An undercurrent seemed to be surging through Chang’an City. Civil officials were tirelessly making connections everywhere, preparing to launch a new round of attacks. Those rushing about were all remonstrance officials—reporting based on hearsay was their specialty. The Yun family no longer did business in Guanzhong, but beyond the frontier they collected everything—even wool, it was said. What use were these waste materials? Making felt? No, this was blatantly aiding the enemy. Otherwise, who would trade grain, ceramics, iron pots and such for those useless things? There was something fishy here—it must be investigated. The Yun and He family caravans were thus constantly subjected to inspections. On the surface it was very polite, but in reality the searches were extremely thorough.

“Old Gao, have all the local governments along the route gone mad these days? Our family’s caravan has been searched four times already. What exactly do they want?” The caravan guard captain asked the steward.

“Jealous, what else? Seeing our family made money, every one of them wants to come grab a bite. As a result, the Marquis got angry and stopped all business, didn’t leave a single location. These beasts see they can’t get benefits in Guanzhong, so they want to squeeze our necks. I estimate if it weren’t for the Second Mistress being on the grasslands, the Marquis might even stop the grassland trade.”

“What Second Mistress? Old Gao, don’t talk nonsense. There’s no such thing yet. Although she wears a married woman’s hair bun, anyone can see she’s still a maiden. If the Young Mistress hears these words, she’ll skin you alive.”

“Don’t say anything, but I think it’s a matter of time. This one on the grasslands isn’t as pretty as the Young Mistress. Besides, the Young Mistress is now pregnant. Our family branching out and prospering is inevitable. When the time comes, how can we let such a huge grassland enterprise benefit outsiders? The Second Mistress is a bit plain, but I estimate for the sake of family business, the Marquis doesn’t have much choice.”

The two chatted while leading the caravan forward, and before they knew it, reached the ferry crossing. Every crossing had an official tax dock. To cross the river, one must first pay taxes. The Yun family’s taxes had always been settled together in Chang’an. For some unknown reason, today’s clerk actually demanded the Yun family pay taxes. This greatly shocked Steward Gao. The matter was serious—this meant those fellows no longer cared about saving face at all.

The tax couldn’t be paid. Once paid, the Yun family’s reputation would be ruined. Steward Gao had no choice but to withdraw the caravan from the dock and dispatch someone to rush to Chang’an overnight, requesting the Marquis make the decision.

At this very moment, the Censorate was also in an uproar—about nothing else but the Yun family’s suspicious trade. One faction advocated using forceful means to cut off the Yun family’s trade routes. The most passionate advocate was Censor Huang You, who firmly believed that although the grasslands had already been pacified, that place had always been one of submission and rebellion with no trustworthiness whatsoever. They could only be intimidated with power, not won over with gentleness. The Yun family’s practices must be resolutely prohibited.

Once someone started, naturally it couldn’t be stopped. The Censorate had always been a place that dared to think and speak. As long as there was the slightest thread of evidence, they didn’t mind exaggerating it into a monstrous calamity.

Wei Zheng sat behind his desk without speaking, eyes closed as if his soul was wandering beyond heaven. Only after those censors reached consensus did he finally open his eyes to look at the memorials his subordinates had placed on his desk. He counted them—a full twenty.

“These are all your memorials impeaching Yun Ye?”

“Yes, Lord Wei. We have enumerated six major crimes of Yun Ye, seven medium crimes, and thirteen minor crimes.”

“Do you all have solid evidence for these accusations?”

“We serve as censors—reporting on rumors is our duty. We dare not be negligent.”

“Huang You, think clearly. You and I both know how credible this evidence is. Once Yun Ye counterattacks, I believe it will only bring you utter destruction. How massive was the Dou family? Gone in a single day—this is a lesson from the past!”

Raising his head to look at Huang You with cold sweat pouring down, Wei Zheng continued: “Actually, it’s all about interests. Originally thinking the merchants would collapse, you withdrew your shares from merchant households. Who knew Her Majesty would establish a money house, lending her own money to merchants at extremely low interest? The merchants regained vitality. You wanted to reinvest, but were all refused, right? I’ve always looked down on merchants, but this time I think the merchants did nothing wrong. In their place, I wouldn’t want a heartless, disloyal partner either. Their businesses have money from Her Majesty and the Crown Prince—you don’t dare trouble them, so you think Yun Ye is easy to bully and prepare to vent your anger on him?”

With a sweep of his sleeve, all the memorials on the desk were swept to the floor. Gripping the desk and leaning forward, he roared: “Yun Ye said there aren’t many good people in court—I still didn’t believe it. Now I finally see clearly! One after another appearing dignified but utterly shameless, stripping to fight over a few copper coins, not even wanting the most basic official courtesy. We all know where Yun Ye’s money went—in three years he built the Great Tang’s largest, most comprehensive academy, yet he himself lives simply. I hear that in your households there are special cooks just for slicing scallions—truly ‘no food is too fine.’ Who among you has seen Yun Ye sitting on the academy steps eating with two steamed buns in his hands?”

“Speaking of eating, he’s eaten more than you’ve all seen. The food he makes is heavenly delicacy. After tasting it once, I can’t forget it. What does he call us? You know? Bumpkins—country folk who haven’t seen the world. From your actions, he really didn’t get it wrong.”

“If there’s solid evidence, you don’t need to lift a finger—I’ll fight him to the death myself. Look at this—establishing a kingdom beyond the frontier? Surrounded by Great Tang’s elite troops on all sides, a few hundred herdsmen want to rebel? Huang You, do you believe it?”

“‘Bizarre tricks poisoning students’—at least wait until your learning surpasses Li Gang before saying this, alright? Civil officials should unite somewhat, but not just to oppose for opposition’s sake. I know some people have already notified local officials to use some tactics regarding the Yun family’s affairs. I only hope you haven’t gotten in too deep, or no one can save you.”

Having said all this, Wei Zheng left the Censorate, letting them consider their own matters. As their superior, he had done what he should. He didn’t dare imagine what terrifying things Li Tai—who had already been jumping with rage because there was too little wool—would do once the wool supply was cut off.

Three days and nights without sleep, just to watch the loom work. Every time a thread broke, Li Tai convulsed as if carved by a knife. Although the final fabric wasn’t good, its prototype could be seen.

Success was imminent. Wei Zheng of course knew that once wool could make clothing, what effect it would have on governing the Great Tang. The grasslands and the Central Plains would form an inseparable interest group. There would never again be talk of barbarians disturbing China.

Li Tai in work mode was violent and merciless, like a machine himself, detesting all disorder. His attending eunuchs had already been replaced three times, all because they urged him to eat or sleep and got beaten—and he beat them with whatever was at hand. For instance, the eunuch just carried out had been hit on the arm with a hammer, fracturing the bone.

“Ye Zi, I need wool! I need massive amounts of wool! Have your woman shear all the sheep on the grasslands bare—I want wool! I’m about to succeed!”

Looking at the crazed Li Tai, Yun Ye was very worried about his health. Ever since his water wheel succeeded, he had taken over the difficult problem of spinning wool into thread and weaving cloth from Gongshu. In a few months’ time, the plump Li Tai had lost a huge amount of weight and darkened. His old clothes now hung loosely on him.

“Never mind the wool for now. The attendant just carried out said you haven’t eaten all day. Your liver fire is too vigorous. Rest first. The wool will be transported back to you soon. Na Rimu said this batch of wool is very good—enough for you to use for a while.”

“Ye Zi, help me give that eunuch ten strings of cash. Once I start working, I can’t control myself. Just tell them not to bother me when I’m working in the future. Once wool can make clothing, Ye Zi, you and I both understand what that means. For our Great Tang to establish a foundation for ten thousand generations, we need to build from the foundation up. We’ll build the most solid foundation for future generations. Even if they’re useless, they can squander for a couple more years.”

He had never heard Li Tai speak this way before. Yun Ye was somewhat stunned—he actually had such a sentimental side. He pushed Li Tai’s shoulder to wake him from his fantasies: “First live your own life well. Don’t think too far ahead. The future isn’t something we can control. Your big brother specially brought you several good things, saying you should nourish yourself well. You’ve lost so much weight these days it breaks his heart.”

“I was too fat before—you kept mocking me. Why do you want to nourish me now? Random nonsense making no sense.” Though speaking nonsense with his mouth, his hands quickly opened the food box. He recognized the half-foot-long giant prawns and the crabs. Beef wasn’t unusual. But what were those blackish things?

Never mind. Just from the dishes, he knew they came from Yun Ye’s hand. Yun Ye’s products were always top quality—this had long been verified, no need to doubt. The first dish Li Tai reached for was those blackish things. Good stuff! Only when eating did he feel the sea cucumber’s deliciousness. Li Tai had always loved eating the carved-rice rice Xinyue made. He didn’t touch the other dishes, just ate a large bowl of rice with the scallion-fried sea cucumber before putting down his bowl and chopsticks. He instructed guards to give the remaining dishes to the weavers participating in the research, and held a small teapot himself to rinse his mouth.

Old Qian came running over in a hurry with a letter. Looking at the heading, it was an urgent letter from Steward Gao transporting wool. Obstructed at the Yellow River crossing—now even if they paid taxes, the Yun family caravan wasn’t allowed through. They said investigation was needed.

Yun Ye punched the pillar with one fist and didn’t speak for a long time. Li Tai impatiently took the letter to read. His eyes immediately turned red. He called over his guard captain and said viciously: “Right now, ride a fast horse to the crossing and bring my wool back. I don’t care what methods you use. In any case, if something happens, I’ll bear it. I only want wool!”

The guard captain shouted acknowledgment and dashed out. Li Tai looked at the empty wool-washing pool and shouted loudly: “I just want a bit of wool—that’s all! Even this, you bastards want to sabotage?”

Old Qian pulled Yun Ye out of the worksite and quietly said to him: “My lord, will the Prince cause a huge mess? That wouldn’t be worth it. Will this kind of goading tactic work?”

“It’s a great boon for his Li family. I’m just making a bit of money from it. If he doesn’t take the lead, who will? Even if it’s a mountain of knives or sea of fire, he should wade through it. Our family just needs to share the profits.”