That night, strong winds blew under a dark moon. The howling sound filled the streets. The street where Taiyu Feng was located was the busiest and most prosperous area in all of Taigu County. Usually, food stalls would remain open until the third watch, but tonight they had closed early. Pedestrians on the street hurried along, collars pulled up to shield their necks, hands covering their ears. No one would notice a stranger.

This truly worked to Gu Pingyuan’s advantage. Disregarding the knife-like cold wind, he stood at the street corner, staring intently at the two large red lanterns swaying in the wind in front of Taiyu Feng. He hoped the door would open and Chang Si’s father would come out.

However, he waited until the third watch with no movement. Gu Pingyuan grew anxious, and unconsciously his feet shuffled toward the entrance of the money house. When he reached the main gate, he looked up at the sign above the door. After some hesitation, he finally made up his mind and raised his hand to knock.

The howling wind made the door knocker sound extremely faint. It was a long while before someone came to answer.

“What’s the matter?”

“I… I’ve come to deposit silver.”

“Come back tomorrow morning. All the accountants have retired for the night.”

“…May I ask, did someone come to your establishment earlier?” Gu Pingyuan asked hesitantly.

The person inside laughed: “This is a business. If no one came, wouldn’t we have to close shop?”

“…Then may I ask, was it Master Chang Si who came?”

“Hmm?” The person inside became alert. Just today their business had been vandalized. The culprit was Liu Heita from the Chang family, a fact known to everyone at the money house. Now someone was asking about Chang Si—wasn’t that strange?

“Who are you? Why are you asking about this?” After asking twice with no answer, the clerk inside removed the large bolt and opened the door. Looking out, there was nothing on the street except the wind.

“Pah, seeing ghosts!” The clerk spat, then closed the door and bolted it again.

Hiding in the distance, Gu Pingyuan was at a loss. He figured that returning without news would only make Chang Yu’er more anxious. He needed to find out something, anything. From casual conversations with Chang Si and his father, though he had never toured Taigu County, he had a general sense of the layout. Moreover, he knew that according to Qing Dynasty customs, there must be a hanging bucket in front of the county yamen, and the “Justice Lamp” on the bucket had to remain lit year-round, visible from several streets away.

Gu Pingyuan thought of checking near the prison by the county yamen. Perhaps Chang Si’s father was there, negotiating on Liu Heita’s behalf.

His reasoning was sound and his direction correct. After walking just one street, he saw a high hanging bucket in the distance with a hurricane lamp burning on it. Gu Pingyuan was about to quicken his pace when unexpectedly, a patrol of night soldiers turned from the street ahead.

Caught unawares, it was too late for Gu Pingyuan to turn and flee. With no other option, he steeled himself and continued walking forward with feigned composure.

The two parties drew closer and closer. The patrol soldiers were chatting and discussing strange and bawdy tales they’d heard at the wine shop. No one seemed to notice Gu Pingyuan.

Just as they passed each other and Gu Pingyuan began to relax, he heard a short soldier say: “I say, let’s not go further. On such a cold night, let’s go to Widow Wu’s shop for a couple shots of spirits. My treat!”

The soldiers cheered in agreement, but one seasoned soldier stopped and called to Gu Pingyuan.

“Hey, you coming from that direction—have you seen any fires or thieves?”

Gu Pingyuan only wanted to mumble his way out of the situation. In his haste, he answered: “No!”

Gu Pingyuan’s accent was originally from Hui province. After spending several years beyond the pass, it had mixed with northern tones, resulting in a blend of southern and northern accents, but notably without the distinctive “vinegar flavor” of Shanxi speech. Anyone could tell he wasn’t a local. His brief response alerted the old soldier immediately.

“Where are you from? Where are you going in the middle of the night?” the old soldier pressed.

Gu Pingyuan cursed his luck silently. He thought, “If I’m questioned further, my life is forfeit.” If they continued questioning, he would end up joining Liu Heita. His crime was much more serious—he absolutely couldn’t go there. At this point, of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing was the best option.

While the soldiers were still processing what was happening, he took off running. The night patrol soldiers were startled momentarily, then shouted and gave chase. Gu Pingyuan knew that being caught would lead to nothing good. At the very least, the convict marks on his feet would immediately expose him, so he ran for his life. Yet he dared not run toward the Chang household. He turned left and right, not caring which street or alley he entered, just diving headlong into whatever path appeared. But the soldiers behind him continued their relentless pursuit.

Gu Pingyuan was so desperate he wished for a river to jump into. In just this short time, he had run who knows how far when suddenly he heard someone calling his name from a dark alley nearby.

“Gu Pingyuan, Gu Pingyuan!”

Gu Pingyuan turned his head in surprise, but before he could see clearly, someone reached out and pulled him in.

There were two people in the alley. The one who had pulled him in pushed him back and whispered: “Lie down and don’t move!”

The timing was perfect—the group of soldiers caught up just then. The two men walked a few steps forward and stood just outside the alley entrance.

The soldiers spotted the two men and stopped to ask: “Oh, it’s you two! Why aren’t you home? What are you doing here?”

“We’re heading home. The old man is getting on in years and can’t walk far, so we stopped to rest.”

“Did you see anyone pass by?”

“Didn’t see anyone, just saw a black shadow go that way.”

“Nonsense! That was a person. Chase after him, men! It must be a thief. If we catch him, we can claim a reward from the county magistrate!” With that, the soldiers continued their pursuit in the direction indicated.

After the night patrol had gone far enough, the man who had answered turned back to Gu Pingyuan and said: “It’s all right now, Brother Gu. You can get up.”

Gu Pingyuan had been holding his breath for a long time. Upon hearing this, he immediately stood up and quickly walked to the two men. Nervous and excited, his lips trembled slightly: “Father, Brother Liu, how did you…”

His rescuers were none other than Chang Si’s father and Liu Heita. The old man waved his hands repeatedly: “This is no place to talk. Let’s hurry back home. We can discuss everything there.”

“Yes, yes.” Gu Pingyuan followed father and son of the Chang family without further conversation. When they arrived at the Chang household, Chang Yu’er and Mrs. Li were both shocked and delighted. They quickly served tea and snacks while anxiously asking about their experiences.

Gu Pingyuan had little to say. Unwilling to “boast of ugly deeds,” he only described things briefly.

Liu Heita was different. He cursed continuously. Even in prison, he had maintained his unbending nature and suffered for it. Now he vilified Wang Tiangui and the prison guards with the most vicious language.

“Brother, say a bit less.” Though Chang Yu’er sympathized with her brother, this promising situation had been destroyed entirely by Liu Heita’s hot-tempered impulsiveness. “Don’t you want to know how Father got you out?”

That question silenced Liu Heita. He opened his eyes wide, looking at Chang Si’s father.

“It was nothing special. I’m just glad Heita is safe.” Chang Si’s father seemed unwilling to elaborate.

“Father, if you don’t tell us, do you want us to die of anxiety?” Chang Yu’er knew her father’s simple and honest nature made him reluctant to make Liu Heita feel guilty. But with Liu Heita’s fiery temper, if this lesson didn’t sink in, he would surely cause trouble again once the pain of this incident faded. She therefore forced her father to explain what had happened.

Gu Pingyuan also asked: “Father, of those three conditions, how many did Wang Tiangui agree to?”

Chang Si’s father held up three fingers.

“He agreed to all three?” This seemed almost unbelievable to Gu Pingyuan.

“Yes.” Chang Si’s father nodded firmly. He took two papers from his pocket: one was the winning pigeon lottery ticket with the gambling house’s “VOID” stamp on it, and the other was the agreement that Gu Pingyuan had prepared for Wang Tiangui to sign.

“Plus releasing Heita—I negotiated all three conditions.”

Chang Yu’er was also greatly surprised. Her father was straightforward and honest, yet he had managed to secure such favorable terms from Wang Tiangui. It was enough to make one suspect some hidden “trick.” If this was Wang Tiangui’s strategy of feigning defeat to achieve ultimate victory, then they were in serious trouble.

Everyone had this thought, which is why they insisted that Chang Si’s father explain the details of his negotiations with Wang Tiangui.

“Hah, there’s nothing worth telling.” Pressed by their insistence, Chang Si’s father took out a dagger from his pocket and placed it on the table. “I’m not good with words and knew I couldn’t outargue Wang Tiangui, so as soon as he came out, I held a knife to my own throat. I told him that today he could either agree to my three conditions in exchange for his tens of thousands of taels of silver, or I would die right there. No matter how capable he is, if someone died in his shop, he couldn’t escape responsibility. If word got out, his money house’s reputation would be ruined. Moreover, even if I died, my daughter would still be there, and he would still have to pay her all that silver.”

As he spoke, Chang Si’s father pulled open his collar, revealing a white cloth wrapped around his neck, stained with blood. Chang Yu’er gasped, grabbing her father’s hand and looking at him anxiously.

Chang Si’s father continued calmly: “For all his cunning, he was caught off guard by this move. He tried to negotiate with me, saying at one point that the county officials had arrested the man and releasing him would be complicated; at another point he claimed that the salt business had nothing to do with this matter and shouldn’t be conflated. I ignored all this and stood firm. Eventually, seeing that I wouldn’t budge, he had no choice but to agree to everything. I had him sign the agreement, then found people from the gambling house to locate the winning ticket and cancel it. We calculated the gambling money, and after deducting the house commission, returned the rest to Taiyu Feng, which took time. Finally, around midnight, I went to the county yamen to provide a guarantee and got Heita released.”

Chang Si’s father explained everything in a few sentences, but the others found it breathtaking. Gu Pingyuan couldn’t help thinking: “This truly fits the saying, ‘brine solidifies tofu—one thing subdues another.’ Though Wang Tiangui is shrewd and treacherous, when confronted with Chang Si’s father’s ‘you may have a thousand clever schemes, but I have one unwavering rule’—willing to trade his life for three conditions—Wang Tiangui was helpless. Even if I had gone myself, I couldn’t have achieved a better result. It seems truly that Heaven works in mysterious ways.”

While he was thinking this, Chang Yu’er, bound by flesh and blood to her father, saw the bloody wound and tears burst forth as she listened.

Liu Heita kept his head down, grinding his teeth audibly, his facial muscles contorted and eyes blazing.

Seeing this, Gu Pingyuan thought for a moment, then walked up to Liu Heita and slowly said: “Brother Liu, Father hasn’t spoken a word of blame to you, but I do have something to say.”

Liu Heita remained silent, not raising his head.

Knowing he was listening, Gu Pingyuan continued: “Since ancient times, parents willingly sacrifice for their children—not just money, but even their lives. But if children don’t know how to repay this, they are worse than pigs and dogs.”

Hearing this, Liu Heita suddenly raised his head, looking as if he was about to flare up.

Gu Pingyuan ignored him and quickly continued: “If Brother Liu thinks that repaying Father means going to beat up Wang Tiangui, or even killing him, then you are gravely mistaken. What Father wants is to live peacefully. Allowing Father to live a tranquil life—that is how you repay him. If you continue to stir up trouble like this, even if you avenge Father, it cannot be considered filial.”

Chang Yu’er was very grateful to Gu Pingyuan. Logically, these words should have come from Chang Si’s father, but her father was inarticulate and couldn’t express them. If this principle wasn’t made clear, Liu Heita would forget the pain once his wounds healed and inevitably cause trouble again.

As Liu Heita listened to Gu Pingyuan’s admonishment, his expression gradually calmed, replaced by remorse and guilt. Finally, he knelt before Chang Si’s father: “Father, your son shouldn’t have drunk and caused trouble. I was wrong. Please punish me.”

“Ah, get up, get up. You’re still injured.” After so many years, it was the first time Chang Si’s father had seen the stubborn Liu Heita admit his mistake in front of others. He couldn’t help but weep openly.

Seeing the father and son in tears, Gu Pingyuan thought of his own family and became melancholy.

“Master, I’ve arrived!” Zhang Guangfa announced outside the study.

“Come in.”

In the study, Li Wantang was intently examining a newly hung map on the wall. Hearing Zhang Guangfa’s footsteps, he didn’t turn around.

After quite some time, Li Wantang finally turned and asked: “How did the shop managers’ discussion go?”

Zhang Guangfa stood up and respectfully replied: “Everyone is very anxious. With the chaos in Beijing, all their businesses have been significantly affected. Additionally, the military tax has increased by twenty percent, and they’re all complaining.”

Li Wantang’s expression remained calm as usual: “These are merely temporary troubles. That’s not what concerns me. What are your thoughts on this matter?”

“I’m not very astute, but I believe the secret to success for us Beijing merchants has always been maintaining good relationships with the imperial court and officials—’the tower closest to the water sees the moon first.’ This is something other merchant groups could never match, and it’s the foundation of Beijing commerce. But with this current upheaval, many high-ranking officials we’ve cultivated for years have been swept away. Many of our previously smooth-running businesses have suddenly lost their backing. The government no longer recognizes our monopoly rights—that’s the biggest crisis.”

Li Wantang silently watched him, waiting for him to continue.

Zhang Guangfa couldn’t discern his master’s thoughts and wasn’t sure if he was right or wrong, so he continued: “The exclusive right to supply military uniforms to troops in Zhili and Rehe has been revoked by the authorities. The head of the Imperial Household Department has also been replaced, and I’ve heard he’s demanding exorbitant amounts. It won’t be easy to secure imperial commissions for a while…”

Zhang Guangfa was about to continue when Li Wantang raised his hand to stop him: “We must gradually find solutions for all these issues. With persistence and the right application of silver, it can certainly be accomplished. But before that, we must open a source of income to maintain the substantial expenditures required for the court officials.”

“But the most profitable businesses are all experiencing problems. Forget about income—they’re costing us considerable silver each month. I think perhaps we should close some shops, sell others, and lay off some employees,” Zhang Guangfa pondered.

Li Wantang’s face remained expressionless: “You’ve made great progress in business, but you still don’t grasp the higher principles.” Seeing that Zhang Guangfa still didn’t understand, he softly uttered three words: “Da Shun Hao.”

Zhang Guangfa was an experienced businessman. With Li Wantang’s hint, he immediately understood. Da Shun Hao was a famous warehouse outside the West Convenience Gate. Business had been flourishing until a temporary cash flow problem forced them to close for a few days and dismiss two clerks. Competitors seized the opportunity to spread rumors that they were going bankrupt, that creditors were blocking their door, and that suppliers were withdrawing their goods. Within days, such a large warehouse actually collapsed.

“Are you saying Beijing merchants are like a sick tiger—no one dares approach while it’s standing, but once it shows weakness, other merchant groups will pounce like wolves? Closing shops and dismissing staff would only hasten our demise?” After hearing Zhang Guangfa’s words, Li Wantang nodded.

Unable to close shops or dismiss staff despite poor business, Zhang Guangfa couldn’t yet comprehend this unique business philosophy. But years of trust in Li Wantang had become habit, so he immediately said: “In that case, finding a source of income becomes even more difficult.”

“There’s a solution that kills two birds with one stone.” Li Wantang raised his hand and pointed to the map on the wall.

“That’s a map of Shanxi Province. But Shanxi has always been controlled by Shanxi merchants. We have almost no business there,” Zhang Guangfa said in confusion.

Instead of answering directly, Li Wantang asked: “In terms of generating wealth, what’s the best business in the world?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Zhang Guangfa replied: “Officials rely on mining, merchants on banks, and those on the fringes rely on gambling houses.”

“The imperial court strictly forbids merchants from mining, and gambling houses are insufficient to sustain Beijing merchants.”

“Then only banks remain.” Zhang Guangfa interjected. By now, he had vaguely guessed Li Wantang’s purpose in examining the Shanxi provincial map.

Northern remittance houses and Southern money houses, especially Shanxi remittance houses, had firmly controlled the money business in the five northern provinces since the early Qing Dynasty, allowing no outsiders to intervene. Last year, when foreigners invaded Beijing, Board of Revenue officials fled without a trace, and the “Four Hengs” money shops also closed. This gave Shanxi remittance houses an opportunity to exploit. As a result, tax silver, military levies, and customs duties from all provinces had to be transferred through Shanxi remittance houses before being reported to the Board of Revenue. Inadvertently, Shanxi remittance houses had become the Great Qing Dynasty’s treasury. The amount of money was tremendous, with daily interest alone being an enormous sum.

“If we remain passive, given enough time, Shanxi remittance houses will inevitably become behemoths. By then, even Beijing merchants may not be able to resist them.” Li Wantang’s eyes revealed a rare trace of concern.

“Can’t we take over this business? We have the geographical advantage of being in Beijing, which is much more favorable than Shanxi,” Zhang Guangfa said, hoping to ease his master’s worries.

Li Wantang sat down, playing with a small purple clay teapot. He tapped it lightly, then took out a snow-white silk cloth to dust it, casually saying: “Recently, I’ve become acquainted with the newly appointed Minister of Revenue, Bao Yun. According to him, Emperor Xianfeng issued an edict praising Shanxi remittance houses for their service in managing official funds, and specifically designated them to handle the transactions between local governments and the national treasury. With the Emperor having recently ascended to heaven, all edicts issued during his lifetime cannot be petitioned for change. Otherwise, it would be considered ‘gravely disrespectful.'”

Zhang Guangfa was unconvinced: “But the Emperor’s most important edict was trampled underfoot like rotten silk, with no one paying attention.” He was referring to the execution of the regents.

“Let’s not mention that anymore. A good merchant should learn to assess the situation. Whoever is in power is the person we must cultivate relationships with. Besides, Minister Bao has been quite helpful.” Li Wantang lowered his voice for the last sentence.

Zhang Guangfa had followed him for years and immediately leaned forward to listen attentively.

“Minister Bao said that the late Emperor designated ‘Shanxi’ remittance houses for this major business, and we all must obey the edict, even the Shanxi merchants themselves cannot defy the imperial command!”

At first, Zhang Guangfa didn’t understand, but when he noticed Li Wantang’s emphasis on the word “Shanxi,” he thought carefully and his eyes lit up.

“Master, are you suggesting that regardless of which merchant group opens a remittance house in Shanxi, they can all get a piece of this business?”

“Not just a piece. Why can’t a Shanxi remittance house become a Li family remittance house?” With this statement, Li Wantang’s dominance as the leader of Beijing merchants became apparent.

Zhang Guangfa felt his hair stand on end. Though he knew this would be as difficult as climbing to heaven, he couldn’t help but feel excited: “Then what you meant by killing two birds with one stone…”

“Besieging Wei to rescue Zhao.” Li Wantang waved his hand lightly.

Rather than waiting for Shanxi merchants to come to Beijing to compete, they would take the initiative to go to Shanxi and create havoc. Zhang Guangfa now fully understood his master’s strategy. While others would be struggling for self-preservation, Li Wantang was choosing this moment to wage a bitter battle against Shanxi merchants, perfectly embodying the military principle of “attacking the unprepared, striking where unexpected.” In terms of courage and ruthlessness, only “Li Half-City” could devise such a plan. Only he could come up with such an idea.

“Your strategy is flawless. However…” Zhang Guangfa’s face changed as another thought occurred to him. “To open a remittance house in Shanxi, one must first get a guarantee from the local guild, then obtain a permit from the Shanxi Provincial Financial Commissioner’s office, select a location, construct the building, hire managers and clerks—the entire process would take at least half a year. Not to mention that in hundreds of years, no outsiders have opened remittance houses there. The guild would almost certainly refuse to provide a guarantee, making everything else impossible.” The more he thought about it, the more difficult it seemed, and his expression darkened.

Li Wantang listened to all this concerns with rock-solid composure: “I’ve considered all these issues, and the solution has already been brought to me by you.”

“Me?” Zhang Guangfa was thoroughly confused.

“Remember the master and servant you brought back from Miyun?”

“You mean the person called Su Zixuan? I heard you ordered Li An to settle them in the western part of the city.” Zhang Guangfa had never learned the background of Su Zixuan and her servant. He suspected Li An knew something, but his indirect inquiries had yielded no results.

Li Wantang showed no intention of enlightening him now either, merely saying: “Go see her, explain our difficulties to her, and she will surely have a solution.”

Zhang Guangfa left with a mind full of questions. Early the next morning, he returned to the guild hall and excitedly told Li Wantang upon seeing him: “Master, your foresight is truly remarkable! Su Zixuan actually owns a Shanxi remittance house and is willing to let us use it.”

Li Wantang seemed to have anticipated this and showed no surprise, asking calmly: “And what does she want in return?”

Zhang Guangfa realized his master had known all along that this would come at a price. He said: “She only mentioned wanting to go to Shanxi with us and using this remittance house to buy shares. Initially, she wanted half. After some negotiation, we settled on three parts for her and seven for us, but this still requires your approval and signature to be formalized.”

“Agree to her terms!” Li Wantang replied without hesitation, but then added a cryptic remark that Zhang Guangfa couldn’t understand, “Even a sharp knife needs three sharpenings.”

Next, Li Wantang made arrangements, instructing Zhang Guangfa to prepare to leave for Shanxi immediately, taking several skilled staff from Li family’s money shop in Beijing to take over the remittance house. Meanwhile, Li Wantang ordered people to raise funds and immediately hire an escort agency to transport the silver to Shanxi. Once the silver arrived, they would make a high-profile first move.

Zhang Guangfa and Li Wantang spent the entire morning planning meticulously in the room. By the time they emerged, it was already noon. Zhang Guangfa walked to the theater stage in the front courtyard, just in time for Manager Miao from Longde Bakery, who was celebrating his mother’s birthday and had borrowed the guild hall’s stage for a private performance. Since it wasn’t a major business, he hadn’t hired famous actors, and few people came, making the large seating area look sparse.

Manager Miao was already feeling somewhat embarrassed. Seeing Zhang Guangfa, he grabbed at him like a drowning man clutching at straws. If the Li family’s chief manager could join, it would be worth a hundred others—enough to save face. Despite his eager hospitality, Zhang Guangfa had a mind full of concerns and needed to hurry to prepare for the Shanxi trip. As he was making excuses, Li Qin walked in and, seeing the situation, laughed and said to Manager Miao: “Uncle Zhang is a busy man. I’ll stay instead, so let him go.”

With the Li family’s eldest young master willing to honor him with his presence, Manager Miao’s eyes lit up with joy. He hastily offered the front seat and served the finest tea and fruit. Before taking his seat, Li Qin pulled Zhang Guangfa aside and smiled: “I’ve rescued you this time. Next month, Ruifuxiang’s second young master is taking a concubine, also with a private performance. We agreed I’d bring people to show support—you’ll have to return this favor.”

Zhang Guangfa waved his hands repeatedly: “Next month I’ll be in Shanxi.”

“Shanxi? What for?”

“Oh…” Zhang Guangfa hesitated slightly, and Li Qin pointed at him—

“You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”

“It’s a business matter. Ask your father about it.”

“I won’t.” Li Qin felt a headache coming on at the mention of his father. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll go ask Su Zixuan.”

“She’s going to Shanxi too.” With his mind preoccupied, Zhang Guangfa inadvertently let this slip.

When Li Qin heard this, he became agitated: “What? She’s going to Shanxi too? What’s going on here?”

“Young master, please don’t shout!” Zhang Guangfa wished he could stuff something in his mouth. “This is a highly confidential matter, we can’t let word get out.”

“…Is that so? Fine, if you won’t tell me, I won’t ask.” Li Qin rolled his eyes.

Just as Zhang Guangfa was breathing a sigh of relief, Li Qin said something that nearly made him faint.

“But count me in for the Shanxi trip!”

In a small courtyard residence in the western part of the city, Su Zixuan sat in her room with no outsiders present. After her morning bath, she had changed into a plain white dress and sat barefoot on an embroidered stool, her small jade feet delicately poised. Fourth Sister was combing her hair as they chatted.

“That Li Qin is truly annoying, coming here every other day without any sense of bothering you. Miss, if you won’t put him in his place, I’ll chase him out for you.” Fourth Sister puffed her cheeks.

Su Zixuan held a cellar-aged peony in her hand, gently pressing the petals. Closing her eyes to savor the fragrance, she casually replied: “He’s at odds with his father, which might prove useful in the future, so let’s not offend him yet.”

“Hmm, alright, that’s fortunate for him. By the way, Miss, I’ve instructed the kitchen that from today you’ll be vegetarian, not touching any meat at all.”

“It’s been that way for several days already. I just didn’t announce it to avoid raising suspicions.” A hint of sorrow flashed in Su Zixuan’s eyes.

Fourth Sister noticed and quickly changed the subject: “Miss, how do you think that Beijing merchant’s manager knew we had a Shanxi remittance house that could help him?”

Su Zixuan smiled faintly: “He’s not that capable. It must have been Li Wantang’s idea. The account book I mentioned in front of him showed all silver transactions going through that Shanxi remittance house. He must have realized that an outsider’s remittance house couldn’t be used for such confidential matters, so the house must be in my name.”

“But why does Miss want to go to Shanxi with them?” Fourth Sister blinked her large eyes.

Su Zixuan spoke slowly: “Beijing is currently under tight security, and the Beijing merchants have lost their vitality, making them difficult to utilize for now. Shanxi merchants are the wealthiest in the world and happen to be responsible for national treasury transfers, so I want to seek an opportunity to see if I can…” She bit her lip with her snow-white teeth, suddenly breaking the flower stem, then turned to look at Fourth Sister.

“Miss, don’t move! Your hair is getting messy.”

Su Zixuan ignored her words and asked seriously: “Fourth Sister, what I’m planning to do is extremely dangerous. If caught, being sliced into a thousand pieces would be merciful. It’s only human if you don’t wish to accompany me.” As she spoke, she walked to the table with her back to Fourth Sister and poured a cup of osmanthus wine. Her right hand appeared to reach for the cup, but she actually released a pinch of red powder from between her thumb and forefinger—retrieved from a hidden compartment beneath her rouge box—into the wine. Then she gently swirled the cup and turned around.

“I know you still have relatives in Baoding Prefecture. I’ll give you a thousand taels in bank drafts, enough to live without worries. Drink this farewell cup of wine, then go to them.”

“Miss, what are you saying? How could I leave you?” Fourth Sister was stunned by these unexpected words, her eyes wide open with tears forming. “My parents are dead. It was these so-called ‘relatives’ who sold me in the first place. Should I go back and let them sell me again? I only recognize you as my mistress. Only you have been good to me. I won’t leave you even if I die—I’ll follow you through mountains of knives and seas of fire.” Her small mouth turned down as she began to cry sorrowfully.

Su Zixuan stared at her for a long while, then opened the door, poured out the cup of wine, and turned back with a smile: “Look at you, crying over such a small matter? If you don’t want to leave, then stay. Who said I wanted to drive you away?”

Fourth Sister broke into a smile through her tears and insisted on styling her mistress’s hair beautifully. Su Zixuan also smiled and obliged her. Only the ants in the courtyard suffered terribly, an entire colony completely wiped out.

After the “salt incident,” Gu Pingyuan’s body had mostly recovered. Growing restless from inactivity, he had wanted to go out, but considering his status as an escaped convict and his close brush with the city patrol, he preferred not to show his face much. Fortunately, the Chang family residence was large, with a garden in the back that Mrs. Li had maintained elegantly, offering many pleasant views. Gu Pingyuan spent his days whiling away time there.

On this day, Gu Pingyuan was waiting in the main hall for Chang Si’s father and Liu Heita, feeling it was time for him to bid farewell and return home. He heard someone at the door and, knowing it was Chang Si’s father returning from the saltworks, went to answer. Chang Yu’er also came to open the door. Their hands each grasped one end of the door bolt, their eyes met, and Chang Yu’er blushed. Without a word, she released her hand and retreated towards the back room.

Gu Pingyuan watched her leave, shaking his head in confusion. Chang Si’s father’s only daughter often encountered him in the residence, but since she had led him to her chamber that time, she rarely spoke to him anymore. Seeing how she laughed and chatted with others yet remained so cold towards him, had he truly offended her with the undergarment incident?

As the door opened, Chang Si’s father and Liu Heita entered. Liu Heita’s sturdy frame had withstood the prison torture without damage to his tendons or bones, and he had long recovered. The wound on Chang Si’s father’s neck was only superficial and had scabbed over without issue. Today was different from usual, however, as father and son seemed to have had some disagreement. Chang Si’s father sat down fuming, draining his cup of tea in one gulp. Liu Heita stood by the pillar with a black face, not looking at his father and remaining silent.

Mrs. Li couldn’t help laughing at the scene: “Oh my! This is like the sun rising from the west. Could you two be quarreling?”

“How could we not be!” Chang Si’s father’s anger hadn’t subsided as he pointed at Liu Heita: “You audacious boy! If you dare go, I’ll break your legs.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Li realized the old man was truly angry and quickly ran to the back room to fetch Chang Yu’er to help mediate.

Meanwhile, Liu Heita stubbornly replied: “What’s the big deal? It’s just risking my life.”

“Good! It seems I really must break your legs—at least that would save your life.” Chang Si’s father’s temper flared as he rushed over, grabbing a door pole intending to beat Liu Heita. Gu Pingyuan, standing nearby, couldn’t let this happen and immediately restrained the old man.

By then, Chang Yu’er had arrived and snatched the pole from her father’s hand, both angry and amused: “Father, how old are you? And how old is Brother? How can you still beat him like a child?”

“No matter how old, I can still beat him.” Chang Si’s father was so angry his beard stood on end. “I worked hard to raise you both, and what does he do? He wants to risk his life! Ah!” Chang Si’s father sighed deeply and sat back down in his chair.

“As they say, ‘Riches come from danger.’ Without taking risks, where would prosperity come from? Although we’ve dealt with those salt troublemakers, the family has no savings left. I heard Chen Laizi is looking for our saltworks’ creditors to buy up their debt notes, intending to withdraw our capital. We’ll be just as helpless then. Why not take this good opportunity to earn a large sum and avoid Chen Laizi’s bullying?” Liu Heita remained defiant, standing with one hand on his hip as he spoke loudly.

“Listen to all his reasoning!” Chang Si’s father knew his adopted son was right, but the venture was too dangerous to allow.

“Brother.” Chang Yu’er called reproachfully, then turned to her father with a smile: “Daughter is confused. Could it be that Brother intends to do something illegal?”

“Ah! I don’t want to explain. It’s nothing good, anyway.”

“What’s illegal about conducting business? If Father won’t explain, I will!” Liu Heita was eager for his sister to take his side and rushed to explain.

The matter had occurred three days earlier, with news from Taiyuan Prefecture. Several Mongolian merchants had arrived from Mongolia and approached “Xuanjitang,” the largest pharmacy in the provincial capital, saying they wanted to make a bulk purchase. The pharmacy naturally sought to please them, with the chief manager personally greeting them and serving tea. Upon inquiry, it turned out they only wanted one medicine: “Kelan Wujiapi,” a Shanxi specialty. Wujiapi is elm root, with only the finest section having medicinal properties. It treats boils and ulcers, reduces edema, and relieves abdominal bloating. The variety from Kelan County was known for its exceptional efficacy. However, this medicine was less effective than corydalis and couldn’t be cultivated, so local herb farmers collected only small amounts.

Xuanjitang naturally had this medicine but only stocked about five hundred catties annually. These merchants requested fifteen thousand catties, startling the chief manager who calculated that searching the entire provincial capital would yield barely a tenth of the required amount. This fifteen-thousand-catty deal was truly tempting. The chief manager dispatched people overnight to Kelan County to purchase more and borrowed from colleagues. With great difficulty, they gathered the required amount, but one demand from the Mongolian merchants nearly ruined the deal.

“Was it some unreasonable request?” Gu Pingyuan listened attentively and, seeing Liu Heita’s dry mouth, handed him a bowl of water while asking.

The request wasn’t unreasonable—merely door-to-door delivery within one month. Large transactions typically included door-to-door delivery, and for such a substantial deal, free delivery would even be possible. Yet this requirement was one the chief manager couldn’t fulfill. The parties were at an impasse, unable to reach an agreement.

“Why is that? With the goods prepared, delivering them would seal a good deal. Why not deliver?” Gu Pingyuan was puzzled.

Chang Si’s father spoke up quickly and urgently, as if justifying his prevention of Liu Heita’s plan: “Brother Gu, you’re not a local, so you wouldn’t know the situation.”

The situation was that the merchants came from Outer Mongolia, commonly called Khalkha Mongolia. The delivery location was north of the Khalkha Mongolian grasslands, near the site of the Bayan Leeg tribal banner close to Kyakhta, the largest settlement of Khalkha Mongolians.

“In terms of distance, from Taiyuan to Bayan Leeg, a camel caravan would take a month, which is sufficient. However, Southern Mongolian and Northern Mongolian armies are currently battling over a vast, rich pastureland, with warfare spreading across the entire grassland. Both the Southern and Northern Mongolian princes are imperially appointed by the court, which is currently undecided about which side to support, causing a dilemma. The fighting could continue indefinitely. To deliver goods to Northern Mongolia, one must pass through Southern Mongolian territory—like a sheep entering a tiger’s den.” Chang Si’s father explained the situation clearly in a few sentences.

“Couldn’t they take a detour?” Gu Pingyuan was unfamiliar with the geography between Shanxi and Mongolia, hence his question. The explanation was simple: departing from Shanxi, to bypass Southern Mongolia and reach Northern Mongolia, one would either have to go through Gansu and Xinjiang, or pass through Zhili, Fengtian, and Heilongjiang—all journeys of thousands of miles. Not only would it be impossible in one month, but even a whole season wouldn’t be enough.

Gu Pingyuan understood immediately, but one question remained: why would Liu Heita insist on going when he knew it was unfeasible?

Because there was one dangerous route!

By the Helan Mountains, passing through the legendary tomb of Temujin (Genghis Khan), there was a dry riverbed. Crossing the river and traveling for a day would lead to a grassland.

“Actually, it’s a burial ground,” Chang Si’s father said. “To avoid detection by Southern Mongolian troops, one must cross this grassland. The problem is that this grassland is riddled with bottomless bogs—every few steps presents a deadly trap. Although everyone knows this route to Northern Mongolia is the shortest and doesn’t require paying taxes at Killing Tiger Pass, few merchant caravans dare to take it. At least since I can remember, Shanxi merchants have acted as if this route doesn’t exist.”

“I presume many people have been trapped there?”

“More than just that. Go ask around—any family with members who’ve gone to the western regions has ancestors who died in the ‘Black Water Bog.'”

“Oh, so it’s called Black Water Bog. The name alone suggests a terribly ominous place.”

“Exactly right, Brother Gu. Think about it—how could I let Heita take such a risk?”

But the Black Water Bog wasn’t a place of no return. There were actually paths through the swamp, but the problem was that these paths constantly shifted—here one year, elsewhere the next. Even the most experienced guides couldn’t map them clearly and could only wade through step by step. Those with good luck might make it across, but most would slip and meet a watery grave, their bodies never to be recovered intact.

As he listened, Gu Pingyuan was calculating. By now, he had formed a plan. He had been considering Chang Si’s father’s situation these past few days and knew the family’s troubles weren’t completely over, primarily due to the thousand taels of silver borrowed when Chang Si’s father took over the saltworks. If Chen Laizi truly purchased all these debts, he would instantly become the Chang family’s major creditor and could force them to vacate their home. Usurers were heartless and ruthless, and it seemed this was exactly Chen Laizi’s intention. If the Chang family wanted to avoid coercion, they needed to repay the thousand taels promptly, and this presented a good opportunity.

“Father, how much could be earned from this deal?” If it was too little, it wouldn’t be worth risking lives.

“I heard that when Xuanjitang went to collect the medicine, someone had already leaked information, so the herb farmers raised their prices. The medicine, originally worth fifteen hundred taels of silver, ultimately cost twenty-five hundred to acquire.”

“What about transportation costs?”

“That’s the current sticking point. The deal can’t be completed without delivery. But who dares traverse the Black Water Bog? I heard Xuanjitang’s chief manager is frantic, offering up to a thousand taels for transport, but still no one dares go. As for the Mongolian merchants’ price, that’s their secret—who would readily disclose it?”

“I understand.” Gu Pingyuan’s eyes brightened. “The Mongolians must be offering an astronomical price, otherwise Xuanjitang wouldn’t allow herb farmers to inflate prices or offer a thousand taels for transport. Father, I’d like to visit Taiyuan City.”

“Why would you go to Taiyuan City?”

“Know your enemy and yourself, and you’ll win every battle. With such a large transaction, we shouldn’t rely solely on Xuanjitang’s pricing. I want to meet these Mongolians and gauge their bottom line. If we’re risking our lives, it should be worth the price.”

Chang Si’s father pondered the meaning behind his words, raising an eyebrow: “Brother Gu, you want to undertake this life-risking venture?”

“No, I’m doing it for Father Chang. Once we earn the money to repay the debt, you won’t have to endure Chen Laizi’s bullying.”

Chang Yu’er, who had been listening silently, showed gratitude in her eyes. Liu Heita was even more excited: “Brother Gu, you truly have honor! I’m completely convinced.”

Chang Si’s father stopped his adopted son and said seriously: “Brother Gu, this won’t do. Though we aren’t close friends, I can see you’re a kind-hearted person. But this is my family’s problem—how can I let you take such risks? If someone must go, it should be my old bones blazing the trail. I’m old now, and my life isn’t worth much.”

Gu Pingyuan had anticipated this response and decided to be completely honest: “To say I would risk my life entirely for the Chang family wouldn’t be entirely true. I have my own plans. Father Chang knows my background. Since I failed the imperial examinations and lost my scholarly status, returning home empty-handed would not only fail to help my family but likely burden my elderly mother and siblings. So I want to make this deal both to help Father Chang raise money to repay the debt and to earn something for myself to take back home. Whatever I do, at least I’ll have some capital.”

With this explanation, Chang Si’s father understood—everyone has their own considerations. But this very realization made him view Gu Pingyuan with newfound respect. Ordinary people who had just escaped difficulties would hardly have the presence of mind to think about the future, let alone plan for their families. Yet Gu Pingyuan thought three steps ahead with each move, showing meticulous thinking and great courage, willing to risk his life with just a few words. It was impossible not to admire him.

Chang Yu’er and Liu Heita shared this sentiment. Liu Heita exclaimed first: “Brother Gu, no one can stop me now! I must go with you.”

Gu Pingyuan smiled without answering, looking toward Chang Si’s father.

After further thought, Chang Si’s father stamped his foot: “Fine, go with Brother Gu. With him there, I can rest assured.”

Gu Pingyuan was delighted, knowing Liu Heita would be an excellent companion on the road. Hearing the father’s approval, he was naturally overjoyed.

With only a month’s timeframe, there was no time to waste. Gu Pingyuan, Chang Si’s father, and Liu Heita set off for Taiyuan Prefecture that very day. Chang Yu’er and Mrs. Li prepared travel necessities for them, especially for Gu and Liu. At departure, Chang Yu’er instructed her father and brother to be careful on their journey. Finally, she approached Gu Pingyuan, lowered her head, and in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, said: “You… take good care of yourself, and be sure to return.”

These brief sentences took Chang Yu’er a long time to stammer out, her face flushed red to her neck. Afterward, she quickly turned and retreated behind the door, not emerging again.

The people outside the gate looked at each other in bewilderment, especially Gu Pingyuan, who for the first time heard Chang Yu’er speak to him. Her tone sounded almost like a wife instructing her departing husband—truly puzzling. Even with his intelligence, he was left speechless, not knowing how to respond.

But there was no time to delve deeper. The group galloped off, racing toward Taiyuan Prefecture hundreds of miles away.

As they were about to exit the county gate, Wang, the chief manager of Taiyu Feng, was just leaving his shop. Seeing the three men riding out of the city, he was startled. A few days earlier, he had been thoroughly frustrated by Chang Si’s stubborn father. After Chang Si’s father left and the prisoner was released, he had slapped his thigh in regret: “How could I be so foolish? If Chang Si had died, dealing with just his daughter would have been much easier!” But the man had already been released, and no amount of regret could change that, leaving him dejected for several consecutive days.

Now, seeing the Chang family members riding out of the city, Wang Tiangui furrowed his brow, rolled his eyes thoughtfully, and beckoned a servant: “Go find Chen Laizi. Have him find out what the Chang family is up to. If necessary, follow them all the way and report back to me with clear information.”

“Yes, sir!”

Gu Pingyuan and his companions were unaware their movements had been observed. After two days of travel, they finally entered Taiyuan City before dark on the second day.

Liu Heita had visited the provincial capital recently, but now it looked completely different. Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, with brocade streamers and drums, making the streets even more festive than during the New Year. Needless to say, these preparations were for Emperor Tongzhi’s ascension to the throne, using the miscellaneous goods from “Chang’s Store.”

“What do you think?” Chang Si’s father pointed with his riding whip, asking his adopted son, implying that these goods decorating the entire Taiyuan Prefecture would be worth far more than three hundred taels if held until prices rose.

Liu Heita didn’t understand his father’s meaning and merely exclaimed in admiration: “Last time I came to the provincial capital, everywhere looked like a Buddhist temple. This time it looks much better.”

Chang Si’s father shook his head, ignoring him, and turned to Gu Pingyuan: “Brother Gu, should we find an inn to stay first, or go directly to Xuanjitang? That pharmacy is very large, just across from the Provincial Governor’s office.”

Gu Pingyuan thought for a moment: “Let’s do this—we’ll book an inn and have Brother Liu take the luggage there. You and I will go directly to Xuanjitang.”

“That sounds good.” Chang Si’s father gave his adopted son some instructions, unloaded the luggage and handed it to Liu Heita, then rode alongside Gu Pingyuan toward Xuanjitang.

Their timing was perfect. The entrance to Xuanjitang was extremely busy. A group of men wearing sheepskin vests and “sky-piercing” leather boots had completely surrounded the pharmacy’s main door, which was already tightly closed.

“Those are all caravan leaders,” Chang Si’s father recognized them immediately. The term “leader” was unfamiliar to Gu Pingyuan, so Chang Si’s father explained: “A ‘leader’ is the person who heads the caravans of Shanxi merchants traveling to the western regions. They’re the actual leaders on the journey, and everyone in the caravan must follow their instructions regarding travel, eating, and drinking. Of course, leaders earn several times more than ordinary camel drivers in the caravan, but if something happens to the caravan because of poor guidance, they bear great responsibility, sometimes even having to pay compensation that ruins their families.”

“It seems they’re surrounding Xuanjitang because of that Mongolian deal.”

“Naturally. If they can get this transportation fee, they won’t have to endure the hardships of traveling to the western regions anymore.”

Gu Pingyuan exhaled, dismounted and approached Xuanjitang’s entrance, cupping his hands in greeting: “Gentlemen, please make way. I need to see the chief manager.”

Who would make way for him? A short man wearing a fur hat glanced at him sideways: “You’re not from around here, are you? These days, if you’re buying medicine, use the back door. The front door is occupied by us gentlemen.”

“Oh. I am indeed from out of town. May I ask why the front door isn’t open?”

“Why are you asking? Well, it doesn’t matter if I tell you. Some Mongolians came to buy medicine, saying they wanted it transported to Outer Mongolia. We’re all here to find out exactly what price they’re offering. But the chief manager has hidden them away, and no one can see them.”

So these caravan leaders, like Gu Pingyuan, feared the chief manager might secretly lower the price and wanted to discover the truth. Gu Pingyuan understood that the chief manager and these leaders were in a “straw beating wolf—afraid of both ends” situation. The chief manager feared his bottom line would be discovered, leading to exorbitant demands. The leaders feared the chief manager’s dishonesty, pocketing the caravan’s transportation fee.

Understanding this dynamic, Gu Pingyuan gained confidence and called out loudly: “Open the door! Open the door! Someone willing to cross the Black Water Bog has arrived!”

His shout drew everyone’s attention, naturally creating a path. Gu Pingyuan stepped forward, grasped the door knocker, and knocked three times—pah, pah, pah—while repeating his previous statement.

The group of leaders behind him were stunned, first quietly questioning each other, but soon unable to contain themselves, they also shouted.

“Young man, where are you from? You dare to compete with us leaders for business?”

“Hey, aren’t you Chang Si? Who is this young man you’ve brought? His face is unfamiliar, never seen him before.”

“Are you playing games?”

People spoke from all sides, and several hot-tempered men rolled up their sleeves, preparing to confront Gu Pingyuan. Calmly, Gu Pingyuan turned and cupped his hands: “Gentlemen, I have just one question for you all. If I step aside, which of you can take on this business right now? If anyone can, I’ll step aside immediately.”

The dozens of caravan leaders looked at each other, suddenly falling completely silent.

Gu Pingyuan smiled slightly and cupped his hands again: “Since that’s the case, whether I’m a local or an outsider, you should at least let me go in and ask, right?”

As he finished speaking, someone inside Xuanjitang came to answer the door. An elderly clerk opened the door a crack and asked Gu Pingyuan: “You dare cross the Black Water Bog?”

Gu Pingyuan nodded, and he and Chang Si’s father entered the pharmacy one after the other. As the door closed, the caravan leaders began clamoring again.

The pharmacy was quiet and empty, with no customers buying medicine. The hall and backyard were filled with packaged herbs, apparently the Wujiapi that the Mongolian merchants had specified.

The clerk led Gu Pingyuan to the reception room and served tea: “May I ask your name, sir, so I can inform the chief manager?”

“My surname is Gu, my name is Gu Pingyuan. This is Manager Chang from the Taigu County saltworks.”

“So it’s Manager Gu and Manager Chang. Please be seated for a moment while I fetch the chief manager.”

In fact, the chief manager already knew of their arrival and soon emerged from the back hall. People in the herbal medicine business were never fat, mostly being rather thin. Xuanjitang’s chief manager was no exception, with a bitter-gourd face and wearing a sky-blue long gown. As soon as he appeared, he nodded: “Manager Gu, Manager Chang, I am Manager Wu of Xuanjitang. I look forward to your guidance.”

Gu Pingyuan rose and returned the greeting: “The pleasure is mine.”

“Forgive my presumption.” Manager Wu looked over the two men before him, frowning almost imperceptibly. “I just heard from my clerk that you two want to cross the Black Water Bog, but looking at you, you don’t seem like caravan leaders. This is…”

Before he could finish his drawn-out question, Gu Pingyuan interjected: “Manager Wu has a good eye. We are indeed not caravan leaders, nor have we ever traveled to the western regions.”

Manager Wu’s face darkened: “Are you joking? Are you trying to fool me?”

“I wouldn’t dare. But I have something to say, if I may.”

“…”

“Look outside your door—so many caravan leaders, some over fifty years old, having traveled to the western regions perhaps a hundred times. Yet does anyone dare to shout, ‘I’ll cross the Black Water Bog’? No, right? If that’s the case, what use are these leaders?”

Manager Wu took a breath: “Your meaning is?”

“Please let me meet the Mongolians, and afterward I’ll explain my reasoning. As for the transportation fee, you said it’s one thousand taels, and that’s fine—I won’t ask for more.”

“Hmm.” Gu Pingyuan’s statement about not increasing the transportation fee clearly moved Manager Wu. “Do you have a caravan?”

“No, I still need to use those people outside.”

“Then are you confident you can prevent them from demanding more money?”

“Yes.”

“You want to meet the Mongolians…” Manager Wu supported his forehead with one hand, evidently undecided.

“Please consider, Manager Wu. If these medicines can’t be transported, the deal will fall through. What will you do with fifteen thousand catties of medicine then?” Gu Pingyuan seized the opportunity to add.

“Say no more. I’ll let you meet the Mongolian merchants.” Manager Wu made his decision and instructed a clerk to invite the guests from the backyard.

Seeing the clerk head toward the backyard, Manager Wu sighed: “From your words, Manager Gu, I can tell you’re a man with a plan. I won’t hide it from you—I deeply regret this business deal now.”

“A deal like this could earn you substantial profits. Why speak of regret?” Chang Si’s father, who had remained silent, now felt relieved that Gu Pingyuan had achieved his goal, and finally spoke up.

“When these Mongolians first came to buy medicine, I failed to ask one crucial question. I assumed that even if they wanted it transported, they would take a detour. Who would have thought that after we acquired the goods, they would insist on delivery within one month, without any deposit, saying payment would be made upon delivery? It was like a thunderbolt. These herbs were purchased at a premium, and even without the markup, such a large quantity of Wujiapi has no other market—they would simply rot in our hands. At that point, not only would my employer dismiss me, but they might also demand full compensation from me. I’ve been unable to eat or sleep properly these days, and get a headache just thinking about it.”

“So this business has become a real predicament for you, Manager Wu?”

“Exactly so.”

Gu Pingyuan nodded, noticing the clerk escorting several Mongolians into the room, and knew these were the medicine buyers.

The leader of the Mongolian merchants had a square face but a pointed chin. His eyebrows slanted upward, giving him a gloomy appearance. He entered with obvious impatience and spoke in fluent Chinese: “Manager Wu, you’ve been avoiding meeting us. Are you not going to deliver the goods? If so, we’ll leave.”

“Lord Batu, please don’t be hasty. The transporters have arrived, so I’ve asked you to come out and discuss with them where the goods should be delivered.”

Batu scrutinized Gu Pingyuan for a long time, raising his eyebrows as he asked: “Are you the caravan leader?”

While Batu was examining him, Gu Pingyuan was also observing Batu. When questioned, he answered: “Yes. I will transport this shipment.”

“Then do you know how long it will take to deliver?”

“One month from the day of departure.”

“In that case, are you confident? If you exceed the deadline, I won’t accept the goods.”

“No problem. Crossing the Black Water Bog to Outer Mongolia will take only twenty days.”

“Hahaha!” Batu laughed loudly. “Daring to cross the Black Water Bog—you’re a real man. If that’s the case, deliver the goods to a small town called Ukduot, fifteen miles west of Bayan Leeg. I’ll take my people back first and will be there to receive the goods.”

“How will payment be made?”

“Cash in silver upon delivery of the goods.”

“How much?”

Hearing Gu Pingyuan ask this, Manager Wu gave Batu a meaningful look, but Batu ignored it and answered straightforwardly: “Six thousand taels of pure silver ingots.”

“May I ask one more question—what will these herbs be used for in Outer Mongolia?”

“Hmph.” Batu was highly displeased. “Why is this caravan leader so nosy? For instance, when you Shanxi merchants come to our grasslands to buy cattle, do we ask whether you’re going to slaughter them for meat or use them to plow fields?”

“Lord Batu, please calm your anger. He’s just overly curious, without any other intention.” Manager Wu feared offending the Mongolian merchants and quickly apologized, while turning to reproach Gu Pingyuan: “Manager Gu, why ask so many questions? Just deliver the goods and collect the silver, isn’t that enough?”

Gu Pingyuan smiled without responding. After Batu and his group left, Manager Wu escorted them to the door. Chang Si’s father whispered to Gu Pingyuan from behind: “I don’t think that man is entirely honest. I’ve dealt with many Mongolian merchants before, and none spoke as evasively as he did.”

“But the business deal itself is genuine,” Gu Pingyuan whispered back. Because it was genuine, the deadline was strict, requiring on-time delivery. If there were ulterior motives or intentional deception, they would likely be more flexible with the timing to avoid losing their big fish. Therefore, Gu Pingyuan was confident that the deal was indeed real.

When Manager Wu returned to the room, Gu Pingyuan had already calmly prepared what he wanted to say.

Manager Wu spoke first, smiling bitterly: “Manager Gu, now you’ve completely discovered my bottom line.”

Gu Pingyuan raised his hand: “Manager Wu, as I said before, the transportation fee is one thousand taels—no more.”

Manager Wu clearly didn’t believe him: “If that’s the case, which share of silver are you aiming for, Manager Gu?”

“I just calculated—the Mongolians are offering six thousand taels. Subtracting the transport fee of one thousand taels leaves five thousand. And Manager Wu spent two thousand five hundred taels on acquiring the goods, meaning the profit is split evenly. No wonder Manager Wu is so concerned about this deal.”

In the herbal medicine business, except for ginseng, a profit margin of twenty percent was rare. Two thousand five hundred taels was a substantial profit even for a top pharmacy like Xuanjitang in the provincial capital. If Manager Wu completed this deal, the owner would certainly reward him generously in the year-end profit distribution.

Gu Pingyuan continued: “Since Manager Wu finds this business troublesome, why not reduce your risk?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’ll buy five thousand catties of medicine from you, but I won’t pay in cash. If the goods are safely delivered, we’ll split the profit thirty-seventy.”

“So for this deal, you’re putting in a thirty percent dry share, just for profit-sharing,” Manager Wu pondered.

“Correct.”

“And what if we lose? For instance, if the caravan gets stuck in the Black Water Bog?” Manager Wu pressed.

Chang Si’s father answered: “Simple. I have an old house and a saltworks in Taigu, together worth enough to compensate you for those five thousand catties of medicine.”

Manager Wu thought for a moment, then pointed to the scholar’s four treasures on the table: “Let’s draw up an agreement.”

After finding a witness, Chang Si’s father pressed his fingerprint, showing the property deed he had brought along to Manager Wu. Once everything was verified, Manager Wu also affixed his fingerprint.

“Next, we need to find those caravan leaders outside,” Gu Pingyuan said with relief.

Manager Wu, however, furrowed his brow: “These people aren’t easy to deal with. They’ve been surrounding the door for four or five days, wanting to eat the lamb but fearing its strong smell.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll go out and say a few words, and they’ll naturally follow me.” Gu Pingyuan walked outside with great confidence.

Manager Wu and Chang Si’s father exchanged glances and followed closely. Chang Si’s father knew how formidable these caravan leaders could be and feared Gu Pingyuan might be at a disadvantage. Manager Wu was half worried, half curious, wondering what method Gu Pingyuan would use to subdue these camel driver bosses, known for being “ungovernable by heaven and unmanageable by earth.”

Upon exiting, they saw Gu Pingyuan already standing on the base of the large stone lion at the door, one hand gripping the lion’s head, the other waving in the air. He didn’t really need to wave; the caravan leaders naturally gathered around him.

“Gentlemen, I have something to tell you all. I, Gu, have taken on this job of traveling to Outer Mongolia. But I don’t have a caravan. Who is willing to make this journey with me?”

As soon as he said this, the crowd erupted. Everyone first looked toward Manager Wu, and seeing he had no objection, they knew Gu Pingyuan was telling the truth. Immediately, they began talking over each other, saying all sorts of things, mostly sarcastic remarks.

“This young fellow must be insane. He dares to cross the Black Water Bog that even we leaders don’t dare traverse?”

“I think Manager Wu must be desperate, finding some novice to escort the goods.”

“Xuanjitang is definitely going to lose heavily on this one.”

Gu Pingyuan remained composed. After about fifteen minutes, when the crowd had quieted somewhat, he said: “Gentlemen, let me be honest. I’m not familiar with the routes to the western regions. May I ask you all—if we didn’t cross the Black Water Bog but took a detour to Outer Mongolia instead, would you go for one thousand taels of silver?”

“Nonsense! If we didn’t have to cross the Black Water Bog, a caravan would go for two hundred taels of silver.” Someone in the crowd shouted, and all the caravan leaders nodded in agreement. Apparently, this was a widely accepted standard price.

“I understand now. The reason no one will go for one thousand taels of silver if it means crossing the Black Water Bog has nothing to do with the distance. It’s entirely because the route is dangerous and requires risking one’s life.” Gu Pingyuan pretended to have a sudden realization.

“Are you genuinely clueless or just pretending? Stop playing dumb. The Black Water Bog is notorious for swallowing people without spitting out bones. If it were a yellow earth highway, would you even have a chance to steal this job?” An impatient caravan leader called out.

Gu Pingyuan smiled slightly: “Then let me ask another question. If this journey, even crossing the Black Water Bog, could guarantee you’d safely earn one thousand taels of silver, would you go?”

His repeated questions confused everyone. Even Chang Si’s father and Manager Wu exchanged puzzled glances, and no one was willing to speak up.

After a while, the oldest-looking caravan leader spoke: “Young man, stop being mysterious. What good method do you have? Tell us all. Do you know some foolproof route?”

Hearing the old leader’s question, everyone held their breath, waiting for Gu Pingyuan’s answer.

Gu Pingyuan cupped his hands: “Elder, I don’t have any foolproof route, but I do have a foolproof method.”

When Gu Pingyuan revealed his approach, everyone was stunned. He proposed that upon entering the Black Water Bog, he would walk ten zhang (about 33 meters) ahead. If Gu Pingyuan sank into the bog, the caravan could simply retreat without advancing further, returning directly to Taiyuan Prefecture—and still receive their transport fee.

“Of course, if the goods aren’t delivered, you can’t ask Manager Wu for the transport fee. But this one thousand taels of silver will be paid to you by Chang Si’s father from Taigu County.”

This was truly a foolproof method. Following this approach, the caravan would take no risk whatsoever. Whether they successfully crossed the Black Water Bog or returned to Taiyuan City, they would receive a substantial transport fee. But the method was so unimaginable that after Gu Pingyuan finished speaking, it took a while before someone tentatively asked: “So you’re saying if you sink into the bog, the caravan doesn’t need to continue?”

“Correct. You don’t even need to rescue me. Just turn around and retreat safely.” Gu Pingyuan was unequivocal.

Gu Pingyuan’s proposal wasn’t merely due to bravery. Since childhood, he had heard about how Hu Guansan, a great grain merchant from Huizhou during the Yongzheng period, transported grain to disaster victims despite flooding. Hui merchants prioritized wit and strategy in business, but never lacked actions that put them in mortal danger to gain new life. The reason was simple: on well-traveled roads, competitors were numerous and profits minimal, while dangerous terrain offered the opposite—few people, high profits. Whether the risk was worth the reward was precisely the moment to test a merchant’s vision. When a risk was worth taking, one should never hesitate.

Now everyone truly understood—this outsider was genuinely willing to risk his life, authentically so, leaving himself no escape route.

No one had expected Gu Pingyuan to come up with such an extreme idea. The crowd erupted in a clamor, discussing Gu Pingyuan. Manager Wu finally recovered his senses, tilted his head slightly, and asked Chang Si’s father: “What’s this young man’s background?”

Chang Si’s father, still dumbfounded, swallowed hard, opened his mouth to speak, but couldn’t utter a word.

At that moment, they heard Gu Pingyuan call out loudly again: “Gentlemen, as they say, ‘The timid cannot become generals.’ I’m staking my life on this. Who dares to go with me?”

Men of the western routes respected those who treated life as dispensable—the more ruthless the character, the more they commanded respect. Earlier, none of the caravan leaders had given Gu Pingyuan a proper glance, but now it was different. They came forward one by one, patting Gu Pingyuan’s shoulder, expressing admiration for his audacity.

Now Gu Pingyuan was concerned about which caravan leader’s team to take. He left this difficult decision to Chang Si’s father, while he called Manager Wu aside: “Chief Manager, do you have clerks who understand medicine?”

“Of course! Every clerk at Xuanjitang has some medical knowledge, and several are quite proficient.”

“Good. Please recommend one who speaks Mongolian to accompany me.”

This wasn’t difficult for Manager Wu, who readily agreed to Gu Pingyuan’s request. However, after going inside to find someone, he didn’t return for a long time. Gu Pingyuan grew suspicious and entered the shop, only to hear Manager Wu berating his staff.

“What do I keep you all for? You’re all useless when it matters most, with courage smaller than a rat’s!”

A clerk was heard protesting: “Manager, I really have bad legs.” Following his lead, the other clerks began offering excuses.

“My mother is ill; I can’t be far from her.”

“My grandfather has been sick for half a year, and it’s a critical time.”

“You all…” Manager Wu was too angry for words.

“Why not send Qiao Songnian? He’s been with the shop for almost two years and has been to Mongolia twice. He speaks their language well.”

“Qiao Songnian?” Manager Wu considered this seriously. This clerk named Qiao wasn’t present, having gone to collect payments in the city.

“He’d be fine!”

“No problem.”

“He understands herbs and speaks Mongolian. He’s the one!” The clerks all chimed in.

Manager Wu laughed coldly: “You normally belittle him as worthless, calling him aloof, unsociable, and deliberately mysterious. Now you’re praising him to the skies. Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?”

His words silenced all the clerks, but after much thought, Manager Wu sighed: “Alright, we’ll send him.”

Gu Pingyuan’s speech outside Xuanjitang was heard word for word by Chen Laizi, who had followed from Taigu. He hurried back to report to Chief Manager Wang.

“Chang Si has found such a capable person?” Chief Manager Wang could hardly believe it.

Chen Laizi followed closely behind him: “In my opinion, that Gu fellow doesn’t seem to be Chang Si’s clerk. They look more like business partners.”

“Have you heard of this Gu before?”

“He’s not a local. The caravan team’s clerks say Chang Si brought him back from beyond the pass.”

“Beyond the pass?” Chief Manager Wang pondered for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands. “Beyond the pass, there are no legitimate businessmen—only soldiers or convicts. Could it be… that this Gu is an escaped convict?”

Chen Laizi was startled: “That can’t be! Chang Si is known to be afraid of raindrops hitting his head. Would he dare to smuggle a convict across the border?”

“More than losing his head—it’s a capital offense with confiscation of family property.” Chief Manager Wang’s eyes gleamed. “It’s better to believe it than not. Go to the area beyond the pass and investigate this Gu’s background. If he’s truly a convict, we can take the Chang family’s old house without spending a penny.”

“I…” With winter approaching, Chen Laizi was reluctant to suffer in the freezing land beyond the pass.

Chief Manager Wang’s face darkened, then softened: “Don’t worry. After we acquire the Chang family’s house, your share will be doubled.”

“Yes, I thank the great Master Wang for the reward in advance.” Chen Laizi, inherently greedy, immediately beamed with delight. “I’ll go right away. Just wait for my news.”

Chief Manager Wang nodded with satisfaction. After Chen Laizi withdrew, he picked up a pastry from the table, squeezed it hard with his hand, and when he released it, the pastry had crumbled to powder.

The caravan’s baggage was always kept rolled up and bound to the camels’ backs year-round, ready to depart at a moment’s notice. Fortunately, Xuanjitang’s medicinal herbs were also already packaged and waiting to be loaded. Within a single night, the caravan was prepared.

Fifteen thousand catties of goods could not possibly be carried by just one caravan, which demonstrated Chang Si’s father’s experience in handling matters. He hired two caravans, naturally with two leaders: one was Old Qi, locally recognized as the most experienced, while the other was a young leader who had completed his apprenticeship just a year ago—Second Leader Sun.

Liu Heita complained that the young man lacked experience, but Chang Si’s father said: “What do you know? When caravans travel together, though they appear to be two, they function as one. If both leaders were senior, they would each insist on their own way, inevitably causing disputes. With one old and one young—the elder bringing experience, the younger bringing energy—it’s the perfect combination.”

Gu Pingyuan silently nodded in agreement, thinking Chang Si’s father’s approach to managing people was admirable. As the saying goes, “One mountain cannot contain two tigers.” This arrangement was most appropriate.

Chang Si’s father approached Gu Pingyuan: “Brother Gu, you’re quite a character. Now the whole of Taiyuan City is buzzing with news of an outsider with extraordinary courage who’s leading an expedition through the Black Water Bog.”

Gu Pingyuan had never considered himself particularly brave. This time, he had acted purely on impulse, achieving great success. Not only did it bring him honor, but it also elevated the Chang family’s reputation, giving him some sense of satisfaction. Though he thought this, he wouldn’t express it: “Perhaps it’s because I’m an outsider, unaware of the Black Water Bog’s terrors, that I dare to venture through it. I just hope I won’t make a fool of myself when we get there.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to discuss.” Chang Si’s father said solemnly, “Brother Gu, when we reach the Black Water Bog, cross it if possible, but if not, let it be. It’s not worth sacrificing your life. Having a friend like you is more valuable than the saltworks and old house combined—consider them already lost.”

Gu Pingyuan outwardly expressed gratitude for the old man’s concern, but inwardly he had made up his mind. Such words were expected, but he couldn’t approach this half-heartedly. This time, he would forge ahead even through mountains of knives or seas of boiling oil—otherwise, he might as well lie down in the Black Water Bog for his eternal rest.

As they were talking, the sound of an argument suddenly came from the marketplace ahead. Chang Si’s father looked up and frowned: “It sounds like our caravan people.”

Unexpected conflicts were what Gu Pingyuan feared most at this point. He strode to the scene and learned that the situation was minor—a caravan worker was attempting to buy a set of camel harnesses from a general store in the market. The goods were selected, but when it came time to pay, the store wouldn’t accept his five-tael bank draft.

“This bank draft is genuine. Why won’t you accept it?” The worker was indignant.

“This is from a money shop, not a remittance house.”

“Aren’t the ‘Four Hengs’ also money shops?” The worker quickly retorted, believing he was entirely in the right.

“That’s different. They’re prestigious establishments. Who recognizes this ‘Fukang’ draft?” The merchant remained unmoved.

“I recognize it, and I’ll exchange it for you.” Someone nearby joined the conversation, actually producing five taels of silver to exchange for the worker’s draft.

“Old Wang,” a bystander who knew him cautioned, “this ‘Fukang’ name is unfamiliar. Don’t get swindled.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. This is a ‘God of Wealth’ draft. What do you know?” The man called Old Wang glanced sideways, fluttering the bank draft in his hand.

The term “God of Wealth draft” immediately aroused people’s interest, and Old Wang was happy to explain, saving himself from being considered a “chishen” (a Shanxi dialect term meaning “fool”).

According to Old Wang, who had just returned from the south, though “Fukang” was relatively new, it had already gained significant acceptance in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region. Its owner, named Hu Xueyan, now carried the nickname “God of Wealth” and was well-known throughout the Wu-Yue business community.

“The title ‘God of Wealth’ can’t be casually bestowed. This Hu Xueyan only recently opened his money shop—could he already be the richest man in the land?” Someone naturally raised this doubt.

But the nickname was well-earned. According to the story, on New Year’s Eve during “Fukang’s” first year of operation—traditionally when merchants welcome the God of Wealth—a friend of Hu Xueyan’s named Zhang invited several wealthy locals to deposit large sums in the money shop for good luck. The shop was closed that day, with all clerks on holiday, leaving only Hu Xueyan waiting as agreed. When these men arrived at “Fukang,” no one answered their knocks. Zhang, being familiar with the place, pushed the door open directly. When the door swung open, they were all startled. The entire hall was brilliantly lit, and the literary God of Wealth, Tao Zhugong, sat in the main hall. They were so frightened they fell to their knees in worship. Then they heard Hu Xueyan’s surprised inquiry, and when they looked up again, the figure before them wasn’t the God of Wealth but clearly Hu Xueyan, the proprietor.

“Think about it—if one person had a hallucination, that would be one thing, but how could several people all have the same vision, all seeing the true form of the God of Wealth? That’s why word spread immediately that Hu Xueyan was the God of Wealth incarnate. Whoever does business with him will have good fortune.” Old Wang’s vivid narration left the surrounding listeners stunned. He added proudly: “So this ‘Fukang’ draft is truly a ‘God of Wealth draft.’ Even if you don’t spend it and just keep it with you, it brings good luck.”

After this explanation, everyone understood. The young worker who had exchanged the draft couldn’t hide his regretful expression. Caravan workers were all superstitious, especially when crossing the Black Water Bog where they relied solely on luck. Having released the God of Wealth seemed terribly inauspicious.

Gu Pingyuan had been quietly observing from the side. Now he stepped forward, cupped his hands toward Old Wang and said: “Friend, would you be willing to let me have this God of Wealth draft?”

Old Wang naturally refused, but Gu Pingyuan offered double the price, adding, “This doubled money is a gift from the God of Wealth. If you refuse it, aren’t you afraid of angering the deity?” With these words, Old Wang had no choice but to agree.

Chang Si’s father moved closer to examine the bank draft in Gu Pingyuan’s hand, smiling slightly: “Brother Gu is a scholar, yet I wouldn’t have expected…”

Chang Si’s father left the rest unsaid, and Gu Pingyuan naturally understood but merely smiled without responding. His reasoning was actually quite simple—the caravan’s crossing hinged significantly on confidence, and reclaiming the “God of Wealth draft” would boost the entire caravan’s morale. As for the “God of Wealth” tale, Gu Pingyuan was a perceptive man who surely recognized this as Hu Xueyan’s stratagem to build reputation for “Fukang.” Upon further reflection, he couldn’t help but admire this Hu’s tactics. Even if someone guessed the truth, they couldn’t disprove it, and common folk would rather believe it existed. It was truly a brilliant move.

“Doing business with such a person would surely be quite interesting,” Gu Pingyuan carefully folded the “God of Wealth draft” and placed it in his pocket.

At that moment, a caravan worker approached.

“Manager Chang, a young lady is looking for you.”

“For me?” Chang Si’s father frowned, then looked up and was startled. “Yu’er, why have you come?”

Chang Yu’er had hired a carriage and, without answering her father, instructed the driver to unload her belongings. Chang Si’s father was even more surprised to see that Chang Yu’er had brought two bundles and a small chest.

“Yu’er, we’ve prepared everything necessary. You don’t need to…”

“Father, these are my necessary belongings.” Chang Yu’er wore a plain cyan-colored short jacket paired with dark-colored quilted trousers. She wore light makeup and had her hair braided into a thick, black plait, with a red cord tied at the end adorned with pearl flowers, giving her a neat appearance.

“What?!” All three men were greatly shocked.

“Father, I want to join the caravan.” Chang Yu’er’s voice wasn’t loud, but her tone was resolute.

“No! I won’t allow it. You’re a young woman. How can you travel such distances, especially on such a dangerous route!” Chang Si’s father almost shouted. Liu Heita and Gu Pingyuan also instinctively shook their heads.

Chang Yu’er remained calm: “Father, listen to me.” She pointed at Liu Heita. “Given Brother’s temperament, if he flares up during the journey, only you and I can control him. This matter is of utmost importance to our family. We can’t afford another incident like last time.”

“Hey!” Liu Heita was agitated upon hearing this. “Sister, why are you using me as an excuse?”

Chang Yu’er’s face reddened slightly. In truth, she had only revealed half her reasoning. While her concern about Liu Heita causing trouble was genuine, ever since Gu Pingyuan had left their home, she had been restless. In her heart, Chang Yu’er already considered herself Gu Pingyuan’s person. Seeing him facing such danger, she couldn’t bear it, and after much deliberation, decided to use this excuse to accompany them.

When it came to handling Liu Heita, even Chang Si’s father wasn’t as effective as Chang Yu’er. She smiled subtly, using the opportunity to hide her embarrassment: “If we’re talking about dangers on the road, with Brother here, won’t he protect me?”

Liu Heita was delighted to hear this: “Of course! Whoever dares touch my sister, I’ll twist their head off!”

Chang Si’s father glared at him fiercely, still insisting: “No!”

Chang Yu’er gently pulled her father aside and spoke softly: “Last time, it was Brother who went beyond the pass. This time, it’s Brother and… and Manager Gu. When all is said and done, this is for our Chang family’s sake. Shouldn’t someone from the Chang family participate?”

“Then I should go!” Chang Si’s father argued.

“Chen Laizi and Wang Tiangui are still coveting our old house. You saw what happened when you returned with the ox cart last time. If another such incident occurs, who will manage things at home if there’s no one to handle it? So you must stay.” Chang Yu’er had prepared her arguments during the journey, and now with one reason after another, Chang Si’s father was utterly defenseless.

“But you’re a young woman…”

“Father, Hua Mulan could substitute for her father in battle—I’m no less capable than her. Don’t forget, you raised me like a boy since childhood and even taught me to ride. Besides, I know a few phrases in Mongolian, which might prove useful at a critical moment.”

“Ah!” By this point, Chang Si’s father was completely out of rebuttals. His long sigh signified his consent. Gu Pingyuan was astonished, never expecting that after fighting through so many obstacles, they would indeed be accompanied by an “imperial sister-in-law,” and felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier.

Caravans departed from Taiyuan City almost daily for the western regions, but this occasion was distinctly different. Those who came to see them off stretched three miles from the city gate, though most were merely spectators. At the Sanduo Pavilion outside the city, Manager Wu had hired a theater troupe to perform “Returning Victorious” on flat ground, seeking an auspicious omen. The crowd bid farewell with cupped hands.

The caravan had traveled less than ten miles when they encountered several horses and a carriage coming from the opposite direction. Camels being slow and horses fast, they passed each other quickly. Gu Pingyuan glanced at them and was greatly shocked, nearly jumping off his camel.

The riders were none other than Zhang Guangfa and Li Qin. They too spotted Gu Pingyuan, their eyes filled with astonishment, but they didn’t rein in their horses, continuing to gallop rapidly toward Taiyuan Prefecture.

Gu Pingyuan almost urged his camel to chase after them, but as soon as the thought arose, he forced himself to resist. He wasn’t one to act rashly, knowing that if he spurred his camel to run, the entire caravan might scatter. After some thought, he had to swallow his curiosity, though a huge question lingered in his mind.

To cross the Black Water Bog, they first needed to ford the Yellow River. The famous Hukou Waterfall in Shanxi Province was the most magnificent Yellow River viewing spot in the land, but to cross the river, they had to avoid that area entirely. The caravan followed the Yellow River upstream for seven days, choosing a crossing with many shallows and gentle waves, successfully transporting the entire caravan across.

This was the first hurdle. According to Old Qi, with good weather, there would be no more dangerous passages until they reached the Black Water Bog. However, the caravan encountered trouble when they reached the dry riverbed at the Shanxi-Mongolia border. Everyone was shocked to discover that this river, which hadn’t flooded for over a decade, was now flowing due to heavy rainfall that year.

Precisely because this river was normally shallow enough to cross while leading horses, there were no ferries. Seeing the broad highway on the opposite bank yet unable to cross, the caravan members were extremely anxious but could think of no solution. They could only set up tents on the bank and wait for the water to recede.

For three consecutive days, the water level rose rather than fell. Liu Heita proposed leading the camels across the river by force, but Old Qi repeatedly shook his head: “Nonsense! Camels might know how to swim, but these goods cannot get wet. If medicines get soaked, won’t they all be ruined?”

“Elder Qi is right. Protecting the medicines is our first priority. Otherwise, even if the caravan crosses, it’s useless.” Gu Pingyuan, lacking experience in merchant travel, decided to seek the leader’s advice completely. “In Elder Qi’s view, should we continue waiting or devise another strategy?”

“In normal times, I would say wait—wait ten days or half a month until the autumn flood passes and the dry season begins. Then we wouldn’t worry about the water receding. But on this journey—ah, time waits for no one.”

“Certainly. Those Mongolians said they won’t accept the goods if we’re even one day late.” Liu Heita slapped his thigh.

The caravan had been rushing precisely because of this urgent one-month deadline. Gu Pingyuan had calculated carefully—the Black Water Bog was indeed the shortest route. If they didn’t delay at all from their departure date, they could even gain a few days. This was why he had been willing to wait for three days by the dry riverbed, but now it seemed they truly couldn’t wait any longer.

“I’ve encountered such a situation once before,” Old Qi slowly began. “It was when I was young, having just become a caravan leader. Our caravan was also in a hurry to cross a river, but coincidentally, fierce waves had overturned several ferries, and no one would transport us. Being young and hot-blooded, I was determined to prove myself. So I tied a long rope and swam across the dangerous current alone, establishing a rope bridge between the banks. The camel drivers, riding their camels and gripping the rope bridge, made it across—though a few were swept away, most crossed successfully.”

Liu Heita blinked: “I wouldn’t have guessed that Elder Qi was so formidable in his youth.” He turned to Gu Pingyuan: “Brother Gu, I say we follow his example. This time, I’ll go down to set up the rope bridge.”

Old Qi waved his hand: “It won’t work. That time, we were transporting copper wares, which aren’t afraid of water. But this time, our goods cannot get wet.”

“No!” Having heard Old Qi’s story, Gu Pingyuan had been deep in thought with his head lowered. Now he stood up. “It’s not necessarily impossible. We can adapt the method.”

“Adapt?” Those in the tent didn’t understand and asked in unison.

Gu Pingyuan offered no explanation. He lifted the tent flap and walked out, took a few steps along the riverbank, then stopped to observe the current and examine the green mountains on both shores before smiling: “Good, that’s it.”

Everyone had followed him out, and hearing him say this, they looked at each other, still puzzled.

Gu Pingyuan first called over a worker and instructed: “Ride immediately to the nearest town and buy long ropes, at least twenty zhang in length. If they don’t have enough, have them splice some together. They must be sturdy.”

The worker departed with his orders. Old Qi walked a few steps to Gu Pingyuan’s side and tentatively asked: “Manager Gu, you still want to set up a rope bridge? That would likely damage at least half the goods.”

“No. This time, I want to build a sky ladder.”

Gu Pingyuan’s idea was inspired by Old Qi’s experience. He planned to find a large tree on each side of the river—one higher, one lower—tie ropes between them, and use the height difference to slide the packaged goods across. This qualified as an ingenious idea. Others expressed immediate approval upon hearing it, except for Old Qi, whose expression changed slightly. Though he also said “good,” he seemed quite reluctant.

Gu Pingyuan noticed this and immediately understood the issue. Logically, if such a good idea hadn’t come from the experienced caravan leader, it would reflect poorly on his abilities, even suggesting negligence. Though no one had realized this yet, there would certainly be gossip later, potentially ruining Old Qi’s reputation.

Gu Pingyuan, always considerate of others, didn’t hesitate for a moment. He went into the tent, retrieved a bottle of Fen liquor for warmth, filled two cups, handed one to Old Qi, and kept one for himself. Looking around at everyone, he announced loudly: “Listen, everyone. This idea is entirely borrowed from Elder Qi’s story. If not for him being here, our journey would have ended right here. I toast the Elder on behalf of everyone.”

The group cheered again, and Old Qi’s expression had softened by now. “Let others carry the flowered sedan chair”—having spent a lifetime on caravan routes, he was well-versed in human nature and immediately understood Gu Pingyuan’s intention. Grateful in his heart but not showing it on his face, he drained his cup. As he returned the cup to Gu Pingyuan, he whispered: “Thank you, Manager Gu, for honoring this old man.”

With these words, a friendship was established. Gu Pingyuan didn’t need to say more; he just smiled and nodded.

With a plan in place and the ropes purchased by noon, it was now Liu Heita’s turn to act. He removed his upper clothes and trousers, leaving only his underwear, revealing a body of black, sinewy muscles. Around his waist, he fastened a two-inch-wide cowhide belt with one end of the rope attached.

Gu Pingyuan, concerned, wanted to offer some additional instructions, but Liu Heita, full of swagger, wouldn’t listen. He took a jar of wine and strode to the riverbank, gulping down several large mouthfuls, then raised the jar high above his head. With a powerful grip of both hands, the jar shattered with a “crash,” the wine flowing down from his head. The weather was already quite cold, and even at noon, strong liquor was needed to warm the body. Otherwise, if cramps occurred in the water, even the gods couldn’t save him.

All preparations completed, Liu Heita shook his large head and dove into the river. His swimming skills were indeed excellent—he spent more time underwater than surfacing, and the rope could be seen rapidly disappearing into the river. Precisely because of this, everyone held their breath in anxiety, especially when Liu Heita submerged and disappeared. The caravan workers gathered on the shore fell silent until Liu Heita surfaced for air, at which point they loudly cheered and encouraged him.

“This river is wider than the one I crossed in my youth, and the current is fiercer,” Old Qi said, shading his eyes with his hand as he peered into the river, speaking continuously.

Among all present, Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yu’er were the most anxious. If something happened to Liu Heita, they couldn’t face Chang Si’s father upon their return. But anxiety was futile at this moment; they could only watch numbly. In the blink of an eye, Liu Heita reached the middle of the river where several large whirlpools looked particularly dangerous. Just as Gu Pingyuan was about to call out a warning, Liu Heita’s body, floating on the surface, suddenly sank and disappeared entirely.

Gu Pingyuan was so anxious he repeatedly stamped his feet. Chang Yu’er, who had been watching from behind the crowd, hurried to the riverbank, anxiously scanning the water. Everyone forgot propriety and called out loudly, hoping Liu Heita would surface and respond. Just as everyone’s hearts were in their throats, there was a splash from the opposite bank—Liu Heita, paddling with his feet, emerged from the water, his hands already grasping the rocks on the shore.

At this, the caravan workers erupted in cheers. Liu Heita turned back toward the opposite bank, raised both hands high, and grinned widely, looking extremely pleased. Gu Pingyuan finally understood—Liu Heita had been showing off his skills, crossing the river by following the riverbed stones underwater. This truly demonstrated exceptional skill and courage. The undercurrent was rapid, and if he had been unstable for a moment and struck against sharp rocks, even ten Liu Heitas wouldn’t have survived.

Gu Pingyuan smiled bitterly, suppressing his retrospective fear, and directed the workers to secure the ropes and transport the goods. He also assigned people to use the rope to cross the river and help Liu Heita. They worked until the moon rose high, finally getting all the people, camels, and goods safely to the opposite bank. By then, everyone was famished and exhausted. Old Qi and the young leader directed a group to set up tents and prepare meals.

Gu Pingyuan approached Liu Heita and punched him lightly on the shoulder, though his eyes showed amusement: “I really thought you had sunk to the bottom.”

Liu Heita now seemed somewhat embarrassed: “Sorry for worrying you, Brother Gu. I was just having fun. This water is nothing to me. I could catch fish underwater by the time I was three.”

“Don’t do that again.” Chang Yu’er came over, asserting her “imperial commissioner” status, having been quite frightened.

“I never expected your swimming skills to be so good. I worried for nothing.” Despite the New’an River flowing just outside Gu Village, Gu Pingyuan couldn’t swim at all. His teacher had strictly adhered to Confucian principles, telling him from childhood that “our bodies, hair, and skin are gifts from our parents and should not be damaged.” Thus, Gu Pingyuan was forbidden from dangerous places. Recalling his teacher’s words and realizing that this journey risked not just “hair and skin” but his very life, he couldn’t help feeling reflective.

“Brother Gu, what are you thinking about?” Liu Heita, noticing his distraction, asked directly.

“Oh.” Gu Pingyuan smiled. “Nothing, just thinking about my childhood. By the way, Brother Liu, you’re Father’s adopted son. Why didn’t you take his surname?”

The question made Liu Heita’s smile fade: “That’s Father’s kindness. When I was seven, the Fen River flooded, washing away our entire village. My parents only had time to throw me onto a wooden frame before being swept away. When I woke up, I was already lying on the Chang family’s kang. Later, neighbors told me that while others were picking valuable items from upstream debris, only Father saw I still had breath and carried me home.”

Chang Yu’er knew this story better than anyone and listened quietly. Liu Heita fell silent at this point. Gu Pingyuan knew he was dwelling on past sorrows and didn’t press him. After a while, Liu Heita continued: “Others laughed at Father’s foolishness. Having no son of his own, he picked up a boy but wouldn’t let him change his surname. Only Father told me privately that he couldn’t let the Liu family lineage end, so he absolutely refused to let me change my surname.”

Gu Pingyuan was deeply moved and sighed: “Though Father Chang is a merchant, his actions show more chivalry than many well-read scholars.”

“Hmph! What’s wrong with being a merchant?” Old Qi had approached them unnoticed, and hearing Gu Pingyuan’s words, he laughed coldly. “I remember last summer when Xia County suffered a locust plague, officials asked our caravan merchant association to donate. Thinking these were our fellow villagers, large and small caravans together collected four hundred taels of silver. Later we learned that by the time this money reached Xia County, less than forty taels remained—the rest had been skimmed and embezzled layer by layer by those dog officials. Every one of those officials is a scholar, yet their hearts are so filthy that even us lowly porters wouldn’t want to associate with them.”

Gu Pingyuan was shocked by these words. The statements of Old Qi and his teacher clashed in his mind, leaving him momentarily uncertain which constituted true wisdom. Having been in exile for so many years, seeing and hearing much, he already knew that in today’s world, the words of sages were merely illusions. Now that Old Qi had exposed this truth, he felt that losing his scholarly status might not have been such a bad thing after all.

“Old Qi, don’t speak so roughly. Brother Gu is also a scholar, and I think he’s different from those officials,” Liu Heita, perceptive despite his rough exterior, noticed Gu Pingyuan’s changed expression and, fearing he might feel hurt, tried to mediate.

“Never mind the officials. Even those Shanxi gentry lords breathe through the same nostril as the government. They’ve read all those books into a dog’s belly.” Old Qi, having drunk a few cups to warm himself, was now uninhibited by the alcohol and spoke his mind regardless of others’ feelings.

“I think these words are quite accurate,” Chang Yu’er, who had been silent, now spoke. “That Wang Tiangui is said to have a purchased scholarly title, and Taigu’s county magistrate is even a jinshi graduate. Yet they’re in cahoots, black-hearted, and specifically target common folk like us.”

“Justice often comes from butchers, while heartlessness is found in top scholars.” Gu Pingyuan recited a few lines of poetry with his hands behind his back. Seeing the clouds part to reveal a bright moon on the horizon, his mood inexplicably improved, and he let out a long laugh toward the great river before him. Behind him, Liu and Qi exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what poetic inspiration had struck this scholar, unaware that from this moment on, Gu Pingyuan was no longer a scholar.