Chapter 18: The Cement Is Ready
“Your Majesty, for the first step, we must create momentum!” Zhao Yi’s voice was low, yet carried an eerie excitement that sent chills down the spine.
“We need the whole world to know that Your Majesty is benevolent and refuses to compete with the people for profit. You have decided to distribute a portion of the lucrative salt and iron industries, allowing capable individuals to prosper alongside.”
“The news must be loud enough, the tone raised high!”
“Step two: set the threshold.”
“Those who want to obtain the operating rights must pay first!”
“This money cannot be called a tax; it must be called a ‘Good Faith Deposit,’ and the amount must be substantial! So large that ordinary merchants wouldn’t even dare to think of it. Only corrupt officials hoarding mountains of gold and silver can afford it!”
“These people, who usually exploit the people’s wealth and have more money than they know what to do with but dare not show it openly, will go wild at such a legitimate opportunity to multiply their money.”
“Once they’ve handed over all that illicit silver as 'deposits'…”
A devilish smile spread across Zhao Yi’s face.
“Step three: the net closes!”
“Any excuse will do. For example, accuse them of hoarding and disrupting the market, endangering the state. Or simply claim that they cut corners, selling poisonous salt and useless iron!”
“In short, when you want to blame someone, the evidence is never lacking.”
“Then, we can justifiably reclaim the operating rights, and naturally, that huge deposit will… become state property.”
“This is called a pig slaughter scheme—or rather, sharing the burden for the country!”
Silence engulfed the imperial study.
The Empress Wu Mingkong’s beautiful phoenix-like eyes grew wider and wider.
Listening to Zhao Yi’s ruthless plan, she felt her blood boil.
This… this was just too cruel!
It was as if those corrupt officials were pigs to be slaughtered, leaving not even a scrap of bone behind!
She looked at Zhao Yi as if she had discovered a priceless treasure, her gaze shining with a frightening intensity.
“And the second plan?”
The Empress’s voice was tinged with impatience.
But Zhao Yi shook his head, his expression turning serious once more.
“Your Majesty, the second plan, ‘Competitive Rewards,’ cannot be used yet.”
“This strategy is too fierce. Once implemented, it will shake the court and the public alike, throwing everyone into panic. Officials will be overwhelmed, governance will stall, and the foundation of the state will be threatened.”
“We must wait.”
“Wait until the ‘Order of Favor Reduction’ has weakened the power of the royal relatives to the utmost.”
“Wait until Your Majesty’s imperial authority is absolute and unquestionable.”
“Most importantly, wait until we have in our hands the sharpest blade that obeys only Your Majesty—a supervisory institution independent of all other departments—before implementing this policy.”
“Otherwise, it will only disrupt our own ranks.”
After hearing this, the zeal in the Empress’s eyes slowly faded, replaced by deep appreciation and solemnity.
She nodded.
That scoundrel was not only ruthless but terrifyingly clear-headed.
He knew when to be wild and when to be steady.
She looked at him silently for a long moment, then her crimson lips curved into a meaningful smile.
“Minister Zhao, you truly are… a great benefactor.”
Those words were spoken through clenched teeth, laced with a strange, indescribable admiration.
…
After leaving the palace, Zhao Yi felt his calves still trembling.
Spending too much time with that madwoman was truly life-shortening.
As soon as he returned to the Zhao residence, the brothers Li Jin and Li Yin rushed at him like they had seen their father, faces brimming with joy.
“Young General! It’s done! It’s done!”
“We’ve made it!”
Li Jin carefully held a dull gray object, stone-like in appearance.
Zhao Yi’s eyes narrowed.
“Show me!”
He followed the two brothers to the empty yard in the back.
There, a thin layer of dark, rich-colored cement had been spread over the ground.
“Young General, look!”
Li Yin grabbed a heavy iron hammer and, with all his might, struck the cement surface.
“Bang!”
The hammer rebounded high, his hand numb from the shock.
On the cement, only a faint white mark remained.
Zhao Yi’s pupils contracted sharply.
It worked!
By all gods, it really worked!
In just one day!
These craftsmen had created this epoch-making material!
“Reward!”
Zhao Yi’s heart soared with joy; he waved his hand grandly, full of vigor.
“Li Jin, Li Yin, one hundred taels of silver each!”
“Inform all the craftsmen—every one of them will receive a hundred taels of silver!”
At that moment, Zhang Tou, the foreman, arrived, his face a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Zhao Yi wasted no words and asked directly.
“Zhang Tou, what is the cost of this? How soon can you produce a batch?”
Dazed by the promise of “one hundred taels of silver,” Zhang Tou bowed immediately.
“Report to the Young General! The cost is extremely low! We use worthless stones and mud!”
“As long as the kiln keeps burning, we can produce over a thousand jin a day!”
Hearing this, Zhao Yi felt a rush of blood to his head.
He slapped Zhang Tou’s shoulder, his face flushed with excitement.
“Excellent! Wonderful!”
“You are all heroes of Great Zhou! Pillars of the nation!”
“Wait for me—I will petition the court to reward every one of you!”
All the craftsmen present knelt in excitement, tears welling in their eyes.
…
Late afternoon, around the hour of Shen.
Holding a sample of the cement, Zhao Yi stormed into the palace once more.
The imperial study.
The Empress looked at the man who had come three times in one day, massaging her aching temples with a playful smile.
“Minister Zhao, do you treat my imperial study as your own backyard, coming and going like this?”
She leaned slightly forward, the familiar fragrance enveloping her again, her voice tinged with lazy teasing.
“Or perhaps, I should grant you a favor.”
“Why not stay here and serve as my personal attendant instead of returning home?”