Since this was a young generation under the old lord duke, he was also his junior.
Commander Xie, Xie Mao, had Luo Huai Yuan's group brought back to his own estate and showed them great hospitality.
Luo Huai Yuan didn't know what Xie Mao was thinking, but since he was able to become the commander of Fujian's capital, he naturally knew a lot of things others weren't aware of.
Although he didn't seem to have pledged his allegiance to anyone, he was actually part of the Zhenguo Duke's faction. The court was currently deadlocked regarding the matter of lifting the embargo. The lord duke sending over a member of the younger generation at this time stirred his thoughts.
One was an old fox and one was a young fox. On the surface they were harmonious but they crossed swords several times.
They each wanted get information from the other but both sides were unsuccessful in the end.
Luo Huai Yuan stayed in Xie Mao's official residence for three days. During these three days, he had cleared out the time to arrange a welcoming banquet. Those on the inside knew the old and young foxes were having an exchange of blows but it wasn't that simple for those on the outside.
Everyone had some thoughts about this pirate-fighting little hero who came out of the blue and made such large waves. Could he have been arranged by Commander Xie? Was he trying to raise up the younger generation?
This won't be mentioned for now.
Having interacted with Luo Huai Yuan for a few days, Commander Xie had also understood that this junior was tight-lipped. Although he looked very young, his thoughts were very meticulous.
In the end, he revealed some classified information. He told Luo Huai Yuan that Shen Xuan was about to come to Fujian and take up the role of the navy's commanding officer.
If this were his previous life, Luo Huai Yuan naturally wouldn't keep this Shen Xuan in mind. But in this life he knew everything that had to do with the little consort. Hearing Xie Mao mention Shen Xuan, he knew it could only be that person.
The Zhenguo Duke's eldest grandson, Shen Dong's eldest son, the only person in the Shen household who didn't follow their ancestor's footsteps. Instead, he ran off to the navy. The Grand Xi's main forces were ground troops. Although there was a navy, their previous splendor had waned during the almost a hundred years of embargo. The land and sea troops were different groups. Even if the Zhenguo Duke was the left commander-in-chief of the five armies, Shen Xuan wasn't able to use much of that influence.
Luo Huai Yuan had heard a lot about Shen Xuan in his past life. This was because in the end, when the Zhenguo Duke Estate was being suppressed and on the decline, the Jin Emperor never dared touch the Shen household. This was because they still had Shen Xuan.
At that time he had already become Fujian's naval commander. After the embargo was lifted, half of the Grand Xi's commerce came from trade overseas. Shen Xuan had operated Fujian's navy for a long while and protected the Grand Xi's entire territorial waters. How could the Jin Emperor dare break off this arm?
Putting things together, Luo Huai Yuan couldn't help but but praise the Zhenguo Duke's foresight and planning.
It looks like the Zhenguo Duke had long since found an escape route for the Shen household. Otherwise, Shen Xuan wouldn't have left the household and joined the navy. He had used the lifting of the embargo to awe the Grand Xi's entire waters. If the east isn't bright, the west would be. There had to be a place where the court, and even the emperor, had to rely on the Shen household.
Since Xie Mao knew about this matter, there was no need to doubt him. He was definitely the Zhenguo Duke's trusted aide. Then why was he probing him? Did he think his trip this time was to carry out some important mission?
Luo Huai Yuan had used the pseudonym of Chen Yun this entire time. Therefore, Xie Mao didn't know his real identity.
All sorts of thoughts stirred in his mind as Luo Huai Yuan smiled: "Uncle Xie shouldn't overthink things. Actually this little nephew isn't here for anything else. There's only one thing."
Xie Mao asked expressionlessly: "What is it?"
Luo Huai Yuan revealed a slightly embarrassed expression and mumbled: "Err, that, this little nephew reckons the embargo will be successfully lifted, and came to test the waters first. I wanna see if I can earn enough to get married."
Xie Mao almost spat the tea in his mouth out. Earning capital for marriage?
He looked Luo Huai Yuan up and down. Since this was someone under the Zhenguo Duke, he shouldn't be lacking in money. Why would he risk the dangers and come to such a place to, err, earn money for marriage?
Of course these thoughts were just for an instant. Since he knew about the lifting of the embargo and since he had such connections, perhaps things weren't as simple as it seemed? Having been an official outside for many years, no one understood the thoughts of other officials better than Xie Mao.
Reputation, status and wealth were all needed.
But there were very few who could actually achieve this. Officials would have wealth, but this wealth depended on what methods they used to get it. A slight misstep would result in loss of reputation, which would naturally mean a loss of position.
To advance, it was necessary to send gifts to the higher ups. Apart from that, they also had to send gifts for holidays, birthdays and so on. This all required silver.
Those who could remain stably in their positions, such as the Zhenguo Duke, all didn't lack money. This was because there would be people sending it up by themselves. But this sort of wealth cannot be casually accepted. Often times accepting it was easy but digesting it was hard.
Therefore, people in their position would be more cautious than normal people. Even if they take the wealth, they would do so openly.
This time Xie Mao knew an opportunity had arrived. The court wanted to set up a navy in Fujian led by Shen Xuan. Xie Mao would be the vice-commander. From the surface, going from the commander of Fujian to a minor commander of a navy seemed to be a demotion. However, when this was announced, there were quite a few envious people.
Why was the topic of lifting the embargo so hotly contested? Everything else was just side issues. The point was that the benefits within weren't divided evenly enough.
There were many officials in the court arguing every day. The Zhenguo Duke sat on the side watching the tigers fight without saying anything. However, he had already secretly planted a flag here himself.
No matter how much benefits they got, would they have military authority here? Anyone wanting to import or export needed the navy's protection.
Everything entering and leaving would be under the navy's nose. At that time, with the navy overseeing the entire ocean territory, would they be lacking in benefits? After a hundred years of embargo, how many troops of the navy were still presentable? Shen Xuan's Chaohu Prefecture's navy happened to be the only one remaining.
Of course this was all kept hidden. Even if someone knew about it, there would be a tacit understanding.
The only problem that remained was how to do things in an acceptable way without leaving any traces behind. In such a position, there would be many people waiting to seize evidence of any wrongdoing. There were many things he couldn't personally do.
Could this junior be here to fulfill this role?
Otherwise, how would they dare hang around in Fujian with so few people? He clearly had a letter but waited until everything was already in place before taking it out.
The old and young foxes both had the same thoughts, but unfortunately there had been some detours in the middle.
Luo Huai Yuan took a sip of tea, his attitude leisurely. "Where does Uncle Xie think one can earn money the fastest after the embargo is lifted?"
Xie Mao muttered to himself and said slowly: "Our Grand Xi has an excess of tea leaves, satin, silk, porcelain, sugar and medicinal ingredients. These are all quite popular in other places."
Others might not know this but Xie Mao who had done business in Fujian for decades understood very well. Otherwise, why would there be sea merchant groups who worked with Fusang people to attack the land after their benefits were blocked?
To put it plainly, it was because their trade routes were cut off and they wanted to force the court to lift the embargo. Could smuggling make the same profit as openly doing business?
It naturally couldn't.
Of course, the refugees from Fusang's internal strife also had something to do with it. This cause the previously minor pirate activity to gradually get out of hand. But ultimately, it was still for the sake of profits.
Luo Huai Yuan nodded slightly. "This little nephew saw that Fujian is very desolate. It's said that this place used to be a famous source of silk. How is Suhang and Songjiang doing at the moment?"
Xie Mao's eyes flashed. "Suhang and Songjiang are doing much better than this place. Although pirates are causing chaos there as well, it's not as serious."
"That makes sense. These places have some of the best economies within the Grand Xi."
Xie Mao sighed. "Actually, places like Suhang have also been heavily affected. Otherwise...."
He left the rest of his words unsaid, but Luo Huai Yuan understood his meaning.
Fujian was filled with mountains which made agriculture unfeasible. It was also along the coast. Because of the embargo, they couldn't have relations with other small countries. The fishermen also lost their means of revenue from the ocean. They naturally couldn't be compared to a major hub like Jiangnan. If it weren't for the invasions showing signs of moving towardsplaces like Jiangzhe, the court wouldn't have brought up lifting the embargo.
It was clear places like Jiangzhe weren't as relaxed as Xie Mao said.
Thinking of this, Luo Huai Yuan spoke: "This little nephew is also here to say farewell to Uncle Xie. This little nephew is planning on making a trip to places like Suhang."
Xie Mao frowned. "Why the hurry? The road definitely won't be peaceful. Why not wait until the invasions lessen slightly before heading out?"
Luo Huai Yuan smiled. "By the time the invasions lessen, it would be too late to head out."
"What do you mean?"
Luo Huai Yuan stopped beating around the bush. "This little nephew is going to see how the silkworms and raw silk is doing in those places. Since they are being affected by pirates and the embargo, the price of raw silk must be very low. However, this won't be the case in the future."
Xie Mao laughed in spite of himself: "Even if you buy all the raw silk you're able to, how much can you earn?" He didn't place such little profit in his eyes.
"What if this little nephew has a new type of loom that can make a piece of silk cloth in half the time?"
"Is this for real?!" Raw silk wasn't worth much, but this was no longer the case after it was spun.
Luo Huai Yuan merely smiled without answering. He then said: "If nothing unexpected happens, things will be decided by the end of the year. The edict will be issued in the autumn and after winter, at the start of the year, the foreign merchants will be flocking to this place. With the bad timing, the silkworms cannot spit out silk if they have nothing to eat. If the market is severely lacking in raw silk, where do you think the silk cloth will come from?"
Xie Mao's eyes repeatedly flashed as he anxiously said: "It's impossible for the court's textile department not to have any in storage. Same with the major merchants in Jiangnan."
Luo Huai Yuan smiled: "This little nephew isn't too ambitious. It's enough to earn a little bit. Since this is an opportunity, these ill-gotten gains will be delivered to my hands. It's plenty enough."
It was plenty enough, but no one would mind having too much silver.
Luo Huai Yuan alone didn't have much power. But what if he threw in with him? Although Fujian mostly imported raw silk from Jiangnan, it also had quite a few silk gardens.
Many things couldn't withstand deeper consideration. Thinking also of this new loom Junior Chen mentioned, wouldn't they be rolling in the money in the future?
He knew that the old lord duke wouldn't just simply send this little fellow here without reason. As expected!
"Since junior came to my place and the lord duke also entrusted you to me, I naturally have to help as much as I can. Is junior's new loom actually a thing? Can you let your uncle broaden his experience?"
Luo Huai Yuan revealed a satisfied smile. "Of course. But it isn't very portable so I only brought the blueprints. Can Uncle Xie find some trustworthy craftsmen for this junior?"
"That is naturally not a problem."
**
With such a good start, the rest of the matters naturally wouldn't be too difficult.
Xie Mao sent some trusted aides along with Luo Huai Yuan on his trip to Jiangzhe. They wantonly purchased the raw silk of various places. They even bought all the low-quality silk on the market.
During this time, Xie Mao sent a letter to the capital. Only then did the Zhenguo Duke know the entire story.
He had long known this little fellow wasn't simple, but he didn't expect him to make such big moves. The letter he had given Luo Huai Yuan was clearly just some basic correspondence, but how did Xie Mao end up misunderstanding it? However, the Zhenguo Duke also understood Xie Mao. He had always been insightful, and wouldn't climb on board without definite reasons.
Looking at the letter once again, the Zhenguo Duke smiled bitterly. Even he himself was moved,
This was guaranteed profit. Even if the timing wasn't completely accurate, just based on the current prices, it would be possible to at least double the investment further down the line.
As mentioned previously, no one would mind having too much silver.
Even twenty percent profit was enough for investors to get excited. For fifty percent profit, investors were willing to take risks. For a hundred percent profit, investors were willing to take life-threatening risks. For three hundred percent profit, investors dared to break any laws.
Especially since this didn't require such drastic measures. All that was needed was to put money into it, and then get a several-fold return after some time.
Luo Huai Yuan had placed all the analysis before them. Whether they wanted to jump in would depend on them.
What would the Zhenguo Duke choose to do?
As mentioned before, the two households were tangled together after Luo Huai Yuan moved out of the palace and into the Zhenguo Duke Estate. Furthermore, Luo Huai Yuan getting together with Xie Mao this time was also mostly due to the letter he wrote.
Having kowtowed ninety-nine times already, there was no need to refrain from the hundredth.
The Zhenguo Duke sent people to Fujian with a box. Inside the box was two hundred thousand taels of silver banknotes.