Chapter 158

"Cousin!"

"Zhiyan!"

"Cousin!!"

"Zhiyan!!"

The Poker Face slightly turned his head, unable to bear witnessing this sappy scene.

"Cousin, I brought you something—it's outside—but the two men in the bookstore refused to let me in. Could you please...?"

"Oh Zhiyan! Just seeing you makes me happy—why bring anything at all? Don't ever do this again!"

Wang Tai snorted: "These servants outside have no sense! They dare block even my nephew's gifts! Wuqian, go—have them bring the items in, and give them a proper scolding!"

Wang Tai had assumed Wang Yang had simply brought some trivial gift, but a row of large red gift chests was lined up before him.

"Zhiyan, this... this is too much! Why go to such trouble?!"

Wang Yang's gaze was sincere, his expression grave: "Not only did you handle my household registration, Cousin, but when I was stranded in Jingzhou, alone and destitute like a rootless duckweed, trembling with fear—it was you who took me in..."

Wang Yang's voice trembled slightly, as if struggling to suppress his surging emotions; he paused, then continued:

"You treated me like your own flesh and blood, cared for me endlessly, planned for me at every turn, exhausting yourself! I, Wang Yang, am not ungrateful! These modest gifts are merely a token of my heart—barely worth mentioning! If, as you foretold, I one day rise to great heights, I will never forget your kindness!"

Wang Tai, moved, patted Wang Yang's shoulder: "Good boy! Truly a good boy! Virtuous and talented! I never misjudged you! You will surely glorify our Wang clan! But I only need to know you have this heart—we are family, no need for formalities. You've struggled to establish yourself in Jingzhou; your business needs capital. Don't ever spend so lavishly again!"

Wang Yang looked embarrassed: "Yes, Cousin, I understand. Actually, I was just passing on gifts—I got most of this from the Prince's bounty."

Wang Tai's expression changed: "Did the Prince of Badong have you deliver this?"

"No no no! Cousin, you told me not to speak of you to others—how could it be the Prince's doing? These were gifts he gave me personally. Right away, I thought to bring some to you."

"He gave them to you?" Wang Tai asked, expressionless.

Wang Yang beamed with excitement: "Yes! Cousin, you wouldn't believe it—the Prince truly values me! Before the festival, he summoned me to the princely mansion and said he was establishing a Changping Granary and wanted my help planning it. I only offered a few suggestions, but they were spot-on! He praised me highly, said he'd appoint me as a commoner to assist him in building the granary, and gave me generous gifts—money, goods, everything! He called it payment for my help! When he learned I was in the silk trade, he even arranged warehouse rentals for me—entire warehouses, dozens of them! I couldn't possibly use them all..."

Wang Tai's expression grew increasingly grave: "Nephew, wait—slow down. You say the Prince of Badong is building a Changping Granary? When did this happen?"

"Just before the Dragon Boat Festival."

"How does he plan to build it? Where will the grain come from?"

"I'm not sure, but it seems preparations are already underway—the grain shipments will start after the festival."

Wang Tai pondered a moment, then asked: "Where did he rent the warehouses? Under whose name? Were they rented before or after he summoned you to discuss the Changping Granary?"

"Línjiāng Warehouse. Under my name. They were rented before—I arrived, spoke with the Prince briefly, then he handed me the deed right away."

"The deed—could you show it to your cousin?"

"Why not? Let me find it..."

Wang Yang handed the yellow-paper deed to Wang Tai, who examined it carefully before returning it, falling into deep thought.

There's a problem,

There's definitely a problem.

Even if the Prince of Badong could build a Changping Granary, why involve Wang Yang? He's just a young Confucian scholar—no matter how learned, he has no experience. What could he possibly contribute? Could he be using Wang Yang's grain business as a front to pressure the scholar-gentry? Possibly. But even then, granting money and goods is one thing—why rent warehouses under his name? Is the Prince of Badong truly idle?

One hand lets this fool help build the Changping Granary, the other uses his name to rent warehouses—could it be...

Could the Prince of Badong be using the Changping Granary as a cover to secretly stockpile grain? Or perhaps prepare to steal and sell the official grain?

Either one is a grave crime!

If we can seize this leverage, the outcome would far surpass our original plan!

As Wang Tai pondered, Wang Yang continued: "Honestly, the Prince has been very kind to me. In Jingzhou, the only ones who truly recognize my talent for governance are you, Cousin, and the Prince..."

The Poker Face nearly lost his composure at the words "talent for governance"; even Wang Tai couldn't remain unmoved, his lips twitching slightly.

"So, Cousin, I came today to ask—could you please stop asking me to write things against the Prince of Badong? I've finally earned his trust. If I handle this well, I might gain even greater favor. If I ever enter officialdom, serving in his Mufu would be a fine future."

"Of course, I'm consulting you—how to proceed is still your decision. But Cousin, I feel that although your friend asked me to write about the Prince merely to fulfill a task with no real impact, fabricating words about a Prince is still wrong. It just feels... unsteady."

"So I thought—if it makes no real difference anyway, why not just stop? Could you speak on my behalf and let me do something else instead? I've finally found my footing—I truly don't want to do this anymore!"

Wang Tai watched Wang Yang's earnest plea, his words clearly revealing his desire to serve the Prince of Badong—there was even a touch of heartfelt sincerity! He found it laughable. This fool was being sold and still counting the coins for the seller. The Prince gave him a few sweets, and he was already eager to repay him—now he came to tell me!

But this is better. First, it shows he still doesn't understand his situation; second, it proves he doesn't guard himself at all—perfect for manipulation!

Forcing him to continue writing is still possible, but with the Changping Granary matter, there's no need to pressure him now. Better to win his trust, use him as a pawn to uncover the truth behind the granary—far more useful than writing a hundred false statements.

Wang Tai spoke with solemn gravity: "Nephew, I'll be honest—I don't want you writing those things either. But my friend demands it, and I have no choice. But if you truly don't wish to write, I'll think of another way—perhaps find you another achievement, so you can smoothly secure your household registration..."

Wang Yang beamed, grabbing Wang Tai's hand in excitement: "Cousin! Your great kindness—I'll never repay it in this lifetime!!"

"Hah! I told you—we're family, no need for formalities. But Zhiyan, regarding the Prince of Badong using you for the Changping Granary—you must be cautious!"

Wang Yang blinked: "Cautious about what?"

"You're too young, never held office—you don't understand the intricacies. Building a Changping Granary is official business. Jingzhou has countless officials and clerks—why involve a mere student?"

"The Prince told me—he says I have talent for governance..."

Wang Tai kept his face perfectly still.

"And second, I previously lowered grain prices and run a silk business—I have experience in affairs..."

Wang Tai drew a breath, smiling warmly:

"Zhiyan, I agree you have talent for governance! But it never hurts to think deeper. If the Prince of Badong wishes to reward you, why not simply give you money? Why rent warehouses under your name?"

"Oh! The Prince said he knew my silk business was large, so he found me warehouses to store goods—and since he had things to store too, the warehouses aren't just mine."

Wang Tai immediately asked: "What things is he storing?"

"He didn't say—but told me to just bring in silk, and to leave half the space empty. I laughed and said I didn't have enough capital to fill even one warehouse."

Wang Tai looked at Wang Yang, his expression grave: "Have you ever wondered why the Prince of Badong uses your name to rent the warehouses?"

"For convenience?"

"How difficult is it to open another account?"

"Um..."

Wang Tai pressed: "Why Línjiāng Warehouse? It's not just for storage—it's a shipping hub!"

"Yes, perhaps the Prince has goods to sell too—"

"What goods require your name as cover?"

Wang Yang looked puzzled: "This..."

"Something illicit! Something that would cause disaster if exposed! Nephew, if you don't stay alert, when trouble comes, you won't be able to explain yourself!"

"No way... Could the Prince have some other scheme...?" Wang Yang frowned deeply.

Wang Tai gently guided: "Think—first he has you help build the Changping Granary, then uses your name to rent Línjiāng Warehouse. When the ships depart, they may still use your name—but what's on those ships could be..."

The Poker Face finally understood, turning to Wang Yang.

Wang Yang "gasped in shock," eyes wide with terror: "Cousin! You mean the Prince of Badong is using the Changping Granary as a front to hoard grain, then stealing and selling the official grain!!"