Chapter 86: Bai Gui Seeks an Audience

After arriving in Wuyang City, the local city guard even sent people to inquire if Meng Di's group needed anything. It was a rather helpless situation—though Yan was renowned for its horses, it was not a major producer of bronze. At that time, the primary sources of bronze in the realm were almost all within the State of Jin, which explained Jin's dominance for more than a century.

Under such circumstances, Yan lacked presence on the wider stage. More importantly, Yan's main efforts were devoted to resisting the Shanrong tribes and had no capacity for expansion, even having to seek aid beyond its borders.

After Jin's rise, Yan gradually became a vassal state. Especially after Duke Hui of Yan, frightened by rebellion at home, fled to Qi, and Qi and Jin joined forces to attack Yan and escort him back. Since then, the six powerful clans of Jin wielded considerable influence over Yan, making this period of Yan’s history particularly unremarkable.

Meng Di, after paying respects to the city guard and offering gifts to foster goodwill, began to purchase large numbers of warhorses within Yan. To avoid drawing attention, he instructed his men to form squads of a hundred, each driving the horses back in separate groups.

The Tian family also provided significant assistance, supplying many ships for transport.

This left Meng Di somewhat relieved; he had not expected trade with Yan to proceed so smoothly. Just then, Liuxia Tuo suddenly entered and spoke.

“Master, there is a scholar from Luoyi outside seeking an audience.”

Hearing someone requested a meeting, Meng Di was momentarily caught off guard, suspecting his identity might have been discovered. His curiosity piqued, he followed Liuxia Tuo outside.

At the gate stood a young man dressed as a scholar. Meng Di immediately saluted and asked, “Might I know your name, and why you seek an audience with me?”

“My name is Bai Gui from Luoyi. I have traveled widely and am most interested in the ways of commerce. I was surprised to see someone here in Yan buying horses, so curiosity has brought me to your door.”

Meng Di did not recognize the name, but he gestured politely. “I am Han Zhan. Since you are interested, please come in, Master Bai, and let us speak at length.”

Once they were seated, Bai Gui smiled and spoke first.

“Forgive my abruptness, Brother Han. Today, everyone knows of Jin’s riches, and so merchants flock there. Why do you, however, come to Yan for horses? Though you may profit, the time spent may not be worth it.”

Meng Di could only smile wryly. If not for his conflict with the Zhi clan of Jin, he would not have chosen to come to Yan to buy horses, for the journey was indeed long and trading in Yan brought many inconveniences due to the state’s relative commercial decline.

But seeing that Bai Gui was clearly interested in commerce, Meng Di pondered for a moment before replying, “I have long-standing ties with the Tian family of Qi. So I’ve taken advantage of this trade route to see Yan for myself.”

Bai Gui nodded at this. “Most people rush to where the markets are busiest, which only makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. The horses of Yan are quite good, but poor management and the troubles with the Shanrong tribes have stifled commerce here.”

“If a capable man were to devote himself to business in Yan, within a few years, the state would surely prosper.”

His words showed deep insight, and Meng Di was somewhat surprised, so he decided to probe further. “What, then, does Master Bai think should be my first step if I wish to do business in Yan?”

“One must first make connections with the powerful, explaining the benefits clearly. This way, you could operate a horse ranch in Yan. When war breaks out in the Central Plains, you could sell the horses at high prices.”

He was describing the classic strategy of buying low and selling high, with remarkable foresight. Of course, Meng Di was not truly intent on business, at least not for now, but in the future, establishing a ranch under the guise of commerce in Yan would be worth considering.

Merchants everywhere were not fools and understood such principles; the key was reading the situation. Now that Jin was beset by internal strife, war could erupt at any time in the Central Plains. When that happened, prices for warhorses would soar. In a sense, this was a gamble, but the strategy itself was sound.

Thus, Meng Di would never lack horses again—so long as his identity remained secret. This gave him an idea, and he said to Bai Gui, “You seem well-versed in commerce, Master Bai. Would you be interested in running a horse ranch in Yan?”

At this, Bai Gui only smiled and did not reply immediately.

“From the moment I entered, I sensed you were not truly a merchant, Brother Han. Now I am sure. You’ve come to buy horses for more than business reasons, haven’t you?”

Meng Di was startled but nodded. “Master Bai, you’re right. My coming to Yan for horses is a matter of necessity. But what do you think of my proposal?”

Meng Di made this offer mainly because he lacked suitable people in his entourage. Since Bai Gui spoke so knowledgeably, why not let him try? Not only would it divert suspicion, it might secure him a steady supply of horses.

Seeing Bai Gui’s ambiguous smile, Meng Di understood that if he wished to hire such a man, he would at least have to reveal his true identity. He laughed at himself.

“We are from Mengyi in Lu. The current master of Mengyi is Lord Meng.”

Now Bai Gui feigned sudden realization and, with a curious expression, said, “I have heard that Lu has recently gained a new official, who, together with Yang Hu, easily took Feiyi. I did not expect you to be buying horses in Yan and in league with the Tian family. This is most interesting. As it happens, I also wish to visit Lu, so I will accompany you.”

Bai Gui’s words were skillfully put—he neither accepted nor refused, but simply indicated his willingness to return to Lu with Meng Di. Clearly, he intended to meet the lord of Mengyi before making any decision.

After all, in these times, men of real talent sought promising rulers. Scholars traveled from state to state, and if they met a worthy master, would immediately enter his service to realize their ambitions.

Meng Di was not at all surprised. He could not yet reveal his identity, and as for Bai Gui, he knew nothing about him and would need to learn more.