Chapter 100: Just Want the Right to Regulate Chang'an's Qinglou!

On the road down the mountain.

"A Yan, your handling of the Qinzhou rebellion this time was splendid!"

"Ask for whatever reward you want, just speak up!"

Yuwen Hu, his emotions already settled, placed his hands behind his back, twirled the Jade Ring, and said.

Chen Yan's mission to Qinzhou yielded results far beyond his expectations, truly perfect.

Not only did he cleanly and swiftly quell the uprising, but also used reasonable means to overhaul Qinzhou, bringing it under Tian Guan Fu's control, saving a lot of subsequent trouble.

Hearing this, Chen Yan's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning as he tentatively asked, "Grand Administrator, are any rewards possible?"

"As long as I can provide it, it's possible...."

Yuwen Hu caught Chen Yan's expression, simply smiled calmly, and blurted out.

The youngster who knows the best when to advance or retreat asks such a question; there must be something fishy....

"I, your servant, do not seek gold or silver rewards....."

Having received the promise, Chen Yan, without any hesitation, said, "I only wish to obtain the right to regulate the Qinglou of Chang'an!"

After stating his request, Chen Yan's fiery gaze held an unmistakable excitement....

It was something he had long coveted, and finally found an opportunity.

Yuwen Hu was startled, lowered his eyes to examine Chen Yan, puzzled, and asked, "You.... why do you want this?"

He had expected the kid to make some heretical, excessive demand, but it turned out to be this?

Just a mere right of regulation?

"To be frank, Grand Administrator, because this is far more lucrative than mere gold and silver!" Chen Yan's mouth curved into a smile, speaking frankly.

"What do you mean?" Yuwen Hu and Yuwen Heng exchanged a glance, both seeing incomprehension in each other's eyes.

He wondered what new idea the kid had this time....

"Forgive my presumption, Grand Administrator, may I ask what you think is the most profitable trade in the world?" Chen Yan asked with feigned mystery, meaningfully.

"Salt and Iron?"

"Silk?"

"Tea?"

"Money shop?"

"Or selling official posts?"

The Yuwen brothers, following Chen Yan's question and based on the Court's situation, gave their speculative answers.

Salt is a daily necessity, and iron can be used to make farming tools, weapons, etc.

Throughout dynasties, salt and iron have often been monopolized or taxed, as can be seen.

Silk, tea trade, and money‑lending pawnshops are all highly profitable.

And the most lucrative selling of offices and titles is no less...

A textbook answer.

"None of them!"

Chen Yan shook his head, stating firmly.

He paused briefly, then continued, "The world's wealth lies in monopoly!"

The emphasis fell entirely on the last two words, with a measured cadence.

The "state enterprise" established by Emperor Wu of Han to fund the campaigns against the Xiongnu, or the "Han enterprise", was essentially... a monopoly.

Those two short characters supported that money‑burning war, showcasing the might of the Great Han.

"You..... hahahaha!"

Hearing this unexpected answer, Yuwen Hu burst into laughter, looking at Chen Yan with interest, "You kid, you always bring me all sorts of surprises....."

"Tell me the details!"

Yuwen Hu's interest was deeply piqued.

Chen Yan nodded, choosing his words, and said, "Monopoly means that by controlling the market, one gains pricing power....."

"Since I am the sole seller, they can only buy from me, with no other options!"

In Chen Yan's outlined blueprint, a continuous stream of gold and silver flows in.

Yuwen Hu was silent for a moment, then offered a different view: "But have you considered that if you price too high or squeeze too hard, they will find ways to exploit loopholes....."

"It will spawn countless underground Qinglou beyond your control!"

Undeniably, in an ideal state it could indeed happen....

But the turbulent forces beneath Chang'an are not a soft peach for anyone to carve up!

Openly they cannot be overpowered, yet they can share the spoils covertly....

They will not be easily manipulated!

Chen Yan blinked, gave a calm smile, and said meaningfully, "Therefore, I have already prepared an entire set of plans...."

Chen Yan never fights unprepared; he already has drafts....

The Qinglou industry in Chang'an, Great Zhou, and even today's various nations is still in a primitive version, far too backward.

He wants to give this industry a Dongguan‑style shock!

Use good currency to drive out bad currency!

"It seems you are confident already....."

Yuwen Hu sized up the confident youngster, and smiled, "Very well, then I grant you the right to regulate the Qinglou of Chang'an!"

"Thank you, Grand Administrator!"

Chen Yan was overjoyed, extremely excited, grinning widely.

He paused briefly, then continued, "I will submit seventy percent of the profits I have obtained!"

Even though a pie was smashed onto his head, Chen Yan still did not become complacent or forget the workplace survival rules.

The Grand Overseer takes the big head, he takes the small head, and that is proper!

"Fifty percent is enough; keep the rest for yourself to spend..."

Yuwen Hu waved his hand casually and said, "But this reward alone is nowhere enough to showcase your merits?"

"I'll also add the honor of Tiger‑Might General!"

Yuwen Heng paused his steps slightly, gazing at the bestowed elder brother.

The highest honorific is Zhuguo General, while the Tiger‑Might General rank is at the lower end…

But this is only the starting point; he will be continuously promoted.

"Yuwen Ze's efforts this time are also great…" Chen Yan did not rush to give thanks, but instead mentioned Yuwen Ze.

Chen Yan is not someone who eats alone; his own bowl is full, yet his brothers have gotten nothing.

"That youngster's abilities are still lacking; they need proper honing, no need to rush now!"

Yuwen Hu's eyes showed satisfaction as he calmly said, "I have my own arrangements…"

A father knows his son better than anyone; regarding Yuwen Ze's condition, he knows it extremely well.

Now is also not the time for placement.

"Yes."

Chen Yan replied with a nod, took a stack of Secret Letters from his chest, and said, "Grand Overseer, I have obtained some Secret Letters in Shanggui…"

Yuwen Hu took them, flipped through them casually, then handed them back to Chen Yan, "You are a child who understands limits and the bigger picture…"

"Go ahead and do it!"

"The Meng Clan makes excellent fish bait!"

The words were full of deep implication.

"I obey!" Chen Yan tucked away the Secret Letters and smiled knowingly.

Chang'an.

Chen Fu.

Having rushed back from the mountain, he also dined with the Grand Overseer; night had already grown deep.

Outside the manor.

"Been out so long, finally back…"

Zhu Yi stretched lazily, looked at the house just a stone's throw away, his heart racing homeward, and said, "I'll go call the gate first!"

"Wait!"

Chen Yan grabbed Zhu Yi, who was just about to move, as if recalling something, and said, "Let's climb over the wall and go in…"

"Young Master, what bad idea are you brewing this time?"

Zhu Yi, not knowing why, looked at Chen Yan with confusion and asked.

"We're not thieves; why climb the wall for no reason?"

Yun Xi beside them was also completely baffled.

"Don't ask!"

"Hurry up!"

Chen Yan, without offering an explanation, urged.

Then the three of them climbed over the wall; Chen Yan pushed back the night‑shift embroidered‑clad messenger.

After handing Yun Xi over to Zhu Yi for placement, he alone slipped into Dantai Mingyue's room.

"At this hour, Xiao Lajiao is probably already sound asleep…"

Chen Yan tiptoed, and at the thought of what he was about to do, he couldn't help but grin.

He intended to give Xiao Lajiao a huge fright, satisfying his mischievous taste.

Then to finish what was left undone last time…

"My Xiao Lajiao's sleeping posture is still…"

Chen Yan slipped to the bedside, using the moonlight to admire Dantai Mingyue's sleeping face; his heart stirred, and he reached out to touch the spring light.

Suddenly, a short blade tinged with cold was pressed against his neck.

A woman's cool voice rang out from the bed:

"Who!"

"Where did that rogue come from!"