Chapter 2864 - 2865: The Emperor Leads the Expedition Himself

Chapter 2864: Chapter 2865: The Emperor Leads the Expedition Himself

Sangta seemed relieved, "Then I’ll head back first, there are affairs in the tribe. It’s not good for me to be away for too long. When you have time, do visit the Barbarian Clan. Didn’t you say you needed to visit the Zhong Family?"

He spoke a string of words in one breath, as if hiding something and perhaps avoiding something.

Bai Ruozhu, with her keen mind, couldn’t help but laugh, "If I were to leave with you, perhaps you’d feel even less at ease, wouldn’t you?"

"Ah? How could that be!" Sangta exclaimed with surprise.

Bai Ruozhu shook her head, "You’re not pretending, but rather, you’re unclear about your own feelings. If you wish to leave, then hurry up before it’s too late. As for good men in the Capital, there’s plenty, I can introduce another to Ao Song. By the way, how about Tang Feng? A Champion, handsome and elegant, Ai Song should like him."

"Oh, good, quite good." Sangta responded verbally, but didn’t seem happy; eventually, he left in a daze.

Bai Ruozhu wasn’t hurried either. For someone like Sangta, a good remedy is needed; there will be times when he’s troubled.

...

The next day, Bai Ruozhu reported Zhang Liliang’s matters, and indeed, Zhang Liliang was soon summoned. What surprised Bai Ruozhu was that it was Tang Yin who personally summoned him.

Zhang Liliang had never met the Emperor before, nervously unsure of where to place his hands. Fortunately, with his experiences across the country, and having followed the Bai Family in the Capital, he has seen much, understood the protocols and made no jokes.

Tang Yin asked about issues related to trade with the Barbarian Clan and Western Regions, and Zhang Liliang, having prepared responses, answered one by one.

"Did you come up with these ideas or did Bai Ruozhu?" suddenly asked Tang Yin.

Zhang Liliang’s heart tightened, swiftly answered, "These were my own ideas, though there are still many places where they are not fully refined."

"Not bad, you may leave now, I will consider this." Tang Yin waved his hand, and Zhang Liliang hastily bowed and withdrew.

The meeting lasted less than a quarter-hour altogether, and when Zhang Liliang exited, he felt his legs were weak. He explained the experience to Rongrong’s mother upon returning home.

"What does the Emperor look like?" Rongrong’s mother curiously asked.

"Didn’t see clearly." Zhang Liliang grinned awkwardly, "I feared being disrespectful and didn’t dare to raise my head to look at the Emperor’s face."

Rongrong’s mother couldn’t help but laugh, "You’re so timid. Don’t embarrass Ruozhu."

"It’s not about being timid. My responses were quite good." Zhang Liliang was confident in that aspect; after years of doing business, he had learned the secrets, especially having interacted with Ruozhu, his thoughts broadened considerably—daring to think what others dare not and envisioning what others cannot.

Elsewhere in the Imperial Study Room, Bai Ruozhu was summoned before Tang Yin.

"The person you recommended is not bad, considering you promoted talent without regard for personal ties." Tang Yin began.

"Your Majesty is wise, otherwise how would a commoner have such opportunities." Bai Ruozhu appropriately praised him.

Tang Yin squinted his eyes, "But you do have personal motives, don’t you?"

"Who doesn’t? But for the Bai Family business to achieve this level isn’t solely due to my efforts; it’s largely due to the capable people below. Recommending talented individuals to the Imperial Court and allowing them to serve—isn’t that a good thing?" she countered.

Tang Yin laughed, "I plan to appoint him as a seventh-rank Trade Envoy, but he must be separated from the Bai Family."

Bai Ruozhu also laughed, "Your Majesty must be mistaken. Uncle Zhang and my father are close friends, not our servants. They’ve never had an Indenture Contract, so why speak of separation from the Bai Family? He merely has some shares in the Bai Family, which is why he helps oversee some businesses."

"I’m curious about how many shares he has in your Bai Family?" Tang Yin asked.

"I gave him a twenty percent dry share for the shop he manages." Bai Ruozhu didn’t conceal this.

"You’re quite generous; no wonder you can retain people. Why not gift me some dry shares as well?" Tang Yin continued.

Bai Ruozhu wasn’t rushed, slowly saying, "Your Majesty is interested in my meager shares? Isn’t it that by the rules only those who do work earn them, what can Your Majesty do?"

"Audacious!" Tang Yin’s eyebrows shot up, "You even want to put me to work?"

Bai Ruozhu lowered her head, yet felt no nervousness; she had dealt with him many times and found Tang Yin liked to bluff and posture, mostly intimidating others without truly acting on it.

"I dare not."

"I intend to select several households to partake in trade with the Barbarian Clan and Western Regions, with the Bai Family being the priority—is that enough?" Tang Yin’s tone softened.

Bai Ruozhu’s eyes lit up, "Sixty percent of the business."

"You’re indeed greedy, at most fifty percent."

"Alright, then I gift His Majesty Hua Xiangrong with a twenty percent dry share." Diao Shengyan said gleefully, inwardly smiling—she originally expected to negotiate for forty percent to be good, little did she anticipate Tang Yin truly can’t handle business.

"I heard you gift everyone twenty percent, even me the same?" Tang Yin glared.

"That’s called treating everyone equally." She dryly laughed twice, "But of course His Majesty’s noble status, so perhaps three percent then."

She feigned a pained reluctance, and sure enough, Tang Yin nodded satisfily.

The negotiations were very pleasant; Tang Yin obtained Hua Xiangrong’s dry share to supplement his Private Storage Room, and Diao Shengyan secured the major part of the trade; inevitably advancing Bai Family’s business further.

Everything was being discussed and prepared, within half a month many details emerged, Tang Yin issued a decree appointing Bai Ruozhu as the lead in the trade, also determining numerous officials, including Zhang Liliang.

During this time, Bai Ruozhu had recovered significantly, taking the opportunity to gather with friends in the Capital. Time flew, many had established families and careers.

The girls at the Female Physicians Institution had also shown great improvement. Bai Ruozhu took this chance to test them, each performed excellently, bringing her great satisfaction.

Ao Song improved notably too, clamoring for a return home, Bai Ruozhu supposed she missed Sangta.

"Girl, I must visit the Zhong Family; after some days, we could leave together. It’s better not to see some people for now." Bai Ruozhu said.

Ao Song blushed, "I am going home, and not to see him."

"Foolish girl, let him pine for you then; might come running to find you." Bai Ruozhu laughed heartily.

Before their itinerary was arranged, the North Pass unexpectedly saw conflict, an urgent military letter arrived in the Capital.

"I decide to lead the armies personally!" On the Court, Tang Yin firmly announced.

"Your Majesty, absolutely not!" An elder minister cried out anxiously.

"Absolutely not, please consider your royal body!"

"The battlefield is too perilous, Your Majesty mustn’t go personally."

"..."

Tang Yin raised his hand to quiet the ministers, calmly said, "My decision is made, you need not advise further, dismiss!"

With that, he stood and walked away.

Ministers discussed heatedly, ultimately turning to Jiang Yichun, asking him to reason with the Emperor.

Jiang Yichun also disagreed with Tang Yin’s decision, thus he went to the Imperial Study Room to speak privately.

"Let me go to the North Pass instead of His Majesty." He suggested.

Tang Yin laughed, "You can bear leaving your wife?"