The carriage carrying Yao Xishui and Spring Thirteenth Mistress drove into a courtyard at the head of Wuli Lane. On a distant high wall, a figure gazed at everything around like a civet cat. After a moment, this figure moved along eaves and walls, treading on courtyard walls and roof ridges, turning back toward the depths of Lanting Lane.
Han Qian stood in the courtyard with his hands in his sleeves, gazing absently at the deep azure night sky. Only when Zhao Wuji jumped down from the wall like a civet cat did he turn around.
“This is the courtyard Spring Thirteenth Mistress moved into.” Zhao Wuji picked up a tree branch and roughly sketched out the entrances and exits of the first residence at the head of Wuli Lane for Han Qian to see.
“I understand.” Han Qian nodded and said.
“Should we arrange people to watch it?” Zhao Wuji asked.
“Watching and being watched—where are there so many idle people for that?” Han Qian smiled bitterly, shook his head, and told Zhao Wuji not to make any other arrangements.
The courtyard Spring Thirteenth Mistress moved into was not only the first one in Wuli Lane, but had also newly opened a side gate. This meant that whatever carriages and horses entered Wuli Lane, Lanting Lane, or even Kaoshan Lane on their side would be under Wanhong Tower’s surveillance. But if anyone went to see Spring Thirteenth Mistress and used the side gate, they could precisely avoid their eyes and ears in these three lanes.
Wanhong Tower had also arranged infiltrators in Xuzhou. Clearly they were constantly guarding against the day when he might break free from their control.
For now, Han Qian didn’t have the energy to waste manpower and resources on this. If they wanted to watch, let them watch. He just wasn’t clear whether Li Zhigao and the others, or perhaps the Third Prince and the World Consort, knew that outside Great Chu, Wanhong Tower actually had other options and deployments?
Han Qian waved his hand to dismiss the other guards from the courtyard, leaving only Zhao Wuji, Zhao Ting’er, and Xi Ren, saying: “There are some things I’ve never told you before. You may have always thought that Yao Xishui, Spring Thirteenth Mistress and the others were agents secretly cultivated by the Marquis Xinchang residence, but actually behind Yao Xishui, Spring Thirteenth Mistress and the others is hidden an even more mysterious and powerful force. The Marquis Xinchang residence’s current power, and even the Third Prince reaching this point today, is due to this force’s support from behind. And besides assisting the Third Prince in the succession struggle, this force perhaps has other options. I’m only telling you three about this matter now—you must not leak even half a word.”
Zhao Wuji silently withdrew from the courtyard. Zhao Ting’er busied herself fetching washing water for Han Qian. Xi Ren on one hand still hadn’t fully sorted out the intricate web of interests and entanglements within Jinling city, and on the other hand didn’t understand why Han Qian would tell her such a secret.
Although the Han family mansion wasn’t large, after she came over with Zhao Ting’er, Yao Xishui and Spring Thirteenth Mistress had come to visit. She still hadn’t figured out the layout of the residence, and now stood somewhat bewildered in the courtyard, not knowing what she should do, nor knowing which room she should rest in at night.
“…” Han Qian looked at Xi Ren and smiled, saying, “You must be wondering why I would tell you such things, and not worry that you harbor hatred over your brother’s death and would place your hopes of reviving the Xi clan on others? You acted rashly once and nearly lost everything. I think you should be able to exercise more patience now. And as long as you can be patient, once you can gradually see all this more clearly, you’ll discover that even if the Xi clan members gather again, if you only think of taking shortcuts and depending on others, you’ll always just be a chess piece in others’ hands that can be sacrificed at any time. Just like me—struggling bitterly, I’ve only obtained a sliver of breathing room…”
Xi Ren still didn’t understand Han Qian’s words. Her beautiful eyes were full of confusion. Could this count as sufficient reason for letting her know such secrets?
“From now on you’ll stay in the west wing. Tomorrow select two trustworthy servant women to attend you.” Han Qian thought that from now on he would be master of this residence, but he still wanted to leave his father’s room empty. The three rooms on the east side were already enough for him and Zhao Ting’er. Arranging Xi Ren in the west wing opposite made it convenient to summon her for anything.
Xi Ren had only acquired a few sets of dresses after living in Hibiscus Garden and didn’t have much luggage. She first went back to the west wing to tidy up. Han Qian also carried his tea cup back to his room to carefully sort through his chaotic and complicated thoughts.
Zhao Ting’er brought in washing water and through the window watched Xi Ren’s graceful silhouette reflected on the window paper across the way, asking Han Qian: “Are you worried that Miss Yao and Thirteenth Mistress will try to win over the Xi clan, which is why you also let her know such confidential matters?”
“You’re becoming more and more clever and astute,” Han Qian looked at Zhao Ting’er’s deep black eyes like dots of lacquer, saying with a smile, “They’ve long been paying attention to Xi Ren’s background, just hadn’t guessed how I would use her.”
……
……
After sitting on the boat for over ten days, all falling asleep to the rocking of river water, having just returned to Jinling he was quite unaccustomed to it. He suffered from insomnia until the moon rose to its zenith without falling asleep. Hearing Zhao Ting’er in the outer room also tossing and turning, Han Qian called to her: “Can’t sleep either? Come keep me company and talk for a while.”
After a moment, seeing Zhao Ting’er had dressed and come in, moving a low stool to sit leaning against the bedside, Han Qian told her about many intricate and complex matters, hoping Zhao Ting’er could help him meticulously analyze whether any loopholes existed.
Perhaps it was the fragrance from Zhao Ting’er’s temple hair that was refreshing to the heart—while talking he quickly fell into deep sleep, then was awakened from his dreams by Feng Yi’s voice.
Han Qian opened his eyes. Zhao Ting’er was sleeping soundly leaning against the bedside, seeming to hear the outside sounds but unwilling to wake. Her abundant black hair cascaded down like a pool of spring water in the dark night, making her small face appear even more delicate and tender.
Han Qian couldn’t help reaching out to gently pinch her soft cheek. When he wanted to kiss her, Zhao Ting’er opened her eyes, her jet-black pupils staring at Han Qian, as if ready to flee like a startled small beast if Han Qian made any improper move.
“You have sleep in your eyes.” Han Qian reached toward the corner of Zhao Ting’er’s eyes.
Zhao Ting’er covered her face with her hands, not letting Han Qian see, and got up and ran off.
Han Qian dressed and pushed open the door to see Feng Yi pulling Kong Xirong, looking refreshed as they sat in the courtyard, infatuatedly pestering Xi Ren with conversation.
Seeing Han Qian come out, Feng Yi complained quite dissatisfied: “You’re really too dishonorable. How could you not think to bring back a few beautiful tribal women from Xuzhou for Xirong and me? The flavor must be different from the girls at Wanhong Tower, right?”
Seeing murderous intent flash in Xi Ren’s beautiful eyes, Han Qian worried that if Feng Yi said anything more, the two bowls of hot tea on the tray Xi Ren held might “accidentally” spill on him. He quickly cut off this troublemaking talk, saying: “Didn’t you and Xirong have enough fun at Wanhong Tower last night? Coming to my place so early in the morning to gossip?”
“Didn’t you tell us to come find you early this morning? You traveled all the way back from Xuzhou with spring evenings every night—wasn’t that enough? Why did you sleep in so late today?” Feng Yi complained dissatisfied.
“Where are Yang Qin, Feng Xuan and the others? Where did you swindle them off to?” Han Qian asked.
“Feng Zhang and Gao Bao are probably still sleeping soundly at Wanhong Tower with girls in their arms. Yang Qin and Feng Xuan went back to the warehouse to sleep last night,” Feng Yi said.
It wasn’t that Yang Qin and Feng Xuan, having virtuous wives at home, wouldn’t philander outside. Rather, they were more concerned about the fleet’s safety. After last night’s socializing they still insisted on returning to the warehouse to rest. Their self-discipline was due to fear of mishaps—guarding against anything happening at night when they couldn’t respond.
As for Feng Zhang, Gao Bao and the others, whenever the fleet coming from Xuzhou occasionally docked at Jiangzhou or Chizhou, they couldn’t wait to go ashore to enjoy the brothels. But they also weren’t the type to cause problems, which was why the Four Clans selected them to lead teams.
The vast majority of boatmen, sailors and ordinary guards were temporarily housed in courtyards the warehouse prepared for them—150 or 160 people crammed into a dozen rooms. The conditions were still very crude. They would have to wait until the cargo was completely unloaded before getting two or three days leave to relax, after which they’d prepare for the next journey.
Last night Han Qian had said to have Feng Yi and Kong Xirong come find him early this morning. Besides escorting grain and other supplies out of the city to unload at the Garrison Military Office and paying respects to Administrator Shen Yang, Guo Liang and the others, the main thing was that this batch of goods unloaded at the warehouse had to be disposed of as quickly as possible.
And even if they couldn’t be disposed of temporarily, Han Qian also hoped Feng Yi and Kong Xirong could quickly scrape together four million cash so he could settle accounts clearly with Feng Zhang and the others representing the Four Clans who escorted the ships.
This way it would also reassure Feng Zhang and the others, and they could start early on purchasing whatever goods they wanted to transport back to Xuzhou from Jinling and nearby prefectures.
The fleet had to support eleven ships and 170 or 180 people. Naturally, the more diligently the ships ran and the faster the turnover, the more profit could be earned for the Left Bureau and the more resources could be transported to Xuzhou.
However, when Han Qian brought up this topic, Feng Yi got stuck, saying hesitantly: “The fleet only entered Jinling city yesterday. Let me first lead them to properly enjoy this flowery world for a few days, then we’ll talk about other things…”
The Feng family had assets worth hundreds of millions. Feng Yi’s personal expenses alone exceeded a million cash annually. Logically, asking him and Kong Xirong to advance four million cash should not be any difficulty at all. They could even invite a few young masters and pool this money together.
Moreover, for everything to connect smoothly, Han Qian hadn’t just brought this up today. In letters sent back to Jinling a month ago, he had mentioned it to Feng Yi.
Could it be that after his father and son’s scheme for the Third Prince to obtain the Dragon Sparrow Army was completely exposed and the conflict between their side and Anning Palace and the Crown Prince’s faction became acute, Feng Yi had received additional warnings and constraints within the Feng family?
Han Qian’s expression darkened slightly as he said in a calm tone: “This matter isn’t critical. If you and Xirong can’t handle it, I’ll have Fan Dahei and the others take care of it.”
“Who says Xirong and I can’t handle it? We just haven’t been thinking much about this matter. Can’t we delay a couple days?” Seeing Han Qian reveal a tone of distrust, Feng Yi said urgently.
“That godforsaken place Xuzhou—where the local customs are fierce and miasma is everywhere—not many civil and military officials in the entire court are willing to serve there. My father insisted on going, and the dangers along the way, which you perhaps don’t know, frightened me so much my legs trembled. I nearly pissed and shit myself. Every moment I wished I could immediately turn back to enjoy this money pit Jinling, not suffer the hardship of eating and sleeping rough with no peace. But my father told me that everything in the old Han family—the fields and estates, the household troops, even the hereditary official titles—all belong to my uncle’s branch. If our branch doesn’t strive, we might not even qualify to drink soup.”
Han Qian narrowed his eyes, looking at Feng Yi and asking:
“Your father perhaps still wants to advance further, hoping to one day enter the Privy Council, but what does that have to do with you? Not to mention that bastard Li Chong holds leverage over us, but if one day the Crown Prince ascends the throne, do you think your Feng family won’t send you back to Xuanzhou to prove the Feng family’s innocence and complete lack of interference with His Highness? Of course, you’re also your father’s legitimate son. Perhaps in your heart you’re thinking that relying on your father’s protection, even if you don’t have great wealth and honor in this lifetime, raising dogs and birds, living as a dandy your whole life—there’s nothing wrong with that, right?”
“Haha, how could I think that way?” Feng Yi laughed awkwardly, forcing a smile.
“You met Yang Qin yesterday,” Han Qian’s fingers lightly tapped the stone table as he said, “You must have also long heard his name from official documents submitted from Jiangzhou. Yang Qin originally wasn’t used by my father. It was merely that after he failed to assassinate my father, people from Anning Palace worried Yang Qin might be unfavorable to them, so they had Zhong Yanhu lead troops to annihilate the Yang-Tan Water Fort. Of the 761 people at Yang-Tan Water Fort, aside from thirty-some who were away with Yang Qin and escaped harm, all the other men, women, old and young—not a single survivor was left. Several seven or eight month old babies were skewered alive on red-tasseled spears and planted upside-down in the shallow water before Yang-Tan Water Fort. You must have also heard about the prison riot case my father submitted in official documents from Xuzhou. Because many things cannot be exposed, you perhaps can’t imagine the dangers at that time. It was the very night my father and I first arrived in Xuzhou. People dispatched by Anning Palace persuaded local strongmen to kill my father and me. They secretly stored nearly a thousand weapons and armor in the state prison warehouse, planning to wait for the nearly nine hundred violent criminals inside the prison to smash open the cell doors and obtain this batch of weapons and armor, then kill until Xuzhou city ran with rivers of blood and my father and I were annihilated without even corpses remaining… Based on just these two incidents, think carefully again—with Anning Palace’s broad-mindedness, when they truly gain power, what are the odds your Feng family will be given a rope to end it all to prove they had no connection with His Highness’s side?”