“The Eight Treasures Company does not belong to any single country.”
“It does not interfere with the grievances between nations.”
“If it weren’t for my junior brother, I wouldn’t have said so much.”
Wan Sanqian smiled faintly.
The Eight Treasures Company is a neutral force.
To this day, it has not openly supported any country.
Its principle is to earn money from whoever has it!
As long as one has money, anything can be bought.
But they don't know.
The true owner of the Eight Treasures Company is Ning Que!
Through the company’s extensive reach, he probes the situations of various countries.
For example, topographical maps that can be used militarily!
Wan Sanqian looked towards the distant training ground.
“As far as I know, Liao King began preparations last year.”
“They traded livestock, furs, and other goods for armor, weapons, and provisions.”
“In the first half of the year, Liao King found me.”
“They continued to hoard armor and weapons at high prices.”
“Especially duck feathers used to make arrows.”
“Xiao Ning, what do you think they want to do?”
“Hoard troops, prepare for war!”
Ning Que’s eyes were cold as he spoke in a deep voice.
“That’s right.” Wan Sanqian nodded with a smile, “When I left Liao King, Liao King Yelü Hongzhen had already ordered troops to be stationed in Shuofang, and I specifically had someone inform the Duke of Zhen at Yanmen Pass.”
“So it was you who informed them?”
Chang Baicao was stunned for a moment.
He usually doesn't concern himself with politics, immersing himself in medicine. He is determined to write medical books, recording all the herbs in the world to benefit the common people. However, he occasionally receives some news.
Feng Wuzhe had previously sent an urgent message.
It said that he had received secret intelligence that Liao King had begun to station troops.
Therefore, Emperor Feng thought about making peace with Western Liang.
The purpose was to disengage from the Western Border.
Unexpectedly, this was actually reported by the Eight Treasures Company?
“Shhh—”
“I still have business to do in the future.”
Wan Sanqian laughed triumphantly.
He was actually doing all this for Ning Que.
In principle, the Eight Treasures Company only conducts business.
They will not interfere in disputes between countries.
However, Ning Que holds the principles.
Over the years, they have helped Ning Que with many things.
“Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother.”
“It’s nothing.”
Wan Sanqian stroked his beard and whispered, “Let me tell you, this Yelü Hongzhen is not to be trifled with. When I was in Shangjing, I saw him. This person is extremely ambitious; ever since he succeeded as Liao King, he has annexed more than a dozen large tribes on the grasslands. Even Liao King’s old enemy, Western Xia, was defeated and annihilated by him.”
“Yelü Hongzhen is good at discerning and utilizing talent, and treats worthy individuals with respect. He is quite courteous to talented people. I once met a Western Xia general who was captured by Yelü Hongzhen. He refused to surrender to Liao King and wanted revenge. Yelü Hongzhen did not kill him; instead, he released him. The Western Xia general assassinated him three times in a row, and each time he was released. Finally, this Western Xia general was completely won over.”
“What a tactic!”
Ning Que couldn't help but praise him.
Those who can become emperors are never simple.
Their wisdom and cunning are all top-notch.
Did Yelü Hongzhen not want to kill the Western Xia general?
He did!
But the Western Xia general was more valuable alive!
Firstly, it could demonstrate his benevolence.
Secondly, it could also appease Western Xia’s anger.
With the general alive, many Western Xia people would surrender.
This was more beneficial to Liao King.
“The one stationed in Shuofang this time is that Western Xia general.”
“To boldly employ a surrendered general like that, you can imagine how confident Yelü Hongzhen is.”
“They started preparing last year.”
“I think they will attack Yanmen Pass very soon.”
“Once Yanmen is breached, the northern gate of Great Feng will be open. What do you think Liao King will do then? At that time, the entire northern border will be engulfed in war, with countless lives lost and suffering…”
“Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother.”
Ning Que, however, smiled faintly.
Senior Brother indeed brought a lot of intelligence.
Fortunately, Great Feng is not to be trifled with either.
Liao King is stationing troops, and Great Feng is also mobilizing forces.
Who will win is still unknown.
Chang Baicao, however, frowned.
“Then what is the purpose of Liao King sending envoys?”
“Probably to gather information.”
Ning Que murmured softly.
Liao King's dispatch of envoys this time, under the guise of celebrating the Empress Dowager's birthday, is actually likely to gather intelligence. Of course, no matter the outcome, Liao King will definitely attack.
“Well, I can’t control that.”
“I am a merchant; I’m not very interested in state affairs or court politics.”
“I’m here to hold an auction this time; I have quite a few treasures.”
“Xiao Ning, do you want to pick some?”
“It’s the Empress Dowager’s birthday; they could also serve as birthday gifts.”
“No need.” Ning Que laughed, “Public is public, private is private. Besides, I have already prepared a birthday gift, so just save them for selling. It’s rare for Senior Brother to come to Chang’an, so you can take out some of my dividends from these past years. As you can see, I have now formed the Three Guards, and the daily expenses are not low.”
“No problem.”
Wan Sanqian did not hesitate.
He had no interest in money.
He enjoyed the process of doing business.
To this day, he doesn't know how much money he has.
For him, it's just a string of numbers.
Back on Kunlun Mountain, Ning Que was also very interested in business matters, and often discussed them with him in his free time. Many of the ideas he proposed left him in awe. For example, stock dividends, and money houses that could deposit, withdraw, and lend money… It was these ideas that quickly made the Eight Treasures Company the top financial power!
“Senior Brother.” Ning Que scrutinized him and whispered, “Do you have any news about the matter I asked you to investigate earlier?”
“Don’t even mention it, there are no clues at all.” Wan Sanqian also sighed, “I sent people to Western Liang to inquire, but the locals are very secretive about Old Prince Ning’s affairs. I once saved a Western Liang noble, and he seemed to know some inside information. I wanted him to help, but unexpectedly he committed suicide…”
“Committed suicide?”
“Yes!” Wan Sanqian looked helpless and said bitterly, “Don’t worry, I’ve been looking for people to help investigate. Just don’t hold too much hope; let’s see what Senior Sister says.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
“We’re all family, what’s there to be polite about?” Wan Sanqian said carelessly with a smile, “However, Master has heard about your affairs and is very worried about you. This time, he specifically instructed me when I came down the mountain to assist you as much as possible.”
“Master… Is he still well?”
“Haha, he’s doing great.”
Ning Que nodded thoughtfully, thinking of his life on Kunlun Mountain, and couldn't help but smile. At that time, he was carefree, had nothing to worry about, and enjoyed playing with his senior brothers and sisters.”
“It’s a pity that after you left, the food we made didn’t suit his old man’s taste, and Master would sometimes sigh while eating. Third Senior Brother also said that he once saw Master talking to a bronze mirror.”
Master…
Chang Baicao then understood.
He knew they were talking about the Lord of the Divine Machine Pavilion.
The number one divine diviner, known for calculating all of life with a single divination!
Bu Suanzi!
“Before I left, Master specifically divined a hexagram for you. He said that you have inherited the princely title and will encounter some troubles. He also told me to tell you that the difficulty in life lies in letting go; the trouble in the heart lies in dwelling on things; the suffering in life lies in attachment.”
“He said that although you are cynical and always smiling, sometimes your personality is too unyielding. Things in the world are just like this; being too rigid makes one easily break!”
Ning Que listened with a frown.
What did Master mean by this?
Could it be that he knew the truth about the Battle of Yumen Pass?