Chapter 741

Pan Yun exhaled in relief: "You scared me—I thought you were Wang Zhen's spy planted beside Cao Jixiang."

The eunuch's legs went weak; he nearly knelt before Pan Yun. Could one say such things in public?

But Pan Yun paid no mind, waving him off: "Go on, lead the way."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "Little Master, are we going too?"

It was nearly dark; Little Master clearly didn't want to stay at Ping'an Inn. Didn't they need to find lodging?

Pan Yun waved her hand: "Of course. Cao my lord invited you—you're already here. How could you not pay your respects?"

Pan Yun covered her mouth and whispered: "Lately, expenses have been high. Save where you can."

Seeing Miao Zhen understood—they wouldn't need to find lodging.

Cao Jixiang lived in an old house not far from the Prefect's office. Though aged, its former grandeur was still visible: even the pillars were carved with intricate patterns of auspicious clouds descending; a light tap produced a dull, resonant thud, the rebound firm and solid—touch it once and you knew the wood was dense, solidly built.

Pan Yun watched the people coming and going in the house, nodding in approval: "This place is truly excellent. Who used to own it?"

The eunuch, no longer arrogant, bowed slightly: "It used to belong to the Maritime Trade Office."

Pan Yun suddenly understood: "No wonder it's so wealthy."

The eunuch stepped aside and invited: "Please, gentlemen, enter—the my lord is already waiting inside."

The group followed him in, but Cao Jixiang was not waiting.

The reception hall was empty.

Pan Yun didn't mind. After the eunuch went to fetch Cao Jixiang and never returned, she wandered freely through the hall, admiring every painting on the walls, examining every chair and table, and finally her gaze settled on the floor's blue bricks.

Xue Shao feared she'd pry up the bricks and hurriedly asked: "What did you notice?"

Pan Yun: "I see Quanzhou is wealthy—even the floor tiles have been replaced. Clearly, the Prefect favors lifting the maritime ban."

Cao Jixiang entered smiling, accompanied by a young eunuch: "Master Pan, you're as straightforward as ever. Since that's the case, I'll speak plainly: I didn't know when you'd arrive, so I attended to other matters first. I hope you don't think me rude?" He gestured for the young eunuch to serve tea and snacks.

"Not at all," Pan Yun said. "I know your nature, and you know mine. Let's cut to the chase—why did you summon me?"

Cao Jixiang smiled faintly: "How could I dare? In this world, few dare deceive and scold the Emperor as you do. How could I presume to instruct you?"

Pan Yun looked astonished: "Few like me, perhaps—but aren't there countless officials and palace attendants who deceive the Emperor?"

Cao Jixiang's face darkened. "Don't speak recklessly, Master Pan. Watch your words."

Pan Yun only smiled at him and lifted her teacup to drink.

Xue Shao lowered his head and drank as well, calm and composed.

Cao Jixiang glanced at Xue Shao, then at Pan Yun. He knew both were impervious to pressure. He took a deep breath and abandoned the idea of playing games with them.

They could afford to wait. He could not.

He was new here. Local officials and the naval command were colluding, obstructing every effort to rebuild the Maritime Trade Office. Even local gentry and merchants ignored him.

The Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office had lain abandoned for years—nothing remained. Even the clerks had been newly hired, their loyalties unknown, possibly spies for someone else.

He was severely constrained here. Pan Yun was the only opening he could find. He knew her fame was immense—not just among the martial world, but among the people of Quanzhou, where she was seen as divine.

Thus, local gentry and wealthy merchants held her in high regard; even the Prefect's office and naval command showed her respect. Add to that her control over three ocean-going ships and half a port in Wa Country…

If he could ally with her, he could swiftly open Quanzhou's gates.

Cao Jixiang had been exiled from the palace by Wang Zhen. He sought to seize this silver mountain for the Emperor, to serve Your Majesty—not to remain exiled forever.

As a eunuch, his ultimate goal was to become the Imperial Brushholder—to influence court affairs through writing for the Emperor, securing his future after retirement.

Staying out here forever, the Emperor would eventually forget him. Without favor, he'd become a pawn that could be disposed of or replaced at any moment.

Cao Jixiang knew too well how cruel the fate of a eunuch abandoned by his master could be. He would never sink to that level.

Recalling the scene in Jingcheng when Pan Yun met the Emperor, Cao Jixiang smiled slightly: "Master Pan, you're as direct as ever. Very well—I'll speak plainly."

He leaned forward, fixing his gaze on Pan Yun: "Those people and goods outside the East City's City God Temple—they're yours, aren't they?"

Pan Yun nodded. The four large characters "Wang Shi Trading House" were boldly displayed; Song Dalin and the others made no effort to hide their identities. Anyone asking would know.

Cao Jixiang smiled: "These people and goods are bound for Wa Country?"

Pan Yun nodded again.

Cao Jixiang lifted his teacup, sipping leisurely: "Master Pan, do you know that all goods and people leaving by sea must be approved by our Maritime Trade Office?"

Pan Yun: "Are you refusing permission now?"

Cao Jixiang spoke with hidden meaning: "Not exactly refusing… but…"

Seeing him speak in half-truths again, Pan Yun sighed: "Tch. Theoretically, ocean-going ships do require Maritime Trade Office approval—but your office hasn't even been rebuilt yet. Besides, my ships aren't even in Haigang right now."

"But they'll return to pick up people and cargo, won't they?"

"And then?" Pan Yun raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to catch me in the act?"

Cao Jixiang narrowed his eyes: "Master Pan, you're so confident—have you allied with the naval command?"

Pan Yun neither denied nor admitted it. She fell silent, imitating him.

Cao Jixiang frowned, displeased.

Xue Shao smiled: "My lord, Master Pan is young and blunt. You yourself said you admire straightforwardness. But from the start, you've been evasive, speaking only in fragments—unlike your days in Jingcheng."

Cao Jixiang let out a bitter laugh, realizing: "How could you, Young Master, know what I've endured since arriving in Quanzhou?"

He sighed: "Every person I meet—even the old gatekeeper at the county office—speaks in three layers of indirection. It's more exhausting than dealing with the old ministers in Jingcheng."

"In Jingcheng, the old ministers mostly spoke plainly. When displeased, they'd curse outright. But here in Quanzhou… I truly…"

He shook his head: "Every day, I swallow a bellyful of rage I can't release. Even my blunt nature has been worn down into two bends."