The Prince of Travelers

The Vice Emperor

Li An's inspection in Quanzhou City was much longer than scheduled due to the matter between the Shen Family and the Safe Caravan. As the party requested to mediate by both sides, he was obliged to oversee the running of negotiations until the end.

“Eighth Prince enters the room,” exclaimed an assailant.

People in the hall stood up, including the Mayor of Quanzhou who was seated in a special chair at the end of the room. They gave a noble salute to Li An. After the young prince sat in his chair and invited the people to sit down, they sat down.

Various events began. Starting with a speech from Mayor Shen, continued by the spokesman of the Fuli Trade Union as an intermediary, then continued with remarks from representatives of both parties. Each of them showed their commitment to take the best path in overcoming this problem.

As the main event unfolded, various heated debates heated up. However, Li An did not need to intervene directly to cool it down because Shen Chao could control the audience well.

The Aman caravan demanded changes to contract agreements on investments and loans. They also alluded to the issue of the installment of items that allegedly contain price manipulation.

The Shen family denied the allegations. They argue that what the Aman Caravan demands is part of a deep-rooted tradition. Their elders were still adamant about maintaining the old contract. Those old cobblestones did not want any change in the contract as such would reduce the profits on the part of the Shen Family.

“I understand what Young Chairman Masaira means,” said Shen Diwei took over the conversation from his side, “Although it is a pity for us, we will accept it with chest space.”

“Lack of you, Diwei!” shouted an elder from the Shen Family. The entire audience turned their heads, including Li An who was sitting in his seat of honor. As if he had no shameless veins, the elder again exclaimed, “Have your wisdom run out? This contract was made by the ancestors. What right do you have to play change it?”

“Chairman Jingwei, please temper your anger,” Shen Chao raised his voice shaking off the tension. He did so not because his son was reviled by the higher-ups of the Shen Family, but because there were members of the Tang Imperial Family who were present to watch the trial at this hall. He also confirmed the existence of Li An, “We sit in the same room as the Eighth Prince.”

Shen Jingwei did not care. He instead glared at where the Eighth Prince was sitting, intending to ask him to stop these negotiations. However, his courage instantly shrieked as he was stared back by Li An and Wang Hongli like a snake that lost its fangs at the eagle.

“Young Master Shen, continue your speech,” said Li An in a firm and clear voice.

“Thank you, Prince,” said Shen Diwei Takzim, “Before, let me submit Elder Jingwei's apology to the audience of all. Hope you all can forgive us.”

“That's another problem,” exclaim someone from the seat Safe Caravan, “Continue your greeting.”

Shen Diwei smiled bitterly and gulped. He exhaled for a moment, then continued, “I have had several dialogues with Young Chairman Maisara. I understand that your main purpose is to keep the pure religious commandments. That's something we can understand. In addition, you have explained the negative effects of trading practices that we have been doing so far. I agree with that and with this I declare the voice of the Shen Family ...”

“Diwei! Stop your bullshit!” a middle-aged man from the Shen Family interrupted Shen Diwei's remark. The thick-moustached man stood in his place with a fierce face. Shen Chao became wry-faced when he saw it. The man was his younger brother who was ambitious to get a patriarchal position in the family circle.

“The Shen family has not completely agreed with that discourse. Do not be the tongue of the Shen Family in the presence of the Eighth Prince,” cerocos the middle-aged man, “About has a high rank in the scholarship exam, you dare to act recklessly. You stink of kencur! The experience is still shallow, daring to dissipate wise parents. Go ...”

The double!

A loud impact was heard thrusting into the corner of the hall. His voice was so loud and it shook the hearts of everyone who heard him. They also look at the source of the sound.

“Do the elders of the Shen Family have no face at all?” shouted Li An with high intonation and sounded furious, “You know I am here, but you still dare to raise your voice in front of me. Do you think this young me is just a mere display doll on the seat of honor? Truly, I have always been watching your movements. I don't want any calamity to befall this empire just because of the selfishness of some fool from a small family. Know that I came here as the emperor's representative on trade affairs with foreigners.”

“Bu—not so, Prince ..” the thick-moustached man wanted to straighten out the misunderstanding, but his tongue was muddled as it continued to be stared fiercely by Wang Hongli. He could not say a word after that.

The entire audience was silent. Balirung became silent after Li An finished speaking. No one dared to speak or speak unless the Eighth Prince allowed it.

“I have seen Young Master Shen's commitment in this matter,” Li An continued after a moment of silence set his heart, “Before I decide the result, is there anything else you want to convey?”

“There, Prince,” reply Shen Diwei respectfully. His gaze towards Li An changed slightly after seeing the young prince silencing one of the higher-ups of the Shen Family. He was determined to continue a good relationship with her after the event was over.

“Please say,” Li An gave permission.

“We had a dialogue with each other a few days ago. Caravans are safe as well. I heard, they have met you on the same day,” Shen Diwei mince words for a moment, only then put forward his request, “I want the discussion of cooperation between us to be done immediately. That way, we will more quickly agree on a decision.”

“Deliver that problem after this audience is done. We should talk about it in a different forum,” Li An nodded slowly, hinting at the request of Young Master Shen. He turned to Maisara and found her nodding. Finally, the Eighth Prince decided on the outcome of the negotiations between the Shen Family and the Safe Caravan without ignoring the interruptions of the elders of the Shen Family.

The event was closed after representatives of the Shen Family and the Safe Caravan signed a new contract. Just as Li An was about to get out of the hall, he was approached by Shen Chao and Shen Diwei. The two saluted the Eighth Prince.

“Thank you for the Prince's help,” Shen Chao said.

Li An only nodded at a glance. His reaction left Shen Chao tick-dead, not knowing what to do. Shen Diwei also came forward to represent, “Prince, do you have any time after this? Let's eat together to celebrate this peace.”

“Ah, of course, Prince. I will immediately have a dialogue with them,” Shen Diwei scratched his head that is not itchy, misbehaved at the rejection Li An asserted. He did not expect at all that he would be rejected outright by the prince.

“Then, Mayor Shen,” Li an turned to Shen Chao, “The problem of prisoners in the feud at that time was still not resolved. Immediately raise the matter to the City Law Assembly so that they can act immediately. Otherwise, your negotiation with Safe Caravan will not be of much use and fragile.”

“Good, Prince,” Shen Chao nodded reluctantly, “I will deal with it immediately. Eighth Prince need not worry.”

Li An walked out from in front of them. He immediately slid into his union building to confirm the news he received in the middle of the event. Arriving there, he was immediately greeted by a eunuch from the capital.

“Your Majesty Emperor Yung Wei asks you to return to the capital immediately,” said the eunuch of the palace gave word, “There is an urgent matter that the emperor wants to convey.”

“Give me the letter,” pinta Li An confirm. The eunuch also gave a paper scroll to the Eighth Prince. He then retreated and waited for an answer from the prince.

“I understand. We will leave after we finish preparing the supplies. Until my availability to the emperor,” said Li An after finishing reading the letter he received. The eunuch nodded and immediately prepared to return to the capital according to Li An's orders.

“Jian Hai, keep an eye on the development of the Shen Family and Safe Caravans going forward. Report to me periodically,” Li An's message as soon as he gets to the union director's office. Jian Hai nodded immediately. He had already heard that the Eighth Prince got a call from the palace.

“Send also these letters to the other branches. Remind them to immediately report any news when these letters reach them,” Li An handed over the sheets in the form of news of the cancellation of his safari. In the letters also listed various questions regarding the condition of each union branch in their respective cities.

“Jian Hai received the Prince's edict,” said Jian Hai takzim, “I will send it immediately with the fastest and best courier belonging to the union.”

“Yes, I wait for the latest news from you in the future,” said Li An before leaving.

Jian Hai nodded. He immediately exhaled as soon as the Eighth Prince left. It is believed that he had a stack of additional tasks that he had to do soon. Moreover, the Shen Family and the Safe Caravan will immediately submit a proposal. For a moment, he felt heavy-hearted to do so. However, he must not disappoint the Eighth Prince for the sake of his career continuity. He immediately moved after slightly stretching the body.

...***...

“What?” Li Huanran frowned upon hearing news from Li An. He was drinking tea with Shen Huifeng at the time. The Third Princess also asked in a slightly protesting tone, “Home? Isn't there still some city we should go to?”

“Well, it should be,” reply Li An accordingly, “But this is a direct order from the father of the emperor. Aunt Shu also asked Brother to come home. Here, a letter from him.”

Li Huanran received the scroll that Li An handed over with a curious face. He read the letter carefully, then immediately asked Li An to prepare after he finished reading it.

“Mr Princess, there seems to be a very urgent matter,” said Shen Huifeng after being silent for quite a long time since the arrival of Li An, “I leave alone if there is nothing more to talk about.”

“Ah, true too. Too bad, even though I quite enjoyed tea time with you,” Li Huanran grabbed Shen Huifeng's hand with both hands. He asked a lady to get a gift.

“This is for you. Thank you for telling me so much about Quanzhou. Hopefully we can meet again in the future,” Li Huanran said as he handed over the gift he prepared. It was a pair of gold plated pearl earrings and brightly colored beautiful jade. Shen Huifeng felt uneasy accepting it.

“Take it. This is a sign of our friendship. Take good care of this jade. If this thing is useful for you in the future,” Li Huanran insisted until Shen Huifeng would accept the prize. That is the princess's custom. He always gave gifts to anyone who had been part of his best friend like the daughters of Prince Zhizhe.

“I will definitely keep the gift of the Princess as well as possible,” said Shen Huifeng then keep the gift in a safe place. He understood Li Huanran's intentions earlier. The jade he got could be a sign that he has a close relationship with the Tang Imperial Family. It was an extremely precious treasure until it deserved to be called the heirloom of the Shen Huifeng family. He resigned himself once again and left from Li Huanran's inn.

“She's gone. Can you explain the details now?” Li Huanran glanced at Li An who was just about to step into the inn. The Eighth Prince also sighed. He then explained, “The main issue. Possibility of Fuli Trade Union will be involved. If later I have to go again, Brother do not need to come again.”

“Eh? Why indeed?” Li Huanran demanded further explanation.

“Problems in the North. Sister definitely ‘dah heard the wind, ‘kan?” Li An gave a hint. Li Huanran went slowly, then let Li An go from before him without asking again.

Other than Yun Jili and Wang Hongli, there was another loyal servant who swore an oath to Li An. He was Ma Shifu, the old eunuch who had always been receptive to receiving every task from the Eighth Prince. Preparations for Li An's trip were completed quickly so that the next day they could slide to the capital.

“Kek Shifu, have all been checked carefully?” li An asked to make sure. The eunuch whose face was already filled with wrinkles nodded, then replied, “Eighth Prince need not worry. Everything is safe sentosa. There is no more or less. We will arrive in 13teen days of travel unless there is something unexpected in the middle of it.”

“How about the note I asked for?” Li An remembered something she wanted to read.

“Director Jian already handed it over yesterday. I've put the note on the Prince's carriage as you command,” Ma Shifu replied steadily. The journey home began. Li An was immediately busy struggling with the note he asked for until he made Li Huanran shake his nose.

If only it wasn't a really important matter, Li An wouldn't have wanted to work that secret. The problems that he might face later are very much related to the war between kingdoms in the North. The Tang Empire had entered into an alliance with one of them. If until the war were to lose, it was likely that the Northern region of the Tang Empire would be in deep trouble. As a prince prepared to bring prosperity to every inch of land he passed, Li An was unwilling to let that happen.