do you think I should do? You must help me think of a way, or I’ll end up being a terrible father."

"Your Majesty, weren’t you always pretending to be a terrible father?" Prime Minister He bluntly pointed out the emperor’s facade, "You never showed any affection for Prince Dai, and exiling him to Lingnan isn’t surprising. Just don’t worry about it."

Grandmaster Liu found the emperor too dull, unwilling to waste words with him anymore. He could accomplish plenty in the time spent idly chatting.

"Your Majesty, I have other matters to attend to, I will take my leave." With that, he retreated directly.

The Minister of Agriculture, seeing Grandmaster Liu leave, hurriedly followed suit and excused himself.

Prince Dai is about to head to Lingnan, he needed to hastily discuss some affairs with him.

"I take my leave." Prime Minister He also rushed out.

Seeing Prime Minister He and others abandoning him like this, the emperor angrily scolded them, accusing them of being heartless.

Sun Kui was preparing to quietly slip away, but unexpectedly, the emperor caught him. Subsequently, Sun Kui was compelled to listen to the emperor’s complaints, which were essentially just boasting.

Grandmaster Liu and the others fled swiftly, truly leaving him, the servant, in a tough spot.

Witnessing the emperor’s firm decision to send Zhao Yao to Lingnan, ministers and citizens felt even more empathetic towards him. Many ministers, who had close relations with Zhao Yao, secretly gifted him numerous items.

Beijing’s tea merchants, tavern and restaurant owners, and many scholars and students all sent things to Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao’s Prince Mansion wasn’t yet complete, so they sent their gifts to Prince Chu Mansion or Prince Wei Mansion.

Being gifted so many items was something Zhao Yao had not anticipated. He originally planned to fleece his royal brothers before leaving, but he hadn’t expected this outcome. Prince Dai and Prince Jing, seeing many people gifting Zhao Yao, felt they too should give him something. Otherwise, it would seem they’re stingy and lack brotherly affection.

After receiving gifts from his royal brothers, Zhao Yao deliberately reported in court, expressing his gratitude for their generosity. The emperor, upon hearing, naturally commended Prince Dai and the others.

Prince Dai and the others didn’t anticipate Zhao Yao’s actions and were quite pleased with his discernment. After court, they sent more gifts to Zhao Yao.

Later that day, the Minister of Agriculture held Zhao Yao’s hand, refusing to let go.

"Your Highness, I have some matters I’d like to discuss with you."

Zhao Yao looked cautiously at the smiling Minister of Agriculture, "Minister, what are you plotting again?" Every time the Minister came to him smiling, it usually spelled trouble.

"Your Highness, since you’re soon heading to Lingnan, I can provide you with some seeds to take and plant there."

"What seeds do you want to give me, Minister?"

"Tea tree seeds, would that be alright?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao realized what the Minister was plotting.

"Minister, you’re reminding me not to forget to make new tea, aren’t you?"

The Minister, seeing Zhao Yao understand immediately, bowed respectfully, "Your Highness, you’re wise."

Zhao Yao found it amusing, "Minister, you haven’t forgotten that Lingnan’s climate is hotter than Beijing and Jiangnan, right? It rains often and is very humid; you haven’t forgotten these, have you?"

The Minister had indeed forgotten.

"Tea trees from Jiangnan can’t survive in Lingnan." Zhao Yao continued, "Many things from Beijing and Jiangnan can’t be grown in Lingnan; I appreciate your gesture in giving me seeds."

"Your Highness, it’s not so absolute, you see, rice grows very well in Lingnan, doesn’t it?"

"Minister, the rice currently grown in Lingnan was acquired from Annan and Siam, not from Jiangnan." Zhao Yao reminded the Minister, "Rice from Jiangnan can’t survive in Lingnan."

The Minister said nothing, as he had again forgotten this fact.

"Lingnan’s hot, humid climate, coupled with miasma, makes it tough for things from other places to survive." Zhao Yao knew the Minister wasn’t solely there for new tea, there must be other matters, "Stop beating around the bush with me, just say what you mean."

Hearing Zhao Yao ask directly, the Minister no longer prevaricated and straightforwardly proposed, "Your Highness, with your abilities, when you arrive in Lingnan, you’re bound to produce numerous goods. I’d like to make a trade with you."

Upon hearing the word "trade," Zhao Yao immediately became interested. He raised his eyebrows and asked with interest, "Minister, what kind of trade do you want to make with me?"

"When you go to Lingnan, if you find any treasures, I hope you can offer them as tribute to the court." The Minister added, "Just like when you created new tea and made it a tribute tea."

After listening, Zhao Yao appeared surprised, then patted the Minister’s belly.

"Minister, you’re quite savvy with these calculations."

"Your Highness, what do you think?"

Zhao Yao crossed his arms, smiling smugly, and said, "What’s in it for me?"

"There’s plenty of profit for you. Once it becomes a tribute, many will want to buy it, wouldn’t you make money then?" The tributes of Great Zhou aren’t exclusive to the Royal Family; it’s not like others can’t use them. For instance, with Junshan Silver Needle which Zhao Yao recently created, it’s become a tribute tea but that doesn’t mean only the Royal Family can drink it, others CAN drink it too; however, they drink versions not offered to the court.

Moreover, tributes offered to the court are produced by specifically designated families or businesses. Others can make them too, only their products aren’t offered to the court but can be sold to others.

"Minister, does my father know about this trade you’re suggesting?"

"I haven’t reported this to His Majesty yet. Once you agree, I’ll immediately inform him."

"Negotiating a trade with me isn’t out of the question, but I have conditions."

The Minister, noticing Zhao Yao’s sudden sly smile, felt immediately cautious.

"Your Highness, what are your conditions?"

Zhao Yao wrapped an arm around the Minister’s shoulder and said with a big grin, "No rush, we can discuss slowly."

Strangely, he suddenly felt as if His Highness resembled a fox, looking utterly cunning while grinning.