I am a temporary worker in Jinyiwei, how did I become a powerful official?

Chapter 176: Common Evil, Letter of Submission
Gouqionghu Hutong, the old house of the Lin family.

The Yan family's housekeeper and Lin's relative-in-law Weng Yannian is visiting Lin Youniu.

The two sat opposite each other and drank tea.

Yan Nian asked, "How's your ice cellar business been doing these past two years?"

Lin Youniu smiled and said, "Thanks to my in-laws, the business can barely be maintained."

In this world, people who make a lot of money say they lose money, and people who lose a lot of money say they make money.

The Lin family ice cellar was clearly making a fortune, but Lin Youniu said it was "barely enough to make ends meet." No one would believe this.

Yan Nian put the teacup on the table and said, "It's just an ice cellar business, but the money is still too slow. I asked the young minister for a business for you."

Lin Youniu quickly asked: "What business?"

Yan Nian replied: "The cotton armor business of the Nine Frontiers Army."

Each piece of Ming army cotton armor was made of seven kilograms of cotton, and resembled a padded jacket. After being soaked in water, it was dried and compacted with huge stones, and the process was complicated.

Although cotton armor is not as strong as iron armor in terms of defense, it is cheaper and lighter than iron armor. Therefore, it was widely used in the Ming army.

Lin Youniu took a deep breath and said, "Cotton armor business? I have never done it before. And it is for the soldiers in the nine frontiers. I am afraid."

Yan Nian waved his hand and said, "My dear relatives, the high-ranking officials and their friends who do business with the court are always the shopkeepers who do business with the bank. You don't need to do it yourself."

"This business is very simple. The Ministry of Industry will allocate 32,000 taels of silver to order 10,000 cotton armors. You can find a cotton cloth shop and give it 3,000 taels of silver."

"That's 29,000 taels of profit. How much ice do you have to sell to make that much?"

Lin Youniu was stunned when he heard this. He had seen ruthless businessmen, but he had never seen anyone this ruthless.

He had heard that the Ming army's cotton armor was called seven-jin armor because each piece contained seven kilograms of cotton.

On the market, one dan of cotton weighs one hundred jin, and one dan costs five liang. If you want to make 10,000 pieces of cotton armor, you will need three thousand five hundred liang just to buy the cotton.

Cotton is only a small part of the cost of cotton armor. The cost of cloth, sewing and processing accounts for the majority.

The cotton cloth shops involved also had to make some profit. According to Yan Nian, the silver actually used on the cotton armor was probably less than one tenth of the silver allocated by the government.

Such a cotton armor that was made with shoddy materials was given to the border soldiers to wear? How evil would that make them feel?

Lin Youniu said, "You said three thousand taels for each bag? It seems that it is not even enough to buy the cotton."

Yan Nian said indifferently: "It's not enough, so what. It will be fine if you have a big income. The cotton fabric shop below will help you get it done."

Lin Youniu was a timid man. He said with some concern: "I'm afraid this cheap cotton armor can't protect against swords, guns and arrows."

Yan Nian laughed out loud: "So what if it can't protect against swords, spears and arrows? It's not like you, my relative, are wearing a cotton armor to fight in the battlefield."

"The lives of soldiers are worthless. If they die in battle, we can only say that their lives were worthless."

Yan Nian said it lightly, and Lin Youniu's hair stood on end: Oh my god. So this is how the court's business works. These high officials really don't take the lives of soldiers seriously.

Yan Nian added: "Originally, I begged for this business from the young cabinet minister, and I could have pocketed the twenty-nine thousand taels of interest for myself."

"But I think, my dear, you have a small business. It's time to do something bigger and make some big money."

"My good granddaughter will marry into the Lin family sooner or later. If you make a lot of money, her life will be better in the future, right?"

"We'll split the profits of this business 50-50."

It is true that Lin Youniu is greedy and stingy, but when it comes to big things, he is really decisive.

He shouted, "Oh! My dear father-in-law, I am so sorry for your kindness!"

Yan Nian asked: "Why do you say that?"

Lin Youniu made up a bunch of nonsense in a serious tone: "In my hometown, Shunde Prefecture, there is a big bellyband mountain. In the mountain there is a small pants temple. In the temple there is an old monk, whose Dharma name is Zhizhang."

"That monk Zhizhang is very good at fortune-telling. I went back to my hometown two years ago and asked him to tell my fortune. Hey, guess what?"

Yan Nian asked: "What's going on?"

Lin Youniu said: "Others are missing one or two of the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire and earth. But I am missing ice."

"Monk Zhizhang said that I can only run the ice cellar business in my lifetime. It will definitely go smoothly, bring in a lot of money, and live a long and happy life."

"If you do other business, your life will be in jeopardy."

"I don't believe in gods or ghosts. I only believe in the holy monk in the Little Pants Temple on Big Belly Dou Mountain. I really can't do the cotton armor business."

"I have rejected your kindness, please forgive me!"

Lin Youniu has the money but doesn't want to earn it, and Yan Nian can do nothing about it.

Yan Nian said: "Since my in-laws have given the order, I can't force them to do it. Then I will take over the business myself."

"Father-in-law, come to my place for a drink when you have time. Bye."

Half an hour later, in the Lin family's new house on Fulu Street.

Lin Shisan is playing chess with Zhang Bo.

Lin Youniu walked in anxiously: "My dear son, Yan Nian came just now. Guess what he wanted to see me for?"

Lin Shisan asked: "What are you doing?"

Lin Youniu told Lin Shisan everything.

After hearing this, Lin Shisan was shocked: The court allocated 32,000 taels to make cotton armor for the nine borders. After the Yan family sold it, they only had 3,000 taels left to use for practical purposes? "

The logistics and military supplies of the Nine Frontiers are in the hands of the Yan Party. They are so greedy that it would be strange if the borders don't lose the battle!
After a moment, Lin Shisan keenly noticed something strange: "Why did Yan Nian suddenly instigate my father to undermine the Ming Dynasty?"

He looked at Zhang Bo: "Master, is the Yan family testing me?"

Zhang Bo chased a chess piece with his hand and said, "During the Zhengde period, my father attached himself to Liu Jin. Liu Jin was suspicious, and every time he accepted a new party member, he would always ask the new party member to submit a letter of surrender."

"This letter of surrender is called 'share evil'. It means to do the next evil thing together with Liu Jin."

"If the other party is unwilling to 'share the evil', it means that their intention to surrender is not sincere."

Lin Shisan was thoughtful: "Hmm. It seems that the Yan family wants to test me and make me 'share the evil'."

"Young Lord has long regarded me as a brother. The one testing me this time should be Lord Yan!"

Zhang Bo put down the chess piece: "Lin Chuan, I have your opinion!"

Lin Youniu understood what was going on: "My dear son, did I do something wrong this time?"

Lin Shisan said, "Dad, you did nothing wrong. But since Yan Song asked me to pledge my loyalty, I will naturally pretend to be submissive."

"Let me think."

After a moment, Lin Shisan said, "Dad, our family has made a lot of money in the past three or four years. I'm afraid we'll have to pay it back this time."

Lin Youniu said: "No matter how much money I make, it's all for you. As long as you can have a smooth career in the officialdom, I will be happy to pay you any amount of money."

Lin Shisan said: "We will take over the cotton armor business."

"The court allocated 32,000 taels of silver. We will take out 3,000 taels and find a cotton cloth shop in the capital to make 10,000 pieces of bad cotton armor."

Lin Youniu said, "Ah? Do you really want to do this? This is not only immoral, but also harmful to your virtue. If something goes wrong in the future, the court will investigate."

Lin Shisan said, "Dad, don't worry. There are 29,000 taels left. You need to pay another 3,000 taels to make up the total amount allocated by the court. Find another cotton cloth shop in Shanxi and hire enough workers and materials to make 10,000 pieces of good cotton armor."

"Yan Nian wants half of the interest, 14,500 taels, and he also wants you to use our money to pay for it." "In this way, our family will have to pay a total of 17,500 taels this time."

"When both the bad and good cotton armors are ready, we will swap them while they are being transported to the Nine Borders."

"In this way, the border soldiers will get 10,000 pieces of good cotton armor, and our Lin family has not done anything against the law. Lord Yan will also be confident in me."

"We have spent 17,000 to 18,000 taels of silver to please both sides."

Zhang Bo said, "If we don't handle the substitution properly, we will be exposed to Yan Song!"

Lin Shisan smiled and said, "Master, how could you forget? I am the savior of Yang Bo, the leader of the Jiangchen Party. Most of the generals leading troops in the Nine Frontiers are his former subordinates."

"Let Yang Bo help. This drama of replacing the prince with a cat will definitely go well."

"I'm going to Liaodong soon. Master, you are very shrewd. I'll leave the matter of the cotton armor replacement to you."

Uncle Zhang was surprised: "You don't want me to accompany you to Liaodong?"

Lin Shisan said, "I will only bring Sun Yue with me this time to Liaodong. You are old and I can't bear to let you go into the mountains with me."

"It involves breaking into the bear's den to search for the Hundred Flowers Immortal Wine, which is extremely dangerous. Li Gao is too noble, and I can't let him take the risk."

Lin Youniu interrupted: "I'll go to Yan Nian right now and tell him that I've accepted the deal."

Lin Shisan said, "No. If you go back on your word, it will arouse the suspicion of Yan Gelao behind Yan Nian. Let Biyun take over the business."

"She has been in the circle of noble ladies in Beijing for so many years, spent so much money, and made friends with so many noble ladies. Isn't it just for today's use?"

The next day, at the Yunfeng Garden in the Yan Mansion.

Yunfeng Mingyuan was the residence of Yan Song’s first wife, Ouyang.

Ouyang was the one who had the final say in the Yan family. Later historical books recorded that "Ouyang was very virtuous, had a method for managing the family, and was especially strict in controlling the family members."

Even if Yan Song betrayed everyone in the world, he would never betray his first wife, Ouyang, who had pockmarks on her face.

Because Yan Song loves Ouyang so much, Ouyang's younger brother Ouyang Bijin was originally a good-for-nothing, but he was promoted by Yan Song to become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

Biyun entered Yunfeng Garden with a box of gifts.

Ouyang was one year older than Yan Song and was already eighty-one years old, but she was in good spirits and was playing mahjong with several maids.

Seeing Biyun coming, the chief maid in the garden hurriedly said, "Sister Biyun, you are here. Take my cards quickly. The old lady is very lucky today. If she loses again, I am afraid that all of us will lose our bellybands and shorts to her!"

Ouyang laughed and scolded: "Little hoof, Amitabha, what do I need your little clothes for?"

"Biyun, you came just in time. I'm tired, let's drink some pearl powder and lotus seed soup to refresh ourselves."

The maids put away the cards.

Biyun put the box in her hand on the table and said, "Godmother, this is the best Siamese blood bird's nest that my daughter got. My daughter dare not use it for herself, so I came here to honor you."

Lin Shisan acknowledged Yan Shifan as his sworn brother, and Biyun was no less enthusiastic, acknowledging Ouyang as her godmother.

Ouyang opened the box and took a look: "Hey, take a look, open your eyes and broaden your horizons. The middle-quality blood bird's nest is light red, and the top-quality is dark red."

"The box that Biyun brought is brown. This is the real top-grade blood bird's nest. It is very rare."

"This box is worth three or four taels? Biyun, you spent at least a thousand taels, right?"

Biyun smiled and said, "You can say that godmother is very knowledgeable! There is no treasure in the world that godmother doesn't know. She even knows the price."

Ouyang smiled and said, "You are such a clever fellow. You gave me this good thing, don't ask me for something."

Biyun's face suddenly changed, and the little pearls flowed down like urine.

Ouyang was a little anxious: "What's going on? Did your husband bully you? I will break his legs."

Biyun wiped her tears with a handkerchief: "It's not Thirteen. It's my old and confused father."

Ouyang asked: "What's going on?"

As the saying goes, fish croak fish, shrimp croak shrimp, and turtle croak big turtle.

Lin Shisan was a smooth talker who could tell lies without blinking an eye. Biyun was also a smooth talker who could tell a lot of nonsense.

Biyun said, "Godmother, this is what happened. The court asked the Ministry of Works to rush to make a batch of cotton armor for the nine borders. Your old housekeeper Yan Nian is kind-hearted and took this business for my father-in-law."

"My father-in-law actually believed the lies of the evil monk in the Little Pants Temple on Dudou Mountain and was unwilling to do business outside of the ice cellar."

"Butler Yan's kindness was taken for granted by my father-in-law."

"This lucrative business just slipped away from my father-in-law's hands so easily."

"When my Thirteenth heard about this, he was so anxious that his eyes turned red! That's tens of thousands of taels of interest! Too much money won't bite!"

"Which official in the capital doesn't take a share of the court's money? Oh, our court is very rich."

"Thirteen did persuade my father-in-law. But it's too late. I'm afraid such a lucrative business has already been owned by someone else."

Ouyang said, "Well, I don't think it's a big deal. Tiedan, go and say hello to the young master. Give the cotton armor business that Biyun just mentioned back to her father-in-law."

Perhaps Ouyang Shi named servants based on the principle that humble names are easier to keep. The beautiful chief maid was named "Tiedan".

Tiedan took the order and left.

Biyun burst into laughter and said, "Godmother, you are still on my side. You are closer to me than my real mother. No, you are my real mother!"

Ouyang laughed and said, "Your little mouth looks like it's covered with bee poop."

One day later, in Yan Song’s study.

Yan Nian cupped his hands and said, "Master, the Lin family has found a cotton cloth shop in Beijing."

Yan Song raised his head and asked, "How much silver did they give to the cotton cloth shop?"

Yan Nian replied: "Three thousand taels."

Yan Song nodded with satisfaction: "Well. You can go down."

Lin Shisan and the Yan family had a common hatred, so he submitted a letter of surrender. This made Yan Song temporarily let down his guard against Lin Shisan.

Lin Shisan prepared for three or four days and was about to set off for Liaodong.

Before going to Liaodong, he secretly visited Yang Bo late at night.

He asked Yang Bo for help to perform the drama of the good and bad cotton-armored civet cat replacing the prince.

Yang Bo agreed, and then cursed: "Humph, the military supplies for the Nine Frontiers have become a source of income for the Yan family and their cronies. These termites will eat away the Great Wall sooner or later!"

"You went to Liaodong this time to secretly investigate the secrets of Liaodong's military rations, right?"

Lin Shisan remained silent: "It is not convenient for me to talk about this."

Yang Bo said, "You don't have to hide it from me. I asked Lu Bing to investigate the secrets of military rations in Xuanda and Jiliao."

Lin Shisan knelt down and said, "Yang Butang, I am going to Liaodong this time to find black bears in the dangerous mountains and to fill the West Garden Bear House. There is no other purpose."

Yang Bo looked at Lin Shisan with admiration: "If the king is not discreet, he will lose his ministers. If the ministers are not discreet, they will lose their lives. If a few things are not discreet, it will cause harm. He is a cautious person."

"Xianshan is as dangerous as its name suggests. I will write a letter to Li Chengliang, the commander of Xianshan, and ask him to do his best to help you."

“This person can be trusted.”

(End of this chapter)