You were taken hostage, why pursue the Enemy's Empress?

"Ji Su?"

"Wei Teng?"

Luo Yan furrowed his eyebrows slightly, "How did they end up together?"

Wei Teng was the youngest son of the Wei family. Although the Wei family was his wife's clan, the reason why he was able to rise to power in the court was largely due to the Wei family's influence.

However, the Wei family did not fully support his political views, and the biggest disagreement between them was on the issue of the relationship between the Qi and Li kingdoms.

So why would the Wei family's eldest son be hanging out with Ji Su?

Luo Yan narrowed his eyes, "Let them in!"

The gatekeeper responded and hurried over to welcome them. Although Wei Teng was not talented and his cultivation was average, he was the most favored son of the diplomat Wei Qian, and anyone could be neglected except him.

Luo Ming didn't say much, putting aside the matter of Hua Chao and standing up to greet the guests beside Luo Yan.

"Uncle!"

"Uncle!"

A young man in brocade clothes called out affectionately from afar. He was Wei Teng, about seventeen or eighteen years old, and Ji Su, dressed in red, followed behind him.

Luo Yan stood up and grabbed Wei Teng's wrist, smiling, "Nephew, please sit. Why did you come to see your uncle today?"

His attitude was much more affectionate than when he was with his own son.

Wei Teng sighed and glanced at Ji Su beside him, "Isn't it about the matter at the bookstore? It's been quite lively in Jiangcheng lately, and I accidentally got involved."

Ji Su also bowed, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance, so I took the liberty of visiting. Please forgive me."

Hearing their conversation and observing their behavior, he realized that the two of them were not as close as he had imagined.

It made sense. Wei Teng was carefree and arrogant, and he didn't care about court affairs. The people he associated with were all top-notch nobles. He didn't have any reason to mix with Ji Su, especially now that the Flame Kingdom was tired of fighting and actively seeking peace with the Li Kingdom.

No wonder Wei Teng was in charge of the Wei family's bookstore.

Ji Su was good at finding people.

He smiled slightly, "Oh? What is your opinion on the matter at the bookstore, Lord Su?"

"Uncle, listen to my opinion first!"

Wei Teng wasn't interested in Ji Su's opinion and went straight to the point, "Everyone at the bookstore in Jiangcheng is on edge because of Shangmo Bookstore. Isn't that ruining everyone's livelihood? So my suggestion is to bring Lanling Sheng to the government and report him, and not allow them to print 'Strange Tales from Mountains and Seas' again. That way, everyone can feel at ease."

You could tell from his tone that he was anxious. The bookstore was his personal cash cow, and although he could ignore it most of the time, the cash cow couldn't stop producing money.

Luo Yan smiled at him but didn't offer any suggestions. Luo Ming had just told him that although the bookstore belonged to Hua Chao, it was managed by the accounting department in the backyard, and not many people knew about it.

This Ji Su had brought Wei Teng over but hadn't even told him about this matter.

Luo Yan turned to Ji Su, "Lord Su, what do you think?"Ji Su arched his hand and said, "Your Excellency! Although the Shangmo Bookstore did ruin everyone's rice bowl, it is still a matter between businessmen. Lanling Sheng is your guest. If he comes forward, the world will surely think it is your intention and it will damage the dignity of the prime minister of a country. I think..."

Hearing this, Wei Teng became unhappy and cursed, "Ji surname, if you are not happy, why did you come to me? Are you here to play with me?"

Ji Su hurriedly explained, "Brother Wei, don't be angry. Please listen to me. Your Excellency is the prime minister of a country and should be fair, impartial, loyal to the country, and set an example for the people. This is not suitable for Your Excellency to do. Moreover, the second volume of 'Strange Tales from Mountains and Seas' has already sold tens of thousands of copies. If we stop selling now, we won't be able to fill this gap. Instead, it will give our bookstore a bad reputation. What do you think, Brother Wei?"

"That makes sense!"

Although Wei Teng was dissatisfied, he still nodded. When Ji Su came to find him just now, he brought a printing plate. Although it could be printed reluctantly, the printing effect was very poor, and the entire layout was black. Moreover, the plate was hard and brittle, and special care had to be taken during printing, otherwise it would break directly. Considering the cost, the cost of each volume is definitely more than 300 wen.

It doesn't matter if the bookstore is criticized. After all, it won't be criticized on himself, but the problem is that they won't make money.

Luo Yan looked at Ji Su with interest, "What do you suggest, Master Su?"

Ji Su took a deep breath, "It is said that Lanling Sheng has a wide range of knowledge. If he works a little harder these days, it is not difficult to rush out the third volume of 'Strange Tales from Mountains and Seas' before the end of the month. At that time, he can collect authorization fees from various bookstores, and the price will be set at 30,000 taels."

"30,000 taels!"

Wei Teng cursed, "Are you crazy? Do I have to lose money to open a bookstore?"

Ji Su wiped the saliva from his face and said, "Will Lanling Sheng be unable to hold the 30,000 taels? Moreover, Your Excellency's face is also involved. Naturally, he will return us a part of it. At that time, each bookstore will give him 200 taels of hard work fee, and he will not lose money."

Wei Teng's expression eased a little, "That's about right."

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

However, Luo Yan seemed quite indifferent to this matter.

Ji Su seemed to have guessed his thoughts. If he didn't destroy his daughter's industry, he wouldn't be happy, but this matter must be done. He smiled and said, "Your Excellency is busy with official duties every day, and this matter of a bookstore may not be able to enter your eyes, but it is not a small matter. Your Excellency might as well listen."

Luo Yan raised his eyelids, "Please speak, Master Su!"

Ji Su quickly said, "Your Excellency has a wide range of contacts and naturally knows that the Shangmo Bookstore is backed by the hostage for exchange, Ying Wuji from Kingdom Qian. The Hundred Schools of Thought Conference is just around the corner. With the current price of books, there will definitely be a large number of orders. If these orders are all given to the Shangmo Bookstore, as long as Ying Wuji stirs up trouble behind the scenes, this big fruit may be picked by Kingdom Qian. Although the Shangmo Bookstore is currently in the hands of our Kingdom Li, this cunning and treacherous Ying Wuji must be guarded against!"Luo Yan's eyes flashed with a trace of gloom. When he heard Luo Ming say that Hua Chao had spent all her wealth on the bookstore, he was so angry that his eyes turned black.

If Ying Wuji really did that, then his silly daughter... He nodded slightly, obviously agreeing with this point of view.

Ji Su seized the opportunity and continued, "Moreover, Jiang City is a holy land of hundreds of families. This is the result of the efforts of Li Kingdom's monarchs and ministers for hundreds of years. If all the classics of the hundred families are published by Qian Kingdom in the future, the consequences would be unimaginable! We must take advantage of this opportunity and make all the countries and scholars of the world believe that all the classics of the world come from Jiang City. Even if we have to lose money, we must grab all the orders!"

This statement obviously had some exaggeration. Li Kingdom's printing technology would eventually improve, and it was impossible to let Qian Kingdom monopolize the market.

But Luo Yan has always regarded Qian Kingdom as a tiger and wolf. Even if Qian Kingdom only eats a little more meat, it is a result that he absolutely does not want to see.

He nodded, "Since that's the case, then we will follow Young Master Su's words!"

"Hey..."

Luo Ming, who had been silent on the side, couldn't help but want to speak, but was fiercely stared at by Luo Yan and could only remain silent.@@novelbin@@

Ji Su was overjoyed, "The Minister understands the righteousness. I thank you in advance!"

Luo Yan nodded slightly, "This is indeed a matter of great importance. When you go back, call the people behind each bookstore to discuss together. Luo Ming will also go then!"

"Yes! Then I won't disturb you!"

After speaking, he left with Wei Teng, who was listening absentmindedly.

As they stepped out of the gate of the Minister's Mansion, Wei Teng suddenly reacted, "You said earlier that even if we lose money, we must grab the orders? How much money do we have to lose? You called me over early in the morning just to accompany you to lose money?"