Chapter 236: Volume 1, Chapter 236: How Great a Benefit Could It Be

Rong Luoge's words instantly brought Han Xinglan's thoughts to life—so money could be raised this way.

This method was excellent. Once the glazed tile kiln could be successfully trial-run, it would also mark a new beginning for the court.

After returning to the palace, Han Xinglan and Rong Luoge discussed the matter in detail, repeatedly working through the plans to ensure it would be truly feasible.

Rong Luoge shared with him what she knew. Though she had experience from the modern era, she could not simply copy it wholesale and had to adapt to local conditions, which added considerable difficulty.

The two discussed for a long time. When Han Xinglan looked up at the time, he was startled and said to Rong Luoge, "Hurry and rest. How did it get so late in the blink of an eye?"

Rong Luoge was indeed somewhat tired. She looked at Han Xinglan and said, "You should rest too. Looking at it again tomorrow will be the same."

Han Xinglan agreed. After the two washed up and entered the bed curtains, he pulled her into his arms and said softly, "Luoge, I am truly happy today. I never expected that one could do things this way."

Rong Luoge murmured in agreement with her eyes closed: "Things will only get better from here. Everything you want to do, everything you want, will be achieved one by one. The glazed tile kiln is only a beginning. In the future, you will build the largest marketplace in the Owl Nation. Merchants from across the country will come here, and by then, the court's tax revenue and national strength will gradually increase. Though the world looks down on merchants doing business, developing commerce is indeed a very important matter for driving the court's progress and development."

Who doesn't love money?

Everyone does.

Rong Luoge also loved it.

The two drifted into sleep accompanied by each other's breathing. In his dreams, Han Xinglan seemed to see the grand marketplace he and Rong Luoge envisioned, situated outside the capital—bustling and prosperous, with an endless stream of vehicles and a constant flow of merchant caravans. The sight filled his entire being with excitement.

Once he had money, he could build the strongest army in the world and forge the most powerful weapons. Wherever his iron hooves trampled, all would be the Owl Nation's territory.

Noble houses?

Powerful clans?

What did they amount to? With enough soldiers and horses, those people would no longer be anything to fear.

Why did the noble houses and powerful clans dare to oppose the court?

Because they had land, private soldiers, weapons, and the strength to stand against the court. But once his power grew to a level that those noble houses and powerful clans could only look up to, what would be impossible?

How could something like the demonstration murder that occurred when he wanted to reorganize the Inner Court ever happen again?

Killing a Xue Mingli was nothing, but was it really just killing Xue Mingli?

No. It was killing to show Prince Qi, and killing to show him, the Emperor.

One day…

One day, he would make these people regret it deeply.

The next day in the court, Han Xinglan publicly announced the matter of the glazed tile kiln, instantly blowing up the entire court.

Everyone knew of glazed tiles. Some had even privately attempted to fire them, but the quality of what they produced was unremarkable. Yet now His Majesty claimed that his private kiln could produce glazed tiles even more exquisite than the finest ones currently on the market. Who could believe that?

But if they didn't believe it, the Emperor's private kiln had already been built and was only waiting to be fired.

Now the Emperor openly stated that the private kiln required enormous expenditure and hinted that court officials could join in as partners. This naturally set everyone ablaze with uproar.

Could His Majesty really produce better glazed tiles?

That was rather hard to believe.

Han Xinglan didn't expect to succeed in one stroke either. He simply left word that he would give them only one day to think it over. If no court officials joined in as partners after one day, he would announce it to the world. With such a fine opportunity, there would surely be merchants willing to join.

The Emperor was making a threat—a naked threat—but this threat was indeed both tempting and daunting.

The finest quality glazed tiles—who wouldn't be tempted?

If such things were sold, how great a benefit could there be?

Everyone knew without even thinking how profitable glazed tiles were. The only thing that troubled them now was that they dared not be certain whether this was a trap set by His Majesty, and no one dared to step in lightly.

Just as Rong Luoge and Han Xinglan had anticipated, once this matter was thrown out, the entire court of civil and military officials was abuzz discussing the glazed tile kiln, and the matter of the Inner Court was forgotten.

It was at this time that the Tai family was the first to step forward and respond, wanting to join in as partners.

The Tai family had produced Consort De, and their daughter-in-law, the Princess Consort of Liang, had always been on good terms with Noble Consort Rong. Beyond that, His Majesty also greatly favored the Prince of Liang. This time, for the glazed tile kiln, it was said that His Majesty intended to send the Prince of Liang to serve as the chief manager, with Xiao Shen overseeing supervision. Under these circumstances, the Prince of Liang being the first to put up money and join as a partner was like tossing a ladle of cold water into boiling oil—the whole court exploded.

The Prince of Liang was no fool. He brought out his entire family fortune, and it was said that his wife's family even helped contribute a hundred thousand taels, for a total of five hundred thousand taels of silver delivered into His Majesty's hands.

Originally everyone had still been watching and waiting. Now that the Prince of Liang had made his move, even the usually cautious noble houses grew somewhat eager. Only one spot remained.

So many people eyeing a single spot—who would it go to?

In the end, the Prince of Liang said it would go to the highest bidder.

Everyone: …

Ling Yuying sat in Yuzhao Gong and laughed to Noble Consort Rong: "Your Ladyship has no idea—even now, there are people coming to our door to test whether our Prince might be willing to give up his spot."

Rong Luoge was somewhat surprised. "Really? I never would have expected that. How much are they offering for you to give it up?"

The Princess Consort of Liang gestured with her hand.

A hundred thousand taels?

How very generous.

"Truly wealthy." Rong Luoge chuckled softly. "This spot cannot be given up."

"Naturally not. When Your Ladyship sent me word, I immediately went back to my maiden family to gather the money. Only after I had raised a hundred thousand taels did I tell our Prince. Our Prince had still been a bit hesitant before that, but when he heard I had borrowed the money, he was dumbfounded."

Rong Luoge also laughed. "Weren't you afraid I'd cheat you?"

"I know Your Ladyship's temperament—you certainly wouldn't cheat me. Besides, in business, there are losses and there are gains. Could one keep losing money forever? Furthermore, Your Ladyship is righteous. Even if I were to lose money here, you would surely make it up to me elsewhere later, so I'm not afraid at all."

Ling Yuying laughed as she spoke, and Rong Luoge laughed along with her. "With the glazed tile kiln, I figured that giving an advantage to outsiders is still giving an advantage away, so it might as well go to our own people. Moreover, at a time like this, having the Prince of Liang step forward is not just about money. The most important thing is the Prince of Liang's attitude. You and your husband support His Majesty, and His Majesty will remember that. How could he let you suffer a loss?"

"Your Ladyship speaks truly. I'm not worried in the least." Ling Yuying smiled contentedly. "There is another matter—I wonder if Your Ladyship knows of it?"

"What matter?" Rong Luoge looked at Ling Yuying and asked.

"The matter of the Protector Duke marrying a princess of Qingxuan—the wedding date has been set, for half a month from now. It does seem rather rushed." Ling Yuying scoffed. "Your Ladyship may not know, but Madam Chu is arranging to take a wife for her eldest son, and it's set for the very same day."

Hmm?

Rong Yan was taking a wife?

Rong Luoge was taken aback. Why hadn't Chu Ke mentioned it? She looked at Ling Yuying and asked, "Is it true that Rong Yan is taking a wife?"