A Different World - Chapter 12: The Chamber of Commerce

As the frost of spring melted into water, everything in sight was damp. The silt from the riverbanks was deposited on the shores or downstream by the turbulent floodwaters. However, if the downstream areas became clogged and could no longer be dredged, the river would flow onto the residential areas through man-made ditches, destroying the houses along its banks.

Jiang Jigang led the river defense battalion, working day and night to carry sandbags and reinforce the embankments. He even assigned an entire squad of soldiers to tie ropes and jump into the floodwaters to dig out the silt, preventing other downstream counties from being completely submerged.

But the incessant spring rains washed the riverbanks, spreading mud everywhere, making it nearly impossible to lift one’s feet when walking along the roads.

Zhang Qianhu had just returned from the riverbank to the riverway office to report back. Upon receiving new orders, he rushed to Eunuch Wang’s residence to deliver a message. As he was about to step inside, he glanced down at his mud-caked shoes, quickly drew his foot back, and politely asked a young eunuch at the door to pass along the message: “Honored eunuch, is Eunuch Wang free today? The Governor wishes to invite him to inspect the riverbanks together.”

After settling down in Jianzhou, Wang Ruicheng had enjoyed a few days of rest and attended several welcoming banquets hosted by the local chamber of commerce. He was well-fed and at ease.

Hearing that someone from the riverway office had finally come to deliver a message, he leisurely got up and changed his attire.

When the carriage arrived at the gate, Wang Ruicheng chatted and laughed with the young eunuchs as they traveled, drowning out the sorrowful cries of disaster victims lining the road.

Noticing the carriage come to a halt, Wang Ruicheng pulled back the curtain and glanced outside, seeing that Yang Wenhui had already laid straw mats on the ground to facilitate his descent.

Stepping carefully onto the mats, Wang Ruicheng walked forward in small strides. As he passed soldiers just emerging from the water, his gaze flicked briefly to their mud-streaked uniforms before calmly continuing toward Yang Wenhui.

Yang Wenhui approached to greet him, walking beside Wang Ruicheng while explaining the current progress of the work. Soon after, the commander of the river defense battalion, Jiang Jigang, arrived late, having changed into clean official robes. He followed the two, occasionally chiming in to add details.

Years ago, when flooding along the Xu River wasn’t as severe, the position of river defense commander was a high-ranking post, outranking even the civil governor. The governor’s office managed the collection of resources, while the river defense battalion handled their transport.

But as water-related disasters became more frequent, with the Xu River flooding in spring, becoming wind-swept in summer, parched in autumn, and frozen in winter, transport shifted to land routes. The river defense battalion became responsible for clearing silt, dredging, and emergency flood response. Furthermore, with canal construction now overseen by the Ministry of Works, Jiang Jigang’s position fell below that of Yang Wenhui.

Satisfied to see that the floodwaters along the Xu River had been contained and that the nearby residential areas remained unscathed, Wang Ruicheng nodded approvingly. “Let’s head further downstream to take a look!”

“Your Grace, several prominent merchants are already waiting at the governor’s office to discuss pricing. Shall we handle that first and resume the inspection another day?” Yang Wenhui hastily interjected. He was well aware that the most severely affected areas lay further downstream and could not risk exposing them to Eunuch Wang.

After all, the Directorate of Ceremonial was the emperor’s eyes and ears. They still weren’t fully certain of Wang Ruicheng’s methods and could not afford to reveal too much prematurely.

However, in recent days, Eunuch Wang had not only attended the welcoming banquets hosted by the chamber of commerce but had also accepted gifts from the merchants. It seemed that with the emperor far away, everything could be negotiated.

Wang Ruicheng glanced into the distance without pressing further and smiled amiably. “This humble servant merely supervises. Governor Yang, as the governor, the decision is naturally yours.”

At this, Yang Wenhui quickly replied, “I wouldn’t dare,” but stepped aside, gesturing for Wang Ruicheng to return to the carriage and accompany them to the governor’s office.

Jiang Jigang, however, remained rooted in place, his expression filled with doubt as he watched Wang Ruicheng’s departing figure, lost in thought.

“Commander Jiang, aren’t you coming?” Yang Wenhui asked, narrowing his eyes when he noticed Jiang Jigang still standing there as he prepared to board the carriage.

Jiang Jigang responded affirmatively, took the reins from a soldier, and swiftly mounted his horse to follow the two carriages toward the governor’s office.

Inside the second hall of the governor’s office, a few merchants exchanged subtle glances. Upon seeing the officials enter, they bowed deferentially in greeting.

Wang Ruicheng took his seat first and said pleasantly, “Please, have a seat.”

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Wenhui walked to the central seat, sat down, and declared, “Let’s begin.”

Silence enveloped the hall briefly before a merchant stood up and said, “Your Excellencies, my business will rely on your continued support in the future. Today, I’ll speak frankly. The current price of stone materials in the Jianzhou and Yuezhou regions is this.”

As he spoke, he extended his right hand from his sleeve, making a gesture for “nine.” Noticing the stern expressions of the officials, he quickly added, “Of course, as I said earlier, we’ll need your support in the future. After some discussion, we’re willing to offer this price instead.”

He changed the gesture from “nine” to “eight.”

Yang Wenhui frowned and rebuked him, “Boss Lang, the Ministry of Works has documented prices for materials across regions. Your quoted price is two points higher than what’s recorded. That’s blatant profiteering!”

Lang Jin hastily explained, “Governor, what you’re referring to is the price from a few years ago. With frequent floods nowadays, transporting stone by land takes much more time and labor than before, so the price naturally isn’t the same.”

He cast a glance at representatives from the Canal Transport Guild and remarked, “If the guild brothers were willing to help, of course, some costs could be saved.”

The representatives understood his hint and feigned reluctance, saying, “But with the Xu River in turmoil, our brothers don’t dare enter the waters. However, in these troubled times, if the court could provide subsidies, the guild would grit its teeth and transport the materials for the officials!”

Seizing the moment, Lang Jin added, “The guild’s dedication to the greater good inspires us merchants to follow suit. If the deal goes through, we’re willing to reduce the price by another point, excluding the guild’s transport costs.”

He then presented a prepared list, offering it with both hands and speaking earnestly: “We have drafted a detailed list of stone materials, Governor, and you’ll understand at a glance.”

Yang Wenhui took it skeptically. Upon opening it, he was immediately stunned. Sensing the gazes of Jiang Jigang and Wang Ruicheng, he ordered the list to be shown to the other two. Both of them were equally astonished upon seeing it.

The list meticulously detailed the prices and transportation times for various types of stone, with a note on the discounts the chamber of commerce was willing to offer. After doing the calculations, the prices remained clear and transparent.

The three of them sat in stunned silence for a long while, offering no immediate response. In that brief moment, their thoughts raced in countless directions, too complex to be easily articulated.

Outside the hall, those trying to eavesdrop heard nothing further before the meeting dispersed. Multiple attempts to gather information proved fruitless. All that was known was that, in the following days, Yang Wenhui, Jiang Jigang, and Wang Ruicheng shared several meals with the chamber of commerce and the Canal Transport Guild, though no formal agreements were publicly announced.

Yet, just a few days later, construction along the Xu River began. After the spring floods subsided, workers started rerouting the river and digging canals. The Canal Transport Guild, which had long avoided the water, moved westward overland to meet with the chamber’s stone suppliers, then transported the materials back to Jianzhou via water routes. Newly acquired stones piled up along the riverbanks, and everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Merchants from various regions, hearing about the canal project, seized the opportunity to establish storefronts in Jianzhou City ahead of time.

They awaited the day when the canal would open, transforming the region into a land of prosperity.

But in places hidden from view, a group of displaced people fled in panic, fearfully glancing back at the officers pursuing them.

One person tripped and fell, looking up in terror at the approaching officers while pleading desperately for mercy, only to meet their end under a blade.

The officer wielding the blade had a cold, emotionless expression as he turned his gaze toward the direction the others had fled. Blood dripped from the blade, falling into the trickling stream and gradually disappearing.

——

Six years later.

With the sound of firecrackers resounding in succession, the completion of the Xu River project was officially announced. The riverbanks were crowded with citizens, their faces beaming with joy as they praised the new emperor’s virtue.

Since the canal construction began, Jianzhou and Yuezhou had experienced no major flooding as they had in the past. Shops lined the riverbanks, rice crops in the farmlands grew abundantly, and the people finally enjoyed several years of peace and stability.

The canal stretched from Qingdu to Jianzhou and Yuezhou, reinforcing the upstream embankments, widening the midstream channels, and repairing downstream branches. Ports for external trade were also under construction, presenting a scene of prosperity and growth.

As the Lantern Festival approached, cities along the Xu River spontaneously organized grand temple fairs in celebration, creating a lively atmosphere.

A horse-drawn carriage passed through the festivities. The driver, with his black hair tied high, appeared plain and unassuming from afar, clad entirely in black. Yet upon closer inspection, his robe was embroidered with subtle dark-cloud patterns, and at his waist hung a sword. His sharp brows and star-like eyes radiated an innate nobility.

Leaning slightly back, he spoke softly to the person inside the carriage: “Whatever you’d like to eat, Chang’an will buy it for you.”

Author’s Note:

Thank you for reading!