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Chapter 899: Crowned as Imperial Merchant

Ever since Yang Sichang received Chen Yuanbo's letter, deep down, a subtle, cynical thought had taken root. How to describe it? It was that petty schadenfreude: "Your pacified rebels are bound to rise again. I warned you, but you wouldn't listen. I’ll just wait and watch you fail."

Honestly, such petty cynicism is universal. No one should pretend they haven't had similar thoughts.

Yang Sichang had been waiting for news, waiting for the day Chen Yuanbo would come crying to him for aid, announcing Hu Teng's rebellion and begging for the Governor-General to send troops...

However, that news never arrived.

Instead, what came was a beaming Hu Teng, impeccably dressed, radiating sunshine and an aura of integrity, appearing every bit the good man.

Yang Sichang was flooded with mixed emotions, unsure how to face Chen Yuanbo. On one hand, he felt a pang of guilt for his cynical thoughts; on the other, he was genuinely pleased that this group of rebels had truly reformed.

One of his military officers leaned in again, pointing to a man in the distance. "Governor-General, that fellow there was also a rebel leader."

"And over there, that one too."

"And this one here... the rebel leaders wear different colored hats." The astute officer had noticed that rebel leaders were easily identified by either their White Hats or their Blue Hats.

Chen Yuanbo smiled faintly. "They used to be rebel leaders because they possessed some level of education, could read and write, or understood mining techniques. Naturally, after joining us, they became part of the management. The White Hats are responsible for decision-making, and the Blue Hats for technical work."

Yang Sichang asked, "So the Yellow Hats just... dig, dig, dig?"

Chen Yuanbo confirmed, "Precisely!"

Yang Sichang nodded, a thought forming in his mind: *Noted.*

Of course, he wouldn't voice such an admission to a mere sixth-rank prefect.

"I understand now," Yang Sichang declared. "I'll be returning."

Yang Sichang, clinging to the last shreds of his dignity, feigned composure and began his journey back. Chen Yuanbo escorted him for five *li*. Only after Chen Yuanbo turned back and was out of sight did Yang Sichang's stiff demeanor soften with a sigh of relief. He let out a long breath. "Ah, I barely managed to keep my composure in front of Chen Yuanbo. He’s done a truly remarkable job with Daizhou."

Tie Niaofei glanced at the nearby truck; the camera on it was still recording. Excellent, Yang Sichang's entire reaction had been captured. He turned to Yang Sichang and remarked, "Governor-General, in my humble opinion, while Daizhou is impressive, it all boils down to one thing: money."

Yang Sichang raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Tie Niaofei shrugged. "It's nothing more than throwing money at problems. Disobedient bandits are made obedient with money; stubborn common folk are made compliant with money. As long as you're willing to pay, who in this world wouldn't fall in line?"

Yang Sichang pondered this, then conceded, "Indeed, you have a point."

Tie Niaofei pressed on, "We could do the same."

Yang Sichang shook his head. "Impossible. I don't have that much money, nor would the imperial court ever approve such funds. I wonder where Chen Yuanbo gets his money."

Tie Niaofei chuckled. "His money comes solely from the local gentry of Daizhou. Daizhou has wealthy families like Sun Chuanting's, and a host of other affluent gentry and landowners. They were terrified and humbled by the last Manchu raid, so now they're pouring money into Daizhou's development, hoping to protect their estates."

Yang Sichang exclaimed, "So that's it! Alas, I... no, I can't do it. Xuanfu and Datong are border garrisons; their economies aren't developed, and there are hardly any wealthy gentry or landowners. There's simply no way to raise that kind of money to help me govern the region."

Tie Niaofei declared proudly, "I have money!"

At this pronouncement, Yang Sichang's face lit up. "Merchant Tie, you... you are willing to fund me, to support this Governor-General?"

Tie Niaofei replied, "I have always done business with the Xuan-Da Command border armies; the Xuan-Da Command is my second home. Now that my home region is in trouble, how could I simply stand by? Besides, if the Xuan-Da Command were to collapse, my future business would suffer. Helping the Governor-General is helping myself."

Yang Sichang was ecstatic. "Merchant Tie, you... you are truly... my lucky star!"

Tie Niaofei grinned. "Heh, heh... a small matter, truly. I only hope that the Governor-General remembers my contributions in the future and, after your promotion, does not forget to lend me a hand."

Yang Sichang assured him, "If Merchant Tie assists this Governor-General in quelling these rebels, even when distributing rewards for merit, your benefits will be substantial. How could I not promote you?"

Tie Niaofei chuckled. "Heh heh, then it's settled. I will immediately return south to transport more funds and provisions. We will simply copy Daizhou's methods, just follow their lead. Chen Yuanbo may have money, but do I, Tie Niaofei, lack it? Hmph! My funds will not be less than his."

Yang Sichang said, "Merchant Tie, then I leave this matter in your capable hands."

The two men parted ways on the official road, Yang Sichang heading north, returning to the Datong military garrison.

Tie Niaofei, meanwhile, turned south, heading back to the central plains.

No sooner had they separated than Tie Niaofei pressed the camera's power switch with a *click*, stopping the recording. Then he clutched the camera and burst into uproarious laughter. "That Yang Sichang, he's killing me, hahahaha, absolutely killing me... hahahaha..."

"This video, when I take it back and show it to our insiders, everyone will surely split their sides laughing."

A few days later...

Tie Niaofei returned to Pingyang Prefecture and handed the camera's memory card to Li Daoxuan.

Li Daoxuan briefly edited the footage, keeping the highlights, and then distributed it to various locations. Such material wouldn't be broadcast on Gaojia News, but all management personnel within Gao Family Village were permitted a discreet viewing.

Yang Sichang's carefully maintained dignity in front of Chen Yuanbo was utterly shattered.

After several more days, a substantial shipment of grain and silver, transported by Tie Niaofei, arrived in Datong.

With a wealth of supplies at hand, Yang Sichang's confidence soared. Emulating Daizhou's approach, he began extensively recruiting workers for work relief programs, digging mines, and constructing roads...

The "rebel party" members of the Xuan-Da Command immediately dropped their hoes and rushed to apply for jobs.

Three months later...

The unrest in the Xuan-Da Command was quelled.

Yang Sichang meticulously detailed how the Jin merchant Tie Niaofei had funded the efforts, opened mines, recruited workers, and dismantled the rebel factions, compiling it all into a memorial for the imperial court.

Upon reading it, the Chongzhen Emperor Zhu Youjian replied with a decree: "Yang Sichang, a man of exceptional talent, can be put to good use."

And then, with a flourish, he added: "Jin merchant Tie Niaofei, for funding the nation's efforts to quell unrest and for his outstanding contributions, is hereby granted the title of Imperial Merchant!"

From then on, Tie Niaofei gained sweeping authority for free trade, allowing him to travel anywhere within the Ming dynasty's vast territories. He even secured the right to supply goods to the imperial family... though, of course, he had no interest in venturing to the capital; the imperial court, he decided, was best ignored.