Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 731 Cracked

Xin Jia wasn't stupid. This person didn't reveal his identity or face because he was wary of him. If he were to tell people what happened today but couldn't identify this person, he wouldn't be credible and might even arouse suspicion. As someone who might have leaked the secret, he would most likely be silenced to prevent any evidence from being proven.

So he had no choice but to gamble that the man would keep his word and give him a way out in the future.

After the man left, Xin Jia was sent back to his cell and lay back down in the familiar haystack. A scream came from not far away, and the image of Li Bodi immediately flashed into Xin Jia's mind. Xin Jia shrank back again, regretting once more that he should not have followed Li Bodi to Liang Dynasty, and even more so that he should not have gotten involved in this case.

……

Puheluo waited for two days before the news finally came from the government office: Li Bodi confessed to accepting bribes and admitted to ordering his men to kill people.

Puhara breathed a sigh of relief, but his face remained expressionless as he asked the clerk, "Where is Sinja?"

The clerk said, "The other envoy admitted to accepting money, but the killing was ordered by Li Bo and had nothing to do with him."

Puhara nodded. Even so, Singa would not be able to return to Srivijaya in the short term, which meant that he had successfully kept the two of them in Daliang.

In less than a year or two, he would have the waterway firmly in his grasp, and by then, even if the two returned to Srivijaya, it would be too late. Puhara thanked the clerk.

The clerk said, "It is our duty, and our superiors also want to conclude this case as soon as possible to avoid delaying trade between the two countries."

“No,” Puhara said. “I have already sent a message back, and merchant ships will arrive in Liang Dynasty soon.”

The clerk naturally wouldn't concern himself with such matters; after delivering the message, he left with his men.

The steward beside Puhara whispered, "Is this alright?"

“We also need to go back and appease Datu,” Puheluo said. “The Li family will definitely cause trouble, and we need to find a way to suppress Datu’s anger.”

As soon as Puhe Luo finished speaking, the gatekeeper came in to report, "The head of the Bianjing porcelain trade has sent someone."

Puhara's spirits lifted: "Where is he?"

The doorman handed the letter to Puhara: "Leave this letter and leave."

Puhara dared not delay and immediately opened the letter to check it. After a moment, his furrowed brows relaxed and a smile appeared on his face.

The manager, unaware of what had happened, immediately inquired.

Puhara said, "We can go back and give an explanation to Datu." He then handed the letter in his hand to the steward.

The manager took a look and realized that this was not a letter at all, but a list of goods, several pages long. In addition to celadon and bluish-white porcelain, there were also porcelains from Lanzhou and Yaozhou. These porcelains with carved and painted designs were fired in the Daliang coal kiln. They were not only exquisite but also cheaper, so it was easy to imagine how popular they would be.

In addition, there was a set of Buddhist porcelain. When Puhara came to Daliang, he heard many rumors about Buddhist porcelain from the Shitan Kiln in Daming Prefecture. The list of goods given by Madam Xie included a reliquary. Although it was definitely different from the one enshrined in Baode Temple, it was enough to make Datu happy.

Besides porcelain, the list also included all other goods, such as Song brocade, summer cloth, lacquerware, and tea. The only pity was that there were no copper coins, ironware, or copperware, but one should not be too greedy.

"This invoice can supply for a year?" the manager exclaimed in surprise as he read the last part.

Puhara nodded: "Even if Jianyili, Champa, and Zhulian could obtain goods from the Liang Dynasty, they still wouldn't be as comprehensive as theirs."

The steward immediately bowed and said, "Then congratulations, sir."

Puhara laughed, "Once we get the goods, we'll set off back to Srivijaya." With these goods, if he still couldn't control the shipping lanes, he shouldn't ever come to Liang Dynasty again. "Take some gifts to Madam Xie," Puhara instructed.

The steward was about to go and do it when Puhara stopped him, saying, "Never mind, I will go and pay my respects to her in person tomorrow." Respect for a person is not based on the power she displays, but on what she does.

As long as Madam Xie fulfills all her promises, he will naturally be willing to form an alliance with her. Who wouldn't want a smart and powerful partner?

……

In Xie Yuyan's courtyard, Mother Yu was busy packing trunks and boxes when Yang Xiaoshan entered and paid his respects to Xie Yuyan.

Xie Yuyan asked, "Have we discussed who should stay?"

Yang Xiaoshan said, "Several branches of our Yang clan will remain in Fujian." He had discussed it with everyone and felt more at ease entrusting the task in Fujian to his own family members.

Xie Yuyan said, "This place is not like Bianjing. When we are not here, there is no guarantee that someone will not try to harm you."

Yang Xiaoshan nodded: "Everyone knows this, but it is precisely because it is dangerous that people in the clan want to do it."

The Yang family can't rely on marriage ties to suppress others forever. If internal conflicts arise, the eldest daughter-in-law will be in a difficult position. Besides... the eldest daughter-in-law will eventually remarry, and they can't let Yang Shi become a burden to her. Only by earning a living through their own abilities can they stand firm. The eldest daughter-in-law has taught them the methods, and they must live up to them.

The last reason is... Yang Xiaoshan also has his own selfish motives. The Yang clan is doing too well now, thanks to the eldest daughter-in-law. If the eldest daughter-in-law stops managing things in the future, they will have to lead the clan members in doing things.

The Yang clan should understand that the rewards should be based on the effort put in, rather than solely on seeking personal gain through kinship ties. Only by grasping this principle can the clan thrive in the long run.

Xie Yuyan nodded: "I understand."

Yang Xiaoshan said, "I still need to go back to Bianjing, but I'll be a few days later." His wife hadn't finished her work yet, and she would still need him when she returned to Bianjing.

Xie Yuyan nodded again: "There are still some things that need to be done by the people in Fujian." The porcelain business will also leave some people behind, but none of them are suitable to do these things for her.

Yang Xiaoshan listened attentively.

Xie Yuyan said, "You should investigate the rice varieties in Fujian. There is a type of Champa rice that they should have started trial planting a long time ago. I would like to know if they have cultivated a variety that is adapted to the local conditions?"

"If you have any, please select some for me. I want to take them to the Jianghuai region for trial planting."

Xie Yuyan remembered that by this time, Champa rice should have been almost domesticated in Fujian, and rice seeds could be produced and promoted to other places. If possible, she wanted that day to come sooner.

After the two finished speaking, Yang Xiaoshan went down to do his work. As he left, he saw Wang Zheng returning from outside. Looking at the young man's tanned face, he couldn't help but sigh. Even a large family like the Wang family had to work hard. He had only just arrived in Fujian and was already going back with everyone else. It was truly not easy.

At this moment, Wang Zheng stared blankly at the chests and cages in the yard, and couldn't help but ask his mother, "Mom, what are you going to do...?"

Mother Yu smiled and said, "If you pack your things properly, you won't be in a rush when you head back to Beijing. We don't have enough manpower, so we need to make arrangements early."

Wang Zheng had a bad feeling: "Isn't that...too early?"

Mother Yu said, "It's getting late, it'll be over in the next few days."

Wang Zheng suddenly felt something shatter in his mind. He couldn't believe his ears. What? What was Aunt Yu saying?
　Mu Fei, the female author on Qidian.com who wrote "The Imperial Palace" and "Joy in the Palace", is back to writing. Her new novel, "Jade Steps Blood", has already reached 7 words (she said it's only 60 words in total). Those who are interested can check it out.

　　(End of this chapter)