Zhu Qing had long wanted to climb the social ladder.

Over the years, as his business grew, Zhu Qing also became arrogant.

He didn't care about some officials in the court; he wanted to curry favor with someone of even higher status.

Previously, when Zhao Shen was in the South China Sea, Zhu Qing had no opportunity, but once he arrived in Xianzhou, he had many more opportunities.

One wants political achievements, the other wants status.

Zhu Qing left happily.

If his daughter were to marry Zhao Chen, he would be considered a member of the imperial family.

Although she was a concubine, she was still a prince's concubine, and this prince was the current emperor's son, the eldest prince, who was very likely to become emperor in the future.

Zhu Qing believes that there is no greater potential for this investment.

Zhao Chen tidied himself up, put on the ceremonial robes of the Duke of Chong, boarded the precious carriage, and headed towards the palace.

Since he had just been conferred the title of Prince of Liao last night, and the formal attire for a prince had not yet been made, Zhao Chen was going to the palace to pay his respects to the emperor and empress, so he wore the formal attire of the Duke of Chong.

Before dawn, it began to snow lightly.

Shao Chengzhang walked in quietly: "Your Majesty, Brother Chen has arrived."

"Okay, let him in."

Zhao Chen checked his clothes and then went inside.

Last night at the palace banquet, as a subject, he naturally had to address His Majesty with utmost respect.

But things are different now.

He bowed deeply and said, "Greetings to my father."

Zhao Huan sat in a chair, the candlelight casting shadows on his thin face, making his features appear more defined.

Zhao Huan put down the book in his hand, raised his eyebrows, his eyes bright as stars, and said calmly, "Sit down."

Zhao Chen stepped forward and sat down.

Shao Chengzhang was pouring tea.

Zhao Huan casually drew the Damascus steel sword from the table; its sharp blade gleamed coldly in the candlelight.

“Xianzhou did a good job. This knife was the personal sword of Alhan Russell, a rebel in Guangzhou. It is a royal treasure of the Abbasid Caliphate, and Li Bao presented it to me.”

It's clear that Zhao Huan really liked this knife, keeping it by his desk at all times.

Consider it a reward from your father.

Zhao Chen felt a surge of emotion.

He knew that the title of Prince of Liao was bestowed by the emperor, but this sword was given to him by his father.

"Thank you, Father. I will definitely make good use of it."

“It won’t work if a place only caters to the wealthy.”

“I understand. Next year, we will begin to cultivate wasteland and establish schools. We will build ten schools each in Xianzhou and Shenzhou, and hire the best teachers from Tokyo to teach there. We also want to establish a university in Xianzhou.”

Zhao Huan was quite pleased: "Then you should go and have some tea with Master Shi."

"I believe my teacher will support me."

"Sure, just go ahead and do it."

Zhao Chen chatted with Zhao Huan for a while, talking about his experiences in Xianzhou over the past year, the details of the mink cashmere factory's establishment, and his plans for the future of Xianzhou.

As instructed by Zhao Shen, Zhao Chen refused to inquire about the Crown Prince's affairs.

"Alright, Brother Chen, go and pay your respects to the Empress."

Zhao Chen stood up, bowed, and was about to turn and leave when he suddenly said, "Father, I have a request, and I hope you will grant it."

"Go ahead and say it."

"My son and a woman named Zhu Yuying have fallen in love and he wants to marry her."

Zhao Huan was slightly taken aback, then remembered that Zhao Chen was already twenty-two years old.

This might be the best time of university life in the 21st century, but in the Song Dynasty, it was indeed the age for marriage, and already somewhat late.

Over the years, I've been so focused on sending him out to gain experience that I completely forgot about this.

Zhao Huan joked, "Who is this Zhu Yuying? She's lucky enough to have caught the eye of our Brother Chen."

"She is Zhu Qing's daughter."

"Is it Zhu Qing from the Zhu family grain shop?"

Zhao Chen was somewhat uncertain, after all, Zhu Qing was just a merchant, without a title or official position, and he was afraid that he would not be of Zhao Huan's interest.

"Indeed, Yuying and I are in love, please grant us your blessing, Father."

At this point, Zhao Chen actually knelt on the ground and pressed his head to the ground.

He looked so sincere that he almost moved himself.

Zhao Huan quickly helped Zhao Chen up, saying, "It's a good thing to have a girl you like, why are you kneeling down?"

After all, they were people from later generations, and there weren't as many rules and regulations. Zhao Huan felt that since they were in love, he should just marry her.

Moreover, he doesn't distinguish between high and low, noble and base.

Zhu Qing was a famous and wealthy merchant in Tokyo, and I had met him once.

The economic development of the Song Dynasty would definitely depend on the economy. The court would both guard against and encourage merchants.

"Did Father agree?"

“Father originally intended to marry Zhao Mingcheng’s daughter to you, but since you have someone else in your heart, I will not force you.”

Upon hearing that it was Zhao Mingcheng, the Vice Minister of Works, Zhao Chen immediately became somewhat unwilling.

He didn't take a mere Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works seriously.

Moreover, he and his wife spend all their time collecting antiques and paintings, which is really boring, and their daughter must be a boring person too.

He had no money, and he couldn't help himself politically either.

"After the grand court assembly, bring that girl to the palace so that the Empress and I can meet her. If the Empress is satisfied, I will officiate your marriage."

Officiating at the wedding?

etc!

Father, I only want to take her as a concubine! Not a princess!

Is the position of princess still reserved for Master Shi's daughter?

Zhao Chen hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped. He had just said that he had developed feelings for someone else, but now he said that he was only taking a concubine. This was obviously a flaw in his statement.

He realized he had used the wrong word and felt regretful.

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Huan cooperated so readily, without the slightest objection.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!