The swan feather fan that Yan Liang wanted was now in his grasp. He flipped through the black-handled, admiring its beauty.
Yan Liang hid his admiration. There was no smile on his face. Instead, a soft sigh came from him. "This fan, I saw it in the market. It had a price of a few pieces of silver."
Lan answered politely, "I'm sorry if the gift isn't your liking."
Yan Liang noticed a change in Lan's face. It seemed the second prince was a bit nervous. Maybe Yan Liang was too hard on him?
"That fan is special," Lan said.
Yan Liang was taken aback and then let out a long sigh, asking, "What makes this thing special?"
A simple question that was a test for Lan. Would he be able to find the uniqueness of this cheap fan?
"Normally, such a fan had nineteen feathers and eighteen engraved pendants. The swan feathers on that fan numbered twenty, and the fan's handle was engraved with twenty Ahn Empire pendants. I think that makes fans special."
Yan Liang grinned in satisfaction as he thought. Another one, all feathers are twenty inches high.
Yan Liang fanned himself even though the air was not hot. "Good observation. All right, I accept your present. Tell me, Mr. Businessman, what are you worried about?"
Lan was informed of his problem. "Two competing companies are competing. They offer me cooperation. The first company will give me a mine if I send mine to him. The second company asked me for the same help, and they promised to pay an attractive price and gave me a contract to sell my stuff in their area later."
Yan Liang nodded like a gentle breeze. "Aia, then you just have to choose which one is the most profitable for your company."
Lan sighed like a spiciness person. "The problem is, the shareholder and I had already agreed to reject all offers. However…."
Lan seems complicated to get the last sentence out. Yan Liang pushed it a little. "Continue, please."
"But I want that offer. I think the offer will be beneficial for the company."
"That's easy then," replied Yan Liang, pouring the tea that was starting to cool down into the guest's glass. "But first, tell me why you are reluctant to help one of them."
Lan firmly replied, "Because I don't want my people to die in vain."
Lan's answer leaked crucial information. He mentioned the people, and that made Yan Liang chuckle. "People?"
"I mean employee."
Yan Liang was increasingly interested in Lan. He wanted to know how far Lan's ability in stringing sentences was. "How could your employees die for nothing?"
"The two companies are known to often mine in dangerous places. My employee will die. I don't want them to die."
Yan Liang failed to sip his tea even though his lips had touched the cup. For him, there were rarely leaders who cared about the fate of the people. Lan's tone was sincere.
"Mr. Yan Liang, what do you think? How do I benefit from the offers without sending my workers to them?"
Yan Liang closed his eyes as he fanned his chest. He was in this condition for quite a long time until he finally answered.
"If you know the enemy but not yourself, you would lose every battle. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."
Yan Liang opened his eyes while pointing his fan at Lan. "You already know the enemy, also yourself."
"I don't understand. Please enlighten me, Master Liang." The right hand clenched in the palm of the left.
"Humans always want something and are afraid when others want the same thing. They will do anything to prevent other people from getting what they want. For example, if you are bidding on an item at the market and the seller doesn't let go of his item. You can pretend to go to another merchant. Then, the seller will accept your bidding."
The black part of Lan's eye moves to the left and right. Then he smiled contentedly. It looks like he managed to find a way out of his problem. "Master Liang, thank you. You are wise!"
"You are praising too much. I'm just opening the door for your mind to get through. I don't do anything."
"Master Liang is too modest."
Lan got up and straightened her clothes. So did Yan Liang. He knew this passionate young man wanted to get home and put his plan into action.
"Then I'll excuse myself. I'll be back again."
They exchanged bows, and Lan lightly walked out of Yan Liang's private room.
As if his lover was about to leave, Yan Liang watched Lan from the open window.
In front of the tea house, Kun Lan rode his horse, heading towards the Duke's residence.
Seeing him getting farther away, Yan Liang felt a sense of emptiness in his soul. He thought that Kun Lan was a suitable person. He believes he can make his dream come true if he can make Lan ambitious and realize the great inspiration hidden within him.
"How was your meeting? Asked Sui Yan, approaching from behind. "What's taking so long? Usually, you do it in ten minutes, right?"
"I'm like a fish that finds fresh, clear water. We're meant to be together and achieve something big together."
"Hey, idiot!" Sui Yan tapped Yan Liang and handed him a money bag. "It's still twenty gold pieces. You said you want to double it to forty, right? Where?"
"Aia, you have to be patient. Later, when I become Prime Minister, I will double this Tea House! You will be satisfied!"
Yan Liang wondered what Yubang's reaction would be when he saw the test going on. Maybe he will change his judgment of Lan.
****