Li Qin spent a full ten days running around Shanghai, but came up completely empty-handed.

In the ten-mile foreign settlement, with its paper intoxication and golden enchantment, Li Qin—who normally couldn’t resist such pleasures—this time truly managed to restrain himself. He knew that opportunity waits for no one; if he delayed and the banks paid the money to Hu Xueyan, everything would be too late. So as soon as Li Qin arrived at the port, he immediately went to the established banks like HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Citibank to visit the local compradors and foreign managers.

The Li family of the capital was a famous name in the business world, and now they controlled the Lianghuai salt fields—the most lucrative prize under heaven. When he visited in the name of Young Master Li, hosting banquets at the famous Jinjiang Tower in Shanghai, these sharp-minded bank people thought the Li family had some large sum of money to deposit for lending and interest, so they rushed to curry favor, hurrying over in carriages to attend the gathering.

Li Qin had studied business at foreign firms and understood foreign customs well—at the drinking table, one talks only of friendship, not business. He didn’t mention his purpose at all, only ensuring everyone parted happily. He thought this first step was flawlessly executed, and the relationships were now established. When he visited the banks a second time, indeed, they received him warmly, treating Li Qin as an honored guest. Li Qin deliberately hinted in his words that the Li family was preparing to place the salt field income in several Shanghai banks as long-term loans—this was a first-class major client. The listeners’ eyes all lit up, promising repeatedly that they would certainly offer especially favorable interest rates in the future to ensure the Li family’s satisfaction.

When the conversation reached this point, Li Qin felt it was about right, so he steered the topic toward Hu Xueyan’s deposits in the banks. The managers assumed the Li family had doubts about the banks’ credibility and strength, so they naturally used the “God of Wealth” as their golden signboard to promote themselves.

Li Qin knew they had misunderstood, but from their words he learned that Hu Xueyan indeed had large sums of money placed in the banks. He had found the right path.

So Li Qin gradually revealed his true purpose. According to Li Qin’s thinking, although this matter might not get immediate agreement, with the foundation laid earlier, through persistent persuasion and incentives, merely asking the banks to delay for some time should ultimately succeed.

Completely contrary to expectations, as soon as Li Qin spoke this way, these compradors and managers were stunned, their attitudes changed dramatically. Though they didn’t coldly refuse him outright, their previous enthusiasm was completely gone, and they actually began speaking in official tones. One foreign manager said to him in a hard voice: “Mr. Li, if you want to do business, we naturally welcome it. But please don’t interfere with others’ business with us, just as your future business with us won’t be interfered with by others—please rest assured of this.”

Another slippery comprador laughed: “Hehe, Young Master Li, I can tell you’re joking, testing us. Are you worried that when the Li family’s deposits are placed in our bank in the future, if someone tells us not to pay, we’ll obediently listen? You can put your heart at ease—don’t forget, this is a bank opened by foreigners. Foreigners—who are they? They don’t even put the Emperor in their eyes. Not to mention businessmen, even if the Qing government sent troops, they have no authority to examine or freeze accounts.”

These words left Li Qin completely frustrated. He angrily left the bank, cursing as he walked away: “Now I see clearly—these foreigners are just like Chinese people, eating their father’s food, drinking their father’s wine, but not thanking their father! Yesterday at the banquet they were all sweet words, today they turn their faces faster than dropping a door curtain. Bah!”

The matter failed, but it couldn’t just end there. Li Qin returned to his inn and sulked for a while, pondering to himself: even if Hu Xueyan was the God of Wealth with large sums deposited in the banks, making him an untouchable major client, he hadn’t asked the banks to turn against Hu Xueyan—he only hoped they could each find excuses to stall, just until the one-month deadline passed. According to Wang Tiangui’s explanation, there were hundreds of reasons to delay the temporary use of long-term loans—it shouldn’t be hard to find them. Moreover, he had said that even if Hu Xueyan pressed urgently, they could pay less, as long as they didn’t let him gather the full million. This condition was very simple, and the banks coveted the Li family’s money, so why would they refuse outright without even room for negotiation?

Li Qin thought and thought until his head ached, but couldn’t figure out the reasoning behind this. “If only that old fellow Wang Tiangui were here—he knows all the tricks of money shops.” Li Qin regretfully slapped his hand. It was definitely too late to go back and bring Wang Tiangui now. He suddenly remembered that although Wang Tiangui wasn’t there, several money shops in Shanghai had branches in Beijing and had done business with the Li family. There was a substantial “Tianlihe” money shop whose chief manager surnamed Luo had visited Beijing and called on them the year before last. When his father received him, Li Qin was also present. He might as well go find him—perhaps he could learn something.

Li Qin acted on the thought, prepared a valuable water gift, hired a carriage, and headed straight to “Tianlihe.” Manager Luo was over fifty, having done money shop business for half his life. He never forgot even one-time customers, let alone Young Master Li. Upon meeting, he was like an old friend of decades, beaming with joy, chiding Li Qin for not telling him about coming to Shanghai, suspecting he was deliberately distancing himself.

Li Qin, full of worries, was amused by him despite himself. Feeling that his questions couldn’t be asked directly, he simply went along with it, proposing to host a banquet at Jinjiang Tower as an apology. Manager Luo wouldn’t hear of it, pressing Li Qin down with one hand while repeatedly calling for a clerk to quickly reserve the best private room at Jinjiang Tower.

Li Qin respectfully complied, but when Manager Luo suggested inviting several prominent figures from Shanghai money shops as additional guests, Li Qin waved his hand: “That won’t be necessary. I came today with something to consult Manager Luo about—having many people would actually be inconvenient.”

Only then did Manager Luo understand—this Young Master Li was making a purposeful visit. When they reached Jinjiang Tower, the large private room with only Li Qin and Manager Luo seemed too quiet, so Manager Luo took charge and wrote four entertainment tickets to the “Changsan Hall,” calling over the top courtesans in that trade. With their melodious voices and Wu dialect soft speech, serving wine and singing, the scene became lively. Li Qin naturally enjoyed such things, and surrounded by four stunning beauties, how could he not be moved? Temporarily setting aside his worries, he became quite merry and talkative.

After three rounds of wine, having drunk and enjoyed themselves, Manager Luo gestured for several of the “Changsan” to leave, not calling for new ones. Putting on a smiling face, he asked: “Young Master Li, earlier at the money shop you said you had something to ask me. Could it be that there’s some problem with business between our two families? If so, I must apologize to Young Master Li first.”

“Ah, not at all, Manager Luo is overthinking. What I want to ask about has no relation to your esteemed establishment.” Li Qin seemed still immersed in the previous charming laughter, pausing briefly before answering.

After hearing Li Qin’s purpose, Manager Luo nodded without surprise, smiling with narrowed eyes: “No wonder. Young Master Li only knows that Hu the God of Wealth is a major client of the foreigners, but doesn’t know they’re also business partners who cooperate with each other. Moreover, the foreigners have always sought favors from Hu the God of Wealth, so naturally they dare not offend him.”

“Hu Xueyan opens money shops and medicine stores in Hangzhou—what business does he have with foreigners that they would seek his favor?” Li Qin asked, puzzled.

“You only know one aspect, not the other. Hu the God of Wealth is truly a businessman with grand vision. Since the end of the Xianfeng era, he has been secretly planning, controlling the rural cocoon firms in the Suzhou-Hangzhou area. Foreign merchants coming to China must buy three things: silk, tea, and porcelain. Silk comes first. Hu the God of Wealth controls the cocoon firms—that’s the source of the silk business. Ah, it’s just like how the Li family now controls the salt fields; all salt merchants and dealers must look to your family’s favor. If they offend the Li family, they have no goods. The foreigners are the same—if they want to buy silk to take back home for great profit, they all must depend on Hu the God of Wealth being willing to sell them cocoons.”

“I see.” Hearing this comparison, Li Qin naturally understood.

“There’s more. I hear Hu the God of Wealth is now investing large sums, planning to unite with the major households of Nanxun to organize silkworm-raising families and open silk reeling factories. This way, seven or eight-tenths of the silk business in Jiangnan will bear the Hu surname. The foreigners naturally know the seriousness of this matter and are using both soft and hard approaches—either making the Hu family abandon this plan or demanding to invest in the silk reeling factories. Tell me, at this critical juncture, how could the foreigners offend Hu the God of Wealth?”

Li Qin sucked in a cold breath. He had boasted confidently to Wang Tiangui that this was a simple matter easily handled, but unknowingly he had grasped a wet dough ball that he could neither shake off nor tear apart. The foreigners weren’t unwilling to give the Li family face—they were bound by mutual interests with Hu Xueyan and couldn’t sacrifice the greater for the lesser.

“This is difficult.” Li Qin leaned back in his chair, his eyes darting about as he secretly schemed.

“Manager Luo, let me ask you for advice.” Li Qin suddenly leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Since negotiation won’t work, how can we pressure the foreigners to make them obediently follow orders?”

“Aiya, you’re asking the blind about the road. I’m just a small money shop manager—I wouldn’t dare touch the foreigners, never even had such a thought.” Manager Luo laughed helplessly. He did business with the Li family and very much didn’t want this young and impetuous Young Master Li to do anything rash, so he patiently advised: “I advise you not to entertain such thoughts either. The foreigners—they drove Emperor Xianfeng from the Forbidden City to Rehe. Even the court can’t handle these yellow-haired, green-eyed people. Who else in our Great Qing can move against the foreigners? Not just our Great Qing—even officials from their own countries can’t do anything to these foreign merchants if they’re not in the wrong. Last time there was a British merchant who sued the British consul because the consulate wouldn’t fight for lower tariffs for British merchants. As a result, this consul was called back and severely reprimanded, then demoted to a small country whose name no one could pronounce.”

“Such things happen?” Although Li Qin had studied foreign business, that was in Tianjin after all, which couldn’t compare to Shanghai’s strange and wondrous happenings with constant news. For a moment he was dumbfounded.

“Speaking of coincidence.” Manager Luo lifted his cup. “Let me tell you another story to accompany Young Master Li’s drink.” He walked to the window, pushed it open, and pointed outside.

The Huangpu riverbank was the British concession, with many foreign buildings housing foreigners. After nightfall, the buildings were brightly lit with melodious music drifting out. However, the two-story foreign building Manager Luo pointed to was completely dark, as if uninhabited. Looking closely, one could see thick curtains were drawn, with faint light seeping through the gaps.

“Look again.” Manager Luo moved his finger toward a spot several yards in front of the building near the riverbank. By the light of boats on the river, Li Qin saw a Qing army captain with three or four soldiers pacing back and forth, looking quite impatient.

Li Qin watched in bewilderment, casting a questioning look at Manager Luo.

Manager Luo drained his cup and nodded: “This is a famous Western spectacle on the ten-mile foreign settlement—the story of the Liangjiang Governor sending his personal troops to arrest the Liangjiang Governor.”

Li Qin looked at the cup before him. Manager Luo noticed and chuckled: “Though my drinking capacity isn’t great, I’m not speaking drunk talk. Those standing guard outside are personal troops sent by current Liangjiang Governor Zeng Guofan, while hiding inside is former Liangjiang Governor He Guiqing.”

This was a well-known case that Li Qin had heard about, but he still didn’t understand why Zeng Guofan’s personal troops would just watch a wanted criminal hide in the house without rushing in to arrest him.

“The interesting part is right here. Even before Nanjing fell, to boost morale, General Zeng wanted to capture He Guiqing, who had lost his army and territory, and behead him before the battle lines to inspire the troops. He reported this to the court, and when the imperial approval came down, he sent his personal guard battalion rushing to Shanghai to arrest him. Oh, He Guiqing was hiding deep in the concession keeping a low profile—if Hu Xueyan hadn’t informed the authorities, General Zeng wouldn’t have found him so easily.”

The matter actually involved Hu Xueyan, so Li Qin immediately perked up, widening his eyes: “Hu Xueyan is a smooth-operating businessman who has always gotten along well with Jiangnan officialdom. Why would he cross this Buddha?” A former Liangjiang Governor had promoted countless officials, and Hu Xueyan’s action had unknowingly offended many in officialdom—this was a major taboo for merchants and didn’t seem like something the “God of Wealth” would do, which naturally puzzled Li Qin.

“They were actually old acquaintances. Former Zhejiang Governor Wang Youling and He Guiqing were childhood friends, while Hu Xueyan had helped Wang Youling when he was poor and down on his luck. The two later became sworn brothers, which connected all three. A few years ago, whenever the Hu family opened a new business, the Liangjiang Governor’s congratulatory plaque hung above the door with the Zhejiang Governor’s congratulatory couplets on both sides. You can imagine how glorious that was.” Manager Luo spoke eloquently, his eyes full of envy.

Li Qin nodded unconsciously, then asked: “So how did things become…”

“Ah, in chaotic times, human relationships are hard to predict. That He Guiqing claimed to be a scholar leading troops, comparing himself to Zhuge Liang and Xie An, but was actually weak inside—a coward. When the Taipings attacked, he fled from battle and ordered his personal troops to shoot and kill several dozen gentry and civilians who blocked his sedan chair, causing the Jiangnan camp’s morale to collapse completely. Left leaderless, they were crushed by Li Xiucheng in one stroke. This wouldn’t have mattered much, but it doomed Zhejiang’s Governor Wang Youling. Hangzhou was surrounded by Taiping forces with no supplies inside and no reinforcements outside. Wang Youling held out for half a year, but the city was still breached by the Taipings, and he finally died by poison, martyring himself for the country.”

At that time, Hu Xueyan’s grain ships were anchored in the river outside Hangzhou city. He watched helplessly as the city fell and people died, powerless to help. If He Guiqing hadn’t fled and could have commanded troops for support, they could have cut open a supply route for Hu Xueyan to transport grain into the city. With restored morale, Hangzhou wouldn’t have fallen and Wang Youling wouldn’t have died tragically. So Hu Xueyan beat his chest in anguish on the boat, vowing in grief and anger to kill He Guiqing to avenge his sworn brother.

“What no one expected was that people from the Liangjiang Governor’s office arrived in Shanghai with arrest warrants, but after more than two years, they still couldn’t touch He Guiqing.” He Guiqing, being a Hanlin scholar, was clever enough to know Zeng Guofan wanted to kill him, so he made the first move. He helped a British man in the concession buy a small building, living on the second floor himself while having the Briton bring his wife and children to live on the first floor. This Briton was originally just a servant to foreign merchants but inexplicably came into money—the price being helping He Guiqing ward off disaster. Since the house belonged to the Briton and was built in the concession, as long as this foreigner didn’t speak up, the Liangjiang Governor’s office couldn’t rush in to arrest anyone, or it would cause serious Sino-British disputes. For this, Zeng Guofan had sent people to negotiate with the British embassy, but the British consul’s attitude was firm, saying that in the British Empire, private property was absolutely protected. To enter and arrest someone was not difficult, but the house owner must agree—the matter reached an impasse. The Liangjiang office could only post guards day and night outside, ready to arrest He Guiqing the moment he left the house.

He Guiqing naturally wasn’t stupid. He had the foreign family handle all his food, clothing, and daily needs. When sick, he had doctors come to take his pulse and prescribe medicine. He dared not step outside, apparently planning to live out his days in that room.

“Originally, Hu the God of Wealth wanted to use heavy bribes to buy this building, but He Guiqing had anticipated this move. Decades of official savings flowed out continuously—the foreigner felt that keeping He Guiqing was like holding an inexhaustible treasure pot, so why would he easily let go? Later, people advised Hu the God of Wealth that killing someone was just a matter of severing the head, and He Guiqing was already forced to a dead end, equivalent to being imprisoned in jail. If he was too ruthless and insisted on complete annihilation, who would dare do business with the Hu family in the future? Hu the God of Wealth naturally disagreed, insisting on capturing He Guiqing, but his subordinates all felt those words made sense and secretly obstructed and blocked him, gradually letting the matter drag on.”

“A Liangjiang Governor holding first rank and Hu Xueyan being the richest merchant—to think they’re both helpless against an unarmed foreign civilian. Truly strange news under heaven.” Li Qin shook his head.

“Young Master Li, your Li family has long resided in the north, where it’s still the Great Qing’s domain. But this southeastern half of the country—heh, first Hong Xiuquan turned everything upside down, and now the foreigners have become the supreme emperors who brook no contradiction. Their gunboats are anchored at the mouth of Huangpu River—who dares provoke them?”

Just then, there was a crash from the stairway entrance, like a waiter’s tray being knocked over. Exclamations arose, and the large screen dividing the private rooms suddenly toppled down. Li Qin reacted quickly, pulling Manager Luo as both men quickly dodged aside.

They saw a man reeking of alcohol sprawled on the screen, his whole body pressing it to the ground. He struggled with his hands and feet but couldn’t get up.

The manager rushed over to apologize: “Gentlemen, please don’t take offense. This is a foreign gentleman who drank too much—we can’t persuade him and don’t dare to. Please move to another seat and I’ll have the kitchen prepare new dishes.”

Speaking of foreigners brings foreigners—Li Qin looked up and down at the foreigner hugging a wine bottle, half-drunk and half-awake, and suddenly frowned: “Eh, isn’t this Richard from Jardine Matheson?”

“Young Master Li knows him?” Manager Luo asked.

“I did gun business with him in Huizhou. Later when building sea dikes in Yancheng, he represented Jardine Matheson, selling me two old churches that I dismantled for brick and stone materials.”

“That’s him then. This foreigner is unlucky enough. Probably because of selling the churches, he brought his wife to Yancheng for a half-business, half-pleasure trip. They encountered a riot, and his wife was dragged into an empty room, gang-raped, then beaten to death. This Richard grabbed a horse during the chaos and barely escaped with his life. Although the British consulate sought justice for him, Jardine Matheson’s directors blamed him for careless handling that caused such big trouble, so they took back the business originally assigned to him, only having him deal with the sergeant on foreign warships, responsible for warship maintenance and supplies. Whether Chinese or foreign, military business is the hardest to do. Richard lost his wife and daily suffers abuse from soldier ruffians, becoming like ‘Pig Bajie looking in a mirror—not human inside or out,’ carrying a wine bottle and drinking himself senseless all day. In my opinion, being dismissed by Jardine Matheson isn’t far off.”

“Hmm.” Li Qin knew the score—if he hadn’t cut corners building the sea dike, that riot wouldn’t have occurred. He looked thoughtfully at Richard, then back toward the Huangpu waterfront in the night, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his lips as he murmured: “Don’t say I don’t look after you.”

Manager Luo didn’t hear clearly and asked: “Young Master Li, what did you say?”

“I’m not familiar with Shanghai—I’ll have to trouble you with this matter.” Li Qin smiled mysteriously and whispered a few words, concluding: “All expenses afterward can be collected at the Li family salt shop in Jiangning.”

“Oh, Young Master, you’re too polite—isn’t this what I should do?” Manager Luo was also an old hand who knew not to ask what shouldn’t be asked. The Li family was a big tree—holding tight to it was definitely right. So he had his men carry Richard out, following behind himself. But since it involved a foreigner, Manager Luo thought and worried all night. The next day, seeing it was getting late, he called a carriage and headed straight to the Yongxing Hotel at Shiliupu. This hotel mostly housed foreigners, and last night Manager Luo had sent Richard there according to Li Qin’s instructions.

As soon as he got off the carriage, he saw Li Qin and Richard emerging together. He heard Li Qin laughing: “Don’t worry, Mr. Richard. We’re both surnamed Li—family doesn’t speak of two houses. If this succeeds, I absolutely won’t break my word. You’ll be completely satisfied.”

“Yes,” Richard had been in China long enough to speak some halting Chinese without an interpreter. “You Li Qin, me Richard—we’re very close, can cooperate well together, make money together.”

Only then did Manager Luo notice that Richard had not only shaved but changed into brand new clothes, looking radiant—completely different from last night’s drunkard.

He was still stunned when Li Qin and Richard had already bid farewell to each other. Watching the carriage raise dust as it departed, Manager Luo was truly curious, approaching with a smile: “You’re performing magic tricks? This foreigner was half-dead last night, but today he has the vigor of going up Jingyang Ridge to fight tigers.”

“That miraculous?” Li Qin glanced at him sideways.

“Of course—Young Master, you’re truly divine!” Manager Luo gave a thumbs up.

“Actually, it’s not mysterious once explained. Those two White Russian women you found to sleep with Richard last night—I promised them to him today, with the Li family paying. I also told him that if he could help me with a favor and let me successfully control all the salt shops in the three Liangjiang provinces, I could let Jardine Matheson get a share of the southeastern salt business in the future, specifically having him handle it. This way, Richard would have made a great contribution, becoming someone Jardine Matheson would definitely want to keep. In an instant, he had women, power, and money—of course he’s happy, of course he’s pleased. So he immediately rushed back to the foreign firm to claim credit from the directors.”

Manager Luo held back and held back, finally asking cautiously: “You’ve promised this foreigner so many benefits—what exactly do you want him to help you with?”

Li Qin took a deep breath and grinned: “This matter—within two days it will rock Shanghai, and then you’ll know whether you want to or not.”

Gu Pingyuan came to Hangzhou to borrow money from Hu Xueyan according to their agreed date. He disembarked at Wan’an Bridge wharf and first went to look at the business at his own large warehouse. He discovered that although his second brother had been in Zhenjiang caring for their mother during this period, the manager Hu Xueyan had found for the warehouse was very capable, handling business in an orderly fashion. Of course, much of this was because Gu Pingyuan had paved the way for this warehouse from the beginning—tea goods flowed endlessly north and south, so there was never worry about lack of business. The wharf bustled with vehicles coming and going, the canal with boats back and forth, voices din day and night without rest.

Good business meant good profits. For this new enterprise, Gu Pingyuan generously gave these managers and clerks monthly profit-sharing—money they could see and grasp. As long as they worked hard, they could get double or even more pay at month’s end. These clerks threw themselves into the shop as if their lives depended on it, impossible to drive away.

“Master, look—Hangzhou is the starting point of the canal, always full of warehouses. But since our Gu family warehouse opened, in less than a year it’s already become the leader at the wharf. Look, that one, and that one…” The manager pointed to several warehouses in the distance. “They used to be big businesses, but now they’re not doing well. I hear they’re already planning to close down. Some people have privately approached me wanting to sell their warehouses and cargo boats at low prices to us. Just as the master arrived, please advise—should we do this business? I’ve looked them over; the warehouses and boats are all good, and the prices are reasonable. If we buy them and connect this whole area, our influence would be even greater.”

The manager finished speaking, fully expecting Gu Pingyuan to beam with joy, but this master’s face darkened instead. He walked to the canal edge to look at those warehouses with their furled sails and listless clerks, his brow deeply furrowed.

“Go call all the senior clerks—I have something to say.”

When everyone was assembled, Gu Pingyuan bowed to them: “Some of you probably don’t recognize me. I’m the senior master of this warehouse. My second brother Gu Pingwen usually manages everything here. I just arrived today and briefly looked at this business’s operations—they’re truly excellent. Although thriving business was within my expectations, that it’s good to this extent shows how hard everyone usually works. Manager, remember this—when giving year-end rewards, add two-tenths to everyone’s red envelopes.”

At these words, everyone’s faces lit with joy, feeling this unfamiliar master was truly generous—working for the Gu family was indeed rewarding.

“What I’m about to say next may be unpleasant to hear.” Gu Pingyuan paused, then continued: “The manager just told me that the warehouses on both sides of this wharf have been squeezed out by our Gu family business—it looks like we’re about to become the top player, able to control the winds and rains in monopoly business. Hangzhou is a golden wharf; controlling water and land vehicles here would truly bring daily profits like measuring gold, with wealth just around the corner.”

The clerks’ faces showed excitement at his words, but then Gu Pingyuan said: “But no—this monopoly business absolutely cannot be done.” Seeing the managers’ and clerks’ bewildered expressions, knowing they were puzzled, he softened his tone: “Think carefully. If this were your family business, passed from father to son, son to grandson, generation after generation, depending on this business to support families and make a living, but suddenly an outsider came and, relying on many people and broad connections, stole all your customers and forced you to close down with no means of support—what would you think then?”

Gu Pingyuan pointed toward those several warehouses by the river: “Do you see? This is their current situation. The manager just spoke with flowery words about our prosperity like blazing oil on brocade, but my heart feels waves of chill. If someone put me in such a situation, I would certainly hate them to the bone. If you don’t let others live, how can they let you prosper? Our warehouse business emphasizes open roads everywhere, but if everyone up and down the wharf resents you, tripping you up today and stabbing you in the back tomorrow, you’d be too busy defending against them to have any mind for business.” The clerks below whispered among themselves, obviously never having considered these principles before.

“Furthermore, our Gu family warehouse achieved such remarkable success in such a short time by relying on help from the Dongting merchant guild and Master Hu Xueyan. Whether it’s Master Chen Qitai or Master Hu, they’re all major local merchants from this province. If people now say that for profit, they’ve turned their elbows outward, helping outsiders destroy their fellow townsmen’s businesses, wouldn’t I, Gu Pingyuan, be repaying kindness with enmity? Who would dare partner with me in the future? Gentlemen, I have an unshakeable principle in conducting business—the road must become wider and wider, never narrowed by greed for temporary profit. Remember this: no one can earn all the money under heaven into their own pocket. Even if they could, what would be the use? Only when everyone has money are there business opportunities everywhere. If only you alone have money while everyone else is dirt poor, with whom would you do business?”

When his speech reached this point, it was as clear as parting clouds to reveal the sun. The manager and clerks suddenly understood, their faces immediately filled with admiration.

The manager stepped forward: “Master, you needn’t say more. I understand this business wisdom and will certainly follow your instructions—no monopolistic business, no letting colleagues stab us in the back.”

“Then I’m relieved. We eat meat ourselves, but we can’t let others drink only soup. In the future, find some reputable warehouses to do joint business with, sharing some trade for everyone to do together. Whether by water or land routes, we’ll support each other when needed—wouldn’t that be good?”

After arranging the warehouse affairs, Gu Pingyuan saw it was getting late and hurried to the Hu residence.

Before Hu Xueyan made his fortune, he was just a small clerk at a money shop, living in an unnamed alley in south Hangzhou. Later, when the Hu family prospered, people passing by his door discovered this alley was high on both sides and low in the middle, with the very center—right at Hu Xueyan’s doorway—slightly raised like a small mound, resembling a large silver ingot. Word spread immediately, with everyone saying Hu Xueyan was indeed the reincarnation of the God of Wealth, and even his residence was called “Silver Ingot Street.”

With such excellent feng shui, Hu Xueyan naturally wouldn’t move. Over several years he bought the entire alley, undertaking major construction to build a Hu residence more luxurious than a prince’s mansion, with the main gate still opening before that raised mound.

This was Gu Pingyuan’s first visit to the Hu residence. Last time in Hangzhou, he had met Hu Xueyan at the guild hall. This first visit revealed that the God of Wealth was truly famous locally—with just a little inquiry, everyone was happy to give directions. Only then did Gu Pingyuan learn that Hu Xueyan distributed warm clothes in winter and gave out porridge in summer. His “Hu Qingyu Hall” pharmacy freely distributed tens of thousands of taels worth of medicine whenever plagues spread. The local people had received too many benefits from him.

Gu Pingyuan nodded in secret admiration—to be a businessman, one should be like Hu Xueyan; this earned people’s respect.

Thinking this, he arrived at the Hu residence gate, explained his purpose, and asked the servants to announce him. Soon, an elegant servant in dark robes came out and courteously invited Gu Pingyuan into the residence.

Gu Pingyuan was led through a short covered walkway, and the servant bowed: “Please rest for a moment in the Mirror Threshold Pavilion, Master Gu.”

This Mirror Threshold Pavilion faced a lotus pond in front and backed against an artificial mountain made of Taihu stones, with the pavilion halfway up the mountain. Inside the pavilion was an extremely large glass mirror that captured the water ripples outside, the red flowers and green lotus in the pond, the small bridges and wooden boats on the water, and the drooping willows by the pond’s edge—all reflected within the mirror.

Gu Pingyuan was startled—he had heard of such things in the capital. When he looked at the elegant servant, the man seemed accustomed to such surprise and smiled slightly: “Master Gu has excellent judgment. This large mirror exists in only two places in the Great Qing. Originally made in France, five were loaded on a ship. After crossing vast oceans through wind and waves, only three arrived intact in Guangzhou, and one of those was accidentally broken by porters during unloading. The foreign merchant bringing these mirrors to the Great Qing, seeing only two remained, decided not to sell them. He said he would present one to the most powerful person in the court, so he gave it to Prince Gong, placing it in the Jian Garden villa by Shichahai. The other would go to the most famous merchant in the Great Qing—this mirror thus found its home here, giving the Mirror Threshold Pavilion its name.”

After hearing this explanation, Gu Pingyuan immediately had two thoughts. First, if Hu Xueyan previously profited greatly through Liangjiang officialdom connections, then now, with his reputation, whenever officials and foreigners had conflicts, they would likely rely on Hu Xueyan to mediate. When business grows large, one can serve the country—this was clear proof. Second, even an ordinary Hu family servant spoke so eloquently, showing Hu Xueyan had his own methods for employing people—likely the reason he could stand firm in Great Qing’s business world. His own operations were expanding constantly—tea, salt shops, warehouses all needed many hands. With just the two brothers, even with three heads and six arms they couldn’t manage everything. In the future, when there was time, he should learn more from Hu Xueyan about recognizing and employing people—this would be important work ahead.

However, the current struggle with the Li family was at a critical juncture, leaving no time for such concerns. Gu Pingyuan prepared to properly thank Hu Xueyan once he produced the bank notes. But he waited left and right without anyone coming. The Hu family servants were extremely courteous, constantly bringing fine tea and pastries, but never mentioned what their master was doing. Gu Pingyuan sensed something unusual. Just as that servant entered again and Gu Pingyuan was about to ask, the servant spoke first: “Master Gu, sorry to keep you waiting anxiously. The carriage is just ready, and we’ve told our boat to wait at the shore ten li away. We can depart now.”

Gu Pingyuan was greatly astonished: “Depart? To where?”

“My master is in Nanxun. Before leaving, he said that when Master Gu arrived, please go to Nanxun to find him.”

Gu Pingyuan had arranged to meet Hu Xueyan at the Hu residence on an agreed date specifically to collect the one million taels in bank notes. Even if Hu Xueyan had business elsewhere, he could have left the bank notes with a trusted person to pass to Gu Pingyuan. Why make him travel all the way to Nanxun?

Gu Pingyuan wondered about this and casually asked, but the servant only shook his head unknowingly, saying Hu Xueyan had departed two days earlier, repeatedly instructing before leaving that Gu Pingyuan must make the trip to Nanxun to see him. So Hu Xueyan had deliberately arranged to meet in Nanxun. Could it be that the one million taels hadn’t been gathered? Nanxun was full of major silk merchants, quite wealthy, known as “Four Elephants, Eight Bulls, and Seventy-two Golden Dogs.” Perhaps he was taking him there to borrow money. But that didn’t seem right either—Gu Pingyuan had heard that Nanxun families had ancestral rules to only do silk business with their mulberry trees, forbidding entry into other trades, especially money shop and bank lending business. This was a rule established by Nanxun ancestors for their descendants, so later generations naturally wouldn’t lend money to outsiders without reason.

Carrying his belly full of questions, Gu Pingyuan took the Hu family’s ornately decorated carriage-boat to Nanxun. Upon arrival, people were waiting at the wharf—sent by the Liu family, first among the “Four Elephants.” They said advance scouts had already reported by fast horse, and a banquet had been prepared at the Liu residence to welcome Gu Pingyuan, with Hu Xueyan waiting there.

The messenger spoke casually, but when Gu Pingyuan stepped into the Liu family’s main hall, he was immediately shocked. The Liu family were hereditary merchants whose ancestral home, though spacious from outside, showed old tiles and moss, quite unremarkable. Who knew it held such wonders within? The main hall displayed eighteen flowing cloud tables arranged according to Taiji patterns, all made from golden nanmu root wood. Having worked as a pawnshop appraiser, Gu Pingyuan knew even one such piece was a rare treasure—seeing so many together was unheard of. Other wealthy families, if they had one flowing cloud table, mostly used it as a curio cabinet, yet the Liu family used them for serving wine and food as if they were ordinary poplar wood tables.

“Brother Pingyuan, you’ve finally come—we’ve been waiting for you for some time.” Hu Xueyan was chatting with the Liu family master. Seeing Gu Pingyuan enter, he came forward to introduce him to everyone.

Besides Gu Pingyuan, including Hu Xueyan, there were seventeen people total in the hall. After Hu Xueyan’s introductions, Gu Pingyuan learned this Liu family hall currently harbored dragons and tigers—Nanxun’s Four Elephants and Eight Bulls, plus several major silk merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, all gathered here.

Without asking, this was clearly Hu Xueyan’s deliberate invitation, but why? Gu Pingyuan puzzled over this endlessly but couldn’t ask in front of everyone, having to wait for Hu Xueyan to reveal the mystery.

Hu Xueyan stubbornly wouldn’t speak directly, only continuously raising his cup, making everyone drink several rounds. Gu Pingyuan secretly observed faces and expressions, discovering not only himself but everyone else in the hall showed bewildered looks, including the Liu family master.

Finally the host couldn’t bear it. After drinking a cup, using wine to cover his face, he asked: “Master Hu, you sent invitations insisting all Nanxun silk merchants gather in my humble residence. Naturally, when the God of Wealth visits and colleagues honor us, the Liu family is truly glorified. Not to mention hosting once—even if everyone stayed here ten days or half a month, I would only be happy, never neglecting guests. However, from my observation, you probably have deeper meaning this time. Let me speak for everyone—all present, except Master Gu, do silk business with you. Is it that we Nanxun silk merchants have somehow offended Master Hu, or has some unexpected change occurred in business? Please speak freely—we’ll apologize where we should apologize and discuss solutions together where needed, never making things difficult for you.”

Hu Xueyan waved his hand: “What words are these, Master Liu? My ability to match foreign firms in silk business depends entirely on everyone’s constant help. I’m endlessly grateful—how could there be dissatisfaction?”

“Then today you are…”

“Today there truly is a matter.” Hu Xueyan pondered, glancing at Gu Pingyuan sitting beside him.

The God of Wealth had always been famous in business circles for handling affairs decisively and generously, yet today he hesitated—clearly facing a major issue. Everyone present had business dealings with him, and those traveling silk merchants had entrusted their fortunes and lives to the Hu family. They unconsciously held their breath, waiting for him to continue.

Hu Xueyan looked around the hall, seeing everyone watching him. He nodded slightly and stood up, reaching into his robe to pull out several colorful notes, waving them in his hand: “Gentlemen, you’re all businessmen and should recognize these things. These are promissory notes and bills of exchange from HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Citibank foreign banks—my long-term loans recalled from these banks this month, totaling one million taels of silver.”

For these hall occupants, one million taels was much or little. The Liu family fortune was several million taels, others’ wealth ranged from hundreds of thousands to over a million, but that was their total family assets. To casually pull out one million taels in notes like Hu Xueyan probably exceeded their capabilities. They all stared wide-eyed, wondering what this God of Wealth intended by flaunting wealth now.

Most puzzled was still Gu Pingyuan. He was borrowing one million taels from Hu Xueyan, having agreed to sign contracts at the Hu residence, using this money to invest in salt shop business. They naturally needed guarantors and official registration at the government household office. Given his and Hu Xueyan’s relationship—though not deep, they were kindred spirits who understood each other—was it necessary to invite so many people as witnesses to prove he had borrowed money from the Hu family?

Before he could figure it out, he heard Hu Xueyan say: “Originally I had promised this money to someone else, to lend out. But some changes occurred, so I cannot lend this money.” He glanced at the shocked Gu Pingyuan and sighed: “Going back on my word is my fault, but I truly had no choice. Ah, to prevent this good friend from misunderstanding that I’m petty and stingy, I’ve invited everyone today as witnesses—this one million taels, the Hu family will donate over ten years to charitable halls around Hangzhou. Speaking clearly before everyone, I, Hu Xueyan, don’t want this money anymore—it all goes to the poor.”

Everyone present had done charitable giving before. Some Buddhist families were quite generous in cold winter months, but that involved at most a few hundred to a thousand taels. Who had heard of donating one million taels at once? Even for the God of Wealth, this was too shocking. The hall fell silent momentarily—no one knew how to react, creating an awkward standstill.

Upon hearing this, Gu Pingyuan’s heart immediately flipped, knowing something extremely unexpected had occurred. Otherwise, with Hu Xueyan’s character of keeping his word, he would never go back on his promise after the bank notes were already in hand, making such a decisive move—this further proved it was unavoidable circumstances. Too rushed to think carefully, he quickly stood up: “Master Hu, you…”

“Ah, Brother Pingyuan, come, come.” Hu Xueyan wouldn’t let him speak, grabbing Gu Pingyuan’s sleeve as both men came to the hall center.

“I have another matter to mention. This brother of mine is a rising star among Hui merchants, truly a sincere and prudent gentleman. Whatever business he does, I, Hu Xueyan, dare guarantee him with my entire fortune. In the future, Master Gu may also come to Nanxun to trade silk, doing business with you all. I’m giving everyone advance notice—please take good care of him, treating it as Hu family business.”

Hu Xueyan took a deep breath here and continued: “One more thing—there are only so many silkworm-raising families, and annual cocoon and raw silk quantities are fixed numbers. But as long as Master Gu comes to buy silk, you may all sell to him from my ordered silk quantities. However much he wants, sell him that much. Even if in the end there’s no share left for the Hu family, that’s fine—I absolutely won’t pursue your breach of contract.”

This was another shocking statement!

Don’t underestimate this small Nanxun town—its “Jili Lake Silk” was the world’s finest silk. Annual cocoon and silk quantities could determine silk price fluctuations in southeastern markets. Hu Xueyan had spent countless effort controlling Nanxun’s silk business, yet now with simple words, he was handing it all over to Gu Pingyuan.

This unbelievable thing was truly happening before everyone’s eyes. They all felt today’s banquet, with its sights and sounds, was like a dream—unable to distinguish truth from illusion, even less understanding Hu Xueyan’s purpose in these actions.

Gu Pingyuan was the same. He had encountered many strange things over the years, most with traceable clues, but this time he was completely confused.

“Today is simply to introduce you all to Master Gu. Now that you know each other, you can interact more in the future. Let’s not say more—everyone should enjoy themselves.” As if seeing everyone’s puzzled faces, Hu Xueyan preemptively blocked their questions. He was the God of Wealth—since unwilling to explain clearly, no one could force him. They could only suppress their curiosity, inexplicably finishing this confusing banquet before taking their leave.

Both Hu and Gu had come from afar, so the Liu family naturally kept them as guests, preparing elegant bedrooms for each. Gu Pingyuan’s mind was in chaos, momentarily unsure whether to leave or stay. What he most wanted was to find Hu Xueyan and get the matter clarified. Just as he was thinking this, someone knocked on the door, and Hu Xueyan pushed it open and entered.

“Brother Pingyuan, I’ve come to apologize to you.” Hu Xueyan got straight to the point, about to bow deeply to the ground.

Gu Pingyuan quickly supported his arms: “Master Hu, this absolutely cannot be. I originally came seeking your help. Though the matter didn’t work out, I’m still grateful for your initial righteousness. I just don’t understand—what was today’s business really about? If Master Hu still considers me a good friend, could you please explain clearly?”

“Of course, this must be explained clearly. I came to find you precisely for this matter.” Hu Xueyan rubbed his forehead and sat down by the Eight Immortals table.

“Let me first speak about that one million taels. I had already fully recovered it seven days ago and was planning to send someone to Jiangning to notify you, when an uninvited guest came, forcing me not to fulfill my original promise—I cannot lend you this money.”

“An uninvited guest—who?”

Hu Xueyan smiled bitterly: “Just that Beijing merchant young master Li Qin you mentioned to me last time. Hmph, who would have thought that after ten years of smooth sailing, I’d be subdued by this rich family’s son.”

Li Qin! Gu Pingyuan could hardly believe his ears—he had such ability to make the famous God of Wealth suffer and submit?

Hu Xueyan explained the whole story in detail, truly leaving Gu Pingyuan dumbstruck. Originally, Li Qin had found Richard from Jardine Matheson, promising him beautiful women and rich profits with only one condition—find a way to capture He Guiqing, who was hiding in the concession and wouldn’t come out.

Richard was initially puzzled, but Li Qin gave him an idea—work on the British gunboat anchored in the Huangpu River. Richard suddenly understood, took Li Qin’s money, bribed the foreign soldiers’ commander, and the next night, over ten drunk foreign soldiers with guns burst into the foreign building where He Guiqing was hiding. Without explanation, they seized him and left, then used a small sampan to send him to a small steamboat waiting in the river, where Li Qin was waiting. After receiving the person, the boat immediately departed.

By the time the foreign family broke free from their bonds and ran to the consulate to complain at dawn, the steamboat was nearly reaching Jiaxing. The British Consul-General, learning it was his own country’s soldiers causing drunken trouble, could only summon the foreign soldiers’ commander for a scolding, then let the matter drop.

Regarding the grudge between Hu Xueyan and He Guiqing, Gu Pingyuan had heard him mention it back in Huizhou, knowing Hu Xueyan most hated Li Xiucheng who captured Hangzhou and He Guiqing who failed to rescue it. Hearing this, he already understood seven or eight parts, asking tentatively: “Did Li Qin hand He Guiqing over to the Liangjiang office people?”

“He did something even more extreme.” Hu Xueyan recalled that day’s situation, shaking his head vigorously. “That day servants reported someone had hired colored lion teams and drummers, starting from ten li outside Hangzhou city with beating and blowing, drums and music filling the sky, dancing lion heads slowly toward the city. Not only that, but they sent people with large baskets of copper coins, constantly scattering them on both sides of the road. You can imagine—wouldn’t that shock the entire city?”

Hearing this, Gu Pingyuan remembered when Old Lady Gu celebrated her birthday, someone sent a messenger beating a large gong, delivering that secret letter that caused family discord. This person was definitely Li Qin. A cold smile appeared at Gu Pingyuan’s lips: “Just repeating old tricks.”

This procession stopped at the Hu residence gate. Hu Xueyan had already heard they were heading toward his home. Creating such a commotion for no reason was meant to attract hundreds and thousands of onlookers. As for the purpose, it was probably not benevolent. So Hu Xueyan came early to the residence gate, waiting to see the other party’s intentions.

He wasn’t afraid. In Hangzhou city, even without relying on officials or wealth, Hu Xueyan’s reputation alone meant anyone daring to harm the Hu family—without him needing to call out—the entire city’s people would surround and devour the opponents alive. Hu Xueyan was initially curious, but when the other party announced their identity, it was actually the eldest son of Beijing’s Li family.

During Hefei’s recovery, Hu Xueyan had met this young man at the governor’s office. Though only a brief encounter, he knew helping Gu Pingyuan meant opposing this person. The Li family was also a top business figure in the north, so Li Qin had probably come to demand answers. Hu Xueyan was secretly planning when Li Qin surprisingly opened by congratulating him, then without explanation brought the bound He Guiqing and handed him directly to the Hu family without mentioning any conditions.

“Brother Pingyuan, imagine the scene—He Guiqing right there before my eyes. When Li Qin handed him to me, he said nothing, only congratulated me, saying ‘Congratulations to Master Hu for helping the court capture the criminal official and avenging Governor Wang.’ After speaking, he had people set off thousands of firecrackers in the street and brought incense, candles, and paper money, immediately setting up an altar, saying this would comfort Governor Wang’s spirit in heaven. Hey, this person is young but truly knows how to stir people’s hearts. The city residents had been besieged with Governor Wang for over a year. When the city fell, Governor Wang committed suicide, leaving a letter asking Li Xiucheng to treat the people well and not massacre the city, so the people were all grateful to tears. Now with firecrackers exploding and the altar set up, without anyone saying anything, everyone on the street knelt together, wailing and crying as if mourning their own parents.”

Some people brought stones and debris, throwing them at the ashen-faced He Guiqing. If Hu Xueyan hadn’t acted quickly, ordering people to bring He Guiqing into the residence for custody, this former Liangjiang Governor would have been beaten to death in the marketplace.

“But this way, I formally received the person from Li Qin’s hands, accepting this enormous favor. When Li Qin left, he only said one thing—that Beijing merchants and Hui merchants had some disputes, hoping I could remain neutral and help neither side. Honestly speaking, this condition wasn’t harsh at all. As long as I could capture He Guiqing, I would have agreed to conditions a hundred times more difficult. But raising this matter at this precise moment, Li Qin was clearly targeting that one million taels. If I didn’t agree, I’d have to release He Guiqing and pretend nothing happened. But doing that—setting aside not avenging Governor Wang—with so many people seeing me take He Guiqing into my home, the crime of privately releasing a court fugitive would be unbearable. So… sigh, Master Gu, in short I’ve wronged you. This going back on my word—for me, Hu Xueyan, it’s the first time since the world began. I truly have nothing to say.”

Gu Pingyuan had long been listening in fascination, imagining that day’s scene at the Hu residence. He couldn’t help nodding, knowing Hu Xueyan was truly forced into this, saying hatefully: “Hmph, this person relies on the Li family’s wealth and influence, habitually using sinister schemes. Those who do business honestly and openly often can’t guard against such tactics.”

“This Young Master Li, despite his youth, actually understands using foreigners to control foreigners—this isn’t simple as a pampered son playing clever tricks. Don’t underestimate him, or you’ll suffer greatly.” Hu Xueyan warned, then continued: “I also know this means the Gu family salt shops probably can’t be saved. Fortunately, both salt and silk involve enormous profits. As they say, ‘What’s lost in the east is gained in the west.’ I, Hu, never owe others—all the Gu family’s losses, I’ll compensate you in the silk business.”

This was the true meaning behind Hu Xueyan’s words at today’s banquet. Gu Pingyuan now felt like he had swallowed a firefly—his heart was brilliantly clear. Li Qin had learned the Hu family wanted to lend money to him, so he sabotaged from within. Hu Xueyan was caught at his weak point and had to go back on his word, but offered the Hu family business lifeline—silk—to compensate him for peace of mind.

Gu Pingyuan suddenly stood up solemnly: “Master Hu, I accept your kind intentions, but I absolutely dare not accept the Nanxun silk business. Besides, this can’t be called going back on your word—it was originally the Gu family matter. Your initial willingness to help, regardless of success or failure, leaves me eternally grateful. Today’s actions further show me what constitutes a great merchant’s bearing—I deeply admire this.”

“Brother Pingyuan…”

“Master Hu, say no more. In friendship, the heart matters most. I clearly understand your difficulties and could never force unwilling compliance. Since circumstances have changed, I must rush back overnight to make arrangements. We’ll meet again next time.”

Hu Xueyan repeatedly apologized, but Gu Pingyuan didn’t say a single word of complaint, instead offering many words to comfort Hu Xueyan. Watching his figure disappear into the night, the Liu family master who came out to see off the guest sighed: “Truly the younger generation is to be feared—who would have thought there was such a talented young man among the Hui merchants.”

“It should be said that having such talent is a blessing for Great Qing merchants.” Hu Xueyan nodded, then sighed: “Unable to help him with this favor truly saddens my heart. I hope he can safely weather this difficulty and not be destroyed in the Li family’s hands.”

Of course, Gu Pingyuan knew nothing of these background discussions. All the way back to Jiangning on the “Wuxi Express,” he kept calculating where he could find this one million taels with less than two days remaining.

“If I’d known circumstances would change, I shouldn’t have let Liu Heita take away all the Gu family’s silver to handle affairs.” Gu Pingyuan felt somewhat regretful. What he had Liu Heita handle was a major matter—a decisive move in his struggle with the Li family. However, with sudden changes in the situation, even their base camp couldn’t be preserved. Even if Liu Heita returned successfully, it would be useless.

“Pulling the firewood from under the cauldron—Li Qin’s move is truly ruthless.” Gu Pingyuan muttered to himself. One million taels in less than three days—this was nearly impossible. At this moment, the only option he could think of was the Hui merchants. Old Master Hu plus several major tea merchants from Qimen and Tunxi might be able to pool their liquid assets to lend him this money.

With Gu Pingyuan’s current reputation among Hui merchants, if he made a special trip to ask, he probably had a seventy percent chance of borrowing this enormous sum. Old Master Hu need not be mentioned, and the other tea merchants, grateful for Gu Pingyuan’s great contributions to the Hui merchants, should also generously contribute. But this would mean draining the Hui merchants’ treasury. They had just weathered the great Taiping catastrophe and gone through fierce competition with Beijing merchants—their vitality was already severely damaged, and it was time to rest and recuperate. Gu Pingyuan really didn’t want to implicate these hometown colleagues for his own sake.

His sworn brother Chen Qitai was also a nearby source of wealth. The Dongting merchant guild could also produce one million taels, but as Gu Pingyuan knew, this money wasn’t readily available—it would need to be gathered from various shops, and there definitely wasn’t enough time.

“Finding this one million taels isn’t difficult—the problem is time waits for no one.” When Gu Pingyuan returned and explained, Gu Pingwen, Peng Haiwan, and the others were all dumbfounded. “No wonder the clerks reported that Li Qin has sent people to inspect various salt shops these past few days, looking determined to succeed.” As time passed minute by minute, Gu Pingwen anxiously stamped his feet.

Peng Haiwan smiled bitterly: “There’s really no way around this. The God of Wealth route was originally most reliable—we thought it was foolproof. Who knew that young master of the Li family had such a deadly move? No one could have anticipated this. In two more days, they’ll come to collect the shops. This game of chess—we’ve essentially been checkmated, with no room to maneuver. It looks like we can’t save our general.”

“I was careless in this matter, not thinking of contingencies. In the future, we must always prepare a second route and be ready for the unexpected.” Gu Pingyuan said thoughtfully.

“Never mind the future—if we let Li Qin take away the salt shops, we won’t even have the capital to compete with others.” Gu Pingwen felt discouraged.

“Hey, what are you all doing, staring at each other with long faces?” The door curtain lifted, and unexpectedly, Liu Heita walked in.

Several people looked at him in surprise. Peng Haiwan reacted first, slapping his hand: “Good! At least now we have three hundred thousand taels settled.”

Liu Heita had received Gu Pingyuan’s secret instructions and departed hastily a month ago with the Gu family’s entire three hundred thousand taels in bank notes, taking several clerks. No one knew what he was doing, but Peng Haiwan, who had arranged his luggage and clerks, knew Liu Heita had gone toward Sichuan and Yunnan-Guizhou. A round trip there would take at least half a month. Three hundred thousand taels—even spending freely—couldn’t be spent in less than a month. Liu Heita returning so quickly meant the task was mostly unfinished, so naturally the money was brought back.

Peng Haiwan was truly enthusiastic, calculating in his mind: “Since Brother Liu brought back the three hundred thousand, we can at least mortgage the Shunde Tea House shop and goods for one hundred thousand taels at the money shop. The remaining six hundred thousand is still an enormous sum. I’ll go to the tea trade guild to see if we can borrow some, and Master, you can…”

While he was talking to himself, Liu Heita’s words shut him up: “What what? Bring back three hundred thousand taels? What are you talking about?”

Peng Haiwan widened his eyes: “Then where’s the three hundred thousand silver?”

“Spent.”

“Spent! Spent on what?” Peng Haiwan asked repeatedly.

“Hey, why are you so anxious? I just walked in and haven’t even had a sip of water.” Liu Heita looked displeased, took the teapot from the table himself, poured a bowl of tea and gulped it down, feeling unsatisfied, drank two more bowls, then wiped his mouth.

“Tell us quickly—I’m dying of anxiety.” Peng Haiwan, seeing he had finished drinking, asked again.

“Tell you what?” Liu Heita was puzzled.

“Hey!” Peng Haiwan was so frustrated he waved his hands: “About that money! How did you spend it so fast? What exactly did you go do, my Lord Liu?”

“Of course I went to handle what Big Brother Gu asked me to handle. The matter’s completed, so naturally I came back. What’s wrong with being fast? That shows we’re capable. I couldn’t very well deliberately stay two extra days after finishing the job.”

“Wait.” Gu Pingwen stepped over and grabbed Liu Heita: “You’re saying the matter my big brother asked you to handle—you’ve taken care of everything?”

“That’s right. The three hundred thousand taels were all spent exactly as Big Brother Gu said, not a penny off.” Liu Heita was proudly pleased, apparently having handled the assignment very smoothly.

“Big brother…” Gu Pingwen turned back to look. He knew Liu Heita must have handled something major—otherwise Gu Pingyuan wouldn’t have had him take away all their silver at this critical moment. If this was truly the case, with the major matter accomplished, perhaps they could turn this dead game around.

Everyone’s eyes focused on Gu Pingyuan’s face, but he showed no expression, quietly listening to their conversation without saying a word.

Only when his younger brother urged him did Gu Pingyuan slowly shake his head: “No, what I had Brother Heita do was a move to use against the Li family after preserving the salt shops. If the salt shops can’t be preserved, this matter becomes meaningless.”

The small hope brought by Liu Heita’s return was extinguished again. Peng Haiwan sighed deeply. After Liu Heita learned the situation, he too anxiously scratched his head. Gu Pingwen slumped back into his chair, looking worried for a long time before suddenly raising his head: “Big, big brother, I have something to say—I don’t know if I should say it.”

“Between brothers, what can’t be said?” Gu Pingyuan said casually.

“Maybe we should go find…” Gu Pingwen gathered his courage but still hesitated.

Before others understood, Gu Pingyuan immediately grasped the meaning, jumping up and glaring angrily at his younger brother. This frightened Gu Pingwen into shrinking back, swallowing the rest of his words.

“You say find whom! Do you want me to seek out that Li Bancheng who now commands the Lianghuai Salt Fields, to find that wolf-hearted, utterly heartless person?”

“Big brother, the one pressuring us now is Li Qin—it might not necessarily be, be him.” Gu Pingwen’s face turned bright red as he said aggrievedly: “No matter what, he is still our…”

“Haha!” Gu Pingyuan laughed bitterly in extreme anger: “Second brother, I advise you not to harbor vain hopes. Do you think if we went to find him and begged him to show mercy, to persuade Li Qin to give the Gu family a way out, he would agree? You’re asking him to choose sides between the Li and Gu families. For twenty years he’s chosen the Li family—would he choose the Gu family now? If he still considered himself part of the Gu family, why hasn’t he secretly helped our family with even one tael of silver all these years? Doesn’t he know how difficult it was for Mother to raise us three siblings alone? Even if he wanted to, he should have thought of it. If he still considered himself our father, would he have sent people to frame me in the examination hall when I went to the capital for the imperial exams, just to drive me far away, causing me to be exiled to the frontier for a full five years? Even a vicious tiger doesn’t eat its cubs—if he had any human decency, he couldn’t have done such things!” Gu Pingyuan became emotional, tears gleaming in the corners of his eyes as he spoke.

The Li family’s sending Zhang Guangfa to frame Gu Pingyuan was previously known only to Secretary Hao and Li Qin. Gu Pingwen knew nothing of it. Hearing this suddenly, he was stunned, and the other two were also shocked speechless.

The room fell completely silent—you could hear a pin drop. Gu Pingwen slowly moved closer to his big brother, tears already streaming down his face, choking out: “Big brother, I didn’t know, I… I’m sorry…” Thinking of his brother’s suffering, the pain in his heart exceeded his own by ten or a hundred times. Gu Pingwen’s body trembled, feeling his heart might burst from anguish.

Gu Pingyuan knew this would be a tremendous shock to his family, so he had always held back from speaking of it. But in his momentary anger, it slipped out. Now calming down, he sighed deeply and placed his hand on his younger brother’s shoulder.

“Don’t tell Mother about this matter.”

“Ah! I understand.”

“Also, I would rather let Li Qin take back the shops and admit defeat honorably than beg the Li family for even half a word.”

“I understand, big brother. I understand everything. We absolutely won’t beg the Li family.” Gu Pingwen nodded heavily through his tears.

Liu Heita, this rough man, was also moved to tears by the scene before him. Having lost his parents as a child, he most couldn’t bear to see such scenes. Shaking his head, he lifted the curtain and walked out.

Then those inside heard him shouting loudly in the courtyard: “Hey, you—aren’t you that one? I saw you selling grain with Big Brother Gu in Shaanxi.”

Gu Pingyuan and Peng Haiwan exchanged glances and were about to go out to look when they heard a familiar voice laugh: “I remember you too—aren’t you the Twister?”

Before the words finished, Su Zixuan had already entered with Sixi, Liu Heita following behind, scratching his big head with a puzzled expression. “So it’s Young Master Su.” Since parting in Suzhou last time, Gu Pingyuan thought he would never see this woman again, but unexpectedly she had come to his door.

“I don’t think we have anything to discuss.” Gu Pingyuan knew this beautiful but ruthless woman harbored great hostility toward the court and was undoubtedly a dangerous person. With enough troubles at home already, he really didn’t want to provoke her, planning to quickly send her away.

“How rude you are!” Sixi said angrily: “My young master deigns to visit you personally—what great honor! Not only do you not respectfully seat him and offer tea, you dare issue an order to leave.”

“That’s because Master Gu doesn’t know why I’ve come—otherwise he would have bowed and invited me to take the seat of honor long ago.” Su Zixuan wasn’t offended, smiling sweetly.

“Sixi.” At Su Zixuan’s call, Sixi reluctantly took out a silk bundle from her bosom and placed it on the table.

“Master Gu, doesn’t this bundle look familiar?”

Gu Pingyuan had a good memory. After brief concentration, he remembered, his gaze jumping as he stared at Su Zixuan.

“What is it?” Liu Heita, curious by nature, came over to untie the knot: “These colorful papers—why are they all covered with foreign characters?”

Peng Haiwan was shocked upon hearing this and hurried over. Seeing them, he gasped: “These are all HSBC bank promissory notes, two thousand taels each, totaling…”

As he was counting, Gu Pingyuan said calmly: “No need to count. There are fifty total—one million taels of silver.” He had seen these notes once before in Shaanxi, when he and the Monk Prince had just concluded a life-threatening business deal, but Wang Chi had taken away all the silver meant for buying grain. He was desperate when Su Zixuan proactively helped him out of his urgent predicament. However, Su Zixuan’s true purpose behind the scenes had truly given Gu Pingyuan a cold sweat.

Others didn’t know the inside story and only felt their wishes were being granted. Though the money on the table had no luster, it made everyone’s eyes shine. Liu Heita looked Su Zixuan up and down: “You’re so wealthy! What’s this money for?”

Su Zixuan ignored him and said to Gu Pingyuan: “Last time in Xi’an, you took my money but ruined my great plan. If you want to borrow this one million from me again this time, we’ll need to have a good talk.”

Su Zixuan was referring to when she had lent Gu Pingyuan one million taels, using this to lure Senggelinqin’s army into the loess plateau, planning to use the Nian rebels to eliminate the Monk Prince. Unexpectedly, Gu Pingyuan warned him, letting Senggelinqin live two more years. Otherwise, with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom still undefeated, after the Nian rebels killed the Monk Prince and morale soared, they could have marched south to aid Tianjing. With north and south attacking the Zeng brothers’ Hunan Army together, the situation wouldn’t be what it is today—Beijing might have already fallen to the Taipings and Nian rebels.

Thinking of this, Su Zixuan’s anger toward Gu Pingyuan flared, yet she couldn’t help but remember how he had risked execution to bring her out of Prince Chun’s mansion, saving her life without seeking any reward. Su Zixuan was extremely intelligent and could almost see through anyone’s thoughts at a glance, but this man before her was like a puzzle.

After everyone else left the room, Gu Pingyuan broke the silence: “Since you’ve come, you’ve naturally investigated everything about this place thoroughly.”

“Of course. Though I don’t care about this one million taels, money isn’t lent casually. I’ll be frank—I most enjoy lending people life-saving money. That way, no matter what conditions I propose, the other party must agree. Don’t you think so, Master Gu?”

“Naturally—terms dictated by the victor. What do you want this time? Speak directly. If I can agree, I’ll agree. If not, let’s not waste each other’s time.”

“Straightforward!” Su Zixuan snapped her folding fan shut: “My conditions are actually quite simple. I want you to show no mercy in completely wresting the Lianghuai Salt Fields from the Li family, gaining complete control, then running them properly and doing business with peace of mind. Make the business as large as possible and earn as much silver as possible.”

Hearing such a condition, Gu Pingyuan couldn’t help but be startled.

“Don’t rush—I’m not finished. Since you’re a proper businessman, you must follow government orders in paying donations and taxes, without excuses, delays, or using the pretext of stopping salt field and salt shop operations to resist donations and taxes.”

The more Gu Pingyuan listened, the more confused he became. This was clearly the Salt Commissioner’s business—why was Su Zixuan coming all this way to say these things?

“Ha, what you’re saying is exactly what businessmen should do. Whether it’s ordinary salt shops in the three provinces of Liangjiang or larger businesses, including my tea fields and tea shops in Huizhou, we’ve always paid taxes on time without delay. We’ve never shortchanged even half a penny of the transit taxes at checkpoints along the way.” Gu Pingyuan could only respond in this rambling manner.

Su Zixuan immediately added: “Right, I was just about to mention this. You now have considerable reputation among Hui merchants, and I hear the Hui merchant elders also support you. In the future, you must persuade the Hui merchant leaders to see the big picture, understand the greater good, not oppose the government, and not resist donations and taxes. This is also one of my conditions.”

“You’re truly interesting.” Since Gu Pingyuan couldn’t understand, he simply smiled: “Whether donations or taxes, they’re all the court’s income. With no one else here, let’s speak plainly—you’ve always opposed the court. Why are you now thinking of the court’s interests at every turn?”

“Mm, now you’re getting to the heart of the matter.” Su Zixuan sipped her tea, then leisurely stood and walked a few steps before suddenly asking: “Which court are you referring to—the northern one or the southern one?”

This single question made Gu Pingyuan’s heart race. He looked Su Zixuan up and down several times before speaking: “Young Master Su, you must be forgetful. The false Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan has already been ground to dust—you witnessed this personally outside Jiangning city. Even his son Hong Tianguifu has been captured and executed. Where is there a court in the south?”

“Who mentioned those Taiping good-for-nothings? Since ancient times, generals and ministers aren’t born to their stations—those who compete for supremacy are only those with virtue and talent. You’re also a sensible person—think about it: does that young Emperor Tongzhi deserve to sit on the golden throne?”

Hearing such treasonous words, Gu Pingyuan shook his head and laughed coldly: “Emperors don’t need to personally mount horses to kill enemies or dismount to govern the country. As long as they can employ people well, they can still give the people peaceful lives. Take the recent Taiping rebellion—wasn’t it thanks to General Zeng Guofan that the great disorder was quelled and unity restored?”

Su Zixuan seemed to anticipate this response and immediately continued: “You’re absolutely right. Without Zeng Guofan and his Hunan Army, this Manchu court would have ceased to exist long ago. So thinking deeper—if the Hunan Army rebelled and made Zeng Guofan emperor, who in the world could stop them?”

“I haven’t thought about it and don’t need to. Young Master Su, you’ve helped me and saved me. But forgive my bluntness—I’m just a businessman and have nothing to do with your grand ambitions. Please take your bank notes and leave quickly. Don’t come here again in the future.”

Su Zixuan smiled at these words, restraining Sixi who was about to angrily rebuke him, and slowly sat down again. For a long time she said nothing, only sipping the tea in her cup, her expression as if wandering by boat among green mountains and waters, or as if sitting in meditation listening to Buddhist teachings in an ancient mountain temple.

Seeing she wouldn’t leave, Gu Pingyuan could only soften his tone: “Young Master Su, you are the most intelligent person I’ve ever met. Perhaps it’s presumptuous for someone I barely know to speak so deeply, but I hope you won’t take offense at my advice. I don’t know what deep grudge you have against the court, but regarding worldly trends—what has long been divided must unite, what has long been united must divide. Ten years of warfare have just been settled, and peaceful times are approaching. The people’s hearts seek stability—this is the general trend. If you act against it, I fear you won’t achieve good results.”

“Is that so?” Su Zixuan said indifferently. “You say you’re a businessman and speak of general trends—I’ll return those words to you. Rather than borrowing momentum, it’s better to create it. There’s a saying about ‘heroes creating circumstances.’ You seem not to believe Zeng Guofan and his Hunan Army will rebel, but what if that day truly comes? If the Zeng brothers ascend the dragon throne and sit on the imperial seat, those who helped them—like the Li family of the capital—will get whatever they want. Even if you defeat the Li family a thousand or ten thousand times, just this once would leave you in eternal ruin.”

Su Zixuan said this while looking seriously at Gu Pingyuan: “This is what I once told you—the greatest business is plotting for the nation. If you don’t watch the times and close your eyes to do business, wealth is but flowers in water and moon in mirror. Once circumstances change, mountains of gold and seas of silver become empty in an instant.”

Gu Pingyuan naturally understood this principle, but recently he had focused entirely on the vendetta with the Li family. Listening to Su Zixuan’s words, he involuntarily asked: “How do you know the Zeng brothers will rebel?”

“Didn’t you hear me say ‘heroes create circumstances’?” Su Zixuan answered simply, stood up and pointed to the thick stack of bank notes on the table. “Right now I need you to do nothing. Take this money and claim the Lianghuai Salt Fields as your own—this isn’t something I’m asking you to do, but something you want to do yourself. As for the future, if circumstances change, you need only make the Hui merchants and Lianghuai Salt Fields a continuous source of money and provisions for the Hunan Army—that would be a great contribution. After success, everything of the Li family will be yours, and the Li family members will be yours to dispose of. For a true man to satisfy grudges and enmities—I’m giving you the opportunity. Whether you want it or not is your decision.”

Gu Pingyuan opened his mouth to speak, but Su Zixuan waved her hand: “No need to answer me so quickly. I hear Li Qin will come to collect the shops in two days? Whether you use this money then, I’ll naturally know.”

She walked to the door with Sixi, then turned back and said thoughtfully: “Actually, I knew the Li family before I met you. If you don’t want this opportunity, I’ll go find Li Qin—he definitely won’t pass it up. Fortune and misfortune depend on each other—take care of yourself.”

After Su Zixuan left, everyone swarmed in. Liu Heita rubbed his hands together joyfully: “Aiya, this young master looks like someone from a painting, and has such a good heart. Must be a friend Big Brother Gu knew before, sending charcoal in the snow. This, this is truly wonderful.”

Gu Pingwen also looked delighted. Only Peng Haiwan, being experienced, knew that no matter what kind of friend, it was impossible to casually give away one million taels of silver—there must be other implications. So he kept watching Gu Pingyuan, waiting for him to speak. “You all go out. Don’t come in without my word, and don’t spread news of this money outside. I need to think carefully.” Gu Pingyuan’s tone was unexpectedly heavy.

He thought for two full days and nights. The meals Peng Haiwan had servants bring in remained almost untouched—he only ate two pieces of pastry with hot tea. Seeing his heavy thoughts, even the usually carefree Liu Heita felt like a large stone was pressing on his heart, let alone the others.

Time flew by, and on the agreed day, Li Qin arrived early at Shunde Tea House with a group of people, immediately asking: “Where’s Gu Pingyuan? Tell him to come out and repay the money.”

Peng Haiwan hurried forward: “Young Master Li, please don’t be impatient. Have some tea first. It’s still early—our master hasn’t risen yet.”

“Not risen yet?” Li Qin laughed loudly, looking around: “Probably knowing he must completely admit defeat to my Li family today, scared to come out from under his blankets.”

“Smack!” Liu Heita raised his eyebrows and slammed the table: “Surnamed Li, what are you so arrogant about? Your mother beat my sister—if not for you and Big Brother Gu sharing a father, I would have beaten you long ago.”

Li Qin was startled, then laughed: “Oh, it’s you, big black fellow. Back so quickly—looks like you didn’t accomplish much. Did Gu Pingyuan have you take money back to Huizhou to find him a retirement place, planning to hide in that little plot of land and never come out?”

Seeing Liu Heita about to explode, Peng Haiwan quickly blocked him and turned back with a forced smile: “Young Master Li, we businessmen seek profit, not conflict. Please wait—I’ll go report immediately. Master Gu will come out right away.”

“That’s more like it.” Li Qin deliberately ignored Liu Heita, sitting boldly in the hall, criticizing the Shunde Tea House’s tea as poor, pastries as inferior, and furnishings as unseemly. He constantly compared this place unfavorably to brothels, disparaging everything here, making Liu Heita so angry that one Buddha emerged from the world and another ascended to heaven, his fists clenching tighter and tighter. However, Liu Heita also harbored doubts. He and Gu Pingwen, Peng Haiwan, and others had talked of nothing but that one million taels these past two days. No one could guess the background of this distinguished, generous Young Master Su, but Peng Haiwan had said something that convinced everyone.

“This money definitely doesn’t come easy—otherwise why would Master Gu be more troubled after seeing it than before? In my opinion, whether this money can be used is really hard to say. Maybe the shops will still be taken by the Li family.”

So Liu Heita also worried, staring anxiously toward the inner hall. After a full half hour, Peng Haiwan slowly emerged. Seeing everyone’s eyes on him, he shook his head almost imperceptibly.

“What, won’t see me?” Li Qin caught this and jumped up: “Then I’ll go see him. If he has money, fine; if not, he should obediently hand over the shops.” He started walking inside.

“Who dares barge in!” Liu Heita roared, making Li Qin’s followers tremble.

“Ah, so you want to default on the debt.” Li Qin had already planned countermeasures with Wang Tiangui, sneering coldly: “That’s fine too. Boss Yan, come here!”

Boss Yan was a major ruffian from Jiangning’s west district. His dozen subordinates had all been recruited by Wang Tiangui, originally working as foremen at the salt fields, living well. Later, when the salt fields came under Li Wantang’s management, he found it less comfortable than before and the money from Wang Tiangui less than previously, so he quit. Wang Tiangui, seeing his ruthless nature, simply hired him with heavy payment as his enforcer. Nominally working at Li Qin’s salt shop, he actually followed Wang Tiangui’s orders. This time Wang Tiangui had him come along to help Li Qin put on a good show.

“Young Master, just give the word. This is my territory after all—calling up a hundred brothers would be no problem.” Boss Yan looked at Liu Heita’s solid, imposing physique. In single combat, he definitely wouldn’t be the man’s match, but even a fierce tiger couldn’t handle a pack of wolves.

“Fighting? Heh, when we’re in the right, why learn from crude people and resort to violence?” Li Qin pulled out a document from his sleeve, waving it in his hand: “Look carefully. This is the contract Gu Pingyuan signed with me that day, clearly stating that if he couldn’t pay one million taels within a month, he would hand over all salt shops to me. This was mutual agreement, not forced buying or selling. Moreover, Master Qiao, the Lianghuai Salt Commissioner, guaranteed it and it’s officially registered. Today we’ve reached the final deadline for fulfilling the contract. If Gu Pingyuan hides and won’t show himself, fine! Boss Yan, hire people to copy this contract hundreds of times and distribute them in all the tea houses and wine shops, large and small, in Jiangning city. Say that Gu Pingyuan from Huizhou doesn’t honor merchant ethics, that signed contracts don’t count, defaulting on one million taels from the Li family.”

Li Qin wasn’t angry or upset, but came up with this move instead—something no one had anticipated. The facts were all there. If this really spread throughout Jiangning city, never mind the Liangjiang area—even back in Huizhou, the Gu family’s reputation would be ruined and their business routes cut off.

Peng Haiwan best understood the severity of this, thinking that the business belonged to the Gu family, and besides Gu Pingyuan, no one else could make decisions. With things pushed to this point, whatever was to be done still required his word. He immediately signaled Liu Heita to step aside. Liu Heita hesitated, reluctantly moving away. Li Qin sneered and led his people inside, determined to thoroughly humiliate Gu Pingyuan and make him personally say “I can’t produce the money,” then spread these words throughout Liangjiang to ruin the Gu family’s reputation and cost them both reputation and shops.

The back courtyard had a large open space, usually where tea shop clerks packed and unloaded goods. The main building housed the managers’ meeting room, where Gu Pingyuan had shut himself in. When Li Qin reached the courtyard, he arrogantly shouted: “Gu Pingyuan, playing the turtle at this point is useless. Even Hu the God of Wealth in Hangzhou can’t help you. Owing the Li family one million taels and thinking you can drag this out—it won’t be so easy.”

The room was completely quiet—no response, no one coming out. Li Qin frowned suspiciously and pointed: “Is your master in the room? Don’t tell me he climbed over the wall and ran away?”

“Bullshit!” Liu Heita said angrily: “Big Brother Gu has such a large tea business in Huizhou. Even without this salt business, he’s still a top-tier wealthy man. Why would he need to run?”

Li Qin wasn’t angry at all, laughing cheerfully: “That’s true. Then why won’t he come out to see people? Could it be that losing to the Li family makes him unable to show his face? That’s understandable too. Not long ago he was making harsh statements about being irreconcilable with the Li family, but now he must bow his head in defeat—such words would be hard for anyone to speak.”

Liu Heita looked at Li Qin’s smirking face and really wanted to slap him. Just then, the door creaked open.

Gu Pingyuan pushed the door and emerged, taking only two steps before stopping. The courtyard sunlight seemed too harsh for him; he squinted, and only then did people see clearly that Gu Pingyuan’s eyes were bloodshot and he looked very weary.

“Master Gu, you’ve finally come out.” Li Qin spoke mockingly: “What a fine day. I checked the almanac before leaving—today is good for entering houses and relocating. My taking back the shops is entering a house, your handing over the salt shops is relocating—doesn’t that fit perfectly?”

With Gu Pingyuan’s appearance, everyone had their backbone and watched him. Peng Haiwan noticed Gu Pingyuan’s hands were empty—the stack of notes wasn’t in his hands—and his heart immediately sank. It seemed his prediction was correct; that money couldn’t be used. If so, today’s defeat was inevitable. He thought that Gu Pingyuan was the tea house’s second master and had helped him so much—whatever happened today, he must help him get through it. Even if it meant bearing the Li family’s humiliation, he would stand in front. Thinking this, he stepped forward a few paces, planning to smooth things over when Li Qin spoke rudely.

Gu Pingwen watched from the side, his heart growing cold. Previously he hadn’t thought much of Li Qin, but now knowing they were brothers of the same blood, yet Li Qin pressed the Gu family so hard, he was furious and wanted to curse him thoroughly. But it was like missing a step on a mountain path—his heart fell straight down, empty and unsettled.

Liu Heita had his own thoughts too. He wasn’t so kind-hearted—one hand was already gripping the chain whip at his waist, thinking that if things went well, fine, but if Big Brother Gu really didn’t use that money, he’d strike first and drive this group out. They could do without the shops, but couldn’t suffer this humiliation from the Li family.

After hearing Li Qin’s speech and looking at the people in the courtyard, Gu Pingyuan remained silent, pondering.

“Eh, aren’t you usually eloquent? Why have no words today? I advise you not to wait any longer. I figure you know that money from Hu Xueyan is hopeless. I’ll tell you honestly—I timed sending that person to the Hu family precisely. If you can gather another million taels in such a short time, I’ll submit to you. Unfortunately, you don’t have that ability. Better be straightforward—let the Li and Gu families settle this today. Admit defeat gracefully, take your old mother and roll back to Huizhou. I won’t make things difficult for you. Otherwise don’t blame me for being ruthless—I’ll spread news of your complete defeat and see what face you’ll have to do business in the future.”

Hearing this, Peng Haiwan quickly stepped forward to speak, but Liu Heita was even faster, jumping out and raising his whip without a word.

“Don’t anyone move!” Gu Pingyuan shouted. His voice wasn’t loud, but it made everyone present tremble. They saw Gu Pingyuan’s expressionless face as he stared at Li Qin, then turned back into the room. When he returned, he held a silk bundle in his hands, extending it toward Li Qin.

“This is…” Li Qin hesitantly took it. Opening it, he was dumbfounded. Having studied business at foreign firms, he had seen many such promissory notes and immediately recognized these as HSBC bank notes with the hardest credit. This thick stack probably really was worth a million.

“This, you, you… where did you get so much money? Who lent it to you?” Having unfurled his victory banner too confidently, he hadn’t expected the tables to turn so suddenly. Li Qin couldn’t furl his sails now. His face turned liver-colored, and his hands holding the bank notes trembled involuntarily, as if they weren’t bank notes but burning coals.

Liu Heita felt as refreshing as eating ice in June, shouting loudly beside Li Qin: “Never mind where the bank notes came from—as long as they’re not from your Li family, it’s none of your business! Cut the chatter and take this money—get out!”

“Young Master Li, I’ll leave the remaining matters to Manager Peng. Forgive me for not seeing you out properly.” Though he had turned defeat into victory and was facing Li Qin, Gu Pingyuan showed no triumphant expression. His words were very calm, though his expression held some trouble.

Li Qin knew staying would only bring more humiliation. He glared fiercely at Gu Pingyuan and turned to leave.

“Wait.” Gu Pingyuan spoke slowly: “You said one thing wrong earlier. Today is not the end between my Gu family and your Li family—rather, it’s just the beginning of deciding victory and defeat.”

After the crowd left, Gu Pingwen asked hesitantly: “Big brother, Manager Peng said you might not use this money, but Liu and I didn’t believe it. When you came out empty-handed just now, I was really frightened. Fortunately…”

“There’s fortune, and there’s also misfortune.” Gu Pingyuan interrupted him: “Actually Manager Peng was right. I initially didn’t want to use this money. This debt is probably the hardest I’ve had to repay since starting business—what price I’ll have to pay in the future is unknowable.”

“Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll lead the clerks in rolling up our sleeves to work from dawn to dusk. Our family now has tea mountains, salt fields, and the large warehouse by the canal—all money-making businesses. We’ll pay back the money early.”

Gu Pingyuan smiled bitterly inwardly. In the business world, money matters were always simplest; human sentiment was hardest to repay. He had thought for two days and nights without deciding. Just now he was forced by circumstances to use Su Zixuan’s money. His determination to compete with the Li family was correct, but Su Zixuan’s talk of borrowing momentum versus creating momentum was the main reason for his constant hesitation.

“Taking this step forward, ahead lies a quagmire deeper than the Black Water Swamp.” Though Gu Pingyuan was clever and bold, thinking of what Su Zixuan was so intent on doing still frightened him.

“Miss, that Li Qin entered Gu Pingyuan’s shop triumphantly but came out ashamed and defeated. His whole group looked dejected.”

“So he finally used the money after all.” Su Zixuan could predict most things seventy or eighty percent in advance, but when it came to Gu Pingyuan, she couldn’t guess what this man would decide when push came to shove. Hearing Sixi’s report, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“He seemed quite principled, repeatedly ordering us to leave, but still used our money in the end. Why don’t we go find him now and see what he has to say?” Sixi found this quite satisfying.

“He’s not unprincipled—he just wants to fight for his dignity. If not for that incident at Golden Mountain Temple leaving him no retreat and forcing him to fight the Li family to the death, I guess he still wouldn’t have used this money.” Su Zixuan gazed at the green lake water outside the window, murmuring.

“There’s something I really don’t understand. Miss, you’ve already found Li Wantang and made a deal to help him deal with Wang Tiangui in exchange for keeping the Lianghuai salt tax in Jiangsu’s provincial treasury for a year. Why find Gu Pingyuan again to have him destroy the Li family and completely take over the salt field business? Do you really trust Gu Pingyuan that much?”

“I don’t trust anyone.” Su Zixuan replied coldly: “I only place my bets on the person I think will win.”

Sixi hesitated for a long time before asking the question on her lips: “But this time, if we hadn’t placed a bet, the Li family would have already won.”

Su Zixuan was startled, then said somewhat angrily: “So what if I hope Gu Pingyuan wins? When did you learn to be so talkative?”

Sixi stuck out her tongue and ran out of the room, still smiling. Since Su Zixuan’s great change, she had always presented herself as a man and never showed anyone the slightest favor. But over the past year or so, Sixi felt that whenever Gu Pingyuan was mentioned, this cold-as-frost miss seemed to show some feminine expressions.