There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 391 The Situation is Desperate

After scattering the copper coins, Li Shuchen returned to the Three Treasures Hall.

"I will make up the money for you. Thank you for today," Cheng Zhi'an said with a hint of apology.

"It's nothing. Your focus on your studies is the greatest comfort to me."

Li Shuchen waved her little hand, looking carefree, but only she knew that her heart was bleeding.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to return home to study these next few days, and I'll have to trouble you for a few more days."

"The inn only has two top-tier rooms left. Take a look and see which one you like, then choose one."

Do you have a spare room next door? I'd like to stay there.

"There happens to be a spare room next door, fifty taels of silver a night."

"it is good"

Cheng Zhi'an immediately took out a thousand taels of silver notes and placed them on the table, saying, "I'll cover twenty days' worth for now, and we'll make other plans after the palace examination schedule is announced."

Having escaped the matchmaker's harassment, Cheng Zhi'an checked into an inn that very night, carrying all his belongings. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought he was going to marry into the family.

The next morning, Li Shuchen's entry and exit from the inn triggered Xiao Jizi's quest announcement again.

[Congratulations, host, you have triggered the main quest of the inn. Please make the inn 'well-known' within the specified time to achieve the condition.]

Happiness level ≥

[Profit value ≥ 2 silver]

[Popularity value ≥]

[After completing the task, the host will receive a mysterious reward.]

The deadline for this mission is 7 PM on the 30th day of the 12th month of the 13th year of the Purple Star Dynasty.

?

Little Jizi, you've been getting more and more crazy lately. The newly released top scholar quest was already incredibly difficult, and now even the main quests are this hard.

Have you ever counted all those zeros yourself? Can you even count all those tiny, densely packed zeros?

[Host, don't worry. This mission has a three-year timeframe. You still have time.]

Don't even mention giving me a 3-year deadline; he might not be able to complete the task even in 30 years.

Do you even know how many people live in Weijing City? You need 100 million popularity points from me! 100 million! Even if I brought all the newborn babies to the inn, it would only have a few hundred thousand people.

Even if everyone in the entire capital city came into my inn, it wouldn't be enough.

But once I complete this inn quest, I can go home.

Li Shuchen's words of complaint were stuck in her throat.

Going home? If completing this mission allows you to go home, then I'm willing to give it my all.

He then dismissed the quest panel and overheard the guests talking.

"I heard that a letter came from the Kingdom of Boyu saying that if we don't send a princess there for a marriage alliance, they will attack our dynasty."

"Isn't that right? I've heard about it too, but there's no suitable princess to send to the court right now."

"I heard from others that the court officials all want Princess Changning to go and marry into a foreign land, but Princess Changning is unwilling."

"Boyu Kingdom is all desert, extremely arid, and filled with dust storms. Don't even mention Princess Changning's unwillingness; even Princess Jiale wouldn't agree!"

"But if we don't make peace through marriage, the Boyu Kingdom will invade. Besides General Liang, who else in our dynasty can fight back?"

“This time is different. Even with General Liang here, success is not guaranteed. The Boyu Kingdom has developed a triple-bow crossbow, which is powerful enough to shoot through three people with a single arrow. Who can withstand that?”

"You say that if the Kingdom of Boyu can develop such a deadly weapon as the Triple Bow Crossbow, why can't the people of our dynasty do the same?"

"I don't know. All I know is that our dynasty is currently short of money and food. War is definitely not the best option. In the end, it will only be us, the lowest-level common people, who will suffer."

"Alas, life is unpredictable; it's hard to live a peaceful and stable life until old age."

Upon hearing this, Li Shuchen immediately went back upstairs, found Cheng Zhian, sat down, and began to speak.

"Are you aware that the Kingdom of Boyu wants its princess to marry into a foreign power?"

"I'm afraid everyone in the capital knows this," Cheng Zhi'an said, closing the book and pouring Li Shuchen a cup of tea.

"Do you have any good ideas on how to get the Kingdom of Boyu to withdraw its troops and negotiate peace without a marriage alliance or war?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhi'an smiled faintly and blew on the tea leaves.

"Boyu Kingdom has barren land and scarce resources. If I were the king of Boyu Kingdom, I would also choose to conquer a piece of land that is rich in resources and fertile for my people to use."

"According to what you said, if the King of Boyu only wants some supplies, we can simply trade with them. That way, we can meet their needs without having to fight a war through a marriage alliance."

Cheng Zhian put down his teacup. "You mean, trade between the two countries?"

"Exactly. Boyu is rich in mineral resources, while we are rich in daily necessities. Wouldn't it be a win-win situation to exchange the two?"

Cheng Zhian shook his head. "From the dynasty to the Boyu Kingdom, there are three insurmountable mountain ranges in between, making transportation extremely costly. I previously considered trading with the Boyu Kingdom, but found there was no way to do so and had to give up."

"If there's no road, then build one."

"It's not that simple. Can you really get two countries to reach an agreement to jointly build a road?"

"No," Li Shuchen paused for a moment, then added, "Maybe in the future."

"Having ambition is a good thing, but let's persuade the Emperor first."

"Li Shuchen, Li Shuchen, where are you?" Princess Changning called anxiously from outside.

Li Shuchen hurriedly went out and waved, "Changning, I'm here!"

Princess Changning looked up and glanced at the room number.

"Whose room is this? What are you doing here?"

“Cheng Zhian lives here; I’ve come to discuss some matters with him.”

I also have something to tell you.

"I know what you're going to say. Let's go inside and talk."

Princess Changning entered the room and sat down.

Three people face to face

"Changning, do you have any way to persuade the Emperor to allow the Zixing Dynasty to trade with the Boyu Kingdom?" Li Shuchen asked.

"Trade? Is this the solution you and Cheng Huiyuan just came up with together?"

Cheng Zhi'an spoke up, "Let the people of both countries establish a trade market at the border between the Zixing Dynasty and the Boyu Kingdom, so they can exchange goods and services. This way, we can avoid fighting and wasting national resources, and it will also make the people of both countries richer."

"The idea is good. If I tell my uncle the emperor, he will most likely agree. But how do we get the Kingdom of Boyu to agree?"

“Hmm…we can send envoys to negotiate. I’m willing to go,” Li Shuchen raised his hand in agreement.

"Go? What are you going to do there?" Princess Changning asked, puzzled.

"I'm a merchant. Since we're going to trade, it's not unreasonable for me to go ahead and scout things out, is it? And while I'm at it, see what good stuff I can buy and sell."

“If you’re going, then I’ll go too,” Princess Changning said, arms crossed.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to go to Boyu Kingdom?"

"I don't want to marry the prince of the Kingdom of Boyu, but I never said I didn't want to go to Boyu. Anyway, wherever you go, I'll go too. I want to follow you forever."

"Aren't you afraid that the prince of Boyu will force you to marry him?"

"Don't be afraid. With you here, what do I have to be afraid of? Maybe Yuying wants to go too."

"If that's the case, then you should quickly go and ask the Emperor. If it's too late and the Bo Yu Kingdom attacks, we'll be finished."

Princess Changning immediately stood up, "I'll be leaving now, farewell everyone."

Li Shuchen watched as Princess Changning departed.

Do you think Changning can successfully persuade the Emperor?

"If His Majesty is a wise ruler, he will understand that war is the worst possible strategy. Furthermore, His Majesty loves Princess Changning very much and does not want her to be sent to a marriage alliance. Therefore, the only solution is to negotiate peace."

"Aren't you afraid that others will find out if you keep crickets like this?"