Although they had no intention of spending a fortune on the Emperor’s birthday, if the Second Prince were to spend 600,000 taels here on Ambergris as a birthday gift, it would become very difficult to push through the matter of the hostage exchange. After all, if your own biological son has just spent 600,000 taels on a birthday gift for you, and you then turn around and force your adopted son to go to a hostile nation as a hostage, nobody could afford to lose face like that.
"Damn it!" Li Xian realized the gravity of the situation, but he was in a difficult position: "My funds are only enough to buy the Phoenix Jade Marrow and that batch of Kongwu Slaves. Where would I find the silver now?"
"Your Highness, why don't you drive up the price?" Liu Rui felt a spark of inspiration and added, "Pretend to compete with the Second Prince. Since the Second Prince is determined to buy it, you will 'lose' to him. This way, the Second Prince will have to pay a high price for the Ambergris, and you will gain a reputation for filial piety!"
Chapter 66