Just as Gu Yuzhi was running all over the mountains and fields with Huo Qiyuan, Qi Chenglang and his party finally arrived in the capital the day before the salt decree was issued.

Shen Yu'an, disguised as Young Master Wen, parted ways with Qi Chenglang before entering the city. With the travel permit given by Prefect Qi, he led a group of innkeepers to check into an inn owned by the family of the Consort Xian in the capital.

After making arrangements for everyone, he left the city under cover of darkness and met up with Qi Chenglang and the others at an inn in the suburbs. The person who had received them in the capital was already waiting in Qi Chenglang's room. Upon seeing him, he nodded slightly and said, "Guard Shen."

Shen Yu'an raised an eyebrow slightly, not expecting the visitor to be Minister Su. He cupped his hands in greeting and asked, "What brings Minister Su here?"

Su Quanping forced an awkward smile.

Qi Chengjun went to Jiangnan and has finally managed to pacify Huizhou, opening a strong foothold in the Jiangnan region. He has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, so the Emperor naturally cannot recall him.

This inn is rather special. In the past, Zhao Xi had risked his life to come and take over the inn, but perhaps because Minister Su received the seeds from the young prince, or perhaps because Consort Liang liked Gu Yuzhi very much, the emperor entrusted him with this important task.

Su Quanping said he only wanted to manage agricultural affairs and had no interest in these messy things!

But the thought of the young prince smilingly handing him the sweet potato and potato seeds made him unable to refuse!

After Shen Yu'an was seated, Su Quanping spoke: "The people from Li Ji Trading Company arrived two days earlier than you. They already know about the confiscation of the property of Zhang Si, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. They have secretly met with some people these past two days, firstly to find out what exactly happened to Zhang Si, and secondly to obtain salt permits."

The news of Zhang Si's home being raided caused a great stir in the capital. Gu Yuchen never thought he could keep it from the Prince of Chu, but no one expected that Li Yanping, who was focused on raising money, would be unaware of it.

"The Emperor set up an ambush at the gate of the Zhang residence. Li Yanping went there in the middle of the night wearing a black cloak, only to find that the gate of the Zhang residence was sealed off when he arrived. He was dumbfounded."

Su Quanping had always thought that Li Yanping was an extremely clever and ruthless character who could manage Li Ji Trading Company for His Highness the Prince of Chu and whose ruthless methods almost made other trading companies submit to him.

Who knew it would be so stupid!

Li Yanping waited at the gate of Zhang's residence for a full quarter of an hour. If it weren't for the Emperor's men watching over him, he would have been arrested on the spot by the military police.

"Currently, the people Li Yanping secretly met with are under surveillance by the Emperor's men, who will investigate them thoroughly once the salt permits are issued."

Since Zhang Si couldn't dig out any useful information, they refused to believe that no one else could either!

No matter how many spies the King of Chu has in the capital, he cannot control them all. As long as there is a breakthrough, he can definitely tear open a large gap.

Su Quanping did indeed dislike anything other than farming, but that didn't mean he was completely ignorant. His cryptic expression quickly made Qi Chenglang and the others understand the situation in the capital.

When there are other people around, Qi Chenglang doesn't like to use his brain much, and he subconsciously looks at Shen Yu'an.

Shen Yu'an was full of questions. After a while, she rolled her eyes without making it obvious. Who is the head of the guard, you or me? Why don't you give me your position!

Qi Chenglang's gaze was calm, completely unaware of what was happening.

Shen Yu'an was so angry that he almost vomited blood. He turned his head and asked about the salt release. The group discussed in hushed tones, and an hour later, Su Quanping was finally able to get away.

Exhausted, Su Quanping took his leave, with Qi Chenglang following closely behind, whispering, "Minister Su, His Highness has a gift to present to the Emperor."

Su Quanping paused slightly, glanced at him, and felt a curse about to slip out: "Why didn't Guard Qi say so earlier?"

If he had known, he wouldn't have waited for Guard Shen; the palace gates are closed now!

Qi Chenglang chuckled and, without giving him a chance to refuse, pulled him toward the backyard of the inn: "Come with me!"

Su Quanping staggered, trying to speak several times but failing, his mind filled with absurdity and utter disbelief.

He had barely stopped and was catching his breath when Qi Chenglang slammed open a box on the carriage and shoved a piece of cloth into his hand.

"Guard Qi, you..."

Su Quanping immediately sensed something was wrong. He carefully felt the fabric again with his fingers, then widened his eyes in disbelief and asked, "Guard Qi, did His Highness use some new weaving technique for these fabrics?"

He could tell from the touch that it wasn't silk, but it was noticeably finer and softer than kudzu cloth.

Su Quanping thought that the young prince had found some capable person who could weave such soft cloth.

Even though Su Quanping wasn't cut out for business, he knew that if this weaving technique were popularized, it would be highly praised by the people.

Qi Chenglang chuckled and shook his head, pulling out a thick stack of letters from his pocket: "These are letters from the young prince to the Emperor, Consort Taixian, and the ladies of the harem. I'll trouble Minister Su to take them in later."

Su Quanping frowned, took two steps back while holding the cloth, and said warily, "Guard Qi, don't you know what time it is? The palace has been locked for a long time. Are you trying to get the Emperor to chop off my head if you let me into the palace now?"

Because of Zhang Si's incident, the Emperor is now paying extra close attention to the Ministry of Revenue's issuance of salt permits. The Ministry of Revenue is currently on high alert, fearing any unexpected events. Yet, Guard Qi still managed to make me meet with the Emperor at this critical juncture...

Su Quanping strode forward, shoved the cloth into the box, and glanced sideways at Guard Qi: "You..."

Qi Chenglang ignored his anger, turned around and handed him a very small box, raising his eyebrows to indicate that he should open it.

Su Quanping frowned, his heart skipped a beat. What exactly did Guard Qi put in such a small box to bribe him?

He's not some country bumpkin...

Su Quanping angrily opened the box and saw that it contained some very small seeds.

Qi Chenglang's eyebrows almost flew up, his words filled with pride: "The cloth that Minister Su just touched was grown from this kind of seed. The flowers of this plant are as white as clouds, soft and comfortable, so Your Highness named it cotton."

Su Quanping murmured, "Cotton..."

He simply couldn't imagine what kind of flower could be as white as a cloud, so soft and comfortable.

He really is an ignorant person!

"His Highness discovered this cotton plant by chance; it's a very small patch, so only this many seeds can be given to Minister Su, Minister Su..."

Su Quanping quickly closed the box, carefully put it back in his pocket, jumped onto the carriage and rushed out, swallowing back the words "Qi Chenglang, don't mind."

"Minister Su, what brings you here?"

Su Quanping's face showed anxiety: "I need to enter the palace..."

Qi Chenglang stared blankly as the carriage drove out of the inn, and after a while muttered, "Aren't you afraid of getting your head chopped off?"