Chapter 94: Channels

"Is this the place Li Deyong found?"

Inside the carriage, Zhu Xu lifted the curtain and looked at a modest storefront not far away.

Cao Huachun by the window said, "Yes, Your Highness. I hear over fifty people have joined in total—not a small scale."

Zhu Xu nodded and drew the curtain shut again. This year's summer had arrived fierce and sudden; even in a single layer of clothing, he was so hot his chest stuck to his back—most uncomfortable.

He waved his folding fan vigorously, but the sultry breeze did little to reduce the sweat on his body, and his mind churned in rhythm with the fan's motion.

With the establishment of the Huimin Merchant Association, using these people's networks, his channels could be built up quickly. Then the things tested out in the workshops could gradually go out, and come back as real gold and silver.

Zhu Xu pondered, then suddenly narrowed his eyes and said, "Little Cao, come on up."

Cao Huachun outside was suffering from the heat as well—the blazing sun overhead, and still having to trail after His Highness Prince Hui on his wanderings. Hearing Zhu Xu's words, he was delighted inside and hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Cao Huachun entered the carriage, and Zhu Xu tossed him a fan, saying, "Keep an eye on the association's affairs. Report anything to me immediately."

Cao Huachun began fanning himself lightly too, and at the words bowed slightly and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

Zhu Xu took a deep breath, letting out a fraction of the heat in his chest, and said slowly, "The association—its first priority is earning silver. Buying land is for earning silver, building channels is for earning silver, purchasing grain is also for earning silver. Make good use of these people's networks and expand the business outward."

Cao Huachun bent forward, listening attentively.

In Zhu Xu's plan, this capital merchant association would in the future use his connections to spread across all of the Great Ming, opening up networks of merchants everywhere—convenient for stockpiling grain against future natural disasters**, and convenient for promoting his products to accumulate silver.

The carriage swayed along; he was now going to see Wei Liangqing.

The matter of Wei Zhongxian had been weighing on his mind. If that one returned to the palace, returned to Zhu Youxiao's side, then it would truly be dangerous. Before, he had schemed against Wei Zhongxian from the shadows; now everything was exposed. With Wei Zhongxian's methods—not to mention his influence with Zhu Youxiao—in terms of both inside and outside the palace, Zhu Xu was no match for Wei Zhongxian, let alone those unpredictable dark schemes.

Zhu Xu thought and thought, then suddenly spoke: "The men you sent—did any of them see Wei Zhongxian?" His identity was now special; he could not go see Wei Zhongxian openly.

Cao Huachun frowned, also showing confusion, and said, "Your Highness, this servant mobilized quite a few men, split into three groups. None of them saw him, no matter who. It seems—it seems he is no longer in the great prison."

Zhu Xu nodded, his gaze shifting slightly as he said, "Drop this matter. I'll handle it."

"Yes, Your Highness." Cao Huachun bowed and answered softly.

Inside the carriage, both were unbearably hot; the imperial guardsman driving, by contrast, seemed oblivious. The carriage headed straight for the back gate of the Huitong Trading Company.

Wei Liangqing had received notice and was waiting respectfully at the door. The moment he saw Zhu Xu step down from the carriage, he hurried over and said obsequiously, "This humble one pays respects to Your Highness."

Zhu Xu gave him a look devoid of expression and said, "Let's talk in the secret room."

Wei Liangqing was startled, but still said, "Yes, Your Highness." With that, he stepped forward to lead the way.

The imperial guardsman who had driven Zhu Xu's carriage followed behind Wei Liangqing, in front of Zhu Xu—his expression unchanged, but his posture wary.

Wei Liangqing's heart jumped, and his mind raced: could I have inadvertently offended His Highness or Her Majesty the Empress somewhere?

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Wei Liangqing's forehead. He dared not think too much, and led Zhu Xu into the secret room. He stood before the table, trembling with fear and unease.

Zhu Xu sat down, poured a cup of tea, and drank slowly.

Wei Liangqing, Zhang Yanyao, Wei Zhongxian—these three had always been on the same line. Though after Wei Zhongxian's imprisonment they seemed no longer connected, Zhang Yanyao's entry into the palace always stirred a host of suspicions in his heart.

In the secret room, the four people all remained silent. Apart from the sounds of Zhu Xu fanning himself and drinking water, there was nothing else at all.

Wei Liangqing could not bear it. He stepped forward and said fawningly, "Your Highness, what business brings you here this time? You need only send someone with a word—why brave this heat yourself?"

Zhu Xu drank his tea, feeling much more comfortable, and looked up at him with a smile: "Eunuch Wei has been released from prison. Did you know?"

At the words "Eunuch Wei," Wei Liangqing was clearly stunned for a moment, then reacted and cried out in alarm, "Your Highness—are you saying my uncle has been released from prison?"

Zhu Xu looked at Wei Liangqing until his face stiffened, then said again, "Who sent Zhang Yanyao into the palace?"

Wei Liangqing's face changed drastically, and he blurted out, "Y-Your Highness... Yanyao, she entered the palace?" No wonder he was shocked—a woman he had abandoned, now in the palace. This was no small matter; one day he might well be silenced.

Zhu Xu nodded, understanding in his heart. Wei Liangqing had never been highly regarded within Wei Zhongxian's circle; clearly, whether or not Wei Zhongxian had truly been released, he would not let Wei Liangqing—who had already defected to him—know.

Zhu Xu waved his hand and stood up, saying, "Don't worry. If you see him, send someone to inform me. Also, have Ke Guangxian and Hou Guoxing prepare—I intend to send them to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Then, have Fu Tao come in."

Wei Liangqing's mind was in turmoil. He answered vaguely and hurriedly withdrew.

Wei Liangqing walked out, cold sweat pouring from his head without cease. He could tell that His Highness Prince Hui was highly wary of his uncle. His heart was also panicked and lost—if Wei Zhongxian truly sought him out, to the detriment of His Highness Prince Hui, what should he do? How should he choose?

Wei Liangqing then thought of Zhang Yanyao again, feeling more and more uneasy. With a grim expression he notified Fu Tao, then stood behind the door, his face shifting between shades as he pondered.

Fu Tao looked at Wei Liangqing's expression and wondered inwardly: could His Highness have reprimanded him?

Fu Tao walked in and was about to bow when Zhu Xu waved a hand: "No need for ceremony. Sit."

Zhu Xu drank tea, fanned himself, and with one hand wiped the sweat from his forehead—not a shred of dignity left. Before trusted confidants and familiar faces, Zhu Xu did not much mind such things.

Fu Tao knew Zhu Xu's temperament well. He sat down and reported, "Your Highness, the company holds over ten million taels of silver in reserve. I looked into it—a portion is temporary deposits from merchants traveling north and south, which will be withdrawn before long. The actual amount is under five million taels."

Zhu Xu nodded. The company had only just started, and there was but this single one—not even a branch. Had it not been for the court's great upheaval, this silver would never have fallen into the Huitong Trading Company, into his own pocket.

"Don't rush," Zhu Xu said, taking another sip of tea. "Once branches open, the silver will gradually increase. As for accountants and staff, you must step up training and recruitment. The Huimin Merchant Association over there will be established soon; when it is, build branches along their channels, expanding step by step—from Liaodong to every important coastal county and prefecture, at least one in each."

Fu Tao acknowledged this. His Highness Prince Hui had repeated these points many times over. He was not annoyed by it, only curious—why was His Highness Prince Hui in such a hurry?

"Also, keep an eye on Wei Liangqing," Zhu Xu finished, then looked up toward the door of the secret room and said flatly, "Wei Zhongxian may already be out of prison. If he shows up here, take him down directly!"