396: big businessman

However, Lin Yue was not foolish; although Zhao Gao had not yet revealed his ambition, he knew what kind of person Zhao Gao was.

Originally, after Hu Hai ascended the throne, he thought the Meng brothers were the pillars of Great Qin and wanted to continue to heavily employ them.

But because Meng Yi once wanted to punish him according to the law, Zhao Gao held a grudge and offered slanderous advice, ultimately causing the deaths of both brothers.

Although now that 'outsiders' had appeared, the future direction of Great Qin was unknown, Lin Yue did not want to provoke him, and keeping a respectful distance was the best attitude.

"As for the Colonel Household General, that is Lord Lu Bu, who is quite straightforward; the Commander of Chariots is Prince Gao, who is His Majesty's son and has always been kind to others, so you don't need to worry about them.

You only need to be careful of Marquis Feng and Director of the Chariot Office Lord Zhao Gao," Yang Xi said without reservation.

"Good, thank you," Lin Yue said with a smile, acknowledging that it was already quite good for Yang Xi to tell him so much.

"It's nothing, I am good friends with Brother Li, and my elder brother was once your comrade, so this is all something I should do," Yang Xi said with a smile.

Hearing this, Lin Yue couldn't help but smile wryly and patted his shoulder; in this way, Yang Xi could indeed be considered 'one of us.'

It is said that people hate two kinds of officials the most: one who provides convenience and backdoors for friends and relatives, and one who does not allow their own relatives to receive convenience and backdoors.

In this great dye vat, it is truly too difficult to be upright and incorruptible.

At least Lin Yue couldn't achieve the feat of remaining untainted, but precisely because of this, he admired even more those incorruptible officials in history who left their names in the annals!

Immediately after, everyone briefly looked around and, after understanding the palace entry procedures and general locations, they all took their leave and returned home.

It was nearing dusk after everyone had finished their tour, so Lin Yue thought for a moment and then took Zhao Yun in a carriage to the Great Wall Tavern.

On the way, he purchased some not-too-expensive gifts before paying a visit.

"Guest, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?" the Shopkeeper quickly came out to greet them.

"I'm looking for Brother Ji San, is he here?" Lin Yue asked.

"Looking for the manager?" The Shopkeeper scrutinized Lin Yue for a moment, then suddenly realized, "You're General Lin Yue, aren't you?"

Lin Yue couldn't help but look back at him, wondering if he possessed the Art of Recognizing People.

The Shopkeeper seemed to perceive Lin Yue's confusion and smiled, saying, "I saw you last year, General; you came with General She Jian, didn't you?"

Lin Yue nodded.

"The manager is currently entertaining guests, General, please wait a moment, I'll go inform him," the Shopkeeper said with a smile.

"Alright," Lin Yue said with a smile.

The Shopkeeper then poured Lin Yue a cup of tea and scurried upstairs.

Lin Yue had just taken a sip when a 'da da da' sound came from the staircase!

"Brother Lin, I was wondering why the magpies kept chirping today—it turns out a distinguished guest has arrived!" Ji San said, holding the handrail and jogging down the stairs.

Lin Yue quickly went to meet him, smiling as he said, "Brother Ji San, you flatter me; I've come unannounced and disturbed you."

"Oh, what are you saying!" Ji San was still plump, exuding a simple and honest demeanor.

"Who is this?" Ji San asked, his eyes on Zhao Yun.

"This is Zhao Yun, Zi Long, my brother," Lin Yue introduced.

After they greeted each other, Ji San pulled Lin Yue and said, "My brother's brother is my brother; both of you, come upstairs with me, I happen to have a few friends here, and we can all gather together."

"Then I shall impose," Lin Yue said with a smile.

He had never quite figured out Ji San's background, only knowing that Ji San was a retired officer from the Great Wall Legion, and She Jian had always been vague about his background, which filled him with curiosity.

At the same time, Lin Yue also wondered who Ji San would be meeting with at this moment.

However, when Ji San opened the door to the private room, the mystery in Lin Yue's heart was unveiled.

"General She Jian?" Lin Yue was a bit surprised; shouldn't this fellow have left already?

She Jian, however, smiled without changing his expression, "What a coincidence, Lin Yue."

"Indeed, quite a coincidence," Lin Yue forced a smile, then said to the others, "General Zhao Tuo."

"Brother Lin, I haven't seen you in a year, yet I can hear your legends even in Xianyang City!" Zhao Tuo laughed heartily.

"General, please don't tease me," Lin Yue smiled, then turned to the other person, the only woman in the room, and asked, "And who might this be?"

"This old woman's name is Qing," the white-haired woman said with a gentle smile.

"Junior Lin Yue, greetings, Senior," Lin Yue truly didn't know how to address her and was also curious about her identity—who was this person?

Ji San smiled as he introduced, "This is Senior Qing, a great merchant from Ba Commandery, and His Majesty treats her with great courtesy."

Lin Yue instantly realized—wasn't this the legendary Widow Qing!

Calling her a great merchant was somewhat inappropriate; calling her a great industrialist or a magnate would be more fitting!

Her life was a legend; she donated silver to build the Great Wall and was the primary provider of the hundred tons of mercury in Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum!

Because she started her business in cinnabar mining, she was known as the Queen of Cinnabar.

Cinnabar mining, which is the extraction and refining of cinnabar, allowed her to monopolize the cinnabar mining business and accumulate countless wealth because she mastered unique mining and smelting techniques.

It is rumored that her net worth was approximately five hundred million taels of silver!

She also owned five million eight hundred thousand taels of pure gold!

In ancient times, with inconvenient productivity, transportation, and information, this was undoubtedly astonishing.

But what was even more admirable was that in an era where merchants had low social status, she, a mere woman, not only established a nationwide commercial empire and accumulated billions in wealth but also successfully 'preserved her legacy,' owning a thousand servants, over two thousand private armed guards, and tens of thousands of dependents.

As a widow, she possessed sufficient 'self-defense' capability to protect her vast family estate!

Moreover, compared to another well-known wealthy merchant of later generations, Shen Wansan, her fate was much better.

Although she was forced to relocate to Xianyang and her private armed forces were disbanded after Great Qin unified the six states, she was able to live out her later years peacefully and was even posthumously honored as a 'Chaste Woman'!

After her death, Qin Shi Huang even ordered the construction of the Huaiqing Platform to commemorate her.

Such an honor was truly enviable.

Thinking of these things, Lin Yue felt even more admiration.

Ji San, bowing, then introduced Lin Yue to Widow Qing: "This is Lin Yue, a general of the Great Wall Legion.

He has recently performed meritorious service in attacking the Xiongnu in the north and has been promoted by His Majesty to Cavalry Commandant."

Widow Qing listened and carefully observed Lin Yue, then smiled, "Haha, young man, you are excellent.

I have also heard of your reputation, and seeing you today, you are indeed as handsome as a jade tree in the wind."

"Senior, you flatter me; your esteemed name is also like thunder to my ears," Lin Yue said with a bow, making a gesture to support Widow Qing as he smiled.

Widow Qing then looked at Lin Yue from the side, her eyes growing brighter, and finally, full of nostalgic memories:

"This old woman married at eighteen, lost her husband at twenty-two, and is now nearing seventy years of age.

In these more than forty years, I had long forgotten the appearance of my deceased husband, but unexpectedly, upon seeing you today, young friend, the face of my late husband has become increasingly clear..."