Chapter 525: Catch More Fish, Catch Bigger Fish

At the beginning of the Yongle era, the Ming Dynasty first established horse markets in Kaiyuan and Guangning. However, the only parties allowed to trade were the Wulangha Duyan Three Guards, who had shown loyalty during the Jingnan Campaign. If these tribes wanted to obtain goods from the Central Plains, they had to go through the Three Guards. Later, the Ming Dynasty successively set up ad-hoc horse markets in Ganzhou, Liangzhou, Lanzhou, Ningxia, and other places, attracting Mongol tribes such as the Oirats to trade there. After being defeated in battle, Arutai, the Tatar Grand Tutor, submitted himself and was granted the title of Prince Hening; he also engaged in trade with the Ming Dynasty for a while.

Yet now, trade in the Xuanfu area has been completely shut down due to another Tatar invasion. Although Arutai was close to the Wulangha Three Guards and could reap significant benefits from their horse markets, the direct trade route was now blocked. Still, among merchants, there were always those driven by greed. After bribing border generals, they would often send caravans secretly beyond the borders. But this route was not tolerated by the imperial court—those caught faced certain death, just like merchants who secretly set sail during the maritime bans. Thus, only those with connections, resources, or even military power would dare take such a risky path.

The Wang family of Taiyuan Prefecture controlled 30% of the private trade beyond the borders. Yet despite sharing the same surname, they did not follow Wang Guan’s path. As a result, Wang Guan, unable to endure the torture, handed over lists related to Lu Feng that had nothing to do with him, effectively eliminating several of the Wang family’s biggest rivals. Wang Yan, the family head who had initially been cautious and only acquired 2,000 units of salt, was dissatisfied. After hearing that more salt would be allocated soon, he stayed without hesitation and even took over the entire Yuepeng Inn located eight li east of the city.

At that moment, in the largest guest room on the third floor of the inn, Wang Yan faced Fang Qing who had come to see him, his expression calm. Sitting in the main seat, he listened to Fang Qing while idly fiddling with a dagger in his hand.

At fifty years old and having held control of the family business for twenty years, he saw the young head of the Fang family from Lu’an Prefecture as far too inexperienced. From Fang Qing’s words, he could sense an undeniable ambition. What angered him even more was that Fang Qing used his relationship with Zhang Yue as leverage in negotiations—a childish behavior that left him with no desire to indulge him further. Just as he was about to dismiss Fang Qing impatiently, his next words made Wang Yan suddenly alert.

“Since Old Wang insists he’s never done business in violation of the ban, I have nothing else to say. But with the imperial army about to launch another northern campaign, and Arutai facing certain destruction, Old Wang has gone to great lengths to establish ties with the Tatars. I’ve heard he even has connections with some nobles under Arutai’s command. By then, all his efforts will be in vain! Although Arutai holds supreme power over the Tatars, under such pressure, some tribal chiefs are ready to break away from him and act on their own. Some have already approached me! If it weren’t for Old Wang being a powerful senior, if the Fang family couldn’t keep everything for themselves, and if I didn’t still have someone to rely on, they wouldn’t try to take a share!”
Some in the Tatars actually want to get rid of Arutai!
At this moment, Wang Yan managed to maintain a calm expression, but his tone still revealed urgency: “Brother Fang, are you serious? Arutai is the absolute ruler of the Tatars. How could anyone dare betray him?”
“If Old Wang doesn’t believe me, so be it!” Fang Qing stood up irritably, rolled down his half-folded fur sleeve, and snorted lightly. “People strive for higher positions, just as water flows downhill. The emperor has returned victorious from both northern campaigns. Not to mention those Tatar chiefs, even Arutai himself probably didn’t think he could win this time. Some are planning to seize his position after his defeat, so they’re now trying to pledge loyalty to the Ming Dynasty. If it weren’t for Lord Zhang’s connections, I might not have even been able to meet you!”
Seeing Fang Qing about to leave in a huff, Wang Yan quickly put on a completely different, smiling face, insisting that he stay for lunch and ordering food and drinks to be prepared. At the dining table, he dropped his earlier indifference, repeatedly urging Fang Qing to drink, speaking sweet nothings, and eventually obtaining many confidential details. Finally, he personally escorted the heavily drunk Fang Qing to the inn’s entrance. Watching Fang’s servant help him onto the carriage as it sped away, he turned back into the inn, his earlier smile now replaced by a cold, grim expression.
“Go outside and watch. Unless Fang Qing returns, if anyone comes, tell them I’m not feeling well and refuse to see anyone!”
After giving this sharp order, he rushed up to the third floor and returned to the room where he had met Fang Qing earlier. Pulling back the curtain, he entered the inner room and asked the bearded man there, “Second brother, you heard what was said just now. It’s clear Arutai is in trouble now. It’s better to cut those ties now. Ever since our uncle died, your life in the Tatars has been hard. Come back early and enjoy a peaceful life!”

“If Grand Tutor Altai falls, what benefit can you gain, elder brother? Of course I heard what that Fang kid said—those tribal chiefs want to form a trade relationship with the Ming Dynasty. How can our Wang family still enjoy such profits as we do now? Besides, that Fang kid has backers; all we can bribe are the heads of a few thousand-household units—how can we compare to him? The foundation our family has built over generations in the north would be ruined if it’s destroyed! Elder brother, you let me live in comfort… Tsk tsk. Without that connection to the Tatars, and if I weren’t personally leading the troops in the north, would you still give me thirty percent of your profits every year?”
“What are you talking about!” Wang Yan was instantly furious, but remembering that his younger brother wasn’t his biological sibling, had spent a long time in the north, and had an extremely fierce personality, he had to suppress his anger. “Xuanfu is under strict surveillance right now. Do you still want to pass on information?”
“Why not?” The bearded man placed his hand on Wang Yan’s shoulder and tightened his grip. “Elder brother, don’t forget where all our sable, silver vole, and blue vole pelts come from; where all our furs for the army come from; and where all those foals in our pastures come from! Without the trade routes in the north, our Taiyuan Wang family would at most be a second-rate clan among the Shanxi merchants, unable to rank among the top! Besides, connecting with the Tatars on one end and flattering the Ming Dynasty on the other—this is a rule passed down from our grandfather! Elder brother, figure out who that tribal chief is and get evidence. I’ll go back and report in person then!”
“If something goes wrong, the entire family will suffer because of you. Give me some time!”
While the brothers were locked in a confrontation, Fang Qing’s carriage returned straight to the inn where the Fang family was staying. This was a secluded area in the southwest corner of Xuanfu City. The drunken Fang Qing was carried into a guest room in the south courtyard, but as soon as the door was closed, he sat up straight. At that moment, one of his attendants hurriedly went to fetch a copper basin, while another brought hot tea. Fang Qing vomited a lot of filth by forceful retching, then drank a cup of tea before finally regaining his breath.
Who would have thought he could still play the role of an ambitious yet impatient and naive family head so well! Though compared to the role he thought he would be forced into—charging into battle—he found this task much simpler. Moreover, Zhang Yue promised that after completing this task, he could buy another two thousand strings of salt at the lowest price offered by the merchants. For this readily available goods and the chance for the Fang family to rise further, he was willing to go all out—provided it didn’t cost him his life!

After calming his excited emotions, he ordered one of his trusted attendants, “Send someone to Lord Xiao Zhang with a message, saying I’ve fulfilled my mission successfully! Also tell Lord Xiao Zhang that when I mentioned the Tatar chieftain coming secretly to make contact, Wang Yan paid close attention and tried to get me drunk during the meal, constantly probing about this matter.”

Ever since Luo Qian revealed the affairs of the Wang family in Taiyuan Prefecture the day before yesterday, Zhang Yue had immediately ordered people to keep a close watch on the Yuepeng Inn. So when Fang Qing’s message arrived, he was naturally greatly encouraged. Although the Jinyiwei were powerful and could control all kinds of people in Xuanfu, investigating spies required clues. If the Wang family could really bring a Tatar to Xuanfu openly, they must have a way to cover it up. It would be utterly foolish to rush in and search without a plan.

In that case, setting a trap to lure them in was undoubtedly a brilliant strategy. As for the Tatar chieftain’s envoy… didn’t he already have four men who had fled from the north and spoke Mongolian fluently even better than Mandarin?

Although tomorrow was the second round of recruitment in Xuanfu, thanks to his previous experience, Zhang Yue was confident. He went straight to the general’s residence. When he briefly explained his plan to Zheng Heng, the seasoned Marquis of Wu’an clapped his hands in excitement.

“Great idea! Since you’ve invented an envoy who’s come to show loyalty, you need to make the lie sound more convincing. Don’t worry—the key figures on the Tatar side and the spies from the north have been sending information, so we’ll surely be able to deceive them. However, I think the situation you’ve set up can be used not only to catch those spies but also for other purposes. Arutai has rebelled against the Ming Dynasty this time, facing strong internal opposition. If he hears such news, tsk tsk…”

“That would be an excellent counterespionage tactic!”

“Haha! You’re teachable—yes, it is a counterespionage tactic!”

Seeing Marquis Zheng Heng laughing so happily, Zhang Yue gently stroked his chin, quickly thinking through the possibilities. It had to be said that his vision was a bit short-sighted. Since such a big trap had been set, it would be a shame to let only those traitors fall into it. Back when Arutai first rebelled, his mother and wife had harshly criticized him. Now, after suffering a crushing defeat, he still hadn’t given up—there must indeed be many in the Tatars who opposed him. So this was truly a great opportunity.

It seemed necessary to spread some true or false messages to lure in more fish, even bigger ones!