Chapter 188 (1/2)
Chapter 188: Inappropriate Feelings
Jun Huang was a little surprised that Qi Chen actually listened to what she said. And she had only suggested him to give up one third of his business, but Qi Chen planned to let go of half of it. That was beyond her expectation.
She curved her lips into a smile. ”This gentleman admires Your Highness for being able to look at the big picture.”
”Brother Feng is too kind. I still need you to help me come up with a good explanation.”
Jun Huang didn't immediately respond. ”The emperor is worried that the treasury will be depleted. Illegal salt vendors sell salt at a much lower price than official salt vendors do. That's why the general public prefer illegal salt over official one. There is a thin line dividing the two types of vendors, however. If this gentleman remembers right, illegal vendors are mainly based in the salt lake area in Yunzhou. Years ago their actions were reported to the emperor, but the emperor didn't pay too much attention to it. Why doesn't Your Highness report the issue again?”
”Let the emperor know what's happening and where the vendors got their salt from. Since illegal salt vending cannot be eliminated, it's better to turn these illegal vendors into official vendors. If the price official vendors sell at cannot be lowered to compete with illegal vendors, the imperial court should acknowledge the existence of private vendors and ask them to turn over part of their revenue.”
”Does brother Feng suggest that vendors should pay taxes like other professions?” asked Qi Chen.
Jun Huang nodded. Qi Chen thought for a moment and shook his head. ”Those private vendors have only their profits in mind. Most of them won't agree to pay taxes.”
Jun Huang chuckled behind her teacup and took a sip. ”Don't forget that Northern Qi belongs to the emperor. If the emperor is pleased, he can let those vendors have their business. If he's displeased, he can force them out of their business. Does Your Highness think that the emperor doesn't know what's happening? He simply decided to let Your Highness take full charge of the issue. What he wants is for you to come up with a well-rounded solution.”
Qi Chen fell quiet. Jun Huang's a.n.a.lysis made sense. The emperor could not be predicted. Arguing against Jun Huang had only made him seem clueless. He shut his mouth.
”I'm simply speaking my mind. If Your Highness does not agree, feel free to ignore me. I've made my case.”
Jun Huang went back to savoring her tea. She didn't want to waste more time trying to convince Qi Chen. Her expression had made her position clear.
Qi Chen let out a sigh after a moment of silence and nodded. ”I know what brother Feng is thinking. I was wrong. I apologize for making brother Feng upset. I hope you won't hold it against me.”
Jun Huang scoffed inwardly and looked outside the window with a smile. She got to her feet. ”This gentleman has said what I wanted to say,” she said as she fixed her broad sleeves. ”What Your Highness is going to do is up to you. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave.”
”I'll walk you out.” Qi Chen stood up and followed Jun Huang out.
Nan Guyue was waiting right at the door. Jun Huang turned to her curiously, but she didn't say anything.
Nan Guyue walked up to them. ”I'll like to have a word with gentleman Feng, Your Highness. There are some questions I don't know the answers for. Someone as knowledgeable as gentleman Feng will be able to enlighten me. May I?”
Qi Chen nodded without thinking and turned to Jun Huang, asking for her opinions. Jun Huang cupped her hands with a smile without missing a beat and said, ”It's my honor.”
Qi Chen left to take care of some business. Jun Huang and Nan Guyue made their way to the pavilion. Nan Guyue asked the servant to leave them alone.
She stared at Jun Huang without a word. Jun Huang frowned and gave it a moment. ”What does the princess want to ask about?”
”Do you harbor inappropriate feelings for the prince, Feng Baiyu?” Nan Guyue demanded.
Jun Huang's eyebrows jumped up. She would never! ”What is the princess saying? What inappropriate feelings can this gentleman have for the prince?”
”Have you ever had lewd fantasies about the prince?”
Jun Huang schooled her expression into one of indifference and said in a steady tone, ”Why would the princess think so? Everything this gentleman does is out of my loyalty to the prince. I've never thought about doing anything inappropriate. Why would you suspect me? It boggles my mind that you would think of me this way.”
Nan Guyue knew that Jun Huang was the strategist Qi Chen favored and trusted the most. She must not offend Jun Huang. If Jun Huang talked to Qi Chen behind her back, Qi Chen would surely reprimand her, and even stop treating her favorably. She tightened her jaw and stared at Jun Huang. Jun Huang held her ground, unfazed by her fierce stare.