Chapter 1071
Marquis's Caravan Officer
Chapter 1071 The Marquis's Caravan Returns to the Capital
The main hall atop the mountain at Honglu Temple
The vermilion gates were wide open, and a breeze swept through the corridor, passing over the bronze chimes hanging in the corner, producing a clear yet chaotic sound.
Inside the main hall,
The incense burner, adorned with gilded animal heads, emitted swirling sandalwood fragrance. The murals on the walls depicted scenes of all nations paying tribute. Between the pillars of the side hall, draped curtains swayed in the breeze, scattering the light into dappled fragments.
All of this vanished the moment the palace doors were suddenly opened. Seeing the anxious face of his trusted eunuch, the numerous eunuchs and servants still preparing inside all stopped what they were doing. As if sensing something, the princes' hearts skipped a beat.
The King of Song's face darkened, and he rebuked him;
"What kind of behavior is this? What's the panic?"
Seeing the princes' grim expressions, the eunuch stopped abruptly, quickly knelt down, and said;
"Your Highness, I was outside when I received a message from a guard sent by the Prince of Jin. It says that a banquet has been reorganized at Youlai Restaurant on the south bank of Qinghu Lake. Several princes are invited to move their banquets there. New invitations have also been sent to other princes' residences, but the time of the banquet remains unchanged."
"What? The location has changed?"
The King of Han was somewhat surprised. Everything was almost ready, but the person hadn't shown up. The Kings of Chen and Wu exchanged a glance, feeling rather helpless. Anyone could see through this little trick. They had said the banquet time couldn't be changed, but the King wouldn't listen.
"It must have been the Prince of Jin and the Marquis of Luoyun who realized something was wrong and changed the venue. I told them that this matter should not be changed. How could they send out invitations and then change the time!"
The King of Wu couldn't help but complain, and the King of Chen, who shared the same view, also chimed in.
"Brother Wang, it seems that Marquis Luoyun has noticed something. All the effort put into this arrangement has been wasted. How boring!"
The King of Chen had no other intentions, but the King of Han was somewhat displeased.
"Why are you not in the mood? This is the Court of State Ceremonial, and the Emperor has said that he will host a banquet for us here. What, just because my nephew has a mouth, should we move our feet?"
"Yes, everything is ready. Even the imperial chefs from the palace have come to help. All the pots and pans at the foot of the mountain are on the stove. How can we not cook the food after the pots are cooked?"
King Song was unwilling to give up. Besides, he had never heard of that Youlai Restaurant before; it must be an unknown place. Only King Zheng remained silent, gazing at the lavish decorations throughout the room, feeling as if he were trying to catch the moon's reflection in the water.
Where is the invitation?
"Your Highness, it is right here."
Upon hearing this, the eunuch quickly handed over the invitation. King Zheng, seeing that it was written in black and white ink, clearly hastily, with messy handwriting, obviously written in a rush. It was evident that his nephew had reacted quickly.
Do you know anything about this Youlai Restaurant?
"Your Highness, this Youlai Restaurant is a must-try in the capital. Several princes often gather there. Their Western Region cuisine is famous throughout the capital. There are rumors that it is owned by the King of the West. The place mentioned on the invitation is where students from the Imperial Academy and Qinglian Academy fought. They are still being held in the Military Affairs Office."
A few words explained the matter of Youlai Restaurant; this information could be easily obtained in the capital. However, the princes frowned in thought. The Western Prince's family's businesses had all come to the capital. Also, why would the Military Commanders be bothered with these troublesome individuals?
"Understood. Go down and prepare the vehicle frame first, then wait at the foot of the mountain. Also, bring some gifts with you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The eunuch bowed and left the main hall. The King of Han, with a gloomy expression, looked at the King of Zheng, who was holding an invitation, and asked;
"Brother Zheng, what do you mean by this? Do you really want us to go to that restaurant to welcome you? If so, we might as well skip this banquet!"
His angry questioning also aroused the suspicion of the King of Song.
“Brother Wang, although guests should follow the host’s lead, even if we follow the host’s lead, there is no question of changing the location. I feel that if we go there, we will lose face.”
He wanted to say something more, but King Zheng raised his hand to stop him.
"From the moment we arrived in the capital and were ambushed by Marquis Luoyun, we lost all face. Of all the schemes in the city, how many are still of any use now? Even the Wu family doesn't dare to be the first to act. The rest are cowards who can't amount to anything."
now,
King Zheng's wise gaze swept over the group, seemingly with a hint of self-mockery.
"We thought we still had hope, but alas, things have come to this."
He looked around and shouted.
"All of you, step back,"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The eunuchs serving in the hall all bowed and withdrew, making the atmosphere in the room even more solemn. Prince Chen clasped his hands in greeting and asked.
"Brother Wang, what did you mean by what you just said?"
"You all know what I mean. Now it seems that even if we were given the opportunity, which of us would actually take that step? So, we might as well focus on managing our fiefdoms."
King Zheng was quite moved, but the others looked surprised and, unsure whether King Zheng was telling the truth, remained silent.
a long time,
The Prince of Han looked cautious. The current situation was somewhat difficult to control. Remembering the advice of his strategist Xu Liangcai, no one in the Prince of Zheng's residence could be trusted. He could only feign compliance.
“What Brother Wang says makes sense. My three nephews have all established their own households and even Prince Bei Jing, Shui Rong, and Prince Dong Ping, Mu Shi, rely on them. Together with Marquis Luo Yun, they form a three-way balance of power. Where is there any place for us to stand? Forget it.”
He sighed softly, sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. The King of Song and the King of Chen, still suspicious, wondered if their two elder brothers had been watching too much drama. They exchanged a glance, then remained motionless. Only the King of Wu believed it, a smile on his face.
“Oh dear, you two brothers are so magnanimous. In that case, why don’t we head to the place sooner to clear up the misunderstanding?”
"Then there's no need for that. Since they're going to have a banquet, we should prepare some food and drinks here and not waste them. How about we have the banquet here with just the people here?"
"good,"
"Can,"
Immediately, King Zheng made a suggestion, and everyone responded. They sat cross-legged facing each other, closing their eyes to rest.
"Grandma, Grandma, there's news! There's news!"
In the Pear Garden of Rongguo Mansion, Laiwang hurriedly led several servants, making a ruckus, straight to the main hall. Inside, Wang Xifeng, with Ping'er, was sitting there checking the accounts. She had only looked at less than half of the account books on the table when she heard the shouts outside.
Immediately, Ping'er closed the account book, covered it with a brocade cloth, walked to the door, opened it, and replied irritably,
"What are you shouting for so early in the morning?"
"Uh, Miss Ping'er, there's news from the Military Command."
Laiwang wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, his face full of anxiety. His clothes were already somewhat dirty and disheveled, a testament to his busy work over the past few days.
"Come in,"
"Miss Xie Ping'er."
Following Ping'er, who was dressed in a light blouse and skirt, into the house, Laiwang dared not slow down. After a few steps into the inner hall, he found the Second Mistress sitting upright in the room, just as she had yesterday, wearing an apricot-yellow silk blouse and skirt, with a serious expression on her face.
"This servant greets Your Majesty,"
Wang Xifeng's eyes flickered as she scrutinized Laiwang. His gray clothes were already wrinkled and tattered; this servant had indeed done his work.
"Get up. What's all the shouting outside? Has the Military Command released the prisoners?"
It's simply that the military command couldn't handle so many people causing trouble, so they naturally released the person.
"Reporting to Grandmother, the Military Command said they would lock him up for three days as a sign of respect. Master Bao has not returned yet. However, when I was keeping watch, they said that the merchant caravan that went to the border would return in the next few days. Furthermore, a merchant guild employee said that their manager had already sent a message by carrier pigeon, instructing the guild here to prepare carriages and escorts to meet him at the dock."
When people get excited, they speak in a hurry, but fortunately, they were able to explain the situation smoothly.
With a "whoosh",
The teacup in Wang Xifeng's hand fell to the table with a thud. She was first taken aback, then overjoyed.
"Can you see clearly?"
“Grandma, I saw it clearly. Although it wasn’t confirmed at the dock, I saw it with my own eyes at the water bridge. Several houses near the water bridge had been emptied by the Chamber of Commerce and were being prepared for use as warehouses.”
Laiwang was absolutely certain, and he wasn't the only one who saw this. He was also envious, having heard that Jia Yun had mortgaged his old house to borrow money on the trip. He wondered how much he could earn from it, and this thought made him lose focus.
"Good, good, this solves the immediate problem. Go back to the water bridge and the dock and keep an eye on things. If there's any movement, come back and report. If Jia Yun returns, have him come here."
"Yes, Grandma, this servant will go right away." Laiwang responded and withdrew. He also wanted to see if he could smuggle something along with the goods in the trade. In the past, the merchant caravans in the manor had always done this. Thinking about this, he was also anxious.
After people leave,
Wang Xifeng then suppressed her excitement.
"Ping'er, go get our account book and calculate how much silver we can earn on this trip. We borrowed ten thousand taels from our sister-in-law and another ten thousand taels from the old lady of the Marquis's mansion. Our own capital is all we have."
If only I had brought out all my hidden treasures! But then I thought, if I really did bring them out, and things went wrong this time, I'd lose all my capital to start over.
It's not as stable as some businesses in the capital. As for my sister-in-law, where would she get so much money to lend her? Thinking of the Marquis's mansion, I can't help but feel a little jealous.
“Grandma, money can be earned slowly, as long as it’s safe. If Jia Yun can go on this trip, at least he’ll become familiar with the trade routes. If the Marquis’s mansion agrees, this trade route might just stay in your hands.”
Ping'er spoke with a smile as she walked into the warm pavilion, took an account book from the cabinet, held it in her arms, and then came out.
"You're quite thoughtful, remembering things so clearly. Even if Jia Yun went through it once, it only means he's familiarized himself with the ways. He really can't join a caravan on his own."
If this trade route actually makes money, unless the family splits up, even if they earn a lot, it's all for someone else's benefit. It's better not to earn it at all; they might not even have the money they have now.
"It was my fault for being so talkative, but Madam, the caravan has just returned. No secrets stay hidden forever. If anyone says anything they shouldn't, the servants in this manor have no secrets."
Ping'er pouted, looking somewhat aggrieved. Her grandmother's temper had been quite bad these past few days, and perhaps influenced by Ping'er's words, Wang Xifeng raised an eyebrow and gave a cold snort.
"There are only a few people who went with the caravan, and they were personally selected by Jia Yun. If they dare to talk nonsense, don't blame me for being ruthless. The people who went with us to the border this time all had smuggled their own goods. If they dare to gossip, hmph."
Regardless, the money doubled after the trip, so who would complain about having too much money in their hands?
"Grandma is so thoughtful. Fifth Sister-in-law is not a talkative person over there in the alley. If the Chamber of Commerce sells the goods and gets the money, will that money be kept at the mansion?"
Ping'er was still a little worried. There were only a few places in the house where silver could be hidden, and she was afraid that the Second Master would find it. After all, the Second Master had been spending a lot of money these past few days.
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. You little hussy, all the silver that I hid was found by you to curry favor with your second master. They say it's hard to guard against a thief within the family, and that's absolutely true."
"Grandma, you're right. If I hadn't been watching over things, all this silver would have been gone long ago."
Ping'er pouted in grievance, which immediately enraged Wang Xifeng.
"Fine, I say one thing to you and you have two more to say. What, you think you can just hand over Grandma's seat to me? You brat, give up on that idea!"
That was practically pointing fingers and insulting them, all while they were arguing inside the house.
outside,
An old woman shouted,
"Second Grandma, Second Grandma, the old lady wants you to come over."
"Got it, let's go."
Hearing the shouts outside, Wang Xifeng was still furious. She reached out and pinched Ping'er's large breasts, scolding her.
This sound made the old woman who was delivering the message outside shrink back and quickly turn away.
Just like that,
The bustling docks of the capital were just as busy as yesterday. Breaking through the mist on the water, five merchant ships were seen docking. The people on the deck had already disembarked. Jia Yun, looking travel-worn and weary, looked at the bustling scene before him, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Quick, quick, throw the rope back! Everyone get off the boat, get off the boat, get ready to unload the cargo."
"Go, go to the docks and hire men to unload the cargo,"
On the shore, a convoy of the Chamber of Commerce was already waiting, but with so many ships arriving, everyone was in a bit of a rush.
As everyone began unloading the goods, Jia Yun felt a little worried. The caravan had returned with a great harvest, but while such good news was enough to make people happy, it was not a good thing for the Second Madam in the Duke's mansion.
On the dock,
The stable boys were busy shuttling back and forth, while the carts pulled by slow horses were lined up, waiting to be loaded with goods. The stable boys led the horses and kept them calm, while the rest of the crew watched from all sides. Only the hired laborers were busy moving things on the boat.
"One, two, three, lift! Put some effort into it."
With the cargo from several ships already unloaded, and the convoy making several trips back and forth, it seemed that the unloading was almost complete.
Just thinking,
Footsteps sounded behind her. Jia Yun turned around and saw Shang Da, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, wearing a dark gray silk robe and a melon-shaped hat. Although he looked tired, he couldn't hide the joy on his face.
"Yun-ge'er, you deserve the most credit for accompanying us on this trip. After the goods are returned to the Chamber of Commerce and inventoried, the Chamber of Commerce will buy them all. At that time, we will report to the Marquis's Mansion and then wait to receive our share of the silver."
He already knew the goods in the caravan. Looking at Jia Yun's capable spirit, his eyes were full of admiration. Jia Yun quickly cupped her hands in greeting.
"It's all thanks to the chairman's care. If it weren't for the chairman's support, how would Jia Yun have dared to go to the border region?"
Thinking of the various obstacles posed by local government troops along the way, as well as the cavalry outside the pass, if it weren't for the banner of the Marquis's mansion, they might have lost both their people and their wealth halfway there.
Shang Da waved his hand and said;
"Brother Yun, you're too kind. Although I took care of you along the way, I saw how you replenished supplies at the hotels and looked after things before and after the journey. Now that you're back, Brother Yun can finally get some rest."
"Thank you, Chairman, but isn't it too conspicuous to just transport so many goods into the city like this?"
Although it was the Marquis's residence, other merchant caravans, and even other merchant guilds, were just a ship full of goods. Even so, it aroused the envy of many. If too many people from the Marquis's residence came, it would inevitably cause controversy.
Little did they know that the Chamber of Commerce president smiled, patted Jia Yun on the shoulder, and looked at him with obvious satisfaction.
"I've been leading caravans for twenty years, traveling all over the country, if not everywhere, but most of it. But you're the only one with such a dedication; that's truly rare."
This time, the caravans returning to the capital consist of five companies and several security escort agencies. All the transport will be handled by them, passing through different city gates. These arrangements have already been made, so Brother Yun needn't worry. I actually think that Brother Yun has a bright future ahead of him; why not come and be a deputy in the Chamber of Commerce?
Shang Da saw this and was pleased. If he could come to the Chamber of Commerce for a period of time to train, he would be a good candidate for business.
Jia Yun blushed, his heart pounding with excitement, but he was also worried. He wondered if his grandmother would agree to the Duke's mansion. After hesitating for a moment, he still dared not agree.
"Thank you for your praise, Chairman. I dare not accept it. If I were to join the merchant caravan at the Duke's mansion, I wonder if the Second Madam would be willing to grant my request."
She was still somewhat tempted. After all, she had studied the Chamber of Commerce for so long and had figured it out thoroughly. The business path was so clear, which was worlds apart from the Duke's Mansion. It could also provide her mother with a good life in the future.
"Haha, the fact that you can think of these things shows that I haven't misjudged you. In the future, the caravans will need someone to lead them. I'm getting old, and although I have apprentices, I can only manage one caravan at a time. In good years, we can run four or five caravans a year. I'll pass on a message to the Rongguo Mansion. I think the Second Madam won't refuse to release him. What do you say?"
Shang Da looked at the dock not far away, and his mind was made up. Since the trade route was easy to travel, and the Marquis's mansion would provide support along the way, this route was a sure thing.
"If the chairman makes a decision, Jia Yun will follow his instructions."
"Haha, okay, okay."
Shang Da laughed again, seeing that Jia Yun had agreed to this year's arrangements. If they made two more trips, they would be familiar with the trade routes, and next year they could start preparing without any worries.
The two continued to arrange some details at the dock before following the group back to the West Gate to prepare for the inventory at the Chamber of Commerce.
Although these commotions were not significant, they were still noticed by those who were interested, especially the people sent by the Duke's mansion to keep watch. They immediately saw Jia Yun enter the city by carriage, quickly rode back to report, and hurriedly left.
(End of this chapter)