Chapter 475

Hearing Li Chen's words, Dai Xiaoyao reacted the fastest this time, hurriedly stepping forward: "Replying to Your Majesty, this object is truly a divine miracle! I have seen it with my own eyes; it travels a thousand miles a day and carries ten thousand jun. If it could be promoted to the southern kingdoms, it would surely benefit all the people!"

The other kings also echoed him one after another, fearing they would fall behind.

How could Dai Xiaoyao not understand? Since Li Chen said this, he definitely wanted to promote it.

But he wanted to know the thoughts of the southern kingdoms; as the new king, Dai Xiaoyao had to firmly establish his own stance and attitude.

Without the help of the Tian Ce Dynasty, he would certainly not be able to remain king for long.

Do not forget, his brother only lost the battle and ran away, he did not die. If he were to stage a comeback one day, Dai Xiaoyao would certainly have a hard time.

Now, if there is an opportunity, he must hold tight to Li Chen's thigh.

If he does not hold on, there are plenty of other kings who want to.

Li Chen nodded lightly: "I have exactly that intention. It is just..."

He paused deliberately and continued: "The southern terrain is complex, and building railways requires a large amount of high-quality iron ore..."

The King of Tasha immediately 'buzzed in' with an answer: "There are three large iron mines within my country's borders; I am willing to offer them all to Your Majesty!"

"My country has them too!"

"My country can provide the manpower!"

The kings scrambled to express their stance.

If there are orbital trains, then these mineral resources are a small matter.

Zhao Jing finally understood Li Chen's intention at this moment.

He gathered his courage and stepped forward: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this commoner... this commoner is willing to offer all the mineral resources under the name of the Zhao Family Trading Firm to the Tian Ce Imperial Court..."

A merchant definitely values profit; for him to say this, it meant he wanted to use the mines under his name to win Li Chen's favor.

As long as he gains Li Chen's favor, what wealth would not be within his grasp?

This is sacrificing small gains to obtain large ones.

Once these words were spoken, several kings looked at this merchant in surprise.

They did not expect a merchant to dare speak on such an occasion.

Li Chen looked at the reactions of the people in the hall, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

The attitude of these southern kingdoms was even more proactive than he had anticipated; it seems the plan to build the southern railway can proceed smoothly.

"Since that is the case, the matter is settled. The Ministry of Works will draft a detailed plan as soon as possible, and at that time, I will need your full support." Li Chen made the final decision.

The kings were overjoyed upon hearing this and knelt down one after another to thank him.

They all knew in their hearts that this was not "support" at all; it was clearly the Tian Ce Dynasty giving them an opportunity to hold onto a powerful thigh.

As for those kings who did not come, they can just wait to fall behind and wait to be beaten.

Li Chen stood up and said: "Someone, set the banquet. Today, I wish to drink and enjoy myself with you all."

As the Emperor left his seat, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became much more relaxed.

But everyone knew that the real test had only just begun.

At the upcoming banquet, how to please the Emperor of Tian Ce and his high-ranking officials was the key.

Especially the officials of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works; they were the targets these kings needed to please.

The banquet was set in the Qionghua Pavilion of the Imperial Garden.

Here, pavilions and towers were arranged in a well-proportioned manner, and exotic flowers and rare herbs vied for beauty.

What was even more astonishing was that there were several rare spiritual birds in the garden, strolling leisurely and not afraid of strangers at all.

The King of Tasha widened his eyes: "Is that a Seven-Colored Spiritual Luan? It is said that a single one is worth a fortune..."

The eunuch leading the way introduced proudly: "This was brought back from the Xiandao of the East Sea by Imperial Consort Mu; usually, the Consort herself takes care of them."

Upon hearing this, the kings gained a new understanding of the prosperity of Tian Ce.

And it is said that in the backyard of the Imperial Palace, some Imperial Consorts are even in the Sage Realm; presumably, this Imperial Consort Mu is one of them.

After all, being able to go to the Xiandao of the East Sea and bring back immortal birds is something an ordinary person could not do.

The standard of the banquet exceeded everyone's imagination.

Every table was crafted from thousand-year-old purple sandalwood, and the tableware was all made of top-grade spiritual jade. Even the palace maids serving the wine were carefully selected beauties.

The most eye-catching were the positions on both sides of the main seat.

According to custom, these should be prepared for the most prestigious guests.

To everyone's surprise, these two positions were arranged for Dai Xiaoyao and Zhao Jing, respectively.

Seeing this, the King of Bafan's expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

He secretly speculated that this new King of Xing Luo and that merchant must have an unusual relationship with the Emperor of Tian Ce.

According to his own thoughts, he should have been sitting next to him.

Because he was a student of the late Emperor, Emperor Li Chen would give him some face.

Since he was not sitting next to Li Chen now, there was only one explanation.

That is, Dai Xiaoyao and Zhao Jing have a closer relationship with Li Chen; he would have to inquire about it later.

After the banquet began, Dai Xiaoyao performed even more diligently than the eunuchs.

He kept pouring wine and serving dishes for Li Chen, using every bit of his ability to flatter him in his speech.

"Your Majesty, this 'Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow' is a tribute I specially brought from the Kingdom of Xing Luo; I hope Your Majesty will taste it." Dai Xiaoyao respectfully presented a delicacy.

This was a dish he could only get the Imperial Kitchen to make by 'pulling strings'.

Li Chen took a small taste and nodded in approval: "Not bad."

Two simple words, yet they made Dai Xiaoyao beam with joy.

He took the opportunity to say: "I have built a new palace in the Kingdom of Xing Luo, constructed entirely in the Tian Ce style. If Your Majesty is interested, you are welcome to visit at any time."

The other kings listened with envy, secretly hating themselves for not thinking of this move.

Dai Xiaoyao did not understand Li Chen, but he understood men.

Zhao Jing, on the other hand, appeared much more reserved.

He raised his cup cautiously: "Your Majesty, I did not know your identity that day and committed many offenses; I beg for your forgiveness."

Li Chen waved his hand and smiled: "Those who do not know are not guilty. This time, the railway construction will require you and everyone else to work together."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jing immediately left his seat and knelt on the ground: "I will certainly do my utmost and not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

This scene caused another wave of shock among the kings.

For a merchant to be so highly valued by the Emperor of Tian Ce, there must be something suspicious about it.

When the banquet was halfway through, Li Chen stood up and left the table.

This was to give them an opportunity for 'free activities'.

Once the Emperor left, the atmosphere at the scene immediately became lively.

Many kings immediately surrounded Dai Xiaoyao to inquire about his relationship with the Emperor of Tian Ce.

"King Dai, are you an old acquaintance with the Emperor of Tian Ce?" the King of Tasha asked tentatively.

This question had been held back for a long time, and it was finally asked.

Dai Xiaoyao pretended to be mysterious and took a sip of wine: "When I was studying in Tian Ce back then, I had the honor of meeting His Majesty once."

This statement was indeed not a lie; he had seen Li Chen at that time, but whether Li Chen saw him was hard to say.

"So that's how it is!" The kings suddenly realized, and the looks they gave Dai Xiaoyao contained a bit more awe.

The King of Bafan was thoughtful: "No wonder the Kingdom of Xing Luo has been able to receive priority access to Tian Ce's weapons and equipment during this period."

Remembering the past, Dai Xiaoyao used to import discarded second-rate goods from the Kingdom of Bafan.

Dai Xiaoyao chuckled inwardly.

Of course, he would not say that his mother was a concubine in the inner palace of Tian Ce.

This secret would become the Kingdom of Xing Luo's greatest trump card.

After the banquet ended, Dai Xiaoyao quietly arrived at an exquisite private residence near the Imperial Palace.

(End of this chapter)