Chapter 259: Leaders of the Five Major Chambers Gather

Outside Chang'an.

The manor belonging to the Xu family.

Two stone lions stand before the Zhuqi Daimen, their manes gleaming under the autumn sun, and a plaque reading "Clear Heart Garden" hangs on the lintel.

The black background with golden characters sways slightly in the wind, making the shadow walls covered with yellow chrysanthemums on both sides appear even more tranquil.

"Brother Lu, long time no see!"

Shi Hanzhang wears a crimson woven‑gold Brothel, its collar embroidered with a linked‑bead pattern of the Hu Xuanwu design; the sash at his waist is set with seven pigeon‑egg‑sized agates, and as he moves they clash against the hanging double‑fish talismans, chiming.

He leads his guards, and as soon as he steps into the courtyard, he spots the Chamber Head of the Baohe Chamber.

"Brother Shi, hope you have been well!"

Lu Ziyue, over forty, still wears his hair in twin loops secured with a jade‑inlaid gold hairpin, a pearl flower tucked at the side of his temple, and he immediately bows his hands in return.

He prefers a moon‑white robe with dark floral patterns, its hem embroidered with delicate entwined lotus vines; as he walks, the sleeves flutter, making him look like a scholar.

"I heard you recently opened the passage to Tuyu Hun..."

Shi Hanzhang walks forward familiarly, rests his hand on Lu Ziyue's shoulder, and with a bright smile says, "The spices over there are greatly favored by the ladies of Chang'an!"

In Chang'an, the most profitable group is women, and one of their favorite items is spices...

And Tuyu Hun happens to be abundant in this product!

"Hahaha!"

Lu Ziyue bursts into hearty laughter and says, "It's just good luck, happened to catch the right connection..."

Don't be fooled by his breezy tone; opening this line cost the behind‑the‑scenes big boss of the Baohe Chamber nine‑oxen‑two‑tiger effort.

He pauses, then shifts tone and continues, "Brother Shi, any thoughts on cooperation?"

"Oh?"

Shi Hanzhang is somewhat surprised, his eyes brighten, and he laughs, "So, Brother Lu, you mean I could get a share of the pie?"

"Of course, we can earn silver together, right?"

Lu Ziyue chuckles lightly and retorts, "If Brother Shi assists with channels outside Chang'an, couldn't this batch of spices fetch a higher price?"

Shi Hanzhang brings up the Tuyu Hun passage, and Lu Ziyue of course knows; his eyes are already coveting the spices.

Coincidentally, Lu Ziyue also wishes to use Shi Hanzhang's channels for distribution, to maximize profit...

"Brother Lu, Brother Shi, anyone who sees gets a share!"

"Shouldn't we include Li as well?"

Li Lvtong, Chamber Head of the Xing Sheng Chamber, smelling profit, hurried forward.

He is slightly plump, often wearing an ochre round‑collared robe made of Shu's eight‑silk, snug yet not bulky.

His head is wrapped in a hair‑covering, the edge embroidered with cloud patterns in gold thread; when officials are present he straightens it, revealing a smooth forehead.

His complexion is rosy, a smile always at the corners of his mouth, and the flesh on his jaw quivers as he speaks.

"Alright, alright, alright."

Seeing Li Lvtong, Lu Ziyue shows no hesitation and immediately agrees wholeheartedly.

Although the smuggled Tuyu Hun spices are fine, the risk is considerable...

If someone can share the burden, why not be happy to do so?

"Yo! The three of you arrived so early?"

Fang Zuqian, the boss of the Rui Ming Chamber, leads his guards, arriving fashionably late, and teasing the old acquaintance ahead, "Looks like Fang is the latest to arrive..."

"Not late, not late!"

Shi Hanzhang waves repeatedly, laughing, "The three of us just arrived not long ago..."

"Brother Fang arrived just in time!" Li Lvtong nods in agreement.

After the four are assembled, a servant from the manor steps forward, guiding them toward the courtyard while also inviting the accompanying guards to have tea and wait.

"I heard Lao Xu gathered us together because he opened a trade route to the east..."

Li Lvtong, with one hand behind his back, smiles, "I wonder how he managed that?"

The east he mentions is the Qi State of the Gao clan, which splits the northern lands of Great Zhou.

Since Great Zhou and Qi State are long‑standing enemies, each eager to swallow the other, trade control is extremely strict, far tighter than in the south, north, or west...

Precisely because of this, the profit is huge; no one would be unmoved.

The four of them have been eyeing it for a long time!

"Lao Xu may be powerless, but that doesn't mean Marquis Mo, Chen Lao Zhuguo is powerless..."

Lu Ziyue lifts his brows slightly, chuckles, and says meaningfully, "The Inspector of Dan Province is a former subordinate of Marquis Mo, Chen Lao Zhuguo!"

Dan Province borders Qi State, and its newly appointed inspector happens to be a former subordinate of the Duke of Liang; opening this channel is thus a matter of course.

Shi Hanzhang: "Makes sense!"

Li Lvtong: "Indeed!"

Fang Zuqian: "Exactly!"

"Once we tear open this opening, our goods can flow east, and the white silver will roll in," Lu Ziyue says, extending his hand and clenching it into a fist, savoring the thought.

As the saying goes, rarity makes value; selling Great Zhou goods in Qi State yields huge profits...

Buying Qi State goods cheap and selling them domestically at high price creates a massive margin!

"With this massive silver, Your Majesty can accomplish more..."

"Buy more officials for our use, pledge loyalty to the Son of Heaven!"

Shi Hanzhang's gaze sharpens, and he thinks silently.

His role as Chamber Head involved in smuggling is unlike that of the others...

It is by imperial command to amass gold and silver, awaiting the day to overthrow Yuwen Hu, Dugu Zhao, Zhao Qian and other powerful ministers and pillars of the state.

To help the Son of Heaven govern personally, he monopolizes supreme power!

"What's up with old Xu?"

Guided by the attendants, we arrived at a Ya Ge, and after drinking tea for a good half hour, still no sign of Xu Zhixiang. Lu Ziyue looked around, puzzled, and said, "You invited us to this villa, yet you haven't shown up yourself?"

In his words he expressed a fair amount of displeasure at this delay.

"It can't be that you're having a wild time on some Flower Courtesan's bed and lost track of the hour, can it?" Li Lvtong lifted his tea bowl, took a gentle sip, and teased.

"That could be a big one!" Fang Zuqian nodded in agreement.

"Hahaha!"

At that remark, Shi Hanzhang and Lu Ziyue laughed uproariously.

"Brother Li, you're joking!"

Just then, Xu Zhixiang's voice drifted in from outside the Ya Ge, and he hurried inside, sighing, "At my age, I no longer have that energy!"

He paused, then shifted tone, continuing, "However, I have indeed procured many Yangzhou skinny horses and West Lake boatwomen for you all to enjoy!"

As he spoke, he clasped his fists and bowed in apology.

"Old Xu, you finally showed up…"

Lu Ziyue sized up Xu Zhixiang and teased, "If I didn't know, I'd think you were hiding to plot something!"

"I, Xu, may have the intention, but I lack the courage…"

Xu Zhixiang shook his head, sighing, "The backgrounds of us brothers are each larger than the last!"

Having known them for years, how could he not know their backgrounds?

Their beginnings were all as pillars of the state…

"Old Xu, didn't Tang Sanding come with you?"

Fang Zuqian glanced to Xu Zhixiang's sides, saw no left‑hand man or right‑hand man, and asked casually.

"Sanding went to inventory the goods; he'll be back later…" Upon hearing this, Xu Zhixiang kept a straight face and spoke at once.

"Enjoying women isn't urgent; we can discuss that later…"

Shi Hanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly and got straight to the point, "Old Xu, let's first talk about the eastern channel you opened."

He looked as if he could hardly contain himself.

"Indeed!"

Li Lvtong agreed, "Women can be enjoyed anytime, but the main business is more important!"

Xu Zhixiang nodded, showing no evasion, and immediately raised his hand toward the doorway, saying meaningfully, "Since you are all so interested, let's first meet that big figure."

"Big figure?"

"Old Xu, who are you climbing onto now?"

Li Lvtong, Lu Ziyue, and the other two exchanged glances, their minds filled with speculation.

Besides the Dan Prefecture Inspector, it couldn't be that he also opened a line with someone in the Summer Office, could it?

Grand Marshal?

A moment later.

A young, handsome man dressed in a moon‑white brocade Brothel embroidered with gold, whose collar and cuffs were stitched with peacock‑blue silk forming winding lotus patterns, the stitching so fine the thread ends were invisible, and a jade belt cinched at his waist, entered the Ya Ge unhurriedly.

A few people wearing embroidered messenger attire followed closely on his sides.

"Gentlemen, this is our first meeting; I, the chief here, extend my greetings!"

——

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