The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 102 Liao Merchants
According to Tang Shen's calculations, the letter he sent should have reached Wang Zhen just as he arrived in Xijin Prefecture.
While the letter could have reached its destination in four days with expedited delivery, Tang Shen deliberately chose a six-day delivery. This way, even if Wang Zhen read the letter, became furious, or decided to write a scolding reply, Tang Shen would be far enough away—beyond reach in Xijin Prefecture—and wouldn’t receive it.
That's right, Tang Shen wrote it intentionally in that manner.
He thought to himself, Why should Wang Zifeng be allowed to write “A mother worries for her child traveling afar,” while I cannot say, “I revere my senior brother as a father”?
Tang Shen pondered: Would Wang Zifeng be angry?
After careful consideration, he decided Wang Zhen likely wouldn’t be angry.
With his senior brother’s level of composure, even if there was any anger, it wouldn’t be shown outwardly but would be stored deep within. Perhaps Wang Zhen would bring it up when Tang Shen returned to Shengjing. However, that was a problem for the future, and Tang Shen didn’t dwell on it. Just the thought of teasing his senior brother gave him a sense of satisfaction.
Upon arriving in Xijin, Tang Shen refrained from openly handling business and delegated most tasks to Qiao Jiu.
Qiao Jiu, despite being one of Wang Zhen’s subordinates, had only met Wang Zhen a handful of times. Yet Wang Zhen’s decision to entrust Qiao Jiu with responsibilities spoke to his remarkable abilities. In just three days, Qiao Jiu had managed to establish connections with several Liao merchants interested in purchasing tea, making initial inroads into the commercial circles of Xijin Prefecture.
In Liao, ordinary civilians lacked family names; only nobles could grant them.
There were only two family names among the Liao aristocracy: Yelü and Xiao.
Late at night in the inn, Qiao Jiu spoke to Tang Shen in a hushed tone, “Daren, I’ve connected with three Liao merchants: one named Xiao Lü, another Yelü Qi, and the third hasn’t been granted a surname yet. You might not know, but the Yelü clan controls royal authority throughout the Liao State, holding high ranks and power. Meanwhile, the Xiao clan produces empresses, as every Liao empress must belong to the Xiao family. Across most of Liao, the Yelü clan wields significant power, but Xijin Prefecture is an exception. Due to its proximity to Song, many Han customs have taken root here, and the Southern official's government office has been established in this region.”
Tang Shen nodded. “I’m aware of this.”
Qiao Jiu, realizing he might have overexplained, humbly apologized. “Forgive me, daren, for my presumption. Your insight and foresight are unparalleled—such trivial matters mustn’t escape your discerning eye.”
Tang Shen glanced at Qiao Jiu.
Normally, Tang Shen was the one offering flattery to others; rarely did someone flatter him in return. Though young, Tang Shen was already a fourth-rank official—a significant rank even in Shengjing. However, working in Qinzheng Hall, where the lowest-ranking officials were also fourth-rank, and dealing daily with figures like Zhao Fu, Wang Zhen, and Su Wenyun, he often felt like an insignificant minor official in comparison.
Receiving such flattery now gave Tang Shen a sense of novelty. He appreciated Qiao Jiu’s position—a merchant unable to attain scholarly recognition, striving to serve Tang Shen and Wang Zhen for the sake of his descendants’ future prospects.
Understanding Qiao Jiu’s intent, Tang Shen said kindly, “You’ve done well. The merchants you’ve contacted have the right backgrounds.”
Qiao Jiu, noting Tang Shen’s pleased expression, sighed in relief. “Daren, your plan to disguise us as tea merchants entering Liao was truly ingenious,” he said sincerely, though not merely as flattery. “Tea and porcelain from the Song dynasty are luxuries only the Liao nobility and officials can afford. If we’d posed as porcelain merchants, the logistics of transporting such goods would’ve been too complicated. Tea, however, is the ideal cover.”
This plan wasn’t Tang Shen’s alone; in fact, it had been Su Wenyun’s idea.
But there was no need to elaborate. After some thought, Tang Shen said, “Of the three merchants, avoid overly close contact with the one who hasn’t been granted a surname yet. Our goal isn’t to sell tea but to infiltrate Liao’s inner circles. The Yelü and Xiao clans…” Tang Shen paused in contemplation, then smiled slightly. “Your mention of the Southern and Northern officials has reminded me. The internal structure of Liao is far from the united front it appears to be! Here’s what you should do…”
Song merchants came to Liao to trade. No one in this world would refuse the chance to make money, and Liao merchants were no exception. However, this didn’t mean the proud Liao merchants respected someone like Qiao Jiu.
Even with extensive gifts and flattery, it would be impossible for Qiao Jiu to win over everyone.
However, the Liao State faced significant internal challenges of its own.
Tang Shen explained, "The Liao State's greatest issue lies between the Northern and Southern officials. You mentioned that the Xijin Prefecture is under the influence of Southern officials. Start gradually distancing yourself from that merchant surnamed Yelü, and instead, cultivate ties with those surnamed Xiao. We should conduct business with Xiao-affiliated merchants."
Qiao Jiu hesitated. "Daren, but wouldn’t this offend the others?"
"That's precisely the point," Tang Shen said. "Do you truly believe you can maintain good relations with both sides and gain benefits from everyone?"
"I wouldn't dare," Qiao Jiu quickly replied.
Tang Shen continued, "Since they've been granted imperial surnames, it’s evident they have powerful backers. People like them do business not just for personal gain but also for those they represent. If you align yourself with the Xiao merchants, the Yelü merchants will inevitably resent you and may even sabotage our tea business. Since we're in Liao territory, their interference would be as easy as turning a hand."
Qiao Jiu, a savvy businessman, caught on quickly. "But the Xiao merchants wouldn’t sit idly by, would they?"
Tang Shen smirked. "Simply showering Xiao merchants with gifts won’t guarantee genuine friendship. If they see you willing to make sacrifices for collaboration—experiencing hardships alongside them—then they'll truly regard you as a friend."
With a sly smile, Qiao Jiu remarked, "I understand now. Tang daren, your foresight is unmatched; I could never hope to match it!"
Tang Shen chuckled lightly but thought to himself: Your flattery pales in comparison to mine!
As Qiao Jiu was a trusted subordinate of Wang Zhen, Tang Shen felt reassured leaving matters in his hands.
Later, Tang Shen summoned Lu Shen, who had been visibly gloomy in recent days.
A straightforward military man, Lu Shen struggled to hide his emotions. Seeing his expression, Tang Shen immediately guessed his thoughts. He asked, "Lu Shen, do you feel deceived? Before we left, I promised great deeds, yet since arriving, you've been confined to guarding goods at the inn. You must feel I've misled you."
Lu Shen responded more respectfully than before. Bowing, he said, "This subordinate wouldn’t dare. I understand that though Tang daren has remained at the inn, every action of Qiao Jiu is at your command. I know you’re not idle."
"But you are," Tang Shen remarked.
Lu Shen did not reply, but his silence spoke volumes.
Tang Shen reassured him, "Do not worry. Today, I have a mission for you."
Lu Shen's eyes brightened. "Tang daren, please instruct me, and I will not fail you!"
"This task leaves no room for failure!" Tang Shen's tone grew stern. He briefly outlined the instructions he had given Qiao Jiu before continuing, "The Liao State's internal divisions are not limited to the Northern and Southern officials. The Liao Emperor is over fifty years old and carries injuries from years of battle. Among his four sons, the third prince is the most influential, supported by the Northern officials. Your task is to investigate which princes these Northern and Southern officials in Xijin Prefecture are aligned with."
Lu Shen pondered for a moment and replied, "Tang daren, I will handle this matter thoroughly. However, not all Liao officials may support the princes, as the Liao Emperor is still alive."
Tang Shen smiled. "How far is Xijin Prefecture from Shangjing (Upper Capital)?"
"More than a thousand miles," Lu Shen replied.
"Given the Liao Emperor's declining health, would he send his most trusted officials so far away? Everyone has their own ambitions. Moreover..." Tang Shen paused, his voice thoughtful. "In Shengjing I've discovered that even the Grand Preceptor, who holds a high position among the Northern officials, secretly supports the third prince, Yelü Han. If the Grand Preceptor has his own plans, why wouldn't other officials?"
Enlightened, Lu Shen now looked at Tang Shen with newfound admiration. Though not eloquent with words and flattery, he sincerely said, "You are right, Tang daren. This subordinate will carry out this task at once!"
After Lu Shen departed, Tang Shen sipped his tea, his thoughts drifting.
"If my senior brother were here," he mused aloud, "he'd probably say that the Liao officials' disloyalty stems from the Liao Emperor himself." A heavy sigh escaped him, as he felt a rare loneliness—a scholar yearning for a kindred spirit.
At just over fifty, the Liao Emperor was younger than Zhao Fu by a decade, yet his control over his court was far weaker.
The Liao Emperor, once a fearless and triumphant general, had become an injured and paranoid ruler. Though aware of his officials' schemes, it was far too late to rein them in. The factions among the officials had grown entrenched, and any attempts to unify them would take more than a single reign.
Sometimes, even schemes require the right audience. Discussing court politics with someone like Lu Shen felt like playing a lute to a cow—utterly pointless.
Nonetheless, Lu Shen, though not the sharpest, was reliable. This was why Zhao Fu had entrusted him to Tang Shen in the first place.
Within ten days, news arrived from Qiao Jiu. The tea they brought from Youzhou had been seized by a group of Liao officials, clearly under the influence of the merchant Yelü Qi.
Qiao Jiu lodged a complaint, claiming his innocence. However, the Liao authorities, indifferent to the plight of a Song merchant, punished him with ten lashes and threw him out of the prefecture office.
At his age, the beating left Qiao Jiu bedridden with a high fever for ten days. By the time Xiao merchants heard about the incident, Qiao Jiu was just starting to recover.
Xiao merchants came to visit him, led by Xiao Lü himself. Upon seeing Qiao Jiu, Xiao Lü exclaimed in fluent Han Chinese, "Brother Qiao, what happened to you? How did you end up in such a state? What on earth did you do to deserve this?"
With a bitter smile, Qiao Jiu replied, "I am but a humble merchant. What could I have done? Mr. Xiao, surely you can guess the reason."
Xiao Lü sighed, no longer feigning ignorance. "To think Yelü Qi would stoop so low. This is outrageous. Don't worry; I've already reported this matter to daren."
For the first time, Qiao Jiu heard Xiao Lü mention his "daren." Though startled, he maintained a calm demeanor and expressed gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Xiao. I’m recovering well now. However, my seized goods are still in the prefecture office..."
"Do not worry," Xiao Lü assured him. "I will handle it."
At that moment, Tang Shen entered the room, dressed in fine silk, carrying a bowl of thick herbal medicine. Seeing him, Xiao Lü paused in surprise.
Qiao Jiu introduced him with a smile, "This is my son, Qiao Jing. He accompanied me to the Liao State to sell goods."
Tang Shen cupped his hands in salute and said, “Greetings, Mr. Xiao.”
Xiao Lü’s gaze lingered on Tang Shen’s face for a moment before he calmly looked away. “Brother Qiao, in a few days, I’m hosting a banquet at my residence to entertain some merchants I frequently deal with. Would you like to attend? Ah, I just remembered—perhaps your health might not allow it?”
Qiao Jiu's face lit up with delight. “Please don’t worry, Mr. Xiao. I’ll certainly be there.”
After exchanging a few more words, Xiao Lü left the inn. Before leaving, he mentioned that he had a small residence in the eastern part of Xijin Prefecture and offered it as lodging for Qiao Jiu’s group. Qiao Jiu politely declined at first, but Xiao Lü insisted, leaving him no choice but to accept his kind offer.
Once Xiao Lü had departed, Tang Shen frowned slightly. That evening, he called for Lu Shen. “You’ve inquired about this Liao merchant Xiao Lü before. Does he have a preference for men?”
Lu Shen looked utterly baffled, unsure why Tang Shen was suddenly asking such a question. Nonetheless, he answered honestly, “No, not at all. Xiao Lü has two concubines at home. Not only does he not prefer men, but he’s also notoriously indulgent with women. He once caused a major scandal by having a fierce quarrel with his wife over taking in more concubines.”
Lu Shen stared at Tang Shen, his expression plainly asking, Why are you even asking this, daren?
Tang Shen felt at a loss for words under Lu Shen’s gaze.
Perhaps he really was overthinking things. Originally, Tang Shen had met with Xiao Lü today only to assess the man’s character and intentions. However, Xiao Lü’s gaze had lingered on him several times, making Tang Shen suspicious. Coupled with Su Wenyun’s earlier remarks about the topic of sexual preferences, perhaps he had become overly sensitive.
Tang Shen thought to himself: In any case, it’s better for me to avoid appearing in person in the future.
Later, Tang Shen summoned Qiao Jiu. “I’ve been in Xijin Prefecture for half a month now—it’s about time for me to return to Youzhou. After you attend the banquet, I’ll leave. Don’t worry; once I’m gone, Su Wenyun will arrive, and you can work with him then.”