Chapter 53: Three Hundred Thousand Taels

The newcomer was indeed a young eunuch under Feng Zhu's command. In a shrill, thin voice, he looked at Wei Liangqing and said, "So you do remember me, Master Wei. It's true—Eunuch Feng sent word. He said you needn't force these people, just speak to them kindly and persuade them. If they're unwilling, don't push."

Wei Liangqing's face was full of confusion. "Eunuch, did Eunuch Feng have any other instructions?"

The young eunuch smiled ingratiatingly, glancing left and right from time to time.

Wei Liangqing immediately took the hint. He pulled a banknote from his bosom and handed it over.

The young eunuch glanced at it, his face blooming with joy, and his attitude did a complete one-eighty. He leaned in close and said in a low voice, "Eunuch Feng said that something big will happen soon. There's no rush for you now. Within five days, make the rounds of all the great wealthy households and prominent families in the capital. As for me, well—you can send someone else if you like. In any case, make sure they all know that our money house has the court's backing and is absolutely safe. Also, you must open for business in ten days, but keep it low-key. Just hang up the signboard."

Wei Liangqing savored his words, lost in a fog, utterly bewildered.

The young eunuch glanced around again and lowered his voice further. "What follows is a gift from me to you, Master Wei. You've served in both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot. If there's anyone who can be of help, win them over—the noble one will be very pleased."

Wei Liangqing understood. He pressed another banknote into the eunuch's hand and said, "Thank you, Eunuch. Wei knows what to do."

The young eunuch slipped the banknote into his bosom without changing expression, gave a thin little laugh, turned, and left.

Once the young eunuch had gone, the steward behind Wei Liangqing stepped forward and asked, "Master, who was that?"

Wei Liangqing had been brimming with excitement, ready to make his grand move, but the steward's question scattered it all to the winds. Irritated, he said, "Don't pry into what you shouldn't. Let's go."

Wei Liangqing walked out of the tavern and saw the man emerging from the inn, about to board his carriage.

"Master Yang, a moment!"

Wei Liangqing strode over quickly, calling out as he went.

Yang Huaizhong had one foot on the mounting stool. At the sound, he turned his head to look, withdrew his foot, and asked with some puzzlement, "And you are?"

Wei Liangqing clasped his fists. "I am Wei Liangqing. Brother Yang is heading out on business?"

In recent years Wei Zhongxian had been so arrogant and overbearing that hardly anyone didn't know of him, and Yang Huaizhong, a man who traveled far and wide, naturally knew of his nephew who had ridden on his coattails. But Wei Zhongxian had already fallen, so there was no need to fear Wei Liangqing. A flicker of wariness passed over his face before it settled into indifference. "I do have pressing matters. If Brother Wei has nothing else, I'll be on my way."

At such extremely rude words, Wei Liangqing showed not the slightest anger. Beaming, he said, "Brother Yang, go attend to your affairs by all means. I hear there's a batch of private salt outside the city, and I was just thinking of going to take a look—wondering if I might get a taste of that broth."

Yang Huaizhong's expression changed abruptly. He had already set his foot on the stool, but his half-turned body twisted back around stiffly, his gaze deep and piercing cold.

Blocking a man's road to wealth is like killing his parents. Wei Liangqing's smile did not waver, and he stood there fancying himself quite the picture of elegance.

Yang Huaizhong turned around slowly, his face dark and dreadful, while his heart rose to the peak of alarm.

Though this smuggling was an open secret, if it were truly exposed, it was a crime worthy of having one's family executed and property confiscated!

Yang Huaizhong's mind raced, wondering where the leak had come from, but his expression soon softened again. With a hint of a smile, he said, "If Brother Wei fancies my humble little business, just say the word, and tonight I'll personally deliver it to your residence and apologize in person."

Wei Liangqing chuckled. "Brother Yang worries too much. I have a small matter of business I'd like to discuss with you."

Yang Huaizhong didn't know what Wei Liangqing was plotting, but with his leverage now in the other man's hands, he pondered briefly and then, with considerable magnanimity, smiled. "Very well. Brother Wei, please step inside. Yang is all ears."

"After you."

Wei Liangqing played the part of a bosom friend who had found a kindred spirit in Yang Huaizhong at first sight. As he entered the inn, his eyes swept the room in a glance—every man there was richly dressed, fat and sleek, bearing the weathered look of those who traveled far and wide, and all of them regarded him with wariness.

"Brother Wei is an honored guest. Please, upstairs."

Yang Huaizhong said this with a smile, not looking at anyone else.

At these words, the wary men in the main hall quietly relaxed again, without a visible change in demeanor.

Wei Liangqing's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly at the corners, and his smile grew wider. "Brother Yang is too kind."

The two went upstairs one after the other and sat facing each other in a room.

Yang Huaizhong's face was calm, but inwardly he was anxious. He dispensed with the pleasantries of tea and small talk, going straight to the point. "Brother Wei, what business do you have in mind? Let's hear it. If it's eighty or a hundred thousand, Yang can still afford it."

Wei Liangqing kept a smile on his face the whole time. "I can't manage the grand deals of a million taels and more. I want to open a money house here in the capital."

"A money house?"

Yang Huaizhong's brow furrowed slightly, then he smiled. "Brother Wei is short on capital?"

Yang Huaizhong naturally looked down on money houses, because in this era, depositing money in one meant depreciation—you paid fees coming and going. The appeal was purely safety and convenience: no worry about theft, no need to travel with a load of silver, which was neither easy nor safe.

Therefore, only the great households deposited money; small folk didn't. So business wouldn't be very good, and without reputation, it would be very hard to get off the ground.

Wei Liangqing didn't know why the noble one was no longer in such a hurry, but he still wanted to do the job well. Looking at Yang Huaizhong's expression, he gave a slight smile and said, "Correct. I'm looking for partners to pool together a million taels in capital."

A million taels!

Yang Huaizhong's eyes narrowed. That was exactly the value of the goods in his warehouse outside the city.

A naked threat!

Yang Huaizhong's gaze flickered. He knew that since Wei Liangqing had investigated the warehouse and found him, he must have also looked into his background. To still dare come meant he was confident in his position.

After a long pause for thought, Yang Huaizhong looked at Wei Liangqing and said, "Brother Wei, a million taels I truly cannot produce. If it were a hundred thousand, Yang would consider it lent to you."

The word "lent" was stressed heavily, its meaning clear: it was a gift.

Wei Liangqing raised his head slightly, thinking to himself, 'A hundred thousand taels tossed out with a single word—your profit on this trip must be at least double that.'

Remembering the eunuch's message from just now, the smile returned to his face. Wei Liangqing said, "Brother Yang, don't misunderstand. I've come only to seek cooperation. Whether we succeed today or not, I won't breathe a single word about what's outside the city."

Wei Liangqing spoke from the heart, but to Yang Huaizhong's ears it sounded like an even harsher threat.

This operation involved more than just his own house. If something truly went wrong, the fallout would spread wide—he couldn't bear that burden.

After another bout of deliberation, Yang Huaizhong gritted his teeth. "Brother Wei, three hundred thousand taels. That's every bit of silver I have on me."

Wei Liangqing was naturally delighted inside. He said no more, clasping his fists. "Then thank you, Brother Yang. In three days I'll send someone to fetch you, and together with the other partners, we'll discuss the matters of the money house."

Yang Huaizhong watched Wei Liangqing's expression, his own features shifting slightly, doubt stirring in his heart.

'Could it be... he truly isn't here to extort me?'