Overlord's Road to Ancient Emperors

Now Li Xu said one thing in Nanyue, no one dared to refuse his summons, and soon, the head of Xie Feng's family came.

When the two family members met at the door, they looked at each other with bewildered expressions, but as soon as they stepped into the palace, the two of them became frightened at the same time.

"My son-in-law, haven't you done anything lately?" Mr. Xie asked his good son-in-law accusingly.

Feng Shaotang's eyelids twitched, and he said in a sharp tone: "Father-in-law, my son-in-law should ask you this question. I know exactly what your Xie family has done. If the prince blames it, don't blame the son-in-law. On your side."

The servants of the palace who were leading the way looked back at the Weng and son-in-law, and said with a smirk: "You two, the prince is waiting, if you have something to say, you might as well speak in front of the prince."

The two men's scalps tightened, each of them shut up, and walked into Li Xu's outer study nervously.

Li Xu was writing something, when he heard the movement, he pointed casually: "Sit down, wait for a while."

The two silently separated and sat opposite Li Xu, and the servants came in with tea and snacks. The two of them didn't move their hands, and stared at a certain place on the ground with rigid eyes.

Every minute and every second seemed to be stretched countless times, and the two of them were sweating profusely just sitting, as if they had endured an unbearable punishment.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Xu put down his pen, looked up at the two of them, and said with a smile, "It's already August, why are you still sweating, why do you want someone to bring an ice kettle?"

Master Xie stood up and bowed to Li Xu, "Thank you, Lord, for your concern, don't bother me, it's just that I'm in a hurry on the road, so I'm sweating a little."

Feng Shaotang hastily knelt down, wiped his sweat and said, "My lord, forgive me, it's the first time Caomin sees you, and I'm so excited that I'm sweating."

Master Xie cursed secretly: Heh, sycophant!

"Come on, please, I invite you two to come today because I have a business to discuss with you." Li Xu focused on taking a few glances at Feng Shaotang. This is a man in his thirties, with a good-looking appearance, and his eyes are not straight. People are also a bit slippery.

"Don't dare, I don't know what the lord said?" Mr. Xie asked first, he was afraid that his good son-in-law would be too stupid, and he would sell himself when he heard that there was a business.

He knows the temperament of this prince too well. The business is one by one. It would be the best if it can be a win-win cooperation. If you just want to use the two of them, you must not.

"I heard that most of the pearl business in South Vietnam is in the hands of your two families. Is it true?"

Master Xie and Feng Shaotang looked at each other, thinking there was nothing wrong with it, the latter hurriedly said: "Going back to the lord, Xie's family is the main one, my Feng family just followed suit, and it's less than [-]%."

Mr. Xie rolled his eyes. Although he was not ashamed of his son-in-law's actions, he did not deny it. He looked up at Li Xu and said, "It is true."

"Then it's easy to handle. I saw a pearl-digging ship docking today. Do you two use pearl girls to fish for pearls?"

The two replied in unison: "It has been a century-old tradition for pearl girls to pick pearls."

"South Vietnam is close to the sea, and pearls are considered a major industry, but this king has learned that the efficiency of pearl girls is too low. Haven't the two of you ever thought about changing the method?"

Mr. Xie knew that the business was coming, but he didn't want King Shun to get involved in his family's pearl industry at all, so he replied subtly: "Pearl girls can preserve the brilliance of pearls. This is something that ordinary people know. If I change people rashly, I am afraid that I will offend Sea Dragon King, and the pearl industry is also an industry that depends on the sky, so I dare not act impulsively."

Li Xu knows that rumors like this are true or not, and since the other party said so, he doesn't plan to change it, "What if I can grow pearls? Then it's not dependent on the sky?"

Master Xie and Feng Shaotang raised their heads together and retorted in shock: "This is impossible!"

Feng Shaotang hastily explained: "Your Majesty does not know that pearls are a treasure born at the right time. Not every mussel can grow pearls. Even if you go to the sea to collect pearls, it depends on luck, and pearls do not grow every year or two. It is said that pearls can only be bred from mussels that have become refined, which is one of the reasons why young girls are used to pick pearls."

Li Xu wanted to scold two words: nonsense!

Master Xie echoed, "If pearls can be produced by breeding, then they are not considered treasures. The pearls produced by Nanyue every year are very popular among the dignitaries in the north because they are extremely rare."

Li Xu once again threw out a temptation, "What if this king can make pearls more versatile and more popular? At that time, the current production of pearls will be in short supply, and the cultured pearls will not conflict with natural pearls. The cheaper one is more precious, each has its own market, so there’s nothing wrong with it.”

Li Xu really feels that pearls are not well used nowadays. Many nobles like them, and they will string them into bracelets and necklaces, or use them as clothing embellishments, but in Li Xu's opinion, they are all too shoddy. Improve the inlaying process of pearls and make more exquisite pearl ornaments, which no woman does not like.

The bait thrown by Li Xu was absolutely alluring, both Master Xie and Feng Shaotang blushed with excitement, but both of them also thought at the same time: There is no free lunch in the world, what is the prince's idea?

This is the most shrewd businessman in front of them, the two of them had to think more, otherwise they would have to count the money if they were sold.

Master Xie cautiously asked: "My lord's vision and talent are far beyond my reach. You say you can make pearls more popular. I have no doubts about this, but why do you want to do this? Do you also want to do pearl business?"

Mr. Xie was about to cry in his heart. He joked about Tian at the beginning, saying that the prince was interested in the porcelain business and would soon become a competitor with the Tian family. Unexpectedly, before the porcelain was produced, the prince would first intervene in the pearl business.

"It's not a pearl business, but I just want to open a jewelry shop. Then I thought that South Vietnam is rich in pearls, and I can make more pearl jewelry. So I invited the two of you to have a look. The current pearl production is definitely not enough. of."

Master Xie felt a little more at ease. This is a good thing. They used to worry about the sale of pearls. If the prince's shop can be purchased, it will save worry and effort.

Moreover, the prince has a very good reputation outside, he never lowers the price, and never bullies others, this business Xie Dangjia thinks it can be done.

"That's not as good as this. I sent some more people to the sea. I will try my best to satisfy you as much as you want."

With a smile on the corner of Li Xu's mouth, he said with disapproval: "After all, the number of natural pearls is limited. If you pick more this month, you will inevitably reduce the production next month. The total amount will remain the same, but you can consider changing the sea area. I don't know. Has the Xie family and the Feng family ever gone to the waters of Lingnan to pick them?"

"This... You're joking, I and other businessmen dare not go to Lingnan, after all, the risk is too great." Mr. Xie said awkwardly, with his head down, not daring to look at Li Xu.

Seeing him like this, Li Xu knew that this was a lie. Businessmen are not afraid of risks. The higher the risk, the higher the profit. A family like the Xie family is neither afraid of the government nor the common people. How could they dare made.

But now Lingnan is in chaos, even if the Xie family has business there, it should be affected, and the risk of being robbed is also great.

So Li Xu said: "When the situation over there is stable, I will send a boat to take your two people to pick it up, but you can't send unmarried women there. Women will greatly increase the risk of the fleet, and Their physique is too bad, don't worry about the Sea Dragon King getting angry, and they will not be under the control of the Sea Dragon King here, maybe their rules are different?"

Master Xie and Feng Shaotang looked at each other in blank dismay, is there such a reason?Why do they sound like fools?

"Anyway, it's okay to try. You should send a wave of experienced sailors there first. If it really affects the output and quality, you can change it back. And the sea is vast. You should know how long the coastline is going south and then west. If one place doesn’t work, just change to another place, what are you afraid of?”

Yes, the vast sea is left to them to dig, so what are they afraid of?Mr. Xie immediately became angry, bowed to Li Xu and said, "Thank you, my lord, for your support, but there are also several big pearl dealers in Lingnan, if we blatantly go there to grab business, I'm afraid it will hurt our friendship."

Li Xu smiled and said comfortingly: "If you have money, everyone can make money together. The Xie Feng family alone can't occupy the entire coastline. Master Xie doesn't have to be too greedy, and this king is willing to support your two families because they are both good friends. For the sake of my own family, if the two of you can't think about it, I can choose another family to cooperate with."

How could the two of the Xie family dare to give up such a good thing, they immediately swore that they would all listen to the prince, and would never dare to go against the prince's wishes.

Li Xu nodded with satisfaction, "That's good. The cultivation of pearls is a bit difficult, but it is absolutely feasible. After you two go back, we will find a few experts who understand pearls. At that time, there will be stewards of the palace to discuss matters with them."

The two of Mr. Xie started to get excited again. They never thought that pearls could be cultivated. It is still very feasible to listen to the prince. It just takes a little more time. This is nothing to them. If they can breed successfully In the future, they will definitely become the largest pearl merchants in Dayan.

"Everything is up to the prince's orders." The two agreed obediently.

"One more thing. I heard that Zhu Nu's lifespan is very short and her body wears out a lot. After all, they made money for you. You should treat them kindly."

Master Xie hastily argued: "Your Majesty doesn't know, but when Zhunu resigns, she will receive a sum of compensation, which is enough for them to live for several years, but the elders in their family may not treat them kindly."

In a family that favors boys over girls, the final use value of these girls is gone. They are left to waste rice and grain at home, and even have to see a doctor and take medicine. The burden is too heavy. Some of them just find a widower to marry. No matter how old they are, some are sent to the nunnery, and they are always accompanied by green lanterns. Some of the better families think that they have earned money for the family, and their parents will take care of them. How could he be willing to raise an extra burden.

"How about this? If you insist on picking pearls with pearl girls, then after they can no longer go to sea, you can recruit them into the factory for the king and do some light manual work. They know more about pearls, and the pearl jewelry they make must be better. Spiritual."

"My lord is merciful!" Master Xie cried and knelt down. He asked himself that he was not a wicked person, but he never thought about how these beauties would live in the future. Wang is far away.

Seeing the two kneeling with tears in their eyes, Li Xu didn't want to say anything more, because people are different, and he doesn't ask everyone to do good deeds.

"I heard that Master Feng's family has an eight-year-old daughter?"

"Yes." Feng Shaotang replied wiping his tears with his sleeve.

"It just so happened that the little princess celebrated her birthday a few days ago, and this king asked someone to make some pearl hairpins for her. Your daughter is about the same age as the little princess, so give her a copy too. You can bring it to play with the little princess when you have time. "

Feng Shaotang was really overjoyed at this point, to get acquainted with Prince Shun's precious daughter, then his daughter will not have to worry about her future in the future, and the prince will definitely look at the Feng family with special respect.

"Thank you, my lord, for the reward. Tomorrow, the grassroots will bring the little girl to the door to thank you."

Li Xu waved his hand, Wu Jin came in with a small box and handed it to Feng Shaotang, Feng Shaotang couldn't hide his excitement, he immediately opened the box, and Master Xie looked at it, and was immediately amazed.

"It's really exquisite." An old man from Mr. Xie's family thought that this bead hairpin was exquisite and beautiful. Hundreds of small beads of the same size were inlaid into a pair of bunnies. It's perfect for a little girl as a hair accessory.

Master Xie asked with a shy face, "Your Majesty, Xie's family also has two little granddaughters who are seven or eight years old. Do you think it is possible to share this gift equally?"

Li Xu laughed out loud, thinking that the old man Xie is a bit cute, and he would actually ask for help for his granddaughter, "When will Mr. Xie's granddaughters celebrate their birthdays? At that time, the king will ask Shu'er to send a congratulatory gift. This time the pearls and hairpins are finished, I think I can’t even send it.”

Master Xie blushed, and hurriedly said: "I was being rude, let those two girls come to play with the little princess tomorrow, and let them ask for it."

"Okay, let's all come, the little princess also studies every day, rides horses and so on, if you don't dislike rudeness, send people here, she will be happier if there are more people, and some of the original friends will go home Learn to be a housekeeper, and some want to go back to learn from female celebrities, and there are a few fewer people recently, so she is not very happy."

"The little princess has a noble status. It is my daughter's blessing to be able to learn and play with her. I am afraid that my little girl's rules are loose and she will offend the little princess."

"Children's communication depends entirely on their own preferences. If they can get along, they can get along. If they can't get along, it's fine. We elders don't need to intervene."

"Yes, you are right."

Feng Shaotang had been a little tired of his regular wife in the past few years. He fell in love with the more delicate young concubine, and he doted on the youngest son born to the concubine. He can fight for family property, and his daughter can help him climb up to Prince Shun's mansion, what a wonderful thing.

With his daughter as a bridge, the relationship between the three of them seems to have become much closer. Even the old man Xie Dangjia can praise his granddaughter with a smile. People who don't know think he likes his granddaughter so much.

Li Xu didn't know, because he gave a little gift to a little girl, which changed the fate of the little girl and her mother. In this era, life is not easy for a wife who is not favored by her husband. In the future, I will really regard my husband as my god.