Chapter 61 Hua Yueming of the Blazing Sun Chamber of Commerce

News that the Jin Kingdom had dispatched their national advisor, Gurna, to Shanhaiguan quickly spread throughout the land. Soon after, the Khanate, Goryeo, the Khitan, and Liaodong also sent their own envoys.

“These barbarian outsiders are incredibly audacious, daring to enter the territory of our Great Qi Empire without submitting official letters to the court,” thundered Qin Tian, his anger palpable within the imperial palace. His expression was fierce enough to frighten any onlooker.

Several ministers stood trembling below, none daring to speak.

Though Shanhaiguan was nominally under the Great Qi Empire, over the past decade the empire’s power had waned. The military had withdrawn from Beining City, leaving it ungoverned by any officials, effectively becoming a lawless no-man’s land.

“Your Majesty, these foreign barbarians have never understood proper etiquette. Our vast empire need not bother with them,” timely spoke the Minister of Revenue. “By choosing Confucius Mountain, the Sage of Confucianism has already declared to the world that Shanhaiguan belongs to Great Qi. I beg Your Majesty to calm your anger.”

“Your words are reasonable, minister, but this time we have indeed given them an advantage,” Qin Tian snorted coldly, not wishing to prolong the discussion, for he knew well that Shanhaiguan was no longer under Great Qi control.

Inside Beining City.

Ever since Qiu Xingzhi agreed to deliver messages for Qin Xuan, the latter had devoted himself entirely to the artisan workshop once more. The production of fragrant soaps infused with osmanthus and chrysanthemum scents had begun mass production, but Qin Xuan remained dissatisfied with the process of purifying floral extracts.

His mind brimmed with ingenious yet practical ideas. Yet, as each innovation unfolded, he realized that despite Beining City’s artisan system being far ahead of the world’s current state, industrial development required a complete foundational system.

Moreover, the more fundamental the system, the more indispensable it was.

For instance, although the crossbow had been developed and mass-produced, it could not yet advance to the level of a repeating crossbow.

Similarly, when smallpox had struck previously, the surgeons struggled to craft blades thin enough to meet Qin Xuan’s standards despite their best efforts.

Both cases were fundamentally limited by metallurgical technology.

Other endeavors, such as refining essential oils—extracting floral juices—were hampered by the lack of proper containers, preventing airtight sealing and resulting in low efficiency.

If only glass containers could be produced now, the issue of sealing would be effortlessly resolved.

“Your Highness, you must rest soon. If you keep pushing yourself like this, I will truly be angry,” Zhao Luoying scolded, having visited Qin Xuan’s private research workshop yet again, visibly frustrated.

Qin Xuan, staring at his own dark circles, smiled wryly. “My dear Luoying, just let me study a little longer!”

“No! Look at you—scruffy beard, bloodshot eyes. You don’t look like a prince at all!” With a swift step, Zhao Luoying snatched a piece of semi-finished glass from his hands. “If you don’t rest today, then forget about ever... ever getting into my bed again!”

Qin Xuan was taken aback. He had never expected this usually shy girl to use their intimate life as leverage. But judging from her concern, if he didn’t show some sense soon, she might resort to more drastic measures.

“Alright, alright. I’ll go with you now,” he chuckled, shaking his head. Before leaving, however, he summoned Gao Xiong and instructed, “The boiler temperature is still insufficient; the glass produced isn’t pure enough. Find a way to raise it—perhaps by redesigning a larger bellows.”

“Still not leaving?” Zhao Luoying huffed as Qin Xuan began his endless instructions again.

Laughing heartily, Qin Xuan dashed to her side, taking her delicate hand. “Come on, wherever my Luoying wishes to go, that’s where we’ll go.”

“Hmph, you stink! Go wash up first,” she scolded, but Qin Xuan paid no mind, whispering in her ear, “Want to wash together? By the way, Luoying, have we ever bathed together before?”

“Aiyah, you’re getting more improper by the day. How embarrassing!” Zhao Luoying blushed furiously and playfully punched his shoulder.

“It’s nothing; every married couple does that,” Qin Xuan said casually, thinking with a modern mindset, though such a notion was quite scandalous in this ancient setting.

Unable to argue, yet feeling stirred, Zhao Luoying coaxed, “You wash yourself this time; next time I’ll join you, okay?”

“Really?” Qin Xuan’s excitement was apparent—he knew how rare it was for her to say this.

“Go, go! If you ask again, I’ll regret it,” she said, her ears flushed with embarrassment.

“Alright, I’m going, ha ha ha,” he laughed out loud.

Half an hour later, refreshed, Qin Xuan arrived at the prince’s mansion council hall. After handling some affairs, Hu Xu entered with an unexpected guest—Hua Mingyue, daughter of the Sunfire Chamber of Commerce’s leader.

“Why did you come alone? Where is your father?” Qin Xuan asked, surprised.

Hua Mingyue, the only daughter of Hua Jiutian and vice-chair of the Sunfire Chamber, was in her early twenties but possessed a remarkable talent for commerce. A couple of years ago, she had already begun to overshadow her father’s prowess.

Moreover, Hua Mingyue was extraordinarily beautiful: flowing black hair, eyes like stars, a refined nose and teeth, resembling an otherworldly fairy.

Standing beside Zhao Luoying, the two embodied contrasting ideals of beauty—one a heroic, spirited grace, the other the epitome of delicate charm.

Qin Xuan and Hua Mingyue were not particularly close, but seeing her come alone and somewhat disheveled stirred sympathy in his heart.

“My father contracted smallpox en route to Beining City and unfortunately did not survive the journey...” Tears welled in her exquisite eyes as she spoke of her father.

Hu Xu sighed and explained, “Your Highness, most of the Sunfire Chamber’s assets are in the capital. Hua Jiutian left last among his men.”

“But when he finally reached Beining City, he encountered refugees fleeing from the Four Danxia Cities,” Hu Xu continued. “Being kind-hearted, he helped many, unaware that the disease was smallpox. He was infected and died at Tianshan City.”

“Tianshan City?” Qin Xuan murmured. It was but a step from Beining City, yet there was an insurmountable divide between life and death.

“Luoying, please take Mingyue to rest. The dead cannot return; I believe Hua Jiutian’s spirit would not want to see his daughter weeping endlessly,” Qin Xuan sighed.

Zhao Luoying nodded gently before leading Hua Mingyue to the rear courtyard.

Once they left, Hu Xu approached quietly. “Your Highness, now that Hua Mingyue is alone and vulnerable, have you considered taking her under your protection?”

Qin Xuan paused, then replied irritably, “Keep such words to yourself. If Luoying hears them, I’ll skin you alive.”

“No, no!” Hu Xu chuckled. “Your Highness, as a ruler, it’s quite normal to have multiple consorts.”

“Besides, if you ascend the throne one day, even if you don’t wish it, the queen will arrange for concubines. Otherwise, the world would mock you.”

In this era, women were often regarded as possessions. Even Zhao Luoying commanded respect only because she had shared life and death with Qin Xuan from the start, earning the esteem of the Divine Strategy Army and Hu Xu’s faction.

Qin Xuan rolled his eyes at Hu Xu. “I have no plans to take concubines for now. But you—why have you returned? Did something happen with the Chamber of Commerce?”

“Something did, though not serious,” Hu Xu replied awkwardly, hesitating to speak further.