Chapter 452: Noble Families, Good People

Cotton......

Listening to Cui Xuan mention cotton, Chen Yan stared at him for two breaths, "Young Master Cui, your information is quite well‑informed, you even know about cotton."

"I wouldn't dare not know," Cui Xuan said with a rather emotional tone, "Last year, the batch of cotton garments you produced in Weinan County truly surprised many people."

"Its warmth is outstanding; my third uncle once said that if a cotton garment contains enough cotton, then whether among the common folk or among the Meritorious Nobles in Chang'an, it can hold an extremely important position."

Chen Yan nodded lightly.

Cui Xuan spoke the truth, and he likewise acknowledged it.

Because once the cotton garments appeared, they received widespread praise from the common people who bought them; last winter, Empress Changsun even wore the cotton garments he gave her, and at night she still covered herself with a cotton quilt.

Now it's not like later times; without global warming, winter truly can be deadly cold.

"What do you mean by saying that?"

"First, talk with the Duke of Wei to see if there is an opportunity for cooperation," Cui Xuan said sincerely, "The Duke of Wei has already torn a piece of flesh from the Wei family, occupying eighty thousand mu of land, and together with his original holdings, it is probably already over one hundred thousand mu."

"However, forgive my bluntness, but if we want all the people of the Tang Dynasty to wear cotton garments, this amount of land is far insufficient, let alone I have also heard that you have a type of cotton quilt that has not been put on sale."

"And the Cui family, considering we have only a few mu of land, have come today simply to find out whether there is a chance to cooperate with the Duke of Wei."

"Cooperation?"

Chen Yan, with one hand cradling the obedient Sizi in his arms, and the other twirling the wine cup on the table, looked at him with a half‑smile.

"Cui family… really only want to cooperate with me to grow cotton?"

"Hmm......." Cui Xuan murmured, "I think every good relationship needs a good beginning, and the same goes for cooperative partners."

"If our first cooperation with the Duke of Wei is pleasant enough, everyone gains benefit; with this good start, perhaps in the future we can have further cooperation elsewhere."

"I think I understand your point," Chen Yan first nodded, then asked, "Are you here today representing the Cui family, or representing the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes?"

After speaking, Cui Xuan's expression finally changed, losing the previous confident calm, almost losing composure.

Talking about cooperating to grow cotton is merely a surface phenomenon.

What they truly want is Chen Yan himself!

Since last year, the noble families have constantly felt that someone was giving Li Shimin strategies to deal with them; previously, because of some clues, they had indeed suspected Chen Yan.

But at that time Chen Yan's age was so confusing that they could hardly believe a boy not yet twenty could possess such ability.

Moreover, they initially suffered no real loss, only some trivial minor setbacks.

The noble families did not initially give it special attention.

Until later, Chen Yan, with just one move of shaping public opinion, instantly plunged the Wei family into a media crisis, stirring public anger; this move truly shocked the noble families, who immediately raised their regard for Chen Yan to the highest level!

However, at that time they were attracted by the interests tied to the Wei family and also harbored a desire to prevent another noble family from rising, so they first moved to suppress the Wei family.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yan turned and ran into the Imperial Palace, and then the Great Tang Daily burst onto the scene, seizing Chang'an's public opinion overnight, and with Li Shimin's cost‑free investment, it quickly expanded outward.

More importantly, the first issue of the Great Tang Daily directly informed the world that the Imperial Examination was about to commence, and the Son of Heaven would personally serve as the final chief examiner.

Now even the scholars felt a vague loss of control, and it completely panicked the noble families.

They did not understand why the so‑called Great Tang Daily could be published so quickly—one issue every three days—firmly controlling public opinion, yet this did not prevent them from realizing that a real crisis had arrived.

And today, Cui Xuan, representing the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes and other major noble families, came to conduct a test and outreach.

If it succeeds, that's best; if not, it doesn't matter—anyway, in such a setting, tomorrow the upper echelons of Chang'an will know that the Duke of Wei, Chen Yan, and the next‑generation head of the Cui family had a pleasant discussion.

"......"

Cui Xuan paused briefly, then clasped his hands and said, "The Duke of Wei guessed correctly; I do not represent only the Cui family."

Chen Yan was not surprised at this, but gave no comment, and instead asked, "Young Master Cui, I have some understanding of the Cui family's status, but as far as I know, the younger generation of the Cui family seems to lack a talent like you."

"I have never even heard that the Cui family has a figure like you; why can you represent the entire Five Surnames and Seven Hopes?"

Cui Xuan gave a faint smile, "The Duke of Wei may not know, but my ambition is not in the Court; I only understand some business principles. Given the Duke of Wei's position, it is normal that he has never heard of me."

"It is precisely because I excel at management and have modest achievements in this area that I can represent the noble families to discuss cooperation with you."

"I see," Chen Yan realized, "So within your noble families, each person plays to their strengths, and one's innate talent decides the path they take?"

"Your understanding is correct," Cui Xuan acknowledged.

He then asked, "May I ask, how does the Duke of Wei view this cooperation?"

"Personally, I believe our cooperation is beneficial in every way with no harm. From what I learned before coming, your enterprises involve many areas, but the foundation is relatively shallow, and many things require assistance from others, such as the sales channels for silk."

"We could first cooperate on cotton; if you find us trustworthy, we can discuss further cooperation. For example, your silk, we have channels to transport it to Xiyu and other places, where the profit on silk can reach tenfold, even a hundredfold."

"What do you think?"

Chen Yan praised, "A fine proposal. When I first planned to trade silk, I had considered exporting it out of the Tang Dynasty via the Si Chou Zhi Lu for sale."

"Unfortunately, the heart is willing but the strength insufficient."

"The four wealthy merchants under me lack real capability and cannot provide assistance in this area; getting my silk sold throughout the Tang Dynasty is already the limit."

Upon hearing this, Cui Xuan did not feel pleased; instead, he frowned.

Fearing Chen Yan would follow with a "but".

However, Chen Yan did not refuse as he had expected; after a moment of contemplation, he calmly lifted the Sizi with both hands and said, "This is not the place for discussion. I will stay in Chang'an for a few days; how about tomorrow afternoon we discuss the specific details in a private room at the Zui Xian Lou in the West Market?"

"...... ah?"

Seeing that he truly agreed and even set a meeting for the day after tomorrow, Cui Xuan was stunned, unable to react immediately.

It's not that easy, is it?

"Brother, I'm hungry!"

Sizi shouted at the right moment, looking as if about to burst into tears.

Chen Yan gave an apologetic smile, "Young Master Cui, I'm sorry; my little sister is still young and doesn't understand."

"It's fine, it's fine."

Cui Xuan still found it hard to believe and quickly waved his hand.

Chen Yan smiled and nodded.

Noble family, you're a good person!

"......"