Wangfu.
Zhao Jiaqi caught a chill and was rained on, and indeed developed a fever that night. She was groggy for two days and drank bitter medicine for two days, and her condition began to improve.
Zhao Jiaqi licked her bitter lips, feeling like she could cry without tears. If it weren't for the medicine being too bitter, she really wouldn't want to drink it, otherwise she would have to lie in bed for a few more days.
Zhao Jiaqi appeared for breakfast, which rekindled hope in the two emperors. They had held back their words for two days and could finally speak their minds.
If anyone was more anxious, it was Baili Kai'en. His mind was quick and his mouth was even quicker. He directly asked Zhao Jiaqi, "I've seen your sluice gate, and it's truly excellent. We both want to build one in our own countries!"
Zhao Jiaqi flicked her eyelids and looked at the Xuan Yuan Emperor. After these few days of contact, she found that this Xuan Yuan Emperor, who seemed quite astute, was actually a great fool. No matter what he did, he charged headfirst without considering the thoughts of others.
Perhaps this was the selfishness of an emperor, unwilling to share. Of course, it also depended on what was being shared, such as the sluice gate she had built.
Zhao Jiaqi's lips curled upwards, and she smiled, "Certainly. When this sluice gate is closed, it can prevent river water from overflowing. When it's opened, it can release floodwaters or draw water from the river to irrigate fertile land. It's an invaluable helper."
Hearing this, Helian Zhicheng finally understood. It was exactly as he had thought.
No wonder in all these years, they had never heard of any natural disasters in the inner city. It turned out they had already made preparations. They just didn't know who had come up with this idea. Anyone who could conceive of such a good thing must be ingenious and intelligent.
Baili Kai'en glanced down at the lightly speaking princess, his lips pouting. He wondered if the princess was playing dumb with him.
Did she really need him to state things very clearly?
Not wanting to be the first to speak, he shifted his gaze to Helian Zhicheng. The latter, receiving his signal, braced himself and began to chat with Zhao Jiaqi.
Helian Zhicheng: "We heard two days ago that the princess had caught a cold, and my wife and I dared not disturb your rest. Seeing your improved complexion today, I presume you have recovered!"
One doesn't hit a smiling face. Zhao Jiaqi returned his smile, "Yes, much better. Thank you for your concern!"
Whether the concern was for her or for something else, everyone present knew very well.
If they didn't mention it, she would never proactively bring it up. After all, she wasn't the one holding back.
However, it did remind her. If these two genuinely admired the water gate, she could certainly profit from it, and the money could be used for the disaster-stricken common people. It would be killing two birds with one stone.
With this thought, her smile became even brighter, and she found even plain congee delicious.
After the two emperors exchanged glances, Helian Zhicheng spoke first. He feared that the foolish one opposite him might say something to displease the princess, which would jeopardize their request, making it an unworthy endeavor.
Soon, he said, "To be frank, Princess, I am very fond of that water gate and would like to build several in Dingbei Liao. However, I'm not sure how it is constructed or what its internal structure is. I wonder if the Princess could generously enlighten us?"
Baili Kai'en also looked at Zhao Jiaqi nervously, his dull eyes fixed on her lips. Now he felt that this mouth, besides being annoying, was also exceptionally beautiful.
This was only limited to when she spoke words he liked to hear!
Zhao Jiaqi put down her chopsticks and gently wiped her lips with a silk handkerchief. Even these simple actions felt like crossing a world to the two emperors.
Despite their impatience, neither dared to rush her, waiting patiently for her to speak, their anxious hearts pounding wildly.
After rinsing her mouth, she slowly replied, "The water gate, it's simple if you know how, and complex if you don't! It entirely depends on whether you know how to do it!"
The two were stunned by her words. Baili Kai'en said, "Then it must be complex, as neither of our countries has such a thing!"
Zhao Jiaqi responded indifferently, "Oh, well, if you want to install this water gate, it's not that we can't help you. But there's no free lunch in the world, is there? I'm providing the people and the technology, so at the very least, I should get something for them, right?"
Upon hearing this, the two emperors realized this was simply a demand for money, and what difficulty was there in that?
Matters that could be resolved with money were not matters at all. Helian Zhicheng, with his vast wealth, waved his hand and asked, "Tell us, how much silver?"
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow. Seeing his promptness, without even a hint of hesitation, she thought, wasn't this like a sheep walking into a tiger's den, delivering food to her?
If she didn't ask for an exorbitant price, she'd be doing a disservice to his eagerness.
She had a conscience, but not an overwhelming one. As long as it benefited the common people of her own country, she wouldn't mind fleecing others.
After a moment of thought, she held up two fingers. This left Helian Zhicheng and Baili Kai'en bewildered.
They exchanged a quick glance, then looked away, guessing, "Is it two million taels?"
Seeing that Zhao Jiaqi didn't respond to Baili Kai'en's question, Helian Zhicheng trembled and said, "Is it two million taels of gold?"
Both of them, quite consciously, didn't mention twenty million, as that was a truly staggering sum.
Seeing their trembling, their voices wavering, Zhao Jiaqi couldn't help but break into a smile.
It seemed that these two men's treasuries weren't very full either. They had spoken so boldly just now, and now their voices were trembling over money.
But little did she know, their trembling wasn't due to the money itself, but rather their uncertainty about whether she meant two million, twenty million, or even two cities. Hence their unease, which led to their fright.
She finally shook her head and said, "I have two plans for you to choose from. The price will differ for each choice, so you will have to make the final decision yourselves."
So that's what holding up two fingers meant! The two emperors breathed a sigh of relief, sweat beading on their foreheads. The princess's words were truly unnerving.
Helian Zhicheng extended his hand, signaling her to continue. At this point, he couldn't casually interrupt her. He had already revealed his hand, which was not a wise move.
Zhao Jiaqi didn't think that far ahead. Since they asked her to speak, she would be blunt. "First, you can choose a one-time deal. I'll tell you all the techniques, and then you can install it yourselves. As for what happens afterward, it's none of my business. Of course, the fee will be paid in full at once."
"Second, it's a lifetime responsibility. If there are any upgrades or repairs to the water gate in the future, we will send people to repair and upgrade it for you. However, the fee will be paid annually until you feel the water gate no longer needs upgrading or repairs."
Repairs were easy to understand, but what did "upgrades" mean?
Helian Zhicheng didn't understand, and Baili Kai'en was even more confused. Both asked the same question at the same time.