Chapter 133
Today, witnessing Duan Wang’s approach to matters filled everyone with awe. He had already said that Duan Wang was no ordinary person. The way he managed to manipulate the hearts and minds of even the most seasoned and sharp-witted businessmen was a skill few could match.
As he had said before, Duan Wang in business was unrivaled. It seemed his judgment had been right, and the Ma family’s decision to follow Duan Wang was extremely wise.
The news of today soon spread, and it was unbelievable. Were the merchants’ silver coins really blown in by the wind? How did Duan Wang, with just a single bidding event, almost gather the first batch of funds?
With just a few promises from Duan Wang, people rushed to offer silver, and it was no small amount. This made everyone feel as though they were slapped in the face.
When Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zou Chang, heard this news, he almost knocked over his teacup. “What? What did you say? Duan Wang raised several million taels of silver from just one bidding event? Are you sure you didn’t mishear?”
The person delivering the news assured him, “There’s no mistake. Duan Wang’s collection is divided into five investment tiers, with the lowest tier at a hundred thousand silver, not to mention the other tiers.”
Zou Chang frowned deeply. So much silver, and yet the national treasury was nearly bankrupt. If that silver were gathered in the Ministry of Revenue, the treasury would be replenished, solving a big problem. Alas, what a pity, why couldn’t he have been the one to collect it?
Zou Chang wasn’t the only one with these thoughts. Who in the court didn’t feel a sense of regret upon hearing the news? Thinking back to Ming Yu’s earlier actions in the court, they felt a sense of regret for underestimating him. They had once doubted his abilities, but now it seemed the Western Qi Corridor project was inevitable.
In the next ten years, the massive profits from the Western Qi Corridor would have nothing to do with the court, which was a regretful situation.
Looking at Ming Yu’s plans, just the tariffs from the Western Qi Corridor alone would equal several years of national tax revenue for the Ministry of Revenue. But now, it was too late for regrets. After all, they had pushed it away themselves. Still, perhaps after ten years, the Ministry of Revenue might be able to recover it. But who could say what the future would bring?
After the bidding event ended, Ming Yu also announced several local decrees for the frontier region of Liangzhou. The gist was that from now on, Liangzhou would welcome merchants to inspect and invest.
The frontier region not only connected to the Western Regions but also had many local specialties, such as watermelon, corn, chili peppers, and other crops that were not found in Central Plains. Merchants could transport these goods to various places in the Central Plains. They also welcomed trade caravans to bring in goods that Liangzhou lacked. As long as the caravans brought them, there were profitable opportunities.
Furthermore, Liangzhou was in urgent need of development. As long as a caravan came for trade, no customs duties would be collected in Liangzhou. If the merchants followed the rules and contributed to Liangzhou’s development, their efforts would be officially recorded, and they would be rewarded with the opportunity to invest in the Western Qi Corridor, which was the second batch of bidding opportunities.
Many people were tempted. Some hadn’t made it to the first batch of the bidding event, which had already ended. They knew all about the process and results of this first bidding event, and they envied those lucky enough to be part of it.
They wanted to ask Duan Wang for another chance, but Duan Wang had already made it clear that the first batch of spots was limited and that there was nothing to be done for now.
However, now that the second batch had opened up with clear conditions, it was up to each person to decide whether they wanted to take this opportunity.
Naturally, the conditions for the second batch were not as strict as those for the first batch, and the entry threshold was lower, meaning smaller merchants could also participate. However, the benefits and preferential policies couldn’t compare with the first batch. Even so, all merchants flocked to the opportunity.
After understanding the terms thoroughly, many merchants still had doubts. Liangzhou was well-known for being poor. Would the local people be able to afford the goods once they were transported there? What if they went through all the trouble of transporting the goods only to find that no one wanted them? The transport costs, both in terms of manpower and resources, could result in a significant loss.
While everyone was still waiting and watching, the Ma family’s caravan had already started preparing to depart. This shocked some people. The Ma family was one of the four major families in the capital and was considered a top merchant family in the entire Great Yan Dynasty.
With the Ma family leading the way, others gritted their teeth and decided to check it out. As Duan Wang said, they could go and conduct a field inspection. Only by seeing it with their own eyes would they know what the situation was like. No matter what, they decided to go and see for themselves.
Even if the worst-case scenario happens, at least bringing back a few of the watermelons from Liangzhou wouldn’t be a loss. They heard that these watermelons are quite rare; they were brought back from the Western Regions by Duan Wang’s people, who brought the seeds back. Now, they’ve started to be cultivated on a large scale in Liangzhou.
Those who have had the privilege to taste them are mostly royalty and high-ranking officials. I’ve heard the flavor is exceptionally sweet and crisp, truly a top-notch delicacy. Perhaps bringing some back could fetch a good price, so it wouldn’t be a loss.
As for Duan Wang’s mention of corn and chili peppers, they’ve never heard of them, nor have they seen them, so there’s no point in having too many expectations.
“Brother Cheng, what a coincidence! You’re here too?” Tan Shan saw a familiar face and quickly waved to greet him.
He was one of the latecomers, mainly due to the long distance. By the time he arrived, the event was already over. At first, he had sighed and felt frustrated, thinking that he had made the trip for nothing, simply due to bad luck.
However, upon hearing about the bidding event, he sighed again as he learned that even the lowest tier of investment required 100,000 silver. He had to shake his head. People like him, who were not big merchants, couldn’t easily come up with such a large sum of silver. Even if he had arrived on time, he probably wouldn’t have qualified to enter the door.
With that thought, he settled down and accepted the situation. Well, it was nobody’s fault but his own for not having a wealthy family background. He considered this trip to the capital as a bit of a vacation and planned to head back in a couple of days.
But unexpectedly, the situation turned around. Duan Wang issued new local orders, and suddenly, he saw an opportunity.
Yet, like many other merchants, he hadn’t yet decided whether to go to Liangzhou and take a look, which left him in a dilemma. After all, he hadn’t planned for this at all when he came to the capital.
Today, he was at the tavern to listen to others’ opinions, trying to figure out what his next move should be. To his surprise, he ran into a fellow from his hometown, Cheng Guangsheng.
Cheng Guangsheng, like him, was a businessman. His family ran several fabric shops and a tea house. He was financially well-off and likely came to the capital hoping to find an opportunity.
Cheng Guangsheng was startled when he saw Tan Shan and then broke into a joyful smile. “Ah, Brother Tan, I didn’t expect to see you here in the capital.”
Their families were in the same line of business, and they had a casual acquaintance. It was indeed a pleasant surprise to meet each other in a foreign land.
Tan Shan immediately waved him over to sit down and ordered food and drinks for them. Then he asked, “Did you come to the capital because of the matters in the West?”
Everyone knew about these issues, so there was no need to hide it. Cheng Guangsheng nodded and said, “That’s right. Unfortunately, the Cheng family couldn’t catch Duan Wang’s eye. Alas!”
Upon hearing this, Tan Shan understood and smiled sympathetically. “That’s true. You know how poor my family is. It seems like we both have no hope.”
Both of them shook their heads and sighed, then raised their cups to drink. Cheng Guangsheng spoke again, “To be honest, I really can’t bear to go back like this. Duan Wang spoke of all the opportunities in Liangzhou, but I wonder what the reality is like?”
Tan Shan looked at him intently and asked, “Brother Cheng, are you planning to head to the borderland?”
Cheng Guangsheng nodded, “I’m considering it. What about you, Brother Tan? What do you plan to do?”
Tan Shan frowned and sighed. “I honestly don’t know what to do now. I still haven’t made up my mind.”
“Don’t tell me you’re just going to head back? If you venture out, there’s a chance you’ll make your own fortune. The bandits and thieves in Liangzhou have all been eradicated, so it’s safe now. These days, the bold thrive, and the timid starve. Trade in the south is getting harder and harder, so why not try somewhere new? If what Duan Wang said is true, there’s a chance to participate in the Western Qi Corridor project, and we might still have hope.”
Tan Shan was moved by his words but still had some concerns. “That’s true, but I left my family behind, and there are still matters back home to settle. This…”
Cheng Guangsheng waved his hand dismissively. “It’s nothing more than a letter. Write a note explaining the situation, and everything will be settled.”
Tan Shan’s eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh, saying, “Brother Cheng, you’re right! I’ll go to Liangzhou and take a look. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just come back.”
Cheng Guangsheng laughed heartily. “Exactly! Let’s go together; we’ll have company along the way.”
There were many people like them, all of whom had made up their minds. Some would return empty-handed, while others would head to the borderland to take their chances.
Ming Yu had finished his tasks and requested permission from the emperor to return to Liangzhou. Though the emperor was reluctant, he knew it was necessary for Ming Yu to leave. The border regions were unlike other places; the situation changed quickly, and it wasn’t good for Duan Wang and Xie Yixiu to be absent for too long.
The emperor repeatedly advised Ming Yu to be cautious and avoid acting recklessly or getting involved in dangerous situations. Ming Yu understood that the emperor was worried about him and simply nodded obediently. He felt a sense of sadness—his father was growing old, and how many more times could he see him in a year? How many more years would they have together?
Although Ming Yu had always refused to admit he was from this world, let alone accept he was the original person, he had come to realize over the years that the Ming Yu here was essentially the same as the one from the future. The incomplete soul from both lives had merged to form the true Ming Yu.
The emperor might have his shortcomings, but he showed rare fatherly affection toward Ming Yu, genuinely caring for him. As a person, how could Ming Yu not be moved?
“Father, don’t worry. I have great fortune and destiny, so there’s no danger in my way!” Ming Yu said, smiling reassuringly. “I’m going to help secure and develop the border regions as strong as iron, and I’ll make sure to earn silver for you. Once everything’s stable, if you get tired, you can retire and come enjoy the border. I’ll build you a summer villa where you can relax, raise flowers, and watch birds.”
If anyone else had said these words, it would have been considered a serious offense—talking about an emperor retiring? Throughout history, no emperor ever let go of supreme power until death.
The Crown Prince, Ming Ye, stood by, sweating in anxiety, almost rushing over to cover Ming Yu’s mouth.
There was a brief silence around them, and Ming Yu didn’t yet realize the situation, but the emperor burst into laughter. “Good! If that day ever comes, I’ll be the first to visit you. Don’t complain about how boring it gets with your old father!”
“Of course not! I’ll be there with you every day.”
The mood lightened, and some ministers joined in the laughter, while others praised the father-son bond, calling it rare in the world.
More importantly, everyone understood the importance of Duan Wang in the emperor’s heart, and they dared not act recklessly. The rumors circulating in the court about Duan Wang’s efforts to raise funds were now completely silenced.
With envious glances from those around him, Ming Yu led a convoy carrying several hundred thousand taels of silver westward. After staying in the capital for so long, he had begun to miss life in the border regions.
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