Chapter 440: The Deal Falls Through

"They're nothing but a bunch of straw men." Wukeshan gave a cold snort, his face stern, and said with undisguised contempt: "They long ago lost the glory of their ancestors. They're all idle rich brats, complete trash! People like that couldn't survive a single day on the steppe!"

Fan Yongdou looked at Wukeshan and shook his head helplessly. Talking with a fool was exhausting.

Perhaps that young nobleman had some wisdom, but that kind of wisdom was different from many other things. Take the Duke of Ying, for instance—his ancestors won their rank through martial valor and were granted a title of nobility. Did that mean his descendants also had to rely on martial valor? Wouldn't that be asking for death?

Look at how well the current Duke of Ying was doing.

But Fan Yongdou knew there was no way to communicate with Wukeshan on this matter, so there was no point in saying more. In the end, it would only lead to the two of them arguing, and then nothing would come of it.

Fan Yongdou suppressed the displeasure in his heart and tried to soften his tone as he said: "You should know about the Grand Secretariat's Strategic Planning Office of the Great Ming, right?"

"I know of it." Wukeshan nodded, not denying it.

In fact, whether it was his Mongol tribe or the Jianzhou barbarians, they had always been collecting intelligence on the Great Ming. Originally, gathering intelligence had been very difficult, but ever since the trade routes opened up, such matters had become more routine, and much of what happened in the Great Ming could be learned.

"The Strategic Planning Office is a new institution established by the current Emperor of the Great Ming. It is the place that controls the military power of the entire realm."

Seeing that Wukeshan knew of it, Fan Yongdou did not continue explaining, but instead said: "The one who calls the shots in the Strategic Planning Office is the Duke of Ying—the father of the young lord who came this time. When I went to see this young lord today, he spoke to me about some matters of trade."

Having said this, Fan Yongdou told Wukeshan of Zhu Youxiao's conditions.

On this matter, there was really nothing to hide. Fan Yongdou very bluntly relayed the information to Wukeshan.

Fan Yongdou hoped that Wukeshan would make a very, very good decision—hand over his sister and send her to the young lord.

Upon hearing these words, Wukeshan's face instantly darkened.

If he wanted goods, if he wanted intelligence, all of that could be obtained through trade. And on that front, Wukeshan had his own plans—even if it meant spending a bit more money or giving up more cattle, sheep, and horses, that was all fine.

But that did not include his sister Bumbutai.

Bumbutai was very important. She was to be married in the future, and what was more, a match had already been found for her.

Ever since Nurhaci died, there had been constant infighting among the Jianzhou barbarians. Every one of his brothers wanted to sit in that position.

But Nurhaci had passed the position to Hong Taiji, and now it was Hong Taiji who sat in the seat of the Great Khan. However, Hong Taiji was unable to secure his position as Great Khan and urgently needed external assistance—that is, he needed connections.

Although Wukeshan's sister Jheje had married Hong Taiji, and Wukeshan's family ought to support Hong Taiji, there were certain aspects in which Wukeshan's family still needed to show even greater support for Hong Taiji.

And giving his sister Bumbutai in marriage to Hong Taiji as well was the most suitable choice.

Before Wukeshan came to Zhangjiakou, the two sides had already communicated, and the marriage had even been settled.

The reason Bumbutai had accompanied Wukeshan to Zhangjiakou this time was not only for the business Wukeshan had to handle, but also to purchase some dowry goods. Otherwise, there was no way Bumbutai would have been allowed to come along.

But who could have imagined that coming to Zhangjiakou would lead to something like this? That she would actually be targeted by some idle rich brat from the Great Ming?

This fellow before him actually wanted to send his sister away!

Even without what had happened before, Wukeshan would never send his sister to the Great Ming to suffer. If she went there, he estimated she would not even keep her life.

And if this matter got out, what would Hong Taiji think? How could he possibly agree?

But as for the conditions Fan Yongdou had offered, Wukeshan truly could not think of what to do, because those conditions were simply too generous.

Not only would he get intelligence, but he could also obtain goods—things that ordinary people could never get their hands on.

"No." Wukeshan shook his head directly and said: "This matter absolutely cannot be done."

Fan Yongdou looked at Wukeshan, his brows furrowed, and his expression turned extremely ugly.

He looked at Wukeshan and asked: "Why can't it be done? How can it not be done? Your sister and the eldest son of our Duke of Ying—how is that not a good match?"

Fan Yongdou was already furious. This Wukeshan before him truly would not listen to reason. What he had done had already been learned by the young lord. If he truly offended the young lord, he would surely be in endless trouble, and who knew what would happen then.

If he could forge a connection with the young lord, then his meteoric rise would be just around the corner. In the Great Ming, Fan Yongdou had latched onto the Duke of Ying's coattails; and in his external trade dealings, he could obtain a great deal of intelligence through the young lord.

The intelligence this time, for instance, was very important. If he could get his hands on some weapons from the Hundred Crafts Institute, that would be even more important. Just selling those alone—what kind of price would they fetch?

By that time, what kind of standing would he, Fan Yongdou, have?

Why couldn't these Mongols see reason at all?

If he would just agree, would his tribe still have to worry about not growing strong?

Did he have to be so reluctant to part with a single girl? Was it worth it? Weren't women going to be married off sooner or later anyway?

Wukeshan raised his head and looked at Fan Yongdou, glaring at him as he said: "No means no!"

He could not explain this matter. He could hardly say that he had already promised his sister to Hong Taiji, could he?

If this news got out, Fan Yongdou would probably turn hostile and directly detain him. But if he did not say anything, what was he to do? He could not just stubbornly hold his ground and go back, could he?

Wukeshan looked at Fan Yongdou and said: "No. My sister has already been promised to someone. She already has a taker. It is impossible for her to stay in the Great Ming, and even more impossible for her to marry here. So you need not think about it."

"You can tell that young lord that we can discuss other conditions. Money is no problem. Whatever he wants, he can name his terms. If he likes Mongol women, I will send some over for him—any kind will do. Age and appearance will all be to his satisfaction. There will absolutely be no problems."

In Wukeshan's heart, he had already categorized that young lord as a pervert—a man who had set his sights on his ten-year-old sister, looking as if he wanted to take her away at any moment.

Thinking of what would happen to his sister if she were taken away, Wukeshan shuddered outright.

Absolutely not. He absolutely could not agree!

If he truly sent his sister over, who knew how she would be tormented by him!

However, if the other party agreed to the conditions, then he could go back and pick some women for him. If the women in his own tribe were not good enough, he would go pick from other tribes; if that did not work, he would just seize them—wipe out a tribe and pick a few to send over.

When it came to matters like this, Wukeshan could be utterly ruthless.

Looking at Wukeshan's demeanor, Fan Yongdou was angry, but he also knew that this matter was probably not going to succeed.

Wukeshan would not agree, and his attitude was so resolute that Fan Yongdou simply had no way to persuade him.

Under such circumstances, Fan Yongdou could only go and talk with the young lord, hoping that the young lord would understand his difficulties.

As for women, they could be found again. Never mind Mongol women—women from anywhere would do. As long as the young lord liked them, he could just go get them.

"Let me go discuss it first." Fan Yongdou looked at Wukeshan and let out a sigh as he said: "Your goods, I will prepare as quickly as possible. But there is one thing you must remember: during this period, do not go out and cause any more trouble."

"Zhangjiakou was originally a very safe place, but with the arrival of this young lord, some things have gotten chaotic. If you truly provoke him into making a move against you, I will have no good solution either. The men he brought with him are all elite troops."

"You have quite a few people by your side, but against the men around him, I am afraid they would not be enough. If he truly gets the idea to seize people by force, then things will become difficult to handle."

Wukeshan nodded and said: "I understand."

In fact, he truly did understand. He had originally thought that the other party's strength was not substantial, and that he could secretly make some trouble for them.

But judging from the current situation, the other party's strength was very substantial, so he could not go making trouble. After all, this time he had come to conduct business, not to stir up trouble.

Besides, his sister was right by his side—one misstep and she would be finished.

So Wukeshan did not dare entertain even the slightest stray thought.

Fan Yongdou left the place where Wukeshan was staying, his expression grim. He did not know how he was going to convince that young lord.

Fan Yongdou did not go over directly. He knew the young lord was probably in high spirits right now. If he went over now to tell him the men could not be procured, what would the result be?

The young lord would certainly turn hostile. So he would let it rest for now and go again tomorrow.

Meanwhile, back at the inn.

Zhu Youxiao was listening to Chen Hong's report. The Embroidered Uniform Guard's operation had already made progress—they had basically located all of the Fan family members and had now begun inspecting the locations of their storehouses.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard wanted to do things properly, since this arrest and confiscation was hardly a difficult task. Finding all of Fan Yongdou's assets was the most important thing, and it would earn them Your Majesty's appreciation.

Apart from the Fan family, they had also begun looking into other households. Every merchant close to the Fan family and everyone of any standing near Zhangjiakou was within the scope of their investigation.

Zhu Youxiao said nothing about this—after all, the Fan family was hardly the only one he intended to deal with.

Looking at Chen Hong, Zhu Youxiao said, "Tell them to be careful. Don't startle the snake."

"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant has already passed the word down." Chen Hong said hurriedly.

Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction, then after a moment's thought said, "Have you released the news I told you to spread?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it has been released." Chen Hong nodded and said, "I believe it has already spread by now. Those who should receive it should have received it already."

"Good." Zhu Youxiao leaned back on the daybed and said, "Have them keep a close watch on those people. Next, we can sit back and watch the show. I hope these fellows won't disappoint me—let them put on a splendid performance."