"This...this..." Yang Qingzhi stammered a bit after Zhao Cheng spoke.

"I'm doing this all for your own good!"

Zhao Cheng said solemnly, "If we don't build a factory quickly, the goods won't be produced. Then Xiao Luomu and I will definitely prioritize satisfying the domestic market. If you don't have the goods, what's the point of our cooperation? It'll be a pointless collaboration!"

"And how will you explain this to Zhou Jinghuan?"

Yang Qingzhi said, "We can build it in Southern Zhou..."

"Don't even think about it! I've already said it before, it's impossible!"

Zhao Cheng said firmly, then spread his hands and said, "So, give me the money! Let's build the factory as soon as possible so that the people of Nanzhou can enjoy a high quality of life!"

Yang Qingzhi let out a sigh of relief and finally gave in, asking, "How many do you want?"

Zhao Cheng curled his lip and said, "Judging from your penniless appearance, forget it, just give me a token amount, three million taels!"

"Three million taels?! And you call that a token gesture??" Yang Qingzhi roared, "Kill me!!!"

"You're good at fighting, but how come you're so stupid in everyday life? Do you think you're the only one who should pay for this? This business will be between you and Zhou Jinghuan from now on. Don't you know how to fool him? He's much richer than you. Three million taels is nothing to him. Besides, three million taels is only enough for me to build a few factories. I only gave you this amount because of my personal feelings for you!"

Yang Qingzhi asked suspiciously, "Do you have a personal relationship with me?"

Zhao Cheng said seriously, "Yes, there is. After all, you've been taking good care of me these past few days."

"Hoo..." Yang Qingzhi gave a soft hum and nodded, "I'll give it a try."

"That's settled then. I'll leave whenever you pay me." Zhao Cheng lay back down on the bed and said, "Alright, you can go ahead and get busy. Have Mei Lan Zhu Ju come in and help me to bed."

"Oh..." Yang Qingzhi then got up and left with a worried look on his face.

As he walked behind the door, he couldn't help but turn back for a glance and saw Zhao Cheng lying in an extremely comfortable position.

Yang Qingzhi felt a little dizzy.

What's wrong with this world?

He was a prisoner of war, yet he was living a better life than me.

He's a hostage, yet I'm supposed to give him money?

What kind of world is this?!

...

A few days later, Zhao Cheng received three hundred taels of silver and got the Thorn-Scaled Armor back. Only then did he sign a cooperation agreement with Yang Qingzhi. With Zhou Jinghuan's warm farewell, he took Zhou Nuo from the Southern Zhou Jinjiang County camp across the bridge to Yunshui City.

Outside the city, Zhao Huan and He Yin led a large army to welcome them.

When Zhou Jinghuan saw Zhao Huan, he quickly went up to greet him with a smile.

"Oh dear, Right Chancellor, Commander Long, I admire you greatly..."

He was only halfway through his sentence when Zhao Huan ignored him completely, brushed past him, and walked towards Zhao Cheng.

Zhou Jinghuan's expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly adapted and walked towards He Yin behind Zhao Huan, laughing loudly, "Lord He, we meet again!"

He Yin said indifferently, "It's never good when we meet, so it's better if we see each other less often."

"Hahahaha..." Zhou Jinghuan said with a forced smile, "Look at the scenery of Weihu Lake, it's quite nice, isn't it?"

Zhao Huan walked up to Zhao Cheng and calmly asked, "Are there any aftereffects?"

Zhao Cheng glanced at Zhou Nuo beside him and said, "Xiao Nuo's archery is accurate, I'm fine."

"Of course I believe in Xiao Nuo's archery skills!" Zhao Huan said sternly, "I'm asking if Yang Qingzhi tortured you?!"

Zhao Cheng said, "He wouldn't dare. If he were a woman, he'd probably have given you a grandson by now."

"That's good!" Zhao Huan ignored Zhao Cheng's joke and said, "Hurry home, your mother is so worried she's about to have a seizure. Xiao Nuo is coming back with us, you two should get the wedding done as soon as possible."

Seeing Zhou Nuo's expression change, Zhao Huan softened her tone and said gently, "Little Nuo, don't blame Cheng'er. He is my son, and there are some things I can't control. I'm afraid you'll have to suffer in the future, but don't worry, even though you are a concubine, I am your support!"

Zhou Nuo's lips moved, a mixture of gratitude and sorrow in his eyes, as he said, "My benefactors, I don't blame you..."

Zhao Cheng hugged Zhou Nuo and said, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Dad, I know that Champion King has been waiting at Muqiaokou for me to come back. Let's go to Muqiaokou to see him together."

Zhao Huan hesitated for a moment, then said, "I think I'd better not go."

Zhao Cheng said, "I know you have a grudge against Yuan Zhang, but it's been so many years. He's a decent person. Why don't you meet him?"

Zhao Huan shook his head and said, "Forget it. There are some things you don't understand, and he doesn't want to see me either."

Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Alright, I won't interfere in your generation's affairs. Since you're not going, you should go home first."

Zhao Huan said, "Aren't you going back? Ayun is about to give birth."

"So soon!" Zhao Cheng glanced at Zhao Huan and said, "Judging by the time, it will be at least the end of September. It's only the end of June now, so there are still three months!"

Zhao Cheng glanced in the direction of Yun Jing City and said, "I need to make some arrangements for the business in Yun Jing City."

Zhao Huan reminded him, "Don't miss the date."

Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "I know what I'm doing. I'll take Xiao Nuo home with me when I'm done."

"Hmm..." Zhao Huan glanced at Zhao Cheng and Zhou Nuo before turning and leaving.

He Yin walked over and said, "Young Prime Minister, may we have a few words alone?"

"Thank you for your hard work, Lord He. Of course, it's fine." Zhao Cheng nodded to Zhou Nuo and walked to the side with He Yin.

Before the two could find a place to stand, Zhao Cheng said, "Lord He, if I remember correctly, you are the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice in Xidu, yet His Majesty has personally appointed you to this post. It seems you are destined for a promotion when you return!"

He Yin was still the same as before, rarely smiling. Despite his young age, he had the composure of an old man.

"Young Prime Minister is indeed intelligent. It seems I was deceived by you back in Yanchuan."

"Enough with the nonsense. Everyone knows I've expanded my business to two prefectures. If I keep playing dumb, wouldn't that make you all think I'm a fool?" Zhao Cheng chuckled and said, "Speak, what message did His Majesty send you to deliver?"

He Yin bowed towards Chang Sui and said, "It is His Majesty's oral decree."

Zhao Cheng didn't kneel. He patted He Yin and said, "Alright, let's just get straight to the point. Why make things so complicated between us?"

"Ahem..." He Yin cleared her throat, unable to do anything about Zhao Cheng, and continued, "His Majesty said that it's understandable for the Prince Consort to do business in Yanchuan City, after all, his family is in Yanchuan, and he needs money to maintain his reputation. Doing business with the Xiao family in Jingdong County is because there's the Xiao family to use, and it's free money to be made. His Majesty originally wouldn't allow doing business in Jiangyang County, but considering that the Princess is pregnant and you also need money to raise the child, he let it go. But Yunjing County is truly His Majesty's bottom line..."

Zhao Cheng interrupted, "Lord He, just tell me directly, how many does His Majesty want?"

He Yin suppressed the urge to cough again, composed herself, and said, "His Majesty said that Yun Jing County has shown the greatest tolerance towards the Imperial Son-in-Law, and that he should not disturb other markets in the future. His Majesty will split the profits of the Imperial Son-in-Law's current business with you fifty-fifty."

Zhao Cheng jumped up immediately, shouting angrily, "Fifty-fifty split?! Is this robbery?!"