Chapter 140 – Tribute

“Is the southeast going to become chaotic?” Sheng Changtian mused. “I’ve traveled that route before, and it’s indeed quite turbulent there.”

Xu Chun leaned over the expansive table, studying the sea map. “Brother Changtian, this must be aimed at our dynasty. Our dynasty is the suzerain state of Silla, and if Silla is attacked, they will surely seek help from us. The emperor will definitely send troops to assist. Historically, any action against this area is very sensitive, and the land itself is crucial.”

Sheng Changtian asked, “Grain transport?”

Xu Chun nodded. “The port of Enjin is significant. If troops are dispatched, they will certainly need to transfer supplies through the grain transport canal. Winter is approaching, and snow will soon fall. If the canal freezes, the logistics of provisions will undoubtedly be a major issue. At that time, the various maritime customs offices will likely have to find ways to assist with military supplies.”

Sheng Changtian said, “So what do you suggest we do now?”

Xu Chun muttered, “I should write a letter to Brother Jiu… his mind works better than mine.”

Sheng Changtian was speechless.

Xu Chun glanced at him and said, “Brother Changtian, we can make some preparations in advance.”

Sheng Changtian coldly remarked, “Thinking about transporting grain in advance? You’re broke right now; you can’t afford to profit from this—you still owe money. Where would you get the capital?”

Xu Chun chuckled. “Brother, if Leyte, a foreigner, can know this information, surely others outside have learned of it too. The grain transport canal has always been heavily taxed. Because of this, most people would be unwilling to go through the trouble for an uncertain message. It seems that Leyte is a heavy gambler, bold enough to take risks.”

Sheng Changtian asked, “What do you mean?”

Xu Chun replied, “I want the southern grain to be transported here early, so it’s convenient to mobilize and transfer later, avoiding passivity. It’s not about making money, Brother Changtian. You should quietly instruct your staff to purchase grain first. Then spread some rumors, vaguely hinting at something. The more ambiguous it is, the more likely people will believe it. This coincides with the Ten Thousand Longevity Festival, and merchants from all over are present. If a few capable merchants believe it and transport grain here, it’ll be enough.”

Sheng Changtian shook his head. “Forget it, impractical. Few would believe it anyway, and merchants are inherently cunning. Even if they transport grain here, they would surely hoard it and sell it to you at a high price. How much money do you have to buy it? Don’t think that the merchants on the market are as patriotic as you are. They won’t rise early without profit, let alone to aid Silla. How many people know what kind of place that is?”

“It’s better to seize the opportunity while prices are low and quickly acquire nearby grain. There’s no need to be rigid about what type of grain it is; anything that can fill bellies should be bought. In my opinion, if it’s truly imminent, not only food but also medicine, gauze, ironware, horseshoes, and various other items should be purchased. Yesterday, General Huo mentioned that the military hasn’t received their pay for several months. You might as well procure under the guise of assisting in raising military funds, which would allow you to take the initiative.”

Xu Chun was enlightened by Sheng Changtian’s words. “Brother Changtian is absolutely right; I oversimplified it.”

Sheng Changtian tapped his forehead. “You subconsciously rely on Brother Jiu to cover for you, thinking that with enough money on the market, there’s enough grain to buy. That’s not true. No matter how much money you have, during war, even mountains of gold and silver wouldn’t be enough. A nation’s resources would be strained. You’re too eager, Youlin.”

Xu Chun was startled, and Sheng Changtian looked at him intently. “For the past few days, I’ve seen you catching smugglers at night, reviewing accounts during the day, sorting out spoils, meeting envoys from the Four Barbarians, interviewing self-recommended advisors, signing official documents, and now planning to join forces with General Huo to clear out the bandits near Clifftop Pass. You’re also working on the production of the Imperial Kiln’s powder-colored porcelain with Leyte, juggling multiple tasks simultaneously and hardly eating properly.”

“Why are you working yourself so hard? You’ve only been in office for two months. Don’t rush too much. Take it step by step; you will eventually achieve results. Don’t overexert yourself. From the sidelines, I see that you are too eager – eager to establish your career and to prove yourself. But one doesn’t become fat overnight. Our prosperous family business wasn’t built in a day—it was accumulated generation after generation.”

“As for the matter of war, it’s not something you should worry about. So many generals and admirals are guarding the coast; why are you concerned? These national affairs – with so many officials in the court, surely not everyone is idly sitting around, right? When the time comes, these high-ranking officials will surely find a way.”

Xu Chun twirled his fan in his hand. Although it was already cool, he still had the habit of playing with his fan while thinking. He smiled at Sheng Changtian and said, “Brother Changtian, I don’t feel tired, and there are so many people helping me with these tasks.”

He closed his folding fan and began counting on his fingers. “Sister Qingqian and the other sisters are helping me with the accounts. Jiang Mei is sharing the burden of official duties. Catching smugglers is mostly handled by you and Admiral Qin. Clearing out Clifftop Pass will definitely require General Huo’s assistance. There’s also Captain Pei and Captain Qi leading so many people. As for the Imperial Kiln’s powder-colored porcelain, once I write to Brother Jiu, he will definitely arrange manpower to handle it, so I won’t have to bother with it much.”

Xu Chun rattled off the list and reassured him, “I haven’t exerted myself too much. I’ve been a wastrel for so many years; I’m finally doing something and enjoying it.”

Sheng Changtian sighed inwardly. Before he left, the old man had specifically called him aside for a private conversation. “You have a straightforward personality and don’t think much before speaking, but you’re closest in age to Youlin, and you used to play together the most. Now that you’re helping Youlin, your primary role is to alleviate his hardships. Also, try to comfort him daily. Don’t think that Youlin is always smiling; from the incident with your aunt and their estranged upbringing, you can tell that he remembers everything in his heart. He appears indifferent on the surface, but he’s particularly prone to getting stuck in a rut.”

“The emperor is the sovereign of heaven, earth, and gods, and although he has been ruling alone for a long time, how could the court allow the position of empress to remain vacant indefinitely, with no heir apparent? Furthermore, Youlin is young; he’s infatuated with love. The one above seems to be increasingly fond of him, but who knows if one day he’ll appoint an empress and have an heir. If that day comes, you must persuade Youlin. Don’t let him lose hope; he has a ‘jade and stone burn together’ personality—different from you, who’s open and straightforward, unable to hide things in your heart. He might not be able to withstand the blow. Since you are a few years older, comfort him well. Whatever you do, do not let him reach a dead end.”

Xu Chun suddenly snapped his fan shut, his face filled with joy. “I’m grateful for Brother Changtian’s reminder. Just in time, these foreign envoys have brought plenty of tribute. I’ll inform Brother Jiu; I’ll retain some of these tributes. If war really breaks out, they’ll come in handy.”

He happily picked up a piece of paper from the table and read it to Sheng Changtian. “Look, this is from the King of Zhongshan, sending the envoy Zheng Yidafu to offer 20,000 catties of sulfur, 2,000 catties of red copper, 1,000 catties of logwood, 20 sharkskin daggers, and 2,000 catties of pepper.”

“And this one, this one, from the King of Xiliang, sending an envoy to offer ten horses, 100 catties of agarwood, six lacquered gilt-copper ceremonial sabers…”

“This Lion Piano Kingdom also has gifts, including twenty repeating rifles… Celestial Orbiter – this one sounds interesting, and there’s also a cannon. I’ve been eyeing it since the other day.”

“The Fragrant Kite Kingdom is giving a mechanical self-sounding clock, one hundred jars of grape wine, a carriage, and one hundred bottles of perfume.”

“The Lucia Kingdom is offering one hundred bear skins, a box of gems, ten oil paintings, one thousand jars of distilled liquor, and thirty repeating rifles.”

“These peppers and wines, there must be plenty in the palace. These are popular goods. We can exchange them locally for military supplies instead of sending them back to the palace to rot.”

Sheng Changtian was amused and exasperated, flicking his forehead. “Who would dare to intercept tribute so brazenly? You’re even considering the emperor’s birthday gifts! But it’s indeed a good idea.” Sheng Changtian thought. He’d have to find an opportunity to mention Xu Chun’s hardships to Captain Qi Luan. If the one above felt sympathy, perhaps he wouldn’t hold such a sin against him. Alas, if we were an ordinary family, what would intercepting a little birthday gift matter? Husband and wife are one; what’s yours is mine. But in the imperial household, that would be considered treason.

After all, even if he didn’t read much, he had heard the story of the divided peach. When things were good, the peach’s beauty was attributed to me; when the relationship turned sour, it was said that the peach was given to me after being eaten. That’s what the unfaithful person said!

Now, the one above was indulgent due to affection, but who could guarantee it would last!

Sheng Changtian, rough but detail-oriented, still warned Xu Chun, “Be careful that other officials from the maritime customs office don’t see this and impeach you for disrespect, the crime of privately intercepting tribute.”

Xu Chun was jubilant. “They’ve been doing this for a long time. I predict that within a few days, I’ll be able to deal with them. Once the atmosphere in the maritime customs office is rectified, no one will report such matters. Besides, I’m acting for the public good, not for personal gain. What’s wrong with that? I’ll have Brother Jiu issue a decree once the war really starts, allowing the maritime customs office to convert tributes into military supplies and salaries. That will legitimize the process. If there’s no war, I’ll send them to the capital on another occasion.”

Sheng Changtian thought to himself, You’re relying on his favor, but it’s better than him exhausting himself trying to raise funds everywhere for military supplies.

Xu Chun said, “Speaking of which, you and General Huo should prepare a carriage that looks like it’s carrying tribute, pretending to be escorting it back. Pass by Clifftop Pass to lure the snakes out of their dens, and you’ll surely be able to clear out those bandits. With the money, repair that road. I’ll discuss it with Admiral Qin and build some large sheds and watchtowers along the way. Station soldiers along the entire route. Once the road is open and merchants are safe, it will be a great achievement.”

Sheng Changtian was speechless. He watched Xu Chun’s eyes sparkle with excitement, like precious stones shimmering. He was truly immersed in his work and a sense of accomplishment. Sheng Changtian had experienced similar passion when he first sailed the seas. Under the vast blue sky, the sails swelled with his ambitious spirit. The waves, seagulls, and clouds seemed to cheer and send him off. There was nowhere in the world he couldn’t go. Traveling far was to obtain more wealth and find enticing opportunities.”

Indeed, during that period, he didn’t feel tired or exhausted, filled with a vibrant enthusiasm that propelled him forward.

He smiled. Youlin had found his ambition, and it was a grand one.

Xu Chun sat upright, frowning as he wrote a letter in haste. He didn’t have time to deliberate over the wording, sealing it with wax and pressing a fire seal onto it. He then had someone deliver it to Qi Luan, who would immediately send it to the capital. Sheng Changtian said, “I happen to need Captain Qi for something; let me take it over.”

Without much thought, Xu Chun handed him the letter but suddenly remembered something. “Wait, there’s also my homework!”

He hastily rummaged through the books and papers on the desk, rolled up whatever he had written, tied it with a silk ribbon, and handed it to him.

Sheng Changtian saw that the ink was still slightly damp and could only smile. “No rush, it doesn’t matter if it’s a little late.”

Xu Chun glanced at the self-sounding clock. “I have plans to go out to sea to combat smuggling. I also have an account statement to review.”

Sheng Changtian shook his head and sighed. “And he’s enjoying every moment of it.”

Due to being marked as urgent military intelligence, the vermilion box was quickly delivered to Xie Yi’s desk. Xie Yi furrowed his brows as he read.

This was different from the usual letters that lifted his spirits. Su Hua asked cautiously, “Is there any bad news from Prince Xu?”

Xie Yi said, “Nothing. He thinks the southeast may go to war, and there might be problems with the coordination of military salaries. He’s requesting temporary permission to retain some of the tributes offered by foreign envoys and vassal states. If there’s no war, there won’t be an issue. If war does break out, it will save coordination efforts.”

Su Hua laughed. “Well, Prince Xu is sending a letter for this? Since it’s the emperor’s birthday gift, they’re all part of the imperial treasury. Why wouldn’t His Majesty grant anything he wants? Is the emperor worried about the southeast war situation?”

Xie Yi said, “He’s taking such care to keep these things, clearly having the idea of wanting to personally participate in it.”

He opened the large characters and frowned.

Su Hua exclaimed, “What? A naval battle against the pirates, that’s not easy to win. Prince Xu mustn’t be foolish.”

Xie Yi shook his head. “Call Qi Luan in for questioning.”

Ever since the first time Xie Yi interrogated him, Su Hua had kept a close eye on Qi Luan, ensuring he was available for debriefing each time.

Indeed, Qi Luan entered to report, “It’s said that the information came from a foreign merchant named Leyte. Prince Xu said the information was important and instructed to quickly bring it to the capital.”

Xie Yi asked, “What did this foreign merchant want from Prince Xu?”

Qi Luan replied, “According to Young Master Sheng, he wanted to order custom-made Imperial Kiln powder-colored porcelain, aiming for a long-term business relationship with the prince. Young Master Sheng said that the prince planned to exchange advanced machinery and firearms from Lion Piano Kingdom, which would be a fair deal.”

Xie Yi observed Qi Luan, knowing that this guard, who had a wooden personality, only answered questions when asked. He continued, “Did Young Master Sheng say anything else?”

Qi Luan responded, “Young Master Sheng said that although Prince Xu is young, he’s eager to relieve the emperor’s burdens. He’s been working tirelessly day and night, dealing with piracy, bandit suppression, auditing accounts, meeting envoys, signing official documents, and secretly looking for ways to raise money. I heard he reads books and completes homework every day, barely having time to eat. If the homework requirements could be reduced by a point or two, it would be for the best.”

Xie Yi was speechless.

Su Hua scolded him, frustrated that he wasn’t made of steel. “Why didn’t you say such important things earlier?”

Qi Luan was bewildered. “Wasn’t this just casual talk from Young Master Sheng?”