xymnovel Chapter 100 Year-End Settlement
Chapter 100 Year-End Settlement
Lunar New Year's eve.
Outside Jinan city, Lu's Manor.
Bright red lanterns hung high, illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime. A brand-new couplet, written by Lu Yan himself, was pasted on the lintel: "Auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year; the spring breeze brings blessings."
In the courtyard, servants bustled in and out, busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner. The aroma of meat wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the smell of firecrackers, filling the winter night air.
Lu Yan had no interest in celebrating the New Year.
He sat alone in his study, a thick account book spread out before him. The candlelight flickered, casting his shadow on the wall, sometimes long, sometimes short.
This ledger is his "record of achievements" for the year.
It wasn't a record of merit for the imperial court; it was his own.
What was recorded was not his official position or reward, but all the wealth he had accumulated in the past year—silver, land, manpower, firearms, connections… every single detail was written down clearly.
"Master, it's time for the New Year's Eve dinner."
Fan Fu's voice came from outside the door.
"Wait a minute."
Lu Yan didn't even look up, continuing to flip through the account books.
"Let them eat first; I still have some things to take care of."
"yes."
The footsteps faded into the distance.
Lu Yan turned to the first page of the account book, where several large characters were written:
"In the second year of the Tianqi reign, the year-end settlement was completed."
He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and began to check each line one by one.
I. Assets.
"Eighteen thousand taels of silver in cash. Three thousand two hundred mu of farmland, worth approximately ten thousand taels of silver. Thirty shops, worth approximately four thousand taels of silver. Mules, horses, carts, and other goods, worth approximately three thousand taels of silver."
Total: Approximately 35,000 taels.
Lu Yan drew a horizontal line under the number and nodded.
Thirty-five thousand taels.
This figure would be considered an immense fortune by ordinary merchants. But Lu Yan knew that this was just the beginning.
Compared to those truly great merchants, his wealth was nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
In Linqing, any salt merchant could easily amass a fortune of over 100,000 taels of silver. Silk and tea merchants in Jiangnan were even wealthier than entire countries.
But all they had was silver.
But he had more than just money.
"II. Arming."
Lu Yan turned to the second page and continued writing:
"The guard consisted of one hundred and fifty men, all handpicked elites. Fifty were equipped with flintlock muskets, thirty with crossbows, and the rest with swords and spears."
"The militia consists of two hundred men who farm in peacetime and train during the off-season. Although they are not as elite as the guards, they are still capable of fighting."
Firearms: 100 flintlock muskets, 70% of which are in good condition. Four breech-loading cannons, all operational. 800 catties of gunpowder and 2,000 lead bullets.
He stopped writing, looked at the numbers, and frowned slightly.
Three hundred and fifty people.
This number is neither too high nor too low.
In official circles, this wouldn't even amount to a fraction of a thousand-household garrison. But among the common people, it's already a considerable force.
More importantly, all 350 people are his men.
They were not soldiers of the imperial court, nor soldiers of the garrison; they were private soldiers recruited, trained, and supported by Lu Yan himself.
They eat his food, take his pay, and obey his orders.
In critical moments, they would risk their lives for him.
This is the real asset.
"III. Strongholds."
"Jinan Prefecture: The headquarters has been operating for three years, and its foundation is solid."
"Linqing: A key hub on the canal, with branch offices controlling a share of the wharf market."
"Texas: A key route northward, with a branch office there, also serving as an intelligence outpost."
"Dongchang: The gateway to the west, with a branch office, marking the initial layout."
"Yanzhou: After the White Lotus Rebellion, they took the opportunity to acquire farmland and established military settlements."
As Lu Yan looked at these place names, a map appeared in his mind.
Jinan, Linqing, Dezhou, Dongchang, Yanzhou... these strongholds are like chess pieces scattered across the map of Shandong.
They were connected by canals and official roads, forming a network.
This network is his foundation.
But this net is not big enough, nor dense enough.
He needs more footholds and wider coverage.
Especially in Dengzhou.
"IV. Network of Relationships."
Lu Yan turned to the fourth page and wrote:
"The garrison eunuch Liu Cheng: a powerful patron, he receives constant tributes every year, and the relationship is stable."
"Wang Tiqian, the Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial: We made contact through Liu Cheng. We haven't gotten to know each other well yet, but we already have a friendly relationship."
"Prefect Zhou Tingru of Jinan: My superior has already sent a generous gift; the relationship is still acceptable."
"Tongzhi Qian Shoulian: My political enemies have already obtained leverage over me; we'll wait for the right opportunity to strike."
"Prefect Zhao Dechang: A capable man, greedy for money and profit, but he has connections."
"Zhang Wenyuan's experience: A trustworthy person, highly capable, and straightforward."
He paused, pondered for a moment, and added another line:
"The Cui family of Qinghe: They intend to form a marriage alliance, but will discuss it further after the official position is further promoted."
Network of relationships.
This is the most important thing in officialdom.
Without connections, you're fighting alone. With connections, you have allies, support, and sources of information.
But relationships are a double-edged sword.
Backers may crumble, allies may change, and today's friends may be tomorrow's enemies.
Therefore, the most reliable relationship is always one based on mutual benefit.
Relationships remain stable as long as interests align. Conflicts of interest lead to broken relationships.
This is an ironclad rule in officialdom.
V. Intelligence.
"Shen Qing oversees the intelligence network, which now covers the entire Jinan area."
"We have informants in Linqing, Dezhou, and Dongchang."
"Yanzhou is making preparations, and Dengzhou has already sent people to gather intelligence."
"There are more than ten informants inside the government office, who can keep track of its movements at any time."
Lu Yan looked at this line and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
intelligence.
This is his greatest advantage.
He knows things others don't. He can warn of dangers others can't see. He can seize opportunities others miss.
Shen Qing is a talented person.
Having come from the Imperial Guard, he was an expert in intelligence work. Over the past year, he had expanded and densified his intelligence network.
But this is not enough.
The intelligence network needs to continue to expand, covering the entire Shandong province, and even extending to the capital and Liaodong.
Only by possessing sufficient intelligence can one remain invincible in this chaotic world.
"Sixth, foreshadowing."
Lu Yan turned to the last page and wrote:
"The families of Donglin Party members: Three households have been secretly resettled, to be put into use in case of future changes."
"The marriage alliance with the Cui family will be discussed again after he/she is promoted further in his/her official position."
"Dengzhou: maritime trade, the Liaodong supply line, the Li family, Kong Youde... these are the next key areas."
"The Imperial Wood's Fortune: The opportunity in the third year of the Tianqi reign must be seized."
He put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long sigh.
This is all the wealth he had in the past year.
Twenty-five thousand taels of silver, three hundred and fifty armed men, five strongholds, a network of relationships, an intelligence system, and several foreshadowing events.
From a penniless, impoverished student four years ago to a high-ranking official of the eighth rank in the imperial court today, he has come a long way.
But it's not far enough.
Even a magistrate of the eighth rank is still a minor figure in officialdom.
He needs a higher official position, greater power, and a broader stage.
And that opportunity is right in front of us.
Royal timber transfer.
Lu Yan stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.
Outside the window, firecrackers crackled and popped, and fireworks burst in the night sky, displaying a dazzling array of colors.
In the distant village, lanterns were lit in every household, and the sounds of laughter and cheerful conversation could be faintly heard.
This is a scene of peace and prosperity.
But Lu Yan knew that this peace was fake.
The war in Liaodong was intensifying, with the Jurchens pressing closer and closer. Factional strife raged within the court, and Wei Zhongxian wielded immense power. Natural disasters and man-made calamities followed one after another, leaving refugees everywhere and the people in dire straits.
This empire is slowly heading towards the abyss.
He, however, must find a way to survive in this abyss.
"Master."
Fan Fu's voice came from behind.
"The New Year's Eve dinner is ready, and everyone is waiting for you."
Lu Yan turned around, looked at Fan Fu, and smiled slightly.
"Let's go."
He closed the ledger and strode out of the study.
"A new year has begun."