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

"Now that they've quieted down, I feel like something's missing."

Pei Yuan stood up and straightened his thin clothes.

"Let's go. After resting for two days, it's time to report to the Zhenfu Division. Don't let Commander Wantong think that I, the Right Vice-General, am putting on too much airs and neglecting my superior."

Half an hour later.

The Northern Garrison Office of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The once gloomy and terrifying prison compound, filled with the heavy smell of blood, appeared unusually festive today.

Wan Tong, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, led a group of commanders of thousands and hundreds to stand outside the gate of the Zhenfu Division to welcome them.

Thanks to Wan Guifei's connections, Wan Tong has been able to maintain his position as commander for the past few years with absolute stability.

But he knew in his heart that his current prestige was entirely due to Pei Yuan's fighting and making money outside.

Pei Yuan is now the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and the Right Commander-in-Chief.

In terms of rank, they were even above him, the commander.

He no longer dared to put on airs of superiority in front of Pei Yuan.

Seeing Pei Yuan's eight-bearer sedan chair approaching from afar, Wantong quickly jogged over to greet it and personally reached out to lift the curtain.

"Oh my! Brother Pei! I've been waiting for you forever!"

Wantong was all smiles.

Their affection was so intense, as if they had met long-lost brothers.

Pei Yuan slowly stepped out of the sedan chair, looking at Wan Tong's obsequious appearance, his face bearing the same treacherous smile as always, and gave a perfunctory bow.

"Brother Wan, you flatter me. I was on official business in Jiangnan and haven't been able to pay my respects to you for a long time. I've come today to apologize."

"We're brothers, why be so formal! Come in, come in!"

Wan Tong warmly took Pei Yuan's arm and ushered him into the lobby.

Fine tea and several plates of exquisite pastries were already prepared in the lobby.

The two took their seats as host and guest, respectively.

Pei Yuan didn't exchange pleasantries for long; he simply gave Lu Zheng a look.

Lu Zheng stepped forward, took out a heavy sandalwood box from his pocket, and gently placed it on the tea table next to Wantong.

"Brother Wan, when I was in Jinling, I came across a trinket. After much thought, I realized that only someone with your noble destiny could handle such a treasure."

Pei Yuan picked up the teacup and slowly skimmed the tea foam.

When Wantong heard that there was treasure, his eyes lit up immediately.

He rubbed his hands together and eagerly opened the brass clasp of the rosewood box.

The moment the box lid was opened.

The lobby seemed to be brightened up a bit by the light.

Inside the box lined with bright yellow brocade, lay a luminous pearl the size of a pebble.

The bead was perfectly round and flawless, and even in the daytime, it shimmered with a faint, luminous green light.

It is completely translucent, and one can tell at a glance that it is a priceless and rare seafood treasure.

"hiss"

Wantong gasped in shock.

His hands trembled as he held the luminous pearl in his palms, his eyes practically glued to it.

"This...this quality of luminous pearl is so high that even the palace's inner treasury would have few like it! Brother, this gift is too much; I am unworthy of it, truly unworthy!"

Vantone claimed that it felt unworthy of such an offer.

The hand holding the pearl was clenched tightly, as if afraid that Pei Yuan would change his mind and take it back.

Pei Yuan took in Wan Tong's greedy behavior and chuckled to himself.

"Brother, you're too kind. I was able to get things done in Jiangnan entirely thanks to you, brother, who handled things for me in the capital and shielded me from the open and covert attacks of those censors."

"This bead is just a small token of my appreciation."

Pei Yuan put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and spoke with a hint of deeper meaning.

"Actually, I've come today with an even bigger business deal that I'd like to discuss with you, elder brother."

Wantong was coveting the luminous pearl in its hands when it heard of an even bigger deal.

He quickly and carefully put the beads back into the box and leaned closer.

"Brother, speak freely. We're brothers; let's prosper together!"

Pei Yuan tapped the table and lowered his voice.

"Brother, I've established a Maritime Trade Commissioner's Office in Jiangnan. Merchant ships at sea can make a fortune by paying escort fees. But the Ming Dynasty has more than just sea routes to make money."

Pei Yuan turned his gaze northward.

"Beyond the nine border towns, although the Tatars and Oirats have fled to the desert, the trade between the furs, ginseng, and horses from outside the pass and the tea, ironware, and silk from inside the pass is a huge gold mine no less than that of Jiangnan."

Upon hearing this, Wantong frowned slightly.

"Are you talking about the border trade, brother? This business has always been done, mostly controlled by the Shanxi merchants."

"Although our Embroidered Uniform Guard can also get involved, the channels outside the Great Wall are wild, and those merchants are mostly backed by border generals."

"If we force our way in, we might not get any benefits and could just cause a lot of trouble."

Pei Yuan chuckled, a sharp killing intent flashing in his eyes.

"A general backing us up? In this world, what powerful backer is there than the Emperor? Or the Embroidered Spring Blade in the hands of our Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Pei Yuan stood up and paced back and forth in the hall.

"Brother, I've already conquered the southern sea route. Now we need to establish some rules for the northern land route as well."

"Those Shanxi merchants smuggled ironware and tea along the border, making a fortune, but they wouldn't even hand over half a tael of tax silver to the national treasury."

"We, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, are the Emperor's personal troops, and it is our duty to share the Emperor's burdens."

Pei Yuan turned around and stared intently at Wantong.

"I plan to establish border patrol and anti-smuggling offices in several key border towns, such as Zhangjiakou and Datong. All merchant caravans crossing the border will need to be issued travel permits by our Imperial Guards."

"Caravans that fail to pay taxes or purchase official contracts will be treated as traitors and rebels, and both the caravans and their goods will be seized and confiscated!"

Wantong was terrified.

This is an attempt to strangle the Shanxi merchants and reach into the pockets of the border generals!

"Brother, isn't this a bit too much? What if those Shanxi merchants join forces and cause a disturbance..."

"Making a scene?"

Pei Yuan smiled coldly.

"If they dare to cause trouble, I dare to kill them. I will kill them until they dare not cause trouble anymore."

Pei Yuan walked over to Wantong and patted his slightly overweight shoulder.

"Brother, there's no need to worry. I'll take on the role of the villain who charges into battle and offends people. You just need to stay in the capital and keep an eye on the Northern Garrison for me."

"After this is done, I'll take 20% of the toll fees collected by the customs office and give it to you, brother. How about that?"

20%!

Wan Tong's mind instantly conjured up images of the mountain of silver vaults in the mansions of wealthy Shanxi merchants.

Although the profits from border trade are not as high as those from maritime trade.

But with a 20% commission, that's at least several hundred thousand taels a year!

If you were to refuse such free money, you'd be struck by lightning.

"Dry!"

Wan Tong's fat face was full of determination and greed.

"Brother, don't worry, go ahead and do it! In this capital, if anyone dares to submit a memorial impeaching you, I'll send someone to investigate their background first! When have we, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, ever been afraid of those pretentious and affected censors!"

With Vantone secured, half of the scheme to amass wealth in the north has been laid.

Pei Yuan left the Northern Garrison with a satisfied heart.

As soon as he stepped out of the gate, he saw a young eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial riding a fast horse, panting heavily as he approached.

"Governor Pei! His Majesty has issued an imperial edict summoning you to the Western Garden for an audience!"

Pei Yuan mounted his horse and galloped off towards the West Garden.