Where Immortals Once Walked

Chapter 768: The Value of Young Master He’s Favor

These people had provided a permanent solution to the cicada infestation, which was an enormous favor to the Rongshan Sect. If they had not provided their assistance, then once spring arrived and the aberrant cicadas returned in force, the sect would have very likely lost both its people and its territory. Who knew what sort of nightmare they would be facing then?

The sect already owed them such a tremendous debt of gratitude and had no idea how to repay it. If He Lingchuan were willing to name a condition or a way to repay that debt, that would be ideal.

“How much money is Yuan seeking to borrow from your esteemed sect this time?”

Elder Dao paused. “As for the exact amount, I’ll have to ask the sect leader.” He was not responsible for the sect’s finances.

He Lingchuan’s expression turned serious. “I would like to help facilitate this loan. As for the collateral offered by Yuan, I will personally examine and select it on behalf of your esteemed sect.”

Elder Dao was visibly moved. “Young Master He truly holds his homeland close to his heart.” He remembered that He Lingchuan was a native of Yuan.

“It is my motherland, after all. If I can contribute even a little, then I should.”

The Soul-Stealing Mirror tucked inside He Lingchuan’s robes burst into laughter. “Convincing! Very convincing! I almost believe you!”

Smack!

He Lingchuan slapped his chest.

“I can’t make the decision myself. I’ll have to seek the sect leader’s approval.”

Even though Elder Dao did not speak affirmatively, he showed no signs of reluctance. He Lingchuan estimated that the matter was as good as settled.

Elder Dao then left in a hurry.

* * *

Four hours later, Elder Dao returned with another elder accompanying him. “This is my junior brother, Elder Qian.”

True to his name[1], Elder Qian was responsible for the Rongshan Sect’s money and accounts.

Elder Dao smiled and continued, “Yuan is seeking to borrow seven million taels of silver in a single transaction. They sent three separate envoys, but our sect rejected every one of them. Yuan has borrowed from too many parties and has creditors everywhere, so the sect worried they would have difficulty repaying us. However, our sect leader said that since Young Master He has personally spoken on their behalf, Rongshan naturally has no reason to refuse!”

Seven million taels?

He Lingchuan smiled bitterly. “Sect Leader Xue is certainly showing me a great deal of favor.”

Sect Leader Xue was making it clear that the favor He Lingchuan had done them was worth far more than seven million taels. If Yuan failed to repay the debt, or if the collateral proved insufficient, then the Rongshan Sect’s total losses across both loans could reach twenty-seven million taels!

“You have done our sect a tremendous service. A little money is a trivial thing compared to that, especially since the business with Yuan will still be secured by collateral.” Elder Dao took out a command token and several documents, then handed them to He Lingchuan. “At the same time, Sect Leader Xue wishes to appoint Young Master He as our special envoy to Yuan. On the one hand, you will be responsible for examining Yuan’s collateral and approving the release of the funds. On the other hand—” He paused briefly before continuing, “With this official status, it will also be more convenient for Young Master He to conduct affairs within Yuan.”

He Lingchuan had asked the Rongshan Sect to lend him personnel because he intended to return home and handle certain matters. Sect Leader Xue and Elder Dao had both remembered this, so they were now making his path as smooth as possible.

He Lingchuan was deeply moved. He accepted the command token with both hands and said solemnly, “Sect Leader Xue has considered everything. I will not fail the trust placed in me!”

After both sides exchanged a few polite remarks, Elder Dao coughed. “About the method for exterminating the cicadas...”

He Lingchuan patted Dong Rui on the shoulder. “He doesn’t need to go. You only need to take the cicada queen. The bait is the cicada queen, after all, not Dong Rui himself.”

Elder Dao’s eyes lit up. “Would that truly work?”

Dong Rui answered without hesitation, “Why wouldn’t it? The traits of the cicada queens I cultivated are gradually stabilizing, and their lifespans are growing longer as well. As long as you continue breeding them from the existing stock, you will have an endless supply of bait.”

Elder Dao was overjoyed. “Mr. Wei’s benevolence is immeasurable! Both our sect and the State of Jū will remember this favor forever!”

Dong Rui clasped his hands behind his back, adopting the air of an aloof master who stood above worldly concerns. “Just tell the State of Jū that you developed this method yourselves. There’s no need to involve me.”

“Ah, is that really...” Publicly claiming all the credit for themselves was not something the Rongshan Sect could bring itself to do.

He Lingchuan smiled. “He has always been indifferent to fame and fortune. There’s no need for Elder Dao to feel conflicted about this.”

Elder Dao declared sincerely, “In that case, Rongshan offers its deepest thanks to Mr. Wei.”

Dong Rui remained completely unmoved. “No need to thank me. Just hurry up and take care of what you promised us.”

He Lingchuan secretly gave him a thumbs-up. He was playing the hardhearted role beautifully.

Afterward, Elder Qian began going over the details with He Lingchuan.

Now that He Lingchuan had officially become the sect’s special envoy, Elder Qian needed to explain Yuan’s debts and the loan conditions to him in detail.

As for the money being lent to Yuan, there was no need to haul mountains of silver across thousands of kilometers. He Lingchuan only needed to take several bank drafts with him. The Royal Court of Yuan could present the drafts at Fenglong Money House[2] in the capital and withdraw the enormous sum directly.

Both Yuan and the Rongshan Sect had branches of Fenglong Money House within their territories, making this method both convenient and secure.

Naturally, withdrawing the funds would require not only Sect Leader Xue’s handwritten authorization, but also He Lingchuan’s personal presence with the command token.

He Lingchuan cleared his throat. “I’m afraid I must shamelessly ask Sect Leader Xue for one more authority.”

Elder Qian replied, “Please, go ahead.”

After some discussion, the two sides decided to add another clause to the agreement with Yuan:

As one of Yuan’s principal creditors, the Rongshan Sect would have the right to dispatch a special envoy to supervise and direct the use of every tael it lent.

That was only reasonable. Otherwise, what if they lent Yuan money and Yuan turned around and squandered it however it pleased?

Did the Rongshan Sect not know perfectly well how the previous loans had disappeared?

If Yuan did not know how to use money properly, then the Rongshan Sect would have to teach it.

Once the clause was drafted, half the weight on He Lingchuan’s heart vanished. “My thanks to Sect Leader Xue and both elders!”

He understood perfectly well that this was an extravagant gift from the Rongshan Sect. It was a gift offered in gratitude.

Their sincerity could not have been clearer.

After the related details had been settled, He Lingchuan took the opportunity to ask about Yuan’s current situation.

Over the past month or so, he had heard plenty of rumors from the common folk and from Rongshan disciples. However, it was all secondhand information, and much of it could easily have strayed from the truth.

For matters like these, information from high-ranking members of the Rongshan Sect such as Elder Dao and Elder Qian was far more trustworthy.

He would soon be returning to his motherland. He needed to do his homework in advance.

First, Yuan’s internal situation remained dire.

Ever since the death of General Wu Di, the decline along the northwestern front had become increasingly obvious. Minister of War Dong Haoming had grown ever more adept at commanding the Wu Province’s army, while Ke Jihai was left struggling alone. With no other choice, he had withdrawn his forces by over a hundred kilometers.

The Royal Court of Yuan had been forced to transfer Zhao Pan from the northern front to reinforce the northwest.

Zhao Pan specialized in defense, and he worked well with Ke Jihai. Together, they had barely managed to stabilize the situation along the northwestern front.

However, while the royal court poured all its strength into supporting the northwest, other regions were left dangerously undermanned. Consequently, new rebellions had erupted in southern and southeastern Yuan.

Although the two rebel armies fought separately, they had unintentionally coordinated rather well. They seized grain depots, occupied government offices, and distributed official silver, causing their ranks to swell rapidly. The southern rebels in particular were rumored to number as many as fifty thousand.

The place where this rebel force had first risen was only two towns away from the site of the previous rebellion led by the so-called “Divine Master” Hong Xiangqian.

Coincidence?

During Hong Xiangqian’s rebellion, his army had eventually marched north, occupied Woling Pass, and nearly taken boats eastward to attack the secondary capital, Shihuan City.

Now there was another uprising in the south, and this new Righteous Army was once again marching north. The Royal Court of Yuan was beside itself with worry.

The only good news was that fighting had ceased along the northern front in Xia Province, and the region would remain relatively safe for some time.

At least in that direction, Yuan could finally breathe a little easier.

That was because the traitor whom the people of Yuan hated to the bone—Nian Zanli, the former Provincial Governor of Xun Province—had been convicted and imprisoned in Lingxu City!

1. The Qian in Elder Qian can literally be translated to money. If you’re wondering, then the Dao in Elder Dao’s name is blade or saber. ☜

2. Just a reminder that money houses are informal financial institutions. However, they generally function very similarly to banks. ☜