The next day, Lu Shaozhi saw Shen Mingyuan packing his luggage.
…Wait, are you really leaving?
Lu Shaozhi was startled and stepped forward to stop him. "Shen Mingyuan, what are you doing?"
Shen Mingyuan glanced at him in confusion, not understanding why he was so agitated. "I'm going out for a while, to Yuzhou."
Lu Shaozhi breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he wasn't moving out of his house, it was fine.
"Prince Qi is currently in Yuzhou managing disaster relief. What are you going there for?"
"If I don't go, the people will starve to death before they ever see the relief funds and grain." Shen Mingyuan scoffed. "A bunch of useless officials who just occupy their positions without doing any real work—what do they know about disaster relief?"
Most of the time, Shen Mingyuan was gentle and modest. Occasionally, when talking about high-ranking officials and nobles, he would reveal a confident and arrogant side.
Lu Shaozhi always felt grateful for their youth at such moments, thankful that they still had time to fight against the ways of the world.
Lu Shaozhi asked, "You just used Prince Qi's name to secure a large sum of money. Aren't you afraid of being found out when you go to see him now?"
"I never intended to hide it from him. He'll only thank me." Shen Mingyuan looked smug. "This time, I'll show you what a successful swindler looks like."
"If you know what you're doing, then go ahead." After saying this, Lu Shaozhi paused, then awkwardly added, "Come back soon."
"This is the first battle for our merchant association's public announcement. Don't worry, I'll make sure the entire Da Yin hears the name 'Yan Gui.'"
Lu Shaozhi didn't explain that he was simply worried about his safety. He turned his face away and corrected him sternly, "It's your merchant association. If you cause trouble outside, I'll be the first to cut ties with you."
Shen Mingyuan nodded cheerfully. "As it should be."
Lu Shaozhi: "…"
This person is so annoying.
Shen Mingyuan reached out to Lu Shaozhi and opened his palm.
Lu Shaozhi was baffled. "What?"
"Money." Shen Mingyuan enunciated clearly. "All of it."
Lu Shaozhi took a wary step back. "We just managed to get it."
"Come on," Shen Mingyuan coaxed him. "I'll bring back twice as much."
Lu Shaozhi reluctantly said, "You promise."
You promise to bring it back. You promise to come back.
Shen Mingyuan said casually, "I promise."
Shen Mingyuan arrived at an unfortunate time. Yun Shen had already left Yuzhou and was heading to the border.
The Wuhuan from the northwestern grasslands were stirring again, seemingly aware that Da Yin was internally unstable due to recent natural disasters. They wanted to take advantage of the severe drought to carve out a piece of territory for themselves.
The emperor had grown accustomed to the simplest solution—issuing an edict ordering Yun Shen to the front lines.
Of the two princes in Yuzhou, one received praise and rewards sent from the emperor thousands of miles away, while the other was given a life-threatening mission.
Yun Shen didn't delay. He was used to this kind of differential treatment, and besides, he preferred the border.
There was no Yun Qi there. He was a respected young general, not completely overshadowed by another.
Yun Shen left all his guards with Yun Qi and set off lightly with Du Xiao.
Along the way, Du Xiao was still grumbling indignantly on Yun Shen's behalf. "How can the heavens sending rain become Prince Qi's merit? If that's the case, Your Highness was also in Luming at the time. Maybe the rain fell for you."
Yun Shen found it amusing. "Rain is a natural phenomenon. Even in drought conditions, adjustments in atmospheric circulation, localized convective activity, or the convergence of cold and warm, moist airflows can cause light rain in specific areas. It's just a coincidence."
Du Xiao listened as if hearing a divine scripture. He didn’t understand, but that didn’t stop him from expressing admiration. "Your Highness, you know so much."
Yun Shen smiled. "Basic knowledge from nine years of compulsory education."
"Nine years… what?"
"Never mind."
Du Xiao noticed Yun Shen’s low spirits and immediately fell silent, not daring to speak further.
Shortly after setting off, they heard news that the "Yan Gui" merchant guild had announced it would purchase grain from surrounding areas at high prices to send to disaster-stricken, food-scarce places like Yuzhou.
However, it was not for donation but for sale.
The guild bought grain at three times the market price. After monopolizing all the grain in the area, they turned around and sold it to the people at five times the price.
With no food at home and survival at stake, the people had no choice but to grit their teeth and agree, no matter how high the price.
Before Yan Gui further expanded its grain purchases to target larger markets like Yuzhou, it was said they had already made a fortune in Luming, leaving other merchant guilds green with envy.
Upon hearing this, Yun Shen frowned. "How can the people have any spare money left? This is pushing them toward certain death."
Du Xiao said bitterly, "These people have hearts made of copper coins. Naturally, they wouldn’t consider the common folk."
He was filled with anger but knew there was nothing they could do. Although Yun Shen was a prince, his position was precarious.
Yun Shen was desperate to do something.
He was still too young—sixteen in this life, and in his previous life, he had just started university when he died.
He was born in the best of times, raised in the spring breeze, educated, and schooled. What his country taught him, he had never forgotten.
Coming to this feudal dynasty could not erase the Chinese characters engraved on his backbone. So, he should feel compassion, and it was only natural for him to empathize with the people.
Yun Shen said, "Let’s take a detour and go to Luming."
Du Xiao hesitated. "But His Majesty has ordered us to proceed to Mobei immediately without delay."
He was worried.
This was actually a small matter, but the Emperor had always been harsh toward their prince. In the worst-case scenario, this could be considered defying an imperial decree.
Yun Shen pursed his lips. "We’ll go and return quickly. Father won’t find out."
Meanwhile, Shen Mingyuan had already arrived in Yuzhou City.
Yuzhou governed six counties, with Luming being just one of them. However, Yuzhou City was severely affected by the disaster, its people looking sallow and emaciated, even more haggard than those in Luming.
Farmlands had withered, leaving the people without a source of income. They huddled by the roadside, relying on begging to survive.
Yet Yuzhou City remained bustling.
Vermilion-lacquered carriages rolled over the bluestone pavement. Young masters and ladies, dressed in finery, laughed and stepped into jade and incense shops. When a carriage curtain was lifted, a corner ice chest still emitted wisps of white mist.
The cool air seeped through the carved carriage window, shattering the broken bowls of refugees in the street corners.
It seemed the drought had only cut off the livelihood of the common people, while the nobles still had their unbroken paths to the heavens.
Zhang Mingquan followed Shen Mingyuan, reporting in a low voice, "The news has already spread. With silver spent, it traveled fast. Merchant guilds from neighboring Qingzhou and Yingzhou have already shipped grain here."
Up ahead, someone was performing street acts.
Shen Mingyuan watched intently, casually uttering an "Mm," making one wonder if he was even listening.
After watching a street performance, Shen Mingyuan reluctantly moved forward, "It's not enough yet. I want all the merchant guilds in the world to know about this, to be tempted by the price I've set, so that even from Tanzhou, Xuanzhou, and Yuezhou, they will bring grain from thousands of miles away. Don't worry about the money. You can spend all I've given you, and it's fine even if it runs out."
Zhang Mingquan hesitated, "As you instructed, I have already purchased all the grain in Yuzhou City at three times the market price. The funds in the account are nearly depleted. If we spend more, there will be no money left to buy grain later."
In fact, given the number of merchant guilds that have already arrived, even if they hadn't spent money spreading the news, the funds would still be far from sufficient.
"It doesn’t matter. Spend what needs to be spent."
"Yes."
Zhang Mingquan didn’t know what the young master was thinking, but since the young master was clever, he only needed to follow orders.
Shen Mingyuan had no intention of saving money at all. After sending Zhang Mingquan to rent a house in Yuzhou City, he leisurely strolled to the government office, fan in hand.
When Prince Qi came out this time for disaster relief, the emperor had specially assigned him a team of Imperial Guards, who had now taken over the security of the Yuzhou government office.
"Important government premises, halt."
Shen Mingyuan unhurriedly took out a jade pendant and tossed it to them. "Please announce my arrival."
The guard caught it casually and glanced down, immediately breaking into a cold sweat.
It was actually Prince Qi’s personal jade pendant. If he had missed it just now, the pendant would have surely fallen and shattered.
"Please wait a moment." The guard became much more respectful. He cupped his hands in salute, then quickly turned and went inside with the pendant to announce the visitor.
Yun Qi was also taken aback when he saw it.
He had only ever given out one jade pendant, so it was easy to guess who the visitor was. Moreover, it hadn’t been long since they parted, and their conversation still echoed in his ears.
He had sensed that Shen Mingyuan was a rare talent and had prepared for a long separation.
But why had he come knocking so soon with the jade pendant?
Could it be that he had struggled outside, regretted it, and now wanted to seek his patronage again?
Song Feng, who always understood his master’s thoughts, bowed and asked, "Shall I drive him away?"
Yun Qi pondered for a moment. "Never mind, let him in."
Yun Qi lowered his head to adjust his sleeves. He always cared about his appearance, and even though he had already decided to send Shen Mingyuan away, he wouldn’t show it on his face.
Hearing footsteps, Yun Qi looked up with a smile.
He suddenly froze.
The man before him had refined features and wore a snow-white robe. Even in Yun Qi’s eyes, accustomed to beauties, his appearance was first-rate.
Was this really the same person as the disheveled, haggard man from before?
"Shen Mingyuan?"
"Indeed." Shen Mingyuan gave a slight bow. "Greetings, Your Highness."
Yun Qi snapped back to reality, discarding all the words he had prepared. His attitude became much more enthusiastic. "Please, no need for formalities. Master Shen, please take a seat."
He now felt that Shen Mingyuan could not possibly be here to seek protection.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Might I ask what brings you here, Master?"
Shen Mingyuan sat down unhurriedly and smiled slightly at him. "Naturally, I’ve come to share your worries, Your Highness."
"Oh? I’d like to hear the details." Yun Qi didn’t think he had any worries to share, but he still feigned interest.
Shen Mingyuan said leisurely, "The Yan Gui Merchant Guild was established by me."
Yun Qi was stunned. "Yan Gui… that merchant guild monopolizing grain and selling it at high prices?"
Shen Mingyuan replied with pride, "Exactly."
Seems like quite an impressive achievement? Yun Qi didn’t understand and said guiltily, “Please speak plainly, sir.”
Shen Mingyuan paused almost imperceptibly, as if he hadn’t expected Yun Qi to fail to grasp even this, a faint trace of disappointment flickering in his eyes.
Yun Qi grew even more uneasy, but also somewhat resentful and embarrassed, which made him feel a hint of displeasure toward Shen Mingyuan.
This man’s capabilities still needed to be assessed, but his lack of emotional intelligence was undoubtedly low—he didn’t even know how to flatter his superiors.
Shen Mingyuan said, “I’ve been making large-scale purchases in Luming, and now everyone under heaven knows that Yan Gui is reaping substantial profits. How could they not be tempted? Of all the grain merchants who have come to Yuzhou, half want to sell to me, and the other half also want a share of the pie.”
He smiled faintly. “Places like Tanzhou, Xuanzhou, and Yuezhou are separated by thousands of miles. It’s easy to transport grain here, but taking it back would be difficult.”
Yun Qi refused to admit that he still didn’t understand. He pretended to be deep in thought, waiting for Shen Mingyuan to explain.
Shen Mingyuan sighed softly but patiently elaborated, “Your Highness, what do you think would happen if I were to sell the grain at a low price now?”
Author’s Note:
A successful liar no longer needs to lie, because those who were deceived have become his supporters.
—Shakespeare
The disaster relief method is adapted from Fan Zhongyan’s strategy for famine relief in Hangzhou during the second year of the Huangyou era (1050).