Chapter 84 (1/2)
Glossary
儿 | er | (lit. child) diminutive marker used as a form of endearment
[1] 氏 | shi | clan name; maiden name. A way to identify women that have married.
Ruan Zhu had only come out to go sightseeing and was met with the Emperor’s summons. He was the venerable Jiu Wu Zhi Zun,[a] at the same level as the future’s Chairman of a country. She said in a small voice: “Do you think I’m able with my current appearance? That um, wouldn’t that offend His Imperial Majesty?”
If the previous several palace banquets hadn’t occurred during the time when she was pregnant, then they were during the period when she was recovering after childbirth, causing her to miss them all. There was still a bit of a small commoner’s mindset in her subconscious, so as soon as she heard she was to pay a formal visit, her thoughts inevitably became nervous.
Xuanyuan Zong Zhi smiled: “Wife, Emperor-Father is not a man-eating tiger. When you meet him, you will understand. He is rather amiable towards the younger generation.”
Ruan Zhu had of course heard that this Emperor was soft-tempered and ordinarily loved dance and literature, rather like Song Ren Zong of Chinese history.[b] Since taking the throne, he had actively undertaken the project of developing the motherland’s culture, causing the military men to lack favorable positions to display their skills. The entire army’s combat ability had declined as a result. Otherwise, how would they have had no means against the Red Eyebrow army in the south?
However, when all was said and done, the Emperor was a fair and good emperor. The ministers and civilians quite loved and respected him; at least the citizens of the capital did, or else there would not be so many commoners’ boats following him in relocating to Lan Zhou.
“Lord Husband, do you think what I’m wearing is too plain and will cause offense?”
Xuanyuan Zong Zhi studied his wife’s bright and clean oval face which did not need to be scrutinized for long. Her hair that had been combed into a chuiyunji was devoid of ornaments and stretched to her waist, all of it appearing as graceful as floating clouds. On her upper body was a satin snow-hued top garnished with flowers peeking out secretly and flowing sleeves; her lower half was adorned in a water-blue flowing satin skirt that trailed on the ground. Wrapped around both of her arms was a hazy silver muslin.
Simple and neat was simple and neat, she was also utterly captivating, just like a lily quietly poised in a valley, exuding an air that made one fascinated. He sighed in his heart. It was no wonder his third brother could become so enchanted by her and be willing to become her family’s number four. It was incredibly difficult for such a proud and arrogant person like him to act that way.
“The women of our Tian Chu all like to cover themselves in flowers. Though I have never seen you wear them, the Zhu’er without any of that has a magical air. I think this looks nice. This is very good, very beautiful, and even many of the imperial consorts are not your equal.”
“Where am I beautiful?” Having been complimented by him, Ruan Zhu was delighted and turned towards Nuan Chun: “Go find a tavern nearby and stay there for a while. If you want to eat something, order it and do not worry about the cost.”
“This slave will nevertheless return to the ship to take care of the Young Master.”
Nuan Chun looked on as his family’s Miss was led by Third Master into Huang He Tower, envy in his eyes. When could he also lead her by the hand and speak words of love with no worries? What a pity that he had been taciturn at birth and could not easily speak words that made one feel pleasant inside.
Ancient staircases were very steep ,so by the time they had reached the top, Ruan Zhu was faintly gasping for air with beads of sweat on her nose. It looked like she lacked exercise, ah!
There were quite a few people at the top floor all in civilian clothes with unrecognizable workmanship. Some were sitting, some were standing, and with the exception of Xuanyuan Min Zhi and a few limited others, she didn’t recognize at least half of them. But in the middle of them sat a forty-some year old middle-aged person who could certainly be assumed to be the Emperor of Tian Chu. She slightly swept a quick look over and soon afterwards lowered her head, afraid others would hold her in contempt if she showed a lack of etiquette.
“This subject-son with Wife Ruan-shi[1] humbly greets Emperor-Father.”
Xuanyuan Zong Zhi formally bowed in respect. As this was the first time Ruan Zhu had met the Emperor, she naturally had to kneel and did so on top of the cushion that a palace eunuch threw over, kowtowing and sending her regards to the Emperor. She only said: “Daughter-in-law Ruan-shi has come to pay respects to Emperor-Father. May Elder have a thousand years of peace.”
“You are Zong Zhi’s wife? Lift up your head for us to have a look.” The Emperor had long known about her from the Fifth Prince’s descriptions, but had never had the chance to meet her and couldn’t help but to be a little curious. Providing strategies and improving military weaponry that lead to the increase of the imperial army’s combat ability–being able to block the rebels at Cang Huang Mountain was all thanks to her.
“Responding to Emperor-Father, Daughter-in-law is precisely the Princess of Qi, Ruan Zhu.”
Ruan Zhu lifted her head and saw the forty-some years old Emperor wearing a long silvery white silk gown with two deeply set eyes. He was prominently thin though his mind and vigor seemed to still be good, and he gave others quite an amiable and approachable feeling. The fan in his hand gently swayed; on it were written several verses that were precisely from the Wang Wei poem she had recited before,《Life in the Mountains on an Autumn Evening》.
“The wife Zong Zhi has taken seems to not be bad. It could be said she possesses both ability and appearance.” She saw the Emperor only smile and praise her in this way. Modifying the army’s tools and weapons was a military secret and could not be spoken in front of everyone. This was to avoid bringing danger to her, as, if the enemy were to find out an planned an assassination or perhaps a kidnapping, things would become troublesome.
“The imperial family is a great galaxy of talent and ones with both ability and appearance are innumerable. Daughter-in-law does not deserve the praise.”
“The Princess of Qi has no need to be self-effacing. You are called Ruan Zhu, we will call you Zhu’er. I am Zong Zhi’s Emperor-Father so you can just call us ‘Father’!” Not waiting for Ruan Zhu to respond, the Emperor said towards Xuanyuan Zong Zhi: “The small toy you brought to us to see this morning–is it here?”
“Responding to Emperor-Father, Son has brought a mirror.” Xuanyuan Zong Zhi pulled out a glass mirror from within his sleeves and offered it forward with both hands.
Ruan Zhu saw that the shape of this mirror was completely unique. From the front, one could see one’s reflection while the back was covered in a mercury disc inlaid with many sparkling sapphires, making the entire mirror look extraordinarily beautiful and pleasing to the eye. Who could have thought Hua Nong Ying Glass Workshop would have succeeded this quickly in producing mirrors? This was indeed a gargantuan sum of wealth.
The Emperor took the mirror in his hands: “This technique of manufacturing mirrors was indeed thought up by Zhu’er?”
“Responding to Emperor-Father, Zhu’er randomly thought of it.”
“Randomly thinking of it made it possible to come up with such a good idea? If you were to properly think, how exceptional would that be?”
The Emperor praised Ruan Zhu, but unexpectedly, there was a young person who did not look pleased and walked over to criticize: “It is only a mere mirror; a clever yet useless trick that brings no benefit at all to ruling the country or maintaining peace. Emperor-Father is sagacious so how could he have the time to care for your plaything?”
Ruan Zhu did not know who this person was, but seeing as how his appearance was similar to Xuanyuan Zong Zhi’s, assumed him to be one of the Emperor’s sons. Perhaps he was the Crown Prince who was always at odds with her husband.
Ruan Zhu’s eyes were like cold stars: “Your Highness’s words have erred. May I ask, if one mirror can sell for one hundred taels of silver, how many taels of silver could ten thousand mirrors sell for? What of a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand mirrors? This one is unsure of how much silver that is? Then if I may ask again, how many taels in taxes does the country of Tian Chu receive per year?”
“Allow me to give an answer on behalf of the Crown Prince.” The Third Prince, Xuanyuan Min Zhi, stood up behind the Emperor as he had long been unable to endure: “A hundred mirrors can sell for ten thousand taels of silver; ten thousand mirrors is precisely a million taels of silver; a hundred thousand mirrors is ten million taels; two hundred thousand mirrors is twenty million; and our country every year receives seventy million taels of silver in taxes.”
Mockery shined in the Crown Prince’s eyes and he responded in a voice that was neither fast nor slow: “What Third Brother said is reasonable, but to sell them at a hundred taels each, how many of the commoners would be able to afford them?”
Xuanyuan Min Zhi indifferently remarked: “Mirrors are glass products and are easily shattered. No one can guarantee a single mirror can be used for a lifetime. The way I see it, they should be manufactured in bulk and sold to every part of the country, not only spreading through all of Tian Chu, but also to foreign countries–Mongolia in the north, Ling Nan and Siam in the south. East to Korea and Fusang; West to Tianzhu, Persia, Da Shi, with the furthest perhaps being Da Qin.”[c]
Da Qin was precisely the Roman Empire in Europe–this, Ruan Zhu knew. But if they could sell to such a distant area, did this mean the age of navigation had been shifted to a much earlier date?
Xuanyuan Zong Zhi saw that his wife had been regarded by the Emperor as someone important and his heart was delighted. His expression remained indifferent and neutral but his eyes shined with a light that betrayed his innermost thoughts: “Actually, it is not limited to just mirrors; there are other products as well. The artisans of Hua Nong Ying Glass Workshop have also come up with flower vases, candlestick holders, decorative lanterns, wine cups, and all kinds of small objects that can all be sold at high prices.”
Ruan Zhu unhurriedly lifted her crimson lips and lightly added: “It can also be used to manufacture mahjong tiles, dong xiao[d], flutes, accessories for females, and a multitude of other goods……all of these can be made from glass and then sold at high prices.”
“The Princess of Qi’s words are actually correct.” Beside the Emperor sat an elderly man with white hair, who smoothed his beard and lowered his head respectfully: “When the Persian merchants buy a glass cup from Tian Chu, they would set its value at several hundred taels. This old man thinks that if mirrors are sold at the same price, we would be losing out on too much.”
A trace of a smile was on Xuanyuan Zong Zhi’s mouth: “Prime Minister Wang’s words are reasonable. However, this is the price within the country. Selling it outside the country will require a long journey so it is completely possible to double make it ten times the price.”
The Emperor became full of spirits: “The financial crisis that has plagued our Tian Chu can be entirely solved because of some small glass accessories. Zhu’er, you have accomplished a great achievement; what reward would you like bestowed?” A reward should have been conferred when she had modified the military weapons, but the actual truth could not be publicly revealed.
Bestowing a reward? Ruan Zhu was stunned. She currently did not lack anything and couldn’t think of anything she wanted to be bestowed for the time being.
As the Emperor’s second son, it was only logical that the Crown Prince became the heir apparent when faced with the premature death of his eldest brother as well as the disappearance of his fifth brother. However, Xuanyuan Zong Zhi had returned and his, the Crown Prince’s, brilliance had been suppressed because both his ability and his value were inferior to the former. He looked at how talented the wife of the Prince of Qi was while a brainless woman who only knew how to sleep with men all day long resided in his home, and a fire blazed in his heart.
He currently still did not know about the matter of Ruan Zhu altering the military weapons. If he did, he would surely cough up blood.
“Emperor-Father, this subject-son believes the Princess of Qi is bound to not lack precious stones and the like. Would it not be better to confer her an outstanding secondary husband? It just so happens the Crown Princess has a younger brother that is twenty years of age this year……” The Crown Prince currently wanted to arrange an agent inside the Prince of Qi’s residence.