Chapter 564: Bluffing, keep bluffing!

"Why?"

Zhao Yuheng had truly never thought about this point.

In fact, the entire Zhao Kingdom had not figured this out. Some court officials even said that Da Qian had ulterior motives, and that the Living Yama had ulterior motives, but under the lure of heaven-sized profits, these voices had been suppressed.

But regardless of him or the Emperor of Zhao, there was some caution and wariness in their hearts.

Today, Gao Yang had taken the initiative to pierce through this point.

"The answer is simple. Because the Empress is a woman, she thinks that clothing made of Zhao Gao is good and wants to promote it nationwide. Of course, this is only the superficial reason. As an Emperor, how could it be so simple?"

"As for the deeper reasons, Brother Zhao is not an outsider, so I will speak plainly!"

"Once the price of Zhao Gao rises and there is profit to be made, it will stimulate merchants from both sides to trade with each other. Once the Zhao Gao is transported, they can always bring back other specialties from the two countries. In this way, trade can also flourish, and if commercial taxes are raised, the national treasury can also be replenished."

Zhao Yuheng revealed a look of surprise.

These words were reasonable and logical. Zhao Gao was indeed one of the top fabrics among the Seven Kingdoms, and opening up trade and raising commercial taxes also made sense.

But Zhao Yuheng always felt that this reasoning was missing something.

Gao Yang took in Zhao Yuheng's expression. Sure enough, an Imperial Prince sent on a diplomatic mission, even if mediocre, couldn't be that much of a waste, could he?

He continued, "Of course, there is an even deeper reason!"

"In the current Da Qian, the Empress has just ascended the throne, the four seas are not yet settled, there are vassal kings eyeing the throne from within, and in the north, the Xiongnu come to plunder during autumn and winter. The government is not yet stable!"

"If there is turmoil at the border, the Empress's pressure will undoubtedly be greater. The Chu Kingdom and the Yan Kingdom have wolfish ambitions and are not to be trusted. The Zhao Kingdom is located to the east of Da Qian and poses a great strategic threat. If they were to send troops directly into Da Qian, it would be no small trouble for Da Qian!"

"This is where the Zhao Gao policy came from!"

Zhao Yuheng's eyes widened, "Lord Gao, are you saying that the Empress is deliberately showing goodwill to our Zhao Kingdom?"

A smile appeared on Gao Yang's face, "There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Brother Zhao, do you really think the Empress is giving money to the Zhao Kingdom for nothing? As an Emperor, how could that be possible!"

Hum!

In an instant, Zhao Yuheng felt enlightened.

He understood everything, and everything became perfectly reasonable.

Because the government was unstable, she was deliberately showing goodwill to the Zhao Kingdom, even going so far as to send money and establish an alliance, while Da Qian could also obtain certain benefits—a win-win for both sides.

Especially now that the Great Chu and Da Qian had already torn off the mask of civility!

This reason was very reasonable.

Zhao Yuheng looked at Gao Yang, feeling a bit surprised.

This Da Qian Living Yama seemed to be truly opening his heart to him.

"But since that is the case, why did Lord Gao say it was difficult?"

Zhao Yuheng realized the key point and couldn't help but ask.

"I have always been straightforward, so I will speak plainly. Because the Zhao Gao policy is essentially giving away money! The court is now divided into two factions. The conservative faction feels that this move is sucking the blood of Da Qian to help the Zhao Kingdom become a strong nation!"

"Figures like the top scholar Cui, Wang Zhong, Lu Wen, and Minister Xu have secretly submitted advice to the Empress, even going so far as to risk death to remonstrate, saying that the alliance is unreliable. Once the Zhao Kingdom becomes strong and Da Qian becomes weak, who will be able to take responsibility if they send troops to attack?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuheng's eyes were about to spit fire!

"No wonder this Cui Xinghe was assassinated; he deserves it!"

"Our two countries are on good terms. Is our Zhao Kingdom a pack of ungrateful wretches? How could we possibly turn against you?"

Zhao Yuheng almost believed these words one hundred percent, because from the perspective of Da Qian and these court officials, there was nothing wrong with what they said!

Gao Yang sighed at length and said, "Brother Zhao, that may be so, but Cui Xinghe and the other ministers won't listen!"

"These people have secretly submitted memorials and even joined forces to impeach me. If it weren't for the Empress's trust, I wouldn't even know about this matter. Brother Zhao, you must not go and find these people, otherwise, you will be thought to have wolfish ambitions!"

A cold sweat broke out on Zhao Yuheng's back.

"Brother Gao's words are correct; your elder brother will remember this!"

"Then what is the Empress's current attitude?"

Gao Yang stood with his hands behind his back in the small courtyard. He looked at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, saying nothing.

But this attitude made Zhao Yuheng anxious.

If he had come on this diplomatic mission but failed to secure the Zhao Gao business, and even caused the Zhao Gao policy to collapse, wasting the money, it would affect his status in the heart of the Emperor of Zhao!

"Brother Gao, you are killing me with anxiety. What exactly is the Empress's attitude?"

"Could it be that she wants to scrap the Zhao Gao policy?"

Zhao Yuheng was completely panicked.

Seeing this, Gao Yang also spoke, "The Empress's word is law; how could she go back on her promise?"

"Besides, the imperial decree has already been issued; it is even more impossible to go back on it!"

"But the court officials are secretly opposing it, and the Empress is also wavering. She is afraid of limiting the quantity of Zhao Gao, raising commercial taxes, and other such policies."

Hum!

Zhao Yuheng was dumbfounded.

For him, this was terrible news.

"Lord Gao, you must find a way to deal with this!"

"Help your elder brother; I, Zhao Yuheng, will definitely never forget this kindness!"

Zhao Yuheng hurriedly spoke.

Seeing this, the look of difficulty on Gao Yang's face became even more intense.

"Brother Zhao, it is not that I don't want to help, but it is truly too thorny. You are not in Da Qian, so you don't know that the cunning of Cui Xinghe and Minister Xu is no less than mine!"

"Lv Luo, order Chen Sheng to bring out the gifts the First Imperial Prince brought. I have no fortune to enjoy these gifts!"

Gao Yang said to Lv Luo with a look of regret.

Once these words were spoken, they rang in Zhao Yuheng's ears like a thunderclap, resounding with a boom. ===== CHAPTER 566 =====