Midsummer had just passed and early autumn was approaching. In Stone City, cool winds were already beginning to rise, and thin clouds intermittently veiled the moon, making it appear and disappear. Lotus shadows swayed with the wind in the shallow pond, and the lingering fragrance made the garden surroundings seem exceptionally quiet, with only two or three autumn insects chirping incessantly from the wall cracks, as if disturbed by something.

Four enormous white gauze palace lanterns hung high at the four corners of the pavilion beside the pond, illuminating the back garden at the third watch bright as daylight. On the rosewood round table skillfully crafted by old artisans, covered tea bowls grew cold and were replaced, replaced and grew cold again, continuously emitting wisps of fragrant mist, yet unable to dispel the suffocating atmosphere in the pavilion.

A middle-aged man and woman sat facing each other on opposite sides of the round table. From sunset until now, they had sat for a full three hours without speaking a word or moving, like strangers.

The woman kept her gaze firmly fixed on the man, her eyes containing what seemed like a bright hook, wanting to draw out his soul to see it clearly. The man appeared to be looking at her, yet also seemed to see nothing at all, merely casting his gaze toward the deep night, but his eyes were deeper than the night itself.

As the night watch drum sounded once, announcing the arrival of the third watch, before the sound had faded, the woman finally spoke.

“As the saying goes, ‘Enemies are destined to meet.’ At Jinshan Temple, that woman’s family must have captured all three of your souls and six of your spirits.”

The speaker was naturally Mrs. Li. Outside Jinshan Temple, the Gu and Li families had created a great disturbance in full view of the world, and the couple had returned home, each harboring their own concerns. The more Mrs. Li thought about it on the way back, the more furious she became. After more than twenty years, she hadn’t expected that this pillow companion would still harbor old feelings when seeing his former “sweetheart,” and from his expression, he seemed to have the attitude of “my heart has not yet been clearly decided.” This “Li Bancheng” who had lived in the Li residence for more than twenty years might still truly be unable to forget the surname “Gu.”

This made Mrs. Li involuntarily recall the words her father had said to her when he dismissed others and kept her alone before his death. Her father had called her by her childhood name, his breath weak but each word clear.

“My dear daughter, the son-in-law I chose for you may have harmed you. Originally, I only wanted to find someone with business talent and capability to marry into our family and inherit this vast family business. From this perspective, he was indeed the best choice. But he will never forget his former family, and his heart will never be solely here. This will make you suffer.”

What had she said at the time? What could she say before her dying father? Even if she had a thousand bitter grievances, she could only swallow them. Actually, wasn’t she the first to discover that his heart was set on distant Huizhou, occasionally staring southward in silence? Her father’s last words before death still pierced her heart like an awl.

“Other couples can speak freely about everything, but you cannot. With him, you can only speak three parts of what’s on your mind and keep half your heart reserved. If he truly wants to change back to the surname Gu, daughter, you must be ruthless enough to protect the Li family’s foundation.”

At her father’s funeral, through the swirling incense smoke, dimly seeing her husband’s face across from her, with emotions impossible to read, she made a poisonous vow in her heart. From now on, she would have only one thing to do in her life – watch him!

The only thing that comforted her was that during these twenty-plus years of secret observation, Li Wantang had indeed never had any correspondence with that family in Huizhou, nor had he sent them any money. But now that they had encountered each other, things could not possibly end peacefully. A husband was unique – if he bore the surname Li, he could not bear the surname Gu, and vice versa. As her father had said, it was time to be ruthless.

“Isn’t Gu Pingyuan serving as the chief manager of half our shops? We don’t want that half of the shops anymore – let’s give them to him, to the Gu family.” Not hearing her husband respond for a long time, Mrs. Li smiled coldly and suddenly said this, indeed seeing Li Wantang show a slightly astonished expression.

“Madam, are you acting out of spite?” From Li Wantang’s voice, however, no trace of emotion could be heard – it remained as calm as ever.

“Acting out of spite… do those surnamed Gu deserve it? Don’t forget, we are the Li family of the capital. Since the founding of this dynasty, we have been a renowned merchant house in Beijing. A few poor scholars from the Gu family – do they deserve to make me angry with them?” Mrs. Li’s voice was like wind blowing through door cracks in the twelfth lunar month. “Let me tell you honestly, I’m using these shops to buy peace of mind for my husband. Otherwise, you probably won’t sleep soundly from now on.”

“You needn’t worry about this. I swore an oath back then…”

“No, I do worry. A day as husband and wife means a hundred days of affection, not to mention we have three children who are all grown up. How can I not worry? These shops represent a large business, but I don’t care. If the Gu family takes these things, they’ll be even with the Li family from now on. Consider it as if we spent this money to buy a person from the Gu family. As for you, my lord, you must also clearly state that from now on, you are only ‘Li Wantang,’ and the Gu family has no connection to you whatsoever.”

Li Wantang said, “Why is this necessary? When I spoke before the Li family ancestral tablets in the Li family shrine years ago, wasn’t I clear enough?”

“Not enough! ‘Hearts are separated by flesh, and actions are unknowable.’ If spoken words counted, why would business require contracts? If I truly felt at ease, why wouldn’t I stay in the good Li residence in the capital and insist on following you south?”

Li Wantang nodded, “Yes, you’ve never trusted me in these twenty-plus years, just like you said today at Jinshan Temple – in your heart, I’m nothing more than a dog for the Li family to guard the house and make money.”

Mrs. Li’s expression showed no wavering, “Regardless of how you put it, you wrote the divorce letter first, then married me. We are a properly wed couple. Even if we went to court, the Gu family would lose. That’s certainly correct. I’m giving them half the shops – is it for the Li family? I’m doing it for you, to let you continue being ‘Li Bancheng’ with peace of mind. You must understand this clearly, my lord.”

“I understand, I understand everything. This was the path I chose back then, and I will never regret it.” Li Wantang spoke word by word.

“Good!” Mrs. Li cut him off before he finished speaking. “I’ll stop being kind here. If the Gu family still won’t let things be, or if you go mad and still think of yourself as a member of the Gu family, then don’t blame me for turning heartless.”

After speaking, Mrs. Li rose abruptly and walked out of the back garden without looking back, leaving only Li Wantang sitting quietly alone in the pavilion.

After a long while, Li Wantang said in a low voice, “Extinguish the lights.”

Several servants immediately emerged from the corners to receive the order, and the back garden was instantly plunged into complete darkness. Li An quietly approached and asked, “Master, shall we return to your room to rest?”

There was no answer. If Li An hadn’t clearly known someone was in the pavilion, he would have thought he was speaking to empty air.

Li An had also witnessed the day’s events. He thought for a moment, quietly stepped up two steps, and boldly said, “Master, these are matters from over twenty years ago – they’re not worth such worry. Moreover, half the salt shops in the three provinces along the Yangtze River represent profits that merchants throughout the realm would rack their brains to compete for. Madam’s generous gesture this time can be considered showing utmost benevolence and righteousness to the Gu family.”

Li Wantang in the darkness remained as if he hadn’t heard. He understood in his heart that his wife had no intention of showing kindness. These shops were originally lent by the government to the Li family for profit. Now that the Li family was returning half of them, they could only be returned to the government, not transferred to the Gu family. But given Gu Pingyuan’s character and current state of mind, he would certainly seek an audience with Zeng Guofan to take on these shops, naturally to compete with the Li family.

Given Gu Pingyuan’s great merit in purchasing grain for the two Yangtze provinces recently, Zeng Guofan would likely agree to this matter. The question was: what business would Gu Pingyuan do with these shops? His main business was tea, but tea was merely a leisure item for after meals – there was no need to open so many stores. With all industries in Jiangnan now in decline, to operate and prosper so many shops simultaneously, there was still only one path: selling salt.

But where would he find salt? All salt in the Qing Dynasty was sold exclusively within designated territories. In other words, salt shops in the three provinces along the Yangtze River could only sell salt from the Huaihe salt fields, but the salt from the Huaihe salt fields was Li family salt. Forget about Mrs. Li not agreeing – even if she agreed, could Gu Pingyuan conduct cash-and-carry business with the Li family?

What Mrs. Li was giving the Gu family was not some golden mountain or silver sea, but clearly a man-eating trap where one step would mean drowning. After all was said and done, she was doing this to vent the evil anger in her heart. When Gu Pingyuan took half the shops but was unable to operate them and even went bankrupt, then the manager of the other half of the shops – Mrs. Li’s son Li Qin – would naturally become the rightful victor in this “fraternal strife.”

The father was one father, but the Li family’s son must surpass the Gu family’s son. This was what Mrs. Li truly wanted to see.

“Cooking beans burns the bean stalks, beans weep in the pot. Originally born from the same root, why the rush to torment each other?” Thinking of Li Qin’s expression whenever Gu Pingyuan was mentioned – gritting his teeth as if he wanted to devour his flesh and sleep on his skin – Li Wantang sighed deeply from his heart, yet still commanded in an emotionless voice, “Tomorrow you’ll accompany me to the Governor’s Office to submit a petition, explaining the situation and returning the half of the shops currently managed by Gu Pingyuan to the government. Then send more people to spread this news in wine shops and tea houses.”

Li An was stunned. If they wanted Gu Pingyuan to take over these shops, they need only reveal the news to the Gu family. But to also spread it in the marketplace clearly meant hoping others would compete for these shops. Before he could figure it out, Li Wantang changed his mind: “Never mind. With Governor Zeng’s style, he would never scatter these shops piecemeal. Only Gu Pingyuan would dare take on the entire lot regardless of consequences. Others wouldn’t dare wade into these troubled waters.”

Li Wantang’s prediction was perfectly accurate. Once the news broke, it first alarmed Governor-General Zeng Guofan of the two Yangtze provinces. Secretary Xue presented the petition, and after Zeng Guofan read it carefully, his face became dark as water: “This Li proprietor certainly has many tricks. He schemed hard to obtain so many shops, yet now wants to return half – what’s this about?”

Secretary Xue served as Zeng Guofan’s eyes and ears outside the Governor’s Office. From high-ranking military and civil officials down to marketplace teahouses throughout the two Yangtze provinces, he could grasp all manner of rumors, often mentioning matters that interested Zeng Guofan in casual conversation. How Zeng used this “intelligence” was another matter entirely. Since receiving Li Wantang’s petition to return half the commercial properties, Secretary Xue knew the Governor-General would certainly inquire in detail, so he had previously put in considerable effort to clarify the matter’s ins and outs, and had formed his own conclusions.

“In this subordinate’s view, Li Wantang is doing this probably to make way for Gu Pingyuan.”

“Make way for Gu Pingyuan? I remember you mentioned before that the Li family and Gu Pingyuan competed repeatedly in Shanxi, the capital, Huizhou and other places – they’re commercial rivals. How could he hand over such enormous profits?”

“Your Excellency, you know only one side but not the other. Gu Pingyuan is originally Li Wantang’s biological son.” Secretary Xue recounted in detail what had occurred at Jinshan Temple that day, concluding, “Li Wantang’s action likely stems from guilt, wanting to use these half of the shops to compensate his former family. This subordinate thinks that when Your Excellency originally allowed Gu Pingyuan to have a hand in the Huaihe salt field business, it was to create mutual restraint with the Li family, preventing Li Wantang from becoming too powerful and difficult to control. Now that they’ve become father and son, even if they’re at odds, it’s still ‘breaking bones while tendons remain connected.’ When they eventually reconcile, with both their talents, they might be hard to control.”

“Most people would probably think this way. Such father and son are indeed rare.” Zeng Guofan listened while pondering, then suddenly interjected with a seemingly amused comment.

Secretary Xue stared wide-eyed at the Governor-General. Zeng Guofan didn’t explain, merely saying lightly, “Approve this petition. ‘Give a monkey a tree, give a tiger a mountain.’ Since they’re father and son, let them stage a good performance. As for what follows, we can wait and see.”

Secretary Xue had thought he understood, but after Zeng Guofan’s words, he was again lost in confusion. He knew well that this Governor-General saw through human nature extremely clearly – had he perceived some irregularity? Secretary Xue pondered for a long time without understanding. With many matters awaiting him in the secretariat, he couldn’t spend more time on this and had to take the petition to the revenue office clerk to relay Zeng Guofan’s instructions.

While he was taking action, Li An was also following his master’s arrangements, spreading news in various restaurants and tea shops that the Li family was returning half their shops, now sitting empty and unmanned. Within half a day, it was known throughout the streets and discussed with great excitement. People first wondered why the Li family of the capital would give up such enormous profits, and second wanted to see who had the capability to take on these hundred-plus shop fronts. Combined with the fresh incident of father and son meeting but not reconciling at Jinshan Temple, this sparked infinite imagination and countless speculations.

Not only in restaurants, inns, and tea shops, but even in villages and towns near Jiangning, and even at village wells, whenever people spoke, they inevitably discussed this matter. Soon, the news spread like April wind, unstoppably reaching the ears of Su Zixuan and her servant.

Sixi listened with mouth agape: “Heavens, this… this is like something from an opera! This Li Wantang is really a Chen Shimei. And that Gu Pingyuan – who would have thought he and Li Qin are actually blood brothers. These two have been like fire and water since they met – where’s the brotherly affection?”

Su Zixuan seemed momentarily unresponsive, sitting there for a full quarter-hour without speaking, only her eyes flashing with light, proving she was actually calculating silently in her heart.

“This is an evil fate that brings only malevolent energy. Heaven is truly helping – if we miss this opportunity, Heaven itself might abandon me.” She murmured to herself.

While Sixi was still in a daze, Su Zixuan had already instructed: “Sixi, from today on, watch Gu Pingyuan closely and report his every move to me. Especially regarding those hundred-plus shops – I predict Gu Pingyuan will certainly take them. The key now is what he’ll do with these shops and how he’ll go about it.”

“That goes without saying! If I were him, I’d fight the Li family to the death. No one could swallow such humiliation.” Sixi blurted out.

Su Zixuan nodded: “Exactly. No matter how patient and magnanimous Gu Pingyuan is, he absolutely cannot let this go. Even if it means mutual destruction, he must settle this hatred. There’s so much we can do here. I eliminated Prince Seng, that roadblock, but to drive the wolf to the capital, I must feed it well and ensure it has no worries. Tens of thousands of troops require tens of thousands of taels in daily military expenses. I need to prepare at least half a year’s provisions and pay – I originally planned to find a way through the Li family, but with Li Wantang’s deep scheming, getting him to provide provisions and funds for the Zeng brothers’ rebellion would be too difficult. Even with sufficient golden bait, this big fish might not bite. This has been my worry these days. Now with this strange occurrence, Heaven is truly helping me. I want to recruit Gu Pingyuan for my use, first help him defeat the Li family, then combine both families’ businesses for my profit. If I can use Gu Pingyuan to persuade the Huizhou merchants and make this greatest merchant guild in the realm an inexhaustible source of wealth, Zeng Guofan will no longer hesitate at all.”

“Then our next step…” Sixi asked tentatively.

“Wait first. The Gu and Li families will certainly have one side make the first move. Let’s see how they spar first.”

“Miss, you mean the mantis stalks the cicada while the sparrow waits behind!” Sixi suddenly understood.

Su Zixuan smiled slightly: “Now all the mantises on the two Yangtze provinces think they’re sparrows. Who will ultimately prevail is hard to say. Being ruthless enough doesn’t guarantee victory, and keeping calm doesn’t ensure laughing last. Speaking of which, our capital isn’t blown in by the wind either – we must see clearly before placing a heavy bet.” As she spoke, she glanced at the document case that never left Sixi’s hands.

Before Li Qin opened his eyes, his nose detected a fragrant scent, followed by a splitting headache. When he tried to reach for his forehead, he felt a smooth, naked body pressed against him. Startled, he turned to see a woman lying beside him without a stitch of clothing.

“You…” Li Qin sat up to discover he was also completely naked, and looking around, found himself in an unfamiliar room.

“Young Master Li, let me help you wash and dress.” The round-faced woman had somehow also risen, wearing only a pink belly band, yet showing no shyness as she smiled sweetly.

“Where is this place? How did I…” Halfway through his words, Li Qin remembered. Since learning of his relationship to Gu Pingyuan, his heart had been in turmoil, especially thinking of Chang Yu’er’s identity and what he had done to her. For a time, concepts of natural law, human ethics, and karmic retribution burned in his mind like red-hot coals. During the day when awake, seeing people made him feel they were all coldly mocking him. At night when asleep, he was awakened nightly by nightmares, waking drenched in sweat with his heart pounding like drums, not daring to close his eyes again until dawn. After several days of this, Li Qin felt he could no longer endure it. At dusk, he stumbled out of his home to a nameless tavern, ordered a pot of wine, and without eating anything, just poured it down his throat. While drinking, he heard nearby customers discussing how Li Wantang had voluntarily given up half his shops, wondering who would benefit. After hearing this, Li Qin’s heart was in turmoil with indescribable feelings. He simply finished one pot and ordered another, drained one bowl and called for another. Everything after that was a blank.

“Young Master Qin, you’re awake. What a good sleep – straight through until the sun was high. Youth is wonderful – eating well, sleeping soundly. This old man is envious.”

Li Qin had just finished dressing when someone lifted the door curtain and entered, looking at him with a smile.

“Wang Tiangui?” Li Qin gritted his teeth upon seeing this person. “So it was you playing tricks. Why did you bring me here?”

“Oh my, Young Master Qin, heaven and earth be my witness! Think carefully – last night you got yourself drunk. No one forced wine on you. I kindly paid your tab and brought you to this pleasure quarter, found such a pretty girl to accompany you, and I paid for this too. Yet you want to blame me.” Wang Tiangui looked completely incredulous.

“What good intentions could you have? Nothing more than trying to use me again.” Li Qin said irritably. “However much you spent, tomorrow have someone collect the money from the Li residence. I won’t keep you company any longer.” He headed for the door.

“Does the Li residence still have Young Master Qin’s money?” Wang Tiangui followed impassively with a cold comment.

Li Qin slowly stopped, turned back to stare fiercely at Wang Tiangui, then after a long moment sneered coldly: “I said you had ulterior motives, and sure enough, the fox’s tail shows. I am the eldest young master of the Li family. The Li family’s money is all mine – I can have as much as I want.”

“Not necessarily.” Since meeting Li Qin in Shanxi, Wang Tiangui dared not claim to know much else, but this young proprietor’s self-importance and arrogance, plus his disdain for Gu Pingyuan while being repeatedly defeated by him – Wang Tiangui had observed every detail. When the recognition-turned-enmity incident at Jinshan Temple occurred, Wang Tiangui knew his long-awaited opportunity had arrived. Meeting Li Qin was no coincidence – Wang Tiangui had sent subordinates to watch the Li residence daily, and the moment Li Qin emerged, they galloped back to report.

“Last time I saw you, you said you were the Li family’s eldest son with vast wealth all to yourself – that wasn’t wrong. But now it’s different, isn’t it?” Wang Tiangui met Li Qin’s knife-like gaze, squinting as he spoke each word clearly. “Speaking of dividing family property, you’re merely the second son. Oh wait, I heard that Gu Pingyuan has a younger brother who’s also older than you, so you’re only third in line. The family property should be divided three ways, with the Gu brothers taking the larger share and you getting the remainder. Am I right?”

After speaking, Wang Tiangui contentedly sat in a chair by the wall. Someone immediately came to serve him an opium pipe, preparing the opium and attending to his smoking. Wang Tiangui stared unblinkingly at Li Qin, watching for even the slightest change in his expression.

Unexpectedly, after hearing these words, Li Qin didn’t fly into a rage but instead calmed down and grinned at Wang Tiangui.

“Manager Wang, I advise you to worry less about others’ affairs. You’re full of schemes, but what’s the result? Fighting Gu Pingyuan in Shanxi, you lost your own old shop. Fighting our Li family in the two Yangtze provinces, you handed over the Huaihe salt fields. I know you’re just unwilling to accept defeat at the Li family’s hands, so you’re trying to instigate trouble between me and Gu Pingyuan, hoping to profit from our conflict. You’re too clever for your own good – don’t end up losing your life.”

Wang Tiangui was first taken aback by these sharp words, looking at Li Qin as if he didn’t recognize him, then suddenly burst into laughter, gently clapping: “Good, well said! After three days apart, one should view another with new eyes. It seems you’re no longer that inexperienced young master who could be provoked into action with a few words.”

Li Qin merely snorted contemptuously and said nothing.

“But what you just said isn’t entirely correct. True, I used you before, but times change. Perhaps you also know that Master Li has given up half his shops, claiming to return them to the government. But would the government, having tasted the sweetness, let these shops sit idle? They’ll certainly find someone else to operate them. That Gu Pingyuan, after his great scene at Jinshan Temple, already considers the Li family his mortal enemy. He must have these shops, he must fight this battle. So returning the shops to the government actually means handing them to Gu Pingyuan.”

Wang Tiangui paused, giving Li Qin time to think. Seeing his expression shift between light and dark, he continued: “What I said about dividing the family property isn’t unfounded. Now you manage the other half of the shops and should understand clearly – they’re treasure bowls, money trees, the foundation for the Li family’s future dominance in Qing commerce. To have them fall so easily into Gu Pingyuan’s hands – can’t you guess what Master Li is thinking?”

“Even giving these shops to the Gu family is just pitying them, no different from giving alms to beggars. Besides, this is Li family business – what does it have to do with you?” Li Qin said through gritted teeth.

“How is it unrelated?” Wang Tiangui suddenly adopted a mournful expression, sighing heavily. “I’m already half-buried in yellow earth. As you said, defeated first by Gu Pingyuan, then by Master Li. I don’t blame heaven or others – only my inferior skills. In short, I accept it! Fortunately, Master Li showed great mercy, still letting me keep shares in the Huaihe salt fields and receive dividends for my old age. I’m infinitely grateful. But now with this situation, who knows what changes lie ahead? If the Huaihe salt fields eventually all go to Gu Pingyuan, given our past grievances, I’ll probably be swept out the door. How can I not worry?”

“The Huaihe salt fields all going to Gu Pingyuan? Are you still dreaming to say such things? Let me tell you, I can forget about your previous schemes against me, but from now on you’d better behave and wait for your salt field dividends. If you dare any more crooked thoughts, don’t say the Li family shows no mercy.”

“Tsk tsk, I guessed completely right – Young Master Qin indeed hasn’t thought it through. If you had, you wouldn’t say such things.” Wang Tiangui looked at Li Qin with somewhat pitying eyes.

“Thought what through?”

“If before, your conflict with Gu Pingyuan was between a rich young master and a poor country boy, when you lost, people would just call you a wastrel – nothing serious. But today is different from yesterday. You and he are sons of the same father, each managing half the salt shops in the three Yangtze provinces. If you lose again, heh heh, the Li family heir losing to the Gu family heir becomes an iron-clad fact. Broadly speaking, it’s Beijing merchants losing to Huizhou merchants. More deeply considered, isn’t that your mother losing to Gu Pingyuan’s mother…”

“Silence!” Li Qin was finally enraged, roaring loudly, veins bulging at his temples, his expression terrifying.

“Young Master Qin, fraternal conflict within walls has been common since ancient times. Li Shimin killed Jiancheng and Yuanji, yet still became a great emperor. Not to mention recent times – after Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne, didn’t he immediately eliminate his threatening eighth and ninth brothers? So it’s winner takes all. If you lose, the world will only know Gu Pingyuan, and the name Li Qin will forever be overshadowed by this exile’s glory. Can you be content with such a life?”

“What… what exactly do you mean?” Li Qin had already understood Wang Tiangui’s intention in his heart, yet dared not think deeper, instinctively asking in return.

“Eliminate him, and be done with it once and for all!” Wang Tiangui stared intently into Li Qin’s eyes.

“No… no, that won’t work. He… he is after all…” Li Qin stepped back. When he thought of Chang Yu’er again, he felt his mind in complete chaos.

Though Wang Tiangui didn’t know about Chang Yu’er’s situation, Li Qin’s reaction was within his expectations. Seeing the timing was right, he prepared to play his final trump card.

“Young Master Qin, let me ask you – isn’t seventy percent of the Li family’s assets invested in the Huaihe salt fields, with the remaining thirty percent of business left in the northern five provinces?”

“So what?” Li Qin didn’t understand why he suddenly brought this up.

“Ha ha ha!” Wang Tiangui suddenly threw back his head and laughed loudly. “You truly cannot see the forest for the trees. Li Wantang kept one-third of his family fortune in the north and brought two-thirds south…”

He moved closer to Li Qin, his lips softly uttering words like a venomous snake flicking its tongue: “And he has one son in the Li family of the capital, while the other two are in the Gu family of Huizhou!”

This sentence struck like thunder, making Li Qin’s ears ring. When he recovered, he found himself somehow half-dragged, half-pulled into sitting in a chair, hearing Wang Tiangui slowly say: “Young Master Qin, no need to panic. Things are far from the point of collision with a wall – everything can still be salvaged…”

Within just a few days, the name Gu Pingyuan spread like wind throughout the two Yangtze provinces. From governors and prefects down to peddlers and porters, everyone wanted to know what this protagonist of the drama was thinking and planning to do.

Some said that although Li Wantang had divorced his wife and remarried, he now had wealth and power. If Gu Pingyuan was sensible, he should abandon all past grievances and return to Li Wantang’s fold. With his commercial talent plus the Li family’s financial power, becoming wealthy enough to rival a nation was just a matter of time. Others disagreed, saying Gu Pingyuan was backed by the great tree of Huizhou merchants. If he switched allegiances to join Beijing merchants, he would certainly be expelled by the Huizhou merchants. If the Li family then refused to accept him, wouldn’t that be losing the wife and losing the soldiers? So even if he wanted to share Li Wantang’s family wealth, he could only communicate secretly – absolutely not openly.

Still others who had dealt with Gu Pingyuan and knew something of his character immediately refuted this, believing that since entering commerce, Gu Pingyuan had been self-reliant and dignified. He already had friction with the Li family of the capital in the past, and his father had divorced his wife before marrying into the Li family. Given Gu Pingyuan’s character, he would never take a penny from the Li family. In the future, he would probably avoid them at all costs, treating this father as if he had died twenty years ago.

“You’re all talking complete nonsense!” In a tavern on the outskirts of Zhenjiang, several tables of customers were discussing animatedly, all talking about the strange incident that had occurred at nearby Jinshan Temple a few days ago. The conversation inevitably turned to how Gu Pingyuan would face the Li family in the future. Someone said people and money bore no grudges – momentary anger was unavoidable, but afterward he would naturally acknowledge this father. Others chimed in with various opinions. Just as the discussion reached its peak, someone heavily slapped the table, the sound like drums at the city gate, nearly making the tavern’s customers jump up.

Everyone was startled. Looking carefully, they saw a black giant of a man sitting in the corner, built like half an iron pagoda, with seven or eight empty wine bowls in front of him. He had apparently drunk over two catties of bamboo leaf wine, his eyes wide as copper bells, glaring furiously at everyone. Whoever his gaze fell upon immediately shrank down, and seeing those fists as large as vinegar bowls, they nearly hid under the tables.

Fortunately, this black giant only spoke and didn’t rise to hit anyone. They heard him say in a booming voice: “Listen carefully – Elder Brother Gu will neither curry favor with the Li family nor let this matter rest. That Li Wantang – my sister will never recognize him as father-in-law, and my brother-in-law will never acknowledge this father.”

He spoke with a thick tongue, alternating between “elder brother” and “brother-in-law,” confusing everyone around him. They all assumed he was raving drunk. The timid ones paid their tabs and left, and soon half the wine customers had dispersed.

Liu Heita was originally drowning his sorrows in wine. Seeing people avoiding him made his anger flare even more. He stood up with a wine belch, pointed around the tavern describing a semicircle, cursing: “You’re all a bunch of damned bastards!”

“Brother Liu! You’ve been hard to find.” A woman’s voice suddenly came from beside him.

Liu Heita shook his head and looked sideways. His drunkenness instantly sobered by half, his face showing embarrassment.

“Oh, oh, it’s you. How did you find me here?”

Gu Yuting normally had a round, smiling face, but now appeared much more subdued, pursing her lips as she said: “You weren’t at the inn, so you must have come out drinking. I know you’re very troubled – wine can relieve sorrows.”

“Miss Gu, you really understand me.” Liu Heita replied sullenly. He was indeed troubled, as if a fire burned day and night in his heart. Chang Yu’er had received two slaps within a year, both before his very eyes. As her sworn brother, he naturally couldn’t fail to stand up for his sister. But unexpectedly, the first person to strike was his sister’s birth mother-in-law, and the second was actually her “step mother-in-law.” How could he make sense of this? It left Liu Heita with all his martial skills but nowhere to use them, depressed to the extreme daily.

“Never mind about me. Miss Gu, this is your family matter – you must be even more troubled. That day returning from Jinshan Temple, I heard you crying in your room all night.”

“You…” Gu Yuting was caught off guard hearing Liu Heita’s drunken truth-telling. This slip of the tongue revealed his concern for her completely, making her feel both joy and sorrow as she looked gratefully at this man before her. “What use is crying? Can crying turn someone surnamed Li into someone surnamed Gu? Besides, in this world’s affairs, where there’s joy there’s sorrow, but where there’s sorrow, perhaps joy follows.”

“Joy?” Liu Heita smiled bitterly. “Things have come to this point – where’s the joy?”

Gu Yuting actually smiled slightly: “Didn’t you hear me say ‘there’s joy’? The doctor who just came to examine sister-in-law said the same thing after taking her pulse.”

“The doctor said there’s joy… there’s joy? Ah!” Liu Heita repeated it blankly twice, then suddenly understood, opening his mouth wide in disbelief as he stared at Gu Yuting.

“My elder brother already knows. As soon as I heard the news, I came to find you. This is great joyous news for both our families – you should know early too.”

“Ha ha…” Liu Heita clapped his hands together and suddenly leaped three feet high, grinning widely as he laughed heartily. Seeing a row of wine jars lined up against the tavern wall, he grabbed one and threw it into the air. Before that jar hit the ground, he threw another, continuing in succession. A series of crashing sounds filled the air, and the entire street was filled with the fragrant aroma of spilled wine.

“Oh my, this wine maniac! Quick, quick, report to the authorities!” These were all fine wines the tavern keeper had personally brewed using cold spring water from the river’s heart. Not expecting to encounter such catastrophe today, he shouted anxiously for his assistants in shock and anger.

“Report what authorities? I’m in a good mood today – I’ll buy all this wine!” Liu Heita reached into his pocket, realized he hadn’t brought enough money, and froze momentarily.

Gu Yuting was both annoyed and amused. She placed a twenty-tael silver note on the counter, apologized to the keeper, and pulled Liu Heita straight toward the Tongqing Inn in town.

The Gu family had rented a small courtyard in this inn, where the much-discussed Gu Pingyuan was currently staying. He had originally returned to the Shunde Tea House in Jiangning, arranging for tea house workers to travel to various locations and summon all the salt shop managers he operated to Jiangning, planning a fight to the death with the Li family. Manager Peng knew this was improper – the usually far-sighted and careful Gu Pingyuan had probably acted on impulse this time. Facing the Li family with rash action would be tantamount to jumping into an abyss. Seeing his red eyes with anger, Peng simply agreed on the surface, using a delaying tactic while secretly sending someone to inform Secretary Hao.

Secretary Hao was also greatly alarmed upon hearing the news. He immediately reported to Qiao Henian, and the two came to the tea house together. Meeting Gu Pingyuan face to face, both men realized this matter involved not only public principles and royal law but also personal privacy and feelings – truly difficult to advise about, yet advice was essential.

Secretary Hao was wholeheartedly thinking of his friend, advising him to think thrice before acting. Even if he wanted to have a decisive battle with the Li family, he couldn’t act too hastily.

Qiao Henian’s thoughts went deeper. Since becoming the Huaihe Salt Transport Commissioner, his greatest achievement had been persuading Gu Pingyuan and Li Wantang to make peace, having just claimed credit before Zeng Guofan. He never expected that before even half a month had passed, such a bizarre incident resembling opera drama would occur. This seemed unreal, more like a fabricated story. These two were actually biological father and son, yet clearly irreconcilable enemies. Qiao Henian couldn’t help feeling his skills were inadequate.

But from a duty standpoint, if the Gu and Li families completely fell out, this Huaihe Salt Transport Commissioner would certainly face great misfortune. Salt was a major livelihood issue. If it truly reached the point where the three provinces along the Yangtze couldn’t obtain salt, and a censor submitted a memorial, losing his official hat would be minor – he might lose his position and end up in prison. Therefore, Qiao Henian repeatedly reasoned with him, citing the most basic principles from Confucian teachings, such as “A son does not speak of his parents’ faults” and “In serving parents, gently remonstrate. If they don’t follow your will, remain respectful without disobedience, working hard without resentment,” speaking until his mouth was dry.

Gu Pingyuan only listened quietly, occasionally reaching into his chest to touch the small knife there – the one he had prepared to kill Li Qin. But could he still strike now? That was his own blood brother, and his blood brother had actually taken his wife…

“Heaven, you really know how to arrange things, how to torment people.” Gu Pingyuan’s heart was so furious he truly wanted to burn this sky, this earth, this human world completely clean with fire.

“Brother Gu, Brother Qiao and I have talked for so long, exhausting all reasoning. What exactly are you thinking? You might as well tell us so we can judge whether it’s feasible – this old brother can help you deliberate.” Secretary Hao saw him remaining silent throughout, fearing he was still single-mindedly thinking dangerous thoughts, and couldn’t help pressing him.

Gu Pingyuan withdrew his gaze from the distance, his tone as calm as a deep mountain pool: “Nothing much. You’re right. Even if I summoned all these outlying managers, what could I do? Fighting lions and tigers barehanded is mere courage – it would only implicate others. Rest assured, I won’t do such foolish things.”

Secretary Hao sighed in relief but was greatly surprised, not expecting Gu Pingyuan to completely accept their advice, his face so calm as if nothing had happened. He deeply understood the principle of quitting while ahead, tugged at Qiao Henian’s sleeve, and both men took their leave from Shunde Tea House.

“Good, good.” Only then did Secretary Hao realize his undergarments were soaked through. “As long as he doesn’t act impulsively, the rest is patient work. Brother Gu is exceptionally intelligent – once he calms down, he definitely won’t get stuck in a dead end. Master Qiao, what are you thinking?” He glanced and noticed Qiao Henian’s tightly furrowed brow and tense expression.

“I’m thinking I’ve probably had bad luck. Managing the Huaihe salt fields, I’ve encountered such a legendary tale – there will probably be much trouble ahead.”

“Master, you’re probably overthinking. Although Li Wantang abandoned his wife and son, they’re still blood father and son. Upon sudden news, there might be temporary discord, but afterward they’ll only recognize their blood relationship and grow close. Where’s the trouble?”

Qiao Henian stood with hands behind his back, face turned skyward for a long time, then slowly said: “Even if you didn’t hear the meaning in his words, you should have seen his eyes – what terrifying eyes they were, with such hatred and anger hidden behind them that just looking made my heart tremble.”

Secretary Hao knew he was blind to such things and hadn’t really seen Gu Pingyuan’s expression earlier. After hearing this, he couldn’t help looking back at the tea house’s dark entrance, swallowed after a long moment, and helplessly shook his head.

After Qiao and Hao left, Gu Pingyuan immediately ordered Peng Haiwan to send people to call back all the messengers. Though Peng Haiwan didn’t understand the reason, he breathed a great sigh of relief. Just then, Gu Pingwen arrived, saying their mother had awakened and wanted him to come to Jiangning to bring the eldest son to her side. Gu Pingyuan dared not delay. Despite not having slept for over ten hours, he mounted his horse again and rushed to Zhenjiang.

Who knew that upon reaching Zhenjiang, Mother Gu unexpectedly refused to see him. Gu Pingyuan was anxious but dared not leave. He went to check on his wife – fortunately, Chang Yu’er had only been struck by Mrs. Li, suffering superficial injuries with no serious harm, unlike Mother Gu who had suffered excessive emotional trauma with her condition difficult to determine. The whole family’s hearts hung on Mother Gu. Who knew that the next day, the doctor examining Chang Yu’er’s pulse repeatedly congratulated them, saying he had detected signs of pregnancy – she had been secretly carrying for over a month. This brought great joy after great shock. The eldest daughter-in-law was pregnant, the Gu family had an heir. The three siblings felt mixed sorrow and joy, but thinking of Mother Gu’s attitude toward this eldest daughter-in-law, they all hesitated.

“Elder brother, should I go give mother some hints to hear her thoughts?” Gu Pingwen stood at the inn entrance, rubbing his hands and pacing in circles.

“No! This matter has been delayed too long. Today we’ll use this joyous occasion to resolve things.” Gu Pingyuan made up his mind and stood to walk toward the back courtyard. From Li Qin’s words, Gu Pingyuan had understood everything. Honestly speaking, the old lady couldn’t be blamed – receiving a letter involving family shame, being able to handle it like Mother Gu was already remarkable. But Gu Pingyuan had made up his mind: he would know this matter but keep it deadly secret from everyone else, including Chang Yu’er. For their entire lives, he would never let her know he had learned the truth – this would be best for both of them. As for his mother, Gu Pingyuan decided to tell a massive lie. Whether he could smooth things over would depend entirely on fate.

He walked toward the back courtyard, his steps growing heavier with each pace. When he reached Mother Gu’s door, he raised his hand but hesitated several times. Finally gritting his teeth, he gently knocked on the door. “Mother, it’s me, Pingyuan. How are you feeling? Your son has something to discuss with you.”

He called repeatedly, but the room remained silent. Just as Gu Pingyuan was at a loss, Mother Gu suddenly responded with just three simple words.

“Come in.”

Gu Pingyuan sighed in relief, pushed open the door, and stepped inside. The room was filled with medicinal fragrance, and to avoid drafts, curtains hung at all the windows. In the dim light, he saw Mother Gu half-sitting, half-lying on the bed, with a hired maid attending nearby.

“You go out first and wait in the courtyard. Don’t come in unless called.” Seeing her eldest son enter, Mother Gu first instructed the maid.

Gu Pingyuan carefully sat on the low stool beside the bed and asked: “Mother, I heard the doctor say you suffer from acute heart pain with reversed blood flow, plus your usual careful eating habits – not even touching meat – and generally weak constitution. That’s why you fell ill. With gradual care, you’ll naturally recover.”

Mother Gu shook her head slightly: “Pingyuan, do you know why your mother hasn’t eaten a bit of meat all these years?”

“I know. Mother couldn’t bear to eat it, saving all these dishes for my brother, sister, and me.”

“Yes, and no. Actually, when he completely disappeared, I made a vegetarian vow before the Buddha – hoping to see him just once more, alive or dead.” Mother Gu showed a bitter smile. “Twenty years, and the Buddha truly granted it.”

Gu Pingyuan’s heart felt cut by knives hearing this, and he immediately noticed that “your father” from mother’s past speech had unconsciously become “he.”

“Mother, you’re ill – don’t think about such things. Pingwen, Yuting, and I have been raised by your hand these twenty-plus years. From now on, we’re still one family together. As long as you’re safe and sound, our family will be fine.”

Mother Gu listened without speaking for a long time, then finally said: “Do you know why I specifically called you back but then wouldn’t see you?”

Gu Pingyuan truly couldn’t understand and could only shake his head.

“You’re the eldest in the family, the pillar of this household. Having you nearby gives mother peace of mind, so I called you back. But there’s something mother hasn’t figured out how to tell you, so I couldn’t see you.”

Gu Pingyuan’s heart stirred – he guessed what it was. Just as he raised his head to speak, Mother Gu waved slightly: “Listen to me first. These past months, our family has had domestic troubles, with you caught in the middle in a difficult position – mother knows all this. As for why mother suddenly grew cold toward your wife, even wanting you to divorce her, this matter…” Mother Gu raised her eyes to the bed beam, her gaze containing both pain and helplessness, her tone as bitter as holding an olive. “Let’s not mention it anymore.”

Hearing his mother say this, Gu Pingyuan looked at her in surprise.

“Sigh, even if Yu’er did something wrong, I’ve forgiven her. Besides, she may not have done anything wrong – Heaven just loves to torment people. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding. I know in my heart she’s a good child, a good daughter-in-law. Even if she made some unintentional mistake, compared to someone who abandoned wife and son, changed his name, and married into a wealthy family, what is there to blame?”

As Mother Gu spoke, tears streamed down her face. She took out a letter from under her pillow, pulled out a page without looking, and actually tore it to pieces before Gu Pingyuan’s eyes, choking as she swallowed it.

“Mother!” Gu Pingyuan was shocked. He started to rise to stop her but was too late, only able to watch tearfully.

Mother Gu panted for a moment, then waved her hand: “Go call Yu’er. I want to see her.”

“Yes.”

Gu Pingyuan turned to open the door and froze. He saw Chang Yu’er, his brother and sister, and Liu Heita all standing in the courtyard.

He ignored the others first, walked to Yu’er’s side, and said gently: “Mother wants to see you. Go in.”

This was the sentence Chang Yu’er had hoped for day and night for many days. Hearing it suddenly made her heart tighten. She looked questioningly at Gu Pingyuan, gained encouragement from her husband’s eyes, steadied her nerves, and slowly walked into the room.

Upon entering, Mother Gu’s first words made Chang Yu’er’s tears flow like springs: “Child, you’ve suffered these past months.” Chang Yu’er cried out sorrowfully, crawled forward on her knees, and collapsed before Mother Gu, sobbing until her body shook.

Mother Gu half-closed her eyes, slowly placed her hand on Chang Yu’er’s head, speaking as if to her and to herself: “The past is past – we won’t mention it anymore, never again. As Pingyuan said, harmony in the family brings prosperity to all. Our family will live well from now on.”

After these words, Chang Yu’er gazed through tear-filled eyes at Mother Gu’s gaunt face and bitter, pained expression. The mother and daughter-in-law looked at each other for a while, then Chang Yu’er solemnly nodded: “Mother, rest easy. No matter what happens outside, family matters won’t worry you anymore.”

“Good. I entrust the inside to you and the outside to Pingyuan. I’m at peace, at peace.” Mother Gu breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing an opening in the conversation, Gu Pingyuan came over to gently help up his wife who had been kneeling on the ground, saying in a half-scolding tone: “You’re just pregnant – the ground is cold. What if it harms the baby? Better get up and talk with mother.”

Chang Yu’er’s face reddened. Mother Gu heard every word clearly. Looking at her eldest son and daughter-in-law, she asked in a trembling voice of shock and joy: “Pregnant? Baby? Could it be that Yu’er is…”

Gu Pingyuan smiled at his wife: “You tell mother yourself.”

Chang Yu’er was so shy she could barely raise her head. After a long time, she nodded slightly and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: “The doctor said he detected pregnancy signs – over a month now.”

“Good, good, wonderful! Heaven truly pities our Gu family. The Gu family has an heir, has an heir!” Mother Gu was overjoyed to the point of madness, actually sitting up straight and grasping her daughter-in-law’s hand. “Poor thing, still kneeling on the ground for so long. Such crying must harm your health. Sigh, if only…”

Mother Gu’s voice suddenly stopped here, and the smile on her face froze. Both Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yu’er were clever people – how could they not know what Mother Gu had almost blurted out? The two exchanged glances, and Gu Pingyuan quickly continued: “If the folks in Gu Family Village knew, it would certainly be another celebration.”

“Yes, if Second Aunt knew, she’d surely make a feast and bring it to our house.” Chang Yu’er also smiled.

“Mm, we still have many good people around us, many good people.” Mother Gu smiled unnaturally, then gave Gu Pingyuan a pile of instructions about caring for Chang Yu’er, saying the first pregnancy was most critical and her health couldn’t suffer. She also wanted Gu Yuting to come in, saying men couldn’t properly care for pregnant women – it required a woman to be appropriate.

“Alright, mother, I’ll naturally discuss these things with little sister. Your illness isn’t fully recovered yet – you mustn’t overexert yourself.” Gu Pingyuan finally managed to calm his mother down. After her serious illness, Mother Gu was emotionally excited, but afterward felt utterly exhausted. In her half-conscious, half-sleeping state, Gu Pingyuan called the maid in to attend to his mother, tucked in the covers for her, closed the door, and left with his wife.

“Sister-in-law, this is wonderful! Congratulations to you and elder brother.” Gu Yuting approached them and said straightforwardly, eyes sparkling with joy.

Chang Yu’er nodded shyly. Gu Pingwen, thinking of these family matters, stood to the side both laughing and wiping away tears. Liu Heita had been grinning broadly, but suddenly his expression changed. He squatted on the ground and began crying, constantly muttering: “Father, father…”

Everyone understood – he was thinking how happy Chang Si’s father would have been if he were alive to know his daughter and son-in-law had such joyous news and that he had a grandson. Unfortunately, the old man would never see it.

While others grieved and felt regret, Gu Pingyuan thought of Li Qin personally admitting to hiring assassins to kill Old Chang Si. He gritted his teeth, went over to pat Liu Heita’s shoulder, then turned to face everyone.

“Our Gu family has encountered some distressing matters recently, making everyone unhappy. But as the saying goes, ‘After extreme misfortune comes great fortune.’ This fortune has now arrived. From now on, we’ll turn the page on those matters and not mention them again. We’ll stay close to mother and live well, making her happy – that’s true filial piety.”

Though he didn’t speak explicitly, everyone understood this referred both to the unpleasantness between Mother Gu and Chang Yu’er, and to the matter of Li Wantang being father Gu Wanzhang. Liu Heita and Chang Yu’er naturally had no objections, but Gu Pingwen felt this matter couldn’t just be left unmentioned. Heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teacher – the father-son relationship was a major matter of human ethics. How could they pretend ignorance?

He had always been tongue-tied, and just as he stuttered out this meaning, his sister immediately retorted: “Second brother, what are you saying! He was the one who abandoned us first, not us refusing to acknowledge this father. If he had even a bit of fatherly heart, all these years we’ve never left Gu Family Village, mother waited as a living widow for twenty years, we were mocked by village children for having a mother but no father, and when elder brother protected us from being chased and beaten, where was he? Where was he!”

Gu Pingwen was pressed by his sister’s questioning until his face turned red, saying anxiously: “Did I say I wanted to acknowledge him? Mother decides this matter.”

“Mother will never acknowledge him either. Don’t forget, he wrote mother a divorce letter, severing their marital bond.” Gu Pingyuan suddenly interjected coldly. “Marrying into the capital and changing his surname means cutting all ties with the Gu family – even our ancestors wouldn’t acknowledge him. Mother and we three siblings depend on each other, having no relationship whatsoever with this person surnamed Li.”

Gu Pingwen opened his mouth wanting to say more, but after mumbling several times, he ultimately had nothing to say. He sighed deeply and lowered his head, tears as large as beans dropping onto the bluestone slabs.

“Why cry!” Gu Pingyuan said sternly, then looked back at Mother Gu’s room, lowering his voice but with indisputable authority. “Pingwen, Yuting, listen to me. I’ll only say this once.”

Both Gu Pingwen and Gu Yuting were stunned by their elder brother’s tone, involuntarily holding their breath as they looked at him.

Gu Pingyuan’s gaze met theirs directly: “Outside Jinshan Temple, you were both present and heard what Mrs. Li said. A person cannot endure such humiliation – whether for mother’s sake, for us three siblings, or for our Gu family.” As he spoke, Gu Pingyuan’s gaze turned toward Chang Yu’er and Liu Heita. The true culprit behind that shameful humiliation and the revenge for killing father – these two were still kept in the dark, and naturally the Gu family Gu Pingyuan spoke of included them.

“This revenge must be avenged!”

“Revenge?!” Not just Gu Pingwen, even Gu Yuting exclaimed in surprise. Not acknowledging kinship was one thing, but seeking revenge against one’s biological father – how… how could this be done?

“Why did he abandon us back then? Wasn’t it for money, for the Li family’s gold and silver mountains?” Gu Pingyuan’s tone instantly became somewhat fierce. “‘Li Bancheng’ – hmph, what a mighty, glamorous name. I’ll make him taste what it’s like to have nothing. I want all the merchants in the world to see how the Li family of the capital was defeated single-handedly by the Gu family. Only then will Li Wantang understand what exactly he abandoned all those years ago!”

“When that day comes, I want to ask him personally whether he regrets it!” Gu Yuting was stirred by her elder brother’s words, her whole body heating up, eyes shining with anticipation.

“Right, only on that day can we ask this question with dignity and righteousness.” Gu Pingyuan looked at his brother. “Pingwen?”

Gu Pingwen hesitated at first, then gritted his teeth and nodded firmly. The three Gu siblings’ hands clasped together, each feeling their palms burning and trembling slightly.

“Excellent!” Liu Heita leaped up. He had remained silent throughout, but now could no longer contain himself. “Let’s do this properly and won’t rest until we’ve turned the Li family completely upside down.”

Chang Yu’er silently walked to her husband’s side, gently leaning against him. Both husband and wife had a wonderful feeling at this moment, as if their unborn child also stood with the Gu family. Thinking of this, Gu Pingyuan felt as if infinite strength had suddenly been added to his being.

The news that the Li family had voluntarily returned half their salt shops to the government was brought by Secretary Hao, who had rushed from Jiangning city. After receiving this news, Gu Pingyuan fell into deep thought, seeming not to hear a word anyone around him said.

Liu Heita was always the first to speak, immediately saying: “I think this is because he feels guilty and deliberately gave up the shops as compensation to the Gu family. We have backbone – we absolutely cannot accept it! If we do, wouldn’t that be like drinking a reconciliation toast with the Li family?”

Secretary Hao puffed on his pipe, shaking his head disapprovingly: “Li Wantang is not that kind of person. If he wanted to compensate the Gu family, he’s had plenty of opportunities over the years. Choosing this timing is most unwise – the commotion outside Jinshan Temple was already spreading like wildfire, and now adding this move pushes things to the eye of the storm. Heh heh, you might as well go out and listen – not just the three provinces along the Yangtze, but all of north and south China has heard about it. Except for the deaf, you couldn’t find a single person who hasn’t heard this story even with a lantern – it’s almost being turned into ballads sung in storytelling halls.”

Gu Pingwen, being the most thin-skinned, couldn’t help but frown deeply, becoming anxiously restless.

“Then wouldn’t even Gu Family Village know about it? What can we do?”

Gu Yuting gave him a white-eyed look: “So what if they know? We haven’t done anything shameful.”

“That’s not how you put it.” Gu Pingwen glanced at his elder brother who remained silent throughout, saying helplessly: “Brother Hao, according to you, why did the Li family choose this time to return half the shops? What are their intentions?”

Some words were truly difficult to say. Secretary Hao glanced at the several people in the room and spoke carefully: “Strictly speaking, this is hard to discuss, but given my relationship with your family, I can’t keep it hidden. In my view, the Li family absolutely has no good intentions – there’s probably a trap here.”

“A trap?” Liu Heita was quite puzzled.

“Li Wantang might want to use the same methods he used against that salt merchant surnamed Pan against Brother Gu.” Secretary Hao stammered several times before finishing this sentence, and after saying it, he didn’t dare look at the Gu family’s faces.

Li Wantang had publicly exposed the ugly truth that the Pan-surnamed merchant among the former eight great salt merchants had relied on his wife and daughters running a flesh business to maintain their livelihood, forcing that family’s daughter to jump to her death on the spot and driving the Pan merchant mad. This ruthless display of power made no Yangzhou salt merchant dare to take over the salt shops – everyone knew about this incident. Precisely because of this, Gu Pingwen was the first to wave his hands repeatedly: “No, no, absolutely impossible. There must be some other hidden reason.”

Although Gu Yuting kept saying she detested Li Wantang, she also couldn’t imagine Li Wantang would use such vicious methods against his own blood. Therefore, she rarely sided with her second brother, also unconsciously shaking her head.

Just then, a voice rang out, instantly chilling both siblings’ blood.

“Brother Hao, you truly deserve to be a former criminal affairs secretary – well-informed and sharp-eyed.”

“Elder brother…” Gu Pingwen looked at him in disbelief.

Gu Pingyuan let out a long breath and said in an unusually calm voice: “These hundred-plus salt shops aren’t the Li family’s private property – they’re lent by the government to the Li family for profit, with regular payment of substantial rent and shop taxes. With all industries in the two Yangtze provinces now in decline, small businesses simply cannot support so many shops. Only the four major trades of grain, tea, silk, and salt could be considered. But if selling grain, where would the grain come from? Selling tea – tea isn’t a necessity. Selling silk – when people can barely maintain food and clothing, how many can afford new clothes? All things considered, only salt shops can support such a large operation.”

“Aren’t we currently running salt shops?” Gu Pingwen asked blankly.

“Second brother, how do you still not understand? What you’re talking about was before we fell out with the Li family. Now would the Li family’s Huaihe salt fields still supply these shops? Even if they did, they’d certainly raise prices to make it impossible for you to sell. Salt is sold exclusively by designated territories – if the Huaihe salt fields don’t supply, these salt shops have only one path: death.”

“Then… then we just won’t take them, right?”

Gu Pingyuan smiled coldly: “Li Wantang’s move is vicious precisely because of this. The matter between the Gu and Li families has already spread. By giving up half the shops at this time, they’re clearly issuing me a challenge, wanting to decide the outcome with these salt shops in the two Yangtze provinces. If I don’t accept, it’s equivalent to surrendering without a fight. What face would I have to continue doing business in the Qing commercial world afterward?”

“If you accept, you’ll be forced into a dead end by the Li family. If you don’t, it’s like submitting a surrender. This is Li Wantang’s perfect calculation.” Secretary Hao’s expression was somewhat helpless. “Sigh, this Li Wantang really is… they’re blood relatives – why make it so absolute? Does he want Brother Gu to kowtow and apologize to him?”

These people, no matter how clever, couldn’t imagine this was Mrs. Li’s idea, aimed at venting anger for her son Li Qin while trampling Gu Pingyuan underfoot. Gu Pingwen and Gu Yuting now believed it, and precisely because they believed, they felt even more desolate, their hearts sour with pain, wanting to hold their heads and cry bitterly.

“Wah!” Suddenly Liu Heita let out a roar, startling everyone in the room.

“This really infuriates me! Is Li Wantang even human? That day I really should have cracked his head open with one whip stroke.” Liu Heita was bursting with rage, but before he could finish venting, Chang Yu’er immediately stopped him. She had just come in from outside, and her foot had barely crossed the threshold when she heard her sworn brother cursing Li Wantang. This was the biological father of the three Gu siblings – others could say whatever they wanted, but she couldn’t comment freely, let alone Liu Heita who had an even more distant relationship.

“Elder brother, what are you saying? All this talk of fighting and killing makes my heart race with fear.” Chang Yu’er gave him a white-eyed look.

Ever since learning his sister was pregnant, Liu Heita had been more careful protecting her than ever. He quickly put on an apologetic smile and sat back down without a word.

“No need to wait and see if anyone will take over these shops. Businessmen aren’t fools – no one will deliver themselves to lie on the Li family’s chopping block.” Secretary Hao continued the conversation.

“So everyone is waiting to see what I’ll do?” Gu Pingyuan said impassively. “What does Master Qiao say?”

Secretary Hao frowned: “Sigh, I won’t hide it from you, brother – being this secretary becomes more and more tasteless. Master Qiao now keeps many things from me. Like last time when he hosted that banquet in Yangzhou to reconcile you and Li Wantang, I knew nothing beforehand. This time too, Master Qiao hasn’t spoken clearly, but he did say this: salt shop closures are detrimental to Huaihe salt operations. If anyone can take over that half of the salt shops, he’s willing to guarantee as Huaihe Salt Transport Commissioner that the salt fields won’t forcibly remove the salt currently stored in the shops.”

“Oh…” Gu Pingyuan’s eyes lit up.

“Elder brother, how much inventory do these salt shops currently have?” Gu Pingwen asked urgently.

“However much there is won’t help. Li Qin’s half of the shops have the advantage of the salt fields and can use low prices to squeeze us out so we can’t sell even an ounce of salt.”

“You can see through the stakes at a glance, and Master Qiao understands too. In my view, he’s playing dumb while being smart, hoping you’ll take over these salt shops.” Secretary Hao simply made it clear, letting Gu Pingyuan decide for himself.

“Naturally – to each office its duties. Master Qiao manages Huaihe salt affairs, so saying this is appropriate. If half the salt shops in the three provinces along the Yangtze suddenly collapsed, he’d have constant headaches.”

“So… what’s your decision, brother?” After talking for so long, Secretary Hao wanted to hear Gu Pingyuan’s thoughts.

“Accept!” Gu Pingyuan answered with a single simple word. The people in the room looked at each other but said nothing.

“It seems you all disapprove of me jumping into this fire pit.”

“Knowing it’s a fire pit but still jumping – isn’t that too foolish?” Gu Yuting voiced everyone’s thoughts.

“Could it be that you have some good idea to break the Li family’s scheme?” Secretary Hao asked tentatively.

“With the Huaihe salt fields in their hands, having no source means death whether advancing or retreating. What method could there be?” Gu Pingyuan shook his head.

“Then you…” Secretary Hao was also confused.

“Better to die crying than live in silence.” Gu Pingyuan spoke word by word, apparently having made up his mind.

“Brother, think again – business can’t be conducted out of spite.”

“I don’t plan to sit and wait for death either. There’s one person who might be able to help me.”

“Who?” everyone asked in unison.

Gu Pingyuan smiled slightly: “The God of Wealth.”

The Jiangning Salt Shop was the Li family’s main salt trading establishment. Li Qin, as the general manager of salt shops for Anhui province and half of Jiangsu, usually commanded his workers here. Now the shop’s back hall was deadly quiet except for one person’s furious roaring.

“Idiots! Can’t even handle such a simple matter! Debts must be repaid, borrowed goods must be returned – how can you not collect them?” Li Qin slammed his hand heavily on the chair back, angrily grabbing the covered tea bowl from the table and splashing the tea water all over the person in front of him.

This was someone Li Qin had specifically sent to collect goods from Gu Pingyuan’s salt shops. The so-called “goods” were salt that the Huaihe salt fields had delivered to these shops in recent days. Although Li Qin remained wary of Wang Tiangui, he understood in his heart that despite being brothers from the same father, he and Gu Pingyuan could never live in harmony. Setting aside everything else, just the matter of Chang Yu’er made them irreconcilable enemies, not to mention the blood debt of Old Man Chang Si.

Instead, Wang Tiangui made sense – same father, different mothers; same blood, different ancestors. He could lose to anyone but not to Gu Pingyuan!

Wang Tiangui volunteered to serve as Li Qin’s “advisor.” With his keen eye, upon learning that Gu Pingyuan had indeed submitted documents to the Governor’s Office and taken over all salt shops in Anhui province and half of Jiangsu, he immediately focused on that batch of stored salt.

“Controlling the Huaihe salt fields is already like gripping Gu Pingyuan’s throat. If we reclaim this salt batch, it’s no different from slashing his throat. If everything goes smoothly, this matter will be resolved quickly, and we’ll just wait to see Gu Pingyuan’s joke.”

Li Qin hesitated: “Something we can think of so quickly – wouldn’t he have considered it before taking over the shops? Knowing this salt batch is the shops’ lifeline, would he hand it over so readily?”

Wang Tiangui laughed: “Young Master Qin, don’t overestimate him. Why does Gu Pingyuan dare take the shops? He probably thinks the Li family gave them to him. Thinking this way, he won’t be on guard against us.”

“What if my father really intended to give him benefits – wouldn’t he include this salt batch too?”

“How could that be?” Wang Tiangui glared. “Don’t forget, the Huaihe salt fields are a three-party business. Although operated by the Li family, who would dare say ‘give away’ thousands of tons of salt? You needn’t report this to Master Li – just use my shareholder status to demand it. Let’s see if Gu Pingyuan dares refuse. If he doesn’t comply, we’ll spread word that he’s hoarding salt field goods, ruining his hard-earned reputation.”

Li Qin nodded repeatedly and sent capable workers to collect salt, starting from Shangrao County in Raozhou Prefecture at the Jiangxi-Anhui border – the water and land transportation hub closest to Jiangning among the Gu family salt shops. Expecting good news within days, he was shocked when the workers returned dejected, having failed to retrieve even an ounce of salt.

The worker dared not wipe the tea stains from his face, saying miserably: “Young master, it’s not that we didn’t try hard, but upon reaching Shangrao salt shop, we found government seals on the warehouse. They said without official unsealing, they were powerless. No matter how reasonable our case, we couldn’t challenge the authorities. Those flimsy pieces of paper blocked us completely.”

“Seals?” Wang Tiangui pondered, suddenly asking: “Did you see clearly which office placed the seals?”

“The Huaihe Salt Transport Commissioner’s seal.”

“I see.” Wang Tiangui’s eyes flashed coldly. “This Qiao Henian talks of fairness, claiming to help neither side, yet he’s clearly siding with Gu Pingyuan. This makes things difficult.”

“There’s… there’s something else.” The worker said hesitantly.

“Speak!” Li Qin’s anger flared.

“I inquired in the county – although the Gu family salt shops’ warehouses have seals, they’re still continuously moving salt out through side doors for sale. Those seals are just to block us.”

“Outrageous!” Li Qin’s face turned purple with rage. “Never mind if this Qiao is Huaihe Salt Transport Commissioner – even if he were the Heavenly King, I’d confront him. I… I’ll report to the Governor’s Office that he’s colluding with Gu Pingyuan, jointly embezzling salt field inventory – corruption, lawlessness, and unreasonableness.”

“Tsk, tsk. Young Master Li, why such anger? Even if you wanted to accuse Qiao, you couldn’t do it yourself – Master Li should handle it, given his fourth-rank official status. As for you, as a civilian accusing an official, you’d first receive eighty strokes. Even if you won, you’d be exiled three thousand li. A precious young master like you probably couldn’t endure such hardship.”

As the words arrived, so did the person. Qiao Henian entered wearing official robes, his demeanor relaxed and confident.

This was truly “speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao appears.” Li Qin knew his earlier words must have been overheard by Qiao Henian. His face showed embarrassment, and glancing aside, he found Wang Tiangui had already vanished. Cursing silently “old fox,” he thought: you’re just a newly-successful third-rank official, while my Li family matches you in rank and exceeds you in connections – why should I bow to you?

Thinking this, he lifted his head defiantly: “So Master Qiao has come to my shop – truly an honor. This saves me the trouble of visiting you. Since you’ve asked directly, I’ll ask in return: why do you consistently favor Gu Pingyuan? Has my Li family given you insufficient tribute, or has Gu Pingyuan offered more?”

Hearing these aggressive words, Qiao Henian showed no offense or anger. Instead, he lifted his robe corner and sat down calmly.

“Young Master Li, when you say I’m biased, you mean those two seals?”

“Exactly. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve probably pasted those seals on all hundred-plus Gu family salt shops. Using government seals to help your friend keep salt that doesn’t belong to him – isn’t this abuse of public office for private gain?”

Qiao Henian smiled slightly: “You’re wrong. Qiao has only public-spirited intentions. When I previously advised your father, it was from this heart. Coming to advise you now is also from this heart, with no private motives.”

Li Qin laughed mockingly: “Master Qiao, do you take me for a three-year-old? That salt is worth hundreds of thousands of taels, enough for the Gu family salt shops to sell for three or four months. You think you can swallow it with two flimsy seals? There’s no such logic in the world. The Li family has been in business for years, dealing with all kinds of officials and entering the grandest mansions. Speaking frankly, your black gauze cap means nothing to the Li family.”

These words were too arrogant. Qiao Henian had come to make peace, but hearing this, his expression changed and he said coldly: “Young Master Li, such words might be acceptable from your father, but you hardly have the qualifications.”

“So what? Officials who dare bully the Li family – I’ve never seen one since I was born.” Li Qin’s eyes widened like saucers.

Qiao Henian suppressed his anger: “I know what you’re thinking – you want to transport that salt batch back from the Gu family salt shops, leaving Gu Pingyuan with no salt to sell.”

“Right, exactly that. This salt was originally transported by my Li family to our own shops for sale. Now that these shops are no longer surnamed Li, my reclaiming them is perfectly justified. Who dares say I’m wrong? By what law did you place those seals!”

“As Huaihe Salt Transport Commissioner, I have authority over salt affairs. True, the salt belongs to the Huaihe salt fields, taxes are paid by the Li family, so naturally the salt belongs to the Li family. But people cannot live without salt – without salt, the people will riot. If you take all the salt away, what will the common people eat?”

“Eat… eat salt from my Li family shops.”

“You expect people from neighboring provinces to walk thousands of li to buy salt from your Li family? Is that reasonable?”

“I don’t care about that.”

“But as an official, Qiao cannot ignore it. If people riot because they can’t get salt, I’ll lose my position, and your Li family would hardly escape responsibility. So I’ve decided to confiscate this salt batch. If you’re dissatisfied, feel free to accuse me at the Governor’s Office.”

“You…” Li Qin heard this grand excuse and knew he couldn’t bring down Qiao Henian. In exasperation, he said: “Fine! You’re all colluding to trap my Li family. Heh, taking Li family salt without paying a penny – just for this alone, I’ll make Gu Pingyuan lose face completely. Let’s see who still dares do business with him!”

“Who says I won’t pay?” came a calm voice from the corridor. Li Qin’s whole body shuddered – he knew this voice too well.

Sure enough, it was Gu Pingyuan who entered. He stopped about ten feet from Li Qin, as if unwilling to get too close, but his eyes stared fixedly at him, as if trying to see through his heart and organs.

Li Qin initially flinched, then suddenly felt he couldn’t show weakness, so he glared back. He suddenly realized something: “How come I never noticed before that Gu Pingyuan looks somewhat similar to me?” He suddenly understood why he particularly detested Gu Pingyuan – not because he was an exile while he was a rich young master, but because this vague resemblance made him feel deep down that someone who looked like him could accomplish things he couldn’t, repeatedly defeating him. This was almost maddening.

Gu Pingyuan’s heart also churned like an angry sea. He involuntarily thought that the person before him was actually his youngest brother. “Brother” – that was Gu Pingwen, not Li Qin. Gu Pingyuan desperately tried to control his thoughts, wanting to cast this word from his mind, but it became increasingly clear. “Brother, brother…” This originally tender term of address now felt like a steel saw cutting through his brain, like a fierce beast roaring in his ear.

Gu Pingyuan clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth as he spoke: “I came today for nothing else – I ask Master Qiao to witness as I settle the payment for that batch of salt with your Li family.”

Gu Pingyuan’s arrival was unexpected to Li Qin. For a moment he didn’t know what to say, staring blankly before finally speaking: “It seems you’re determined not to return this salt batch. Very well, I’ll make a concession and let you buy this salt, but the price must be calculated at market rate.”

“How can this work? Young Master Li, don’t set your sails too full with the wind.” Qiao Henian blurted out. Salt had enormous profits – from salt fields to salt shops, especially to distant inland areas, price increases of seven or eight times were quite common. If Li Qin wanted to sell salt to Gu Pingyuan at market price, what profit would the Gu family salt shops have? Not just Gu Pingyuan – any merchant would refuse such an outrageous demand.

“Just as you said – I’ll buy it at market price.” This was an even more unexpected answer. Not just Qiao Henian, even Li Qin widened his eyes in amazement, staring at Gu Pingyuan.

Gu Pingyuan’s tone was very calm, as if discussing only a small business deal worth ten-plus taels of silver. “As you just said, selling this salt batch from the shops would take three or four months. Now I’m buying it all at once at market price, making me a major customer of the Li family salt fields. It’s not you making concessions, but me sacrificing profit. You must understand this clearly.”

“Oh, I understand. Then the Li family accepts Master Gu’s favor.” Li Qin suddenly realized that Gu Pingyuan was acting out of spite. Then don’t blame me for being ruthless – buying this salt at such high prices, let me see how you sell it. “Where’s the silver?”

“I don’t have silver.”

“Don’t have any?” Just as Li Qin was about to get anxious, Gu Pingyuan waved his hand.

“I temporarily don’t have ready silver for you – I need a month. You know how much advantage this deal gives you. Paying after a month isn’t excessive.”

“One month…” Li Qin pondered. He thought: never mind one month – even if he collected payment after three or four months, the Gu family would just be transferring money from salt sales directly to the Li family without earning a penny. Moreover, the workers’ expenses and shop maintenance over these months would be a large sum. By then, they’d have no choice but to close down.

“Fine, one month it is. But we need a written contract, and Master Qiao must guarantee it in his capacity as Huaihe Salt Transport Commissioner. If you can’t produce the silver then, your salt shops must close.”

“Agreed.” Gu Pingyuan simply consented.

Coming out of the Li family’s main shop, Qiao Henian held back several times before finally speaking: “Brother Pingyuan, this business deal is far too disadvantageous for you.”

“What else could I do? Although with your help I temporarily maintained the situation, this relies on official authority to pressure people – it’s not the way of business. Even if others don’t gossip, I can’t use such methods to beat the Li family. Besides, without letting them profit greatly, the Li family wouldn’t sell me salt. Now I have over a hundred salt shops under me – I can’t have no goods to sell. Getting salt goods is the urgent priority. As for making money, that’s the next step.”

“Next step? I’m afraid there isn’t much time left for you. You just made a one-month contract with Li Qin. What if you can’t produce the silver then? Do you plan to sell all your Huizhou tea mountains to raise this money?”

Gu Pingyuan slowly shook his head: “What are you saying, Master? Tea mountains are the root of my livelihood, salt shops are my way to wealth. Before wealth is in hand, to uproot my own foundation would be most unwise. Besides, selling in desperation won’t fetch good prices.”

“Then where will you get this silver? Surely not from this salt bought at market price?”

Qiao Henian pressed with questions. Gu Pingyuan hadn’t wanted to say, but had to answer: “To be honest, I went to Hangzhou a few days ago and met with Master Hu from Fukang Bank, convincing him to invest in my salt shops. The capital investment is precisely this million taels for salt payment.”

“Ah, no wonder you were so confident – you have the God of Wealth helping.” Qiao Henian finally understood.

“The God of Wealth’s money doesn’t fall from heaven either. Master Hu has invested large sums in silk business, and his bank can’t sing empty city stratagems for my sake. All things considered, the only large sum he can mobilize is money placed with Shanghai banks for interbank lending – exactly one million taels. Shanghai banks require ten days’ advance notice for large silver withdrawals. Moreover, this was originally agreed as long-term lending, so early recall requires even more grace time – twenty days given. I made a one-month contract, so time is more than sufficient.”

“Actually, you don’t need a full million. I remember Secretary Hao mentioned that your share of Lanxue tea profits from Huizhou Hu family tea house is at least several hundred thousand taels. Why not use that?”

On this question, Gu Pingyuan just smiled without answering. Seeing he wouldn’t speak, Qiao Henian had to let it go, adopting a sincere attitude: “Brother Pingyuan, would you listen to a word of advice from me?”

“Please speak, Master.” Gu Pingyuan knew what he would say.

Sure enough, Qiao Henian said: “Enemies should be reconciled, not created. After all this commotion, you’ve gained half the salt shops in the two Yangtze provinces. You no longer need to manage for the Li family but have become a major proprietor yourself. With prosperity and success just around the corner, why dig up accounts from decades ago? What’s the point of mutual destruction? Besides, you and Li Wantang are after all…” He glanced at Gu Pingyuan and stopped there.

Gu Pingyuan just listened quietly without responding. Qiao Henian had to continue himself: “You know the Huaihe Salt Transport Commissioner is a very lucrative position. Many people are waiting to see me stumble so they can fill this vacancy. Right now I only hope Huaihe salt operations can be peaceful and harmonious – that would give me great face and help me enormously.”

Only then did Gu Pingyuan respond: “Businessmen value harmony for profit. It seems officials also hope for harmony for promotion – the principle is the same.”

“Naturally – harmony is precious. Even setting aside everything else, seeking profit not conflict in business is an eternal truth.” Thinking he had persuaded him, Qiao Henian quickly added this.

“Unfortunately, clear water and dirty oil cannot mix. Besides, even if I were willing to stop, the Li family used half their shops to lure me in – would they let it end so easily? It’s not me making things difficult for you, Master, but the Li family has already sharpened their knives. I can’t just let myself be slaughtered.”

Qiao Henian watched Gu Pingyuan’s departing figure, his face unconsciously darkening. His attendant Kang Qi approached: “Master, if the Li family really fights with Gu Pingyuan, we’ll be caught in the middle.”

“Hmph, ridiculous! They underestimate this official too much. If officials let merchants boss them around, what’s the point of being an official!” Qiao Henian flicked his sleeve and entered his sedan chair.

Li Qin thought he had made a sure-win contract, but Wang Tiangui, who was secretly listening in the back hall, knew Gu Pingyuan’s capabilities well and believed it couldn’t be so simple – there must be deception involved. After much discussion, Li Qin also felt uncertain and sent his most capable assistant to investigate.

No wall is impermeable. Soon, Li and Wang learned about Gu Pingyuan getting Hangzhou “God of Wealth” Hu Xueyan to invest in his salt shops. Wang Tiangui gasped, exchanging glances with Li Qin.

“Last time in Huizhou, Hu Xueyan helped Gu Pingyuan by giving him his foreign gun connections. If I hadn’t stopped foreign merchant Richard in time, Gu Pingyuan would have been quite pleased. I didn’t expect it to be Hu Xueyan again this time!” Li Qin said angrily.

“I understand now.” Wang Tiangui nodded. “Originally his backing was Huizhou merchants, but since Yuan Jiasan demanded Huizhou merchants pay overdue military contributions, plus repeated battles between government troops and Taipings in Huizhou, Huizhou merchants haven’t recovered their vitality. That’s why Gu Pingyuan sought out Hu Xueyan.”

“Nothing remarkable about it.” Shocked, Li Qin waved his hand with forced composure. “Even if the Hu family took a million taels to buy this salt batch, how long can they buy? Saving money, it’s only half a year. After half a year, Gu family salt shops will still have empty shelves and have to close. No matter how wealthy Hu Xueyan is, he doesn’t control salt fields.”

Wang Tiangui pondered for a long time before speaking: “Hu Xueyan is called the ‘God of Wealth’ – his financial power equals or even exceeds your Li family’s. According to our intelligence, Hu Qingyu Hall’s medicinal materials can be sold smoothly to the north because Gu Pingyuan helped connect them with Panshan Station’s medicine trade outside the pass. Gu Pingyuan opened a large freight station in Hangzhou, using canal gang boats for tea transport business, with considerable help from Hu Xueyan. Now Hu Xueyan invests in Gu family salt shops again – these two are getting closer, their connections deepening. If this succeeds, with the God of Wealth’s help, Gu Pingyuan will truly soar.” Wang Tiangui’s eyes narrowed, flashing with sinister light.

“What Young Master Qin mentioned about salt fields – honestly, that’s what worries me most.” Wang Tiangui’s voice was low, but the icy tone made Li Qin’s heart tremble. “Don’t forget, Master Li currently manages the salt fields. From what I know, since that big scene at Jinshan Temple, Master Li has been living at the salt fields, apparently having fallen out with your mother. Master Li was formerly surnamed Gu, now surnamed Li. Now having fallen out with the Li family, might he…”

“No!” Li Qin shouted like someone afraid of ghosts in the dark, vigorously shaking his head.

“Of course, of course. Everything is my wild speculation. But in all matters, we fear the unlikely. So it’s best to fight quickly and decisively. If we really drag it to half a year later, the nights will be long and dreams many. Let me tell Young Master Qin something else – you know that Liu Heita, right?”

“The big black guy always following Gu Pingyuan?”

“Right. Besides money Gu Pingyuan kept for shop expenses, he gave all his available liquid funds – about thirty-plus thousand taels – to this Liu Heita.”

“For what?” Li Qin asked urgently.

“Unknown. Someone just saw Liu Heita leave Jiangning with ten-plus assistants, destination unknown. I sent people to question these assistants’ families, but learned nothing – not because they wouldn’t talk, but because they themselves kept mum when leaving. I suspect these assistants don’t even know where they’re going.” Wang Tiangui slowed his speech here, eyes fixed on Li Qin. “Young Master Qin, knowing the Gu Pingyuan we know – who dared traverse Black Water Swamp, dared sell grain following Prince Seng’s army, dared snatch the ‘World’s Number One Tea’ from Li family hands – do you really dare give him half a year to turn things around?”

Li Qin’s face alternated between green and white. After a long time, he exhaled deeply: “But what can be done? Hu Xueyan promised the silver, the contract is signed. When he pays, I can’t refuse to sell him the salt. Knowing this, I should have insisted he transport the salt back.”

“Regret is too late now.” Wang Tiangui stood up, walked two circles around the room, stroked his goatee, then suddenly turned: “Fortunately, there are ways to salvage this.”

Li Qin looked at him uncomprehendingly.

“You worked with Zhang Guangfa on draft banks in Shanxi – don’t you know bank and draft house rules? Hu Xueyan is the shrewdest businessman – would he let a million taels gather dust in his own vault? This money must be withdrawn from Shanghai banks. For such long-term lending requiring emergency withdrawal, the time flexibility is enormous. If they really want to delay, even a hundred taels could be delayed ten days to half a month, let alone a million taels! Which bank dares claim instant handling? All must rob Peter to pay Paul, begging everywhere to transfer funds. If we can make them delay a month, when Hu Xueyan can’t produce the silver and Gu Pingyuan comes empty-handed, we’ll immediately seize his shops – a clean victory.”

“Excellent!” Li Qin clapped his hands together. “Since Manager Wang is a draft house expert, you go to Shanghai to negotiate with these bank owners.”

Wang Tiangui smiled and waved: “This matter requires Young Master Qin personally.”

“Me?”

“Exactly. Hu Xueyan’s money in Shanghai isn’t in old Chinese banks, but in foreign-owned banks. I remember Young Master Qin learned business in Tianjin foreign firms and can deal with foreigners. This matter depends entirely on you.”

“I see…” Li Qin’s heart stirred, glancing sideways: “Manager Wang, your intelligence is quite well-informed. My assistants didn’t discover so much.”

“Heh heh, I’ve been in this business long – I know people in banking guilds north and south. For other matters, I’d be helpless.” Wang Tiangui smiled slightly.

“In that case, wouldn’t it be better if we went together?”

“No, I must stay here.” Wang Tiangui ignored Li Qin’s suspicious gaze, saying frankly: “I remain uneasy about Liu Heita’s whereabouts. I always feel this is Gu Pingyuan’s backup move. If we don’t figure it out, we’ll suffer eventually. Young Master Qin, we’ll each handle our part – choking Gu Pingyuan’s throat while cutting off his hands and feet. Gu Pingyuan won’t refuse to admit defeat.”

Wang Tiangui’s silver tongue finally convinced Li Qin, who leaped from his seat.

“No time to waste – I’ll head to Shanghai immediately.”

Wang Tiangui watched Li Qin’s retreating figure with an ambiguous smile. Seeing his figure disappear, he gestured to summon a trusted subordinate.

“Go to the accounting office for a ten-thousand-tael bank note, then order the finest bird’s nest and shark fin banquet from Tongqing Restaurant for tonight’s delivery to my house – I’m entertaining a guest.”

“Yes. May I ask how many guests? I’ll arrange it immediately.”

Wang Tiangui drew a card from his sleeve: “Just one, but when delivering the invitation, be absolutely discrete – no one must see.”

He handed over the card marked “Li An of Li Residence, Capital.”

“You invited me to this Tianning Pagoda today – surely not just for sightseeing?” Su Zixuan saw Bai Yimei gazing out the window in prolonged silence and finally spoke first.

Tianning Pagoda was a famous Yizheng landmark, built in the Tang dynasty, destroyed in the Five Dynasties period, then repeatedly built and destroyed. The current Tianning Pagoda was rebuilt on the half-destroyed tower from Yuan dynasty wars. The walls ascending the steps bore stone carvings of five hundred arhats, extremely efficacious with flourishing incense. Devout men and women climbed while burning incense and praying at each level, taking three to four hours from bottom to top.

Here, whether sunny or rainy, visitors never ceased – but today, only Bai Yimei and Su Zixuan with one attendant each occupied the pagoda top.

Never mind the fifty taels of donation silver – even without a penny, Bai Yimei was now the Grand Sister of the Tonghai Canal Gang with over a thousand subordinates. The old monks of Tianning Temple dared not offend her, closing temple gates early to receive only Bai Yimei’s party.

“It’s quiet here. Outside, the sky is high and clouds light – one can see far.” Bai Yimei didn’t turn around, still gazing out the stone window.

“What are you looking at then? This pagoda has windows on eight sides, yet you only look east. I say you should also look west – that’s toward Shouzhou. Even without burning incense on the way up, you should offer spiritual incense. Today is the anniversary of the Brave King’s death, isn’t it?” Su Zixuan said lightly.

Hearing this, Bai Yimei suddenly turned, eyes like lightning staring fiercely at Su Zixuan. After a long time, she said softly: “You’re right. Today is my husband’s death anniversary. Logically, I should have followed him to the underworld long ago, but I haven’t – because I still have several things to do.”

“Revenge? But you’ve had several chances to kill Gu Pingyuan yet didn’t strike.” Su Zixuan’s tone carried slight mockery.

“Gu Pingyuan isn’t my only enemy. For instance, isn’t the person standing before me now also a murderer?” After saying this, Bai Yimei looked at Su Zixuan with equally mocking eyes.

Sixi felt her palms sweating, her heart pounding as if about to leap out. Not just because only a year had passed – even after ten or eight years, her entire life, she could never forget that night of killing surrendering troops in Shouzhou, how Chen Yucheng was murdered by Senggelinqin and Miao Peilin in the back hall, how his twenty-four generals were killed amid wine cups until blood flowed like rivers, and those pitiful cries of old, weak, sick, and disabled soldiers pushed into earth pits to be buried alive. In nightmares, Sixi still often dreamed of that night’s scenes.

Su Zixuan remained unmoved, as if hearing something irrelevant, just quietly watching Bai Yimei.

“I asked the monk demon about that day’s events. He said he originally wanted to spare the Prince’s life, but you reminded him not to repeat the Ming dynasty’s mistake of releasing Li Zicheng. Only then did the monk demon decide to kill.” Bai Yimei continued, and Zhang Pigeng beside her stepped forward half a pace, hand on his saber, tiger eyes filled with hatred and killing intent toward Su Zixuan and her servant.

Sixi’s face instantly paled with terror as she stared at the frightening Bai Yimei, not knowing what else might come from that terrible mouth.

“This past year, I’ve understood. The Prince, Nian rebels, the monk demon, even the Zeng Guoquan and Zeng Guofan brothers, and myself – we’re all just tools you used to achieve your goals. Anyone you find useful for your purposes can die. Isn’t that right?”

Su Zixuan stared at Bai Yimei for a full quarter-hour before slowly nodding.

A sharp “clang” – Zhang Pigeng’s blade was already drawn.

Su Zixuan’s hand had somehow reached her left waist. Sixi knew that with one move, she could draw that foreign pistol.

“So today you plan to kill me as sacrifice to the Brave King.” Su Zixuan’s tone remained gentle.

“You’re the monk demon’s accomplice – death is too good for you!” Zhang Pigeng pointed his blade at Su Zixuan.

“But don’t forget – without my suggestion of the thousand-li return cavalry strategy to Prince Liang, could you have chopped off Senggelinqin’s head?” Su Zixuan snapped lightly.

“This…” Zhang Pigeng hesitated.

“I heard Prince Liang Zhang Zongyu say that back in Shaanxi, you wanted to help Nian rebels kill Senggelinqin. So you’re undoubtedly an enemy of the Qing court. But why did you incite the monk demon to kill my Prince? What are your intentions? What kind of person are you? Without explaining clearly today, don’t expect to leave this Tianning Pagoda alive.”

“Ha ha ha!” Su Zixuan suddenly laughed loudly.

“What are you laughing at!” Zhang Pigeng shouted sternly.

Su Zixuan ignored him, addressing Bai Yimei: “You don’t even know who I am or what I want to do. In other words, you can’t even tell if I’m friend or foe, yet you’re eager to kill me. Isn’t this laughable?”

“I only know the Prince died because of your words.” Bai Yimei said coldly.

“That’s because he was already severely wounded. I wanted him to die quickly. Besides, even if he could save his life, do you think Chen Yucheng would surrender to Senggelinqin? Without surrendering, it’s still death – but with more suffering. Loyal King Li Xiucheng is the example. If he had surrendered, the Brave King’s lifelong reputation would be completely ruined – that would be worse than death.”

Su Zixuan spoke rapidly and urgently.

“If you truly believe I caused the Brave King’s death, then strike quickly. Otherwise, never mention this matter again.”

After hearing this, Bai Yimei frowned slightly, clearly making a choice in her heart. Zhang Pigeng stared wide-eyed at her.

After a long time, Bai Yimei waved her hand, and Zhang Pigeng lowered his blade. Sixi had held her breath until this moment and nearly fainted. She glimpsed her mistress’s hand also relaxing from its half-grip, leaving her waist.

“Whether your words reflect what you truly thought that day, I have no way of knowing. For me to trust you, you must help me with something. Otherwise, even if I don’t kill you today, no matter how far you flee, you must always guard against a blade from behind.”

Su Zixuan spread her hands with a light laugh: “You were formerly a Taiping princess, now the Grand Sister of the Canal Gang. Even I admire your methods. What could you need my help with? This is strange indeed.”

Bai Yimei bit her lip lightly: “I know you’re very clever and scheming. I want you to rescue the tens of thousands of salt workers from the salt fields. A few days ago I sent Zhang Pigeng to contact them – they’re barely surviving day by day. Over a thousand have died from exhaustion and illness this year. At this rate, these old brothers of the Brave King won’t last much longer.”