Chapter 746: Chapter 740, Chapter 741: Warmth and Romance
Boss: "What?"
"Make me a sugar figurine just like him." Nalan Yiren said.
"Making a human shape is easy, but to make the face and the mask on the face similar... it’ll cost extra." The boss said.
Nalan Yiren glanced at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo obediently took out money: "Do as she says."
"Alright." The boss received the money and immediately smiled and got busy.
While shaping, Nalan Yiren suddenly stopped the boss and said: "Can we try blowing it ourselves?"
Nalan Yiren once bought a sugar figurine as a child, and surprisingly, it tasted like wild vegetables.
The boss was taken aback. He’d been in business for several years, and it’s rare for someone to ask to blow it themselves, but it wasn’t a difficult request. He said: "Of course you can."
With that, he handed the blowing pipe to Nalan Yiren.
Nalan Yiren looked at Chen Mo: "You try it."
After saying so, she added: "I won’t eat it."
Chen Mo obliged.
The boss, being a craftsman, quickly molded it right, although carving took some effort using specialized tools.
Soon, a miniature sugar figurine of Chen Mo wearing a half-faced mask was held in Nalan Yiren’s hand.
As for Chen Mo, he casually had the boss make a scorpion, letting him blow it.
Yes, he wasn’t going to eat it anyway.
On the way back, Chen Mo encountered a middle-aged couple with two children. Chen Mo gave the sugar scorpion to one of the little girls.
The remaining little boy just watched the girl eagerly.
Seeing this, Chen Mo said to Nalan Yiren: "It’s so hot, you won’t eat it, and it will melt before we get back to the mansion. How about..."
Before he could finish, Nalan Yiren bit off the head of the sugar figurine Chen Mo and said, "So sweet."
Chen Mo: "..."
The boy’s parents: "..."
"Niuniu, hurry and thank the brother." The little girl’s parents realized and urged her to say thank you.
"Thank you... brother."
"You’re welcome."
"Goodbye, brother." The girl waved.
"Goodbye."
The family of four hadn’t walked far before the mother took it from her as she was about to eat it and threw it to the ground, saying: "How many times have I told you? Don’t eat things given by strangers."
This scene, Chen Mo didn’t see. Even if he did, he wouldn’t be angry as he was going to throw it away later anyway.
Instead, the mother’s action was the correct one.
"Didn’t you say you wouldn’t eat it?"
On the road, Chen Mo asked.
"It’s none of your business." Nalan Yiren bit off another arm of the sugar figurine Chen Mo.
"I bet that boy’s thinking about you." Chen Mo said.
"Why talk about me? If he wants it, he should buy it himself. Besides, it’s not good for kids to eat too many sweets. I’m doing it for his own good." With that, Nalan Yiren bit off the other arm of the sugar figurine Chen Mo, her actions deliberate.
"What did I do to bother you?"
"Guess."
"I won’t guess." Saying that, Chen Mo took the unfinished sugar figurine from Nalan Yiren’s hand and took a bite, then dashed off.
Nalan Yiren was stunned for a moment, then her face reddened, and she chased after: "Don’t run, stop, you gave yours away, now you’re eating mine—so annoying."
"Only a fool would stop, catch me if you can."
"Stop running."
The two chased each other playfully, a pair of elderly folks saw the scene and smiled warmly as if reminiscing about their own younger days.
They ran all the way to the front of the Prince’s Mansion. Both stopped simultaneously, and the smile on Nalan Yiren’s face faded, and she said: "So mature but still childish?"
"Yet you chased me." Chen Mo retorted.
"You ate my stuff."
"I paid for it."
The two bantered as they reached the entrance of the Prince’s Mansion. Sun Meng approached, saying: "Prince, there’s a letter from Young General Wu."
"Wu Changlin?" Chen Mo said.
Sun Meng nodded.
Nalan Yiren headed inside, leaving them alone.
After reading the letter, Chen Mo asked: "When did this letter arrive?"
"Not long after you left. Since it wasn’t urgent, I didn’t disturb you." Sun Meng said.
Chen Mo nodded: "Quickly summon Lord Wei, General Shao, and Chairman Qin of the Linzhou Commerce Association to my place."
"Yes."
...
Wei Linchun, Shao Jinneng, and Qin Hao, upon learning that King Wei wanted to see them, thought something major had happened so late, hurried to the Prince’s Mansion without even changing out of their clothes, each one sweating profusely.
In the study room.
"This official/subordinate/commoner greets the Prince." The three saluted respectfully.
"You’re all here, have a seat. Someone, bring tea." Chen Mo smiled kindly.
Seeing this, the three slightly relaxed.
After they sat down and the tea was served, Chen Mo said to Qin Hao: "The River Sea Market Boat Bureau has been restored, and the fleet is ready. Now we’re just waiting for the goods on our side to be transported for loading.
This is the list of goods needed over there at River Sea. Your association should prepare quickly."
Qin Hao got up and took the list, quickly scanning it, revealing faint surprise.
The listed goods were quite simple.
Tea, silk, porcelain, bronze wares, etc.—common items in Great Song.
What surprised Qin Hao was the sheer quantity requested.
"Prince, can overseas markets really absorb this much?" Qin Hao couldn’t help but ask since preparing all these goods would require upfront capital from the commerce association.
"Rest assured, this request comes from the Chuansha Nangong Family, they wouldn’t fabricate it. Moreover, many overseas countries require these goods, not just one country. Don’t forget, during Emperor Ling’s time, just from that year’s exports, profits exceeded over one million taels." Chen Mo said.
With Chen Mo’s assurance, Qin Hao felt relieved and then started to feel a bit excited.
Being in the silk business, the Qin Family stood to benefit substantially from the extensive list, surely consuming all their stock and still needing more.
Crucially, King Wei giving him this list meant giving him the purchasing power.
Such a huge business deal would have tea and porcelain merchants vying to win his favor.
Just a bit of maneuvering and enough profit could be made.
But as soon as this thought emerged, he shook it off.
Given that King Wei entrusted him with this power, how could he not foresee this point?
And before the commerce association was founded, it was agreed that King Wei’s side had the right to supervise.
If a small trick was discovered, he’d only end up suffering for it.
"Prince, I’ll prepare straight away." Qin Hao said excitedly.
Chen Mo nodded, turned his gaze to Wei Linchun, and said: "Lord Wei, tomorrow I’ll be leaving Xiangyang. You’ll be responsible for liaising with Chairman Qin on this matter."
"Yes." Wei Linchun replied.
"General Shao, once the goods are ready, the task of escorting them to River Sea will be handed to your Brave Cavalry Guard." Chen Mo instructed.
"Yes."
...
River Sea, Chaoping County.
Nangong Family.
Zhang Feng was at the mansion somewhat unrested, sighing repeatedly.
Looking at the leisurely tea-sipping Nangong Jin, he said: "Brother-in-law, are you really resigned to handing over the sea trade to the Market Boat Bureau? That’s more than just a lucrative daily income."
Nangong Jin put down the teacup upon hearing this and replied: "If not resigned, then what? Go against the Court? Are you a match for King Wei? Do you know who Wu Changlin is? He’s the elder brother of King Wei’s wife. Appointing him as the Prefect of Chuanhai to rebuild the Maritime Trade Bureau shows King Wei’s determination on sea trade.
Moreover, King Wei already knows about our privately built port. Previously, the Court just couldn’t handle it, but if King Wei uses it as an excuse now, not only can he seal off our ports, but the Nangong Family would face severe consequences. If you don’t give it, they’ll take it themselves."
"But... without the sea trade, how will we support so many people?" Zhang Feng worriedly asked.
"Even though we’ve handed the sea trade over to the Maritime Trade Bureau, it doesn’t mean we can’t engage in sea trade anymore; it just won’t be as profitable as before. Our priority now is to enter the Immortal Island and obtain a few Immortal Fruits. Only by strengthening ourselves will we have the countervailing power." Nangong Jin said.
