Chapter 294: The Military Governor Enters the Capital

The resentment bursting from He Fuyin's words was almost enough to shatter the none-too-sturdy window lattice, and he raised his cup to down a mouthful of wine.

He had originally been in "international trade," traveling between Kaifeng and Huainan, selling Jianghuai goods from the Southern Tang to the Eastern Capital. Since the founding of the Great Han, relying on his old connections, he had reaped great profits in grain and salt.

Now in the Great Han, the most lucrative business was none other than grain, oil, and salt. Though the salt administration was monopolized by the government, in practice, due to lax oversight and the constraints of the nation's circumstances, it had always been jointly operated by public and private interests.

Previously, the court had turned a blind eye to salt purchased from Huainan, and men like He Fuyin had thrived in that space like fish in water.

But since the succession of the Great Han's throne and Liu Chengyou's assumption of command, the Southern Tang had taken the initiative to stir up trouble, and relations between the two states had deteriorated. The Tang sovereign Li Jing had issued an edict closing the border markets and trading towns between the two states, cutting off all commercial traffic between them. For nearly a year now, the line along the Huai River had been desolate, with not a single boat daring to cross northward.

This was the origin of what He Fuyin called "cutting off the road to wealth"—for men like them, the losses were enormous. Of course, one could still sell grain and even salt domestically, but the profits were nowhere near what the Southern Tang trade had brought. What was not earned was, in effect, a loss.

"Who knows when relations between these two states will ease! When two states are at odds, it is we merchants who suffer, and the common people of the Great Han who suffer as well..." Seeing He Fuyin's dejected mood, Li Jin could not help but chime in with agreement. This burly fellow could actually produce such words of "concern for the state and sorrow for the times."

"Who knows what that false Tang sovereign is thinking? Can the Tang army truly contend with our Great Han? Earlier, war clouds gathered on both banks of the Huai River, they made such a fuss for so long, yet could not actually fight. I truly don't understand what they hoped to achieve!"

The two merchants were loudly discussing affairs of state in this guest inn, though both knew to restrain themselves. He Fuyin quickly changed the subject, self-deprecatingly: "You and I are reeking of copper coins—we'd best not worry ourselves over the dukes and ministers of the court. Right now, keeping our business channels stable is what matters most."

"Brother He speaks truly!"

"It's really cold today!" Casually steering the conversation to the weather, Li Jin picked up a piece of charred, tender roast lamb leg, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled while washing it down with wine: "The Eastern Capital is still the best. In Ruzhou, you can't get meat this good!"

"Brother Li has worked hard on this trip. The winter solstice is almost upon us—take advantage of this cold season to return home and rest for a while. When the new year begins, we'll have plenty of opportunities to make money!" He Fuyin said lightly.

"Brother He knows that I'm not one to sit still." At this, Li Jin casually wiped the grease from his mouth and looked at He Fuyin with some anticipation.

"No rush! No rush!" He Fuyin, however, put on airs, somewhat perfunctorily.

As the two chatted, another commotion came from the official road outside the inn. A column of several dozen riders came galloping from the west through the frost and wind, their hoofbeats rapid and forceful, churning up dust and grass as they passed.

Hearing this disturbance, the few guests in the inn immediately had their attention drawn. He and Li also could not help but open the window by their table and look out.

Looking at that troop of cavalry, each man sturdy and powerful, their postures agile as they rode, a fierce martial aura hung about them. In the middle, protected by the escort, were an old man and a young one.

"I wonder which noble house this might be?" A glint of burning envy flashed through Li Jin's eyes as he unconsciously remarked.

He Fuyin crossed his arms, a hint of contemplation flashing through his narrow eyes as he nodded slightly: "These past few days, Governors from the military provinces have been continuously coming to the capital for audience. Judging by this scene, barring any surprise, this should be a Military Governor. Just not sure which one..."

Having traveled north and south for so many years, he had a certain eye for these things. As He Fuyin had guessed, this troop of cavalry passing by was indeed one of the Military Governor contingents formally entering the capital for audience.

They only slowed to a stop upon reaching Rainbow Bridge. Beneath the bridge, a cluster of Patrol Inspector soldiers stood guard, checking passersby. They had originally also been responsible for collecting bridge tolls, but that had later been abolished by Liu Chengyou.

This group had arrived rather ostentatiously and had already drawn attention. However, beside them, a civil clerk had already been observing the situation. He stepped forward and nimbly bowed: "May I ask, are you Governor Zhe of the Yong'an Army from Fuzhou?"

The old man at the lead, his beard and hair wild and unrestrained, looking even more untamed in the winter wind, swept a glance at the minor clerk and spoke in a deep, resonant voice: "It is indeed this old man."

"I am the innkeeper of Xiangfu Post Station, ordered to await you here!" Hearing this, the post clerk, whose face was red from the cold, immediately lit up with joy.

Zhe Congruan was somewhat surprised, but a smile touched his lips: "Much obliged!"

The innkeeper felt honored by the favor, rarely seeing such an even-tempered military man of the Military Governor rank, and became even more respectful: "There is an order from the capital—please proceed to the guest inn to rest for now, Governor. Once we report upward, you may then enter the palace for audience."

This time, from Liu Chengyou on down, great importance was attached to the military provinces arriving in the capital one after another, and all the reception arrangements had long been prepared.

Seeing this, Zhe Congruan could not help but show a satisfied expression, extending his hand: "I shall follow the arrangements!"

Seeing that Zhe Congruan had maintained such grace throughout, the innkeeper felt even more relieved. He stepped forward somewhat obsequiously to personally lead Zhe Congruan's horse and guide the way.

Zhe Congruan was already approaching sixty years of age, but he remained vigorous in his old age. Even in the depths of winter, he could endure the hardship of long rides. Of course, a carriage also followed at the rear of the column...

The young one at his side was a beautiful young woman, Zhe Congruan's granddaughter—the famous "She Taijun." The girl was dashing and spirited, full of youthful vigor, skilled at riding. Though young in years, her skill and courage surpassed ordinary people, and she was dearly loved by Zhe Congruan, who had brought her along on this trip to the capital.

"Grandfather, is this the Eastern Capital?" Zhe Saihua's clear eyes gazed eastward toward Kaifeng as she asked curiously. As she spoke, a wisp of white vapor drifted from her tender lips.

Though he didn't know Kaifeng all that well either, Zhe Congruan maintained the image of a well-traveled man before his granddaughter, nodding calmly: "Yes!"

"It doesn't seem as big as Luoyang." Zhe Saihua muttered with a hint of disappointment, but quickly added: "But it's livelier than Luoyang."

"After all, it is the nation's capital, the foremost place of virtue." Zhe Congruan was amused by his granddaughter's charming manner.

"The Emperor lives here, right!" Zhe Saihua raised her delicate brows and said: "If I see him, I want to ask him—how can he be so unreasonable, making Grandfather travel such a long way just to pay respects to him?"

"Haha!" Zhe Congruan laughed aloud, reaching out to gently pat the girl's head beneath its marten-fur cap: "This time, this old man came to seek audience of my own accord. The capital is not like Fuzhou—here, you must not be impolite."

She held great respect for her grandfather, and upon hearing his admonition, Zhe Saihua immediately responded: "Yes!"

Yet in her bright eyes, a hint of mischievousness clearly sparkled.

Zhe Congruan glanced at his granddaughter, his loving gaze lingering on her still-youthful face for a moment, a profound meaning in his eyes. His bringing his granddaughter along on this trip to the capital clearly harbored some intention.