Chapter 349: Brother Baoyuan

Chapter 349: Brother Baoyuan

Aunt Qiao chided, "Yes, yes, it was my slip of the tongue!" She then turned to Xianjin with a smile and said, "Your teacher often talks about you, saying you are clever, diligent, kind, generous, decisive, and steady... All the good words under the heavens are yours..."

Oh, Qiao Dao'er! So this is who you really are—scolding her to her face but secretly proud of her.

Xianjin attempted to blush and act embarrassed, but after trying for a while, her face only showed righteousness and a clear conscience.

Qiao Fangzhi said, "..."

Just like father, just like daughter—both equally shameless.

After a few more words, Qiao Fangzhi casually put down his teacup and asked, "What are your plans for the next few days in the capital?"

Xianjin replied gently, "Tomorrow, I need to go to the Office of Exchange Certificates to meet with Chief Eunuch Wu. He gave me an invitation to discuss the feasibility of issuing paper currency. In the afternoon, I have an appointment at the Court of Diplomatic Reception with Minister Cheng to discuss the details of the edict for dispatching to Japan and the teachings of the academies. The day after tomorrow, there will be a small meeting at the Ministry of Revenue's Gold Department, and in the afternoon, I will go to the Imperial Academy to inquire about the issuance of exchange certificates... The arrangements for the days after will depend on the outcomes of these three meetings."

So busy.

The fluffy-bearded Ningyuan Marquis, with his awkward Mandarin, said, "Oh dear! Don’t be so overwhelmed! Tomorrow, go watch some acrobatics first! Work is never-ending!"

It felt like he was about to invite her for tea, as if they had just finished paying respects at the ancestral temple—a moment of calm before the storm.

It was truly rare to see such a laid-back attitude in a military official.

Xianjin involuntarily turned to look at Qiao Hui.

Qiao Hui was leaning back in his chair, his right hand supporting his chin, and mouthed to Xianjin, "Guang—Dong—person—"

Alright, you’re definitely the flip-flops-and-tea type.

Qiao Fangzhi frowned with dissatisfaction and said, "Both of you shut up for now."

One is praising his father’s prized disciple for being responsible, while the other is teaching her to slack off. I could strangle both of them!

Qiao Hui half-raised his body and made a slitting-the-throat gesture at Xianjin.

Xianjin smiled discreetly.

No one noticed a pair of eyes moving back and forth between them.

Qiao Fangzhi turned and nodded at Xianjin, saying, "It’s a good idea to start at the Office of Exchange Certificates. Chief Eunuch Wu was the Grand Supervisor of Qianyang Palace before the Grand Princess's trip to the Northwest. With him backing you, it's like receiving a royal sword. You can go anywhere else afterward."

The matter of making exchange certificates is far from just making a piece of paper and reporting it.

There are many departments in the court responsible for this matter. The Office of Exchange Certificates has been passed down since the Song Dynasty and is mainly responsible for the production of exchange certificates. The Ministry of Revenue is responsible for calculating the quantity and timing of the issuance of exchange certificates. The Imperial Academy is responsible for the direct issuance.

The production is very complex, and the issuance is no simple task either.

Some are issued directly by the court, and others are issued through provinces, prefectures, and counties.

The production process is complicated, and the issuance process is equally intricate. While Xianjin, as a supplier, doesn’t have to worry about national matters, she inevitably faces the reality of "one-to-many" situations, where one supplier has to deal with multiple clients.

For example, Xianjin needs to understand the requirements of the Office of Exchange Certificates for the paper, figure out the patterns of issuance by the Ministry of Revenue to stock up on materials, and understand the issuance methods of the Imperial Academy to avoid transportation and storage risks. These requirements often conflict.

For instance, the Office of Exchange Certificates certainly hopes the certificates are light enough for easy carrying, but the Imperial Academy, which handles the actual issuance, expects them to be durable, ending up as hard as kraft paper and not easily damaged—how could both be satisfied simultaneously?

Light, durable, and easy to carry—too bad plastic hasn’t been invented yet.

Not only do the clients have conflicting demands, but they might not even get along with each other.

The Transmission Office is controlled by trusted confidants of the ruling powers, mostly eunuchs. While meeting the demands of the rulers, they also need to cater to the material or spiritual needs of these men who have no descendants. The Ministry of Revenue, on the other hand, is more political. It is said that the current Minister of Revenue, Hu Bingzhi, quickly switched allegiance after the Grand Princess came to power, securing a spot in the negotiation team to Japan. However, last month, he betrothed his youngest daughter to the youngest grandson of Grand Secretary Li, playing both sides to his advantage.

The Imperial Academy remains neutral. No matter who is in power, its scholars are all considered disciples of the Son of Heaven. These three patrons will engage in a power struggle, and it's the poor suppliers who get pulled in every direction.

Qiao Fangzhi calmly analyzed Xianjin's situation and swiftly gave his instructions: "You were personally appointed by the Grand Princess, so the Transmission Office won't deliberately cause you trouble. But watch out for Grand Supervisor Wu trying to stir up conflict between you and the Ministry of Revenue. Don’t worry too much, though. If you treat him respectfully—call him 'Sir' instead of 'Supervisor'—he won’t give my apprentice too much trouble."

"As for the Imperial Academy, I'll write you a letter. If anyone tries to undermine you, remember their name and come back to me. I'll deal with them severely."

"As for the Ministry of Revenue..."

Qiao Fangzhi pondered: "Minister Hu Bingzhi is an old fox. He won't handle this matter personally. His deputy, Huang Qian, is from Huai'an Prefecture and studied for two years at Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard. First, find out which deputy is in charge of this matter. If it’s someone else, I’ll write to Huang Qian and have him take over."

Xianjin felt tears of gratitude well up in her eyes.

It felt like even if she messed up, her master would step in to save the day!

Qiao Fangzhi continued, "The imperial decree regarding Japan and the private school teachings are more about form than content. You're just there to play a supporting role, like adding a bit of background music. The key point is the role of the envoy to Japan."

"I'm not familiar with Deputy Cheng of the Court of Diplomatic Reception. Tomorrow, let Baoyuan escort you."

"How do you know I have nothing to do tomorrow?" Qiao Hui frowned.

"Do you have anything?"

"No, nothing."

Qiao Fangzhi looked at Qiao Hui as if he were a simple-minded pheasant. "If the Capital Military Commandery has tasks, then the capital is in chaos. Tomorrow, you will personally drive Xianjin to the Court of Diplomatic Reception. Harness those glossy northern border horses; be as conspicuous as possible."

Qiao Hui held back. "Can you please not call them 'glossy'? It makes me feel like I’m saddling them with greasy hair!"

A soft, delicate snicker came from below.

Everyone turned their eyes to the lowest seat, where Jin Jie'er was blushing, raising her little finger, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, and shyly stammering, "...It's always fun to listen to Brother Baoyuan. I'm sorry for delaying everyone's serious discussion. Please forgive me, everyone."

Xianjin calmly turned her head and, with a half-smile, raised an eyebrow at Qiao Hui. "Oh? Brother Baoyuan?"