Chapter 7: Visitor from Afar

He Chengjiong brought Fang Chongyong to the outskirts of Kuizhou Prefecture City, and saw that the western bank of the city was lined with one shipyard after another! Describing it as blocking the sky is not an exaggeration; many shipworkers were laboring inside the docks, and many half‑finished wooden ships were having their keels laid.

Zheng Shuqing was right; Kuizhou's commercial port has very distinctive handicrafts and employs many workers.

"Not bad, what can be said about it?"

Fang Chongyong asked plainly, maintaining an indescribable aura of superiority.

He learned from Zheng Shuqing that when you must hold the frame, you must hold the frame. If you become weak, the other side will turn the tables. If that happens, how can you still do your own business?

"Sir, shipbuilding in Kuizhou has great potential; a large vessel can fetch at least five hundred strings of cash. If the government purchases, the price can be a bit higher— even two hundred more is no problem."

He Chengjiong said calmly.

Fang Chongyong looked at him thoughtfully, nodded slightly and said, "You really understand."

"I dare not, I dare not; it's best if I can help you, sir."

He Chengjiong said anxiously.

"Lead the way, to the place where wine is brewed."

Fang Chongyong turned and walked away!

"Sir, please follow me."

He Chengjiong, being very perceptive, continued to lead ahead.

Kuizhou's wine is actually famous; the reason Zheng Shuqing didn't mention it is that no matter how famous a wine is, once it reaches Chang'an it becomes just ordinary.

The competition for liquor in Chang'an is so fierce that a few words cannot describe it; in short, the nation's best goods are there. Zheng Shuqing, accustomed to the elegance of Chang'an, naturally looks down on Kuizhou's local wine.

After entering the city, the two came to a brewing shop, and the intoxicating scent of rice wine hit them.

"Here they brew the Kuizhou specialty Wuxia Wine, not the finest grade. But after soaking in fresh leaves, it carries a light fragrance and is also called Zhuyeqing. Its advantage is a short brewing time— brewed in winter, ready in spring."

He Chengjiong introduced it as if reciting family treasures. Fang Chongyong couldn't understand how a delinquent handsome guy could know so much miscellaneous knowledge— was it because his breadth made investigation easier?

"Let's go, the officials of Chang'an are very picky. Zhuyeqing, they might not appreciate."

Fang Chongyong snorted coldly, seeming dissatisfied with He Chengjiong bringing him here to observe.

"Sir, this is already the best tavern in Kuizhou Prefecture City…"

He Chengjiong complained plaintively.

"From what you say, it seems Kuizhou Prefecture City lacks it, but other parts of Kuizhou have it… I think I'm right, aren't I?"

Fang Chongyong stared into He Chengjiong's eyes and asked.

"Yes, but that place is in Yunyang County west of Kuizhou Prefecture City, not within the city."

He Chengjiong answered honestly.

"Ah, this brewing workshop is indeed simple. Yet the wine aroma is clear and mellow… quite good. I look forward to Wuxia Spring."

A slightly flippant voice sounded behind them; Fang Chongyong turned and saw a young man in a white fine‑linen robe, appearing in his twenties, his clothes spotless, holding a palm‑fan, looking elegant and handsome.

Apart from that fan, he wore no other accessories.

At least he's much more handsome than Zheng Shuqing.

His voice was also magnetic, instantly endearing.

"Sir, are you also here to buy wine?"

Fang Chongyong asked in puzzlement.

The man glanced at He Chengjiong, the delinquent handsome guy bowed to Fang Chongyong, then turned and left.

He was here to guide Fang Chongyong, not to protect him; hearing something he shouldn't would bring death upon himself!

"A chance meeting is better than a formal invitation; may I invite the young sir to have tea together? Would the young sir be so kind as to accept?"

The young man made a gesturing "please".

Fang Chongyong was a little confused; did people in the Tang dynasty become familiar like this?

"You are…"

"I am called Wei Qing, a Pear Garden disciple."

Wei Qing puffed out his chest proudly and said.

Even a guy who sings and plays can be this arrogant?

Fang Chongyong was dumbfounded; he knew what the Pear Garden was—a "arts troupe" organized by Li Longji. The nation's top performers trained and performed there, such as Li Guinian among its members.

Pear Garden disciples are a lofty presence in Chang'an, often entering noble households, frequently recorded in Tang poetry.

"Then let's meet at Fengxian Pavilion."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly.

At that moment he complained inwardly, I'm still a kid, why do I encounter so many things!

……

In a private room of Fengxian Pavilion, Fang Chongyong and Wei Qing watched Zheng Shuqing, panting, laugh silently.

They hadn't even sat a incense‑stick's time when the Inspector hurried in. One must admit, the delinquent handsome He Chengjiong is truly clever. Seeing Fang Chongyong about to have a private talk, he immediately reported to Zheng Shuqing.

This vigilance in officialdom is truly admirable.

"Lord Zheng, are you well?"

Wei Qing bowed to Zheng Shuqing, smiled and asked.

"If I had known it was you, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry, sigh!"

Zheng Shuqing chuckled wryly and sighed at length; Wei Qing and he belong to the same circle; Wei Qing comes from the Jingzhao Wei clan but walks the Pear Garden path, trusted by Li Longji. Wei Qing appearing here means Li Longji bypassed the chancellor and sent him to convey his will.

Apart from that, there is no reason to explain why a singing‑arts teacher would be in Kuizhou. Combined with the official document sent from Guizhou, Zheng Shuqing can now confirm that the court's envoy is Wei Qing.

"Lord Zheng, I have good news: Wang Yu has been removed from office and is under investigation, and has returned to the capital to report. Zhang Choujian Qiong has taken over as Jianshan Military Governor. The matter of you diverting customs revenue to support the Jianshan army has been approved by the court, not considered misappropriation, and you have been credited with a merit."

Hearing this, Zheng Shuqing's face grew heavy as he nodded slightly; he was waiting for Wei Qing to say the "but".

"The Sage says, Lord Zheng has rendered meritorious service to the state."

The subject thanks Your Majesty for your great grace……

Zheng Shuqing was so excited he was about to perform the great ritual for Wei Qing, but then he saw the other party wave his hand, signaling him to sit down first, and his own words were not yet finished.

The sage asks you, regarding the tax of 300,000 strings of cash, do you have any difficulty? If it is truly difficult to make up, you may reduce it by 100,000 strings as appropriate.

Wei Qing's emotionless words exploded in Zheng Shuqing's ears!

He eventually still had the matter exposed at the eastern window! Of course, this idiom does not yet exist.

Reduce…… or not reduce? Zheng Shuqing was about to speak when he heard Fang Chongyong open his mouth and say:

Zheng Shuqing devotes himself to the country until death; if the customs revenue is lost, we must find a way to make up the tax—how could there be reason to reduce it? If we reduce it here, wouldn't the state's other expenditures also have to be reduced? Who would make up the missing 100,000 strings? Zheng Shuqing, this side has no problem.

Fang Chongyong spoke with convincing certainty, then looked at Zheng Shuqing and asked: "Zheng Shuqing, you say that's right, don't you?"

That's correct, I think so—no reduction, absolutely no reduction!

Zheng Shuqing spoke while suppressing the anger in his heart, his facial expression already twisted.

Hmm, this way the sage can rest easy. I will ask the sage one more question: Zheng Shuqing, do you still need any help?

Wei Qing held back his laughter and asked.

The subject dares not trouble the sage……

Before Zheng Shuqing could finish speaking, Fang Chongyong interjected: "Zheng Shuqing needs help; without it, he simply cannot hold out!"

Huh?

Wei Qing looked at Fang Chongyong with a surprised expression and instinctively asked: "What exactly is this help then?"

When Li Longji originally entrusted him with this, he had merely said it offhand, mainly wanting to know whether Zheng Shuqing's tax of 300,000 strings should be reduced a bit.

In short, there is something; we can discuss it tomorrow when we formally meet the emissary at the government office—it would not be too late.

Fang Chongyong said this while desperately giving Zheng Shuqing meaningful looks, finally managing to calm this agitated prefect to the point of explosion.

How about Wei Qing staying together in the Lotus Pond Villa? In Kuizhou city, dragons and snakes mingle; I fear it would sully your eyes.

Zheng Shuqing said embarrassedly.

Wei Qing shook his fan, rose, and bowed to Zheng Shuqing, then smiled: "Although we are old acquaintances, we must avoid suspicion; I can stay at the relay station, and I will come to the government office to visit you tomorrow—farewell."

Having said that, he left cleanly and neatly, leaving only Zheng Shuqing and Fang Chongyong staring at each other.

You you you you you…… you really are going to anger me to death!

Zheng Shuqing clenched his wrists and sighed, only hating that he hadn't strangled Fang Chongyong earlier!

Zheng Shuqing, I already have a complete plan in mind. All preparations are complete, only lacking the final catalyst. With many people and mixed ears here, let's return to the government office to discuss important matters.

Fang Chongyong bowed to Zheng Shuqing and said.

Looking at the confident Fang Chongyong, then at the direction Wei Qing departed, Zheng Shuqing felt that sparing Fang Chongyong's life earlier was truly the worst mistake!

Alright, let's return to the government office.

He said this, weak with anger.

Zheng Shuqing had already decided: if Fang Chongyong cannot produce a reliable plan, then tonight we shall perish together, jade and stone burned alike, on the road to the Yellow Springs.

The two walked back in silence to the study of the Lotus Pond Villa; along the sloping long street on both sides were all kinds of shops, even those selling salted fish, yet they still failed to catch Zheng Shuqing's attention.

That 300,000 strings of cash has already become a tiger blocking his career path; even the Son of Heaven now knows of this matter—if it is not handled well…… the consequences are unimaginable!

Speak: how should we handle this matter? Why did you say that just now?

Zheng Shuqing today couldn't be bothered to have the servant girl brew tea for Fang Chongyong.

The products of Kuizhou, I have examined them one by one today, then broken them down, and will tell you, Zheng Shuqing, each item individually.

Fang Chongyong, without hesitation, poured himself a cup of water and gulped it down, only to discover…… it was actually honey water!

He casually took a large sheet of paper for writing copy from the desk, spread it out, and wrote the two characters 'cloth' on it.

Hemp cloth is a specialty of Kuizhou, with many people engaged in weaving, and there are already workshops of considerable scale, but this already has fixed sales channels; Zheng Shuqing, you cannot get a foothold, so it's useless.

Fang Chongyong drew an X after the two characters 'cloth'.

Zheng Shuqing had a blank expression, said nothing, and simply watched Fang Chongyong display his eloquence.

Kuizhou is close to mountains and forests, where there are many fruits such as tangerines, oranges, and pomelos. Although they are easy to transport, they are not easy to store, and more importantly, they cannot be sold at a profit; even hiring people to pick them would only result in a loss.

Fang Chongyong wrote the two characters 'melons and fruits' on the paper, then crossed them out.

Even expecting to sell fruit?

Zheng Shuqing was about to be laughed at by Fang Chongyong's anger.

This guy probably doesn't know what price Kuizhou fruits fetch. Even if all the fruit in the orchards were picked, see if they could sell for 1,000 strings? Besides, fruit doesn't just fall into baskets; it still requires labor to handle these matters!

You surely aren't really just this capable, are you?

Zheng Shuqing retorted with a hint of mockery.

What is the condition of Kuizhou's farmland, Zheng Shuqing, you probably know. The red lotus rice might still be worth some money, but those are the Son of Heaven's and cannot be moved; the produce of other fields, Zheng Shuqing, you also look down on, so better not mention them.

Fang Chongyong wrote the two characters 'grain' on the paper, then immediately crossed them out.

As for fish, even salted fish, although the quantity is large, it is inconvenient to ship long-distance to Chang'an, and selling to nearby prefectures and counties also yields no profit.

Fang Chongyong wrote the two characters 'fish and shrimp' on the paper, and finally crossed them out.

This won't work, that won't work—what exactly do you want?

Zheng Shuqing couldn't help but roar, he had been made furious by Fang Chongyong and was about to explode!

Eh? Zheng Shuqing, don't get angry—it's almost time, we're getting to the main point.

Fang Chongyong gave an embarrassed laugh.

Kuizhou also has many tigers, leopards, and white apes; hunting them is not easy, and even if they are valuable, for 300,000 strings it's merely a drop in the bucket.

The only things Zheng Shuqing can turn to for a comeback are boats and liquor; everything else is not worth mentioning.

Seeing him speak solemnly, Zheng Shuqing also put away his angry expression and, thinking deeply, asked: "What kind of boat, and what kind of liquor?"

Fang Chongyong spoke with only half-understanding, making him itch inside yet reluctant to ask directly.

Wan asked directly, and the other side made perfect sense, so it was inevitable to appear unintelligent.

Heaven's secrets must not be leaked; there are two matters I ask you, Sir, to handle. If successful, raising the three hundred thousand tax will pose no problem.

Fang Chongyong also put away his smile; that little face, not yet opened, looked stern and seemed a bit out of place.

He had no dignity at all; instead, he made people want to laugh.

Which two?

Zheng Shuqing inquired in a low voice.

"First, tonight please have the official in charge of the red lotus rice come to the Lotus Pond Villa for a meal, a good feast, and don't let him leave until he's drunk!"

Fang Chongyong's face showed not a trace of a smile, yet what he said was not all that serious.

Is inviting someone to a meal even considered a matter?

Zheng Shuqing nodded slightly and said, "I merely know this person, but inviting him to a meal is no big deal."

He thought this wouldn't be difficult, because one does not strike a smiling face. As the highest administrative official of a prefecture, the Regional Governor asking a petty official from the central Directorate to a meal would surely be given face; otherwise, how could one handle affairs well if local magnates gave one trouble?

"Second matter: tomorrow morning, when you negotiate with Wei Qing, Sir will have caught a chill from the night wind and be unable to speak, so please let me handle everything, all right?"

The second matter is to pretend to be mute, which also doesn't seem all that proper.

Zheng Shuqing looked at Fang Chongyong with a puzzled expression and asked, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Heaven's secrets must not be leaked."

Fang Chongyong smiled mysteriously.

Zheng Shuqing thought it over; with things as they are, trying a dead horse as if it were alive, he had no choice but to do so.

"Really, nothing will happen?"

Zheng Shuqing still felt uncertain and asked doubtfully.

"With your excellent wisdom, Sir, how could a mere yellow-mouthed child like me deceive you?"

Fang Chongyong retorted confidently.

"That's not necessarily so..."

Zheng Shuqing answered guiltily; although he quibbled verbally, he still found it quite satisfying.