The Prodigal Son

The two generals, Heng and Ha, did not follow Zhao Luan closely, but instead hung at a distance behind them.

Zhao Luan pondered all the way, and then sat down in the pavilion in the back garden.

After a moment's hesitation, Zhao Luan steeled his resolve and gritted his teeth, saying, "You know the court's financial situation. I don't want much, just 50% of the shares! I know you don't lack money, and I don't have that much to give you either, but you can name your terms!"

"Fifty percent?"

Qin Yu's eyes widened suddenly: "Your Majesty, you're not...?"

"You're just blatantly robbing me, aren't you?"

Zhao Luan glared angrily at Qin Yu, "I'll just rob you outright! I won't rob anyone else, I'll rob you!"

Who told him to have nearly killed me with pain twice before?

Correct!

Just rob him!

Zhao Luan gave herself a plausible reason.

Seeing Zhao Luan act like a scoundrel, Qin Yu was speechless.

You are the Empress!

Have you lost all sense of integrity?

Seeing that Qin Yu remained silent, Zhao Luan impatiently urged, "Hurry up and speak! To tell you the truth, I'm in a very bad mood right now, and I'm looking for someone to beat up and vent my anger on!"

As Zhao Luan spoke, he disregarded imperial dignity and began rolling up his sleeves, which surprised Qin Yu.

Qin Yu lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Does Your Majesty truly wish for me to propose conditions?"

"Bring it out quickly!"

Zhao Luan's face was cold. "Don't make me beat you!"

Got it!

It seems the female demon is determined to take her shamelessness to the extreme!

That's it!

Now that things have come to this point, if I keep putting on airs, the female demon might really explode.

"Cough cough..."

Qin Yu cleared his throat slightly and gave a "shy" smile. "I've always envied the old man for having the privilege of not having to bow when entering the court. I even told him that I would be able to be like him sooner or later..."

Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Zhao Luan's eyelids twitched suddenly.

You shall not bow when entering the court!

He really dared to speak up!

The privilege of not having to bow when entering the court was only granted to ministers who had made great contributions to the court!

He wants the privilege of not having to bow in court just because of one source of wealth?

What did he take this privilege of not having to bow when entering the court for?

No wonder his grandfather beats him so often!

He really deserves a beating!

She didn't mind giving Qin Yu this privilege.

But the ministers in the court were concerned!

Entering the court without bowing—these four simple words represent an extremely high honor and a great reward!

Just for money, this privilege is being bestowed away?

How should others be rewarded if they make contributions in the future?

We can't sacrifice long-term interests for short-term gains!

But then again, this liquor business is also a long-term profit-making venture!

If this business can be scaled up and made successful, it will definitely add a large amount of silver to the national treasury every year!

To realize one's grand ambitions, a large amount of money is essential!

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Luan suddenly raised her head, staring intently at Qin Yu: "Alright, I agree!"

Did she really agree?

Qin Yu looked surprised.

He was even thinking that if the female demon didn't agree, he would add some more bargaining chips!

As a result, she agreed before I even added any more chips.

Ignoring Qin Yu's surprise, Zhao Luan continued, "Besides the privilege of not having to bow when entering the court, I will bestow upon you another privilege that none of the other civil and military officials possess!"

"what?"

Qin Yu stared wide-eyed in astonishment, almost unable to believe his ears.

Is this for real?

Is she really desperate for money?

"You seem a bit rude to me!"

Zhao Luan stared at Qin Yu with a playful expression. "From now on, if you make a mistake in front of me, I won't punish you, as long as you pay the fine! But listen carefully, this only applies to mistakes made in front of me!"

Got it!

This female devil is treating me like her personal treasure trove!

This is a plan to make money today and spend it all tomorrow...

Yes, it means making money today and paying the fine tomorrow!

However, having this privilege is better than not having it!

You can choose whether or not to spend money to avoid trouble!

Seriously, if I were to be so bold as to touch her long legs, how much would I have to pay in fines?

Qin Yu shook off the distracting thoughts in his mind and immediately bowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"This is what you deserve!" Zhao Luan glanced at him indifferently. "Any other conditions?"

Qin Yu glanced at Zhao Luan's expression and tentatively said, "The Luo family has vanished, and there is still one vacancy for the Imperial Merchant position. I would like to recommend Feng Yingxu for that position..."

"Can!"

Before Qin Yu could finish speaking, Zhao Luan readily agreed, "However, the Feng family must pass the imperial court's review!"

The privilege of not having to bow when entering the court has been given away, so what does that even mean?

Moreover, the imperial court should have added an imperial merchant in the first place.

Qin Yu was surprised by Zhao Luan's straightforwardness and spoke again: "Thirdly, I would like to see the half of the Nine Dragon Pendant in Your Majesty's possession!"

Ok?

Zhao Luan frowned slightly, puzzled, and asked, "Why do you suddenly want to see the Nine Dragon Pendant?"

Qin Yu smiled without changing his expression, "I am just curious about what this Nine Dragon Pendant looks like, that it would make Northern Qi threaten our dynasty with force to obtain it."

Zhao Luan looked at him with some skepticism, then nodded and said, "Okay."

Go ahead and watch!

It won't cost you anything.

Qin Yu continued, "Fourth..."

"Is this never going to end?"

Zhao Luan's voice suddenly turned cold, and she stared at Qin Yu with an unfriendly expression: "Do you only feel comfortable if I hang you up and give you a good beating?"

That shameless bastard!

He came up to me to make a wish, didn't he?

"Your Majesty, please hear what I have to say."

Qin Yu chuckled, "The shares I'm giving Your Majesty aren't 50%, they're 60%!"

60%?

Zhao Luan was surprised.

He actually offered to give him an extra 10% of the shares?

When did he become so generous?

"Why did you give me an extra 10% share?"

Zhao Luan asked with great interest.

Qin Yu straightened his back and said solemnly, "Seeing Your Majesty worry about the empty treasury every day, I also feel distressed..."

Ah!

That's a lot...

So fake!

If he were truly upset, he should have explained the details of his alcohol business to me long ago!

Is it a crime for a common man to possess a treasure?

Was he afraid that he would just rob him outright another day?

Zhao Luan sighed inwardly, but did not feign politeness. "Alright, since you have such a kind intention, I will accept it! I will send someone to discuss it with you in detail later! As for the half of the Nine Dragon Pendant, I will show it to you when you enter the palace."

"yes!"

Qin Yu was completely satisfied.

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu, then instructed, "News has come from the Baojing Division that Prime Minister Gao will arrive in the capital tomorrow. You and Shangguan will go out of the city to greet him!"

"We still need to welcome them?"

Qin Yu frowned, clearly somewhat unwilling.

Gao Yi has been reinstated. Shouldn't he be scrambling to express his gratitude? Why is he being welcomed?

Zhao Luan glanced at her with her phoenix eyes, "Just go when I tell you to. Why all the nonsense?"

Got it!

Qin Yu reluctantly agreed.

"By the way, how's that Tiangongfang thing you mentioned coming along?"

Zhao Luan inquired about it.

When it came to serious matters, Qin Yu's face immediately became serious: "The framework has been set up, but I don't know when those new weapons will be ready."

"Alright! You can handle this yourself!"

Zhao Luan didn't bother to ask any more questions. "But I'm warning you again, if you dare to send that divine bird flying into the sky, I'll skin you alive!"

She also knew that the Wang brothers, Dou and Su, had already been delivered to Qin Yu.

She was genuinely worried that this bastard would find new ways to court death.

"Yes, yes!"

Qin Yu readily agreed, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

"Well, at least you said something that's pleasing to the ear."

Zhao Luan nodded slightly. "I'm too lazy to go back to the palace for dinner. Let's have dinner at the Qin residence tonight!"