Chapter 28: The Hidden Envy Among Subjects...
“The Bai family of Wuling started out as a security escort agency.” Xiao Chengzi poured out everything he had learned. “Security escorts and merchants are inseparable. Their shops are now all over the area around Wuling Prefecture, and their security escort agency is quite well-known. They haven’t closed down.”
"Old Master Bai had five sons and two daughters. After some internal strife in recent years, his second son, who was born of the principal wife, is now away managing the affairs of the escort agency. His third son, born of a concubine, is an official in the court and has become the Bai family's support. His fourth son, born of a concubine, stayed in Wuling and assisted Old Master Bai in managing the family's shops. His fifth son is a notorious playboy. His eldest daughter married the brother-in-law of the prefect of Wuling Prefecture, and his second daughter is the concubine of the prefect of Tanzhou."
"Where is their eldest son?" Qi Chengming noticed the blind spot and couldn't help but ask.
The Bai family sounds like a large and influential clan. Although they are merchants, they have extended their reach into officialdom to secure their backing and ensure the expansion of their businesses. Qi Chengming was not surprised by this, but he was curious about Bai Xuan's role in it all.
"The eldest son died after that internal strife, the cause of death is unclear, the official explanation is... he died of illness." Xiao Chengzi spoke hesitantly, not to mention the disbelief immediately showing on his own prince's face, he himself didn't believe it either.
"After that eldest son passed away, the main branch of the family was left with only an orphan and a widow. The eldest grandson of the Bai family is Bai Xuan, whom Your Highness met today." Xiao Chengzi finished recounting the entire situation and began to add details.
"The Bai family shops sell everything: incense shops, rouge shops, bookstores, restaurants... but the most profitable are the shops selling precious spices and leathers. This sign represents the rank of a member of the Bai family or a distinguished guest of the Bai family, and they can have certain privileges or preferential treatment at the shops or escort agencies."
"Oh?" Qi Chengming stroked the plaque, then held it up to the dim light of dawn. "It seems Brother Bai holds a high position in his family."
The current head of the Bai family is the fourth branch, who manages the shops. Bai Xuan is the eldest grandson of the first branch, yet he holds such a significant position…
Qi Chengming recalled the mysterious fire from last night, and conspiracy theories began to pop into his head.
“The eldest grandson of the eldest son of the main branch.” He repeated.
In ancient large families, the eldest grandson of the eldest son usually bears the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the family business. Today, Bai Xuan looks old, so the question is... how should this family business be divided?
So, the fourth branch will still be in charge? The eldest branch has been stripped of its rights? Judging from Bai Xuan's influence over the shops, it doesn't seem like he has any influence. The situation is quite delicate. If Qi Chengming were the fourth master of the Bai family now… he'd probably be worried.
That's not right either.
Qi Chengming raised an eyebrow.
—If he were really the fourth master of the Bai family, he would have happily followed the example of the fifth master of the Bai family and lived a carefree life as a playboy.
With the elder brothers supporting the vast and wealthy family business, the younger siblings can simply laze around and wait to die. Even if the family business is divided up in the future, they won't starve. And if trouble comes their way, there's always someone taller up to protect them.
"..." Qi Chengming fell silent.
Oh no, the more I think about it, the more envious I become.
Let's bring our thoughts back... So, should we just leave this casual friendship we've had today after the gossip is over, or should we make some preparations?
Qi Chengming pondered for a moment.
"Have Old Hua come over here." The young prince gave the order indifferently, then turned and went back to the cabin that served as his study, where he began grinding ink himself.
"Yes." Xiao Chengzi knew the situation was urgent as soon as he saw it. He didn't dare to breathe and ran away without asking any questions.
A moment later, the veteran liaison officer, whose presence was barely noticeable, stepped into the study: "—Your Highness?"
Although it wasn't fully light yet, the ship was crowded and noisy, and His Highness couldn't wait until midnight to summon him. Old Hua held his breath, staring intently at a point on the ground, calmly awaiting instructions.
The pen moved swiftly across the paper, leaving a faint scent of ink. Soon, the young lord's voice rang out: "Give this letter to the caravan. Tell them to try and contact the Bai family first, but don't reveal your identities. If necessary..."
Old Hua listened carefully, responded to each answer, and then withdrew.
This was a new idea of Qi Chengming's, but it was still in its infancy.
His caravan will inevitably operate in the Wuling Prefecture area in the future. The Bai family is a local power, so when will he be able to use them? For example, instead of building a restaurant from scratch to make money, it would be faster to find a helper, and cooperating with the Bai family is one option. Cooperating with the Bai family's shops will also make it more convenient and faster for the caravan to make money.
However, this choice was not necessarily limited to the Bai family; it was just that Qi Chengming had this idea based on their brief, chance encounter today.
So he sent a caravan to keep an eye on the Bai family's next move.
First, we need to observe whether the internal strife within the Bai family can be resolved, and what Bai Xuan's character and methods are like. If so, he can consider supporting Bai Xuan to become the head of the family and cooperate with him.
This sounds like a lot of trouble.
But compared to Qi Chengming building restaurants all over the place and letting caravans make their fortunes, starting from scratch... that's nothing. Even the mundane management tasks are saved; Qi Chengming can provide technical assistance and a powerful backing (he's a prince, emphasis on that), and just sit back and collect the money.
...
The Wuling Wharf was in chaos after such a major incident of a ship being burned. Qin Liusong, who had originally planned to take advantage of the docking to visit the city, stayed on the ship.
He got bored when he had free time.
"What are you writing?" Qin Liusong leaned closer and asked with interest.
Huang Dong put down his brush, gave him a disapproving look, and said, "...Is Lord Qin too idle?"
Although Huang Dong has come to terms with it now, he still has mixed feelings when he sees the capable Master Qin.
I don't know how to deal with this guy.
—As it turned out, these two—one a clerk from Yiyang County, the other a local from Yiyang County—were assigned to the same cabin. Qin Liusong originally had a page, but his servant had broken his leg and insisted on coming aboard, crying. Reluctantly, the two were put together in one cabin, with the page taking care of the servant for now.
"I dare not accept such an honor." Qin Liusong waved his hand, maintaining a composed demeanor, though he was secretly pleased. "What right do I have to address you as 'sir' in front of Mr. Huang? My previous advisor has already resigned."
"We are all serving His Highness now, so we can just address each other as 'sir'," he politely declined.
This Mr. Huang... didn't have much of a presence in Qin Liusong's memories of his previous life, but he was a former official of the new emperor's former residence, so there were many layers of friendship between them. In addition, this time he personally witnessed Mr. Huang's act of loyalty, and ironically, Mr. Huang did have official rank.
All along... Qin Liusong was the only one who looked up to the other. But in this life, just because he pledged allegiance to His Highness before the other, he actually got to be called "Lord Qin"!
And guess what?
After that day, he inquired and found out that among the old retainers of the Second Prince's former residence, he was actually the first foreign official to pledge allegiance!
First place!!!
Qin Liusong was overjoyed, his inflated desire for power was thoroughly satisfied, and he laughed out loud in his dreams for several nights in a row.
Even now, thinking about it makes him want to smile.
Qin Liusong couldn't help but stroke his mustache, and coughed lightly to control himself: "..."
He was too young. If he wanted to be a good clerk, he couldn't rely on his brains and skills alone. Qin Liusong had been taking medicine and tormenting himself for more than half a month, making him look haggard and old. He had also grown a beard, which made him look more mature and reliable, almost ten years older, before he was able to successfully get hired as a clerk in Yiyang County.
"Mr. Qin."
Huang Dong responded politely but indifferently, said something, and then continued writing with his head down.
Qin Liusong was adept at maneuvering and wanted to further cultivate a relationship with this Mr. Huang. He immediately noticed a handwritten draft on the table, the handwriting atrocious, barely better than that of a young child learning to read. Huang Dong was laying out a new sheet of paper in front of that draft and copying something from top to bottom.
"..." Qin Liusong choked, and after a long pause, he said tactfully, "...Brother Huang, I haven't heard that you're teaching anyone to begin their studies?"
Qin Liusong examined the handwriting on that piece of paper from top to bottom for a long time, but couldn't find anything to praise. The handwriting was rather messy, and one couldn't even praise the writer for being diligent... that was a problem with attitude!
"This is a copy of the Mohist techniques that His Highness copied from the royal library and gave it to me," Huang Dong said quietly, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
What kind of look is that? No one is allowed to complain about His Highness's poor handwriting!
It is said that His Highness the Second Prince had a difficult childhood, and this was a last-minute copy... It's already quite good that his handwriting is like this! Besides, His Highness has been practicing calligraphy every day recently, and his attitude is so diligent and eager to learn, who can bear to criticize him?
From the moment Huang Dong received this thin copy, he treasured it as if it were a precious gem, reading it repeatedly with great eagerness. He discovered that there were many obscure and difficult parts that he had to write down to carefully ponder their subtleties.
Huang Dong was no longer dwelling on it. He stared intently at Mr. Qin, forgetting all his previous mixed feelings and confusion... In short, no one could speak ill of His Highness in front of him!
— Huang Dong's gaze was very unfriendly.
"This is His Highness's...?" Qin Liusong exclaimed in disbelief.
A piece of calligraphy bestowed by the new emperor?!
He looked at Master Huang with almost jealous envy.
'Qin Erlang, oh Qin Erlang, you still haven't tried hard enough.'
In his previous life, he held a very low-ranking official position and had never even seen the Emperor's calligraphy. Imperial edicts never reached his hands, let alone the privilege of receiving a piece of calligraphy personally bestowed upon him by the new emperor. As a result, he couldn't even recognize the handwriting now.
—But Master Huang has received such an honor without making a sound!
A strong sense of crisis rose in Qin Liusong's heart.
Now all thoughts have been cleared from his mind.
What kind of illegible handwriting is this, like that of a child...
That's clearly because the new emperor hasn't mastered his handwriting yet! It's perfectly normal at that age. In fact, it's just right... He could volunteer to offer a calligraphy copybook, or if all else fails, he could at least write a few lines to share the burden with His Highness.
He is not worthy of the title of His Majesty's calligraphy tutor, but it is a very reasonable change to take this opportunity to enhance the relationship between the emperor and his subjects!
Qin Liusong became more and more excited as he thought about it, and he regained his spirits.
...
That evening.
There was a knock on Qi Chengming's study.
Mr. Qin stood humbly and calmly outside, offering his recommendation.
"Your Highness..." The man lowered his head, but his request was different from what he had expected, "I've heard that Your Highness possesses royal-collected, uh, secret manuscripts. May I... borrow them?"
After much deliberation, Qin Liusong realized that teaching calligraphy was a good idea, but considering the new emperor's thoughts... he definitely wanted more capable subordinates.
...Let's use this copy to showcase our talents!
"You heard about this from Mr. Huang?" Qi Chengming looked Qin Shiye up and down, then suddenly realized.
He only showed Master Huang the architecture section of "Friends of Dual-Use Military and Civilian Talents" today. It seems that Mr. Qin was eager to get his hands on it too.
Just right.
A county clerk is responsible for a lot of things, and his duties are very practical. He can give Qin Liusong a copy of the section on agriculture and sericulture to study.
"Come in and wait a moment," Qi Chengming said, then turned and went to his desk with a smile.
...My subordinates are all so eager to learn, they're so diligent!
Qi Chengming is now experiencing the joy of sharing the fruits of his labor, as all his knowledge comes in handy.
He was studying like crazy, and everyone else was studying with him.
The atmosphere is so nice (sincerely).
-----------------------
Author's Note: What if this were an emperor simulation game?
Qi Chengming: "Let me take a look..."
[Qin Liusong]'s ambition value is as high as 96, but [Huang Dong]'s politics value is only a pitiful 8!
Qi Chengming: ...Take pity on me.
Abnormal, in a sense, the stats of these two guys are too abnormal!
·
(Ahhh... I was on a tight schedule and suddenly got two extra chapters, and everyone's enthusiasm is so overwhelming, a third extra chapter is coming soon... qwq!)
I've been working hard to pay it back these past few days!
.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com