Chapter 0169: Sheng Shihai’s Ideological Awakening, Xie Chengze’s Tearless Despair
“Light the lamp.” Taking advantage of Sheng Shihai’s current inability to act against him, Xie Chengze fully displayed the arrogance befitting his royal status. “Then put a cushion on the chair. This prince dislikes the cold and cannot endure freezing.”
Sheng Shihai narrowed his eyes, observing the unrestrained arrogance on Xie Chengze’s exquisitely beautiful face, feeling a flicker of disgust in his heart.
But that trace of disgust quickly vanished.
After all, the Second Prince had the capital to be arrogant.
Sheng Shihai thought indifferently. Moreover, since the Second Prince wasn’t actually Emperor Jian’s bloodline, what did it matter if he was arrogant, as long as he could be used?
He scanned the room but found nothing resembling a cushion. Just as he was about to respond to Xie Chengze, he noticed the prince seemed to have already guessed the situation and was staring intently at his outer fur coat.
“Lord Sheng’s outer coat looks quite soft…” Xie Chengze hinted meaningfully, almost stating it outright.
Sheng Shihai: …
This was a specially commissioned coat filled with duck down by out-of-town embroiderers – extremely expensive. He certainly knew how to pick.
Taking a deep breath, Sheng Shihai mentally hypnotized himself: He’s worth it, he’s worth it…
This was someone who could create explosive gunpowder and sleeve arrows. Setting aside his identity as the perfect puppet, this alone made him worth winning over.
Since Emperor Jian already possessed the secret formula for explosive gunpowder and the designs for sleeve arrows, achieving his great ambition required obtaining these two items to narrow the military gap between them.
Therefore, Sheng Shihai resignedly placed his outer coat on the wooden chair, a friendly smile appearing on his handsome young face. “It’s this coat’s honor to relieve Your Highness’s discomfort.”
Xie Chengze plopped down onto it, deliberately rubbing against it a few times. “Hmm, Lord Sheng shows excellent ideological awareness. You’re a good comrade, and this prince is quite satisfied.”
Sheng Shihai: …
Doesn’t understand. Never mind, probably complimentary words.
Maintaining his smile, Sheng Shihai turned his gaze to the food box. “Might this humble official have the honor of tasting the dumplings Your Highness personally made?”
“Very well.” Though generous in speech, Xie Chengze felt pained inwardly. He opened the food box and took out the plate containing only four remaining dumplings. “I’ll reward you with one.”
“Actually, this official hasn’t had dinner yet and is quite hungry. Might Your Highness grant a few more?” Seeing Xie Chengze’s instantly reluctant expression, Sheng Shihai felt the frustration he’d just endured dissipate. He said with a smile, “After all, since the Second Prince cares for his officials like children, and was willing to travel far to rescue Lord Shen, surely you wouldn’t let this official go hungry.”
Xie Chengze badly wanted to say the two situations weren’t comparable at all, but obviously he couldn’t. He could only watch as Sheng Shihai picked up the dumplings and, with lightning speed, stuffed three into his mouth.
Ah!!!
Xie Chengze screamed internally, quickly protecting the ugliest remaining dumpling while glaring furiously at Sheng Shihai. “Are you a starving ghost reborn?! At least leave one for this prince!”
Damn, he should have poisoned the dumplings!
It would solve everything to poison him to death!
Sheng Shihai took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, smiling with deep satisfaction. “Your Highness’s culinary skills are truly excellent. This official is fortunate indeed.”
Xie Chengze felt like crying but had no tears left.
He only made ten dumplings in total! Now look, only one is left, and it’s the ugliest one!
“Eh? What’s this?” Sheng Shihai caught sight of the egg drop soup in the food box and reached for it again.
“Stop!” Xie Chengze immediately slapped his hand away, guarding the food like a protective chick while hastily packing up the food box, grumbling, “If you’re hungry, go find a cook to make your own meal! If you eat everything, what will I eat?”
“Ah, my apologies, I wasn’t thinking clearly.” Sheng Shihai pretended to have just realized his mistake, his face immediately showing a guilty expression. Then, as if remembering something, he took off a translucent purple jade ring from his thumb. “How about I compensate Your Highness with this?”
The Second Prince had always been fond of treasures and wouldn’t remain unmoved. Using this item to build a connection with Xie Chengze was quite worthwhile.
Xie Chengze glanced at the jade ring, and his previously angry expression instantly shifted to his usual greedy smile.
“They were just three dumplings. Since Commissioner Sheng liked them, it’s fine that you ate them.” Xie Chengze happily accepted the jade ring, admiring it under the candlelight with great fondness. “The jade is so clear, flawless, and warm to the touch—it’s truly a fine piece!”
“As long as Your Highness is pleased.” Sheng Shihai smiled. “At court, I have often heard of Your Highness’s deeds in Yi Province and have long held great admiration. Whether it was gathering silver and treasures along the way, spreading news of Yi Province’s food shortage, providing work and food for thirty thousand refugees, or the methods for managing the Min River—each step was interconnected and indispensable, making the success of this ‘Land of Abundance’ project possible…”Sheng Shihai’s gaze rested on Xie Chengze, his face showing admiration, but his eyes subtly observed Xie Chengze’s expression, his tone carrying a hint of probing.” “Your Highness truly possesses extraordinary talent in governance—perhaps even surpassing the Crown Prince.”
“Heh, I think so too.” Xie Chengze showed no unusual reaction, admiring the jade ring while boasting proudly, “What does the Crown Prince amount to? He’s not worth one of my fingers!”
“However… to be honest, at the time, I just didn’t have any silver on me and was worried about Yi Province’s poverty, so I felt a bit scared. I used my status as a prince to scrape together some money for security.” Xie Chengze shook the jade ring, tapped it to hear its sound, and said casually, “But then Shen Yuan told me he could help me make a name for myself and overshadow the Crown Prince, so I reluctantly lent him the money for him to use as he saw fit.”
“Oh?” Sheng Shihai tapped the table. “So, the solution to the flood was devised by Lord Shen?”
“Not exactly.” Xie Chengze took out a handkerchief, breathed on the jade ring, and began polishing it as he continued, “He told me to threaten Governor Liang, and I did just that—I said if Governor Liang couldn’t come up with a solution, I’d have his head. Hey, guess what? Governor Liang actually came up with a method!”
“People really do need to be pushed sometimes.” Xie Chengze remarked, then suddenly remembered something and looked up at Sheng Shihai with gleaming eyes. “Hey? What if I push you too? Do you think you could come up with ways to refine fine salt on a large scale, produce sea salt toothpaste, and create sea salt face masks, just like Governor Liang did?”
Sheng Shai: ???
That really won’t be necessary.
Sheng Shihai’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly. “It seems Second Prince truly enjoys studying objects that benefit the people and strengthen the nation.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Chengze twirled his jade ring and smiled self-deprecatingly. “So what if I do? Despite my intelligence, I still cannot become the Crown—”
He abruptly cut himself off, pretending to cover his mouth with a cough. “Ahem. Since Imperial Commissioner Sheng has finished eating, you should return early to rest.”
Sheng Shihai smiled understandingly.
It appeared Second Prince indeed harbored rebellious intentions.
However, Second Prince lacked any strategic cunning. Even if he ascended the throne, he would be controlled by the officials. Yet, this made him the perfect candidate for a puppet emperor. When the time came, Sheng Shihai could easily coax Xie Chengze into handing over court affairs to him, allowing the prince to focus entirely on researching various weapons and tools for his own use.
Meanwhile, he could become Prince Regent, meddle in court matters, manipulate the imperial court and the realm through Xie Chengze’s edicts, and use the weapons developed by Xie Chengze to expand territories and enrich the nation—
What could be more delightful?!