Following Yun Ye’s questioning, the Yun Family guards who had long been unable to restrain themselves jumped up and pressed the three merchants to the ground, their heads pushed down so they couldn’t move at all. Yun Ye took a sip of tea and said to the three of them, “You really don’t appreciate being given face. Even if you have wealthy backers behind you, how can you not understand even basic etiquette? Right now, even if this Marquis broke your legs, it would be perfectly justified with no one having anything to say. I imagine the people behind you would probably punish you again too. I told you—you’ve ruined a perfectly good arrangement. Since you’re unwilling, then get lost.”

Yun Ye was in the midst of scolding them when He Shao walked in, followed by a rough and rugged man holding a cloth bundle. Seeing Yun Ye was angry, they stood at the doorway not daring to enter.

“How about it, Marquis Yun? I told you long ago that these three families have grown fat and wealthy monopolizing Chang’an’s brick and stone business over the years. Their hearts have long turned black, but you didn’t believe me. Now you know, right? Why didn’t you have the guards break their legs? Coming to the Yun Family to spout big talk—seeking death.”

Old He was also a merchant, but he was a merchant with a title. This trip to the grasslands had yielded great rewards. The silver money sent to the soldiers had been delivered without problems. The military was very satisfied, and several military bigwigs had spoken well of him, preserving his family’s title. Now in Chang’an’s merchant circles, he had tremendous prestige, with a vague trend of becoming a merchant tycoon.

Old He beckoned, and the man carefully placed what he was holding on the ground and prostrated himself in salute to Yun Ye.

“Forget it. Take out what you brought and show these three fools, lest they go out saying this Marquis bullies people using his power.”

The plainly dressed man unwrapped the silk-cloth bundle. Inside was a brick, fired very well—a green brick with no obvious porousness or cracks visible. In the center of the brick were several sunken characters: Imperial Exclusive Use.

Yun Ye handed the brick to the three merchants and said to them, “I originally wanted to stop the Yun Family’s brick production and focus on making cement, letting you three families take over brick-making for the Yun Family. I never expected your hearts to be so black. Then don’t blame me—I’ll just build a few more kilns. The Yun Family will continue making bricks, and what’s insufficient will be supplied by his family. By the way, I still don’t know your name?”

“In reply to Your Lordship, this humble one’s surname is Liu, ranked third. You can just call this humble one Liu San. Previously I served under Duke Qiao, but later violated military discipline and was expelled from the camp, so I took up this livelihood. If Your Lordship entrusts brick and stone to this humble person, this humble person will supply them for free, only requesting that Your Lordship permit this humble person to put these characters on all bricks fired hereafter.” Though Liu San was no longer a soldier, his temperament hadn’t changed—he still had that military efficiency, yet his mind wasn’t stupid. He knew the value of these four characters. Other families’ century-old reputations might not be as effective as these four characters.

Hearing Liu San’s words, these three finally became anxious. The imperial family’s prestige among the common people was unparalleled. You could talk yourself hoarse saying your bricks were good, but it couldn’t compare to someone casually producing a brick carved with the four characters “Imperial Exclusive Use.” If even the imperial family used them, what would commoners have to worry about? You saw him carve them, but you didn’t dare randomly carve characters on your own family’s bricks—without permission, you’d be beheaded.

Without thinking, they knew this originally second-rate brick maker would replace them in very short order to become the capital’s largest brick and stone supplier. At this thought, they couldn’t help but become anxious. Merchants were the most pure people—there was absolutely no such thing as not correcting mistakes.

The plump Merchant Wang grabbed the contract he had just handed to Yun Ye, crumpled it into a ball, stuffed it in his mouth, and forcibly swallowed it. He prostrated himself on the ground kowtowing repeatedly, only hoping to obtain the Yun Family’s forgiveness.

The other two families were actually still hesitating, unable to decide whether to kowtow and beg for mercy or continue standing firm to the end. Their eyes darted around seeking a way to have the best of both worlds.

He Shao pulled up the kneeling Fat Wang and said to him, “Fine, just you two families then. The Marquis won’t make you work for free. You all have wives and concubines to support. You’ve gotten a huge bargain this time. This is a good thing that can be passed down to descendants—others couldn’t snatch it away even if they wanted to. Her Majesty only provided thirty thousand strings, which is only twenty percent of the silver needed to build the palace, so the price of your bricks and stones can only be twenty percent too. As for what price you sell to others, that’s up to you. If you have the ability to sell them at gold prices, that’s yours. Twenty percent only applies to palace construction. The bricks and stones for Xinghua Ward all go at original prices—not a single coin less.”

Liu San was also a clever person. He stepped forward, grasped Merchant Wang’s hand and said, “Older brother, this younger brother asks for your kind care in the future. Let us brothers build the imperial palace together—eight generations of ancestors will have face. Let’s see who dares block our brothers’ path. If they’re capable, let them sell bricks and stones to the imperial family first.”

The fat merchant was overcome with mixed grief and joy, celebrating his narrow escape. The remaining two had just thought it through and were preparing to agree when Yun Ye didn’t listen to their words. He waved his hand and they were carried out by Yun Family guards, thrown outside the gate. Someone spat and said “What trash” before turning back inside.

The merchants in the courtyard immediately quieted down. Some who had behaved arrogantly pressed against the wall roots wanting to slip out. The Yun Family servants were all watching—they invited them back one by one with ill intent. You think the Yun Family’s advantage is so easy to take? If the Marquis doesn’t skin you alive, will he let you go? Didn’t you see two were just thrown out?

With these examples, the others became very easy to talk to. There were no stupid merchants. Hearing of such a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, how could they not get involved? How difficult it was to build a foundation over a hundred years—what merchant didn’t understand this? Now there was a shortcut available. As long as they paid a temporary price, their descendants for three generations could rely on those four characters “Imperial Exclusive Supply” to eat and use endlessly.

Word spread, and the Yun Family became even more lively. This time everyone came bearing gifts. The Yun Family gatekeepers held their chins high, not even glancing at those merchants holding gifts. Just one sentence: “The Marquis is tired and resting. Not seeing guests.” Then bang—the door closed. Those who knew understood he was a gatekeeper; those who didn’t would think he was the Marquis himself.

Yun Ye wasn’t actually resting but was receiving nobles of all ranks in the reception hall. These people came to pay respects according to propriety, so naturally he couldn’t refuse them at the door. He welcomed them in respectfully, personally greeting them at the reception hall entrance.

“Brother Buqi, haven’t seen you in many days—missed you to death! Heard you rendered meritorious service for the nation on the grassland desert. I wished I could fly to Shuofang City in a single day to fight alongside you—wouldn’t that be wonderful!”

“Brother Shuren, heard you recently took a new concubine—supposedly an absolute beauty from Yanlai Tower. When will this younger brother pay respects to sister-in-law?”

“Get lost! Instead of coming to see your brother, you only think about my wife. What use are brothers like this? I also tried a honeydew at Yanlai Tower—nothing special. Brother Buqi, do you have any tricks? Quickly share them with your brother!”

“Haha, Brother Buqi, heard you got swindled by Empress Zhangsun again. This younger brother specially came to congratulate you. This younger brother also wants to be swindled by Her Majesty once, but sadly has no means to petition. That Brother Buqi can receive Her Majesty’s special regard—truly makes others envious!”

“Brother Buqi, this younger brother’s family depends on a single tung oil shop to survive. We’re all brothers—you figure it out.”

The hall was chaotic like entering a chicken coop—some exchanging pleasantries, some cultivating connections, some joking around, and some threatening with friendship. In short, Yun Ye was like grass in wind and rain, swaying back and forth.

Those who could come to the Yun Family were mostly military offspring. Yun Ye had no reason to refuse. The Great Tang military had always been very united, especially when facing civil officials. Even if they had enormous conflicts among themselves, once military interests were involved, there was nothing to say—they pointed their spears outward in unison.

Yun Ye now also belonged to the military system. These wastrel sons naturally spoke without taboos. He had to satisfy his own people first—this was the foundation of being a person and establishing oneself. The Yun Family set out a wine banquet to entertain a roomful of demons and monsters.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, the various wastrels without prior agreement put down their cups and looked at Yun Ye, waiting for him to speak. Only after finishing business could they continue drinking—their families were all waiting.

“Fellow brothers are all our own people, so this younger brother won’t speak those polite words. This younger brother was swindled by Her Majesty and grabbed a hot potato. No choice—since the decree was issued, even if this younger brother has to knock his head on the ground, he must complete it. Otherwise, we military folk’s face will be completely lost by this younger brother.”

“This younger brother racked his brains and finally thought of a way to build the palace with thirty thousand strings—that is, to sell naming rights. These naming rights can’t be sold for copper cash, otherwise His Majesty will hang this younger brother on a flagpole to dry. So I can only work from the price. Fellow elder brothers, as long as your family businesses can connect with palace construction, this younger brother will agree to everything. But let’s say the ugly words first—prices can only be supplied at twenty percent of original prices. Of course, this only applies to palace materials. Everything else, including Xinghua Ward, will be purchased at original prices. Will it work or not—fellow elder brothers give me a word.”

Since they were the same interest group, there was no need to distinguish between near and far, close and distant.

“What Brother Buqi says makes sense. How could thirty thousand strings be enough to build a palace—and the council hall at that? It’s only enough for twenty percent of expenses. My family does lacquer materials—they’re needed in the imperial palace. I’m putting my words right here—as long as it’s used in the palace, even if I lose money, I’ll supply it. Consider it helping Brother Buqi overcome difficulties. Nobody compete with me—whoever competes, I’ll beat them up.”

Liu Hongji’s son had this temperament. His old man came from hooligan origins—aside from fists, he had nothing else.

Very quickly, agreements were reached. When two families did the same business, they negotiated among themselves each family’s share—everyone was happy.

With business concluded, each family’s servants transmitted the news home. The wine banquet continued, the wastrels kept drinking. Yun Ye only remembered being pulled into the middle of the venue to dance—the Whirling Dance no less. Whirling and whirling, then he knew nothing more.

Another day had passed. Just now he hazily heard drums sounding. The sky had just brightened—why was someone constantly shaking him? Last night’s hangover made Yun Ye’s head unbearably painful. Impatiently pushing away the hand pushing him, he turned over preparing to sleep again.

This time there was no pushing—instead someone was prying open his eyelids. Yun Ye became furious. Who in the household was so bold? Didn’t they know he drank too much last night?

There was no way to sleep now. He scrambled up preparing to explode in anger, but what met his eyes was Li Chengqian, staring with two black circles under his eyes, asking Yun Ye: “Where did that one coin go?”