It took less than two days, and by the next day, the property deeds of the two coal mines were delivered to Dongfang Yuanbin's hands.
"Ask the people from the Song family to come tomorrow."
Dongfang Yukun nodded slightly.
Shortly after 10 a.m. the next day, Lanxi and Fushun arrived.
In the front hall, apart from Dongfang Yuanbin, who was idle at home, and Dongfang Yukun, who had specially taken time off to stay at home, all the other servants were sent away.
Dongfang Yuanbin placed the property deeds and the profit - sharing contract that Lanxi had brought before on the edge of the table, motioning for Lanxi and Fushun to take them.
"These are the property deeds of two coal mines in the capital. They are the Dongfang family's capital for investing in the anthracite coal business. When you return to Suining City, tell County Princess Linghui that our Dongfang family is willing to participate in this business, and the profit - sharing will be as you proposed."
Seeing the red fingerprints and signatures on the deeds, Lanxi suppressed the excitement in his heart and stepped forward to fold the three deeds and put them into his sleeve.
"Thank you, Lord Dongfang. The county princess will be very happy if she knows this."
Dongfang Yuanbin asked, "How does Gu Zhongxun, the Southwest Chief Secretary, treat your eldest young master in Suining City?"
The smile on Lanxi's lips faded a bit.
"Before, they were a bit estranged, but it's better now before I came to the capital."
Dongfang Yuanbin nodded slightly.
"That's good. If there are any difficulties in the future, ask your county princess to write to us. We will definitely help if we can."
When Lanxi and Fushun were sent out of the Dongfang family, Dongfang Yukun chased after them from behind.
Knowing that Lanxi was highly regarded by the Song family, he asked, "Compared with being the Southwest Chief Secretary, does your eldest young master really not plan to return to the capital?"
Lanxi pretended to be in a difficult position and lowered his head, his tone full of helplessness.
"I've heard that in the past six months, the emperor has begun to rely on Prince Ying again, and Lord Ye and Lord Fei have been repeatedly demoted. Our county princess and eldest young master are afraid of getting into trouble, so they think it's better to stay in the southwest. It's really a last - resort thing."
Dongfang Yukun's mood also became heavy.
Since the marriage alliance between the two countries, the Kingdom of Shuobei has stopped causing trouble, and even Prince Ying's reputation has been somewhat restored.
The common people all praised him for bearing the humiliation for the peace between the two countries, marrying a princess who grew up in a brothel since childhood and still having to dote on her.
After a long silence, Dongfang Yukun said to Lanxi, "Go back and tell your eldest young master that Gu Huaiyuan will definitely be transferred away at the latest next year."
"You came back early and may not know that the emperor has issued an imperial edict to promote Qiming one more rank. The edict was sent out two months ago, and it should be arriving soon."
As a fifth - rank prefect, only the prefect of Songzhou in the entire Southwest Province could be on an equal footing with Song Qiming.
Hearing this news suddenly, Lanxi was stunned for a moment and then became excited.
"Thank you, Lord Dongfang, for telling me. I'm going to set off for Suining early the day after tomorrow. If you have any letters to send, you can just send someone to the county princess's mansion."
Dongfang Yukun thought for a moment.
"Okay, I'll send someone there tomorrow."
It was time to write a letter to Qiming. He still wanted to ask more about the anthracite coal business.
At the same time, the official from the Ministry of Rites in charge of delivering the imperial edict had arrived in Songzhou City and was arranged by Gu Zhongxun to stay at the posthouse overnight.
"A nineteen - year - old fifth - rank prefect. The emperor really values him."
Thinking that his eldest son was thirty - nine years old when he was promoted to the fifth rank and had not been promoted for five years, Gu Zhongxun couldn't help but feel disappointed.
He was the one who submitted the memorial, but only Song Qiming was rewarded.
Hearing this, Gu Huaiyuan sitting on the chair pursed his lips.
If he were like Song Qiming, their family would have moved to the capital long ago.
Although he felt envious and resentful in his heart, Gu Huaiyuan still calmed down to comfort his father.
"Suining Prefecture's achievements have been greatly improved last year, and the pedal - type thresher was invented by County Princess Linghui. The emperor just loves the one he loves and extends his love to the related things."
"The officials in charge of delivering the edict didn't mention cement and anthracite coal. Didn't you mention them, Father?"
Gu Zhongxun leaned back in his chair and shifted his eyes guiltily.
"Those are for County Princess Linghui to make money, not to be presented to the court. Why should I mention them? The emperor will naturally know when they are sold to the capital."
He had thought at that time that he wouldn't tell the court first and take advantage of the time difference to let the Southwest Province develop first. Otherwise, if other provincial officials knew, he would have no advantage.
Now it seems that it was right not to mention it. If he had really told the court, all the credit would have gone to the Song siblings, and he wouldn't have gotten any benefits.
