The Azure Mountain

Chapter 97: Enterprise

Inside the examination hall.

Zhang Zhuo and Chen Liqin, both wearing dark blue official robes and resting their hands on the leather belts at their waists, walked side by side on the small path amongst the rows of examination cells.

Inside the examination cells were scholars writing furiously, and behind the two of them, a crowd of officials followed silently.

After walking out of the examination venue, Zhang Zhuo cast a sidelong glance at Chen Liqin beside him, dismissed the officials behind them, and chuckled lightly: "Lord Chen is quite a good father. On the day of the Autumn Examination, you made a special trip to the examination hall to back up your two young masters. Could it be that you're still afraid they will fail the exam? If the imperial censors found out, they would definitely memorialize against you, accusing you of the crime of failing to avoid suspicion."

Chen Liqin's expression was somewhat unnatural: "Lord Zhang has misunderstood. I am merely worried about disturbances occurring during the Autumn Examination."

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily. He patted Chen Liqin on the shoulder and lowered his voice: "Rest assured, all the curtain officials this time were personally selected and approved by Elder Lord Xu. They are all his proteges and old acquaintances; it's practically guaranteed."

Chen Liqin slowly relaxed his expression. As the Vice Prefect of Luo City, he couldn't manage these matters of the inner curtain officials grading papers; he could only manage the outer curtain.

The power to select and approve inner curtain officials had always been in the hands of the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Xu Gong. Zhang Zhuo was Xu Gong's niece's husband, and currently, all external affairs were handled by him.

With Zhang Zhuo's promise, Chen Liqin could ease his mind.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Liqin hesitantly spoke up: "My family still has a dog-son."Zhang Zhuo smiled: "The one who won against Prince Jing in a game of Go?"

"Exactly," Chen Liqin said frankly. "Previously he made some mistakes. Seeing him repeatedly refusing to mend his ways despite admonition, I sent him to the Taiping Medical Clinic as an apprentice."

Zhang Zhuo was surprised: "Oh? From my observation, that child has good character and a steady and introverted personality. What mistakes could he make?"

Chen Liqin hesitated for a moment: "A few years ago, he was led by bad friends to the gambling dens in Red Clothe Lane, and over a year unexpectedly owed several hundred taels of silver."

Zhang Zhuo was amused: "And here I was wondering what it was. Who hasn't made mistakes in their youth? How could it warrant sending him away to be an apprentice? Look at my more than ten sons, how many of them actually let me worry less?"

Chen Liqin sighed: "I also never expected that he could actually turn over a new leaf these past two years. I sent people to inquire with his left and right neighbors, and every single one praised him for being reasonable, well-educated, diligent, and willing to work."

He looked at Zhang Zhuo and said: "Lord Zhang, I plan to bring him back to the estate, and next spring, send him to Donglin Academy. At that time, we will still need your help to clear the channels."

Calling it clearing channels was actually asking Zhang Zhuo for another promise.

For ordinary people, trying to participate in the imperial examinations is extremely difficult, but for Zhang Zhuo and Xu Gong, this matter couldn't be simpler.

Zhang Zhuo stroked his sparse beard: "A few days ago, Elder Lord Xu had a Grand Secretariat drafting rescript rejected by the Ministry of Revenue. The matter isn't big either, it's just that Elder Lord Xu wanted to build a few roads for his hometown. I wonder if your esteemed father can show some flexibility regarding this matter?"

Chen Liqin frowned for a long time: "I will write a letter to my father and mention this matter to him."

Zhang Zhuo beamed with joy and patted Chen Liqin's shoulder: "Lord Chen is a good father, truly breaking his heart with worry for his own children."

Chen Liqin sighed with emotion: "It's a pity that children are unable to understand their parents' painstaking efforts. I'm not afraid of your ridicule, Lord Zhang, but that dog-son of mine still refuses to return to the estate with me, and is not even willing to call me father anymore."

"It's fine, it's fine," Zhang Zhuo consoled him. "Right now, he's just acting out of spite towards you. Could he really abandon the Chen family's lintel? How many coins can one save in a year being an imperial physician? Wait until he has suffered enough bitterness in the marketplace and understands the loneliness of a hero stumped by a single copper coin, he will naturally return home with his tail between his legs."

Zhang Zhuo chuckled happily and said: "A while back, my family's third son said he wanted to go to the Jianghu to be a wandering knight-errant, learning from others to uphold justice. As soon as he left the house, I sent someone to steal his money pouch on the street. This kid left home at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) in the morning and returned home at the hour of Wu (11 AM - 1 PM), just in time to catch lunch. If you ask me, you should simply cut off that son of yours's tuition fees; he will naturally return home."

"This is indeed a method..."

At this time, Zhang Zhuo's eyes flickered: "Right, I wonder if anyone has proposed marriage for your esteemed son, Chen Wenzong? I have a daughter as beautiful as flowers and jade, currently waiting in her boudoir..."

"Lord Zhang!" An official stepped forward to report.

Zhang Zhuo said with displeasure: "What is it, didn't you see I am discussing important matters with Lord Chen?"

That official said awkwardly: "Lord Zhang, His Highness sent someone to summon you to Liu Family Village, saying he has already thought of a strategy to resolve the refugees for you, and your political achievement is saved."

"What?" Zhang Zhuo's gaze was bright with spirit: "Are these words true?"

"True," the official turned to look at Chen Liqin. "Coincidentally, Lord Chen is also here. Prince Jing summons you to go to the Liu Family Village kiln factory together."

"Summons me for what matter?"

"His Highness said your river embankment is also saved."

Chen Liqin froze. The Liu Family Village kiln factory—wasn't that where he went to look for Chen Ji earlier? How could there be a method to save river embankments there?

...

...

Inside the kiln factory, everyone was still jubilant.

"Chen Ji, we succeeded!"

"When Chen Ji said earlier that we could leave our names in history, I still didn't believe it! But from now on, constructing river embankments will use our cement, and various provinces and prefectures constructing city walls will also use our cement. Even if the history books wanted to not remember us, it would be impossible!"

The Prince Heir asked excitedly: "Will the history books really write it like this: In the autumn of the thirty-first year of Jianing, Chen Ji, She Dengke, Liu Quxing, Liang Mao'er, Luozhui Sajia, Zhu Baili, and Zhu Yunxi produced cement, leaving a legacy for ten thousand generations!"

Bai Li said with a beaming smile: "When the work at the kiln factory is done, I will invite everyone to Yingxian Restaurant to set up a banquet. You can eat whatever you want, and we won't rest until we're drunk!"

The Prince Heir looked at Bai Li in puzzlement: "Didn't Dad confiscate your monthly allowance?"

Bai Li said with righteous self-confidence: "I still hid some!"

Amidst the laughter and joy.

Liang Gou'er, who was lying slacking off on the grass mat to the side, secretly observed the group of cheering youths through the gap between his nose bridge and the straw hat.

One of the happiest things when one is young is doing something together with friends.

If there was anything happier than this, it was successfully accomplishing that thing.

Seeing the smile on Liang Mao'er's face, the corners of his mouth unconsciously also curled up slightly, as if the days of his youth were walking over him once again.

But as he kept looking and looking, the light in Liang Gou'er's eyes dimmed again. He pulled at the brim of his hat, completely covering his face under the straw hat.

"Chen Ji."

At this time, Prince Jing spoke, bringing everyone's laughter to an abrupt halt like an imperial decree.

The Prince Heir and Liang Mao'er slowly placed Chen Ji down on the ground. Chen Ji straightened out his messed-up clothes and said calmly: "Your Highness, please speak."

Prince Jing, holding a knocked-off brick in his hand, rubbed the cement stuck to the brick with his finger: "Let's discuss this business. Seeing as you are close friends with Yunxi and Bai Li, I will not take advantage of you. A fixed price of five thousand taels of silver, and you sell the cement formula to me."

Chen Ji sank into deep thought.

Seeing him not reply, Prince Jing said earnestly: "The Lianghuai salt administration's annual tax revenue is no more than nine hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver, and the imperial court's annual financial and tax income is no more than five hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver. Five thousand taels of silver is enough for an ordinary person to enjoy a lifetime of honor, splendor, wealth, and rank. Do not miss this heaven-sent wealth."

She Dengke slowly looked towards Chen Ji, his tone trembling: "Chen Ji, five thousand taels of silver!"

Liu Quxing was also restless: What is the concept of five thousand taels? For an ordinary official, even including welcoming and sending off, and managing social relations, their yearly expenditure is no more than a hundred taels of silver!

Not to mention these two apprentices being tempted, even Bai Li felt her father was being quite generous in his offer this time.

However, Chen Ji laughed: "Your Highness is digging a pit for me."

Prince Jing raised his eyebrows: "How do you say?"

Chen Ji calculated in detail: "Your Highness says the imperial court's annual income is five hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver, yet you don't mention that the imperial court's taxes and finances are mainly based on physical grain. If converted into silver, I'm afraid it would be tens of millions of taels. Your Highness says the Lianghuai salt administration's annual tax is only nine hundred and fifty thousand taels, yet you omit the awkwardness of the Lianghuai salt administration's multi-year accumulated malpractices and inability to collect taxes."

Prince Jing gradually withdrew his smile.

Chen Ji continued: "Your Highness even more so didn't mention that in this Ning Dynasty, civil official aristocratic families like the Liu family control a provincial territory. Seventy percent of a province's finances enters the Liu family, and only the remaining thirty percent belongs to the imperial court. Your Highness used the imperial court's taxes to surreptitiously substitute concepts. I can hear the sound of the abacus clicking in your heart from five thousand li away."

He looked at Prince Jing and said sincerely: "Your Highness and I both deeply know the value of this cement, how about we open the skylight and speak brightly (speak frankly)?"

Prince Jing stared straight at Chen Ji, as if trying to see through the soul of the youth before him. Yet Chen Ji didn't dodge or avoid it, simply waiting for his answer.

Prince Jing suddenly smiled and turned to look at Wang Kezhi: "Have you guys memorized the formula?"

Wang Kezhi said honestly: "We memorized it. Little Doctor Chen also didn't deliberately hide it from us."

Prince Jing nodded: "Very good, we can modify the kiln ourselves, and we can also produce the cement ourselves. We indeed no longer need to trouble Little Doctor Chen."

Bai Li's eyes widened: "Dad?!"

Prince Jing put his hands behind his back and chuckled happily: "Bai Li, do not interfere. The cement involves national policy, how can it be controlled in the hands of a few youths? Currently, the imperial court's treasury is strained. Being able to bring out five thousand taels of silver is already my greatest sincerity. It's best if he's willing to accept it, but if he's unwilling to accept it, then there is nothing that can be done."

A powerful regional prince, failing to scheme against a tiny apprentice, was actually resorting to acting like a rogue.

Chen Ji said sincerely: "Your Highness, this matter is too big. I have to go back to the Chen family to ask. If Lord Chen Liqin cannot make up his mind, then have him write a letter to that Chen family Family Head to ask. See for how much money they think I should sell it to you, or whether they are interested in this business."

Prince Jing's smile withdrew once again: "Aren't you unwilling to return to the Chen family?"

Chen Ji's eyes were sincere: "I can return."

Prince Jing remained silent, seriously weighing the pros and cons. After a moment, he looked at Chen Ji and asked: "What did you say in your previous sentence?"

Chen Ji: "I have to go back to the Chen family to ask?"

"The sentence before that."

Chen Ji: "How about we open the skylight and speak brightly?"

"Alright."

Chen Ji: "..."

Prince Jing lowered his head and took a few pacing steps in the kiln factory. When he looked up again, he frankly stated the pros and cons: "Chen Ji, you are very smart, so you definitely know this business cannot be accomplished in your hands, and it's even possible to lose your life for it."

Bai Li frowned: "Dad, stop frightening people..."

Chen Ji raised his hand to stop Bai Li: "Your Highness is right. Wealth moves people's hearts. The path leading to profit has always been bloody and cruel."

Prince Jing nodded: "As long as you haven't been blinded by profit, that's good. Then you should also understand that given your status as a concubine's son, even if you bring the cement back to the Chen family, this enterprise will not fall into your hands, but rather be divided up by the first and second branches of your Chen family. Therefore, your best choice is actually Prince Jing's Estate. At the very least, my Prince Jing's Estate handles matters more fairly than them."

Chen Ji agreed: "I understand."

Prince Jing looked at Chen Ji. Just as he was planning to continue saying something, he saw a carriage slowly stop at the entrance of the kiln factory outside.

Everyone looked over, only to see Old Yao slowly stepping out of the carriage supported by the cart driver.

Old Yao slowly walked to the front of the crowd, swept his gaze across everyone's faces, and only then opened his mouth to ask: "What are you discussing to be so solemn?"

Liu Quxing hurriedly said: "Master, His Highness wants to buy Chen Ji's cement formula!"

Old Yao gave an "oh": "How much money did His Highness offer?"

Liu Quxing answered: "Five thousand taels. But Chen Ji didn't agree, and right now they are deadlocked in an argument."

Old Yao gave an "oh" again, and was seen taking out six copper coins from his sleeve and tossing them on the ground. Then, he turned to look at Prince Jing: "Five thousand taels every year."

"How much?!"

Liang Gou'er abruptly sat up, his straw hat even falling to the ground.

Bai Li was stunned. The price of this cement actually changed from five thousand taels of silver to five thousand taels every year?

Old Yao looked at Prince Jing and said slowly: "Your Highness will not suffer a loss buying this item."

Saying that, he looked towards Chen Ji again: "Just this much then, you won't be able to hold onto it if there's any more money."

Everyone silently looked towards Prince Jing, afraid that this lion opening its mouth wide would enrage this powerful regional prince.

Yet Prince Jing suddenly smiled: "Deal."

Chen Ji was stunned.

Deal?

Just like that, it's a deal?

Chen Ji abruptly looked at his own Master. He didn't know what kind of relationship this scrawny Master of his actually had with Prince Jing, to be able to convince the other party the moment he opened his mouth, turning the price from five thousand taels into five thousand taels every year.

This kind of relationship was absolutely not something that could be explained clearly in just one or two sentences.

"Master," Chen Ji asked. "Did you make a special trip to come help me?"

Old Yao cast a sidelong glance at him: "Why do you have such a big face? I just came to see what kind of tricks you guys were playing."

Chen Ji: "...Oh."

At this time, Liu Quxing looked at She Dengke in disbelief: "I'm not dreaming, right? Five thousand taels every year?"

She Dengke punched Liu Quxing's chest, punching Liu Quxing so hard he coughed consecutively a few times: "Does it hurt?"

"You motherf*cker!"

Just as Liu Quxing was about to pounce on She Dengke, he was stopped by Prince Jing raising his hand: "Don't be anxious, wait until I finish speaking. Five thousand taels every year isn't without conditions. Other than the cement formula, I want the technique of iron absorbing carbon to become steel."

Chen Ji smiled: "Alright."

He wasn't greedy; he only wanted to plot for a peaceful and stable enterprise or property, enough to support the Mountain Lord Pathway, that's all.

(End of Chapter)