Jiang Shaobin is a small businessman in Dengzhou, Jingdong Road, but recently he has been living a very comfortable life.

Within just half a month, his wealth increased tenfold from eight thousand strings of cash, and the increase was accelerating without any sign of stopping.

Jiang Shaobin's cousin is a clerk in the Dengzhou government office. The imperial court has recently assigned Dengzhou some tasks: to build a ferry crossing and to pave roads as quickly as possible.

Jiang Shaobin was assigned the task of paving roads, a job backed by the imperial court, and a sure-fire way to make money.

Not only did he make a steady profit, but soon he also acquired a large plot of land outside Dengzhou, established a weaving factory, and ordered more than twenty Huaxing spinning wheels.

Moreover, he recently used his connections to purchase steam engines in the capital, having heard that there was a type of steam engine that could be assembled with Huaxing spinning wheels, eliminating the need for manual weaving.

He planned to ship some of these fabrics to Korea by sea to sell them there.

On this day, Duan Zhijie, the military commissioner of Jingdong Road, arrived in Dengzhou and sat in the Dengzhou government office.

He summoned Jiang Shaobin.

When Jiang Shaobin arrived at the Dengzhou government office, not only was the military commissioner Duan Zhijie there, but also the imperial city commissioner Zuo Hui.

Jiang Shaobin had no idea why he, a mere commoner, would suddenly be received by the highest administrative official of Jingdong Road.

When he entered, Duan Zhijie and Zuo Hui were discussing something. After seeing him come in, they gestured for him to sit down.

"This humble subject pays his respects to his superior."

"No need for formalities, please have a seat."

"Thank you, sir."

"How is your Qiyun Trading Company doing these days?"

"Thanks to my superior, my trading company has made some money recently."

Duan Zhijie said, "It's not thanks to my own merits, but thanks to His Majesty the Emperor. The new policies are His Majesty's new policies."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"I have summoned you here because I have an important matter to entrust to you."

Jiang Shaobin was puzzled. What did the military commissioner want to entrust to him?

Aren't the affairs of the military commissioner all matters of the imperial court?

What business could a small merchant like myself possibly have with a high-ranking official like the military commissioner?

"I don't know what business you have with me, sir. I will do everything you ask."

Duan Zhijie laughed and said, "A month ago, you asked your cousin to send five thousand strings of cash to Zhang Yuan, the prefect of Dengzhou Prefecture, and you successfully won the project to build a cement road. Am I right?"

Upon hearing Duan Zhijie's words, Jiang Shaobin was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.

"I am a commoner and I have been wronged. I hope Your Excellency will investigate thoroughly."

"Injustice? With Zuo Hui, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial City Guard, here, do you still dare to claim injustice?"

Jiang Shaobin was slightly taken aback. Why was the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial City Guard here as well?

His mind raced, and he quickly calmed down, saying, "This humble subject confesses his guilt. Whether you wish to kill or torture me, I will obey your will."

"Very well, it seems you know that I will not punish you."

Jiang Shaobin breathed a sigh of relief.

"I need you to go to Goryeo and establish trade relations with that Goryeo monk, Myo-cheong."

"Miaoqing?" Jiang Shaobin was slightly taken aback, but immediately understood that the military commissioner wanted him to be a spy.

“Yes, Miaoqing, this man is a high-ranking monk from Goryeo and a confidant of the King of Goryeo. Although he is a monk, he is ambitious and has always wanted to persuade the King of Goryeo to establish a new era and declare himself emperor.”

Jiang Shaobin was shocked. "Jiang Yuan has declared himself emperor?"

How dare you! Don't you know that there is only one emperor under heaven?

The current emperor of the Great Song Dynasty is the true ruler of all under heaven.

"What should ordinary citizens do?"

"Your fabric business will be entirely handed over to Miaoqing."

"Your silk business will also be entirely handed over to Miaoqing."

"Your tea business will also be entirely handed over to Miaoqing."

"Your ceramics business will also be handed over to Miaoqing."

"You must make Miaoqing unable to leave you."

"If he leaves you, he will be heartbroken to the point of not being able to breathe."

"You must guarantee that Miaoqing can earn at least 30,000 guan a year."

Jiang Shaobin said, "I have a question."

"speak."

"Since Myo-cheong advised King Geon-won of Goryeo to declare himself emperor, why is the court still supporting him?"

"Because even if the King of Goryeo had a hundred times the courage, he wouldn't dare to call himself emperor."

Jiang Shaobin immediately understood.

The King of Goryeo dared not declare himself emperor, but Myo-cheong advised him to establish a new reign title and declare himself emperor. Sooner or later, the conflict between the two sides would erupt.

After the outbreak, Myo-cheong will definitely be no match for the King of Goryeo.

In order to further balance the power within Goryeo and to restrain the Goryeo rulers, the court supported Myo-chung, whom they should never have supported.

The imperial court's plan was to fuel Miaoqing's ambition and incite him to rebel.

The greater the impact of Myo-cheong's rebellion, the greater the blow to the Goryeo royal family and the greater the weakening of Goryeo's overall power.

Jiang Shaobin quickly understood and couldn't help but admire the current court's strategy as brilliant.

Seeing Jiang Shaobin's reaction, Duan Zhijie and Zuo Hui couldn't help but nod.

No wonder Zhang Yuan was willing to entrust the road repair to Jiang Shaobin. This man is quick-witted and the best candidate to carry out this task.

Jiang Shaobin explained his conjecture, and it was all correct.

Duan Zhijie said, "This plan concerns the Great Song Dynasty and was personally approved by the Emperor. Do you have any complaints?"

Upon hearing that it was appointed by the Emperor, Jiang Shaobin was immediately thrilled. He said, "It is a blessing from my ancestors that I can serve the Emperor."

Duan Zhijie nodded and said, "Don't worry, the court won't let you do this for nothing. What I mentioned above are all favors from the court in terms of policy. Furthermore, as long as you successfully instigate Miaoqing to rebel, the court will grant you a title."

Jiang Shaobin was overjoyed when he heard that he could be granted a noble title.

He is indeed a businessman; he can make a lot of money.

Merchants in the Song Dynasty held the highest social status among merchants throughout history, but compared to nobles with titles, they were insignificant.

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