Chapter 56: Flawless Strategy

Murong Yunhai blinked in surprise: “Master Song, no—Brother Song, please speak. Whatever is within my power, I will not refuse.”

Song Yusheng’s smile grew even warmer: “Actually, it’s not a big matter.”

“As the top imperial graduate, you must have wide connections in the capital. Should you ever return, please speak a few kind words for your elder brother.”

Upon hearing Song Yusheng’s request, Murong Yunhai first paused, then realized his true intent.

Murong Yunhai smiled inwardly—this official cared only for his career. Fine, then I’ll have some fun with you.

He feigned recollection, then spoke slowly: “Connections? I have some, but not many.” He furrowed his brow as if straining to remember, then continued after a few seconds: “Of all the court officials, only two have truly befriended me.”

Song Yusheng’s smile froze instantly, a flicker of disappointment crossing his eyes, then he quickly resumed his usual politeness and asked curiously: “Who are these two?” He silently judged: this newly crowned top graduate has only two friends—clearly he’s made little impact in court.

Murong Yunhai answered calmly, his tone even: “These two—you’ve likely heard of them.” He paused, as if organizing his words, then continued: “One is His Majesty’s appointed envoy, Jiang Mingyu. I came to see you under his orders.”

Song Yusheng was already startled by this, but when Murong Yunhai named the other person, he was utterly stunned, speechless.

“The other is His Majesty himself. When he was still Crown Prince, I, unworthy as I am, served as his reading companion.”

Murong Yunhai feigned humility and swiftly changed the subject: “Ah, these are all old stories—no need to mention them, no need at all.”

Song Yusheng finally snapped to attention and hurriedly flattered: “Oh my, Brother Murong, I’m deeply sorry—deeply, deeply sorry!”

He switched to calling him “brother,” showing eager warmth: “Brother Murong, from today on, you’re my own younger brother. My future career rests entirely in your hands.”

Murong Yunhai smiled faintly, saying nothing, then got straight to the point: “Then, Brother Song, can we now discuss business?”

He explained: “You know, with my connections, securing silver isn’t difficult. I do this mainly for the people’s benefit.”

Song Yusheng nodded, appearing deeply understanding: “Then please tell me about your business, Brother Murong?”

At this moment, his attitude toward Murong Yunhai was clearly warmer than toward his own father.

His face glowed with joy and satisfaction; already he was calculating the profits he could extract.

He grew even more affectionate in address, constantly calling him “Brother Murong,” his demeanor reverent.

Song Yusheng silently marveled: in his past life, he must have accumulated great virtue to have such a massive fortune drop straight into his lap.

Murong Yunhai paid no mind to Song Yusheng’s exaggerated expressions; he proceeded to detail the coal—its mining, transport, and numerous advantages.

Though Song Yusheng appeared to listen intently, his mind was rapidly calculating potential profits. Just as Murong Yunhai was about to have Tukesiluo produce a sample to demonstrate the coal’s combustion, Song Yusheng waved him off urgently: “No need, Brother Murong—I trust your word completely. This deal is settled.”

Song Yusheng’s eyes gleamed with cunning—he didn’t care about the coal’s quality at all; he only wanted to seal the deal quickly.

He thought: what the common folk burn is irrelevant—as long as I profit, that’s all that matters.

More importantly, if he rejected Murong Yunhai, his career in court would be ruined.

He could not risk that.

Neither Murong Yunhai nor Tukesiluo had expected the matter, which they thought would require lengthy negotiation, to be settled so easily.

Just as both sides prepared to draft the contract, the gatekeeper suddenly announced a Daoist priest wished to see him.

Song Yusheng, brush still in hand, didn’t hesitate: “Quick, bring him in.”

Soon, an old man with a white beard, exuding an air of otherworldly grace yet with a glint of cunning in his eyes, entered.

Tukesiluo blinked in surprise—wasn’t this the old man who’d been following them? Why had he appeared now?

Song Yusheng, clearly fascinated by such figures, hurriedly bowed and asked: “Venerable Master, what brings you here?”

The old man gracefully stroked his white beard: “Nothing in particular.”

“I merely observed the heavens last night and saw this winter will be colder than any before. I came to urge you to prepare early.”

“Also, today, a noble person will arrive in your county—one who can resolve this matter for you.”

“That’s all I have to say. I take my leave.”

He never once looked at Murong Yunhai or Tukesiluo as he departed—pure, unshakable acting.

Hearing the Daoist’s words, Song Yusheng beamed with delight, eyes shining: “Oh! Brother Murong, the noble person the Daoist spoke of—surely it’s you! Yes, it must be you!”

His face glowed with joy, his whole body trembling with excitement—as if hope had finally arrived.

Song Yusheng continued eagerly: “With the coal you’ve brought, Elder Brother won’t fear the cold at all. A noble person indeed—a true noble person!” His voice brimmed with uncontainable excitement and flattery.

“Quick, quick—let’s sign the contract at once! Elder Brother has already prepared a warm banquet—please, Brother Murong, join me!”

Song Yusheng urged insistently, as if afraid Murong Yunhai might change his mind.

Seeing Murong Yunhai step forward, Song Yusheng hurried to support him, warmly saying: “Come, come, Brother Murong, walk slowly—mind your step, the ground’s uneven.”

Murong Yunhai smiled helplessly and reminded him: “Elder Brother, we haven’t yet agreed on the coal’s price.”

Song Yusheng waved his hand generously: “Thirty percent higher than last year’s firewood price? No—forty percent! I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”

He now regarded Murong Yunhai as his most vital patron.

By noon, after being escorted out of the yamen with excessive courtesy, Song Yusheng had already slipped ten thousand taels in silver notes into Murong Yunhai’s sleeve.

This was only a deposit. With a hundred thousand households in Tenglong County, Murong Yunhai couldn’t help but grow rich.

After bidding farewell to Song Yusheng, Tukesiluo walked down the street, bewildered, and asked Murong Yunhai:

“That old man who pretended to be a mystic—wasn’t he our traveling companion? How did he suddenly become a Daoist?”

Murong Yunhai chuckled softly and whispered: “All of this was arranged in advance by Xingqiu.”

“Song Yusheng is deeply superstitious about such mystical things—almost obsessed.”

“This trick exploits that weakness: making him believe this winter will be colder than ever, so our coal can be sold at sky-high prices. The Daoist? Merely our companion in disguise.”

“But we never expected the imperial edict we casually revealed would solve such a major problem.”

Murong Yunhai sighed: “We nearly wasted Xingqiu’s carefully laid plan. Man plans, Heaven decides—life is truly unpredictable.”

After hearing Murong Yunhai’s explanation, Tukesiluo finally understood, his face lighting up. He pressed: “So—is this winter really going to be unusually cold?”

Murong Yunhai looked up at the sky and chuckled: “I don’t know. Even if it isn’t cold, I didn’t say that—when Song Yusheng wants to settle accounts later, he’ll have to find that fake Daoist.”

He casually waved his hand and added: “Of course, Xingqiu never meant to deceive him. You know our coal’s quality as well as I do—we genuinely want to help the people survive the winter.”

He patted Tukesiluo’s shoulder and smiled: “Enough about that. Let’s hurry back to the inn, send off that old man, and return to Shangmu County.”

“Once back, I’ll immediately gather men and expand coal production to its fullest. Shangmu County’s good days are finally here!” Murong Yunhai’s eyes sparkled with unhidden excitement and anticipation.

The group quickly packed their belongings and set off for Shangmu County.

Murong Yunhai and Tukesiluo were both in good spirits; only Murong Yunhai felt a slight regret—he’d gone to great trouble bringing a whole cart of coal samples, and they’d been hauled back and forth for nothing.

[63] After abandoning the heavy cart, their speed increased considerably.