Chapter 44

Is the Second Prince going to do business with Li Xian?

Everyone was stunned, even Li Xian was stunned. In the eyes of most people, cultivation was the right path; for a prince to engage in business was a very embarrassing thing.

But Li Xian's mind turned several corners in an instant: What do you mean? Is there some kind of scheme?

In an instant, Li Xian's brain went into overdrive, "Your Highness, I know my own limits. All of this is thanks to Mr. Xu's help. With the Second Prince's status, you can easily recruit several strategists."

"Don't be modest, Li Xian. I plan to establish a factory with 100,000 looms. You must teach me how to manage the factory. I think no one has more experience in managing a large factory than you."

So that's it!

Once Li Xian heard these words, he felt much more at ease; if it was just this, there would be no problem. But would things really be this simple?

After the Second Prince's interruption, the First Prince couldn't continue talking to Li Xian. With the night deepening, everyone dispersed.

But a small tail wouldn't leave Li Xian.

"Zhao Fei, aren't you going home? You can come play tomorrow."

"Big brother, can I follow you? I don't want to go back."

Li Xian blinked and looked at the woman beside him, "May I ask for your name, miss?"

The woman hesitated slightly before saying somewhat stiffly, "My surname is Qing, the color green."

It's fake! Even thinking with his knees, he could tell the woman was hiding her identity. But at least he had a name to call her.

"Miss Qing, if Xiao Fei doesn't want to go back, let him stay with me for now. What do you think?"

"Auntie, Auntie, I don't want to go back." Zhao Fei shook "Miss Qing's" hand.

"Ah... then I'll trouble you, Mr. Li."

"Not at all, not at all. It's so late, I'll send Miss Qing back."

Li Xian wanted to take the opportunity to find out her true identity.

But this "Miss Qing" suddenly smiled brightly, her words tinged with a hint of playful laughter, "Mr. Li, although I am a woman, I am also at the Foundation Establishment stage."

Li Xian's face turned red. He only had Xu Ren at the Foundation Establishment stage; the rest were all at the Qi Cultivation stage. This was really embarrassing.

It felt like a rich young man offering to drive his beloved home in his luxury car, only to have her shake her head: "No need, a private jet is coming to pick me up."

Li Xian was feeling exactly that way, utterly terrible.

But Li Xian had thick skin, "Miss Qing, the road is dark at night. This is our latest adjustable night lamp. It's just a prototype, not worth much. Please help us see if there are any improvements needed."

"Alright then." "Miss Qing" finally accepted Li Xian's gift with a smile.

Night lamps for military use? Adjustable focus and convex lens technology to be kept secret? Let all that go to hell. I want "love the beauty, not the kingdom." As they say, when life is good, one should enjoy it to the fullest. There's no saying 'when life is good, one should be cautious.'

Besides, what military secret is a night lamp? Anyone could copy it with just a glance. To be honest, in this era of rampant cultivation techniques, there were countless talents in the world; there were many things better than night lamps.

And also, the emperor said that night lamps couldn't be sold to outsiders, but he didn't say they couldn't be "given away." Yes, I haven't violated the imperial decree.

Zhao Fei was also led away to rest.

Li Xian watched "Miss Qing" leave the exhibition until he reluctantly turned away.

But Xu Ren sighed, "Young Master, this woman is not simple."

Li Xian was confident, "I can tell. She must be the descendant of a fallen noble family. Although her clothes are simple, the grace of a well-bred lady is not something an ordinary family can cultivate."

Xu Ren shook his head, "I fear it's more complicated than that. This woman has the aura of royalty."

"Royal aura? Can you see auras, Mr. Xu?" Li Xian suddenly realized how many skills Xu Ren had.

"Ha ha, Young Master, to be a strategist is not easy. But my ability to see auras is just superficial. If someone deliberately conceals it, I am powerless.

If you want to find out this woman's identity, you might need to go to the First Prince."

"Why the First Prince? Not someone else?"

"Because I saw that when the First Prince saw this woman, his gaze lingered longer, and his expression showed surprise. I think the First Prince must know something."

"Uh..."

"Young Master, when meeting others, always pay attention to their eyes; you will get a lot of information."

"Alright, alright, thank you, Mr. Xu." Li Xian was already feeling troubled by the series of possibilities and walked away to rest.

The next day, the exhibition continued. Li Xian took the opportunity to proactively seek out the First Prince—since the Crown Prince had come to him last night, he should return the visit. After sitting down, Li Xian took the initiative to speak, "Your Highness, is there something you need Li Xian to do?"

"Nothing much. I want to entrust the commerce of Baofeng County to you."

"What?" Li Xian suddenly sat up straight in surprise. Baofeng County was the First Prince's "governance area"—essentially a practice zone. Baofeng County bordered the state of Chen to the west and the state of Qi to the southwest, making it one of the larger counties in the Great Xia Kingdom. Due to its proximity to two states, commerce was also quite prosperous.

Such a place was to be entrusted to him? To be honest, Li Xian was somewhat delighted; but after the initial joy, he had to think carefully. The First Prince was clearly trying to form an alliance and pull him into it.

Should he participate?

No, he couldn't accept it! Almost instantly, Li Xian made his decision; he should be cooperating with the emperor, not investing in a prince.

"Your Highness, I must apologize, but I am unable to do this. I haven't even managed the commerce in Anyang well, so I dare not speak of managing an entire county. When I feel confident, I might personally trouble Your Highness."

The Crown Prince smiled indifferently, "I know, I know, that's exactly what I wanted to hear."

Damn it! Li Xian cursed inwardly. It turned out that his roundabout calculations had already fallen into the other party's hands.

Seeing Li Xian's somewhat stiff gaze, the Crown Prince laughed even more joyfully, "Li Xian, what I really want is 100,000 looms. Baofeng County is close to the states of Chen and Qi, making it the most convenient place to implement your business strategy. How about we cooperate?

You provide the looms, I provide the raw materials, personnel, and sales. We split the profits 30-70."

Li Xian almost blew his nose in anger when he heard this: Great, you want to get something for nothing! 30-70, definitely 30 for me and 70 for you.

But Li Xian was prepared, "Thank you for your favor (greed), but the looms are not that difficult. It's mainly about the engine. I think with the talent at your disposal, producing 100,000 engines is a small matter.

But it's different for me. I only have a few ordinary craftsmen, and in three months, we've only managed to make less than 300 looms.

I dare not delay Your Highness's business plans."

The Crown Prince shook his head, "Li Xian, you are much smarter than before. I'll be straightforward. I've seen the looms you gave to Father. There are three things in them that I cannot obtain. One is the bearings and shafts, and the other is—Sea Soul Silk!

I've also roughly calculated that if we only produce a few engines, we can use jade to engrave arrays. But for mass production, we must use Sea Soul Silk.

Li Xian, I want to purchase the raw materials for 100,000 looms from you, including bearings, shafts, and Sea Soul Silk. Don't say you can't provide them. At this exhibition, you have a special section for shafts, bearings, and Sea Soul Silk."

"Your Highness is wise. For now, I can provide 20,000 bearings and matching main shafts, as well as the corresponding Sea Soul Silk each month. Any more and I am powerless. But... but... I have promised the emperor."

Li Xian spoke vaguely, not specifying what he had promised the emperor, but the meaning was clear—why should I sell to you? After this industrial exhibition, the Great Xia Kingdom will need countless bearings, shafts, and Sea Soul Silk. Not to mention, bearings can be used in various industries, especially in carriages. The market is vast, like the sea!

But the First Prince's next words put Li Xian on the defensive, "I know about Miss Qing."

Li Xian's eyes immediately brightened.

The First Prince pulled out an invitation from his sleeve, "Tomorrow night, there will be a banquet at the palace, a grand feast for all the ministers. This is an invitation for the women's section, with Mother's seal. Only you can enter, no one else."

As he spoke, the First Prince glanced at Xu Ren behind Li Xian.

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