Chapter 150: Making Money
Xiao Yi obtained the booklet left by Li Ye, and knew that Yan Jinqing’s family was immensely wealthy.
However, when he went to the Yan residence, there was no sign of luxury or extravagance, only subtle details that offered clues.
The street in front of the house was paved with orderly bluestone slabs, and the drainage ditches on both sides were built with green bricks, unlike the muddy and dirty alleys elsewhere.
The people walking in the alley moved with light steps, mostly wearing blue robes, looking like residents from the neighborhood, and should all be Yan mansion’s servants and retainers.
The Yan residence had a very low-key lintel. Yan Jinqing himself was waiting outside the gate, dressed in casual clothes, wearing a fur cloak, and pacing back and forth under the eaves supported by layers of dougong.
“Minister Yan.”
“This commoner greets General Xiao. You are truly a man of your word, General, and have indeed come.”
“Minister Yan is too polite.”
After exchanging greetings, Xiao Yi had Lu Chou help Shi Deyu off the carriage behind them.
Looking at Yan Jinqing again, his expression was quite complex.
Recalling the scene last winter outside Wang Zhang’s mansion, where Shi Deyu galloped past Yan Jinqing, it felt like a lifetime ago.
“This junior greets Minister Yan.”
“Ah, Da Lang Shi, you are truly… truly too polite.”
Yan Jinqing sighed twice, rubbed his hands, and looked at Xiao Yi, his eyes seeming to indicate a desire to speak alone, finding Shi Deyu to be a nuisance.
It was understandable; after waiting outside the Shi family’s door in the wind and snow to deliver news that day, Shi Deyu must have broken his heart.
Xiao Yi said, “I happened to accompany Da Lang out of the city, and I was afraid I would be late if I took him back to his residence first.”
“So that’s how it is. Then… should we add another table?”
“No need, no need,” Shi Deyu said humbly. “It’s the same for me and Lu Chou waiting for Brother Xiao Yi in the side room.”
“How can we be so disrespectful to Da Lang? Please, have a seat in the Flower Hall for a moment.”
Upon entering, the Yan residence was not grand, but it was exquisite.
Shi Deyu was arranged in the Flower Hall, and his mood was unknown.
Xiao Yi, however, went to the warm room with Yan Jinqing, dining side by side, talking while watching the singing and dancing.
There were only three musicians, and the eight dancers performed in two alternating teams, a pleasure to behold.
The environment was comfortable, the wine was mellow, and even the dishes were ones Xiao Yi had enjoyed twice when dining at Fan Lou, showing the host had put great effort into the hospitality.
After eating and drinking his fill, Xiao Yi said, “Minister Yan, you live like an immortal, why cling to officialdom?”
Yan Jinqing smiled bitterly, “I have wealth but no power. Today they fine me a thousand guan, and tomorrow another thousand guan. That’s bad enough, but business for my clan is also becoming unsustainable.”
“So Fan Lou doesn’t belong to Minister Yan alone.”
“My clan is united, which is how we support such a large enterprise. As I previously held some official positions, I still have some influence within the clan.”
Xiao Yi took a sip of wine, knowing Yan Jinqing wanted to be reinstated. But he wasn’t in a hurry to get to the main topic, and instead looked at the musicians and dancers.
Yan Jinqing understood and dismissed them.
“Minister Yan, you are from Jin, do you also have business in Hedong?”
“We do have some.”
“After the New Year, His Majesty’s greatest concern is Liu Chong. Are there any reports from the north?”
“The heavy snow has blocked the roads, and travel is impossible… I have heard scattered rumors. Liu Chong may not submit to His Majesty.”
Xiao Yi asked, “Is the news accurate?”
Yan Jinqing leaned forward and whispered, “I dare not deceive you, General. Yesterday, someone from my clan reported that Liu Chong is preparing to declare himself emperor and secede Hedong.”
“Then what are Minister Yan’s plans? I presume a considerable amount of ancestral property and land is still in Hedong?”
“I am naturally loyal to His Majesty, why would I spare worldly possessions? I only fear that I have no way to serve the country.”
“How can you have no way to serve the country? His Majesty once devised a strategy to defeat Liu Chong, and one of its points was infiltration into Hedong. At that time, Minister Yan, familiar with the situation in Hedong, would be the most suitable candidate.”
Yan Jinqing raised his cup with both hands and said, “I dare to ask General to introduce me. I will never forget this great kindness.”
Xiao Yi did not agree immediately and asked, “What is the biggest obstacle to your reinstatement?”
“This… General Xiao is not an outsider, so I will speak frankly.”
“Speak frankly, it’s fine.”
“Minister Wang’s character is truly harsh. Although he did not take my life, he believes I was disloyal. Alas, I am truly wronged.”
Xiao Yi was suddenly put in a difficult position and muttered, “Wang Jun is a jealous and power-hungry person. With him in charge, you will have difficulty rising. I am young and of low rank, how can I compare to his power and status?”
“Alas, I have tried several times to curry favor with him, but I have never had the opportunity.”
“If you are talking about opportunity, there is one.”
“Please, General, do not withhold your guidance.”
“The Shi residence.”
Yan Jinqing was stunned and said, “The Shi residence?”
“Wang Jun wants to claim the Shi residence for himself, but due to His Majesty’s goodwill towards the Shi family, he finds it difficult to act.”
“If that is the case, why doesn’t Da Lang Shi offer the courtyard house to Wang Jun in exchange for promotion?”
Xiao Yi shook his head and sighed, “What Minister Yan needs may not be what Da Lang needs. He is alone, what use does he have for an official position?”
Yan Jinqing thought for a moment and said softly, “Then how about this: I will pay the money and buy the Shi residence to gift to Wang Jun. This way, all three parties will get what they need.”
Xiao Yi could not help but praise, “A good idea.”
“But what price does Da Lang Shi wish to sell it for?”
“Minister Yan, you name a price. If it’s suitable, I will persuade Da Lang. How about that?”
Yan Jinqing slowly held up three fingers.
Xiao Yi’s mind was on thirty thousand guan.
However, Yan Jinqing said, “Three million cash.”
It sounded impressive, but it was only three thousand guan.
This was a businessman, shrewd and stingy, unwilling to spend an extra coin for Shi Deyu.
Xiao Yi found it difficult to say some things directly and said, “That’s a bit too little.”
“With the continuous warfare, the previous dynasty was replaced by a new one in just three years. Official residences in Kaifeng are unlikely to have many buyers.”
“I will give Minister Yan a piece of news, and add another million cash. How about it?”
“General still has such affection for the Shi family? Alright.”
“The price of residences in Kaifeng will only continue to rise from now on.”
The two clinked their cups, settling on the price of four thousand guan for the Shi residence.
This matter was a win-win-win, yet there were four parties involved: Wang Jun, Yan Jinqing, Shi Deyu, and Xiao Yi.
Ultimately, one party had to suffer a loss.
In chaotic times, those without power are like fish and meat.
In the end, Xiao Yi called over Lu Chou and instructed, “Tomorrow, have Old Pan accompany Da Lang to finalize the deed, buy him a decent small house, and give him ten guan per month for expenses from now on.”
“Young Master, ten guan is too much, isn’t it? He’s alone, how can he spend it all?”
“Just do as I say…”
The next day, after the holiday ended, it was time to return to training the soldiers.
Xiao Yi ordered the wolf banner embroidered by Wang Jiu to be hung on the camp, drawing ridicule from others in the Palace Army and Imperial Guard.
He had a thick skin and did not argue with anyone. Whether it was a wolf or a dog would only be determined on the battlefield.
At the second watch of the morning, Li Chongjin sent someone to summon him to the Military Yamen. Zhang Yongde was also there. Seeing him, both had expressions of disappointment.
“Ayi, you truly are something.”
Xiao Yi knew they were referring to the events of the Lantern Festival. He wondered if Guo Xin had thrown a tantrum.
He still felt wronged, unable to bring Zhang Wan out yet.
“Haha,” Li Chongjin suddenly laughed twice and said, “You are truly daring. To have secret meetings with the An family, it’s one thing not to accompany us properly, but you even used the Li family’s young lady.”
“Hmm?”
So that was what he thought.
Li Chongjin said, “Others may not know, but you cannot hide it from me. I see that your treatment of Wu Niang and Li Xiao Niang Zi is purely friendship, otherwise, why would you give them the same cotton cloth? When you went downstairs with An Shi that night, her gaze towards you…”
“Cough, cough.”
“I mean, you deserve to lose your official position.”
“Let’s go, His Majesty has summoned us.”
Hearing Guo Wei suddenly summon him, Xiao Yi was a little worried that the matter of him cheating Shi Deyu out of money had been exposed, but he figured it wouldn’t be that fast.
The three of them entered the palace together.
Xiao Yi suddenly realized something: he was only a commander, yet each time only he accompanied two military heads into the palace.
Upon arriving at Zi Chen Hall, only Wang Jun, Wei Renpu, Li Gu, Wang Pu, and a few others were present.
After paying respects, Xiao Yi stood at the back, observing quietly. He saw an abacus and a wine jar on the imperial desk, judging that the emperor and his ministers had just discussed tax reform or matters of money and grain.
Guo Wei was not happy, undoubtedly because of the lack of money.
Just like himself.
“Xiao Yi.”
“Your subject is here.”
“Wu Niang told me something.”
Guo Wei paused slightly at this point, picked up the wine from the imperial desk, and took a sip.
He did not deliberately hide his emotions, which brought immense pressure to Xiao Yi.
Finally, he continued.
“Great Xiangguo Temple… has accepted donations from many for merit, but instead of receiving the temple’s protection, they were betrayed to rebels, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yi knew who Guo Wei was referring to as the donors and knew that Guo Xin had said this long ago. Guo Wei had waited until today to ask, not for revenge.
“Daoji, you will investigate this case.”
“Your subject obeys.”
“The Dianqian Division shall cooperate with the Bureau of Military Affairs to investigate this matter.”
“We obey.”
Guo Wei said no more and dismissed them.
Exiting Zi Chen Hall, Wei Renpu tucked in the sleeves of his official robe, gazed at the distant Kaifeng City, and exhaled a puff of white air.
“Do you know His Majesty’s intentions?”
“We understand,” Li Chongjin said. “Settle accounts with the bald monks.”
Zhang Yongde worriedly said, “The dynasty has just been established. If we move against the temples at this time, it may shake the hearts of the people.”
Wei Renpu looked at Xiao Yi and asked, “What do you think?”
Xiao Yi asked, “Money?”
“Not just money, but also national land, population, and taxes.”
“I understand. It’s not just to investigate Great Xiangguo Temple or its Abbot, this is a pretext. His Majesty wants to ban Buddhism?”
“You’ve only half-guessed correctly. The Dianqian Division must assist me in apprehending the Abbot of Great Xiangguo Temple, finding ironclad evidence of their rebellion, and confiscating the temple’s property. This is the pretext, but banning Buddhism is too precipitous.”
Wei Renpu, for once, clearly stated Guo Wei’s intentions, saying, “His Majesty wishes to regulate temples, ban the private ordination of monks and nuns, eliminate redundant monks, and order temples to surrender some of their land.”
Xiao Yi understood. This task was a test for the Palace Army, not in terms of military might, but in terms of execution.
He felt Guo Wei was a bit too conservative. If one were to act, it should be with thunderous force.
Unfortunately, at present, he could not influence the court’s major decisions.
However, this task was an opportunity, perhaps a chance to make a small move and advance the course of history.
