As the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the grand Governor’s Office, Zhao Ming stepped down, following closely behind Murong De. The building was a solid, imposing structure, its large wooden doors flanked by armored guards standing at attention. The air was thick with the scent of ink, parchment, and the faint aroma of tea drifting from inside.

  Murong De greeted the guards with a nod. “We’re expected,” he said confidently.

  One of the guards immediately recognized him and stepped aside. “Master Murong, please proceed.”

  Without hesitation, they entered the main hall, where a well-dressed servant was already waiting. Bowing respectfully, the servant gestured toward an inner corridor. “Master Murong, please follow me. The Governor is still in discussion, but he has arranged a waiting room for the esteemed guests.”

  Zhao Ming raised an eyebrow at the respectful tone. It seemed that Murong De’s status carried significant weight in Beihai.

  The waiting room was filled with the warm scent of brewed tea, and the polished wooden floors gleamed under the morning light filtering through the tall windows. The long table was set with cups and a steaming teapot, a sign of the Governor’s hospitality.

  Murong De took a seat, gesturing for Zhao Ming to do the same. Master Wang and Master Liu, the two rival merchants, studied Zhao Ming with keen interest.

  Master Wang, the rotund merchant, chuckled as he patted his large belly. “So, Murong De, who is this young man you’ve brought along? Another scholar with lofty dreams of running a business?”

  Master Liu, the lean and sharp-featured merchant, smirked and took a sip of his tea. “Or perhaps someone meant to keep an eye on us?” His gaze flickered toward Zhao Ming, his voice smooth. “You look sharp, young man. What’s your interest in trade?”

  Zhao Ming, sensing the unspoken challenge, remained calm. “For now, I am simply learning.” He picked up a teacup and examined the fine porcelain. “Trade is the lifeblood of any prosperous city, and understanding it is the first step to mastering it.”

  Master Wang let out a hearty laugh. “Hah! Well spoken! You must have been a scholar.”

  Murong De smirked. “He has talent in more than just books.”

  Master Liu tapped his fingers against the table, watching Zhao Ming carefully. “Learning, you say? Then tell me, young man—what do you think is Beihai’s most valuable trade asset?”

  Zhao Ming thought for a moment before answering. “Sea routes. Unlike inland cities, Beihai thrives on maritime trade. Control the docks, and you control the flow of goods.”

  Master Liu raised an eyebrow. “A good answer.”

  Master Wang grinned. “But incomplete! Trade isn’t just about control—it’s about demand. If Beihai doesn’t have goods people desire, then even controlling the docks won’t help.”

  Zhao Ming nodded. “That’s true. Beihai needs to create value beyond just being a port.” He turned to Murong De. “That’s likely why the Governor is calling for this meeting, isn’t it? The recent influx of refugees means more workers, but also more mouths to feed. New industries must be developed.”

  Murong De smiled approvingly. “You’re learning quickly.”

  Master Wang and Master Liu exchanged glances before laughing.

  “I like this kid,” Master Wang said, slapping his thigh.

  Master Liu smirked. “We’ll see if he can keep up once the real discussions begin.”

  Before anyone could continue, the door opened again, and a woman strolled in with an air of casual confidence.

  Lady Yu was in her early thirties, with sharp, intelligent eyes that missed nothing. Her long, dark hair was tied into a high ponytail, giving her a striking and energetic appearance. Unlike the more conservative robes of her male counterparts, she wore fitted silk robes that accentuated her graceful figure while maintaining an air of professionalism. A faint fragrance of orchids accompanied her as she entered.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  She flicked her fan open with a lazy motion and smirked. “Ah, I see the room is already full of scheming merchants.”

  Master Wang groaned. “And here comes the Sly Fox.”

  Murong De chuckled. “Zhao Ming, this is Lady Yu. She runs the Yu Trading Company and is one of the most successful merchants in Beihai.”

  Lady Yu’s eyes flickered with amusement as she looked Zhao Ming up and down, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Before she could speak, she let out a soft cough, covering her mouth with her fan.

  Zhao Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly. Her complexion was fair, but there was a faint trace of fatigue around her eyes.

  “Oh? And who is this handsome young man?” she asked after clearing her throat.

  Zhao Ming cupped his hands politely. “Zhao Ming.”

  Lady Yu’s lips curled into a smile. “What a pleasant surprise. A fresh face among all these old men.” She took a step closer, the faint scent of her perfume more noticeable now. “Tell me, Zhao Ming, are you looking to start a business? Or perhaps… seeking a partnership?”

  There was a teasing lilt to her voice, her eyes gleaming as if she enjoyed making him uncomfortable. However, before Zhao Ming could respond, she coughed again, this time a bit harsher. She turned slightly and pressed a hand to her chest, taking a controlled breath.

  Murong De let out an exaggerated sigh. “Lady Yu, must you always attempt to ensnare young men the moment you meet them?”

  Lady Yu laughed softly, though it ended with another cough. She quickly waved it off. “What can I say? A successful woman must always keep an eye out for talent.”

  Zhao Ming, noticing her frequent coughing, asked, “Lady Yu, are you feeling unwell?”

  She glanced at him, her expression momentarily unreadable before she smirked. “How sharp. Just a small ailment. The weather in Beihai is unpredictable—too much dampness in the air.”

  Master Liu smirked. “You work too much, Lady Yu. You should rest instead of running around seducing young men.”

  Lady Yu shot him a glare. “I’ll rest when I’m dead.”

  Zhao Ming studied her briefly. Her cough wasn’t severe, but it was persistent. It didn’t seem like a simple cold, but he chose not to pry further in front of everyone.

  Murong De shook his head. “Lady Yu, I brought Zhao Ming here for business, not for you to make trouble.”

  Lady Yu chuckled. “Fine, fine. But don’t blame me if someone else snatches him up first.”

  Master Wang laughed. “With that cough of yours, you’ll scare him away before you can snatch him up.”

  Lady Yu waved him off, though she hid another cough behind her sleeve. “Enough about me. When does the Governor intend to see us?”

  Just as she spoke, the doors opened again, and an aide entered with a bow. “The Governor will see you now.”

  Murong De stood, motioning for Zhao Ming to follow. The other merchants straightened their robes, their expressions shifting from playful banter to business.

  As they stepped into the Governor’s office, Zhao Ming took a deep breath. This meeting would decide the future of Beihai—and perhaps his own.

  As the group followed the aide down the wide hallways of the Governor’s residence, the merchants wasted no time in trying to extract information.

  Master Wang, the rotund merchant, walked with his hands clasped behind his back. “Aide Chen, I assume this meeting is about trade, yes? Or is the Governor planning to impose new taxes?”

  Aide Chen, a young man with a composed demeanor, gave a polite but vague smile. “The Governor will explain everything in due time, Master Wang.”

  Master Liu, the thin merchant, scoffed. “Come now, we’re all seasoned businessmen. Surely, you can give us a little hint? We wouldn’t want to come in unprepared, would we?”

  Lady Yu let out a soft chuckle, covering her mouth as she coughed lightly. “Oh, stop pretending. We all know you’re just fishing for information to gain an early advantage.” She turned her sharp gaze to Aide Chen. “But even so, we would be grateful if you could share a little something.”

  Murong De, walking with a relaxed yet authoritative presence, glanced at the aide but did not press the issue. Meanwhile, Zhao Ming walked silently behind him, listening intently.

  Aide Chen hesitated for a moment before finally relenting. “The Governor is concerned about the recent influx of refugees from different regions. Many have fled due to conflicts, drought, and bandit attacks. As you all know, Beihai has seen an increase in unfamiliar faces lately.”

  Master Wang rubbed his chin. “That explains the recent surge of beggars and cheap laborers in the marketplace. If this continues, it may disrupt the economy.”

  Master Liu smirked. “Disrupt? Or provide an opportunity for those who know how to take advantage?”

  Lady Yu flicked her fan open with a sly smile. “Either way, public safety must be maintained. Desperate people do desperate things. If the Governor is calling us here, he likely wants us merchants to help with the problem.”

  Murong De nodded. “It makes sense. The city must regulate this situation before it spirals out of control.”

  Zhao Ming absorbed every word. He had seen glimpses of the refugee issue on the way to Beihai, but now he understood the weight of the matter. This meeting wasn’t just about business—it was about shaping the city’s future.

  As they reached the Governor’s office, Aide Chen gestured for them to stop. “Please wait here while I inform Governor Kong of your arrival.”

  The merchants exchanged glances but remained silent as the aide stepped inside. The heavy wooden doors closed behind him, leaving the group standing in anticipation.

  Lady Yu tapped her fan against her palm. “I wonder how much we’ll be asked to contribute this time.”

  Master Wang chuckled. “You mean how much profit we can gain from it?”

  A moment later, the doors reopened, and Aide Chen stepped out with a slight bow. “The Governor will see you now.”

  Support the Novel! ??

  Also please consider join the free member on .