Glory

Lu Guanyi, despite his youth, had already attained the rank of a third-grade official. How could the old-timers who had spent their entire careers in the Ministry of War, only reaching the fourth or fifth grade, possibly look upon him favorably?

Lu Guanyi remarked, "I'm not worried. I earned my promotion through military merit, and my father is still stationed at the frontier. No matter how much they dislike me, they wouldn't dare to obstruct me. Those who give me cold shoulders or make sarcastic remarks are the ones who have no future prospects and lack intelligence."

The smart ones recognized Lu Guanyi's boundless potential and went out of their way to befriend him. Taking advantage of his recent arrival, they offered him favors to establish personal connections—that was the wise approach.

Ye Yaming nodded in agreement.

With Lu Guanyi's high emotional and intellectual intelligence, his situation in the Ministry of War hardly required her concern.

"Besides, today they deliberately discussed military tactics, hoping to intimidate me, thinking I was young and had only achieved military success due to my father's arrangements or sheer luck. I immediately explained some strategies from the Thirty-Six Stratagems, leaving them utterly stunned. By now, someone has probably reported this to the Emperor."

...

In the palace, Chu Chang listened to the report from the Ministry of War officials and chuckled lightly, "It seems Lu Guanyi truly possesses genuine talent and learning."

Chancellor Yuan Zhengwei and Grand Secretaries Liu Shu and Zhao Kun, who had been invited by the Emperor to discuss state affairs and stay for a meal, were now seated nearby, sipping tea from their teacups.

Yuan Zhengwei set down his teacup, stroked his beard, and smiled. "A mighty father does not have a weak son. Lu Guanyi had already distinguished himself under the command of the Great General Who Guards the North, proving his courage and wisdom. Now, in Lu Zhongyong's camp, he employed stratagems and risked his life, nearly losing it, to achieve his military merits. We should not doubt his capabilities simply because he is Lu Zhongyong's son."

Yuan Zhengwei, Liu Shu, and Zhao Kun were all seasoned ministers, and Chu Chang was a ruler who treated his officials with kindness, so everyone felt at ease in the Emperor's presence.

As they chatted casually over post-meal tea, Minister of Personnel Liu Shu's eyes flickered thoughtfully.

He smiled and said, "Speaking of which, both Princess Yu'an's marriage and the Tea-Horse Trade Market at the frontier are connected to Lu Guanyi. This fellow is truly fortunate."

Upon reflection, everyone agreed it was indeed the case.

Mentioning Yu'an, Chu Chang summoned Chief Eunuch An and asked, "How is the matter with Yu'an progressing? Has the Ministry of Rites reached a conclusion?"

"They are still deliberating," Eunuch An replied. "Princess Yu'an is very close with the Madam Heir Apparent of the Xuanwu Marquis Household. She wishes to reside at the Xuanwu Marquis Household so they can look after each other, and she can also enjoy playing with the children."

"Upon hearing this, the Madam Heir Apparent proposed a plan to renovate the residence and separate the inner quarters. This way, Lord Lu's comings and goings would not disturb Her Highness, while still allowing Princess Yu'an and the Madam Heir Apparent to interact conveniently."

Both the officials of the Ministry of Rites and close attendants like Eunuch An knew how to phrase things appropriately. Although Lu Zhongyong's opinion had been sought on the matter, since Princess Yu'an had made up her mind, there was no need to mention Lu Zhongyong in front of the Emperor to avoid complications.

Moreover, it was the Ministry of Rites that had consulted Lu Zhongyong, not Lu Zhongyong who had initiated the proposal. Bringing up Lu Zhongyong could anger the Emperor and offend him, and if investigated, the blame would ultimately fall on the Ministry of Rites.

Thus, when Eunuch An inquired with the Ministry of Rites, they only mentioned it as Princess Yu'an's idea.

Chu Chang nodded and said, "That's a good idea."The womenfolk all resided in the inner quarters. Princess Yu'an and Lu Guanyi's wife lived in the rear courtyard—how could one possibly separate the young couple by having Lu Guanyi avoid Princess Yu'an in the front courtyard while his wife remained in the rear?

Yet having Princess Yu'an and Lu Guanyi both residing in the rear courtyard was highly improper. The arrangement by Madam Heir Apparent of the Xuanwu Marquis was thus most appropriate.

He said, "Once the arrangements are settled, have the Ministry of Rites submit a memorial. I will approve it so construction can begin early."

"Yes," Eunuch An withdrew.

Chu Chang then asked Zhao Kun, "Has Minister Chen arrived at the border with the tea? I wonder how the price negotiations are proceeding."

To complete the tea transaction before the severe cold set in at the border, Chen Zhen had proceeded directly there with the tea instead of returning to the capital. Officials responsible for this border trade would join them along the way.

The journey from Lin'an to the border took approximately twenty days. Having departed on the fifth day of the tenth month, it was now early eleventh month—they should have reached the border long ago.

"They should have arrived," Zhao Kun said.

As Minister of Revenue, tea transactions traditionally fell under his purview.

Yuan Zhengwei remarked, "Tea smuggling was rampant before, and it grew even worse after the Tea-Horse Trade Market was suspended. Now that the Ye family has delivered 150,000 jin of tea—far superior in quality to border tea—the illicit tea trade has lost its market."

"Indeed," Chu Chang sighed, recalling when the Duke Wei's estate held power.

Back then, the Duke Wei's estate had advocated suspending the Tea-Horse Trade Market under the pretext of cracking down on illicit tea, but in reality, they were colluding in treasonous plots. After their downfall, the Tea-Horse Trade Market reopened. The substantial profits and high demand still drove some to risk execution by smuggling tea, severely undermining state interests.

Now, with the Ye family's high-quality tea flooding the market, the Great Jin's demand was saturated. Smuggled tea, transported through great hardship, could no longer command high prices.

Consequently, the court reaped significant profits, and the border regions grew more peaceful.

Liu Shu stood and bowed to Chu Chang: "Congratulations, Your Majesty. This subject has heard that Madam Lu's tea-making skills were bestowed by immortals. Now her tea has brought peace to the border—surely this is a heavenly auspicious sign. It is Your Majesty's diligent governance and prosperous reign that has summoned this blessing."

Flattery never fails to please. Chu Chang was delighted: "Is this true?"

Those rumors about Ye Yaming had never reached his ears before.

"This subject has also heard. Madam Lu is merely in her teens or twenties, yet she has produced not only Dragon Well Tea and dark tea, but also Osmanthus Tea, Jasmine Tea, and Tieguanyin. If not for divine instruction, this would be inexplicable. Moreover, this subject heard the rumor originated from Master Zhineng," Yuan Zhengwei said.

Liu Shu dared mention this topic to the emperor only after thoroughly investigating Ye Yaming's background—his wife had personally questioned Ye Yaming at the Gathered Fragrance House.

He said, "Madam Lu comes from a merchant family and only learned basic literacy from female tutors. She neither hails from a scholarly lineage nor is widely read. Yet this subject has studied her works 'Tea Arrangement,' 'Tea Art,' and 'Tea Way'—the knowledge and Buddhist-Taoist philosophies contained within are beyond ordinary comprehension. I specifically had my wife inquire with Madam Lu, who confirmed she acquired all her knowledge through dreams."

Chu Chang was pleased: "So it is. Truly a heavenly auspicious sign."After some thought, he asked Zhao Kun: "Since the Ye family does business with the imperial court, shouldn't they be granted the title of Imperial merchant in principle?"