Moma Liangshan

Chapter 162 Li Qing's Opportunity, the Owner of the Wine Shop

When Li Qing evaded the question, Wang Hao asked directly, "Can Chen Zheng speak multiple languages?" Li Qing replied, "If the Maritime Trade Office didn't account for 70% of Quanzhou's annual revenue, how could Lord Chen Zheng, a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, have been appointed to the position of Inspector General?" Wang Hao smiled slightly and said, "You haven't answered my question." Chen Qing was somewhat dejected and said, "Doesn't Lord Wang understand? Dealing with foreign merchants doesn't require Lord Chen Zheng's personal involvement; otherwise, what would be the point of having us?" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "If I wanted to ask..." "Lord Li, could you do me a small favor that I can manage?" Li Qing, unable to offend Wang Hao, could only reply, "Please give your instructions, Lord Wang!" Wang Hao said, "You don't need to interfere with contacting the Lin family, Lord Li, but I'd like you to find me a group of people fluent in foreign languages. If you don't have any readily available, then train a group for me!" Li Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "There are a few people fluent in foreign languages ​​at the port, but they're all with Lord Chen Zheng, and Lord Chen Zheng's offer is extremely generous!"

Customs revenue held a very important position in the Northern Song Dynasty's finances. Wang Hao would never believe that Chen Lian, the prefect of Quanzhou, had no powerful backing in the court. Considering his own past conflicts with powerful officials like Tong Guan, Cai Jing, and Gao Qiu, he decided it was unwise to act ostentatiously in Quanzhou. He said, "Then I'll trouble Lord Li to train a group of people proficient in foreign languages ​​for the Jiaozhou Maritime Trade Office!" Seeing Wang Hao's resolute attitude, Chen Qing could only say, "This humble official is of limited ability and knowledge. If I fail to meet Lord Wang's requirements, please do not blame me!" Seeing that Li Qing did not refuse, Wang Hao was very pleased and asked, "How long will it take to train one person?" Li Qing replied, "One or two people will be sufficient for simple communication with foreigners." Wang Hao said, "I will send five people, and I will take care of their food and lodging. After two years, for each person who meets the standard, I will give Lord Li a reward of six hundred strings of cash." Li Qing was quite tempted, but cautiously asked, "What if I don't meet the standard?" Wang Hao said, "If you don't meet the standard, either Lord Li will forgo the six hundred strings of cash, or the time will be extended until you do." Li Qing unconsciously developed a liking for Wang Hao and said, "Thank you for your trust, Lord Wang!" Wang Hao continued, "I intend to form a joint fleet of Han and non-Han merchants. If you have suitable candidates, whether Han or non-Han, Lord Li can introduce them to Jiaozhou. You will certainly receive the appropriate benefits!"

Li Qing frowned slightly and said, "Lord Wang wants to send ships on a long voyage?" Wang Hao nodded and said, "It is only polite to reciprocate. The Song Dynasty fleet will surely be able to explore even more distant oceans!" Li Qing changed his previous timidity and decisively replied, "Alright!" Wang Hao suddenly realized that this Lord Li Qing seemed to have a special interest in navigation.

While strolling around Quanzhou Port, Wang Hao suddenly spotted a cart loaded with Baxian wine. He looked at Yang Zhi and said, "Send someone to follow it and see where the driver is taking the wine!" Yang Zhi obeyed and immediately sent a guard to follow. About half an hour later, the guard reported back, "There's a wine shop on the west side of the road that specializes in Baxian wine!" Wang Hao said, "Lead the way!" The wine shop wasn't far, about two miles away. Upon seeing Wang Hao and his companions enter, the waiter immediately greeted them with a smile, saying, "Are you gentlemen here to buy wine?" Wang Hao smiled and asked, "Is your master in the shop?" The waiter, becoming wary, inquired, "What business do you have with my master, gentlemen?" Wang Hao replied, "I need your master to do me a small favor!" The waiter asked, "Are you acquainted with my master, gentlemen?" Wang Hao answered, "No, we don't know each other." The waiter continued, "Since we are strangers, why do you ask my master for help?" Wang Hao said, "Although I don't know your master, your master knows me." The waiter frowned and said, "In that case, please tell me your name, gentlemen, so I can inform him!" Wang Hao nodded and said, "Wang Hao!" The waiter looked shocked but pretended not to know, saying, "Please wait a moment, gentlemen, I will go and fetch my master immediately!" With that, he dashed off to the backyard. Yang Zhi said, "This wine shop seems strange!" Wang Hao said, "We are just passing through; we don't need to meddle!" Yang Zhi replied, "Yes!"

The owner of the wine shop trotted over and hurriedly said, "Young master, it's an honor to have you here! I'm so sorry I didn't greet you properly!" Wang Hao looked closely and saw that the owner of the wine shop was a short, stout middle-aged man with a shrewd face. He said, "Sir, there's no need for such formalities. May I ask your name?" The wine shop owner replied, "I am unworthy of such a title. Please just call me Kong Jian!" Wang Hao nodded and said, "Do you know anyone from the Lin family?" Kong Jian pondered for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, and then said, "Yes!" Wang Hao said directly, "I would like to see the head of the Lin family. Please arrange it for me!" Kong Jian looked surprised but calmly replied, "That's not difficult, but I need your invitation!" Wang Hao said, "I have already written the invitation!" He then looked at Yang Zhi, who took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Kong Jian. Kong Jian then asked, "When and where would you like to meet the Lin family head, young master?" Wang Hao replied, "Within three days. The location will be arranged by the Lin family head!" Kong Jian nodded and said, "Where will you be staying temporarily, young master? I'll report back after this is done!" Wang Hao replied, "The post station!" Kong Jian said, "Does the young master have any other instructions? If not, I'll make a trip to the Lin family now!" Wang Hao said, "Thank you for your trouble!" Kong Jian told the shopkeeper, "Take good care of the young master. I'll be right back!" He then walked out of the shop. Wang Hao added, "The scenery in Quanzhou is quite nice; let's take another stroll!"

Eight Immortals Wine is a top-grade wine, and the Lin family is the richest family in Quanzhou, so it's understandable that Kong Jian is acquainted with them. The Lin family has a second son named Lin Yi, who admires the spirit of chivalry. However, unlike others who roam the world with swords, traveling to famous mountains and rivers, Lin Yi prefers to explore barren lands. In just four or five years, he has not only traveled throughout Fujian and Lingnan, but also visited Dali and Ryukyu. Kong Jian, carrying Wang Hao's visiting card, has come to pay his respects to Lin Yi. Upon seeing Kong Jian, Lin Yi said, "What brings you here, Boss Kong?" Kong Jian replied, "I've come to discuss serious matters. Someone wants to see your father!" Lin Yi's playful expression vanished, and he said, "These past few years, my eldest brother has been in charge. My father can't really be seen by just anyone." Kong Jian said, "This is a visiting card from Wang Hao of Tokyo. I think your father shouldn't be negligent!" Lin Yi frowned and said, "The owner of Eight Immortals Wine, Wang Hao?" Kong Jian nodded and said, "That's right!"