Expenses

Building a city was not like putting together a matchbox. It was not simply a matter of demarcating a plot of land, erecting four tall, flat city walls around it, and calling the job done. In Great Yan, such a thing was at best a mountain stronghold. From the moment civil engineering was planned and approved, all kinds of techniques were required. From basic urban zoning to the intersections and branchings of beastways and ordinary roads, all the way to the intricate underground culvert network for water diversion, drainage, and storage—no fewer than a hundred different techniques, large and small, had to be brought to bear. Furthermore, those were merely mortal technical disciplines; the lion's share lay in formation patterns. Erecting a single city required no fewer than a thousand formations, large and small. Thus, massive civil engineering projects of this scale were usually subcontracted to several, or even dozens of, chambers of commerce across various sectors. With the sheer scale of the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce, however, there was no need to worry about such matters at all. Once Xu Yuan finished speaking, Hua Hong did not hesitate for a second. His reply was straightforward and plain: "We can undertake it, but the silver is not enough." In Great Yan, building a new city generally followed four steps: The imperial court approved the project and allocated funds; chambers of commerce bid and contracted the work; the court levied corvée labor; the chambers broke ground. Securing the silver before breaking ground was a safeguard for the chambers of commerce, while the conscription of corvée labor spared them a massive portion of manpower expenses. At first glance, it seemed a chamber of commerce stood to make a handsome profit, but the problem was that the court's allocated funds fell far short—typically covering only a third to a quarter of the total project, and impoverished provincial government offices sometimes provided as little as a fifth. Even so, a great many chambers of commerce still flocked to these projects like ducks to water. To offset their losses, the imperial court granted them certain privileges within the new city's administrative jurisdiction—some secured development rights for mines and spiritual fields, while others received tax exemptions lasting decades or even centuries. In short, a lump-sum construction payout was exchanged for local political privileges. Throughout Great Yan, aside from the large chambers backed by sects or the imperial court, small and medium chambers rose and fell at a breakneck pace. Most were rootless duckweed, possessing virtually no ability to weather risks. A single natural disaster or human calamity could wipe out savings accumulated over years or decades. Even if everything went smoothly and they steadily expanded by doing business and establishing estates, once they crossed a certain threshold without political backing, they would simply have their fruits plucked by others. This policy of the court offered these rising chambers a chance to transform into aristocratic clans, allowing them to acquire a degree of political background. It was the court's policy of co-opting these emerging commercial factions. The Tian'an Chamber of Commerce, however, had no need for such things. Even when Hua Hong took on projects like this, it was only because he had his eye on strategic resources within the planned zone. And what was there in Huizhou County? Nothing. All that could be run were mortal industries. Mortal industries made money, to be sure, but that required immense scale. The output of mere hundreds of thousands of mortals was something the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce would not even look at twice. As for Huizhou County's strategic position? Hua Hong had sat in the seat of president of the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce for decades not on the "merit of early allegiance" from following the Young Miss as she rose to power, but on solid, undeniable competence. The intricate network of official roads across Great Yan was etched into his brain. Mention any road at random, and Hua Hong could instantly name every prefecture and key garrison along the route, what goods were produced and transported, and even the hazards they might encounter or the officials who would need greasing with silver. With these thoughts in mind, Hua Hong looked at the contemplative young man and said softly: "If Huizhou County were truly that critical, how could its administrative rank have remained a mere county seat until now? It is true, Changtian, as you say, that Huizhou County lies on the border of two provinces and serves as an entrance to the capital region. But the trouble is, it is not the only entrance, and that adjacent Jingbei Official Road accounts for barely a tenth of the freight volume between the capital region and the Northern Border." Xu Yuan fell silent for a few breaths. Letting out a soft sigh, he suddenly spoke up: "Old Master Hua, do you really think that once Xiao Bai's clansmen are relocated there, Huizhou County will still be just an ordinary county town? Besides, don't you know where the Jingbei Official Road leads if you keep going north?" "It leads to Qinlong Pass and Jingbei Prefecture." Without missing a beat, Hua Hong answered, then countered directly: "So, Changtian, are you saying you intend to rebel?" As the words fell, his calm, steady gaze locked onto Xu Yuan, a trace of probing hidden beneath the vigor of his eyes. Xu Yuan did not answer right away. He suddenly remembered what his father had once warned him: *Watch your words and guard your actions.* *From now on, every word and action of yours will be scrutinized twice as hard by others.* After a moment's thought, Xu Yuan replied with utmost earnestness: "At the very least, we must take precautions. The Emperor does not have much time left, and before the end, he will certainly make a move. Once the Barbarians and the northern sects are no longer pinning them down, if the three hundred thousand troops of the Beifeng Army march south... the situation is very likely to develop in a direction we do not want to see." "Is that so..." Having received an answer that satisfied him, Hua Hong did not press the matter of silver any further. He gave a slight nod and continued: "Qinlong Pass is permanently garrisoned by a division of the Ghost Armor Army, while neighboring Jingbei Prefecture holds two divisions of the Nine Dragons Army, forming a mutual pincer. "To seal off the northern entrances into the capital region, one would have to control both key strongholds simultaneously. Do you believe that band of crypt remnants can accomplish that?" As he spoke, he glanced at Bai Muxi, who stood to the side with lowered eyes and an obedient posture. The war potential of the crypt remnants was indeed immense, but it was still only potential. Fanaticism and faith might make an individual stronger in hand-to-hand combat, but in large-scale clashes of military arrays, such traits without discipline would only prove a burden. Every man in the Black Qilin Army had endured years or even decades of tempering. Without that, even if they could form military arrays, a pitched battle on open ground against Great Yan's elite armored troops would devolve into a one-sided massacre, let alone besieging fortified cities. And the crypt remnants likely had little time left to train into an army; after all, the Sovereign in the palace had perhaps only a year or two left to live. To this question, Xu Yuan's answer was equally blunt: "That depends on their own abilities. If they fail, then such is their fate." "..." Hearing this, Hua Hong chuckled softly. He now understood the meaning behind the boy's actions. The upper echelons of the Prime Minister's Manor had proposed dealing with the crypt remnants harshly, a motion suppressed only by Xu Yinhe's absolute authority. But being suppressed did not mean it had disappeared. Xu Yuan was using this method to give the Manor's leadership an accounting. If things truly reached that stage, and if the crypt remnants really could seize those two strongholds and pin down the three hundred thousand troops of the Beifeng Army for the Prime Minister's Manor, they would buy a window of opportunity for the Manor's coup in Di'an City. That would be an immense contribution. Furthermore, having gone through such a war, the population of the crypt remnants would inevitably suffer heavy losses, indefinitely postponing the future threat feared by the Manor's leadership. And if they failed, the remnants could still buy time with their vast base of cultivators to create that window. When the remnants were almost certainly wiped out, the leadership's worries would vanish entirely. With this in mind, Hua Hong looked at Xu Yuan with a hint of unfamiliarity, but also gratification. Such decisive, ruthless methods—the kid from back then had truly grown up... The thought flashed by, and Hua Hong's expression grew somewhat solemn: "If that is the case, it would be best not to undertake the civil engineering in Huizhou County under the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce's name." "Is there a problem?" Xu Yuan asked. Hua Hong smiled faintly: "It is merely a matter of employing a few hidden pieces. Simple enough." Aside from what was on the surface, the Prime Minister's Manor had planted hidden assets in many places, and Hua Hong held control over several small and medium chambers that ostensibly belonged to sects or the imperial clan. Xu Yuan's eyes flickered, and he asked tentatively: "Then the remaining payment for Huizhou County..." "Find a way to scrape up the money yourself," Hua Hong snorted. "Why?" Xu Yuan said righteously. "I'm doing this for the Prime Minister's Manor." "Changtian." Hua Hong cut him off, enunciating each word: "By their very nature, these crypt remnants are your personal private army, not the Prime Minister's Manor's." "..." Frowning slightly, Xu Yuan weighed the meaning of those words in his mind and did not answer. Seeing this, Hua Hong continued in a stern tone: "This old man has followed the Young Miss all his life. To me, your private army and the Manor's are one and the same. But to Zong Qingsheng and his Black Qilin Army, it is a different story. "Just as your father has us old fogies backing him, Zong Qingsheng has his own faction of military commanders behind him. "You know that because of your past antics, the Black Qilin Army has viewed you with skepticism, even rejection. Now that a crowd of crypt remnants has suddenly appeared at your side, what will they think? "Over the past several decades, the power structure within the Prime Minister's Manor has largely solidified. And when you, the heir, suddenly acquire a direct, personal army at your side... what do you think they will think?" Hua Hong spoke methodically, his tone growing increasingly grave: "In the short term, the annual surplus of funds, grain, and armaments is fixed. If allocated to the crypt remnants, the share originally meant for the Black Qilin Army will dwindle. "In the long term, once you inherit the Chancellor's Manor, will you use this personal force to replace the old retainers? "The appearance of the crypt remnants already threatens their standing. Therefore, Changtian, if you can solve this yourself, it is best not to draw upon the Manor's power for now—at least not until your deployment of the crypt remnants comes to fruition and wins merit." At this point, a wry, helpless smile appeared on Hua Hong's aged face, and he sighed softly: "Phew... Originally, Xu Yinhe probably intended for you to cultivate some of the younger generation within the Black Qilin Army as your core following. No need to deny it—that Commander Yuan Hao was the first direct subordinate from the Black Scale Army your father arranged for you. Yet you went outside and found your own seedlings to cultivate, which to some degree disrupted the path he laid out for you. "Still, you needn't worry too much. If you truly cannot scrape up the silver, this old man can give it to you privately. Just never channel it through the Manor's official accounts." "..." Having listened closely, Xu Yuan remained silent. Those heartfelt words made the wrinkles on Hua Hong's face seem older. Looking at the young man before him, complex emotions welled in his chest. Brought out from that modest Chang'an Pawnshop by the Young Miss, walking this path until he was nearing seventy years of age, Hua Hong had already dedicated a lifetime of loyalty. If possible, he truly wished to see the Young Miss's child ascend to the supreme throne... Yet Hua Hong buried such thoughts in the deepest recesses of his heart. After a lingering silence, Xu Yuan suddenly chuckled, declining Hua Hong's kindness: "I understand, but that won't be necessary." "Oh?" Hua Hong raised an eyebrow. Xu Yuan smiled faintly, speaking half-jokingly: "Though, for a stingy old man like you to finally be generous for once—if you insist on giving it to me, I wouldn't mind accepting." Hua Hong was taken aback for a moment, then replied between laughter and tears: "Changtian, I wasn't joking with you." "Neither was I," Xu Yuan answered directly. Uncrossing his legs, he sat upright on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees, his tone taking on a thread of seriousness: "You old codger have no children or kin; where would you get personal savings? In the end, you'd just cook the books. Cooking the books for an expenditure this massive would easily leave traces. If the Black Qilin Army caught wind of it then, their resentment would be even worse. "Besides, you should know my ability to procure supplies. Earlier, that old hag Lou Ji robbed me of a batch of Sumeru rings. The supplies inside—you must have gotten a cut too, didn't you, old man?" "..." After a moment of silence, Hua Hong knitted his brows. "What supplies?" "Come off it. Don't play dumb with me." Xu Yuan looked at him with a trace of disdain. "Those Sumeru rings of mine were packed with military supplies. Lou Ji has no army of her own and no use for them. Where else could she fence such a massive haul? An imperial chamber of commerce, or a sect?" "..." Hua Hong's old face flushed red. Snorting softly, Xu Yuan did not pursue the topic any further. Even if he did, the old man was not about to cough up the money anyway. Waving a hand, Xu Yuan continued in a calm voice: "The settlement for the crypt remnants is settled. Aside from that, I also want to purchase a batch of armaments from you." Hua Hong showed little surprise; after all, establishing Huizhou County was intended to conceal troops there. He said softly: "Naturally. I will coordinate production across the chambers shortly, initially on the scale of six battalions, projected for delivery around next year's Beginning of Summer. That will give you time to raise the military funds. No deposit is required, but upon delivery, the armaments must be paid in full." This was special consideration Hua Hong granted Xu Yuan. Xu Yuan, however, was somewhat dissatisfied and asked point-blank: "Do you have nothing in stock right now?" Hua Hong instantly grew wary, furrowing his brow: "What do you need ready stock for?" Xu Yuan rolled his eyes and lowered his voice: "Old Man Hua, business is business. I'm a customer—what kind of seller interrogates his customer about every little thing?" Hua Hong stared at Xu Yuan for several breaths before letting out a soft exhale: "Fine. I hope you know what you are doing. Ready stock exists, but it depends on how much you want." Xu Yuan stroked his chin, recalling his earlier secret conversation with Li Junqing, and murmured: "Two battalions. Do you have that?" *Ten thousand men...* Hua Hong pondered for a moment, instinctively wanting to ask the reason once more. Though he was willing to trust Xu Yuan, as an elder, he truly could not feel at ease leaving such a massive shipment of weapons in the boy's hands. In these turbulent times, a reckless blunder could easily derail Xu Yinhe's century-long grand design. Xu Yuan understood Hua Hong's concern and immediately said: "Rest assured. I have thought this through; it will not affect any situation within Great Yan." *Not affect Great Yan...* Catching the hint, Hua Hong understood at once. Relieved, he nodded with a smile: "The Tian'an Chamber of Commerce does have the inventory for two battalions. But do you have the silver?" Xu Yuan chuckled: "Give me a quote first. I have a little pocket change on hand for now." "Spirit-patterned body armor and matching helmets, two thousand taels a set; standard-issue spirit sabers, two hundred taels apiece." "..." Hearing the prices, Xu Yuan's vision went black. Military equipment required surplus reserves. To arm ten thousand soldiers, without even counting heavy equipment like ballistas, the expenditure on armor and blades alone would exceed twenty-five million taels. The three million taels Xu Yuan had squeezed out of Xu Xinyao would not even count as pocket change here...