Chapter 349: The Scholar-Gentry Begins to Place Bets

At the Guansong relay station, in a guest room that had been tidied and was still fairly clean.

Yan Shining wore a simple yet elegant scholar's long robe, his features refined, appearing to be about thirty years old.

His bearing was composed, and he slowly sipped the coarse bitter tea from Beijiang brought by the relay attendant, showing no sign of impatience or disdain for the frontier's simplicity.

At this moment his heart was not calm; he had seen all along the way just how perilous Guansong Ridge was.

The fact that the Ming army could seize this place with thunderous speed was proof of its own strength.

That Ming King, Jiang Jinshi, and his commanders were indeed extraordinary!

My uncle Yan Chonggu's judgment was correct; Beijiang is worth a heavy stake.

"Young Master Yan, you've been waiting a while."

The door was pushed open, and Han Xiao and Xiao Chunqiu entered together.

Yan Shining immediately rose, performed a deep bow, keeping his posture low: "I am the junior Yan Shining; I have paid my respects to General Han and Master Xiao. I apologize for the unannounced visit and the disturbance."

"Young Master Yan, please don't stand on ceremony; please have a seat."

Han Xiao gestured with his hand, took the seat of honor, while Xiao Chunqiu sat beside him; the orderly brought fresh tea and then withdrew outside.

After a few pleasantries—nothing more than remarks about the hardships of the journey and the scenery of the northern lands—

Yan Shining responded appropriately, his words courteous, yet he never got to the point.

Han Xiao, being a martial man, disliked beating around the bush; seeing that the other party wasn't speaking, he took the initiative:

"Young Master Yan, you have traveled a thousand miles from the south; surely you didn't come just to admire the scenery of our Beijiang? Now that the imperial army is approaching, your arrival at this time shows great courage."

Yan Shining smiled faintly, set down his tea cup, and said: "General, you jest! I have come first to congratulate the Ming King and all the commanders on the heavenly troops descending, securing the mighty pass, and displaying might under heaven—such an unparalleled feat is enough to make heroes across the world take notice."

He paused, observed Han Xiao and Xiao Chunqiu's expressions, then continued: "As for the second reason… frankly, I represent the Longxi Yan clan to convey respect to the Ming King, and also… to present a token of sincerity."

"Oh? And what is this sincerity?" Xiao Chunqiu asked leisurely.

Yan Shining took out a gift list from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "These are only modest gifts, not enough as respect, but consider them a congratulatory present for the Ming King's capture of Guansong Ridge."

Besides gold, silver, pearls, and jade, there are also a thousand bolts of fine Jiangnan silk, fifty thousand catties of refined iron, five hundred barrels of superior tung oil, three hundred volumes of various books and classics, and… the name cards and seals of the sixteen major firms of my Yan clan in Jiangnan and Zhongyuan.

Should the Ming King have needs for material procurement, fund transfers, or message delivery, with these seals he may pass unimpeded; my Yan clan's establishments will spare no effort to assist, charging only cost and taking no profit.

This gift list is certainly not light.

Gold, silver, pearls, and jade are hard currency; silk is a top luxury; refined iron and tung oil are vital strategic supplies; books and classics symbolize cultural transmission.

Moreover, the trading rights conferred by those establishments are priceless, meaning Beijiang gains a relatively safe and reliable external economic and information channel.

Han Xiao and Xiao Chunqiu exchanged a glance, each seeing gravity in the other's eyes.

This time the Yan family's gesture is both generous and targeted.

It is not an empty talk alliance, but substantive resources that can truly aid Beijiang's long-term development.

"The Yan family's kindness is appreciated by our army."

Han Xiao took the gift list, without immediately stating his position, and said: "... But the Yan clan is a renowned house; why would they favor our Beijiang so much? Now that the imperial court is sending troops to attack, Young Master Yan, by giving aid in the snow, aren't you afraid of inviting disaster?"

Yan Shining's expression unchanged, he spoke frankly: "General Han, you are blunt and to the point! Since that is the case, I will also speak plainly. The Yan clan, established for hundreds of years, values nothing more than the continuation and prosperity of the family."

The present court has lost virtue, with corrupt officials in power; Xiliang watches like a tiger, and the people cannot survive. The Ming King rose in Beijiang, holding the Mandate of Heaven!

Though the Yan clan may be foolish, we also understand the principle of following heaven and responding to people, of choosing a good tree to nest in.

Adding flowers to brocade is easy; giving charcoal in the snow is hard. At this moment the Ming King's great undertaking is just beginning and needs assistance; the Yan clan is willing to devote its strength to help, to jointly achieve the great cause! As for the court's blame…

He smiled, carrying a hint of the confidence unique to scions of aristocratic families: "The Yan clan is deeply rooted in the local land, with flourishing branches and leaves; these few storms we can still withstand."

Furthermore… people like Si Gui and Lu Wen Chang are probably too preoccupied now to concern themselves with us.

Having spoken to this extent, the meaning is already clear.

The Yan family regards the court as declining, looks favorably upon Beijiang, prepares to place a stake and invest, seeking the merit of following the dragon and future political capital for the family.

What they offer is not merely material goods, but also the entire Yan clan's local influence, economic network, and personal connections.

Xiao Chunqiu spoke slowly: "Young Master Yan, we have already understood your sincerity. However, such major matters are beyond our decision; we must report to the lord for clarification. Still, I have one point I do not understand and would like to ask you."

"Please speak, Master Xiao."

"If the Yan clan aids us, it is for future wealth and status. Should the lord's great undertaking succeed, where would the Yan clan wish to stand, and what would they seek?" Xiao Chunqiu asked bluntly—this is the core issue of benefit distribution.

Yan Shining seemed to have prepared beforehand: "Master Xiao, your words are indeed the way of statecraft. What the Yan clan seeks is not merely immediate gain."

If the Ming King does not reject us, the Yan clan is willing to serve as his aide in governing the realm, smoothing grain and finances, and liaising with all quarters.

What we seek is nothing more than for our clan's descendants to obtain a position in the new dynasty, to display their learning and bring glory to the family gate.

The clan's enterprises should receive protection and be able to operate normally; specific regulations can be discussed later.

At present the urgent task is to help the Ming King secure Beijiang, repel Yang Jiye, and establish a firm foothold.

The Yan clan also has old connections in Bingzhou and Youzhou, and could perhaps provide the Ming King with some convenience regarding the movements of the imperial army.

This shows a willingness not to demand exorbitant prices, to exert effort first and discuss recompense later, and also hints that we can still assist in intelligence.

Han Xiao and Xiao Chunqiu exchanged glances; this Yan Shining speaks without leak, keeps a low posture, sets down solid terms, even adds extra—indeed he is a formidable figure, also demonstrating the Yan family's resolve in this cooperation.

"What Young Master Yan has said, we will report to the lord word for word."

Han Xiao rose to his feet: "Young Master, you have come far and endured hardship; please rest well at the relay station. A great battle is imminent before the pass; for safety's sake, you must be cautious and not wander about. We will notify you immediately of any news."

"Thank you, General Han and Master Xiao." Yan Shining also rose, performed a respectful bow, and said: "I, Yan Shining, will await good news."

Leaving the relay station, Han Xiao and Xiao Chunqiu walked side by side back into the pass.

"What do you think?" Han Xiao asked.

"The Yan family is anxious."

Xiao Chunqiu laughed and shook his head: "Once Guansong Ridge falls, they know that if they don't place a stake now, they may be preempted by the Cui family, or even other forces that have caught wind of the opportunity. The terms they offered are quite solid and also very tempting."

However, the lord now holds the jade seal, bearing the prestige of a great victory, and is no longer the former border magnate who needed covert alliances.

This price, I fear, is still insufficient!

Moreover… our Beijiang may not need to place all its hopes on a single scholar-gentry family.

Han Xiao nodded: "That's the principle! Report it faithfully and see what the Lord says!"