Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 149 Collusion
Sang Dian lowered the curtain and gently closed the door, keeping the wind and snow out.

The room suddenly became quiet.

Wang Yan turned to the table, picked up a few sheets of paper and handed them to Xie Yuyan: "Take a look at these people and the coal yard, pick out the ones you think are useful, and have them come to Daming Prefecture after New Year's Day."

This was an exchange proposed by Wang Yan after he took advantage of Wang Zheng.

Why should Xie Yuyan refuse something that benefits both sides? It's not difficult for her to pave this path, it just takes some effort. Right now, it's more important to make arrangements as soon as possible.

Moreover, without Wang Yan's prior screening of personnel, the Venerable Zhiyuan would have to travel around tirelessly, and since the Venerable Zhiyuan has difficulty walking, this would reduce his workload.

Xie Yuyan carefully examined it, wishing he could have it now...

"Would you like to see a map?"

One question revealed what was on her mind.

Whether it was discussing matters in the Chuigong Hall or listening to the government from the side of the two empress dowagers when he first entered the palace, he would refer to the map. Habits are hard to break.

In particular, Wang Yan had already unfolded the map.

It was a map exclusively for the imperial court, drawn with exquisite detail and clarity.

This familiar object evoked memories that Xie Yuyan had kept hidden deep in her mind. Her gaze first fell on Zhengding, Zhongshan, and Hejian, and then all sorts of things from her past lives surfaced before her eyes.

When Zhen Ding was besieged by the Northern Qi, Wang Huai led his troops to defend the city to the death, but in the end he was defeated. The Northern Qi army marched south and besieged the capital of Daliang. The war raged on and on, and Daliang's already fragile internal affairs became even more chaotic.

That battle yanked the Liang royal family and high-ranking officials out of their reverie.

That battle also completely exposed the weakness and incompetence of the Liang army.

Compared to fighting, the soldiers of Daliang were more adept at business and accumulating wealth.

They used the warships to transport their valuables, and before the Northern Qi troops even arrived, they panicked and fled.

The fall of Zhending shattered Wang Huai's confidence, and his ambitions of many years came to naught. He even dared not lead troops to face the Northern Qi army again, and the Wang family was destined to decline due to his cowardice and fear.

The capital was subsequently captured, and the officials and generals of Daliang became spies for Northern Qi.

Rather than saying that the disaster of the country began at this time, it would be more accurate to say that the seeds of disaster were sown decades ago.

The soldiers who should have been guarding the nation's borders were neglected in their training and used to transport goods and enrich their commanders. The court and the people supported them, yet they were preoccupied with pleasure. These people should have died long ago.

Those who betray us should be executed.

These people and their descendants are not worthy to be above the common people and to enjoy wealth and honor.

Xie Yuyan quickly looked away. After all, it was too far from Daming Prefecture to Zhengding. The coalfields could now extend to Xingzhou.

“I’ve heard that Xingzhou has many mineral deposits,” Xie Yuyan picked out a piece of paper and pointed to the map. “These mines look promising to me.”

Xie Yuyan handed it to Wang Yan.

When their eyes met, Xie Yuyan's gaze had become calm and indifferent, but in a single glance, he could see the turmoil deep within her pupils.

He took out the map to test the waters, and now he had gotten the result he wanted.

The maps used by the imperial court were extremely complex, yet she could find the corresponding locations at a glance, demonstrating her exceptional familiarity with them.

No more than five people in the Liang Dynasty could actually hold such a map.

There are also two more detailed maps, one in the Privy Council and one in the palace.

I wonder which one she was looking at before?
Wang Yan put away the map and instructed Sang Dian outside to bring in a hand warmer.

Xie Yuyan caught the heater and casually tucked it into his sleeve.

“Sir, there’s no need for such trouble,” Xie Yuyan said. “There’s a clay stove burning in the carriage.” Her implication was that she was about to leave.

“There’s still a distance to the carriage from here, and the wind and snow outside are getting fierce, so it’s bound to get chilly,” Wang Yan said. “Now that I’ve invited you here, I should naturally send you back properly.” “It’ll be better to invite you again in a few days.”

Xie Yuyan asked, "Is there anything else, sir?"

“Yes,” Wang Yan said without hiding anything, “When a gentleman comes to Daming Prefecture, he will discuss the construction of the blast furnace with me, but we will need your guidance on where to build the blast furnace.”

"The old rule still applies; I can exchange something else with my wife."

Xie Yuyan was wary of Wang Yan, but she also liked to rely on him. With Wang Yan's support, the overall situation would be much easier for her. That's why she wanted to get involved as soon as she saw He Tan and Wang Yan.

Therefore, even though she knew she would have to be wary of and test Wang Yan, she was still willing to continue working together.

Xie Yuyan looked at Wang Yan: "I only have one request, and I hope Lord Wang will grant it."

Wang Yan responded, "Please speak, my lady."

"I am just a merchant and do not wish to get involved in the political infighting at court," Xie Yuyan said. "I hope that Lord Wang will not associate me and the Yang family with the Wang family too deeply."

"If anyone becomes suspicious, please inform me in advance, Lord Wang, so that I can make some preparations."

As for what to prepare? Of course, it's to sever ties with the Wang family and prevent people from associating her with the Wang faction.

“Since we are businessmen,” Xie Yuyan said, “I will naturally take what is beneficial to me, but I will never do business that loses me money.”

To make her work for the Wang family? Absolutely not.

This is why Xie Yuyan needs to be wary of Wang Yan. They share common interests, but also have different schemes. They can work together when the time is right, but naturally part ways when it's not.

Similarly, if she were to find herself in danger someday, she could ask the Wang family for help, and they would simply offer money and benefits to buy her way in. The Wang family would act if they deemed it appropriate, and ignore it if not.

This point needs to be made clear.

Unlike in her previous life, she wouldn't get caught up in the most detestable factional struggles, nor would she be a pawn in the hands of the Wang family.

"My relationship with the Wang family is based solely on interests, not on affection."

Wang Yan smiled slightly, a hint of darkness flashing in his eyes: "If there is such news, I will have someone inform my wife."

She lifted the curtain and stepped out of the room.

The lotus-colored cloak gradually disappeared into the snow.

Wang Yan lowered the curtain.

There are only interests, no sentiments.

This is her.

In her mind, it was just a conspiracy, and in his mind... it was pretty much the same. If there was anything more to say, it was probably his obsession with that matter when he was young.

One encounter left him with a lingering feeling for many years.

Now all he wants to do is see clearly what the person in his memory looks like.
That way, even if she leaves again one day, he can easily let go.

Unfolding the map again, Wang Yan's gaze fell on Zhen Ding Prefecture, carefully studying the emotion deep in her eyes. Whatever happened here was extremely important to her.

……

Just as Xie Yuyan was about to board the carriage, he saw a small figure walking towards the village.

That was Yan Sui.

Yan Sui came down the mountain early in the morning to look for Benefactor Wang, but he did not expect the snow to fall so heavily. Just when he felt his whole body was about to freeze, he saw that there was another person in front of him.

That's... the steward of the Yang family.

Madam Yu smiled and said, "Where are you going, young master? Why don't you warm up in the carriage? There's hot tea and snacks inside. You can have some before you go."