Chapter 75 The Big Leaky Spoon
Xiao Chengzi was filled with prejudice, and rolled his eyes with his head down.
Having witnessed firsthand how that spoiled brat had dragged down the young master and the prince yesterday, he felt that it was only right for the man to wake up today, come over to apologize with a bundle of thorns on his back, and kneel in fear for so long.
...In fact, the way that guy apologized was somewhat ridiculous.
Who would carry thorns on their back to apologize? If they didn't carry thorns, would it still count as a guilty plea?
Xiao Chengzi thought about this seriously with silent disappointment and contempt.
Qi Chengming had already put on his winter coat, a thick woolen overcoat. He pinched the inner lining, lost in thought, and suddenly asked, "How much cotton seed did the caravan buy back?"
When he was finding an ornamental plant like the tomato for the people of Liuzhou to plant, he had made a list for the caravan and the Bai family escort team. It was a list he had racked his brains to come up with, and cotton was one of the items on it.
The caravan didn't need to exchange all the silver they earned abroad for banknotes and bring it back to him; instead, a portion of it could be used to buy items on the list.
Xiao Dezi recalled that he was not clear about the caravan's arrangements, but he was often responsible for delivering the new gadgets and orders that His Highness obtained to Mr. Qin in the county government, so he had a vague impression of it.
"It seems... we haven't made any progress." Xiao Dezi replied hesitantly, "Last time, Young Master Wen said that the cotton His Highness mentioned is a type of flower called 'white cotton.' They cultivate all sorts of precious flowers and plants in the Jiangnan region, and they've seen this one before. But it's winter now, so even if we buy it at a high price, we can't get it. We can only wait until the weather warms up."
"Alright then." Qi Chengming calculated the time and absentmindedly walked towards the door.
It takes one or two years to grow them, and at least three or four years to grow them on a large scale. Even if my cousin joins the army and gets promoted quickly, it will probably take three or four years. When it comes to transporting supplies during the war, Qi Chengming will be my cousin's best logistics provider. He has a way to supply cotton-padded clothes to the battlefield, which will play a decisive role in the harsh cold of the battlefield.
—Thanks to the ancient methods of transporting goods, Qi Chengming used to think that unification was all controlled by the government, but now he realizes that there are many ways for them to manipulate things.
Qi Chengming led his men to the main hall and immediately saw the young man kneeling in the courtyard outside the hall in front of everyone.
Although he was described as a boy, he was probably sixteen or seventeen years old. He had bandage marks on his face and body, and a bunch of branches were tied uncomfortably to his back. The sharp branches were pricking him painfully, but he still knelt obediently with a mournful face, looking as if the sky had fallen.
The moment he saw Qi Chengming appear, Young Master Li lunged forward and cried out with overwhelming emotion, "Your Highness!!! It's all my fault, I almost hurt you! I was wrong, I'm going to the county office to pay the fine, thank you Your Highness for saving me!!"
His movement startled the palace servants present: "...!"
They all reached out their hands, blocking people from entering, completely intimidated, determined to keep the strangers out of the Second Prince's sight.
Qi Chengming observed the scene with cold indifference, feeling even more absurd than before.
She's really changed.
The little villain, the nephew of the Empress Dowager's family, is more of a stumbling block on the Seventh Prince's path to the throne than a villain.
He was audacious, foolish, and arrogant. Even knowing he was up against a prince, he would only rely on his status to act naively and do all sorts of cruel things. Even if someone saved him, he would be grateful, but he would never lower his head and kneel down in public to weep, truly degrading himself.
Something's not right...something's really wrong, what's going on?
In the original book, this guy might have also been to Liuzhou? But because Liuzhou didn't have concrete roads, he didn't suffer this misfortune? Or perhaps he was attracted to Liuzhou this time by the various changes caused by Qi Chengming, none of which happened in his previous life...
Qi Chengming's mind raced, but he gave a faint "hmm" and gestured for the palace servants to help him up. His tone was neither cold nor warm: "Young Master Li? No need to get agitated. I don't care about what happened yesterday. Go back."
"No!" Young Master Li blurted out, raising his head.
"Is there anything else?" Qi Chengming asked with a stern face, going through the motions.
Under Qi Chengming's knowing gaze, this notorious fool and playboy of the capital held back for a long time, his face almost turning red. He glanced at the many onlookers around him and whispered, "Your Highness, I have something I must report to you privately."
"Insolence!" Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi seemed to have heard the key word, and stepped forward in unison, shouting angrily. No matter what decision His Highness made, the two of them had to skillfully maintain His Highness's dignity at such times.
Li Banhui was burning with anxiety. He knelt on the ground, scratching his head and staring expectantly at the future Crown Prince. He felt uncomfortable with the cold, muddy ground beneath his knees, uncomfortable with the thorny branches on his back, and uncomfortable with the dull pain from the wounds he had sustained yesterday.
Li Banhui had never suffered so much in his life.
But... being beaten up was even more uncomfortable, being gagged and drowning silently in the river was even more uncomfortable, not to mention that after he died he would be used as a raft to target the Crown Prince. He hadn't even had a chance to cling to his powerful backer, hadn't even had a chance to enjoy himself, and he was going to die because of this... He had clearly planned how he would inform His Highness the Crown Prince. Dying like this was too unfortunate!
...Fortunately, he returned in a daze, and surprisingly, so early. Just think of his life of luxury, think of the Empress Dowager in the palace, think of the recent changes in the capital!
Li Banhui's face, contorted with fear and excitement, shifted between different expressions over a long period, until only a fervent, expectant look remained.
He must seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Before Li Banhui, the young prince waved his hand, looking down at him with arrogant disdain, his eyes filled with a barely perceptible coldness and scrutiny: "Who do you think is worthy to speak with me alone? Xiao Dezi, see the guest out—"
"Wait...wait!" Li Banhui hurriedly stopped him, his heart burning even more intensely.
The Second Prince has indeed been hiding his true power all this time. Only he knows just how capable the Second Prince is… He must obtain this treasure no matter what!
Li Banhui tried to calm himself down and thought of an excuse. He wasn't a fool—well, not entirely. Soon, he came up with a perfect reason:
"Actually, I learned some things by chance when I was in the capital, because my father was the mining supervisor and tax collector of the coal mine! Those things were related to the Prince's reputation before he came to Liuzhou... The Prince saved my life yesterday, and I want to repay him."
Li Banhui's upturned face was filled with sincerity.
Qi Chengming's gaze darkened slightly.
He didn't believe a word of it, but this reason made Xiao Dezi gasp slightly. Several of the Second Prince's former associates were also drawn to the story, their expressions betraying their concern. Qi Chengming, now with a way out, glanced around and his expression softened slightly: "Come with me."
He brought this spoiled brat to the flower hall.
The palace servants skillfully guarded the entrance, vigilantly watching the situation inside, anxiously ready to rush in at any moment.
Qi Chengming wouldn't joke about his own safety. He glanced at the door and saw that the guards were his most trusted people. Even if he overheard some secret, it wouldn't matter.
"Alright, what do you want to say?" Qi Chengming continued to sternly provoke the young man. "What you said just now wasn't the truth, was it?"
He keenly realized that this young master of the Li family had a strange enthusiasm and awe for him.
Soon you'll understand how the spoiled brat from the original story became the obedient child in front of him.
"Actually... it's not entirely a lie." Li Banhui muttered, having untied the branches and bindings, stretching his shoulders. He shifted restlessly on the stool a few times before spilling the tray out.
“My father was very interested in several princes and wanted to find one to rely on. He couldn’t see the right one after looking around, so he planned to observe for a few more years… Then his informant in the palace discovered that one of the princes had been framed and sent to his fiefdom… He was the first one to be eliminated. The eldest prince had put a lot of effort into spreading rumors.”
Li Banhui's voice grew softer and softer, as if he was afraid of angering Qi Chengming, but he was very bold, speaking quickly and clearly in a low voice, blurting out everything that should and shouldn't have been said.
Qi Chengming only had to put himself in the situation for a moment before he was terrified.
Well, if he had a son like that, he'd either be furious or so scared that he'd beat the brat to death on the spot.
Qi Chengming gathered his strength to barely maintain his composure and continued to ask calmly, "So you're telling me all this because—?"
His scrutinizing gaze was fixed on the spoiled young man in front of him.
The more they know these things, the less they should bet on this eliminated second prince, right? Even if he really has some ideas, who would go all the way to the land of exile and make such a big investment before making a firm decision?
"I want to pledge my loyalty to the Prince!" Li Banhui declared firmly. He quickly gave his reasons, speaking with conviction, "My family... is related by marriage to the Prince's family, who are in charge of this disaster relief effort. Aren't all the changes in Liuzhou brought about by the Prince? My father and I both believe that only a wise prince like the Prince can lead everyone to a better future..."
Li Banhui closed his eyes and began to blow.
"Is this your idea or your father's idea?" Qi Chengming asked abruptly.
"..." The young man's words caught in his throat, as if he had been suddenly choked. He stammered, "...It's mine. But Your Highness! Don't underestimate me just because I hold a low rank; I can do a lot of things!"
Li Banhui puffed out his chest, boasting without a hint of modesty: "I am the deputy supervisor of the mine—of course, I am in charge of supervising another place. It's a sinecure, but I am qualified to attend court. I can promptly inform the Prince of what happens in court. My father never hides anything from me, and I know the contact information of the palace's informants. I can gather information or do things when necessary!"
Compared to the vast imperial court, he was a nobody, but he was very proud:
Even insignificant people have many uses and connections; the less important they are, the more well-informed they are, and their influence is often obvious.
“Besides, I know a lot of people from all walks of life…” Li Banhui was filled with anxiety, afraid that the Second Prince would dislike him and not use him. He also knew that he was a man of many vices and had nothing to be liked about him; the Crown Prince had been quite reluctant to use him before. He praised himself enthusiastically, trying his best to recommend him, “Many of my father’s old drinking buddies are waiting to see who will bet on the succession struggle! I can subtly get their children to help.”
Qi Chengming's lips twitched: "...That's not necessary."
Okay, he believed that this minor villain from the original book had genuinely defected.
Although it was unclear where this confidence came from—he seemed even more convinced than himself of his ability to succeed—he figured he should be cautious, given this young master Li's loose tongue.
Gathering information is good, and it's also good for doing things in the early stages, but it's not necessary for important matters later on.
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Author's Note: Qi Chengming: ...What a lousy sieve!
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