Chapter 178 – Shareholding

Xu Chun went downstairs toward the field, aiming for where the guards were gathered, taking a break and cheering. However, he was intercepted halfway by Duke Guide’s heir, Su Linyu, who pulled him to sit under a tent nearby. “You got drunk last night, didn’t you? Your complexion looks terrible. I wanted to invite you over early this morning, but when I sent an invitation to your residence, they said you were busy preparing to return to Jinhai, so you were declining all invitations? When are you leaving?”

Xu Chun smiled. “I really did drink too much last night. I’ll rest for two days and then head back.”

Su Linyu lowered his voice. “Didn’t they say you were going to stay in the capital this time? Why are you still heading to Jinhai?”

Xu Chun replied, “There’s nothing interesting in the capital. It’s more free outside. My father restricts me here in the capital.”

Su Linyu laughed heartily. “That’s true. You can bump into princes and sons of dragons at any moment in the capital. It’s a place you can’t afford to offend people. Moreover…” He whispered to Xu Chun, “As I mentioned earlier, the current emperor is clearly selecting a successor. The Imperial Academy is now filled with competition, and we slackers are barely getting by.”

Xu Chun glanced at the field. “Indeed, they’re all young, around ten years old.”

Su Linyu remarked, “Everyone thinks that youth brings opportunity, and the emperor is in his prime.” Thinking of Xie Fei, he couldn’t help feeling regretful, but he still smiled. “Unfortunately, Prince Shun’an is currently focused on studying, secluded at home. The other day, he asked about your news and learned that you had achieved a feat. He even said he wanted to send you a gift to congratulate you. I wonder if you received it.”

Perhaps, Xu Chun hadn’t paid attention, as the congratulatory gifts he had received were numerous. They were all registered by the accountants and stewards of the residence, who then passed the list to Lady Sheng. Lady Sheng would then find opportunities to return gifts according to the list.

He simply made a few perfunctory remarks and said, “I’m going over there to wait for the top scholar to finish the game so I can talk to him. I have some questions I want to consult him about.”

Su Linyu smiled. “Which top scholar?”

Xu Chun paused, realizing, “Oh, there’s another top scholar from the special imperial examination who’s playing today?”

Su Linyu confirmed, “Isn’t that right? Didn’t you see? The one wearing the jade-colored robe is from Jiangnan, very young, a nineteen-year-old top scholar named Zhuang Zhan. People say that with his appearance, he should have been a third-place scholar instead. It’s said that the chief examiner suggested as much. But the emperor said that since his writing and policy essays were excellent, he deserved to be the top scholar. One shouldn’t designate him as a third-place scholar just because he’s good-looking. This year’s third-place scholar, on the other hand, is an old man with white hair, Zhou Shouhe. It’s said he plays chess exceptionally well.”

Su Linyu chuckled, clearly recalling the amusing scene of the white-haired Zhou Shouhe, appointed as the third-place scholar by imperial decree at the Qionglin Banquet, staggering back with a flower branch in hand. Although he hadn’t seen it himself, the incident had become a popular topic of conversation.

Everyone praised the emperor’s wisdom, commending him for choosing a top scholar who was both talented and handsome, resembling Pan An. He also selected a third-place scholar with white hair, showing the wisdom of Jiang Taigong. In contrast, the second-place scholar, Bao Sijin, was neither particularly outstanding nor exceptionally talented, with a plain appearance.

Xu Chun looked over and saw the top scholar Zhuang, dressed in a jade-colored round-collar robe, riding his horse like the wind. Unlike others, he wasn’t dressed in Hu clothing but seemed to have rushed out from the Hanlin Academy, hastily joining the team on horseback. His wide-sleeved jade-colored scholar’s robe fluttered in the wind during the ride, revealing arms as fair as jade. Due to the intense heat, his face was flushed pink, and his appearance was truly handsome, indeed possessing the looks of Pan An.

Suddenly, the sound of the golden gong echoed, signaling the end of the match. The Imperial Guards had won by three goals.

Xu Chun couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Big Brother Zi Xing’s ball concession was truly extraordinary, perfectly conceding three goals, sparing the faces of the imperial clan members from the Imperial Academy and maintaining their dignity.

Seeing the players about to leave the field, two eunuchs approached, holding brocade ribbons and smiling. “A splendid match. The Emperor has rewards for you.”

The players from both sides were surprised and delighted, unable to resist looking up at the Wuxiang Tower above, but could only see the faint curtain, behind which there seemed to be someone. Today, they knew that the Wuxiang Tower was under strict security and did not allow ordinary people to enter. However, some noble families with female relatives might book the entire Wuxiang Tower. With the intense competition, they hadn’t noticed, but they never expected that the emperor himself had come to watch the game!

Everyone hurried to express their gratitude, but the eunuch smiled. “His Majesty said there’s no need for formalities. He’ll take a brief look and leave. Please, gentlemen, continue your games freely; don’t let this bother you.”

Although he said so, everyone’s competitive spirit grew fiercer. The next match was between the Equestrian Polo Team of the National University Martial Arts Division and the City Defense Camp Polo Team of the Five Military Directorates. Both teams were skilled in martial arts, and every player was tall and strong. Now, staring at each other, sparks seemed to fly in the air.

The game started with a coin toss on the field. Xu Chun aimed for Fang Zixing and Nong Siji’s side and was about to go over, but Su Linyu grabbed his arm and smiled. “Brother Yuanshen, let me introduce you. This is Prince Xie Li, the heir of the Riqin Wang family.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Li stood in front of him, sizing him up, his gaze somewhat condescending. “So you’re the heir of the Jingguo Duke, Xu Chun?”

Xu Chun had no choice but to bow. “This humble one greets Prince Li.”

Xie Li said, “I heard that your family is recruiting embroideresses to start an embroidery factory to do business with the West. Can you allow this gentleman to participate in the shares?”

Xu Chun was taken aback.

Lady Sheng was indeed recruiting embroideresses, and this wasn’t exactly a secret. Furthermore, they intentionally spread the news that the products would be sold abroad, not competing with other embroidery shops in the capital, so as not to offend anyone. Otherwise, they would be crossing boundaries, and inevitably, many people would try to trip them up. However, this Prince Li sure was well-informed. Xu Chun glanced at Su Linyu. This guy was always sycophantic and opportunistic. Just now, he insisted on pulling him aside to chat idly, clearly with a purpose.

Su Linyu smiled. “Prince Li heard that Marquis Xu is extremely righteous and has been looking for an opportunity to make friends. Today’s encounter is a coincidence, and also fate. There are many people here, why don’t we find a quiet place to sit down and talk slowly? How about letting me host a meal?”

Xie Li looked at Xu Chun’s expression but seemed unhappy. “Marquis Xu wouldn’t think that I don’t have much money and look down on my shares, would you?”

Xu Chun smiled. “Prince Li wants to do business and participate in the shares; I’m thrilled. How could I refuse? But the embroidery business is a joint venture between my mother and the young lady of the Helan family. It’s merely making a little money from cosmetics. After deducting the expenses for hiring embroideresses, food and lodging, wages, silk and thread costs, the shipping fees for exporting abroad, and converting the silver coins from the West, there’s not much profit left. It’s also very tedious. Do you two brothers have the patience to settle accounts and argue with the ladies of the inner courtyard? I do have a big business here. If you participate in the shares, the profits will be huge. I’m afraid Prince Li doesn’t dare to do it, though.”

Xie Li sneered. “What business would I not dare to do? Don’t tell me the risks are too high, and you’re deliberately provoking me.”

Xu Chun replied, “That’s not the case. Although there are risks, I dare to guarantee Prince Li’s investment. If there’s a loss, it’s on me. If there’s a profit, it will be divided according to our agreement. I assure you, no falsehoods.”

Now even Su Linyu became interested, asking, “Can I also participate in the shares in such a good business?”

Xu Chun smiled. “Brother Lin Yu is one of us, and your mouth is tight. Why not? But this business requires a lot of capital. Therefore, ten thousand silver taels count as one share. Brother Lin Yu can find partners, but there’s one condition. They must be discreet and trustworthy, and their family background must be decent. As a result, there are fewer people. Therefore, Brother Lin Yu, once you’ve determined your partner, let me know.”

Su Linyu was startled and exclaimed, “Why does it require so much capital? Ten thousand silver taels for one share?”

Xu Chun chuckled. “There are many people here, so I won’t go into detail. Another day, when I have the rules drafted, I’ll send copies to Prince Li and Brother Su. If you’re interested, you can participate in the shares.” He lowered his voice. “This matter is still in the planning stage, but it does lack funds and reliable people. We need discretion, decent family backgrounds, and the ability to pay up front. I’m quite troubled about it. It’s just fate that Prince Li found me.”

Xie Li observed Xu Chun’s mysterious appearance and suddenly realized something. “You wouldn’t be thinking of… would you? That’s easy to get in trouble!” He became vague, remembering that Xu Chun was in charge of the Jinhai Port’s customs office and naturally had smuggling channels. He was also serving in the military and had just earned military merit, with rumors spreading that he was about to be ennobled. Seeing Xu Chun’s secretive demeanor now, he feared that he was planning to do arms business! Indeed, the profits would be enormous, but without imperial approval, it could lead to a crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan at any time!

Xu Chun smiled. “I have my ways. Prince Li, just trust me and participate in the shares.”

At that moment, a guard walked over to Xu Chun and bowed. “General Xu, Marquis Wuying and our commander have invited you over for a chat.”

Xu Chun looked up and indeed saw Fang Zixing sitting on his horse, looking down from above, pointing at him with his whip from a distance, and then at a nearby pavilion, his face impatient. Xu Chun laughed and bowed to Xie Li. “Since Marquis Fang and Commander have summoned me, I’ll head over first. If there’s an opportunity, I’ll discuss it in detail with Prince Li another day.”

Xie Li was hesitating whether to take advantage of this opportunity to approach and make friends with the Fang brothers, fearing that rashly approaching them would displease the two. After all, Fang Zijing never associated with officials outside the imperial clan, and Fang Zixing was unapproachable, giving no one face. While he hesitated, Xu Chun had already briskly walked over, raising his head to talk to Fang Zixing without bowing.

Fang Zixing dismounted from his horse. No one knew what he was saying to Xu Chun, but seeing the guards come over to lead the horses away, beside Fang Zixing, Prince Guangyuan’s heir, Nong, who usually appeared aloof and cold, was also smiling at Xu Chun, seemingly saying something. He even handed him the red jade bracelet he had just received as a reward, apparently intending to give it to him.

Xu Chun, however, pushed it away, looking disgusted. Clearly, the three of them were close friends. Then, they entered the Fang family pavilion. Everyone knew that there was a great figure inside that pavilion today—Marquis Wuying Fang Zijing, who had just returned victorious, personally came to watch his younger brother, Commander Fang, play polo.

Xie Li pondered this. Su Linyu cautiously asked, “Your Highness, what do you think of this business…?”

Xie Li said, “The person behind it is likely Marquis Wuying. The Fang family is the king of the southeast. With their support, what business can’t be done? But the Fang family is wealthy; do they still care about our peanuts?”

Su Linyu remarked, “It’s probably Xu Chun’s own business, and the Fang family is willing to provide convenience for him. The Sheng family is also wealthy. Still, what Marquis Xu said makes sense. It’s not that I’m scared. Rather…” He hesitated, “Interactions between the imperial clan and military officers are major taboos. Moreover, if it’s really a business that breaks the taboo… the risk isn’t at sea.” He stammered, actually having given up on participating in the shares. He even worried for Xie Li, after all, he was a promising prince. Why get involved in this?”

Xie Li gritted his teeth. Ultimately, he was young and couldn’t make up his mind. “Let me think about it.”