Chapter 288: The Idea of Hot Pot Business

At noon, Jiang Mingyu was wolfing down his meal inside the tent. At that moment, a soldier pulled back the curtain and rushed in, drenched in sweat: "Your Majesty, the Empress has sent a handwritten letter from Guizhou—the messenger is waiting outside!"

Jiang Mingyu's mouth was still full; he waved vaguely and mumbled, "Bring the messenger in at once."

This was the second letter Jiang Mingyu had received from his beloved wife, Liu Yi, since they parted. Thinking of his cherished wife thousands of miles away, he felt a surge of longing and joy.

Soon after, a sturdy middle-aged messenger in dark blue robes entered the tent respectfully and presented a finely crafted letter with both hands. Jiang Mingyu set down his bowl and chopsticks, carefully opening the envelope to find neat, elegant script—after brief greetings, the letter primarily inquired about military affairs here.

A soft light flickered in Jiang Mingyu's eyes; he looked up at the upright messenger and asked gently, "How is the Empress faring in Guizhou?"

The messenger bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Empress is in excellent health. She has expanded her business to every corner of Guizhou. On my journey here, countless people spoke of her—she is now the number one merchant in the Great Realm!"

Here, the messenger relaxed his tone slightly and added with a grin: "Forgive my boldness, but I sincerely hope Your Majesty soon conquers Xi Xia—then the Empress's commercial ambitions will leap beyond our borders and influence the world!"

Jiang Mingyu's usual cynical smile gradually faded. He furrowed his brow, lost in thought.

Seeing this, the messenger startled and immediately knelt: "I spoke out of turn! I beg Your Majesty to see my error and show mercy!"

Jiang Mingyu snapped back to awareness and waved at the messenger: "Rise. You've committed no fault—you've reminded me of something vital. I'll have more questions for you shortly."

The messenger exhaled in relief and bowed repeatedly: "Your Majesty, ask anything—I swear I'll answer without reservation!"

Jiang Mingyu nodded and asked directly: "According to you, how much trade still flows between our Great Realm's borders and Xi Xia?"

The messenger paused, then replied firmly: "Your Majesty, though war looms, trade caravans still move in the tens of thousands before actual hostilities begin. May I ask why you inquire?"

Jiang Mingyu's lips curled slightly. He ordered: "Return and tell the Empress to send trusted merchants to Xi Xia to open hot pot restaurants. Winter is coming—it will be highly profitable. I have my own plans; you must assist fully."

The messenger bowed and hurried out. Jiang Mingyu stared at his retreating back, ambition gleaming once more on his face—this time, he would make Xi Xia pay in blood for their past crimes, feel the pain he once endured!

Before the messenger had even left, Tuke Sulu entered with the soldier. Hearing Jiang Mingyu's words, he found it baffling: war was imminent, yet Jiang Mingyu wanted to send merchants into Xi Xia.

Tuke Sulu cut straight to the point: "Big Brother, what are you up to now? Xi Xia's troops are at our gates, yet you want to send merchants there—is this a joke?"

Jiang Mingyu gestured for the messenger to withdraw, then smiled: "Can you guess my true intent?"

Tuke Sulu frowned, thinking hard: "Are you planning to use merchants as spies to gather military intelligence?"

Jiang Mingyu didn't answer directly; he only smiled and asked: "What other purpose could there be?"

Tuke Sulu racked his brain but remained baffled. He shook his head: "I can't figure it out—tell me your plan."

Jiang Mingyu explained: "You're right. Once war begins, these merchants will gather vital intelligence for us. And now, with tensions high, ordinary spies can't infiltrate—but merchants can move freely."

Tuke Sulu pondered, then asked: "But everyone in the Great Realm knows hot pot is the Empress's specialty. Won't Xi Xia block this business?"

Jiang Mingyu toyed with his teacup and smiled: "Perhaps everyone in the Great Realm knows—but Xi Xia knows nothing of our interior. They won't make the connection. When Shang Mu held power, Xi Xia's knowledge of us was limited—we can exploit that."

Here, Jiang Mingyu's smile hinted at a touch of cunning.

Tuke Sulu pressed: "So it's not just about gathering intelligence? What's the bigger goal?"

Jiang Mingyu gestured for Tuke Sulu to sit across from him, sipped his tea slowly, and said: "Chancellor Zhuge once said that after Xi Xia's coup, the new king, Tuoba Jiqian, seized power and launched invasions. If we spread rumors in Xi Xia to incite internal chaos, we can weaken them greatly."

Tuke Sulu suddenly understood, nodding vigorously. Jiang Mingyu continued: "Second, Xi Xia is far colder than Shang Mu. In winter, spicy hot pot will be wildly popular. If the Empress manages it well, she can quickly dominate Xi Xia's food industry. Controlling their wealth stream means strangling their lifeline. Money is vital in warfare—this is a viable strategy."

Tuke Sulu still had doubts: "Big Brother, you're being too optimistic. Once war starts, Xi Xia will cut off your trade—won't all this be wasted?"

Jiang Mingyu had already planned ahead: "The profits will be smuggled back to the Great Realm via secret tunnels—Xi Xia won't get a single coin. Besides, I'll crush Xi Xia before next autumn. Just survive this winter, and all will be settled."

Tuke Sulu scratched his head and grinned: "I don't understand business. If you say it works, then it works—I'll treat it as a high-stakes gamble."

Jiang Mingyu sighed helplessly, thinking: I've explained all this to you, yet you still grasp only half—talking to a cow about music.

But fearing the messenger might leak word, Jiang Mingyu withheld the full plan. He finally said: "It's decided. Write to the Empress immediately, explain everything, and see it done."

Tuke Sulu nodded in agreement.

Jiang Mingyu took a slow sip of tea, frowned slightly, his expression hiding some unease.

Tuke Sulu studied him and ventured cautiously, "Big Brother, is something troubling you? Your demeanor today seems off."

Jiang Mingyu set down his teacup and sighed slowly: "I'm thinking of the scouts sent to Quyang—they've vanished without a trace. We know nothing of Quyang's condition, and it worries me."

Tuke Sulu patted Jiang Mingyu's shoulder: "Why worry over this? Quyang's garrison is weak. Even if Yu Gaoyang holds the city, we'll break it eventually. Don't fret."

Jiang Mingyu gave a wry smile, thinking: If only it were as simple as you say. He raised his teacup again, swirling the now-cool tea, his gaze drifting blankly toward the tent's entrance: "Let's launch our troops first. As for strategy, we'll wait for the scouts' reports."

Tuke Sulu blinked, then grinned with his usual cynicism: "By the way, what do you think our old friend Li Haoyang will do when he hears Qin Lihai's defeat? That old bastard's probably fuming!"

Jiang Mingyu couldn't help laughing: "Hah, he must be raging. But I wonder—what cards does he still have left?" His face twisted into a sly smile.

Tuke Sulu pondered, then said slowly: "Li Haoyang still has a hundred thousand troops. With Qin Lihai destroyed, he can only choose to hold firm or conscript massively. Either way, defeat is certain."

Jiang Mingyu nodded, then his eyes flashed with sharp resolve: "Then let's force him into desperation. Once we crush Quyang and seize Hongzhou, Li Haoyang will be trapped in a corner, clinging to life—within days, he'll collapse on his own."