Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 217

Chapter 217 Contest
Qin Mubai returned to the inn and prepared to take his salute to the barracks. Chen Yan was right. As a commissioned official of the Imperial Court, especially a capital official personally appointed by the Emperor, it was indeed inappropriate for him to show his face after arriving in Xiangzhou for a few days.

In the inn, the guards of the Hundred Cavalry who had been selected earlier were still waiting patiently. Ever since Qin Mubai and Chen Yan went to the small building, they had disappeared tactfully.

Upon returning to the inn, the guard told Qin Mubai that King Wu had sent Yuwen Hongtai to the inn to look for him and said that there was something urgent. That Yuwen Hongtai was not impatient. The guards told him that he had to find someone without knowing where General Qin was. He only searched the inn and almost dug up three feet. He even quarreled with these guards, saying that they “hid the truth” and did not report it.

Qin Mubai was amused. Blackie was a straightforward fellow. Li Ke had given him the task, so he was focused on completing it, so how could he think of anything else? On the other hand, the soldiers of Baiji were always smart and sensible. There was no doubt about that.

“Then check out the guest room and go to the secretariat’s mansion!” After Qin Mubai told the guards to figure it out, they went to the secretariat’s mansion together.

Yuwen Hongtai was currently working as a guard in the secretariat’s mansion, leading troops to patrol. As soon as he saw Qin Mubai, he hurriedly ran over and shouted, “General Qin, I’ve been looking for you all day. You haven’t been alive or dead, where have you been?”

Qin Mubai and the others were amused.

“Blackie, this stinking mouth of yours really can’t speak.” Qin Mubai slapped his helmet loudly and scolded, “Why are you looking for me so urgently?”

“Hehe!” Yuwen Hongtai smiled foolishly and said, “I don’t know either. However, since His Highness is looking for you urgently, I am also in a hurry. It must be something urgent!”

“Why would His Highness send a fool like you out to take care of things? In the past, this was all Yin Yang’s business.” Qin Mubai looked around and said, “Oh right, why haven’t you seen Yin Yang and Xue Rengui lately? Only you, a black fellow, are wandering around the secretariat’s mansion?”

“Hehe, you still know us!” Yuwen Hongtai’s face was as rotten as a chrysanthemum as he grinned and said, “If the two of them hadn’t been ordered to go to An Zhou to do business, how could they have sent me out to embarrass myself?”

“You went to Anzhou?” Qin Mubai knitted his brows and suddenly realized, “Oh, right! I’m probably going to pick up the princess!”

“Wow! You’re really clever! You guessed right!” Yuwen Hongtai cried out in alarm, “Your Highness has taken office in Xiang Zhou. This place is not too far from An Zhou. Princess Wu has been recovering from her illness in An Zhou, but she has been separated from Your Highness for a year or two. It’s time to meet her again!”

“Am I very old? Who did you learn that name from?” Qin Mubai said with disdain.

“Yamen servants in the manor! Haha, they call us that. I’m relieved to hear that! I guess the people of Xiangzhou are used to calling us that!” Yuwen Hongtai laughed heartily.

“Patrol your sentry post, idiot!” Qin Mubai scolded and went to the backyard to see Li Ke.

Li Ke was in the study when Qin Mubai entered. He understood what was going on because Zheng Anshun happened to be there as well.

“Oh, you’re here.” Li Ke pretended to look behind Qin Mubai and asked in surprise, “Why are you alone, Maid Chen?”

“She’s not my follower. How can I care about her?” Qin Mubai calmly changed the topic, “Brother Zheng is also here. I think there must be something important?”

“General Qin came at the right time. I have an important disappearance to report to you.” Zheng Anshun said, “The day before yesterday, after receiving your orders, I didn’t dare to neglect you, so I immediately started my activities. As expected by the general, the people from the Zhengchang Grain will soon find me and contact me about selling food.”

“What’s the name of the person who came?” Qin Mubai asked.

“Duan.”

“Is it Old Seventh Duan, who is known as Shopkeeper Seven?”

“No.” Zheng Anshun said, “It’s Duan Rongji, the owner of the Zhengchang Grain Hall.”

Qin Mubai suddenly nodded, “That’s right. It should be the big boss to meet someone like you. Of course, a small shopkeeper is not qualified.”

Zheng Anshun smiled and said, “There is another person accompanying him. That person’s surname is Ouyang and his name is Jun. He is the owner of Yongye Salt Square.”

“Heh, there really is no separation between grain and salt. You, the young master of the Zheng Clan, are indeed useful. The Zhengchang Grain Number and the Yongye Salt Workshop have been dispatched together.” Qin Mubai said, “So the two of them are still working together to negotiate with you?”

“That’s right.” Zheng Anshun said, “Perhaps they saw my appetite this time and thought that I must not lose money, so they were anxious to make a move!” However, they were very cautious. They repeatedly asked me about the way I had purchased and transported the food, where the food was going, and how to pay for it. They had asked about all the details. It was obvious that they had come prepared after thinking about Zhou Xiang. And I patiently contacted them. But in the end, they said that they couldn’t bring out five hundred thousand stones of grain. At most, there are only 50,000 stones of white rice and 5,000 stones of fine Huai salt right now. ”

“That’s cunning.” Qin Mubai scolded and said, “This amount of grain and salt is normal for an official grain and salt label in Shangzhou. Thus, even if we catch them selling these official grains and salt privately, the charges won’t be too great.”

“Yes!” Li Ke also said, “Every year at the dock in Xiangzhou, there are about five million stones of grain and salt in transit.” Most of the grain and salt were handed over to the merchant convoys of Zhengchang Grain and Yongye Salt Square for transshipment or sale elsewhere. Even I don’t believe that they only dare to sell tens of thousands of stones of grain and salt privately. “This is because in the past few years, they have been able to cover the sky with one hand in the Xiang Province. They have never been afraid of anyone, and the imperial law has no binding force on them.”

“Grain numbers and grain stores can cover the sky with only one hand?” Qin Mubai and Zheng Anshun asked.

“Do you think anyone can become an official business?” Li Ke curled his lips and said, “Duan Rongji, the owner of the Zhengchang Grain Ship, came from an old rich family. He is a well-known local gentry in Jingxiang. He has a high reputation and charisma among the local gentry.” Moreover, he and Sima Wei Taochen were brothers-in-law. Because of this relationship, the Old Duan Clan and the Wei Clan of Chang’an have more intermarriage dealings, so they also have close dealings with many people in the official circles. ”

“In addition, Ouyang Jun, the boss of Yongye Salt Square, has an even bigger background. Mubai, do you still remember Wu Meiniang’s father?”

“What does it have to do with him, warrior?”

“It matters a lot.” Li Ke raised the corner of his mouth and smiled. “How did a warrior rise to fame? There’s no need for me to elaborate, right?” Back then, Ouyang Jun’s father was a good friend who did business with the warriors. In his early years, he had also funded the Emperor of Wude’s revolt. Afterwards, the warriors became one of the eight prime ministers of the Martial Dynasties because of the Dragon Merit. Ouyang Jun’s father was inferior to the warriors and was not good at officialdom, so he had always been unknown. However, the Martial Emperor and the warriors did not forget him and bestowed him the title of Viscount. However, Ouyang Jun’s father passed away very quickly. You all know what happened shortly afterwards. After my father ascended to the throne, the warriors lost their position and invited themselves to Xiang Province to become foreign officials. One of the reasons was because of Ouyang Jun’s invitation. One of the important reasons why the warrior and the official governor lived a good life here was because he had the help of the Ouyang Clan. At the same time, the warriors also used their power to give the Ouyang Clan a lot of convenience, which further boosted the Ouyang Clan’s influence in the region. In a place like Jing Xiang, there was a strong sense of xenophobia. If it weren’t for the support of the Ouyang Clan, the abdicated Prime Minister might not have been able to spend the rest of his life here. “So it’s ugly to say that it’s not the Ouyang Clan who curry favor with the martial artists, but the martial artists who took the initiative to join this old friend of the business community.”

“Your Highness has given us a very detailed explanation. I still have one or two words to add.” Zheng Anshun said, “Jingzhou area business port is active, financial resources are limitless.” Our Zheng Clan actually wanted to do business a long time ago. However, this place was simply impossible to insert a needle into, and it was impossible to pour water into. All the merchants had the Ouyang Clan and the Duan Clan as their leaders and obeyed their orders. So these years, we’d rather go far to Huyang area to collect goods than do business in nearby Xiangzhou Port. “Here, as long as Ouyang Jun sends a sentence, no one dares to sell us a grain or two of salt, not even the little salt owl from the gang.”

“I didn’t expect the Ouyang Clan and the Duan Clan to be so awesome that they wouldn’t even give your Zheng Clan face. This is really a response. Strong dragons can’t suppress the Earth Snakes.” Qin Mubai said, “In that case, the matter is still a little tricky. Did I underestimate them?”

“It is indeed a bit troublesome. First, Ouyang and Duan are not ordinary businessmen who can be bullied by others. They are very influential, smart and cautious in the locality. Second, they claim that they do not have so much grain and salt, so I cannot argue that they do. Therefore, the initiative is in their hands.” Zheng Anshun said.

“Wait.” Li Ke said, “Since they don’t have so much grain and salt, why did they take the initiative to look for you? Could it be that they were so full that they deliberately ran into you, the eldest young master of the Zheng Clan, and offended your Zheng Clan? Isn’t this good for them?”

“Your Highness is wise!” Zheng Anshun smiled faintly, “Merchants chase profit, only profit.” Apparently they want to make money. They came to me on their own initiative, and it had two meanings. First, they want to show and demonstrate to me that if our Zheng Clan wants to do business in Xiangzhou, we can only cooperate with them and act according to their expressions. “Secondly, they might have such a large quantity of goods in private to test me!”

“Very likely!” Qin Mubai and Li Ke said in unison.

“Then how do you plan to win their trust?”

Zheng Anshun smiled confidently and said, “What they suspect is nothing more than two points. First, what’s the use of having such a large batch of grain? Second, how can I transport such a large batch of grain?”

“Useful?” Li Ke’s eyes lit up and he clapped his hands, “I’ll help you with this. Tomorrow, I’ll gather all the officials of the secretariat office to discuss the matter and tell them that this king has received a secret order from the imperial court to gather grain in Xiang Prefecture. After the autumn harvest this year, I must gather a large amount of grain and ship it to the imperial granary in Guanzhong in case of an emergency.”

“Wonderful, feasible.” Qin Mubai said, “The imperial court wants to collect large quantities of grain in preparation for the war. They can guess what His Highness has said. But since it’s a secret order, who dares to reveal it? Therefore, to businessmen, they can see boundless business opportunities!”

“Haha, this is feasible … The only disadvantage is that Duan Rongji will definitely seize this opportunity to ruthlessly slaughter Zheng Anshun in terms of grain prices.” Li Ke smiled.

“That’s fine. If I can create such an empty rumor, I’ll be able to win Duan Rongji’s trust.” “As for the means of transshipment, it will be easier to solve,” Zheng Anshun said. “It will be agreed later that I will send people to deliver letters to several port terminals. My Zheng family has traveled for several generations, and a few big ships can still be gathered together. As long as these big ships appear on the surface of the Han River, I believe that Ouyang Jun and Duan Rongji will no longer suspect them.”

“How wonderful!” Qin Mubai laughed heartily. “Duan Rongji and Ouyang Jun, these two old foxes, can you still be suspicious after seeing such a big commotion? Haha! I just don’t know how big your Zheng Clan’s ship is. How is it compared to the ship known as the ‘Divine Fish Ship’ in the Xiangzhou Military Manor?”

Zheng Anshun smiled and said, “I’ve seen the Divine Fish Ship before. It’s a military ship modified from the lucky ships of Wu Yue.” The modified ship was sturdy, but it could withstand the wind, waves, and collisions when sailing into the sea, but its loading capacity could only be considered average. Most of our Zheng Clan’s ships are operating in the Peng and Ying areas. Traders travel between the Silla and Baekchi countries, and have occasionally visited Japan once or twice. “Therefore, both the loading capacity and the sturdiness of the ship are slightly better than those of the Fortune Boat.”

Li Ke couldn’t help but stare in astonishment, “Young Master Zheng’s words of’slight victory ‘are definitely a lot of victories. Tell me, how many times more things are loaded on the Zheng Clan’s big ship than the Fortune Ship?”

Zheng Anshun smiled modestly, “About … two to three times!”

“I… fuck!” Qin Mubai cursed in his heart, “The Divine Fish Ship is already considered to be the only ship in the river. Isn’t the Zheng Clan’s ship like a mother ship?” This family is truly abnormal …!

“But wouldn’t such a big ship run aground in the rivers? Where can the docks of Xiangzhou be berthed?” Li Ke asked again.

“Your Highness is very worried.” Zheng Anshun said, “Normally, large ships like these would sail on the sea and occasionally enter the Yangtze River. Therefore, when I discussed with Duan Rongji and Ouyang Jun, I said that if I were to transfer such a large ship, they would have to find a way to transport the cargo to Jingzhou so that I could load and unload it.”

“Excellent!” Qin Mubai said, “I want to see what they used to transport so much grain and salt out of the territory of Xiangzhou!”

“At that time, General Qin will lead the troops to capture them and catch the thieves and spoils.” Zheng Anshun smiled and said, “Only then will the plan to lure the snake out of the cave be considered successful.”

“How could it be so simple?” Li Ke curled his lips and said, “At the very least, Qin Mubai should be able to guarantee that there are no spies from the Duan Clan and the Ouyang Clan in his Xiang Prefecture’s military mansion, but this is obviously very difficult.” Duan Rongji and Sima Wei-tao-chen were brothers-in-law; Wei Xiaochen and Guoyi Commandant Du Chengyuan were close friends. In addition, with Ouyang Jun’s influence and influence in the region, confidants and helpers would definitely be everywhere. I even suspect that the Xiang Prefecture Military Manor has always been helping them to escort them. They are colluding with each other. ”

Zheng Anshun frowned and said, “So we are weak? Even if we succeed in luring the snake out of the cave, there is a high possibility that we won’t be able to do anything to the other party. Or if the news leaks out in advance, the bamboo basket will be wasted.”

Qin Mubai’s expression became more serious. He waved his hand and said, “Your Highness is worried, but Brother Zheng, you don’t have to worry. Follow the plan first and slowly implement it step by step! I have my own way to settle the matters in the military manor. In the end, we still have to rely on the absolute strength of the army to fight them. Leave this task to me.”

Li Ke smiled and said to Zheng Anshun, “Young Master Zheng, you can rest assured. Qin Mubai rarely takes the initiative to slap his chest and promise anything. But as long as he agrees, he will definitely do it. And, he will do it beautifully!”

Zheng Anshun looked left and right at Li Ke and Qin Mubai. He laughed and cupped his hands. “It’s a great fortune and fun to work together with two smart people like you. I’m very honored, Zheng!”

“Qin Mubai, then I’ll have to watch your play next.” Li Ke smiled and said, “Don’t be greedy for gentleness and forget your own business!”

“Greed for what?” Qin Mubai laughed mockingly, “My gentleness is all in Chang’an.”

“Heh, he actually used a cover in front of me!” “Be honest and remember to curry favor with me. Otherwise, I will betray you!” Li Ke shouted.

“What are you betraying me for?” Qin Mubai smiled, and Zheng Anshun also smiled.

“You’re still stubborn, aren’t you?” Li Ke said seriously, “If I were to be quick and tell my precious royal sister about the inexplicable affair between you and the heroine … Hmph, that would be enough for you to drink a few jugs! To tell you the truth, I’m actually an ambush spy beside you. Gaoyang would have bribed me long ago!”

Qin Mubai and Zheng Anshun laughed together.

“Your Highness, being a spy can be done so openly and righteously. You are unprecedented!”