Jin Shaohuang quickly declined: “Your Lordship overpraises me. Jin receives the protection of His Great Imperial Majesty and can thus enjoy prosperity and honor. As a subject of Southern Chu, how could I not share the nation’s worries and exert my utmost effort?”

Qing Xia nodded: “But even so, we cannot let the young master’s family bear such great risk alone. If those Nanyang merchants deceive you, the Jin residence’s losses would be too heavy.”

A sharp gleam flashed in Jin Shaohuang’s eyes as he hurriedly said: “Your Lordship need not worry about Jin. This is Jin’s small patriotic intention – regardless of the outcome, Jin is willing to bear it all alone.”

Qing Xia sighed to the crowd: “Young Master Jin’s great benevolence and righteousness truly move heaven and earth. But precisely because of this, this official cannot let Young Master Jin bear such great risk alone. How about this – Lord Dongfang, arrange for all common people willing to plant the new seeds to enjoy two policies: first, they can receive a year’s worth of grain money from the Jin residence; second, the government will exempt them from five years of taxes. Those who receive money will turn their harvest over to the Jin residence at year’s end. Those exempted from taxes will have their harvest go to the court. Whether it’s a bumper harvest or complete crop failure, the government will never break its word – we can sign contracts as guarantee. Young Master Jin is noble-minded and worries about the country and people. Such a righteous pillar of the nation – how could this official not lend assistance? This official will proclaim to the world that I vow to advance and retreat together with the young master!”

Jin Shaohuang’s expression immediately stiffened as he hurriedly said: “Your Lordship…”

“Excellent!” Dongfang Li suddenly shouted loudly: “Your Lordship’s words are truly heartwarming. This old man represents the Dongnan clans in thanking Your Lordship for your righteousness. Only now do I truly feel that the Southern Chu court views us Dongnan as one body and regards us Dongnan people as subjects!”

Qing Xia’s expression was solemn as she looked at Dongfang Li and said with feeling: “Lord Dongfang speaks too heavily. His Majesty fights bloodily in Xichuan precisely so that our Great Chu subjects will no longer fall into the flames of war. Dongnan and Southern Chu are originally one body. This official is also willing to share weal and woe with all of you.”

The banquet atmosphere immediately became heated. Many officials and clan heads from the old Dongnan capital were deeply moved, praising Qing Xia’s merits and virtues while constantly expressing gratitude for Great Emperor Chu Li’s benevolence.

“Your Lordship,” Jin Shaohuang forcibly stabilized his emotions and said persistently: “Thank you for Your Lordship’s kind intentions, but Jin truly dare not accept. The harvest from these new seeds is unknown – how could Jin let the court bear such a great burden for me? The court relies entirely on taxes to maintain imperial operations. His Majesty’s northern expedition is imminent and needs silver even more urgently. If once…”

Qing Xia cut him off: “Young Master Jin need say no more. This official’s mind is made up. Ah, by the way, those seeds haven’t been named yet, have they? This official will personally give them a name. What would be good? This official sees those grain kernels are golden and translucent, like pearls and jade, and they are grain – why not call them corn?”

“What a good name! Corn, corn – Your Lordship truly has exceptional talent, most admirable.”

Numerous voices of praise and flattery rose one after another. Jin Shaohuang suddenly fell silent, his narrow eyes slightly narrowing as flickering light in their corners looked toward the beaming Qing Xia.

Regarding the yield of these seeds, Young Master Jin naturally knew very well. Regarding the name of these seeds, he was also clear in his heart. Hearing Qing Xia speak it personally at this moment, this shrewd Young Master Jin immediately understood what was happening.

When Qing Xia personally spoke this name, the meaning was: I already know what this thing is. You and I both know what the yield is like. There’s no need to continue talking about what would happen if there’s complete crop failure. This business is guaranteed profit with no loss possible. If you want to monopolize it all, there’s no way.

Jin Shaohuang’s eyes sharply swept over Qing Xia’s body. No matter how good his cultivation, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat ashamed and annoyed.

The court exempting five years of taxes at one stroke – except for poor common people with no savings who could only earn and eat day by day, most wealthy farmers and landlords with some family assets would buy the court’s account. Out of ten parts of people, eight or nine would be lost at once. Subtracting the money for purchasing seeds given away for free, he would basically be playing for nothing, not even counting the ship costs and manpower for his long ocean voyage. What was originally a guaranteed profitable business suddenly truly became complete crop failure. This Commander Xia was indeed no simple character.

Qing Xia’s gaze collided with Jin Shaohuang’s complex eyes. Her eyeballs turned as she chuckled and said: “Young Master Jin, what do you think of my proposal?”

Jin Shaohuang restrained the expression on his face, cupped his hands, and smiled lightly: “Commander, you are learned and knowledgeable with broad insight. With a gesture you can overturn heaven and earth. Shaohuang is completely convinced.”

Hearing this, Qing Xia laughed heartily: “Young Master flatters me. This official is just a bit luckier than ordinary people.”

Amid the clinking of cups and changing of toasts, Qing Xia turned back and smiled proudly at Chu Li sitting behind her. That smile was so dazzling and mesmerizing.

This was the first time Qing Xia dealt with Jin Shaohuang. From then on, the Jin family’s business blacklist gained one more name – a person surnamed Xia named Qing, who was precisely the first-rank Grand Commander of Dongnan Province.

After the Jin residence’s evening banquet, it was already deep night. Declining the Jin family’s invitation to stay, Qing Xia’s group returned to the Governor’s Office. After much persuasion to get rid of Dongfang Yu’er’s pestering, Qing Xia returned to her room, changed out of her wine-scented clothes, put on an elegant light blue robe, and walked toward Chu Li’s room. Everything today seemed effortless, but the gains were considerable. Cutting away eight or nine-tenths of the Jin family’s profits in one stroke – even Qing Xia hadn’t anticipated this beforehand. With the Jin family’s financial support, the entire overall deployment would benefit greatly. Some details also needed modification. With less than two days left before departure, they needed to arrange everything in these two days and select capable personnel to garrison Dongnan.

Having walked only a few steps, she encountered Jing Yu carrying a basin of hot water hurrying through the corridor. When Qing Xia called out to her, it startled Jing Yu so much that when she turned around, her face had already gone pale. Seeing this, Qing Xia laughed: “What’s wrong? Did you see a ghost?”

Jing Yu quickly shook her head and smiled: “It’s so late – why isn’t Your Lordship resting?”

Qing Xia said: “I have some matters to discuss with your master.” As she spoke, she walked toward Chu Li’s room.

Seeing this, Jing Yu hurriedly reached out to grab Qing Xia’s sleeve, smiling apologetically: “It’s already very late. His Majesty has already gone to sleep. Whatever Your Lordship has to discuss, please wait until tomorrow.”

“Gone to sleep?” Qing Xia’s tone immediately rose slightly. She turned around, frowning as she looked at Jing Yu, and said in a deep voice: “Then who is this basin of water for?”

Jing Yu’s expression was somewhat embarrassed, but she still forced a smile: “This servant fetched it for herself.”

“Is that so?” Qing Xia said: “Your room isn’t on this side. If you fetched it for yourself, why walk this way?”

“Your Lordship…”

Qing Xia glanced at her indifferently and turned to continue walking forward.

“Your Lordship, why must you?” Jing Yu’s voice suddenly sounded behind her, carrying faint helplessness that made Qing Xia’s steps immediately halt. “Your Lordship, this servant knows you are different, but you are merely different. His Majesty, after all, is the Emperor!”

Qing Xia took a deep breath, then straightened her back even more and walked toward Chu Li’s room.

Just as she reached the door, a woman’s voice slowly drifted out. Qing Xia’s steps couldn’t help but pause as she heard the woman say sorrowfully: “Qianru knows her status is lowly, a fallen willow’s appearance, unworthy to serve a gentleman. I have no qualifications to serve and repay kindness before the young master. Tomorrow I will leave of my own accord, offering lifelong devotion to the young master’s longevity tablet to repay the young master’s life-giving grace.”

The man pondered for a long while before finally saying in a deep voice: “Don’t worry. I’ll give you a sum of money to ensure your later life is without worry.”

The woman smiled bitterly: “I have already received the young master’s great kindness. How could I shamelessly accept the young master’s wealth again?”

“You are a weak woman who cannot lift with hands or carry on shoulders, penniless. In the end, won’t you still face the same result as before? Why must you be so stubborn?”

The woman suddenly laughed quietly: “It seems the young master misunderstands. Qianru is not afraid of falling into the dust and being toyed with by others. Actually, before entering the Ministry of Rites, I already made my living by selling smiles. I’m not afraid of being a prostitute. What I fear is only leaving the sea market and going to foreign lands. My parents were beaten to death in the street by bullies the year before last, leaving only a younger brother still studying. Though I am here and he despises and looks down on me, at least I can give him money to support his studies and won’t let him starve. If I leave, how could a weak scholar like him make a living? Young master’s kind intentions – Qianru appreciates them and will forever remember this great kindness.”

The woman knelt on the ground. Having finished speaking, she struggled to stand up, but with the slightest movement, it tugged at the wounds on her back, making her cry out softly in pain. Chu Li frowned and said in a deep voice: “You’re injured. I’ll find someone to look at you.”

The woman shook her head: “Just external wounds. No need for the young master to worry. Qianru takes her leave.”

With that, she withdrew from the room. Chu Li sighed and chased after her, but just as he stepped out, he saw Qing Xia standing at the door. His expression immediately became awkward.

“You… it’s so late. Is there something wrong?”

Qing Xia’s expression was calm, showing no unusual emotions, only saying in a deep voice: “There are some trade details and military strategy to discuss with you.”

Chu Li’s expression was somewhat dazed, but he quickly restrained it and thought seriously before saying: “You’re also tired today. Whatever it is, let’s discuss it tomorrow. Go rest first.”

The night wind was like ice-cold water, pouring layer upon layer over Qing Xia’s heart. She stood in the corridor where bamboo shadows were sparse, with ice-cold moonlight faintly sprinkling on her body like a layer of transparent gauze, gradually tightening her breathing. Qing Xia slowly nodded: “Oh, if that’s the case, you handle your business first. I’ll go back now.”

Qing Xia turned around, her steps seemingly heavier than when she came. The blue robe on her body made her appear so thin and frail. Chu Li’s brow suddenly furrowed tightly. He took two steps forward and grabbed her hand, blocking her path. Between his brows was barely concealed heartache as he said in a low voice: “Qing Xia…”