Prince 011 02

The local officials of Haixi submitted a memorial requesting disaster relief, claiming that a severe natural disaster had struck the region. Faced with such a situation, the two factions constantly locked in covert struggle—the Ningxi Party and the Eunuch Party—both fell silent at the same time.

The Emperor frowned deeply. Where was he to find money for relief? Even his own meals had been cut back considerably, yet expenses were needed everywhere. But thinking of the people, he gritted his teeth and scraped together funds and grain. However, these hard-won resources barely left the northern borders before being carved up cleanly. Then the courtiers resumed their mutual attacks, paying no heed to whether the disaster victims would survive.

More than once, the Emperor had thought of asking Prince Qi for a solution, knowing the prince had wealth.

But ever since their last encounter, no word had come from Prince Qi. He had only heard that the prince seemed to be keeping quietly to his own mansion, devoting himself wholeheartedly to trade—in plain terms, competing with the common people for profit.

Just as the Emperor was so anxious that sores formed at the corners of his mouth, good news arrived from Haixi.

"What? Some merchants are funding relief efforts themselves?"

"Your Majesty, several merchant houses in Haixi have volunteered money for disaster relief. The governor of Haixi specifically mentioned this in his memorial."

The Emperor was baffled. In these times, even he knew that both noble families and court officials were focused solely on their own interests. Could there really be merchants willing to part with their money for relief?

Regardless, the matter was resolved.

But this unusual event drew the attention of both the Ningxi Party and the Eunuch Party. Both sides dispatched people to investigate. The replies came back that these merchant houses were not acquainted with each other, and their owners were different individuals. They had simply contributed some grain to curry favor with the governor, as a mere gesture.

That excuse was plausible enough.

To these high and mighty figures, this disaster was but a minor episode. After all, the lives of lowborn people were worth nothing.

Yet it seemed the fortunes of the Great Zhou Dynasty were waning. Within less than a month, floods struck the Hedong region, submerging vast farmlands and homes, leaving the people homeless and displaced.

The court instructed local authorities to raise funds for relief themselves. The local officials likewise put on a show, calling upon local merchants and aristocrats to donate money and goods, in reality aiming to line their own pockets.

This news reached Fang Zhiyi’s ears almost simultaneously.

"Send word to Old Dog. Have him arrange for people to come forward and aid the refugees again," Fang Zhiyi said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"Prince, disaster relief is the court’s responsibility. We can’t keep doing this," Li Zizai said. "This is a huge sum of silver... The accounting office reported yesterday that all our profits from the past two months have been used up. If we continue..."

"What else can we do?" Fang Zhiyi closed his eyes, as if deep in thought. "Besides, relief isn’t solely for the sake of relief—it’s to win gratitude."

Li Zizai did not understand.

The silver Fang Zhiyi had scattered in recent days had already borne fruit. The merchant banks in charge of unified commerce were turning a profit every month. Profits from private salt smuggling and private lending flowed into banks, pawnshops, and taverns scattered across the land. Old Dog then used the money to invest in and acquire stake in numerous shops.

With the External Relations Hall handling official matters and the Enforcement Hall dealing with bandits, Old Dog’s operations had been running smoothly, even too smoothly.

Thus, Fang Zhiyi’s businesses continued to grow. Vast sums of silver passed through Old Dog’s hands, were laundered clean, and then openly sent by the Commerce Transport Hall to different banks. These banks bore different names, but behind them all, the actual controller was Old Dog.

Li Zizai felt something was off, but couldn’t quite pinpoint what.

Seeing Li Zizai’s troubled expression, Fang Zhiyi smiled. "Stop thinking. When you think, it makes me want to laugh."

Li Zizai blushed. He had once considered himself quite clever, but after witnessing the methods of Old Dog and Zhu Hong, he realized his intelligence was not particularly high.

"I have a task for you."

Li Zizai was taken aback and quickly asked, "Prince, what task?"

"Leave me and go to the border army."

"What?" Li Zizai was dumbfounded, then immediately bowed. "Prince, have I done something wrong?"

"Look at you. I said it’s a task," Fang Zhiyi said, shaking his head helplessly. "You came from a military background. Now that I’ve fallen from grace and am focused only on making money, it makes sense for you to leave my residence in a fit of rage and return to the army, doesn’t it?"

Li Zizai took a moment to understand. "Do you mean, Prince, to let me earn some military merits?"

Fang Zhiyi shot him a glance. "Earn military merits? Do you have any idea what the Great Zhou border army is like now?"

"Uh..."

"I won’t hide it from you. The External Relations Hall, nominally coordinating with other branches, also shoulders the task of gathering intelligence for me," Fang Zhiyi did not avoid Li Zizai. "But we’re short on hands right now, and time is tight. I need you to return to the army and gather intelligence for me. How about it?"

Li Zizai thought for a moment. "Prince, why not let me go to the capital garrison? It’s closer to the capital. If something happens, I can get here in time."

"That’s why I say you’re not clever," Fang Zhiyi sighed. "Zhu Hong, you explain."

Li Zizai whirled around in surprise, only to find that Zhu Hong, the head of the External Relations Hall, had appeared behind him like a ghost, hunched over as always.

Zhu Hong first bowed to Fang Zhiyi, then clasped his hands toward Li Zizai. "To answer the Prince: the capital garrison is the core force defending the capital. Both the Eunuch Party and the Ningxi Party pay close attention to it, and both have planted many people there. If you entered the capital garrison, Lord Li, you would be watched immediately. In contrast, the border army has long been stationed on the frontiers, neglected, riddled with corruption, low in morale, and chaotic in management. It’s much more suitable for gathering intelligence."

Li Zizai’s mouth hung open for a long time. When had he ever realized Zhu Hong had such a sharp mind?

Zhu Hong continued, "Lord Li, the private troops you previously handed over to me for deployment have already been broken up and sent piecemeal into the border army. It will be convenient for you once you arrive."

Li Zizai drew in a sharp breath.

Had the Prince already planned everything from the start?

Li Zizai’s departure from Prince Qi’s residence still did not draw much attention.

His excuse was plausible. Word had it that he accused Prince Qi of neglecting state concerns and using his princely rank to compete with the common people for profit. Enraged, Prince Qi expelled him. He then spent money to approach the Ministry of War, claiming he wanted to return to the border army to serve the country.

The Ministry of War was under the control of the Ningxi Party, and in their view, fools like Li Zizai appeared from time to time—nothing unusual. They took the money and did their job.