Chapter 111: Use the Wangchuan Gambling Hall as the first target!

It's already dark, why would Father Grand Chancellor think to summon me at this hour... Chen Yan muttered to himself as he stood up, swaying slightly.

He appeared slightly tipsy.

"For the Grand Chancellor to see you, My Lord, at this hour, there must be some urgent matter..."

Gu Yuci saw this and reached out to support Chen Yan, saying, "My Lord, official business is paramount, please go ahead. Do not worry about us!"

Gu Yuci had also drunk quite a bit, but he hadn't lost his head; he still understood the importance of priorities.

"Indeed!"

He Ba Le nodded, leaning half his body on Helian Shi's shoulder, and chimed in, "Wine can be drunk at any time, but one must never delay the Grand Chancellor's important affairs!"

If they served the old leader well, would they, his old subordinates with revolutionary friendship, have to worry about future promotions and titles?

"This time, my hospitality was lacking. My apologies!"

Chen Yan looked at his thoughtful subordinates, who were rough on the outside but fine on the inside, smiled, and cupped his hands, saying, "Everyone, please stay at my mansion tonight..."

Then, he turned his head to look at Qingyu beside him and instructed, "Qingyu, arrange a songstress or dancer for each of the brothers later!"

These entertainers were actually household courtesans gifted to the Chen residence by the Grand Chancellor.

They could provide song and dance performances for family members and guests to aid the drinking mood and enhance the banquet atmosphere.

They could also be used to entertain distinguished guests, build connections, and facilitate interest exchanges...

The generals in the residence today might not hold very high positions at the moment, but they were Chen Yan's comrades-in-arms who had shared life and death; naturally, he could not treat them poorly.

(Diaochan from the Three Kingdoms period was one of Wang Yun's household courtesans.)

"Don't worry, Young Master!"

"I will settle all the generals properly!"

Qingyu replied obediently upon hearing this.

"Then many thanks for your kindness, My Lord!"

Gu Yuci and the others exchanged smiles and, without declining, accepted it frankly.

"Lead the way!"

After giving his instructions, Chen Yan said a word to the personal guard and then looked at Zhu Yi, "Come, give me a hand..."

Prince Jin's Mansion.

Study.

Yuwen Hu was hunched over his desk, reviewing political reports submitted from various regions.

The personal guard had received prior permission and led Chen Yan straight into the study without obstruction, saying respectfully, "Your Highness, Mirror Master Chen has arrived!"

Having said that, he did not linger, stepped out quickly, and closed the door.

"Your subordinate Chen Yan pays respects to the Grand Chancellor!" Chen Yan straightened his clothes and bowed respectfully.

The person before him was his backer, Father Grand Chancellor; Chen Yan dared not be arrogant or boastful, lest he lose proper etiquette.

"No need for formalities!"

Yuwen Hu waved his hand lightly, sniffed slightly, and raised his head, "You are reeking of alcohol..."

"Have you drunk quite a bit?"

Chen Yan scratched his head, smiled awkwardly, and replied truthfully, "Your subordinate was having a small gathering with the generals who quelled the chaos in Qinzhou, and I was greedy for the cup, drinking a few too many!"

"It is a good thing to build connections with comrades who have bathed in blood; you should indeed move about more often in your spare time..."

Yuwen Hu nodded, without any emotional fluctuation, agreeing.

He paused, changed the subject, and cautioned, "But remember not to let drunkenness ruin affairs, giving opponents any chance to exploit!"

Regarding Chen Yan's interactions with those military generals, Yuwen Hu was not only not opposed, he was even very supportive.

If he were to entrust this child with heavy responsibilities in the future, he must have a solid foundation.

Especially prestige and connections within the military...

It was just that as an elder, he still had to offer reminders, such as not leaving openings for enemies who were watching him!

"Your subordinate understands." Chen Yan cupped his fists, humbly accepting the teaching.

In truth, he controlled his intake every time he drank.

He even carried hangover medicine specially made by Yun Xi to be prepared for emergencies.

However, facing the concern of Father Grand Chancellor, an elder, and compounded by the effects of alcohol, Chen Yan was deeply moved...

Yuwen Hu turned his jade thumb ring, did not dwell on this, and went straight to the point: "I have pondered repeatedly; what you said that day was very insightful!"

"The method of monopoly is indeed a good prescription for the Court to increase additional revenue!"

Since their conversation on Qingming, Yuwen Hu had kept this monopoly in mind, deliberated on it for several days, and could increasingly foresee the benefits it could bring.

It was not just the brothel industry; other highly profitable industries could also be brought under the monopoly of the Heavenly Office and promoted widely.

As the saying goes, things are easy to do when you have silver in hand...

With surplus funds, many new policies could be implemented without obstruction, which would be of great benefit to both the state and himself!

That goes without saying; this is a revenue-generating artifact from later generations... Chen Yan's mouth curled into a playful smirk, he laughed inwardly, and flattered, "It is my honor that my foolish opinion can be of benefit to you!"

A wealthy state and a strong military rely solely on the word 'monopoly'.

"You still have the heart to flatter; it seems you really haven't drunk too much..."

Yuwen Hu glanced sideways, shook his head with a light laugh, and teased.

He paused and continued, "I have a matter here now that I want to arrange for you to do..."

"Please give your orders, Grand Chancellor!"

Chen Yan was like a shark smelling blood; his drunkenness vanished, and he blurted out, "Your subordinate will never dare to be slack!"

The Grand Chancellor's tasks were always mountains of gold and silver; every time, he could come away with a full harvest...

Not to mention one arranged urgently in the middle of the night?

"Have you heard of the Wangchuan Gambling Hall?" Yuwen Hu leaned against the back of his chair, resting his chin on his left hand, and asked nonchalantly.

Chen Yan heard this, recalled slightly, and muttered, "The largest gambling hall in Chang'an City, the one where gamblers come and go in an endless stream?"

He had an impression of Wangchuan Gambling Hall; that brat You Xian liked to go there, and during the Qinzhou pacification, he hadn't stopped nagging about this place.

Rather than calling it a gambling hall, it was more like a gambling city...

The foot traffic was immense; it could be called a money-burning pit!

"That's the one!"

"A sweet pastry that makes a fortune every day!"

Yuwen Hu said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, enunciating every word.

Chen Yan sensed the deeper meaning, blinked, and requested, "I wonder what you intend to do?"

Yuwen Hu's gaze sharpened, he restrained his smile, and said sternly and deeply, "Use the Wangchuan Gambling Hall as the first target!"

"Make it the first step in monopolizing the Chang'an gambling industry!"

As he spoke, he clenched his fist tightly and knocked it on the desk.

Since ancient times, gambling and prostitution have been the most profitable industries in the gray zone...

They must be controlled in the hands of the Heavenly Office!

Chen Yan pursed his lips, as if remembering something, and said, "If my memory serves me correctly, this Wangchuan Gambling Hall should be an asset of Old Pillar of State Zhao's family, right?"

The Mingjing Si had investigated; Wangchuan Gambling Hall was held on behalf of others by Zhao Qian's nephew...

All profits went to the Zhao family.

It could be said to be the Zhao clan's largest source of funds...

"Why?"

"Are you afraid, A Yan?"

Yuwen Hu heard this, raised his eyebrows slightly, and teased.

"How could that be?"

Chen Yan did not hesitate at all, his expression showing undisguised excitement: "Being able to cause trouble for Old Pillar of State Zhao, and incidentally seizing the gambling industry, is something your subordinate has been praying for!"

Cutting off someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents.

Chen Yan was naturally excited to receive such a task that harmed others to benefit himself!

Especially since he was already deeply tied to the Grand Chancellor's warship; Zhao Qian was a mortal enemy.

"Then it's the same old rule!"

Yuwen Hu laughed lightly, tapped his knuckles on the desk, and said, "Go ahead and do it boldly; I will take responsibility for everything!"

"Your subordinate understands!"

Chen Yan licked his lips, his eyes revealing greed, and laughed, "The gambling industry in Chang'an, both the personnel and the venues, will all bear the surname Yuwen!"

"Go!"

"I shall wait and see!"

Yuwen Hu believed in his ability and waved his hand casually.

Chen Yan did not leave immediately, but took an object from his bosom, held it in his hands, and said, "Your subordinate has a policy proposal book here; I ask the Grand Chancellor to take a look!" ===== CHAPTER 112 =====