The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 150 Making Money
Xiao Yi obtained the booklet left by Li Ye and knew that Yan Jinqing was extremely wealthy.

However, upon visiting Yan's residence, one could not discern its extravagance and grandeur; only certain details offered glimpses of its opulence.

The streets and alleys in front of the house are paved with neat bluestone slabs, and the drainage ditches on both sides are lined with blue bricks, unlike other alleys that are muddy and dirty.

The people walking in the alley walked slowly, mostly dressed in blue robes, and looked like residents from the neighborhood. They were probably servants or retainers of the Yan family.

The gate of the Yan residence was very unassuming, but Yan Jinqing himself waited outside the gate, dressed in casual clothes and wearing a fur cloak, walking back and forth under the eaves with its layers of brackets.

"Lord Yan".

"This humble subject greets General Xiao. You have indeed kept your promise and have come."

"You're too kind, Lord Yan."

After exchanging greetings, Xiao Yi had Lü Chou help Shi Dechong down from the carriage behind him.

Looking at Yan Jinqing again, his expression was quite complicated.

Recalling the scene last winter outside Wang Zhang's mansion, where Shi Dechong rode past Yan Jinqing, it felt like a lifetime ago.

"This junior greets Lord Yan."

"Ah, Mr. Shi, you're too kind."

Yan Jinqing sighed twice, rubbed his hands together, and looked at Xiao Yi, his eyes seemingly indicating that he hoped to talk to him alone and that he found Shi Dechong in the way.

It's understandable that Shi Dechong must have broken his heart to wait outside the Shi family's gate that day in the wind and snow to deliver the message.

Xiao Yi said, "I just accompanied Dalang out of the city. I was afraid that if we arrived late, I wouldn't be able to take Dalang back to the mansion first."

"I see. Then... shall we add another table?"

"No need, no need," Shi Dechong said modestly. "It's the same for me and Lü Chou to wait for Brother Xiao Yi in the side room."

"How can we treat Dalang so rudely? Please, come and sit in the flower hall."

Inside, the Yan residence was not spacious, but it was very exquisite.

Shi Dechong was seated in the flower hall; it's unclear what his feelings were.

Xiao Yi and Yan Jinqing went up to the warm pavilion, ate at the same table, and watched the singing and dancing while talking.

There were only three musicians, and eight dancers were divided into two teams to perform alternately, which was a delight to behold.

The environment was comfortable, the wine was fragrant, and even the dishes were the ones Xiao Yi had enjoyed on his two previous visits to Fanlou. It was clear that the host had put a lot of thought into the hospitality.

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Xiao Yi said, "Lord Yan lives like an immortal, why bother to linger in officialdom?"

Yan Jinqing said with a wry smile, "We have wealth but no power. Today we are fined a thousand strings of cash, and tomorrow we will be fined another thousand strings of cash. That's bad enough, but the clan's business will also be difficult to continue."

"It turns out that Fanlou was not owned by Lord Yan alone."

"It was only through the unity of the clan that such a large enterprise was built. Because I originally held some official positions, I was considered to have some influence within the clan."

Xiao Yi took a sip of wine, knowing that Yan Jinqing wanted to be reinstated. But instead of getting to the point, he looked at the musicians and dancers.

Yan Jinqing understood and dismissed them.

"Is Lord Yan from Jin, and does he also have business in Hedong?"

"There are some."

"After the New Year, His Majesty's greatest concern is Liu Chong. Is there any news from the north?"

"The heavy snow has blocked the roads, making it impossible for merchants to travel... I have indeed heard some rumors, and I'm afraid Liu Chong will not submit to His Majesty."

Xiao Yi asked, "Is the information accurate?"

Yan Jinqing leaned forward and whispered, "I dare not hide it from you, General. Yesterday, someone from my clan came and said that Liu Chong is preparing to declare himself emperor and establish a separatist regime in Hedong."

"What are Lord Yan's plans? I'm afraid his ancestral home, land, and property are still largely located in Hedong, aren't they?"

"I should be loyal to Your Majesty, why should I care about material possessions? I only fear that I have no way to serve my country."

"How could there be no way to serve the country? His Majesty once devised a strategy to defeat Liu Chong, one of which was to infiltrate Hedong. At that time, Lord Yan is familiar with the situation in Hedong and is the most suitable candidate."

Yan Jinqing raised his cup with both hands and said, "I would like to ask the general to introduce me. I will never forget your great kindness."

Xiao Yi did not immediately agree, and asked, "What is the biggest obstacle to your reinstatement?"

“Well… General Xiao is no outsider, so I’ll speak frankly.”

"It doesn't hurt to just say it."

"Lord Wang is a very harsh man. Although he did not take my life, he considered me a traitor. Alas, I am truly wronged."

Xiao Yi was immediately in a dilemma, muttering, "Wang Jun is a jealous and power-hungry man. If he controls you, you will have little chance of advancement. I am young and of low rank, how can I compare to his power and status?"

"Alas, I have tried to flatter him several times, but I have never had the chance."

"If we're talking about opportunity, there is one."

"Please, General, do not hesitate to offer your guidance."

"Shi Zhai."

Yan Jinqing was taken aback and said, "The Shi residence?"

"Wang Jun wanted to seize the Shi residence for himself, but he couldn't do it because of His Majesty's affection for the Shi family."

"If that's the case, why doesn't Shi Dalang offer his residence to Wang Jun in exchange for his support?"

Xiao Yi shook his head and sighed, "What Lord Yan needs may not be what Da Lang needs. He is all alone, what use is an official position to him?"

Yan Jinqing thought for a moment and said softly, "How about this, I will pay for the Shi residence and give it to Wang Jun, so that all three parties can get what they need."

Xiao Yi couldn't help but praise, "Great idea."

"But I wonder what price Shi Dalang wants to sell it for?"

"Lord Yan, name your price. If it's suitable, I'll try to persuade the eldest son. What do you say?"

Yan Jinqing slowly held up three fingers.

Xiao Yi was thinking of 30,000 strings of cash.

Yan Jinqing replied, "Three million coins."

It sounds impressive, but it's actually only three thousand strings of cash.

This is a businessman, shrewd yet stingy, unwilling to spend a single penny more for Shi Dechong.

Xiao Yi had something he couldn't say outright, so he said, "It's too little." "With constant warfare, and the previous dynasty only lasting three years before a new one was established, I'm afraid no one else would be willing to buy the Kaifeng official residence."

"I'll send Lord Yan a message, and I'll add another million coins. How about that?"

"The general still holds such a high regard for historians? Good."

"The price of houses in Kaifeng will continue to rise."

The two clinked glasses and settled on the price of the Shi residence for four thousand strings of cash.

This was a win-win-win situation, but there were four participants: Wang Jun, Yan Jinqing, Shi Dechong, and Xiao Yi.

Ultimately, one side will have to suffer a loss.

In chaotic times, those without power are nothing more than fish on the chopping block.

Finally, Xiao Yi summoned Lü Chou and instructed him: "Tomorrow, have Lao Pan accompany Dalang to settle the house deed and buy him a decent little house. From now on, give him ten strings of cash for expenses every month."

"Young master, isn't ten strings of cash too much? He's all alone, how can he possibly spend it all?"

"Just do as instructed..."

The next day, the rest period ended, and it was time to return to training the soldiers.

Xiao Yi ordered his men to hang Wang Jiuxiu's wolf flag on the camp, which drew ridicule from the people in the palace guards and imperial guards.

He was thick-skinned and didn't argue with anyone. Whether he was a wolf or a dog, only the battlefield would tell.

At 1:45 AM, Li Chongjin sent someone to summon him to the military headquarters. Zhang Yongde was also there. Upon seeing him, both of them looked at him with disappointment and frustration.

"Ah Yi, you really are something."

Xiao Yi knew they were talking about the Lantern Festival, and wondered if Guo Xin had lost her temper.

He still feels wronged, as he hasn't been able to get Zhang Wan out of the country yet.

"Haha." Li Chongjin suddenly laughed twice and said, "You are really bold. In order to have a secret rendezvous with Madam An, you not only do not spend time with us properly, but you also take advantage of the Li family's wife."

"Ok?"

So that's what he thought.

Li Chongjin said, "Others may not know, but you can't fool me. I can tell from the look in your eyes that you treat Wu Niang and Li Xiao Niangzi as friends, otherwise why would you send them the same cotton cloth? And the way she looked at you when you went downstairs with An Shi that night..."

"Cough cough."

"I mean, you deserved to lose your job."

"Let's go, His Majesty summons you."

Upon hearing Guo Wei's sudden summons, Xiao Yi was a little worried that perhaps the matter of swindling money from Shi Dechong had been exposed, but he thought it couldn't be that quick.

The three of them entered the palace together.

Xiao Yi suddenly realized something: he was only a commander, but each time he was the only one who entered the palace with two military leaders.

Upon arriving at the Zichen Hall, they found only a few people inside, including Wang Jun, Wei Renpu, Li Gu, and Wang Pu.

After exchanging greetings, Xiao Yi stood at the back, silently observing. He noticed an abacus and a wine jar on the imperial desk and deduced that the emperor and his ministers had just discussed tax reform or matters of finance and grain.

Guo Wei was unhappy, probably because he was short of money.

Same as myself.

"Xiao Yi".

"The minister is here."

"Fifth Lady told me something."

Guo Wei paused briefly at this point, picked up the wine on the imperial table, and took a sip.

He did not deliberately conceal his emotions, which brought Xiao Yi a strong sense of pressure.

Finally, he continued.

"Daxiangguo Temple... has people who donate to the temple, yet they cannot receive the temple's protection and are instead betrayed to the rebels, is that right?"

"Yes."

Xiao Yi knew who Shi Zhong was, as Guo Wei had mentioned, and also knew that Guo Xin had brought this up long ago. Guo Wei had held back until today to ask, not for revenge.

"Daoji, you are in charge of investigating this case."

"The minister obeys the order."

"The Palace Guard will cooperate with the Privy Council to investigate this matter."

"The ministers obey the order."

Guo Wei didn't say anything more and waved them away.

After leaving the Zichen Hall, Wei Renpu gathered the sleeves of his official robes, gazed at the distant city of Kaifeng, and exhaled a puff of white breath.

Do you know His Majesty's thoughts?

"Understood," Li Chongjin said. "Settle accounts with that bald monk."

Zhang Yongde said with great concern, "The dynasty has just been established. If we move the temples now, I'm afraid the people's hearts will waver."

Wei Renpu looked at Xiao Yi and asked, "What do you think?"

Xiao Yi asked, "Money?"

"It's not just about money, but also about land, population, and taxes."

"Understood. It's not just about investigating the Great Xiangguo Temple or its abbot. This is just a pretext. Does Your Majesty intend to ban Buddhism?"

"You're only half right. The Palace Guards must accompany me to arrest the abbot of the Great Xiangguo Temple, find out irrefutable evidence of his treason, and confiscate the temple's property. This is the pretext. However, banning Buddhism is too rash."

Wei Renpu, unusually, clearly pointed out Guo Wei's intentions, saying, "His Majesty wishes to rectify temples, prohibit the private ordination of monks and nuns, eliminate redundant monks, and order temples to hand over some of their land."

Xiao Yi understood. This was a test for the Imperial Guards, not in terms of martial prowess, but in terms of their execution capabilities.

He felt that Guo Wei was being too conservative; if he was going to do something, he should do it with swift and decisive force.

Unfortunately, he cannot influence the court's major decisions at present.

But this job is an opportunity, a chance to test one's mettle and advance the course of history.

(End of this chapter)