Chapter 278: Empty-Handed White Wolf

"I entered the dangerous place personally to save your life; am I not qualified to be your elder brother? Not to mention being your elder brother, even being your uncle is enough..."

Seeing Liu Cheng in his heart: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

You are only so old; if I call you uncle, do you dare to answer???

Hiss—

Others definitely wouldn't dare, but if it were him...

It's really hard to say!!!

"I am on equal footing with your elder brother; calling me elder brother is not a loss for you. I still have to help you deal with these broken things; do you think I want to be your elder brother..."

Seeing Liu Cheng had a black face the whole time.

Wang Yang said impatiently:

"Forget it, forget it. I won't care about this matter anymore. Whether you draw your sword to cut off the love thread and break cleanly with those four girls, or you don't cut it cleanly and get pressed down to be a Wenyang barbarian son-in-law, it depends on your own—"

"Elder brother is above, please accept my bow!"

Seeing Liu Cheng bowed and saluted at high speed, his heart bleeding.

Wang Yang smiled:

"Why does the younger brother need to do this? Get up quickly. Such a great gift makes me feel sorry. Since you call me elder brother, I, as the elder brother, cannot be empty-handed..."

Hmph, still a person, let's see what he gives me...

Then Wang Yang told Seeing Liu Cheng about the "business blueprint" of the Wenyang barbarians. Seeing Liu Cheng became more and more curious, and the more curious he was, the more his heart hung. He cautiously interjected:

"That, elder brother, this matter... you have to think it through! It's not easy to handle! If you can't handle it, neither of us will be able to go back! Do you have confidence? It's not that I don't believe you! It's just that these words are not easy to round off! I can certainly try my best to round it off, but my ability is limited, and I can only cooperate. The key still depends on you! I certainly know your ability, elder brother, but when the time comes for them to sign the contract, what should we do?!"

Seeing Liu Cheng originally thought Wang Yang came to the barbarian tribe because he had something to rely on. It turned out that the "reliance" was that he had made up a big lie about trade... Then it would definitely be exposed... Thinking of this, he felt the hope of returning home was slim, his nose felt sour, and he almost shed tears.

Wang Yang said speechlessly: "You don't need to round it off, this matter is true."

"Yes, yes, first make yourself believe it's true..." Seeing Liu Cheng clenched his fists nervously, cheering himself up.

Wang Yang had to explain again: "... You don't need to believe it, this is true!"

Seeing Liu Cheng nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, elder brother is wise, this is true!"

Wang Yang was also drunk:

"You motherfucker... I am an honest gentleman; would I make up such a big thing???"

Seeing Liu Cheng was also crying:

"Elder brother, if you say that, I won't dare to believe it even more!!!"

Wang Yang:...

What made an honest, trustworthy, civilized, and new-style young man become someone untrustworthy after crossing over? Is it the distortion of the times, or the loss of morality?!

Wang Yang had to waste his breath again:

"The court wants to open the barbarian road; this is a fixed policy! That's why I have the opportunity to save you! Otherwise, do you think I'm an empty-handed white wolf?"

"Empty-handed white wolf?"

"It means having nothing but wanting to take advantage of others, gaining ten thousand profits without capital."

Seeing Liu Cheng pondered for a while and asked uncertainly:

"Does the court really want to open the barbarian road?"

"I said it was true long ago..."

"It's impossible! How could the court agree to trade with the barbarian tribe? Isn't this aiding the enemy?" Seeing Liu Cheng still didn't dare to believe it.

"There is nothing impossible. Aiding the enemy well can control the enemy. I wrote a policy paper, entrusted it to your brother to pass to your father, and then it was presented to the Son of Heaven by your father. The Son of Heaven has already nodded, and we will pilot trade with the Wenyang tribe first."

Seeing Liu Cheng was stunned for a few seconds, then immediately changed to an admiring and convinced expression:

"Elder brother's talent is outstanding, and his strategy is superb! This time, reaching the ears of the Emperor and being in the Emperor's heart, the future is limitless!"

Still policy paper, pfft, can the Emperor trade based on your policy paper? Isn't it because of my father's face? However, my father was willing to present this policy, which shows there is indeed something to it. Elder brother is indeed a talent... pfft pfft pfft! What elder brother!

Alas, when will the Emperor see my policy paper?

However... I don't seem to have any policy paper... but this time being imprisoned, what I saw and heard, I have a lot of insights. After I go back, I will try writing a "Policy on Governing Barbarians"...

Although Seeing Liu Cheng acted extremely sincere, Wang Yang saw at a glance that he was insincere.

However, Wang Yang didn't care what Seeing Liu Cheng thought. As for the matter of being in the Emperor's heart, he was no longer sure. He had left a dark hand on Seeing Yu Yi's side earlier, wanting to use it to move the Emperor and give himself a bottom line for life, but for such a long time, the Emperor had no indication. Perhaps it was that he indicated he didn't know? It's possible, but it doesn't rule out that he was being sentimental, and the Emperor didn't pay attention to this side at all.

Reaching the ears of the Emperor is not so simple. When Wang Yang was a freshman, he middle-school-ly "submitted a table" to a certain ministry, suggesting that "logic" should be included in the high school basic curriculum system... The reason why it is called "middle-school" is because he didn't pay attention to the way of submitting the table, secondly, he actually wrote it in ancient Chinese, and thirdly, his knowledge was too shallow at the time, and he couldn't write to the point... The final result was naturally sinking into the sea...

Later, he realized that if you want to do this kind of thing, you must have the right time, place, and people; not to mention doing it, even if you want to succeed in reaching the desk, you have to plan before you move. So he couldn't pin all his hopes on Seeing Yu Yi. Moreover, this matter involved rescuing Seeing Liu Cheng and was transferred by Duke Liu, which was more stable than Seeing Yu Yi. It was just that he didn't expect that the Emperor didn't seem to care much about his policy paper. Although there were many words of encouragement in the reply from Duke Liu transferred by Liu Tan, Wang Yang perceived the Emperor's indifferent attitude.

Since ancient times, scholars have had the tradition of "offering fu," that is, outside the normal advancement procedures, offering ci fu to the Emperor (sometimes not limited to the Emperor) to gain favor. Li Bai, Du Fu, Liu Zongyuan, and Wen Tingyun all offered fu. Some succeeded once, and some failed repeatedly. Li Shangyin once offered articles to the prominent people in the capital, describing his anxiety while waiting: "I dare not ask when I enter, I cannot solve it when I retreat, silently by myself, no longer consulting or sighing." Although Wang Yang was not so exaggerated, he was also manipulated, experiencing the mood of "hanging the pen and waiting for sale, the price is not up to oneself."

On this side, Seeing Liu Cheng heard that he had obtained the Emperor's approval and was excited:

"Did elder brother see the edict? How exactly did it say!"

"No edict."

"Uh, is it a dispatch issued in the name of the Jingzhou Inspector's Office? Doing so is steady, but the weight is not enough—"

"The Emperor's meaning is that the official document of the court informing the barbarian tribe cannot mention trade, and the barbarian tribe must release the prisoner first, and then take the initiative to request trade, and then we can permit it."

Seeing Liu Cheng was shocked: "Isn't this empty-handed—"

Wang Yang pointed at Seeing Liu Cheng: "You said that."

Seeing Liu Cheng covered his mouth, his face pale, and even his breathing trembled.

In this way, wouldn't I be unable to go back!!!!

"You should be content. At first, the Emperor's meaning was that the barbarian tribe must request submission and tribute after releasing the prisoner. Later, through your father's efforts, these two clauses were removed..."

Seeing Liu Cheng felt that his throat was like a ball of water-soaked cotton, and even his breathing was trembling! Only one thought remained in his mind—

It's over, this is the meaning of giving up on me. The majesty of heaven cannot be offended, and the national body is as heavy as a mountain. Once the great righteousness of the system is brought out, even my father can't help it...

Just when he was desperate to the point of blacking out, Wang Yang suddenly patted his shoulder:

"It's okay. Since I dare to take this errand, I naturally have my own way. Although I can't guarantee anything, since I'm here, it won't be so easy for them to detain people. Don't worry, I will try my best!"

"Elder brother！！！！!!"

Seeing Liu Cheng felt like a capsized boat meeting an oar, and the darkness suddenly tilted into the light of heaven!

This "elder brother" sounded sincere, and even the ending sound carried a crying tone:

"Elder brother, from now on you are my own elder brother! From now on, I will follow your orders!"

Wang Yang also became "sincere":

"A family doesn't say two families' words! I recognize you as my younger brother! I will give you a great benefit! Younger brother, you know that the Han and barbarians have been cut off for so many years. Once this barbarian road is opened, and it is the only barbarian road, then all the gold and silver mountains and seas will come from this way! Not only wood, but also medicinal materials, honey, tiger skin, bear paw, and even mineral products! Everything that the barbarian forest has and the Han territory seeks can pass through here! This plate is very large, and the barbarian tribe cannot eat it all. They are only responsible for sending the goods out of Wenyang Gorge and have no channels to sell them directly. We can get involved in this! Let's build a cargo station between the Han and barbarian lands, collecting goods from the barbarians on one side, and reselling them to various places according to the market price on the other. Wenyang tribe is our continuous source of goods! Once the Wenyang barbarian road is opened, it will surely shake the world! Our Wanshan Cargo Station can become famous along with it, which is equivalent to exclusive sales! In the future, even if other cargo stations are established, relying on the relationship between our brothers and the Wenyang tribe, and relying on the connections of our brothers in Jingzhou, are we still afraid of others snatching business?"

"As long as the name is made, the forest goods of Wenyang Cargo Station are the most authentic forest goods! After the business is familiar, we can even name the goods according to the market! For example, if Coptis is in short supply, we can ask the Wenyang barbarians to provide more Coptis, and we will buy it at a high price! We don't just do resale, we can also do packaging and processing! If good wood arrives, we will invite craftsmen to measure the material and make utensils, and then sell them. If you turn your hands like this, you will earn a lot more! I think we should not only do the business of the Wenyang tribe, but the court uses the Wenyang barbarians as a pilot, and we also use the Wanshan Cargo Station as a pilot! When the court continues to open barbarian roads with other barbarian tribes, we will also continue to spread this trade route! Below, we can also set up workshops, pharmacies, leather markets, flavor shops, etc., but these are words for later. The immediate priority is to build the Wanshan Cargo Station first. I calculated that ten million is enough for you, and the profit will be given to the locality for one percent, to the Emperor's

Let's build a warehouse between the Han and barbarian lands. On one side, we'll collect goods from the barbarians, and on the other, we'll resell them to various places according to market prices. The Wenyang tribe will be our endless source of goods! I've already thought of the name for the warehouse; let's call it the Wanshan Warehouse! Once the Wenyang barbarians open the barbarian road, it will surely shake the world! Our Wanshan Warehouse can become famous along with it, equivalent to an exclusive dealership! Even if other warehouses are established in the future, with the relationship between us brothers and the Wenyang tribe, and with our connections in Jingzhou, do we still need to fear others stealing our business?

As long as the name is established, the forest products from the Wenyang Warehouse will be the most authentic forest products! Once the business is familiar, we can even specify the goods we want based on the market! For example, if Coptis chinensis is in short supply, we can ask the Wenyang barbarians to provide more Coptis, and we will buy it at a high price! We won't just do reselling; we can also do packaging and processing! When good wood arrives, we'll hire craftsmen to measure the material and make tools, and then sell them after they are finished. With this turnover, the profits will be much higher!

What I'm thinking is that we won't just do business with the Wenyang tribe; the court is using the Wenyang barbarians as a pilot, and we will also use the Wanshan Warehouse as a pilot! When the court continues to open barbarian roads with other barbarian tribes, we will also continue to expand this trade route! Below that, we can also set up workshops, pharmacies, leather markets, food stalls, etc., but these are matters for later. Right now, the priority is to build the Wanshan Warehouse first. I've calculated it: you only need to put up ten million; give ten percent of the annual profit to the local government, ten percent as an offering to the Emperor's private treasury, and ten percent for greasing the wheels of various parties. As for the remaining seventy percent, we brothers will split it half and half!"

——————

Note: One of my purposes in writing this book is to clarify some rumors that exist in literary history, but I flipped through the comments a while ago and found that the rumors have increased rather than decreased, and most of them are rumors created by AI. At the time, I wrote a long review listing ten errors in a DeepSeek argument—it only stated eight points in total... but it was deleted, and then everything else I posted was gone too. Maybe the backend feels that I have taboos about mentioning AI? AI has become a distribution center for rumors on the subject of classical literature and history. It may cite eight documents, but only two are real, and the remaining six are fabricated. Of those two, one is a misunderstanding of the original meaning, and one has a name that exists, but the content is fabricated. This is the so-called "AI hallucination," where language models deviate when generating content due to structural defects.

In the field of classical literature and history, especially when asking professional questions, the probability of deviation is quite high. The more detailed you ask, and the more there is no ready-made answer on the internet, the deeper its hallucination, the greater the accumulation of deviation, and the more it looks like it's talking about something serious, so it's easier to deceive people. This is the same method Wang Yang uses to deceive Xin Yi. That is, it is plausible, seemingly true but false.

This is not only due to the lack and low quality of professional data on the internet, but also due to the inherent mode and logic of AI operation. Academic skill includes two important abilities: one is the ability to exquisitely process materials, which is called "subtlety"; the other is the ability to build a deep background for understanding materials, which is called "breadth."

The former requires "discernment" and "judgment," so that one can handle situations like what Bao Weimin calls the "huge complex relationship between text and fact" (*Digital Humanities and Its New Challenges to History*), so the ancients said: "Those who are brilliant often have independent judgment." Current AI has poor discernment and unclear judgment.

The latter requires erudition and examination, so the ancients said: "Those who are deep and quiet value the merit of examination." AI is erudite enough (for ordinary questions) but its examination power is too shallow. As for professional classical literature and history questions, AI's erudition is also insufficient, but this point can be improved according to feeding, but it is still far from being able to do enough feeding and understanding, and can only be considered slightly improved. At the same time, its intelligence is too far behind, which leads to the fact that its examination skills cannot get started for the time being.

As for further things, such as what Mr. Hu Baoguo calls "sharp and restrained" (*No Difference—Collected Papers on Medieval History*), and the "sense of proportion" that Mr. Yan Buke values highly (*A Few Insights from Reading Mr. Tang Changru's Works*. Mr. Chen Zeguang is the same, see *Collected Works of Chen Pingyuan*, Volumes 10 and 20), it is even more out of the question.

A certain gentleman who studies Qing history once tested DeepSeek by setting questions and grading them, and finally concluded that DeepSeek's academic literacy in history cannot exceed that of a sophomore for the time being. And what I once said was that its academic ability (that is, the effort of learning) in classical literature and history is not as good as a "professional sophomore undergraduate who has already entered the door." We said we hadn't communicated on this issue before, and hadn't heard each other's views, so it can be considered a coincidence.

In fact, the application of artificial intelligence in academia emerged decades ago, such as "Digital Humanities," but firstly, the public is not very concerned, and secondly, the mainland started relatively late. And the arrival of the "data era" has not allowed literary and historical research to enter the "Age of Discovery." Although the popularity of AI today is far greater than that of digital humanities, it has created far more rumors than before. Perhaps this is the price of development.

When the rainstorm of algorithms washes over the long steps of history, I hope you and I can still smell the fragrant roses from the sea of plastic flowers—the ancient, vivid, and romantic—roses.