“Fortunately, Master Li’s poisoning wasn’t severe, and thanks entirely to Master Gu’s alertness in ordering a search around the meditation room, they discovered this cloth bundle containing poison. Otherwise, without the proper antidote, this life still couldn’t have been saved.” Doctor Lu from the city’s largest pharmacy, “Hongshi Hall,” stroked his beard as he spoke. “The person who administered the poison was truly ruthless. Aconite root is already a deadly poison, yet they added three parts of heartbreak grass. If it hadn’t been discovered quickly…” He shook his head.

“Even so, having been poisoned by these two substances, the damage to the five organs and six bowels is too severe. He must rest well and take medicine primarily based on fleece-flower root for activating circulation and detoxifying for half a year before he can slowly recover.”

Gu Pingyuan thanked the doctor, paid extra consultation fees, and saw him out. Seeing the doctor leave, Liu Heita said carelessly, “Hey, this Li Wantang really didn’t birth a good son for nothing. Abandoned him his whole life without care, but in the end saved his life. This man truly deserves to be in business – he really profited. Ouch!”

Chang Yu’er, being weak, was resting in the back room of Shunde Tea House. Originally no one paid him attention, but Gu Yuting fiercely pinched him and glared at him hard. Liu Heita swallowed his saliva and dared not make another sound.

“Big brother, what can we do about this?” Gu Pingwen looked at the unconscious “father” lying on the bed, feeling both angry and sad.

“The abbot of Jiming Temple has already reported to the authorities. This case should be Li An’s doing, but as for who instructed him, it’s hard to say right now.”

“I’m not asking about that. If Li Qin comes to take him back to Li Mansion for care, what do we say?”

Gu Pingyuan pondered for a moment and said, “No, since we saved him, he’ll be treated here.”

“This…” Gu Pingwen frowned. “They all share the surname ‘Li’ after all. Isn’t it improper for us to do this?”

“Save someone completely, especially him.” Gu Pingyuan chose his words carefully. “At least wait until he wakes up and ask where he wants to recuperate. If we just hand him over in confusion like this, I’m afraid saving this person would be as good as not saving him.”

“Ah! Big brother, are you saying the one who ordered the poisoning was Li Qin?” Gu Pingwen figured out the implication, his scalp tingling with shock all over his body.

“That can’t be.” Liu Heita was even more shocked, waving his hands repeatedly. “Who poisons their own parents? That would make them worse than a wolf cub.”

“But when Madam Li’s corpse was brought home, Li Qin didn’t even show his face.” Gu Pingyuan said quietly. “The death of one’s father and mother is a momentous matter. What business could possibly prevent this Master Li from getting away? Was he unable to come, or afraid to come see Madam Li’s poisoned remains?”

These words made everyone’s hearts go cold. Gu Pingyuan softened his tone: “This is merely speculation. To know the truth, we still need to catch Li An. That’s a matter for the government officials – we needn’t worry about it.”

In the deepest courtyard of Li Mansion, servants and maids had all been driven out, but if one listened carefully by the moon gate, one could still hear wailing sounds like a wolf’s howl.

“Tell me, what exactly happened? Why did it turn out like this!” Li Qin stared with blood-red eyes, looking at Wang Tiangui sitting opposite him still smoking his pipe as if he wanted to devour him alive.

“It was clearly an accidental killing. No one could have expected your mother would go to Jiming Temple. She didn’t tell anyone, nor did she bring servants or maids.”

“Accidental killing? Why did the sleeping drug become heartbreak grass? Didn’t you say to let my father sleep and he’d be sent to Meicheng Town? Where did this poison come from!” Though knowing no one was around, Li Qin still kept his voice very low, as if someone three feet above was listening intently. Wang Tiangui knew he had misspoken, but he reacted quickly: “Need you ask? It must be Li An who, seeing wealth, became greedy and poisoned his master. Didn’t you hear? Your mother’s priceless bracelet is missing. Wealth moves the heart – this is common.”

Li Qin fell silent. The matter began with his own decision. Who could have imagined it would lead to such results, that he would become a bastard who killed his father and murdered his mother? In life, this was the unpardonable crime of death by a thousand cuts; in death, the eighteen levels of hell were precisely designed for him. He buried his head deeply and let out a mournful cry mixed with regret and hatred.

Wang Tiangui seemed to see his thoughts and immediately advised: “Young Master Li, you needn’t blame yourself excessively. Haven’t you heard of those who visited hell in ancient times and saw the couplet before the King of Hell’s throne: ‘Intentional good deeds, though good, receive no reward; unintentional evil deeds, though evil, receive no punishment.’ Even the King of Hell doesn’t manage or punish unintentional mistakes. Since it cannot be undone, don’t think about it anymore. In the future, build your mother a proper tomb and give her a grand funeral. Right now you must be careful that Gu Pingyuan doesn’t use the Li family’s troubles as an opportunity to seize the salt business in the Two Rivers region. Irreversible mistakes cannot be made repeatedly, or the Li family will never be able to turn things around.”

Li Qin raised his head, looking at the person opposite with vacant eyes: “My mother is dead, my father’s life hangs in the balance. How can I have the heart to think about these things?”

“I’ve already thought it through for you. First, immediately cut off Gu Pingyuan’s private salt. Send people to Sichuan to closely watch Wang Si’s mule train. If they transport salt into the Two Rivers region for the Gu family again, report them to the authorities immediately.”

“Second, cut off Gu Pingyuan’s official salt. From today on, the Huainan salt fields won’t sell even one catty of salt to the Gu family, even if they offer ten times the price, even if the Huainan Salt Transport Office speaks up for them. We must grit our teeth and refuse to sell.”

Wang Tiangui had indeed long planned these moves against Gu Pingyuan, now laying them out one by one: “This way, the Gu family’s salt shops will be blocked on both public and private fronts. Once they sell off their stored salt, their tricks will be exhausted. Nearly two hundred empty shops – just feeding people and horses will exhaust them.”

“What about us?” Li Qin, having managed salt shops for so long, immediately thought of the key issue.

Currently, the Huainan salt fields’ greatest profit came from selling salt to the Gu family at fifty percent above market price. Moreover, the salt shops under Li family’s name had already been crushed by Gu Pingyuan’s low-priced private salt. If the salt fields no longer sold salt to the Gu family, what would support the food, drink, and wages of so many people at the salt fields and shops? What would pay the enormous salt taxes? If they did this, the Gu family might not collapse, but the Li family would collapse first.

“Who says you have no mind for business? You hit the nail on the head.” Wang Tiangui set aside his pipe, stood up, and lightly clapped his hands. “This is exactly what I was going to say next. This is a war of attrition – the question is whether the Li family’s money runs out first, or the Gu family’s salt runs out first.”

“After I took over the accounts, I reviewed all of the Li family’s ledgers. Earlier, at the Ten Thousand Tea Conference, the Li family suffered considerable losses – you could say it hurt them to the bone. To smoothly acquire the Huainan salt fields, plus updating the fields’ old tools and facilities, the Li family had to sell seventy percent of their original businesses to raise such a large sum. Now when the salt fields should be bringing daily profits to the Li family, they earn nothing and must still support so many people and pay so much salt tax. Where can this money come from?” Li Qin shook his head vigorously.

“Ha!” Wang Tiangui laughed instead. “The source of this money – you already mentioned it yourself.”

“What?”

“The remaining thirty percent of Li family shops in the Northern Five Provinces! Just sell them – why worry about paying salt taxes?”

“No.” Li Qin instinctively blurted out. “Those are shops left by the Li family ancestors who founded the business, passed down for over a hundred years. How can they be sold in my hands?” Li Qin had solemnly promised Yang Mingxuan, the Grand Steward, that he would definitely preserve the Li family’s business in the Northern Five Provinces before Yang felt at ease returning. At this moment, the man hadn’t even reached the capital yet. If he learned Li Qin had sold the pawn shops where he’d worked as steward his whole life, wouldn’t he die of anger?

“Master Li, you’re being foolish. In the past, when Yangzhou’s ten great salt merchants shared the profits of the Huainan salt fields, each was still wealthy beyond measure, showing how enormous salt profits are – greater than all other businesses under heaven. Your most important task now is to completely crush your opponent Gu Pingyuan. Nothing else matters. When you later have absolute say in the salt business, mountains of gold and seas of silver will be yours to seize. Then you can buy back these ancestral businesses. Great men must act decisively when action is needed. If you cling inflexibly to old ways, you may regret it too late.”

Wang Tiangui’s silver tongue made his argument seamless, finally earning Li Qin’s hesitant nod.

“Good! This way Gu Pingyuan is as good as finished.” Wang Tiangui satisfactorily patted Li Qin’s shoulder. “I advise you to go see your mother one last time. The coffin will be sealed tomorrow. If you don’t appear, some people might become suspicious.”

Li Qin looked up at him, then at the daylight leaking through the door crack, buried his face in his hands again, and let out a deep sigh.

“This really is a damned wolf cub!” Liu Heita furiously lifted an ink stone and smashed it hard on the ground, shattering it into pieces. No one present said anything, their eyes showing either anger or worry, but all were watching and observing the silent, contemplative Gu Pingyuan. On the day of Madam Li’s funeral, the Li family posted obituary notices in wine houses and tea shops where Two Rivers businessmen gathered. This was proper, but oddly, at the end of the obituary were added some groundless, speculative words vaguely accusing that the Li family’s death was caused by business rivals seeking revenge by bribing Li family servants – in other words, pointing the finger directly at Gu Pingyuan.

“The authorities haven’t even caught the killer, yet he speaks with such certainty. This proves he has a guilty conscience!” The obituary was brought by Secretary Hao, who said that not only were they posted around the markets, but also on the walls of various government offices.

“That’s not all. The Li family also submitted a petition to the Salt Transport Office, saying that current salt price fluctuations in the Two Rivers market are all caused by your malicious price-cutting, young brother. To stabilize salt prices, the Li family has decided to price and sell all salt from the Huainan salt fields themselves, no longer through intermediaries.”

“This is mere bluffing!” Peng Haiwan immediately said. “No matter how wealthy the Li family is, they can’t establish salt shops throughout the other half of the Two Rivers territory in such a short time, especially while simultaneously paying so much salt tax. If they delay the people’s salt consumption and cause civil unrest, this Li Qin will get more than he bargained for.”

Before Manager Fei and others could nod in agreement, Gu Pingyuan decisively said: “This is a strategy to remove fuel from under the cauldron – it’s like cutting off my route for importing salt from Sichuan. Even if I managed to bring it in, I couldn’t sell it, because I’d have no official salt. Selling would be tantamount to writing my own confession, admitting to trafficking private salt. As for what Manager Peng said, since Li Qin dares to do this, he must have thought of an escape route. Money for salt taxes can be transferred from elsewhere. As long as he gets the silver, the authorities won’t ask whether this money was earned from the salt business – he can still pay taxes.”

“What about salt shops?” Liu Heita asked unconvinced.

“He can use expedient measures, like setting up salt stalls, or simply selling from carts.” Gu Pingyuan turned his gaze to Secretary Hao.

“So you’ve thought through all these methods, young brother.” Secretary Hao nodded admiringly. “You guessed correctly. Li Qin is using the salt stall method, dispatching clerks everywhere. A reed mat becomes a shop. To deal with you, he’s even abandoning the Li family’s reputation in the capital.”

Though Li Qin’s method was simple, it was effective. After hearing this, the Gu family people immediately felt as if their throats were being choked, making breathing difficult.

“This won’t do. We must think of something immediately. Otherwise, within two months, customers will all be stolen by the Li family. Then even with goods, we’ll have no customers – that would truly be waiting for death.” Second Master Hou hadn’t left, knowing that when he returned, Old Master Hu would certainly ask about Gu Pingyuan’s business. If he went back confused and knowing nothing, he’d surely be scolded, so he stayed several extra days to see the outcome. He too was an experienced businessman who had previously engaged in such irregular practices. Upon hearing this, he knew Li Qin’s strike was both ruthless and accurate, cutting off the Gu family salt shops’ lifeline from the root. Gu Pingyuan was likely in serious trouble.

“What you say is right.” After hearing these words, the worry on Gu Pingyuan’s face didn’t decrease, but neither did it increase. His demeanor suggested not someone with enemies at the gates and eyebrows on fire, but rather someone who had just begun laying pieces in a chess game, considering where to start for steady progress.

Not only was Liu Heita impatient by nature, even Gu Pingwen’s usually slow temperament became anxious. Secretary Hao, Peng Haiwan, Manager Fei, Second Master Hou and others were all shrewd characters who naturally understood the situation had reached a life-or-death stage. Seeing the decision-making Gu Pingyuan still unhurried, they thought he was mentally confused from his mother’s death and father’s illness, wishing thunderous noise would shake him awake.

“Everyone.” Amid the room’s chaos and clamor, with people discussing various opinions, at this critical moment, the door gently opened and someone entered. Seeing this person, several quickly rose to return the greeting.

“Sister-in-law, why did you come? That girl Yuting really is something, not even accompanying you.” Gu Pingwen quickly went to greet her.

Chang Yu’er, having experienced great upheaval, suffered physical and emotional damage. Her appearance had thinned considerably, her complexion even more pale, and her speech remained labored, making people worry about her.

Her face bore a faint smile, yet more sorrow was hidden behind that smile, making it even more heartbreaking to see: “I’ve heard about everything. Regarding the case, the innocent will be cleared and the guilty exposed. The Li family can’t force us to answer at the courthouse with just their word. Brother Hao, am I right?”

Secretary Hao, with years of legal experience, naturally knew court documents well and nodded: “He’s just making groundless accusations, merely throwing dirt to blind people’s eyes. If young brother Gu’s guess proves true, he’d prefer the authorities not interfere.”

“As for business matters, it’s not like we’ll be forced into desperation overnight. Let Brother Gu think more. In my opinion, let’s end today’s discussion here. Everyone go back and rest well. If there are any real ideas, come back anytime to discuss.”

Since both husband and wife were so confident, the others, no matter how anxious, had no choice. Moreover, knowing Chang Yu’er was unwell, they looked at each other and rose to take their leave.

“Big brother.” Chang Yu’er also followed them out, calling only Liu Heita aside. “The Li family is pressing step by step, treating us as mortal enemies. If Brother Gu guessed correctly, this Li Qin is worse than a beast – even daring to kill his parents. What else wouldn’t he do? This way, the incident at Jinshan Temple must also be their doing.”

“I’ll slaughter him!” Liu Heita’s eyes widened bigger than a bull’s, and he furiously headed outside.

“No.” Chang Yu’er coldly uttered two words. She specifically warned him because she feared Liu Heita would act this way.

“Why? A life for a life – he killed my nephew!” Liu Heita immediately knew he’d misspoken and quickly looked at Chang Yu’er’s expression.

Chang Yu’er’s body involuntarily swayed. She waved her hand: “I’m fine. Whether this person is the real culprit is still uncertain. Even if he is, this person is still Brother Gu’s half-brother. How to seek revenge is for Brother Gu to decide. Don’t act rashly – listen to him in everything.”

Liu Heita pulled back his outward step, hesitating as he looked at his sister.

“There’s another point.” As Chang Yu’er spoke, her features seemed carved from Hetian jade – cold yet firm. “This is a business dispute. Since I married a businessman, I believe he will definitely use a businessman’s methods to settle things with the Li family and restore justice to the Gu family.”

Liu Heita looked at his sister with amazement, as if never knowing she possessed such strength. He had never seen anyone trust another person so completely.

Chang Yu’er, being weak, was slightly breathless after speaking in one breath. Only then did she notice a warm hand on her shoulder. She turned around, her gentle gaze meeting her husband’s, and heard him slowly say: “Don’t worry. The grudges the Gu family should settle with the Li family, the victories and defeats to be determined, the retribution to be given, the justice to be sought – not one will be lacking.”

Three days later in the evening, Gu Pingyuan secretly visited Qiao Henian’s residence. The two were originally close friends who talked about everything, but recently when they met, both felt somewhat incompatible, speaking less and less. Private discussions like this, dismissing others, hadn’t happened for over half a year.

After Gu Pingyuan left, Qiao Henian locked himself in his office for three full hours. Secretary Hao knew this well and waited in the courtyard for movement.

Not until the next morning when dawn broke did Qiao Henian summon a messenger, giving him a thick envelope sealed with wax. The messenger left on his mission, and only then did Secretary Hao hurry to Shunde Tea House to report.

But Secretary Hao didn’t know that immediately after he left, Qiao Henian ordered a sedan chair and went directly to Li Qin’s main shop.

Li Qin had been in a trance these past days. Even slightly heavy footsteps from servants could make him irritable, so he simply had everyone wrap their shoes in thick cotton cloth to walk silently, and muzzled all the dogs to prevent barking. More extremely, he even had the night watchmen driven far away, forbidding them from striking gongs or calling the hours near Li Mansion.

Today was the first time Li Qin came to inspect the salt shop since Madam Li’s funeral. Wang Tiangui had remained at the main shop constantly these days, managing the business perfectly. Having decided to gradually seize control of the salt fields and completely drive out the Li family and the Four Great Hengs, he merely waited for the right moment. Before then, he maintained absolute respectfulness on the surface. Facing Li Qin, he was even more deferential than he’d been to Li Wantang, practically lowering himself to the position of a mere head manager for the Li family.

As soon as Li Qin arrived at the shop, Wang Tiangui personally came out to greet him, then voluntarily produced the account books, detailing expenses and income item by item. Seeing Li Qin’s listless appearance, Wang Tiangui secretly smiled and suddenly said: “Master Li, your methods are extraordinary. Think back – when the Li family fought that poor boy Gu Pingyuan, from Shanxi to Shaanxi, from the capital to Huizhou, everywhere they were constrained by him. Finally in the Two Rivers, it ended in a draw – truly embarrassing. Now that you’ve just taken charge, you’ve hit his vital point. I sent people to investigate – those capable managers of the Gu family are all running around frantically. It seems they have no solutions. Just for this alone, you as master are a hundred times stronger than Master Li.”

“This isn’t my ability – these were clearly all your ideas.” Li Qin’s mouth showed a bitter smile.

“What kind of talk is that? My few humble suggestions – how dare I claim credit belonging to heaven? These were all decided by Master Li. You can go to places where businessmen gather for tea and discussion – which one doesn’t give you a thumbs up, admiring your youthful achievement?”

“Really?” Li Qin’s eyes gradually showed spirit.

“Of course, of course.” Wang Tiangui smiled warmly. “Gu Pingyuan’s side is already in chaos, desperate to delay us, even having his clerks sell salt at half-price, taking salt boats to water town docks to sell – buy half a catty, get eight taels free. Listen to this – isn’t this a foolish move? It’s just to delay our profits. But he forgot ‘killing a thousand enemies costs eight hundred of your own.’ We have salt fields – inexhaustible supplies. What does he have? Let him jump around now – when those warehouses of private salt are sold out, won’t he still be finished? Gu Pingyuan is already recognized as a rising star among Hui merchants. You’re of similar age – if you crush him in one stroke, you’ll raise a great banner among capital merchants. Plus my full support among Jin merchants. Before long, you’ll surely replace your late father’s title ‘Li Half-City,’ and perhaps others will honor you as ‘Li Half-Country.'”

Several rounds of flattery finally cleared some of the gloomy clouds from Li Qin’s face. Wang Tiangui was about to seize the opportunity to suggest he could also help manage some salt field affairs when a servant suddenly reported that the Huainan Salt Transport Commissioner had come to visit.

“What does he want?” At the mention of Qiao Henian, Wang Tiangui felt uncomfortable all over. He had framed this man’s elder brother as a bandit, took the opportunity to defile his sister-in-law, forcing her to hang herself, destroying the entire family. Although Qiao Henian had said in Yangzhou that day to cast this matter from his mind, Wang Tiangui always worried he harbored resentment and would seek revenge.

He originally wanted Li Qin to come forward while he avoided meeting, but on second thought, he could avoid the first day but not the fifteenth. His ultimate goal was to seize control of the Huainan salt fields single-handedly – could he avoid meeting the Huainan Salt Transport Commissioner then? Thinking of this, he simply came out to greet them alongside Li Qin with a beaming smile.

“Commissioner Qiao, you’re truly an honored guest we couldn’t invite even if we tried. What good day is today? What fragrant wind has blown you here?”

Qiao Henian glanced at him coldly and smiled slightly: “I’m afraid it’s not a fragrant wind but a cold one. This official is already chilled to the bone, yet you seem to still be in warm beds dreaming sweet dreams of getting rich.”

“This…” Li Qin and Wang Tiangui were both stunned simultaneously. Li Qin naturally had to assume his role as the salt field’s head, so he pretended to be profound and asked, “Commissioner Qiao, in our past few meetings, there has always been discord between us, and I hear you also have grievances with Manager Wang. But times have changed – I now control the Li family, which means I control the Huainan salt fields. I should ‘join two goods into one good’ with the Salt Transport Commissioner, working together wholeheartedly to assist you in managing the Two Rivers salt administration. I hope you won’t hold past small grudges against this small person.”

“Would this official specially come to your door to pick fights over such trivial old matters?” Qiao Henian said disdainfully, then suddenly emphasized his tone: “When I say you’re daydreaming, I’m not exaggerating at all. These past days, have you, Master Li, and Manager Wang beside you felt that you’ve struck Gu Pingyuan’s vital point, that you can watch him slowly bleed to death, and when that time comes, all the excellent salt business in the Two Rivers will belong entirely to you, with golden mountains and silver seas inexhaustibly yours to take?”

“This…” Li Qin knew Qiao Henian had considerable friendship with his mortal enemy and worried he was deliberately here to probe, unsure how to respond. He looked at Wang Tiangui and found he too was pondering in confusion.

Seeing neither spoke, Qiao Henian sneered coldly and suddenly began reciting a passage from memory, startling Li Qin.

“How do you know the contents of this letter?” That secret letter reporting Gu Pingyuan’s smuggling had been locked away by Li Qin. Only Wang Tiangui had seen it, yet unexpectedly Qiao Henian could recite it from memory.

“I wrote the letter, had a servant copy it and send it to you. Of course I can recite it.” Qiao Henian looked with great satisfaction at the two men before him, their mouths slightly agape, staring at him incredulously.

“I am a Salt Transport Commissioner serving the court, receiving the court’s salary. I don’t help the Gus because of past friendship, nor suppress the Lis because of old grudges. That letter is clear proof – do you believe me now?”

Li Qin looked at him in amazement. Though he nodded, he still didn’t understand. Qiao Henian didn’t want to explain further. He took out a stack of papers from his sleeve, densely covered with writing.

“This is what Gu Pingyuan gave this official yesterday. He hopes this official, in my capacity as Salt Transport Commissioner, will submit this memorial to the capital, to be forwarded to the Emperor through the Minister of Revenue. He actually wants to use this official’s hand to reform this dynasty’s salt administration system of ‘designated shore monopoly sales.’ His determination is truly remarkable.”

A Salt Transport Commissioner was a fourth-rank official under direct Ministry of Revenue control. Though he could submit memorials, they had to be forwarded through supervising superior officials. Generally speaking, superior officials could only casually ask what was written in the memorial and had no authority to reject it, much less privately open it – that would be a crime of great disrespect. For instance, during the Yongzheng era, Ministry official Sun Jiagan wanted to petition the Emperor about the lead-copper ratios for newly minted coins. Manchu Minister Gedahun, finding him meddlesome and obstructive to officials’ fire-consumption profits nationwide, withheld the original memorial. Sun Jiagan, fiery by nature, came to blows with Minister Ge right outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. After Yongzheng learned the truth, he dismissed Gedahun for concealing memorials. Since then, no official dared court such trouble.

“Look at this. If the Grand Council approves this memorial, could you still smile?” Qiao Henian threw the stack of papers on the table.

Li Qin picked it up with uncertainty and alarm. Just reading the title made his whole body shiver with cold. Reading further became increasingly shocking – it was like holding execution papers with verified identity ready for immediate beheading, and the one tied up at the execution ground awaiting the blade was himself. After reading it all, he realized his forehead was covered with cold sweat. Looking at Wang Tiangui, he saw him sitting rigidly in his chair holding the letter, his hands trembling slightly.

Seeing their condition, Qiao Henian sneered coldly: “‘Removing fuel from under the cauldron’ is indeed a good strategy. You’re using it, and Gu Pingyuan is using it too, except he handles it more skillfully than you. Moreover, you only see your opponent’s business, while he sees the world’s business. Master Li, this time you should lose with complete conviction, shouldn’t you?”

Li Qin stared blankly at the memorial in his hands. When he tried to refute, not a word came out. His hand loosened, the papers scattered to the floor with a rustle, and he slumped into his chair as if his bones and sinews had been extracted.

Wang Tiangui initially trembled uncontrollably too, but being an old fox in the business world, he quickly recovered and suddenly looked up, shouting unwillingly: “Commissioner Qiao, how long has this memorial been submitted? Can it be recalled?”

“How can memorials to the court be recalled, and on what grounds?” Qiao Henian stared at him intently. Wang Tiangui stood up, walked to Li Qin, grabbed his shoulders, shook him hard, and growled like a cornered beast: “Master Li, it’s your turn to speak. On what grounds should Commissioner Qiao withdraw this memorial for us? Speak!”

Only then did Li Qin seem to awaken. He stared deadly at the scattered papers on the ground, looked up to meet Qiao Henian’s eyes directly, and said: “As long as this memorial can be withdrawn, I’m willing to give you thirty percent of the salt fields.”

Qiao Henian stared for a long time. Seeing no sign of regret in Li Qin’s eyes, he suddenly clapped his hands and laughed heartily: “Good, good! Master Li’s words are enough. I’m an official managing salt affairs – if I took thirty percent of the salt fields, the court would want my head.”

He changed his tone: “Actually, I’m just testing Master Li’s sincerity. I only hope the Li family won’t make things difficult for me in salt administration matters in the future – that’s sufficient. How could I, based on mere pages of paper, take thirty percent of the capital Li family’s assets? Wouldn’t that be a huge joke?”

This advance and retreat left not only Li Qin but even Wang Tiangui baffled. He tentatively asked: “From your tone, Commissioner, is there still hope in this matter?”

“I’ll tell you honestly. I did send the messenger and he did carry a letter, but that was just to fool others. Actually, it only contained greeting letters to some colleagues at the Ministry of Revenue. I didn’t copy this memorial either – what you see is the original Gu Pingyuan brought.”

“Oh my!” Wang Tiangui’s suspended heart immediately settled. He quickly bowed to the ground: “Sir, you’re like a reborn parent to the Huainan salt fields. This kindness is as heavy as the Five Sacred Mountains, as deep as heavenly abysses.”

Li Qin also hurried to express thanks. Qiao Henian let them finish their courtesies, unconsciously resuming his official airs, nodding: “Performing duties befitting one’s position – as Salt Transport Commissioner in Huainan, I naturally must consider everything for the Huainan salt fields. Gu Pingyuan’s action was truly rash. Since I’m friends with him, I really couldn’t reject him to his face, so I could only deal with him diplomatically and suppress this matter for now.”

“Gu Pingyuan’s action is clearly seeking fame and fishing for praise. Sir’s suppression is excellent, wonderful!” Wang Tiangui nodded repeatedly.

“But this matter will be exposed sooner or later. Gu Pingyuan knows more officials than just me. If he finds someone else to submit it, you might not have such good luck.” Qiao Henian picked up his teacup, speaking unhurriedly: “You’re waiting to see Gu Pingyuan eat away his resources, while he’s waiting for you to sit and await death. Once the court approves this memorial, Gu Pingyuan will immediately launch a major counterattack. Relying on the massive supply sources he’s already established in Sichuan and Yunnan, he can immediately transport large quantities of salt legitimately, completely blocking all your financial routes. That would be devastatingly swift – in the blink of an eye, Master Li would probably only have a few empty shops left.”

Li Qin’s earlier cold sweat was precisely from imagining this terrible outcome. If Li Qin cutting off the Gu family salt shops’ supplies hit Gu Pingyuan’s vital point, then Gu Pingyuan’s memorial was like chopping off the Li family’s head, uprooting this money tree from its roots. How could Li Qin not fear?

What exactly was this memorial? In it, Gu Pingyuan detailed the various problems caused by designated shore monopoly sales, revised the salt administration reforms of Tao Shu years ago, and expounded a “method” that could both stabilize salt prices and popular sentiment while making salt administration universally applicable and a financial goldmine for the Qing Dynasty. Summarized in eight characters: “Broadly open salt routes, let salt reach everywhere!” Let salt produced by northwestern salt lakes and pools, southwestern salt wells, and southeastern salt fields flow without regional restrictions, uncontrolled by magnates like the former Yangzhou salt merchants, circulating and being traded nationwide like ordinary goods, sharing salt profits among all people. This would open salt routes – people doing salt business would spread nationwide, naturally multiplying salt taxes.

In his memorial, Gu Pingyuan painfully described “merchant strength extremely exhausted, tax quotas long overdue” and “no better strategy exists besides this,” while predicting “people knowing the profits will gather from far and near, salt carts and boats will surely arrive in continuous streams.” In short, this method could benefit the nation, merchants, and people – having a hundred benefits without a single harm.

There might indeed be a hundred benefits, but “no single harm” was questionable. If not for sharing the same father, Li Qin would curse all eighteen generations of Gu Pingyuan’s ancestors. Being from the capital Li family, he naturally knew more about court affairs than other merchant families and deeply understood that the court’s greatest difficulty now was treasury depletion – otherwise, why would Prince Gong agree to Li Wantang’s Ten Thousand Tea Conference for just a few million taels? Gu Pingyuan’s memorial was well-reasoned and even included detailed operational methods – a ready-to-use solution with immediate results.

According to his proposal, implementation in the first year alone could bring at least ten million taels in national taxes without increasing any burden on merchants or commoners – profits would come entirely from newly opened salt routes. Li Qin believed court ministers seeing this memorial would surely be moved, and after discussion would likely petition the Two Empress Dowagers to issue implementation decrees. When that time came, as Qiao Henian said, Gu Pingyuan could completely crush him using Sichuan salt alone, while his Huainan salt fields would not only fail to profit but become the straw that broke the camel’s back due to enormous salt taxes.

Moreover, Gu Pingyuan had massive Hui merchant financial backing, while he had sold old shops and seen longtime managers who’d served the Li family their whole lives depart sadly – he’d already cut off his retreat. Li Qin’s spine went cold thinking of this. He bowed again: “Since you’ve come to warn me, you must have good strategies to teach me. If I can survive this difficulty, Li Qin swears that as long as the Li family controls the Huainan salt fields, I’ll follow your lead completely.”

Qiao Henian wanted exactly these words. The Huainan Salt Transport Commissioner was indeed the richest position under heaven, but also famously difficult and exhausting. Previous officials either ended up like “Imperial Uncle” Gao Heng during the Qianlong era, beheaded for receiving massive bribes, or caught between court and wealthy merchants, losing their positions when troubles arose. But there were exceptions – skillful Salt Transport Commissioners who could subdue salt merchants for their own use and manage salt administration smoothly would quickly gain court recognition, making this a shortcut to promotion.

Qiao Henian naturally loved wealth, but he had his own views on money – power was the world’s greatest wealth, while gold and silver were merely tools for seizing power. Though Li Qin offering thirty percent of his assets as gratitude moved him, what he wanted was absolute obedience from the Huainan salt fields’ master. He wanted this stepping stone to submit completely so he could step on it steadily to obtain that red-topped hat.

Therefore Qiao Henian both struck and pulled Li Qin. Now switching to a smiling face, he said: “There’s naturally a solution – it’s still what I said at the Yangzhou banquet: ‘Harmony is precious.’ As long as Master Li is willing to sell salt from the salt fields to Gu family shops as before, I’m willing to be a peacemaker, mediating so Li family salt fields profit and Gu family shops earn money – everyone happy, and I can rest easy as Salt Transport Commissioner. What does Master Li think?”

“This…” Li Qin couldn’t immediately decide whether to agree. Wang Tiangui tugged his sleeve and gave him a look. Li Qin looked again at Qiao Henian’s sharp eyes behind his smile, finally nodding heavily.

“Then I’m relieved. Later I’ll arrange another harmony banquet where you brothers can drink reconciliation wine. ‘Brothers united in heart can cut through metal’ – jointly managing these salt fields and shops would fulfill my wishes.”

Qiao Henian took his leave and turned to go. At the door, he suddenly turned back, glanced at Li Qin and said: “That Grand Sister from the Canal Gang who helped you transport private salt – you’d better not meet with her anymore.”

“Why is that?” Li Qin asked puzzledly.

“She’s not simple. Before joining the Canal Gang, she was the famous Chen Yucheng’s wife, then became Monk King’s concubine. Now somehow she’s with the Canal Gang. You’re an honest businessman – why provoke such rebel wives and concubines?”

After speaking, Qiao Henian walked out. Kang Qi followed carefully and asked quietly: “Sir, didn’t you say we couldn’t provoke that woman either? Isn’t it risky telling these businessmen?”

Qiao Henian said: “Li Qin and Wang Tiangui together are no match for Gu Pingyuan. I’m worried he has good strategies and raises his victory flag too high, unwilling to make peace with the Li family. This is just adding some bargaining chips for those two inside.”

The two men he mentioned sat wordlessly facing each other after Qiao Henian left. After a long time, Wang Tiangui stroked his gleaming shaved head and sighed: “This is worse than not doing it at all. Halfway through and wasted those Li family old shops too – unexpectedly it’s all water through a bamboo basket in the end. I’m nothing, but Master Li’s face has been completely swept away.”

Li Qin bit his teeth without speaking. Wang Tiangui glanced at him and continued: “I looked carefully at Gu Pingyuan’s method. Ha! This person truly has exceptional talent beyond ordinary people’s reach. Given time, the Hui Gu family’s reputation will surely overshadow all merchant families. I’m old – at worst I’ll retire from business and out of sight, out of mind. I just feel sorry for Master Li. Then you’ll hear ‘Gu family’ everywhere, even at guild meetings you’ll have to let him take the head seat, raise your cup in respect, and smile obsequiously – that would be more disgusting than eating flies.”

With a “crash,” Li Qin pounded the table heavily, porcelain cups and bowls rolling to the floor and shattering. He stood up and paced the room circle after circle, then suddenly turned back, his eyes shining with cold white light, his mouth corners pulling into a sinister smile: “I was too kind-hearted before, always thinking it would be enough to make him bow his head to me. I didn’t expect to nurture a carbuncle – it seems I must take a knife and cut out this sore.”

Wang Tiangui’s eyes lit up: “What do you want to do?”

Li Qin motioned him to lean close and whispered for some time. After listening, Wang Tiangui leaned back, looked Li Qin up and down several times, as if he’d never seen this person before. He lowered his eyelids in thought, then suddenly said: “I’ll handle it and guarantee it’s seamless. But after it’s done, transfer that thirty percent you mentioned to my name.”

“Deal!” Li Qin stared at him and agreed without thinking.

“The method wasn’t my idea – I’m just filling gaps and making supplements.” In the Gu family salt shop’s room, several people were also secretly conferring. The speaker was the weary-faced Gu Pingyuan, who had spent two full days and nights without sleep writing that memorial, sustained only by cup after cup of strong tea. Since leaving Qiao Henian’s place, he’d been waiting for Secretary Hao – this was his third sleepless night.

“This is former Two Rivers Governor-General Tao Shu’s salt administration reform essay, plus decades of regretful contemplation by Old Master Hu, who always considered salt administration matters as pastime, adding thoughts and ideas whenever free. Before I came to the Two Rivers, he talked with me several times, explaining this complete method in detail. Otherwise, not being an immortal, how could I devise a complete effective method to move the court in such short time?”

“That’s still remarkable. This was originally a salt administration system for Huainan, but Master you could break free from this constraint, looking at the entire Qing nation, making salt as commodity benefit the whole country and profit all merchants and people. What I admire about Master is precisely this.” Manager Fei nodded in continuous approval.

Gu Pingyuan smiled slightly: “I once told my second brother that merchants can be regional merchants or national merchants – it depends on how far you can think and act. Commercial warfare is like playing chess – fixedly blocking corners falls to inferior play. Survey the entire board and a light touch at key points can reverse the situation from defeat to victory. Also, ‘borrowing momentum is inferior to creating momentum.’ The Li family acts fearlessly because they borrow the Huainan salt fields’ momentum. But I deliberately don’t entangle with them there, instead creating new momentum of ‘salt reaching everywhere.’ Before creating momentum, I’d already established advantage. Their original borrowed momentum is gone, and if they want to enter this game, they must follow my rules – or I simply don’t let them in, leaving them helpless.”

This was superior commercial theory. After listening, everyone was thoughtful, and the room fell quiet momentarily.

“Let me speak plainly. I only saw the messenger leave on orders – whether the letter actually contained this new salt administration piece, that’s hard to say.” Secretary Hao broke the silence. He always harbored wariness toward his “master” Qiao Henian.

“This Commissioner Qiao is indeed fame-hungry. He killed dozens of prisoners in Yancheng to gain merit before becoming Huainan Salt Transport Commissioner. Such officials don’t necessarily value friendship.” Peng Haiwan looked worried. “You know, Huainan Salt Transport Commissioner is the richest position under heaven, relying on the designated shore monopoly official salt system. Master’s memorial essentially asks him to tear down his own Great Wall. Though he agreed, whether he’ll actually do it is truly uncertain.”

“Consider this memorial a touchstone – I’m using it to test our friendship too. If he really is two-faced, that’s fine. News from the capital will reach us in over ten days, and I can find someone else to submit it then.” Gu Pingyuan looked at everyone and continued: “If Commissioner Qiao truly values friendship and is willing to sacrifice like this for me, Gu naturally won’t shortchange a friend. Once this method gains court approval, it becomes nationwide policy requiring someone to oversee the whole situation – perhaps even establishing a Salt Administration Governor-General like the Eastern River Governor-General managing river affairs or the Grand Canal Governor-General managing canal affairs. Naturally Commissioner Qiao’s qualifications can’t achieve this immediately, but the Huainan Salt Transport Commissioner is the nation’s premier salt administration official. Following this path upward, others can hardly compete. Then Gu will petition the court to credit this memorial’s achievement to Commissioner Qiao, lending him support.”

So Gu Pingyuan envisioned such a broad avenue for Qiao Henian – truly comprehensive consideration. Secretary Hao sighed: “Young brother has truly done all possible. The rest depends on Commissioner Qiao. Let’s wait for news from the capital.”

Unexpectedly, news came quickly. Ten days later, Gu Pingyuan received orders from the Canal Governor’s office to immediately report to the Governor-General’s office at Qingjiangpu without delay. Four Canal Standard soldiers brought the order, led by a captain with a stone-like expression. Manager Peng offered good tea and wine, secretly passing a banknote, but couldn’t get a single word in return.

“Something’s wrong here. By time calculation, five days to reach the capital would already be fast. Ten days round trip means immediate return upon arrival – did the court decide the same day they received the memorial?” Manager Peng found it increasingly wrong and shook his head. “Besides, the Canal Governor’s office shouldn’t be summoning people. Salt administration matters should notify the Jiangning Provincial Administration and Salt Transport Commissioner. This is truly baffling.”

Liu Heita wanted to accompany him, but the captain firmly refused. Gu Pingwen and Chang Yu’er, who came out upon hearing the news, were equally puzzled. The Canal Standard captain kept sending people to urge impatiently. Seeing continued delay wasn’t helpful, Gu Pingyuan stood up: “It might not be anything serious – perhaps officials want merchant donations. Why make a big fuss? I’ll make the trip – don’t worry.”

“No!” Someone suddenly spoke behind them. Everyone turned simultaneously, shocked to see Li Wantang, supposedly bedridden with illness, now standing somehow at the second gate, one hand supporting himself against the door. Though his expression was weak, his eyes were firmly fixed on Gu Pingyuan.

“Something extremely bad is definitely happening. You must be careful.”

Li Wantang spoke absolutely correctly. The journey was uneventful, but upon reaching the Canal Governor’s office entrance, as Gu Pingyuan dismounted with one foot just touching ground, several soldiers pounced like tigers on sheep, binding Gu Pingyuan tightly. Before he could speak, he was already pushed into the Canal Governor’s main hall.

“Sir!” Gu Pingyuan was caught completely off-guard, both shocked and angry. Seeing Governor-General Wu Tang seated upright in the main hall with Secretary Wu, whom he’d dealt with several times, standing beside him with a sinister smile, he protested loudly: “This commoner doesn’t know what crime he’s committed. You clearly said there was business to discuss – why bind me? Am I a prisoner?”

“Interesting words – aren’t you exactly a convict?” Wu Tang’s face showed a half-smile, his eyes flashing cold light. “Arresting you in the city would be perfectly proper, but you’re extremely cunning and quite appreciated by officials in Jiangning city. You might find some backing to escape, so this official ordered your deceptive capture.”

“The court has already pardoned me. How can you prosecute this again, sir?”

“Wrong. This Governor arrests you today not for convict crimes.”

Secretary Wu interjected: “Gu Pingyuan, you treacherous merchant, you’ll stop at nothing to make money. You did these things yourself – why cry injustice when caught?”

Gu Pingyuan immediately understood. This referred to his previous grain speculation in the capital to raise funds, causing the Canal Governor’s office to sell grain cheaply. Unexpectedly Wu Tang harbored such resentment, bearing grudges and seeking revenge after so long.

“Grain prices were extremely high then. To save the people, Gu had no choice but this desperate measure. Speaking of grain prices themselves, the Canal Governor’s office suffered no losses – you simply didn’t earn unconscionable money.”

“Audacious!” Wu Tang angrily struck his gavel.

“Gu’s audacity has always been great. I once bargained even with Monk King. Whether prince or governor-general, when discussing business, we’re merely buyer and seller with no hierarchy.” Gu Pingyuan looked directly at the hall above without servility or arrogance.

“What a sharp tongue. Monk King is dead, so you can boast freely. But this Governor’s torture instruments are not for display. Come, apply torture!”

“Sir, wait! The Great Qing Legal Code is also not for display. Even applying torture requires justification! Just because I bought grain from the Canal Governor, you want to torture me?” Gu Pingyuan was also desperate, shouting at Wu Tang.

“Who mentioned grain to you?” Wu Tang sneered coldly.

“Not that business?” Gu Pingyuan was confused. “Then why arrest me here?”

“Gu Pingyuan!” Secretary Wu said from the side. “You just claimed to be bold – correct. Speaking of bold recklessness, you could be considered the foremost among Two Rivers merchants. You actually dared to sell poisoned salt to villagers along the canal. Over twenty people in one village died, with many more whose fate remains unknown.”

Hearing this accusation, all of Gu Pingyuan’s hair stood on end. Shocked and furious, he shouted: “Who would be stupid enough to poison their own salt? This is clearly a frame-up.”

“You claim it’s a frame-up, but the boat selling poisoned salt was your Gu family’s vessel. This boat has been traveling back and forth on the canal for days – nearby villagers are all familiar with it.”

“Where is that boat? Where is the salt-selling clerk? If physical and witness evidence exists, Gu is willing to confront them in court.”

“You ask this Governor for evidence and witnesses, but this Governor wants to ask whether you’ve already silenced witnesses and destroyed evidence by sinking the boat. This is an unprecedented major case since the founding of the dynasty. Since it occurred on the canal, it naturally falls under this Governor’s jurisdiction. Won’t you confess truthfully?”

Hearing these words, Gu Pingyuan suddenly became quiet. He realized he had fallen into an extremely terrifying trap. Though perhaps not elaborate, it was extraordinarily dangerous. The trap’s architect connected the case to the canal specifically to push him before the Canal Governor, giving the grudge-bearing Wu Tang an opportunity for personal revenge. The real culprit boldly killed dozens of people to create a major blood-soaked canal incident. To appease public fury, the Governor had discretionary authority – in other words, he could produce the imperial execution token and behead him immediately. This was precisely the killer’s objective. Once his head fell, even if his innocence could be proven later, it would be too late. Moreover, with the person dead and case closed, getting officials to admit they executed the wrong person would be harder than ascending to heaven.

“Gu Pingyuan, ‘Human hearts seem like iron but aren’t iron; official law is like a furnace and truly a furnace.’ Having been a convict, you should know the severity of major punishments. I advise you to confess quickly rather than let flesh and blood suffer.”

By now Gu Pingyuan had steeled his resolve and feared nothing. He stood up and looked directly at Wu Tang: “Governor Wu, I hear you’ve served in various prefectures and counties, been an official for so many years, and tried many cases. Today’s matter is clearly full of suspicious points. For instance, why would I poison my own family’s salt without considering today’s consequences? Unless I wanted suicide, why would I do such a foolish thing? Yet you don’t distinguish right from wrong and want to convict someone unjustly. You’re supreme in this court – Gu has nothing more to say.”

“Insolent, insolent!” Wu Tang repeatedly pounded the table, making the divination stick holder tremble. “Heh heh, this Governor underestimated you. A businessman emerging from the convict camp is truly impressive. But this Governor wants to see how hard your bones are!”

“Someone, drag him down and give him fifty heavy board strikes!”

The bailiffs came up and dragged Gu Pingyuan to the corridor without explanation, striking him solidly blow by blow. These boards were made of large bamboo – firm yet flexible, polished smooth, with cloth wrapped tightly around the grip. A fierce strike immediately split skin and flesh. Bailiffs always read the situation – seeing the Governor’s anger, who would show mercy? Gu Pingyuan didn’t know when these fifty strikes ended. He fainted three times during the beating, each time awakened by cold water poured over his head.

“The taste of near-death isn’t pleasant, is it? Look at this.” Wu Tang pointed to several salt packages on the ground and kneeling people. “These are salt sold from your Gu family salt boat and the victims whose families lost members. The physical evidence and witnesses you wanted are all here. I advise you to sign the confession. Otherwise, dying under the rod would be worse than a quick beheading.”

Though Gu Pingyuan was in agony and couldn’t even stand, he understood clearly that Wu Tang was determined to kill him today no matter what. Not signing meant death under torture; signing meant death by executioner’s blade.

Either way was death – he absolutely wouldn’t bear this infamy. Lying on the ground, Gu Pingyuan gritted his teeth and said upward: “How is Your Honor also confused? Since the Kangxi reign there have been laws – even if a prisoner dies under torture deservedly, the presiding official bears responsibility. Your Honor has a bright future – why commit this sin for a commoner?”

“Ha! You dare threaten this Governor. Today I’ll just…”

“Sir.” Secretary Wu’s eyes rolled – he actually thought Gu Pingyuan made sense. “Getting into such trouble for someone surnamed Gu really isn’t worth it.”

“What do you suggest then?”

“As Your Honor said, since physical evidence and witnesses are complete, but the criminal is crafty and cunning, refusing to confess, should we just let it go? If we kill him to avenge the people, why not do it now?”

Wu Tang slapped his forehead: “This Governor was confused. Requesting the imperial execution token to kill requires no confession or signature. Someone, immediately go to the rear courtyard Dragon Pavilion to fetch the token, order the execution ground cleared, have the county office send an executioner. This Governor will personally supervise the execution.”

Gu Pingyuan heard their words clearly below, his heart immediately growing cold. With such rapid developments, even if there were contingency methods, time was needed for buffer. Being executed within moments left truly no solutions. Moreover, having no relatives or friends here, forget finding someone to think of ways – he couldn’t even find someone to collect his corpse.

If it were someone else, they might close their eyes and accept fate. But Gu Pingyuan kept thinking of solutions. He fixed his gaze on Wu Tang and the secretary beside him, suddenly having an idea. The one who tied the bell must untie it – perhaps this could be tried.

“Sir! Please let this commoner write a letter to leave for his family. Surely this can be permitted?”

Wu Tang glanced at him: “When birds are about to die, their cries are mournful; when people are about to die, their words are kind. Very well, I’ll let you leave one letter.”

“This humble person’s heart shakes and hands tremble now. I can only dictate – please have the secretary write for me.”

“Ha ha ha!” Wu Tang laughed loudly. “You’re finally afraid after all. How can commoners fight officials? Your stubborn resistance naturally brings immediate suffering. Fine, Secretary Wu, fulfill this dying man’s last wish.”

With the Governor’s order, Secretary Wu had to comply. He led Gu Pingyuan to the office, spread out letter paper, and said impatiently: “Only one page – keep it brief!”

“I have only one sentence.” Gu Pingyuan said through his pain. “Just write ‘Please deliver three hundred thousand taels in banknotes to the bearer.'”

“What?!” Secretary Wu’s hand shook, dropping large ink blots that stained the paper. He slammed the table angrily: “Surname Gu, still playing tricks at death’s door? Do you want to suffer more?”

“Gu speaks no false words.”

“Oh, so you’re planning to bribe me.” Secretary Wu stared at him for a long time, then shook his head. “No one can suppress this case. Rather than wait for the Ministry of Justice in the capital to inquire, better to close it quickly – this was my advice to the Governor. With you as the salt boat owner, taking this blame is proper and justified. How could I reverse myself and exonerate you? Besides, apart from you, no one more suitable can be found to bear this charge.”

“Secretary Wu, speaking honestly, don’t you think I’m wronged?”

“Bah! Even if there’s injustice, if you lose in the human world’s court, isn’t there still the City God below? Go file your complaint there.” Secretary Wu said lightly.

“Well said!” Gu Pingyuan said word by word. “Only unfortunately, at the City God’s place you can only burn paper money – these bright white three hundred thousand taels in silver can’t be given out.”

“I’d certainly like this money, but unfortunately lack the ability to take it.”

“No, you have this ability.” Gu Pingyuan focused entirely on dealing with Secretary Wu, even forgetting his body’s pain. “I ask for nothing else – just three more days of life.”

“Three days – how to manage that?” Secretary Wu frowned.

“That depends on your methods, Secretary. Just now in court, I saw Governor Wu listens to you quite attentively. Three years as prefect earns only one hundred thousand taels – you spare me three days’ life, I give you three hundred thousand.”

“After three days it’s still execution.” Secretary Wu looked at him meaningfully.

“Forget execution – even dismemberment, Gu accepts it.”

“Excellent! Since so, I’ll try.” Three hundred thousand taels could open three to five restaurants along the Qinhuai River – Secretary Wu was naturally moved. Entering the inner hall, he deployed his silver tongue, saying that concluding a murder case in half a day was too hasty, appearing like child’s play to outsiders. Better to use three more days gathering evidence and testimony, making this an ironclad case. Then post public notices stating Gu Pingyuan’s execution time for nearby people to witness. Such a major case with the real criminal publicly executed within three days would earn him a reputation for uprightness and wisdom.

Secretary Wu had followed Wu Tang for years, deeply understanding his habits of craving power and fame. This targeted remedy worked immediately – Wu Tang readily agreed while Secretary Wu happily awaited those three hundred thousand taels.

When news reached Jiangning, Shunde Tea House immediately erupted. Before the messenger finished speaking, Liu Heita jumped three feet high. Before he could shout loudly, Chang Yu’er had walked before him, her eyes like icy lakes and cold jade making Liu Heita freeze instantly. He stammered: “Sister, execution in three days – this can’t be delayed.”

Chang Yu’er seemed not to hear, turning around and saying: “Since Brother Gu isn’t here, will you listen to me?”

“Sister-in-law, speak – I’ll listen!” Gu Pingwen anxiously wept. Seeing someone take charge, he nodded first, and the others followed suit.

“First, people; second, silver. Except Manager Fei, everyone drop all current affairs and immediately rush to Qingjiangpu to discuss strategies there. Bring all available silver for emergencies.”

These two points naturally met no opposition, but Chang Yu’er’s next order left everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

“Besides this, all business continues as usual. Tell the clerks to be energetic, have accounting disburse silver to make new clothes for all staff.”

“Sister, what’s this for?” Liu Heita scratched his big head asking.

“I want Brother Gu to see business more prosperous than before when he returns. I want all Two Rivers people to know the Gu family will definitely be fine.”

After this group departed on horseback or by carriage like a whirlwind, Li Wantang also emerged from Shunde Tea House. This was his first time leaving the tea house since his poisoning.

He walked slowly along the street, passing Jiming Temple where he looked deeply inside, then immediately withdrew his gaze and continued without stopping to what had been his own mansion.

“Old… Master…” The gatekeeper, who had been half-dozing, immediately widened his eyes seeing Li Wantang appear, stammering uncertainly.

“Where is the young master? Have him come see me.”

“This…”

“Go call him!” Though Li Wantang’s body was weak, his authoritative bearing remained undiminished.

“Master, don’t be anxious. The thing is, the master, oh no, the young master left several days ago.”

“Left – where did he go?”

“…”

“Speak!”

The servant swallowed and said with difficulty: “This humble one only overheard preparations and talk of going to Qingjiangpu.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Wantang’s face had already turned deathly pale. He closed his eyes and shook his head painfully, tears slowly rolling from his eyes.

“Qingjiangpu, Qingjiangpu…” Li Wantang repeated this place name. His former overwhelming authority seemed to disappear all at once – only an old man’s stooped back shuffled away.

“I have an idea – not good, but a temporary solution.” Secretary Hao puffed smoke, his eyes already red from exhaustion.

“At this critical moment, just speak up.” Liu Heita wanted to snatch that pipe and break it. Almost everyone present was like Secretary Hao – red-eyed and haggard. Since receiving word and rushing to Qingjiangpu, they’d barely slept two hours total. Arriving at Qingjiangpu, Chang Yu’er had rented out a local large inn. Two connecting upper rooms served perfectly for meetings, with other rooms for rest. But everyone stayed in the meeting rooms, unwilling to waste precious time sleeping.

Time was truly too short. Watching each moment pass with no solution found, Liu Heita was ready to hire some desperados with heavy gold to simply break the prison and rescue Gu Pingyuan, then flee far away. Better to hide for life than die here.

“No.” Chang Yu’er had just returned from the prison. These days the Gu family spent money like water. Though they couldn’t rescue him, they’d bribed prison guards inside and out, not only allowing visits but bringing a doctor to treat Gu Pingyuan’s rod wounds.

Thinking of the prison scene, Chang Yu’er’s heart ached, nearly bringing tears. Gu Pingyuan’s injuries were terrifying – flesh swollen two fingers high, all purple with bruises. The swollen areas stretched the skin tight, gleaming under lamplight as if ready to burst. Some bloody wounds had scabbed but still seeped red-yellow pus, while another large wound gaped like a baby’s mouth, showing red flesh.

Fortunately the summoned doctor had treated many rod injuries, keeping rat-pup oil at home mixed with several blood-cooling, pain-relieving medicines – remarkably effective for rod wounds. But this medicated oil caused tearing pain as if wounds were being ripped open. Fearing his wife’s worry, Gu Pingyuan endured silently, grinding his teeth audibly – heartbreaking for Chang Yu’er to hear.

“Save me if possible; if not, it’s my destined calamity – no matter. The key is for you and the siblings to live well.” Hearing his wife describe friends outside desperately seeking solutions, Gu Pingyuan saw his wife’s worried gaze and haggard appearance. Instead he smiled comfortingly: “I’ve been quite extravagant, spending three hundred thousand taels to buy three days of life. Even the Emperor couldn’t spend so much living three days – consider it fulfilling an imperial fantasy before death.”

“Brother Gu said his life isn’t more precious than others’ – no one should take desperate risks endangering their lives to save him.” Chang Yu’er repeated while watching Liu Heita. “We husband and wife both think this way, so no one should act rashly or risk rescue attempts.”

“Then – then let these three days pass in vain?” Liu Heita anxiously paced the room, occasionally punching walls. Everyone was irritated. Initially they endured, but later glared angrily. Seeing Liu Heita looking ready to fight, finally Gu Yuting pulled him outside for some scolding. Liu Heita returned dejected, squatting in a corner silently.

When Secretary Hao spoke, Liu Heita, who’d been holding back, suddenly stood up, startling Secretary Hao. Without speaking, Hao pointed his pipe toward the corner. Seeing Liu Heita squat back down, he began: “The Great Qing Legal Code actually has many loopholes to exploit – ‘crying injustice before execution’ is one.”

“Brother Hao, explain more clearly. I’ve never heard of this crying injustice before execution.” Chang Yu’er leaned forward slightly, staring intently at Secretary Hao.

“This gives the wrongfully accused a final chance to appeal, limited only to those sentenced to immediate execution. After being brought to the execution ground, if prisoners cry injustice, whether imperial death warrants or imperial execution tokens, they must immediately be returned to prison. The original presiding official together with an equal-ranking official jointly retry the case. If real injustice is discovered, sentences are changed or delayed. If no overturning evidence is found, everything proceeds as before – back to execution. This is called ‘crying injustice before execution.'”

“If so, better a bad life than good death – every death row prisoner should eagerly use this right, at least gaining extra days of life.” Gu Pingwen voiced everyone’s thoughts.

Peng Haiwan nodded: “I’ve done business in Jiangning twenty years. The provincial execution ground kills many – I’ve seen ‘crying injustice before execution’ twice. Prisoners were indeed returned to custody, but whether three or five days, they still inevitably lost their heads. I heard torture was used during retrial – needlessly suffering again.”

“That hits the point. Most immediate execution cases have clear circumstances. Prisoners know they’ll eventually face the blade. Though gaining extra days, during hearings bailiffs resent the trouble and their own burdens, applying extra force during torture. Since death is inevitable, why suffer more? Once death row prisoners enter prison, guards explain the situation – effectively warning against complications. How dare they cry injustice?” Secretary Hao finished speaking, tapped his pipe, and added: “With such cases and such officials, crying injustice once only delays death a few days. That’s why I call this temporary relief, not permanent solution.”

“Wait.” Chang Yu’er seemed to grasp a lifeline, listening while desperately thinking. She asked: “During retrial, who would be the official equal in rank to Wu Tang?”

“He’s a first-rank Governor-General with ministerial honors. Even ordinary Governor-Generals are only second-rank, unless…” Secretary Hao pondered, slowly looking up: “Zeng Guofan?”

“Right – Lord Zeng. He greatly appreciates Brother Gu, and is wise and understanding. He wouldn’t collude with Wu Tang to kill indiscriminately. I heard Brother Gu say the poisoner avoided salt shops and chose salt boats specifically to avoid the Two Rivers Governor-General, bringing this case to the Canal Governor’s office. The real culprit seems quite wary of Lord Zeng – perhaps this is the chance for survival.”

“Hard to say. Officials protecting each other is common. Appreciation is one thing, but breaking with local magnates over a businessman is another matter entirely.” Manager Peng said thoughtfully.

Chang Yu’er walked to the window, bit her lower lip thinking, then turned back: “We can’t watch Brother Gu die unjustly. Since there’s no other way and we must do something, we can only hope in the Two Rivers Governor-General.”

Everyone nodded silently. “Manager Peng! There’s something I must trouble you with.” Chang Yu’er suddenly said.

“Yes, please give orders, sister-in-law. Even if I run my legs off, I’m willing.”

“Please go to Nantong, find the local prominent Zhang family, and explain the situation to their young master.”

“Ah, certainly.” Though Manager Peng was completely puzzled, he agreed first.

Chang Yu’er also called Second Master Hou’s name, asking him to immediately return to Huizhou and inform Old Master Hu. She simultaneously sent a clerk back to Jiangning, having Manager Fei spread word for all Gu family salt shop clerks to inform customers throughout the Two Rivers three provinces about Gu Pingyuan’s wrongful suffering. As for Liu Heita and Gu Pingwen, Chang Yu’er had them visit the poisoned village to ask detailed questions about events – even with retrial, it must follow Great Qing law. Ten thousand cries of injustice couldn’t compare to catching the real culprit.

After this series of orders, everyone in the room looked at each other, unable to understand Chang Yu’er’s intentions. Secretary Hao, being from the government, hesitantly asked: “Sister-in-law, are you trying to make this public? Whether to kill or not depends on official orders. Even if news spreads, what use is it?”

“I once accompanied him in death.” Chang Yu’er referred to Xi’an, when Monk King wanted to execute Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yu’er, upon learning this, single-handedly entered the Provincial Governor’s office requesting to die alongside Gu Pingyuan.

Her voice was very calm: “I just lost my own child. If he also leaves me, I have no will to live and will surely follow him in death. So Wu Tang isn’t killing one person, but two. Such injustice cannot be borne silently – I want as many people as possible to know. Those you’re telling have all personally witnessed Brother Gu’s righteous acts and good deeds, especially poor families – without Brother Gu, they’d suffer high-price exploitation from Huainan salt fields. I want them to know that if they continue suffering in the future, it’s because officials wrongly killed a good man.”

Late at night, cool breezes blew through Qingjiangpu’s streets. Those in thin clothing could already feel early winter’s chill. Few pedestrians walked the streets, especially near government offices where no one lingered – being questioned by patrolling soldiers cost money to avoid disaster.

In this quiet, cold silence, a large lantern approached from the stone road. Someone walked leisurely with a servant half a step behind lighting the way with the lantern.

“It’s truly cold today. Go buy a bottle of aged wine from that shop.” The master ordered. Soon wine was bought, but he didn’t open it, carrying it as he continued forward. After two turns he reached the local prison.

Still twenty-plus zhang away, gate guards came asking questions. The man said nothing, only moved closer to the lantern.

“Oh, it’s you! You could have just sent word – why come personally?” The prison head immediately came over with a smiling face upon recognition.

“I’ve met the person you sent to see me. What he said was very interesting – I had to come see this Master Gu.”

“You want to enter the prison?” The prison head grimaced, showing difficulty.

“Stop pretending. Gu family people have entered several times – you think I don’t know? What, think I give less silver than they stuff you with?”

“Where are you getting that? It’s just that they’re prisoner’s family, so visiting is proper. But you…” The prison head chuckled.

“Hmph. This should be proper enough.” The man casually threw out a five-hundred-tael banknote and stepped inside. The prison head quickly caught it, afraid the wind would blow it away, still hearing the man say: “Speaking of being related to Gu Pingyuan, he’s still my elder brother!”

Walking along a broken, dirty corridor to the end, a sloping path led down to a heavy iron door. Opening it released a rush of turbid air mixed with urine, decay, and nauseating stench.

Li Qin covered his nose with one hand, waving repeatedly, standing for a moment before frowning and walking in. The jailer led him to the innermost cell – dark, damp, windowless, with only a little light from the corridor oil lamp. Most of the cell was shrouded in darkness. Gu Pingyuan wore prisoner’s clothes, sitting against the wall where the light reached, eyes closed in meditation.

Hearing footsteps, he neither opened his eyes nor lifted his head until Li Qin’s familiar voice rang out: “Gu Pingyuan, wasn’t I right? A convict is always a convict – in the end you’re still in prison awaiting death.”

Hearing this, Gu Pingyuan quickly glanced at him, then looked down at the ground without speaking.

Li Qin seemed to find this somewhat boring. He waved at the jailer and his own servant, dismissing them. Then he spoke directly: “I hear your friends devised a trick to delay your death a few days – something called ‘crying injustice before execution,’ hoping to get Lord Zeng to retry this case. This trick is indeed good – might even bring you back from the dead.”

“How do you know?” Gu Pingyuan narrowed his eyes looking at him.

“Ha ha ha! Speaking by water, fish are listening; speaking by trees, birds are listening. Don’t think only the Gu family pays bribes to jailers. Every time you’re visited, within half an hour someone reports everything you said to me.”

“I spend silver to save my life – what’s your purpose?”

“To take your life, of course. I’ve thought it through – calling you elder brother doesn’t matter. Since you’re older than me, you should go first. Let me, the younger brother, see you off – consider it our brotherhood.”

Gu Pingyuan took a deep breath, slowly straightened his back, staring intently at Li Qin separated by bars: “So you really were the poisoner?” From the day the case broke, he’d suspected only one person – now he had confirmation.

“We won’t discuss that.” Li Qin smiled sinisterly. “What if walls have ears? Like those death row prisoners over there – they seem to be sleeping soundly, but who knows if any are awake? You want to trick a confession from me to find a witness for appeal – I’m not that stupid.”

“Your not admitting is the same as admitting. First sending people to poison your own parents, then poisoning dozens of innocent people just to frame me, you…”

“Bullshit!” Li Qin roared low, suddenly excited, grabbing the wooden bars and shaking them. “I didn’t kill my parents! That’s all your wild speculation. Say another word and I’ll have your tongue torn out.”

“Whether you did it, we both know in our hearts – besides, there’s already evidence.”

“Heh, trying to trick me? What evidence?” Li Qin glared fiercely at Gu Pingyuan.

“The poison! Your people can hear my conversations with family, but whispered words they can’t hear. Liu Heita went to that village and got some poisoned salt. The doctor said the poison inside was aconite root plus three parts heartbreak grass – exactly the same as what Li Wantang and his wife were poisoned with. This formula is extremely rare – the two killers are definitely the same person.”

“What?!” Li Qin began trembling like having a fit. He suddenly thought of Wang Tiangui volunteering to find people to frame Gu Pingyuan – the idea of using sleeping drugs on Li Wantang had also come from him, though all with his own consent. Li Qin staggered back several steps, his body hitting the wall, staring dumbstruck at the flickering lamplight.

His devastated appearance didn’t seem feigned. Gu Pingyuan frowned in confusion. What he’d thought was certain truth now raised a hint of doubt. Undoubtedly Li Qin was involved, but why was he even more shocked than Gu Pingyuan himself upon learning the poison formula?

Before Gu Pingyuan could speak, Li Qin violently shook his head as if to completely cast off everything previous. He stood up again, staggering drunkenly forward, pointing at Gu Pingyuan like reciting a curse – cursing Gu Pingyuan while bewildering his own mind.

“You put in the poison! The authorities ruled this way, the people think so too – that makes it true.” He gritted his teeth, eyes glowing with fanatical light. “So tomorrow at the execution ground, you’re not allowed to cry injustice. Just wait obediently for that blade to chop off your head.”

Li Qin looked truly somewhat mad. Gu Pingyuan was momentarily stunned, not refuting, only hearing him continue: “If you’re greedy for life and afraid of death, insisting on crying out, then I’ll help you find another killer to take the blame. Want to know who?”

Li Qin grinned maliciously: “Your old flame – former Princess Chen, today’s Canal Gang Grand Sister – Bai Yimei!”

Only then did Gu Pingyuan truly react. He hadn’t expected Li Qin to see through Bai Yimei’s identity. Shocked and angry, he said: “Why drag her into this!”

“Because she’s more suitable as the killer than you. Think about it – she’s a Taiping pseudo-princess, a rebel. Now to revenge against the court, she poisoned salt to harm people, intending to cause popular unrest and seize the opportunity to lead the salt fields’ tens of thousands of salt workers in rebellion. This thread connects so well – a perfect treason case. Not just Wu Tang, even Zeng Guofan facing such great merit would be tempted.”

“Li Qin!” Gu Pingyuan roared angrily. “Don’t go too far. I know why you want to harm me – do you know about the memorial I asked Commissioner Qiao to submit?” These past days in prison, Gu Pingyuan had thought bitterly. Having clearly gained the upper hand, why would Li Qin still use such desperate measures? Obviously he’d learned very unfavorable news – undoubtedly concerning that memorial. “This is business between you and me – don’t involve others.”

Li Qin smiled noncommittally, continuing his words: “Whether to involve her depends entirely on you. If you cry injustice tomorrow, I’ll reveal Bai Yimei’s identity to Wu Tang. I think he’ll gladly accept this ‘real killer’ – compared to the treason criminal Bai Yimei, you’re just a small character.”

Gu Pingyuan felt rage choking his chest. Unable to sit still any longer, ignoring his rod wounds’ pain, he stood up abruptly to angrily rebuke Li Qin when suddenly a strange cold laugh came from around the corridor corner, followed by two people walking over one after another.

When the person in front revealed their face in the lamplight, both Gu Pingyuan and Li Qin widened their eyes simultaneously.

“You!” Li Qin looked as if seeing a living ghost, staggering back several steps, staring dumbstruck ahead.

“What, Master Li? Just now you spoke my name so fluently – now you can’t say it?” That person’s mouth showed a mocking smile.

“Yi… how did you get here?” Gu Pingyuan wanted to call her name but swallowed it back, staring at her blankly.

“I came as soon as I got word.” Since that day when Gu Pingyuan publicly expressed his heartfelt feelings on the street, Bai Yimei felt the ice block in her heart had unknowingly melted. Her hatred for Gu Pingyuan seemed like April spring snow, vanishing without trace as time passed. Instead, scenes of their childhood innocence and mountain-sea vows appeared more frequently in her mind – the more she tried to let go and forget, the more irrepressible it became.

She felt thinking of such past events was unfair to the Brave King, but couldn’t control her thoughts. Even at night she dared not sleep, for dreams also contained only Gu Pingyuan’s image. Now hearing her former lover dare not call her name, she forgot she had once decisively forbidden him such address, her heart immediately aching.

“I came here for only one thing – to help clear your name.” Bai Yimei met Gu Pingyuan’s shocked gaze, looking at him with gentle eyes, softly saying: “Let the past be past. The Brave King is dead, Miao Peilin is dead, the Monk demon is also dead – let this hatred end here. I remember everything you said – you said you’d never deceive me, never harm me. I believe you!”

Gu Pingyuan’s eyes immediately blurred, his hands trembling. For a moment he completely forgot he was in death row, facing execution tomorrow, actually wanting to shout joyfully.

“I heard everything – this person committed unconscionable acts, then tried to frame others, even using me to threaten you.” Bai Yimei turned her gaze to Li Qin. “Master Li, I never expected your Li family to encompass both murder and robbery. This is death row – truly a place where killing is like cutting grass without sound. Some jailers are Canal Gang members, otherwise how could I enter so easily? Your coming here, probably no one knows. Other jailers privately admitting people would never dare confess. Just bury you quietly – a perfectly good Master Li becomes nameless bones in wild outlands.”

Li Qin grew more frightened listening, his heart pounding like drums. Seeing Bai Yimei momentarily inattentive, he planned to rush past and escape. But after just two steps, he was grabbed by the neck collar like an eagle snatching a chick.

Naturally it was Zhang Pigeng who acted, throwing Li Qin to the ground with a disgusted expression, then drawing a short blade from his chest. It gleamed coldly in the darkness as Li Qin stared in terror.

“No!” Fearing being overheard, Gu Pingyuan lowered his voice: “Don’t kill him!”

“You can’t bear it?” Bai Yimei glanced at him. “He treats you like this, clearly having no brotherly feelings. Moreover, you just said he killed his father and murdered his mother – how can such a person be spared? Keeping him alive is your great worry.”

“There may be other circumstances.” Gu Pingyuan thought of Li Qin’s earlier shocked expression and sighed. “Besides, I can’t watch him die before me.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Zhang Pigeng really wanted to kill the person before him, saying angrily: “Killing evil people is a good thought. For someone like this, killing one lets you live ten more years.” He lifted Li Qin up, about to act.

“No!” Gu Pingyuan urgently shouted, saying to Bai Yimei: “Yimei, I beg you – let him go. Man acts, Heaven watches. He’ll get his retribution sooner or later – I just can’t stand by watching someone die.”

“Your heart is good, but you’re probably showing kindness to tigers and wolves.” Actually Bai Yimei had other plans and didn’t really want to kill Li Qin. She had Zhang Pigeng release him, saying to the still startled Li Qin: “Listen carefully. Being able to walk out of here doesn’t mean you’re safe. Canal Gang disciples number in the thousands – if I want to kill you, I can anytime. Not killing now, but you must promise me one thing.”

Li Qin didn’t know if he was trembling or nodding, staring straight at Bai Yimei, finally managing to agree.

“Tomorrow when Gu Pingyuan cries injustice before execution, you must immediately report my identity to the authorities, but you cannot implicate the Canal Gang or involve the salt fields’ salt workers – just say I acted alone. If not, I’ll definitely kill you!”

“Yimei!” Gu Pingyuan exclaimed.

Bai Yimei seemed not to hear, shouting at Li Qin: “Get lost!” Li Qin ran out like flying.

Only then did Bai Yimei turn to Gu Pingyuan, forcing a smile: “What else? Should I bring people to smash open this death row and rescue you? But then you’d face endless fleeing. I’m a Taiping remnant anyway, originally unable to see light. Rather than you fleeing, better I flee. Throughout the great rivers and lakes, in the vast sea of people, even knowing my identity, catching me won’t be so easy for officials and soldiers.”

“I cannot, cannot put you in such danger just to save my own life.” As she spoke, Gu Pingyuan kept shaking his head.

“It doesn’t matter.” Bai Yimei looked at him, her tone increasingly gentle. In a trance, Gu Pingyuan seemed to return to studying days in Gu Family Village, when nothing had yet happened, with that considerate Bai Yimei still before him. “Just continue your business. Open shops throughout the Qing nation’s southeast, northwest – best to have a Gu family store in every market town and village. Perhaps I’ll live in one of those towns, going daily to Gu family shops to buy things, knowing your business is doing well – that would be enough.”

“No, no…” Gu Pingyuan’s tears flowed out, desperately shaking his head.

Bai Yimei gently reached out to wipe tears from his face, smiling: “Remember the poem father taught us? Du Gongbu’s verse: ‘Life’s meetings are rare, moving like Shen and Shang stars. What night is tonight, sharing this candlelight.'”

She gazed at Gu Pingyuan as if to engrave his features in her mind: “Never imagined that from the day you left for examinations, our fate became like heaven’s Shen and Shang stars. From that day, our connection ended – only we didn’t know it then.”

Having finished speaking, she gave Gu Pingyuan no chance to refute, resolutely turning and quickly leaving, leaving Gu Pingyuan gazing painfully with tearful eyes at that familiar retreating figure.

Qingjiangpu’s execution ground was originally before a temple, taking Buddhist salvation meaning, but in recent years moved to a mass grave mound in the southern suburbs outside town. This place was already a water-land thoroughfare. During ten years of Taiping troubles, with constant attacks, official army casualties were severe. They showed no mercy to captured prisoners – catching one meant killing one. For convenient burial of corpses, they simply executed at the mass grave site.

Though called an execution ground, perhaps because bodies were wrapped in straw mats without coffins, trees here grew exceptionally tall and lush. At first glance it seemed scenic with clear mountains and beautiful waters, but locals knew the truth – even when going out on business, they’d rather take detours than pass through here.

Today was different. The Canal Governor’s office widely posted notices about using imperial execution tokens to immediately behead Gu Pingyuan, the criminal who poisoned and killed twenty-seven villagers. This attracted large crowds, surrounding the execution ground inside and out.

Though Gu Pingyuan had done business in the Two Rivers for a short time, he’d accomplished several major deeds: first, buying large quantities of grain cheaply for famine victims, resolving grain shortages; second, competing with the capital Li family, selling previously unaffordable salt at fair prices, sparing people the suffering of bland food. Plus his strange entanglement with Li family master Li Wantang made his name known in every street and alley. These past days, suddenly hearing he was the poisoning killer about to be immediately executed, nearby village people came with their families to see this spectacle.

Chang Yu’er and others arrived early at the execution ground. Though knowing Gu Pingyuan would cry injustice today and definitely not lose his head, their hearts still hung suspended. Liu Heita stood like a rock, arms half-spread, single-handedly protecting his sister and Gu Yuting, occasionally glancing at their faces. Gu Yuting looked extremely anxious, standing on tiptoes looking toward town. Chang Yu’er was the opposite – though worry showed between her brows, her expression was quite calm, as if merely waiting for a late-returning husband. Thinking of what she’d said publicly that day, Liu Heita’s heart clenched, making him restless instead.

Executions were always at noon. After waiting most of an hour, someone finally shouted: “They’re coming, they’re coming!” The crowd immediately stirred, all looking toward town.

Sure enough, Canal Standard cavalry first came galloping in two rows down the main road. Reaching the execution ground, they split left and right, naturally surrounding the entire site. Then a full team of armed soldiers trotted to separate roads outside the execution ground, preventing crowds from approaching the prisoner cart’s route.

Then a horse-drawn wooden cage prison cart slowly approached, surrounded by twenty officials gripping steel blades for security. Further back was an eight-bearer sedan chair – everyone knew Wu Tang the Canal Governor sat inside. Posted notices clearly stated Wu Tang would personally supervise the execution to eliminate harm for the people.

Wu Tang now proudly emerged from the sedan, mounted the pre-built supervision platform, sat in the grand chair, and looked around in all directions. Seeing many villagers had come, he nodded satisfiedly. Looking up at the sky, he asked: “What time is it?”

“Sir, three quarters of the Si hour.”

“One quarter-hour until noon. Give the prisoner a final drink and let one family member bid farewell.” Wu Tang ordered.

Gu Pingyuan was never good at drinking and refused this cup. The military officer shouted toward the crowd: “Who are the prisoner’s relatives? One can come out to say a few words.”

People on the Gu family side looked at each other. Though all knew today would certainly be fine, actually stepping forward felt like having thousand-pound weights on their feet. Gu Pingwen tried moving a step when Chang Yu’er stopped him: “Second brother, let me go instead.”

Thus, under hundreds of watching eyes, Chang Yu’er slowly stepped out, coming to the execution ground center. Gu Pingyuan looked at her and suddenly smiled, self-mockingly saying: “Yu’er, in Shaanxi was the first time, accompanying me out of the pass was the second – counting up, this is your third time watching me face death.”

“Otherwise how could we be husband and wife?” Chang Yu’er also smiled slightly. “You forgot – there was also Black Water Marsh. So many times surviving near-death – you have great fortune and long life, definitely nothing will happen.”

“Even the deepest fortune runs out someday.” Gu Pingyuan’s face showed a bitter smile. He wanted to give instructions but found every sentence difficult to speak, finally only saying: “Yu’er, from now on, whatever you think is right, feel free to decide and do. I think second brother and little sister will certainly listen too.”

Chang Yu’er suddenly felt an ominous premonition. She carefully studied her husband’s eyes, but Gu Pingyuan was avoiding her gaze.

“Brother Gu, what do you mean by this? Are you…” Chang Yu’er asked uncertainly: “Is something wrong? If something’s wrong, tell me – I’m your wife, you can’t hide things from me.”

Gu Pingyuan lowered his head, his heart in extreme pain. He suddenly felt that living one more moment was torture – better to have a quick beheading. He no longer acknowledged Chang Yu’er, instead turning to shout at the supervision platform: “Noon has arrived – why not execute!”

“Ho! This Governor has never seen this – I’ve seen prisoners fear death before execution, delaying time, but never seen prisoners urging execution. Shows how vicious this person is.” Wu Tang widened his eyes, shouting: “Come, present the imperial execution tokens!”

Four token officials in numbered uniforms came carrying double poles with a yellow poplar dragon pavilion containing a blue satin rectangular flag two feet six inches long and a vermillion-painted round poplar wood tablet seven inches five minutes in size. Both flag and tablet bore a golden ‘Order’ character in Manchu-Chinese, stamped with the Ministry of War’s great seal. These were the so-called “imperial execution tokens.”

The Qing dynasty had no imperial sword. To grant governors discretionary privileges, the Emperor specially bestowed “imperial execution tokens.” When encountering major cases requiring immediate suppression and killing, these items were used. Afterward, detailed reports explaining why the imperial execution tokens had to be used must be submitted to the Emperor in memorial form. If confirmed as misuse, officials would face reprimands, demotions, or even loss of this privilege.

Wu Tang looked solemn, performing three kneelings and nine kowtows to the dragon pavilion amid music, then stood. The Qinghe County criminal clerk was already waiting with the execution standard. Wu Tang stood using a vermillion brush to mark the execution standard, threw down the brush, and cannon fire immediately boomed outside.

Everyone knew execution ground rules: “Three cannon sounds, head falls.” Originally agreed, when Wu Tang marked with vermillion, Gu Pingyuan would cry injustice, but he remained silent. Seeing the executioner holding the ghost-head blade already positioned behind him, the Gu family people were all anxious.

“What’s wrong with Master? Not crying out now – if he doesn’t cry soon, it’ll be too late.” Manager Peng frowned deeply, repeatedly saying.

“Could he suddenly be mute? I’ll cry for him!” Liu Heita said.

Secretary Hao angrily slapped his head: “What use is your crying? The prisoner must personally cry injustice.”

“Sister-in-law, sister-in-law!” Gu Yuting suddenly cried out. Only then did everyone discover Chang Yu’er unsteady on her feet, already collapsed in Gu Yuting’s arms.

Chang Yu’er felt her whole body ice-cold, chilled from head to toe, without any strength. Half-closing her eyes, she murmured: “He won’t cry out, won’t do it.”

“Ah!” Everyone looked back toward the execution ground, seeing Gu Pingyuan kneeling with eyes tightly closed, truly appearing ready to die with closed eyes.

“Hey, Brother Gu, what foolishness are you committing!” Liu Heita was going mad with anxiety, pulling his chain whip while trying to force his way into the execution ground to save him. Secretary Hao quickly grabbed and held him.

“Can’t go! There are at least a hundred soldiers – what use are you alone? Just throwing your life away!”

Liu Heita was struggling when he heard the third cannon. Everyone suddenly quieted, watching the executioner remove the wooden tablet from behind Gu Pingyuan’s head, brush aside his queue, then raise the ghost-head blade high.

“Big brother!” Gu Yuting screamed terribly. Others turned their heads or closed their eyes, unable to bear watching further.

The execution ground was silent as death. Everyone waited for Gu Pingyuan’s head to fall.

Just then, a crisp gunshot made Wu Tang on the supervision platform jump. Before he could react, he saw dozens of people burst from the crowd. A young man holding a short gun forced aside the executioner who hadn’t yet delivered his blow, while others surrounded and protected Gu Pingyuan.

The soldiers naturally moved too – first the military officer led troops protecting the supervision platform while others held knives and guns confronting these uninvited guests. Common people, not understanding, fled in panic seeing someone rob the execution ground. Only the Gu family people didn’t move, all looking with surprise at the situation in the field.

Seeing so many people blocking in front, Wu Tang’s courage immediately strengthened. He shouted loudly: “What bandits are you? Don’t want your lives daring to rob the execution ground? This is a capital offense!”

“Governor Wu, don’t start shouting for killing as soon as you speak.” The leader was actually a woman. She looked grim as water, saying to Wu Tang: “This prisoner isn’t the real killer. The authorities are wrongly killing a good person – I’m just saving someone. I think you should retry this case, find the real killer, avoid killing innocents.”

“Nonsense!” Wu Tang angrily pounded the table repeatedly. “This is clearly rebellion – arrest them, arrest them all!”

The military officer was about to obey when Secretary Wu, who’d been watching the field, suddenly drew a cold breath and blocked with his hand: “Wait!”

Everyone knew the Governor relied on Secretary Wu as his brain trust. All stopped, and Wu Tang was also puzzled. Just as he was about to ask, Secretary Wu had already spoken: “What exactly do you want to do? Why not speak plainly?”

The woman called loudly: “Today’s matter needn’t involve weapons and bloodshed. I don’t want to kidnap the prisoner either – just need Governor Wu to agree to serious retrial.”

Secretary Wu pondered briefly, turning back to whisper: “Sir, I think we should agree to her conditions.”

“What?!” Wu Tang really wanted to strangle the secretary. He shouted: “Are you confused? In front of so many people, threatened by a group of bandits into sending back a prisoner awaiting execution with imperial tokens – when news spreads, where is this Governor’s face? Besides, they’re only dozens while we have hundreds of soldiers here, and I’ve sent people back to the city for reinforcements. What are you afraid of!”

“Sir.” Secretary Wu seemed to have unspeakable difficulties, his voice even lower: “I know that woman – she came to our office some days ago, and I met with her.”

“Who is she?”

“Sir still remembers – the Canal Gang’s Tonghai branch got a new leader, a woman who’s also Jiang Tai’s goddaughter, surnamed Bai, called ‘Grand Sister’ – that’s her!”

Wu Tang’s eyes rolled, suddenly understanding: “Heavens, she’s Canal Gang! Then these people…”

“Nine out of ten are Canal Gang members.” Secretary Wu was like swallowing a fly – couldn’t spit it out, couldn’t swallow it down. “This matter would be easy handled by other offices – just exterminate them. But we encountered them – it’s the number one difficult problem under heaven.”

Without needing explanation, Wu Tang understood. “Canal Governor” by name managed one gang and one river – the gang was Canal Gang, the river was the Grand Canal. If Canal Gang caused trouble, Wu Tang would be the first held responsible. As he’d just said, robbing execution grounds equaled rebellion. If these dozens were killed completely, it couldn’t be concealed unreported. How would the report read? Writing “Canal Gang rebellion” would cost the Canal Governor his position. Even using the Empress Dowager connection to barely keep the position, having made great enemies with Canal Gang, how could this Governor continue serving?