In the Dahua Empire, within the Imperial City, at the Zhou Residence of the Minister of Personnel, a middle-aged man in splendid robes sat in the highest seat, squinting his eyes, waiting for the person on the guest seat to speak.
The middle-aged man sitting on the guest seat set down his teacup, pondered for a while, and then opened his mouth to say, "This matter with Tang Country, without Lord Minister's care, is ultimately difficult to manage."
This individual was a renowned merchant of the Dahua Empire, his wealth amounting to millions and considered a prominent figure. His restaurants spread across Dahua and were involved in gambling and other industries.
Minister Zhou Qiang was in his prime, deeply trusted by His Majesty the Emperor and held significant power, acting prudently.
As his visitor made his intentions known, he revealed a hint of an almost imperceptible smile and began to decline, "His Majesty is not willing to acknowledge Tang Country's replacement of Zheng Country, easily overturning one of our vassal states, and this has greatly displeased His Majesty."
Everyone knew that the Dahua Empire was surrounded by many vassal states, among which Zheng Country was relatively weak and compliant.
Zheng Country had suffered a bitter defeat in the war against the Shen Country and was already down and out when, within a few days, it was replaced by Tang Country.
How could this not infuriate the Emperor of the Dahua Empire? One of his vassal states had been eradicated, and the country that replaced it seemed to have no intention of paying tribute and allegiance.
The puzzled middle-aged man on the guest seat asked, "But... is it really necessary to declare war? With the treasury depleted and the generals lackadaisical, if there's really a problem, does the Empire's face even matter anymore?"
He wasn't an official, so he could view the Dahua Empire from a different perspective, one invisible to others.
The current Dahua Empire was not as powerful as it appeared, and it faced troubles both internal and external. The one thing that remained intimidating was the sheer vastness of the Empire.
"The question is, who dare advise His Majesty now?" Chief of Staff Zhou Qiang gave a wry smile and shook his head as he picked up his teacup.
The nonchalant middle-aged guest then spoke up, "I think it doesn't really matter much. I heard that people from Tang Country have been very active in the Imperial City lately, so they must be thinking of a solution."
Tang Mo had no intention of waging an all-out war against the Dahua Empire before he was ready, so he planned on spending some money to settle this matter.
However, at the moment, Emperor Zhao Kai of the Dahua Empire was furious, even contemplating deploying the military to help Zheng Country regain its sovereignty, so the Great Tang Group could only bypass the Emperor and plan to work on the Dahua Empire's ministers.
On the other hand, bribing the Emperor's consorts seemed like a good approach, at least a viable option.
Politically savvy as they were, upon hearing his ally speak , Zhou Qiang realized what the people from Tang Country were up to: "Whispering in the pillow talk? Heh... not a bad move, but if one accidentally steps on the Prince's struggle for succession, even a deity might not be able to save him."
The guest was startled and then asked with some concern, "These people from Tang Country, they aren't so foolish as to underestimate the situation, are they?"
"Hard to say, it depends on how clever they are," Zhou Qiang said with a smile as he set down his teacup.
The guest on the seat chuckled confidently and said, "They're certainly clever."
"I knew you came here this time to act as a negotiator," Zhou Qiang said after a pause, extending his finger and pointing it distantly at the other man.
The guest's face revealed a smile he couldn't hide, "Can't help it, the price they're offering is... truly full of sincerity."
"Hahaha! Then how do you plan to persuade me, the Minister of Personnel?" Zhou Qiang raised an eyebrow and asked.
"It's quite simple, look." The middle-aged man laughed, pulled out a promissory note from his bosom, and pushed it toward Minister Zhou Qiang.
Zhou Qiang frowned slightly, then picked up the promissory note and couldn't help but shiver lightly as he read it.
Before his eyes was a deed of servitude for a famous songstress from the Capital City, coveted by many princes and ministers; to his surprise, the other party had brought this very deed to him.
"Generous," he commented, laying the deed back on the table. Zhou Qiang gave a smile and glanced at the middle-aged man on the guest seat, asking, "I know Mingyue Tower is your property, and this divine entertainer Shu Xiaoxiao is the star attraction you've meticulously nurtured... How much did they offer to persuade you to part with her for me?"
"An automobile production line," the middle-aged man didn't hide the truth and spoke frankly, "It will be the first in the Dahua Empire, and undoubtedly the most advanced... automobile production line!"
"Cars? Those newfangled contraptions?" Zhou Qiang recalled having two in his residence, both gifts from others.
Those contraptions were indeed excellent, no horses needed, just fill them with fuel and they could run as fast as flight, and they were much more comfortable than horse carriages.
The only downside was that because their shock absorption was too effective, hitting a bump made them tremble and lurch, which was quite dizzying.
After several rides, Zhou Qiang ended up getting so nauseous that he vomited violently and thereafter abandoned their use.
"Exactly, that newfangled contraption! Not just these gadgets, but also other fine things," the middle-aged man replied, "With all these, ten million Gold Coins are nothing but a number." Your is on My Virtual Library Empire
"Really?" Zhou Qiang thought for a moment and felt that such things could indeed make money. He had heard that once accustomed to riding in these machines, one wouldn't get dizzy, and His Majesty seemed to have an even more luxurious one.