Chapter 391: Private Dealings

Yan Yu originally wanted to ride her donkey, but her Master, feeling sorry for her, would not allow it. She had no choice but to squeeze into the small carriage with her Master and her father.

The donkey was tied to the carriage, trotting along with them. The speed was not fast, much slower than when she had first arrived.

Normally, this kind of swaying would make Yan Yu feel sleepy, but the carriage’s shock absorption was terrible. The constant jolting along the road actually made her feel more energized the longer she sat.

While in the carriage, her Master explained the reason for this trip to the Prefectural City.

“When we went to the countryside to collect grain, you saw it for yourself. The grain taxes stored in the Prefectural City are even more substantial. Those extra grains collected are not recorded on the official ledgers and are disposed of privately,” Magistrate Tian said in a flat tone as he discussed the matter.

“To line their own pockets?” Yan Lao’er asked.

Magistrate Tian said calmly, “Guanzhou is actually considered decent. Only one crop of grain is grown a year, the population is small, and there is much wasteland. The room for manipulation with the annual grain tax is limited, far less than in other major prefectures. Do you remember me telling you that even if we don’t compete for the top spot this year, there are ways to make the Prefectural City waste less of our resources?”

Yan Lao’er replied, “I remember.”

Back then at the granary, the sight of his teacher’s happy face in front of the full bins was still fresh in his mind.

“Since the Prefectural City has surplus grain and our Crouching Tiger is short on grain, we shall simply buy it.” This was the inspiration Magistrate Tian had taken from Yan Lao’er.

He had never been a pedantic man.

He prioritized results in his actions.

“Because it is a private resale, the grain merchants will definitely suppress the price. I originally intended to buy it at a slightly higher price. This way, we can obtain grain below market value and use the opportunity to ensure the other party doesn’t make things difficult for Crouching Tiger when we hand over our grain. The three border towns of Crouching Tiger, Longxing, and Fengming produce far less grain than Gufeng and Changping. If we follow this method, we spend less, while for them, raising the grain price allows for more profit.”

Both Yan Lao’er and Yan Yu were quick at mental arithmetic.

They understood instantly.

Setting aside the right or wrong of those people stealing and selling grain, from the perspective of the deal itself, it was a win-win situation where everyone would be happy.

Crouching Tiger could save some effort when delivering grain and also buy grain at a low price.

Although those people would fleece Crouching Tiger a bit less, the unit price of the grain would go up.

There was another benefit: once the grain was in Crouching Tiger’s hands, given Magistrate Tian’s style, if the commoners lacked food, he would likely sell it at a flat price or even at a loss.

It was much better than the grain ending up in the hands of merchants.

“Right now, the government treasury isn’t exactly empty, but it’s close. However, after much thought, I still want to buy this grain. On this trip to the Prefectural City, you and I will act separately. I will find a way to raise the silver, while you make contact with them. If you can get it at the original price, that would be best. If not, a small increase is acceptable,” Magistrate Tian said.

Yan Lao’er asked, “Teacher, is it alright for me to go? This is such a secretive matter, they will surely be very cautious. What if they won’t sell to me?”

A deal like this required trust from both sides. Although he was a fresh face, he had come with his teacher, so it likely couldn’t be hidden. If people knew, they might not dare to sell.

“Everyone in Guanzhou knows that Crouching Tiger’s granary was plundered this year. If they won’t sell, I will take their little business straight to the Prince. Let’s see who ends up losing face then!” Magistrate Tian said fiercely.

…

As they approached Dashi Bridge, Yan Yu rode the donkey home first.

She needed to tell her mother about going to the Prefectural City with her Master and father. They definitely wouldn’t be back tonight, and it was hard to say if they would even return by tomorrow night.

Li Xuemei listened to the reason, thought for a moment, and gave fifty taels to her daughter.

“This is the fifty taels your father left with me. Take it to him. If your Master can’t raise enough silver, tell your father to use his discretion.”

Watching her daughter take the silver with some hesitation and ride her donkey out of the courtyard, Li Xuemei withdrew her gaze from the window. She put on an extra layer of clothing, picked up the land deed, and walked slowly toward the Qi family home.

The Qi family courtyard was busy as usual.

“Second Mistress Yan.” Seeing her arrive, Old Man Kang was pleasantly surprised and came forward holding an object in his hand.

“This old man has finished the modifications. Second Mistress Yan, please see if it is usable?”

He was referring to the mold for iron nails.

A joyful light burst from Li Xuemei’s eyes.

She listened to his explanation of its clever design while carefully checking it against her requirements.

“It is made wonderfully. You have worked hard.”

He was truly a capable old man.

“I don’t deserve such respect, Second Mistress Yan. Your village has looked after us well; it is only right that I do my best, only right.” The wrinkles on Old Man Kang’s face bloomed into a smile.

…

Yan Yu caught up with the carriage but did not go back inside, choosing instead to follow along outside.

Seeing that the child really didn’t want to sit in the carriage, Magistrate Tian let it be, only reminding her to wrap herself up well and not let the cold wind blow on her.

The group finally arrived at Yongning City.

While the driver negotiated with the guards at the gate, Magistrate Tian lifted the curtain and nodded to the inspectors outside. As soon as they saw the official robes, they immediately let them through.

Magistrate Tian was still in the mood to joke: “Look at what you did to my official robes. Only the front is presentable; there is a huge tear in the back.”

He turned around to let Yan Lao’er see.

Yan Lao’er felt extremely embarrassed and argued weakly, “The situation was critical then, I didn’t think about that.”

Magistrate Tian laughed. “I am not blaming you.”

“I’ll buy you a new set later,” Yan Lao’er added as a remedy.

“No need, this set is fine.” Magistrate Tian smiled with deep meaning. “No matter who looks at it, they will know at a glance that I am the Magistrate of Crouching Tiger. It cannot be faked.”

After entering the city, Magistrate Tian first found an inn to stay in.

He kept Yan Lao’er by his side not just to teach him his studies, but also these methods of conducting business.

Once settled, he said to him, “It is late today. Tomorrow morning, we go to the Prefectural Government Office first, then to the Prince’s Manor. That will take most of the day. When we go to the office, pay close attention and see if you can strike up a conversation with anyone.”

Yan Lao’er asked, “Teacher, aren’t we going to pay our respects at the Prince’s Manor first?”

Magistrate Tian shook his head. “Guanzhou is Prince Ying’s fief, but I am first an official appointed by the Imperial Court, and only then a subordinate under Prince Ying’s jurisdiction. Therefore, I must first see the Prefectural Governor^[1] at the office.”

“Go ask Xiao Er to prepare hot water. I wish to bathe.” Fearing his disciple wouldn’t understand the reasoning, Magistrate Tian explained, “When meeting superiors or visiting the Prince, one must be properly groomed. You should go back to your room and wash up as well.”

“Teacher, why are we staying at an inn?” Yan Lao’er actually wanted to ask why they weren’t going home. Wasn’t his Master’s wife in the Prefectural City?

“This trip is for official business. Public matters come before private ones,” Magistrate Tian said briefly.

Yan Lao’er was truly impressed. Was it really this formal? They clearly had a home nearby, yet they couldn’t go back? Staying at an inn was a waste of money. Sigh!

When he returned to the room, his daughter was clinging to the window looking down.

“What are you looking at?”

Yan Yu closed the window in disappointment.

“I wanted to see if there was a night market or something.”

“Is there?”

“No, the vendors are all packing up their stalls, and the shops have put up their shutters.”

“Hungry? Let the shopkeeper prepare some food first to fill our stomachs,” Yan Lao’er said.

Yan Yu nodded and asked him, “Dad, why are we staying at an inn? It’s such a waste. It would be better to stay at our house and just wake up early to come here. It wouldn’t delay anything and would save money.”

Yan Lao’er repeated what Magistrate Tian had just said.

Yan Yu thought it over and over, then frowned. “Why do I feel like Master is plotting something?”

(End of Chapter)