Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 171 Huanshui Du Family
Pingkangfang, outside Shi Mansion.

A camel caravan is ready to set off, loaded with Tang Dynasty tea, silk, and ceramics. As long as they can be transported to Kangguo, they can make a huge profit.

"Father, are you really leaving? Please stay a few more days?" Shaji said reluctantly.

Kang Na laughed heartily and said, "My daughter, if I stay here any longer, I'll be reluctant to leave Chang'an. Next year, the king will surely send me as an envoy to the Tang Dynasty again. We'll be able to meet again then."

He turned his gaze to Shi Sanlang standing beside him and patted him on the shoulder.

"My dear son-in-law, when your caravan comes to Kangguo in the future, just ask them to come to my mansion. I will personally help you sell the goods, and you can get at least 30% more."

Shi Sanlang bowed and said, "Thank you, father-in-law."

Kang Na held his hand and said with a smile, "There's no need to be so formal between you and me."

In fact, when Shi Sanlang kidnapped Sha Ji, he wanted to chop Shi Sanlang into pieces and even hired a team of mercenaries to chase him, but unfortunately he failed to catch her.

Unexpectedly, the situation changed suddenly, and the powerful Western Turks were suddenly destroyed by the Tang Dynasty.

The King of Kangguo began to select suitable envoys to send to the Tang Dynasty.

Kangna also ran for envoy.

He told the king that his son-in-law was a Tang Dynasty nobleman and had many connections in Chang'an City.

As a result, the king actually appointed him as an envoy and promoted him to a higher title.

Kangna brought the envoys to Chang'an and quickly found out Shi Sanlang's residence.

When I arrived at the Shi Mansion, I was immediately stunned by this luxurious mansion.

I originally suspected that Shi Sanlang was a fake nobleman, but now it seems that the situation is reversed. He must be a descendant of a fallen noble family!
Shi Sanlang was also very enthusiastic about Kangna's arrival. He invited the entire delegation to stay at his home and treated them with great hospitality.

After meeting her father, Sha Ji spoke highly of Shi Sanlang and said that Shi Sanlang was familiar with Di Renjie, the most favored minister of the Tang Emperor.

Kangna's attitude changed 180 degrees. He liked his son-in-law very much and wanted to use his connections to monopolize the lucrative position of ambassador of Kangguo.

The camel caravan was quickly ready. Kangna and Shi Sanlang hugged each other warmly before embarking on the journey back to Kangguo.

When Shaji and Shi Sanlang returned to the hall, they saw her husband changing his clothes and asked, "Husband, are you going out?"

Shi Sanlang said, "Yes, let's go to the Ministry of Revenue to take a look at the situation. This is a big business opportunity, I can't miss it."

Sha Ji frowned and said, "Isn't it just a pile of black stones? How much business opportunity can it have? I think we should set up a caravan and travel back and forth between Chang'an and Kangguo. With my father's help, we will definitely be able to get by without any problems."

Shi Sanlang said solemnly, "Don't forget my identity. I'm not just a businessman looking to make money. This is about contributing to the country and helping the sage. As a descendant of an aristocratic family, how can I stay out of this?"

Sha Ji's heart trembled, and she hurriedly said, "It was I who forgot your noble bloodline, please don't be angry."

Shi Sanlang patted her hand and said, "It's nothing. So many neighbors in the neighborhood have slandered me, saying that I'm just a mixed-blood Hu person, but you still believe in me. I'm already very grateful."

Sha Ji said hatefully, "They are jealous of you. I've seen a lot of people like that!"

Shi Sanlang hugged her and said, "Okay, I'm going to serve the saint. You wait for me at home." Then he turned and left the Shi Mansion.

Recently, news has been coming back from the Yanran Protectorate that many coal mines have been discovered.

The imperial court has issued an edict allowing merchants to jointly mine stone, but Shi Sanlang is not quite familiar with the details of the terms.

So these days he often went to the Ministry of Revenue's branch to inquire about the situation.

The six ministries' courtyards are all located together in Guanglufang.

Outside the Ministry of Revenue's compound, there were already many businessmen who had come to inquire about the situation after smelling business opportunities.

Shi Sanlang saw several businessmen gathered in the corner, listening to a fat businessman talking with saliva flying, and hurried over.

The fat merchant said, "...It's a bit far, but I heard from a friend that there are a lot of coal mines over there. If we can mine a piece of it, we will definitely make a lot of money!"

Someone asked, “Are there any shipping routes?”

Fat Shang said, "Of course there are, and there's more than one. One goes through Xiazhou, and the other goes through Linzhou, which isn't far either."

To the north of Chang'an City was the Guannei Road. Beyond the northernmost Yin Mountains, one reached the Yanran Protectorate. Someone else asked, "I heard there's a section of the road that's in the desert. Is it easy to walk across?"

When Shi Sanlang heard this, his eyes lit up.

For him, who had experience traveling through the Western Regions, the desert was not a problem at all.

Fat Shang said, "The way through Linzhou has more deserts, but the route is shorter. The way through Xiazhou has less deserts and the route is longer. It's up to you which one you choose."

Shi Sanlang asked, "How can I obtain the mining qualification?"

The fat merchant glanced at him and said, "The court wants us to form a trading company first, and then assess our qualifications. Once we pass the assessment, they will issue a mining permit, and we will all be jointly responsible for a mining area."

Shi Sanlang nodded secretly.

No wonder the fat businessman was so active in explaining things to others; he must be looking for someone to form an association with.

Someone suddenly asked, "I heard that many trading companies in Jiangnan are also participating. They are all backed by Jiangnan noble families. I'm afraid they will compete with us!"

Fat Shang snorted, "This isn't Jiangnan. What's the point of the Jiangnan nobles? Can they eat it all in one go?"

Someone worriedly said, "I heard that there are many Tiele people in Yanran Protectorate, and they are very fierce and brutal. If we go there to mine, will they rob us?"

Shi Sanlang shouted, "Don't be afraid. The Protector of Yanran is General Xue Rengui. With him in charge, what can the Hu people dare to do?"

He had seen the Tang army with his own eyes and was full of confidence in it.

The fat merchant smiled and said, "Well said. My name is Du Long, and I'm interested in setting up a trading company. Is there anyone willing to work with me?"

Seeing that he knew so much, Shi Sanlang thought he must have connections in the court. Moreover, his surname was Du, so he was likely a member of the Jingzhao family.

"Manager Du, I'd like to join your trading company," he said.

On the street not far away, Lu Chengqing, dressed in casual clothes, said to Du Zhenglun beside him: "Brother Du, that is a disciple of your clan, right?"

Du Zhenglun laughed and said, "A nephew from a concubine's house can't concentrate on studying, but he can only talk nonsense. I'm sorry to make Brother Lu laugh."

Lu Chengqing nodded and said, "These merchants have responded so enthusiastically. We must do the following details well and prevent them from taking the wrong path and affecting His Majesty's plans."

Du Zhenglun knew he was referring to the trading companies under the Jiangnan aristocratic families. He snorted and said, "Don't worry, Brother Lu, I will keep an eye on them."

After they looked at each other for a while, a clerk came to inform them that the emperor had summoned them.

The two of them hurriedly took a carriage back to the Ministry of Revenue, changed their clothes, and headed towards Ganlu Palace.

After the announcement, they came to the main hall. In the hall, besides Li Zhi, there was also the Minister of War Xiao Siye.

After the greetings, Li Zhi explained the reason for calling them over.

It turned out that news came from the Ministry of War that Xue Rengui had discovered another coal mine.

"My two dear ministers, I wonder if the Ministry of Revenue has recruited enough merchants to mine?" Li Zhi asked.

Lu Chengqing hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the merchants are very enthusiastic about responding to the court's policy, but the journey is long, so it may take some time to recruit miners."

Li Zhi said: "You can tell the merchants to hire the Tiele people on the grasslands, pay them, and see if they are willing to mine."

Lu Chengqing was slightly startled and said, "Your Majesty, those Hu people make a living by herding, I'm afraid they won't agree."

Li Zhi said: "Let's give it a try, maybe it will be different from what we thought."

Lu Chengqing bowed and said, "I obey your order."

Xiao Siye suddenly said, "Your Majesty, could we let the army take charge of one or two coal mines and then sell them to merchants? This would also save some money on food and wages."

Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "No, the army cannot come into contact with merchants, otherwise there will be big problems."

Xiao Siye hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is right. I made a mistake."

After Li Zhi finished discussing with several ministers, he left Ganlu Palace and headed towards the harem.

(End of this chapter)