Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

The rare treasures that these states were so proud of were simply too numerous to mention in the prosperous Central Plains.

However, the goods from the Central Plains were simply unique; no matter what country they were in, they could cause a frenzy of buying.

Whether they are royalty, nobles, wealthy merchants, or commoners, no one is exempt.

The silk from the Central Plains was described by them as a delicate fabric woven from clouds in the sky.

They believed that the exquisite blue and white porcelain was the tableware used by the gods in legend.

As for sugar and tea, they were once hailed as symbols of nobility, wealth, and status. A small jar of tea or sugar could often sell for the price of a bushel of gold.

It can be said that as long as you come to Xianyang safely and bring the goods back to China, the money you earn in one trip is enough to last most of your life.

As trade became more open, tens of thousands of foreign caravans continuously gathered in Xianyang.

As these caravans traveled along the Silk Road, a mysterious Eastern power began to frequently appear in the mouths of various states.

Some people in the Central Plains call it the land of porcelain, some call it the land of tea, and others call it Seres, which means the land of silk.

But no matter what it's called, the Great Xia remains a vast and powerful nation.

As caravans from various countries successively headed to Xianyang, this Silk Road trade route began to gradually converge, with Xianyang as its starting point.

.......

.......

Shaofu (Minister of the Imperial Household).

Bai Su was drinking tea, looking at the report in his hand, and nodded with satisfaction.

As a result, numerous states and foreign delegations came to trade, exchanging their gold and silver for Great Xia Treasure Notes.

In just half a month, the imperial court had gained nearly 500,000 catties of gold out of thin air.

This news excited the entire court for several days.

After all, the gold production in the Central Plains has always been very low, and in the past, the total amount of gold in the national treasury was only about 70,000 to 80,000 catties.

They could only make some gold and silver utensils, which were used in small quantities by royalty and nobles and were rarely seen by ordinary people.

But now, after signing trade agreements with various countries, we have acquired so many reserves in just half a month. How can this not be exciting?

However, Bai Su showed no surprise whatsoever; all of this was within his expectations.

It should be noted that Emperor Wu of Han opened up the Western Regions corridor and, through the silk trade, the national treasury had at least 900,000 catties of gold. Later, when he rewarded meritorious officials and soldiers, he would often give them 200,000 to 300,000 catties of gold.

This doesn't even include the gold owned by wealthy merchants, powerful families, and various local lords.

This shows how profitable it was to open up the Silk Road and engage in trade.

Today, the scale of trade and the amount of hard currency monopolized by the Xia Dynasty on the Silk Road far exceed those of the Western Han Dynasty.

Moreover, there are trade treaties, which allow them to turn the gold and silver of neighboring countries into their own through a mere piece of paper.

This efficiency in making money flows in like a river, continuously.

Bai Su took a sip with relish, a smile spreading across her face. Sure enough, monopolies are the most profitable business.

Just then, footsteps were heard.

A palace maid dressed in a palace dress walked in, cupped her hands and said, "My lord, His Highness Fusu summons you."

Bai Su was taken aback: "Fu Su?"

"Yes."

The palace maid answered.

Bai Su raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but ask, "Can I not go?"

He accidentally let something slip a while ago, which enraged his sister-in-law to the point that she wanted to kill him. Going there now seems extremely dangerous.

The palace maid bowed and said, "My lord, Princess Fusu also told me to tell you that if you don't go, she will cut off your head with scissors."

Bai Su couldn't help but scoff, "How can such a small pair of scissors cut off a head?"

The palace maid blushed slightly, bit her lip lightly, and whispered, "Your Highness means... the head between the legs."

"Crotch...crown a head!"

Bai Su couldn't help but imagine Fu Su looking at him with icy eyes, holding a pair of scissors that gleamed with a cold light. With a snip, he felt a chill in his crotch and instinctively closed his legs.

He looked at the blushing palace maid in front of him, and his eyelids twitched involuntarily: "Alright... Go back and report to Princess Fusu that I will go and see her."

"Yes."

The palace maid bowed slowly and withdrew.

Bai Su put down her teacup and sighed deeply: "As the saying goes, what is meant to be will be. Rebellion is a death sentence anyway, so it's better to get through it sooner rather than later."

After changing his clothes, he went into the inner palace.

In the long corridor of the main hall, Fu Su, dressed in a white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), was quietly watching the sunset in the distance, lost in thought.

However, she soon saw Bai Su walking towards her from around the corner. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, but she didn't turn around at all, as if she was waiting for Bai Su to speak first.

Bai Su looked at Fu Su, who was gazing at the sunset in silence, and couldn't help but feel speechless.

This woman's mind is so complicated. She clearly called me over because she had something to say, but now that I'm here, she's still being mysterious.

Bai Su shook her head slightly, scratched her cheek, and spoke first: "Your Highness, aren't you busy with trade with the country?"

Fu Su's expression remained unchanged, and he casually replied, "Those are all minor matters. I have already arranged for Xiao He to handle them, so there is no need to worry."

"Moreover, Lord Bai has already signed the truly crucial trade treaty with envoys from various foreign countries. I am merely refining it in that direction."

She spoke very calmly, as if she showed no emotion whatsoever.

Immediately afterwards, she turned around and looked at Bai Su, saying, "However, Lord Bai, there is something I would like to ask you."

Bai Su raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but ask, "What is it?"

"Please, Lord Bai, stop deceiving my mother and taking advantage of my younger sister."

After speaking, Fu Su leaned forward and bowed gracefully to Bai Su, her dark hair falling down to reveal her fair nape.

She remained in the bowing posture, looking resolute.

Bai Su was speechless; she felt like she was being unfairly blamed.

When did he deceive Zheng Jie or Hu Yi? He was clearly just a simple pervert with no interest in power whatsoever.

How could Fu Su see him as a cunning and treacherous old fox plotting to usurp the throne?

He said somewhat helplessly, "Your Highness Fusu, is there some misunderstanding between us? I have no intention of deceiving His Majesty or using Hu Yu to ascend to the throne."

But once prejudices are formed in people's hearts, they cannot be changed in just a few words.

Fu Su had no reason to believe Bai Su's explanation. She straightened up and looked at Bai Su sharply: "Lord Bai, although I don't understand my mother and sister's decision, I have no right to interfere."

"But as the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, I must protect the foundation that the six generations of monarchs of the Great Xia have worked so hard to build up to this day, and I cannot let it be lost."

"No matter the cost, I will protect it; it is my responsibility as a member of the Zhao clan."

Bai Su scratched her cheek helplessly: "But I really don't have any thoughts about that."

Fu Su didn't believe it at all. She bit her lip lightly and said, "Lord Bai, there's no one else here, so you don't need to act anymore. I know you better than anyone."

"Lord Bai, usurping the throne has always been a shameful affair. Once it is exposed, even if you, Lord Bai, hold great power, your reputation and prestige will be severely damaged, and you will face attacks from all over the world."

"Even you will end up in a lose-lose situation."

"Therefore, the throne is far more harmful than beneficial to you. Surely Lord Bai understands this simple truth."

The repeated phrase, "Stop acting," immediately triggered Bai Su's sensitive nerves.

He clearly had no interest in the throne whatsoever, yet he was constantly targeted by Fu Su, which made him feel incredibly frustrated.

Even a clay figure has some temper, let alone him.

Bai Su forcefully grabbed Fu Su's fair hand, her rebellious spirit rising, and said directly, "I did deceive His Majesty, used Hu Yi, and intended to usurp the throne, so what can you do about it?"

Fu Su, whose hand was being held tightly, looked stubbornly at Bai Su, a cold smile appearing on her lips: "You've finally shown your true colors, Lord Bai."

This expression and tone made Bai Su frown even more. Seeing the cold mockery in his eyes, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

For a moment, he didn't even have the energy to explain.

Let her misunderstand like that.

Since this sister-in-law already sees herself as the villain, she might as well just go all out and play the villain's role directly.

Thinking of this, a wicked look appeared on Bai Su's face. He gently stroked Fu Su's fair cheek with his large hand, slowly moving down to touch her chin and neck, as if he were playing with a fine toy.

He leaned close to Fu Su's ear and whispered, "Didn't you say this is my true face? Then I'll show you."

Chapter 396 The Wolf's Gaze

Fu Su felt the large hand gently caressing her neck, and a blush rose to her fair face.

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she bit her lip lightly, her voice tinged with nervousness: "Lord Bai, in the deep palace, I hope you will behave yourself."

Bai Su chuckled softly, gently lifting her delicate chin with his finger before whispering in her ear, "Since in your heart I am a cunning and hungry wolf."

"Then what do you think would happen if you put a piece of incredibly delicious venison right in front of a hungry wolf's mouth?"

"Didn't you tell me to stop using Hu Yu? How about you take her place?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Su's seemingly indifferent eyes widened instantly, her pupils contracting rapidly, her face filled with disbelief.

Seeing Fu Su's reaction, Bai Su felt much better.

As he spoke, he gently parted Fu Su's soft, red lips and pulled them up slightly, revealing a smiling expression.

"If you want to be a hero, there will be a price to pay for sticking your neck out."

"Since you just said that you are willing to give up everything to protect the Great Xia dynasty, how much are you willing to give up now?"

"Or are all those words you just said just an act?"

Upon hearing these words, Fu Su's heart trembled violently.

Although she had long been prepared to offer herself up to the tiger, when Bai Su really acted like a bully, revealing her "true colors".

He pressed her relentlessly, until she was cornered with nowhere to retreat.