Wan San exhaled sharply and continued, “That’s why you petitioned the Emperor to approve the Yellow River flood control project and deliberately boosted the fleets of the Chen family in Jinlu and the Huang family in Ande—so they would be indebted to you and keep building more grain transport ships and warehouses, until they held a near-monopoly over the inland waterways. Meanwhile, my Wan family has dominated maritime trade for the past two years. If Zhu Gao really starts a rebellion, it will be impossible for him to transport grain by water.”
Wang Cang Hai smiled. “Wan Boss, you truly are sharp. You understood my entire plan in an instant.”
Wan San pressed on, “Earlier, you said you had an important task for me. This is it, isn’t it? You want me to use the Treasure Basin to generate wealth, expand the Wan family’s maritime empire inland, and establish a nationwide network of carriage stations and relay posts.”
Wang Cang Hai clapped his hands in admiration. “Exactly! San-ge, you are incredible.”
Wan San chuckled bitterly. “You little madman, you’re throwing me into the fire.”
Wang Cang Hai’s expression grew serious. “A gentleman keeps his talents hidden and acts when the time is right. We have only six months to prepare for Zhu Gao’s rebellion. Heaven has given me the Treasure Basin, a divine artifact—how can I not use it?”
He locked eyes with Wan San. “San-ge, your family has been in business for generations. You understand money better than I ever will. With your strategic mind, the resources and manpower of the Wan shipping fleet, you can establish a national network of Wan carriage companies in just three months. You can even acquire private security agencies and banking firms across the empire.”
Wang Cang Hai’s voice was firm. “San-ge, I want you to become the richest man in the Great Yong Empire. I want the Wan family to be the wealthiest merchants in history—even surpassing Tao Zhu Gong and Lü Buwei.”
Wan San’s face turned solemn. “Wang Cang Hai… do you realize what kind of disaster the words ‘richer than a nation’ will bring?”
At this, Wang Cang Hai suddenly laughed—not a bitter chuckle, but a genuine, carefree laugh. It had been a long time since he had laughed like this.
Wan San frowned. “What are you laughing at? The Treasure Basin might be a dream artifact for any merchant, but to me, it’s a cursed burden. It’s a trap that could easily lead one astray. I may be a shrewd businessman, a miser, even—but I do not wish to become a slave to wealth.”
He exhaled sharply. “Cang Hai, if you truly want to do the right thing, give this Treasure Basin to the Emperor as a tribute. That would be the fairest and safest decision.”
Wang Cang Hai shook his head, smiling. “Wan Boss, from the moment you first saw the Treasure Basin, your every reaction has been exactly as I expected.”
He looked at Wan San intently. “I didn’t choose the wrong person. You are the one destined to be its keeper in the mortal world.”
“You have a grand vision, yet you never lose sight of the small details. You are a merchant, but you do not abandon integrity for profit. You understand human greed, yet you never exploit others for personal gain.”
“No matter whether I give you a money tree or the Treasure Basin, the result is the same—for the common people, it will be a blessing, not a curse. Even if you own mountains of gold and silver, you will still run an honest business and treat your workers with fairness and kindness. Am I right?”
Wan San’s gaze grew brighter. “Yes. I may be only twenty-six, but I am the tenth-generation head of the Wan family. Under my leadership, the Wan shipping fleet has amassed greater wealth in six years than in the previous twenty combined. Our fleet and workforce have expanded more than fivefold.”
He continued, “And every single person working under the Wan banner has enough to eat and wear. The sick receive medical care, and the elderly and young are provided for. Ever since your household registration and tax reforms were implemented across the empire, my Wan family has consistently ranked among the top ten taxpayers—and among the leading philanthropic contributors.”
Wang Cang Hai smiled. “So you’ll accept the Treasure Basin?”
Wan San took a deep breath. Then, with unwavering conviction, he answered—
“Yes. A true gentleman must act with righteousness and integrity. If I take this treasure, it will be used for good—never for evil.”
Records of the Great Yong Empire, as chronicled by the Grand Historian
The Fourth Year of Emperor Xiao Wen:
Prince Yan, Zhu Di, raised an army under the pretense of “Pacifying the Chaos and Restoring Order.” Emperor Xiao Wen, Zhu Wen, perished in the fire at Ji Qing Palace. Wang Cang Hai, Vice Commander of the Five Cities Garrison, led the Silver Armored Army to open the palace gates and welcomed Prince Yan. Zhu Di ascended the throne and changed the era name to Yong Wu.
The First Year of Yong Wu:
Grand Academician and Vice Minister of Revenue, Wang Cang Hai, was credited for pacifying the unrest. He stepped down as Vice Commander of the Five Cities Garrison and was appointed Minister of War, receiving an imperial decree to oversee the development of the Northwestern Desert.
The Third Year of Yong Wu:
As Minister of War and Vice Minister of Revenue, Wang Cang Hai successfully implemented desert reclamation projects. He was also appointed Minister of Public Works and entrusted with overseeing the Yellow River diversion and flood control projects.
The Fourth Year of Yong Wu:
Prince Xu, Zhu Gao, violated ancestral laws by secretly amassing a private army of over ten thousand troops and using an imperial carriage procession exceeding that of the Crown Prince, Zhu Zhan. Wang Cang Hai formally impeached him for great disrespect. Zhu Gao was stripped of his title and exiled to Anzhou.
Wang Cang Hai was then promoted to Chief Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy and Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince.
The Eighth Year of Yong Wu:
The Yellow River flood control project began yielding results. The Jing Wei Grand Canal was opened for navigation, and the Twelve Tributary Canals were successfully completed. Wang Cang Hai was recalled to the capital, appointed Deputy Prime Minister, and granted the title Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. The 9,000 Silver Armored Troops, previously a private force under the Wang family, were formally incorporated into the Imperial Guard as the Silver Armored Battalion, with Wang Cang Hai as Commander-in-Chief.
That same year, Wang Cang Hai’s birth mother, Lady Xie, passed away due to illness. He submitted a memorial requesting to observe a three-year mourning period and voluntarily resigned from office. He used this period of mourning as an excuse to reject an imperial marriage decree, annulling his engagement to Princess Jia Shan.
After his mourning period ended, Wang Cang Hai resumed his official duties.
The Twelfth Year of Yong Wu:
Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince, Minister of Public Works, Minister of War, Vice Minister of Revenue, Chief Astronomer of the Imperial Observatory, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Commander-in-Chief of the Silver Armored Battalion, Imperial Bearer of the Shang Fang Sword, and Imperial Carriage Escort General, Wang Cang Hai, received an imperial edict to relocate and renovate the Imperial Ancestral Mausoleum in Wu Prefecture.
Heaven sent divine punishment. A meteor streaked across the sky as an ominous warning.
On the decree of Emperor Yong Wu, Wang Cang Hai departed from the capital to relocate the Imperial Mausoleum.
That year, Wang Cang Hai of the Great Yong Empire had just turned twenty-nine.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Xia Kingdom, the qilin, following the command of King Mu of Zhou, departed from the Forgetting-White Mountains in search of Wang Cang Hai.
That year, the qilin was ninety-seven years old.
0 Comments