Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 994: Chapter 83: Simple and Direct (Part 2)

Tong Xi didn’t quite understand, "It should be, right."

Uncle Gao bought a small bag of candies from Tong Xi and then a small bag of snacks from another person.

"General, it seems the people selling things are all from the Dark Guard Camp." Several faces looked familiar, and Uncle Gao could recognize them at a glance. "Is this His Highness’ way of having them keep an eye?"

He Lianfang nodded and said, "Let them make some money on the side."

"His Highness really came up with this." Uncle Gao noticed many people setting up stalls selling goods around the audience seats. There were food, drinks, toys... a wide variety of items being sold. "This is the business opportunity His Highness found hidden in the Cuju Field."

"Yes, currently those selling at the Cuju Field are all people under Prince Han," said He Lianfang. "After the football match ends, many will come seeking to buy stall spots from Prince Han."

"There are many people watching the match. Selling things here should earn quite a bit," Uncle Gao commented upon seeing that the stalls were crowded with people. "His Highness’s business acumen is... extraordinarily brilliant."

He Lianfang was too lazy to correct Uncle Gao’s misuse of words, "He’s always been good at business."

"To come up with so many business avenues from just one match, it’s truly admirable," Uncle Gao thought to himself, knowing he himself wouldn’t have thought of it.

Not only Uncle Gao was amazed, but also merchants from afar and foreigners were once again astounded by Prince Han’s business mind. Before arriving in Swamp Prefecture, they considered themselves the best business people locally, even globally. However, upon arriving at Swamp Prefecture, they realized they were nothing compared to Prince Han. Their businesses paled in comparison.

During this time at Swamp Prefecture, they were taught lesson after lesson by Prince Han. Speaking of today’s football match alone, they hadn’t anticipated so much business within it. Their locality hosted football matches too, yet they didn’t devise such business schemes.

This trip to Swamp Prefecture had taught them much. Aside from the profits gained in this period, just observing the businesses Prince Han operated made them feel this trip was truly worthwhile.

Still not at the Cuju Field, Zhao Yao was unaware of the merchants’ newfound admiration for him.

Moments later, Zhao Yao appeared at the Cuju Field with foreign dignitaries.

The audience, upon seeing Prince Han, promptly paid respects: "Greetings to Prince Han, Long live Your Highness!"

During these days of the trade fair, both locals and foreigners were deeply impressed and filled with awe towards Zhao Yao, Prince Han.

Zhao Yao raised his hand to signal everyone to rise and then invited the foreign dignitaries to be seated.

He didn’t rush to sit but stood in the middle of the Cuju Field.

The crowded Cuju Field was initially noisy, but it became very quiet.

Before the football match, as the host and organizer, Zhao Yao naturally had to give a speech first. He welcomed everyone to watch the match, then briefly mentioned the benefits of football, like teamwork and friendly exchanges. Next, he discussed the rules of football and the prizes for the top three teams after the match. Finally, he repeated the old saying, friendship first, competition second.

After Zhao Yao finished his speech, he allowed the teams participating in the football match to enter the field.

Like the dragon boat race, there were ten teams participating in the football match. Zhao Yao first briefly introduced the ten teams to the audience and then encouraged them to compete well.

With the encouragement of Prince Han, the ten teams and the audience watching the match were all invigorated.

After Zhao Yao took his seat, the referee appeared in the match field. Then, a long whistle sounded, and the match officially began.

The teams in today’s first match were the Annan Team vs. Prince Han’s Personal Guard.

As soon as the match started, the audience loudly cheered for their respective teams. The atmosphere quickly became very heated.

The charm of football was deeply felt by everyone present.

Zhao Yao felt proud: anyone who watches a football match on the spot is bound to fall in love with football, that’s its charm.

This morning, there was only one match, with two more in the afternoon.

Annan’s football team was formed temporarily and naturally couldn’t match Prince Han’s Personal Guard. However, as guests, Annan’s football team faced a gracious opponent in Prince Han’s Personal Guard, who didn’t play hard. Predictably, Prince Han’s Personal Guard won.

After watching the match, the foreign dignitaries’ perception of football changed. They found football matches highly interesting and decided to nurture their football teams well in the future. Today’s defeat wouldn’t have been as dignified if Prince Han’s Personal Guard hadn’t shown leniency.

After the morning match, Zhao Yao had matters to attend to at the Han Prince Mansion and couldn’t join the foreign guests for lunch, so he invited them to explore Swamp Prefecture for culinary delights on their own.

During the match, Zheng Cheng came looking for Zhao Yao to inform him that they had finally developed the canon.

Upon returning to Han Prince Mansion, Zhao Yao asked Zheng Cheng for a detailed report.

During this period, Zheng Cheng had been cooped up in the North Mountain labs with craftsmen researching cannon manufacturing. After several failures, they finally succeeded yesterday. However, as the trade fair was ongoing and since foreigners hadn’t left yet, they dared not test it. The canon’s power was massive, and testing would certainly cause a huge surge, drawing the attention of locals and foreigners. It mustn’t be known to them.

"Without testing, it can’t be considered successful." Zhao Yao was eager to test the cannon, but now wasn’t the right time; they had to wait until the trade fair concluded.

"You’re right, Your Highness." They were certain this time would be successful, so they couldn’t help but come to share the good news with His Highness.

"You’ve worked hard these months; take a good rest these few days. After the trade fair ends, we’ll proceed with testing."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Once tests are successful, you and I need to continue researching rubber." Ah, developing rubber is really not easy.

"Rest assured, Your Highness, I’ve already prepared."

Zhao Yao talked with Zheng Cheng for a while longer before asking Tong Xi to call Zheng Qian; he wanted to have lunch with the brothers.

Zheng Qian had something to report to Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, my father wishes to visit Swamp Prefecture."

"The Grand Commandant Zheng?" Zhao Yao’s expression remained calm, "Grand Commandant Zheng is welcome to visit Swamp Prefecture."