Chapter 1110 It's Li Patron Again
Lu Xiangheng’s curiosity was piqued. “A merchant has arrived, and you’re positively beaming. What’s so special about this man?”
A wide grin spread across the soldier’s face. “Every time Tie Patron visits, he brings us so many good things—food, clothing, even more than the court ever sends. The imperial court rarely pays our wages, so we practically live off Tie Patron’s generosity now.”
Lu Xiangheng was astonished. This merchant was *that* powerful?
The border armies, which the imperial court couldn't even afford to support, were now being sustained by a mere merchant?
This was utterly absurd.
The soldier continued, “When Governor Yang Sichang was still in charge of Xuan-Da, he hired countless laborers to build roads, open mines, fortify cities, and train troops. He spent a colossal sum, and most of that money came from Tie Patron.”
Lu Xiangheng was startled once more. So, even when Yang Sichang was still in power, he had relied entirely on this merchant’s backing.
At this point, his interest in the merchant soared.
Before long, Tie Niaofei entered. As soon as he saw Lu Xiangheng, he clasped his hands in a respectful bow, a smile on his face. “Master Lu,” he greeted, “I have truly heard much of your esteemed reputation.”
“You’re too humble, Master Lu.” Tie Niaofei chuckled. “I heard of your fame back when you served as Governor of Yunyang. Your Tianxiong Army earned fearsome renown, and you were diligent in governance, caring deeply for the people, managing the entire Yunyang region with remarkable order.”
Merchants were always quick with compliments, but Lu Xiangheng didn’t take much notice. He invited Tie Niaofei to sit, then turned to the main topic. “Tie Patron, I hear you have long supported the border armies. Even the previous Grand Coordinator of Xuan-Da, Yang Sichang, relied on your funding to build roads, open mines, and benefit the region.”
Tie Niaofei smiled. “Every loyal subject should contribute to the Great Ming. I have no other special talents, just a knack for earning a little money, so I can only offer financial support.”
Lu Xiangheng couldn’t help but sigh softly. “This act of providing funds alone is exceptionally commendable.”
Tie Niaofei replied, “Master Lu, as you are new to this post, you must have many ideals and ambitions. If you encounter any difficulties in implementing your policies, or if you ever need my assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.”
His words were a direct offer to provide financial aid.
Lu Xiangheng felt a pang of embarrassment. He thought: *No reward without merit. We’re not even acquainted, yet you’re immediately offering money. It’s a bit overwhelming. Are you trying to bribe me, hoping to use me for your own ends later?*
This kind of favor... it’s easy to accept, but difficult to repay!
He hesitated for a moment. Just then, Tie Niaofei suddenly patted his chest, as if dusting it off, and smiled. “Master Lu, don’t be shy; we’re practically old friends.”
That small dusting gesture was peculiar. Lu Xiangheng couldn’t help but follow the movement, looking at Tie Niaofei’s chest. Then he noticed a golden embroidered figure on Tie Niaofei’s chest—a celestial, ethereal-looking... Heavenly Lord image!
That image... it looked so familiar. Where had he seen it before?
Lu Xiangheng suddenly realized: The Shangnan County Commander Luo Xi, his deputy Zheng Gouzi, Padi Tu, and others all wore it. This was the face of that mysterious Li Patron!
He knew that Luo Xi received aid from Li Patron. When he himself had governed Yunyang, Li Patron had consistently provided funding, allowing him to manage the region effectively, repel bandit forces, and provide relief to the people in the Shennongjia mountain region.
Lu Xiangheng could barely believe it. “You... you’re also one of Li Patron’s people?”
Tie Niaofei smiled. “That’s why I said we’re old friends.”
Lu Xiangheng felt a surge of emotion. “Li Patron is truly so dedicated. He’s funded the Shangnan County Commander Luo Xi, supported the people of Yunyang, even helped me suppress bandits, and now he’s funding the border armies too... How could such an extraordinary person have been completely unknown until now?”
Tie Niaofei said, “It’s better not to gain fame for such deeds.”
His words struck a chord with Lu Xiangheng. He realized Tie Niaofei was right; such things were indeed best done without seeking renown.
“In that case, I shall not decline your generosity.” Lu Xiangheng had, after all, accepted money from Li Patron before, so taking a little more now wouldn’t matter. As the saying went, once you’ve already accepted so much, a little more makes no difference.
Lu Xiangheng explained, “On my way here to take office, I already decided to establish a horse market at Humakou to trade for warhorses with the Mongols. Furthermore, I plan to extensively develop military agricultural colonies, so that the border troops of Xuanfu and Datong can sustain themselves, preventing them from starving whenever the court fails to send their pay.”
Tie Niaofei smiled. “I understand! Master Lu needs funds, partly to help military households reclaim land, purchase farm tools, seeds, and oxen. And partly, you need some marketable goods to exchange for warhorses with the Mongols.”
“Precisely!” Lu Xiangheng affirmed. “Tie Patron, do you have any good suggestions in this regard?”
Tie Niaofei said, “The agricultural colonies are simple enough. Farm tools, seeds, and oxen can be directly transported from Shanxi; it’s a trivial matter. As for good items to trade with the Mongols, I have those too.”
“Oh?” Lu Xiangheng raised an eyebrow.
Tie Niaofei hurried out to his transport team, found a large cart, and returned with an iron box. He placed it before Lu Xiangheng, and when he lifted the lid, a sweet aroma immediately wafted to Lu Xiangheng’s nose.
“What is this?” Lu Xiangheng asked. “It smells like a kind of egg pancake.”
“It’s called an ‘Egg Yolk Pie,’” Tie Niaofei explained. “The Mongols absolutely adore these now; they can’t get enough of them. They crave it if they go a single day without eating one. If we stock these in large quantities at the Humakou horse market, the Mongols will gladly come to trade.”
Lu Xiangheng felt that something was off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Still, he decided, it was worth a try.
Meanwhile, in Taiyuan, Shanxi.
San Shier had packed his belongings. He bowed respectfully to Wu Shen, the Governor of Shanxi. “Governor Wu,” he said, “Shanxi is now running smoothly and efficiently. I can no longer be of much help here. The Heavenly Lord has just summoned me to Sichuan, so I intend to depart now. Who knows when we will meet again? It is called being worlds apart.”
Wu Shen was genuinely reluctant to see him go. Although this fellow San Shier often spoke in peculiar idioms, constantly teetering on the edge of provoking offense, his administrative abilities were truly exceptional. He had helped Wu Shen manage Shanxi so remarkably well.
He couldn’t help but sigh. “Manager San, if you leave, I’ll have to hire a private secretary. But no ordinary secretary could match your capabilities, and I’d constantly worry about them deceiving me, concealing information, or engaging in corruption.”
San Shier smiled. “Although I am leaving, the administrative personnel who came with me to Shanxi will not all depart. They have all received education from Gao Family Village itself, each understanding modern management methods. With their assistance, Governor Wu, there will be no problems. It is called having trusted aides.”
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