Merchant Prince Kangxi sat on a high balcony overlooking the shimmering waters of the Pearl River Delta. His vantage point was a hill directly behind the warren of piers and warehouses that stretched along both sides of the busy river. It was also the fourth tier of the six tier Spring Blossom exchange and nerve center of the Pearl River Kingdom. The prosperity of the Kingdom was envied throughout south China not only for its wealth, but for the protection that that wealth provided. The best deals and highest profits came through an affiliation with the traders of Pearl River. In fact Kangxi had just concluded negotiations with the leading merchants and local warlords of the coastal province to the east. They had come to Guangzhou City to wheedle their way into his good graces and find a way to join themselves to the kingdom. The deal was a very good one for the kingdom financially and if they reneged later, he had his armies to enforce things. He opened the well-worn book on the small table next to his ornate chair and read:
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Wind and thunder: the image of increase.
Thus the superior man:
If he sees good, he imitates it;
If he has faults, he rids himself of them.
Nine in the beginning means:
It furthers on to accomplish great deeds
Supreme good fortune. No blame.
42
Wind and thunder: the image of increase.
Thus the superior man:
If he sees good, he imitates it;
If he has faults, he rids himself of them.
Nine in the beginning means:
It furthers on to accomplish great deeds
Supreme good fortune. No blame.