Chapter 55: Choices (7)

After hearing Huangfu Chendong’s account, Li Kuo’s doubts grew even deeper.
According to him, the two of them were indeed the managers of Huiyuan Goods Store’s branch in the Guizhi region and had indeed received a large amount of ironware. But they merely stored it on behalf of caravans, with no intention of reselling it, let alone engaging with the Arabs or committing such absurd acts as treason.
The two vastly different accounts made Li Kuo frown. Judging from their words and actions, Huangfu Chendong didn’t seem to be lying. But if they hadn’t been in contact with the Arabs, why would Yang Xuan go out of his way to trouble them? Could it be…
Seeing Huangfu Chendong “retract” his statement, Yang Xuan was furious. Pointing at Huangfu Chendong’s nose, he shouted, “What a wretched scoundrel! Refusing the offered drink and then demanding punishment. Someone, drag these two out and beat them severely!”
The servants of Yang’s household stepped forward to drag them away. Just then, Helan Rongxia, who had remained silent until then, spoke up, “What Lord Yang said is true. We did stockpile ironware, intending to sell it to the Arabs.”
Hearing him say such things against his will, Huangfu Chendong exclaimed, “Brother Helan, what are you saying! That corrupt official clearly wants to harm us. How can you confess under torture…”
Helan Rongxia sighed and said, “Since things have come to this, let’s just confess. Lord Yang won’t hand us over to the authorities.”
“Indeed, Young Master Helan is wise. Good. If you do as I say, I won’t trouble you two.”
Yang Xuan said with a smug grin. As long as they admitted it, everything else would go as he wished.
“Take these two away and lock them in the woodshed. No one is allowed to visit them without my order!”
“Yes, my lord.”
Following the order, the servants dragged the two away like dead dogs. Huangfu Chendong continued cursing Yang Xuan’s shamelessness, but it was of no use.
“Finally, some peace. It was so noisy.”
Yang Xuan shook his head with a bitter smile and sat down, lifting his robe.
“Lord Yang, what exactly is going on?”
Li Kuo had no patience for Yang Xuan’s riddles. He just wanted to know what Yang Xuan intended to achieve through these two people.
Yang Xuan snapped his fingers and said mysteriously, “General Li, you probably don’t know, but these two managers are no ordinary people.”
Li Kuo retorted angrily, “Aren’t they the managers of Huiyuan Goods Store? What’s so special about them?”
Yang Xuan gestured for Li Kuo to calm down.
“Ah, do you know why Huiyuan Goods Store can almost monopolize merchants’ accommodation, storage, and goods circulation?”

Li Kuo’s heart sank as he gradually understood Yang Xuan’s intention. Indeed, without strong backing, how could Huiyuan Goods Store be so dominant? Could it be that the person behind this store was a high-ranking official in the court?

Seeing Li Kuo calm down, Yang Xuan smiled and said, “Actually, Huiyuan Goods Store belongs to Li Linfu. He just fears it will cause a stir in the court, so he put it under the name of a distant cousin.”

Li Kuo was shocked. What? Huiyuan Goods Store was actually Li Linfu’s property! Then, what about the other families…

“Actually, it’s not that surprising. Look at the prominent families in our Tang Dynasty—which one doesn’t have its own businesses and properties? With hundreds or even thousands of people in such large families, how can they afford food and drinks? After all, those distant descendants don’t have the right to inherit their fathers’ or uncles’ titles or family wealth. So, businesses and shops are essential.”

After a brief pause, Yang Xuan continued, “Take the silk shops in the capital—although they have different signs, their supplies are all controlled by the Pei family. And look at the grain shops in Chang’an—no matter whether you sell millet or japonica rice, who dares not go through the Wei family? To be honest, even my Yang family has many shops in the capital. My grandfather recently ordered me to take over the Sun family’s lacquerware shop…”

Yang Xuan blurted out everything he knew. As he kept talking, he noticed no reaction from the young man.

“Hey… what’s wrong? I’m just speaking plainly…”

Not knowing what he had said wrong that made the young man silent, Yang Xuan hurriedly tried to make amends. These things were already well-known in the court; only someone like Li Kuo, a newcomer to officialdom, could be so ignorant. If he didn’t change his attitude, he would eventually be destroyed if he got involved in things he shouldn’t.

Li Kuo was indeed shocked. At first, he thought these businesses and shops simply had some powerful backers to operate more smoothly and avoid malicious accusations. In his mind, the actual operators should be the shop owners themselves. But today, Yang Xuan had slapped him hard in the face.

It turned out that the seemingly prosperous Tang Dynasty business world was just covered with a layer of gloss. Once that layer was lifted, its true nature was filthy and corrupt. All talk of fairness and justice, all those beautiful dreams—nothing of it was worth a penny in reality.

Grandfather was framed and killed by Li Linfu, and the Li family collapsed instantly. The young man had thought to rely on his own strength to revive his family and build one of his own from the ruins, but who would have thought that just taking the first step would be so difficult?

Military commanders of Shule? These positions he took pride in might mean nothing in the eyes of the powerful aristocratic families. They already controlled the Tang Dynasty from the imperial court, the business world, the military, and every other aspect. A general of his rank, fourth or fifth grade, was insignificant to them.

An individual had no chance of success in resisting them; the only way was to build his own family. But wasn’t that just following the old path of the aristocratic families for thousands of years? The so-called aristocratic families were nothing but lice parasitic on the common people, living off their blood.

But in this world, it seemed that if you didn’t eat others, others would eat you…

“It’s nothing. Go on.”

Li Kuo sighed softly and shook his head with a bitter smile. Everything had already been revealed by Yang Xuan—what was there left to hide? But it was better this way. At least he wouldn’t continue living in a fabricated dream.

“Well, although the emperor tolerates the behavior of these aristocratic families, it doesn’t mean the court will allow them to control vital resources. Things like salt, ironware, and warhorses are crucial to the nation’s fate. Even someone like Li Linfu wouldn’t dare manipulate them privately. It’s not that they can’t see the business opportunities; it’s just too risky. If exposed, not to mention being a high-ranking official in the Tang Dynasty, even a prince or noble would likely lose his head!”

Yang Xuan’s face was filled with triumph, as if he could already see Li Linfu’s family destroyed. By then, the Yang family could replace Li Linfu’s lineage and become the most powerful family in the court!