"Three days ago... I once again used the excuse of sending dividends to the Bai aristocratic family of Xiliang after the accounts had been settled and went to each mansion, but the Eight Great Families all said that the Empress promised that the business would not be affected by Young Master Fengnianâs influence in Xiliang. As for how the Young Master offended the Empress, it is unknown. However, considering that the Empress of Xiliang has already imprisoned Young Master Fengnian for such a long time, he should be released soon. They told me not to worry and sent me off. Iâm incompetent... I still donât know why Young Master Fengnian was imprisoned."
Bai Qingqi frowned tightly, shook his head, and tapped his fingers on the table beside him: "Thatâs not true. The fact that you managed to find out that the noble clans of the Xiliang imperial family are unaware of why the Empress of Xiliang imprisoned Young Master Fengnian is a clue in itself."
Before coming, Bai Qingyan had mentioned to Bai Qingqi that this Chen Qingsheng... was extraordinarily talented in human relations, capable of befriending anyone from all walks of life. Moreover, he was a master at gathering information.
If Chen Qingsheng hasnât been able to find out why Bai Jintong was imprisoned and even the nobles of the Xiliang imperial family donât know, then itâs probably because the Empress of Xiliang hasnât revealed a word about it to the outside world.
Chen Qingsheng seemed a bit annoyed, as the eldest daughter sent him to follow the third daughter hoping that at such critical moments, he could gather reliable information. But he hasnât even found out why the third daughter was imprisoned.
Chen Qingsheng lamented, "Money was spent, connections were used, but so far I havenât even been able to see Young Master Fengnian. All Iâve found out is that Young Master Fengnian is imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, and the Empress of Xiliang has visited three times. I couldnât even find out if Young Master Fengnian was punished or not! I am truly ashamed."
Bai Qingqi kept his composure, picked up the teacup next to him, and asked, "Has Young Master Fengnianâs business in Zhou really remained unaffected since his imprisonment?"
"Indeed, it has not been affected at all!" Chen Qingsheng answered honestly, "Initially, some shopkeepers suggested temporarily closing the shops, but I thought... Keeping the shops open would prove Young Master Fengnianâs clear conscience. Besides... if there were problems with the shops, it would mean there are big issues on Young Master Fengnianâs side. I figured... if the Empress of Xiliang hasnât touched the shops, then things shouldnât be too difficult for Young Master Fengnian."
Xiao Ruohai, who had already investigated in Yunjing, spoke up: "Itâs hard to say, after all... Young Master Fengnian brought papermaking technology from Tianfeng Kingdom, as well as the manufacturing technology of emerald brocade. Now, emerald brocade is popular among the nobles of Zhou, and its price is high, as are the prices of Xiliangâs furs in Zhou. Previously, the farmers of Xiliang... could profit from grains."
"But now, the people of Xiliang engage in making emerald brocade, hunting and skinning animals to supply Young Master Fengnianâs shops, and then his caravans transport them to Zhou for substantial profits. Some even thought to slice a piece of the business from Young Master Fengnian, but large merchants in Zhou, Yan, and Tianfeng Kingdom who collect emerald brocade and furs, only take goods from Young Master Fengnian."
"And because of the advanced papermaking technology of Tianfeng Kingdom being so cheap, the demand in the Yan Kingdom is enormous. Several aristocratic families in Xiliang have invested silver in papermaking through Young Master Fengnian, recruiting the public to make paper, and sending it to Yan for profit! It can be said that Young Master Fengnianâs shops have, in this short period, penetrated the livelihood of Xiliangâs populace. Even if the Empress of Xiliang wants to make things difficult for Young Master Fengnian, she canât easily touch his business."
Bai Qingqiâs tapping on the table paused, as if suddenly grasping the crucial point, thus understanding what Jintong intended to do in Xiliang.
Bai Jintong got involved in the livelihood of Xiliangâs populace...
It is to use commerce to control Xiliang, grasping the lifeline of Xiliangâs grain supply.
"Is Young Master Fengnian still in the grain business?" Bai Qingqi asked.
Chen Qingsheng nodded: "Young Master Fengnian sells the grains collected from Zhou and Yan to the people of Xiliang..."
Bai Qingqiâs thoughts became clearer, and he pursued, "How are the profits?"
Chen Qingsheng seemed to have realized something as well, and he looked at Bai Qingqi: "Young Master Fengnian transports grain respectively to Tianfeng and Xiliang. The grain business in Tianfeng is profitable, but... the grain business in Xiliang is only just breaking even."
Xiao Ruohai, who had his suspicions before, was now certain that the third daughterâs capture was probably because of this matter...
Bai Qingqiâs lips pressed tightly together, speculating that the Empress of Xiliang probably also sent people to investigate and even figured out that Bai Jintong intended to weaken Xiliang using this method, thus capturing Jintong.
It seems that the Empress of Xiliang, familiar with the stories of buying deer to control Chu and buying fox to replace Dai, harbors suspicions towards Bai Jintong.
Xiao Ruohai looked at Chen Qingsheng and asked: "Then, how about the other businesses? Has Young Master Fengnianâs business of buying emerald brocade and furs at a high price and sending them to Jin Kingdom made a profit?"
Chen Qingsheng quickly nodded looking at Xiao Ruohai: "Yes, it has, and itâs a hefty profit indeed!"
Xiao Ruohai turned, looking at Bai Qingqi, and gave a deep bow: "Third Young Master, in my opinion... Young Master Fengnian has done nothing wrong, after all... merchants seek profit. Since emerald brocade and furs, as well as paper, offer hefty profits, naturally Young Master Fengnian would want more Xiliang people involved. With food priced lower, people are willing to spend more time on emerald brocade and furs, which means more profit for Young Master Fengnian."
"Indeed! Itâs perfectly normal for merchants to seek profit!" Chen Qingsheng added.
Bai Qingqi nodded and looked at Chen Qingsheng: "Certainly your Young Master Fengnian would say as much, otherwise... it wouldnât be as simple as just imprisonment. Itâs just... now that the Empress of Xiliang has imprisoned your Young Master Fengnian for too long, seeing that the business is running perfectly under your management, the Eight Great Families probably see your Young Master Fengnian as dispensable and therefore wonât plead with the Empress of Xiliang for him."
Chen Qingsheng turned pale, quickly bowed deeply to Bai Qingqi and apologized: "I hadnât considered that, please punish me, Third Young Master."
"You are acting on Young Master Fengnianâs orders. With Young Master Fengnian absent, the way youâve run the business is exceptional and noteworthy!" Bai Qingqi knocked on the table in front of him, tweaked his robe, crossed his legs, picked up the teacup with a composed, solemn face, and said, "Starting today... gradually increase the price of grain, doubling it daily. Other grain merchants will inevitably follow suit, and there will come a time when the Empress of Xiliang becomes urgent! Send someone back to Zhou, command that starting today, strictly inspect the entry and exit of grain merchants at the border, and find an excuse to detain especially those heading towards Xiliang!"