Chapter 1 Is This Just Demeanor?

The people of Danyang City, invited to the Bao Yin Pavilion to admire the Bi Hai Chao Yin Shu, had rendered the magic of this treasure like something extraordinary. In this era, large pieces of coral were already extremely precious. The Bi Hai Chao Yin Shu consisted of twelve huge corals placed in wooden frames, each with a different color. Even without the magical ability to transform the monotonous sound of the wind into the continuous sound of the tide, this screen composed of twelve huge corals was worth a fortune. This ability to transform the tide was just adding another layer to its already unimaginably high value.

Shang Bao Tang's idea was indeed very simple. Such a treasure, although still just a luxury item with no great significance, was indeed beyond the reach of ordinary wealthy merchants and officials. Rather than keeping such a treasure in Shang Bao Tang, making those interested in it envious and covetous but unlikely to spend the money to buy it, it would be better to offer the treasure as a tribute, seeking some political points for Shang Bao Tang during the marriage between Dongping and Chunnan. The royal family and officials of Chunnan would remember how much Shang Bao Tang had sacrificed this time, and the Dongping royal family and those officials, no matter how much they disliked this "multinational chain enterprise" headquartered in Chunnan, would have no reason to find fault with them since Shang Bao Tang was so obedient.

With this in mind, this so-called final round of the bet became the best opportunity to further gild the "Bi Hai Chao Yin Shu". In Lou Qingxi's eyes, this treasure, derived from nature, could not be surpassed by Ye Tao's exquisite craftsmanship and outstanding creativity, especially since Ye Tao only had seven days. Given the custom of adhering to the time rule, Ye Tao would naturally not be able to use more time due to the increased difficulty. Winning was winning, and losing was losing. Although Ye Tao was still young, his straightforward personality would prevent him from acting coy and unwilling to admit defeat.

Although the result was not yet out, Lou Qingxi, who was convinced that he would ultimately win, actually felt a bit of pity for Ye Tao. This young man, with such talent, could not be described as a genius rare even in a century; he was simply unprecedented. In this situation, losing to the creation of nature was something that could not be helped, only accepted. Lou Qingxi was also somewhat fortunate. He could foresee that perhaps in a few decades, people would not remember the details of these bets that were happening now, and Shang Bao Tang, at that time, might be able to boast about winning against Ye Tao in his youth. Lou Qingxi had no doubt that Ye Tao would definitely grow to that point.

Lou Qingxi was not alone. Many others shared the same thought, feeling pity for Ye Tao even before the results of the competition were announced.

Situ Huang Xuping drank a pot of wine under the moonlight, facing the wooden carving "Ten Li Yan Bo" by Ye Tao and Ye Canghuai, and sighed all night. This quintessential romantic literati had been in a bad mood ever since hearing his daughter's complete account of everything that had happened that day.

In the inner court of the palace, the Dongping ruler Tan Xiaopei and Queen Zhuo Xiu were also discussing this matter. The Bi Hai Chao Yin Shu had been sent directly to the palace after that day and was now displayed on the top floor of Xi Shan Ge. While listening to the gentle sound of the tide, Tan Xiaopei and Zhuo Xiu talked about the topic that had shaken the entire Danyang and even Dongping, and even the former Tang mainland, which was now fragmented into large and small states, for the first time in recent years. And the person who could enter such a topic was actually a fifteen-year-old who had not yet reached adulthood, just considered a teenager rather than a child, Ye Tao.

"No matter the outcome, I want to meet Ye Tao after this bet ends," Tan Xiaopei said with some melancholy.

Queen Zhuo Xiu gently filled Tan Xiaopei's wine cup, smiling and replying, "Is it to appease this young man, so he doesn't get discouraged by this defeat?"

Tan Xiaopei chuckled and said, "That's not it. Ye Tao's achievements today are not just because he has a good brain. His will is extremely strong. Peng Detian's description of Ye Shi Workshop, from scratch, from a small woodworking workshop to the great workshop that is now the best in the world, how few setbacks and obstructions would there be? Moreover, Ye Tao treats people with neither humility nor arrogance, neither looking down on anyone nor willing to be looked down upon by anyone. How many of the disciples of the great families of Dongping, who have been nobles for generations, can do this? Xin'er arranged for Lu Dan to be by Ye Tao's side, at his disposal. When I first heard about it, I thought it was a waste of talent. After a few years of training, Lu Dan could be sent out to be a deputy general. In ten years, he would probably be a great general of Dongping. Being a steward is really a waste of talent. But now it seems that even Lu Dan seems to be somewhat convinced by Ye Tao. Xin'er's arrangement is becoming more and more wonderful."

Zhuo Xiu covered her mouth and smiled. The middle-aged beauty suddenly revealed a childlike innocence and radiance, which was so gorgeous at that moment. Zhuo Xiu said, "Xin'er has always been so accurate in judging people. You often say that if Xin'er were a boy, she would probably be a great ruler of a generation. This talent is probably rare even in a millennium, right? I was thinking, if Xin'er and Ye Tao were matched as a couple, how would such a couple get along?"

As a mother, Zhuo Xiu was far more sensitive to her daughter's psychology than Tan Xiaopei, who had to worry about various things all day long. She had long noticed that Tan Weixin's affection for Ye Tao was more than just a royal child's appreciation for a talented young man. Tan Weixin allowing, or even requiring, Ye Tao to call her "Xin'er" was a good proof. Could these two young people really come together in the future? Perhaps, that would be the most talented couple on the entire continent. However, before that, there were too many obstacles they needed to overcome. For example, the decision of the Dongping ruler Tan Xiaopei...

Tan Xiaopei paused, thought for a moment, and sighed, "It's a bit early to talk about this. But... if Xin'er really takes a fancy to this young man, do you think it's useful for us to say anything or make any decisions? Let things take their course. Anyway, if Xin'er really wants to marry Ye Tao, the one she needs to get past won't be me. The most troublesome thing is probably still the 'officials' of Dongping."

Zhuo Xiu said dismissively, "I don't think so. Ye Tao is still young. When he gets a few years older, won't Your Majesty appoint him to be an official in the Ministry of Works? With his ability, he will probably be qualified to attend court meetings in a few years. Who would say anything about such a young minister at that time?"

Tan Xiaopei chuckled and said, "You still underestimate him. In these days, while fighting with the Chunnan guys, Ye Tao has also sent people to survey the terrain in the west of the city with several generals from the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of War, and the Imperial Guards. You haven't seen the draft of the entire camp that Ye Tao has produced yet. I have already decided to entrust this matter to him... When it is completed, this camp in the west of the city will not only be a good place to hide and train troops, but also a magnificent landscape. Just this achievement alone would be enough to award him the title of Vice Minister of Works. Peng Detian has tried to find out how strong Ye Shi Workshop's weapons workshop is in Yicheng several times, but he hasn't been able to. I have already asked the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works to send people to see it. Now, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War are both trying to hold this young man in their hands to work for them. I don't need to worry."

Zhuo Xiu asked with great interest, "That camp in the west of the city is a big project. Ye Tao is only a civilian now. If you entrust it to him, I'm afraid you will be impeached by those remonstrance officials, right?"

Tan Xiaopei chuckled and said, "Let them be. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works both support it. It's not up to those guys to be nosy. I don't need to come forward to settle this matter. Just a word from your brother will do... Ye Tao is definitely going to be put to great use in Dongping. If he can come up with something good again in this last round and win, then that's great. If he loses, it doesn't matter. Five years later, I'll pay him to go to Chunnan to get revenge. He can get back this grievance then."

"Are you sure it's you who will pay?" Zhuo Xiu, who was already very used to and very approving of her daughter Tan Weixin's control over the internal treasury, teased, causing Tan Xiaopei to laugh knowingly.

While Tan Xiaopei and Zhuo Xiu, the first family of Dongping, were talking about Ye Tao, Qi Zhentao, far away in Yicheng, was also muttering similar things.

"Master, if we could get our hands on that Bi Hai Chao Yin Shu and put it in the mansion, that would be great. It's a good thing," one of Qi Zhentao's old partners said, and his eyes clearly showed a craving for the huge cash value of that thing.

"Screw you," Qi Zhentao objected dismissively, "I've been drifting at sea for so many years, what tides haven't I heard? Still need to put that thing in the mansion? Speaking of tides... um... except for the waves of moans when a woman is being pleasured, I'm not interested in any other sounds."

Qi Zhentao's blunt statement caused a burst of laughter. These old partners who had been working together at sea for many years were all of the same mind, and they were not embarrassed at all. After the laughter subsided, Li Meng, who had been Qi Zhentao's first mate for nearly ten years, said with some regret, "I'm afraid we're going to lose this last round. If the kid loses face, what about the business?"

Qi Zhentao thought for a while and said, "It's okay. Who would think that a fifteen-year-old losing to a century-old brand is a loss of face? Didn't you see what lengths Ye Tao has forced those guys to go to?" Even though he said that, Qi Zhentao was still muttering secretly, it would be even better if he could win.