20demayo Chapter 35 Agreement Reached
Chapter 35 Agreement Reached
In the capital, on the east side of the imperial city, deep within an inconspicuous courtyard house, lies Wang Tiqian's private residence.
Compared to Liu Cheng's ostentatious behavior in Tianjin, the residence of this Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Palace Attendants appeared remarkably low-key, even somewhat shabby. But only those in the know truly understood the immense power and wealth hidden beneath these seemingly simple blue bricks and gray tiles.
Inside the warm pavilion, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.
Wang Tiqian was wearing a loose Taoist robe and toying with the "Magpie Bringing Good News" clock that Lu Yan had given him.
"when--!"
As the hour struck, a golden magpie sprang out and kowtowed three times crisply. A satisfied smile finally appeared on Wang Tiqian's perpetually taut face.
"Interesting." Wang Tiqian put down his cup and turned his gaze to Lu Yan, who was standing respectfully below him. "His Majesty has been troubled lately. Although this thing is a strange and ingenious craft, it has a good meaning and is finely made. You've put a lot of thought into it, lad."
"It is my honor to win a smile from His Majesty." Lu Yan bowed slightly, his attitude respectful but not obsequious.
"Alright, enough with the formalities."
Wang Tiqian waved his hand and picked up the "Analysis Chart of Loss Nodes in Imperial Timber Logistics" drawn by Lu Yan from the table. "I've seen this chart. It's clearly drawn, and the accounts are even clearer. That scoundrel Liu Cheng praised you to the skies in his letter, saying that you settled his messy accounts in Tianjin perfectly. It seems that you really do know how to manage a business."
He raised his eyelids, his gaze sharp as a hawk's: "But you must understand, although you handled the Zhangjiawan wharf matter efficiently and helped us transport that batch of gold bricks in, that was just a small matter. Are you trying to use this credit to secure the major task of procuring imperial timber?"
Lu Yan felt a chill run down his spine. He knew the crucial moment had arrived.
"The students dare not."
Lu Yan stepped forward, his tone sincere, "The procurement of imperial timber is a matter of great importance to the nation, involving the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the inner court, where interests are intertwined. If I, a mere commoner, were to suddenly take over, I fear I would be crushed to dust by those powerful figures, and would only cause trouble for you, Your Excellency."
Wang Tiqian raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Oh? This is an immense fortune, and you don't want it?"
"I want to eat, but I can't."
Lu Yan spoke frankly, "I came to the capital this time to seek a 'path,' not to seek 'death.' The matter of Huang Mu is far too complicated; a single hair can have far-reaching consequences, and I am still too fragile."
"So what do you want?" Wang Tiqian asked, intrigued. This young man was even more clear-headed and composed than he had imagined.
"The student wants to ask the father-in-law for a plaque."
Lu Yan took out a prepared document from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "I have some carriages and ships in Shandong and would like to set up an 'Inner Court Supplies Transfer Office' in Jinan Prefecture. All goods from the south purchased by the palace, specialties from Liaodong, or urgent items like the gold bricks this time can be transported by my caravan."
He didn't directly ask for royal timber, but instead opted for a "logistics general contracting" qualification.
"Transfer station?" Wang Tiqian flipped open the folded document and looked at it, a playful smile playing on his lips. "Are you trying to use the Imperial Household Department's name to run a unique business on the canal?"
"It's to share the burden with the eunuch and also to save money for the inner court."
Lu Yan said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Please look, Your Excellency. This document clearly states that all goods bearing the 'Transportation Office' banner will have a loss rate of no more than 0.5%. If it exceeds this rate, I will fully compensate for it. Furthermore, I am willing to pay 20,000 taels of 'tribute silver' to the Imperial Household Department annually as affiliation fees."
Twenty thousand taels.
Wang Tiqian's fingers tapped lightly on the table. This amount of money wasn't much for the Imperial Household Department, but it was still an extra source of income. More importantly, this "transfer office" didn't require him to contribute a single penny, nor did it require him to bear any responsibility; it was purely free money.
Moreover, after the battle at Zhangjiawan, he realized the fighting strength of Lu Yan's team. In this chaotic world, having a capable and efficient logistics team is sometimes more useful than money.
"You're a smart person."
Wang Tiqian closed the folding book, his gaze becoming profound. "The Ministry of Works is keeping a close eye on the matter of the imperial timber, so it's really not appropriate for me to interfere directly. His Majesty's plan to build the three main halls in the future is another matter. Right now, setting up the framework of this 'transfer station' is not a bad move."
He took out an ivory waist token from the drawer, then took out a blank kanhe stamped with the seal of the Directorate of Palace Attendants, and threw it to Lu Yan.
"We approve of this."
Wang Tiqian said calmly, "Here's the plaque for 'Assisting the Imperial Court in Procurement of Jinan Prefecture.' From now on, whenever you travel within the Shandong and Beizhili regions, as long as you're on official business for the palace, just show this plaque, and no one will dare stop you."
"but……"
Wang Tiqian's tone shifted abruptly, becoming icy, "Remember this, this plaque is a loan, not a gift. If you act recklessly outside under the guise of the inner court, or if even a single cent of the annual 20,000 taels of silver is short..."
"The student understands."
Lu Yan accepted the waist token and the talisman with both hands, feeling a slight heaviness in his palms. This was the "talisman" he had longed for, and the foundation for his survival in this chaotic world.
"I'm a businessman, and I value my reputation. As long as you, Father-in-law, can provide support, I will definitely handle this task perfectly and will never let you down."
"Alright, go ahead." Wang Tiqian waved his hand, looking somewhat tired. "Keep an eye on Liu Cheng's side. Shandong is a good place; don't let him cause trouble for our family."
"Students take their leave."
Lu Yan respectfully withdrew from the warm pavilion.
The moment he stepped out of the Wang residence, the cool autumn breeze on his face instantly calmed his feverish mind.
He glanced back at the two tightly closed vermilion doors and breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he didn't receive the imperial edict authorizing the procurement of timber, this "materials coordinator" plaque was enough. With it, he could legitimately build an armed fleet on the canal, legally transport contraband such as ironware and gunpowder, and even establish his own independent kingdom in Jinan Prefecture.
"Royal Wood..."
Lu Yan silently repeated these two words in his heart.
He knew that, based on the course of history, in two years, due to the Ministry of Works' poor procurement, a large amount of imperial timber would be stockpiled in Linqing, causing the project to come to a standstill. That would be the time for him to truly step in and turn the tide.
Now, what he needs to do is go back to Shandong, weave that net even tighter, and sharpen the knife even more.
"Master, is it done?" Zhao Changying led his horse out of the shadows, his eyes full of anticipation.
"It's done."
Lu Yan mounted his horse, tied the ivory waist tag around his waist, and a confident smile appeared on his lips.
"Let's go back to Shandong. Our business is about to open."
The sound of horses' hooves shattered the tranquility of the capital city in the early morning.
This is not only the journey home, but also the starting point for Lu Yan's true rise in the twilight of this dynasty.