Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

"There's only one problem now. Coal is too troublesome to use. If we build the mechanism you need, someone will have to keep pushing a cart of coal and water to add more."

"How's the Weishui?"

At this time, a craftsman took the initiative to speak and proposed an option.

"That thing is hard to get, right? It seems that they have it in the Western Regions, but will they give it to us?"

Listening to their discussion, Qin Ming keenly noticed that the name seemed a bit strange.

"What is Weishui?"

"It's a black liquid that burns when it encounters an open flame. It burns even better than our coal."

"I think it would be easy to use this thing to drive a steam engine."

"Yes!"

Everyone started talking at once and quickly explaining to Qin Ming.

After thinking about it, Qin Ming finally understood what the Wei River they were talking about was.

"You're talking about oil...it's just called differently."

Qin Ming raised the corner of his mouth, already having a preliminary plan.

Many natural resources are relatively cheap in this era.

The natural environment has not been exploited and many things are readily available.

As for the oil field, Qin Ming knew that it would be very useful once he got the stuff, but he never took it to heart.

He remembered that when he was reading history books in his previous life, he found that it was relatively difficult to extract these oils during the ancient feudal dynasties.

It was not until the Yuan Dynasty that there were records of mining in this area.

We want to get it when the technical conditions are not yet mature.

Unless it is some place with unique natural conditions, oil will come out if you dig underneath.

According to what they said, there is such a place in the Western Regions.

"It seems that the Western Region must be taken."

Qin Ming spoke slowly, saying that they have been putting pressure on the Western Regions recently.

It's almost harvest time.

"Your Highness, do you really want to use water? There's no need. We can even use coal."

Several craftsmen spoke hesitantly.

As craftsmen, they thought more about how to make things to benefit the people, and did not want to start more wars.

Qin Ming naturally understood what they meant and slowly said:

"Of course we can use coal, but oil is more practical and inexpensive, so let's just use oil."

In the steam age, coal, wood and other materials could be used to drive steam engines.

But Qin Ming has a longer-term vision for development and is gradually beginning to be tempted.

Petroleum products are rich and can be distilled into many substances and components.

These things will have a great effect during Qin Ming's first industrial revolution.

"Then let's start making it. I'll wait for His Highness to arrange the fuel renewal."

Chen Shimao spoke slowly and confirmed the matter.

Just as everyone was discussing, Chang Baishan suddenly walked in and said:

"Your Highness, Ren Pingyang is here!"

Qin Ming raised his eyebrows when he heard the name.

"What is he doing here?"

"It seems like I want to negotiate with you."

Qin Ming thought their resistance would last for a long time, but he didn't expect these people to directly arrange for Ren Pingyang to come.

"Isn't Lu Lianda from Xishu here?"

"No."

After hearing this, Qin Ming had a rough guess in his mind.

It seems that the Western Regions have thrown Western Shu aside.

Soon, Qin Ming met Ren Pingyang at Lingnan Restaurant.

It was still the same room where they had eaten last time, but when Ren Pingyang came over this time, he was no longer as calm and composed as last time.

"Ren Pingyang, who are you representing this time?"

After Luo Zuo, Qin Ming asked calmly.

"The countries of the Western Regions."

Ren Pingyang spoke coldly, his eyes full of resentment.

"Is there a problem?"

"The King of Qin is so cruel, he actually spread the Luo Sect to the Western Regions!"

With a slam on the table, Ren Pingyang could no longer suppress his anger.

"In just a few days, they gathered thousands of followers and began to disrupt the borders of the Western Regions!"

"Loulan and Tubo have now been ostracized by all nations. They've cut off all our access routes and won't let anyone pass through!"

"If this continues, Loulan and Tubo will be the first to collapse, and the unity of the entire Western Region will be gone. Is this the situation you want where both sides will suffer losses?"

The speed of Luojiao's development exceeded everyone's imagination.

The people of Daqian have a slightly better cultural level, so it takes some effort to preach to them.

However, the cultural level of the Western Regions was not high, and they even believed in many weird and superstitious things.

After Luo Jiao went there, he had a unique advantage.

Even some local small sects were swept away and all converted to Luojiao.

"This isn't what I want, but it also proves that the Western Region isn't a monolithic entity. The nations are beginning to fall apart, right?"

There was no apology in Qin Ming's words.

The Western Regions dared to ally with Western Shu and come to take advantage of me right after I ended the war with Daqian. This is what they deserve.

"Take your people back! The Western Regions can cooperate with you again!"

Ren Pingyang gritted his teeth and spoke, his face full of reluctance.

Qin Ming looked at him like this and shook his head slowly.

"Have you forgotten what I said to you when you and Lu Lianda were leaving?"

Hearing this, Ren Pingyang's face suddenly turned ugly.

He remembered that Qin Ming had said that if they broke off relations and wanted to cooperate again, the price would not be the same as before.

"Don't deceive people too much!"

Ren Pingyang slammed the table again.

Seeing this, Qin Ming's face turned cold.

"So what if it's too much bullying?"

"Ren Pingyang, since Sect Luo has already sent him out, even I cannot recall him!"

"They will spread unchecked throughout your territory. What are you going to do? Go back and have your king attack Lingnan?"

Qin Ming's words did not give them any chance to ease the situation, and they had the upper hand at the moment.

The Western Regions dared to come and ask for money, so now they must pay the price, not a penny less!

"you you……!"

Ren Pingyang's face turned red with anger, but he didn't know how to threaten Qin Ming.

In terms of military strength, they absolutely cannot shake the Lingnan army.

In terms of business and economy, they are far behind Qin Ming. Even the refined salt they eat now is controlled by Lingnan.

In terms of intelligence and infiltration, these people couldn't even solve the Luojiao conspiracy used by Qin Ming.

After lagging behind Lingnan in all aspects and seeing Qin Ming's strength, how can they fight against Qin Ming?

"You are not at a level high enough to negotiate terms with this king. Go back and let your king come."

Qin Ming put down his food and took a few bites, then spoke softly.

"There's absolutely no way our king would come here!"

Ren Pingyang wanted to remain stubborn, but Qin Ming just smiled.

"It may take you several days to get here. Guess where the Luo Sect has spread during this time?"

"Go back and tell your king this news, and they will all come."

"By the way, I don't have anything special to offer you this time, so I'll treat you to something new."

Qin Ming slowly stood up and asked Chang Baishan:

"Hasn't the stuff arrived yet?"

Chang Baishan nodded and waved outside:

"Old Yi, come in."

"okay!"

Chef Yi of Lingnan Restaurant opened the door.

In his hands, he held a basin of fresh sea fish fillets and a copper pot.

The cook who followed in later placed a plate of ingredients in front of Ren Pingyang.

Qin Ming laughed from behind:

"Try it! It's freshly sliced ​​sea fish. It's something new."

"New...fresh sea fish? How is that possible!"

When he heard this, Ren Pingyang widened his eyes in disbelief.