Chapter 293: The Merchant

As the winter solstice approached, all of the Eastern Capital was immersed in a lively and peaceful atmosphere. Liu Chengyou's imperial position was gradually consolidated, his authority grew daily, and the court was stable. As time passed, the benefits slowly became apparent—stable governance and a stable military brought stability to the people.

Delete one complete rendering of every paragraph pair so each source paragraph appears exactly once. Keep the second rendering of each pair (it preserves 'heading east' for 東來, has no 'the entire the'/lowercase-'the' article glitches, and uses 'Prince of Yan' consistently), then correct its one error: change 'Defense Commissioner Governor Liu' to 'Defense Commissioner Liu'. Liu Chengyou's hold on the throne was gradually firming, his authority growing day by day, and the court was stable. As time passed, the benefits were slowly becoming apparent—when governance is stable and the military is stable, only then can the people be stable.

Although the common folk at the bottom of the Eastern Capital still had a hard life, it was much better than last year. Kaifeng seemed to carry a commercial gene within itself; as soon as the situation stabilized slightly, this atmosphere picked up.

Although the common folk at the bottom of the Eastern Capital still led difficult lives, compared to last year, things were much better. This city of Kaifeng seemed to carry a natural commercial instinct—the moment the situation stabilized even slightly, that atmosphere began to rise.

To celebrate the winter solstice, from nobles to the poor, everyone changed into new clothes and prepared food and drink. The dignitaries and wealthy households of the imperial capital widely distributed their wealth to purchase festive goods, and and the entire Eastern Capital market gradually entered a brief period of consumer prosperity.

To celebrate the winter solstice, from the meritorious nobles at the top down to the poor at the bottom, everyone changed into new clothes and prepared food and drink. And the high officials and nobles of the imperial capital, the great households of the mighty clans, mostly scattered their wealth widely, purchasing festival goods. The markets of the entire Eastern Capital gradually entered a brief period of consumer prosperity.

Though the weather was cold and all things withered, the Eastern Capital's bustle was utterly genuine. Outside Kaifeng, south of the Bian River, dwellings were densely packed and inns and shops were numerous. The freezing weather deterred most people from going out, but on the roads, there were still many coming and going, entering and leaving Kaifeng, toiling for a living.

Though the weather was cold and all things were bleak and withered, the bustle of the Eastern Capital was in no way false. Outside the walls of Kaifeng, south of the Bian River, dwellings were densely packed and inns and shops were numerous. The freezing weather discouraged most people from venturing out, yet on the roads there were still many coming and going, entering and leaving Kaifeng, rushing about for their livelihoods.

Over the Bian River, several rainbow bridges had already been built, connecting the two banks and serving as key routes linking north and south. Near a rainbow bridge stood a fairly large guest inn, quite lively, and judging by its sign, it primarily sold various kinds of mutton.

Over the Bian River, several rainbow bridges had already been built, connecting the two banks, serving as vital links between north and south. Near one rainbow bridge stood a guest inn of no small scale, quite bustling; judging by its signboard, it dealt mainly in various kinds of mutton.

The sound of mule bells was especially clear in this cold weather, and from afar, a merchant caravan could be seen slowly heading east out of the distant wilderness. With over twenty mule carts and dozens of guards, such a caravan was no small scale for the era.

The sound of mule bells rang out especially clearly in this cold weather, visible from afar—from the distant wilderness, a merchant caravan was slowly heading east. Over twenty mule carts, several dozen guards—a caravan of this scale was not small by the standards of the age.

On the left side of the road, a middle-aged man was already waiting, dressed in a padded robe, accompanied by two servants. From his bearing, he appeared to be a merchant. This man was named He Fuyin, a well-known wealthy trader in the Eastern Capital with vast riches and strong backing—the Prince of Yan's household—and in his early years, he had conducted trade for Zhao Yanshou.

By the roadside, a middle-aged man was already waiting, dressed in a padded robe, followed by two household servants; from his bearing, he was clearly a merchant. This man was named He Fuyin, a great merchant of considerable renown within the Eastern Capital, with wealth beyond measure and a formidable patron—the Prince of Yan's household. In earlier years, he had done business for Zhao Yanshou.

He waited by the roadside, clearly waiting for someone in particular. As the caravan approached, he immediately sent a servant forward to inquire. After confirming their identity, he put on a professional, amiable smile, went up to greet them, and called out warmly.

He waited by the roadside, clearly there specifically to meet someone. When the caravan drew near, he immediately sent a servant forward to inquire. After confirming their identity, he put on a professional, genial smile and went up to greet them warmly.

The curtain was lifted, and a sturdy man with a long beard jumped down, moving nimbly, and returned the greeting with a cupped-fist salute.

The curtain was drawn back, and a sturdy middle-aged man with a long mustache framing his lips leaped down with a surprisingly agile motion, clasping his hands in return salute.

"Brother Li!"

"Brother He!"

The caravan's owner, surnamed Li, named Jin, upon seeing He Fuyin, restrained his fierce demeanor and spoke with a hint of respect: "In this cold season, why trouble Brother He to brave the wind to greet me personally?"

The master of the caravan, surnamed Li, given name Jin, upon seeing He Fuyin, reined in the fierce, rugged air about him, his tone carrying a hint of deference: "In this bitter cold, how could I trouble Brother He to brave the wind and come out in person to welcome me?"

"No trouble!" He Fuyin chuckled, stepping forward to pat Li Jin on the shoulder: "Given our friendship, what's a bit of north wind? Even if it were ice and snow, what would it matter?"

"It's nothing!" He Fuyin chuckled, stepping forward to clap Li Jin on the shoulder. "With the friendship between us, never mind this bit of north wind—even if you added ice and snow on top, what harm would it be?"

"The journey has been long and tiring; rest at the inn for a while before entering the city. I've already prepared a feast."

"You've traveled far and wearily; rest a while at the inn before entering the city. Your elder brother has already prepared a feast."

"I'll follow Brother's arrangements!" Li Jin replied.

"I'll follow my elder brother's arrangements!" Li Jin replied.

The caravan was quickly driven to the open ground behind the inn, with guards posted and food served nearby. He Fuyin and Li Jin went inside to converse; the wine was already warmed and the meat roasted, ready to be enjoyed.

The caravan was quickly driven to the open ground behind the guest inn, with men set to guard it, and the drivers ate nearby. He Fuyin and Li Jin, meanwhile, went inside to converse—the wine had already been warmed, the meat roasted, awaiting only their enjoyment.

Their seats were by the window, and through the gaps, one could faintly see the winter scenery outside the inn.

Their seats were by the window, and through the gaps, one could dimly make out the winter scenery outside the inn.

"On this trip to Ruzhou, did you encounter any trouble? How are the goods?" After a few cups of wine, He Fuyin asked.

"It went fairly smoothly!" Noticing He Fuyin's gaze, Li Jin chuckled lightly: "Rest assured, Brother He, this batch of coal had no problems!"

"All went smoothly, more or less!" Noticing He Fuyin's gaze, Li Jin chuckled lightly. "Rest assured, Brother He—this batch of coal had no problems!"

Hearing this, He Fuyin also laughed: "With Brother Li going personally, I'm naturally at ease."

At this, He Fuyin also chuckled: "With Brother Li going in person, I am naturally at ease."

Li Jin was a merchant attached to He Fuyin, and following the He family, he had accumulated some wealth over the past two years. This time, he was sent by He Fuyin to lead the team to Ruzhou to purchase coal. The Eastern Capital was a city with enormous resource demands, and as winter approached, materials for heating—coal, charcoal, firewood—were in acute shortage.

Li Jin was a merchant attached to He Fuyin; following the He family, he had accumulated a modest fortune over the past two years. This time, under He Fuyin's orders, he had led a team to Ruzhou to purchase coal. The Eastern Capital was a city with enormous demand for all kinds of resources, and as winter approached, materials for heating—coal, charcoal, firewood, and the like—were in acute shortage.

Seeing this opportunity, He Fuyin had set his mind on it, and in the Central Plains, Ruzhou's coal was quite renowned. Of the coal Li Jin brought to the Eastern Capital this time, seventy percent belonged to the He family.

Seeing this opportunity, He Fuyin had set his mind on it, and in the Central Plains, Ruzhou's coal enjoyed a fair reputation. Of the coal Li Jin had hauled to the Eastern Capital this time, seven-tenths belonged to the He family.

The atmosphere grew warmer, and Li Jin began telling He Fuyin about his experiences in Ruzhou: "Over in Ruzhou, Defense Commissioner Liu is a capable official, and the region is well-governed. After several bandit-suppression campaigns by the court, bandits in the Central Plains have almost vanished; any petty thieves, I could handle myself. Now, doing this kind of trade is much safer than before. Otherwise, hauling coal over four hundred li to the Eastern Capital would hardly be profitable!"

The atmosphere gradually grew warmer, and Li Jin began telling He Fuyin of what he had seen in Ruzhou: "Over in Ruzhou, Defense Commissioner Liu is a capable official, and his jurisdiction is well ordered. After several bandit-suppression campaigns by the court, banditry in the Central Plains has all but vanished; any petty thieves, I can handle myself. Doing this kind of trade nowadays is far safer than before. Otherwise, hauling coal over four hundred li to the Eastern Capital would hardly be profitable!"

"If I hadn't known this beforehand, I wouldn't have sent Brother Li on such a risk." He Fuyin said with a smile.

"If I hadn't known this situation beforehand, how could I have let Brother Li go take the risk." He Fuyin said with a beaming smile.

"If one wants to make a profit, one should still go by boat!" Li Jin shook his head, sighing from the heart.

"If one wants to make real profit, one still has to go by boat!" Li Jin shook his head, his sigh coming from the heart.

In fact, given poor transportation and difficult hauling, hauling Ruzhou coal to the Eastern Capital really didn't earn much. But He Fuyin had another use for this batch of coal—the twelfth month was approaching, and the weather would only get colder. It was the perfect time to offer timely help, and there was likely not a single noble household in the Eastern Capital that didn't lack this fine heating material.

In truth, given the inconvenient transportation and difficult hauling, hauling Ruzhou coal to the Eastern Capital really didn't earn much money. But He Fuyin had another use for this batch of coal. The twelfth month was approaching, and the weather would only grow colder—this was precisely the perfect time to offer fuel in snowy weather. Among the high officials and nobles of the Eastern Capital, there was probably not a single household that didn't lack this fine heating material.

"But the court has explicitly exempted tariffs, yet along the way, except for Ruzhou and Zhengzhou, not a single one was spared!" While He Fuyin toyed with his wine cup, Li Jin said with a pained expression.

"It's just that the court has explicitly exempted customs duties, yet along this whole road, apart from the two prefectures of Ru and Zheng, not a single levy has been spared!" As He Fuyin toyed with his wine cup, Li Jin spoke again with a pained expression.

Hearing this, He Fuyin waved his hand to reassure him: "As long as the goods are safe, all tariffs paid will be covered by me!"

Hearing this, He Fuyin waved his hand to soothe him: "As long as the goods are safe, that's all that matters—whatever customs duties were paid, I'll cover them all!"

At these words, Li Jin's rugged face immediately lit up with delight.

At these words, a look of pleased relief immediately appeared on Li Jin's rugged face.

"By the way, Brother He. I brought back a cart of local porcelain from Ruzhou—the quality is quite good. In my view, if we sold it, there might be profit to be made." Suddenly remembering something, Li Jin casually mentioned.

"Oh, right, Brother He. I brought back a cartload of local porcelain from Ruzhou—the quality is quite good. In my view, if we sold it, there might be profit to be made." Suddenly thinking of something, Li Jin said casually.

He Fuyin didn't take it seriously and casually replied: "Let's see how things go first!"

He Fuyin didn't take it to heart either, and said offhandedly: "Let's see how things look first!"

"It's really cold!" With a sigh, Li Jin took a big gulp of wine, feeling the burn in his throat, and said: "This liquor business is still the easiest to make money from, no worry about profits. I wonder who stands behind the owner of this place?"

"It's really cold out!" After this exclamation, Li Jin took a big gulp of wine, feeling the burn in his throat, and said: "The liquor business is still the easiest to do—no worry about profit. I wonder who stands behind the master of this establishment?"

"The court had banned liquor, and now that the ban is lifted, it's been designated as an official monopoly. Without some connections, it's hard to get this business going!" He Fuyin also sighed.

"The court had banned liquor, and now that the ban has been lifted, it's been designated as a government monopoly. Without some connections, trying to make a go of this trade—it's hard!" He Fuyin also sighed.

Previously, the court had banned liquor, and though suppressed, it remained impossible to fully stop. Finally, when the grain shortage eased somewhat, Liu Chengyou issued an edict lifting the ban. But Wang Zhang quickly introduced a policy he had long prepared—official monopoly on liquor yeast. It hadn't been in effect long, but in Kaifeng alone, it had already contributed substantial revenue to the court.

Previously, the court had banned liquor; though it was suppressed, the ban was repeatedly violated and never truly stopped. Finally, when the grain shortage had eased somewhat, Liu Chengyou issued an edict lifting the ban. However, Wang Zhang soon introduced a policy he had long been preparing—the official monopoly on liquor yeast. It had not been in effect long, but in the single city of Kaifeng alone, it had already contributed considerable revenue to the court.

Seeing this, Li Jin, with a wine-flushed face, leaned closer to He Fuyin and asked curiously: "Could it be that even with Brother He's connections, it's not possible?"

At this, Li Jin, his face flushed with drink, leaned a little closer to He Fuyin and asked curiously: "Could it be that even with Brother He's connections, it won't work?"

He Fuyin shook his head, glanced at Li Jin, and said calmly: "If the cost is too great, why bother? Look at this tavern—how much can it earn? It's just a pity that the Prince of Yan isn't in the Eastern Capital."

He Fuyin shook his head, glancing sidelong at Li Jin, and said flatly: "If the price to be paid is too great, why bother with the effort? Look at this tavern here—how much can it earn? It's a pity the Prince of Yan isn't in the Eastern Capital."

As the conversation grew lively, Li Jin couldn't help asking: "Brother He, have you never thought of going to Youzhou? With the He family's relationship with the Prince of Yan's mansion, what business couldn't you do there?"

Caught up in the excitement of the conversation, Li Jin couldn't help asking: "Brother He, have you never thought of going to Youzhou? With the He family's connections to the Prince of Yan's household, what business could you not accomplish?"

At this mention, a gleam flashed in He Fuyin's eyes, then quickly faded. He toasted Li Jin and said: "Let me tell you honestly, Youzhou—who knows when it might be lost. It's not as safe as the Central Plains. Besides, in the Eastern Capital—"

At this mention, a strange gleam flashed through He Fuyin's eyes, then quickly vanished. He raised a cup to Li Jin and said: "Let me speak frankly with you, brother—Youzhou could fall at any moment, who knows when. How could that be as safe as being in the Central Plains? Besides, here in the Eastern Capital, I—"

At this point, he stopped abruptly, laughed it off, and changed the subject: "Now in the Eastern Capital, there are plenty of opportunities to profit—silk, porcelain, aquatic goods, fruits, grain..."

At this point, he stopped abruptly. He Fuyin gave a hearty laugh and changed the subject: "These days in the Eastern Capital, there are plenty of opportunities for profit—silk, porcelain, water goods, melons and fruit, grain..."

When it came to grain, He Fuyin couldn't help showing indignation: "That Southern Tang ruler has truly cut off a great source of profit for us!"

When he came to grain, He Fuyin couldn't help showing an indignant expression: "That sovereign of the Southern Tang—he's truly cut off a great source of profit for us!"