MCUS Chapter 32

In the afternoon, Yan Ge asked Jin Defa to accompany him to visit the other two courtyards and immediately took a liking to the first one.

It was located on Donghe Street, one of the bustling streets, with convenient transportation. The property consisted of three sections, with the inner two sections for the staff to live in and the outer section suitable for office use. The previous owner was a retired court official who had an affinity for elegance and refinement. Every detail of the property was meticulously arranged, creating a captivating scene.

“Boss Jin, how much is this property?” Yan Ge inquired.

“It was originally priced at 2,100 taels. Master Qin is a straightforward person, and I always enjoy dealing with straightforward individuals. If you want it, I can let it go for 2,000 taels,” Jin Defa responded cheerfully.

Yan Ge shook his head and strolled through the small garden. “Of course, I am a straightforward person, but Boss Jin, you don’t seem so straightforward. I must admit, I have taken a liking to this property. However, despite its elegance, it is an old residence that requires renovation and reconstruction. The bridges and pavilions in the garden are dilapidated, and the courtyard walls are worn, with a history of at least ten years. I’m genuinely concerned that a light push could cause them to collapse. Furthermore, the roof tiles are outdated and need to be replaced. It’s a significant project. I can offer 1,800 taels. If Boss Jin is unwilling to compromise, I can explore other options.”

Jin Defa listened attentively, absentmindedly patting his protruding belly. He had not anticipated such negotiations to occur with Yan Ge, and he felt a bit amazed. This young master may be young, but he was far from easy to deceive, as Jin Defa had initially assumed.

“The price you’re proposing is somewhat low. Master Qin, this property is excellent. It’s located right by the main street, making it convenient to go in any direction, be it east, south, west, or north,” Jin Defa tried to persuade.

Yan Ge snapped his folding fan shut, gesturing to Gao Feng. “Let’s go. We won’t delay Boss Jin’s reception of the next guest.”

“Hey!” Jin Defa realized that Yan Ge was truly leaving and quickly called out, shaking his head. “Fine, let’s consider it a friendship. You can have it for 1,800 taels.”

Yan Ge patted his shoulder and praised with a smile, “Boss Jin is indeed a straightforward person.”

Yan Ge was a head shorter than Jin Defa, amd the latter could only smile wryly.

On that day, Deng Ma and the others moved into the new residence.

Since it was intended to serve as the company’s headquarters, the current entrance seemed rather stingy. Yan Ge instructed Zhao Cheng and Xiao Chuanzi to find craftsmen to dismantle the door and partially demolish the walls. He also contacted a carpenter to custom-make a six-meter-wide and two-meter-tall door that could be opened by sliding from left to right.

Using the walls on both sides as fulcrums, an iron bracket was made above to hang a plaque. On both sides of the gate were two guard booths built in imitation of modern times, and there was a duty room inside the gate. There was a small window between the guard booth on the right and the duty room for communication. The ground on both sides of the courtyard was quite flat and used as a parking lot.

On the morning of the third day, the customized plaque Yan Ge had ordered was delivered.

“Young Master, shall I go buy a set of firecrackers?” among the two young servants, Zhang Yuan, who was more lively, suggested.

The others knew that Yan Ge intended to establish a business place but were not aware of the specifics. Since it was for business purposes, it was customary to celebrate the grand opening by setting off firecrackers for good luck.

“No need,” Strictly smiled mysteriously. “What this young master wants is a quiet and serene atmosphere. However, when you go out on company business, it’s necessary to mention the company’s name. Hang up the plaque.”

With a large entrance, the plaque naturally needed to be sizable as well. Gao Yun and Zhao Cheng each lifted one end and climbed separate ladders to hang it up. Once it was in place, Yan Ge ascended as well and personally unveiled the red cloth covering the plaque. Passersby had never seen such a large door and plaque before, and they gathered in groups to witness the spectacle.

On the black plaque, golden characters spelled out “First Company,” with iron drawings and silver hooks, depicting dragons and phoenixes in a magnificent display. These simple words emitted an aura of dominance and confidence. In the lower right corner of the plaque, a golden circle enclosed a golden “1,” which served as the logo designed by Yan Ge for the company.

“The First Company…” Xiao Chuan’s face brimmed with curiosity. “Master, what does ‘company’ mean?”

“It’s a place where business matters are handled,” explained Yan Ge. Just as he was about to say more, a boy of about ten years old, with a lively and clever appearance, ran over from the end of the street.

“Is Master Qin living here?” the boy asked.

“I am,” Yan Ge replied, perplexed, as he looked at the boy.

The boy continued, “A person named Gao Feng sent me to deliver a message and said you would give me money too.”

Yan Ge’s eyes curved, and he took out several coins from his sleeve, stuffing them into the boy’s hand. “Thank you. What message did he want you to deliver?”

“He told me to tell you that it’s a success,” the boy said gleefully, tucking the money into his clothes, and then ran off without another word.

Zhao Cheng and the others were completely puzzled.

Yan Ge maintained a composed expression, but he couldn’t help but fell excited. The fountain pen had been successfully made! That Master Li was truly talented. He had initially given him three days, and because these past two days had been too busy, he hadn’t gone to see him yesterday. Unexpectedly, he received such good news so quickly.

“Xiao Shuanzi, prepare the carriage.”

He couldn’t let Master Li know that someone was watching him so on arriving at the blacksmith shop, Yan Ge calmly walked in, as did Gao Yun and Gao Feng, who acted as if nothing had happened.

“Is Master Li here?”

Master Li quickly emerged, his face wearing a bright smile, his wrinkled lines becoming even more pronounced.

“Master Li seems to be in a good mood. Could it be that the matter is resolved?”

“Master Qin, you came at the right time. Please follow me.”

Entering a small room next to them, Yan Ge spotted a wooden object that resembled a pen on the table—it was the fountain pen made by Master Li. It had a pen body and a pen cap, and its appearance seemed quite good.

Master Li smiled and said, “I never imagined that such a magical thing could exist in this world. I tried drawing on paper with it, and it indeed writes very delicately.” It was then that Gao Feng, who was watching secretly, sent someone to inform Yan Ge.

The paper was still there, with some very fine lines on it.

Yan Ge picked up the fountain pen, feeling its lightness in his hand. He removed the cap, examined the nib, and then wrote a few words on the paper, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. Afterwards, he twisted the pen body to expose the ink cartridge. Though the appearance was rough, it didn’t leak ink. He gently squeezed it, and a drop of ink seeped out from the nib.

“Not bad, quite impressive.”

Gao Feng took out ten taels of silver ingot and handed them to Master Li.

After Yan Ge took a seat, he inquired, “Master Li, is this nib made of iron?”

Master Li nodded regretfully, “Yes, it’s iron. I’ve been pondering using alternative materials to replace iron recently. I have some ideas, but I won’t know if they will work until I try. Master Qin, could you give me a few more days…”

Yan Ge expressed understanding, “Of course. You have done a remarkable job so far, not only with the nib of the fountain pen but also with further improvements to its appearance. I will send someone later, and if you need anything, let him go to the First Company on Donghe Street to find me. How does that sound?”

“Alright,” Master Li agreed without hesitation.

Yan Ge said, “I’ll take this pen with me to show my boss.”

Master Li nodded, “No problem.”

As they walked out of the blacksmith shop, Yan Ge’s lips curled into a smile, and his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “Gao Yun, let’s return to the garden!”

It was inappropriate to say “return to the palace” outside the palace, so he said “return to the garden.” If he said “go back,” it meant returning to the residence on Donghe Street, and “return to the mansion” referred to the Yan Mansion.

Gao Feng stayed behind to continue monitoring Master Li.

Two spirited horses hastened toward the palace. The palace guards at the gate were already familiar with them. They glanced at their tokens and allowed them inside.

Yan Ge turned to Gao Yun and said, “You go and inquire if the Emperor is at Tenglong Palace.”

**Oh, btw, Tenglong means “soaring dragons”.

“Yes,” Gao Yun replied.

Yan Ge continued walking at a leisurely pace, engaging in an animated discussion with Yan Jin about the rewards they were about to receive. He passed palace maids and eunuchs who saw him dressed casually and didn’t recognize his identity, so they only kneeled and saluted before quietly walking away.

“Xiao Jin, what do you think the system will reward me with once I am promoted to Changzai?” Yan Jin asked, filled with anticipation.

Yan Jin also looked forward to it and replied cheerfully, “It will definitely be something good.”

“Oh?” Yan Ge detected something in Yan Jin’s words. “Do you know what it is?”

“Yes, Master, but I cannot reveal it yet,” Yan Jin advised. “Master, you will find out soon enough. There’s no need to rush.”

“Fair enough.”

Gao Yun quickly returned, “Reporting to Yan Daying, the Emperor is currently in the Imperial Garden.” Inside the palace, everything had to follow ceremonial procedures, so he reverted to using the title “Yan Daying.”

“Lead the way.”

The sun was shining, and despite the gentle breeze, the air remained stifling. Huang Fu Yuchen sat expressionless in the pavilion, sipping tea, while on the other side, a consort played the qin.

“Yan Ge pays respects to the Emperor.” Yan Ge bowed to Huangfu Yuchen from outside the pavilion.

The consort turned her head, and Yan Ge realized she was the Empress, so he bowed once again.

“Paying respects to the Empress.”

“Rise.” The Empress was taken aback. Since when did the Emperor grant a male consort the not to kneel? Furthermore, this male consort not only dressed in casual attire but also didn’t refer to himself as a “servant or concubine.” She secretly glanced at Huang Fu Yuchen, and her lowered eyelashes concealed her deep thoughts.

Huangfu Yuchen inquired curiously, “Why has Yan Daying come at this time?”

Yan Ge couldn’t help but smile. “Your Majesty, Yan Daying has good news to report.”

Huangfu Yuchen immediately guessed that there had been significant progress regarding the pen. He nodded, stood up, and said to the Empress, “Empress, I have pressing matters to attend to and cannot accompany you.”

“Yes,” the Empress kneeled gracefully. “I respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty.”

Deng Mande sang, “Your Majesty, please proceed—”

Yan Ge and Gao Yun followed beside the imperial carriage.

Eager to know about the pen, Huangfu Yuchen had only moved a short distance before ordering his entourage to stop the carriage. He instructed Yan Ge, “Yan Daying, come up here.”

Yan Ge was curious about Huang Fu Yuchen’s dragon carriage. After expressing gratitude, he climbed aboard.

As soon as he entered the carriage, he felt a refreshing coolness. It turned out that two ice basins had been placed at the corners of the carriage, perfectly alleviating the heat from Yan Ge’s hurried journey. The gauzy curtains were lowered, reducing the dissipation of the cool air.

The dragon carriage was spacious, and a soft carpet was laid in front of the golden seat that could accommodate three people side by side.

Yan Ge’s eyes roamed around and noticed that besides the golden chair Huangfu Yuchen was sitting on, there wasn’t even a cushion available. He had no choice but to stand. Standing wasn’t an issue, but he was nearly a head taller than the carriage bearers, which felt quite awkward.

Huangfu Yuchen didn’t overlook his slight movement. He glanced at him and made room by moving to the side. “Come and sit.”

Yan Ge was surprised, but since Huangfu Yuchen dared to invite him, he dared to accept. He walked over and took a seat, saying, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The golden chair was designed for one person, so it was a bit cramped with two people. The two of them sat close together, and Yan Ge’s heart began to beat faster.

Huangfu Yuchen was exactly the type he liked, and the mature masculine aura enveloped him entirely. He secretly exhaled a long breath from his chest, slightly easing his heartbeat.

“Is it about that matter?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.

“Yes,” Yan Ge replied.

There were people around so Huang Fu Yuchen didn’t ask further. Instead, he turned his head to observe Yan Ge.