NOVEL NEXT Chapter 105
Chapter 105 (77): The Emperor’s Dilemma and Gao Qiu’s Scheme
The nobles, still clinging to a shred of hope, felt their minds go blank as they processed the implications. Their faces turned ashen, and they stood in a daze. If glass could indeed be mass-produced, the fortunes they had spent would amount to nothing.
Many felt dizzy, their thoughts spiraling into despair. Each had invested millions of strings of cash. If the glass couldn’t be sold, or if its price dropped to that of ordinary decorations, they would lose everything.
It’s over! It’s over! This thought echoed relentlessly in their minds.
…
Ruixiang Temple.
In the grand hall of Ruixiang Temple, a middle-aged man dressed in a red wide-sleeved robe embroidered with golden dragon patterns was seated, obsessively caressing a glass cup. His well-maintained, fair face radiated satisfaction and excitement.
“Good, good. This is truly exquisite,” Zhao Ji, the Emperor of the Great Song, said as he released the cup with a smile.
He turned to Gao Qiu, who stood beside him. “Minister Gao, I am quite fond of your gift.”
Gao Qiu’s face lit up with joy. The emperor’s praise meant his choice had been correct.
“Your Majesty, this rare treasure is worthy only of you,” Gao Qiu said, his voice dripping with flattery.
Zhao Ji nodded in satisfaction, a smile spreading across his face. He studied the glass cups again, his fondness for them deepening.
“Minister Gao,” Zhao Ji asked casually, “how much did this set of glass cups cost you? I can’t just accept such a fine gift for free.”
Gao Qiu quickly bowed. “Your Majesty, this set cost about one million strings of cash. Offering it to you is but a token of my loyalty. If Your Majesty insists on compensating me, it would feel far too formal.”
Zhao Ji’s eyelid twitched. He glanced at the cups in surprise, marveling at their worth. Such a treasure—its value only amplified his appreciation for Gao Qiu’s effort.
At that moment, a young girl dressed in an elegant red jade palace dress bounded into the hall. Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Father, don’t you love glass the most? I have some great news for you!”
Zhao Ji looked at her in surprise, then chuckled. “Jin’er, what news excites you so?”
The girl was Zhao Fujin, his fifth daughter and the Princess Maode. She held up a newspaper, her expression beaming.
“Father, look! The Great Zhou has announced they can now mass-produce glass!” she exclaimed. “In the future, you can buy glass directly from them.”
Zhao Ji froze. “Mass production of glass?”
Standing nearby, Gao Qiu shivered. His heart sank at her words, and his face turned pale.
Zhao Ji took the newspaper and scanned it, his expression growing strange. A frown darkened his brow as his gaze shifted to Gao Qiu, displeasure evident in his eyes.
Gao Qiu’s heart pounded. Though he yearned to grab the newspaper and read it for himself, he dared not under the emperor’s stern gaze. The ominous feeling gnawed at him relentlessly.
After a moment, Zhao Ji tossed the newspaper in front of Gao Qiu.
“This article claims that Yang Yi has already sold a batch of glass to you. It also says that in the future, glass from the Great Zhou will be so affordable that every household can have it. Yet, you told me it costs a million strings of cash. Do you take me for a fool?”
Gao Qiu’s body trembled, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. His scalp tingled as fear seized him. His legs nearly gave way beneath him.
He grabbed the newspaper and scanned it, his vision blurring as dizziness overwhelmed him. Damn it!
The truth was now undeniable. Yang Yi had deceived him. The so-called rare glass he had invested so heavily in had already lost its value before it even hit the market.
Fifty million strings of cash—gone. Worse, the nobles who had invested in the venture would surely demand their money back.
He fell to his knees before Zhao Ji, his voice trembling.
“Your Majesty, I am innocent…”
Half an hour later, a defeated Gao Qiu confessed everything, recounting how Yang Yi had swindled him. He hoped for the emperor’s understanding, knowing his survival now hinged on Zhao Ji’s favor.
Zhao Ji sighed deeply. He had never expected his trusted minister to be so thoroughly outmaneuvered.
“Yang Yi is cunning indeed,” Zhao Ji muttered, massaging his temples.
“His methods are ruthless. But what’s done is done. The money is gone, and I cannot undo that.”
Gao Qiu clenched his fists, hatred simmering within him. If the emperor abandoned him now, he would be utterly ruined.
Desperation spurred him to speak. “Your Majesty, this money was unjustly taken. I humbly request your permission to lead one hundred thousand soldiers to the Zhou Dynasty. We can demand the return of the money and demonstrate the strength of the Great Song.”
Zhao Ji raised an eyebrow.
Gao Qiu continued, his voice fervent. “Your Majesty, Yang Yi used underhanded tactics. Surely the Zhou Dynasty would not risk their reputation to protect such treachery. If we intimidate them, they will likely return the fifty million strings of cash.
“Of the recovered funds, twenty million can repay the nobles, and the remaining thirty million will go directly to Your Majesty’s private treasury.”
Zhao Ji’s eyes brightened. Thirty million strings of cash would be an enormous boon to his private treasury..
He hesitated, however. “But what if the Zhou Dynasty retaliates? They recently destroyed the Qing Dynasty.”
Gao Qiu bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, their forces are still occupied with the Qing resistance. They lack the resources for another conflict. A mere display of strength will suffice.”
Zhao Ji pondered the suggestion. It seemed plausible—and tempting.
Gao Qiu, seeing the emperor’s indecision, added, “I’ve also heard Yang Yi slandered you, Your Majesty.”
Zhao Ji’s expression hardened. “What did he say?”
Gao Qiu didn’t hesitate to make up a story. “He mocked Your Majesty’s admiration for the Zhou princess, calling it shameless and delusional!”