The Prince of Travelers

The Shen Family Envoy

“Prince, this is the latest report on Safe Caravan,” Jian Hai handed over a billion documents that are not too thick. It was the minutes archive of the meeting of the emissaries of the Fuli Trade Union with the Young Chairman of the Safe Caravan. “Their story is not much different from what you heard from Mayor Shen. Merely, they argued that their people should not be detained because it was the people from the Shenlah Family who started the feud.”

“Have you guys confirmed it further from the Shen Family side? What about the witness at the scene?” li An asked as he checked the report Jian Hai gave. He frowned a few times, then nodded his head slowly.

“We will investigate immediately, Prince,” Jian Hai did not think to investigate the previous witness. According to his intuition as a trader, the matter of the feud did not need to be dug deeper for the sake of the continuity of his business. However, the one before him right now was a prince. Perhaps because the Eighth Prince's life was full of palace politics, the young prince became so serious about investigating public matters.

“Experiencely investigate. Do not let this problem grow in the future,” stressed Li An who is still focused on the report he received.

Jian Hai was silent for a moment. To him, the matter of dispute between merchants was only a trivial matter that would not have much effect on the condition of the empire. He did not understand how his young lord, the Eighth Prince, thought. Therefore, he asked, “Prince, what kind of problem are you worried about?”

“Racial differences, social discrimination, and economic inequality,” Li An turned away from the report sheets and looked at Jian Hai, “Including the development of negative sentiments about foreigners. If the Tang population were to be affected by this kind of evil incitement, the trade relations between the Tang Empire and the outside world would deteriorate. When that happens, a city as big as Guangzhou could be knocked out of the trade route, even paralyzed for decades.”

“Can the effect be that severe?” Jian Hai understood Li An's worries, but he couldn't imagine it actually happening. Li An got up from his chair and returned the report he had finished reading. Before coming out of the office, he replied, “Trees that are cultivated little by little will definitely be high like a mountain that is slowly supplied.”

Jian Hai was silent again. Now, he sits alone in his office. There was only a pile of files accompanying him. The middle-aged man leaned his body against the chair and stretched his body. He sighed tiredly, then went back to processing his unresolved work. Inside the room laden with silence, he muttered, “Could be a true prince. All this time I underestimated him. I even just realized that we were sitting in a different realm.”

“Prince, the envoy from the Shen Family begs for permission to meet with you,” a messenger boy comes before Li An as soon as the young prince comes out of the guild director's room. Li An turned his head and asked, “Has he been waiting for so long?”

“They came shortly after you entered the director room,” replied the errand boy, “At this time, they are still waiting in the living room.”

“Tell them to wait a little while longer, I will come soon,” said Li An who then left the errand boy. He stopped by the break room in particular to write some things on a tanned sheet of paper. After he finished writing and rolling the sheet, he came to where the Shen Family envoy was waiting.

A man with a long mustache and a young man who was around his twenties immediately stood up upon hearing the arrival of the Eighth Prince. The two immediately paid a formal salute to Li An as soon as the young prince entered the room.

“I'm Shen Shuxiang, Head of Trade Affairs at Kaluarga Shen. Just call me Shuxiang, while this is my nephew, Shen Diwei, Young Master of the Shen Family,”. Li An nodded at a glance, then looked at Shen Diwei for a moment.

“It is an honor to meet you, Eighth Prince,” Shen Diwei showed his respect in a flat tone and impressed indifferently. After all, he was much older than Li An and he was predicted as a genius in his generation in scholarship and academic and trade affairs. Although he had heard of Li An's extraordinary talent in the same field, he did not want to immediately believe it. His respect was merely etiquette that people were accustomed to giving to every member of the Tang Imperial Family.

“Prince, you must have heard our problems from the mayor,” Shen Shuxiang said starting with a pleasantries, “We have had a problem with the Safe Caravan recently. In fact, we have been partnering for a long time, but suddenly they asked for a contract change even intend to decide.”

“I've heard everything, Mr. Shuxiang. You can go straight to the point,” Li An replied after quite a long time hearing Shen Shuxiang's pleasantries and stories. His expression was cold and calm. Shen Shuxiang was a little hesitant in determining his attitude. The long-moustached man said, “Good, Prince. As you requested, I will directly give you the result of the agreement of the elders.”

“Ehem!” Shen Shuxiang said once, only then continued, “The elders from our family have agreed, they can consider changing some contractual circles depending on how Safe Caravan requests them. We won't be able to accept many grandiose changes. Please the Prince's wisdom and justice in this matter.”

“I understand. You have to submit the time and place of negotiation to the Safe Caravan. Trade Union Fuli will send his envoy to mediate between you,” said Li An gave his approval, “Is there anything else you want to convey?”

“Hm... Here, Prince,” Shen Shuxiang expressed concern about failure in the negotiations. If the trade agreement between the two parties were to be broken, the Shen Family would incur no small loss. “We have heard that there is a possibility that Safe Caravan will build a new partner with the Fuli Trade Union. For us, it ...”

“The bottom line, you feel disadvantaged because Safe Caravan builds new relationships with other traders if negotiations do not go well?” cut Li An in a cold tone of voice, “Do you think Safe Caravan intends to do just that because of our incitement?”

Shen Shuxiang gasped inwardly. He immediately set his point straight so that the Shen Family would not get into trouble with the trade union that the imperial family members had started, “Not so, Prince. Ka—we only regret this problem if it really happened. After all, the Safe Caravan and the Shen Family had long partnered well long ago. We even mess with them. We don't want the relationship to be cut off just like that.”

“Then, you should be able to make this negotiation go smoothly. Take that relationship seriously. Don't just play around the word,” Li An warned, “Then, know that Aman Caravan also has the right to cooperate with anyone, including Fuli Trade Union. The Shen family has no power to hinder them.”

“Prince,” Shen Shuxiang wants to say something. But it was as if something was blocking him. Inwardly, he knew that what the Eighth Prince said was true. Especially if the Fuli Trade Union has signed a contract with them. The Shen Family would not be able to suppress the Aman Caravan rashly if that were to happen.

“What else do you want to say, Mr Shuxiang?” Li An picked up the warm tea that her servant had just brewed a moment ago. He looked at his two guests with eyes that seemed flat and did not care. But behind him was a great alertness.

Shen Diwei gave his uncle a code. The Shen Family Young Master wanted to convey something to the Eighth Prince. He came here not just to watch.

“Tell me what you want to say, Young Master Shen,” Li An said as soon as he saw the young man. Shen Diwei was a little surprised, but could hide it well. He also looked at his uncle who nodded.

Shen Shuxiang turned his head quickly to his niece. He felt that the speech the young man had said could offend the Eighth Prince. They would not be lucky if the Eighth Prince held a grudge against them. Unfortunately, before he could elbow his nephew, Li An had already interjected, “Young Master Shen wanted to precede the Safe Caravan. Didn't you guys mind that Safe Caravan is standing with us?”

“That was the conservative view of our elders,” Shen Diwei replied without hesitation and knowingly offended his high-ranking uncle in the Shen Family, who was not a single person, “I am sure that the Shen Family will not last much longer if they continue to maintain their ego to monopolize trade in Quanzhou. Therefore, I think that the Fuli Trade Union is the best partner to share profits with each other. We will continue to work with Kefilah Aman even after they have established a relationship with the Prince. Wise prince certainly understands my point.”

Shen Shuxiang wanted to drag his nephew outside and give the young man a hard lesson, but he could not do so because this place was a room belonging to the Eighth Prince. The bodyguards would definitely be quick to scoundrel in case of a commotion.

“Young Master Shen has an open mind,” Li An stared intently at the young man before him, “You can propose at the same time with Safe Caravan later. For now, you must first account for those words to the elders of the Shen Family. I don't want to accept cooperation with a family that is at odds.”

“I understand, Prince. This Shen Diwei will definitely account for his words,” steadfast Shen Diwei. He also explained some investment plans and programs that will be offered later. The young man had intended to influence Li An to quickly establish cooperation with the Shen Family without waiting any longer. If lucky, he might be able to keep suppressing the Safe Caravan with the Fuli Trade Union.

“You're done?” li An asked with intonation that did not warm up in the slightest. His face was calm and cold. Although he was interested in the programs that Shen Diwei laid out, he remained firm on his stance, “Please Young Master Shen draft the plan in the form of documents and submit it in time. We will definitely consider it.”

“Good, Prince,” Shen Diwei swallow. He spoke at length very convincingly. However, he still failed to lure his target. Well, at least he holds a guarantee. The Eighth Prince's words he could use when dealing with the elders of the Shen Family later on. Shen Shuxiang is also seen to support his argument. May the elders not be caught up in his holiness. “Thank you for the attention, Prince.”

Shen Shuxiang and Shen Diwei announced shortly thereafter. They both exhaled as soon as they came out of the Fuli Trade Union Building. It was unexpected that facing the Eighth Prince who was very young would be that heavy.

...***...

“Your course in the union is done?” li Huanran asked as soon as Li An arrived at the inn. The boy he asked just nodded. He saw a stain of fatigue on the face of his beloved sister.

“There's a problem, yes?” Li Huanran again asked, this time there was a worried tone to his words.

“No,” Li An shook his head. She sat down next to her sister and leaned on the chair. His gaze swept the ceiling of the room decorated as well as possible with a variety of beautiful tendril ornaments. “Cuman cape only. I should have been on vacation with Brother.”

“Hmph! You are using pretentious for the union. So busy now. Your youth is not as beautiful as other noble children tuh,” said Li Huanran pretending to grumble, “You are also in a hurry to pass the scholarship exam. Learning won't be as busy as you are now.”

“Biarin, the important thing is that my youth is not in vain,” reply Li An ketus, “I will not be hit by a big brother kayak scandal first.”

Puk!

“Aduh!” Li An got up from her seat while stroking her head with both hands. It looked sharply at Li Huanran who had just thrust a hard-figured fan into his head. He called out in protest, “Sick to know!”

“Who told you to cut the problem again?” cuek Li Huanran's.

“Sister will not have to hit,” reply Li An with eyes that are still glaring. The childish side seemed to come back. Li Huanran always laughed when he saw. He also put on his mask.

“Sick, huh? Want elus' brother? Here, sit next to Brother here!” li Huanran said as he patted the place Li An had occupied. Instead of coming, Li An instead turned to his room and exclaimed, “I'm not a child anymore!”

“Hais .. she is still not an adult,” muttered Li Huanran with her thin smile, “Until when should I be her guardian, huh?”

Inside his quiet room, Li An immediately put his body on the bed. He took a deep breath, then turned his face to the side. I saw a leather book. The color is tanned and thick as high as a pillow.

Li An got up from her bed. He took the book and put it on his lap. It was Ali's book. The young Arab told him to take good care of the book and be careful because the contents are very important. Li An did not know exactly what the book was about. As far as his knowledge so far, the book is the book that Ali always carries whenever he reads beautiful chants that cool the heart even though it is not easy to understand.

“Badahat I have been quite able to read Arabic script,” muttered Li An while flipping through the sheets of books he held, “But, he said, he said, I must read this book with the guidance of a pious man. This is their holy book, right?”

Li An lay back down. He held up the book given by his friend. After being satisfied to look at the book long enough, then he returned to put it in its original place. Shortly thereafter, he fell asleep in his tiredness. So good he was, the young prince was unconscious when the door of his room was opened.

“You've been working hard,” Li Huanran kissed his beloved sister's forehead sincerely, “True rest, yes. Don't let you get sick.”