Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 85 Million Dollar Baby
Returning home from the Qiwang Mountain Pavilion, Zhang Dai had just reached his door when Wei Lin, who had been waiting respectfully for some time, hurriedly came forward and bowed, saying, "Young Master, Wang Yuan and Lord Wang have arrived and are in the front hall."

As they were talking, someone else walked quickly out of the gate. It was Wang Yuanbao, whom they had seen in Nanshi a few days ago. However, compared to before, Wang Yuanbao looked much more haggard, and there was a deep weariness between his brows.

Clearly, his previous visit to Wei Jian hadn't yielded any significant help or immediate relief from his troubles. Seeing this, Zhang Dai felt even more confident about the matters to be discussed next.

"Shopkeeper Wang, we meet again."

Zhang Dai first raised his hand to wave to Wang Yuanbao, who was hurrying out of the gate to greet him, and then Wang Yuanbao walked quickly to him and bowed deeply, saying, "Young master, you can just call me Wang Er. We met in the market the other day, and I was so rude and disrespectful to you that I did not recognize you!"

Previously, Wang Yuanbao had been quite hospitable and attentive in the store, but he was mainly focused on business and even implied his powerful background in his words in order to attract customers.

But after learning Zhang Dai's identity, and especially seeing that Wei Jian had to give way to this young master Zhang, he became much more humble this time, bowing as if he were a boiled shrimp.

Although Zhang Shuo had lost power in the imperial court, he was still someone these merchants looked up to. Even Wang Yuanbao's large investment in the South Market, which was about to be lost, was affected by Zhang Dai's memorial to the throne.

"Let's talk inside the hall."

As Zhang Dai walked into the house, he glanced at Wang Yuanbao and noticed that the man's expression was even more unpleasant than when he was following behind Wei Jian. He then understood what was going on.

Wang Yuanbao naturally dared not be negligent. After entering the house, he praised it endlessly, and then hurriedly followed Zhang Dai into the guest hall.

"Young Master Zhang summoned Wei Yalang, saying he had something to instruct Wang Er, and I listened respectfully in the hall."

Upon entering the reception hall, Wang Yuanbao stood respectfully with his hands at his sides and spoke in a low voice.

"Please take your seats!"

Zhang Dai first raised his hand slightly in a gesture, then looked at Wang Yuanbao and smiled, "I heard from Wei Yalang that the shop's business isn't going well?"

"I am ashamed, I am ashamed. My wisdom is limited and my ambition is too great. I am a laughingstock."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanbao's expression immediately became even more distressed.

Previously, he had taken advantage of the emperor's eastern tour and the Fengshan ceremony to purchase land in the southern market of Luoyang, which caused quite a stir in the market. But now he has become a laughing stock, and even the peddlers and laborers in the market are mocking his foolishness.

The financial loss and business setback left Wang Yuanbao in a terrible mood. Especially after his trip to Bianzhou to try and salvage the situation, he had been trying to smooth things over with various people and even considered hiring porters to help transport the rented goods stranded in Huainan to the north.

At this point, losses were inevitable, but he still needed to stay calm and maintain everyone's confidence in him in order to persevere and wait for a chance to turn things around.

However, a sudden personnel change in the imperial court caused all his efforts in Bianzhou to fail once again. After returning to Luoyang in disgrace, he was urged and pressured by the Nanshi Municipal Government.

Although he bought the land in Nanshi at a high price, such a large area was in the middle of a bustling city, but business was slow and traffic was sparse, just like a conspicuous bald spot on the top of a head with thick hair.

Such an existence is not only unsightly, but also seriously affects the performance of city management officials, so they are naturally unwilling to let it exist in Tainan City for long.

The core issue is that Wang Yuanbao, this outsider, has revealed his true colors and shown his weakness. You were given a chance but failed to perform, so what are people afraid of you for? Naturally, they will attack you en masse and devour you on the spot!
Under such circumstances, Zhang Dai's summons was nothing short of a lifeline for Wang Yuanbao. Regardless of whether it would be of any use, he decided to give it a try, even if it seemed hopeless.

Although Zhang Shuo has lost power in the court, he is originally from Luoyang and has a deep influence in the affairs of the Eastern Capital. If he is willing to lend a helping hand, it can greatly alleviate his own predicament.

With this thought in mind, Wang Yuanbao lowered his head and said to Zhang Dai, "Since you have asked, I dare not pretend to be strong and hide anything. The current situation is indeed difficult. Even if we can still maintain our financial resources, the difficulties in personnel matters are overwhelming. If we can get rid of these difficulties, there may still be a glimmer of hope to turn the crisis into an opportunity."

When Zhang Dai heard that the man valued his connections, he smiled slightly. To further lower the man's expectations, he added, "If that's the case, then it's a real pity."

I recently visited a pawnshop and quite admired its business. I even joked with my family that we might buy one someday when we have more free time. Today, I'd like to ask you, Wang Er, for some advice on managing affairs.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanbao was startled again. He had thought that this young master Zhang was trying to help him out of his predicament, but it turned out that he was also after Wang Yuanbao's wealth and was planning to kick him while he was down. Moreover, he was even more domineering than the merchants in the South Market. At least they were willing to buy at a low price, but this young master Zhang was directly implying that he wanted it!
Zhang Dai was also observing Wang Yuanbao's expression. Seeing that his expression had become gloomy and he had lowered his head and remained silent, he smiled and said, "That day I saw you traveling with Wei, the Minister of Personnel. You must have told him that you were ill. Wei and you get along well. Didn't he have any brilliant ideas to give you?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanbao's face immediately showed some embarrassment, and he quickly lowered his head and said, "Young master, you misunderstand. I am just a mere merchant. We met in the market the other day, and I shamelessly accompanied you. How could I presume to make friends with you? Today, I am truly honored by your invitation, whether I learn anything or not."

When Zhang Dai heard that he did not talk about the details of his contact with Wei Jian, he did not ask any more questions. Instead, he said, "Wang Er, you have spent a lot of money to enhance the prosperity of the Eastern Capital. It would be a pity if you left with regrets."

I am largely unaware of the personnel disputes, but I do have some thoughts I'd like to share with you. The cash register you have now set up allows people to deposit and withdraw money for you to earn commissions and profits, facilitating money and goods transactions in the market.

But the buying and selling of money and goods is not limited to the South Market alone. The Eastern Capital and Chang'an also suffer from the burden of transportation. Why not establish money exchange shops in both places, allowing goods to be stored in the east and distributed in the west? Wouldn't this be more beneficial to both people and goods?

Wang Yuanbao remembered that when they first met, this young master Zhang seemed to have said something similar. He hadn't paid attention then, but hearing it again now, he felt that this young nobleman was indeed naive, unaware of the hardships and dangers of life. Of course, he dared not voice these thoughts, but simply sighed, "The key to safekeeping in the money exchange lies in 'trust.' A person cannot stand without trust, and nothing can be accomplished without it. I have already established a business in the South Market, yet I still cannot gain the trust of the elders of Tianzhong to deposit my goods in the money exchange. Now, he actually says he wants to transfer money from the Eastern Capital to the Western Capital for safekeeping. Who would believe him?"

"So it's not necessarily impossible, it's just that you, Wang Er, are of low status and lack credibility. If you could gain people's trust, money and silk could naturally flow freely between the two capitals without being hindered by the Xiaohan Pass!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and said...

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanbao nodded helplessly. Of course, this made sense. This was the basic business model of a money exchange, only the location of deposits and withdrawals was moved from the South Market of Luoyang to Chang'an. There was no technical difficulty involved.

The problem is, why should others trust you and entrust their money to such a huge uncertainty?

"I am indeed a nobody with little influence and insignificant words, which is why I am laughed at by the elders of Tianzhong. Lord Zhang Yan is renowned throughout the world and has a great reputation. He would certainly not tarnish his reputation for a mere piece of worthless goods. Everyone trusts him, so it is certainly feasible to entrust this to him and receive that in return!"

He increasingly felt that this纨绔公子 was frivolous, naive, and fanciful, to the point that his tone was laced with sarcasm: Since you don't value the reputation and prestige your grandfather accumulated over most of his life as an official, why don't you do it yourself and see how many people believe you, and whether it will be a case of more harm than good!

People's understanding is not on the same level, so communication is quite difficult. Zhang Dai could tell that Wang Yuanbao was limited by his own understanding and thought he was an idiot, but at least he didn't dare to say it directly, so he didn't care.

"Wang Er, there's no need to belittle yourself. I invited you here today to discuss this matter. Others may not trust you, but I do. I'd like to deposit a million strings of cash here and withdraw it from Chang'an. Do you dare to agree and handle it properly?"

He certainly wouldn't dare to use his grandfather's reputation for this, otherwise even if his grandfather thought highly of him, he would turn against him. Wang Yuanbao in front of him was a very suitable tool.

"How much? Young master, is what you say true...?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanbao was so shocked that he stood up from his seat, stared at Zhang Dai with wide eyes in disbelief, and asked in a trembling voice.

He was deeply shocked by the astonishing number, completely forgetting that when they first met, this kid had lured him in with a sum of 10,000 guan, but they only ended up making a deal worth a few thousand guan.

Now that number has increased a hundredfold, it has almost hooked out his very soul!
Zhang Dai naturally had no idea how much wealth the Prince of Qi possessed, and in order to train Wang Yuanbao, he deliberately exaggerated it. Judging from the boy's bulging eyes, it seemed to have worked well.

"This sum of money is deposited in Luoyang and will be withdrawn in Xijing. Wang Er has substantial wealth in Chang'an, so payment should not be difficult. I trust you, but what if you betray me and abscond with the money?"

"It's still a bit difficult... No, of course not! A million strings of cash, how could I... easily take it away! And... where could I escape to?"

Wang Yuanbao was so excited that he was incoherent. He then looked at Zhang Dai with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation and asked, "Young Master Zhang, do you really intend to send a million coins to Xijing for withdrawal?"
If that's the case, I will not take a single penny of profit and will do my utmost to handle this matter for you, young master. However, such a large transfer of money and silk is extremely difficult to conceal, and the world will soon find out..."

"No, we were just joking around."

Zhang Dai shook his head decisively, meeting Wang Yuanbao's expectant gaze with a smile, and said, "Are you fucking crazy? Do you think I'm worth a million strings of cash? You're going to sell me out!"

"This...this...sigh!"

Upon hearing Zhang Dai's reply, Wang Yuanbao's eyes quickly dimmed. Just moments ago, a grand and ambitious business plan had been on the verge of taking shape in his mind, only to have it shattered by Zhang Dai's casual remark. Was this any fun?

Ignoring Wang Yuanbao's resentment, Zhang Dai turned to him with a smile and said, "Now let me ask you again, do you think it's feasible to deposit money in the east and pay it in the west, or deposit money in the west and pay it in the east?"

"It's feasible, of course it's feasible! Young master, you are truly wise and capable of doing what others cannot. However, it is still quite difficult to accomplish. If, as you say, we can trade a million strings of cash, it would be worth more than ten thousand words!"

Wang Yuanbao no longer thought this纨绔公子 (a spoiled young master) was naive. Although his idea was far-fetched, it was indeed well-founded and showed great vision. If this matter could really be managed, the prospects were incredibly exciting.

He himself frequently traveled between the two capitals for business, and suffered greatly from the difficulties of transferring funds, which is why he tried to open a money exchange directly in Luoyang. However, if there were more convenient and secure methods for transferring funds, he would certainly be happy to try them.

If it were possible to complete the off-site storage and withdrawal of millions of dollars, it would inevitably attract the attention of the public and encourage wealthy merchants and households with similar needs to try it out.

He even secretly considered whether he could raise a huge sum of money—a million guan—to stage a performance himself. However, this was still quite risky. If it were revealed that he was the one putting on the show, the backlash would be devastating.

"Although I do not have a million strings of cash to help you succeed, I know who does. But you should examine why others have chosen you."

Zhang Dai stood up at this point and said to Wang Yuanbao with a smile, "I have important matters to attend to right now, so this meeting is a rare treat. I cannot stay any longer, please excuse me. Wang Er, you may leave now, you can come again after things have been sorted out."

"Young master, young master..."

Wang Yuanbao was already burning with desire, but unexpectedly, Young Master Zhang suddenly stopped. Seeing that Zhang Dai was already walking out of the hall, he dared not be impolite and could only reluctantly take his leave.

(End of this chapter)