The tumultuous day finally passed—for the Li family, it had been like riding waves, each one higher than the last.
In the evening, the members of the Li family’s Eighth Branch ate dinner at the main branch before leisurely heading back to Chengmen Dong.
“My goodness, we were just wondering whether to buy land to build a house or purchase one directly. Either way, we thought moving from Chengmen Dong would take some time. Who knew we’d be moving so soon?” Madam Zhao still felt as if she were dreaming. During dinner, the Seventh Branch had already confirmed the moving date with the Eighth Branch—three days later, deemed auspicious for moving according to the imperial calendar.
“Mother, didn’t you say you didn’t want to deal with the main branch, and that our family lived comfortably in Chengmen Dong? How come you’re so happy about moving now?” Zhen Niang teased her mother while holding up a lantern to light the way.
“That was true then, and I still don’t want to deal with them now. But moving is different, isn’t it? That courtyard in the ancestral home was originally allocated to our family. We’re simply taking back what’s ours, so of course I’m happy,” Madam Zhao replied irritably.
“Oh, I see,” Zhen Niang responded with exaggerated enlightenment.
“This girl, capable of such great things now, yet still teasing her mother—so improper, deserving of a spanking,” Madam Wu said with a smile from the side.
“Speaking of great things, young lady, you need to explain yourself properly today,” Madam Zhao pointed her finger at Zhen Niang. “Tell me, when did you go to the magistrate’s office to file that public contract? Such a major decision, and you didn’t breathe a word to the family—have your wings grown too strong?”
She continued crossly, “I mean, girl, are you dim-witted or what? You’ve done so much for the ink workshop, put in so much effort—and it all turns out to be making a wedding dress for the Seventh Branch? Are you stupid?”
As she spoke, she gave Zhen Niang several sharp swats.
“Mother, I’m not stupid. Even with Seventh Grandmother’s letter, did you think we could really keep the workshop? If the workshop wasn’t profitable, that would be one thing, but once it started making money, people with all sorts of intentions would come around. At that point, how could our small family stand against so many Li clan members? It wouldn’t have been legitimate. When I’d be out negotiating business, who knows what kind of backstabbing I’d face?” Zhen Niang explained.
At the time, Zhen Niang had felt accepting wasn’t appropriate, but not accepting would have led the workshop down the path described in the family chronicles, falling into Li Jincai’s hands. That’s why she had discussed it with Elder Manager Li, who ultimately advised her to establish the public contract.
They would hold out for a while, support You’er until he grew up, and then their Eighth Branch could retire with honor.
Of course, the current outcome was even better.
She continued, “Besides, I did tell the family—I told Grandfather. He’s the one who told me to do this. If you’re really unhappy about it, take it up with him.”
“You wicked girl, don’t use your grandfather as a shield.” Madam Zhao swatted Zhen Niang again, then sighed, “Though I suppose that’s how it is.”
She then added with satisfaction, “I guess good deeds are rewarded—you’ve done a great service for the Eighth Branch. And with that one share as your dowry, mother can rest easier about your future.”
At least even if Zhen Niang had no other support in the future, she could live comfortably. Li Ink had hundreds of years of reputation, and this one share was more substantial than the dowries of many wealthy families spanning generations.
“Give and take—only by giving can we receive, Sister,” Madam Wu offered philosophically from the side.
Zhen Niang smiled contentedly.
The Seventh Grandmother’s actions had surprised Zhen Niang, but she felt entirely justified in accepting that one share.
“Ah, if only your father were still here. He always dreamed of earning enough to buy back our family’s two shares. If he were alive now, he’d be overjoyed—might even go try his luck at gambling,” Madam Zhao said, looking up at the stars with emotion.
“Try his luck” meant gambling—normally, if Li Jingfu had mentioned gambling, Madam Zhao would have been furious. But now, as she spoke of it herself, she felt rather moved.
While Li Jingfu was alive, Madam Zhao had many complaints about his useless behavior, but after years of marriage, there was still affection between them. Thinking of his unfulfilled wishes now left her feeling empty inside.
“Zhen Niang, when we get home, light some incense for your father and tell him about today’s events. Let him release his burdens and reincarnate in peace,” Elder Manager Li said.
“Yes,” Zhen Niang nodded.
As they spoke, they entered Chengmen Dong. Along the long alley, lanterns hung from shops swayed in the cold wind, and a cold snowflake landed on Zhen Niang’s cheek.
It had started snowing.
The Li family entered their home through the falling snow. The brazier was already lit inside. Upon entering and lowering the thick cotton curtain over the door, they were enveloped in warmth.
The first thing Zhen Niang did upon entering was to properly light incense before her father’s memorial tablet and recount the day’s events before leaving the room.
Outside, although Elder Manager Li and Madam Wu were tired, the day’s events had left them too excited to sleep. So the family gathered around the brazier to chat.
Elder Manager Li first asked about Li Dalang’s oil shop business.
“Many people have been returning oil these days. Fortunately, Zhen Niang found two people to help me—they’re quite efficient. Otherwise, I really couldn’t have managed,” Li Dalang said. Dealing with oil returns involved not just the returns themselves but various other complicated matters.
During this period, Li Dalang had been overwhelmed with work.
“What’s this? Where did you find two people to help your elder brother?” Elder Manager Li asked Zhen Niang curiously.
Zhen Niang explained about the two workers from the ink workshop who had spread rumors, then said, “At the time, if we hadn’t dealt with it severely, the rumors would have disrupted the workers’ morale at the ink workshop, so I had to take strong action.”
“Mm, that’s right. In business, while harmony brings wealth, management must combine both kindness and authority, like running a family,” Elder Manager Li nodded. With his background as a manager, he understood how to handle such matters properly.
Then he turned to Li Dalang and said, “Dalang, learn from this.”
In Elder Manager Li’s view, Li Dalang wasn’t naturally suited for business. He was too honest—though business required honesty, loyalty, and kindness for sustainable growth.
But one couldn’t be purely good-natured. That might work for small business, but once things scaled up, all sorts of issues would arise. However, it was fortunate that Dalang was now working with the Ninth Branch’s eldest son, and that boy had skill, so there wasn’t too much to worry about.
“By the way, Grandfather, I plan to go to Wuyuan in a few days to sell another batch of inkstones. Then the oil shop can restart operations,” Li Dalang said. The coal stove workshop had already been sold to Daxi and others in Chengmen Dong. Now he was focused entirely on the oil shop, and having worked there for many years, he was actually more familiar with it than the coal stove business.
“Mm, that’s fine. Also, remember to clear the medical bills owed to the ink workshop. The oil shop’s affairs should be handled by our family independently, not mixed with the ink workshop—this needs to be kept separate,” Elder Manager Li said.
“I understand. When I return from Wuyuan, I’ll settle everything,” Li Dalang replied.
At this point, young Xi’er came bouncing over with a fire basket in his hands: “Second Sister, I heard our aunt from Nanjing came. Did she bring any interesting things?”
Children were always particularly interested in visiting relatives, especially from Nanjing—the secondary capital, a big city.
“I don’t know about interesting things, I just know she scolded me thoroughly,” Zhen Niang said irritably. The aunt’s presence was quite intimidating.
“What right does she have to scold people? She’s a Han now. She’s reaching too far, trying to manage Li family affairs,” Madam Zhao frowned, then lowered her voice and continued, “During dinner earlier, I heard the First Aunt trying to borrow money from Seventh Aunt—asked for two thousand taels right off the bat, and got scolded for it.”
“Two thousand taels? What does First Aunt need that for?” Zhen Niang asked in surprise. Although her batch of goods had sold to Huiyuan Money House for over eight thousand taels, that was gross profit. After deducting costs and such, the net profit was at most three thousand taels. Add in future investment in the ink workshop, deduct various profits and clan school and charitable cemetery expenses, and not much remained.
Where would they find so much money to lend!
The Li family ink workshop had centuries of history, but its operations had always struggled, barely maintaining itself. Sometimes Zhen Niang didn’t understand why.
“I heard she wants to buy some land? Minister Xu’s third daughter-in-law is helping her with it. The land is supposedly very cheap, so she wants to buy some to establish a family estate,” Madam Zhao explained.
Zhen Niang’s eyes widened: “Minister Xu—you mean Grand Secretary Xu Jie?”
“Hey, how dare you speak the Grand Secretary’s name so casually?” Madam Zhao glared at Zhen Niang.
“Well, why did you call him Minister Xu? Our Great Ming doesn’t have ministers,” Zhen Niang replied calmly. Though there were no official ministers, common people often referred to the Cabinet’s high officials as ministers.
“First Aunt is quite impressive, actually connecting with Grand Secretary Xu’s family,” Zhen Niang added.
“Grand Secretary Xu serves in court, but his sons do business in Songjiang, Nanjing, and other places. The Han family has been in the textile industry in Nanjing for generations—it’s perfectly normal to have some connections,” Elder Manager Li explained from the side.
Having stayed in Nanjing before, he knew something about these matters.
But Zhen Niang was thinking that First Aunt shouldn’t get involved with Xu Jie’s family, and especially shouldn’t get mixed up in this land business.
Xu Jie was powerful, but time waits for no one. Soon after Emperor Longqing ascended the throne, he would retire and return home.
Originally, his retirement would have been glorious—with numerous disciples and old subordinates in court, no one would dare trouble him. His sons flourished in the business world under his protection.
But climb enough mountains and you’ll eventually meet a tiger—and the Great Ming never lacked for formidable characters.
Soon, Nanjing and Songjiang would welcome such a character: Hai Rui, the Regional Inspector of Yingtian. His first major case would be investigating land consolidation, and his first target would be Grand Secretary Xu Jie.
Though Xu Jie had many supporters in court, they were no match for Hai Rui’s iron-faced impartiality. In the end, not only would the consolidated lands be returned, but his third son would be exiled to serve as a laborer at the frontier.
This was a pit—a very, very deep pit…
A pit deep enough to bury people!