Night Talk

Night gradually deepened. Apart from the nightless streets specially sanctioned by the imperial court, the vast Di'an had fallen into slumber. In the Chancellor's Manor, countless faint azure glimmers blended into one, and the glow of bright-pattern lamps seeped out from the outer study's windowsills. Seated at a desk, a youth clad in blood-red robes was writing away with a weasel-hair brush. The blood-red glow igniting in his eyes indicated that he was running a cultivation technique—running a technique let him write much faster and with greater vigor. Across from him sat an old man with all-white hair and beard, his eyes narrowed to slits. This study in the Chancellor's Manor was somewhat akin to the Emperor's imperial study, used by Xu Yinhe to receive certain important aides and inner ministers. Tonight, however, Xu Yinhe was in the main hall discussing cooperation with that old fossil Luo Daofan, so Xu Yuan had simply commandeered the room. Hua Hong had dragged him straight over, forcing him to work overtime and refusing to let him sleep until it was written. For no other reason than that Xu Yuan couldn't beat him in a fight. Calling for backup was useless since no one would answer; after all, nobody was willing to offend Hua Hong, the Chancellor's Manor's God of Wealth. Mm, day one of missing Sister Lou Ji. Letting out a sigh, Xu Yuan glanced at the wretched old man across from him, grumbling internally. Nowadays, the Chancellor's Manor's internal power structure was highly centralized, completely his old man's one-man show. Yet under such circumstances, a subordinate minister actually dared to lay hands on the Crown Prince equivalent like him. Truly unreal. "What are you looking at?" Resting with his eyes closed across the table, the old man cracked open his nearly invisible, squinting eyes and glanced at Xu Yuan. "You still have to meet the Ninth Princess tomorrow. Hurry up and write." "Tch." Xu Yuan rolled his eyes, lifted the Xuan paper with its wet ink to inspect it, and passed it to Hua Hong opposite him. "Finished. Take a look." "..." Hua Hong silently took it, stroking his white beard as his eyes scanned the densely packed writing. His eyebrows twitched slightly. Meanwhile, having dispersed his cultivation technique, Xu Yuan leaned back against the chair and began to doze off. He was exhausted. Forced by this old man with physical might to write until now, the roosters were practically about to crow. Still, when Hua Hong came asking for a so-called "business bible," Xu Yuan was happy enough to write it down for him. They were all on the same side. When the vast majority let such information go in one ear and out the other, people with vision were already contemplating how to turn a profit from it. Reforming the talent development system was a potent shot in the arm for any faction. The Third Prince was actively preparing, and so was Hua Hong. It was just a pity that these reforms were limited by the capabilities of their subordinates and the era's clannish tendency to guard knowledge jealously. In this era, mastering a trade meant an iron rice bowl passed down through generations. The more people who knew how to do it, the worse one's own family would be treated. Except for fools, no one was willing to teach outsiders. Reform faced immense resistance. For a moment, the study fell quiet. Yet after a mere two minutes, Hua Hong had already scrutinized several times over what Xu Yuan had spent three shichen writing. High-tier cultivators were massive drivers of productivity. Not only could they work around the clock, but their efficiency was also leaps and bounds beyond ordinary mortals. Hua Hong gently folded the Xuan paper Xu Yuan had written on, stored it into his Sumeru ring, and said after a moment's contemplation: "Changtian, while this treatise of yours contains a great deal of practical content, it should only be a framework." Worn out, Xu Yuan propped his legs onto the desk, covering his mouth as he yawned. "Aahh... It was only ever a framework. If you want me to flesh it out, old man, that's fine too. Talk to my old man. If he agrees, I'll take my time compiling it for you." "..." Watching Xu Yuan's playboy demeanor, Hua Hong's eye twitched, followed by a touch of helplessness. He knew Xu Yinhe would never hand this kid over to him. Compiling a treatise on trade was virtually equivalent to drafting a new imperial compendium. It would consume not only time, but immense effort. Right now, the most important thing for Changtian was to bolster his feeble cultivation; everything else had to take a back seat. After a brief contemplation, Hua Hong recalled what had been on the paper. "It's still too brief. When you have time, Changtian, write another copy for me." "Sure." Xu Yuan didn't refuse; writing it out gradually wouldn't take much effort. Pausing, he asked, "I write a framework, but can you find people to fill it in?" Hua Hong smiled faintly, looking very benevolent. "Of course I can. Although commerce across the world is still in a period of wild, untamed growth, some of our senior shopkeepers understand what you've written. It's just that without a general outline, it's hard to make it systematic." Xu Yuan shook his head. "No, what I mean is, will your subordinates actually put in the effort? You're talking about smashing their rice bowls." Smashing someone's rice bowl and cutting off their wealth was no different from killing their parents. Hearing this, a chilling glint tinged with a smile flashed in Hua Hong's squinting eyes. "If they don't put in their effort, they'll have to put in their lives. "The Tian'an Chamber of Commerce currently needs fresh vitality, new competition. Otherwise, once our generation passes away, these shopkeepers holding real power will very likely form new aristocratic clans within the Chancellor's Manor." "..." Xu Yuan smiled faintly and did not reply. Though this wretched old man was a bit short-tempered, his loyalty to the Chancellor's Manor was absolute. Due to monopolies on knowledge, the abilities of many senior shopkeepers were irreplaceable. Without them, the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce would suffer heavy losses. Over time, these people would form oligarchic clans within the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce and even the entire Chancellor's Manor system—essentially new noble houses. While the family head was strong, they could still be suppressed. But once the head weakened, they would become just like the aristocratic families within the sects. Leaning against the back of his chair, Xu Yuan tapped on the armrest. "Old Man Hua, you want to turn these people into replaceable parts at any time?" "Replaceable parts?" Hua Hong's eyes flashed, and he nodded with a smile. "A rather interesting way to put it, Changtian, but essentially yes. Only by stripping away their uniqueness... Aside from me, Jiang He over there is also contemplating restructuring the Gewu Academy." "Is that so..." Xu Yuan murmured, a wistful look in his eyes. He realized that this world was already showing early signs of an Industrial Revolution—reforming the production system to liberate productive forces. Naturally, it was taking place in the mode of an extraordinary, supernatural world. "Alright... I get it. I'll help out when I have time, but compiling a work like this isn't something done overnight." Hua Hong smiled warmly, his gaze softening. "Take this to heart, Changtian. Everything us old fellows do is for you young ones. "Only by stripping away the uniqueness of those below and making them replaceable at any moment can the Clan Head's power remain permanently concentrated." "..." Xu Yuan lowered his eyes and took no stance. Hua Hong saw this and said no more on the subject, switching to a smile: "By the way, you brat went out for a trip—where did you learn all these things?" Xu Yuan spread his hands. "Constant exposure. The more you see and the more you think, the more naturally you come to understand." Hua Hong neither agreed nor disagreed, remarking casually, "Although what you wrote just now holds some truth, much of it isn't suited to the current state of the world." Hearing this, Xu Yuan wasn't surprised either. What he had written was simply material he had learned in university and graduate school in his previous life: theories on macro- and microeconomics, marketing, financial operations, and the like. While the principles were largely the same, applying theories from his previous life to this world required minor adjustments. With Hua Hong's sharp eyes, there was no way he wouldn't see that. Slowly straightening up, Xu Yuan's tone gained a touch of seriousness. "After all, it's just conceptual stuff; you'll need to make some corrections yourself, Old Man Hua. "Besides, much of that can only be implemented under a unified realm. With war approaching, every production system in our Chancellor's Manor must serve the war effort." Hua Hong's eyes narrowed slightly. "You understand wartime systems as well, Changtian?" "You really think too highly of me." "..." Hua Hong fell silent. Letting out a sigh, Hua Hong said wistfully, "I thought you understood all of it and was hoping you could offer some suggestions." "..." Xu Yuan spread his hands. Ordinary universities in his previous life didn't teach wartime economic mobilization; even if he had wanted to learn it, there was nowhere to do so. After a brief pause, however, Xu Yuan suddenly recalled something and said softly: "Right, there is one very important matter. I don't know if you've thought about it, Old Man Hua." Hua Hong collected his thoughts. "Speak plainly. Don't beat around the bush." Xu Yuan spoke a single term, concise and clear: "Banknotes." "Banknotes?" Hua Hong frowned. Xu Yuan slowly stood up from the chair. While leisurely tidying up the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the desk, he spoke softly: "Back when Ran Qingmo went to those major sects to sound the alarm about the threat posed by our Chancellor's Manor, no one believed her. At first, I assumed Father's administrative decrees had lulled them into complacency. "But now it seems the sects were merely playing dumb all along, biding their time until the day Emperor Jiajing passed away." A thoughtful expression appeared on Hua Hong's deeply wrinkled face. "What does any of this have to do with banknotes?" Having cleared the desk, Xu Yuan drew a stack of thousand-tael banknotes from his Sumeru ring and fanned them gently in his hand. "It has been over eight hundred years since Emperor Qidian first issued banknotes. By now, settling commerce across the world using banknotes issued by the imperial court has become customary. The sects have hosted so many Tianyuan Grand Tournaments—they must have prepared contingency plans." At this point, Xu Yuan's voice turned grave: "We must prepare in advance to weather the impact, or at least ensure price stability within the provinces and commanderies controlled by the court." Frowning, Hua Hong stared at Xu Yuan. "You mean the sects will issue new banknotes?" Xu Yuan pointed at the thousand-tael banknotes in his hand. "If they don't break away from the court's banknotes, then once war breaks out, the sects will continually bleed to foot the court's bill. There are plenty of clever people in this world; the sects couldn't possibly overlook this." Hua Hong exhaled a long breath, a gloom settling between his brows. "Changtian, what you've described is actually something I have discussed many times with my aides. What... opinion do you have on this?" Hearing that, Xu Yuan felt rather surprised. Currency had not yet formed a comprehensive theoretical system in this era; he hadn't expected Hua Hong to perceive this point as well. Sure enough, no one sitting in such a high position was mediocre. Ask him if he could solve it, though? He couldn't solve a damn thing. Xu Yuan gave a wry, rogue-like grin and spread his hands. "No idea. I'm just reminding you. The specifics are up to professionals like you, Old Man Hua." With that, Xu Yuan walked up and patted the centenarian's shoulder. "My advice, however, is to stockpile as much physical silver and gold as possible. A run on the banks is bound to happen when the time comes; at the very least, we must stabilize prices within the court's actual control zone." *** The next day, at noon. Staying up late left Xu Yuan groggy enough to sleep straight through until the sun was high in the sky. Just as he blearily cracked his eyes open, a rustling voice sounded from beside his bed: "Awake?" "..." Xu Yuan glanced to the side. An exquisitely peerless, striking face entered his view. Li Qingyan had pulled up a chair and was sitting right beside his bed with her arms crossed. Xu Yuan silently sat up. Looking at the woman before him with her heroic brows and smiling lips, he asked warily: "How did you get in?" Li Qingyan's beautiful eyes held a smile. "Walked in, naturally. You look quite nice when you sleep." "This inner court—" "Duke Xu permitted it." Li Qingyan pursed her lips into a smile. "After all, however you look at it, this princess is the Xu family's future daughter-in-law." Xu Yuan glanced at her, said nothing more, threw back the duvet, and stood up. On an early summer noon, birds chirped alongside the sunlight streaming through the window. Sitting beside the bed, Li Qingyan's pupils contracted, and she instinctively averted her gaze. Seeing this, Xu Yuan looked slightly puzzled, glanced downward, and then understood at once with a soft laugh: "Heh... Princess, is that a shy look on your face?" Li Qingyan turned her gaze back, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. She crossed one slender, jade-like leg over the other, swinging it slightly while looking straight ahead. "You think this princess is shy?" "..." Xu Yuan stared intently into her eyes for two seconds before smiling. "Not shy..." "Heh." "...More like afraid." "..." Li Qingyan. Walking over to the table in his loose sleepwear, Xu Yuan poured himself a cup of tea to sober up, then looked back at the breathtaking beauty still seated by the bed. "Princess, staying here like this—do you want to help your husband dress?" "..." Li Qingyan exhaled, stood up, glared at Xu Yuan for two seconds, snorted coldly, and turned to walk out of the room. "..." Standing where he was as he watched that graceful silhouette depart, Xu Yuan shook his head in amusement. "Tch... Cracking already. Her finesse isn't even up to Su Jinxuan's. Boring..." *Whoosh—* A pebble suddenly tore through the air, whipping past his pajama bottoms and bringing a rush of chilly air. *** Once fully dressed, Xu Yuan had barely stepped out of the bedchamber when he saw Li Qingyan standing in the courtyard, staring blankly at the koi in the pond. Taking a deep breath, Xu Yuan walked over to her side. Her phoenix eyes cast an indifferent glance at him. "Prince Consort, who is that Su Jinxuan you mentioned just now? One of those friends you told this princess you needed to meet at night?" Xu Yuan chuckled softly upon hearing that. "She probably wouldn't beat you in a fight." "Is that so?" Li Qingyan laughed softly, her tone cool and detached. "Don't make it sound so unpleasant. This princess has always been very generous. If the Prince Consort wishes to take concubines after our marriage, it isn't out of the question." Hearing this, Xu Yuan shook his head. "The Princess misunderstands. Su Jinxuan is merely a business partner of mine, hardly a paramour." Li Qingyan narrowed her phoenix eyes. "In other words, the Prince Consort has other paramours?" Xu Yuan thought about it. When it came to this princess bound to him by political marriage, he saw no reason to hide anything, and said with a smile: "Don't be so jealous. After all these years, this young master naturally has one or two confidantes." "..." Li Qingyan took a deep breath, her chest motionless without a ripple. "So it's not just that Ran Qingmo alone?" "Though I have no memories of it, she should count as one." Xu Yuan nodded and said with a smile, "You should be able to meet her when the time comes. Though you probably wouldn't beat her in a fight either." Li Qingyan raised a slender, jade-like hand as ripples of Source Qi blossomed across her fingers, saying with a bright smile: "I wouldn't beat her?" "The Overseeing Heaven Pavilion's Saintess—can you beat her?" "..." Li Qingyan.