Chapter 173 – Orders

This time, when Xu Chun served the Emperor, he was extremely devoted. In the end, even dinner was hastily eaten at the lotus pond. They fished while roasting fish, not catching many fish, but they did fill their bellies with roasted deer meat and blood cakes.

Xie Yi initially thought that he had injured his vitality and should replenish his essence. That was why he instructed that some nourishing meals be sent. But he didn’t expect the imperial kitchen to send fresh deer meat for roasting. Although it tasted good, Xu Chun complained about the heat at night, brimming with energy. He tangled and clung to Xie Yi until late into the night before falling asleep from exhaustion.

Before sleep, a full moon shone brightly; upon waking, the room was filled with a refreshing breeze.

When Xie Yi got up early to go to court, he saw Xu Chun still sprawled on the bed, his face buried in the soft pillow, soundly asleep. One arm hugged a round, soft pillow, while a leg remained rather mischievously outside the thin quilt, the calf down to the foot and toes slender and pale. Xie Yi couldn’t help but reach out to grasp his ankle and gently return it under the covers.

The weather was truly warm, Xu Chun was young with robust health, and after such intense activity, naturally felt hot. As he slept deeply, he began kicking off the blankets. Xie Yi pulled them back over him numerous times throughout the night. Xu Chun was completely oblivious, sleeping like a pig, deeply and soundly.

Xie Yi knew that his erratic schedule and energetic antics would take some time to adjust, but he also felt heartache for him not getting enough sleep. He didn’t let the eunuchs wake him up and left for court himself.

At noon, when returning to the Suiyu Palace, he learned that Xu Chun had already left the palace and returned to the Marquis’s Mansion after getting up. Knowing that he had been away for half a year on campaign, his family must have missed him. Last night, Xie Yi hadn’t planned on keeping him either, only wanting to brew tea to help him sober up after drinking and enjoying the flowers. He intended for him to take the imperial plaque back home, thinking that the Marchioness would be delighted. However, the young man was greedy for pleasure and insisted on lingering all night.

By evening, Xu Chun eagerly entered the palace again. Xie Yi was busy reviewing documents when he entered the study and immediately took out a letter from his sleeve, raising his eyebrows and smiling. “Brother Nine! Brother Nine! I’ve brought a letter from Miss Helan, quickly come and read the letter!” Saying this, he couldn’t wait to unfold it and place it on the desk for Xie Yi to see.

Xie Yi lowered his head to take a glance. “It seems business in the Kingdom of Qinsil is going well?”

Xu Chun raised his eyebrows. “Yes! Elder Sister Baoshi even attended the Queen’s banquet and met her! Look, Elder Sister Baoshi can actually draw! She drew many scenes from the Kingdom of Qinsil, banquets, horse races, hunts, all sorts of things. The orders are pouring in, not just for the pink-enamel porcelain, but even women’s ready-made clothes, handkerchiefs, ink paintings, and meticulous paintings are popular. The order books are full, especially the silk embroidered dress she wore to the Queen’s banquet. Many noblewomen in the Kingdom of Qinsil specifically requested that style!”

He said cheerfully, “A total of one million pounds in silver coins was made from that shipment alone, the profit split is quite astonishing. Then we received a lot of deposits, so Elder Sister Baoshi sent a letter and the orders back first, telling my mother to prepare to hire embroiderers, purchase silk, etc. Then she’ll use the silver coins to preorder ships, weapons, and machinery in the Kingdom of Qinsil. When the ships return, they’ll bring our finished goods, which will shorten the transit time and allow us to exchange for more goods in the shortest possible time!”

He opened the following list for Xie Yi to see, his eyes bright. “Brother Nine, look! Ordered one large armored cruiser! Twenty-one thousand pounds! It’s really expensive! But if we use our own silver to buy it, it would be even more expensive! They originally wanted to order three, but there wasn’t enough money, so they decided to get one back for us to see, who knows, maybe we could make it ourselves. Also, ordered three torpedo boats, two ocean-going barges, plus some steam engines, new textile machinery, torpedoes, etc. So far, six hundred thousand pounds have been spent on ships and machinery. Some are in stock, others will take time.”

As Xu Chun became excited, his face flushed, and due to speaking too hastily, his throat became slightly itchy, and he coughed. Xie Yi passed his own tea across the desk to him. “Indeed, it’s good news. Have you seen your parents? It’s My fault, you’ve been away from home for half a year, your family must have missed you. I shouldn’t have kept you last night.”

Xu Chun took the teacup and drank a few sips, finding that the tea Xie Yi drank was somewhat bitter, but indeed, he no longer coughed. He chuckled, somewhat embarrassed. “Changtian told my mother yesterday that everything is fine with me. When I went home today, my mother was so happy she shed tears, and my father was delighted to see the plaque and immediately arranged for it to be hung in the ancestral hall!”

“My mother said filial piety comes before affection, that the Emperor must miss me the most, and told me to serve the Emperor well. She assured me that everything at home is taken care of by her, and not to worry. I should find time to visit my teacher as well. She’s very busy and may have to go to Zhe Province soon to recruit some embroiderers. Regarding the procurement, she feels that since we have the orders, setting up factories would be more cost-effective than direct procurement or customization. She wants to set up factories in Jinhai, making it convenient for maritime travel.”

He looked at Xie Yi, his eyes pleading. “Brother Nine, Brother Nine, let me stay in Jinhai.”

Xie Yi replied, “You only mentioned it to Me yesterday, and today you insist on Me agreeing. There’s no one as unreasonable as you. Write it down first. The machinery bureau and shipyard you want to open, the bank where you want to issue bonds, and the land reclamation you want to carry out, draft separate memorandums. Clearly write down how you plan to do each thing, including the pros and cons. Let Me review them first, and then We’ll discuss them with the cabinet ministers.”

Xu Chun immediately sat up straight, his spirit brimming. “I’ve already written some of it myself! Give me a moment to polish it, and I’ll soon submit the memorandums to Brother Nine.”

Xie Yi said, “Then I’ll wait for you.”

Xu Chun was eager to start writing right away, lifting his head. “Have you had dinner, Brother Nine? I’ll have dinner with you.”

Xie Yi replied, “You haven’t even had breakfast, right? Wufu said you wouldn’t get up, and once you did, you ate a mouthful of snacks and left the palace. Always skipping meals at irregular hours is detrimental to health. If you want to leave My side, you must take better care of your body first, otherwise, how can I feel at ease letting you mess around by yourself?”

Xu Chun immediately sat properly, obediently. “Brother Nine, I’m just too tired today, and honestly not hungry. From now on, I’ll definitely eat all my meals with reminders. If you don’t believe Me, you can have Dinghai watch over Me.”

Xie Yi ordered someone to serve dinner. “When you’re trying to coax Me, you’re full of sweet talk and promises, but when it comes to crucial moments, your mind is full of righteousness and making money, leaving Me behind.”

Xu Chun sensed a hint of jealousy in these words, giggling as he rose and moved around to sit next to Xie Yi. “Brother Nine, I know Brother Nine cares about Me. Isn’t it because I’m eager to share your burdens? I have a sense of proportion. Based on my efforts to serve you last night, please indulge me a little more.”

Xie Yi’s lips curled slightly. “No need, spend time with your parents. I’m also very busy, seeing you safe and sound has put My mind at ease. I should have let you go back last night, but you insisted on clinging to Me.”

Xu Chun laughed. “Didn’t Brother Nine like it? I’m concerned about Brother Nine, how Brother Nine feels about Me, I understand it all.”

He reached out to hold Xie Yi’s arm, whispering with a smile. “Brother Nine, I asked Donghai about this. Although it’s said that one should practice moderation to maintain health, holding back isn’t good either. Besides, the time I spend with Brother Nine is too short, let me spend more time with you. Last night, Brother Nine obviously enjoyed it.” His eyes flickered. “If Brother Nine doesn’t want to keep me, then forget it. I’ll think about how to write this memorandum, and tomorrow, when I meet Mr. Shen, I’ll have a draft for him to review.”

Seeing Xu Chun’s eagerness to write the memorandum, Xie Yi knew that if he let him idle in the evening, he’d likely burn the midnight oil writing, which would not only strain his eyes but also affect his rest. His liver and internal organs wouldn’t get a break, and his qi and blood wouldn’t be able to replenish themselves. It would be better to confine him to bed first and coax him so that he wouldn’t have the time to stay up late. He said, “Let’s talk about it after dinner.”

Xu Chun saw his tone soften, assuming he had agreed, his heart full of joy. He got up to wash his hands and take off his outer robe. Due to the string of joyful events, his eyebrows and eyes were filled with smiles. While untying the jade pendant from his waist, he said, “Today, I also squeezed in a meeting with Prince Nong. I told him about his younger brother coming to the capital. He said they’ve already informed him from the Barbarian Hall. Now that he has an idea, he’s not afraid anymore, and plans to go soon.”

Xie Yi watched Xu Chun holding the jade pendant in his hand while talking about Nong Siji, surprised. “Why did you suddenly think of him?”

Xu Chun grinned, waving the light green Chi dragon pendant. “Elder Brother Nong asked Me today, saying that the color of this coiled dragon jade pendant is really beautiful. Yesterday, he saw that the one hanging from Your waist was the same style and color. Is it popular in the capital? He said he’ll find one to buy somewhere.”