Chapter 98
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Han Jiao, as clever as he was, couldn’t possibly sell himself to help someone borrow money. He earnestly advised, “Your Highness, when this set of armor is created and worn by the frontline cavalry, it will be unbeatable. Even if wealthy merchants don’t buy it, the court will purchase it in large quantities once they see its excellence.”
Xie Duo gave a friendly reminder, “A Tiger Crest Cannon costs less than three thousand taels. The army can’t afford armor that costs a thousand taels per set.”
Han Jiao: “It’s different. Your Highness, think about it carefully. The high cost of cannons is because they are made of copper, requiring nearly twenty stone of copper material. The precision and craftsmanship required for the cannon’s trajectory and range are much higher than for armor. Iron armor, on the other hand, is not only affordable in terms of materials but also, once we have a set of molds, we can outsource the production to civilian craftsmen. The cost can be reduced to less than fifty taels. When the time comes, we can invite commanders from various regions to see this formidable armor. Do you think there won’t be a market for it?”
Xie Duo didn’t reply. He simply watched the little child prodigy as he enthusiastically gestured and danced.
Han Jiao was more persistent than an insurance salesman. “We’ll sell a set of armor for a hundred taels. Isn’t that generous? With the military budget for just one cannon, we can equip an invincible vanguard. Which commander wouldn’t be tempted?”
Xie Duo raised the corner of his mouth and nodded. “You sure know how to manage finances.”
Just as Han Jiao was about to respond, he saw Xie Xiu returning, looking somewhat disheveled.
“They said we need to consult Master before withdrawing a thousand taels,” Xie Xiu frowned, “What if Master refuses?”
“No need to ask Senior Minister Li,” Xie Duo offered, “Big Brother, I’ll pitch in a thousand taels for you, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be ready before Sixth Brother returns to the capital.”
“I’ll contribute a hundred taels too!” Xie An generously chipped in from his own savings.
“I’ll add two hundred taels,” Xie Jing joined in without hesitation.
“No need.” Xie Duo didn’t want to share the little child prodigy’s expenses. “I’ll cover it all.”
“Your Highness, you’re wise and mighty!” Han Jiao applauded enthusiastically.
Xie Jing and Xie An didn’t argue with Old Ninth. They let Xie Duo shoulder more of the expenses, as they were accustomed to it.
The Princes of Great Chu didn’t rely on income from fiefs and taxes but received fixed annual salaries based on their rank, along with income from imperial estates scattered throughout the realm.
Like Prince Yan, Xie Duo received the highest-ranking stipend as the Empress’ son. His original income was substantial, but because of the Emperor’s special favor, the imperial estates kept getting transferred to him, like an endless exemption from taxes, making everyone aware that Xie Duo was very wealthy, to the point of being unimaginably rich. In any case, there was no need to economize for him.
After getting the big boss’ support, Han Jiao took the princes to the arsenal to enlist the assistance of a nationally renowned weapons master.
They thought the master would be deterred upon seeing the intricate armor model. However, to their surprise, the three craftsmen immediately became captivated, marveling at the ingeniously crafted armor model for a long time.
Although they cherished it, the three masters quickly provided their quotations.
Crafting a single iron suit of armor cost nine hundred taels, including labor and, if rust prevention for movable parts was necessary, additional expenses. Due to the complexity of armor components, it would take at least half a year to produce the final product.
Xie Duo was mentally prepared for this quote and immediately placed an order. He promised to send a thousand taels in silver notes tomorrow and reminded the three craftsmen that they could select materials for the crucial armor components. Any extra expenses would be settled when the final product was delivered.
It was getting late when they concluded the business. The princes escorted Prince Duan back to his mansion, then rode back to the palace. Han Jiao, too, mounted his donkey to return home.
When they reached a crossroads, the big boss mentioned he needed to buy something from the western market and then turned his horse to ride alongside Han Jiao.
It seemed like every time he left the palace, the big boss would conveniently drop Han Jiao off at his home.
Even Han Jiao’s Ferrari had grown accustomed to the big boss’ white horse. Sometimes, it even teased the white horse for taking larger strides, making the horse’s legs move in a similar rhythm.
The alley was very quiet, so quiet that Han Jiao couldn’t help but start to daydream, his gaze occasionally flicking to the big boss’ profile.
The big boss remained nonchalant with an air of indifference.
Han Jiao lowered his head, realizing he might be overthinking things.
But how many times had this happened?
Couldn’t hold it in any longer!
Han Jiao took a deep breath and boldly asked, “Your Highness, what do you buy every time you leave the palace and head to the western market? Why not buy more at once?”
“Candied hawthorns,” Xie Duo explained with a straight face, “will spoil if you buy too many.”
“Oh,” Han Jiao pretended to suddenly understand, fell silent for a moment, and then couldn’t resist challenging, “But, Your Highness, if you want candied hawthorns, the Imperial Kitchen can make you something even more delicious at any time!”
“Han Xiaobai,” Xie Duo warned in a low voice, “What are you trying to say?”
Han Jiao tightened his grip on the reins of his Ferrari, looked ahead, and gathered his courage to ask, “Your Highness, it’s not because of…”
“No,” Xie Duo firmly interrupted, “It’s for the candied hawthorns. I like the ones from that particular shop.”
Han Jiao eyed the big boss suspiciously.
Xie Duo remained composed. “By the way, my personal tutor and accountant have yet to visit my royal residence. Since it’s still early, I will personally take you there to get acquainted with the route.”
Han Jiao immediately questioned, “Who is Your Highness’ accountant?”
“What’s this?” Xie Duo turned to the little child prodigy. “Have you returned the one thousand taels you owe me?”
Han Jiao was surprised. “Even if Your Highness covered the cost of the armor, it should be considered a loan to Prince Duan.”
Xie Duo appeared stern. “Whoever brought it up first, it’s a loan from them.”
“Your Highness, how can you be so unreasonable?”
Xie Duo smirked. “I’ve always been unreasonable. Didn’t anyone tell you?”
Han Jiao couldn’t help but feel aggrieved. “But the armor isn’t meant for me. It’s a gift from Prince Duan to Prince Yan.”
“Do you really want to make that armor and present it to Sixth Brother in Luozhou?”
Han Jiao faced the reality, shook his head, and said with lowered eyes, “It will take six months to make, and by then, the battle will be over.”
“Are you worried about the 220,000 soldiers or just about Sixth Brother?”
“Of course, I’m worried about both. Even you said the terrain for this battle is dangerous, and Prince Yan has a strong-willed and impulsive nature. I’m genuinely afraid he might act on impulse,” Han Jiao took a deep breath and furrowed his brow, “It would be better if you were leading the troops.”
“If I lead the troops, you wouldn’t be worried?” came the big boss’ question, laden with a hint of threat.
“Certainly,” Han Jiao expressed full confidence in the battle-hardened boss’ abilities.
Xie Duo dangerously narrowed his eyes, “What if I go to Luozhou and bring Sixth Brother back?”
Han Jiao was taken aback. “Can the Emperor agree to that?”
Xie Duo’s phoenix-like eyes slanted towards him. “Who cares about that? What’s important is to ensure that the only concern in Master’s heart remains safe and sound. If I step in, everyone will be pleased. We won’t even need that armor prepared for Sixth Brother. I can wear straw shoes and animal skins and still lead the battle. After all, Master doesn’t care.”
Han Jiao felt the intensity of the big boss’ eyes like a piercing glare. “I-I didn’t mean that! It’s because Prince Yan doesn’t know how to fight! Your Highness is a natural war god, with you in command, our Great Chu cavalry will surely be invincible!”
Xie Duo didn’t respond, kept his face cold, and continued to gaze ahead. He didn’t even stop to bid farewell when they passed Han Jiao’s residence.
Han Jiao watched the big boss’ retreating figure, opened his mouth as if to say something, but decided against it. He then snapped the reins and rode his Ferrari to catch up, quietly staying by Xie Duo’s side.
“Your Highness, didn’t you say you were going to take me to your mansion to have a look?” Han Jiao played it safe. “A War God like Your Highness mustn’t break promises.”
Xie Duo shot him a sideways glance, didn’t answer, but actually turned his horse around and headed towards his under-construction mansion.
Han Jiao immediately turned and followed.
The mansion was located in a beautiful, secluded bamboo grove on the outskirts of the capital. It certainly surpassed Prince Yan’s residence by a few blocks.
The architectural style wasn’t typical of the capital, resembling a mix of Jiangnan garden layout and Han-Tang architectural style. When Han Jiao spotted it from afar, it seemed like he had stumbled upon a fairyland.
It was absolutely enchanting!
This is where the offspring of the Emperor should live!
Originally, Han Jiao had only come to see the new house with the big boss, but the moment he stepped into the mansion, he found it truly delightful.
He’d be willing to work in such a paradise without pay!
Skipping around the courtyard and buildings, Han Jiao’s mood was much like that of a village woman visiting the Grand View Garden for the first time.
The mansion was still under construction, with many areas being worked on. There weren’t many rooms available for visiting. As Han Jiao strolled and observed, he eventually reached the end of a courtyard in the northeast corner, where he spotted a finely finished three-story tower.
“Can we go inside and have a look?” Han Jiao turned to ask the big boss.
Xie Duo had been following him all along. He looked at the building he had designed and then at the little child prodigy. He silently nodded in agreement.
Han Jiao gently pushed the door open, feeling as if unwrapping a gift. However, upon entering, he found the room in darkness, with all the doors and windows tightly shut.
The fading sunlight of the evening filtered through the window curtains, casting a subdued glow in the room.
A bit disappointed at first, but as Han Jiao’s eyes gradually adjusted to the light, he was immediately captivated by the exquisite and ornate furnishings and decorations within the room.
Lost in admiration every step of the way, Han Jiao unknowingly walked into the bedroom to the east. Surprisingly, this bedroom was also small, with a Suzhou’s embroidery screen placed between the bed and the door and windows.
The bed behind the screen was also quite small, with no canopy covering it yet. It was a bare redwood bed, appearing to be only about a meter wide.
Why did ancient nobles like to design their bedrooms and beds so small?
Han Jiao stood in front of the bed, pondering quietly.
Meanwhile, a certain War God standing behind him was also observing his figure, lost in thought, and casually pulled the room door shut.
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