Liu Xueyu sighed inwardly. It turned out that money was the most practical thing. Chu Fan and the Wei ministers had originally planned to have her bring back the technology so she could manufacture and operate her own refined salt business in Shu to maximize her profits.
However, the unexpected power of money was so great that it made these people lose their minds and launched a coup without even waiting for them to hand over their technology.
After seeing the profits that other countries made from importing refined salt from Wei, many ministers and royal family members of Shu State became restless. Among them, Concubine Wang and the ministers of Shu State were even more eager to control this lucrative trade channel.
Thinking of the key point, Liu Xueyu made a very conflicted expression, and then said, "You can trade refined salt with Wei, but I need to see my father before I can hand over the channel to you."
Seeing that Liu Xueyu had indeed obtained the trade channel for importing refined salt from the State of Wei, Concubine Wang showed an anxious look on her face: "You can see your father, but you must first hand over the channel for trading refined salt with the State of Wei to me."
Liu Xueyu smiled slightly, but secretly calculated in her heart. She knew that she had no trade channels to import refined salt from Wei State.
It was just that he could pass the message to Wei through this method. The officials of Wei basically knew that he also knew the method of making refined salt, and the emperor of Wei also agreed that he could return to Shu to make and sell salt.
If someone goes to Wei State with his personal token, the ministers and emperor of Wei State will find something unusual and then tell Chu Fan about his affairs. As for whether Chu Fan will come to rescue him or Shu State, it all depends on God's will.
"You, Concubine Wang, are aware that the refined salt trade is of great importance, and it's not something I, your son, can decide on my own." Liu Xueyu's tone was respectful, yet also revealed an unquestionable resolve. She was determined to perform this role well.
Concubine Wang frowned slightly. She knew Liu Xueyu was no pushover. But for the sake of refined salt, she decided to keep up the pressure. "Xueyu, you and I are both working for the benefit of Shu. Don't you want to see Shu prosper?"
Liu Xueyu nodded gently. Of course, she wanted to see Shu prosper, but she was more aware of her own leverage and position. Besides, wouldn't she make more money if she made her own refined salt and sold it? However, she absolutely couldn't let anyone know that she could make refined salt.
She pretended to be thoughtful, then slowly spoke, "Noble Consort Wang, you are right. The prosperity of Shu is our common wish. However, this matter is of great importance. I must personally discuss it with my father before making a decision."
Liu Xueyu insisted that she had to meet the King of Shu before she could tell him the channel for importing refined salt from the State of Wei.
Seeing Liu Xueyu's resolute attitude, Concubine Wang knew that further pressure would be futile, so she changed her strategy. "Since that's the case, I will arrange for you to meet the king as soon as possible. But before that, I hope you can reveal some details about the trade with Wei so that we can prepare."
Liu Xueyu sneered in her heart. She knew Concubine Wang's true intention, but she did not intend to reveal any information easily.
She feigned hesitation, then slowly spoke, "Noble Consort Wang, as you know, these details concern the interests of Shu. I must ensure that everything is under my father's control. However, I can tell you that the price of refined salt exported by Wei to Shu will be lower than the price exported to other countries."
After hearing this, Concubine Wang's eyes flashed with greed. She knew that if she could control the trade channels of refined salt, she would have enormous power and wealth.
But Concubine Wang would never give in. The Fourth Prince Liu Buchu was able to govern the country only because the King of Shu was seriously ill and could not appear in the court. If Liu Xueyu were to meet the King of Shu, he would definitely not let Liu Xueyu hand over the channel for importing refined salt from the State of Wei to him.
Concubine Wang went back on her word and said, "As long as you give me the channel to import refined salt from Wei, I will let you meet the King of Shu."
In order to see her father as soon as possible, Liu Xueyu took out her personal jade pendant and said, "Trading refined salt with the State of Wei is actually very simple. All I have to do is take my token to the State of Wei and meet the current King of Wei. I believe that all the ministers present here know the relationship between me and the King of Wei. I am not lying."
When Concubine Wang saw the jade pendant in Liu Xueyu's hand, a cunning light flashed in her eyes, and she said to the eunuch beside her: "Go and get the third princess's jade pendant."
After receiving Liu Xueyu's jade pendant, Concubine Wang and the fourth prince Liu Buchu showed a smug smile on their faces. Of course, they couldn't let Liu Xueyu leave. As she had just said, everyone present knew the relationship between Liu Xueyu and Chu Fan.
If Liu Xueyu is allowed to leave, will he leave Shu and go to Wei directly and never return to Shu? It would even be troublesome if the channel for importing refined salt from Wei was cut off?
Concubine Wang said, "The Third Princess has been away for several months. She must be missing the Emperor very much. Now that the Emperor is seriously ill, the Third Princess can go and show her filial piety."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xueyu felt a surge of grief. She knew that upon returning to Shu, she would not only face the schemes of Concubine Wang and the Fourth Prince, but also her gravely ill father. She took a deep breath and decided to see her father first, then figure out how to deal with these complex situations.
With Concubine Wang's arrangement, Liu Xueyu soon met the gravely ill King of Shu. Seeing her father's pale and haggard face, Liu Xueyu felt an indescribable grief. She knelt by her father's bedside, tears streaming silently. The King of Shu struggled to open his eyes and looked at his daughter, a flicker of relief and worry in his eyes.
Liu Xueyu held her father's hand tightly and whispered, "Father, your daughter is back. I will find a way to cure your illness and protect the Kingdom of Shu."
The King of Shu nodded slightly, a flicker of relief in his eyes. He knew his daughter was always smart and brave, and he believed she could handle this. But he didn't want his daughter to return and get caught up in the vortex that Shu was currently in.
The King of Shu's voice was weak and hoarse, and he slowly said: "Xueyu, you shouldn't have come back. The Shu Kingdom is now in a precarious situation, and what I am most worried about is the future of you and the country." His tone was full of worry and concern, as if every word carried a heavy burden.
After saying these words, the King of Shu suddenly started coughing violently. The cough echoed in the empty palace, sounding particularly harsh. His breathing became rapid, and every gasp seemed like a fight with death.
Seeing this, Liu Xueyu hurriedly patted the King of Shu on the back, trying to make him feel a little better. Her movements were gentle and delicate, as if she was soothing a wounded bird, hoping to ease his pain.
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