Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

The peonies in Nanjing are in full bloom.

Inside Xichun Garden, flowers bloom in clusters, and a subtle fragrance wafts through the air.

Those few century-old Wei Zi Yao Huang trees, after being washed by the misty spring rain, appeared even more delicate and vibrant.

The koi in the pond darted among the withered lotus leaves and new reeds, flicking their crimson tails and creating ripples.

In the open pavilion of the inner courtyard, fine bamboo curtains hung down.

Pei Yuan, wearing a loose, dark red Hangzhou silk robe, leaned against a soft couch covered with a whole white tiger skin.

On the table, a gilded Boshan incense burner was emitting wisps of incense, dispelling some of the chill of spring.

[Ding! Today's attendance complete. Attribute point gained +1.]

"Add to physical constitution."

Pei Yuan silently recited this in his heart.

A gentle, jade-like aura flowed quietly along his eight extraordinary meridians, making the blood and qi in his young body even more abundant and profound.

He picked up the freshly brewed Gu Zhu purple tea from the table, gently brushed away the floating leaves with the lid, took a small sip, and looked extremely relaxed.

"grown ups."

Outside the bamboo curtain, Lu Zheng lowered his voice to report, then lifted the curtain and entered.

He walked to the soft couch, holding a thick stack of gold-embossed visiting cards and several red-sealed gift lists.

It was presented respectfully on the table.

"In the past few days, salt and silk merchants from all over Jiangnan, as well as the provincial governors under the Provincial Administration Commission, have been sending gifts to our Xichun Garden in various ways."

"The visiting cards received by the gatekeeper are almost piled up like a small mountain. This is a list of the most important ones that we have selected. Please take a look, sir."

Pei Yuan did not get up, but lazily stretched out a finger and lifted the top red-sealed gift list.

The gift list was written in very neat, tiny characters.

"Ten bolts of exquisite Suzhou embroidery, a pair of white jade ruyi scepters, a mutton-fat jade Guanyin statue, and 50,000 taels of silver..."

Pei Yuan casually read through a few items, a mocking smile playing on his lips, before tossing the gift list aside.

"These wealthy gentry and officials from Jiangnan pretend to be incorruptible in front of the people, but when it comes to spending money, they are all incredibly generous."

"As soon as His Majesty issued that imperial edict reprimanding the Six Ministries, they knew that my position as Imperial Envoy was as secure as Mount Tai, and they rushed to pay their respects to the new patron."

Lu Zheng leaned closer and whispered.

"My lord, there is a gift list here that is quite remarkable. It was sent by Wan Dafu, a major salt merchant under the Lianghuai Salt Transport Office."

"Oh? Wan Dafu?"

Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

The salt merchants of Lianghuai were renowned for their immense wealth during the Ming Dynasty.

These salt merchants controlled the salt permits and secretly engaged in the smuggling of salt, becoming incredibly wealthy.

"What kind of novelties did he send?"

Lu Zheng pulled out a booklet with gold trim from the stack of gift lists and opened it.

"This Wan Dafu certainly knows how to cater to one's tastes. He knows that the lord is overseeing the construction of treasure ships at the Longjiang Shipyard, and in addition to the 100,000 taels of silver in exchange bills, he also sent two 18-foot bronze Buddha statues purchased from overseas at great expense."

"It is said to be cast entirely in red copper and weighs ten thousand catties. Not only that, he also sent thirty skilled blacksmiths whose ancestors had worked in the ordnance bureau, saying they would help the master repair ships."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan put down his teacup.

A sharp, insightful glint flashed in those long, deep-set eyes.

A Buddha statue cast in red copper, measuring eighteen feet tall.

The Ming Dynasty had extremely strict control over copper and iron products.

Copper was a vital national instrument used to cast coins and firearms.

This Wan Dafu, a mere merchant, actually managed to acquire a massive amount of red copper weighing tens of thousands of kilograms, and even dared to present it as a gift to the imperial envoy.

This was clearly a demonstration to Pei Yuan of the smuggling waterways and the ability to hoard copper and iron in Jiangnan.

He is the most outstanding among all families.

As for the thirty skilled blacksmiths, their presence held an even deeper meaning.

Shipbuilding naturally requires blacksmiths to hammer nails.

But Wan Dafu was subtly telling Pei Yuan that as long as the Wan family was around, the materials and manpower for shipbuilding would never be cut off.

"What is Wan Dafu seeking?"

Pei Yuan toyed with a jade thumb ring and asked casually.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Wan Dafu's steward mentioned it subtly when he delivered the message at the gate. He said that the Wan family's merchant ships are often harassed by Japanese pirates at sea, and that upon hearing that Your Excellency is going to build the Ming Dynasty's navy, the Wan family is willing to contribute funds to serve them."

"I only ask that when the navy goes out to sea in the future, it can also escort the salt ships of the Wan family. If you can agree, I, Wan Dafu, will personally pay a visit this evening and will reward you handsomely."

"And while we're at it, why not protect the salt boats that serve countless families?"

Pei Yuan suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the open pavilion, carrying a chilling undertone.

What a shrewd salt merchant!

They want to use the imperial navy to protect the Wan family's smuggling merchant ships!

If it were an ordinary corrupt official, he would most likely have reluctantly agreed to the offer of 100,000 taels of silver and 10,000 catties of copper.

After all, one is bound to be obligated to accept gifts or favors.

"Since Boss Wan is so sincere, how can I refuse him?"

Pei Yuan stood up, straightened his Hangzhou silk robe, and his eyes gleamed with a fox-like cunning.

"Go back to the gatekeeper and inform him that a banquet will be held tonight at Xichun Garden. Tell Wan Dafu that I have only invited him. Tell him to bring his other generous reward to see me."

"Your humble servant obeys."