Chapter 245: Letter

After the court session ended, Zhao Guangyi left Wang Xu alone and granted him a seat in the side hall.

"Wang Aiqing, are you dissatisfied with my bestowal?" Zhao Guangyi asked casually while sipping tea.

Wang Xu hurriedly stood, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I am terrified. I am but a scholar, having achieved no merit; to receive such favor from Your Majesty is already a crushing honor, for which I have no way to repay, and I dare not harbor any complaint."

"Sit down and speak." Zhao Guangyi waved his hand, indicating that he sit.

"You are a clever person; I enjoy speaking with clever people." Zhao Guangyi set down his teacup, leaning slightly forward, "I know what you desire, and I know what the Wang Family behind you desires."

Wang Xu's heart tightened, realizing the main point had arrived.

"Yangzhou Wang Family, wealth that can rival a nation, marvelous techniques and cunning arts, unrivaled in the world. My imperial brother intends to seize you entirely, turning all your treasures into those of his Zhao family." Zhao Guangyi's mouth curled with a hint of mockery, "He doesn't understand, nor respect. He thinks you are merely a group of money‑making merchants, perhaps a few skilled craftsmen."

"But I am different."

"I know what your steam engines, your fire‑arms, and those sea vessels that can travel a thousand li a day signify. They signify endless wealth and an invincible army!"

"I can give you what you want. I can give you things that even the Great Song cannot provide."

He fixed his gaze on Wang Xu's eyes, saying word for word, "I issue a decree to you. I permit the Wang Family to form its own fleet and explore unknown lands overseas.

We can cooperate. All lands and riches you discover there shall be shared proportionally to your investment; you may build cities, establish a state, do whatever you wish! I, far from interfering, will even dispatch the Great Song's navy to escort you should trouble arise!"

Zhao Guangyi was thinking of sending the Wang Family out to the wild overseas, to expand his borders and plunder wealth for him!

"Of course," Zhao Guangyi's tone shifted, "I am not giving it away for free."

"Your Wang Family's obsolete—or rather, the technologies you are willing to part with. For example, that steam engine, your firearms, cannons, steel‑forging methods… I want them all."

"I will use your technology to arm my army, fill my treasury. I will accomplish the hegemonic ambition that my imperial brother failed to achieve!"

"You, Wang Xu, are the bridge between me and the Wang Family. I will grant you wealth and honor, the prestige of a close minister to the Son of Heaven. See that you see to this matter."

After finishing, Zhao Guangyi reclined his back against the chair, lifted his teacup, gently blew the steam, and fell silent.

He was waiting for Wang Xu's reply.

Wang Xu knew that this deal was one the Wang Family could not refuse, and it was exactly the outcome they had hoped for.

He bowed deeply before Zhao Guangyi.

"Your Majesty is wise."

News that the New Monarch had ascended the throne in Kaifeng spread to all corners.

When the swift horse bearing Wang Xu's handwritten letter, having exhausted three steeds, burst into Yangzhou, Wang Che was in the Science Academy's workshop, researching a new generation of boring machines with several master craftsmen.

"Head of Family! Head of Family! Capital secret report!" Chief of Guards rushed in, holding a bamboo tube sealed with hot wax.

Wang Che's face bore several streaks of black oil; he took the tube, glanced at the Wang Family seal on it, and his eyes tightened slightly.

He did not open it immediately, but waved to the surrounding craftsmen, "That's all for today; everyone may return and rest."

"Yes, Head of Family."

The craftsmen, though curious, dared not ask further, set down their work, bowed, and left.

Soon, the vast workshop contained only Wang Che and the Chief of Guards.

Wang Che walked to a corner, pried open the wax seal with a small knife, and pulled out a roll of silk paper as thin as a cicada's wing.

He unfurled the silk and scanned it line by line.

His expression did not change, as calm as when reading a routine workshop report. Yet up close, one could see his pupils contract sharply at the sight of the words "Axe Sound," "Bintian," and "New Monarch."

"Understood."

After reading, he casually placed the silk near an alcohol lamp; the flame licked it, and the paper bearing earth‑shaking secrets instantly turned to a pinch of ash.

"Head of Family, this…" the Chief of Guards said, his heart uneasy.

"It's nothing." Wang Che brushed the ash from his hand, saying lightly, "Go summon Uncle Hao, tell him I have an important matter to discuss."

The Chief of Guards took the order and left.

Wang Che stood alone in the workshop for a while. He approached the unfinished new boring machine, extended his hand, and gently brushed the cold steel components.

Zhao Kuangyin died, and Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne.

The process was somewhat rough, but the result matched the original plan.

For the Wang Family, is this ultimately good or bad?

Wang Che thought it would not be worse than under Zhao Kuangyin.

Now, it seemed Zhao Guangyi was far "smarter" and more pragmatic than his obstinate brother. He would not simply devour the Wang Family whole; he understood "cooperation" and "utilization."

Soon, Wang Hao hurried over.

"Head of Family, what happened?" Wang Hao asked anxiously as he entered.

Wang Che said nothing, but extended a finger and wrote two characters on the dust‑covered table.

"New Monarch."

Wang Hao's complexion changed instantly. Though he had long been mentally prepared, the impact still gave him a jolt when the moment arrived.

"When did this happen?" he whispered.

"Last night," Wang Che replied succinctly.

"Then… Wang Xu…"

"He is fine. With the New Monarch's enthronement, he was the chief contributor." Wang Che narrated calmly, "He has already concluded our 'transaction' with the New Monarch."

Wang Hao let out a long sigh, his whole body relaxing.

"Good, good!" he couldn't help pacing back and forth, a hint of excitement on his face, "Zhao Guangyi is a black‑hearted, ruthless man, but also the most pragmatic about benefits."

"Then what should we do now? What does Wang Xu's letter say?"

"The letter says the New Monarch can no longer wait." Wang Che's mouth curled a faint smile, "He wants us to send a grand gift, to see our sincerity."

"Then what are we waiting for!" Wang Hao slapped his thigh, "Send what we have prepared over there!"

"I thought the same." Wang Che turned, shouting toward the doorway, "Someone!"

The Chief of Guards appeared at the doorway instantly.

"Pass on my orders." Wang Che's voice echoed in the spacious workshop.

"First, from the core disciples of the Science Academy, select the ten master artisans chosen; they shall prepare to depart immediately. Tell them, heading to Kaifeng, construct the steam engine the Zhao Emperor desires according to the structure of the Number Three Machine!"

"Second, pack the set of Number Three Machine drawings we have prepared into the finest southern wood box. Remember, every part, every procedure, must be drawn clearly and plainly, so that the officials of the Ministry of Works cannot find any fault."

"Third, prepare a generous gift: a hundred catties of South Sea pearls, a thousand bolts of top-quality silk, as a congratulatory present for the New Monarch."

"Fourth..." Wang Che paused, his gaze deepening, "Tell the fleet, starting today, all merchant ships heading north shall have their cargo capacity halved. Fill the freed space entirely with coal! The finest smokeless coal! Load as much as you can!"

Wang Hao heard the last item, stunned for a moment: "Loading coal? Why is that?"