Mo Sang – CH 349

Chapter 349. Sharing the Meeting (Yesterday’s)

Da Chang went to the capital and told Qing-Feng about Li Sangrou’s request to see him.

In the afternoon, Qing-Feng personally went to the Shunfeng headquarters and, with Li Sangrou in tow, entered the Qingning Palace.

Inside the Qingning Palace, Gu Jin and Empress Zhou sat facing each other, eating.

Li Sangrou, with her keen eyesight, had just stepped over the threshold when she saw the two eating and was about to pull her foot back.

Qing-Feng had already announced their arrival.

Empress Zhou looked towards the palace entrance and smiled, “We’ve finished eating. Please come in, Boss.”

Empress Zhou stood up as she spoke, and Gu Jin smiled at her. “Boss is no stranger; you do not need to avoid us. Make a cup of tea and listen in.

She’s come to our door; there must be something interesting going on.”

“Alright.” Empress Zhou smiled and agreed.

Several maids cleared away the bowls and plates, bringing out a tea set.

Empress Zhou remained seated opposite Gu Jin, washing and preparing the tea.

“No need for formalities; please sit.” Gu Jin washed his hands and face, gesturing to the armchair before the couch.

Li Sangrou respectfully kowtowed once, stood up, and bowed deeply to Empress Zhou before sitting in the armchair Gu Jin had indicated.

Empress Zhou prepared the tea, stood up, and first offered a cup to Li Sangrou. Li Sangrou quickly stood up, slightly bowing, and accepted the tea with both hands.

Gu Jin watched Li Sangrou sit back down, smiling as she gestured for her to speak.

“I want to build a road.” Li Sangrou placed the tea on the high table beside her, looking at Gu Jin directly.

“Hmm, you mentioned that,” Gu Jin said, taking the tea from Empress Zhou, smiling at her, “I always feel that the tea you brew is exceptionally fragrant.”

Li Sangrou turned her head and looked at the hanging spider plant in the corner of the hall.

“Go on,” Gu Jin said, glancing at the spider plant.

“First, build it from Jianle City to Hangzhou City. Then, if we have the money, we can build it all the way to Fuzhou, or even further north.

How should this road go? Where will it pass through? I cannot manage the system for arranging this route. Could the court provide a route?

Just a route will do. The land along this road will not need to be requisitioned by the court. I’ll buy it with my money. If we cannot buy it, or if there are other issues, like temples or feng shui, then we’ll have to detour. If we have to detour, it would be best to have a place where we can ask for directions anytime.” Li Sangrou bowed slightly.

“Listen to this,” Gu Jin said, “I’m telling you, she wants to build a road like this. Is it a joke?” Gu Jin first addressed Empress Zhou.

Empress Zhou met Gu Jin’s gaze and nodded with a smile.

Li Sangrou sat upright with her eyes lowered.

“Ever since you mentioned wanting to build this road, I’ve been thinking about it—how to build it, and what the consequences would be once it’s completed.

Now that you’ve made up your mind,” Gu Jin said with a smile, “the planning and organization of this road is no small matter, and it cannot be rushed. You need to give me some time. I’ll have several ministers oversee the project, coordinating with various departments, to plan it carefully.”

After a pause, Gu Jin continued with a smile, “Building this road will not be easy. The workload is comparable to river management. Who do you plan to have oversee it?”

“I do not have anyone capable of handling this. There is one person I think is suitable, the Prefect of Xiangfan, Wang Zhang. However, Wang Zhang has a bright future ahead of him; it would be a pity to waste it on road construction. I just wrote him a letter.” Li Sangrou looked at Gu Jin.

“Hmm.” Gu Jin pondered for a moment. “Wang Zhang is bold and resolute, quick-witted and adaptable, and comes from a poor family; he is indeed very suitable.

Since you wrote him a letter, let’s see what he’s capable of.” Gu Jin smiled. “My impression of him is further enhanced by his foresight and noble character. Even if he abandons his official career, I will never mistreat him.

It all depends on his own choice.”

“Hmm.” Li Sangrou bowed and nodded.

“What about the money?” Gu Jin looked at Li Sangrou. “The Ma sisters?”

“Whether the Ma sisters can consolidate control over the southeastern seas is still uncertain. Even if they can, it will not be a quick process. Their funds will certainly be insufficient within five years, and even after five years, they will not have much. It will take ten years before they can be considered to have any income.

I plan to travel along the southeastern coast. I already sent Meng Yanqing and the others south in batches yesterday.”

Gu Jin raised an eyebrow. “Does the Prince know about this plan?”

“I told him about it a long time ago,” Li Sangrou replied tactfully.

Gu Jin slowly hummed in agreement. “The terrain in the south is difficult, with a dense network of waterways. Coupled with naval warfare, it’s completely different from land warfare. Zhihe and Yang Zhili’s forces are advancing slowly in the south. This is my intention. The empire is largely pacified; we should proceed steadily and not rush things.

After consolidating the south, there’s still an exclave on the opposite side. I plan to consolidate that as well, relying entirely on the Navy.

You’ve dominated both the north and south of the Yangtze River, but things are very different in the south. You only have Meng Yanqing and his group of old men under your command; they’re all landlubbers, are they not?”

“Then what does Your Majesty think?” Li Sangrou looked at Gu Jin and asked with a smile.

“The Boss is the Boss of the court; he should be backed by the court.

The Prince has spoken to me about expanding the navy, and I also believe it’s a crucial matter. This task has been entrusted to Yang Zhili, who will take the lead initially.

It’s good that you go sooner; you can help Yang Zhili. Among those pirates, there must be many capable ones. If there are any, like the Ma sisters, select more for Yang Zhili.

Instead of searching for those pirates, why not use Yang Zhili’s men? It’ll be good training for him.” Gu Jin smiled.

Li Sangrou looked at Gu Jin without speaking.

“A fifty-fifty split,” Gu Jin said, meeting Li Sangrou’s gaze. “No need to send them back to Jianle City; hand them over to Yang Zhili on the spot to fund his military expenses.

The court has too many expenses. Jiangnan has just recovered from war and needs rest. Two years of taxes have already been waived. Please forgive us, Boss.”

“Yes, that road. I plan to build sections and use them as needed. With this road, a whole string of carts and horses can travel freely, making it much more convenient for goods to travel north and south. Merchants will benefit the most.

I heard the Seventh Prince mention the imperial court’s commercial tax once; it seems quite low. If the commercial tax could be increased, would the farmers’ grain tax not be reduced?

Farming, toiling in the fields from dawn till dusk, is truly too hard,” Li Sangrou hesitated, but still offered this reminder.

“I’ve already thought of that. The Ministry of Revenue is busy with this matter. The empire has just been pacified, and everything needs to be rebuilt. I wish I could make one day count as two,” Gu Jin remarked.

“Well, then, I’ll take my leave. When will the route be finalized?” Li Sangrou cupped her hands in salute and asked.

“At the earliest, it will take three or four months. This is no small matter. Perhaps after the first month of next year,” Gu Jin said with a smile.

“Hmm,” Li Sangrou responded and rose to take her leave.

“Wait a moment, Boss.” Empress Zhou called to Li Sangrou, stood up, took a small bundle from a maid, walked a few steps, and handed it to Li Sangrou, smiling, “I’ve always heard Third Master talk about your little Pang’er; he’s incredibly cute. These are some little clothes my maids made for him in their spare time.

Boss, next time you come, please bring the Pang’er over so the maids can see him.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Li Sangrou quickly accepted the bundle with both hands and bowed in thanks.

“If you do not mind, you can call me Sister-in-law, just like Ah Yue,” Empress Zhou said with a smile. “There’s another favor I need from you, Boss.”

“I would not dare, Your Majesty, please just give your orders.” Li Sangrou quickly bowed and clasped her hands in thanks.

“Ah Fei said the crossbow arrow you use is the most effective at warding off evil spirits. Could you give me one?

It’s for my younger brother’s eldest daughter. Her birth chart indicates a weak constitution, and she’s often frightened or affected by evil spirits.

The Seventh Mistress of the Pan family said that the small arrows used by the Boss are the best for warding off evil spirits. My sister-in-law has been searching everywhere for them, and finally came to me. I had no choice but to swallow my pride and ask the Boss for an arrow so the child can have it made into a protective amulet.”

Li Sangrou raised her eyebrows and subconsciously looked at Gu Jin.

Gu Jin looked helpless. “She believes in this. If you have one, give her one.”

“It would be best if Ah Yue asked Master Wen for one. I only have unused ones. Master Wen has collected quite a few used ones. They say used ones are effective,” Li Sangrou explained speechlessly.

“I already went to ask for some. Shouzhen’s are all gone.” Empress Zhou sighed.

“Then I’ll go back and get two new ones for Qing-Feng to use for now. If you need any used ones later, I’ll have someone bring them back to you,” Li Sangrou said hastily, bowing slightly.

“Thank you so much,” Empress Zhou said with a smile.

“Not at all,” Li Sangrou replied, trying to suppress a laugh. Holding her small bundle, she bowed again and took her leave.