Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 35: Temptation

Yang Hao was neither from Wei nor Jin, nor even from Yu. He hailed from Tang. Those who knew him were well aware of his origins—perhaps Wang Chuan and his companions knew as well, though he had never spoken of it himself.

Now, someone had come from his homeland. Yang Hao ought to have been happy, yet joy eluded him.

The newcomer wore official robes, a tall crown atop his head, and a jade belt at his waist, exuding an unmistakable air of authority.

“Lord Minister,” Yang Hao was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly bowed in greeting.

It was only natural for people of Tang to pay respects to their officials. Each rank of office had its own distinctive attire; the higher the rank, the easier the recognition. Especially for merchants, who often needed to interact with officials—they remembered these robes better than the linings of their own clothes.

A governor of an entire province, a high-ranking official, appearing in a foreign land—how peculiar.

“No need for formalities, Master Yang. Your reputation precedes you,” the visitor said, helping him up and seeming to notice his confusion. “I am here as an envoy, sent in response to the strange events in Fucheng. The Wei delegation has arrived as well, led by the Sixth Prince. I’ve heard you are acquainted with the Crown Prince of Jin—let’s see who they send.”

This was a matter of great importance. Just as Jin once sent Qi Hao to Wei, such choices reflected the ruler’s intentions.

Now, Wang Chuan remained in Fucheng, in Yu; the entire Jin court surely knew. His status was incomparable now—no longer a hostage prince.

So, who would Jin’s ruler send this time?

Yang Hao was keenly interested.

“By the way, my name is Lu Hongjing,” the visitor added.

“Grand Tutor Lu…” Yang Hao rose in surprise.

“That is my father,” Lu Hongjing nodded. “I went to the army for training years ago and missed the chance to meet you. Later, I often heard my father speak of you. Meeting you now fills me with many emotions.”

“Minister Lu, you are too kind,” Yang Hao said respectfully. “Grand Tutor Lu is my benefactor. If not for his help in Tang, I would not be where I am today.”

They exchanged a few words, reminiscing about their homeland and amusing anecdotes, feeling at ease.

“May I ask what brings you here, Lord Minister?” Yang Hao inquired, turning to the matter at hand.

If it were for no reason, Yang Hao doubted the other would seek him out. Though they had never met, each had heard of the other. Had Yang Hao known he was here, he would have paid his respects personally.

“Master Yang, you have rendered service and kindness to Tang. During wartime, you supplied the army and transported grain. His Majesty remembers your contributions and wishes to grant you a noble title,” Lu Hongjing said.

“A title?” Yang Hao was startled, feeling both honored and anxious.

“Indeed, His Majesty has instructed me to invite you personally and to grant you the rank of Baron,” Lu Hongjing continued. “Though the voices of the masses are hard to silence, all you need is to donate ten thousand taels of silver.”

Ten thousand taels—a barony was not expensive to buy. Though it was only for life and not hereditary, the Tang ruler sought to win him over.

But why was Yang Hao so valued? If it were merely a formality, even the ten thousand taels might not be required. Yang Hao lacked neither money nor did Tang’s court.

“When I was young, I loved to study, but my family was poor and I could not afford schooling,” Yang Hao sighed. “All trades are humble, only scholarship is esteemed. Whenever I had free time, I would pick up a book, admiring the ways of sages. Later, forced by circumstance, I entered commerce. Society values farming over trade, merchants are barred from the exams, and that path was closed to me. My aspiration to serve the people was lost. Now, Lord Minister honors me, and His Majesty favors me—I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy.”

“Then accept it. I shall petition His Majesty to assign you several counties to govern. You may return home in glory and fulfill your ambitions!” Lu Hongjing said earnestly. “My father never looked down on merchants, saying that every profession is indispensable. He valued you above all, believing that a strong merchant class strengthens the nation and enriches the people.”

But you do not truly value me.

Yang Hao felt helpless. Years in business had taught him to speak to people as needed, to adapt. Only with Grand Tutor Lu in the past, and now with Wang Chuan, could he be sincere and straightforward.

“I appreciate your kindness, Minister Lu, but times have changed,” Yang Hao said with difficulty. “People are always greedy. When I was young and worked as a laborer, earning five coins a day to feed my mother, I was happy. Later, I sought to earn a hundred, a thousand taels… Desire knows no bounds.”

“Is a barony not enough for you?” Lu Hongjing exclaimed. “What do you want then? A marquisate? A governorship?”

The sale of titles was not forbidden in various lands, often used to supplement the treasury. But offices had limits, mostly in name with little power, or power without substance. Even officials sometimes needed to ‘honor’ their superiors.

“There are matters unfinished for me in Fucheng. The title can be discussed later,” Yang Hao refused directly. “For now, I merely wish to tend to my business and prosper honestly.”

“Are you intent on offending both myself and His Majesty?” Lu Hongjing’s brow furrowed, his tone growing stern. “My father valued you greatly, taught you business, invested in the arts with you… He said merchants can serve the nation and the people, bring relief and employment. When merchants are honored, the nation grows strong and the people grow rich.”

That was Grand Tutor Lu—one word from him, and Yang Hao would obey without hesitation.

But now it was Lu Hongjing—was he worthy?

“If I agree, aside from ten thousand taels, what else must I pay?” Yang Hao asked directly.

What did they truly want from him, offering rank and honor in exchange?

“I’ve heard the Crown Prince of Jin is in exile, and you have lobbied for him, forming factions and alliances. He relishes such renown—back when the Zhao Merchant Association was involved, and in Wei, he distributed food and clothes to the people. Later, it was said he was enlightened by a sage… In Fucheng, who is gathering officials of Yu for him?” Lu Hongjing said. “Yang Hao, do you really think you and Wang Chuan are like Lü Buwei and the Stranger?”

“Lord Minister, it matters not what the world thinks of us. We know what we are doing; we act and speak as gentlemen,” Yang Hao sighed. “Those who walk different paths cannot work together.”

He now understood that the true reason for this was Wang Chuan.

No wonder he was so highly valued—such great lengths taken to draw him away from Wang Chuan’s side.

After today’s refusal, he would likely be branded as ungrateful, a traitor to his homeland.

It mattered little.

A gentleman must adhere to his principles.

“Yang Hao, do you remember that my father never accepted gifts, yet made an exception for you? Whatever you brought, he accepted, but if it was too valuable, he would exchange it to aid the poor,” Lu Hongjing reminded him.

“Of course I remember. Grand Tutor Lu wished to show his esteem for me, and I was always cautious, never daring to tarnish his reputation,” Yang Hao replied. “My gifts were always tokens of respect, never substantial wealth.”

“Why can you not accept today? Life and legacy—fulfilling such wishes would have brought my father joy if you rose to prominence,” Lu Hongjing said.

“Why must you always invoke the Grand Tutor to pressure me, Lord Minister? Why force me thus?” Yang Hao straightened. “There are things I will strive for, but not through betrayal or selling out.”

“Why are you so stubborn, Master Yang? The Book of Poetry says: ‘To cut an axe handle, use an axe handle as a model; though you look at it askance, it is not far away.’ If you cut wood for an axe handle, you use the old handle as a guide. Merchants are always practical, crossing rivers by boat, driving carts across plains. When you cut an axe handle, the new and old differ—grain, texture, length, thickness—but that does not mean the new handle is unfit. Once attached, it works just as well,” Lu Hongjing said, growing agitated.

“Since you can now receive rank and honor, why not accept and glorify your ancestors? Do not forget you are Tang-born, as are your family and clan. I am a Tang official, and it is the Tang Emperor who values you. Wang Chuan is Jin’s Crown Prince, an outsider. Why walk his path to the end?”

“The Master said: ‘The Way is not far from man. If people pursue the Way and it becomes distant, it cannot be the Way,’” Yang Hao shook his head, quoting the Doctrine of the Mean.

Wang Chuan’s actions may not embody grand ideals, but he was far better than those hypocrites, steadfast in his heart and pursuit of the great Way.

Such a man was worth following. Yang Hao would not betray his heart or principles.

This was the way of the gentleman, the rightful path.

Just as Confucius used the axe handle as an example for governing people, so too could one not demand total uniformity. Though modeled after the old handle, each new one was different. But the key principle was that the head fit the axe. Likewise, human conduct could vary, but must accord with the standard; if not, it must be corrected.

Yang Hao felt no shame in his heart, yet they pressed him to abandon Wang Chuan. What was their aim?

The situation was far from dire; he would never harm Tang.

“Tang and Jin are not enemies, are they?” Yang Hao asked, puzzled. “Prince Wang Chuan has no ties to Tang…”

Why, then, was Tang targeting him? It could not be so simple. If he left Wang Chuan’s side, Wang Chuan would lose support, but surely there was more to it; if he agreed, further demands would follow.

“Jin borders Tang; we cannot let them rest easy,” Lu Hongjing declared bluntly. “Wang Chuan is too forceful—if he gained power, he would be a formidable neighbor. He has no foundation in Jin but is legitimate. Returning to Yang City, he will inevitably compete with other princes, and we can exploit the chaos. Tang’s cavalry is famed throughout the realm; we could strike swiftly and decisively…”

“The ruler of Jin is still vigorous; talk of succession is premature,” Yang Hao shook his head, unconvinced.

Clearly, the other had not spoken the truth. Why target Wang Chuan so insistently?

He sensed there was some deeper truth he could not reach.

“When the Zhao Merchant Association abandoned Wang Chuan, you stood by him. You were mocked then, yet today all admire you. Wang Chuan’s fame now spreads across the land—his words astound the world, his martial prowess commands mountains and rivers,” Lu Hongjing said patiently. “Now, you could forsake him for honors and wealth. It would be a brilliant investment, and the world would praise you. Merchants cannot take the exams, but your son could.”