Xie Zhaozhao said, "A few days ago, the Grand Secretary wanted to buy a racehorse and happened to meet a horse seller. He said that as long as a deposit was paid, he would go to Haixi Kingdom to buy it for him. They have some kind of Maritime Silk Road."
Madam Zhang, Zhang Yanyan's mother, chimed in, "I did hear my husband mention that His Highness the Crown Prince wants to open the Silk Road. Apparently, he wants to take our abundant silk and porcelain to other countries and exchange them for all sorts of rare goods."
After she said that, everyone present realized that no one didn't have a husband in the imperial court.
Everyone started talking at once.
Xie Zhaozhao secretly observed Princess Meatball, who was listening attentively with a thoughtful expression on her face. Then, she dropped another bombshell.
"Merchants are everywhere. Knowing that my husband wanted to buy horses, that person dared to come to our door and urge us to join forces. They said that the goods being transported in were all rare items, with huge profits and high demand. They heard that my husband was a high-ranking official and repeatedly suggested that we contribute some money, as it was a sure thing."
Upon hearing this, Princess Meatball interjected, "You've become shareholders? I mean you've partnered with us?"
Xie Zhaozhao laughed and said, "Where would we get so much money to partner up? I do have some dowry, but the Grand Secretary doesn't agree to a partnership."
"Is this man a horse trader?"
“He was one of the partners on the Silk Road.” Xie Zhaozhao paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “To be honest, even if we had money, we wouldn’t dare to cooperate with them. They are merchants, and the Grand Secretary is a high-ranking official. The only reason they would try to get the Grand Secretary to join them and share the profits is because they found out that my husband is a court official.”
One wrong move and it becomes collusion between officials and businessmen, leading to a serious mistake.
The women present all felt the same way. Such a highly profitable business did not lack funds, but rather relied on the opportunity to get in touch with the government, seek their protection, and earn even more money.
Otherwise, why would they be called unscrupulous merchants?
Princess Meatball calmly sipped her tea while giving a wink to the two maids beside her.
Her two palace maids, named Jin Feng and Jin Ling, were very clever.
Jin Feng then asked, "Madam, how long ago was this?"
Xie Zhaozhao smiled and said, "Just a couple of days ago, His Majesty was going on an autumn hunt in mid-autumn, right? The horses had to be prepared in advance."
"What's this person's name?"
"I'm not entirely sure. He came to the door seeking an audience, saying his surname was Wu and he was from Wancheng, but the gatekeeper turned him away."
The topic ended there, and Xie Zhaozhao did not discuss it further. Other officials' families came to offer their condolences, and after exchanging a few words, everyone returned to their respective residences.
Upon returning to Qingpu Garden from the Chengen Duke's Mansion, Xie Zhaozhao immediately ordered Yuanyuan to release a carrier falcon to deliver a letter to Dongqin. The letter ended with a special note: "The princess is extremely arrogant!"
On the fifth day, Dongqin replied: "Received, arrangements have been made."
Princess Meatball's guards and maids wandered around the horse market for five or six days, but they couldn't find a horse trader named Wu who knew about the Silk Road.
Princess Meatball was not giving up and told them to continue searching at various inns.
The group split up, some searching in inns, some in restaurants, and some in the horse market. And surprisingly, after ten days, they actually found it.
At Chaoyang Pavilion, a group of people with southern accents and dressed in luxurious clothes entered the restaurant.
The waiter's face was like the warm sun in March, bright and welcoming: "Sir, do you have a reservation?"
The young nobleman leading the group turned to the man behind him and asked, "Old Wu, have you made a reservation?"
Old Wu, with a shrewd look on his face and a broad smile, said, "Number One, the Heavenly Room."
The waiter excitedly replied, "Alright, Building 1, Unit 1 (Tianzi)."
Old Wu was delighted and pulled a silver note from his pocket, handing it to the waiter: "Here, buy yourself a drink!"
The waiter took one look and exclaimed, "Good heavens, ten taels!"
He worked as a waiter for half his life and still couldn't earn ten taels of silver.
Money makes the world go round, and the waiter was so excited that his legs spun faster than a millstone. He had a smile on his face, flattering words on his lips, and was practically flying around, offering every service he could.
Old Wu, being wealthy and generous, rewarded each of the tea masters and wine masters in the No. 1 room with ten taels of silver.
Nothing else, just one word: extravagant!
When Princess Meatball's guard came to ask for the tenth time, "Is there a guest surnamed Wu coming to dine?", every single doctor in the top-tier room praised Old Wu to the skies.
Immediately say that Wu Caishen is in room number one of the Heavenly Palace.
The guard asked for the description and immediately returned to the princess's residence to report to Princess Roudan that they had found Old Wu.
Princess Meatball immediately went to meet Old Wu in person.
The princess's carriage soon arrived at Chaoyang Pavilion, accompanied by her advisor and one of her male favorites, Shen Su.
When Chaoyang Pavilion saw Princess Meatball arrive with a large group of people, it was a bit of a headache, but there was nothing they could do but give them the top-class room in Building No. 2.
Princess Meatball said to Shen Su, "Go to Room Number One, the Heavenly Room, and find the man surnamed Wu. Mention the Silk Road and see if he knows anything about it. If he doesn't, then don't talk about it."
Shen Su's public title was that of a staff member in the princess's residence.
In the No. 1 room, Shen Su requested an audience outside the door: "Shen Su, the Chief Secretary of the Princess's Residence, requests an audience with Brother Wu."
There was a moment of silence in room number one. The group exchanged glances, and the young nobleman at the head of the group said to Old Wu, "It seems like they're looking for you?"
Old Wu understood, stood up, strode to the door, looked at Chen Su, and asked in surprise, "I am Wu Houde. Forgive my poor eyesight, but do I know you?"
Shen Su noticed that Old Wu was wearing a brocade made of blood silkworm silk. This kind of fabric is warm in winter and cool in summer, and is extremely thin. Even the royal family in the entire Daqian only gets three to five bolts a year.
Clearly, the person before us is extremely wealthy.
"May I ask if you are involved in the Silk Road, Brother Wu?" Shen Su asked politely. "I am Shen Su, the chief secretary of Princess Yu Rong's residence."
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