After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

“Your Highness is well aware that the Western Regions mainly produce spices, glass, various gemstones, and animal horns. The Stone Kingdom mainly deals in gemstones and animal horns, I deal in glass, and the Dragon Barbarians rely on spices. Nowadays, the Dragon Barbarians' glass is of better quality, and they have swallowed up most of our main business. The situation in Western Zhao is very dangerous,” Zhao Xi’er said solemnly.

Chen Futu wholeheartedly agreed, as the Western Regions did indeed produce these fine goods, with glass and spices being among the most profitable.

If both major industries are crushed, Western Zhao will have little resistance against the Longman.

"If Your Highness can help me resolve this trouble and free Western Zhao from the control of the Longman, I am willing to sell 50,000 warhorses at a low price."

"Lord of Zhao, give me some time, and I will give you a satisfactory answer."

Chen Futu got up to leave.

Zhao Xier frowned her beautiful eyebrows. "I remind the prince that I have come to the Northern Frontier, but I will not spend too much time here. If the prince cannot resolve this, I will go to the Great Qian Dynasty to ask the old emperor to send troops to garrison the border. I am willing to present myself as a foreign state. I believe that the news of my arrival in the Northern Frontier cannot be kept secret for long, after all, warhorses from the Western Regions are in high demand."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I only need three days."

After saying this, Chen Futu left with Dian Wei.

The maid gritted her teeth and said, "Your Majesty, is this guy reliable or not? Besides, he's just a warrior; what solutions could he possibly come up with?"

Zhao Xier's eyes were full of worry. "I hope he will send troops to deter the Longman, after all, he has many fierce generals under his command. But at present, the Northern Frontier is divided into two major camps, East and West, and there is serious internal strife. I don't think he has the extra strength to manage the Western Regions. I'm afraid this trip will disappoint me."

"Then why are we wasting our time?"

"Since we're already here, let's wait and see."

Zhao Xier thought to herself, but she never dreamed that the so-called glass treasure was nothing but a fart in Chen Futu's eyes. Three days would be enough for her to see what glass really was!

For the rest of the time, Chen Futu and Dian Wei stayed in the workshop.

Chen Yuling brought back a message saying that her mother had not killed Madam He, but had instead placed her under house arrest in a courtyard.

As for He Ya, I plan to arrange a marriage for her.

Chen Futu understood that it was something Madam He had said that forced his mother to spare her life, so he busied himself arranging for He Ya to try to get Madam He to reveal the secret and the whereabouts of the three million taels as soon as possible.

"Your Highness! There are spies in the Great Qian Dynasty who have gotten close to Zhao Xi'er."

A guard suddenly arrived at the workshop to deliver a message.

"Ignore her. Zhao Xier won't agree to anything easily. Just pretend you don't know anything."

Chen Futu knew all about Da Qian's little schemes and expected that others would come looking for Zhao Xi'er.

Just as expected, not only did people from Daqian come, but Zhang Shouren also sent people to approach Zhao Xier, even promising her to station troops on the border to deter the Longman, on the condition that she have 20,000 warhorses.

"Damn it, shameless! That bastard Zhang Shouren is trying to get something for nothing! Bah!"

Three days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Xier was getting anxious. Two people were sitting in front of her: one was sent by Zhang Shouren, and the other was from Daqian.

The man from Daqian said sarcastically, "Chen Futu and Zhang Shouren are too busy fighting amongst themselves to care about such trivial matters. Why don't you come back to Daqian with me? Our Emperor said that as long as you speak, the Longman will give way."

Another person sneered, "What is Daqian? It was beaten to a pulp by Chen Futu. Now Daqian's soldiers have become a laughing stock. If they go to station troops to intimidate the Longman, aren't they afraid of being swallowed up in one gulp?"

"Your Tianyun City isn't much better. Who doesn't know the name of General Zhang, the God of War on the Donkey Cart?"

"Shut up! Our general has been slandered, and General Zhang has already prepared his troops and is awaiting the arrival of the King of Zhao."

"Our Emperor has also prepared an imperial edict to march into the Dragon Barbarian Kingdom, and is just waiting for King Zhao to come and meet him!"

The two became increasingly agitated as they talked, and almost came to blows.

Zhao Xier felt a headache coming on as she watched the two arguing heatedly.

Whether it was Da Qian or Zhang Shouren, they were both defeated by Chen Futu, which is why she came to Longcheng first.

The three-day deadline has passed, why hasn't Chen Futu arrived yet?

Just then, a maid rushed in, "The young master's men have arrived."

Zhao Xier was overjoyed and said to the two spies who were trying to hide, "There's no need to hide. The young master already knows you've just arrived. He won't do anything to you, so why don't you stay and take a look together?"

The two looked at each other, then mustered their courage and remained at the table.

Qin Liangyu arrived in person, accompanied by Dian Wei, who was carrying an exquisitely carved sandalwood box.

Zhao Xier asked Qin Liangyu directly, "General, how will the Crown Prince help me?"

Qin Liangyu pointed to the box in Dian Wei's hand, "This is the idea that the Crown Prince gave to the King of Zhao."

Dian Wei stepped forward and placed the box on the table.

Zhao Xier opened the box suspiciously, and after peeking through the crack, her doubt instantly turned into shock. She then covered her bright red lips with an expression of utter disbelief, exclaiming, "This is!"

Qin Liangyu said in a deep voice, "Is it possible to break the deadlock with such a quality?"

"can!"

"Tonight, the Crown Prince will be hosting a banquet at the Prince's residence to welcome you. If you've made up your mind, then come."

After saying that, Qin Liangyu looked at the two secret agents who had their heads down.

Dian Wei said in a deep voice, "Whether it's Daqian or Zhang Shouren, they are all defeated opponents of my young master. They are all worthless. Go back and tell your master that he is ready to fight anytime he wants. Playing tricks and schemes will not work."

The two dared not meet Dian Wei's gaze, timidly lowering their heads and barely daring to breathe.

Having uttered those harsh words, Dian Wei was satisfied and followed Qin Liangyu out of Pingkangfang.

The two spies looked anxiously at Zhao Xier, "Your Majesty, what's in the box? Is it really trustworthy? You mustn't be deceived!"

"Yes, King Zhao, we need a large army to force the Longman to fight back; other methods are useless."

The two of them were talking at once, still trying to complete the task.

Zhao Xier shook her head and said, "You two should go back. Please tell your superiors that my Zhao Kingdom has reached a cooperation agreement with the Prince of Zhenbei. If they are interested in the next warhorse, I can provide it."

"Ah this..."

"see a visitor out!"

At Zhao Xier's command, guards stepped forward and escorted the two away.

After they left, Zhao Xier slowly opened the exquisite sandalwood box.

It was a large, pure, and crystal-clear glass sphere. The maid was so astonished that her jaw almost dropped. "My God, what a treasure this is!"

Zhao Xier carefully picked up the glass ball, her feelings extremely complicated.

She couldn't understand how the Prince of Zhenbei could create such a perfect object. If she had such technology, Long Nie would be nothing; she would have crushed the Longman Kingdom long ago.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is hosting a banquet tonight. Would you like to attend?"

"Of course I have to go."

"But I feel he has ill intentions..."

The maid didn't want the king to risk his life. If he wanted to hold a banquet, why not at night?

Zhao Xier did not answer. She changed into her finest clothes, then got into a carriage and left Pingkangfang.

She would accept whatever Chen Futu did tonight.