The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 087 You Are A Good Person

Tang Huang: "The printing bureau is quite familiar with us, so producing some paper and ink for these leaflets doesn’t cost much. At first, these flyers were only distributed in our own shop, Xixia Tower. Later, Shopkeeper Lu used his connections with Prince Jing's Manor to get the flyers placed in their Qianli Tower. Now, they’re in many shops along Zhengyangmen Street."

Tang Shen thought for a moment and said, "What do today’s flyers look like? Bring one here for me to see."

Tang Huang quickly went back to her room and brought out a yellow, rough-textured piece of rice paper, handing it to Tang Shen.

Tang Shen carefully examined it, then smiled faintly. He hadn’t expected Tang Huang to make such effective use of supermarket-style flyers!

That’s right—these were essentially supermarket flyers.

After entrusting the management of Baibao Pavilion to Shopkeeper Lu and Tang Huang, Tang Shen had suggested they partner with a printing bureau to print supermarket-style flyers every three days and distribute them in shops all over Shengjing City.

It sounded simple, but it was an incredibly challenging task.

First, each customer entering Baibao Pavilion would receive a basket with a flyer inside. The flyer detailed that day’s discounted items and their prices. This part was straightforward. However, distributing the flyers outside the store to draw in customers was much harder.

Xixia Tower, being a Tang family business, easily allowed flyer distribution. But other shops—why would they freely promote Baibao Pavilion?

After much effort, Tang Huang and Shopkeeper Lu devised a strategy.

Customers who found a flyer in another shop, brought it to Baibao Pavilion, and wrote the shop’s name on the flyer would receive an extra discount. At the end of the month, Baibao Pavilion reimbursed those shops based on the number of flyers bearing their names.

The reimbursement wasn’t substantial per transaction but added up over time. For example, if someone saw a flyer in Zhang’s Bun Shop, came to Baibao Pavilion, and spent 50 copper coins, Baibao Pavilion would give Zhang’s Bun Shop 1 copper coin. If 100 people did this, Zhang’s Bun Shop would earn 100 coins.

More importantly, this was a risk-free arrangement for participating shops. All they had to do was accept Baibao Pavilion flyers and place them in their stores, incurring no cost yet earning money effortlessly.

Customers were equally incentivized by the additional discount, making them more likely to shop at Baibao Pavilion. Even if they didn’t find a flyer elsewhere, customers could still pick one up at Baibao Pavilion’s entrance for a discount.

When Tang Shen learned of this idea, he called his sister over to ask her about how she came up with the idea.

Tang Shen: "Why are we paying other shops money for nothing?"

Tang Huang: "If we don’t offer incentives, why would they distribute our flyers?"

Tang Shen: "But have you considered the possibility of losing money?"

Tang Huang, surprised, replied, "Losing money? Brother, what are you thinking? First, if a customer doesn’t see our flyer and come to Baibao Pavilion, we earn nothing. Second, the pricing and discounts are calculated in advance, factoring in all additional expenses.” The young lady smiled sweetly, “Do you think I’m a fool, or are you calling yourself one?"

Of course, Tang Shen understood her logic and the brilliance behind it but maintained a serious demeanor. "Is that so? Have you thought about customers colluding with shop owners? Customers could intentionally use a shop’s flyer to shop at Baibao Pavilion, and the shop could share part of the reimbursement with them."

Tang Huang replied nonchalantly, "So what? All I know is that they’re shopping at Baibao Pavilion. Whatever schemes they come up with to split the rebates, it doesn’t concern us. If a customer who originally wouldn’t shop at Baibao Pavilion decides to visit, we’ve already profited."

Tang Shen stared at his sister, making her uneasy.

"Brother, why are you looking at me like that?"

"I’m wondering about the kind of man you’ll marry in the future."

"You’re a fortune-teller now?"

"Not exactly. I’m just calculating how much it will cost me to support you if you are never able to marry."

"…"

Thanks to Tang Huang's innovative strategy, Baibao Pavilion’s business flourished. Customers who initially planned to shop at local stores would see the flyers and eagerly head to Zhengyangmen Street, drawn by the promise of additional discounts.

In just two months, nearly every alley in Shengjing City had at least two shops displaying Baibao Pavilion flyers.

Under the dim candlelight that evening, Tang Shen gazed at a flyer in his hand, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

The next morning at the guesthouse, a Liao guard, starting his shift, noticed a guesthouse worker delivering a stack of papers to the front desk. The worker took one for himself, leaned against the wall, and read it with great interest.

The Liao guard, intrigued but unable to speak Han language, swaggered over, shook his blade, and pointed at the paper. Intimidated, the worker handed him a flyer.

But even more baffled by the unfamiliar script, the guard took it to a Liao official, who, in turn, brought it to Yelü Qin.

By noon, Yelü Qin, accompanied by a few guards, discreetly visited Baibao Pavilion. Disguised in Song attire, he was astonished by the bustling store and its dazzling array of goods.

Upon returning to the guesthouse, Yelü Qin sought out the Third Prince, Yelü Han.

Yelü Qin: "Your Highness, the Song people may be different from what we’ve imagined."

Yelü Han, just waking up, asked, "What do you mean by that, Han Office daren?"

Bowing, Yelü Qin explained, "Your Highness, although it is the duty of South Court officials like me to handle Liao-Song relations, I suspect the Grand Guardian and you were sent here to probe the Song's strength and resources."

Yelü Han was startled by how accurate Yelü Qin's deductions were.

Yelü Qin observed the Third Prince’s expression and knew his guess was correct. He sighed inwardly—if it were another prince visiting the Song, would he have to waste so much effort? Yelü Qin continued, “I don’t know exactly what Your Highness and the Grand Guardian wish to uncover, but in my view, the fact that the Song Emperor hasn’t summoned us on the first day might not necessarily be a bad thing. They are waiting, and while they wait, we can use the opportunity to explore this Shengjing City!”

Recalling Yelü Yin’s words from the previous day, Yelü Han said, “But the Grand Guardian just said yesterday that this Shengjing of the Song is ours to inspect as we please in the future.”

Yelü Qin thought, fool! If conquering the Song were that easy, why hasn’t the Liao State succeeded in over a hundred years?

The truth was that even if the Liao defeated the Song, it would leave their empire weakened and vulnerable to neighboring enemies. 

Given that, why not periodically extort the Song instead? Without waging war, they could gain money and possibly territory.

This was the Liao’s current strategy. Their delegation had traveled thousands of miles to the Song because Youzhou had become difficult to capture, prompting them to negotiate with the Song Emperor for funds in exchange for withdrawing troops.

Yelü Qin added, “Today, I visited Zhengyangmen Street, the most bustling area in the Song capital. It is lined with shops and teeming with people, far surpassing the prosperity of our Zhongjing Dading Prefecture. Your Highness and the Grand Guardian should consider this. Understanding the Song’s wealth and strength is also a way to gather intelligence.”

In the afternoon, when Tang Shen arrived at the guesthouse with his entourage, he saw Yelü Han seated in the main chair, his expression haughty as he said, “What does it mean that the Song Emperor still hasn’t summoned us today?”

Tang Shen’s gaze swept across Yelü Han, Yelü Qin, and Yelü Yin before he calmly withdrew his eyes and bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, as a visiting envoy to our Song, you are entitled to be accompanied. I have been appointed by Meng daren of the Ministry of Rites to receive and attend to all of you. Today, I have arranged a banquet at the Qianli Tower to welcome Your Highness and the envoys. Your Highness may not know, but the Qianli Tower is…”

Tang Shen’s tone was measured, neither obsequious nor arrogant, patiently explaining.

After finishing, Tang Shen looked up at Yelü Han and asked, “What does Your Highness think?”

Yelü Han put on airs for a moment before exchanging a few words with Tang Shen and finally saying, “It’s not unacceptable.”

That day, Tang Shen successfully hosted the Liao delegation with a banquet at Qianli Tower in Shengjing.

The next day, Tang Shen devised a new itinerary, taking Yelü Han and his entourage horseback riding in the countryside and climbing Xuji Tower, a nine-story structure in the city’s north. This tower, built by Wang Zhen for Zhao Fu, was usually off-limits to commoners. However, Zhao Fu had specifically granted Tang Shen permission to bring the Liao delegation there, seemingly to let them witness the grand and magnificent prosperity of the Song dynasty from the top.

Over several days, Tang Shen handled every aspect of the delegation’s visit meticulously.

Li Jingde, however, was exhausted.

Returning to Qinzheng Hall, he removed his official cap and exclaimed, “This is more tiring than fighting a war! I never realized how hard it is to be a civil official. That Yelü Han is insufferable—every time I see him, I want to beat him up and kick him back to Liao. Tang daren, you’ve had it tough these past few days.”

Tang Shen replied earnestly, “You’re too kind, General. As a court official, it is my duty to serve the emperor and relieve his burdens. This is just part of my job.”

Li Jingde glanced at him and said, “You’re different from Wang Zifeng and Su Feiran. You're a good person.”

Tang Shen smiled. “I’m just a minor fourth-rank official; I wouldn’t dare compare myself to my senior brother or Su daren.”

Li Jingde sighed, “Neither of them are good people. Don't even mention that you are Wang Zifeng's junior brother, I’d say this to Wang Zifeng’s face if I had to.”

Tang Shen thought, then why don’t you?

Li Jingde put his official cap back on and quietly slipped out of Qinzheng Hall.

That evening, Tang Shen visited the Minister Residence and wasted no time ratting out Li Jingde.

Little did General Li know, the “you’re different from them” Tang Shen had already spilled everything he said to Wang Zifeng.

Wang Zifeng sighed softly. “General Li seems to have misunderstood me.”

Tang Shen thought, I don’t think he misunderstood you at all. General Li may be simple and kind, but he’s not stupid.

Wang Zifeng said, “Little Junior Brother, it seems General Li likes you.”

Tang Shen replied, “…Perhaps because I’m good at talking?” Over the past few days, aside from hosting the Liao delegation, Tang Shen had also showered Li Jingde with flattery. After all, why not? Li Jingde was favored by the emperor. Having already offended Su Wenyun, Tang Shen saw no need to make another enemy. Instead, he sought to win over Li Jingde as an ally against Su Wenyun, should the need arise.

After drinking some tea, Wang Zifeng said, “You’ll have a lighter load tomorrow.”

Tang Shen was taken aback. “Senior Brother?”

Wang Zifeng smiled. “We can’t let Meng daren be idle. He earns his salary and should share the burden. If not, the censors might accuse him of dereliction. Don’t you agree, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen’s eyes widened. “Senior Brother, you…”

Wang Zifeng poured him more tea. “This is Biluochun from Gusu this year. You’ve always liked it. Have some more.”

Tang Shen: “...”

So even if he hadn’t tattled to Wang Zifeng today, his senior brother would still have known everything that transpired in Qinzheng Hall.

What duty to the emperor, relieving his burdens, part of the job…

These were the exact words Tang Shen had said to Li Jingde that afternoon!

Tang Shen felt a sudden sense of relief. Thankfully, when he had once speculated about “Wang Zifeng being impotent,” he hadn’t voiced it to anyone. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

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The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 088 Is Wang Zifeng… Impotent?

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The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 086 Sons Of Great Song