Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 93 May Your Graceful Demeanor Remain Calm

The residence of Prince Qi in Chang'an was also much larger than the residence in Luoyang, with a more open interior layout and greater distance between buildings.

Even if only three or five people were walking around inside the house, they could be clearly seen from the high-rise buildings outside. This shows that the sage truly cared for his brothers' daily lives in every detail.

In the northeast corner of the Prince Qi’s residence, there was a Taoist-style building. Zhang Dai was led there and waited outside the building for a while. When he was summoned in, he saw the Princess of Yunyang, who was still dressed in hemp clothes and looked haggard.

"Brother Zhang, please have a seat. The journey is long, and I am grateful for your help along the way."

Princess Yunyang was rather weak and needed her maid's help to get up and greet her.

Seeing this, Zhang Dai quickly said, "Princess, please don't be so polite. Funerals are devastating and exhausting. Now that things are over, you must take good care of yourself so that we can comfort your departed spirits."

In ancient times, mourning was a huge test of both emotions and physical strength. Some people even fell seriously ill or died because of it.

Seeing that the Princess of Yunyang was in poor condition, Zhang Dai could only remind her to rest more, and said somewhat apologetically, "The formalities have just been completed, and I should not have come to disturb you so early. However, the matter of money is of great importance, and I am hoping to be able to relieve myself of this burden as soon as possible, so as to prove that I have not failed in my duty. Please forgive me, Princess."

“My brother is a man of integrity and a man of his word. He has gone to great lengths for my family. How could I possibly blame him?”

The two chatted for a while, and then the official from the Prince Qi's Mansion, who was in charge of the liaison, came to inform them of the process of the money transfer. When the Princess of Yunyang heard that so much money could be transferred at any time, she couldn't help but show a strange expression.

As one of the first customers to experience the Feiqian service, the County Head of Yunyang felt its convenience the most. What was originally a very complicated and difficult problem for her was easily solved after just a few conversations with Zhang Dai.

Especially upon hearing that the exchange of money and silk would be free of charge, Princess Yunyang was slightly moved and looked at Zhang Dai, saying, "This matter is naturally convenient and quick for me, but behind the scenes, it must have required your efforts in contacting people. Although I do not know those people, I imagine it must have been quite difficult to get things done. Isn't it too much of a waste of favors for you not to take any money from me?"

"Princess, rest assured, now that the matter is about to be completed, I will no longer hide my thoughts..."

Zhang Dai immediately explained his plan to use this incident as an example to promote the operation of the Feiqian business. Although he did not charge the Qiwang family this time, the advertising effect was priceless.

After listening, Princess Yunyang lowered her head and fell silent. After a while, she said, "Brother, your wisdom in managing people and affairs is truly admirable. I also have some ideas for planning my family affairs in the future, but I do not have such ingenious methods as you."

As the beloved daughter of the Prince of Qi, she naturally did not need to worry about making a living. Even though her father was no longer alive, he had left behind a substantial inheritance, and if the family lived a normal life, they would not have to worry for generations.

Moreover, with the addition of fiefdoms, land grants, and other income, maintaining wealth and luxury was more than enough.

But the Princess of Yunyang is now filled with a sense of crisis, knowing that many people and things are not as simple as they seem on the surface.

The family's life was constantly built on immense crises and dangers, yet she had no way to cope with them. She was filled with admiration for the wisdom and courage displayed by Zhang Dai, who was about the same age as her.

After thinking for a moment, the Princess of Yunyang looked at Zhang Dai and said, “I have already received so much help from you, brother, and I should not bother you with mundane matters. But I have been living in seclusion for so long that I do not know many virtuous people in the world, and the only one I know is you, brother.”

In recent years, the Chang'an family has been confined to their homes, observing proper etiquette, and has not had any other affairs to attend to. Even if these coins and silks were collected, they would simply be stored away in the treasury, serving no practical purpose.

Therefore, I would like to temporarily entrust this matter to you, Brother Shi... Please do not misunderstand, Brother Shi. I do not mean to belittle or belittle you. I simply admire your talent in dealing with people and affairs!

The Chang'an family still has some savings. If the family members knew that such a large fortune was hidden away at home, they would inevitably become extravagant and wasteful, and not cherish money. Not only would their reputation be tarnished, but it would also be detrimental to their moral development. Therefore, I wish to entrust this matter to you, my esteemed elder brother, and ask you to manage it for me.”

"I am truly flattered by the county magistrate's trust in me. However, I am not very experienced in the world. I may occasionally be appreciated for my quick wit, but my ability to truly engage in worldly affairs is really shallow. Even if the county magistrate trusts me and entrusts me with this matter, I dare not presumptuously accept it."

Zhang Dai did not share the ancient people's disdain for merchants, but he still did not expect that the Princess of Yunyang would trust him so much that she would entrust him with a fortune of nearly two million strings of cash.

When Princess Yunyang saw Zhang Dai wave his hand in refusal, she felt a little disappointed. She knew that her entrustment was indeed a bit rash, and no one would dare to easily shoulder such a heavy responsibility.

She harbored a deep-seated sense of crisis that she couldn't easily share with anyone, and even though she wanted to secure more protection for her family, she had no clue how.

Seeing the Princess of Yunyang's expression darken, Zhang Dai felt a pang of pity. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I really dare not accept such a huge fortune. But if the amount is smaller, limited to 100,000 strings of cash, I am willing to keep it safe and manage it for the Princess. Even if I cannot make a huge profit, I will make sure that the principal is not lost!"

If the Qi Prince's wealth were transported from Luoyang back to Chang'an through normal means, it would likely cost tens of thousands of strings of cash. Furthermore, any oversight during transport could result in the loss of even more. Zhang Dai does indeed have some plans that require capital to launch; for example, selling insurance to the eunuchs and palace maids in Luoyang requires a temple as a platform for packaging.

Without this layer of Buddhist ritual, if you simply went straight up to them and said you wanted to take care of them in their old age, they might misunderstand you as a madman.

His acceptance of the county magistrate's investment of 100,000 strings of cash does not affect the distribution and disposal of the Qi Prince's property. If a handling fee were to be charged, such a large sum of money would be worth more than 100,000 strings of cash.

Even if others in the Prince Qi's mansion questioned the county magistrate's decision, the amount of 100,000 strings of cash was not much and could be easily repaid, so it wouldn't put the county magistrate of Yunyang in too much of a predicament, and Zhang Dai wouldn't have to bear too much psychological pressure.

Hearing that Zhang Dai had not completely rejected her, the Princess of Yunyang smiled slightly again and said, "Five hundred thousand strings of cash, that's just spare money. Keeping it at home will only encourage the arrogance and extravagance of the family. Brother, you are a man of profound wisdom and far-sighted plans. There is no need to limit the development of your schemes because of a lack of money!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai felt as if he had become one of those inspirational entrepreneurs in later generations, with investment banking moguls chasing after him and stuffing money into his pockets before he even presented his business plan.

Since the Princess of Yunyang trusted him so much, he no longer refused and, as an investor, explained his ideas to her: "Actually, I do have some ideas. There are many palace servants in the two palaces of Luoyang..."

Zhang Dai's idea wasn't exactly taboo. In fact, lower-ranking palace servants formed associations or jointly purchased properties around Luoyang to support themselves in their old age.

However, these associations are usually small in scale and their effects are often unsatisfactory. It is very common for people to be scammed or lose all their money.

After all, these palace servants spend most of their time in the Forbidden City. No matter how treacherous and scheming the inner palace may be, once they leave that environment, their life experience and knowledge will be completely blank.

Princess Yunyang was surprised that Zhang Dai actually had a plan and ideas, and that he would tell her about it directly. After hearing the plan, the girl's eyes lit up with excitement and her gaze became bright.

“Brother Shi not only upholds faith and righteousness, but also possesses the heart of a benevolent person! There are many people in the world who aspire to rise above others, but few are willing to stoop down and carefully observe the humble.”

Brother, such sentiments and dedication are unprecedented; perhaps only someone of your magnanimity could conceive of such a vision! It would be an honor to be a part of this and to assist you in your endeavors!

The young woman had just experienced the pain of losing a loved one, and was particularly sensitive to the suffering of life and death. She had a compassionate heart towards people and things, so after listening to Zhang Dai's idea, she couldn't help but praise it highly.

Upon hearing the county magistrate's praise, Zhang Dai was immediately ashamed. His intentions were certainly not as noble as the county magistrate described; in fact, they harbored a certain ulterior motive, a desire to use this opportunity to bolster the foundations of the Tang Dynasty.

I just wonder if this county princess will still praise me so enthusiastically after she understands my true intentions?
As more and more people joined the "flying money" business, and its background and implications became increasingly complex, even in operation, it had long deviated from Zhang Dai's original intention. One must be prepared at any time for others to take the credit or for one to quickly withdraw and cut ties.

However, selling insurance to palace servants, while not as profitable or eye-catching as making money through illegal means, can generate a steady and consistent income, and allows for further operations.

However, since the return period is longer, it is naturally better to promote it as soon as possible.

In short, the investment of 500,000 strings of cash by the Princess of Yunyang allowed Zhang Dai to skip the initial capital accumulation stage and directly prepare and promote any plans he had.

"I should have expressed my sincere gratitude for our meeting today, but instead I have been bothered by money matters. I am truly sorry!"

Princess Yunyang was not arrogant because of her wealth and status. She took out a letter sealed with sealing wax from her side and had her maid present it to Zhang Dai. She then said, "Brother, your family is distinguished and you have kind relatives who care for and educate you. I think you have no difficulties that require you to rely on outsiders."

However, I am unsure how to express my gratitude, so I present this letter instead. If you encounter any difficulties in the Eastern Capital in the future, you may visit my aunt, the Ninth Immortal, at Anguo Temple; perhaps she can offer assistance. Even if you have no need of assistance, you may still visit her. From this, I wish you, my dear brother, all the best in your future endeavors and that everything goes smoothly for you!

The Ninth Fairy refers to Princess Yuzhen, the younger sister of the current emperor. Before the rise of the Yang family during the Tianbao era, she was one of the most outstanding people in the Tang Dynasty, even surpassing Prince Qi and Prince Xue.

Zhang Dai quickly accepted the letter with both hands and bowed to the Princess of Yunyang, saying, "I also hope that Your Highness will not dwell on your past sorrows, but rest and recuperate in peace. I will visit you again next year when I go to the capital. I wish Your Highness to be in the best of health and have a graceful demeanor!"

As they spoke, their eyes met, and a sense of sadness at parting arose in each of them.

Although Princess Yunyang was not as demure as other women, she still felt a little shy under his gaze. She first lowered her head to avoid his eyes, and only after Zhang Dai turned around did she look up again to watch him leave.

(End of this chapter)