Wang Hao’s doubts were quickly explained.
Little Fatty Zhu said, "Brother, how can commoners compete with nobles and powerful people? There’s a saying, ’Having a treasure invites trouble.’ For an ordinary person without a solid background, holding such a hot potato could easily lead to disaster. But for the nobles!"
Wang Hao was intrigued, holding his cup without drinking, just listening quietly.
Little Fatty Zhu, as if having opened a floodgate of grievances, said, "It’s too easy for the nobles to co by money. They have power, so what does holding a small mine matter to them? If you’re powerful enough, you can weather any storm. Besides, officials shield each other. But hey, brother, I’m not talking about your Marquis Yongan’s Mansion!"
Wang Hao laughed, "Look at you, I didn’t say anything!"
"That’s the way it is. Nobles holding onto sothing like this act as if nothing happened, but commoners can’t. It’s a matter of life and death. You tell , would my friend dare?" Little Fatty Zhu said.
"That’s not necessarily true. If you discover gold and silver mines and don’t report them, once found out, it’s a capital cri!" Wang Hao said.
Little Fatty Zhu dismissively shrugged, "That’s just for small officials. If soone like Sixth Master, an Imperial Kinsn, was involved, would it still be the sa story? Moreover, don’t those nobles have their mines? Silver mines, iron mines, they hold onto them without saying a word. Look at the Leng Family, didn’t they even get a coal mine? And those big rchants who deal in gemstones, don’t they have a jade mine or two? Have you ever seen any of them get into trouble?"
Wang Hao felt a thrill inside, but kept his face composed and said with a smile, "You sure know a lot."
Little Fatty Zhu poured him a drink and sighed, "I just regret that my father didn’t give a brain for studying, otherwise I would have surely gone for the imperial exams and beco an official. Even if not, if I had been born into a good family like you, I would have certainly taken that mine."
Wang Hao was flattered and delighted by these words. How could people be compared to one another? Being born into a good family wasn’t sothing he could change.
"So, that’s the deal." Little Fatty Zhu said, "This mine carries certain risks. I’m not trying to trick you, brother. I don’t know many people; if you’re interested, help connect with soone and I’ll give you a commission as the interdiary. How about one-tenth?"
Wang Hao pondered for a mont and asked, "Where is the mine?"
"Ha, it’s not far. I found it strange too; a mine so close to the capital, could it be due to the aura of the emperor?" Little Fatty Zhu gave a rough location.
Wang Hao replied, "It’s hard to say. Let’s just drink. By the way, where are you staying these days?"
Little Fatty Zhu gave an address and didn’t bring up the topic again, starting to drink with him.
The two drank happily and only parted ways when it was completely dark.
Returning to Marquis Yongan’s Mansion, Wang Hao was imdiately caught by his mother for a lecture. He tried to ask her for money, and Lady of Marquis Yongan said, "Your sister just sent a ssage asking for money. Does the family have a mine or sothing? Everyone’s asking for money. No, Haohao, you should behave..."
Wang Hao pursed his lips, his mother’s nagging buzzing in his ears—"Does the family have a mine? The family has a mine!"
Returning to his courtyard, Wang Hao instructed his trusted servant, "You personally go and find out a few things. Be smart and don’t slip up." Saying this, he relayed everything Little Fatty Zhu had said, except for the part about the silver mine.
He wasn’t foolish; he couldn’t take Little Fatty Zhu’s words at face value without investigating. If it’s true...
Thinking about a silver mine, Wang Hao swallowed hard, collapsing onto his bed as if seeing shiny silver ingots flying toward him.
User Comments
0 comments from readers