156 Ambition

The late summer and early autumn weather in Luoyang remained stiflingly hot. Feeling restless and bored inside his palace, Emperor Ling decided to take a stroll in the imperial garden accompanied by an attendant eunuch to cool off.

Walking along the spotless paved stone path, he cast his gaze left and right at the magnificent and elegant pavilions and terraces, occasionally plucking a vibrant chrysanthemum flower, and let out a long sigh. No matter how breathtaking the scenery, gazing at it for too long stripped it of its charm, rendering it thoroughly uninteresting.

He suddenly recalled the scene from several months ago when he attended Luan Yi's wedding banquet, making him feel all the more that Luan Yi's modest thatched cottage and idyllic rural life were far more fascinating than this towering palace of jade and gold.

As he walked in deep thought, he was suddenly startled by a loud shout from the accompanying eunuch: "Who goes there?"

Emperor Ling jumped in surprise. Following the direction of the voice, he saw a figure huddled behind a bush not far away, holding something in his hand that looked like a scroll of books.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the Emperor in person, the man hurriedly scrambled to his feet and came forward trembling to pay his respects. "Your humble servant was so engrossed in reading that he failed to notice Your Majesty's arrival and neglected to avoid you in advance, thereby offending the sacred eyes. I beg Your Majesty to spare my life!"

Emperor Ling was in a good mood today and bore no grudge. He waved his hand casually and said, "Never mind!"

The accompanying eunuch chimed in, "Why don't you withdraw?"

"Understood!" Yu Du bowed without daring to raise his head, cupping his hands in front of him with the book scroll still in his grip, and backed away.

"Wait!" Emperor Ling looked back and forth at the book in Yu Du's hand with a curious expression. "Can you read?"

Yu Du stood in place and replied, "This humble servant attended a private school for a few days before entering the palace. Although I cannot recognize all the characters, I can barely manage to read some miscellaneous books!"

"Oh! Reading is good!" Emperor Ling nodded. "What book are you reading?"

A smile flickered in Yu Du's heart, and he thought to himself: *It's working!* "Reporting to Your Majesty, it is a new novel recently written by the Junior Tutor, titled *Journey to the West*."

"Oh? Luan Ziqi?" Just as he had been thinking of Luan Yi, news of Luan Yi presented itself. No wonder there had been no news of Luan Yi for over two months; it turned out he had been writing a book. Emperor Ling was overjoyed. "Bring the book here and let me see what fine masterpiece this man of both civil and military talent has produced!"

"Understood!" Yu Du respectfully handed *Journey to the West* to the accompanying eunuch, who in turn passed it on to Emperor Ling.

Emperor Ling accepted the thick volume and was instantly captivated after turning just a few pages. Without even bothering to ask for it formally, he tucked the book into his sleeve and walked toward the main hall hummed a cheerful little tune.

Yu Du watched Emperor Ling leave with a raised smile, thinking: *Sir Ziqi, this humble servant has done as you instructed. As to whether His Majesty will summon you into the palace next, that is beyond my control!*

With that, he made the sign of the cross on his chest and secretly hid outside the hall to observe.

An hour later, a young eunuch indeed rushed out from the hall, mounted a fine steed at the palace gates, galloped into the main streets of Luoyang City, and rode straight to Luan Yi's mansion to summon Luan Yi to the palace to share a morning meal with Emperor Ling.

Although Luan Yi had long anticipated that Emperor Ling would summon him after reading *Journey to the West*, he had not expected the Emperor to bestow such immense favor as inviting him to dine together in the same hall. With this development, the tasks that followed would become much easier.

Attended by Cai Yan and Diao Chan, Luan Yi dressed himself meticulously. His hair was bound in a dignified and imposing manner, draped in court robes, with a precious sword at his waist and deerskin shoes on his feet, looking every bit the dashing gentleman.

Walking through the imperial palace, he immediately drew the intense gazes of the imperial guards, eunuchs, and palace maids.

After his name was announced, Luan Yi unbuckled his sword and handed it to the eunuch outside the gates of the Ganquan Palace, removed his shoes, and stepped across the threshold. Taking three steps forward, he bowed deeply and proclaimed, "Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent, Luan Ziqi, pays his respects to Your Majesty, may you live for ten thousand years."

Emperor Ling maintained a leisurely demeanor. "Rise! Today is a private banquet between ruler and subject, so Ziqi need not stand too much on ceremony. Someone, grant him a seat!" At the command, a young eunuch immediately brought over a round cushion and a small desk, placing them to the side.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Luan Yi walked to the designated spot and knelt on the ground.

Once seated, palace maids gracefully emerged from the side doors, arranging various dishes on the desks of both Emperor Ling and Luan Yi. Before leaving, one of them could not resist casting a lingering, reluctant glance at Luan Yi.

"Beloved minister, please partake!" Emperor Ling waved his chopsticks and inquired, "Are you accustomed to life in the capital, my minister?"

Luan Yi cupped his hands and replied solemnly, "Thanks to Your Majesty's boundless fortune. Normally, this minister either accompanies his two wives in composing poetry and appreciating flowers, tends to farming and raises birds, gathers three or five old friends to drink and reminisce, or grinds ink and wields the brush to write articles. Such a carefree life is truly the greatest aspiration of my life, and could not possibly be better!"

"Oh? Hahaha..." Emperor Ling clapped his hands and laughed. "That is good! I have read your newly written *Journey to the West*, my minister. It is truly exceptionally well written!"

Luan Yi changed the subject slightly, saying, "However..."

"However what?"

Luan Yi replied, "My two fathers-in-law are rather dissatisfied with this minister!"

Emperor Ling was puzzled. "With your overflowing talent, minister, finding such a fine son-in-law is a blessing they cultivated over several lifetimes. What complaints could they possibly have?"

Luan Yi gave a bitter smile and said, "My two fathers-in-law frequently scold this minister for only caring about eating, drinking, and making merry, lacking any drive for ambition or progress."

"Bah! Just because of that!" Emperor Ling thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I shall arrange some other duties for you to handle, how does that sound?"

Just as he finished speaking, a sharp voice echoed from outside the door, "Your Majesty, absolutely not!" Following the voice, it turned out to be Zhang Rang, who had heard that Emperor Ling had invited Luan Yi to dine and had hurried over. "Has Your Majesty forgotten? Several months ago, the grand court already resolved that Luan Ziqi, being a hostage prince, must never be granted high offices or heavy responsibilities."

"This..." Emperor Ling scratched his head.

"Your Majesty's words carry the weight of nine tripods; you must never break your promise!" After admonishing Emperor Ling, Zhang Rang glared angrily at Luan Yi and rebuked, "Audacious Luan Yi! His Majesty has already spoken first, so why do you come again to bewitch the sacred ears and vie for merits and rewards?"

Before coming, Luan Yi had already inquired beforehand that Zhang Rang was off duty today and not in the palace, which was why he proceeded according to plan. He had not expected Zhang Rang to return so quickly. Fortunately, he was well prepared. Unflinching and composed, he asked, "What does Your Excellency the Chief Attendant mean? This official does not quite understand."

"Stop playing dumb when you know very well," Zhang Rang spat out harshly.

Luan Yi's expression remained calm and his heart steady. "This official truly does not know. May I ask where this notion of me soliciting high office and lavish rewards from Your Excellency comes from?"

"You... stop quibbling!"

"This official is not quibbling! The Chief Attendant has misunderstood this official. Just now, this minister merely intended to say that my two fathers-in-law saw me spending all day idling about and playing, and thus held considerable complaints. This official also felt that continuing like this would indeed be somewhat decadent, and therefore decided to accomplish something in the capital. However, these matters are not public affairs and have nothing to do with official posts or peerage; they pertain entirely to private commerce and trade!" said Luan Yi.

Emperor Ling asked in astonishment, "Oh? You already possess quite a few properties in Luoyang City, and yet you wish to start another business?"

Luan Yi smiled and waved his hand. "Those previous taverns and shops were all minor trades, not worth mentioning!"

"Ah?" Emperor Ling was so startled he nearly dropped his chopsticks. "Yet, as far as I know, your Luan family takes in thousands of gold pieces daily in Luoyang City. Can such a massive enterprise truly be considered not worth mentioning?"

"It is indeed not worth mentioning! In this minister's eyes, true immense wealth is by no means limited to this. It's just that..."

Emperor Ling asked, "Just that what?"

"It's just that this minister lacks the capability alone to bring it to fruition!"

"Tell me about it, and let's see if there is anything I can do to help."

Luan Yi sighed. "This minister wishes to acquire a plot of land of about three mu in the Western Market of Luoyang. However, the Western Market is overcrowded and the location is prosperous; even with ten thousand gold in hand, acquiring a single plot of land is as difficult as ascending to heaven!"

"What does my minister want with land in the Western Market?"

"This precisely leads to the second thing this minister cannot accomplish on his own." With that, Luan Yi pulled a piece of brocade from his sleeve and had the young eunuch present it to Emperor Ling, saying, "This minister wishes to build a tower."

Emperor Ling unfolded the brocade and saw an intricate architectural design of a multi-story building leaping vividly from the silk. Zhang Rang leaned in to look, only to see that the structure was exquisitely crafted, breathtakingly beautiful, and grandly magnificent—except for the number of tiers...

He once again shouted loudly, "Audacious Luan Yi, how dare you attempt to build a three-story tower of this scale? Do you not know that constructing such a tall building is an act that violates dynastic regulations?"

Luan Yi replied, "This official naturally knows, which is why I dared not construct it, but merely preserved the blueprints in my collection."

Just as Zhang Rang wanted to retort further, he heard Emperor Ling utter the word " marvelous" three times in succession. "Is such a tall building structurally sound?"

Luan Yi respectfully answered, "This minister has consulted artisans; this building is supported by thirty-six stone pillars and is absolutely as solid as a rock."

Emperor Ling held the design drawing up and down, examining it. "Splendid! Why not build this tower within the palace? Used for the imperial family, it would no longer violate regulations!"

"That will not do!" Luan Yi stated decisively.

Emperor Ling pulled his gaze away from the design drawing and asked in surprise, "Why?"

"This minister wishes to build this tower in the Western Market. Once completed, the building will not be used merely for sightseeing, but for commerce and trade. At that time, the first floor will sell tea, pastries, tables, chairs, and general merchandise; the second floor will sell clothing, shoes, hats, and fabrics; and the third floor will retail gold and silver jewelry as well as glassware. The commodities inside the building will be comprehensive and diverse. Therefore, this minister calls this building a Department Store. Where else in the world could such a unique building exist? Only in our vast Great Han, in the prosperous golden age governed by Your Majesty, can it come to be. It is enough to display the might of the Great Han and the prosperity of our dynasty."

Luan Yi's final remark struck right at the core of Emperor Ling's desires, tickling his heart until he could hardly contain his eagerness. If such a massive building were erected, it would be no small feat and would surely go down in history. He opened his mouth to agree immediately, but was preempted by Zhang Rang.

Zhang Rang said coldly, "Ancestral institutions must never be violated!" This single sentence left Emperor Ling speechless, yet unwilling to give up just like that, he stammered and mumbled as he tried to think of a countermeasure.

Luan Yi chimed in at the opportune moment, saying, "It indeed violates ancestral institutions, but that does not mean there is no solution at all."

Emperor Ling was overjoyed and asked excitedly, "What brilliant plan does my minister have? Speak quickly!"

"Your Majesty!" Luan Yi cupped his hands. "This matter is simple. Place this department store under Your Majesty's name, making it an imperial property, and it will no longer be considered a violation of regulations."

Emperor Ling's eyes lit up. "Splendid, simply splendid! Ziqi's plan is exceptionally good!"

"That won't do!" Zhang Rang objected once again. "Since when do imperial properties exist outside the palace walls?"

Luan Yi immediately countered, "Your Excellency the Chief Attendant is mistaken. Do Your Majesty's detached palaces in various regions not belong to imperial property? Are they not also established outside the inner palaces?"

"Indeed!" Emperor Ling echoed loudly.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Luan Yi cast out his final olive branch. "Of course, this minister would not have Your Majesty bestow the royal name upon the department store in vain; this minister is willing to share a portion of the revenues generated after the department store is built with Your Majesty. Let us split it on a three-to-seven ratio—Your Majesty takes thirty percent, and this minister takes seventy percent. How does that sound?"

Emperor Ling was momentarily stunned. "You mean to say that I need not spend a single coin, but merely acknowledge that the building is constructed by the imperial household, and I will obtain thirty percent of the profits for free?"

Luan Yi shook his head. "It is not quite 'nothing at all'! Your Majesty provides the land and the name, while this minister provides the capital and the personnel, that is all."

"Oh?" Emperor Ling's eyes rolled around in thought, and his expression suddenly turned serious. "No!"

Luan Yi had gone through all this trouble, only to hear those words, which left him deeply defouraged. He thought to himself that things had already progressed to this point, so why was it still a no? The ending turned out completely different from what he had anticipated!