Chapter 56: Calculated Without a Single Oversight

Lord Lord Murong was stunned: "My Lord Song, no, Brother Song, please speak. As long as it is within my power, I, Lord Murong, will absolutely not decline."

Song Song Yusheng's smile became even warmer: "Actually, it is not a big matter."

"As the Zhuangyuan, Brother Lord Murong must have extensive connections in the capital. Once you have the chance to return to the capital, please speak a few good words for your old brother."

Hearing Song Song Yusheng's request, Lord Lord Murong was stunned first, then immediately realized his true purpose.

Lord Lord Murong chuckled inwardly; it turned out this official cared only for his career path. Very well, then I shall have some fun with you.

He merely pretended to recall for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth: "Connections? Yes, but not many." He frowned slightly, feigning an effort to remember, and only continued speaking after a few seconds: "As for those with whom I have the closest friendship, among all the civil and military officials in the court, there are only two people."

Song Song Yusheng's smile instantly stiffened, a flash of disappointment passing through his eyes, before he immediately restored his usual courtesy and asked in confusion: "I wonder who these two are?" He did not expect this newly crowned Zhuangyuan to have only two friends; it seemed he would achieve little in the court, Song Song Yusheng judged inwardly.

Lord Lord Murong answered unhurriedly, his tone calm: "These two people, I believe Brother Song should have heard of." He paused, as if organizing his words, then continued: "One is the Imperial Envoy, My Lord Jiang Jiang Mingyu, bestowed by the Emperor himself. I am here to see My Lord Song by his order."

Hearing this, Song Song Yusheng was already filled with shock and doubt; then, when Lord Lord Murong mentioned the other person, Song Song Yusheng was completely stunned, so shocked he could not speak.

"The other is none other than His Majesty the Emperor. When His Majesty was still the Crown Prince, I, unworthy as I am, once served as his attendant reader to accompany His Majesty."

Lord Lord Murong feigned humility and quickly changed the subject: "Ah, these are all old stories from years past; let us not speak of them, let us not speak of them."

Song Song Yusheng finally reacted at this moment and hurriedly said flatteringly: "Oh, Brother Lord Murong, I am truly disrespectful, far too disrespectful."

He changed his address to call the other "younger brother," displaying an eager attitude: "Brother Lord Murong, from today on, you are my own younger brother; my future career is entrusted to you."

Lord Lord Murong smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, then got straight to the point: "Then, Brother Song, can we now discuss business matters?"

He explained: "You know, with my connections, obtaining silver is no problem at all; doing this is mainly to benefit the people."

Song Song Yusheng nodded, looking very understanding: "Then please tell me about your business, Brother Lord Murong?"

At this moment, his attitude toward Lord Lord Murong was clearly more attentive than toward his own father.

Joy and satisfaction overflowed on his face, and he had already begun calculating the profits he could extract from this in his mind.

He even became much more intimate in his address, calling him "Brother Lord Murong" with every word, his attitude exceedingly respectful.

Song Song Yusheng even sighed inwardly in his heart that in his past life he must have accumulated much virtue to have such a huge pie fall upon him.

Lord Lord Murong paid no attention to the exaggerated changes in expression on Song Song Yusheng's face and went on to introduce the situation regarding coal by himself, detailing the many advantages from coal mining, transportation, to usage.

Although Song Song Yusheng appeared on the surface to be listening very attentively, he was already rapidly calculating the profits this deal could bring in his mind. Just as Lord Lord Murong was preparing to have Tu Tu Kesiluo bring out a sample to test the coal's burning effect on the spot, Song Song Yusheng hurriedly waved his hand to interrupt him and said eagerly: "No need, Brother Lord Murong; I, your older brother, absolutely trust your words. This deal is settled."

A cunning glint shone in Song Song Yusheng's eyes; he actually did not care whether the quality of the coal was good or bad, he only wanted to finalize this transaction quickly.

Song Song Yusheng thought to himself that it mattered little what the common people burned; as long as he could make a profit from it, that was all that mattered.

More importantly, if he really refused Lord Lord Murong, his future career in the court would be ruined.

He absolutely could not take this risk.

Lord Lord Murong and Tu Tu Kesiluo never dreamed that the matter they thought would require some verbal effort was settled so easily.

Just as both sides were preparing to write the sales contract, a Yamen Runner guarding the door suddenly announced that a Daoist Priest had come to request an audience.

Song Song Yusheng, holding a brush, did not think twice: "Quick, invite him in."

Shortly after, an old man with a white beard, possessing quite an air of immortality, yet with a hint of cunning in his eyes, walked in.

Tu Tu Kesiluo was stunned; was this not the old fellow who had been following them all along? Why had he come here?

Song Song Yusheng seemed very interested in such figures, so he hurriedly asked flatteringly: "Immortal Master has arrived; what is your instruction?"

The old man, with great elegance, stroked his white beard: "Nothing else."

"It is simply because this poor Daoist observed the celestial phenomena last night and knew that this year's severe cold will be greater than in previous years, so I have come specifically to ask Your Excellency to prepare early."

"Also, today, a noble person will come to your county who can resolve this matter for Your Excellency."

"Very well, this poor Daoist has spoken enough and will now take his leave."

Until he left, he did not even look at Lord Lord Murong and the other two; absolute mastery of acting.

Hearing the old Daoist's words, Song Song Yusheng immediately showed joy on his face, his eyes shining, and hurriedly said eagerly: "Oh, Brother Lord Murong, the noble person mentioned by that Daoist must be you, yes, it is you!"

Joyful smiles overflowed on his face, and he became excited as a whole, as if he had finally seen hope.

Song Song Yusheng continued to speak eagerly: "With the coal brought by you, Brother Lord Murong, I, your older brother, will not fear any severe cold; a noble person, truly a noble person!" Excitement and flattery could not be concealed in his tone.

"Quick, quick, let us sign this sales contract immediately; your older brother has prepared a warm banquet, please, Brother Lord Murong, take your seat!"

Song Song Yusheng urged eagerly, as if fearing Lord Lord Murong would change his mind.

Seeing Lord Lord Murong take a step, Song Song Yusheng hurriedly stepped forward to support him and said eagerly: "Come, come, Brother Lord Murong, walk slowly; be careful of the uneven ground."

Lord Lord Murong smiled helplessly and reminded him: "Old brother, we have not yet agreed on the price of the coal."

Song Song Yusheng waved his hand and said cheerfully: "Thirty percent higher than the previous purchase price for firewood; no, make it forty percent; I guarantee Brother Lord Murong you will be satisfied!"

He had already regarded Lord Lord Murong as his most important backer.

At noon, after being sent out of the yamen by Song Song Yusheng with extreme eagerness, a banknote for one hundred thousand taels of silver was already tucked into Lord Lord Murong's sleeve.

This was only the deposit; with a hundred thousand households in the people of Tenglong County, it would be difficult for Lord Lord Murong not to become wealthy.

After bidding farewell to Song Song Yusheng, Tu Tu Kesiluo, walking on the street, asked Lord Lord Murong with a confused face.

"Was not that old fellow pretending to be a god just now the same old companion from our journey? How did he suddenly become a Daoist?" Lord Lord Murong chuckled and whispered an explanation: "This was all arranged in advance by Brother Jiang Jiang Xingqiu."

"People like Song Song Yusheng are very superstitious about such mysterious things, almost to the point of obsession."

"This move is simply exploiting this weakness of his to make Song Song Yusheng believe that this year's winter will be colder than previous years, so that our coal can be sold at a sky-high price. The so-called Daoist was merely a play acted by the old companion."

"I just did not expect that the Imperial Decree brought out unintentionally would actually solve the major problem."

Lord Lord Murong sighed: "By a hair's breadth, this move carefully arranged by our Brother Jiang Jiang Xingqiu almost went unused. Man's calculations are not as good as Heaven's; indeed, worldly affairs are hard to predict."

After hearing Lord Lord Murong's explanation, Tu Tu Kesiluo suddenly understood, and an expression of realization appeared on his face. He asked: "So that is how it is; then, will this year's winter really be unusually cold?"

Lord Lord Murong looked up at the sky and chuckled: "I do not know that. Even if the winter is not cold, these words were not spoken by me; when the time comes, if Song Song Yusheng wants to settle accounts, he can only go find that old fellow pretending to be a god."

He casually made a gesture and added: "Of course, Brother Jiang Jiang Xingqiu did not intend to cheat him; you know in your own heart whether the quality of our coal is good or not. We truly wish to help the common people get through the winter."

After speaking, Lord Lord Murong patted Tu Tu Kesiluo's shoulder and said with a smile: "Alright, let us not talk about this anymore. Let us quickly return to the inn, send off that old fellow, and we should return to Shangmu County."

"After returning, I will immediately gather personnel and fully expand the coal mine's production capacity. The good days for Shangmu County are finally coming!" Excitement and expectation could not be concealed in Lord Lord Murong's eyes.

The group quickly packed their luggage and set off on the return journey to Shangmu County.

Lord Lord Murong Murong Yunhai and Tu Tu Kesiluo were both in good spirits; only Lord Lord Murong Murong Yunhai felt a slight regret, for the large cart of coal samples he had worked hard to bring had been moved back and forth in vain, serving no purpose at all.

After discarding the heavy cart, their speed increased considerably.