Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

After sending everyone away, Zhang Jingwei said to Xiaoying with a serious face, "You better be careful! The leader of the Salt Gang came to Yunzhou a while ago. It is said that you ruined his big business, and now he is asking around for your whereabouts!"

Upon hearing this, Sakura frowned slightly and responded, "Could it be because of the salt-making technique we taught us? You know, if the academy hadn't spread this technology to the world, who knows how much more innocent blood would have been shed in those salt mines!"

Zhang Jingwei sighed softly and nodded in agreement: "That being said, you have, after all, touched upon the interests of others. This is like snatching food from a tiger's mouth. It is inevitable that you will make enemies everywhere."

Sakura, however, did not flinch and said righteously, "The academy doesn't care about making enemies. All we care about is whether the people can live and work in peace!"

Zhang Jingwei shook his head helplessly and sighed, "But you're acting too radically. This will only make others think you're reckless and inconsiderate!"

Sakura admitted frankly, "That's undeniable! For so many years, the dean has consistently toured the north giving lectures and promoting the teachings of the School of Mind. Over time, the academy has grown in size. Furthermore, the dean has long harbored the intention of launching an uprising."

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but be shocked. He stared at Xiaoying with wide eyes and asked in disbelief, "How could I know such a thing? You told me so carelessly. Aren't you worried that I would turn around and report it to the authorities?"

Xiaoying sighed wearily and said slowly, "Alas... I'm truly exhausted, both physically and mentally. Over the years, I've been constantly involved in brothels and prostitutes like the Imperial Music Bureau, and have witnessed all sorts of good and bad people. In fact, isn't it the same for officials? Just as there are honest and upright officials, there are also naturally corrupt and lawless ones."

Zhang Jingwei looked at Xiaoying in front of him and couldn't help but sigh: "Oh, you are really miserable!" Xiaoying raised her head when she heard it, and a trace of stubbornness and helplessness flashed in her eyes. She responded: "At least so far, I can still keep my innocence. This is probably the only thing I can keep for myself in all these years!"

Zhang Jingwei nodded slightly, expressing his understanding. He then changed the subject and asked, "Now, I'd like to meet Li Zaizhi, is that possible? I have so many questions and things that I urgently need to consult him." Xiaoying shook her head and answered truthfully, "I really don't know anything about the dean's whereabouts."

Zhang Jingwei sneered and said, "Hmph, even if you knew, you probably wouldn't tell me so easily!" Xiaoying looked at him expressionlessly and said calmly, "Since you already know it in your heart, why bother asking?"

Zhang Jingwei felt extremely bored and said casually, "Never mind, it's really boring! This room is yours tonight, sleep well! Good night... Oh, by the way, happy birthday!" As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his long sleeves and strode out of the room without looking back. Xiaoying was left standing alone, watching his retreating figure, lost in thought.

……

As soon as I stepped into the private room, Ma Tianmao came up to me with a smirk on his face: "Oh, you're back so soon? I was hoping you could enjoy yourself a little longer."

Zhang Jingwei glared at him fiercely and said unhappily, "You idiot, your mind is full of nonsense all day long. You really should clean up your sperm-filled head!"

Ningxiang, who was concentrating on playing the guqin, overheard the conversation and couldn't help but frown slightly, a hint of jealousy crossing her pretty face. The sound of her guqin, seemingly affected by her emotions, became filled with resentment, heavy notes pouring out like a torrential downpour. However, this unique melody left the crowd in the private room wanting more. They clapped excitedly, cheered loudly, and generously offered generous rewards.

Amidst the laughter and clinking of glasses, Zhang Jingwei had already engaged in conversation with several businessmen who had expressed interest in acquiring a stake or collaborating. Having experienced his previous drunken misbehavior, he was particularly cautious this time, exercising greater restraint in his drinking. He took small sips from his delicate wine glass, never drinking excessively.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Zhang Jingwei stood up, clasped his hands together, and bowed to the guests. He said, "This military expedition has been so smooth, thanks to the help of all of you wise men. I am deeply grateful. As the saying goes, 'One man cannot make a multitude, and one tree cannot make a forest.' As long as we work together and stick together, we will surely forge ahead in this business world and achieve great success!"

After the music ended and the crowd dispersed, it was time for these wealthy businessmen to have fun. Each of them ordered his favorite top-notch girl and returned to his room.

At this time, there were only him, Ma Tianmao, and the courtesan in the private room. The three of them replaced the wine with tea and had a long conversation.

Zhang Jingwei frowned, looked at the empty room, and slowly said: "Everyone has left. Shouldn't you tell me the truth now? Why on earth did these businessmen come to invest?" As he spoke, he stared at Ma Tianmao with a puzzled look.

Ma Tianmao smiled faintly and replied confidently, "Think about it, the drop in rice prices won't be reversed in just one or two years. That's why those merchants are thinking of exchanging all their silver for shares in the military bank."

Zhang Jingwei's face remained puzzled after hearing this. Instead, he pressed on, "But I still don't understand. If you just want to cash in the rice, why not just exchange it for currency? After all, the value of currency is much more stable."

Ma Tianmao glanced at Zhang Jingwei as if he were a fool and said unhappily, "Oh, how can you be so stupid! If they exchange it for common currency, how can they make more profit from it? And once they leave the territory of our Celestial Empire, the value of this common currency will be hard to say."

Zhang Jingwei nodded as if suddenly enlightened, then raised a new question: "Oh, so that's how it is. But even if I understand this, I can't just spend these shares as cash, right?"

At this moment, Ma Tianmao suddenly burst into laughter, laughing so hard that he fell backwards. It took him a long time to stop laughing. He said, "Hahahaha, you still haven't gotten the point! Haven't you considered the possibility that they didn't expect the equity to appreciate immediately at all. The real opportunity they are waiting for is when rice prices pick up again."

Zhang Jingwei slapped his thigh and shouted excitedly, "That's right! If we exchange silver for equivalent equity, we won't have to worry about silver depreciating, and we can even earn profits for a few years! In other words, if the price of rice in the north increases in the future, the military will have to bear the cost."

Ma Tianmao raised his chin proudly and said with a smile, "How's that? Now you understand! That's why I say that when doing business, you have to be like us. You have to think deeply about everything and always put profit first. From now on, you have to learn from me!"

This is really terrifying when you think about it. Silver, as the hard currency in this era, fluctuates so horribly. Zhang Jingwei has no business acumen. If he had not asked Ma Tianmao for advice, he would have been taken advantage of.