Chapter 89

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Third update, please recommend and collect!

The data doesn't look good.

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Dongfang Shuo walked up from behind, his face devoid of any smile. "Who is Huainan preparing for? The Baiyue in the south, or the court?"

Liu Ling took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "The court established Huainan to defend the Han Dynasty. Huainan is naturally preparing for the Baiyue."

"In the fourth year of Emperor Gaozu, Ying Bu was enfeoffed as the King of Huainan, and the first Huainan Kingdom was established, encompassing the four commanderies of Jianghuai, Luzhong, Hengshan, and Yuzhang. It indeed played a role in defending the royal family. Now, Huainan only has the Jianghuai commandery north of the Yangtze River. How can it defend the Han Dynasty? Where do you place DanYang and Yuzhang?"

Liu Ling closed her mouth, saying nothing, just silently looking at Liang Xiao. The moment Dongfang Shuo appeared, she knew she wouldn't have the upper hand. She herself also knew that the current Huainan Kingdom was no longer what it used to be, its strength greatly diminished, while the court's power grew stronger. Huainan had almost no hope of success.

Precisely because of this, she had been traveling far and wide, sparing no expense to gather talent, hoping to make up for the disadvantages brought by the changes in Huainan's territory.

When she learned that Liang Xiao was going to transfer the double-sided brocade technique to her, she thought Liang Xiao had finally been moved by her sincerity and was offering her a brilliant strategy to make money. She didn't expect that this idea was actually Dongfang Shuo's, and it was a subtle suggestion for her to abandon military resistance, focus on agriculture and sericulture, and show weakness to the court.

She was不服 (unwilling to accept it) and very disappointed.

Liang Xiao felt uneasy under Liu Ling's gaze. He also knew that the conflict between Huainan and the court was not just about ambition but also about hatred. Liu Ling's grandfather, Liu Chang, seemed to have been forced to death by Emperor Wen, Liu Heng, the grandfather of Liu Che. No matter how weak the King of Huainan appeared, the court would not let them off.

Apart from the difference between life and death, the outcome was the same for Liu Ling and her father. Without a kingdom, what difference did life and death make?

Liang Xiao had no answer to this. Dongfang Shuo's suggestion seemed reasonable, but it didn't consider Liu Ling's perspective. He just wanted to help her through the current crisis and use the opportunity to distance himself from her.

Advising the King of Huainan to focus on agriculture and sericulture and abandon military preparations, if successful, would undoubtedly be a great achievement. Even if it failed, he had tried, and Liu Che would understand his good intentions. As for how the news would reach Liu Che, it was no problem for Dongfang Shuo.

He invited Liu Ling to gain her cooperation. If she could accept their advice and mention it to Liu Che, everything would be perfect.

However, seeing Liu Ling's disappointed look, it was clear she was reluctant to accept the suggestion.

"Princess, your father, the King of Huainan, is a learned and renowned scholar, a rare virtuous king in the imperial clan. If he could focus on his studies, he would surely become a sage admired by future generations. Pursuing scholarship and nurturing guests requires a substantial amount of wealth. I am honored by your favor and have received many rewards, but I have nothing to offer in return. I am willing to present the double-sided brocade technique to you as a token of my gratitude."

Liang Xiao's sincere words and his praise for her father's scholarship made Liu Ling feel better. From Liang Xiao's perspective, his suggestion was indeed well-intentioned. For the imperial clan to maintain their wealth and status, focusing on scholarship was almost the only choice. With her father Liu An's intelligence, becoming a sage might be difficult, but a peaceful end like Liu Jiao, the King of Chu, was still possible.

Liu Ling smiled slightly. "If so, I cannot refuse. When I traveled in Guangling, I knew the beauty of double-sided brocade, and your family has made a living from it. If I take it, I cannot cut off your livelihood. Here, I will give you a hundred gold pieces as a token of appreciation. I hope you, Sir Liang, will not find it too meager?"

Liang Xiao was overjoyed and was about to say something polite when Dongfang Shuo smiled. "Princess, that is indeed a bit meager. Mrs. Liang can produce two bolts of brocade per month, which amounts to twenty-four bolts a year, worth twenty-four gold pieces, with a profit of ten gold pieces. Huainan has hundreds of looms and thousands of weavers. With this technique, the annual profit would be over ten thousand gold pieces. Giving you a hundred gold pieces is indeed too meager."

A flash of surprise crossed Liu Ling's eyes. She turned to Dongfang Shuo, her smile fading, but her eyes filled with unexplained anger. "How much do you think would not be meager?"

Dongfang Shuo raised a hand and waved it. "At least five hundred gold pieces."

Liu Ling shook her head. "Five hundred gold pieces is too high. I can't afford it, and I don't have that much money. Here, Chang'an is full of powerful nobles, many of whom are stronger than Huainan. You can try your luck. I will also raise the funds. If you can find a suitable buyer, I will pay even a thousand gold pieces. If no one takes it, you can come back to Huainan's residence, and I will be waiting."

"Fine." Dongfang Shuo nodded without hesitation.

With the deal falling through, Liu Ling didn't plan to stay any longer. After a few polite words, she got up to leave. Liang Xiao escorted her to the door. As they went out, Liu Ling slowed her steps and glanced at Liang Xiao. "Are you in such a hurry to distance yourself from me?"

Liang Xiao sighed and recounted the incident at the Gaihou residence. Liu Ling's expression softened, but her anger didn't completely subside. "If you have any trouble, just tell me. Why did you let Dongfang Shuo make the decision for you?"

Liang Xiao smiled helplessly. "He is tall and strong; I can't fight him."

Liu Ling chuckled. "So you are one who only responds to force, not kindness. I misunderstood you. If I had known, I would have taken you to Huainan by force. Sigh, losing both the person and the wealth."

Liang Xiao was speechless. Why did that sound so strange? Are you thinking of forcing me?

After seeing Liu Ling off, Liang Xiao returned to the hall. Before he could sit down, Dongfang Shuo started complaining. "Do you know how to do business? If I hadn't stopped you, were you really going to sell it for a hundred gold pieces?"

Liang Xiao said, "A hundred gold pieces is not little. I only planned to ask for fifty gold pieces."

"You don't understand. Leave this to me. Don't worry about it."

Dongfang Shuo stood up, waved his sleeves, took a few steps, and then turned back. "We agreed on a ten percent commission. I finally have a chance to get rich, so don't shortchange me. Otherwise, I won't have money for my wife in a few months."

"Don't worry, I won't shortchange you." Liang Xiao laughed. "As long as I have food, you will have food."

"That's reassuring." Dongfang Shuo, satisfied, waved his sleeves and laughed as he left.

Liu Ling returned to Huainan's residence, summoned Deng Guobin, and instructed him to expedite the development of the improved samples. Then, she entered her study, laid out her writing materials, and prepared to write a letter to her father, Liu An. This was her routine task, to promptly relay news from Chang'an back to Huainan.

However, this time, she hesitated. Liang Xiao and Dongfang Shuo's words kept echoing in her ears. Adopting Liang Xiao's suggestion and becoming a renowned scholar remembered by future generations was indeed a good choice for Liu An. If so, she wouldn't have to work so hard, forcing herself to smile and mingle with the nobles of Chang'an for a few useful pieces of information.

If that were the case, would that cunning boy still keep his distance, afraid of getting involved in trouble? That stubborn fellow, I should have used force from the beginning.

Thinking of those few words at Liang Xiao's door and the awkward look on his face, Liu Ling's face suddenly turned red, and her pen paused. A drop of ink fell on the bamboo slip, shining in the lamplight like a black, shiny eye.

Hmph, want to avoid me? I won't let you get away with it. Liu Ling's eyes twinkled, and a sly smile appeared on her lips. She replaced the bamboo slip and continued writing.

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