CHAPTER 265: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETY

"Sir, after you leave the palace this afternoon, you can go find my second uncle." Zhao Yao told Mr. Xiao the address of Liang Run’s residence, "My second uncle is quite familiar with the specific situation at the health hall, you can ask him."

"Alright."

"Sir, if you have any suggestions, you can directly tell my second uncle." Zhao Yao suddenly thought of something else and said to Mr. Xiao, "Sir, you are aware of the friendly relations between Great Zhou and Wusun, right?"

Mr. Xiao nodded slightly and said, "I am aware."

"I suggest my second uncle take advantage of this situation to do business, bringing good things from the capital, such as tea, fabrics, porcelain, etc., to sell in Wusun, and then bring back furs, herbs, spices, sheep, and horses from Wusun to sell in the capital."

"I’ll have my second uncle open a shop in Wusun specifically for selling things from the capital. Then open another shop in the capital for things from Wusu. What do you think of this idea?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Xiao, who was usually stern, showed an expression of astonishment on his face.

Seeing Mr. Xiao looking surprised, Zhao Yao hurriedly asked, "Sir, what’s wrong? Is my arrangement incorrect?"

"No, it’s quite good and correct." Mr. Xiao snapped out of his daze and said, "I just did not expect you to be so adept at business."

Zhao Yao waved his hand and said, "I don’t know how to do business, I only provided some suggestions. The real business expert is my second uncle." Saying this, he smiled proudly, "You probably don’t know that my maternal grandfather’s family has been merchants for generations and is quite renowned in Yangzhou. My two uncles are both business experts."

Mr. Xiao said, "I see." Mr. Xiao hadn’t particularly investigated Zhao Yao’s maternal family. He only knew that Liang Zhaoyi’s background wasn’t high.

"My second uncle recently wrote back to Yangzhou, asking my grandfather to send a few trustworthy clan members to the capital to help him." Zhao Yao thought for a moment and said, "If we count the days, the people sent by my grandfather should almost be in the capital. Once they arrive, my second uncle will take them on a trip to Wusun."

Mr. Xiao showed surprise: "Going to Wusun?"

"Yes, my second uncle wants to open a shop in Wusun, so naturally, he needs to inspect the place." Zhao Yao said, "Sir, if there’s anything you want, you can have my second uncle bring it back for you."

Mr. Xiao nodded lightly and said, "I’ll consider it."

"It’s a pity I can’t go to Wusun, otherwise I’d really like to go there and see, get to know the local customs and practices." Zhao Yao again lamented in his heart about his status as a prince. Being a prince was indeed prestigious, but it did not afford as much freedom as others had. Ordinary people could go wherever they wanted, but he, even to leave the palace, needed a token.

"I’d like to go see as well." When Mr. Xiao was young, he traveled to many places, experienced many local customs, and learned quite a bit. As the saying goes, traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books. He also wanted to visit the northern borders and preferably some neighboring countries, but at that time, due to the chaos of war, it was impossible to visit those countries.

"Too bad, sir, you have to stay in the palace to teach, otherwise you could go with my second uncle and have a look." Zhao Yao’s eyes turned nimbly, and he thought of a good idea. "Sir, you could ask father for leave, then take me to Wusun, under the pretext of traveling thousands of miles." With the teacher accompanying him to Wusun, perhaps the stubborn emperor father would agree.

Mr. Xiao was amused by Zhao Yao’s idea, "The Emperor may agree to let me take leave, but he would not agree to me taking you to Wusun, considering that you are still young. Such a long journey, a young child like you would not be able to endure it."

Zhao Yao pouted slightly and said, "Sir, I am not that delicate."

"It’s not a matter of being delicate or not. Such a long journey is hard even for adults to endure, let alone a child." Mr. Xiao said sternly, "Moreover, someone going there for the first time may experience acclimatization issues."

"Acclimatization issues?" Zhao Yao pondered with his chin, "That’s indeed possible."

"Besides, didn’t you fall seriously ill last year? Your body is not suitable for long journeys." Mr. Xiao spoke in a coaxing tone, "Wait until you grow up, then it won’t be too late to visit Wusun."

"Sir, are you going to Wusun with my second uncle this time?"

"Not this time." Mr. Xiao wanted to see Wusun very much, but now was not the time, "I’d better stay in the palace to teach you all."

"If you want to do business with people from Wusun, it’s best to be cautious, after all, they are foreigners, they cannot be completely trusted."