Moma Liangshan

Chapter 28: A Showy Display Attracts Attention from All Sides

Three days later, Master Li took 75,000 taels of silver to Erlibao. He didn't use copper coins because one string of copper coins weighed approximately five catties (about 2.5 kg), so 150,000 strings would amount to a full 750,000 catties. One tael of oxcart could carry 500 to 600 catties, equivalent to a little over 100 strings of copper coins. To transport all 150,000 strings of copper coins to Erlibao, it would require approximately 1,500 cart trips. In large-scale transactions during the Song Dynasty, gold and silver were already very common. Master Li still used a 15-tael oxcart for his 75,000 taels of silver. In those three days, Master Li had used the accounts of at least three money shops in Dongjing (Kaifeng) to raise the 150,000 strings. Such a large-scale movement of silver had already attracted the attention of various powers. When the 15-tael oxcarts loaded with silver passed through the streets of Dongjing, they not only attracted the attention of countless merchants and commoners but also drew the secret observation of various wealthy families. Originally, Master Li intended to pay Wang Hao fifteen 10,000-tael silver notes directly, but Wang Hao refused, citing the remoteness of his hometown and the lack of money changers. The absence of money changers in Liangshan was only one aspect; the deeper meaning lay in Wang Hao's declaration of the Eight Immortals Winery's value to the outside world. With Master Li's example as a precedent, Wang Hao wouldn't need to limit himself to those with whom he had business dealings when selling his shares in the Eight Immortals Winery in the future.

When Wang Hao and Li Yuanwai were exchanging money and signing a written agreement, Emperor Huizong, Cai Jing, and Gao Qiu each received a report from their servants. Gao Qiu looked at Lu Qian and said, "Why did Master Li send fifteen cartloads of silver to that brat Wang Hao?" Lu Qian replied, "I heard from Fanlou that Wang Hao sold 10% of the shares of Baxian Winery to Master Li." Gao Qiu smiled coldly and said, "Although Baxian Wine is a fine wine, a jar only costs six taels of silver. Can Wang Hao brew a thousand jars of fine wine a month?" Lu Qian replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, according to my information, Wang Hao can brew about five hundred jars of Baxian Wine a month." At this moment, the old steward also said, "I have a nephew working in Fanlou, so what Master Lu said should be correct." Gao Qiu muttered to himself, "That's strange. 10% of the shares, at most, only three thousand taels of silver a year. If Old Man Li wants to earn back that money, wouldn't it take him nearly thirty years? Has he gone mad?" Lu Qian and the old steward remained silent.

At Cai Jing's residence, the steward reported, "Your Excellency, all fifteen taels of silver in oxcarts have gone to Erlibao." Cai Jing asked, "Whose property is Erlibao?" The steward replied, "It belongs to Wang Hao, the Imperial Secretary." Cai Jing frowned and said, "Wang Hao, why would the Li family give him fifteen carts of cash?" The steward replied, "According to news from Fanlou, it's to buy a tenth-tenth of the shares in the Baxian Winery." Cai Jing had been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue of the Song Dynasty for many years, and almost all financial orders of the Song Dynasty passed through his hands. After a moment, he said, "Wang Hao is such a cunning fellow!" The steward, puzzled, replied, "I am foolish." Cai Jing snorted and said, "When Wang Hao first entered the capital, it is said that he wore hemp clothes and straw sandals, dressed like a wild boy. Yet, in just six months, he not only rented a house in the city but also bought an estate outside the city, spending money like water and frequently visiting the Fanlou brothel. What do you think is the reason for this?" The steward pondered for a long time and said, "Wang Hao has gotten close to Li Shishi and gained the Emperor's favor, so naturally he is thriving." Cai Jing said, "This is only the surface; the truly terrifying one is Wang Hao himself." "The Emperor's tribute of flowers and stones has been in the Yellow River for quite some time now. Why hasn't it been retrieved yet? Do you know why?" The steward replied, "The Emperor has so many stones; he probably forgot about them!" Cai Jing sneered, "That stone looks very much like one of the Emperor's paintings, a painting he created based on a dream of his own. The painting depicts a celestial being pointing the way. Therefore, the Emperor's interest in that tribute of flowers and stones is extraordinary. Initially, the Emperor wanted the Ministry of Works to send people to retrieve it, but the cost was too high, so it had to be shelved." The steward said, "But I still don't understand, what does this have to do with fifteen cartloads of silver?" Cai Jing said... “Foolish! One of Wang Hao’s purposes in raising money is definitely to salvage the Flower and Stone Tribute, but salvaging the Flower and Stone Tribute doesn’t require such a grand display. Therefore, I believe there must be a conspiracy involved.” The steward said, “Eight Immortals Wine is Wang Hao’s foundation. Now he’s letting the Li family directly interfere in the winery’s affairs. Isn’t he afraid of inviting trouble?” Cai Jing said, “That’s exactly what I can’t understand.” The steward pondered for a moment and said, “Could it be that Wang Hao was forced into this situation and had no other choice?” Cai Jing shook his head and said, “No! The Flower and Stone Tribute was a trap that Gao Qiu and I set for Wang Hao, to make him understand the ways things were done in the capital.” "Well, those things can't be done, those people can be offended, and those people can't be offended! But now it seems that if we're not careful, this kid might take advantage of the situation and do something underhanded. We have to be careful!" The steward said, "Please give your orders, sir. I will be on my guard!" Cai Jing said, "Wang Hao is no ordinary person. He can speak for the Emperor. With that kind of ability, he can't be treated as an ordinary sixth-rank official. Send someone to keep an eye on Wang Hao's every move, but don't make any moves. Also, record his daily schedule for me." The steward replied, "Understood!"

Inside the palace, Eunuch Chen reported to Emperor Huizong: "Master Li of Fanlou sent Wang Hao fifteen cartloads of silver, totaling 75,000 taels." Emperor Huizong frowned and asked, "Why?" Eunuch Chen replied, "According to news from Fanlou, Wang Hao gave Master Li one-tenth of the shares in the Baxian Winery." Emperor Huizong asked curiously, "One-tenth of the shares is worth 1.5 million strings of cash? How could Wang Hao, a mere fifteen-year-old boy, be so wealthy?" Eunuch Chen replied, "This old servant doesn't understand either. Although Baxian Wine is a fine wine, a jar only sells for six taels of silver. All the wine brewed by Wang Hao's retainer goes to Fanlou, totaling only about 500 jars a month. This Master Li is Wang Hao's most trusted... "Why would a white man like Wang Hao spend over 70,000 taels of silver to buy a mere 10% stake? All of Wang Hao's current assets probably don't even exceed 20,000 strings of cash!" Emperor Huizong seemed to have thought of something interesting, smiled slightly, and said, "Without this transaction, Wang Hao's entire fortune would be less than 20,000 strings of cash. But now, with this transaction, although Wang Hao lost 10% of the Eight Immortals Winery's shares, his fortune seems to have increased to 1.35 million strings of cash overnight." Eunuch Chen was dumbfounded and said, "Your Majesty isn't trying to scare this old servant, is you?" Emperor Huizong explained, "10% of the shares is worth 150,000 strings of cash, so the remaining 90% is 1.35 million strings of cash, isn't it? Why would I scare you?"

After a moment, Emperor Huizong seemed to be talking to himself, saying, "Originally, I sent him to salvage the Flower and Stone Tribute, and I felt guilty for spending his money. Now it seems this lad has some brilliant ideas and is truly a promising talent. Back then, when I sent the Ministry of Works to salvage the Flower and Stone Tribute, those old scholars told me that it wouldn't be possible without at least 100,000 strings of cash, and that I should sacrifice it for the sake of the common people. Now, this Wang Sheren has become a tycoon with a net worth of 1.35 million strings of cash using only a 10% stake in the Eight Immortals Winery. It seems I can consider having him serve me." Eunuch Chen immediately perked up and said, "To be honest, Wang Sheren is only fifteen years old, hasn't even passed the county-level imperial examination, and doesn't come from a prestigious family. Now he's thriving in the capital, relying solely on..." "It's because of His Majesty's high regard for him." Emperor Huizong nodded and said, "Although Wang Hao is young, his style of doing things is very steady, and he always seems to have endless things to do." Eunuch Chen said, "Other people's children at this age are studying hard, focusing on passing the imperial examinations. But Wang Hao is busy all day long, shuttling between the marketplace and the imperial court." Emperor Huizong said, "If Wang Hao successfully transports the Flower and Stone Tribute back to Dongjing, he will certainly be rewarded handsomely. What do you think should be done in his honor?" Eunuch Chen said, "Wang Hao is not from a family that passed the imperial examinations; he was chosen entirely by His Majesty's exceptional talent, so the Privy Council and the Three Departments and Six Ministries are not suitable. In my opinion, it would be more appropriate to give him a nominal official position." Emperor Huizong nodded and said, "I also have this idea. Give him a nominal official position so that he can share my burdens!"

Wang Hao stood in the courtyard, looking at the fifteen oxcarts and thirty wooden chests, utterly astonished, remaining silent for a long time. Master Li ordered his servants to open all the chests; the silver gleamed under the sunlight, and he slowly said, "Young Master Wang, please take a look. A full seventy-five thousand taels of silver." Wang Hao picked up a silver ingot, weighed it in his hand, and asked, "How heavy is this ingot?" Master Li replied, "Twenty-five taels, not a penny less." Wang Hao said to Yang Zhi, "Guard it well. I'll sign a contract with Master Li." Yang Zhi said, "Don't worry, young master. With Yang Zhi here, nothing will go wrong." Wang Hao looked at Master Li and said, "Please come in!" Wang Hao disliked formalities. After entering the house, he took out a pre-written contract and handed it to Master Li for review. Master Li said after reading it, "Concise and to the point, excellent!" Afterward, the two signed and sealed the contract, making two copies.

After seeing off Master Li, Wang Hao said, "Won't keeping so much silver at home attract thieves?" Yang Zhi replied, "With over ten skilled fighters in the fort, they can't break down our gates without three times the manpower." Wang Hao pondered for a moment and asked, "What should we do with so much silver?" Yang Zhi said, "We can bury it underground or deposit it in a money exchange." Wang Hao asked, "What are the rates at money exchanges?" Yang Zhi said, "A thousand taels of silver deposited in a money exchange for a year incurs a fee of one string of cash." Wang Hao thought to himself, "In ancient times, depositing money not only didn't earn interest, but also incurred storage fees. If one day that money exchange stops charging storage fees, I'm afraid their doorstep will be broken!" He said, "Thirty-five thousand taels of silver will be used for salvaging the precious stones, and the remaining forty thousand taels will be split 50/50 between deposits in a money exchange in Dongjing (Kaifeng) and transported back to Liangshan."