Chapter 287: A Pity

The room was silent for a moment.

The barbarians present exchanged silent glances. Right Haye Tuoshan nodded imperceptibly, and Wu'erke opened his mouth:

"When the Han envoy leaves, will you take Young Master Liu with you?"

"That goes without saying. If I don't bring Ah Cheng back, how can I show the sincerity of your submission? And how can I shut the mouths of the pro-war faction?"

Da Da Damu said: "Then what if you don't acknowledge the account after you go back?"

Wang Yang gave a disdainful smile: "That is fundamentally impossible. This has—"

His voice paused, and he pointed upward, looking at the barbarians with deep meaning, and asked: "Do you understand what I mean?"

The barbarians nodded one after another.

Wang Yang withdrew his finger and pointed at himself: "Below this, I have the hundred-generation family gate of the Langya Wang clan—"

He then waved his hand, his sleeves rolling like clouds with the movement, his voice generous and his expression arrogant:

"Just based on these two things, once Wang Yang says a word, Mount Tai will not move; once a promise is made, it can be pledged to heaven and earth! How could I lose faith in the world for the sake of a single tribe's affairs?"

Tuoshan and the others felt a strange shock in their hearts. They had long known that the Langya Wang clan was a high-ranking noble family and was extremely "formidable," but they didn't know exactly how formidable. Now, seeing Wang Yang's aura, they only felt the power of the noble clan rushing toward them, making all the hearsay they had heard before materialize before their eyes. It was said that the foundation of the great noble clans was so deep that even the imperial family didn't take them seriously. It seemed this was not necessarily false.

"I just said this is righteousness; now I will talk about profit. I have always believed that Han-barbarian trade is a mutually beneficial matter, and there is no question of who is begging whom. I also won't hide the fact that Liu's family and I are running the Wanshan Warehouse for the sake of profit! As long as the barbarian road is opened, everyone can seek profit together and make money together! So not only do you want to open the barbarian road, but we do too. Therefore, whether from the perspective of righteousness or profit, I will not deny the account. If I must say there is a possibility of denying the account, then I am more worried about you—tell me, you won't deny the account, will you?"

Wang Yang's expression softened at the end, the arrogant aura previously dissipating like a spring breeze. He looked at the few people with a questioning look, as if he were truly afraid they wouldn't acknowledge the account.

The previous talk of mutual benefit had raised the other party's status, and the talk of running a warehouse for profit and making money together had narrowed the distance between the two sides. With the "firmness and softness combined" paving the way earlier, this final teasing made the situation much more relaxed. Except for Le Luo Luo and Guo Shao, Tuoshan, Wu'erke, and others all gave face and smiled.

Da Da Damu's voice also became much lighter:

"We naturally won't, but after you build the warehouse, how will the price of receiving goods be set? If it's whatever price you say, or if you import goods from other places, then—"

"That won't happen. The prices are all based on the market price. You can inquire and compare by then; you definitely won't suffer a loss. As for finding other sources of goods, that won't happen either. We built this warehouse specifically to do barbarian goods. Currently, there is only this one barbarian road, so where else can we import from? Even if there are other barbarian roads in the future, based on our relationship, we will naturally prioritize cooperation with your tribe."

Wang Yang deliberately brought up the matter of other barbarian routes, and Da Da Damu and the others were indeed filled with great suspicion.

"Are there other barbarian roads?" Tuoshan asked immediately.

"Not for the time being."

"For the time being?"

"Correct. Langya has no false words; I never say anything certain about things I'm not sure about. So I can only say for the time being. Because whether other barbarian roads are opened depends on the court's resolution; I cannot control it personally. However, I can be certain that as the first barbarian road, whether it is the conditions of cooperation or the sales channels, we are the only one."

Wang Yang's words did not reassure Tuoshan and the others, because they knew in their hearts that the interests of both sides were consistent now, but once other barbarian tribes participated, this cooperation would no longer be secure. Wang Yang's side might even ruthlessly suppress their cargo prices for the sake of profit. Anyway, with other barbarian roads, the Wenyang tribe would no longer be the only choice. Just as they were wavering, Wang Yang said:

"How about this, I will give you another guarantee. I can have Ah Cheng marry into the Left and Right Haye and the Shao Zouye's families. For example, if the three have daughters or relatives who are waiting to be married, they can marry Liu Cheng. This way, we are one family. Even if there are other barbarian roads in the future, Liu's family and I will certainly favor our own family. With Liu's family's status and reputation, it is enough to ensure your interests are not damaged. You are the same; in the future, even if other Han people come to do business with you, you must prioritize the Wanshan Warehouse for the quality and quantity of your goods. After all, it is our own family's business; we can't let outsiders take the lead."

As soon as Wang Yang said this, before the Left and Right Haye could speak, Le Luo Luo asked anxiously:

"Is Liu Cheng willing to marry my sister? Does the Liu family agree?"

"As long as I speak, it can be done. I am Liu Cheng's cousin, and I have a good relationship with the Liu family; I can make the decision on this matter."

Le Luo Luo stared fixedly at Wang Yang: "Do you mean to make my sister a concubine?"

"Not a concubine, but a noble concubine! The Son of Heaven has noble consorts, just as noble clans have noble concubines! Although the status is lower than the primary wife, the ritual is the same as the mistress of the house. Although she is not called a wife, she is also half the master of the house. As long as you want to marry, I will recognize your sister as my adopted sister! As the adopted sister of the Langya Wang clan, her status will naturally be noble. I will have Liu Cheng build a separate courtyard for your sister, giving her the power of a courtyard, and her clothing, accessories, and maids will all be noble. Everyone in the mansion will call her 'Little Madam.' Even if there is a primary wife in the future, she will have to treat her as a sister, and there will be no reason to slight her. With me backing your sister, I guarantee she will be safe for life.

In addition, after the Wenyang tribe submits, there will be investiture. Although I don't know what official position the Zouye will be invested with, according to convention, it will be at least a General of Eagle Might, ranked fifth. The higher the status of the Wenyang tribe in the future, the more stable your sister's honor will be. If she gives birth to an heir, then advancing to be the primary wife, or having two wives of equal status, is not completely impossible. If the two Haye are interested in marriage, it will be compared to this example, and the women of your tribe will not be wronged."

Le Luo Luo had no room for bargaining. His sister was determined to follow the black-hearted one to the Han lands. Being a primary wife was impossible, and Wang Yang's proposal seemed to be the best condition he could choose at the moment. As long as he could successfully take power in the Wenyang tribe, he could still be a backup for his sister. It was just that Lema would be going too far away, and if anything happened, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to reach her, so he would ultimately have to rely on Wang Yang to take care of her... In the end, he still had to rely on him. Sigh, continue to be on good terms with him...

Le Luo Luo said he would ask his father before deciding, but in his words, he basically agreed. However, an unexpected situation occurred with the Left and Right Haye.

Tuoshan looked at Wang Yang and said:

"I have a young daughter whom I love the most. I want to marry into your family, but not to Liu Cheng; I want to marry you."

Da Da Damu immediately said: "I don't have a daughter, but I have a niece, and she will marry you too!"

Wang Yang's operation, leading to marriage, was mainly to finalize the matter of Liu Cheng and Lema. As for adding the Left and Right Haye, it was purely to balance all parties and reduce resistance. Their daughters or sisters had nothing to do with Liu Cheng, and they didn't necessarily have to marry Liu Cheng, so they might push back. If they pushed back, Wang Yang could just borrow the slope to get off the donkey! But if they really wanted to marry...

Then he would have to encourage Liu Cheng—"sacrifice the small self to complete the big self."

But he didn't expect these two to find a brand-new angle! Even Le Luo Luo's look at Wang Yang changed!

This request was not easy to deal with. Wang Yang had just used business as an excuse to take the initiative to marry for Liu Cheng. Now that it had turned to himself, it was not easy to say he had no intention of marriage. After all, this was Han-barbarian cooperation, not playing house. If he refused improperly, it might ruin the matter. Borrowing the name of an elder to refuse? Or making up a marriage contract?

No, none of them were appropriate...

As for accepting directly? That was even further outside Wang Yang's consideration!

Now that the murderous intent had not yet gone, the future was uncertain, life and death were unpredictable, and his footing was not yet stable, he didn't even dare to plan his own backyard, let alone marry two barbarian women?

How to deal with it? Wang Yang couldn't hesitate and had to answer quickly!

"May I ask... are the two young ladies beautiful?" Wang Yang asked.

The barbarians were all stunned, then laughed heartily, and the atmosphere instantly became cheerful.

Da Da Damu patted his chest, his pride overflowing:

"My niece's beauty is famous in the tribe! Three warriors fought for her last month. You tell me if she is beautiful or not?"

Tuoshan said: "My daughter is not as beautiful as his niece, but she is also a beauty. Her eyes are clearer than the stream, her hair is blacker than crow feathers, and her sword technique is very good; even the guards around me are no match for her! If you marry her, I will give you five tents full of dowry!"

"I will also give you five tents of dowry! And I will send you eight maidservants!" Da Da Damu was afraid of falling behind and followed up with a promise.

Le Luo Luo's mind was spinning. On one hand, he thought if he had tied Wang Yang up at the time, wouldn't Wang Yang be his brother-in-law now? On the other hand, he was worried that Wang Yang's stance would change after marrying the Left and Right Haye. Just as he was anxious, he saw Wang Yang pounding his legs in regret, repeatedly calling it a pity!

Tuoshan and Da Da Damu hurriedly asked for the reason.

Wang Yang sighed:

"It is a pity that I am on an envoy mission and dare not marry privately. Building a warehouse is to respond to the court's policy of trade, but marriage is a personal matter. The pro-war faction already wants to catch our handle. Let alone marrying two young ladies, even if I only married one, I might be impeached for 'taking beauty by power' or 'seeking color by public duty.' There might even be bigger charges! I am from the Langya Wang clan, so I won't have a life-and-death crisis because of this, but if the trade matter is ruined because of this, or if the construction of the Wanshan Warehouse is blocked, then..."

Tuoshan and Da Da Damu immediately put aside this proposal when they heard that trade and the warehouse might be ruined, and they followed Wang Yang in saying it was a pity.

At this moment, a cold laugh came from the seat:

"This person's heart is like a scorpion's, harboring evil intentions, offering us a plan to exterminate our tribe. The two Haye actually still want to marry their daughters to him? Now that the marriage didn't work, what is there to be sorry about?"

Wang Yang's heart jumped.

——————

Note: ① Regarding the situation of advancing to primary wife and having two wives of equal status, due to Lema's background, it is almost impossible. The Southern Dynasties had a weaker concept of primary and concubine than the Northern Dynasties. Concubines could even manage the household directly, so Yan Zhitui said "Jiangzuo does not avoid concubines; after the wife dies, concubines often manage the household affairs" (*Yan Family Instructions: Remarriage*), meaning that in the Jiangnan style, one does not avoid concubines and illegitimate children (so many emperors in the Southern Dynasties were illegitimate). But the Northern Dynasties would remarry if the wife died and would not let concubines manage the household. However, although the Southern Dynasties could raise the status of concubines, the distinction of name was still very strict. It was very difficult for a woman who was not from a noble clan to be promoted to primary wife, even if recognized as an adopted sister by Wang Yang.

And having two wives of equal status also had status restrictions; the prerequisite must be a woman from a high-ranking noble clan. For example, Lu Dingguo married the Liu clan of Hedong, and then married the Lu clan of Fanyang, "both rooms were old clans and there was no distinction between wife and concubine" (*Book of Wei: Biography of Lu Dingguo*). Lu Dingguo's father also had two wives, Du and Zhang, standing side by side. But this situation depends on the specific object and specific reason, not just any noble clan member saying he wants to marry two noble clan women. If it is not a woman from a high-ranking noble clan, she must occupy the status of the primary wife first. For example, Li Hongzhi already had a wife, the Zhang clan (not a noble clan), before he gained power, and then married a woman from the Liu clan of Peng Cheng after gaining power, which was also two wives standing side by side.

There is a second situation where one encounters changes, such as the collapse of the country, or news being cut off, or entering the North while the wife remains in the South, or entering the South while the wife is in the North, or being kidnapped by thieves (such as Chen Shen), which can also lead to two marriages registered as two wives, such as Zheng Zuqun, Wang Bi, etc.

The third situation is the favor of the Son of Heaven, specially allowing two wives. For example, Jia Chong's wife, the Li clan, was exiled due to a crime, and Jia Chong remarried. After the Li clan was pardoned and returned, the Emperor allowed Jia Chong to set up "Left and Right Madams." For example, Wei Shou had a wife but no children, and there were two noble clan women who had no husbands because their husbands' families had crimes, one from the Liu clan of Peng Cheng and one from the Cui clan of Qinghe, and the Emperor "bestowed them both on Shou as wives" (*Book of Northern Qi: Biography of Wei Shou*).

These three situations, although they cannot cover all the phenomena of two wives standing side by side in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, are generally within these three, except for some special cases. By the Tang Dynasty, there were more cases of two wives standing side by side.

And Wang Yang's act of recognizing an adopted sister to raise the status of a concubine was also a trend in the Medieval period. For example, Yuan Yu wanted to raise the status of a concubine and entrusted the Zhonglang General Li Shixian to let the concubine be his adopted daughter, that is, the adopted daughter of the Li clan of Zhaojun.

② There is a rumor that concubines are not called "marry" (qu) but "take" (na). In fact, the term "marry a concubine" was commonly used in the Medieval period and was used even more widely after the Medieval period. There are many similar rumors, such as that ancient times used "xuan" (black) for black and not "hei" (black), that ancient trees were bare, and that there was no soy sauce in ancient times... There are too many such rumors. As I said before, generally adding the two words "ancient times" without time restrictions, the probability of accuracy will be very low. The specific identification method was written in Chapter 105, so I won't repeat it. ===== CHAPTER 288 =====

② There is a rumor that the character for "marrying a concubine" (na) should not be used, and that "marrying" (qu) should be used instead. In fact, the term "marrying a concubine" (qu qie) was commonly used in the Medieval period and became even more widespread after the Medieval period. There are many similar rumors, such as the claim that ancient people used "mysterious color" (xuan se) for black instead of "black color" (hei se), that ancient trees were bare, that there was no soy sauce in ancient times, and so on... There are simply too many such rumors. As I have said before, if you generally add the two words "ancient times" without setting a time limit, the probability of accuracy will be very low. The specific identification method was written in Chapter 105, so I will not repeat it here.