Chapter 412: More Powerful Than an Emperor
Mulberry leaves could be bought for dozens of coins per shipload but sold for hundreds of gold taels; alternatively, they might be purchased for tens of gold taels yet sold for mere dozens of coins. The thrill and risk in this trade captivated merchants who loved gambling.
This year, Qi Pei traveled to the Hangjiahu region, initially intending to broaden his horizons and visit his father's old friend. After learning about the exorbitant profits in mulberry leaves, he refrained from rash involvement, though his uncle-by-affection did participate.
Several leaf transport boats were hired. This year, a "living immortal" emerged—someone who had accurately predicted mulberry leaf price fluctuations for the past two years. Many following him had become wealthy almost overnight. This year, he was even more revered, with crowds trailing his every move. His earlier predictions had been precise, but then he suddenly vanished.
At this point, countless merchants hoarded mulberry leaves in bulk, anticipating further price surges. Instead, news arrived of severe silkworm blight. With the blight and poor harvest, silkworms hardly needed any leaves, causing prices to plummet from heaven to earth.
Many merchants had staked their entire fortunes on this gamble. Such news struck them like a thunderbolt from clear skies.
Qi Pei's uncle-by-affection was among them. In these voluntary transactions, one could hardly blame others. Desperate merchants watched as some even dumped mulberry leaves for firewood. In Wuzhen, an influential wealthy family stepped forward, claiming to unite major merchants by offering rock-bottom prices—allegedly mandated by the local magistrate and governor to provide gamblers in the leaf trade a way out by absorbing their stock.
Though feeling as if their hearts were bleeding, the merchants accepted that something was better than nothing.
When this crisis erupted, Qi Pei had already sailed away from the area. After three days on the water, he reached another locality, bringing along a basket of mulberry leaves gifted by his uncle. To his surprise, local silkworm farmers there fought fiercely over the leaves upon seeing them.
After inquiring, Qi Pei immediately sensed something amiss. Though prices hadn't collapsed when he departed, he had observed vast quantities of leaves. Apparently swayed by the "living immortal," all merchants had gathered their leaf boats in one place. Yet this location, just three days' journey by water from the neighboring county, seemed completely unaware of the turmoil.
He promptly ordered the two guards assigned to him by Shen Xihe to escort him back day and night. Only then did he uncover an enormous scheme orchestrated by the local governor in collusion with unscrupulous merchants—a plot three years in the making.
They used profits from the first two years to fabricate the "living immortal," attracting crowds to monopolize mulberry leaves. Then, they released news of the silkworm blight, forcing merchants to sell their high-priced leaves at a pittance, only for the conspirators to resell them at astronomical prices.
This cycle generated profits lavish enough to make the schemers immensely wealthy. To counter them, Qi Pei used the hundred gold taels given by Shen Xihe to slightly inflate sellers' prices and transport leaves to suppress the merchants' exorbitant resale rates.
Throughout this, he faced constant assassination attempts. Across the Hangjiahu region, he became a universally despised scapegoat—framed by local officials as the mastermind behind the scheme. He secured the funds and wrote this letter to Shen Xihe to convey the severity of the situation.
Despite his efforts to mediate, he still managed to reap tenfold profits. One could only imagine the staggering gains made by those double-dealing merchants operating without such intervention.Behind these substantial profits, how many families have been shattered and lives lost?
What Shen Xihe found most intolerable was that silk was a matter of national importance and one of the most vital livelihoods for the people. With such wanton destruction, how much of this year's harvest would be lost?
Xiao Huayong’s face also turned ashen as he read: "Far from the emperor’s reach, these people exploit the common folk, acting as local despots. Not only do they manipulate the masses at will, but they also trample upon the authority of the Son of Heaven and the law!"
"Why has this matter not been reported to the court until now? Who is backing them, giving them such audacity?" Shen Xihe asked.
"The governor of Jiangnandong Circuit is His Majesty’s trusted confidant. As for Yuhang and Jiaxing..." Xiao Huayong frowned slightly, his brow furrowed. "The situation is complex; it’s not the work of a single schemer behind the scenes. Leave this matter to me."
With that, he turned and left. After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, he returned with a composed expression and ordered some soft, easy-to-eat food to be prepared, along with her favorite summer drink, Smoked Plum Syrup.
"Your Highness, has this matter been resolved already?" Shen Xihe was puzzled, as he had clearly been displeased earlier.
"I’ve given the orders. Little Twelve will present the case to the throne tomorrow." There was a court session the next day, and they would depart only after it concluded. "I’ve also sent word to have the key witnesses protected."
"Your Highness seems intent on promoting Prince Yan." Shen Xihe noticed that Xiao Huayong frequently assigned tasks to Xiao Changgeng. The previous scheme against Munuha, Xiao Changtai, and Xiao Changtian had also been led by Xiao Changgeng, who took the initiative in the Sweet Dumplings archery contest.
"When I ascend the throne in the future, I cannot simply execute all my brothers. I must spare one or two to demonstrate my benevolence." Xiao Huayong showed no hesitation in revealing his true nature to Shen Xihe. "Little Twelve is clever and knows how to adapt. He also has some capability in handling affairs."
By having Xiao Changgeng expose this matter, he would inevitably be sent to Yuhang to conduct a thorough investigation, serving as a form of training.
This case was no simpler than the Rouge Case. Back then, during the fierce struggles among various factions, even Xiao Changying had nearly lost his life. It remained to be seen whether Xiao Changgeng had the ability to return safely—Xiao Huayong had no use for incompetence.
"Prince Yan is still somewhat inexperienced. The situation in Yuhang..." Shen Xihe was not optimistic about Xiao Changgeng’s prospects.
"Success or failure depends on his capabilities. If he is determined to climb higher, he must understand that ambition must be matched by ability to endure." Xiao Huayong was indifferent to whether Xiao Changgeng succeeded. The matter had already reached this point, and whether it was resolved sooner or later would cause no significant harm.
"If Your Highness intends to keep Prince Yan until the end, why not protect him?" Shen Xihe was perplexed.
"Only by fighting alone and knowing he has no one to rely on can he mature most quickly and unleash his deepest instincts." Xiao Huayong smiled faintly. "If Little Twelve cannot overcome such a challenge, he is not worth my continued efforts."
"Without Prince Yan, whom does Your Highness plan to keep to demonstrate benevolence?" Shen Xihe asked curiously.
The Second Prince, Zhao Wang Xiao Changmin, was restless by nature. The Third Prince, Xiao Changtian, had the ambitious Li Yanyan behind him. The Fifth Prince, Prince Xin Xiao Changqing, and the Ninth Prince, Prince Lie Xiao Changying, were not without aspirations for the throne. As for the Eighth Prince, he was not even worth discussing. Could it be that only the three-year-old Xiao Changhong would be spared?
Xiao Huayong chuckled softly. "What about the Sixth Prince?"
Shen Xihe was taken aback—it was the Sixth Prince, Xiao Changyu. "Your Highness, you...""Youyou's assumption is correct. That couple has been living under my surveillance all along. When I have no use for them, I let them be. But when I need them, they must obediently return to serve me." Xiao Huayong's smile was as unfathomable as the abyss, mirroring his silver-gathered pupils.
He controlled every person within his grasp so thoroughly that none could break free.
Though not an emperor, he surpassed emperors in authority.
Here's some background knowledge: Speculating on tea leaves was similar to modern stock trading, and it was genuinely quite popular in ancient times.
Additionally, regarding the distinction between Empress Dowager and Grand Empress Dowager: when there is no living Grand Emperor, the title is Empress Dowager. If a Grand Emperor is still alive, she cannot be called Empress Dowager but must be addressed as Grand Empress Dowager.
(End of Chapter)
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