MLMD -Chapter 318 Harsh Conditions

Seeing that Yue Yang’s expression had improved slightly, Duke Wei finally spoke: “This time, Eunuch Qian has come to discuss something with Your Lordship.”

“Oh, some urgent matter to discuss!” Yue Yang glanced at Duke Wei, whose face looked uneasy, then at Qian Neng, who seemed somewhat awkward. He already had a sense of the matter in his heart, but he still put on a look of surprise and said, “Eunuch Qian is the chief eunuch in charge of Jinling’s defense, second to none in the city. I truly cannot imagine what could warrant your personal visit. One must understand, for Jinling, I am but a passing guest.”

“You know you are just a passing guest. You can go ahead and sell your cannons all you like, but to try and stick your hands into this place to steal a share? Do you really think the people here are fools?” Qian Neng cursed inwardly. Though his status was high, that mattered only relative to some people. Here, in front of him, were a duke and a marquis, whose rank could easily overshadow him—especially Yue Yang, who was not someone to be trifled with. The fate of Gao Qiqian was still fresh in Qian’s mind. Not long ago, a eunuch renowned for his military knowledge dared to offend Yue Yang, and as punishment, had his nose and ears cut off and was banished from Shanxi, ending up guarding Xiaoling at the foot of Zijin Mountain outside Jinling. Qian Neng had visited him once—the sight was pitiful, and Qian Neng had no desire to become the next Gao Qiqian.

Though unwilling to offend Yue Yang, Qian Neng had promised to do certain things, and for the sake of his reputation, he had to follow through. He sighed silently, fingered the stack of silver notes hidden in his sleeve, and felt his courage grow. Smiling at Yue Yang, he said, “Marquis Yue, allow me to clarify first: today, I am only a messenger. If anything I say is inaccurate, I beg Your Lordship not to take offense.”

As the chief eunuch guarding Jinling, Qian Neng wielded considerable power, but to Yue Yang he lowered himself in unprecedented deference. Even Duke Wei was surprised; it seemed Yue Yang’s fearsome reputation was well earned.

Seeing Qian Neng bow so low, Yue Yang suppressed his surprise and nodded with a smile: “Since Eunuch Qian has spoken this way, what else could I say? Please, speak freely.”

Qian Neng felt a bit relieved at Yue Yang’s “kind” demeanor. He pulled an envelope from his sleeve and handed it over, smiling: “Marquis Yue, yesterday someone asked me to deliver a certain contract of servitude to you. It concerns Li Xiangjun, the most famous courtesan on the Qinhuai River, recently acquired by Your Lordship. Originally, Li Xiangjun intended to buy her own freedom, but the detestable madam demanded ten thousand taels of silver. Such behavior is utterly vile, treating Miss Li as if she were nothing. Someone could not bear this and purchased the contract to present it to you. Please accept it.”

“No wonder I sent someone to Qinghe Lane last night to retrieve the contract from Qian Niang, only to be told it had already been purchased. I was puzzled—who dared compete with me for a woman? Turns out I misjudged, it was actually a good-hearted person,” Yue Yang laughed heartily and casually accepted the contract, showing no particular expression, as if it were a trivial matter.

Seeing Yue Yang’s indifferent reaction, neither Qian Neng nor Duke Wei thought much of it. In their eyes, this was normal. It was just a courtesan’s contract—overreacting would only make Yue Yang seem petty.

Seeing Yue Yang put away the contract, Qian Neng smiled: “It’s just a small token. If Your Lordship desires, they say even acquiring all the top courtesans on the Qinhuai River for you would not be impossible.”

“Ha ha ha…” Yue Yang laughed heartily. Clearly, his recent actions on the Qinhuai River had not gone unnoticed. People assumed that because he had redeemed three top courtesans in quick succession, he had a particular fondness for them and tried to use this to win his favor. They underestimated him.

Seeing Yue Yang laugh, Qian Neng also smiled. In his view, as long as Yue Yang accepted this contract, further negotiations might be possible, bringing him closer to his goal.

After a while, Yue Yang stopped laughing and said to Qian Neng: “Eunuch Qian, I do not speak falsehoods before a capable man. Let us lay everything on the table. I am a military man—I do not like roundabout ways. If a deal can be made, we will continue; if not, I will not waste my time.”

“Good! Marquis Yue is indeed forthright—truly a man of action!” Qian Neng cackled in his nasal voice. Once he had laughed enough, he spoke: “Since Your Lordship is so candid, I shall speak plainly. Yesterday, a rumor spread throughout Jinling: that Your Lordship intends to transport Shanxi’s refined salt to Jinling for sale. This frightened the salt merchants in the area. Many came to my residence, pleading for me to intercede. I chastised them, saying how could Your Lordship compete with such small fry for profit? Yet they would not listen and begged me to seek favor for them from Your Lordship. Thus, I have taken the liberty to come today. Might Your Lordship graciously spare a path for these salt merchants?”

Though Qian Neng lowered himself and spoke humbly, Yue Yang did not underestimate this smiling eunuch, nor the salt merchants behind him. Yue Yang knew the business-minded always sought profit—this was only the first round. As the saying goes, “first courtesy, then force.” If negotiations failed, more severe measures would follow.

Yue Yang glanced at Duke Wei, who had been silent. Seeing him nervously twist his beard, Yue Yang sneered: “Duke Wei, what is your opinion on this matter?”

Duke Wei felt awkward. He and Yue Yang had previously agreed on cooperation, with Duke Wei taking forty percent of the profits. This was not free money—his top priority was ensuring the salt shop operated smoothly. If he failed, Yue Yang would certainly turn against him. Clearing his throat, Duke Wei said, “Well… in my view, anyone can do this business. Jinling has so many salt merchants—one more is hardly a problem, Eunuch Qian.”

Qian Neng was nearly infuriated. What a ridiculous comment! Speaking as if this were a simple tofu stall on the street. Yue Yang was no ordinary salt trader. He monopolized Shanxi’s refined salt market, backed by tens of thousands of elite troops. If he entered Jinling’s salt trade, it would likely force the local merchants to change trades within two years.

Last night, over ten salt merchants had come crying to him for help. Initially, Qian Neng wanted no part of this, but their pleas and the stack of silver notes persuaded him. Still, he knew this task was a hot potato—any ordinary person would have been thrown into the river or used to grow lotus. But facing Duke Wei’s centuries-old authority and Yue Yang’s regional power, the merchants had no choice but to petition Qian Neng.

Now seeing Duke Wei trying to play diplomacy, Qian Neng was displeased. He snapped, “Old Duke Wei, in principle, you are correct: the world is full of money, and one more salt merchant is no matter. But if Marquis Yue agrees to follow the rules, then what harm is one more merchant in Jinling?”

“Follow the rules?” Yue Yang’s gaze turned sharp as he looked at Qian Neng. “Eunuch Qian, what rules are these?”

“Well…” Qian Neng hesitated before replying, “In commerce, the salt merchants of Jinling believe that it is acceptable for Your Lordship to sell refined salt here—but all the salt must be sold to them, and at their set prices. This way, you need only focus on transport, while the sales are handled for you. You simply collect your profits—it’s advantageous, isn’t it?”

“Ha…” Yue Yang almost laughed in disbelief. Transporting salt to Jinling and being forced to sell it all to the local merchants at their price? This would allow them to dictate terms and give him a rock-bottom price. At best, he would make mere labor money. These merchants were arrogantly overestimating themselves. Who did they think they were? Kings of Heaven?

“So, I should thank these merchants, then?” Yue Yang said with a wry smile instead of anger.

“Well… that is the collective decision of Jinling’s salt merchants. I am merely a messenger,” Qian Neng said awkwardly, aware the condition was unreasonable.

Yue Yang’s smile faded. “Eunuch Qian, tell those merchants this: in business, one must rely on one’s own ability. If they think I’m easy to bully, let them come try—it remains to be seen if I can hold my ground here. We shall see how the story unfolds.”

Then Yue Yang stood and said to Duke Wei, “Old Duke Wei, I have delivered the cannons today, so I will not linger. Later, someone will handle the handover with you. As for our previous discussion, reflect on it—your choice will determine the path forward. I will not tarry further. Farewell!” With that, he strode away decisively.

Watching him leave, everyone was dumbfounded—he simply left without hesitation. Qian Neng, furious, shouted, “Arrogant! We must report this to the Emperor!”

Duke Wei looked on dismissively. Qian Neng was only being loud afterward; he dared not speak this way while Yue Yang was present. Besides, the state monopoly on salt and iron had long been ineffective. Even combined outside Shanxi, annual salt taxes amounted to less than five thousand taels—truly laughable. Hoping the Emperor would intervene? The merchants’ losses were the Emperor’s delight.

The meeting ended in discord, and news quickly spread in Jinling. Many felt the situation was spinning out of control.

Yuelai Inn, Jinling

Since the cannons had been handed over, the troops stationed to guard them at the dock were no longer needed. Except for 300 gunners who stayed to train new recruits, the remaining 500 personal guards moved into the inn. Given the numbers, Yue Yang had reserved the entire inn for their accommodation.

Inside, Yue Yang, Mao Xiang, and Chen Zhenhui were present.

“Marquis, did Eunuch Qian really say that?” Chen Zhenhui asked, looking serious.

“It’s true—but Qian Neng is merely the messenger. The real decision-makers are the salt merchants themselves. I see they’ve lost their minds, thinking we are easy prey,” Yue Yang said, frowning, angered by the merchants’ unreasonable conditions.

Chen Zhenhui comforted him, “Marquis, do not be troubled. Salt merchants in Jiangnan are all like this. If we go to Yangzhou or Suzhou and Hangzhou, they are even more arrogant. There, they would not just send someone to negotiate—they would come straight to demand.”

“Deliver an ultimatum?” Yue Yang’s eyes widened, then he sneered. “I’d like to see such merchants.”

The atmosphere grew tense. Though Yue Yang spoke boldly, he worried. Jinling was far from Shanxi, and if the merchants wanted to sabotage the operation, they had many ways. He could not stay here indefinitely—his affairs at home required attention.

At that moment, Li Xiangjun brought a tray of tea to the three. Unlike her usual ornate attire, today she wore a simple plain gauze dress, with no jewelry, and a single white jade hairpin holding her hair, resembling an ordinary woman from the marketplace.

Chen Zhenhui and Mao Xiang quickly stood and bowed in thanks, mindful that she was now a concubine of a marquis, not merely a courtesan.

Li Xiangjun smiled, served the tea, bowed, and departed.

Mao Xiang sipped his tea and frowned. “It seems these Jinling salt merchants will not relent, and Duke Wei is hesitant. Marquis, you must be prepared.”

“Yes, I see it,” Yue Yang sighed. “Duke Wei’s hesitation is understandable—he offended many merchants at once. Even with his rank, it is difficult. That explains his reluctance.”

Chen Zhenhui asked anxiously, “Then Marquis, shall we still proceed with the salt trade?”

Yue Yang closed his eyes to think, then opened them and said firmly, “Yes! Why not? You’ve seen Shanxi’s situation—we need vast funds for rapid development, and the silver coins we mint require substantial silver. The northern route has reached a bottleneck; growth will be slow. Expanding into a new market is imperative. Jinling, as an ancient capital, has a far larger market. Once we open the salt route here, we will not worry about silver for the next ten years. This salt trade is set—anyone who dares block us will regret it!”

Seeing Yue Yang’s determined expression, Mao Xiang and Chen Zhenhui exchanged glances and said together, “We are ready to follow Your Lordship’s orders!”

“Good!” Yue Yang nodded. “Yizhi, write immediately to the northern route—tell them to load the first batch of refined salt onto ships and transport it to Jinling within half a month. I want to see who dares obstruct our profits.”

Mao Xiang hesitated, “Should we inform Duke Wei?”

“No need,” Yue Yang shook his head. “Old Duke Wei wants to profit without effort. Once the salt arrives, we’ll release it to the market and see who dares block us.”

“Understood!” Mao Xiang and Chen Zhenhui answered in unison.

“Marquis, someone is requesting an audience outside!” At that moment, Chen Dazhi’s voice came from the door.

“Someone?” Yue Yang paused. “Who are they?”

“They didn’t say, only gave me this—saying you will know,” Chen Dazhi stepped in and handed a wooden placard to Yue Yang.

Yue Yang’s expression changed slightly. “So it’s them. Let them wait in the adjacent room—I’ll be there immediately.”

With that, Yue Yang strode out decisively.