Xiao Rongyan looked at Bai Qingyan with honest eyes.
Bai Qingyan suddenly understood.
Her man Ji Tingyu was stationed near Niujiao Mountain, which was why Xiao Rongyan had come to find her.
Her gaze swept across the map, her finger tapping on the stone table as she asked: “The business Master Xiao speaks of—is it related to these mountains?”
Xiao Rongyan straightened up, looking at Bai Qingyan with gravity: “I won’t hide it from Miss—these mountains contain iron ore.”
Setting aside personal feelings, he had carefully considered this. With Bai Qingyan’s people hidden nearby, his mining operations would certainly not escape her notice.
Rather than dealing with various nations while also matching wits with someone of Bai Qingyan’s intelligence and strategic acumen, it would be better to speak openly, gathering through mutual benefit to become allies in a mutually advantageous arrangement.
Moreover, if these mountains had Bai Qingyan’s protection, he wouldn’t need to fear discovery by Jin’s court.
Bai Qingyan looked into Xiao Rongyan’s eyes with a half-smile: “Master Xiao, rather than calling it business, it would be more accurate to say… You plan to entice with profit. I just wonder what Master Xiao can offer me.”
Standing under the lamplight, Xiao Rongyan’s gaze was calm as still water, gentle and composed, unfathomably deep like a bottomless pool. Watching Bai Qingyan hold the candlelight with her bright, half-smiling eyes as if everything was under her control, he couldn’t help but recall that night of farewell in Wanping City—bright moonlight cascading down, illuminating her breathtakingly beautiful features and slender neck, the fair and graceful curves, her composed eyes and the pair of warm jade-like ears that had flushed completely red with bashfulness—an image that lingered persistently in his mind.
His gaze focused intently on Bai Qingyan as he couldn’t help but step slightly closer, lowering his mellow voice and speaking deliberately: “I wish to join hands with Miss for mutual victory. Why Miss hides people in the mountains and creates bandit troubles—I understand clearly in my heart, and Miss understands as well. Miss wishes to conceal troops in the mountains for future needs, requiring weapons. Great Yan seeks to strengthen its military and prosper the nation, needing weapons even more.”
Xiao Rongyan drew somewhat near, completely overstepping propriety, yet made no frivolous moves, only gazing quietly at her. The warm, amber lamplight reflected in his deep black pupils seemed to carry tender affection.
Her hand holding the lamp tightened slightly. The low, restrained, and profound scent of aloeswood from Xiao Rongyan’s person faintly stirred her breathing. She withdrew her gaze, looking down at Xiao Rongyan’s ornate belt and jade ornaments, then imperceptibly turned away from him, lowering her eyes to examine the map carefully.
“So, what business does Master Xiao wish to conduct with me?” Bai Qingyan asked indifferently.
“I have no foundation in Jin and lack manpower, while the Bai clan has deep roots and extensive connections. Therefore, rather than going to the trouble of sending Great Yan’s loyal and capable people to Jin, it would be better to join hands with Miss. I’ll buy the mountains… Miss will operate the mines, and three-tenths of all gains will belong to Miss.” Xiao Rongyan said.
Speaking of it, with Bai Qingyan contributing manpower and receiving three-tenths of the mining profits, the terms were already quite generous.
Moreover, Xiao Rongyan’s arrival at this time could be said to resolve a major concern for Bai Qingyan.
Maintaining troops required grain and weapons.
Training soldiers within Shouyang city could still openly purchase supplies, and Ji Tingyu could currently manage with his small numbers. But what about when their forces grew numerous in the future? And there was A’Jue far away in Nan Jiang—though supported by various Bai Family Army generals, their numbers were ultimately limited. If they grew too large… Jin’s court might become suspicious.
“If the Bai family operates mines, we’d have to protect these mountains from Jin court discovery. If discovered, it would mean annihilation…” Bai Qingyan tapped her finger on the sheepskin map. “Master Xiao speaks easily, but in practice, it seems the Bai family would bear greater risks.”
“I’m in commerce, and merchants have a saying: wealth comes from taking risks.” Xiao Rongyan lowered his gaze to Bai Qingyan’s delicate profile, the fine angles and curves of her ear and neck. Unable to restrain himself, he leaned slightly closer to Bai Qingyan’s ear, his voice very low: “Miss and I are the same type of people. Having made plans, you won’t waver indecisively.”
Bai Qingyan’s palm tightened, her ear tingling slightly. They were extremely close, her shoulder nearly brushing against Xiao Rongyan’s chest, and when he spoke, the rise and fall of his chest was within arm’s reach.
The rain intensified, washing the blue tiles of the pavilion roof to a dark shine, and the mist stirred up by raindrops on the lake surface grew thicker.
Bai Qingyan steadied her mind, set down the lamp in her hand, turned to face Xiao Rongyan at half a step’s distance, her expression clear and unhurried: “The Bai family will operate the mines, smelting iron ore into usable weapons for Master Xiao. The Bai family won’t take advantage of Master Xiao either—fifty-fifty split!”
Xiao Rongyan looked at Bai Qingyan with a smile in his eyes, his fingers stroking the edge of the stone table as he pressed closer: “Miss should know that seventy-thirty… I’ve already made significant concessions.”
Bai Qingyan didn’t retreat an inch: “Great Yan is a vast nation, not without mountains domestically, especially after reclaiming Nanyan—Great Yan’s national strength has greatly increased. If I’m not mistaken, Master Xiao’s reason for opening mines within Jin’s borders is to supply weapons for Great Yan’s future armies stationed in the borderlands. Rather than transporting iron ore to the borderlands and troubling Master Xiao to arrange reliable people to smelt weapons there, it would be better for the Bai family to handle everything. After all, whether transporting iron ore or weapons to the borderlands, the risks are the same! With the Bai family handling everything, Master Xiao could deploy all of Great Yan’s loyal and capable people elsewhere, laying a more solid foundation for the future great undertaking.”
Future great undertaking…
Xiao Rongyan’s breathing grew heavier—Bai Qingyan truly understood him.
Those who achieve great things have a broad vision and never get bogged down in immediate interests.
Considering Great Yan’s needs, as long as today Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan could establish a foundation for cooperation, when Great Yan accumulated strength and competed for the Central Plains in the future, he might also invite Bai Qingyan to join in the planning.
Xiao Rongyan had never forgotten that Bai Qingyan had once said… the Bai family protected Jin’s people, not the Lin imperial power of Jin.
“Agreed.” Xiao Rongyan settled the matter with finality, yet still didn’t step back, only gazing quietly into her eyes.
Bai Qingyan’s palm tightened slightly. Xiao Rongyan’s steady presence was truly disturbing. She said, “If Master Xiao has no other matters, I won’t see you out. Once arrangements are made, I’ll have my steward contact Master Xiao’s steward.”
She had no interest in romance, yet couldn’t deny that Xiao Rongyan was an extremely charismatic man.
Though his appearance couldn’t match his brother, the Yan Emperor’s stunning, devastating beauty, his deeply carved features hidden beneath his gentle demeanor, and the accumulated worldly wisdom and depth carried an unfathomably steady charm.
Great Wei’s wealthy merchant Xiao Rongyan, despite his humble status, still possessed remarkable learning and bearing. Even standing among the nobility, he stood out like a crane among chickens, attracting the admiration of many noble ladies.
A cool breeze carrying moisture suddenly swept through the pavilion, causing the hanging lanterns to sway and chime, abruptly lifting the sheepskin map spread on the stone table. Both Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan hurriedly reached out to hold it down.
In the next instant, they collided, her forehead meeting Xiao Rongyan’s burning lips.
Around them was the sound of rain pattering on the lake surface, lantern flames flickering, light and shadow dancing, with occasional koi leaping from the water, creating splashes.