Chapter 512: Sang Zhi Secretly Leaves the Palace
Whether Xi Fengying would launch a war against Beili upon returning to Xi Yan was his greatest worry.
The Xi Yan Imperial Family was a truly troublesome entity. The direct descendants of their clan were all connected; if one died, the others would sense it. That was why he had only imprisoned them, never daring to make a move.
"Secretly dispatch men to follow the Xi Yan contingent. Report immediately if you notice anything unusual," the Beili Emperor said in a heavy tone.
"Yes."
"Your Majesty, the wind is strong at the city gates. We should return to the Imperial Palace now," Mr. Li said, stepping forward.
"Mm."
The Beili Emperor turned and suddenly noticed a train of horse-drawn carts, laden with goods, arriving below the city gate. The man in the lead appeared to be Li Mu, the head of the Imperial Merchants whom he had personally appointed a few days prior.
"Go and bring him here."
Mr. Li turned to look, then nodded. "Yes."
The Beili Emperor’s gaze fell upon the dozen or so carriages in the rear. He thought of the Gu family’s fortune and narrowed his eyes slightly. ’Business truly is profitable,’ he mused. ’If that much wealth were used to recruit soldiers and buy horses, the consequences would be unthinkable.’
’If all of Beili’s commerce could be used to fill the national treasury, how could Beili fail to grow stronger?’
"Your Majesty." Li Mu followed Mr. Li, hurrying over to kneel and bow.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Li Mu rose.
"What goods are you transporting down there?"
"In response to Your Majesty, they are bolts of cloth from Sui State. Some are for the textile shops, while the finer materials are destined for the Imperial Palace."
"Mm. How is the handover from Gu Shuo proceeding? Have any discrepancies appeared in the ledgers?" the Beili Emperor asked.
"Your servant has just finished verifying last year’s ledgers two days ago, and there were no discrepancies in the accounts. I am currently reviewing the ledgers from the year before. If I find any irregularities, I will report them to Your Majesty immediately."
"There’s no need to check the ledgers from the year before that. We trust Gu Shuo. Among the Gu family, he is the most gifted. He started the business and earned a great fortune in two years, filling our national treasury," the Beili Emperor said with praise in his voice.
Li Mu lowered his gaze. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Li Mu, We have had Our eye on you for some time. You are naturally intelligent and quick-witted, no less capable than Gu Shuo. That is why We personally appointed you to take over the Imperial Merchants. Are you confident you can expand their operations?" the Beili Emperor asked, staring at him.
Li Mu’s heart leaped with joy, and he immediately knelt. "This subject will do his utmost to expand the Imperial Merchants and will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty’s profound grace."
"Excellent. We believe in your abilities. We trust that you will make the Imperial Merchants the number one business in Beili." The Beili Emperor’s eyes shone brightly, revealing his ambition.
Li Mu looked up and met the Beili Emperor’s ambitious gaze. His heart lurched. ’The Emperor wants to knock the Gu family from their position as the top merchant business.’
"Are you confident?" the Beili Emperor asked, his sharp eyes fixed on him.
Li Mu snapped back to his senses, his voice ringing out clearly. "I am confident! I will ensure the Imperial Merchants dominate all commerce in Beili!"
"Good." The Beili Emperor was extremely pleased. "When that day comes, We will personally host a banquet in your honor."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." A fire was lit within Li Mu.
"You are young and bold. Go forth and act without restraint. We will have your back."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
With the Emperor’s words, Li Mu’s heart surged with excitement. He understood the Emperor’s intentions.
’The Imperial Merchants have the Emperor behind them, unlike those common traders. The world belongs to the Imperial Family, so its commerce must be led by the Imperial Family as well.’
’The Beili Emperor liked intelligent people, but he was even fonder of those who employed firm methods. The process didn’t matter; what was important was a satisfactory result.’
"Your Majesty, I recently discovered that a few days ago, Prince Yu of Nanyuan went to the Water Mirror Platform to see Gu Shuo. The two seemed to be discussing a business partnership," Li Mu suddenly recalled.
"A business partnership with Nanyuan?"
"Yes. Gu Shuo seems to want to purchase Nanyuan’s seafood, but they disagreed on the price. The deal has not yet been finalized."
"’So, Gu Shuo still wants to pursue business after resigning from the Imperial Merchants,’ the Beili Emperor mused, narrowing his eyes slightly. ’What profit is there in importing seafood from Nanyuan? Do you know what price they disagreed on?’"
’Gu Shuo has a sharp mind for business. The journey to Nanyuan is long, and seafood doesn’t fetch a high price in any of the kingdoms. Why would he set his sights on Nanyuan?’
"Twenty copper coins per jin of seafood. The Nanyuan monarch wanted to raise the price, so Gu Shuo abandoned the deal. Prince Yu, however, pestered him relentlessly. In the end, Gu Shuo agreed to purchase it at Nanyuan’s domestic selling price, on the condition that Prince Yu could make the final decision. If Prince Yu can’t, the deal will likely fall through." Li Mu recounted in detail what he had overheard that day.
The Beili Emperor stroked his beard, silent. ’Twenty copper coins per jin for seafood would be an astronomical price here in Beili,’ he thought. ’And the Nanyuan monarch wants to raise it even higher?’
’What is Nanyuan hiding? What gives their monarch the leverage to demand a higher price?’
’It seems We will have to send someone to investigate.’
’This deal of Gu Shuo’s seems enormous. He only managed the Imperial Merchants for a little over two years, and he didn’t receive a share of the Gu family fortune. Where did he get the money to swallow Nanyuan’s entire seafood supply whole?’
’And at twenty copper coins per jin, no less. The annual yield of Nanyuan’s seafood is immense. That would amount to a countless fortune in gold and silver!’
’Seeing the Emperor’s expression, Li Mu figured he must be growing suspicious of Gu Shuo. He had always believed it was impossible for Gu Shuo to have managed the imperial business for so long without lining his own pockets.’
’If the Emperor sends someone to investigate, they’re sure to find some dirt on Gu Shuo.’
After a long moment, the Beili Emperor asked, "Did Prince Yu concede to a price of eight copper coins per jin for the seafood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Keep an eye on Gu Shuo. If he truly takes this deal, We want you to snatch it away from him before any contract is signed. Can you do it?"
Li Mu was taken aback. ’Shouldn’t the Emperor be sending men to investigate whether Gu Shuo has been taking bribes?’
"What is it?"
"N-nothing... This servant is merely curious as to why Your Majesty also wishes to partner with Nanyuan."
"Gu Shuo never engages in unprofitable ventures. He wouldn’t want to acquire Nanyuan’s seafood for no reason. There must be a path to profit in it. You should be able to understand why We want you to disrupt his plans." The Beili Emperor wasn’t being entirely direct.
Li Mu was also an intelligent man. After a moment’s thought, he nodded. "This servant understands. But if Gu Shuo refuses to back down, does Your Majesty truly intend to purchase Nanyuan’s seafood?"
The Beili Emperor mused, "We will decide on that matter later."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You are dismissed."
"This servant takes his leave." Li Mu retreated a few steps, then turned and descended from the city wall.
The Beili Emperor turned his gaze toward the city below. ’The Gu family diversifying its assets is good for the Imperial Merchants. There aren’t many sharp minds in this generation of the Gus. It’s only a matter of time before the Imperial Merchants push their businesses out of the market.’
’Gu Shuo is the one who gives Us the most trouble. In just two short years, We have witnessed his talent. The moment he resigns from the Imperial Merchants, he immediately sets his sights on Nanyuan. It’s all happening too fast.’
"Guards! Go and investigate how many businesses Gu Shuo has to his name."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Also, have someone investigate this business deal between Nanyuan and Gu Shuo. Find out what’s really going on," the Beili Emperor ordered, feeling deeply uneasy.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A Hidden Guard departed from the shadows.
The Beili Emperor’s eyes were dark and profound. Ever since the birthday banquet, bizarre events had been occurring one after another, and not a single one had gone his way.
「Below the city wall, in a teahouse.」
Ye Qianning sat in a corner. She was quite small, and with the teahouse so crowded, she was completely hidden from view from the outside.