TGCFNM -Chapter 230 May Your Wishes Be Fulfilled

Wan Sanjin was silent for quite a while before saying, “I didn’t expect Your Excellency to understand my elder brother even better than I do.”

Chu Ling sighed. “It’s not that I understand him. It’s that your elder brother is very ambitious. Can’t you see that?”

Or perhaps it was because she had originally been a reader, so she already knew what kind of personality Wan Xing had in the book?

Wan Sanjin immediately widened his eyes and retorted, “My elder brother just likes doing business. He’s an extremely, extremely good brother.”

Chu Ling pressed her lips together, stood up, and prepared to head outside for the banquet.

Wan Sanjin also stood and called after her, “My elder brother… nothing will happen to him, right?”

Chu Ling turned back and looked at him seriously. “Even if something happens to the rest of us, nothing will happen to your elder brother.”

Wan Sanjin scratched his head. “That seems true. I’ve never seen my elder brother fail at anything.”

Chu Ling pulled the door open in one swift motion. “Let’s go. Eat!”

Wan Sanjin cheered, “Eat!”

—

After finishing his social engagements, Wan Xing did not return to the yamen. Instead, he checked into Fulai Inn. The inn began turning away outside guests, hanging up a sign to prevent disturbances.

Steward Zhu carried a bowl of sobering soup to the door and knocked lightly. “Young Master.”

Wan Xing gave a faint hum in response, and Steward Zhu pushed the door open and entered.

Wan Xing was reclining sideways on a soft couch, eyes closed in feigned rest. His expression was languid and relaxed. Though his face was slightly flushed, the smell of alcohol wasn’t heavy.

Steward Zhu set the sobering soup aside, pulled over a chair, and carefully recounted everything Chu Ling had discussed with him that day.

Wan Xing suddenly opened his eyes, amusement flickering in them. “That magistrate is truly remarkable.”

Steward Zhu said respectfully, “Magistrate Chu is indeed capable and farsighted. I’ve thought it over as well. With the financial strength of our Wan family, swallowing up all the fertile fields would not be a problem. And I believe the Young Master would agree.”

Wan Xing nodded slightly. “Magistrate Chu has indeed helped me greatly—he’s pushed my plan forward by a substantial step, and a very steady one at that.”

“Young Master, shall I have our people begin preparations?” Steward Zhu asked.

Wan Xing gave a small wave of his hand. “This matter cannot be rushed. Our first priority should be to secure the shops. Then, both openly and discreetly, we spread our business through them. After that, we start approaching the other great families and enter into joint ventures.”

After considering this carefully, Steward Zhu asked, “So we’re sticking to the original plan—first obtain evidence that those noble families are selling private salt?”

Wan Xing nodded. “Yes. First, gather the evidence and send it back to the capital. Make them uneasy. Then spread word about the tax investigation. Once panic sets in, they’ll have no choice but to sell their fertile fields to plug the gaps.”

Steward Zhu thought it through and said, “So we can drive down the price?”

Resting his chin on his hand, Wan Xing nodded slowly. “I’m not some fool to be taken advantage of. Why would I willingly pay extra for those fields? Magistrate Chu is a benevolent person. I’m a businessman. A businessman’s priority is profit—not loss.”

Joy appeared on Steward Zhu’s face. “Young Master has thought it through thoroughly.” He then handed over the now-cooled sobering soup.

“Oh, Young Master,” Steward Zhu added, “the artisans have successfully produced the Fuyun Silk. The fabric is as light as clouds—soft and faintly translucent, like drifting clouds in motion. Shall we deliver it to the palace as agreed?”

Wan Xing slowly pushed himself upright and drained the sobering soup in one gulp.

“No need. It would be a waste,” Wan Xing said, handing the bowl back.

Steward Zhu received it, surprised. “We’re no longer currying favor with the palace?”

“Three days ago, a batch of attendants serving before the throne were dealt with. Someone saw blood on His Majesty’s robe,” Wan Xing said, his gaze darkening.

Steward Zhu gasped. “Does that mean…”

Wan Xing gave a heavy hum in response. The struggle for succession had truly reached a critical juncture now—it would all depend on who ultimately ascended the throne.

Steward Zhu lowered his voice. “Should we start stockpiling white cloth, then?”

Wan Xing nodded. “Stockpile them. All kinds of materials. Keep the prices unchanged—don’t give other merchants any opportunity.”

“Yes, Young Master,” Steward Zhu replied, bowing before withdrawing.

Wan Xing rubbed his brow. There was little to worry about within Great Zhou’s borders. What concerned him more was whether Great Yuan might seize the opportunity to invade… It seemed some chess pieces needed to be moved. He would have to test the waters first.

—

The next day.

Wan Xing arrived at the yamen with gifts, accompanied by Steward Zhu.

Xiao Hua warmly welcomed them inside, pouring tea and even sending Zhang Dong to buy pastries.

“Miss Xiao Hua, no need to fuss. We’re practically family—there’s no need for such courtesy,” Wan Xing said with a smile, gesturing for Steward Zhu to present the gift.

Xiao Hua accepted it and discovered it was another metal glove. Her eyes lit up at once. “Brother Wan, I knew being good to you was the right choice. We all depend on you to support us, and your gifts are always so nice!”

Wan Xing blinked in surprise. “Depend on me to support you?”

Xiao Hua nodded immediately. “Neither our lord nor Master Wan receives a salary. We all withdraw money from Tiansheng Grand Bank to use.”

Wan Xing couldn’t help laughing. “Your lord owns a silver mine. There’s still some silver to be had.”

Xiao Hua let out a relieved sigh. “That’s good, then.”

Steward Zhu set the gift down on the stone table and curiously asked, “Where is your lord? And our young master? And Young Master Su? Are none of them here?”

Xiao Hua placed her hands on her hips in irritation. “The Qi residence was sealed, but thieves snuck in during the night. So early this morning, our lord went over there with Master Wan and Coroner Su.”

“Oh,” Steward Zhu responded, then asked again, “What about Young Master Fu? Doesn’t he reside at the yamen?”

“Young Master Fu went to Danbo Academy Hall to teach. I hear it’s been very lively there these past two days—students from the surrounding areas have even climbed over the walls just to sit in on his lectures,” Xiao Hua said.

Steward Zhu sighed in admiration. “Young Master Fu truly deserves the title of the foremost gentleman under heaven. His learning is beyond compare.”

“You flatter me, Steward Zhu.”

Fu Qingyu stepped in from outside, a faint smile on his face. He inclined his head slightly toward Wan Xing. “Young Master Wan has arrived.”

Wan Xing rose and invited him to sit, smiling as he asked, “Wasn’t it said you went out to teach?”

“I heard the Qi residence was robbed and felt somewhat concerned,” Fu Qingyu replied, not elaborating, and instead shifted the topic. “Young Master Wan, have you come for business this time?”

Wan Xing nodded with a smile. “As a businessman, I naturally come for business. And what brings Young Master Fu here?”

Fu Qingyu smiled wryly. “I originally came to celebrate my enlightenment teacher’s birthday. Who would have thought that teacher would turn out to be a sanctimonious hypocrite?”

Wan Xing suddenly burst into laughter. “I had thought Young Master Fu the cleverest man under heaven. I didn’t expect even you could be deceived.”

Fu Qingyu responded with a helpless smile. “You overpraise me, Young Master Wan. How could I be called the cleverest under heaven? I’ve only read a few more books than most. I can hardly compare to your breadth of experience and knowledge.”

Wan Xing lifted his teacup and blew lightly over the floating leaves, asking casually, “I came from the capital. There’s widespread talk that Young Master Fu will participate in next year’s Spring Examination. I wonder if that is true?”

“It is,” Fu Qingyu replied frankly. “My grandfather believes I should give it a try.”

Wan Xing set down his cup and said with mild regret, “If you take the Spring Examination, you will surely succeed. Once you enter officialdom, you won’t have the freedom you have now.”

Fu Qingyu lowered his gaze slightly, looking at the teacup before him. “Are you free, Young Master Wan?”

Wan Xing shook his head with a bitter smile. “I’m constantly busy with business—where would freedom come from?”

Fu Qingyu slowly raised his head. “Freedom lies in the heart, not on the surface. If I wish to be free, then I am free.”

Wan Xing chuckled softly and raised his cup. “Then I wish Young Master Fu—may you obtain what you desire.”

Fu Qingyu lifted his cup in return. “And I hope Young Master Wan may find a little more freedom as well.”