Chapter 462 - Shocking Words
Chapter 462 Shocking Words
The situation in Lintian may appear quiet and peaceful on the surface, who would have known that there were already many exchanges of secret blows?
“Although they do not dare to fight openly, I’m afraid Zuo Qiuchen and Zuo Qiuyu would get into trouble if they were able to prove that I’m not the real Princess Anle.”
With Long Tianyu around, they would not have the audacity to lay their hands on her no matter how much they hated her.
Moreover, it was well known throughout all the nations that the Lins were overprotective of their descendants.
She had once heard that her great grandfather had dashed out to destroy a prince’s sedan just because his some soldiers were beaten up by the prince.
As a result, that prince was so terrified that he threatened to bring this matter up to the emperor.
However, after her great grandfather returned to the army camp, he had his man give him fifty beatings using the rod.
Immediately, his flesh had split open from the beatings and he almost lost his life.
The emperor was very aware of how the Lin Family was like. Not only did he not rebuke them, the emperor even commended their ancestors.
From then on, the army under their command became even more united. For the same reason, the reputation of their protectiveness towards people under their care had been spread far and wide.
Despite some people denouncing the Lins and accused them of despising the emperor’s sovereignty, Lin Mengya did not think there was anything wrong with the way her ancestors acted.
On the battlefield, their soldiers had given their lives into the hands of their commanders. In the same token, the commanders should treat their soldiers as one of their own.
Given their nature, if the people of Lintian dared lay a finger on Lin Mengya, her father and brother would teach the people a lesson no matter the price they had to pay.
While they could outdo each other in doing despicable things secretly, but if a real battle ensued, these people would be the first to flee.
However, these people might do harm to her two cousins, such as commit treason against them. If they were to proceed in this way, her two cousins would suffer greatly.
“Alright, I would not have to worry if I know you’re not in danger, Master. Oh yes, Master, I went around Wangtian City in the last few days and there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
To Baishao, Lin Mengya’s words carried more weight than an imperial edict.
Since her master had reassured her saying that there was no danger, she felt very much assured.
“Oh? What is it?”
Lin Mengya was aware that Baishao had been going around Wangtian City in the last few days. She thought Baishao had wanted to check out the culture of the foreign country, little did she expect that she had a much more meaningful purpose.
“In those few days, I realized that there were many things in Wangtian City that we either can’t find in Dajin or are very expensive in Dajin. These items are common over here. For example, some of the herbs, fresh vegetables, and fruits are only a tenth of the price compared to that in Dajin. Moreover, these are rare items that are hard to come by in Dajin. I thought maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to ship some of them from the Nation of Lintian and we can sell them in Dajin.”
Baishao’s thinking may be too idealistic. If it were such an easy thing to do business across the borders, the businessmen from the two nations would have done it long ago.
Lin Mengya had however refrained from pointing this out to Baishao, but gave her a look that encouraged her to go on.
Baishao started off beating around the bush as she was too shy to speak up. However, when she saw the interest in her master’s eyes, her thoughts were spurred on and it came out more naturally in her words.
“I’ve asked some groups of businessmen there and they told me that they had also wanted to bring these items back to their countries. However, the taxes imposed by the two countries were different and after paying the taxes, the cost would’ve increased by 40%. Take for example the fragrant rice, which is a special product of the Nation of Lintian. There is already tax imposed on purchasing the rice, which brings the cost up by 10%. To bring the rice out of the Nation of Lintian, there’ll be two other kinds of tax. When the rice enters Dajin, there’ll be another three kinds of taxes. After all these calculations, the cost of the rice would have risen a good 60% even before it’s sold. Add on the labor cost, one could barely breakeven because the cost had increased by 100%.”
What Baishao said allowed Lin Mengya to understand the reason why there could not be a free flow of commodities between countries.
Perhaps because in the past, there was an emphasis on agriculture over trade, the taxes imposed by different countries were not clear.
Some tax collectors even exploit the businessmen citing all kinds of reasons.
Therefore, the value of some commodities would inflate to a few times the cost.
However, it was impossible to change this overnight. If it were another person, this would surely be something unattainable.
However, it could happen if Lin Mengya was the one trying to make it happen.
“The tax policies concerned the foundation of the two nations. To effect a change in it, it would be a long term thing.”
Lin Mengya said quietly and Baishao nodded in agreement. She was aware that she was merely dreaming up something impossible.
Little did she expect that her master’s comment following this was, “However, if the two nations could change their tax policies, what you said could become a possibility.”
Baishao looked at Lin Mengya, not understanding the meaning of her words.
“Cousin Chen once promised me that if I could help settle the matters in the Pavilion of Herbs, he would give Lintian’s trade charge over to me. I guess he also has the intention of having me develop the nation’s trade. In this case, I can persuade Cousin Chen to change the nation’s tax policies and thereby bringing convenience to us.”
With a turn in her thoughts, Lin Mengya finally understood Zuo Qiuchen’s intention.
To be open about it, a country’s destiny was dependent on hard cash.
Money was needed to pioneer a frontier area, likewise the effort for stabilizing a country.
Considering how capable her Cousin Chen was, if he were to hand the power of trade to any of his subordinates, there would be the risk of the possibility of nurturing an enemy among them.
However, if she were to be put in charge, it would be much safer.
Moreover, she believed that once trade development matured, their generation would have aged.
Her control would be weakened and Cousin Chen’s children would be the benefactor of their achievement.
Of course this was just her own thoughts. Cousin Chen might not even harbor such devious thoughts.
No matter what, both nations would benefit from it.
“What, what about Dajin?”
Baishao opened her eyes wide and looked at her master with disbelief. This idea was truly too… too crazy!
“It would be even easier in Dajin. Don’t we have our prince?”
A rough plan was coming into shape in Lin Mengya’s mind. However, this matter was extensive and it would require a lot more effort to carry out and complete.
Moreover, this would definitely not depend solely on her wisdom.
She did possess some intelligence since young, but such great wisdom required for matters concerning two nations would be beyond her limits.
“But wouldn’t this be the emperor’s jurisdiction? The prince is definitely below the emperor!”
These words had slipped out of Baishao’s mouth conveniently, but Lin Mengya took it to heart.
The emperor? The emperor of Dajin?
If the Crown Prince eventually ascended the throne, the first people he would likely deal with were Long Tianyu and the Lin Family.
In this case…
“Since the emperor is the only one who would be in charge, let’s get someone who could do this to be the emperor.”
Baishao was shocked and frightened by Lin Mengya’s words.
Did she hear wrongly? What did her master say just now?
To get someone to be the emperor? Good heavens! This was the most severe matter!
Baishao opened her eyes wide as she stared at her master.
“I’m just joking. Look at you! Did you really believe what I was saying?”
Lin Mengya laughed and brushed off the matter.
Lin Mengya was keenly aware that while she was reluctant to get involved in the battle for power, she had to if she wanted a plan for her future.
If Long Tianyu became the emperor…
She was startled in her heart at the thought. Since ancient days until today, all emperors, good or bad, would take for themselves many concubines.
Would she really be able to accept it if Long Tianyu became the emperor?
Shaking her head, Lin Mengya thought she was thinking about this way too prematurely.
She would have to leave this for the future self to worry over it.
Once the horse carriage left the Wangtian City, they were soon out of the territory under Zuo Qiuchen’s jurisdiction.
It would take at least a month to reach the old capital.
This was another reason the old generation subjects refused to move to the new capital.
Who would move the capital city so close to the enemy’s country?
After riding on the horse carriage for an entire day, they finally arrived at another city at dusk.
Riding in the carriage, Lin Mengya and Baishao were overcome by curiosity as they looked out the window to see how these places were different from Dajin.
“Master, I used to think that the girls in the capital city were all very outstanding, but to my surprise, the girls in the Nation of Lintian were even more radiant and vivacious.”
The climate and environment determined the type of people it produced. The Nation of Lintian was surrounded on three sides by the sea, therefore its climate was naturally more humid than Dajin.
The complexion of the girls and youngsters here was much more delicate and fair.
Compared to the girls in Dajin who were prim and proper, the girls in Lintian were more spirited and confident.
Somehow, Lin Mengya was beginning to feel that there were simply too many things for her eyes to see. Those little playthings which she had never seen before had evoked the long lost feelings of a little girl.
“Indeed, when we have time, we must come here to enjoy the food and have a fun this place has to offer.”
Lin Mengya commented regretfully. In retrospect, she had always been cooped up indoors.
Apart from going for classes, she would be working a part-time job. Otherwise, she would be staying at home alone.
Although now she had become a rich family’s daughter, she was even busier.
A woman’s natural inclination to shopping had only been actualized a few times in her life.
In fact, it did not feel good to be leading a life with riches while being unable to spend the riches.
“Yes! Once you are fully recovered, let’s shop for some gifts for those clodhoppers back home. I owe my good fortune to you, Master. I’ve come out to see the world on this trip and I’m sure the girls would be so envious when I return!”
The two of them had been enjoying each other so much in their conversation since they set out from Wangtian City that Baishao had become much livelier.
At this moment, Baishao had begun counting her fingers to figure out how many sets of gifts she needed to purchase for her family members.
Lin Mengya merely let her be, while she herself leaned on the window sill of the carriage to watch the people and the peddlers along the way.
Was this the scene her mother used to see?
Apart from the kinship left behind in the past, she had developed a keen interest to find out more about this most amazing woman in both Dajin and Lintian.
From what her father said, her parents had met during a time of military unrest.
She wondered how this dearly adored princess from the Nation of Lintian would garner such courage to venture into a mighty army alone.