Chapter 132: Sacrificing Myself for the Prince Again!
Lin Beifan chuckled in his heart. He knew the prince couldn’t sit still.
The imperial court possessed the watercraft known as the air-cushion ship, a powerful tool on water. He didn’t have one, and in the future, when vying for supremacy over the Central Plains and competing for the throne, he would definitely be at a disadvantage. Being at a disadvantage makes it easier to lose, and once he loses, he would have nothing.
For the ambitious prince, this was unacceptable.
Therefore, he would do everything possible to obtain the air-cushion ship.
No matter what price he had to pay!
So, he could once again harvest a group of unsuspecting victims!
Lin Beifan sighed, embodying the role of a tragic actor, and said with a bitter smile, “I understand the Prince, but the situation is difficult!”
“Why is it difficult?” Guo Shaoshuai asked, puzzled. “You are the inventor of the air-cushion ship. Just write down the manufacturing method and give it to the prince. Isn’t that enough?”
“It’s not as simple as you think,” Lin Beifan said with a bitter smile. “Previously, the manufacturing method of the Flying Heavenly Artifact, the Air Balloon, was leaked, and both the Empress and the imperial court were furious. They secretly killed hundreds of people! Even all the officials in the Ministry of Industry were investigated, and a few of them were discovered and directly sent to the execution ground!”
“Due to the previous precedent, both the Empress and the imperial court attach great importance to the air-cushion ship this time. They have dispatched the Embroidered Uniform Guards, various spies, and heavy forces to guard the workshops of the Ministry of Industry layer by layer! If the manufacturing method of the air-cushion ship were to be leaked, needless to say, it can only come from me!”
“Last time, I was lucky enough to survive, but what about this time? Who can guarantee that the goddess of luck will always stand by my side?”
Lin Beifan held his forehead in pain and said, “My lord, are you trying to take my life?”
Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai immediately understood Lin Beifan’s predicament.
As he said, the previous incident of the airship leak had already caused such a huge commotion. Over a hundred people lost their heads, and all the officials in the Ministry of Industry were investigated. Several of them were sent to the guillotine, and everyone was fined two years’ worth of salary. The punishment was undoubtedly severe!
And now, the Empress and the court were even more vigilant, deploying heavy troops to guard the area.
All the officials in the Ministry of Industry had already faced severe punishment. It was unlikely that they would dare to provoke the authority of the court at this critical moment!
Therefore, if the manufacturing method of the air-cushion ship, hovercraft leaked out, it would undoubtedly point to Lin Beifan!
He was able to escape a disaster last time, but what about this time?
No one could guarantee it!
“Ah, Mr. Lin, why didn’t you secretly give it to the Prince when you first researched it?” Guo Shaoshuai replied in regret.
“Do you think I didn’t want to? It’s just that there was no way!” Lin Beifan bitterly smiled and said, “Ever since the last invention of the airship, all the officials in the court have been watching my every move. They know everything I do! In such a situation, how can I hide?”
“Alas! That’s true!” The two of them sighed deeply. It was simply an unsolvable problem.
At this moment, Lin Beifan gritted his teeth and said, “Forget it! For the Prince’s great cause and the peace of the world, I will write down the manufacturing method of the waterweapon, the air-cushion ship, and give it to the Prince!”
“Mr. Lin!” Mo Rushuang and the Guo Shaoshuai were deeply moved.
Mo Rushuang exclaimed excitedly, “Mr. Lin, don’t act impulsively. You will risk your life like this!”
Lin Beifan’s righteousness resolutely replied, “For the Prince, I am willing to sacrifice myself!”
Mo Rushuang advised, “Mr. Lin, let’s think again. Maybe there is a better way!”
“There is no other way! The Prince wants the manufacturing method of the air-cushion ship. If I hand it over, the court will take my life! If I don’t, the Prince will be disappointed, which will affect the mission of saving the country!”
“Confucius said ‘cultivate benevolence,’ and Mencius said ‘uphold righteousness!’” Lin Beifan closed his eyes in despair. “So, after much consideration, the only way to achieve everlasting peace is to sacrifice oneself.”
“Mr. Lin!” Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai were both moved and excited.
“But even if I find myself in a desperate situation, I will never give up hope,” Lin Beifan turned his head to look at them. “Rushuang, Shaoshuai, can you help me with something?”
Mo Rushuang’s gaze was resolute. “Mr. Lin, whatever it is, please tell us. I am willing to go through fire and water for you, without hesitation.”
Guo Shaoshuai exclaimed fervently, “Mr. Lin, even if it costs me my life, I will definitely help you accomplish it!”
Lin Beifan waved his hand repeatedly. “It’s not that serious! I just need you to request 2.5 million taels from the Prince on my behalf. Consider it as the reward for obtaining the manufacturing method of the air-cushion ship!”
Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai, who were brimming with enthusiasm, were dumbfounded!
After all that talk, it came down to a matter of money!
Their previous emotional response was in vain!
“Do you really think I’m greedy for money? I only need the money for self-preservation!” Lin Beifan said passionately. “Having money in hand is crucial in critical moments! With money in hand, the Prince will remember me and try his best to rescue me!”
Guo Shaoshuai felt a bit uncomfortable. “Mr. Lin, I understand your predicament! But can’t you ask for a smaller amount of money? The Prince doesn’t have much money left! Rest assured, the Prince is virtuous and righteous. After all you have done for him, he will definitely save you!”
Lin Beifan sneered, “Are you kidding me? If he had the ability, he would have saved the eldest prince earlier. Why would he beg me for help?”
Guo Shaoshuai was suddenly speechless.
After thinking for a moment, he said, “There is also Master Jing Tai. He can save your life in a critical moment!”
“Jing Tai is indeed powerful, but do you think the court has no experts? You should know that the Great Wu Court is the most powerful force within the empire. If they didn’t have some strength, who would submit to them?”
“Now the court knows that there’s a powerful old monk living in my house. If the truth comes out, do you think they won’t have a countermeasure?” Guo Shaoy was once again speechless.
“So, after much consideration, my method is more reliable! Because only when I have money, others won’t wish for my death! The more money I have, the greater my chances of survival!” Seeing the hesitant looks on the two of them, Lin Beifan became even more agitated, roaring loudly.
“What are you hesitating for?”
“For the Prince’s great cause, for the peace of the world, I’m willing to risk my life, and all he needs to pay is a mere 2.5 million taels. Is that a lot? For the previous airship, the Air Balloon, I only asked for 2.5 million taels!”
“This time, I’m in even greater danger, but as long as it’s 2.5 million taels, I’m already giving the Prince a significant discount!”
“Is my water weapon and my life not worth 2.5 million taels?”
Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai were scolded until their heads spun.
Mo Rushuang, thinking about the possibility of losing her beloved, gradually became resolute in her gaze. “Mr. Lin is right! The manufacturing method of the air-cushion ship is important, but your life is even more important. So, I support Mr. Lin’s decision!”
Lin Beifan was touched. “Rushuang, you truly understand me!”
“Mr. Lin, I think 2.5 million taels is a bit too little! This time, you’re taking even greater risks, so you should ask for a bit more! How about 3 million taels?”
Lin Beifan excitedly grabbed Mo Rushuang’s hand. “Rushuang, can we really do that?”
A blush spread across Mo Rushuang’s face, and her voice became soft. “Mr. Lin, wealth is external, and if it’s lost, it can be earned again. But your life is irreplaceable! I believe the Prince will understand you!”
Lin Beifan was even more moved, tightly holding Mo Rushuang’s hand. “Rushuang, you’re so good to me!”
“Um!” Mo Rushuang shyly lowered her head. Where was her heroic and elegant demeanor as a female warrior?
“Mr. Lin, I understand you too!” Guo Shaoshuai, with his ugly face, ruined the atmosphere and interjected.
“Get out of the way, this doesn’t concern you!”
Guo Shaoshuai: “…”
Not long after, the Prince of Northern Hebei received a letter from Mo Rushuang.
He opened it with an excited heart.
With just one glance, his hands and feet turned cold!
With another glance, his whole body trembled!
The third glance…
Damn it!
Couldn’t bear to look anymore!
With a headache, he handed the letter to his advisor, Mr. Zhuge, who was nearby. “Advisor, take a look. These are the conditions proposed by Sir Lin, and they are even more expensive than the manufacturing method of the Air Balloon!”
After Zhuge finished reading, his hands also trembled, and sweat appeared on his face. “Indeed, it’s a bit too much…”
“Just a bit too much? It’s quite a lot!” The Prince of Northern Hebei sighed bitterly. “The manufacturing method of the Air Balloon only cost 2.5 million taels, but this waterborne weapon, the air cushion ship, is demanding 3 million taels from me! Sir Lin’s appetite is getting bigger and bigger!”
“According to the contents of the letter, the situation our top scholar is facing now is even more dangerous than before! He wants more money for his own protection!” Mr. Zhuge said.
The Prince of Northern Hebei laughed even more bitterly. “I understand, but the royal household doesn’t have much money left!”
“Your Highness, please give it! If you don’t, then all our previous efforts will be in vain,” Mr. Zhuge advised. “Your Highness, think about it! The top scholar has now become the Sacrificial Official and has gained even more trust from the Empress. He can play a bigger role in the court!”
“He is in charge of the Imperial Academy. What kind of place is the Imperial College? It’s where all the talented individuals of the entire dynasty gather! If the top scholar is in charge of the Imperial Academy, then the Imperial Academy will become your talent garden, won’t it?”
“Therefore, the benefits of including the top scholar are tremendous!”
“Money can be earned again, but if we lose a talent like the top scholar, no amount of money can bring him back!”
The Prince of Northern Hebei nodded. “You’re right, Advisor!”
“Furthermore, the top scholar has also promised us that he only wants money for his own protection! If trouble arises in the future, and he can safely come to Northen Hebei to assist Your Highness, he will hand over all the money and treasures to you!”
“Your Highness, just think of temporarily entrusting the money to the top scholar! After all, he has repeatedly risked his life and done so much for you. We can’t disappoint him!”
The Prince of Northern Hebei gritted his teeth. “Advisor, your words are true! However, we really don’t have that much money…”
Mr. Zhuge’s gaze turned sharp. “Your Highness, those who achieve great things are not bound by trivial matters!”
The Prince of Northern Hebei nodded heavily, his eyes gleaming with a cold light.
The 3 million taels of silver bills were soon handed over to Lin Beifan.
Lin Beifan was extremely happy.
To be able to produce 3 million taels so quickly, it turns out one shouldn’t underestimate the financial power of a prince! It seems that he can exert even more effort in the future!
“This is the manufacturing method of the air cushion ship!”
Lin Beifan handed over several sheets of paper filled with words and drawings, instructing, “You must be careful and never let it leak out, otherwise, we’ll all be in deep trouble!”
“Mr. Lin, rest assured, we know how to handle it!”
Mo Rushuang and Guo Shaoshuai carefully picked up the documents, put them in a box, and took them away.
Having just made a fortune, Lin Beifan was in a very good mood and planned to go out for a stroll. However, he saw a familiar person and smiled.
“Boss Wang, long time no see! What brings you here?”
