Chapter 142: Deposit
Xiao Yi looked down and saw Shi Deyu wiping the snow off his boots with his sleeve.
The action was pathetically practiced.
Xiao Yi kicked him away and said, “This is the last time I save you. From now on, there will be no more favors.”
“Yes, yes, from now on, you are my young master, and I am your humble servant. I will definitely repay your kindness with all my heart.”
“When you meet His Majesty, sever ties with me proactively. From now on, you are only a subject of the Son of Heaven. Do not let me hear the words ‘old Shi family member’ again.”
“I understand. What happened today has nothing to do with the Dianqian Division. It was my impulsive act.”
“Take it. Don’t drop it.”
Xiao Yi handed over the telescope and said, “Present this to His Majesty. Say that you created this item, which can see into the distance and is of great benefit in battle.”
Shi Deyu took it carefully and asked, “You are letting me have such great merit, my lord?”
Xiao Yi considered it one last time. Handing it directly to Guo Wei might earn him some appreciation, perhaps a position in the Ministry of Works or the Ministry of Works. However, he couldn’t mention Wang Jun, who was known for his “gazing at the masses.” In this era, there was no patent protection, so the technology would inevitably be leaked. To maximize profits, he needed to keep it in his own hands. But a child carrying gold in the marketplace attracts attention. He needed to hoist a large banner. The Shi family was only valuable for this. If discovered, Shi Deyu, having no relatives, would entrust his assets to the person he trusted most.
“You negotiate a business with His Majesty. Eighty strings of cash each. If the military needs to procure them, pay a deposit, and you will be responsible for production.”
“In that case, what if His Majesty is displeased?”
“Do you want to live off His Majesty’s favor to the Shi family for the rest of your life?”
“My lord, I know what to do now.”
“Good, a smart person. Go, break off all ties with Zhang Mantun and Li Chongju, and take the blame for the murder by yourself.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi watched Shi Deyu get up, a fawning look on his face and a humble demeanor. Recalling the past, he sighed slightly.
He stepped outside, and his peripheral vision caught sight of his boots, which were clean.
After handling these matters, the night was already deep.
Thinking that if he didn’t go and say goodbye to Li Zhaoning, she probably wouldn’t sleep, Xiao Yi rode back to the Li Residence, bringing Old Pan and Hua Nong along.
In the main hall, Hua Nong was asking Li Fang a question.
Li Fang held a scroll in his hand, answering casually at times. He looked up and complained.
“So long.”
“I encountered some matters and went out to handle them.”
“Take them away. I’m tired.”
Xiao Yi then knew that Li Zhaoning had said nothing to Li Fang, keeping her word strictly.
“Ming Yuan Xiong, why didn’t you advise me to present the telescope directly?”
“Hmm?” Li Fang didn’t look up and said, “You said you wanted to do business.”
“Didn’t Ming Yuan Xiong think about presenting a treasure for a promotion?”
“You two, out.” Li Fang sent Old Pan and Hua Nong away, then smiled faintly and said, “Even the Son of Heaven is replaced frequently. What is an official position worth? What you have in hand is more practical.”
“You sent them away just to say this?”
“Someone thinks that after winning a bet at the casino, they’ll be rich for life. But the game isn’t over yet. Don’t bet all your money. That’s all I have to say. I’ll see you out.”
Xiao Yi understood.
Li Fang, having seen much of the world, didn’t believe the emperor would never be replaced. He reminded Xiao Yi to keep something in reserve.
Leaving the hall, Li Zhaoning approached with a lantern, saying, “I was just about to ask if my clan brother wanted to rest.”
“Heh heh, you are concerned about me. Please see me out.”
“Yes.”
“Farewell.”
“Have all the matters been resolved?”
“If all goes well, I will send you the payment I owe Ming Yuan Xiong in a few days.”
“Then I will prepare some dishes.”
“You can also treat us to a meal.”
“Treat us to a meal? Reciprocity. A true gentleman.”
Back and forth, it turned into sharing two meals together.
Xiao Yi saw that she was still willing to associate with him even after he had mentioned taking concubines. He made sure to clarify things beforehand, so as not to damage his relationship with Li Fang.
“I’m not a gentleman, I’m a scoundrel. Only Su Dexiang has some gentlemanly demeanor. I can’t learn from him.”
“Oh? What’s the difference between you?”
Li Zhaoning actually threw the question back at him.
Someone less composed might have either praised one and criticized the other, revealed their feelings, made a demand, or tried to curry favor or apply pressure. But she was different, turning a passive situation into an active one.
Xiao Yi glanced at her. Her eyes sparkled, unable to hide her interest in him, but with a playful smile.
She might be moved, but she maintained her composure, exploring him and communicating as an equal.
“Suppose I and Su Dexiang are both horses. He is a gentle, fine steed…”
“And you?”
“I am a fierce horse, a wild horse.”
“You must be very proud?”
“Huh?”
Li Zhaoning’s lips curved into a smile and she said, “The moment you call yourself a fierce or wild horse, your eyes shine even brighter. You’re so proud of yourself.”
“Am I?”
“Yes. You can’t wait to neigh a couple of times and gallop away. You must be thinking, ‘Such a magnificent horse as I, no one can tame me.'”
“Taming is fine, as long as I’m not leashed.”
“Hmph, I particularly like to tame fierce horses.”
“What if you can’t tame me?”
“I’ll accept the fall.”
Xiao Yi couldn’t help but laugh.
Li Zhaoning, realizing she had spoken out of turn, lowered her head and said, “I was talking about horses.”
“I know.”
“By the way, I want to visit Sister An at Tai Ping Palace. May I?”
“You can’t get in. If I have time, I’ll take you.”
“I’m afraid the busy person will forget. If she’s alone in Tai Ping Palace during the Lantern Festival, it would be too pitiful.”
“Alright, before the Lantern Festival, I’ll take you to see her.”
“Then send someone to inform me in advance. I’ll bring some pastries for her to eat. Is there anything you’d like?”
“Anything is fine.”
Xiao Yi stopped in his tracks.
Because he had already reached the door.
Li Zhaoning looked up at him again.
“Farewell.”
“Farewell.”
Leaving the Li Residence, he turned and saw Old Pan and Hua Nong still by the wall in the front courtyard.
“Why did you walk so far? Go back to the camp.”
“Yes.”
It was convenient not to have to stay overnight at the palace gates; they could return to camp no matter how late.
…
After the Dianqian Division was established, training followed, and new soldiers were selected.
Xiao Yi knew that the more effort he put in, the better elite soldiers he could find. While other commanders were sleeping off their hangovers, he was already with the Military Affairs Department selecting men from the Imperial Bodyguard units.
Whenever he saw a promising recruit with good spirit, a strong build, and a focused gaze, he would note their name and have his subordinates recruit them.
That afternoon, he encountered a formidable-looking man at the Imperial Guard Headquarters.
The man appeared to be in his thirties, strong and powerful, with exceptionally sharp eyes. He was wearing ordinary casual clothes, so his rank was unclear. He seemed interested in the Military Register as the Military Affairs Department flipped through it, showing particular interest in the Dianqian Division.
Xiao Yi then greeted him.
“May I ask your esteemed name, brother?”
“I dare not claim such, I am Murong Yanzhao, not Yanchao, but Yanzhao. I am from Taiyuan, of Xianbei descent.”
Xiao Yi initially didn’t hear the name clearly and almost didn’t dare to give his own.
Based on the name, he then asked, “Brother Murong, what is your current position?”
“A direct guard of His Majesty in the West.”
Xiao Yi then understood that Murong Yanzhao was filling the positions vacated by Tang Jin, Guo Shouwen, and others, and therefore could not be recruited.
“Directly serving His Majesty, why are you here?”
“Oh, I am here to ask General Xiao to enter the palace. His Majesty wishes to see you. I apologize for the delay in public affairs because I was observing the selection of soldiers for the Dianqian Division.”
Murong Yanzhao was clearly more composed and low-key than Tang Jin. Not only did his attire not betray his status, but he also did not reveal the reason for Guo Wei’s summons during their journey to the palace.
Xiao Yi knew it must be related to Shi Deyu.
But he didn’t know how the situation had progressed.
As they entered the palace, bypassing Guangzheng Hall and entering Zi Chen Hall, he saw that the hall had been greatly transformed. All the luxurious decorations had been removed, and screens, a public desk, and a map had been added.
It had been converted into a functional living hall, well-suited for imperial audiences. Wang Jun even had a stool to sit on.
Shi Deyu was indeed there, standing beside the unlucky-looking Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde.
Xiao Yi performed the proper courtesies and his gaze quickly swept over, spotting the telescope on Guo Wei’s desk.
“Your subject greets Your Majesty.”
“Tell me about what happened last night. How did a murder occur under the watch of my Dianqian Division?”
Since he couldn’t have a confrontation now, Xiao Yi didn’t know what Guo Wei had uncovered. He simply admitted guilt.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the fault is mine. It was I who incited the generals to confront them. Thinking back, it was wrong. Your Majesty established the Great Zhou with laws and disciplines. The Shi family’s affairs should have been handled by the proper authorities. The Dianqian Division had no right to interfere.”
Guo Wei said, “Martial men are accustomed to being rude, yet you understand these things.”
Li Chongjin quickly said, “Uncle, it was my fault. I was the one who incited them…”
“I did not ask who was at fault.”
Xiao Yi roughly guessed Guo Wei’s intention.
Shi Fu was not important. Guo Wei would definitely see the value of the telescope. It would be better to gracefully overlook Shi Deyu’s patricide without making the Dianqian Division feel indulged.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Da Lang Shi was not trying to kill Shi Fu. It was a misunderstanding, an accident.”
“Father-in-law, I saw it more clearly. Shi Fu committed suicide.”
“Xiu Feng Xiong, I plan to enfeoff Hua Yuan Xiong as the King of Zheng. What do you think?”
Wang Jun clearly intended to object, saying, “Your Majesty…”
Shi Deyu suddenly burst into tears and prostrated himself, saying, “Your Majesty is thoughtful. You remember my father was from Zhengzhou.”
Wang Jun said, “Your Majesty, Shi Hongzhao’s achievements are sufficient for the Prince of Xingyang.”
Xiao Yi lowered his head slightly, thinking, Wang Jun has selfish motives, but this statement is still fair. Shi Hongzhao had his merits and demerits. A county prince was already a high honor. Many people with greater historical achievements were not even posthumously ennobled as kings.
However, Guo Wei indeed had a sense of camaraderie with Shi Hongzhao and was quite insistent.
He didn’t care about these matters. After waiting for a while, Guo Wei picked up the telescope.
“Xiao Yi, have you seen this item?”
Xiao Yi’s heart tightened. Unsure of Guo Wei’s intentions, he thought for a moment and replied, “I have.”
“Where did you see it?”
“Da Lang Shi mentioned it to me before.”
After answering, he waited patiently for a while. Xiao Yi felt like “accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger,” not because Guo Wei’s composure had suddenly deepened, but because the emperor held the power of life and death.
Guo Wei spoke again, asking, “Why didn’t you mention it to me?”
Xiao Yi worried about being exposed and said, “I tried to build one. I bought crystal from the East Market and made a crystal mirror, but I couldn’t build a telescope. I intended to tell Your Majesty once I succeeded.”
“You can also build it?”
Guo Wei’s single sentence finally revealed emotion.
Xiao Yi felt relieved, knowing that today’s imperial inquiries were out of a desire to save money, and replied, “I cannot.”
“Then, what do you think the cost of this one telescope should be?”
“Your subject believes it should be around a hundred strings of cash?”
Guo Wei let out an unhappy breath through his nose and looked at Shi Deyu without speaking.
Seeing Shi Deyu trembling, Xiao Yi couldn’t help but worry that he wouldn’t hold up.
After a while, Wang Jun began to apply pressure.
“Your Majesty has deep affection and friendship for Shi Hongzhao, yet Shi Deyu is greedy for market profits and unwilling to repay Your Majesty. In that case, does Your Majesty still wish to confer the title of King of Zheng?”
“Your subject dares not,” Shi Deyu said tremblingly, “It’s just… the cost really needs eighty strings of cash.”
Zhang Yongde said, “Brother Shi, how about this? You tell us how to make this telescope, and the court will build it without you incurring the cost.”
Shi Deyu trembled again.
Xiao Yi knew he couldn’t hold on any longer. If he knew how to make it, he would have revealed it by now. Unfortunately, he didn’t know, and telling the truth now would be deceiving the emperor.
He had to hold on, even if he couldn’t bear it.
At the critical moment, Li Chongjin spoke, shouting, “What are you trembling for? Uncle isn’t going to rob you! Speak!”
Shi Deyu cried loudly, tears streaming down his face, unable to control himself.
“Alright, stop crying,” Guo Wei waved his hand and said, “I am not an unreasonable person. I remember your merits and it would be bad to cut off your livelihood, so let’s first… build a hundred of them.”
Xiao Yi breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, he had gotten the money. Now he could expand his operations.
However, Wang Jun spoke again.
“Your Majesty, let’s build twenty first, that should be enough.”
Xiao Yi was slightly taken aback, knowing that twenty was far from enough, let alone a hundred. The old scoundrel Wang Jun was unwilling to part with money and intended to imitate it.
