Chapter 110: Hidden Agendas

The banquet was opulent, and the accompanying music and dance were delightful. Yet, once the dishes were cleared and tea was served, everyone understood that the time for serious discussion had arrived.

Women are truly marvelous creatures; without a man to rely on, they are as fierce as tigers, but with one, they instantly transform into languid cats. Although the position of Chief Manager of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce is arduous, it grants firm control over all the chamber's affairs. By rights, Wang Liuli should have clung to it, yet she remained relaxed and indifferent.

"With the severe drought in Guanzhong this year, the Emperor has even suspended the imperial rites at Mount Hua. With the rebellion in Nanzhao, it appears that next spring, Jiedushi Xianyu Zhongtong of Jiannan Circuit will lead troops to suppress it. Consequently, grain supplies will inevitably become tight," Yang Chongyi remarked, sipping his tea leisurely, his gaze flickering toward Lu Liaoliao, who sat at the end of the table.

Lu Liaoliao sipped his tea while silently observing the words and deeds of those present, acting as if he had not noticed Yang Chongyi’s gaze.

Yang’s remarks, casual yet laden with hidden meaning, received no response. The silence was so profound that it left him somewhat embarrassed, forcing him to take another sip of tea to mask his discomfort.

"Ah, you were apprenticed to the Guiguzi school and are well-versed in the hundred schools of thought. I noticed that as soon as you arrived in Chang'an, you devised that brilliant method to increase grain yields. We old fellows have little talent, but we have purchased quite a bit of farmland for our retirement. If you have any new ideas to improve the output of our lands even slightly, I believe everyone would be grateful," Old Master Wang said, stroking his long white beard and beaming at Lu Liaoliao as if looking at a favored junior.

Lu Liaoliao rose to offer a polite refusal, but felt Wang Liuli poke his waist. Sighing inwardly, he shared an idea he had been contemplating for some time.

"It is currently the harvest season, and the fields are piled high with straw. In the past, to improve the soil, we would simply burn the straw in the fields. However, after much thought and drawing from observations of the northern grasslands, I have an idea. If we shred the straw and toss it into the livestock pens, it would not only keep the pens clean and prevent disease, but the straw, once trampled and soaked by the livestock, would transform into high-quality fertilizer. This should greatly alleviate the shortage of agricultural fertilizer."

"Ha!" Old Master Wang laughed heartily. "Ah, sometimes I truly wish to peek inside your head. Problems that stump ordinary men for ages are solved in an instant by your mind. The disciples of the Vertical and Horizontal school are truly as brilliant as rumors suggest."

"Hmm!" Li Yu nodded thoughtfully. "If this method is truly effective, I shall report it to the Emperor. In doing so, the grain production of our Great Tang will increase manifold, and the lives of the people will improve significantly. Such a benefit to the populace certainly cannot be hidden from His Majesty. You won't mind, will you?"

Li Yu had effortlessly usurped the credit, speaking with righteous indignation. Yet, given Lu Liaoliao's status, he was in no position to object.

"The Prince of Guangping cares deeply for the people; I am grateful, not bothered," Lu Liaoliao said, bowing to Li Yu with a forced smile.

"Ah, there are no outsiders here today. We are brothers-in-law, so let us address each other as brothers," Li Yu said with a gentle, graceful smile. "I believe the Ninth Sister is exceptionally capable and has always managed the chamber with great order. Now that she has such a talented husband to offer counsel, shall we allow her to continue as Chief Manager?"

Li Yu looked around, offering his opinion, and naturally, no one voiced any dissent.

"Ah, I hear you have two live-in disciples studying the Guiguzi arts of the Vertical and Horizontal school. I have a young grandson, Wang Huan, who has just turned ten and is so mischievous that he gives me a headache. I do not ask you to take him on as a formal student, but might he be allowed to audit your disciples' lessons?" Old Master Wang asked, seizing the moment to change the subject as the atmosphere grew cold again.

"How could this humble one dare to let your grandson audit my lessons? I cannot agree to this," Lu Liaoliao replied. Having two disciples was already enough of a burden; he had no desire to add another.

"What! Do you look down upon my grandson's character?" Old Master Wang feigned anger, glaring at Lu Liaoliao.

"Old Master is a man of profound learning, and your disciples are all outstanding. Your student, Li Qin, is currently serving by your side, his talents wasted in idleness. I have now married into the Lu family and find managing the chamber affairs difficult. Might he come and assist me instead?" Wang Liuli intervened, sensing the exchange.

Old Master Wang understood the trade and agreed without hesitation.

Shen Zhenzhu, who had remained quiet and gentle, was well-read in history and knew the legendary feats of the Guiguzi school during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. She tugged at Li Yu’s sleeve and whispered in his ear. Li Yu frowned, looking hesitant, but under her pleading gaze, he finally relented.

"My eldest son, Li Shi, is eight years old. He is clever but has not made much progress in his studies. If you don't mind, brother, might he also come to learn a thing or two from you?"

Lu Liaoliao glanced at Shen Zhenzhu. It seemed the daughters of the Wang family were not to be trifled with. Anyone familiar with history knew that many princes had achieved great things with the guidance of the Vertical and Horizontal strategists. It appeared the concubine Shen was already planning for her son. Yet, this was also an opportunity for him.

"No, absolutely not!" Zhang Xun interrupted, standing up in a rage. "Your Highness, think carefully! Since the Qin Dynasty, the world has been unified and the hearts of the people settled; we are no longer in the chaos of the Spring and Autumn period. The Guiguzi school was once powerful, but it vanished because its doctrines thrive on sowing discord, using silver tongues to stir up chaos and bloodshed—a practice despised by kings and commoners alike. Our Great Tang is prosperous and peaceful; why would you have the imperial great-grandson learn these arts of chaos?"

"Magistrate Zhang, isn't that a bit harsh?" Shen Zhenzhu said, her face cold. "My son Li Shi may be the imperial great-grandson, but there is still the eldest grandson, Li Miao. I only want him to learn statecraft to assist his brother one day. I do not believe these are arts of chaos."

"Hmph!" Zhang Xun snorted, ignoring her. "A woman's view! Precisely because your son is not the eldest, he must not be exposed to the treacherous and shameless Guiguzi disciples."

"Heh," Lu Liaoliao chuckled coldly. "Magistrate Zhang is indeed far-sighted, though the Emperor is in the prime of his life and the Crown Prince is still refining his character. As for the Guiguzi school causing chaos, I wonder which era since the Han was brought to ruin by them? On the contrary, their influence is found everywhere in restoring order."

"Enough! It is merely a matter of an eight-year-old’s education. Since you are so uneasy, Zhang Xun, until you receive your new appointment, why don't you teach my son yourself in your spare time?" Li Yu said impatiently.

"I shall not fail the task!" Zhang Xun replied, casting a provocative glance at Lu Liaoliao.

The gathering grew dull, and guests began to depart.

"Lu Liaoliao, you must spar with me one day," Wang Ziyan said as she and Li Guangbi left. Lu Liaoliao could only smile bitterly and shake his head.

An Qingsu placed a fine wooden box on Lu Liaoliao's chest. "I hear your father-in-law is advanced in years; take this ginseng for him. Consider it a wedding gift. You must accept it."

"Do you remember the proposal you gave me? When I told my father, it was identical to the strategy suggested by Yan Zhuang, the new chief advisor to the Jiedushi. My father is now the Prince of Dongping and the Inspector of the Hebei Circuit. He admires you greatly. Have you ever considered joining my Fanyang Jiedushi office?" An Qingsu offered.

"I know that it is difficult for me to find opportunities in Chang'an. But with an aging father-in-law and a wife, I am not easily moved. If I can no longer stay in Chang'an, I shall certainly look to you, Brother Qingsu," Lu Liaoliao replied, feeling somewhat tempted.

"It is settled, then. I shall await your arrival," An Qingsu laughed.

As they returned home, Wang Liuli seemed lost in thought, frowning.

"Why the long face? You have kept your position and gained a powerful helper," Lu Liaoliao said, feeling a bit bitter about his new burden of teaching two children.

"Sigh," Wang Liuli sighed. "I am not thinking of the Chamber of Commerce, but regretting having presented the 'Condensed Fragrance Dew' to the Princess at Yuzhen Temple. Now it has become a tribute for the Daming Palace—all cost and no profit. How can I be happy?"

Lu Liaoliao realized the "Condensed Fragrance Pavilion" had now become part of the Lu family’s property, and he couldn't help but laugh. "I finally understand why your father looked so miserable at his daughters' weddings. It seems we should have fewer daughters."

Wang Liuli rolled her eyes. "Instead of complaining, help me solve this problem! Do you think we daughters don't know how to be filial?"

"Heh, the problem is simple. If you had asked me earlier, you wouldn't have suffered so long," Lu Liaoliao said, waiting for her to beg for his advice.

"Keep it to yourself then. Do you think your little Lu family clinic can support this whole family?" Wang Liuli remarked, causing Lu Liaoliao to lose his smugness.

"Actually, just adjust the formula into three grades: the top grade as tribute for the palace, the middle for the wealthy, and the lower for the commoners. Rename the middle and lower grades, and no one will cause you trouble."

Lu Liaoliao spoke honestly, expecting praise, but Wang Liuli simply nodded, beckoned to Zhou Liuzi, and headed straight for the pavilion, leaving Lu Liaoliao behind.