From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 690: Chapter 692: Official-Merchant Collusion

Ancient Wenheng took a sip of tea before speaking. "Lord Ning, finding just any guide won’t do. Detouring through Yongchang County to reach He Xi County will add five or six days to your journey.

I wonder if you’ll arrive in time for your appointment, Lord Ning?

If those ledgers aren’t audited promptly, there will be endless trouble later on."

Ning Yuchen’s expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly put on a smile. "I departed the capital as soon as I received my transfer orders. I came to pay my respects to you today, my lord, and I will be on my way to He Xi County tomorrow."

Recalling recent case reports, Ancient Wenheng offered a friendly reminder. "Very good. The journey ahead is all mountain roads. It would be best to find an escort agency to travel with. This area hasn’t been very peaceful lately."

"Thank you for the reminder, my lord," Ning Yuchen said dismissively. Many people had warned him before he left the capital, but his journey so far had been perfectly calm.

Ancient Wenheng asked a few more perfunctory questions about his family, then raised his teacup, signaling it was time for his guest to leave.

Ning Yuchen naturally didn’t dare say more. His future performance evaluations would pass through Ancient Wenheng’s hands. Besides, he had achieved his purpose for the day, so there was no reason to overstay his welcome.

Once the man had left, Ancient Wenheng ordered someone to investigate.

However, the Ning Family was small, so there was limited information to be found. They only learned that Ning Yuchen was traveling to his new post with his entire family.

Ancient Wenheng didn’t press his subordinates. Since Ning Yuchen wouldn’t be in the same commandery, yet still under his authority, he figured the man wouldn’t dare cause any trouble in front of him, no matter what ideas he might have.

Jin Qianqian was using the previous poisoning incident as a perfectly valid excuse to stay secluded in the rear courtyard and manage her own affairs.

Seeing Ancient Wenheng, she couldn’t help but bring it up again. "Still no reply from the court?"

Ancient Wenheng replied, "It should be soon. The biggest issue now isn’t whether the Holy Emperor will agree to the plan, but whether such a large sum of silver will be allocated so smoothly."

"Sigh, then we’ll probably have to wait a while longer." Jin Qianqian wasn’t optimistic either. "This is the first time you’ve asked the court for money. Even with a solid justification, it probably won’t be that easy."

"I’ve already prepared myself for that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have mentioned the silver that Liu Xuan previously embezzled.

In this matter, it’s not like I’m asking them for silver empty-handed. After all, the funds Liu Xuan embezzled were the blood and sweat of the people of Yi Province.

If I hadn’t uncovered this account, the court would have remained completely unaware of these funds."

’Logically speaking, if I hadn’t brought it up, even if this ill-gotten silver were recovered, it would have been turned over to the National Treasury and would never have been sent back here.’

He knew there would be obstacles in asking the Holy Emperor for money this time. But with this precedent, it wouldn’t be so difficult for everyone to accept.

Jin Qianqian said, "I’m just afraid they’ll hold the purse strings tight and refuse to set this precedent.

In the past, aside from disaster relief and dam construction, funds only ever flowed into the treasury, never out.

What we’re doing could be considered setting a precedent. If everyone starts applying for funds in the future, the Ministry of Revenue probably won’t be able to handle it."

Ancient Wenheng said, "Don’t worry. Let’s just wait quietly for the good news.

I’ve already decided to have someone start surveying the land in a couple of days. Once the Holy Decree arrives, we can move forward boldly."

Jin Qianqian asked, "You’re that confident?"

Ancient Wenheng walked over and wrapped his arms around her. "As long as the Emperor isn’t a fool, he’ll know that implementing this policy will bring endless benefits.

The fact that it wasn’t rejected outright means it’s already a sure thing."

Jin Qianqian was speechless for a moment. "I really don’t understand why you officials have to be so convoluted. You have to take such a roundabout way to do anything.

You have to scheme against each other, and it seems like you even enjoy it."

Ancient Wenheng said, "My dear wife, I’m just doing as the Romans do. One must adapt to the rules of one’s position."

Jin Qianqian looked up at him. "I don’t want to understand all that. I just know that by following you, I can avoid many restrictions. My current success is all thanks to you.

Do you think what we have counts as collusion between an official and a merchant?"

Ancient Wenheng lifted her chin with his hand. "Now that you mention it, that’s exactly what it is.

As the Lord Inspection Officer, I’ve provided so many conveniences for you. Shouldn’t a certain wealthy merchant show some appreciation?"

Jin Qianqian gave him a fawning smile. "My lord speaks with great reason. To thank you for your patronage, I have specially prepared a cup of tea. I shall go and fetch it for you now."

Ancient Wenheng leaned his head even closer. "Just a cup of tea? That gift is a little meager, don’t you think...?"

...

* * *

After the poisoning incident, the banquets in the rear courtyard had ceased for a long time. But now, with the end of the year approaching, they were starting up again.

Jin Qianqian couldn’t understand it. ’Isn’t the end of the year the busiest time? Why are these people so enthusiastic about all sorts of banquets?’

Ancient Wenheng cleared up her confusion. "Madam, as the old saying goes, ’Whether you’re rich or poor, marrying a wife makes for a good New Year.’

At the end of the year, everyone pauses after being busy all year long, and they start to consider marriages for the younger generation in their families."

Back in Lu City, the local customs were more open. People there lived with their lives on the line year-round, so they didn’t fuss over such formalities. If two families found a suitable match, they could arrange the marriage directly after a brief discussion.

But here in Yi Province, the customs were different, a fact Jin Qianqian was only slowly beginning to understand.

Getting a wife here was not so simple. The various elaborate rituals and customs could take a month or more to complete, not to mention all the preparations beforehand.

"They’re matchmaking for the younger generation, but we don’t have any children of a suitable age. Can’t we just decline these invitations?" Jin Qianqian flipped through the invitations. ’There are more than a dozen of them. Even if I could split myself in two, I couldn’t possibly attend them all.’

"Just pick a few to attend. In this situation, everyone will understand.

However, Madam, you’re mistaken. We do have children of a suitable age in our household."

Jin Qianqian asked, "You mean Le Ping and the others?"

Meeting Jin Qianqian’s surprised gaze, Ancient Wenheng gave her a solemn nod.

"No, how can we make a decision as important as marriage for them?" Jin Qianqian found it incredible. "If we find someone unsuitable, won’t we be blamed when we go back?

Besides, the journey back and forth is so long. Would any young woman be willing to do that?"

’We can’t just have all the young men we brought with us settle down here,’ she thought. ’We’d have no way to explain that when we return.’

Ancient Wenheng sighed. "These people don’t think that far ahead.

They just want to maintain a relationship. Le Ping and the others are our clan nephews. In this dynasty where the clan is paramount, they’re not much different from our own sons.

Our two boys are still young, and it’s no secret that Le Ping and the others came with us. It’s only natural that these people would turn their attention to them.

Of course, they wouldn’t use their most precious daughters from the main branch for the marriage alliance. It would likely be a daughter from a concubine or a child from a side branch of the family."

"..." Jin Qianqian couldn’t accept it right away. "Then if the marriage happens, and Le Ping and the others return to Fu County, they’d be so far apart... they might never see each other again in their entire lives?"

’How tragic for the women of this era, all for the sake of maintaining relationships.’