After Yang Qin ran to the rear courtyard to notify Xi Ren to bring out the girl named Gu Mei who had been bestowed by the Third Prince, Feng Yi’s eyes went straight, and he cried out: “His Highness is truly playing favorites!”
Han Qian glanced at this girl called Gu Mei. Although she had been frightened during this period, making her small face pale and haggard, she possessed a different kind of pitiful beauty like a lotus battered by rain. She appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old—truly worthy of being a premium slave specially reserved for rewarding princes and great generals. She was indeed worlds apart from those directly relegated to brothel camps for the pleasure of soldiers.
When Gu Mei saw Wang Wenqian and Wang Jun, she seemed to know that the Wang father and daughter would rescue her. At this moment, she merely looked over with a face full of sorrowful despair, apparently not yet emerged from the grief of her parents’ suicide by hanging.
At this moment, Han Qian’s brow furrowed slightly. Looking again at a trace of barely noticeable compassion in Wang Wenqian’s eyes, he felt puzzled. Lowering his voice, he looked toward Wang Jun, who was not yet very good at concealment, and asked: “The Wang family’s relationship with Gu Mei is more than what Young Master Wang stated, isn’t it? If Young Master Wang deceives me now, when I eventually find out the truth, I can renege at any time!”
Emperor Tianyou had decided this time to take the opportunity to purge the surrendered officials of Sui and Yingzhou. No one dared to openly advise against it, but behind the scenes, anyone with family connections would do their utmost to rescue relatives within their power.
Generally speaking, no one would expose such matters. After all, even if someone sought to rescue others, they would pay a corresponding price, which would please everyone involved.
Wang Jun knew she was no match for Han Qian. Somewhat flustered and uncertain, she looked toward her father.
“Mei’er is my niece by marriage. Whatever Lord Han’s requirements are, please speak directly,” Wang Wenqian disclosed the truth outright.
“Lord Wang acts so certain of having this nephew in the palm of his hand. Aren’t you afraid that I’ll demand to renew our father-in-law and son-in-law relationship with Lord Wang?” Han Qian asked with a smile.
Even with Wang Wenqian’s excellent composure, Han Qian’s words made his hand tremble.
Though Wang Jun was also annoyed by Han Qian’s shameless words, she pleadingly tugged at her father’s sleeve.
Only then did Wang Wenqian refrain from leaving in a huff. Glancing at Feng Yi and Kong Xirong sitting to the side watching the show, he said to Han Qian: “Lord Han intercepted the Yingzhou grain ships, then accompanied the grain ships to Xichuan, taking advantage of Xia Zhen’s carelessness to kill him, thus achieving your current great merit. The grain ships from Chuzhou bound for Xiangzhou will arrive at Xiangzhou City tomorrow. I believe the bold and reckless Lord Han wouldn’t mind robbing them!”
According to normal procedures, currently the money and grain transported from Chuzhou to Xiangzhou had to be received and inventoried by officials of the Bureau of Military Provisions before being uniformly distributed to various armies and prefectures and counties.
Of course, in many cases this process could be completed by merely going through a few formalities without the Bureau of Military Provisions actually taking receipt.
At this time, as long as Wang Wenqian’s side was willing to cooperate, the Longque Army could directly intercept the money and grain requisitioned from Chuzhou, then take the accounts to the Bureau of Military Provisions for verification.
Feng Yi and Kong Xirong, listening from the side, also smiled knowingly, thinking that now that the Third Prince was in such high favor, as trusted followers at the Third Prince’s side, if they overstepped boundaries slightly, could Zhou Xianglong of the Bureau of Military Provisions really run to Emperor Tianyou to report them?
Yang Qin, Feng Xuan, and others attending nearby were also moved upon hearing this, thinking that this way, the problems that had been troubling their lord these past days would be immediately resolved, and the Left Division and the shipping guild could operate normally again.
However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, Han Qian laughed it off and said with a smile: “Lord Wang still thinks so highly of Han Qian at this time—I truly don’t know what to say about Lord Wang. However, Han Qian is timid by nature and has always regarded national law as inviolable—how would I dare overstep by even half a step? Lord Wang, please don’t set a trap to harm Han Qian.”
“Lord Han jests,” Wang Wenqian said with a somewhat stiff smile.
“Young Master Wang’s thoughts are truly pure after all. I can see she’s genuinely anxious to rescue this Gu Mei. What a pity—Lord Wang is so clever. It seems you already anticipated that I harbor resentment and am bold and reckless. By chance encountering me, you put on an appearance of letting me slaughter you at will. I’m truly afraid that Lord Wang has dug a pit waiting for me to jump into!” Han Qian said with a laugh.
“Lord Han is too suspicious,” Wang Wenqian said, withdrawing his smile.
“Han truly quite likes Gu Mei too. Feng Yi, Xirong, and I will treat her well together. Lord Wang and Young Master Wang need not worry.” Han Qian examined Gu Mei, who stood pitifully below the hall, a few more times and laughed heartily. Standing up, he prepared to see Wang Wenqian and Wang Jun out.
Feng Yi rubbed his hands together, thinking that Han Qian was finally seeing sense.
“I absolutely have no intention to deceive you.” Seeing Han Qian laugh in such a dissolute and lecherous manner, Wang Wenqian, not knowing how cruelly this fellow might torment Gu Mei given his vicious nature, spoke to Han Qian with genuine seriousness for the first time.
“Lord Wang offers such a large bargaining chip yet insists this isn’t bait to hook Han into falling for it. Then the value of Gu Mei—Lord Wang hasn’t fully disclosed it,” Han Qian said, no longer paying attention to Wang Wenqian but instead looking at Wang Jun and asking, “Young Master Wang, your father really is an old fox. Such an important bargaining chip has unfortunately fallen into my hands, yet he still fantasizes about trapping me. Alas, when it comes to scheming, I truly can’t match him. Young Master Wang, why don’t we sit down and have a good chat about life instead?”
Wang Jun felt both shy and astonished, not knowing where she and her father had revealed any flaws.
“Lord Han is truly a clever person. I know the time was too hasty—I shouldn’t have attempted deception. Within my authority, I can disburse one thousand gold ingots at once, but Mei’er must leave with my daughter and me right now,” Wang Wenqian said, unwilling to disclose Gu Mei’s actual value but directly stating his price.
“The Left Division needs three thousand gold ingots to fill the hole. The other two thousand gold ingots can be considered a loan from Chuzhou to the Left Division. As soon as the Bureau of Military Provisions settles the Longque Army’s accounts, the Left Division will immediately repay Lord Wang this loan!” Han Qian didn’t ask about Gu Mei’s actual value either, instead haggling directly with Wang Wenqian. “Moreover, since this matter was initiated by Master Shen Yang today, as long as Master Shen Yang is willing to come and guarantee it, Lord Wang can take the person away right now!”
At this point, Han Qian turned his head and said to Lin Haizheng: “Lin Haizheng, go and invite Lord Shen over.”
“Since Lord Han has already guessed it, why still make things difficult for Lord Shen?” Wang Wenqian said.
“Guessed what?” Feng Yi asked Han Qian, completely baffled.
“Initially I was thinking about Gu Mei—that we brothers could enjoy her together. Now it seems that if I truly dared to do so, I’d fear dying without a burial place!” Han Qian said with a laugh. He waved at Xi Ren and said, “Go fetch paper and brush so that Lord Wang can write a promissory note for three thousand gold ingots. Without a promissory note, if I let Lord Wang take the person away now, it will truly be inconvenient to collect the debt later.”
Hearing Han Qian directly drop the mention of the other two thousand gold ingots being the Left Division’s debt, Wang Wenqian’s face couldn’t help but twitch.
Han Qian continued: “Oh yes, Lord Wang should have your Chief Clerk’s seal with you, right? Lord Wang’s personal seal wouldn’t be worth this much money!”
Wang Wenqian sighed softly. When Xi Ren brought the paper and brush, he readily wrote the promissory note, stamped it with his seal, and handed it to Han Qian, saying: “Is this acceptable now?”
“Young Master Wang, whenever you wish to drink, you can come find me. But your father—forget it. All this scheming back and forth is truly exhausting,” Han Qian said, putting away the promissory note Wang Wenqian had written, standing up to respectfully see them off with Gu Mei.
“This Gu Mei is the Second Prince’s person?” Xi Ren couldn’t help but ask after Wang Wenqian had left with the others.
“Only the Second Prince’s woman would be worth this price!” Han Qian said with a laugh.
“Shen Yang knew about this and was also willing to cooperate with Wang Wenqian to trap you?” Xi Ren said.
“Master Shen naturally knows about this. Or perhaps Wang Wenqian went to seek out Master Shen first thing. Master Shen was unwilling to make any moves regarding Gu Mei, but he knew that once I understood Gu Mei’s value, I absolutely wouldn’t easily let her go. That’s why today he kicked me over to run into walls with the Bureau of Military Provisions officials—he wanted me not to price things too harshly with Wang Wenqian. Unfortunately, Wang Wenqian disappointed his good intentions and trust…” Han Qian said.
“So when Wang Wenqian initially suggested intercepting the grain, he had malicious intent?” Xi Ren asked.
“His Majesty summoned even Li Chong but didn’t summon me—this shows his dissatisfaction with my risky schemes to win extraordinary merit. If at this time I don’t sit trembling in fear in my residence reflecting on my mistakes, but instead boldly and recklessly intercept money and grain, wouldn’t I be too ungrateful? Wang Wenqian set this trap simply because he determined I currently harbored resentment. But after I exposed it, he knew he had underestimated me again. Otherwise, he wouldn’t dare avoid seeing Master Shen,” Han Qian said. Then he addressed Yang Qin, Feng Xuan, Lin Haizheng, and the others: “If you want to be arrogant based on your achievements, you must first think about how treacherous people’s hearts are. Otherwise, you won’t even know how you died.”
“Yes,” Yang Qin, Feng Xuan, and Lin Haizheng replied. Having waited until now and heard Han Qian explain everything, they finally understood what had transpired and acknowledged with faces full of shame.
“You’re so fortunate—easily pocketing three thousand gold ingots!” Feng Yi naturally didn’t dare covet Prince Xin’s woman either. He wasn’t interested in the deep scheming between Han Qian and Wang Wenqian, but he still envied Han Qian for extracting three thousand gold ingots from Wang Wenqian.
“Do you think I truly dare put these three thousand gold ingots into my own pocket? Wouldn’t that be just as senseless as intercepting the military grain sent from Chuzhou?” Han Qian said with a bitter smile. “No matter how you calculate it, this money belongs to His Highness. I’m only temporarily taking it to cover the military provisions the Left Division advanced.”
Han Qian then said to Lin Haizheng: “Dahei died on the battlefield. That I didn’t arrange his marriage in time before is my regret. His Highness bestowed three other girls upon me. If you’re willing, pick one to be your wife. However, since you’re marrying her as a wife, regardless of her humble and lowly origins, the proper ceremonies cannot be lacking.”
Lin Haizheng was still somewhat reserved. Yang Qin reached out and knocked him on the head, saying: “Why don’t you kneel and express your thanks?”
“This subordinate thanks my lord,” Lin Haizheng knelt down with a thump to kowtow in thanks.
“Have you taken a liking to any particular girl?” Han Qian asked.
Lin Haizheng hemmed and hawed, reserved and silent. Yang Qin spoke for him: “That girl called Yunniang is quite good. I think she’d match well with Lin Haizheng.”
Seeing Lin Haizheng’s expression showing considerable interest, Han Qian said: “Go find Master Shen Yang and request another courtyard for this girl Yunniang to live in—as for the proper marriage ceremonies with matchmakers and betrothal gifts, ask Lady Xi to help you arrange them. Additionally, for the three girls, if they still have family members relegated to official slavery, at this time redeem them all in my name!”
“Quickly call Yunniang out so we can also see what kind of good fortune this scoundrel Lin Haizheng has stumbled into,” Feng Yi said, stirring up trouble.
Han Qian grabbed Feng Yi’s arm, not letting him cause trouble here, and said: “Let’s go see His Highness.”