Volume One, Chapter Ten: A Sudden Windfall—One Hundred Thousand Taels of Silver!
Qin Bao spoke with certainty, “It will definitely work.”
Wang Caiwei, seeing Qin Bao's earnest expression, recovered from her shock and calculated, “The Marquis of Changping's household has long since fallen from grace. To produce one hundred thousand taels of silver is utterly impossible. What are you thinking?”
Qin Bao smiled and explained, “Princess, others may not know the household’s affairs, but I know them inside out.”
“Though the Marquis of Changping’s house is declining, it possesses two major industries.”
“First is Rain Silk Brocade.”
“The master weaver responsible for Rain Silk Brocade, Chen Liuyuan, is someone I brought in. He specializes in weaving brocade, and the Rain Silk Brocade under his guidance is of exceptional quality.”
“Second is the dyeing workshop.”
“Master Chen is not only skilled in weaving but also in dyeing, and the dyes he creates are bright and stable in color. The sky-blue cloth so popular in Xianyang today is a product of the Qin family.”
“Just these two industries have earned the Qin family countless sums.”
“The family’s decline is only due to a lack of a man capable of holding the household together. Even with wealth, the Qin family could not advance further.”
Qin Bao spoke gravely, “The state is facing hardship. For the Qin family to contribute funds to the court is also to serve the state.”
Wang Caiwei couldn’t help but smile.
To serve the court.
It was a good reason.
Wang Caiwei was no fool. After pondering, she said, “To ask Qin Sheng for one hundred thousand taels, he won’t agree directly.”
“Qin Youde offended me, and when Qin Sheng comes to seek forgiveness, he’ll realize he must pay one hundred thousand taels. He’ll likely seek other officials to pull strings.”
“If court officials get involved, things become complicated.”
“Or, if he enlists people associated with the Retired Emperor, our plans will come to nothing.”
Qin Bao was confident, “Princess, you need not worry about the Retired Emperor, nor other officials intervening.”
Wang Caiwei asked, “Why?”
Qin Bao explained, “Qin Youde offended you, Princess. If Qin Sheng seeks help, he’ll pay too little for anyone to step in.”
“If the payment is too large, Qin Sheng himself will be unwilling.”
“Furthermore, few know about the Marquis of Changping’s industries. Qin Sheng profits quietly.”
“If he exposes his assets—tens of thousands of taels—other noble households, even princely ones, won’t let such a fat prize slip away.”
“Wealth without power is like a three-year-old carrying a gold brick through a busy market—everyone turns into a demon, and Qin Sheng couldn’t bear such pressure.”
After his explanation, Qin Bao was certain, “Qin Sheng dare not reveal the family’s fortune, so he will surely agree to pay one hundred thousand taels to atone.”
Wang Caiwei’s eyes shimmered, and she praised, “Young Master Qin, you are truly clever.”
Qin Bao replied, “You flatter me, Princess.”
Wang Caiwei was already impatient. She said quickly, “I will summon Qin Sheng immediately.”
Qin Bao smiled, “No rush. We must still discuss the details of our plan.”
The two conferred further, settled their arrangements, and when they finished, Wang Caiwei looked at Qin Bao with added surprise in her eyes, smiling, “You really are quite cunning.”
Qin Bao answered solemnly, “It’s not cunning. It’s to recover ill-gotten gains for the court, and to relieve the suffering of the people.”
Wang Caiwei laughed sweetly and instructed, “Bring Qin Sheng in.”
The maid went to deliver the message.
Before long, Qin Sheng arrived at the main gate.
He did not enter immediately, but took care to arrange his clothing and hairpin, then strode in with poise.
Twenty years ago, with his looks, marrying a princess would not have been impossible.
Qin Sheng was about to unleash his eloquence, but as he raised his head to speak, he froze.
Qin Bao was there.
This troublesome child’s relationship with the princess was certainly unusual.
A nameless anger rose within Qin Sheng, but he kept it hidden and spoke, “Qin Sheng, Marquis of Changping, greets the Princess. Long live the Princess.”
Wang Caiwei replied coolly, “What brings the Marquis of Changping here?”
Qin Sheng got straight to the point, “Princess, I come regarding my son, Qin Youde. He is young and ignorant and has offended the Princess. I beg your forgiveness.”
Wang Caiwei’s voice was cold, “The one who got a courtesan pregnant—is that just youthful ignorance?”
Qin Sheng’s face stiffened.
The Princess’s words were thorny, clearly making negotiation difficult. He cast a pleading glance at Qin Bao.
After all, Qin Youde was Qin Bao’s brother, and he was Qin Bao’s father.
But Qin Bao ignored him.
Qin Sheng, frustrated, pressed on, “May I ask, Princess, what must be done for you to pardon my son?”
“Three hundred thousand taels of silver.”
Wang Caiwei answered directly.
Boom!
Qin Sheng’s mind seemed to explode.
Three hundred thousand taels was no small sum. With income from Rain Silk Brocade and the dyeing workshop, plus estates, he’d accumulated tens of thousands of taels over the years.
He had money, but was unwilling to part with it.
He almost wished to turn and leave at once.
But Qin Sheng knew well: seeking help from other nobles would require even greater sacrifice. When they learned of the Qin family’s wealth, they would become hungry wolves, eager to devour the family’s assets.
He dared not seek others, and pleaded, “Princess, three hundred thousand taels is too much. I truly cannot produce so much.”
“If you have no money, get out!”
Wang Caiwei answered icily.
Rejected, Qin Sheng once more looked pitifully at Qin Bao, “Bao’er, it was always my fault. No matter what, your brother is your flesh and blood.”
Qin Bao said, “Now you see your fault—where were you before?”
Qin Sheng bit his lip in hatred but forced himself to plead, “It’s all my fault. Please help your brother.”
Qin Bao frowned, seeming conflicted.
Qin Sheng’s eyes brightened—he saw hope.
If he could win over Qin Bao, then use Qin Bao’s connection to the Princess in the future, he might rise swiftly.
Qin Sheng’s fighting spirit surged. He declared, “Bao’er, I will kneel to you.”
He dropped to his knees with a thud.
Qin Bao was astonished at Qin Sheng’s shamelessness.
The old man was truly brazen.
Qin Bao sighed, looking helpless, then turned to Wang Caiwei and said respectfully, “Regarding my brother’s matter, I ask the Princess to forgive him. The Qin family’s resources are thin—we cannot produce three hundred thousand taels, but can manage one hundred thousand at most. Will that suffice?”
Wang Caiwei frowned as if hesitating.
Qin Sheng saw hope and looked gratefully at Qin Bao.
Indeed, his son acknowledged him.
Indeed, Qin Bao could be won over.
Though he would pay one hundred thousand taels today, Qin Bao’s relationship with Princess Changle was valuable beyond price.
Qin Sheng quickly declared, “Princess, I am willing to pay one hundred thousand taels. Please show mercy.”
Wang Caiwei snorted, “Very well. Since Young Master Qin has spoken, I agree. One hundred thousand taels, delivered today. The Jingzhao Prefecture will release Qin Youde immediately.”
Qin Bao said, “Thank you, Princess.”
Qin Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly bowed in thanks, and promised, “Rest assured, Princess, I will gather the funds at once. One hundred thousand taels will be delivered today.”
Wang Caiwei waved her hand, and Qin Sheng rose and departed in haste.
As she watched Qin Sheng leave, Wang Caiwei’s enchanting face was full of smiles. She exclaimed, “One hundred thousand taels in hand—such easy money. Young Master Qin, you’re remarkable.”
Qin Bao replied humbly, “You flatter me, Princess.”
Wang Caiwei asked, “You’ve earned one hundred thousand taels for my father. What reward do you wish?”
Qin Bao answered solemnly, “There are many swift horses in the world, but few discerning judges. Princess, you have aided, elevated, and trusted me—your kindness is boundless. What more could I ask for?”
Wang Caiwei was in an exceptionally good mood and laughed, “So I am the judge of horses, then?”
Qin Bao replied, “You must be.”
Wang Caiwei laughed aloud.
Her laughter was clear, her smile blooming like spring flowers, leaving Qin Bao momentarily stupefied.
She was so beautiful!
Wang Caiwei noticed Qin Bao’s dazed look, blushed shyly, then deftly changed the topic, discussing the next steps.
Once their affairs were settled, Wang Caiwei invited Qin Bao to stay for lunch before finally letting him depart.
By late afternoon, Qin Sheng delivered one hundred thousand taels of silver. Wang Caiwei sent word to Jingzhao Prefecture to release Qin Youde.
With the money in hand, Wang Caiwei hurried into the palace, carrying the manuscript of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”
She entered the Zhangtai Palace, saw Emperor Xuanwu busy with state affairs, and said joyfully, “Father, I have brought you great news. Can you guess what it is?”