Net weaving and abacus
After seeing Azhu and Amu off, Ling Zhan returned to the council chamber, where only she and Yang Sijian remained.
A neatly folded copy of an account book, delivered through special channels, lies quietly on a rough wooden table.
On the cover, the three characters "山海粟" (Shan Hai Su) exude a simple and unassuming air, free from worldly strife.
Yang Sijian opened the ledger and pointed to several entries circled in bright vermilion.
His aged brows furrowed tightly into a deep frown, his voice filled with suppressed anger and helplessness:
"Madam, look. Magistrate Chen's reach is getting longer and longer, and he's becoming more and more unscrupulous!"
Yang Sijian's voice suppressed anger and helplessness, but deeper down it was a deep sorrow for the hard-won foundation.
"This item, 'insect and rodent losses,' he dares to overstate it by 30%! Does he really think we're blind? It's infuriating how greedy he is, unaware that the reputation of 'Shanhai Millet' was built by countless farmers, grain by grain! And here too,"
He moved to another page, “The new tax collector Liu, under the guise of ‘inspecting agricultural supplies to ensure the quality of seeds,’ comes to the store every few days to ‘inspect’ it. Every time, if he doesn’t leave some ‘hardship money,’ he’ll find fault with everything, making it impossible to do business!”
He glanced up at Ling Zhan, then continued, "The shopkeeper's letter said that even the regular customers who come to buy seeds regularly can't stand it anymore, and they're whispering among themselves, 'How can someone be trying to trip up Madam Ling when she's doing such a virtuous thing?' Even some grain merchants from other counties have spoken up against the tax collector. And what's even more outrageous is this—"
He turned to the last page, pointing to a few newly added lines of ink, his fingertips turning slightly white from the pressure. “‘Local government’s new policy for benefiting farmers’? The name sounds grand and respectable! But we’ve inquired everywhere, and the Linshan County government has never issued such a document! It’s clearly that Magistrate Chen’s side has created this pretext to line their own pockets! This appetite… is much bigger than last year! Isn’t he afraid of being too greedy, ruining the reputation of ‘Shanhai Millet’, and inciting public resentment? Farmers and merchants from Qingzhou, Linzhou, and even further afield who come by boat, who doesn’t know that this shop was established by you under the pressure of the Shen family’s survival, a ‘life-saving planting shop’ that you poured your heart and soul into? These discussions will surely reach his ears!”
Ling Zhan's gaze swept over the glaring numbers and entries, his face showing no surprise, only a cold understanding and insight.
This is a "Shanhaisu" seed shop.
It was she who, against all odds, insisted on opening the workshop despite fierce arguments with Chen Yan, who was obsessed with expanding the workshop and using new looms.
At that time, Shen Yan's mind was full of grand plans for Shen Ji Workshop.
They believed that giving away the precious "Snowy" cotton seeds and the carefully cultivated high-yield millet seeds at low prices or even at half price to poor farmers struggling on barren land was "womanly kindness" and "aiding the enemy." They were especially worried that other workshops coveting the Shen family's technology would obtain the superior seeds.
But what Ling Zhan saw was the tragic scene of starving and frozen corpses, and the possibility of enabling the poorest people to harvest a few more bushels of grain and kill a few fewer people.
At the same time, it also lays a solid foundation for planting and reputation at the grassroots level for the large-scale promotion of "Snowy" cotton in the future.
On a deeper level, she also wanted to preserve a window for children to connect with the real land and understand the hardships of farming.
Instead of being trapped in a beautiful but closed courtyard, ignorant of the five grains.
The birth of "Shan Hai Su" was indeed protected in the early stages by the symbolic investment and small shareholding of Chen Tongzhi. However, Ling Zhan knew even more deeply that what truly allowed the shop to stand firm through the storms was the real increase in grain production in the fields and the rekindled hope in the eyes of the farmers.
These invisible yet tangible forces are the shop's most resilient armor.
However, human greed is insatiable.
What were once symbolic "shares" and "protection" have become, in his eyes, a "cash cow" that he takes for granted.
He may have thought he was taking away real money, but he didn't realize that every time he reached out, he was damaging the hard-won public support, which was one of the cornerstones of his reputation and also a dull knife hanging over his head.
"As expected."
Ling Zhan closed the ledger, his voice calm and even, "As long as the shop is still there and the signboard hasn't fallen, let Chen Tongzhi take as much as he wants from the accounts for now. Keep a clear record of the accounts. Suihe will be responsible for the source of the seeds. Elder Yang must work closely with her to ensure the shop doesn't run out of good seeds."
"As for Magistrate Chen, he only took away some money. The more greedy he is, the less he dares to let the shop really get into big trouble. Otherwise, he will be the first one to be drowned in spittle."
Yang Sijian understood immediately, and the anger in his eyes subsided, turning into a deep and solemn expression.
“Understood. As long as the shop exists, the network of connections remains, and the source of information remains. Linshan County is a crucial passage to Qingshui Prefecture City and also our gateway to the west of this mountainous region. With this seed shop, which has impeccable credentials and is under the protection of Magistrate Chen, our people have a natural and excellent foothold and cover for coming and going, purchasing inconspicuous daily necessities, and even... passing on some trivial information. It's like a quiet ear lying on the ground.”
"good."
A cold, pragmatic glint flashed in Ling Zhan's eyes. "If Magistrate Chen is only focused on those petty profits, let him be. Tell the shopkeeper to stay calm. Continue with the usual 'tribute' and report the losses as normal. Make sure the shop operates smoothly and keep the accounts 'impressive.' Especially, retain the regular customers who come to buy seeds, particularly the village heads and skilled farmers from the nearby villages. Their trust and reputation are a hundred times more important than the money Magistrate Chen has taken! This is the true foundation of 'Shan Hai Su'."
"Yes! I will send a letter to instruct the manager immediately."
Yang Sijian solemnly agreed and carefully put the account book away.
It was as if it were not a booklet recording exploitation, but an important strategic map.
At this moment, the straw curtain of the council tent was gently lifted, and the old Taoist priest Xuan Chenzi walked in silently.
He flicked his whisk, bowed slightly to Ling Zhan, and without further ado, walked straight to the map. His withered finger pressed heavily on the location representing Linzhou Prefecture, getting straight to the point.
“Lady Ling, Qixia Pass is the root, the armor, the last bastion. The old Taoist temple’s energy here is resilient and enduring, making it a defensible place. However, if the roots are buried deep underground and the armor remains dormant, it will ultimately be a stalemate, like a dragon trapped in shallow waters, unable to find a way to break through the clouds, let alone break free and take revenge!”
He looked intently at Ling Zhan, “Passively waiting for investigation is like sitting and waiting to die. We need to take the initiative, open up a new battlefield, stir up the waters, and only then can we find peace amidst the chaos and secretly make our move!”
Ling Zhan put down the defensive fortification sketches he was reviewing.
A focused look appeared in his eyes: "What does the Taoist priest mean?"
"Break down the whole into smaller parts and enter the market through business!"
Xuan Chenzi spoke with unwavering resolve, his eyes gleaming with shrewd calculation and long-term planning. "The tragedy of Linshan Town, the calamity of the Shen family workshop—what is the root cause? 'Snow Velvet' was too abundant, standing out from the crowd! This attracted a pack of wolves. This thing has become the target of everyone's wrath, and it must not reappear in the world anytime soon. Rather than passively waiting for the storm of investigation to sweep over Qixia'ao, we should proactively light a lamp elsewhere to attract moths!"
He circled the location of the prefectural city on the map with his finger: "Miss Su Wan is calm, capable, and meticulous. She is suitable for this task! Let her take... our eldest daughter, 'Chen Susu,' under this name, and as a distant aunt and niece, slowly contact and recruit those former subordinates who are proficient in 'ordinary' brocade weaving techniques, who are not being pursued by the Ministry of Works, or who have already escaped, to open a clothing store in the prefectural city. The scale does not need to be large, and the location does not need to be the most prosperous, but it needs to be stable."
Even Shen Yan, who had been silently listening, now had a glint in his eyes.
He continued, “Prefect Chen is greedy for profit and even more greedy for fame! This shop is a ready-made ‘achievement’ for him—helping a ‘distant relative’ start a business, solving the livelihood of female workers, and promoting the prosperity of local merchants. He’s been actively asked to ‘take care’ of the shop and given shares! With his official reputation in front of him, at least 90% of the trouble from local thugs, tax officials, and clerks can be avoided! It can also give the shop an extremely ‘clean’ appearance, completely severing its ties with the ‘Chen’ character!”
Yang Sijian stroked his beard, nodded frequently, and added details.
"Brilliant! This shop doesn't seek exorbitant profits, but rather aims to establish itself and build a foothold. It specializes in fine garments for women and children from upper-middle-class families. The stitching must be exceptional, the materials high-quality, and the styles... only slightly novel, avoiding anything too unconventional or attention-grabbing. The core is reputation—'tailor-made' and 'comfortable and durable.' The goal is to build a steady, long-term business, gradually becoming a familiar, trusted, yet unobtrusive presence among the housewives and middle-class women of the prefecture. It will be an excellent window for us to observe the city's atmosphere, pass on information, and even for future communication!"
Seeing that his strategy had been approved, a deep sense of scheming flashed in Xuan Chenzi's eyes.
"That's exactly right! When this 'lamp' is lit, there will certainly be 'moths' under it, but more attention will be drawn to it."
"When everyone's attention is drawn to this seemingly 'small-scale' garment business, Qixia'ao's roots can grow deeper and more discreetly. 'Shan Hai Su's' ears can hear further and more clearly. As for the capital..."
He paused meaningfully.
"Once the foundation of the prefectural city is somewhat stable, this place of 'social interaction' will become a bridge for gradual planning. Aren't the fine silks, satins, and beautiful clothes also carrying messages and people's hearts?"
Upon hearing the word "capital city".
Shen Yan lowered her eyes, her hands clenched slightly in her sleeves, her complex emotions churning within her.
Ling Zhan listened in silence, his fingers unconsciously and rhythmically tapping lightly on the rough tabletop.
Xuan Chenzi's plan was both bold and ingenious!
They made the most of their remaining manpower, Chen Tongzhi's greedy nature, and the inherent secrecy and mobility of commercial activities. Their core objective was crystal clear—to establish a second stronghold outside the enemy's likely sight, divert potential attention, and build a broader and deeper intelligence network.
To build up strength for future dangers and to fight back.
"feasible."
Ling Zhan finally spoke, his tone decisive and without any hesitation.
She stood up, her gaze sweeping over the three of them. "The details, Elder Yang, the Taoist priest, and Shen Yan should discuss them again, making sure they are thorough. Especially the terms of the 'cooperation' with Prefect Chen, we must let him taste the benefits, but we must not leave any fatal incriminating evidence. I will talk to Su Wan."
After she finished speaking, she went straight out of the curtain and walked towards the makeshift dressing room to find Su Wan to deploy this crucial step.
Inside the shed, Yang Sijian, Xuan Chenzi, and Shen Yan immediately gathered around the map and the simple desk, discussing in hushed tones every step of the process for opening "Yunshangji," including the specific location, start-up capital, recruitment of personnel, and how to "negotiate" with Chen Tongzhi.
An invisible web of business and intelligence began to be quietly woven on paper and in the mind.
------
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com