Moma Liangshan

Chapter 124 The Hunchbacked Old Man, A Three-Family Scheme

In the Duke of Jing's mansion, an old man with a hunched back stood sideways in front of the west window. The cold moonlight shone on the old man's face, illuminating his sinister smile. Madam Tong held up a fox fur coat and draped it over the old man, saying, "Does Master think there's a high profit to be made in the woolen cloth produced in Jiaozhou?" The old man, Tong Guan, replied, "Woven cloth is nothing new; it's just felt, several times finer. However, felt is coarse and difficult to sew, which is why it hasn't been widely adopted for centuries. Although Wang Hao is young, his vision is far-sighted; he's truly a prodigy. He's gone to great lengths to promote woolen cloth, and he's sure to make a fortune." Madam Tong nodded in agreement, saying, "Master commands the armies of Qin and Jin, and maintains good relations with Liao and Xia. In terms of raw material sources, Wang Hao is no match for Master. Once we figure out the woolen cloth weaving process in Jiaozhou, we can turn the tables and control the entire woolen cloth business." Tong Guan sneered, saying, "I proposed to the Emperor an alliance with Jin against Liao, but Wang Hao went against the grain, falsely claiming to 'help Liao destroy Jin.' He disregarded the most basic dignity of officialdom and became my enemy, so don't blame me for turning ruthless!"

Madam Tong's face revealed a greedy smile as she said, "I have secretly allied with Madam Cai and Madam Gao. It won't be long before Feng Gu and Zhu Heng of Jiaozhou send us what we want." Tong Guan sighed, gazing at the moonlight, then took his wife's hand and said, "Emperor Shenzong left a will that whoever could recover all of Yan would be rewarded with a fief and a princely title. Although I have commanded the armies of Qin and Jin for over twenty years, holding the highest position among officials, I am ashamed before my ancestors to have mutilated myself to become a palace slave. If I cannot be granted a princely title, I will not be worthy of being buried in the ancestral tomb and receiving offerings from my descendants after my death. The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun can only be mine alone." "Reclaim it, or the title of king cannot be fulfilled!" Madam Tong, married to a eunuch, found no joy in family life, only the pursuit of fame and fortune. She said, "Does Master mean that if two or more people work together to reclaim the entire Yan territory, then the promise of a kingship will be broken, and in the end, none of the meritorious officials will be granted a kingship?" Tong Guan nodded and said, "Only when the ministers fight endlessly can the emperor rest easy; this is an unchanging iron law that has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Although I am merely a eunuch and have no worries about my merits overshadowing the emperor, countless people are envious of my family's power. Therefore, if I want to be granted a kingship, there cannot be the slightest mistake!"

Madam Tong fully understood and said, "My lord, you command the troops of Qin and Jin, and are observing Youyun. Once the remaining strength of the Liao Kingdom is exhausted by the Jurchens, you can petition the Emperor to lead the army north and recover the entire Yan territory in one fell swoop. At that time, in accordance with Emperor Shenzong's last instructions, you can smoothly be granted the title of king and appointed prime minister." Tong Guan nodded and said, "This was my original plan, but now that Wang Hao has joined the fray, the situation is different." Madam Tong understood Tong Guan's concerns, but she was somewhat unconvinced and said, "Wang Hao is just a seventh-rank county magistrate in a remote area. Even if he participates in the operation to recover Youyun, he cannot rise to the top and be on equal footing with my lord." Tong Guan shook his head and said, "Madam is thinking too simply! The Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun mentioned by the Song Dynasty are not small territories; they encompass a vast area including most of the Liao Kingdom's Xijing Road and Nanjing Road. Such an important and expansive region cannot be recovered in a short time. Wang Hao is the Emperor's confidant and the future imperial son-in-law. His every move is being watched by the Emperor and the empresses. His achievements will not be divided up due to the unspoken rules of officialdom; on the contrary, they will be amplified because of his status as a member of the imperial family." Madam Tong remained doubtful and said, "Wang Hao has never been at odds with you, sir. Why didn't you consider joining forces with him?"

Tong Guan said, “Two years ago, after the great victory in the Northwest, I returned to the capital to report on my duties. The Emperor hosted a welcoming banquet for me on a dragon boat. At that time, Wang Hao had just become famous in Tokyo for his Eight Immortals Wine. Although he was a commoner, he was also present. At the banquet, the Emperor treated his officials to hot pot and Eight Immortals Wine. At that time, apart from the Emperor and Wang Hao, no one knew how to eat hot pot. Therefore, the Emperor personally cooked and boiled meat for the Empress as a demonstration. The Emperor's actions amazed everyone and became a well-known story. As for my great victory in the Northwest, it seemed to be just a backdrop. I was unwilling, but I dared not show it. However, I asked myself, am I really inferior to Wang Hao's pot of meat and wine after commanding the troops of Qin and Jin and guarding the Northwest for twenty years?” Madam Tong immediately said, “My lord's current status and reputation are due to his outstanding military achievements. Wang Hao is not…” "He's nothing but a cunning and opportunistic clown!" Tong Guan shook his head and said, "At first, I also thought Wang Hao was just a cunning and opportunistic clown, but now it seems he has a high chance of becoming the next powerful minister of the Song Dynasty!" Madam Tong said incredulously, "Does he really have such potential?" Tong Guan sneered and said, "A person with no background who can simultaneously oppose me, Cai Jing, and Gao Qiu without being at a disadvantage—is there anyone else like him in history?" Madam Tong was surprised and said, "Could it be that Wang Hao is a star descended to earth, with such a smooth official career?" Tong Guan sneered and said, "The biggest factor contributing to Wang Hao's success today is his continuous wealth. The Eight Immortals Wine's structure is already established and should not be touched, but I will never let him enjoy the wool cloth all to himself!"

Several days later, Gao Qiu visited Cai Jing late at night, saying, "Lord Tong wants us to invest in woolen cloth. What are your thoughts, Grand Tutor?" Cai Jing stroked his beard thoughtfully and said, "Lord Tong has governed the Northwest for over twenty years. He has many connections with both the Western Xia and Liao kingdoms. If he really wants to produce woolen cloth, he has far more raw materials than Wang Hao." Gao Qiu agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "Zhu Heng has already sent word from Jiaozhou that Wang Hao has established a workshop specifically for producing various machines, and woolen cloth looms are their signature product." Cai Jing nodded, indicating his tacit approval. Gao Qiu continued, "Wang Hao goes to great lengths to promote woolen cloth, yet he openly sells the looms used to produce it. Doesn't he understand that this is self-destructive?" Cai Jing shook his head and said, "Wang Hao and Tong Guan are thousands of miles apart, one in Jiaozhou and the other in the Northwest. Tong Guan's woolen cloth primarily markets Yong, Liang, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. Wang Hao's woolen cloth primarily markets Qi, Lu, Wu, and Yue. Therefore, it's difficult for them to form a direct competitive relationship."

Gao Qiu suddenly realized, saying, "Not only that, but the Central Plains of Jing and Xiang are sandwiched between Qi-Lu, Wu-Yue, Yong-Liang, Chuan-Shaan, and the Central Plains. Therefore, it will be difficult for woolen cloth from the Northwest to meet woolen cloth from Jiaodong for at least ten years." Cai Jing was very certain, saying, "Even if they do meet, so what? The Song Dynasty has 120 million people. If each person buys one foot of woolen cloth per year, we can shave all the sheep on the grasslands." Gao Qiu said, "So, it seems that the Grand Tutor approves of participating in Lord Tong's woolen cloth business?" Cai Jing nodded, saying, "The profits behind woolen cloth are probably even greater than those of Eight Immortals Wine. If we miss this opportunity, we might really be left behind by Wang Hao and Tong Guan!" After Emperor Huizong ascended the throne, Cai Jing almost single-handedly formulated the fiscal and tax policies of the Northern Song Dynasty. Gao Qiu had no doubt about Cai Jing's insights, saying, "Wang Hao is openly selling woolen cloth looms, and Tong Guan will soon get the news. At that time, the people we have placed in Jiaozhou will become dispensable. Isn't the Grand Tutor afraid that Lord Tong will change his mind and monopolize the woolen cloth business in the Northwest?"

Cai Jing shook his head and smiled, saying, "Tong Guan comes from the inner court and is a rootless man. He not only needs the Emperor's favor, but also our support. Even if we don't contribute a single penny to the cloth business, he will cleverly find a pretext to give us dividends." Gao Qiu's face showed greed upon hearing this, and a hint of disdain flashed in Cai Jing's eyes. He said, "Tong Guan is not one to suffer losses willingly. Grand Commandant Gao, you'd better not get involved!" Gao Qiu realized his mistake and quickly said, "I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!" Cai Jing continued, "The cooperation between the three parties cannot be rushed. I plan to host a banquet for Tong Guan in two days. Grand Commandant Gao, you must come!" Gao Qiu said, "Grand Tutor, please rest assured, I will definitely arrive as promised!"

Although Wang Hao was in Tokyo, he could not escape the notice of any movement in Jiaozhou. Holding the intelligence sent from Jiaozhou, Li Shishi looked puzzled and said, "Feng Gu and Zhu Heng were both inquiring about woolen looms, which must have been at the behest of Cai Jing and Gao Qiu. Why didn't you keep a close watch on them, but instead released the news and started selling them openly?" Wang Hao explained, "I hope to gain the initiative in the future Youyun War through the wool trade between the Song and Liao dynasties. However, the rise of an industry cannot rely on the efforts of just one person. If I want the entire northern grasslands to clearly feel the Song Dynasty's strong demand for wool, I must make wool products the fourth largest textile after cotton yarn, linen, and silk." Li Shishi couldn't help but feel admiration, but also a hint of doubt. She said, "Your thinking is far-sighted and admirable. But everything should be done step by step; one must not be impatient for quick success." Wang Hao smiled helplessly and said, "Sister, do you also think I'm too hasty?" Li Shishi was surprised and said, "Also?" Wang Hao said, "I also think all the arrangements are too fast, sometimes even reminding me of Qin Shi Huang's Great Wall and Sui Yangdi's Grand Canal."

Li Shishi was even more puzzled and said, "Since you are so insightful, why don't you arrange things more calmly?" Wang Hao looked out the window and said, "The wheels of time roll ever onward, and mortals can only follow them, not escape them!" Li Shishi understood the implication and said, "Does my brother think the world will descend into chaos, and the prosperity of the Song Dynasty will be difficult to sustain?" Wang Hao nodded and said, "I sincerely hope that my judgment is wrong, and that it is just a false alarm!" Li Shishi, for some reason, said, "But your judgments have almost never been wrong. Sometimes I really think that your dreams can communicate with the gods in heaven and even predict the future of the mortal world!"

23

Mobile site: