Chapter 149: The True Nature of the Corrupt Merchant

Three days later, Yi Dun hurried back to Mengyi, travel-worn and weary. As soon as they met, Meng Di asked, "How much of this wine have you managed to brew in total? I am in dire need of funds recently; do you have any ideas?"

Hearing this, Yi Dun knew his time to shine had arrived, and an expression of excitement appeared on his face. "Reporting to my lord, nearly one hundred jars of wine have already been brewed. If the lord is in urgent need of funds, give your subordinate one month, and I will be able to sell every single drop of this wine."

Upon hearing this timeframe, Meng Di slowly shook his head and asked with hopeful anticipation, "Can the time be shortened even further? After all, these funds are meant for purchasing horses. If the horses return too quickly, there will be no time to tame them, nor even to allow the soldiers below to bond properly with them. Once a battle breaks out, they will not be able to command them with ease."

Hearing that the money was for buying horses, Yi Dun smiled and said with great confidence, "Since that is the case, the matter becomes even simpler. When the time comes, your subordinate can take these jars of wine and head straight to the State of Yan, presenting them as tribute to the King of Yan. At the same time, we can use the wine to trade for horses with them. I just don't know how many horses the lord requires."

This was indeed an idea, and Meng Di immediately expressed his stance, "If you can accomplish this task well, I will record a major contribution for your credit. As for the horses, naturally, the more the better. Buy me as many as there are. However, this time we must not take the route through the State of Qi; it is best to go through the State of Jin."

To Meng Di's instruction, Yi Dun appeared entirely unconcerned, a confident smile hanging on his face. "If the lord does this, not only will we be taking a huge risk, but whether the horses can safely reach the State of Lu in the end remains a question. After all, the number of horses the lord requires is simply too massive. Your subordinate happens to have a brilliant idea."

"Since we now have fine wine in our hands, we can send one jar as a tribute to the ruler of each surrounding vassal state, while simultaneously spreading the word that the lord possesses fine wine here but lacks horses."

"In this way, once the merchants receive the news, they will surely transport horses to Mengyi. By then, we will merely have lost some fine wine, which will not only minimize losses along the journey but also allow us to take the opportunity to drive down the price of horses."

Hearing this made Meng Di look at Yi Dun again and again. The idea was exceptionally clever, yet utterly ruthless. As the saying goes, things of rare value are dear; if all the merchants under heaven were to transport horses to Mengyi, then when that time came, how many horses a single jar of wine could buy would be entirely up to Mengyi to decide. This made him involuntarily sigh with emotion that Yi Dun truly possessed the potential of an unscrupulous merchant.

His gaze fixed on Yi Dun, making the latter feel somewhat uneasy inside, so he cautiously asked, "Does the lord feel this idea is unfeasible, or are there other concerns?"

At that moment, Meng Di stood up, walked right up to him, and dealt him a heavy pat on the shoulder. "You truly have a talent for commerce. This matter shall be entirely entrusted to you. If there are any expenses or the like involved, you need not report to me; I only look at the results. As long as the horses can safely arrive in Mengyi when the time comes, the credit is yours."

However, Meng Di's good mood did not last long. Ten days later, he received news: no sooner had the State of Qi made a move than the State of Wei immediately dealt with the Beigong clan while dispatching a second wave of envoys.

This reaction speed was far too quick, imbuing Meng Di with the scent of a conspiracy and involuntarily making him think of the beautiful woman he had encountered in Zhaoge. In his heart, he silently wondered if this matter was also connected to her.

Zhaoge, State of Wei.

Duke Ling of Wei, having gotten his wish, was in high spirits. He was not someone who would sit passively and wait for his doom; whenever he discovered someone who might threaten him, he would deal with them promptly, which would be beneficial for both parties.

Just at that moment, however, Duke Ling of Wei received a secret letter from Fan Yang, which instantly dampened his good mood.

The content of the letter was very simple: an expedition was to be launched against the State of Zheng, on the grounds that Zheng had defied the commands of the State of Jin and annexed the State of Xu without authorization.

Duke Ling of Wei held the letter, reading it over and over again, his complexion growing increasingly grim. He had just reached a private agreement with the States of Qi and Zheng, yet right at this moment, Fan Yang had immediately written to him.

This indicated one thing: the shrewd and experienced Fan Yang had already guessed the intentions of the State of Zheng, and by writing this letter at the present moment, he was forcing Duke Ling of Wei to make a choice. Deep down in his heart, Duke Ling of Wei knew very well that the State of Wei simply could not withstand the State of Jin.

Yet at present, the various actions of the State of Jin were truly disgraceful, whereas the State of Qi was currently displaying a great deal of sincerity. Thus, for a moment, he found himself in a difficult dilemma.

Nanzi, standing beside him, reached out and took the letter. After reading it through, she smiled. "Why should Your Grace be so distressed? Has the State of Qi not already staked out its stance, preparing to attack the State of Wei? Just at this time, we can mobilize troops to the border of Qi, and Your Grace can write a letter."

"Inform that Fan Xianzi that the State of Wei is currently hard-pressed to defend itself and has no strength to send troops to Zheng. In this way, would we not be offending neither side? Moreover, recent news has reached us that Yang Hu of Lu is actively mobilizing troops, which clearly indicates he is preparing to respond to the commands of Jin."

"At a time like this, our best course of action is to wait. If this time the State of Lu returns in defeat while the State of Jin makes no particular move, then even if Your Grace leans toward Qi at that time, Jin will be able to do nothing to Your Grace."

Upon hearing this, Duke Ling of Wei broke into a smile and nodded slightly. "This idea is not bad. Since that is the case, immediately order the troops of Wei to begin assembling. At the same time, I will also write a letter to the Marquis of Qi explaining the situation. This Fan Xianzi truly lives up to his reputation for great wisdom; he has already sensed the danger."

Hearing these words, Nanzi covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled softly, a look of disdain appearing on her face. "That Fan Xianzi is already aged and feeble, while Fan Jishe is a greedy and cruel man. If things continue to develop along this trajectory, the Fan clan will inevitably become a thorn in the eyes of the other five high ministers of Jin. By then, a new internal rebellion in Jin will erupt."

"Otherwise, why would so many vassal states defect to Qi, or even the State of楚 [Chu]? The more such times we face, the more we must keep our eyes wide open; otherwise, we will only invite disaster upon the State of Wei."

Duke Ling of Wei was deeply convinced. He reached out, picked up his wine bowl, took a sip of the liquor, and said with a touch of emotion, "This Meng Di is truly an extraordinary man. I never expected he would be able to brew such fine wine; it is truly astonishing."

At this point, a trace of sorrow flashed across Nanzi's face, followed by a charming smile as she suggested, "I hear that Meng Di is now beginning to trade wine for horses in Mengyi. Why does Your Grace not send someone to purchase some of this fine wine?"