novelAbuy Chapter 195 You don't really want to rebel, do you?
Chapter 195 You don't really want to rebel, do you?
Xianyang, the capital city.
The residence of Shaofu Zongyu was brightly lit and far more luxurious than that of ordinary officials.
A servant who looked like a butler hurried into the study.
He respectfully presented a confidential letter.
Zong Yu put down the scroll of bamboo slips in his hand and slowly opened the envelope.
The letter contained a detailed record of everything that happened at the coal mine that day.
As he looked, a cold smile slowly crept onto Zong Yu's well-maintained face.
"What a Zhang Fan!"
"What a sage master... his skills in winning people's hearts are truly remarkable!"
He held the letter up to the candlelight and watched it turn to ashes.
"Keep an eye on it!"
Zong Yu instructed his servants, "I need to know everything he does in Shangdang County."
"Especially... the production and distribution of that coal!"
He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the night sky!
"Zhang Fan, oh Zhang Fan, you're truly my lucky charm!"
"Though this papermaking technique is a gift to this old man!"
He muttered to himself,
"But this coal, this black gold, is the foundation of our Great Qin's future!"
"How could such a powerful artifact be controlled by a sorcerer of unknown origin like you?"
"It should, and must, be under the jurisdiction of my Imperial Household Department!"
(Shaofu: in charge of the royal family's private finances and handicraft manufacturing)
……
The moon is bright and the stars are few; the night is cool and still.
Inside Zhang Fan's residence in Changzi County.
Zhang Fan didn't even bother to take off his coat, and collapsed onto the bed, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep and die.
This day was so tiring!
However, as soon as he closed his eyes, a faint, familiar fragrance entered his nostrils.
Alarm bells rang in Zhang Fan's mind, and he suddenly opened his eyes and jumped out of bed!
He looked around warily and saw a fiery red figure quietly leaning against the window in the shadows of the room.
The moonlight outlined her graceful and captivating curves.
"Mi Yueyao!"
Zhang Fan felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively took two steps back, his whole body tense.
"Why is this crazy woman coming to see me in the middle of the night?"
"Is this never going to end?"
Mi Yueyao slowly emerged from the shadows, a lazy yet alluring smile on her face.
She approached Zhang Fan step by step, her expressive eyes brimming with emotion.
"What does the Immortal Master mean by this?"
Her voice was incredibly sweet and alluring.
"Am I some kind of man-eating tiger? Do you think I'm afraid I'll devour you, Immortal Master?"
As Zhang Fan watched her relentlessly pursue him, alarm bells blared in his mind.
He pondered for a moment, then nodded very seriously and firmly.
"..."
Mi Yueyao's smile froze instantly, and she gritted her teeth in anger.
That clueless blockhead!
fool!
Take a deep breath and suppress your anger.
Mi Yueyao didn't approach any further, but simply walked to the table and sat down.
With slender fingers, she lifted the teapot and poured two cups of still-warm tea.
"Come over and have some tea."
She spoke softly, reverting to her usual languid and composed demeanor.
Zhang Fan walked around in a big circle and cautiously sat down in the seat opposite her.
But his gaze remained fixed on the clear tea in front of him, and he couldn't help but wonder.
I hope it's not some aphrodisiac or sleeping potion again!
This thing gave him a headache all day!
He even suspected that the drug they gave him wasn't even fit for human use!
Mi Yueyao was amused and exasperated by his paranoid behavior.
She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said irritably:
"Don't worry, drink it! There's no risk this time!"
Zhang Fan then picked up the teacup with some skepticism.
After hesitating for a moment, I still took two sips.
The warm tea soothed his tense nerves somewhat.
"What exactly do you want to do?"
Zhang Fan put down his teacup and asked directly.
He really didn't want to waste any more words with this dangerous woman.
Remnants of the Chu Kingdom!
Deeply thoughtful!
It's a rose with thorns!
Upon hearing this, Mi Yueyao's smile became somewhat meaningful.
She gazed at Zhang Fan intently and said softly:
"Young master, you certainly have a long memory!"
"I... already belong to Young Master Zhang!"
"Young Master Zhang can't just turn around and report me to the Emperor in Xianyang, letting him punish me, can he?"
Zhang Fan suddenly felt a headache coming on, and his temples throbbed.
What kind of nonsense is this?!
He's in a situation he can't clear his name even if he jumps into the Yellow River!
Starting last night.
He and the woman in front of him became entangled in a complicated and inextricable relationship.
Looking at Zhang Fan's expression, as if he had a splitting headache!
A sense of pleasure rose in Mi Yueyao's heart, and she continued:
"My request is very simple!"
"I hope to continue our cooperation with the Immortal Master and ensure a stable supply of coal for us."
"What do you need so much coal for?" Zhang Fan asked, frowning.
Mi Yueyao smiled, a smile that appeared exceptionally charming and alluring in the candlelight:
"Of course...it's for keeping warm!"
"Winter in Changzi County is really cold!"
"To keep warm?"
Zhang Fan looked at her with disbelief, his eyes like he was looking at a three-year-old child.
"You think you need that much coal for heating? You're kidding me!"
Faced with Zhang Fan's questioning!
Mi Yueyao stopped using that clumsy excuse and just smiled lazily, which was taken as tacit agreement.
She gently swirled the teacup in her hand, causing ripples to spread through the tea.
"Very well, whether you believe it or not, it's entirely up to you, young master!"
She abruptly changed the subject, her beautiful eyes darting towards the mine outside the window.
"I've heard that the 'Great Qin Heavy Industry Factory No. 1' outside the city will officially begin operations tomorrow!"
"Forging the legendary hundred-refined steel!"
"Such a grand event, would I be so kind as to attend?"
"No way!" Zhang Fan refused without even thinking.
He looked at Mi Yueyao warily and said in a deep voice:
"This is a vital national asset, crucial to the lifeline of Qin's military industry!"
"How can we just let people visit?"
Are you kidding me? Sending her to watch steelmaking?
What's the difference between that and moving the production line right in front of her?
This woman is incredibly bold!
Despite being rejected so decisively, Mi Yueyao was not annoyed at all.
Instead, she stood up from her seat, took light steps, and slowly walked to Zhang Fan's side.
She extended her slender fingers, carrying a faint fragrance, and gently tapped Zhang Fan's chest, the gesture intimate yet tinged with a hint of reproach.
"Sir, your formality is surely going to hurt my feelings!"
Her voice was soft and alluring, her eyes carrying a hint of melancholy.
"We're not outsiders anymore..."
The warm, smooth touch of his fingertips made Zhang Fan freeze.
He sighed helplessly, feeling utterly overwhelmed.
He brushed Mi Yueyao's hand away, took a step back, and created some distance between them.
Looking at the stunningly beautiful yet extremely dangerous woman before him, he finally couldn't help but ask,
"Mi Yueyao, tell me the truth!"
"You went to great lengths, using your beauty to seduce people, and even trying to see steel being refined..."
"You're not really planning a rebellion, are you?"