Chapter Nineteen: The Merchant Alliance
Who says nightfall is the most seductive?
On an autumn night, a bright moon hung in the sky, its pale light like a thin veil, gently scattered across the river’s surface, casting a layer of shimmering silver, sparkling and radiant.
Li Yu strolled along the riverbank, holding Liu Feixu’s hand. Through the tranquil waters, he gazed at the distant flickering lights.
“The night is serene and silent, dreams return with sorrow. Seasons change, and worries linger on,” Li Yu recited softly.
“Is something troubling you?” Liu Feixu asked with curiosity.
“For a hundred years, the Seven Kingdoms have waged war, and the suffering falls upon the common folk. I wish to aid my royal brother in forging a peaceful and prosperous era, to rescue all the people of this land,” Li Yu replied, his face calm, as though inspired by a sage.
Liu Feixu asked, “Do you face difficulties?”
Li Yu answered, “Before the troops march, provisions must be prepared. War is truly a matter of intelligence, but at present, I have no one to rely on.”
Liu Feixu lowered her head in thought, pressed her lips together, and said, “I must confess something to you.”
Li Yu feigned surprise and asked, “Is there something you wish to confess? If it’s inconvenient, you need not say it. I trust you.”
Liu Feixu’s eyes grew misty. She lowered her voice, “Lord Changping instructed me to approach you with a purpose. It was not merely to win your favor, but more importantly, to obtain the formulas for paper and cement.”
Li Yu pretended to be shocked. “You mustn’t speak so carelessly. Lord Changping holds great power in Qin—what benefit could this bring him?”
Liu Feixu cast Li Yu a glance. “All the sisters in Yixiang Courtyard were brought from Chu and raised from childhood. I was taken to Qin when I was ten.”
“The main purpose of Yixiang Courtyard is twofold: first, to win people’s hearts, second, to collect intelligence.”
Li Yu marveled at Lord Changping’s schemes—was it truly right to take the fruit that someone else had so painstakingly cultivated?
“If you wish to have Yixiang Courtyard, I can help you,” Liu Feixu said after a moment’s thought, looking at Li Yu with earnest seriousness.
“What method?” Li Yu asked, intrigued.
“Lord Changping visits Yixiang Courtyard several times each month. I’ve noticed a pattern—on every seventh day, he secretly meets someone here, plotting something. This person could be useful to you.”
Li Yu’s interest was piqued. Could it be Tian Guang, the leader of the Peasant Sect? He was involved in the assassination of King Qin—how interesting!
Li Yu took Liu Feixu’s hand and kissed it. “You truly are my lucky star.”
Liu Feixu’s cheeks flushed. “Now that I’ve chosen you, I honor you as my husband. If you’re in need of money, I have some resources to assist you.”
Li Yu laughed. “Why would I need your money? If possible, I’d rather help you earn more.”
He tossed a pebble into the lake, sending ripples across the water.
“Tomorrow marks the beginning of spring. Come with me to Han. Let’s stir things up and turn the world upside down.”
...
Returning to Liu Feixu’s boudoir, she gazed at the poem Li Yu had written on the wall, feeling as if she were dreaming. After knowing him for just one day, she had married. Now, it all seemed unreal.
Watching Li Yu busy undressing, Liu Feixu chuckled, “I thought you were in your dancing spoon years, but you’ve only just tied your hair.”
Li Yu, bare-chested, strode to Liu Feixu and embraced her. She was delicate and soft, her skin smooth as jade. The scent of tulip on her body intoxicated him. “Do you realize how enchanting you are? Meeting you, I finally understand what it means to love beauty more than the empire. I’m madly in love with you.” He devoured her with kisses, and Liu Feixu responded passionately, inching closer to the bed.
“Let me help you undress,” Li Yu stopped Liu Feixu’s next move, and slowly, with his mouth, undid her bindings, savoring her as one would the finest wine.
“That’s dirty—don’t—”
“No, you are fragrant all over.”
...
“Husband, even now, I feel like I’m dreaming.”
“Then let me make this dream last a lifetime.”
“Promise me you’ll never abandon me—I’m afraid.”
Smack!
“You hit me again! Do you like my backside?”
“I love every part of you—didn’t I just prove it?”
“Husband—”
The sun rose high, and Li Yu finally stretched and got out of bed at mid-morning. Thinking of last night’s madness, he understood at last what ‘pleasure that makes one forget home’ truly meant. Life, after all, is the best teacher.
---
Liu Feixu carried pastries, her purple dress floating as she entered, seeing Li Yu awake. She set down the pastries and tried to help him dress.
Li Yu stopped her. “I have hands and feet, there’s no need to trouble you.”
Liu Feixu replied, “Helping my husband dress is my duty. Sit still!”
“Besides, you’re younger than me. I should take care of you—my little husband.” She playfully scratched Li Yu’s face, and he felt as if he couldn’t take it anymore. If not for today’s business, he would have wanted to tame this little enchantress once more.
Meanwhile, the main hall of Yixiang Courtyard was filling with over a hundred people, forming small groups and whispering among themselves.
“When will the lord arrive? Are we to wait here all day?” One person asked a woman at the front.
“That’s right, Lady Qing, give us a proper answer.”
The room buzzed with voices.
“If you can’t wait, you may leave. I’m only here to inform you. If you all leave, I’ll be delighted,” said Widow Ba Qing.
Just then, Li Yu entered the hall, led by Liu Feixu.
The crowd quieted upon seeing Li Yu, and glanced at him. As for the alluring Liu Feixu at his side, their intimate relationship made everyone wisely avert their eyes.
Li Si stepped forward, bowed to Li Yu, and said, “Sir, everyone is here.”
Li Yu scanned the crowd, spotting Jade Tiger. He grinned at Jade Tiger, who, sitting in the corner, felt uneasy—wondering if he had offended this new noble of Qin, the only royal brother.
“Is there anyone here who doesn’t know who I am?”
The crowd bowed, “Grand Craftsman!”
Li Yu nodded in satisfaction, patting Liu Feixu’s hand. “Do you know all these people?”
Liu Feixu nodded. They were the top commercial elites of Qin, along with magnates from Wei, Zhao, Han, and nearby kingdoms.
Li Yu took the main seat, and Feixu, like a demure lady, stood beside him, pouring water.
Li Yu declared, “Everyone, don’t be shy, please sit.”
All took their seats.
Li Yu continued, “Today, I’ve invited you here for a grand plan to make us all rich.”
“As the saying goes, men die for wealth, birds for food. Loving wealth is human nature. But another saying goes, without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Since this is business, rules must be set. Otherwise, chaos will ensue, and none of us can safely prosper.”
A small, thin merchant stood and bowed, “May I ask, what are these rules? Could you explain in detail?”
Li Yu replied, “I was just about to address that. From now on, all salt and iron in Qin will be regulated by the state, including output and pricing.”
At once, the hall was abuzz, and someone stood up, “Sir, this leaves us merchants with no profit!”
Li Yu responded, “Why would there be no profit? I guarantee you, the methods I am promoting for salt-making and iron-smelting are ten times cheaper than current techniques.”
The crowd erupted in astonishment. If true, their profits would be enormous.
Li Yu then dropped a bombshell: “Moreover, I wish to market my paper and cement through you—products unseen anywhere else in the world.”
Now everyone was restless. Many had come hoping for such opportunities, and here they were. How could they not be tempted?
A clear-headed merchant asked, “How will this be managed?”
“I intend to establish a merchants’ alliance, backed by Qin. This will give everyone a better business environment. I truly have your interests at heart. However—”
The crowd quieted, awaiting his next words.
“However, you need to elect a president for the alliance, who will answer directly to Qin. All resources will be managed by him. The president will act as the primary distributor, serving a three-year term, with up to two consecutive terms. Who do you nominate?”
Everyone looked at each other, uncertain how to choose. Then Jade Tiger stood up, “Of course, the first president should be you, sir. That would put everyone at ease, right?”
Though reluctant, the crowd nodded in agreement, secretly scolding Jade Tiger for his flattery.
Li Yu squinted at Jade Tiger and smiled—what a fascinating person.
Li Yu said, “Though I am the founder, I know little of business. If this task were mine, I’d fear ruining it. Instead, I nominate someone.”
“You all know her—Liu, the proprietor of Yixiang Courtyard. What do you think?”
“Excellent!” Though not one of their own, as long as Li Yu stayed out of it, they had no objections. After all, they were all in the same circle.
Li Yu added, “To allay suspicion, I will appoint a vice president, the esteemed Widow Ba Qing. Now you can rest assured.”
---
Widow Ba Qing bowed slightly to Li Yu, “The Lady Ba thanks you, sir.”
Li Yu said, “Now that we have an organization, membership fees are in order. Let’s say, half of your annual net profit is the fee for joining. What do you think?”
Everyone was unsettled, rising to protest: “Impossible!” “Who does business like this?” “It’s outrageous!” “Better not to join such an alliance!”
Li Yu was unhurried, waiting for the clamor to subside before continuing, “Qin is founded on the merit-and-title system. You’ve all heard of it. I’ve discussed with my royal brother—anyone who joins the alliance and contributes to Qin will have a chance to earn a noble title.”
His promise was grand indeed. In the original story, Ji Wuye in Han wielded immense power, yet could not obtain a title. To be a noble, one must have both power and rank. Jade Tiger trembled at the prospect.
The hall erupted into chaos.
Again, Li Yu waited. Liu Feixu massaged his shoulders, and when the crowd had calmed, he spoke: “Today, you have all seen me. I hope, once you leave this hall, you will forget my face.”
He glanced at Jade Tiger in the corner.
Jade Tiger: “…”
The crowd replied, “Certainly, certainly—we never met the Grand Craftsman today. What a pity, right?” “Absolutely!”
They hurried to Li Si to sign and register.
Once everyone had departed, Li Yu said to Li Si, “I leave the alliance to you. Take charge.”
Li Si was visibly excited. “Thank you, sir!”
Li Yu said, “Follow me, and I’ll make sure your efforts are rewarded. Do well, and I’ll recommend you to my royal brother.”
Li Si was the kind who feared boredom more than toil. People are indeed different.
After Li Si withdrew, Li Yu pulled Liu Feixu into his arms. “Do you feel wronged that I don’t tell others you are my wife?”
Liu Feixu replied, “No. As long as you have me, I am content. I know you have your reasons.”
Li Yu smiled, “I promise you, in five years, when I turn twenty, I’ll give you the grandest wedding in the world.”
Tears welled up in Liu Feixu’s eyes, and she embraced Li Yu, kissing him.
Liu Feixu truly cared little for such things. As long as she held a place in Li Yu’s heart, she was satisfied. She could feel Li Yu’s sincerity, unlike other men who treated her as clothing—wearing or discarding her as they pleased.
Then Liu Feixu noticed Li Yu deep in thought and asked, “Is something troubling you?”
Li Yu decided to be honest, “Before I met you, I knew another girl whom I loved deeply. Does that make me unfaithful?”
Liu Feixu curiously asked, “Who is she, to win your heart?”
Li Yu smiled, patting her hand, “In my heart, you and she are equally important. She is from the Yin-Yang School, in Dongjun.”
Liu Feixu exclaimed, “Her!”
Li Yu, surprised, asked, “You know her?”
Liu Feixu replied, “The Yin-Yang School joined Qin. The foremost lady of Yin-Yang, I heard of her. No wonder—only such a woman could match you, the most extraordinary man under heaven.” She felt a touch of jealousy.
Li Yu laughed, “You are no less. Spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with their own beauty. Diversity makes the world flourish.”
“And our Feixu has some skills unrivaled in the world—truly irresistible.”
“Oh, you’re terrible! Tell me, have you slept with her?” Liu Feixu frowned, questioning him.
Li Yu shook his head, “Just kissed.”
“Then where did you learn all this experience?” Liu Feixu pressed.
Li Yu asked, “Do you really want to know?”
Liu Feixu nodded.
Li Yu said, “Recently, I was adopted as the Empress Dowager’s godson.” He stopped.
Liu Feixu shot up, incredulous, pointing at him, “You are bold indeed. Why tell me? Aren’t you afraid?”
Li Yu pulled the trembling Liu Feixu back into his arms, “You are my wife—I have no secrets from you. If I can’t trust you, whom can I trust?”
Liu Feixu was deeply moved. That Li Yu would dare share such a secret—her heart was completely at ease.