Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 113 Guessed Correctly
Xie Yuyan's expression caught Wang Yan's eye.

As if suddenly struck by something, without any warning, a pair of clear eyes, like lake water blown open, finally revealing the color of the lakebed.

Her slightly pursed lips and bright face gave her a somewhat naive appearance.

Although it was different from usual, she didn't want to hide it.

What's wrong with showing off this rare joy to others?

The unbridled spirit in her bones, like the flowers and plants growing in summer, is full of vitality.

Xie Yuyan knew that Wang Yan was watching her. At times, Wang Yan would pay extra attention to her actions, as if trying to find out something from them.

She let him look, unafraid of being watched by a clever man. At least for now, her thoughts and what she revealed did not contradict Wang Yan.

He could see through her to some extent, and so could she.
Those who share the same thoughts will find it much easier to work together or get along, as there is less of a barrier between them.

Moreover, Wang Yan is indeed handsome; at least you won't get tired of looking at him after a while.

The county magistrate dared not offend He Tan. Since He Tan spoke up for Madam Xie, he could only apologize, saying, "It was all our oversight." If it weren't for the Xie family, they wouldn't have come to Sanhe Village for two consecutive days.

Xie Chongjun was truly foolish to openly frame Madam Xie. He had taken advantage of the fact that He Tan and the others were not in Daming Prefecture and wanted to bribe the county government to achieve his goal.

Now that He Tan has returned to the city and seen all this, even if they didn't accept bribes from the Xie family, it will probably be difficult for them to explain themselves clearly.

The county magistrate's eyes flickered, and he and He Tan took a few steps to the side: "The county magistrate originally did not want to pay any attention to the Xie family, but... someone from above has inquired, so he had no choice but to come..."

The county magistrate's assistant may seem to be speaking up for the county magistrate, but he actually wants to extricate himself from the situation.

He Tan looked at Xie Yuyan. This time, Madam Xie's discovery brought him a lot of unexpected joy.

After the two finished speaking, Wang Yan summoned the people from the Salt and Iron Bureau to inquire.

"The two generals have taken their men to collect the land in the north of the city," the soldier said. "I heard that Xie Chongjun is also there, and the generals are going to arrest him as well."

He Tan smiled and said, "It seems that we have nothing to do with this." Lady Xie really didn't want to ask them for help. Even if they didn't return to Daming Prefecture, she could handle everything herself.

“There is one more matter,” Xie Yuyan said, looking at the county magistrate and He Tan. “I am willing to offer the land of Sanhe Village to the imperial court, but the villagers need to be properly resettled.”

“Sure,” He Tan said first, looking at the county magistrate.

The county magistrate said, "If this land is urgently needed now, we will find other houses to house the villagers. After the spring planting, if Sanhe Village wants to rebuild its houses, they can apply for bricks and timber at the government office."

The villagers of Sanhe Village nearby were overjoyed upon hearing this.

The land for them to stay was provided by Madam Xie, and the imperial court would also provide bricks and timber, which would save them a lot of money when building their houses.

With the matter settled in Sanhe Village, the county magistrate and his entourage were now heading to the outskirts of the northern city.

Xie Yuyan didn't rush to leave; she still had some things to tell Shi Yongniang.

As Xie Yuyan walked toward Shi Yong's house, she noticed that Wang Yan had followed her.

Upon seeing this, Shi Yongniang quickly took a few steps.

"How much money did Madam Xie earn this time?"

Xie Yuyan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Not much, six thousand strings of cash."

“That’s a good plan,” Wang Yan said, “but it’s a pity we’ve run into the Xie family.”

How much money Xie Yuyan can earn depends not on the value of the land in Beicheng, but on how much Xie Chongjun can afford.

Xie Yuyan said, "The next one will be better." Only by standing high enough can you encounter more formidable opponents and gain more.

Big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp, and when you eat the shrimp meat, you still think it's too small.

Wang Yan continued, "If you want to do business with the Wang family, Madam, you can speak frankly with me."

Looking into Wang Yan's slightly deep eyes, Xie Yuyan suddenly smiled: "In this respect, you are not as good as your younger brother."

Wang Yan stopped in his tracks.

Xie Yuyan said, "Your younger brother is intelligent and kind, and he is young and obedient. If we were to do business, we would naturally choose him. This is the nature of a merchant."

This describes him as aloof, older, and rebellious.
Wang Yan said, "I'm afraid that if he brings people, they won't be enough for my wife."

Xie Yuyan raised her eyes. Wang Yan said, "Once the lotus root charcoal spreads throughout Daliang, Madam will need to control a large quantity of it to maintain overall control. Therefore, having more merchants involved will be more beneficial for Madam."

"Besides that, I guess Madam Xie also wants to sell lotus root charcoal in Daming Prefecture. Lotus root charcoal comes from Daming Prefecture, which is also the place that Madam Xie can control best. How can she get crushed coal from other places to use?"

"The old lady gave away Sanhe Village and sold the land in the north city because she thought there were still places in the city where she could mine coal."

Xie Yuyan was somewhat curious whether Wang Yan could truly deduce what she was thinking: "Lord Wang, where do you think there are still mines?"

The two had already entered the Shi family courtyard. Shi Yong's mother stood at the door of the house, unsure whether to invite them in or... In such cold weather, she was genuinely worried that her eldest daughter-in-law would catch a cold.

To everyone's surprise, Madam Xie didn't say anything, but Clerk Wang stepped into the house.

Xie Yuyan looked at the somewhat reserved Shi Yongniang and said, "Just boil some hot water to serve our guests."

Mother Yu stepped forward to lift the curtain, and Xie Yuyan also entered the room. When she looked up, she saw Wang Yan standing in front of the table.

Xie Yuyan had just settled down here. Just now, she was in the house drawing patterns for Shi Yongniang to make some flowers, so that the women in the village could make some.

The previous dynasty had the custom of wearing flowers in one's hair, but at this time, wearing flowers in one's hair is not yet popular. The styles of raw flowers sold in the shops are old-fashioned and ordinary. Xie Yuyan had some cloth in her hands, which was most suitable for making raw flowers. She left most of the cloth in the Yang clan and gave a few bolts to Sanhe Village.

She will have a great use for these fresh flowers later.

I never expected Wang Yan to see it.

However, it was just a few flower patterns, and Wang Yan couldn't possibly deduce anything more from them. Even if he had some guesses, it wouldn't matter.

Xie Yuyan waited for a moment, but Wang Yan did not turn around.

"Lord Wang."

Xie Yuyan called out softly, and Wang Yan seemed to only then come back to his senses. He moved slightly, reached out and took out a brush, dipped it in ink, and then took out a piece of paper...

Xie Yuyan walked to the table, and what was written on the paper came into view.

Wang Yan drew a map of Daming Prefecture.

Xie Yuyan and Wang Yan looked at each other. His gaze remained clear, but after seeing her reflection, a slight ripple appeared in his eyes. This change was fleeting, making it impossible to be sure if it had actually happened.

“You and the Xie family have both sent people to survey mineral deposits in Daming Prefecture,” Wang Yan continued. “We should be able to find where there are coal mines.”

"The fact that the Xie family bought the land outside the North City shows that no other mineral deposits have been discovered."

"Therefore, even if some escaped the net, they wouldn't be in an easy place to find them."

"Furthermore, if you go to such great lengths to sell land to the Xie family, and if broken coal is discovered again in Daming Prefecture, the master family will probably offer a high price. You won't let that happen."

"The two plots of land you recently acquired are both in the southern part of the city. It's too easy to find out if there are any mineral deposits underground. They won't escape the Xie family's notice."

"But you don't buy land casually."

"After much consideration, this is the most likely place," Wang Yan pointed to a spot, "next to these two plots of land..."

Baode Temple.

If usable broken coal is found in the temple, the abbot will not raise the price like a merchant. With Xie Yuyan's abilities, he can always find a way to persuade the abbot.

Once the abbot agrees to sell the crushed coal, the land Xie Yuyan purchased in advance can be used to make lotus root charcoal.

Am I right?

A look of surprise flashed across Xie Yuyan's face. She really hadn't expected Wang Yan to guess so easily.

“I can introduce you to the abbot,” Wang Yan turned around, “but Madam also needs to give me something.”

Xie Yuyan could go directly to see the abbot, but if she didn't agree, it was hard to guarantee that Wang Yan wouldn't stop her.

"What does Lord Wang want?"

Wang Yan picked up a piece of paper from the table: "This is a design of a flower."

"Is Madam willing to part with it?"

(End of this chapter)