There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 428 What about me?

The facts are exactly as Li Shuchen said.

The king was furious, and Azim was forced to leave in disarray, beginning a frantic internal purge and external investigation.

For a time, panic gripped the Golden Camel Trading Company. Several experienced craftsmen were repeatedly questioned, and Hassan was placed under close surveillance.

However, the mysterious sea overlord, the "wealthy young master," vanished without a trace, as if he had evaporated into thin air.

The next morning

"That's amazing, Li Shuchen! The Golden Camel really did run into trouble on its own. Last night, the wealthy young master suddenly appeared at the treasure appraisal event, and all of Atsim's gems had problems. He was thoroughly humiliated by the wealthy young master. It was truly satisfying!"

Princess Changning cheered loudly

Li Shuchen echoed the answer.

"This is what they call 'you reap what you sow,' they deserve it."

"You're right, shall we go and ask to see the king now?"

"Yu Ying has requested an audience with the King and submitted a more detailed plan regarding the establishment of a fair market at the border, the promotion of the exchange of special products between the two countries, and the increase of Boyu Kingdom's tax revenue. She should be able to meet with the King smoothly."

"That's great! Let's wait for Yuying's good news."

Amber Palace Side Hall

King Ardan rubbed his throbbing temples and looked at Liang Yuying.

He glanced again at the well-organized document, a struggle flashing in his eyes.

Trade, in theory, can bring more wealth, especially now that the "Golden Camel" has run into trouble.

However… the forces behind Azim are deeply entrenched and involve the interests of many nobles; a sudden change would likely provoke a backlash.

Moreover, the Purple Star delegation is, after all, from a foreign country and cannot be completely trusted.

"I am aware of General Liang's sincerity."

The king put down the documents, his tone reverting to its usual smooth, perfunctory manner.

"This matter concerns the national economy and people's livelihood, and cannot be taken lightly. It needs to be discussed and decided in detail by the ministers, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of all parties. Furthermore, our laws and tax system also need to be adjusted accordingly, which is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Your delegation has come from afar and has gone through a long journey. Perhaps it would be better to stay a little longer and wait for a plan to be discussed and formulated in our country before replying."

The tactic of delaying is still employed, but the attitude no longer seems so absolute, leaving a very tiny loophole.

Liang Yuying returned empty-handed, but the news she brought back gave the mission a glimmer of hope.

"The king wavered, but his concerns ran deep. One thing wasn't enough for him to make the decision to overthrow the existing interest groups," Ruan Jingshang analyzed.

"Then let's do a few more things," Li Shuchen whispered, drawing a glance from Princess Changning beside him.

……

That night

Li Shuchen sneaked out again and met up with Zoya at their usual spot.

Zoya's emerald green eyes held a hint of pleasure and weariness.

"Well done! Azim is going crazy. The atmosphere in the palace is very tense. Although the king scolded him, he hasn't really done anything to him yet."

“So we need to add fuel to the fire,” Li Shuchen rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming in the darkness. “It’s not enough for the gemstone to have problems; we need to make everyone feel that ‘Golden Camel’ is rotten to the core, unreliable, and… is losing divine favor.”

"God's favor?" Zoya wondered.

"That's right. Doesn't your Boyu Kingdom worship the Desert God and the Star God? What if the 'Golden Camel' mine keeps having accidents, the caravans transporting gems keep encountering 'accidents,' or... the grain in their warehouses inexplicably gets infested with insects and mold, and the water source is 'contaminated'?"

Li Shuchen counted on his fingers, "It doesn't need to cause any real damage, but it needs to look mysterious, like divine retribution or a curse."

Zoya understood

"Creating panic and rumors is feasible. The mining area is already rife with resentment. We can secretly spread rumors about the collapse of the abandoned mine, claiming it's divine punishment for over-exploitation and the mistreatment of miners. As for the caravans... I can arrange for someone to sprinkle some harmless but strange-tasting herbal powder into the oasis water source they'll be passing through. The warehouses... that's a bit more difficult."

"Leave the warehouse to me," Li Shuchen patted his chest. "I'll find a way to get some special 'spices' and have the inn's purchasing agents 'accidentally' mix them into the insecticide sent to the 'Golden Camel' warehouse, ensuring their stored grain will have a 'unique flavor'!"

The two whispered and finalized several details.

Li Shuchen noticed the lingering melancholy in Zuoya's eyes and asked, "Is there some trouble on your end?"

Zoya paused for a moment, then said, "Hassan's son... his condition has worsened. The medicine I stole is almost gone. Azim is furious, Hassan is imprisoned in the workshop, and his family is being watched even more closely."

Li Shuchen's heart sank: "I'll figure out the medicine. As for Hassan's family... we have to find a chance to let them know that someone outside hasn't forgotten them."

The next two days

Unsettling rumors began to circulate in Suleiman.

"Have you heard? The old mine in the east collapsed again, burying many people! It's said that 'Golden Camel' dug too hard and angered the sand spirits underground!"

"That's right! It's said that a caravan carrying gems back from the north stopped at 'Sweetwater Spring' for a rest, but the spring water suddenly turned bitter and astringent, and started bubbling! It must be that the God of the Stars no longer protects their wealth!"

"That's not all. What's even stranger is that the two main warehouses of 'Golden Camel' in the city have reported slight mold and strange smells in the stored grains and some valuable spices, but the inspections have not yielded any obvious cause."

"It must have angered the Desert God and the Star God. They are punishing the Golden Camel; not only has the mine collapsed, but even water and food are in short supply."

"It's over, the Golden Camel is finished."

Rumors and strange occurrences spread like a plague.

Although Azim tried his best to suppress the rumors, claiming that someone was behind it and arresting several civilians for spreading them, the seeds of doubt had already been sown.

Some small vendors who had previously relied on the "Golden Camel" began to hesitate, and some even privately inquired whether the "fair market" mentioned by the Purple Star delegation was truly on track.

Rumors also reached the palace, and several nobles who were at odds with Azim took the opportunity to whisper in the king's ear.

Li Shuchen and Zoya's actions were not entirely secretive.

One night, Li Shuchen returned home late at night, his clothes covered in strange bits of grass and dust.

While secretly patting himself in the courtyard, he was caught red-handed by Princess Changning, who was getting up in the middle of the night.

"Where have you been so late?"

Princess Changning narrowed her phoenix eyes, sizing up Li Shuchen.

She had long noticed that Li Shuchen was staying out all night and acting strangely; he always seemed to be grinning from ear to ear whenever he went out.

Seeing her acting suspiciously now only fueled his suspicions.

"Huh? I...I can't sleep, so I'm going out to look at the stars! The stars in the desert are so bright! Hehe..."

Li Shuchen gave a dry laugh.

"Looking at the stars and ending up covered in grass clippings?"

Princess Changning took a step closer, her gaze suddenly sharpening. "Li Shuchen, what exactly are you up to? Is it related to that suddenly appearing Princess Zoya?"

Li Shuchen's heart skipped a beat; she knew she couldn't hide it anymore. She lowered her voice and quickly recounted her and Zoya's plan (omitting some overly dangerous details), emphasizing at the end...

"Changning, we didn't do anything reckless. We just wanted to help those poor people, and also... add fuel to the fire of trade. Princess Zoya cares about her people; she's a good princess."

Upon hearing the words "Zoya is a good princess," Princess Changning's inexplicable irritation intensified.

"And what about me? Li Shuchen? Aren't I a good princess?"