The Prodigal Son

"..."

Qin Yu's face darkened. "You actually dared to think that? I truly admire you for being a hero! But don't you think your idea is incredibly naive?"

During the reign of the late emperor, a treaty was signed with the State of Yan to jointly defend against the Northern Qi. Despite opposition, the emperor also resumed trade with the State of Yan, which had been closed for many years.

Several years ago, the Northern Qi launched a large-scale invasion. While the two sides were engaged in fierce fighting, the Yan state suddenly sent troops to launch a surprise attack on Dingzhou.

As a result, the Empress was forced to draw troops from the four guards of the imperial city.

At that time, many officials' sons and nephews were studying at the Imperial City's Four Guards.

In the Battle of Dingzhou, the senior generals fared relatively well, but a large number of the junior and mid-level generals who had been given gilded titles died.

It is estimated that more than 70% of the officials of the third rank and above in the imperial court today have sons or nephews who died in battle in Dingzhou.

Not to mention others, even Lu Si, that scoundrel of an elder brother and brother-in-law, died in battle in Dingzhou.

In this situation, anyone who dares to talk about starting trade with the Yan state would probably be ridiculed by the entire court.

If their official rank is even slightly lower, their career path will probably come to an end!

Yan Li paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "I believe that anything is possible with human effort!"

amount……

Has this kid been drinking too much toxic chicken soup for the soul?

Qin Yu shook his head secretly, then said like a wolf in sheep's clothing, "If you really want to start a trade relationship with us, I have a suggestion for you."

"Please speak!"

Yan Li was polite and courteous, a stark contrast to Qin Yu's carefree and irresponsible demeanor.

Qin Yu: "We shall cede Wangzhou as a sign of our sincerity!"

Yan Li chuckled, "Your Empress is much gentler than her!"

"His Majesty also demanded that you cede territory?"

Qin Yu was curious.

He went to talk to Zhao Luan about this a few days ago.

"right."

Yan Li did not hide anything, "Your Empress demands that we cede three states as a sign of sincerity."

Holy crap?

Is the Empress really that ruthless?

No wonder the old man scolded himself for being useless!

So it turns out I'm the conservative one!

"Actually, there is another way if you don't want to cede territory."

Qin Yu stroked his chin. "Your troops can march out of Panshan Pass and seize Fengshou Plain, a major grain-producing area in Northern Qi. Then, you'll have everything you need! Or, you can oversee the construction of a large number of ships and start maritime trade!"

Yan Li's face darkened; she really wanted to kick Qin Yu off the recliner.

The Yan and Bei Qi fought to a standstill, so that the Ning Kingdom could reap the benefits.

Could he really think he couldn't see through such a simple scheme of using one enemy to devour another?

As for maritime trade, this was a weakness of the Yan state.

If the Yan state were to engage in maritime trade, it would inevitably be attacked by the Min state's navy, and in that case, it would be a losing proposition!

"Let's not talk about this anymore."

Yan Li deliberately ended this pointless topic and said, "Young Master Qin has actually managed to preserve the reputation of your Empress in such a way today, and has averted his own certain death. I truly admire you."

Qin Yu chuckled and then stretched out two fingers and rubbed them together.

Yan Li was puzzled. "What does this mean?"

"Just saying you admire me isn't enough; you need to offer something in return!"

Qin Yu chuckled, "You're a prince, after all. If you admire me so much, shouldn't you give me some kind of gift?"

Yan Li was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Young Master Qin is truly a remarkable person! Since you've spoken, how can I, a prince, be stingy?"

As she spoke, Yan Li took off the jade pendant from her body and tossed it to Qin Yu.

"That's the bearing of a prince!"

Qin Yu caught the jade pendant, didn't even glance at it, and put it directly into his sleeve pocket.

How bad could a prince's jade pendant be?

Yan Li smiled, then asked curiously, "Why didn't you, the great hero, join in the fun? Instead, you've come here to find some peace and quiet?"

"Nothing, I'm just sleepy and want to go to bed."

As Qin Yu spoke, he yawned again, looking drowsy.

Why join in the fun!

If he joins in the fun at this point, those officials will definitely drag him away and make him pay back the money!

Just thinking about that scene is incredibly exciting!

Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, I can't possibly steal her thunder, can I?

Keep a low profile!

Seeing this, Yan Li was both amused and exasperated. "You just accepted my gift and you're already kicking me out like this? That's so inconsiderate of you!"

"I'm so sleepy!"

He stayed up all night last night trying to borrow money; he was really tired!

However, Yan Li was unaware of this and only thought that Qin Yu was subtly telling her to leave.

"Then you should get some rest! I'm going to wander around somewhere else."

Yan Li smiled, turned and left.

His silhouette looked somewhat forlorn, as if he didn't belong in this world.

Qin Yu glanced at Yan Li, then closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Wanting to start trade without showing any real sincerity is just wishful thinking.

Before long, Qin Yu fell asleep.

He was not awakened by Qi Dachui until it got dark.

As soon as Qin Yu returned to the restaurant, he was summoned before the Empress Dowager.

With a smile, Mrs. Guo said, "It's already evening. Where's the gift you prepared for me?"

Qin Yu glanced at the sky outside and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment. You will see this gift once it is completely dark!"

"Oh?"

A hint of curiosity appeared in Empress Dowager Guo's eyes. "Alright, then I'll wait a little longer!"

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu, feeling a bit curious herself.

Qin Yu doesn't seem flustered at all!

Could he have actually prepared some extraordinary gift for the Empress Dowager?

Time passed slowly, and after a quarter of an hour, it became completely dark.

Without Empress Dowager Guo needing to urge him, Qin Yu proactively approached her: "Please, Your Majesty, move to the Viewing Pavilion!"

The View Pavilion was a place he temporarily created by having several rooms combined.

"It's already dark, what's the point of looking at the scenery?"

Empress Dowager Guo frowned, her gaze gradually sharpening. "Are you perhaps toying with me?"

Hearing Empress Dowager Guo's words, the ministers who had been lent money immediately gloated.

You little bastard, you're so cocky and full of yourself!

"The Empress Dowager will know when she arrives!"

Qin Yu continued to keep everyone in suspense.

"OK!"

Empress Dowager Guo didn't bother to ask any more questions. She gave Qin Yu a meaningful look and said, "If this gift doesn't satisfy me, hmph..."

Led by Qin Yu, Empress Dowager Guo led everyone to the Viewing Pavilion.

Looking out from the demolished wall of the viewing pavilion, it was pitch black outside, and you couldn't see anything.

"Big Hammer! Shout!"

Qin Yu gave the order.

Qi Dachui accepted the order, immediately took a deep breath, and roared at the top of his lungs into the darkness, "Release!"

As Qi Dachui's booming voice rang out, a series of shrill screams suddenly rang in everyone's ears.

"call out……"

"Whoosh..."

One after another, the sound of something cutting through the air rang out.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a beam of light shot straight into the sky, then exploded with a "boom," blossoming into a dazzling array of fireworks.

One, two...

The dazzling fireworks illuminated the entire sky as bright as day.

The light was dazzling, like a mythical fire tree blooming in the night, or like a shooting star falling.

At that moment, even the stars in the sky suddenly lost their luster.

This beautiful sight had a tremendous impact on these people who had never seen fireworks before.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the dazzling fireworks.

"This...this..."

Empress Dowager Guo extended her trembling, delicate fingers, her body shaking with excitement, her eyes filled with joy.

"What a nice view!"

"It's so beautiful!"

"The most beautiful scenery in the world is nothing more than this..."

"The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet this time can be described as a spectacle that has shaken the ages!"

Everyone was thrilled, and even Zhao Luan was captivated by the beautiful scenery before her, revealing a touch of girlish charm.

Qin Yu observed everyone's behavior and secretly thanked his past self.

In his past life, he made a special trip to that small fireworks workshop to buy and sell low-priced fireworks, and also learned in detail about the entire fireworks manufacturing process.

Unfortunately, he couldn't find enough metal salts to make colorants.

Otherwise, the fireworks would be even more beautiful.

Qin Yu sighed inwardly, then took the opportunity to ask Empress Dowager Guo, "Empress Dowager, are you satisfied with this gift?"