113: Chapter 0113 This is too much!

"In terms of wealth and channels, few merchants in the northern border can compare to the Linyuan Marquis Mansion or the Xie Family."

"Since Princess Ningxiang likes to play a part, we'll play along. As long as we're making money, what does anything else matter?"

Lin Xiao felt this was quite convenient; knowing their background meant he didn't have to show any respect to the Marquis of Linyuan. Business was business.

"Hmph, playing dumb when you know exactly what's going on. Husband, you really know how to toy with a girl's heart."

Leng Bingyan teased with a light laugh.

Looking at the alluring and sexy face of Leng Yan before him, Lin Xiao suddenly felt energized.

"Yaner, come here. It's been hard on you, making that trip. Your husband will give you a big reward..."

Upon hearing this, Leng Bingyan's pretty face instantly flushed crimson.

"Isn't it... Wanying's turn today?"

The women had arranged an "attendance schedule" for Lin Xiao based on their menstrual cycles.

Whenever Lin Xiao was home, he was never idle for a single day!

Fortunately, with his Indestructible Golden Body, he could handle it without any pressure!

"It doesn't matter. Aren't you aware of your husband's strength by now?"

Leng Bingyan bit her rosy lips, ultimately unable to resist the man's charm, and obediently walked over...

Though the night was cold, the study was filled with the warmth of spring.

Two days later, the diplomatic mission to Western Qiang finally returned.

Receiving the news, Lin Xiao hurried to the Zhenbei Army camp.

To Lin Xiao's surprise, the people Qin He sent had actually brought back several Western Qiang people.

Upon inquiry, he learned that the Zhenbei Army's special envoy had aroused suspicion while asking about the iron ore trade.

After being captured by Western Qiang soldiers, their identities were exposed.

They thought they were going to die, but when the Western Qiang people learned they were from the Zhenbei Army, they actually requested to come to Baishui Prefecture to talk.

"General, the brothers escaped death by a hair's breadth, but we have fulfilled our mission!"

Qin He introduced the leading Western Qiang elder, saying, "This is Diplomat Zhong Lang, the special envoy of the King of Western Qiang. He wishes to discuss the iron ore trade with the General."

Lin Xiao nodded, first letting the travel-worn Zhenbei Army brothers go rest, intending to reward and promote them later.

Afterward, Lin Xiao sat down and looked at Diplomat Zhong Lang and the others with interest.

[Diplomat Zhong Lang, 53 years old, Western Qiang Diplomatic Envoy, Aptitude: yellow grade]

[Traits: Reading People (Special), Commerce, Internal Affairs]

Besides Diplomat Zhong Lang, there were four attendants.

However, the only one who caught Lin Xiao's attention was a figure with a darkened face, a noticeably smaller frame, and a small mustache.

[Princess Meng Xi, 19 years old, Western Qiang Princess, Aptitude: mystic grade]

[Traits: Grand Strategy (Special), Reading People (Special), Internal Affairs]

Interesting...

She was actually the daughter of the Western Qiang King, Meng Liang?

He hadn't expected a nineteen-year-old woman would dare to pose as a guard and travel all this way to the Zhenbei Army camp.

Although the Zhenbei Army hadn't fought Western Qiang, they were still soldiers of Great Gan, making them enemies of Western Qiang.

Princess Meng Xi noticed Lin Xiao looking at her and put on a fearful expression, quickly lowering her head.

"I am Diplomat Zhong Lang. By order of the King, I have come to Baishui Prefecture to visit General Lin."

Diplomat Zhong Lang spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I have long heard that General Lin's Zhenbei Army is valiant in battle and even defeated our Western Qiang's old rival, Marshal Suhe. It is truly admirable!"

"Ambassador Zhong, there's no need for pleasantries. This General is a straightforward man and doesn't like beating around the bush."

"Since you took the initiative to come see me, I assume you want to talk about the iron ore business?"

Lin Xiao smiled. "This General does indeed want iron ore. You might as well state your conditions."

Diplomat Zhong Lang laughed loudly. "The General is a man of quick words. Correct, we of Western Qiang do indeed intend to export iron ore."

"The General should know that in terms of quality, the iron ore from our Western Qiang is top-tier in the Tianwu Continent!"

"If the Zhenbei Army wants to forge high-quality weapons and armor, cooperating with us is absolutely the best choice."

Lin Xiao waved his hand. "Spare me the talk. Just say it—what's the price?"

Diplomat Zhong Lang nodded and pulled out a document, which Qin He handed to Lin Xiao.

"This is the price set by our King."

Lin Xiao took it, glanced at it, and was soon amused.

"One hundred taels per stone? That's not right. As far as I know, even for high-quality iron ore, one stone only costs seventy-five to eighty taels."

"According to your price, this General would have to spend an extra five or six taels for every saber I forge."

Diplomat Zhong Lang smiled calmly. "General Lin, if I may be blunt, rare things are expensive."

"Now that Prince Bai has blockaded the other iron mines in the northern border, the General has no other choice."

"Furthermore, although the Zhenbei Army primarily fights the Northern Barbarians, you are still Gan soldiers. We naturally have to charge a bit more."

Lin Xiao laughed. "No matter how much iron ore you have, you can't eat it. You don't dare sell to Prince Qing or the Northern Barbarians because they would use weapons forged from that ore to slaughter your Western Qiang people!"

"If not for that, you wouldn't be racking your brains to do business with Prince Bai!"

Diplomat Zhong Lang's eyes twitched. "By saying that, General Lin... it seems you were the one who ruined our deal with Prince Bai?"

"What if I was? You were using iron ore to support my enemies in my territory. Did you expect me to just stand by and let you pass?"

Lin Xiao waved his hand and said coldly, "I do not agree to this price! You can leave now!"

Diplomat Zhong Lang's expression turned grave. He hadn't expected Lin Xiao to be so firm—he didn't even try to haggle, just rejected it outright?

His eyes grew anxious, and he stole a glance behind him...

Seeing Princess Meng Xi's hand make a "concession" gesture, Diplomat Zhong Lang could only sigh.

"General Lin, our King admires you as a great hero and wishes to establish good relations with the Zhenbei Army."

"How about this: General Lin, give us a price, and we will consider it!"

Seeing Diplomat Zhong Lang back down, the Zhenbei Army generals nearby all looked delighted. As expected of General Lin, he was even a master negotiator!

"You want me to name a price?"

Lin Xiao grinned. "Fine then, thirty taels per stone!"

"What!?"

Diplomat Zhong Lang thought he had misheard!

Behind him, Princess Meng Xi also clenched her fists, a cold glint appearing in her eyes.

This Lin Xiao was going too far!

"General Lin! Our Western Qiang may not be wealthy, but we are not to be trampled upon and humiliated at your whim!!"

Several Western Qiang warriors glared angrily.

The Zhenbei Army soldiers were naturally even more fierce, drawing their sabers halfway with a series of "shrings."

Inside the camp, the atmosphere was fraught with tension!

Lin Xiao pressed his hand down and said composedly, "I haven't finished. Besides the thirty taels, this General will provide you with other compensations."

"Other? Could you be referring to grain and fodder?"

Diplomat Zhong Lang's expression softened slightly. If it was food, they could indeed accept it.

Lin Xiao shook his head. "Grain and fodder? We aren't wealthy in that regard ourselves. How about this, follow me."

The Western Qiang people looked puzzled. Why wasn't this General Lin playing by the rules?

But what shocked them even more was the sentence Lin Xiao whispered as he walked past them...

"By the way, this General never looks down on women. Princess Meng Xi, you should speak up for yourself. Don't make things difficult for Diplomat Zhong."

Princess Meng Xi, whose face was smeared black and adorned with a fake mustache, suddenly snapped her head up, her eyes wide with shock, her blood running cold!