The Prodigal Son

Once outside, Zhao Luan indeed inquired about Song Zhuo's health from Nan Que'er.

In fact, she had already sent a royal physician to diagnose Song Zhuo before the New Year, and also ordered people to send him many precious medicinal herbs.

However, the imperial physician's feedback to her was not good.

Although Song Zhuo appeared to be able to eat and walk, his body was almost on the verge of collapse.

This winter was also the most dangerous time for Song Zhuo.

A simple cold is enough to knock Song Zhuo down.

And once he falls, he may never be able to get up again.

Therefore, she was even unwilling to let Song Zhuo take her to the front hall for dinner.

I'm worried that Song Zhuo might catch a cold.

She didn't know anything about medicine, but she hoped to get a different result from Nan Que'er, even if it was just a little better.

Nan Que'er sighed softly, her expression grave, and said, "Prime Minister Song's health continues to deteriorate. Given his current condition, unless a miracle occurs, it will be difficult for him to survive for more than six months..."

Hearing Nan Que'er's words, Zhao Luan's heart skipped a beat.

Nan Que'er's judgment was similar to that of the imperial physician.

Is my beloved teacher really going to leave me like this?

Zhao Luan's expression darkened, but she was still somewhat unwilling. She said in a deep voice, "You are a witch from the Southern Frontier. Does your tribe have any special techniques or methods to help Prime Minister Song hold on for a little longer, even if it's just for another six months?"

Nan Que'er pondered for a moment and replied, "There is a way, and it will definitely be effective, but no one can guarantee how effective it will be."

"What method?"

Zhao Luan's eyes lit up again, and she hurriedly asked.

As long as it works!

She was willing to try even if it had only the slightest effect.

Nan Que'er replied, "Send a master to guard Prime Minister Song's side and have him use his inner energy to regulate his meridians every day..."

This is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task.

Even the most skilled players can't do it.

They need to be experts at least at the eighth or ninth level.

If it's a grandmaster, that would definitely be better.

However, with Song Zhuo's dantian destroyed, his meridians and tendons are not far from being shattered.

This process must be done carefully and patiently, and you must sort things out slowly. You can't rush it, or it will have the opposite effect.

"Alright, I understand!"

Zhao Luan nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, then stared intently at Nan Que'er, "When you were in your ancestral homeland, you didn't hide any crucial information, did you?"

"what?"

Nan Que'er was taken aback for a moment, then replied with a wry smile, "Our entire clan is so small, what use would it be for me to hide anything?"

This woman is so cunning!

She guessed it!

However, I would never admit it, even if you killed me!

Anyway, none of them recognized the script unique to the Wind Clan.

"It's good that you didn't hide anything!"

Zhao Luan withdrew his gaze. "It's not that I doubt you, but I don't want you to hide anything! The sooner we understand the function of the Nine Dragon Pendant, the more initiative Great Ning can gain in its confrontation with Northern Qi!"

"Yes, I understand."

Nan Que'er nodded slightly, feigning obedience.

……

That evening, Qin Yu and Nan Que'er had dinner with Zhao Luan at the Song residence.

Because Qin Yu had swindled out of 100,000 taels of silver, Zhao Luan looked down on Qin Yu.

She never stopped scolding Qin Yu, and every other sentence she mentioned wanting to hang him upside down and beat him severely.

Qin Yu had become numb to this.

After all, losing money on the first day of the Lunar New Year would make anyone feel resentful.

Moreover, she was the Empress of Da Ning.

Just don't renege on your debt!

After the meal, Zhao Luan left first.

"Send someone to deliver 100,000 taels of silver to the Qin residence tomorrow."

Once seated in the carriage, Zhao Luan gave instructions to Yun Ying.

"Your Majesty, are you really going to give it to me?"

Yun Ying pouted slightly, her face full of reluctance.

That's 100,000 taels of silver!

Not ten taels!

Zhao Luan slightly raised his eyes, "My word is law, of course I will give it! I would not abandon my dignity for a mere 100,000 taels of silver."

"A mere 100,000 taels..."

Yun Ying's face twitched, and she muttered to herself.

She slashed the palace's budget again and again before the new year.

Sometimes even a budget of a few thousand taels of silver has to be cut.

Now it's just a mere 100,000 taels again?

"You're also one of my men, don't be so petty!"

Zhao Luan glared at Yun Ying with a smile: "My mentor is right, I'll just consider it as depositing the money with him! Sooner or later he'll make me cough it up!"

Yun Ying lowered her eyes, a bitter smile playing on her lips.

Aside from the matter of the wine, I haven't seen His Majesty make Qin Yu spit out any silver either.

On the contrary, she showered Qin Yu with generous rewards.

This time, Qin Yu also swindled him out of 100,000 taels of silver.

Even His Majesty's private treasury doesn't have as much silver as Qin Yu's!

Zhao Luan was unaware of Yun Ying's thoughts, but she secretly resolved to avenge herself on Qin Yu's arrow wound!

If Qin Yu can really prevent her from even finding a chance to punish him, then she should be even happier!

Well, either way, I'm not at a loss!

Thinking this way, Zhao Luan's depressed mood immediately eased a lot.

After seeing Zhao Luan off, Song Zhuo called Qin Yu into his study.

The two sat down, and Song Zhuo said earnestly, "The task of reforming the salt administration will most likely fall to you!"

Qin Yu nodded and smiled: "I know that old fellow Gao Yi will definitely recommend me to His Majesty! However, I won't get involved in that mess!"

This is a thankless task!

There is a saying that cutting off someone's source of income is like killing their parents.

Reforming the salt administration is just cutting off the financial lifeline of those salt merchants, isn't it?

No wonder those salt merchants were furious!

Why can't I just eat, drink, and have fun in the capital?

Should we get involved in this mess?

"No! You have to go!"

Song Zhuo gently shook his head, "Even if Gao Yi doesn't recommend you, you should still take this job!"

"no……"

Qin Yu was stunned for a moment, then looked at Song Zhuo with a wry smile, "Prime Minister Song, wasn't it enough that you tricked me once? You're going to trick me again?"

Why does he always target acquaintances for scams?

I don't think I've ever offended him, have I?

"Kid, you're still too green!"

Song Zhuo shook his head and smiled to himself, "Let me ask you, why does His Majesty want to use Yu Jing to open up the salt route in Min?"

As he spoke, Song Zhuo picked up his teacup, sipping his tea while waiting for Qin Yu to give his answer.

Qin Yu pondered for a moment and replied, "Firstly, Yu Jing is the Crown Prince of Min, so he is quite familiar with the situation in Min. At the same time, he must also have relevant channels. Using him to open up new salt routes is the most suitable approach!"

"Secondly, Yu Jing is Gao Yi's grandson-in-law. If this task is given to him, Gao Yi will certainly do his best to help, making the matter go more smoothly!"

"Thirdly, both Yu Jing and Gao Yi are now eager to gain His Majesty's greater trust, and will undoubtedly go all out for this matter!"

"Based on these three points alone, who else would we use if not Yu Jing?"

Hearing Qin Yu's words, Song Zhuo couldn't help but nod in approval.

That kid has hit the nail on the head!

However, he hasn't seen anything deeper yet!

Smart, but not smart enough!

Song Zhuo slowly blew on the tea in his cup, leaning back gently. "Think again! Think about it on a deeper level!"