Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 477 Future

Among Yuan Cuo's four-nation alliance, there were naturally special products from Meng, Yan, and Chu that were traded with Da Qi to make up for each other's shortages.

However, the Great Qi wanted to open up the mines of Huaizhou, with the Chu Kingdom providing the most refined forging techniques, the Yan Kingdom's craftsmen making the products, and the Meng Kingdom providing the warhorses.

The weapons produced were all equipped to the armies of the four-nation alliance, rather than to the individual national armies.

In other words, Yuan Cuo wanted to rebuild a large army to contend with the states of Si and Luo.

Emperor Qi Xiao's opposition was not without reason; it was tantamount to giving away the most precious thing of the Great Qi, and it was also tantamount to him directly offering his head.

“What’s wrong with that? Didn’t you see the amount of silver he marked? This price alone is enough to make the people of Qi rich and prosperous. Isn’t that what you want?” When the Chu Emperor saw the price offered by the three kingdoms to Qi, his heart trembled.

But upon closer examination, among these four countries, Qi had the largest population, and perhaps was also the poorest.

Although the State of Yan was small in size, it was rich and fertile, and its people lived a very comfortable life, relying on the heavens for their livelihood.

The internal strife in Chu over the years has also taken a toll on the state. These recent clashes with Qi have also revealed just how high the quality of the products from the Huaizhou mines truly is.

In fact, the Chu Emperor was taking a gamble by agreeing to this condition. She agreed readily here, but she would also want to argue with her court officials when she got back.

At this moment, she finally understood why Yuan Cuo did not show up: he did not want to bargain and also anticipated that Emperor Qi Xiao would be furious.

Yuwen Chan, however, thought he was worrying unnecessarily. "What good will your refusal do? Don't you think that if you withdraw from the Four Kingdoms Alliance, you can protect your Huaizhou mine?"

His tone was threatening.

If it weren't for Yuan Cuo's sake, he would have liked to lead his troops directly across that towering snow-capped mountain and swallow up the Huaizhou mine.

"Actually, it's useless for you to guard that mine. I have personally seen the weapons that were brought back from the war. Although the materials are superior and indeed surpass those of the current Chu Kingdom, the workmanship is crude and shoddy, ruining the objects."

"I have already ordered the Chu army to remelt and remake the weapons that were captured during the encirclement."

The Chu Emperor looked at the young man beside him.

The boy immediately drew the thin sword from his waist.

The slender sword resembled a long needle, yet it was both flexible and resilient. Its exposed sharpness was particularly dazzling in the sunlight. He merely swept the stone table in front of the three of them lightly with the slender sword.

A crack instantly appeared on the tabletop.

Although it didn't shatter into two pieces, it still surprised everyone!

Yuwen Chan's eyes instantly lit up with excitement. "If even a thin sword is this sharp, what if it were a long saber!" Would the Si Kingdom and the Luo Kingdom still be so arrogant? They would definitely bow down and kneel before him, calling him king.

"Actually, the reason why this rapier cannot split the stone table is that firstly, the material of the stone table is very special, and secondly, its stitching is not tight enough. It could actually be made into a three-edged rapier." The Yan envoy then took out the item prepared by Yuan Cuo, which was just a particularly inconspicuous dagger.

The dagger looked ordinary, but its blade was surprisingly thin.

The envoy continued cutting the stone table as if it were an ordinary little pastry.

The stone table shattered into two pieces instantly, but did not collapse due to its weight.

The Chu Emperor couldn't help but gasp, "No wonder he used craftsmen from Yan." Their craftsmanship was indeed superior to that of Chu.

"So what else do you feel is unfair? Whether it's the technology or the smelting formulas, you can't compare to the Yan and Chu states." Yuwen Chan looked at Emperor Qi Xiao.

Emperor Qi Xiao was still unconvinced. "Where did he go? I must bring him back so we can discuss this matter properly."

"This is no ordinary alliance; it's a four-nation alliance!"

"How could he just take the terms and then disappear? That's outrageous!"

Emperor Qi Xiao still couldn't swallow this insult. He couldn't accept that Yuan Cuo actually wanted to treat the Great Qi, the land that gave him birth and raised him, like a meat pie.

"Didn't His Majesty just say that he went to the State of Chu to visit the Queen Mother?" The envoy did not conceal Yuan Cuo's whereabouts, because there was no need to.

Emperor Qi Xiao was so angry he almost fell backward. "For a woman, he can even put aside such a big matter! Truly, beauty is a curse!"

“Some people are indeed ruthless and disregard family ties for the throne.” The Chu Emperor thought his son’s approach was quite good, even though Yuan Cuo had ignored her in Yan and gone straight to attack Chu’s home base.

"This guy is really something. If he had just brought this out earlier, I, the sect leader, would have signed it. Maybe I could have even gone on a trip to Chu with him." Yuwen Chan was filled with curiosity about Chu.

Emperor Qi Xiao really didn't want to pay attention to the two of them, so he simply turned and left.

He absolutely could not accept the current alliance treaty and needed to go back and discuss it with his court officials.

The signing of the four-nation alliance was aborted due to Emperor Qi Xiao's withdrawal.

At this time, Yuan Cuo was also in the royal palace of Chu, enjoying Chu cuisine with Liu Yuechu.

The same handsome young man was cooking, but this time, he was serving Yuan Cuo, not Liu Yuechu.

Yuan Cuo received the urgent message from Yan State, but simply smiled and said, "I knew he wouldn't agree. He really is narrow-minded."

He didn't bother to use any more euphemistic language to describe his father, Emperor Qi Xiao.

Liu Yuechu also saw the report. "What if he disagrees? The mines in Huaizhou are crucial after all."

"Does his disagreement even matter?" Yuan Cuo seemed to have anticipated this scene. "Even if he disagrees, the court officials will compromise. After all, they are afraid that the Chu, Yan, and Meng states will really occupy the Great Qi and then divide it up. At that time, it could be a three-state alliance or a six-state ranking."

Liu Yuechu: "..." Goodness, he really doesn't show any mercy to his own father at all.

"So...when do you plan to go back?" Liu Yuechu was reluctant, but she had to ask this question.

She also realized that the guards of the Chu royal palace could not prevent the two from meeting, but Yuan Cuo wanted to take her away directly, which was probably not possible.

Even if Hou Lai were still there, it would be impossible for him to get her out unscathed.

Besides, Yuan Cuo is now the ruler of Yan, so he can't risk his life in a fight. The key issue is that he's completely defenseless and wouldn't stand a chance in a fight...

Yuan Cuo held her little hand, reluctant to let go, "Stay for two more days, no rush."

Liu Yuechu opened her mouth with a smile, and Yuan Cuo personally fed her.

When the court officials of Chu learned of his arrival, they came to see him, and Yuan Cuo did not refuse them. Instead, he helped the officials deal with several thorny issues.

After staying for two days, Yuan Cuo prepared to leave.

“I will come back to pick you up soon. Wait a little longer. Then we won’t have to stay in Yan. We can travel around the four kingdoms. You can go wherever you want then.”

With the four-nation alliance established, he can take Liu Yuechu to travel all over the country.

Liu Yuechu felt a surge of longing; wouldn't those days be as wonderful as they could possibly be?

But before Yuan Cuo could finish enjoying himself, Hou Lai appeared hastily, his face grim. "Something's happened!"