Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 173 Soft-hearted
The carriage moved forward slowly.

The coachman restrained himself from peeking into the carriage. When that official came earlier, he had wanted to go up and ask him questions, but the official had only glanced at him, which made him feel intimidated.

Fortunately, the eldest daughter-in-law often discussed matters with that official.

Otherwise, they wouldn't know what to do.

The guards outside the carriage also obeyed Madam Yu's instructions and silently followed the carriage.

As the car was about to turn into Yong'anfang, a knocking sound came from inside the carriage, and then Xie Yuyan said, "Go to Sanhe Village."

So the carriages and horses turned around and headed west.

Wang Yan lowered his voice in the car and said, "After the peace talks between Daliang and Northern Qi, Northern Qi proposed to open a border market. When the emperor summoned the two prime ministers and the Privy Council to discuss the matter, my father thought about recommending a suitable person from his side."

"But this position is too important, and no one wants to place the other's people in it."

"The border markets are crucial to the entire war situation in the north, and they bring in a steady stream of profits every year. Everyone wants to get their hands on this money."

Governing a country and governing a family are governed by the same principles.

Just like the situation in the north, some people advocated war, while others advocated peace. Those who advocated war wanted to take back the lost border towns and severely weaken the Qi people, rendering them unable to raid southwards again.

Those who advocated peace felt that the money paid out was far less than the military expenses incurred by the court, and that the court could even recoup the money through the border markets, so why not?
They felt that war was costly and draining, and that recuperation and rest were more important.

However, such a facade of peace would only weaken the Liang army's fighting strength further. Since money was already being spent to resolve border conflicts, who would be willing to risk their lives again?

If the generals lose their courage, the army of Liang will be easily defeated.

Therefore, Wang Yan, who advocated war, preferred to spend these funds on military equipment.

“I wrote a letter to the capital,” Wang Yan said. “I think it’s time to fight for it.”

The Daming Prefecture has given them an opportunity. Once the Daming Prefecture incident comes to light, they can take the opportunity to plant their own people.

"Of course... it's also because Wen Zhengchen didn't stand with any faction."

"If both sides take a step back, the imperial court may be able to appoint him smoothly."

Xie Yuyan thought carefully, but she couldn't remember this person at all. Four border markets were opened in the north. She wouldn't care about minor officials, but she remembered the leaders of each market clearly. She was sure that there was no such person as Wen Zhengchen.

Xie Yuyan looked at Wang Yan: "What is this person's background?"

Wang Yan said, "After serving in the north for many years and observing the mourning period for his father, someone wanted to promote him to the Privy Council, but he refused. Although he was a civil official, he fought alongside the soldiers defending the city during the war."

The civil officials of the Great Liang Dynasty valued their lives highly, and they would not go to the battlefield in person, but advocated staying in the rear to oversee the situation.

Based on this alone, Wen Zhengchen is indeed different.

“Moreover,” Wang Yan said, “he is not on the Wang family’s side.”

Xie Yuyan raised her eyebrows slightly. This was exactly what she wanted. In the future, when she went to the border market to do business, she wouldn't have to avoid associating with this official.

It would be good if he spread the news about Daming Prefecture. If all went well, he could also get her off the Wang family's ship, at least that's how it would appear to outsiders.

Xie Yuyan looked at Wang Yan. He truly saw through her thoughts clearly, partly because she never hid them. In this way, she both utilized the Wang family's power and avoided the troubles they brought her.

Xie Yuyan said, "Then thank you very much, Lord Wang."

Without needing to ask any further questions, she already knew everything perfectly well. And she was extremely satisfied with his move.

Perhaps it would be better if she didn't show that expression.

At least it would make him feel that she wasn't someone who could jump ship at any moment. But then she wouldn't be herself.

When dealing with intelligent people, she is used to laying out her good and bad sides, her calculations and schemes.

“In exchange,” Wang Yan suddenly didn’t want to let her go so easily, “Thank you, Madam, for helping me find the best place to repair the blast furnace.”

When Wang Yan first mentioned his father to Xie Yuyan, it was tantamount to telling her openly that he was the son of the current prime minister, Wang Xiangong.

Although she already knew beforehand, this was the first time she had done it so openly...

Therefore, she could readily agree.

Xie Yuyan lifted the curtain: "Go out of the west gate and walk five li along the official road."

Mother Yu responded.

Xie Yuyan looked at Wang Yan: "There is a fork in the road five miles away that leads directly to the mountains and forests. There is a small mountain to the north of the mountains and forests. If a road is built from there, it will be very close to Sanhe Village. There are also mineral veins extending from the foot of the mountain. If the blast furnace is built at the foot of the mountain, it will be convenient to use coal ore and will be far away from human habitation, making it convenient for adults to test the furnace."

"However, whether it is appropriate or not is a decision for the adults to make."

She did not explain how she knew.

Actually, you could just make up a story about wanting to find a place to build another kiln and that would be enough to cover it up.

He didn't ask, which saved her a lot of trouble.

The carriage stopped, and the path was only open to pedestrians.

This time, Wang Yan walked exceptionally fast, and Xie Yuyan didn't ask him to wait. Instead, she lifted her skirt and quickly followed. Hasty walking and fleeing were all too familiar to a dowager empress dowager of a fallen kingdom.

However, her body was not as strong as it had been in her previous life. She was out of breath after just a few steps, but she had no intention of stopping. In her opinion, she could just walk a few more times and she would be fine.

The road was difficult to walk on, and with the heavy snow that had fallen the day before, the snow was thick and accumulated there, making it easy to sink in when stepping on it. Xie Yuyan's shoes and the hem of her skirt were already wet.

Seeing this, Madam Yu was about to order the guards to clear a path when she noticed that the eldest lady was walking faster. Upon closer inspection, she saw that the places where the eldest lady stepped had been flattened by her feet.

It was obvious that Lord Wang had noticed this and deliberately tamped the ground down so that the lady of the house could walk along his footprints without any problem.

Xie Yuyan looked at Wang Yan.

She could sense that Wang Yan was somewhat angry, probably because she didn't want to have too much to do with the Wang family. So many people in Daliang wanted to get on the Wang family's coattails, yet she did this... which was rather tactless.

Since it's an exchange, then as she said, neither side should suffer a loss.

He naturally didn't need to think about her.

But what made Lord Wang soften his heart and silently clear the way ahead?

She doesn't know.

But since he did it, why shouldn't she accept it? No one wants to suffer for their own sake.

A gust of wind blew by, and Wang Yan stretched out his arm, blocking the snow falling from the tree branches. He turned to look at Xie Yuyan behind him, and only a few snowflakes were falling on her head.

He should have chosen a better day, or at least informed her in advance so she could wear more layers.

Thinking it over, Wang Yan took off his cloak and handed it to Mama Yu beside him: "The mountain wind is strong, let your wife put this on."

Seeing this from not far away, Sang Dian thought to himself, "If you're going to give someone a cloak, just do it openly. Why go through all this trouble? They're so close, why use someone else? It's like Lady Xie can't hear us."

He's always lecturing others, but when it comes to himself, he's indecisive and just putting on an act.