Chapter 52: Raising Funds

Wei Liangqing rose early, dressing himself while his mind churned with thoughts.

Those wily Shanxi and Huizhou merchants were no less cunning than the old bureaucrats steeped in court intrigue—to deal with them, he needed a foolproof plan, or there would be no next time.

Zhang Yanyao sat up in bed, her shoulders bare, and spoke softly as she dressed: "My lord, is it about the Datong merchant?"

Wei Liangqing's expression turned grave. "Yes, this is the first one. If we mishandle it, what follows will only get harder."

Zhang Yanyao knew nearly everything about Wei Liangqing's affairs. She draped a thin robe over herself, walked over to help him arrange his clothes, and said gently: "My lord, in truth, what that Eunuch Feng said was right—these men have weathered many storms. To deal with them, you must use both 'threats and temptations.'"

"Threats and temptations?"

Wei Liangqing frowned slightly, lost in thought. In the past, following Wei Zhongxian, he had never needed such tactics—either people came to him willingly, or he simply took by force.

After a long moment, a plan formed in his mind. "Alright, I'll go find Eunuch Feng shortly and borrow some men from the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Zhang Yanyao finished arranging Wei Liangqing's clothes and began dressing herself. She smiled with pursed lips and said, "My lord, if you rely on Her Ladyship's help for everything, she may begin to have other thoughts."

Wei Liangqing's expression shifted slightly—this was now his Achilles' heel. He frowned deeply, then after a long while looked at Zhang Yanyao and asked, "Then tell me, what should I do?"

Zhang Yanyao finished dressing and walked over with a smile. "Doesn't Brother Hou and Uncle Ke have many old connections in the Eastern Depot? If you happened to run into them, wouldn't a few exchanged words be perfectly natural?"

Wei Liangqing's expression stirred, then broke into great joy. He swept Zhang Yanyao into his arms and said, "You truly are my good wife!" He moved to embrace her affectionately again.

Zhang Yanyao hastily pushed him back gently, pouting with feigned annoyance: "My lord, you still need to go out today."

Wei Liangqing's desire stirred within him, but he could only restrain himself. Gazing at Zhang Yanyao with deep feeling, he said, "Fine, we'll continue when I return tonight."

A flush of red flashed across Zhang Yanyao's face, making her appear all the more alluring and enchantingly beautiful.

Wei Liangqing's throat bobbed. He quickly turned and left, afraid that if he lingered any longer, he wouldn't be able to walk away.

Zhang Yanyao watched Wei Liangqing's retreating figure. The flush faded from her face, replaced by a cool detachment. She addressed the maidservant outside the door: "Have someone watch that teahouse and note who comes and goes."

"Yes." A maidservant outside the door turned and bowed to Zhang Yanyao.

Wei Liangqing left the house and began rushing about in every direction. For this Datong merchant, he covered in a single day what would normally take him a year's worth of running.

Finally, before the midday meal, he was ready.

"My lord, this inn is the one."

The steward who managed affairs outside the residence under Wei Zhongxian's banner looked at the inn before them and spoke.

Wei Liangqing took a look. The inn was not large, but it seemed to have been booked out entirely—few outsiders entered, and a waiter by the door kept glancing around warily.

Wei Liangqing pondered briefly, then said, "You keep watch here. I'll go get something to eat. If he comes out, come tell me immediately."

"Yes, my lord." The steward acknowledged and walked to the spot directly across from the inn, staring into its dark interior.

At this very moment, Zhu Xu was sleeping soundly, hugging a large pillow, snoring softly.

"Miss Yao, has His Highness awakened?"

Cao Wenzhao came hurrying in from outside and asked Yao Qingqing, who sat by the doorway quietly embroidering.

Yao Qingqing stood up, looked at Cao Wenzhao, then glanced inside and said softly, "Not yet."

Cao Wenzhao frowned deeply, thought for a moment, and said, "Miss Yao, please wake His Highness. I have urgent matters to report."

Yao Qingqing looked troubled. Zhu Xu hated having his sleep disturbed more than anything, and his temper upon waking was fierce—going to wake him now would surely earn her a scolding.

Seeing this, Cao Wenzhao gritted his teeth and said, "I'll bear all the blame."

Yao Qingqing looked at Cao Wenzhao, understanding his meaning, and said, "I'll go wake him."

"No need."

The words had barely left Yao Qingqing's mouth when Zhu Xu was already at the doorway. He waved at the two, yawned, and said, "Get me some water and something to eat."

Yao Qingqing felt a surge of relief. She smiled with pursed lips, knowing that His Highness Prince Hui had likely been woken by hunger. She immediately acknowledged and went to make arrangements.

Zhu Xu reclined on a lounging chair, still bleary-eyed, and asked, "What is it?"

Cao Wenzhao walked up to Zhu Xu and lowered his voice: "Your Highness, the Old Master has sent word. To raise the Liaodong levy, the Grand Secretariat plans to move against the lawless wealthy households in the capital. This is extremely confidential—the Old Master has been holed up in the Ministry of Revenue since yesterday without leaving. Had it not been for a secret letter, the news could not have gotten out at all."

Zhu Xu was instantly wide awake. He sat up in his chair with a peculiar expression.

This sort of thing was hardly new for the Great Ming court. From the founding Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang to the present, in every reign, whenever silver ran short, this method was employed.

"Do you know when?" Zhu Xu asked.

"The Old Master's message was brief," Cao Wenzhao said, "but I estimate it will happen within this half month. Supreme Commander Sun returns to Liaodong in half a month."

Zhu Xu nodded, his mind racing.

Suddenly, Zhu Xu stood up. "Send word to Wei Liangqing immediately. Tell him not to press too hard—instead, approach all the wealthy households in the capital. Those willing may join; those unwilling—heh heh—let them be."

Hearing this, Cao Wenzhao said with concern, "Your Highness, if the court truly does this, our losses could be considerable as well."

The workshop east of the city had been losing money for over half a month—several thousand taels every day—and especially with the money shop about to open.

Zhu Xu crossed his arms, thinking as he spoke: "The Ministry of Revenue is probably still taking stock; they'll have a list. Do this—also notify the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If any of ours appear on it, have them struck off. If they truly can't remove them, have my uncle find another way. If none of that works, then shut down first, transfer and hide the assets, and lie low until the storm passes. But the money shop—everything proceeds as normal. At that time, use every means to protect it!"

Cao Wenzhao was taken aback but still said, "Yes, I'll go notify them at once. But Your Highness, if these people are seized, then our money shop..."

The corner of Zhu Xu's mouth curled up, and he narrowed his eyes. "Quite the opposite—our money shop is about to boom."

Cao Wenzhao looked puzzled, not understanding.

Zhu Xu glanced at him and said with a smile, "You underestimate these people. They understand the principle of the cunning hare having three burrows better than anyone. After this business is done, have someone spread rumors that the court will come again. At the same time, quietly advertise our money shop."

Vicious!

That was the first word that came to Cao Wenzhao's mind, followed by great delight: "Yes, Your Highness. I'll see to it at once."

Half an hour later, the steward of Wei Liangqing's household who had been keeping watch at the inn entrance suddenly stiffened with alarm and hurried toward the tavern not far away.

"My lord, he's come out."

Wei Liangqing had been dozing. Hearing this, he immediately stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "Good, follow me."

"Lord Wei."

Just as Wei Liangqing reached the doorway, a thin, frail-looking youth of sixteen or seventeen, dressed in an exquisite short jacket, came walking over with a beaming smile.

Wei Liangqing was startled at the sight of the newcomer. He studied him carefully, and his expression suddenly changed. He quickly stepped closer and said in a low voice, "Esteemed eunuch, does Eunuch Feng have some instruction?"