Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 276 Remedy
Since Lady Yuchi decided to hand over the secret formula for the paper without telling her husband, she must have known what the consequences would be. They would definitely strike first and persuade the other nobles to break away from this powerful group.

This was precisely the problem that Lady Zixia was most worried about, although the Yuchi family's lobbying had not been very successful.

Otherwise, the Yuan family wouldn't have learned of this news so quickly.

Although this alliance is very loose, the members are related by marriage and have many interests intertwined. It is difficult to break up their cooperation with just Madam Yuchi's persuasion.

Many people were even angry about the actions of the Yuchi family. They said, "You can choose not to cooperate with the Yuan family, and we will support you in that. After all, the Yuan family is bullying the weak. But to take it to the emperor is against the rules."

But regardless of whether one supports or opposes it, this indicates that a very serious rift has appeared in this alliance, which is precisely the core interest of Lady Zixia.

Back at the manor, even the usually domineering Lady Zixia couldn't help but show signs of fatigue.

Leaning against the couch, one hand supporting her forehead, her beautiful face was filled with sorrow.

Guang Sheng stood silently to the side, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"What do you think?"

After a long while, Lady Zixia slowly asked.

Guang Sheng said, "I think... I think..."

Seeing that he seemed hesitant to speak, Madam Zixia glanced at him sideways and said indifferently, "Are you trying to say that this might be related to Que'er?"

Guang Sheng said, "This seems like a misunderstanding, but it was Wang Shaolang's actions that made the whole thing irreversible and put us in a dilemma. Although it seems like a coincidence, we have no reason not to suspect that this is Wang Shaolang's revenge."

Lady Zixia gently pinched her forehead and sighed softly, "Perhaps I really shouldn't have treated him that way back then. I was too careless."

She does regret it now. She was so arrogant back then and didn't take Wang Xi and the others seriously. But judging from her recent interactions with Wang Xi, he is the kind of person who responds better to gentleness than force.

Guang Sheng said, "Madam, now is not the time for regrets. We need to make preparations quickly."

Madam Zixia nodded and said, "But first we need to determine whether they are the ones playing tricks."

The next day.

An unnamed academy.

"Auntie, what brings you here again?"

When Wang Xi met Madam Zixia, he was quite depressed.

Madam Zixia asked, "What? Don't you want your aunt to come?"

"No, that's not it." Wang Xi muttered again, "It's just that my aunt has been coming over quite often lately, which has disturbed my dancing with Mi'er and the others."

Madam Zixia smiled and said, "If I have disturbed you, I apologize to you here."

You can't hit a smiling face, and Wang Xi suddenly missed the domineering Madam Zixia. He chuckled and said, "Of course, Que'er wouldn't dare to blame Auntie. I just don't know what Auntie wants to see Que'er about?"

Madam Zixia said, "Do you know that my aunt has recently taken over a number of coal mines for the sake of our winery?"

Wang Xi said casually, "I've heard about it, but it's up to Auntie to decide about the winery. There's no need to ask me. Even if it closes down, I won't blame Auntie."

Madam Zixia smiled and said, "Thank you for your trust in your aunt, Que'er, but I'm here today not for the winery, but for your coal mining technology."

Wang Xi's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Coal mining technology?"

Madam Zixia nodded: "Didn't you take me to see your gunpowder and coal refining research last time?"

Wang Xi nodded, "But there haven't been many results yet."

Madam Zixia said, "Although there are no results yet, my aunt believes that these technologies have great potential, so she wants to support you and cooperate with you."

"No no no!"

Wang Xi immediately shook his head like a rattle drum.

Lady Zixia said, "I haven't finished speaking yet."

Wang Xi said, "We don't cooperate with anyone, because cooperation means being bound by constraints, and I don't want to be bound by any constraints."

Madam Zixia smiled and said, "I know your temperament very well. Although it's a collaboration, I won't impose any restrictions on you."

My aunt's request is simple: whatever you want, I will do my best to support you. And if you succeed one day, this technology can be used by me; of course, you can use it for anyone else too.

As she spoke, she immediately added, "There are no restrictions. Even if you don't succeed in the end, it doesn't matter. It just means that if you do succeed, this technology can also be provided to Auntie."

Wang Xi said, "No."

Lady Zixia asked, "Why not?"

Wang Xi shook his head and said, "A promise is a kind of constraint. What if we don't want to give it to you later?"

A fierce glint flashed in Madam Zixia's eyes, but she nodded and smiled, "Alright. Since you don't agree, then your aunt won't force you."

After saying that, she stood up and said, "Auntie, I'll take my leave now."

"Take care, Auntie."

As soon as Lady Zixia left, three heads immediately popped up outside the window; they were Huangfu Sengnian, Li Jieman, and Wang Shuang.

Wang Xi walked over, shrugged, and showed a helpless expression.

Huangfu Sengnian said, "It seems your aunt is already suspecting that we are behind this."

Wang Xi said, "We don't want her to be kept in the dark forever."

Wang Shuang said dejectedly, "But I didn't expect it to happen so quickly."

Li Jie asked, "Won't your aunt be ruthless towards us?"

Wang Xi said, "Probably not for now. After all, she needs to find a way to escape our trap and protect those coal mines."

Huangfu Sengnian asked, "What do you think your aunt will do?" Wang Xi shook his head and said, "I'm not quite sure either. Getting out of this trap isn't that simple. After all, they have a contract with the Ministry of Works. Let's wait and see."

Anchangfang.

"I'm so sorry to have troubled you to make this trip in person, Auntie."

Madam Zixia quickly arrived at the door and welcomed Madam Zhang, née Yuan, into the hall.

Yuan smiled and said, "I just happened to be going to the temple to burn incense today, so this is just a side trip."

After sitting down, Madam Zixia said, "I am truly sorry, Zixia did not handle this matter properly, causing us heavy losses."

Madam Yuan said calmly, "This is not your fault. You have done your best. They are ungrateful and tried to stop us with their bare hands."

However, my husband has to consider the bigger picture and is currently pushing forward with the country's military and political reforms. He has no time to deal with them. Moreover, if we were to take action now, it would make everyone think that we are bullying the weak, which would be detrimental to unity.

Take it slow; they'll be driven out of the court eventually.

He paused slightly at this point, then added, "But your little nephew is a real headache!"

Without Wang Xi, they simply couldn't have done it. But at the same time, Zhang Shuo really couldn't deal with Wang Xi. As long as Wang Xi didn't make any fundamental mistakes, anyone who tried to deal with Wang Xi was deliberately trying to displease Li Longji.

Madam Zixia shook her head and sighed, "That boy is spoiled by his family. He'll do anything for a woman. Actually, the reason I invited you here today is also related to that boy."

Madam Yuan looked at Lady Zixia with a puzzled expression.

Madam Zixia said, "That boy has been bewitched by the women of the Linghu family and doesn't even listen to me. I'm worried that the Linghu family will use him to deal with us."

Yuan said, "His Majesty will not let that brat have his way when it comes to matters of state."

Madam Zixia said, "That's not what I meant. As far as I know, the Yuchi and Linghu families are currently trying to use the inventions of the Nameless Academy to seize our coal mines."

Madam Yuan frowned. "What do you mean?"

Madam Zixia said, "Previously, the Minister of Works commissioned the Wuming Academy to use pneumatics to improve coal mining, and it has already achieved some success."

If they succeed, according to our contract with the Ministry of Works, we must give all the coal mines to the Nameless Academy.

Given that kid's personality, he'll most likely give it to the Linghu or Yuchi families.

At that time, the situation will be very unfavorable for us.

Madam Yuan said angrily, "He is your nephew. How could you allow such a thing to happen? Didn't you go to see Princess Xue?"

Madam Zixia said helplessly, "Zixia went to see my sister early this morning, but now that boy is deeply favored by His Majesty and is deceived by the daughter of the Linghu family, my sister can't control him. The main reason is that my brother is not at home."

Madam Yuan had heard about the Wang family's upbringing, so she asked, "So, how do you plan to deal with this now?"

Madam Zixia said, "The reason why the Ministry of Works can make such an impolite request is simply because the court has not yet officially levied mining taxes."

Conversely, if the imperial court were to levy a mining tax on coal mines, then the Ministry of Works would not be able to arbitrarily transfer mining rights.

Madam Yuan frowned slightly and said, "This is no small matter, and it will also distract my husband."

Lady Zixia said, "In fact, since the Zhenguan period, many people have proposed to strictly levy mining taxes, but this has not been successful due to the strong opposition from powerful families."

But now we've shifted our stance to support it, and only within the Guanzhong region. Furthermore, we can change the way taxes are levied to make it more acceptable to everyone, including the Minister of Works.”

Yuan asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Madam Zixia said, "Many times, coal mining encounters resistance because it disrupts the feng shui or affects the local people."

If the imperial court simply stipulated that wherever mining takes place, a portion of the funds must be used to help the surrounding villages build irrigation systems, roads, and so on—this would benefit the people, rather than being levied for the country's use—I believe there would be far less resistance.

This also aligns with the Ministry of Works' current policy, as it will allow for more funds to be allocated to water conservancy projects.

Yuan said, "But this also means we have to come up with more money."

Madam Zixia said, "Increasing mining costs will only help us acquire more coal mines. And the facts have already proven that coal mines are of great help to our business. If we can stabilize those coal mines, this amount of money is worthwhile."

After hesitating for a while, Madam Yuan said, "I'll go back and discuss it with my husband."

Madam Zixia said, "Thank you, Aunt."

Yuan added, "However, we should try to avoid disturbing him in the future, as he now shoulders the heavy responsibility of the country."

"Yes."

Madam Zixia nodded with a guilty look on her face.

Actually, she didn't really want to bother Zhang Shuo and the others. Last time, the Yuan family asked Zhang Shuo for help, but this time there was really no other way.

Although she is not yet sure whether this is a conspiracy or not, they have invested too much here and cannot afford any mistakes.

After Madam Yuan left, Guang Sheng asked curiously, "Why did you defend Wang Shaolang and the others instead of telling Madam Zhang the truth?"

Madam Zixia said calmly, "Even we only suspect that it is related to them, but we have no concrete evidence. Can a few words from us make people believe that all of this is the work of a few young children?"

Only when they themselves step forward will everyone realize the truth, including the Linghu and Yuchi families.

Guang Sheng said, "So, Madam is planning to lure the snake out of its hole."

Madam Zixia nodded and said, "If our guess is correct, I believe they will cooperate with the Yuchi family to seize control of the coal mine before the Ministry of Works re-signs the contract with us. At that time, everything will come to light."

After saying that, she asked Guang Sheng, "Has the source of that paper been investigated?"

Guang Sheng said, "According to our investigation, the paper was invented by a merchant who rented a shop from the Linghu family. He had been renting it for many years and hadn't changed hands since, so there aren't many suspicious points for now."

Madam Zixia said, "Continue the investigation. Looking back now, this whole thing seems too coincidental. Also, is there any news from that Mr. Nameless?"

Guang Sheng shook his head.

(End of this chapter)