Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The following day, Shen Lang returned to the Prince's residence to discuss matters related to procurement.

"How are the weaving workshops in my Shu region? Since the Duke of Zhenguo has already inspected them, there shouldn't be any problems."

Jiang Chong spoke to Shen Lang with an arrogant and condescending attitude.

Shen Lang simply smiled and said, "Since Your Highness feels that the order for 600,000 horses can be submitted on time, then I have nothing more to say. Let's talk about the price."

Jiang Chong frowned: "Price? What price?"

Shen Lang: "With such a large order, Your Highness, don't you think about giving up some profit?"

"Five taels of gold for a bolt of silk is already very cheap."

"In Jiangnan, a bolt of silk costs no more than two taels of gold at the workshop and no more than three taels at the market."

The imperial court chose Shu brocade because of its superior quality, which was favored by the upper class.

In the next ten years, Shu brocade will inevitably become an indispensable topic of conversation among the nobles of the Great Chu.

"Your Highness, consider how much profit is involved; don't you even think about giving up a portion?"

Jiang Chong laughed and said, "You know that Shu brocade is a symbol of status, so you should understand the principle that things are valued for their rarity. If you can't accept the value of five taels of gold, then we might as well not do this business."

Shen Lang replied, "Does Your Highness believe that the raw silk produced in Sichuan is necessarily better than that from Jiangnan? To be honest, in terms of the quality of raw silk, Sichuan is not superior."

The only advantage lies in its exquisite workmanship. We chose Shu brocade precisely because we value the skill and dexterity of your Sichuan embroiderers.

"If I were to resort to any means necessary and recruit a group of embroiderers from your Shu region to produce cloth in Jiangnan, would Shu brocade still be as famous as it is today?"

Jiang Chong remained silent, because what Shen Lang had just said was entirely correct.

Due to the unique climate and geographical factors, the silk produced in the Jiangnan silk-producing areas is indeed of higher quality than that produced in Sichuan.

The reason why Shu brocade can stand out is because of its exquisite workmanship, which has enabled it to maintain its high-end status.

If Shen Lang really poachs the embroiderers from Sichuan, how much of an advantage will Sichuan brocade still have compared to the silk brocade from Jiangnan?

Thinking of this, he had no choice but to compromise for the time being: "Then what price do you think would be appropriate?"

Shen Lang: "The price of top-grade silk brocade remains unchanged at one hundred taels of gold per bolt, but the price of inferior silk brocade will be at most four taels per bolt."

"Four ounces..."

Jiang Chong murmured and began calculating his profits in his mind.

"Although the profit is much less, a single piece of Shu brocade still yields a net profit of three taels of gold."

In addition to the 600,000 horsepower orders, merchants in Guanzhong also delivered purchase orders for 300,000 horsepower yesterday.

The agreed price was five taels, and upon careful calculation, the profit was quite substantial.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chong said directly, "Alright, considering that you are the Emperor's sister, I will give you face. Four taels it is, but you have to agree to two conditions."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"First, abolish the tariffs imposed by the imperial court on my Shu region. Second, the demand for raw silk is enormous, and the existing mulberry fields in Shu cannot meet the demand."

I have already issued a plan to the people to convert rice paddies to mulberry fields, and it will be fully implemented in the Shu region starting next year.

To prevent food shortages and famine in Sichuan, the imperial court must open the grain market and sell grain to the people of Sichuan at affordable prices to avoid famine.

It seems that Jiang Chong is not stupid. He knows the consequences of switching from rice paddies to mulberry trees in case of food shortages, so he specifically put forward these conditions.

Unfortunately, he underestimated Shen Lang's ruthlessness and the greed of human nature.

From the moment he accepted the order, Shen Lang had already taken control of the entire situation.

Shen Lang nodded calmly: "Of course. As long as Your Highness can deliver the Shu brocade on time, everything is negotiable."

"Okay, then let's sign the document."

Soon, the two signed a purchase agreement.

With the official seals of the Prince's Palace and the Imperial Seal being affixed, the transaction was considered complete.

Shen Lang carefully checked the contract, and after confirming that it was correct, he carefully put it away and said to Jiang Chong:

"Now that His Majesty's task has been completed, I can go back and report. I hope Your Highness will strictly supervise the weaving progress and ensure that the deadline is not missed, and that no inferior products are used to rush the work."

After saying this, he stood up, gave Jiang Chong a casual bow, and left the palace.

Jiang Chong did not try to persuade his brother-in-law to stay. After the brother-in-law left, he immediately called Yang Song over.

"Immediately issue an edict to all parts of Shu, effective immediately, to implement the policy of converting rice paddies to mulberry fields. All farmland in southern Shu and Badong region shall be converted to mulberry fields. Anyone who disobeys this order shall be executed."

"Yes, I'll do my humble job now."

Watching Yang Song leave, Jiang Chong sighed.

“My dear imperial sister, since you want to give me a fortune, I, as your imperial brother, will gladly accept it. The day I empty your national treasury will be the day you step down.”

"Rest assured, since you have taken such good care of your elder brother, I will show great mercy on the day I ascend the throne and grant you and your good husband to be buried together in the same grave!"

"Hahaha."

Jiang Chong smiled smugly, already envisioning using the money from selling Shu brocade to arm a powerful army, then hiring the Zang cavalry to storm into Jinling together.

……

On the back mountain of the Zixia Sect, suppressed breathing sounds rose and fell.

Murong Wei and Chu Youwei swam in the sea for a long time. After they finished, they were covered in sweat and fell into each other's arms in the grass.

"You rascal, I never expected to be here... What if we get discovered? How will we face anyone?"

Chu Youwei patted Murong Wei's bronze chest, her face full of coquettishness.

Murong Wei smiled and gently stroked Chu Youwei's cheek, saying, "Your husband has been dead for a year, and I haven't seen you shed a single tear. You're truly heartless."

"He wronged me first, otherwise... I wouldn't be with you..."

"Hahaha."

Murong Wei grabbed Chu Youwei and said, "Don't worry, once I return to Great Yan and inherit the throne, I will make you my empress and let you live a life of wealth and honor."

Chu Youwei blushed and gave Murong Wei a flirtatious wink: "I don't ask for wealth and glory, just having you by my side is enough."

"Honey, you really know how to flirt with men, it's a pity your deadbeat husband has no sense of romance at all."

As he spoke, Murong Wei pushed Chu Youwei to the ground, intending to take her for a second time.

But just then, a cold wind swept in.

"Ok?"

Murong Wei instinctively sensed a chilling killing intent, and instantly lost all interest.

"what happened?"

Just as Chu Youwei was bracing herself for the whipping, she noticed Murong Wei's unusual expression and couldn't help but ask him a question.

"You go back first, I have something to take care of, I'll come find you later."

"What happened? Why..."

"Don't ask! Let's go!"

Hearing the man's reprimand, Chu Youwei was startled and dared not resist. She could only silently put on her clothes and quickly leave the back mountain.

After Chu Youwei left, Murong Wei took a deep breath and said, "Come out."

As soon as he finished speaking, a sound of bones twisting came from behind Murong Wei.

Looking back, he saw a warrior wearing heavy armor, exuding black energy, and wearing a Shura mask, slowly walking towards Murong Wei.

As the person approached, Murong Wei's heart pounded wildly.

The mask's pupils emitted a blood-red light, seemingly carrying a murderous aura from hell.

"General Wei..."

Even the royal family of Yan, upon seeing this general who exuded an aura of death, felt an uncontrollable tremor throughout their bodies.

"Jie Jie Jie..."

The general let out a hoarse, ghostly laugh.

"The Second Prince really knows how to enjoy life. Under the guise of infiltrating the sects in Jiangnan, he's having an affair with a widow. Isn't he afraid that the Khan will find out and twist his head off?"

Clunk—

After speaking, the Yaksha mask in front of him twisted its neck to the limit, its facial features distorted, and made an extremely bizarre and twisted posture, staring straight at Murong Wei.