Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 848: Chapter 15: The Concerns of Prince Chu and Prince Wei

Prince Han made new salt, and soon the news spread throughout the capital, with the people speculating. Of course, there was the emperor’s touch in all this. The emperor deliberately let the people know about the new salt to reassure them.

In the capital’s most famous tea houses, storytellers were already talking about the new salt. Though they had never seen or tasted the new salt, they spoke about it as if they had witnessed its production, as if they had tasted it themselves.

The people heard that the new salt made by Prince Han was as crystal-clear as snowflakes, with an extraordinarily pure taste, without a trace of bitterness, and were very curious about it.

"Will the new salt made by Prince Han be sold in the capital?"

"Is the new salt made by Prince Han expensive?"

"Prince Han is truly remarkable, he went to Lingnan and not only survived but also made new salt."

"I heard Prince Han can produce hundreds of pounds of new salt in one or two days. Is it true or false?"

"Producing hundreds of pounds of new salt in one or two days, Prince Han is not human, but a god?"

"I knew that Prince Han would make something good when going to Lingnan, but I didn’t expect Prince Han to make new salt directly."

"I heard the new salt is as cheap and useful as the new paper."

"I just want to know when can we have new salt in the capital?"

...

...

...

The people of the capital all wanted to taste the new salt. If it wasn’t for Lingnan being thousands of miles away, they would have gone to Prince Han to buy the new salt.

The salt merchants in the capital smelled a business opportunity, and they wanted to go to Lingnan to find Prince Han to purchase the new salt.

Within two days, salt merchants from other places also learned about Prince Han’s new salt. This was not good news for them. They now just wanted to know the price of the new salt from Prince Han and whether it would affect the salt they were holding.

The salt merchants from Qilu also received this news, but they didn’t care. They didn’t think the new salt made by Prince Han would be better than what they made.

In the study of Prince Chu Mansion, Prince Chu was frowning at the documents. At this time, there was a knock on the door outside, followed by Princess Consort Chu’s voice.

"Your Highness, it’s me, may I come in?"

Without lifting his head, Prince Chu said, "Come in."

Princess Consort Chu walked in with a food box. She walked to Prince Chu’s side, saw Prince Chu tightly furrowed his brows, with an unappealing face, and asked with concern, "Your Highness, what happened?"

Prince Chu raised his eyes to glance at Princess Consort Chu, then sighed heavily, "Alas, I’m worried about the safety of my tenth brother."

"Is it because of the new salt?" Princess Consort Chu took out a bowl of soup from the food box and handed it to Prince Chu’s side, "Your Highness, this is soup made with the new salt sent by the tenth brother, you must try it."

"Thank you, Princess." Prince Chu took the soup from Princess Consort Chu’s hand but didn’t drink it immediately, and continued, "My tenth brother making new salt is not a good thing for the salt merchants in various places."

"But, it’s a good thing for the people." Princess Consort Chu gently patted Prince Chu on the back and said warmly, "Tenth brother told you, he made new salt so that all the people can afford it and have good salt."

Prince Chu curled his lips into a gentle smile, "The tenth brother has always had a heart for the people. Everything he made from childhood has been for the benefit of the people."

"Your Highness, I know you’re worried about the tenth brother’s safety, but the tenth brother is far away in Lingnan, those salt merchants can’t easily harm him."

"You don’t understand those salt merchants, they are greedy, brutal, and ruthless." Prince Chu said with a serious face, "The tenth brother made new salt, affecting the salt merchants’ interests, they won’t spare him."

Princess Consort Chu suggested, "Your Highness, if you’re really worried about Prince Han, send some people to protect him."

"The tenth brother said no need, he said he has people around him to protect him." Prince Chu had previously sent people to escort Zhao Yao to Lingnan and left people to protect Zhao Yao, but Zhao Yao, once he arrived in Lingnan, asked Prince Chu’s people to return to the capital immediately.

"Your Highness, I think since the tenth brother made new salt, he must also know that salt merchants from other places might harm him, he should have made complete preparations." Princess Consort Chu comforted Prince Chu, "Your Highness, Prince Han is no longer a child, I think you can trust him more."

Prince Chu didn’t speak, but he was still worried about Zhao Yao.

Even though Zhao Yao had grown up and become a prince, he was still the younger brother who followed him, needing his protection in Prince Chu’s heart.

"By the way, Your Highness, Prince Han sent so much new salt, I was thinking about whether to give some to others?"

Prince Chu understood Princess Consort Chu’s meaning, nodded, and said, "You handle it."

Princess Consort Chu comforted Prince Chu a bit more before leaving the study.

After Princess Consort Chu left, Prince Chu called Wei Mian in.

"Go to Prince Wei Mansion and tell him I have something to discuss."

"Your Highness, has something happened to Prince Han?" Every time the prince went to see Lord Wei, it was about Prince Han.

Prince Chu nodded slightly and said, "Yes, I need to discuss how to protect my tenth brother with him."

"I’ll go right away." The matter concerning Prince Han’s safety meant that Wei Mian dared not delay for a moment and hurriedly headed to Prince Wei Mansion.

Prince Wei was also worried about Zhao Yao’s safety concerning the new salt matter. Seeing Prince Chu come to find him, he knew it was about Zhao Yao.

Far away in Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao was unaware that his two good brothers were overly concerned for his safety. At this time, he was helping Yan Huarong load and transport the new salt.

Before coming to Lingnan, Zhao Yao had met Yan Huarong and spoken with him.

Yan Huarong was extremely handsome, hailed as the most beautiful man in the military. He looked less like a general who leads troops into battle and more like a pale-faced scholar kept by a wealthy woman.

Zhao Yao originally planned to entertain the far-traveling Yan Huarong properly, but Yan Huarong, carrying a royal edict, was in a hurry to deliver the new salt to Qilu and had no time to stay in Swamp Prefecture.

Yan Huarong and Zhao Yao stood by the sea, watching their men load the new salt, then move box by box onto the ship.

Tonight, there was no moonlight, but the torches illuminated the seashore as brightly as day.

The surrounding of the salt field by the sea was filled with guards. Each had a knife at their waist, watching the surroundings vigilantly in case any night prowlers caused trouble or attempted to seize the new salt.

Over a thousand jin of the new salt was loaded in one night.

Yan Huarong planned to head to Qilu overnight. The sooner they reached Qilu, the sooner the salt price could drop.

Zhao Yao knew Yan Huarong was in a hurry to go to Qilu and did not keep him.

Just as Yan Huarong was about to board the ship, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said to Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, after I deliver the new salt to Qilu, I will come back to find you."

Zhao Yao asked with a puzzled expression, "Find me? Does General Yan have something he needs my help with?"

"Today during the day, I received a secret letter from the Emperor. The Emperor ordered me to deliver the new salt to Qilu and then return to Swamp Prefecture to protect you."

"Protect me?" Zhao Yao asked, looking bewildered, "I am fine, so why do I need protection?"

"Your Highness, do you still feel safe after the new salt is transported to Qilu?"

Upon hearing Yan Huarong say this, Zhao Yao instantly understood: "Father ordered General Yan to protect me; isn’t that a waste of your talents?"

Yan Huarong did not expect Zhao Yao to say such a thing, was slightly taken aback, and then earnestly said, "Your Highness, your safety is of utmost importance. It is my honor that the Emperor has sent me to protect you."

He added, "Your Highness, I have spent several years at the Southern Garrison, and no one understands Lingnan’s situation better than I do."

Zhao Yao nodded and said, "That is naturally true."

"Also, I have a fearsome reputation in the Southern Border. My presence by your side might intimidate those with ulterior motives somewhat." This was the main reason the Emperor wanted Yan Huarong to stay by Zhao Yao’s side for protection.

"But it’s almost the New Year, General Yan. Is it okay for you to come to me?" Zhao Yao felt he could handle those who held ill will toward him.

"It’s not a problem; we soldiers often spend years campaigning outside and often don’t return home for the New Year. Our families are used to it." Yan Huarong smiled and added, "Besides, spending the New Year with Your Highness is a blessing for me."

"Having General Yan protect me is also a blessing for me," Zhao Yao said with a smile, "Then I will wait for you to return, General Yan."

"I won’t let Your Highness wait long."

"General Yan, after you go to Qilu and return to protect me, what about over there?" Zhao Yao thought, once the new salt was transported to Qilu for sale, it would certainly unsettle the salt merchants there. With their violent natures, they would likely cause trouble, possibly even incite unrest.

Yan Huarong replied, "Mr. Song went to Qilu early on. With him leading the troops to guard Qilu, no matter how bold the salt merchants there are, they will have to weigh their actions."

"It’s good to have General Song guarding Qilu."

Seeing it was getting late, Yan Huarong dared not delay further and bid farewell to Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao stood by the sea, watching Yan Huarong and his men depart. It was only after Yan Huarong’s ship disappeared from view that Zhao Yao turned around and returned to the Prince Mansion.

He Lianfang had not slept and was waiting for Zhao Yao. Upon learning of his return, he sent someone to call him over.

"Second Uncle, why are you still awake so late?"

"Is everything completely loaded?" He Lianfang asked with concern. "There weren’t any mishaps, were there?"

"No, everything went smoothly." Zhao Yao picked up a tea cup and drank a few large mouthfuls of tea. "However, there were quite a few people secretly watching. We have arrested them all."

He Lianfang reminded Zhao Yao, "Once Yan Huarong’s ship arrives in Qilu, you must be prepared."

"I have been prepared for a long time, just waiting for them to come to me."

"I’m not talking about that matter, but about your royal brothers," He Lianfang said meaningfully. "Prince Dai and Prince Jing will surely send people to find you. As for your two good brothers, Prince Chu and Prince Wei, they should also send people to you."

Zhao Yao was slightly taken aback and then understood He Lianfang’s meaning.

"Second Uncle, you mean my royal brothers will come to me to collaborate on the new salt business?"