Chapter 259: The Brainless Empress in the Arrogant Stallion Novel (9)

Chapter 259: The Brain-Damaged Empress in the Proud Sky Stallion Story (9)

Recently, several major events have occurred in Lin Lan City, all related to Princess Changqing.

Early this month, under everyone's watchful eyes, Princess Changqing threw the great talent of Zheng State, Guo Kai, out of the Golden Jade Tower!

Women's hearts change so quickly!

When Guo Kai first arrived in Lin Lan City, Princess Changqing was very fond of him... She even gifted him the Golden Jade Tower. How long has it been since then, and now the princess has changed her mind.

Today, the Ministry of Rites of Lin State announced that in three days, Princess Changqing, as the sole royal family member, will ascend to the throne!

This is an unprecedented female emperor!

"Princess Changqing as emperor? A woman in charge? It’s a huge joke!" Inside the inn, upon hearing the news of Changqing's impending ascension, everyone was dumbfounded!

"It’s sheer nonsense! How can she wield power!" One scholar stood up, indignant: "Throughout history, there has never been such a precedent."

"Women must not interfere in politics; this is a rule left by our ancestors!"

"Not to mention that Princess Changqing has always been known for her stupidity, lacking in knowledge and having no redeeming qualities! Our Lin State is actually going to be handed over to such a woman?"

Driven by his righteous indignation, the scholar immediately picked up his brush, ready to write a proclamation against Princess Changqing's interference in politics.

Just as he had written a couple of characters, his wrist was mysteriously grabbed by someone.

Looking up, he saw a refined young man, who at that moment was smiling warmly.

"Brother, I advise you to think twice about the proclamation," Mu Zimo said, holding down the scholar's brush. "The Lin State royal family is thin, as everyone knows. Without Princess Changqing, may I ask if you have a better candidate?"

"But..."

"Even if the royal family is declining... it cannot be that foolish..."

Before he could finish, Mu Zimo interrupted him, "Be cautious with your words!"

"You may not know, but the private guards of the Eldest Princess are called the Imperial Guard."

Leaning closer to the man, Mu Zimo lowered his voice, "The Imperial Guard consists of royal swordsmen who are bloodthirsty and kill without hesitation."

"With the Eldest Princess about to ascend the throne, to avoid any incidents, the members of the Imperial Guard have all changed into civilian clothes and are hidden among the crowd..."

"If you don't want to cause trouble, it's best to be careful."

His few words immediately intimidated the scholar, who glanced around nervously, unable to determine whether there were indeed Imperial Guard members in the crowd...

Without another word, the scholar hastily gathered his writing materials and ran off.

"You're quite a good person." As soon as the scholar left, a voice came from the next table. Mu Zimo looked over and saw it was Tang Qing.

From the beginning, the Eldest Princess, who had been the subject of much discussion, had remained seated at the center of the crowd.

She listened calmly to the comments people made about her.

As Tang Qing spoke, a soft 'clink' sounded on the table. With years of experience, Mu Zimo recognized it as the sound of a dagger tapping against the tabletop...

It seemed he hadn't been wrong; the Eldest Princess had indeed brought her Imperial Guard with her.

If he hadn't stopped the talkative scholar just now, the scholar's head would likely have already rolled...

"Let's go upstairs."

On that day in the prison, Tang Qing had arranged this meeting with Mu Zimo.

After several days of separation, the news that the Imperial Princess was about to ascend the throne astonished even their new partner, Mu Zimo.

Never did he think he would one day collaborate with an emperor.

"Last time you mentioned using the iron mine as collateral, but... how can we ensure its security?" The vein of ore in Tang Qing's possession was coveted by many. Since his release from prison, Mu Zimo had been pondering this issue.

For once thinking clearly, Mu Zimo began to feel that this deal...

seemed unreliable.

"Using something you can't protect as collateral, Imperial Princess, this business..."

"Requires further discussion."

Facing Mu Zimo's doubts, Tang Qing showed no signs of anxiety; instead, she sipped her hot tea calmly.

After a long pause, Mu Zimo finally received a response from Tang Qing.

"What cannot be protected doesn't need to be protected..."

Not understanding her meaning, Mu Zimo pressed on: "How can it not be protected?"

It is a source of immense wealth.

With this iron mine, Lin State has become what it is today...

"I plan to open the mining rights for this iron ore deposit for a period of three years, with the highest bidder winning."

"Ah?" The information was overwhelming, and Mu Zimo took a while to react before speaking, "You intend to hand over the iron mine?"

"What mining rights? This is just giving away the iron mine!"

"You even said you would use the iron mine as collateral. Without the mine, what can you offer as collateral?"

Feeling like he had been toyed with, Mu Zimo's gaze turned hostile, "Are you playing me?"

"Mu Zimo..."

In a fit of anger, Tang Qing suddenly called out Mu Zimo's name and said, "You really aren't cut out for business."

What did she mean?

Why must she point out his shortcomings when he was trying to speak calmly!

Angrier now, the hidden wire in his back began to twitch again...

"The mining rights for the iron ore deposit will be open to any of the Four Countries for a period of three years..."

"Given the current situation, if I hold onto it, the Zheng State's cavalry will inevitably break through our gates for this iron ore one day."

Narrowing her eyes, Tang Qing spoke in a calm tone, "But if I release the mining rights, the other three countries will not pass up such an opportunity..."

"At that time, what the Zheng State will want is not my iron ore, but the iron ore from the Four Countries."

"It's not scarcity we fear, but inequality. Since there's a chance to mine the iron ore, there's no reason to give it to the Zheng State."

After a detailed explanation, Mu Zimo finally understood the brilliance of Tang Qing!

Auctioning the mining rights at a high price for a three-year term, during which, even if the Zheng State were to invade, the remaining three states would not agree!

With this arrangement, Tang Qing not only temporarily resolved the immediate crisis with the Zheng State but also secured a substantial lease fee for the three years of mining!

Brilliant!

Indeed, brilliant!

It’s still these cunning and treacherous royal relatives who know how to do business!

The iron wire in Mu Zimo's hand instantly retracted, and he put on his trademark smile, speaking in a gentle tone, "I see..."

"On that day, when Your Highness mentioned the silver bills of the Mu family's guild..."

"This... what does it mean?"

Mentioning the word 'guild,' the excitement in Mu Zimo's eyes could not be contained!

Guild!

What a grand title!

The Mu family has produced too many master thieves, long-standing top entries on wanted lists, and now, there was actually a chance to bear the name of a guild!

The ancestral graves must be smoking with pride!

"Exactly as you think, I want your Mu family's silver bills to be valid across the five states." In a calm and composed manner, Tang Qing painted a grand picture for Mu Zimo.

Within the five states, chambers of commerce stand in abundance.

At present, the five states are equally powerful, and no one has yet grasped the power of currency warfare.

Iron ore is both precious and unique; if the silver notes promoted by the Mu family were directly linked to the value of iron ore,

an increase in iron ore prices would lead to an increase in the value of Mu family silver notes, while a decline in iron ore prices would result in a proportional decrease in the exchange rate of the silver notes...

Invisibly, the inflation within the five states lies in the hands of Lin State!