He had expected to see a young face, but the person who came was even younger than Zhang Ci had imagined. He looked barely into his early twenties. Weren't the people who sent him afraid that such a young man might be too careless and ruin the so-called cooperation? Before the young man even spoke, Zhang Ci felt a sense of unease. Although he wasn't the type to blindly value seniority, he didn't believe in prodigies either. And in the officialdom, there was no such thing as a prodigy.

"Greetings, esteemed Sir. I am Kong Xinhua from Xihe. I have taken the liberty of visiting you today for a business proposition," Kong Xinhua said, respectfully bowing to Zhang Ci before getting straight to the point.

"Business? I wonder what kind of business you're referring to?" Zhang Ci deliberately adopted a somewhat arrogant demeanor.

"Our Kong family used to engage in maritime trade, esteemed Sir. Although this business is indeed dangerous, the profits are also remarkably high," Kong Xinhua said. "Over the years, it has allowed our Kong family's wealth to grow considerably."

Zhang Ci picked up his teacup, his lips barely touching the rim before he set it down again. The Kong family, he had heard of them. Their reputation in official circles wasn't particularly good, mainly because their "tributes" seemed insufficient. However, they were quite renowned locally for their chivalry, having done a great deal of good. Their maritime trade, in reality, was just smuggling. There was no official trade between Dongping and Beiliao. However, both sides always had things the other needed. Although Dongping had established several large horse farms, they were still keen on Beiliao's warhorses, while Dongping's products were essential for all walks of life and social classes in Beiliao. Despite the long-standing "embargo" between the two countries, Tiansuo Clock Shop's grandfather clocks remained a standard fixture for many Beiliao aristocratic families to display their status. The Kong family, in addition to having at least two maritime routes for trade, also had many land routes. In recent years, their business had grown immensely, easily placing them among the top three trading families in Beiliao.

Seeing Zhang Ci's calm demeanor, Kong Xinhua continued, "However, even the best hunters can get pecked in the eye. This time, our family was tricked by Dongping. Lord Zhang, you should know that before Dongping declared war on Beiliao, Dongping drastically increased the price of grain purchases, right?"

Zhang Ci didn't speak, simply nodding his head.

"Dongping doesn't actually lack grain, they only did that to greatly reduce Beiliao's grain reserves. At that time, the price was more than five times higher than the average grain price in Beiliao, and even with shipping costs, there was still a good profit to be made. Last year, Beiliao's overall harvest was quite good, and at the time, no one felt that there would be a war, so many aristocratic families sold their grain to merchants like me, and then transported it to Dongping in large quantities. The price of purchasing grain from those aristocratic families and landlords was already much higher than the average grain price. The amount of grain flowing to Dongping at that time was shocking. Our Kong family specializes in trade and doesn't have particularly strong relationships with the aristocratic families in various places, so we couldn't get that much grain. Otherwise, with such high profits, we would have inevitably been caught in the trap. But as of now, I still have two *wan shi* (a unit of dry volume, approx. 100 liters) of coarse grain in my hands. It's not that I want to keep it, but... since Dongping started attacking Liao, they naturally interrupted the purchase. This grain was purchased at a high price, and it's difficult to sell it. Moreover, esteemed Sir, you also know that while transporting this grain on the road is naturally fine, keeping it in hand is not good. Once people find out about this hoarding, it's really a bit... troublesome."

Zhang Ci looked at the young man intently. The young man's eloquence and organization showed him that the young man's ability was indeed outstanding. He was already attracted by what the young man said. Two *wan shi* of grain... there must be more to it. Otherwise, the Kong family could easily digest just two *wan shi* of grain, and, during this great war, hiding it and eating it themselves would be a good choice. Whether they won or lost, how could these families engaged in maritime trade not have connections in Dongping? No matter how thoroughly the forces of the aristocratic families were purged, it wouldn't be their turn.

Sure enough, Kong Xinhua sighed and said, "Once trade between the two countries stopped, many small and medium-sized merchants couldn't hold on. Esteemed Sir, you also know that trade, especially this kind of high-risk trade, a batch of goods stuck in your hands is a very serious matter. Our Kong family couldn't bear to see it, so my father and I successively purchased the grain from those merchants who were having trouble with their grain reserves. Now, we have a total of several dozens of types of grain from different production areas, different years, refined and coarse, totaling a full forty-two *wan shi*. Esteemed Sir, this problem is quite serious."

Kong Xinhua seemed to be speaking cautiously, but Zhang Ci could feel the composure hidden behind this caution. "Esteemed Sir, now that grain prices are soaring, they have already exceeded the prices we purchased them at. But we are worried about being accused of having ulterior motives. I heard that the court intends to purchase grain reserves from various aristocratic families. I had the idea, why not... take this opportunity to dispose of this troublesome batch. Hoarding grain is likely to be coveted, and my Kong family has quite a few enemies. However, acting as an agent for the aristocratic families should not be a problem, right? Of course, such a large batch of grain must have your approval. If you agree, I am willing to clear all 42 *wan shi* of grain to the court at 60% of the current market price. The court can save a lot of money. What do you think, esteemed Sir?"

Zhang Ci sighed, "In this way, the court can save more than one hundred thousand taels of silver at once, which is naturally very good. But, what do you want?"

"Esteemed Sir, I dare to say that what we need is a guarantee. After defeating Dongping, the court will not pursue this matter at any time. Whether it was selling grain at the beginning or hoarding grain later, whether it is a crime or not is just a matter of a word. My family and I are really worried."

"This is not up to me," Zhang Ci said with a wry smile, "I can promise you that I will help you smooth things over when purchasing military grain. After all, this is beneficial to both you and me. And saving so much silver can do a lot of things now. But... alas, I am only in charge of one of the six ministries, but my words carry little weight. If it weren't for the fact that the country's finances are in a dire state, I would have no need to work myself to death."

Kong Xinhua chuckled and said, "Esteemed Sir, although our Kong family is skilled in commerce and may not be liked by many court officials, our information is still quite well-informed, and we also know that you can definitely make this decision. Moreover, you are concerned about national affairs and do not care about personal gains, which is what I admire most. At this moment, what you are thinking about is saving a bit for Beiliao, rather than taking the opportunity to coerce. In this way, we will pass the grain through your hands. Although I dare not say we will make money, at least we will not lose a lot. If we look for other people, you know, it would probably take several hundred thousand taels of silver for someone to stand up for our Kong family. And several hundred thousand taels is important enough for the current Kong family. To cooperate with you, the Kong family only needs a word from you."

Zhang Ci sighed, "Since you say so, then let's do it this way. In the future, if there are any problems with this matter, I will do my best to mediate and protect the Kong family."

Kong Xinhua bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, esteemed Sir. In addition, esteemed Sir, we also have some connections in Dongping. We can obtain some intelligence, but most of this intelligence is not related to military affairs, mainly the price changes of various items, what the Dongping court and the Ye Family Workshop purchased, and so on. Esteemed Sir... do you think this news is useful?"

Kong Xinhua's hesitant tone made Zhang Ci smile. He felt that the other party was, after all, a young man, and in this regard, his family elders probably hadn't explained things clearly. This indirect intelligence was of course useful. Beiliao's secret agents had been purged too severely, but the few old men left in the capital were all outstanding talents. This indirect intelligence in their hands could lead to many conclusions. Kong Xinhua quickly ordered, "Useful, useful... Well, come back in a few days, and I will introduce you to someone. It's better for you to deal with him on these matters."

"No, esteemed Sir, if you think it's useful, we will hand over the intelligence to you later. In the court, we will only deal with you," Kong Xinhua said sincerely.

"In that case... very well." Zhang Ci didn't hesitate and agreed. As long as he could make up a round enough story for this indirect intelligence gathering, no one would suspect it. Everyone was now struggling with the predicament of fighting on two fronts.

After Kong Xinhua left Zhang Ci's residence, he went through a series of winding paths to a separate courtyard in the northern part of Yan Capital. When he got out of the carriage, no one would associate the person they saw with Kong Xinhua who had just appeared, the difference between them was too great.

In the courtyard, some colleagues were already waiting for him. It seemed that everyone's progress was quite smooth. A woman who looked about twenty-four or twenty-five years old saw him and asked, "How did it go?"

"Kong Xinhua" had a smug look on his face and happily said, "Big Sister, don't worry. This level is completely no problem, all fooled. Afterwards... we will gradually turn a good person into the kind of good person we like."

The woman smiled faintly and said, "Let's take it step by step. Marshal Ye is really too careful. In my opinion, it's completely unnecessary to weaken the enemy in this way. Anyway, they are not resistant to fighting."

"Kong Xinhua" showed a slight dissatisfaction and said, "Big Sister, don't say bad things about Marshal Ye."

The woman chuckled and said, "I forgot, you are a supporter of Marshal Ye. How could I say bad things about Marshal Ye? I know that Marshal Ye is considering everyone. He would rather spend more time and money to reduce casualties... alas, but is this time a bit too much?"