Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 565: Righteous Business
The official stroked the jade pendant in his hand.

After the Prince of Huai finished speaking, he said, "These words do match quite well with what Minister Wang said. Have you two discussed this matter in private?"

A look of surprise flashed across the Prince of Huai's face: "I haven't seen Prime Minister Wang recently."

The Emperor waved his hand: "I am not referring to the Prime Minister, but to the Court Attendant."

Wang Yan's official titles were Chaoqinglang, Zhijinzouyuanshi, Shiyushizhizashi, Hanlin Xueshi, and Zhilongtugezhiyinyudai.

The Emperor's words were naturally referring to Wang Yan.

The Prince of Huai hurriedly replied, "I have not spoken with the Imperial Attendant."

The emperor smiled and said, "Don't be so reserved. It's perfectly fine to discuss these things in private. You are all of similar age, and it's only natural for you to gather together to discuss government affairs."

The Prince of Huai looked embarrassed: "The Imperial Attendant is even more difficult to get close to than the Prime Minister. I have known him for several years, and I can probably count the number of times I have spoken to him on two hands."

"During the banquet, everyone mentioned the Imperial Attendant, and..."

At this point, the Prince of Huai subconsciously shut his mouth.

The emperor, however, became interested: "Why don't we continue?"

The Prince of Huai said, "These are all nonsense; I shouldn't show off in front of the Emperor."

“Speak freely,” the Emperor said with a smile, leaning back in his chair, appearing exceptionally relaxed. “I would like to hear it all, even the unfounded gossip circulating in the streets.”

Prince Huai then continued, "When everyone gathered together, they were all talking about how the Imperial Attendant had encountered a fairy when he was young, secretly cultivated Taoism, and refused to get married. Some people even said that the Imperial Attendant refused the Empress Dowager's bestowed marriage because of this."

The emperor's smile deepened. Considering Wang Yan's strict self-discipline, it was hard to believe that he had actually received guidance from an immortal.

"I've heard about it from others, but I've never actually asked Minister Wang about it," the Emperor said. "I wonder what kind of immortal he encountered?"

“There are also speculations about this,” said the Prince of Huai. “Everyone thinks that the Imperial Attendant met a fairy, which is why he can’t forget her.”

“Interesting,” the official said with a smile. “What you say makes some sense.”

After saying this, the official suddenly changed the subject: "You mentioned righteous merchants, are there any candidates?"

The Prince of Huai hesitated for a moment, but still bowed and said, "I believe that the veteran of the porcelain trade is capable of this task."

The official gradually sat up straight: "Could it be that you've also heard about the relic box? And you believe that the Xie family member is someone protected by Buddha?"

The Prince of Huai shook his head: "That's not the case. I thought of Xie Xinglao because of the situation at the South City Wharf."

The emperor instructed, "Tell me in detail."

The Prince of Huai said, "Old Xie Xing has only been in the capital for a few months, but he is already quite popular at the South City Wharf, especially among the boatmen and laborers. The first place these people will stay after arriving in the capital is the South City Wharf."

"The post station opened by Xie Xinglao has become a place for hired workers to find jobs. Whenever a shop or fleet under Xie Xinglao's name needs manpower, those hired workers will rush to go there."

“There was a student who came to Bianjing to take the imperial examination. He passed by the South City Wharf and missed the Ministry of Rites examination because he was writing a petition for the boatmen. Now this person is working under Xie Xinglao.”

The official asked, "He refuses to take the imperial examination?" "No, that's not it," the Prince of Huai said, his expression turning somewhat strange, with a hint of amusement and exasperation. "The student said that the imperial examination is held only once every few years, so he can wait a while longer, but the opportunity to sue the wealthy and powerful is rare, and once missed, it's gone forever."

"However, he probably felt that since he had no hope of passing the high school entrance exam this time, he might as well do something practical for those hired workers."

The officials had never heard of such things before: "Are there any similar cases?"

The Prince of Huai nodded: "Does Your Majesty know how many markets there are in Bianjing?"

He didn't expect a response from the officials, so he continued, "There are dozens of them, big and small. The market at the South City Wharf only became more prosperous after Xie Xinglao arrived."

The Prince of Huai paused here, a look of appreciation and admiration on his face: "What I want to say is not how good Xie Xinglao is at running his business. What I want to say is that, according to the patrols of various shops, thefts occur least at the South City Wharf Market, and the idlers in the city dare not cause trouble at the South City Wharf."

"Many people see that the South City Wharf attracted many merchants because of its perfume shops, restaurants, and post stations, but they overlook one point. The shops there are thriving because there are fewer ruffians causing trouble, and the merchants are willing to operate with integrity. So even though the goods sold at the South City Wharf market are not the lowest priced in all markets, they have the potential to surpass the prices of other markets."

"On the day Xie Xinglao took over the porcelain business, he established nine rules for the porcelain business. Now, it may be more difficult to find porcelain in Bianjing that is made from inferior kilns but passed off as famous kilns than to find a famous piece."

"There aren't many merchants like her who know how to assess the situation. Her willingness to act as a righteous merchant will surely be of great benefit to the court."

The Emperor remained silent, clearly pondering the Prince of Huai's advice. After a while, he raised his head and said, "You seem to know quite a bit about Elder Xie's affairs."

The Prince of Huai's expression stiffened, seemingly nervous, and he dared not meet the Emperor's gaze: "I also heard about the matter of Lady Shen. I never expected that the search all over the place back then would be fruitless. In the end, with the guidance of Buddha, the truth was finally revealed. It was also that case... that made me take notice of Elder Xie Xing."

The Emperor did not press further: "The matter of the border markets is of utmost importance. I will not easily appoint a merchant. However, I will carefully consider what you have said."

The Prince of Huai responded.

The Emperor said, “When I was your age, I was already married. It’s a pity that Prime Minister Xie passed away suddenly. This has deprived me of a trusted minister and you of an elder you can rely on. After the mourning period for the Xie family’s daughter is over, I will have the Prince of Qin’s mansion properly prepare for your wedding.”

The Prince of Huai's eyes darkened, and he bowed to express his gratitude.

"Go."

The emperor waved his hand, and the Prince of Huai immediately withdrew.

The eunuch Huang stepped forward and served the emperor a cup of hot tea. The emperor placed the jade pendant on the table and said, "I see that Yanjun's feelings for the Xie family's daughter are not as strong as before."

"Before the engagement was finalized, he was searching everywhere for that girl."

Eunuch Huang laughed and said, "Your Highness still has the heart of a young man!"

Looking at the eunuch Huang's meaningful expression, the emperor smiled and said, "Never mind, never mind. I think his temperament is better than his father's."

The eunuch Huang dared not say more, for their emperor was also a sentimental man.

The Emperor stood up, preparing to rest in the rear hall: "He needs to be given a little pointers. After all, he is a member of the royal family and cannot act recklessly."

The eunuch Huang immediately realized that Prince Huai had spoken too much on behalf of Xie Xinglao, arousing the Emperor's suspicion. A man as clever as Prince Huai shouldn't stumble on this matter.

……

As Prince Huai left the palace, he slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile. He had endured until now, and the time had finally come to tear off the mask of civility. No one needed to hold back any longer.