Martial Arts Crossover: It All Started with Hijacking Li Canghai

Li Qingluo's expression clearly showed displeasure upon hearing this.

"What does Your Highness mean by this?!"

"Don't you understand what I mean?" Qin Han leaned forward, the invisible pressure increasing.

"An independent land? Salt and iron trade? Madam Wang, your appetite is a bit too big."

Qin Han stood up: "Let me be frank. You've already missed your best opportunity."

"I did discuss this matter with Uncle Li more than a year ago. At that time, I was just a newcomer to the martial arts world. If you had sent Wang Yuyan then, it would have been a timely help and a sign of your sincerity. I would have remembered your great favor."

"Even if I later become the Venerable Master of Lingjiu Palace and the Leader of Ming Cult, if you come then, it will be icing on the cake, and I will still think highly of you."

Qin Han paused, his gaze sweeping over Li Qingluo's face.

"Now I, the King, possess four provinces and sixteen prefectures. I am the King of Shu, recognized by the imperial edict of the Southern Song Dynasty. You are only now coming to my door with your 'dowry.' What do you think this is?! It's climbing the social ladder."

"You..." Li Qingluo was speechless, her chest heaving with emotion.

I had guessed before that Qin Han must be someone extraordinary, and I thought I would use this to test their attitude first, but I didn't expect them to give me any face at all.

"As for Aunt Li, she's currently in Western Xia..." Qin Han sneered, "She doesn't have that much influence anymore."

"Women who want to climb into my Qin Han bed could line up all the way to Lin'an and the capital! I don't need another Wang Yuyan. If it weren't for the prior agreement with Uncle Li, she wouldn't even have the right to enter."

Qin Han's words were utterly ruthless. He knew Wang Yuyan's value, but the people of this world did not.

From the perspective of people in this world, Qin Han's words are perfectly reasonable. She's just a woman; no matter how beautiful she is, she's just so-so. There are plenty of women like her.

When a woman is beautiful to a certain degree...

It's about looking at the other person's abilities, background, temperament, and family history; mere beauty is the least valuable thing.

Li Qingluo looked very unhappy, but she couldn't get angry.

Because what Qin and Han said was true!

It was her own fault for repeatedly missing the opportunities arranged by Li Qiushui; it was her own shortsightedness!

Seeing Li Qingluo's exasperated yet helpless expression, Qin Han felt quite pleased.

To deal with this kind of calculating woman, you have to use the most direct method.

"Madam Wang, do you think I am heartless and cold-hearted?"

Qin Han's voice rang out again, and he probably guessed why Li Qingluo was so eager to get involved in the salt and iron business.

"You think the Ruan family can thrive in Shu with my support, while you, who brought the entire Mantuo Manor to surrender, are subjected to such injustice?"

Li Qingluo's beautiful eyes narrowed. Could it be that Qin Han also knew about her feud with Ruan Xingzhu?!

That's exactly what she thought!

I've heard news about Ruan Xingzhu more than once these days.

She was originally divorced by her husband's family and expelled from the Ruan family by her own family, but what happened in the end?

Now, with Qin Han's strong support...

Ruan Xingzhu consolidated the Ruan family's businesses in Sichuan, making them even larger than they had been in Jiangnan. The heads of the families in Jiangnan had to be mindful of this Madam Ruan's feelings.

It's understandable that Li Qingluo felt jealous and resentful, as the company was showing signs of becoming the top merchant in Sichuan.

On what grounds?

In terms of family background, Li Qingluo was the daughter of the Western Xia Empress Dowager. The Wang family was once wealthy, but gradually declined after her husband died.

In terms of methods, Li Qingluo was confident that she was second to none.

Why is it that Ruan Xingzhu, her love rival, gets to live such a good life?

"It seems I was right." Qin Han chuckled. He had guessed on the way here that Li Qingluo would know about Ruan Xingzhu.

After all, Duan Zhengchun was practically his father-in-law, and his mistress had always wanted to kill him...

"I will tell you why."

Qin Han's gaze was playful: "Because Madam Ruan is very clever; she knows what she should and shouldn't want. More importantly..."

Qin Han said, enunciating each word clearly, "Unlike the Madam, she didn't become full of scheming and resentment after being hurt by a man."

"You..." Li Qingluo's pupils widened.

"How...how did you know...?"

Qin Han smiled mysteriously.

"I know far more than my wife imagines. For example, that man is Duan Zhengchun, the Prince of Zhennan of Dali."

When Qin Han uttered those three words, Li Qingluo trembled violently.

I just can't understand how the King of Qin, who is far away in Shu, could know about her old affair with Duan Zhengchun!

Could it be... could it be that bitch Ruan Xingzhu said it?!

Pah! It must be her!

Li Qingluo subconsciously thought that it was that woman Ruan Xingzhu who exposed all the shameful things that the women had done back then!

"Ruan Xingzhu!" Li Qingluo cursed inwardly.

Qin Han took in the changes in her expression but didn't bother to explain.

It's fine if the other party misunderstands. In this way, her dissatisfaction with Ruan Xingzhu will actually prompt Li Qingluo to prove to her that she is more useful than Ruan Xingzhu.

This could be considered a simple, overt strategy, exploiting the feud between two women.

Of course, Qin Han did not really intend to drive Li Qingluo and her widowed mother to the brink of despair.

Although Li Qingluo is pragmatic, she is indeed decisive and capable.

The martial arts manuals in Langhuan Jade Cave and the wealth of Mantuo Manor are all real and substantial.

Just the fact that she was willing to risk her and her daughter's future by bringing her whole family to join her deserves a chance.

Qin Han picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and softened his tone.

"Madam, one must always look forward."

"How about this?" Qin Han held up one finger. "Considering that Madam and Yu Yan have come all this way, I can entrust you with managing the salt and iron business in the three prefectures of Shu, as well as the shops in several prime locations in the city."

Hearing this, Li Qingluo's expression softened slightly.

Hmph, men.

They just said no, but now... they're willing to give it to me?

The three prefectures were actually much better than she had imagined!

They were just trying to bargain when they asked for the four states.

"However, there's a condition." Qin Han paused.

"Since all the martial arts manuals of Mantuo Manor are part of the dowry, they must be kept by the Prince's Mansion."

Li Qingluo frowned.

Although those martial arts manuals were part of her dowry, they were also one of the foundations for Li Qingluo's livelihood. She even considered building another Mantuo Manor to house these martial arts manuals.

Are we just going to hand them all over like this? It really hurts.

Qin Han seemed to see through Li Qingluo's thoughts and said leisurely, "I will build a 'Langhuan Manor' in Chengdu later."

"Langhuan Manor?" Li Qingluo's heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this the name of her Langhuan Jade Cave?

What is the meaning behind Qin Han using this name?