The Frontier Prince: Starting From Scratch - Chapter 19 - Forming Alliances

“Your Highness, this is Wang Yanzhong, the head broker of the Yan Prefecture human brokerage.”

In the guest hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a black silk robe bowed deeply.

“Commoner Wang Yanzhong pays his respects to Your Highness.”

After Liu Fu’s introduction, Wang Yanzhong kowtowed to Zhao Xu.

“Rise,” Zhao Xu said, observing Wang Yanzhong.

His face was dark, with a scar running across his chin.

In ancient times, human brokerage was the business of trading people.

From high-ranking officials to common folk, anyone needing maids could turn to them.

Such trade was legal in this era.

Naturally, Zhao Xu sought him for business.

As the saying goes, “Every trade has its master.”

The human brokerage, being in this line, naturally knew how to procure people.

And what Zhao Xu needed most at the moment was manpower.

Whether to bolster the Prince’s Mansion’s personal guard, cultivate land, or advance various technologies in the future.

“I am looking to purchase some maids. How many do you have available?” Zhao Xu inquired.

He had just acquired a hundred thousand taels of silver from the Zhang Family, perfect for buying a large number of maids.

Wang Yanzhong breathed a sigh of relief.

Though human brokerage was a legitimate business, it was often looked down upon.

Like brothels, it frequently faced government harassment.

On his way here, he had been anxious, fearing Prince Yan might trouble him.

Hearing Zhao Xu’s intentions, he felt more at ease.

“Your Highness, I have three hundred maids, including one hundred fifty-six young adults, sixty-three women, and some craftsmen. What does Your Highness require?”

Zhao Xu showed a hint of disappointment; the number was too small.

However, Yan Prefecture was a small place, and expectations couldn’t be too high.

“What are the prices for women, young adults, and craftsmen?”

“Woman and young adults without skills are five taels, craftsmen ten taels, courtesans fifteen taels…”

Zhao Xu nodded, “I will take them all.”

Having established the Prince’s Mansion’s personal guard and taken control of the Yan Prefecture troops, besides regular training, he needed to provide them with superior weapons and armor.

Only then could he forge a strong army.

Otherwise, how could soldiers on par with regional magnates’ private soldiers protect Yan Prefecture?

The Beidi, who swept across Yan Province like wildfire, were no joke. To win against them with fewer numbers, he needed sharp claws and fangs.

Therefore, he took on the task of forging weapons and armor, using the advanced techniques in his mind to equip his troops with the best.

After all, why waste an advantage?

This was why he urgently needed young adults and craftsmen; he intended to bypass the government office’s armory and start anew.

“Your Highness, I will deliver them tomorrow morning,” Wang Yanzhong said, delighted by the unexpected large order.

Zhao Xu wasn’t planning to let Wang Yanzhong leave just yet.

“Would you like to engage in a major business deal with the Prince’s Mansion?”

“A major deal? Isn’t this already a major deal?” Wang Yanzhong asked, puzzled.

Zhao Xu shook his head, “A deal worth a thousand taels isn’t major. I’m talking about deals worth millions, tens of millions of taels. If you do well, I might even consider giving you a position in the Prince’s Mansion.”

“Millions, tens of millions, a position?” Wang Yanzhong was astounded, his mouth agape.

He was merely a humble person, never having dreamed of such aspirations.

After hesitating for a while, unable to fathom Zhao Xu’s intentions, he said, “I humbly ask Your Highness for guidance.”

“I want to buy your human brokerage, and from now on, you’ll work for the Prince’s Mansion. You’ll travel across the Dasong Dynasty, to the grasslands and the seas, to gather people for the mansion. What do you think?” Zhao Xu said casually. “Of course, if you’re unwilling, that’s fine.”

Wang Yanzhong was stunned.

He couldn’t understand why Prince Yan needed so many people. As the ruler of Yan Prefecture, he had access to everyone there, so why worry about a lack of people?

But then he thought it might be an opportunity. His brokerage was just a small business, often looked down upon. If the Prince’s Mansion bought it, he’d become part of the prince’s entourage. As Prince Yan said, if he could secure a minor official position in the future, it would be like a blessing from his ancestors.

Immediately, he kowtowed again and said, “Your Highness, how could a humble person like me refuse your favor? I hope for your guidance in the future.”

“That’s great,” Zhao Xu replied with a smile.

He was buying the brokerage as a precaution. Yan Prefecture had the smallest population in Yan Province, much like a frail body that couldn’t withstand much strain. A battle with the Beidi could deplete the young adults of Yan Prefecture. Moreover, most people in Yan Prefecture were under the control of regional magnates.

By using the brokerage to gather displaced people from across the Dasong Dynasty and bring them to Yan Prefecture, Zhao Xu aimed to address this issue. After all, rather than letting many landless and struggling people of Dasong die needlessly, it was better to gather them under his banner and build his domain.

He would offer them a new life.

However, this was his first interaction with Wang Yanzhong, and he wasn’t sure of his character. So he turned to the servant standing by the door and said, “Zhou Yi, from today, you will work with Wang Yanzhong on the brokerage matters.”

Zhou Yi was one of the servants who had switched allegiance along with Liu Fu. Assigning him was to keep an eye on Wang Yanzhong.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Zhou Yi replied.

Liu Fu had become the chief counselor of the Prince’s Mansion, and others envied him.

Zhou Yi was thrilled to be given this task by Zhao Xu.

Having worked in the brokerage for a long time, Wang Yanzhong was shrewd enough to understand Zhao Xu’s intentions. He didn’t mention it but said, “Brother, from today, we both serve the Prince’s Mansion. If I offend you, please forgive me.”

“Don’t worry, as long as we serve His Highness diligently,” Zhou Yi replied politely.

Zhao Xu glanced at the two and said, “Starting tomorrow, you will strive to gather displaced people and redeem maids and craftsmen from various places. If you need silver, take it from the Prince’s Mansion.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Wang Yanzhong and Zhou Yi replied in unison.

After settling this matter, Zhao Xu instructed Wang Yanzhong to go to the storage to collect silver. Business is business, and the silver for purchasing maids and the brokerage must be given to him.

Once the two had left, Liu Fu said, “Your Highness, gathering people will consume a lot of silver. At this rate, the Prince’s Mansion’s silver won’t last long.”

Zhao Xu walked out of the guest hall, recalling the liquor he drank at the midday banquet, and smiled, “Don’t worry, I have a way to make money.”

Liu Fu was taken aback. He thought Prince Yan was like a magician, coming up with ideas in the blink of an eye.

Still in shock, he saw Zhao Xu call over a servant.

“Find a clay pot and a bamboo tube. Make a hole in the clay pot and insert the bamboo tube, then set up a stove,” Zhao Xu instructed.

The servant, though puzzled, followed the orders.

Soon, two servants came carrying a clay pot. It was just as Zhao Xu had requested, with a hole and a bamboo tube as thick as a wrist inserted.

“What does Your Highness want with this?” Liu Fu asked curiously.

“Have you ever drunk liquor?”

“Of course, who hasn’t? Even women drink liquor,” Liu Fu replied matter-of-factly.

Zhao Xu nodded slightly, and with pride, said, “But what they drink is ordinary. My liquor will be akin to celestial brew.”