When he first met Huo Shu, Jiang Yuhou had sensed that the man didn’t seem to be from Tongzhou. Ji Yangzong’s family had only one young ger, and for them to marry their child to Huo Shu, it was clear the man had something to him.
Now, hearing his blunt words, Jiang Yuhou immediately set down his teacup and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. "Boss Huo, perhaps we should speak more thoroughly."
Huo Shu agreed.
At the beginning of the year, the newly appointed prefect had taken office in Tongzhou. Before that, Jiang Yuhou had already received letters from his brothers in the capital.
Now, Emperor Linjia was old, yet he still had not named an heir. His sons each harbored their own schemes, and the court was in turmoil.
Among the imperial family, there were now four grown princes.
The eldest prince, as the firstborn, was favored by the emperor due to his seniority.
The third prince was capable and ambitious.
The fourth prince’s maternal family was prominent—he was the empress’s son.
Then there was the sixth prince, who had never enjoyed the emperor’s favor. Raised outside the palace since childhood, he had now returned as an adult.
No one knew the emperor’s true intentions. Last year, the northern war had ended with territorial concessions and reparations.
Some ministers had advised the emperor to name an heir and abdicate to enjoy his remaining years in peace. Unexpectedly, the old emperor flew into a rage and exiled those ministers to the barren western lands.
For a time, no one in the court dared speak up again.
Emperor Linjia had ascended the throne in middle age. Perhaps addicted to the grip of power, though now aged and even somewhat senile, he was still unwilling to relinquish the throne—even to his own sons.
The princes secretly formed factions, each vying for influence, none willing to submit to another.
The current Tongzhou prefect was an official aligned with the fourth prince’s faction. Jiang Yuhou’s brothers had warned him not to perform duties beyond his role, lest he be seen as taking sides.
For minor figures like them, even if the fourth prince succeeded, they might not rise to prominence. But if he failed, they could easily be sacrificed as scapegoats, leading to the execution of their entire families.
Remaining neutral was the best strategy.
After learning of the news from the capital, Jiang Yuhou felt a chill down his spine. When other officials in the prefecture pledged loyalty, he made no move. The prefect had even privately tried to recruit him, but seeing no response, he was swiftly excluded and even suppressed.
Jiang Yuhou had thus seen the prefect’s true character and was all the more relieved not to have joined him.
With such a temperament, how could they ever collaborate on major affairs?
"So, the fourth prince’s men are hoarding wealth and grain in preparation for their grand scheme."
Everyone knew Tongzhou was rich in resources. To undertake any major endeavor, money and provisions were indispensable.
Huo Shu felt that all his prior preparations had been correct, yet he took no joy in it.
Better to be a dog in peaceful times than a human in times of chaos. He would rather all his preparations against upheaval be in vain if it meant living in peace.
But if trouble was coming, all they could do was face it.
The two talked for a long time, and by the time Jiang Yuhou left, the sky had already darkened.
After overhearing their conversation, Ji Taoyu was somewhat distracted.
Though he had known early on that Huo Shu was stockpiling grain for emergencies, hearing about the chaotic political situation still unsettled him.
Tongzhou had been relatively stable since his birth, but in the last two years, signs of unrest had emerged—like last year’s bandit troubles.
"Don’t be afraid. Preparing in advance is all we can do. It doesn’t necessarily mean chaos will come," Huo Shu reassured him. He was already accustomed to turmoil.
Ji Taoyu nodded, pretending not to worry, but that night he had several restless dreams.
Earlier in the year, when they were outside, unrest had been rampant. He had thought returning to Tongzhou and home would bring safety. Now, even the most stable place could become a target—how could he not worry?
Two days later, it was the first day of the lunar month.
That day, the horseback archery range was crowded, with many nobles coming specifically for Huo Shu.
During the opening, he had demonstrated his skills, leaving onlookers in awe. Many now wanted him to accompany them in archery.
Upon inquiring, they learned he only participated on the 1st and 6th of each month. Setting this threshold only heightened their interest.
On days when Huo Shu was present, business at the range was significantly better than usual.
His fees were high, and often his schedule was fully booked for both morning and afternoon. Not only that, but the nobles who came for archery would often leave generous tips—some even giving dozens of taels, far exceeding his service fee.
Ji Taoyu reviewed the range’s ledger. Since opening, daily income had been at least twenty to thirty taels.
When Huo Shu was present, it was even higher. Aside from entrance fees, just his two sichen accompaniment could earn five or six taels. And those who could afford his services usually tipped—sometimes three to five taels, other times dozens, far surpassing his base fee.
On Huo Shu’s days, the other archery instructors also had more work, as the increased visitors meant more demand for their services.
From opening day until now, the highest single-day income had reached a hundred taels.
The archery range’s earnings had exceeded Ji Taoyu’s initial expectations.
But since it was still new, the novelty might wear off, and business might not remain this strong forever.
Moreover, this was gross income—the range’s daily expenses were also high.
Supporting so many instructors meant wages and meals, and the horses needed fodder.
Money was coming in, but it would still take a long time to recoup the initial investment.
Now, with grain stockpiling, expenditures were even greater.
By the eleventh lunar month, winter had set in, and the weather had grown much colder.
Counting the days, after the winter month would come the twelfth month—the year’s end. After the new year, the second and third months would arrive in a flash.
They ought to start planning next year’s trade trip.
With the experience from the first trip, Huo Shu decided to recruit manpower early this time, adjusting the quantity of goods based on the number of people.
So, in the eleventh month, he spread word again, hiring hands for the merchant caravan. Recruitment would last a month, ending on the last day of the eleventh month.
This time, he established complete regulations, covering wages, food, lodging, and medical care.
He had Zhao Pan copy and bind them into a booklet—several pages long.
Upon hearing the news, the first to arrive were the men from the first half of the year—not a single one was missing.
Not only that, but many fellow villagers and acquaintances also followed along.
This year, when Huo Shu's merchant caravan returned from the Northern Territories, they kept a rather low profile and didn't boast about making money.
They kept saying how difficult it was, how much they had spent, and how little profit was left. But the villagers weren’t fools.
Thank you for the update!!!
ReplyDelete