“Master, this is an urgent letter that Zhang Guangfa had someone deliver.” Li An, the personal attendant, opened an oiled paper package and respectfully placed a small booklet that was inside onto the desk.

After lunch, Li Wantang customarily practiced his calligraphy. Today he was writing: “Above the earth is heaven – do not say heaven is high. Beyond man is spirit – acknowledge that spirit observes.” After finishing, he frowned lightly, looking at the ink-stained paper scroll and shaking his head in dissatisfaction.

“Master’s calligraphy is truly excellent,” Li An said from the side.

“The strokes still lack restraint.” Li Wantang lowered his rolled-up sleeves. “You say Zhang Guangfa sent a letter?”

“Yes, delivered by fast horse. The messenger said Zhang Guangfa had already found someone to examine it, and this booklet is undoubtedly authentic.”

Li Wantang scooped up a cup of snow water collected last winter, gently rinsing his brush, then poured the ink water out the window beneath the plum tree.

“Ink water is most suitable for watering ink plum blossoms – this is making the best use of everything.” In his heart, Zhang Guangfa’s crushing defeat at the hands of the Shanxi merchants was like a blade that had lost its edge, no longer of any great use. He casually picked up the booklet, flipped through it randomly, then carefully read it from beginning to end. His face remained expressionless, but his mind was racing with thoughts.

“It’s admirable that even in his complete defeat, he could still devise this method.” Li Wantang handed the booklet to Li An. Though Li An was nominally just an attendant, after more than ten years of Li Wantang’s guidance and constant exposure, his abilities and insight already far exceeded those of ordinary chief managers.

Li An flipped through the booklet and after pondering for a moment said: “Master originally wanted to bring the Shanxi piaohao under your control. Now that Zhang Guangfa has found this method, wouldn’t it uproot all the piaohao entirely, only benefiting the court while we gain nothing? This would be thankless effort – please reconsider, Master.”

Li Wantang closed his eyes and pondered for a long while, having already made up his mind. “This matter is worth doing. First, it eliminates a powerful enemy; second, it gains the court’s favor; third, even if it becomes barren land, I can rebuild pavilions and towers upon it.”

He ordered a carriage to take him to the residence of Minister of Revenue Baojun. The gatekeeper said Baojun had gone to Prince Gong’s residence, which perfectly suited Li Wantang’s intentions, so he redirected to Prince Gong’s residence.

Baojun had come to see Prince Gong to discuss various personnel matters within and outside the court. Prince Gong held high position and great power, so those whispered conversations from behind doors and around corners never reached his ears. Yet sometimes these words could influence court politics, and those in power couldn’t completely ignore them, so Baojun became Prince Gong’s conduit for information. Though he was a first-rank official, in his youth he had been a dissolute young master with a group of fair-weather friends scattered throughout various departments and offices. With just a slight turn of his head, he could fill his ears with such talk.

Now he was speaking about how some in court were privately discussing that when Sushun and the other eight regent ministers were in power, military affairs proceeded smoothly. But now with Prince Gong in charge, the military situation had become a stalemate, and even Shi Dakai, who had separated from the Taiping forces, was continuously attacking and capturing cities in Sichuan.

“So they’re saying this prince’s abilities are inferior to Sushun’s?” Prince Gong’s heart grew heavy upon hearing this.

“These are all petty people – why should Your Highness concern yourself with them?” Baojun advised.

“No, these words cannot be taken lightly. Now they’re merely private discussions, but if this continues, they might well become sharp criticisms in memorial petitions. When the court demands a clear response, with all the facts laid bare, how could we refute them?”

“This…” Baojun’s entire fortune was tied to Prince Gong, so hearing this naturally filled him with secret alarm.

Prince Gong addressed Baojun by his courtesy name: “Peiheng, to silence those in court, the most important thing is to first win a battle in the south, to show them that today’s court has more courage and accomplishment than during the regency period.”

Though Baojun was actually ignorant about military affairs, as a Grand Secretary he had to handle military matters as part of his duties. While considering, he said: “Your Highness speaks truly, and this battle must be absolutely certain of victory – we can only win, not lose. If we were to lose, it would be like vindicating Sushun and the others, which would be worthless.”

“It’s just that the Taiping rebels are all formidable opponents – where can we find a certain victory to fight?” Prince Gong furrowed his brow tightly.

Baojun suddenly remembered something and said to a servant waiting outside: “Go to His Highness’s study and fetch the map of Jiangnan.”

At this moment, someone reported: “Zhili Expectant Prefect Li Wantang requests an audience with Minister Baojun.”

Prince Gong glanced at Baojun, who didn’t know what this was about. After thinking, he said: “Though this man is a merchant, he’s extremely proper. He wouldn’t come here unless it was important business, and it likely concerns Your Highness as well.”

Prince Gong was thinking the same thing, so he ordered Li Wantang to be brought in.

The map had already been brought, and Baojun spread it open under the lamplight in the flower hall. After studying it briefly, he said joyfully: “Your Highness, I have it.”

Prince Gong moved over, and Baojun pointed to the map: “Your Highness, please look. In the Huizhou region, three forces are now in a triangular standoff – one is the government army, one is the Taiping rebels led by the false King Ying, and another is Miao Peilin’s army.”

Prince Gong said: “Miao Peilin… I’ve heard of this man. He’s said to be cunning and treacherous, helping the government when they’re winning and the Taiping when they’re winning – a fence-sitter who plays both sides. In reality, he wants to establish himself as king in Huizhou.”

“Exactly. However, last month he sent a secret letter to the Anhui Governor expressing his intention to surrender. The Grand Secretariat hasn’t yet decided how to respond. In my view, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. We order Miao Peilin to attack Chen Yucheng as proof of his sincere surrender. Government troops can observe from the sidelines and engage in shadow boxing. If Chen Yucheng is defeated, that’s naturally a great victory. If Miao Peilin is defeated, government troops can seize the opportunity to eliminate him, removing a future threat – that would also be a great victory.” Baojun’s mouth curved in an extremely pleased smile.

Prince Gong’s face lit up with a smile: “Good, good! Such a strategy that benefits us either way – how did you think of it? However, this matter cannot use official court documents. You write a private letter to Anhui Governor Yuan Jiasan, instructing him to proceed accordingly. From the Ministry of Revenue, immediately allocate military provisions to the Anhui garrison. This matter must be handled completely and perfectly.”

Hearing that money would be needed, Baojun frowned deeply. Years of fighting the Taiping had already drained the Ministry’s treasury dry – where could they find such a large sum of extra funds? But knowing this matter was of great importance, he could only steel himself and agree.

Li Wantang had been inside for quite some time, and hearing the Prince discuss military affairs – not his area of expertise – he remained silent, standing to the side and listening quietly. Only when Baojun’s finger pointed to where the three armies were locked in struggle did his brow bone twitch almost imperceptibly.

“Old friend, what matter brings you all the way to the Prince’s residence?” After the discussion concluded, Baojun turned with a smile to ask Li Wantang.

Li Wantang first hastily kowtowed to the Prince, then exchanged courtesies with Baojun. His first words stunned both the Prince and the Grand Secretary.

“This humble official has over ten million taels of silver to donate to the court.”

Over ten million taels of silver – that would be emptying one’s entire fortune. Both Prince Gong and Baojun knew Li Wantang was a shrewd businessman who would never engage in Xian Gao’s selfless patriotic acts. They exchanged glances, both showing surprise.

“Old friend, this is the Prince’s residence, not a place for casual talk. Are your words true?” After a long pause, Baojun finally spoke.

“They are true. But this money belongs neither to this humble official nor to the Beijing merchants.”

“Li Wantang, explain yourself clearly – what exactly is this about?” Prince Gong frowned.

“Yes.” Li Wantang suddenly fell to his knees. “Reporting to Your Highness, this humble official has recently learned that the Shanxi piaohao were established using rebel funds that Li Zicheng plundered from the former Ming Dynasty. Subsequently, they were controlled by the rebels Gu Yanwu and Fu Qingzhu, serving as a financial source to support anti-Qing restoration forces. To this day, all the secret codes and regulations of the Shanxi piaohao still follow rules established by Gu and Fu, unchanged for a hundred years. For example, using ‘Zhao’s perfect jade disc, transmitted throughout the world from ancient times’ as secret codes for one through ten, and using ‘national treasure circulation’ as codes for hundred million, ten million, thousand, hundred – secretly implying that the imperial seal belongs to the Han house.”

“Such a thing exists?” Baojun had always known about the long-established business practices of the Shanxi piaohao, but never imagined they were established by rebels. He was greatly shocked.

“This humble official obtained a booklet handwritten by Gu Yanwu at the beginning of our dynasty, clearly detailing the intentions behind establishing the Shanxi piaohao and their communications with southern rebel parties at that time. Since the Shanxi piaohao have such background, and the Taiping and Nian rebels rose so quickly and have been so difficult to exterminate, who knows if they aren’t supporting them from behind? Therefore, this humble official dared not delay and came through the night to report this matter to Your Highness and the Minister.” He presented the booklet from his sleeve with both hands.

Baojun received it and examined it carefully with Prince Gong. Indeed, as Li Wantang had said, the booklet stated everything clearly, even saying that should the Ming Dynasty be restored one day, the Shanxi piaohao could immediately be transferred for use by the Ministry of Revenue.

“Hmph! Gu Yanwu, this unrepentant rebel leader – a hundred-year dream, his rotten bones should feel shame.” Prince Gong sneered coldly.

Baojun was still pondering Li Wantang’s earlier words. Since the Shanxi piaohao were rebel property, by law they could be confiscated. The eight million taels they had just borrowed need not be repaid, and immediately at least ten million more would be recovered for the Ministry’s treasury. Gu Yanwu’s words had become prophetic, except instead of being transferred to the Ming Ministry of Revenue, they would become the Qing Ministry’s substantial property.

The piaohao had houses, land, silver reserves, and various shops and businesses under their names. Confiscating such vast assets would enrich countless officials from top to bottom, with himself naturally getting the largest share, and all these officials who received benefits would be grateful to him.

Thinking of this, Baojun wanted to promote this matter both for public and private reasons.

“Your Highness, since the rebel traces are now clear, there’s absolutely no reason not to act. Otherwise, if this spreads, it might dampen our soldiers’ morale.”

“Hmm…” Prince Gong felt this was a momentous matter and couldn’t decide immediately.

Li Wantang had been listening to their conversation and now quietly interjected: “Your Highness, this humble official believes that now is a crucial moment in the southeastern campaign. The Shanxi piaohao were created from rebel property and established with rebel regulations – they are certainly guilty of rebellion. We cannot leave this threat to supply provisions to the Taiping and Nian rebels. Otherwise, the victory that the court eagerly anticipates would be like flowers in a mirror or moon in water – unattainable.”

Having just entered the Prince’s flower hall, he had immediately guessed from just a few words what Prince Gong was most concerned about at this moment. Indeed, one sentence moved this Prince Regent.

Seeing Prince Gong slowly nod, Li Wantang revealed an almost imperceptible smile.

After leaving the Daping Trading House, Gu Pingyuan borrowed ink and brush at a paper shop to fill in the fourth stroke of the character “夷” (barbarian). This time his heart was heavy, and his brush felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Once this step was taken, there would be no turning back. If his stratagem failed to work, or even if it couldn’t succeed completely, it would create an unprecedented catastrophe.

“Manager Gu, here’s the court gazette you requested, just delivered from Taiyuan Prefecture.” The paper shop owner handed over several pages.

The court gazette, also called “Palace Gate Transcripts,” was mainly used to transmit political news from the capital. Imperial edicts, ministerial memorials, and information about official appointments and transfers were all content that gazette clerks needed to collect and transcribe. The Qing Cabinet maintained a special “Transcription Office” outside the East Flower Gate in the capital. Daily, people from Liulichang would go there to copy various important court news. After obtaining the transcripts, to save time, they would immediately print them. Besides imperial edicts which were published in full, memorials were selected based on importance – routine reports naturally weren’t included, but military reports had to be published.

Provincial officials mainly learned about capital news through these gazettes. With numerous government offices in Taiyuan Prefecture, gazettes were naturally everywhere. As for why a Taigu businessman had been reading gazettes consistently for several months, almost daily without fail, the paper shop manager was also puzzled.

After reading the gazette, Gu Pingyuan let out a long breath and suddenly asked: “Manager, do you think there are more confused officials or more clear-headed officials in the current court?”

“Oh my, we’re just merchants – we can’t and don’t dare concern ourselves with court matters,” the paper shop manager said carefully.

“Then do you think the Empress Dowager who rules from behind the curtain is clear-headed or confused?”

The manager shuddered with fright: “This… this…”

Gu Pingyuan paid no attention and continued speaking to himself: “Reading these gazettes, the court’s actions seem fairly just. I only hope that this time the court will be confused first and clear-headed later, helping me perform this drama to its perfect conclusion.”

“Manager Gu, you’ve confused me completely – what are you talking about?”

Gu Pingyuan smiled ruefully: “Nothing, I misspoke.”

He stepped outside and happened to encounter Chang Yu’er passing by on the street. The two hadn’t met since the Mid-Autumn Festival. Seeing her carrying a basket with some food inside, Gu Pingyuan asked: “Are you going to see Old Father Chang Si?”

Chang Yu’er shook her head and asked in return: “Brother Gu, why do you look so worried?”

Only then did Gu Pingyuan realize his concerns were written on his face. For some reason, he was willing to share his worries with Chang Yu’er. Every time he talked with her, his mood would become much calmer.

“Miss Chang, there may be a great upheaval soon. It might involve many people, but ultimately I hope the result will be that the Chang family compound returns to the old father’s hands.”

Chang Yu’er was startled, then understood. For the compound to return to the Chang family meant Wang Tiangui would certainly face downfall. But seeing him daily full of pride and hearing people say he had become the true leader of the piaohao merchants, he didn’t seem like someone who would fail suddenly.

Seeing Chang Yu’er’s surprised expression, Gu Pingyuan said softly: “Do you remember what I said at the foot of Mount Li? To catch an old fox, you must set a trap. The more appealing the bait, the closer he gets to falling into the pit.”

“I understand.” Chang Yu’er was clever, her eyes sparkling with joy. “I heard that Brother Gu devised the account transfer method that made Wang Tiangui the chief manager. That was the bait you fed him, wasn’t it?”

“The higher one climbs, the harder one falls.” Gu Pingyuan nodded. “My trap involves several steps, and now it’s nearly complete. But today I’ve also created a great disaster. Without destruction there can be no construction – this disaster must be created to catch Wang Tiangui, but the ultimate outcome is difficult to predict.” Gu Pingyuan rarely sighed.

“Brother Gu, don’t worry. There will surely be a good outcome.”

“Why?”

Chang Yu’er had only meant to comfort Gu Pingyuan, but when he seriously asked why, she thought for a moment and suddenly had an inspiration: “Doesn’t the saying go ‘Heaven doesn’t fail those with sincere hearts’?”

Gu Pingyuan smiled. His trap had indeed required painstaking effort. “I hope it will be as Miss Chang says.”

“By the way, carrying this food, if you’re not visiting Old Father Chang, where are you going?”

By now the two had walked while talking to a poor alley. Chang Yu’er looked at a makeshift shelter at the alley entrance, built with torn felt and a few small sticks, inside which a beggar lay prostrate, apparently still unconscious from sleep.

Chang Yu’er gestured to Gu Pingyuan not to make noise, then walked forward several steps to place the items from her basket before the beggar, then retreated.

Gu Pingyuan was initially puzzled, but then looked carefully and recognized her, nearly crying out: “She… isn’t she Ruyi?”

“Yes.” Chang Yu’er nodded, her face full of pity. “She’s also a pitiful person, ruined by Wang Tiangui to this state. Brother Gu, let’s go. She’ll be sad if she sees us.” Chang Yu’er naturally understood a woman’s feelings.

Gu Pingyuan nodded silently, took out a silver coin from his pocket and placed it beside Ruyi as well. He looked at her once more before leaving with Chang Yu’er.

They hadn’t walked far when Ruyi’s eyes suddenly opened, staring straight at the retreating figures of Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yu’er. She slowly sat up and threw the food Chang Yu’er had brought to the stray dogs by the roadside, one item at a time. She clutched the silver coin tightly in her palm, its sharp edge cutting into her flesh, drops of blood falling to the ground, but she felt nothing. Her gaze flickered between hatred and jealousy, flashing with a fire that could burn everything to ashes.

That night, when the city’s residents had all fallen asleep, Ruyi came to the Little South River. She stripped off her ragged clothes and threw them into the river, exposing herself completely naked to the deep night. Then she slowly walked into the river water. She washed herself with the flowing water, and though the river was bone-chillingly cold, her movements were slow and gentle. She washed for a long time until all the grime on her body was carried away by the river water, then came ashore and put on a “bell-shaped” cloak – clothing she had bought with Gu Pingyuan’s silver coin.

“Thump, thump…” The knocking sounded over ten times before Chen Laizi, drunk and sound asleep, finally got up, cursing as he came to the courtyard: “Who’s knocking in the middle of the night? If it’s not a fire or thieves, I’ll beat you to death!”

He opened the door and was stunned: “You!”

“Yes, it’s me!” The person at the door brushed past Chen Laizi into the courtyard.

“Hey, hey, what are you doing coming in? Manager Wang said whoever dares shelter you is going against him.” Thinking of Wang Tiangui’s vicious methods, Chen Laizi couldn’t help but shiver.

“What are you afraid of? It’s so late, no one will know.” Ruyi didn’t stop walking, going straight into Chen Laizi’s room.

Thinking about it, that made sense. Chen Laizi’s courage grew somewhat: “So what do you want me to do, coming to my place in the middle of the night?”

“I have something I want you to do.” Ruyi turned to look at Chen Laizi.

“Do something? Fine, but bring out the silver.” Chen Laizi sneered mockingly: “How much does the young mistress want to reward me this time?”

“I have no silver.”

“No money? Go earn it at the Flower Moon House. Oh wait, I forgot – with that face of yours that could scare people to death, how would the madame dare let you in!” Chen Laizi laughed a couple of times, but seeing Ruyi had no reaction, he found it boring and stopped.

“Without silver, I still have something else.” As Ruyi spoke, she untied the clasp of her cloak, and the garment slipped from her shoulders to the floor. Her snow-white crystalline body stood completely exposed before Chen Laizi. He was immediately transfixed, involuntarily swallowing his saliva.

“Though my face is ruined, I still have my body.” Ruyi looked at the desire blazing in Chen Laizi’s eyes. “Agree to help me, and I’ll accompany you.”

Chen Laizi nodded involuntarily. Ruyi smiled indifferently, leaned back on the bed, and pulled over a square cloth to cover her face: “Come.”

“Open the door, I have urgent business with the chief manager.” The back residence of Rishengchang was the Lei family’s private dwelling. Usually after closing time, the door between the outer and inner courtyards was locked, and unless there was an emergency, it wouldn’t be opened before the fifth watch. Tonight this door was being pounded heavily. Mrs. Lei got up fully dressed to look and saw it was the accounting clerk keeping night watch in the shop.

“Chief Manager, someone has come to withdraw silver.”

The piaohao stopped accepting deposits after closing, and though silver could still be withdrawn before the second watch, after that all business stopped. Now hearing the night watchman’s wooden clapper sound, it was already the third watch. Coming to withdraw silver at this hour meant it was certainly extremely urgent, and for the accountant to come to the inner residence showed this customer was also extraordinary and not to be offended.

So Mrs. Lei didn’t first ask how much silver was being withdrawn, but asked: “Whose account?”

“Zhan Ji,” the accounting clerk whispered two words.

Mrs. Lei raised her eyebrows and was also stunned. Qing regulations prohibited officials from serving in their home provinces, so all officials appointed to this province were from other provinces. Opening an account at a piaohao to store official salaries was normal, but basically the money in these accounts far exceeded what their salaries should be. To prevent censors from investigating and impeaching them, and to avoid public criticism, most adopted secret account names. This “Zhan Ji” was such a case, with over two hundred thousand taels of silver stored at Rishengchang. As for the account holder’s identity, only a very few people in the piaohao knew it was the provincial governor himself.

“How much to withdraw?”

“Everything!”

Mrs. Lei felt her heart flip. She only thought for a moment, then immediately shouted: “Prepare the carriage, I’m going to the provincial capital.”

“Chief Manager, it’s so late and you want to go to the provincial capital? We have the silver he wants to withdraw in our vault. Why don’t we just give it to him first?” the accounting clerk asked.

Mrs. Lei spun around like a whirlwind, grabbed the accountant’s lapels with lightning speed, and spoke in a rapid-fire burst: “Listen carefully – the person the Governor sent to withdraw silver must be entertained with good food and wine. If he wants to gamble, you can lose tens of thousands of taels to him and it doesn’t matter. If he wants women, find the prettiest prostitutes in Pingyao. If he wants to beat and curse you, you and the clerks must endure it. Even if he wants to burn down the piaohao, you mustn’t try to save it! In short, one thing: until I return, absolutely do not pay out Zhan Ji’s silver, but this person must not be offended either.” The accounting clerk had never seen Mrs. Lei’s face so grave. Frightened pale, he could only nod repeatedly, unable to answer a word, watching stupidly as Mrs. Lei left.

“Sister, with such great abilities, who would have thought you too would become like Emperor Qin’s second son.” A voice as faint as mosquito buzz suddenly came from behind. The accounting clerk shuddered and turned to see Young Master Lei Nianzhu draped in a thick padded jacket, leaning against the middle gate, his gaunt face seeming sad yet happy, yet also completely expressionless, quietly gazing at the silhouette of Rishengchang’s front courtyard in the night.

“Sir, considering our many years of friendship, you must give me the truth!” Wang Tiangui looked at the blue-robed, small-capped Provincial Treasurer Xu who had come in civilian disguise, his voice extremely urgent.

“Didn’t I tell you? This official is retiring and returning home, so I need to withdraw my silver to take back!” Provincial Treasurer Xu replied impatiently.

A Qing prefect earned one hundred thousand taels in snow-bright silver – how much more for a Provincial Treasurer who controlled money and grain? Such a good position that people would fight desperately for couldn’t be abandoned for no reason. “Your term isn’t complete yet – why resign from office?”

“This official… this official…” Provincial Treasurer Xu stammered, finally saying: “This official is ill – that should be acceptable, shouldn’t it? Hurry and give me the silver, or I’ll send troops to seal your piaohao.”

The more Wang Tiangui heard, the more alarmed he became, knowing something major had happened. The only thing he could grasp now was this Provincial Treasurer Xu. He gritted his teeth: “Sir, since you won’t tell the truth, don’t blame Wang for not showing consideration for our friendship.”

“What? You dare stand up to me!” Provincial Treasurer Xu glared.

Wang Tiangui threw caution to the wind: “Sir, coming here in disguise tonight – I’m afraid you wouldn’t want others to know about it?”

“You…” This hit right at Provincial Treasurer Xu’s weak spot.

“I only want to know why you’re urgently withdrawing all your silver. Tell me, and you’ll get every bit of your silver. Don’t tell me, and we’ll just wait it out.” Coming to withdraw silver in the middle of the night meant something that couldn’t wait. Wang Tiangui was certain Provincial Treasurer Xu couldn’t afford to wait.

Indeed, Provincial Treasurer Xu’s tone softened considerably: “You insist on knowing?” He hesitated for a long while. “Fine, by tomorrow at the latest you’ll know anyway.” He had Wang Tiangui lean close and whispered a few words.

When he finished, beads of sweat the size of beans were already rolling down Wang Tiangui’s forehead, and his body began shaking uncontrollably. “Impossible!” he suddenly shouted wildly.

“The court’s secret edict has already been issued. Tomorrow we must welcome the imperial commissioner who comes to confiscate the piaohao. Currently only the Governor and I know of this matter in the entire province. Old Wang, listen to my advice – move your liquid assets around. As for the piaohao, houses, shops, and land holdings, there’s no way to save them. This is an imperial edict concerning such a major treason case – no one can help you. Accept your fate.”

Wang Tiangui sat in his chair with vacant eyes. He seemed to hear Provincial Treasurer Xu’s words, yet also seemed not to hear them. He was completely stunned.

“Gentlemen, this matter is absolutely true – you need not ask about its authenticity anymore.” Mrs. Lei quietly looked at the chief managers crowding before her, all speaking at once.

What a case of one wave following another! The chief managers of all the piaohao were urgently summoned to the Piaohao Merchants’ Association. Upon hearing the news Mrs. Lei had gathered from the provincial capital, it struck like thunder from a clear sky. Looking at Wang Tiangui’s deathly pale face beside her, even such a usually resourceful person had lost all hope – this time it seemed they were truly doomed.

“The piaohao cannot simply collapse like this. Even if we gather everyone together and go to the capital to petition the emperor,” someone shouted amid the chaos.

“Right! No matter if they’re managers or clerks, we’ll bring wives and children too – we must demand justice!” Others immediately responded.

“Don’t be foolish,” Mao Hongjun stood up and said gravely. “The court is currently investigating treason. If you gather a large group and go to the capital to petition the emperor, wouldn’t that be even more like organizing a rebellion? Wouldn’t you be stretching out your necks for them to cut?”

This awakened them from their delusion. The managers all fell silent but continued pacing frantically in distress.

“Manager Wang,” Mrs. Lei spoke, addressing only Wang Tiangui, her voice full of mockery. “You probably don’t know yet, but in treason cases, they must identify a rebel leader – the principal culprit. Your position as chief manager has already been registered with the authorities. When the imperial commissioner arrives, you’ll be the first one brought to trial.”

Provincial Treasurer Xu hadn’t mentioned this last night. Wang Tiangui stared at Mrs. Lei, knowing she wasn’t joking. His body swayed as he muttered: “How could this be? How could this be?”

Mrs. Lei ignored him and addressed the other managers: “The imperial commissioner will arrive in the provincial capital tonight. For such major confiscation cases, they always bring many experienced auditors from the Ministry of Revenue. If they work efficiently, they might even come tonight to seal the premises and examine the account books. Everyone should go back and prepare.”

Though these managers commanded wind and rain in the commercial world, none had encountered such a major incident. For a moment they were bewildered, not knowing how to prepare. After a long while, someone finally asked: “Manager Lei, what about you? How will you prepare?”

“Me?” Mrs. Lei’s beautiful face showed neither distress nor anger, but remained remarkably calm. “I’ll go back and inventory the silver vault, invite all the customers I can find, and pay them their silver. Then I’ll take out my private assets and distribute them to the managers and clerks in the establishment. They’ve worked hard all these years, and Rishengchang must take care of them to the end – we can’t let those who contributed feel disappointed.”

“After that, I’ll take a pot of good wine and some dishes, sit at Rishengchang’s entrance eating and drinking while waiting for the imperial commissioner to come confiscate everything.”

No one had expected Mrs. Lei to respond this way. Everyone looked at each other, and someone couldn’t help asking: “That’s it?”

“Of course. If the emperor wants to rob your piaohao, what can you do? You could burn it down, but I can’t bear to, so I’ll just let him take it.” Mrs. Lei smiled freely.

Mao Hongjun slowly stood and walked to Mrs. Lei, suddenly sighing deeply: “Lei Lutai, I’ve finally lost to you after all. None of my sons and grandsons are as admirable as your daughter! Ah, how fortunate for you to die and be done with it. Now that the piaohao face disaster, I truly regret living so many extra years – otherwise I wouldn’t have to watch the court destroy our life’s work!” He stamped his feet repeatedly, tears streaming down his aged face.

Mrs. Lei supported him, and only then did her eyes redden slightly. The other managers also sighed sadly, some beating their chests and wailing. The formerly mighty Piaohao Merchants’ Association now echoed with sounds of grief.

“Two people outside want to see all the managers,” the steward hurried in. Seeing this scene, he was also stunned, only remembering to announce after a long pause.

“Are they government officials?” Mrs. Lei’s heart sank. Were they moving so quickly?

“No. One is the second manager of Taiyufeng, and the other…”

Before the steward finished speaking, Gu Pingyuan’s voice came through, completely at odds with the atmosphere inside: “I thought I’d come to the wrong place. Is this the association hall or a funeral parlor? Why are all the managers looking so mournful?”

Mrs. Lei was in no mood for jokes: “Young brother, you probably don’t know yet, but currently…”

“I know,” Gu Pingyuan had been waiting day and night for this news. “It’s just that the court has issued an edict to confiscate all the province’s piaohao.”

He spoke so casually that all the managers couldn’t help raising their heads to glare at him, their eyes blazing with anger. Gu Pingyuan acted as if he didn’t see them, walking leisurely to the center of the hall, looking around before speaking: “Gentlemen, have you considered this: it’s been over two hundred years since those events, yet the court suddenly brings up old accounts now, coincidentally not long after the Shanxi piaohao defeated the Beijing merchant piaohao. How is it such a coincidence?”

Hearing Gu Pingyuan’s reasoning that pointed directly at the Beijing merchants, these managers all felt it made sense after careful consideration. “Where there’s no ghost, no one dies. But to catch the ghost takes time. If we could proceed gradually, investigate the matter thoroughly, and petition influential officials in the capital, this situation might not be irreversible,” Gu Pingyuan said slowly.

Mrs. Lei shook her head: “I’ve thought of all this, but the imperial commissioner is arriving immediately and confiscation is urgent. Once seized by the government, it’s like a sheep entering a tiger’s den – how could there be any return?”

“I have a solution!” These four words from Gu Pingyuan made even Wang Tiangui’s eyes widen, and everyone looked at him urgently.

“Old Abbot, please come over.”

With a sound of “Amitabha Buddha,” an old monk entered, pressing his palms together in greeting to everyone in the hall.

Everyone present recognized this monk – he was Master Hongjing, the abbot of Wubian Temple. They all knew he hadn’t stepped outside Wubian Temple for decades. Why would he suddenly appear here today?

“Who says this old monk left Wubian Temple? What’s boundless is the Buddha’s teachings, not the temple itself. With Buddha in one’s heart, everywhere is Wubian Temple,” Hongjing smiled slightly.

“I invited the Master here. The old abbot, compassionate at heart, knowing the piaohao face disaster, was willing to come with me into this world of dust to save all the managers from fire and flood.” Gu Pingyuan’s explanation only confused everyone more – what did a monk have to do with the court confiscating piaohao?

Gu Pingyuan stopped being mysterious and said directly: “You all must know that the court issued an edict during the Yongzheng era that Buddhist property absolutely cannot be confiscated.” Many people did know this – legend said it was because Yongzheng burned down Shaolin Temple, after which he suffered nightmares and deep torment, so he issued this edict in compensation.

“While the court’s confiscation team hasn’t arrived, all piaohao should donate their entire assets to Wubian Temple. Then the imperial commissioner would be helpless – not just him, but even if the current emperor came personally, he couldn’t violate ancestral commands. Later, when we find ways to make the court show leniency, even if it’s just reducing punishment, Wubian Temple will naturally return everyone’s assets one by one. This is better than having the government swallow everything without leaving even scraps.”

This was truly an ingenious strategy, remarkable that Gu Pingyuan thought of it. Mrs. Lei and the other managers looked at each other, momentarily speechless.

“What if we can’t find a way to make the court show leniency?” Wang Tiangui asked, his eyes darting about.

“So what? If the court confiscates everything, not only will the piaohao be seized for the state, but all the managers will bear the crime of rebellion, even implicating their families. But donating to the temple, even if it’s ultimately irreversible, you’d still end up empty-handed, but since the imperial commissioner couldn’t complete the confiscation, the case couldn’t proceed, and everyone would at least preserve their lives,” Gu Pingyuan stood in the hall speaking eloquently.

“He makes sense,” Mrs. Lei instantly weighed the pros and cons. “Better to give to Buddhist temples than to the government! The situation is urgent now – this might be our only path.”

“But…” Wang Tiangui looked at Master Hongjing, stuttering and still hesitating.

“I know what the manager is thinking, but at this time and place, who could find someone more trustworthy than Master Hongjing?” Gu Pingyuan’s words hit the mark. If even a Buddhist master of profound learning who had maintained strict cultivation for decades and was revered by all monks in the province couldn’t be trusted, then there was no need to discuss the matter further.

Mrs. Lei was first to nod, and the other managers, after much consideration, also slowly nodded in agreement.

The discussion resulted in this: the matter must be performed genuinely to convince the authorities. Everyone understood that once the imperial commissioner learned of this, he would immediately realize it was the piaohao merchants’ strategy, but precisely because of this, they couldn’t allow any flaws in the documentation. So each manager urgently returned to their respective piaohao to inventory accounts, gather all assets, account books, property deeds, land deeds, shop contracts, and business agreements, then meet at Wubian Temple at an appointed time. Old Abbot Hongjing would hold a “dharma assembly” where the donors would publicly donate their wealth, with written records as evidence. With both human and material proof, the government would be helpless.

When Wang Tiangui returned to Taiyufeng, he immediately saw the third chief of Evil Tiger Ravine gripping Accountant Qu’s neck, carrying him like an eagle carrying a chick.

“Master Wang, your subordinate was acting suspiciously, carrying a bundle to escape. I thought he was up to no good and searched him. Take a look at this.” He threw over a bank note.

“Fifty thousand taels, and it’s a note from Beijing’s Four Constants. Mr. Qu, can you explain where this note came from?” Wang Tiangui asked with a gloomy expression after reading it clearly. “Did the Beijing merchants give it to you? Did they have you spy on information here?”

“No, no,” Accountant Qu was scared to death, speaking through tears. “I swear to heaven I never took a single coin from the Beijing merchants.”

“With your annual salary of five hundred taels, after food and drink expenses, how did you save fifty thousand taels?” Wang Tiangui’s eyes shot out vicious light.

“I took kickbacks from customers and embezzled money from the accounts,” Accountant Qu, fearing being suspected as a spy, had to reluctantly confess these shameful acts.

“Hmph! So you didn’t dare deposit the silver in Shanxi piaohao because you feared I’d discover it. Now you probably know Taiyufeng is about to fall and fear being implicated, so you want to flee, right?”

“Manager, please have mercy. I’ll never dare again,” Accountant Qu pleaded.

“You’ve already dared!” Wang Tiangui signaled to the third chief. This Accountant Qu knew too much – since he had treacherous thoughts, he absolutely couldn’t be allowed to live.

The third chief grinned wickedly, extended two fingers to pinch Accountant Qu’s throat, and squeezed hard. Accountant Qu’s eyes bulged out, his legs kicked violently several times, then his head tilted and he stopped moving.

Only then did Wang Tiangui breathe a sigh of relief. The third chief looked at him with a grin, taking the fifty thousand tael note in his hand: “Master Wang, I helped you dispose of this rotten meat – give me this fifty thousand taels for drinking money.”

“You…” Wang Tiangui was both shocked and stunned.

“To be honest, brother’s official position has been confirmed, and your big tree is about to fall, so I won’t stay longer. Farewell,” the third chief cupped his hands with a mocking smile on his face.

Wang Tiangui sat powerlessly in the hall, looking at this piaohao hall that had once made him so impressive. Only now did he truly feel that others had fawned on, pleased, and even feared him all because of Taiyufeng behind him, because of the silver in the vault. Now these things were about to no longer belong to him!

“No, no, I can’t hand over Taiyufeng. This is my life – without Taiyufeng, what do I need life for!” Wang Tiangui looked at the chest of account books and contracts on the table, shaking his head frantically, muttering to himself: “I can’t give it to Wubian Temple. Once I hand it over, who knows if I can get it back! These things can only stay in my hands – I won’t give them to anyone, not even to Buddha!”

“I’ll go find the Governor, Provincial Treasurer, and the General – they’ve all taken my money and can’t refuse to help me find a solution.” Wang Tiangui started to leave, but stopped after a few steps: “This is a major case assigned by the court with an imperial commissioner present. The Governor probably can’t speak up. If other piaohao all become Buddhist property while only my Taiyufeng is confiscated, and I happen to be the ‘chief manager,’ I might become the scapegoat, the rebel leader – that would backfire.” He hesitated again and withdrew his steps.

Thus, sometimes wanting to hand the piaohao to Wubian Temple, sometimes wanting to rely on government connections or even bribe the imperial commissioner to escape punishment, Wang Tiangui alternated between hot and cold, unable to make a decision, his mind scratching like a cat.

“Master Wang,” someone suddenly called nearby.

Wang Tiangui’s mind was in chaos and hadn’t noticed someone approaching.

“It’s you?” Wang Tiangui was startled, looking at the calm-faced Chang Yu’er.

“I came to tell you that some servants in the house have fled, and some took things with them.”

This naturally meant news of Taiyufeng’s impending doom had spread. Wang Tiangui gritted his teeth, then suddenly asked: “Why don’t you flee?”

“Not only will I not flee, but I’ll stake myself on your side.”

“What?” Wang Tiangui didn’t understand.

“I heard all your self-talk just now. I advise you to hand the piaohao to Wubian Temple – that’s the safe approach. If you speak of ‘not trusting,’ this idea came from Gu Pingyuan, and I’m willing to stake myself here to put your mind at ease.” When Chang Yu’er heard this shocking news, she remembered what Gu Pingyuan had told her about an upcoming great upheaval, and guessed this was the trap Gu Pingyuan had set. Seeing Wang Tiangui, this old fox, hesitating before the trap, Chang Yu’er thought: Brother Gu, you’ve worked so hard to set this trap, and now at the crucial moment of completion, I must help you succeed no matter what – I won’t let Wang Tiangui escape.

“It’s his idea – why would you stake yourself here?” Wang Tiangui looked at Chang Yu’er suspiciously.

“Since we’ve come to this, I won’t hide it anymore. You must know about Gu Pingyuan’s connection to my Chang family. He and I have long pledged ourselves to each other – I’ve sworn to marry none but him.” This “sworn to marry none but him” was said with absolute determination that Wang Tiangui couldn’t doubt. Chang Yu’er continued: “He worked so hard to become second manager, and I can’t bear to see him become destitute again, so I’d rather stake myself here. Please trust Gu Pingyuan.”

It seemed the woman was greedy, fearing a life of poverty with Gu Pingyuan, so she schemed to help her fiancé keep his position as second manager. This way, Gu Pingyuan’s idea shouldn’t have ulterior motives. Thinking of the torture that rebel leaders would suffer made Wang Tiangui shudder. Looking at the account books and contracts on the table, he suddenly gritted his teeth: “Fine, we’ll go to Wubian Temple! As long as the other managers all hand theirs over, I will too!”

Gu Pingyuan knew nothing of Chang Yu’er’s actions. Watching the chief managers of all the province’s piaohao with complex expressions bring their entire fortunes to Wubian Temple’s dharma assembly and donate them in order to Abbot Hongjing, he finally relaxed, feeling cold sweat on his back and chest.

Another stroke was added to the character “夷” (barbarian) – now only the final stroke remained. In the deep night, facing a lone lamp, Gu Pingyuan stared at a blank letter paper on the table. He lifted his brush, dipped it in ink, and after long contemplation wrote the most important letter of his life.

“Memorial respectfully reporting that Shanxi piaohao have been wrongly implicated, humbly submitted for imperial consideration…”

Several days later, Ministry of Revenue Secretary Qiao Henian received a letter from his Shanxi hometown, which included a draft memorial.

“Second Uncle, what’s this?” His nephew saw Qiao Henian’s eyes suddenly redden and asked, pointing at those pages.

“This is a letter from home.”

“Is it from Mother? Second Uncle, next time can you send my calligraphy practice home? I want to make Mother happy.”

Qiao Henian nodded: “If Second Uncle can find a way to deliver this letter to the palace, your mother will surely be happy when she knows.” His gaze fell on the stack of Ministry memorials on the table – these documents were organized daily by secretaries like him and sent to the palace.

“Sister, you should also rest more. Always working day and night reviewing memorials like this – don’t ruin your health,” Empress Dowager Ci’an said to Empress Dowager Cixi in the deep palace. Actually, she was two years younger than Cixi, but though both were honored as Empress Dowagers, Ci’an was after all the legitimate empress who had entered through the main gate of the Qing palace, so Cixi had to reluctantly be the “younger sister.”

For this reason, she had to prove herself. Though she was the Empress Dowager residing in the Western Warm Pavilion, she wanted others to see that she was more decisive in political matters than the Eastern Empress Dowager, so she wouldn’t relax for a moment. Seeing Ci’an return to her chambers, she picked up another memorial, when suddenly a page fell out from the yellow satin cover.

Cixi thought it was an attachment to the memorial and was about to put it back when her glance caught something strange. After scanning a few lines, she couldn’t help but read more carefully.

The next morning at court, after ministers finished their reports and should have dismissed, Cixi suddenly asked: “Sixth Prince, how is the Shanxi piaohao case proceeding?”

Mentioning this matter made Prince Gong angry – things had been handled terribly. Originally the court had good plans to swiftly bring the Shanxi piaohao under state control, then either operate them officially or entrust them to other merchants. Actually, Baojun and Li Wantang had already agreed to entrust half the Shanxi piaohao to Beijing merchants. This rapid handling would have meant that though the piaohao changed hands, business wouldn’t stop and the market would remain stable. But the Shanxi piaohao’s unexpected response had disrupted all arrangements. He had to step forward to report: “Reporting to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, these Shanxi merchants are extremely cunning, actually donating all their assets to Buddhist temples overnight. The imperial commissioner and Shanxi officials are currently discussing how to handle this.”

Empress Dowager Cixi said disdainfully: “So the imperial commissioner sent by the court has been played for a fool. The imperial commissioner represents the Son of Heaven – having things turn out this way, doesn’t it damage the court’s dignity?”

Baojun had petitioned to punish the Shanxi piaohao, and Prince Gong had strongly supported it. Hearing Cixi speak this way, both felt embarrassed and naturally had to argue.

“Since ancient times, criminals are mostly cunning, especially a group of merchants who turn somersaults in piles of money. The court need only allow some time, and this matter will surely have a resolution,” Baojun reported out of turn.

Cixi had long seen that Prince Gong was no longer so “respectful,” and his subordinates were gradually forming a faction. She also saw that Baojun was most enthusiastic about this matter – there were obviously improprieties involved. Today, using this topic to act, besides finding yesterday’s memorial extremely reasonable, she wanted to use the opportunity to let Prince Gong’s faction hit a snag.

“Still waiting! Look at these urgent reports from various places.” Cixi picked up a stack of memorials. “These aren’t military reports, but complaints that after the Shanxi piaohao closed, money transfers can’t circulate, business in all provinces is severely affected, creating widespread hardship among the people. How can this continue!”

“Then according to the Sacred Mother Empress Dowager’s intention, what should be done?” Prince Gong retreated to advance, deliberately forcing the issue.

“I’ll first read a memorial to you.” Cixi took that page and read: “Memorial respectfully reporting that Shanxi piaohao have been wrongly implicated, humbly submitted for imperial consideration… Where there is commerce there is wealth, where there is wealth there are provisions, where there are provisions there are soldiers, where there are soldiers there is territory, where there is territory there is the Great Qing… Therefore the fortune and misfortune of Shanxi piaohao merchants is truly the fortune and misfortune of the Great Qing. If the piaohao fall, the empire falls – those who govern must take heed. May the Emperor consider this carefully.”

This memorial spoke of the principle of protecting commerce to strengthen the foundation. Among the ministers, many understood the reasoning and secretly nodded, knowing the memorial’s words weren’t alarmist. If the Shanxi situation continued in deadlock and popular resentment boiled over, it could truly shake the Great Qing’s foundation.

But Prince Gong and Baojun didn’t think so. Since becoming Prince Regent, Prince Gong considered that all court officials, if not allied with him, at least didn’t dare openly oppose him. Now this memorial appeared silently – it was outrageous.

“This minister dares ask the Sacred Mother Empress Dowager, who submitted this memorial?” Baojun boldly asked.

Cixi immediately became furious. In the reigns of Yongzheng and Qianlong, Baojun’s question would have been disrespectful enough for execution, but she knew that now, governing from behind the curtain, she inevitably needed these people to handle affairs. “The memorial was submitted by a secretary in your Ministry of Revenue, a man named Qiao Henian. Though he’s a minor official, he understands principles far better than some first and second-rank officials.” Cixi calmly pricked Baojun.

“This is outrageous! A mere secretary dares submit memorials – this is speaking wildly and disrupting government!” Prince Gong’s words truly changed Cixi’s expression. Prince Gong was not only disrespectful but practically tyrannical – this absolutely couldn’t be tolerated. Today she must suppress his arrogance before all ministers, or he might become another Oboi. Having decided, Cixi smiled coldly: “Then what does Sixth Prince think?”

“The Shanxi piaohao’s guilt is undeniable. Gu Yanwu’s treasonous writing has been circulated to all six ministries. If we don’t act, won’t the court’s authority be completely undermined? If necessary, we must change ancestral law and abolish the rule against ‘confiscating Buddhist temples.'” Prince Gong felt fire rising in his chest and didn’t think carefully – after all, a Prince Regent losing to a ninth-rank secretary would be a huge joke if it spread.

“So you do acknowledge ancestors after all!” Cixi had waited for these words. With Prince Gong saying this, today he would inevitably be bloodied.

What did this mean? Prince Gong never expected Cixi to speak such harsh words, forgetting propriety and looking up toward the curtain in shock. All court officials, including Empress Dowager Ci’an, were stunned and amazed. Only the young emperor didn’t care, sitting in his large dragon throne playing with a ball of fur.

Empress Dowager Cixi ordered a young eunuch to give Prince Gong the so-called treasonous evidence – the Gu Yanwu manuscript that Gu Pingyuan had Zhu Sheng forge. Prince Gong received it in bewilderment.

“This is forged evidence, and you’re ridiculously still in the dark.”

“Where is the forgery?” Prince Gong wasn’t rash – he had found experts at Beijing’s Liulichang to authenticate it, and this was indeed Gu Yanwu’s handwriting from the dynasty’s beginning. Even Liulichang couldn’t detect the forgery, so how could Cixi definitively claim it was fake?

“Look at those two lines of poetry in the booklet.” Cixi stood up. “‘Human affairs and heavenly timing are truly at their peak, contemplating prosperity and decline with silent dread.’ Gu Yanwu died in the twenty-first year of Kangxi’s reign – how could he quote Emperor Qianlong’s imperial poems!”

This struck Prince Gong like thunder and lightning. He opened the booklet and indeed found these lines. What Cixi said was certainly true – to make such accusations before everyone in court, she must have checked against Emperor Qianlong’s imperial poems.

All court officials fell silent. Several couldn’t help but look admiringly at this Western Empress Dowager – this was an undoubtedly difficult-to-discover flaw. Emperor Qianlong loved composing and inscribing poems throughout his life. Someone counted that from childhood to becoming Emperor Emeritus, when inspired he could compose eight to ten poems in a day, accumulating 48,600 poems total – only 300 fewer than the “Complete Tang Poems.” Truly vast as the sea, and most were artificial constructions and dull works. Since the Jiaqing reign, few read them, much less think that such seemingly authentic treasonous evidence contained such a major flaw.

“Though circulated to all six ministries, others can be forgiven, but Prince Gong, you’re Emperor Qianlong’s descendant – how could you not recognize his imperial poems and mistake them for rebel writings? Isn’t this laughable!” Cixi seized the opportunity to mock and criticize mercilessly. She had learned of this huge loophole in the supposedly ironclad evidence from last night’s memorial, perfect for teaching Prince Gong a lesson. But she didn’t know this was a flaw Gu Pingyuan had deliberately added, fearing things might become uncontrollable. If real disaster struck, implicating Mrs. Lei and Mao Hongjun, this irrefutable flaw could overturn the iron case. No one could imagine that a scholar’s forged design would trap all court officials, including a prince and the extremely clever Li Wantang.

Prince Gong’s face turned completely red – this hard blow was truly severe. He couldn’t say Emperor Qianlong’s poems were too numerous for him to read individually, as that would be disrespectful to ancestors. After much thought, he could only confess his negligence.

“This minister has failed in his duties through carelessness. Please let the Emperor and Empress Dowager severely punish this offense!”

“Hmph!”

Cixi wasn’t ready to let it go, but good-natured Ci’an smoothed things over: “Sixth Prince didn’t mean it. With so many military and state affairs daily, overlooking one thing shouldn’t be pursued further.”

“Fortunately this wasn’t taken to court for trial. If someone had spotted the error on the spot, the court would have truly lost all face.” Cixi glanced at Prince Gong. “Enough, all of you may retire.”

The imperial commissioner who had arrived with great fanfare returned to Beijing silently. Though there was no explicit edict, a secret decree appeasing the Shanxi piaohao merchants was announced to the Governor and Provincial Treasurer during the day, and by evening all piaohao managers knew the great disaster had passed.

However, these managers had no time to celebrate or even smile. They rushed to Wubian Temple through the night, urgently knocking on the temple gates, immediately asking for Master Hongjing.

“Amitabha Buddha. Since the donors have come, the piaohao crisis must be resolved – truly cause for celebration,” Master Hongjing pressed his palms together in greeting.

The managers waited for the abbot to continue, but he said nothing more. The managers were anxious, and finally Mrs. Lei spoke: “Master, I know visiting so late at night is truly improper, but if we didn’t come, the people before you would toss and turn sleeplessly all night.”

“Is Donor Lei also among them?”

“I am too,” Mrs. Lei didn’t hide it.

“Haha, truly straightforward – worthy of Rishengchang’s chief manager.”

“Now that Rishengchang is in the Master’s hands, only when you return it to me am I truly Rishengchang’s chief manager.” Mrs. Lei’s words were quite clear. She was also puzzled, wondering why Master Hongjing kept avoiding the topic.

“This donor’s words are mistaken. The account books and contracts of Rishengchang are no longer in this old monk’s hands. Not just Rishengchang – the account books and contracts of all piaohao are no longer at Wubian Temple.”

All the managers were shocked and alarmed. Wang Tiangui rushed forward and grabbed Hongjing’s monk robes: “Old monk, what do you mean by this!”

“Manager Wang, don’t be disrespectful,” Mrs. Lei quickly intervened, then turned back: “Old Abbot, this matter cannot be taken lightly.”

“Those who have left home do not speak falsely.”

“What do you mean not speak falsely? You clearly said at the time that after this matter passed, you would return the piaohao. How can you go back on your word now?” Some piaohao managers couldn’t help but roar in anger.

“Amitabha Buddha, with Buddha above, what did this old monk say that day? Please don’t slander me so severely.”

Everyone thought back – indeed, all the words that day were spoken by Gu Pingyuan. Master Hongjing seemed to have truly promised nothing, but his standing there without contradicting Gu Pingyuan’s words – wasn’t that tacit agreement?

Mrs. Lei knew that arguing about this now was useless, so she urgently asked: “Old Abbot, then where have all our account books and contracts gone?”

“The donors must know that Wubian Temple suffered from fire disaster earlier. A donor generously contributed to help rebuild the main hall, clearly stating at the time that this money was borrowed. Later, since the piaohao were all donated to the temple, this donor asked this old monk to use the piaohao assets to settle the debt. So I wrote an IOU, transferring the piaohao that originally belonged to all of you to that donor. In other words, what you want to reclaim is all in that donor’s hands.”

“Who is this person?” the piaohao managers asked in unison.

Hongjing spoke a name, and everyone was immediately stunned speechless.

“Gu Pingyuan!”

That morning, residents of Drum Tower Street in Taigu County were almost universally startled upon leaving their homes. They saw a dark mass of people surrounding an inconspicuous small house. Looking closely, these were all famous piaohao managers from Shanxi – each worth millions, commanding wind and rain – yet now they stood like schoolchildren awaiting a teacher’s punishment, not daring to breathe heavily, eyes fixed on that broken plank door.

These chief managers had arrived before dawn, but looking at each other, none extended a hand to knock on the door. They truly had no confidence – with such a huge sum of money, who would willingly give it up after taking it? Even Mrs. Lei and Mao Hongjun, who had always respected Gu Pingyuan, felt uneasy.

Just as everyone waited anxiously, the door finally opened, and Qiao Zhiyong emerged.

Seeing everyone staring at him blankly, Qiao Zhiyong shrugged: “Gu Pingyuan invited me for drinks. With such wealth that could rival a nation’s treasury before his eyes, he didn’t know what to do.”

“What did you tell him?” Mrs. Lei stared at Qiao Zhiyong.

“Me? I told him to follow his heart. Taking it would be unconscionable, but he could instantly become the Great Qing’s richest man, having whatever he wanted – even I, the ‘Bright Wealthy Master,’ would pale in comparison. Honestly, with this money, it would be hard for anyone to criticize him. He’s currently inside considering whether conscience is more important, or this money.”

This made all the managers even more anxious. Mrs. Lei couldn’t wait any longer and stamped her foot: “I’m going in to see.”

But Mao Hongjun grabbed her arm and shook his head: “Let him think it through himself.”

After about half an hour more, Gu Pingyuan finally emerged from the house carrying a large bundle. Clearly he hadn’t slept well all night either – his eyes were bloodshot. All the managers fixed their gazes on him, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“Is Manager Huang from Qixian’s Zhengchang Piaohao here?”

This was a medium-sized establishment. Hearing Gu Pingyuan call his name, the manager looked around hesitantly before stepping forward.

Gu Pingyuan opened the bundle and took out a stack of documents to hand to Manager Huang: “Here are your establishment’s account books and contracts. Take good care of them.”

Manager Huang gaped, hardly believing his ears. He stared at Gu Pingyuan for a long while before realizing he hadn’t misheard, then took the documents with trembling hands.

“Manager Zhu from Fenyang’s Taiheyong…” Gu Pingyuan said not one unnecessary word, calling out names one by one, returning account books and contracts to each manager. When he reached Wuzi Five Associated, Mao Hongjun stepped forward, looked at the contracts and documents in Gu Pingyuan’s hands, then looked up: “How about keeping these things with you? I’m old – you become the chief manager of Wuzi Five Associated.”

Gu Pingyuan smiled and still handed over the accounts: “Thank you for your kindness, Elder. Gu appreciates the sentiment.”

“Young brother…” Finally reaching Rishengchang, Mrs. Lei smiled warmly and patted Gu Pingyuan’s shoulder: “Last night was difficult, wasn’t it?”

Gu Pingyuan nodded, but Mrs. Lei’s next words caught everyone off guard: “If I were ten years younger, no matter what vows I’d made, I’d definitely marry a man like you.”

Everyone present was stunned, then burst into hearty laughter that swept away the gloom of recent days, their eyes shining with joy.

“Gu Pingyuan.” Wang Tiangui approached now, drawing close to Gu Pingyuan, bending slightly at the waist with a somewhat fawning smile, asking softly: “Where are my account books and contracts?”

“…” Gu Pingyuan’s smile faded as he looked at Wang Tiangui quietly, saying nothing.

“Don’t forget me – where are mine? Where are Taiyufeng’s accounts?” Wang Tiangui’s voice grew even softer.

Gu Pingyuan remained silent, a trace of mocking smile at the corner of his mouth, his gaze contemptuous as he stared into Wang Tiangui’s eyes. Mrs. Lei, Mao Hongjun, and the other managers saw this and stopped laughing, all watching this scene.

“Gu Pingyuan, you handled this matter very well, preserving Taiyufeng. I’ll give you ten percent of the fortune shares.” Wang Tiangui held up one finger. Seeing Gu Pingyuan didn’t even move an eyebrow, he raised another: “Twenty percent!”

“How about thirty percent – we split seventy-thirty.”

“Forty percent! With forty percent you’d be a great wealthy man – what more do you want?”

“Fifty percent! I’ll split Taiyufeng with you equally – surely that’s acceptable? Say something!” Wang Tiangui was nearly driven mad by Gu Pingyuan’s silent treatment.

Finally, the trace of smile at Gu Pingyuan’s mouth widened: “Manager Wang, you’ve always guarded Taiyufeng jealously, yet now you’re willing to split it equally? Unfortunately, Taiyufeng isn’t in my hands either – I sold it days ago.”

“Sold? To whom?” Wang Tiangui asked with bloodshot eyes.

“To me,” Qiao Zhiyong stepped forward. “Brother Gu distributed all the money from selling Taiyufeng to the common people and small merchants who suffered losses during the recent monetary upheaval. In other words, he gave away all of Taiyufeng to those you had harmed.”

Gu Pingyuan stared intently at Wang Tiangui: “You’ve always relied on your wealth to curry favor with officials, oppress the innocent, and even kill wantonly. Now that you’re penniless, let’s see if any officials are still willing to stand up for you.”

Wang Tiangui’s body began trembling involuntarily.

“But I still have something to give you!” Gu Pingyuan took out a piece of paper and bit his index finger hard, using his blood to fill in the final stroke of the character “夷” (barbarian). Then he threw this cover of the “Avatamsaka Sutra” at Wang Tiangui: “‘One bow, two arrows – hidden arrows wound people.’ Wang Tiangui, I’m treating you with your own medicine. Now taste this for yourself!”

“Who would have thought that one who hunts geese all year would finally be pecked by a goose.” Zhang Guangfa sat stunned in his study. Just days ago, he and Li Qin had been congratulating each other, believing the Shanxi merchants would surely be doomed this time, and the Beijing merchants need only wait for the Ministry of Revenue’s confiscation before smoothly taking over the Shanxi piaohao business. Unexpectedly, the situation changed dramatically. Li Wantang’s letter cursed him thoroughly and asked where that forged booklet came from. Only then did Zhang Guangfa realize he’d been used by Gu Pingyuan from beginning to end.

Zhang Guangfa picked up an opened letter from the desk, looking at Li Qin who was panting heavily beside him: “Young Master Qin, I know what you want to say. Don’t waste your effort – this was just delivered by Gu Pingyuan.”

Li Qin opened it and his face immediately paled: “He knows about my copper mine coin minting?”

“He’s known all along. Last time he could have used this to threaten us, but instead he sent us Gu Yanwu’s ‘manuscript.’ At such a young age to have such scheming methods – truly frightening.”

“Is there really nothing we can do about him?” Li Qin struck his thigh hard.

“We each have dirt on the other – neither can do anything to the other.” But Zhang Guangfa knew that this time he had truly suffered complete defeat. Having botched such a major deal, when he returned to the capital, there would likely be no place for him among the Beijing merchants. Thinking of this, his face couldn’t help showing a desolate expression.

Li Qin stormed out angrily. He didn’t know where he was going, but the fire in his chest made him unable to sit still, wishing he could really set a fire and reduce this Taigu County to ashes.

“Young Master Li,” someone called his name just as he stepped out of Daping Trading House.

Li Qin found the voice unfamiliar. Looking more carefully, his eyebrows shot up: “Aren’t you Taiyufeng’s chief manager?” He knew this man had ruined Ruyi’s face.

“Not anymore. Young Master Li, I know you hate someone very much. I hate this person too.” Wang Tiangui had long known that Li Qin was personally defeated by Gu Pingyuan at the pawnshop, then mistakenly believed Gu Pingyuan had reported him and Ruyi, naturally harboring deep hatred.

“So what?” Li Qin had also heard that Taiyufeng had been sold by Gu Pingyuan.

“I’ll give you a person whom you can torture at will, even take to the capital and sell to a brothel. That would certainly break Gu Pingyuan’s heart.” Wang Tiangui’s eyes were full of hatred.

Li Qin’s eyes held the same hatred. After hearing the details, he murmured: “Good, Gu Pingyuan, I’ll throw your woman into a place where the sun never shines, so you’ll never see her again in your lifetime!”

Gu Pingyuan reclaimed the Chang family compound and brought Old Father Chang Si home, but when he looked for Chang Yu’er, she was nowhere to be found. Wang Tiangui had also disappeared. Gu Pingyuan knew something was wrong. When Mrs. Lei and others learned of this, they comforted him while mobilizing all the piaohao’s resources to search throughout the province.

By the third day, there was still no news. Gu Pingyuan’s heart felt heavy as stone. When he returned home, he found a light on inside. Opening the door in surprise, he was stunned.

“Wang Tiangui! Where is Miss Chang?”

Wang Tiangui said nothing, a mysterious smile at the corner of his mouth as he raised one hand, wearing a parrot-green jade ring on his little finger. Gu Pingyuan recognized it immediately – it belonged to Chang Yu’er, left by her deceased mother, something she never removed.

“You kidnapped Miss Chang?”

“Hehe, how direct.” Wang Tiangui stared at Gu Pingyuan, his laughter full of satisfaction. “So now you know anxiety too, know the pain of having something stolen?”

“Gu Pingyuan, do you know I actually admire you? Not because your methods are clever, but because your heart is ruthless enough. To destroy me, you even sacrificed your own wife – that’s truly ruthless.”

“What are you saying? Whose wife?”

“Yours!” Wang Tiangui told him everything about that day. “I originally didn’t dare trust you, but Chang Yu’er staked herself as guarantee, which made me fall into this trap.”

Gu Pingyuan swayed, feeling dizzy. So Miss Chang had made such a great sacrifice to help him – if anything happened to her, wouldn’t it all be his fault?

“Where is Miss Chang?”

“Ah, now you’re asking the right question. She’s currently suffering a fate worse than death, will die painfully, but will live a few more days. While alive, she’ll suffer even more. Most importantly, you’ll never find her again – you can only imagine what torments she’s enduring!”

Gu Pingyuan lunged forward, grabbing Wang Tiangui fiercely, raising his fist to strike.

“Killing me won’t help.” Wang Tiangui’s face showed a vicious smile.

“Come!” Without another word, Gu Pingyuan dragged Wang Tiangui forcefully outside, pulling him all the way to Wubian Temple. He entered the main hall under construction, pressed a mechanism beside the Buddha statue, and led Wang Tiangui down the secret passage to the depths of the underground chamber.

“Look!” Gu Pingyuan pointed to a corner where the gold was piled. He’d used some to help the Qiao family buy tea routes and donated some to the Buddhist temple, but most remained stacked in the corner, gleaming brilliantly in the lamplight.

“Gold! It’s gold!” Wang Tiangui picked up a golden arhat figure and could tell by its weight that it was pure gold. He swallowed hard: “Whose gold is this?”

“Mine. But if you tell me where Miss Chang is, all this gold is yours – enough to compensate for losing Taiyufeng.”

“You’re serious!” Wang Tiangui looked at Gu Pingyuan’s expression and suddenly burst into laughter: “You’re truly a complete madman!”

“Will you tell me or not!”

“Tell you? Why wouldn’t I?” Wang Tiangui explained how he’d handed Chang Yu’er to Li Qin, including Li Qin’s final words.

“I understand.” Gu Pingyuan guessed where Li Qin would take Chang Yu’er and turned to leave.

“Wait.” Wang Tiangui called out, tossing the jade ring to Gu Pingyuan: “You’re the world’s number one madman. All those piaohao combined could make you the world’s richest man, yet you returned them all. Now you’re using all this gold to trade for one woman – do you know how many women this money could buy? You’re truly mad. Someone like you will never become a great businessman.”

Gu Pingyuan merely glanced at him contemptuously, gripped the jade ring tightly, and left without a word.

“You’ll never become a great businessman!” Wang Tiangui screamed hoarsely, his voice echoing in the underground chamber for a long time.

Gu Pingyuan rode his horse swiftly to the back mountain of Youlu Ravine Village. He quietly approached the mine shaft at the mountain’s base and immediately spotted Chang Yu’er.

Chang Yu’er’s hands were bound with rope, suspended in midair from a wooden frame. The other end of the rope was pressed under a large stone not far behind her, while beneath her was the bottomless mine shaft.

Li Qin had originally intended to simply throw Chang Yu’er into the shaft, but having never killed anyone, when it came time to act, his hands went weak and he couldn’t muster the strength. Thinking of vengeful spirits haunting him made him even more afraid. So he devised this current method. He knew Chang Yu’er would struggle, and even if she didn’t, the rope would slowly slip out from under the stone due to her body weight. When that moment came, Chang Yu’er would effectively fall into the mine shaft herself, while Li Qin could just watch, waiting for that moment to vent his anger.

Having never done heavy labor, setting up the wooden frame and moving stones had exhausted Li Qin. He was now watching appreciatively from nearby as Chang Yu’er’s face paled with terror. The rope was about to slip out from under the stone, and Li Qin waited excitedly. Suddenly a shadow lunged out, grabbing the rope just as it was about to slide free.

“Gu Pingyuan!” True enemies meeting – Li Qin saw Gu Pingyuan holding the rope with both hands, unable to dodge. He picked up a wooden stick nearby and struck down mercilessly.

Gu Pingyuan gripped the rope desperately with both hands, gritting his teeth and refusing to let go. Though Li Qin wasn’t very strong, he struck with deadly force. After several blows, Gu Pingyuan was clearly weakening. He knew that if Li Qin knocked him unconscious with a blow to the head or broke his arm and made him release his grip, Chang Yu’er would surely fall into the shaft and die. Seeing Li Qin charging forward, he pulled back slightly, aimed at Li Qin’s approach, and kicked out fiercely. Li Qin hadn’t expected Gu Pingyuan to still be able to fight back. Caught off guard, he was kicked squarely, staggering backward and crashing into the wooden frame. This hastily assembled frame wasn’t sturdy to begin with, and this heavy impact made it collapse completely.

Chang Yu’er cried out as her body plummeted into the shaft. The downward force pulled Gu Pingyuan, who was gripping the rope, sliding across the ground for more than a zhang, nearly falling in himself. Fortunately, at the last moment he braced his feet against the shaft’s edge, stopping the fall.

“Brother Gu, let go! You’ll be pulled down with me. Don’t let us both die here!” Chang Yu’er shouted from the dark mine shaft, her voice bouncing off the walls like a wail.

Gu Pingyuan didn’t answer. He wrapped the rope around his arm several times and, ignoring the pain in his body, pulled with all his strength inch by inch. The edge of his palm was scraped raw, blood flowing down the rope to Chang Yu’er below, making her cry.

Gu Pingyuan pulled desperately inch by inch, finally hauling Chang Yu’er out of the shaft. She threw herself into his arms, weeping heartbrokenly. Gu Pingyuan patted her shoulder comfortingly, then looked back to discover Li Qin hadn’t come to interfere – the fallen frame had trapped his leg under a wooden beam.

Gu Pingyuan grabbed Li Qin’s lapels and yanked him up, his eyes blazing with fury. Li Qin’s leg was pinned while his body was pulled upward, causing him to cry out in pain, but he still glared defiantly at Gu Pingyuan.

Just then, Chang Yu’er suddenly shouted: “Brother Gu, watch out!”

Gu Pingyuan felt someone tackle him from behind, knocking him to the ground. Looking back, he saw Zhang Guangfa! The two immediately began wrestling desperately on the ground.

Gu Pingyuan was injured, while Zhang Guangfa had martial arts training. Soon Gu Pingyuan was overwhelmed, only able to defend without fighting back. Finally, Zhang Guangfa pinned him at the mine shaft’s edge, hands around his throat, eyes blazing with determination to strangle him. Chang Yu’er struggled over and picked up Li Qin’s wooden stick, about to strike Zhang Guangfa’s head, but Zhang Guangfa heard her coming and grabbed the stick in his hand. At that moment, Gu Pingyuan summoned all his strength, grabbed Zhang Guangfa’s ankle, and twisted hard. Zhang Guangfa let out a terrible scream and fell into the mine shaft.

“Uncle Zhang!” Li Qin cried out, somehow finding strength despite his pain. He disregarded his injury, pulled his hurt leg free, and crawled to the shaft opening.

Gu Pingyuan was holding Zhang Guangfa’s hand – otherwise he would have fallen to his death already. Li Qin crawled over and stretched down dangerously: “Master Qin, it’s dangerous!” Zhang Guangfa shouted urgently. Li Qin ignored him and managed to grasp Zhang Guangfa’s other hand.

“Pull quickly!” Li Qin shouted to Gu Pingyuan.

But Gu Pingyuan didn’t move: “Zhang Guangfa, why did you frame me in the first place?” If not now, when would he ask?

Zhang Guangfa gritted his teeth and remained silent.

“Uncle Zhang, just tell him!” Li Qin shouted anxiously.

Zhang Guangfa shook his head: “I cannot say. Even if I die, I cannot say.”

Gu Pingyuan knew that if he wouldn’t speak now, he would never learn the truth from Zhang Guangfa in his lifetime. He gave up hope completely, staring into Zhang Guangfa’s eyes: “In that case, I have no need to save you. Good luck.” He released his grip, leaving only Li Qin holding Zhang Guangfa’s hand.

“Gu Pingyuan, come back!” Li Qin watched Gu Pingyuan lead Chang Yu’er away, shouting desperately.

“Stop calling. He won’t return. Master Qin, you should go too.”

“No, I can definitely pull you up.” Li Qin wept as he strained with all his might, but his strength was less than Gu Pingyuan’s, and his leg was useless. He could feel himself being pulled down bit by bit.

“Young Master, go home.” This was how Zhang Guangfa had addressed him as a child, his voice gentle as if still protecting that mischievous boy. Zhang Guangfa smiled, then released his grip, falling into endless darkness.

“No!” Li Qin heard a muffled crash from the bottom of the shaft. He knew he would never see this Uncle Zhang who had always protected him and watched him grow up.

“Gu Pingyuan, I will kill you! I will definitely kill you!” Li Qin wept bitterly, screaming hoarsely, his voice echoing through the mountain valley.

Gu Pingyuan brought Chang Yu’er back to the Chang family compound. Though she hadn’t been tortured these past days, she had been unable to eat or sleep properly, and after experiencing that heart-stopping scene, she fell into a drowsy sleep on horseback.

Gu Pingyuan carefully helped Chang Yu’er down and saw Wang Chi waiting outside the main gate, his face full of anxiety.

“Manager Gu, thank goodness you’re back,” Wang Chi approached.

“Brother Wang, wait here for me a moment.” Gu Pingyuan helped Chang Yu’er into the compound. Old Father Chang Si was both shocked and delighted to see them, naturally asking what had happened. Gu Pingyuan gave a brief account, making Old Father Chang break out in cold sweat.

“Someone is still waiting for me outside.” Gu Pingyuan left the Chang compound. Wang Chi immediately said: “Manager Gu, you must flee quickly. Manager Wang has reported to the authorities, saying you’re an escaped convict who illegally entered the pass. Government runners are waiting at your house now. I sent clerks everywhere to intercept you and finally found you here. Also, I remember you saying your hometown is Huizhou. This is the court gazette from the paper shop – look.”

Gu Pingyuan read it and was immediately alarmed, his face changing color. The gazette clearly stated that the court was currently mobilizing troops in Huizhou – a great battle was about to erupt in his hometown. Thinking of his elderly mother and younger siblings, Gu Pingyuan wished he could sprout wings and fly back.

“Good, I’ll leave immediately.” Gu Pingyuan looked at the jade ring in his hand, hesitated, then placed it in his breast pocket next to the white jade hairpin.

“Brother Wang, please say goodbye to the Chang family for me. Tell them I must leave immediately. We’ll meet again in the future.” Gu Pingyuan cupped his hands on horseback.

“Manager Gu, take care. We’ll definitely meet again!”

Chang Yu’er drowsily heard Wang Chi speaking to Old Father Chang Si outside. Listening carefully, she understood that Gu Pingyuan had already left to avoid trouble.

She forced herself to sit up and looked around her room. The Chang family compound finally belonged to the Chang family again – Brother Gu truly was a man of his word. Looking at herself, she still bore bloodstains from when Gu Pingyuan had rescued her. Chang Yu’er went to her dressing table, opened the rouge box Gu Pingyuan had given her, and lightly dabbed some on. After hesitating a moment, she wrote two lines on the mirror.

She picked up her small travel bag and walked through the courtyard, glimpsing Old Father Chang Si’s silhouette through the window lattice. He was bent over, busy in the kitchen, obviously preparing food for his daughter. Chang Yu’er’s nose tingled as tears streamed down: “Father, forgive your unfilial daughter!”

She walked out the main gate, wondering how to find Gu Pingyuan, when a voice suddenly spoke beside her.

“Miss Yu’er, you’re looking for Gu Pingyuan, aren’t you?”

Chang Yu’er looked up to see Ruyi, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time.

She didn’t dare look at Ruyi’s face, lowering her gaze slightly, not knowing how to respond.

“See, I was right.” Ruyi’s voice was no longer as soft as before, but had become somewhat hoarse.

“It’s useless for you to find him now. Do you know Wang Tiangui still wants to harm him? This time he absolutely cannot escape. Finding him would only mean dying together!”

This caught Chang Yu’er’s attention: “How else does he plan to harm people?”

“I can’t tell you here. Come with me.” Ruyi turned and walked away.

Chang Yu’er followed her to the north gate, approaching the hillock where Jin Hu had been killed. Chang Yu’er hesitantly stopped: “You can say whatever you need to here – there’s no one around anyway.”

“No, I can’t explain clearly here.” Ruyi was firm. “Look at my face – Wang Tiangui ruined it. Are you still afraid I won’t help you fight him?”

Chang Yu’er thought this made sense and continued following Ruyi to a nearby mountain, climbing halfway up to reach an abandoned mountain god temple.

Looking at this temple built on a cliff edge, Chang Yu’er suddenly felt afraid.

“Go in. Don’t you want to hear how to save Gu Pingyuan’s life?” This gave her courage again, and she boldly entered the temple.

“Speak quickly,” she urged Ruyi.

“Why the rush? You must promise not to reveal what I tell you.”

“Fine.” Chang Yu’er agreed immediately.

“Don’t forget – you must swear an oath.” Ruyi pointed to the dilapidated mountain god statue. “Kneel before the god and swear, then I’ll believe you.”

“Mm.” Chang Yu’er nodded without hesitation, kneeling and pressing her palms together with eyes slightly closed: “Mountain God above, I, Chang Yu’er, swear to heaven that I will never…” She had just reached this point when she felt wind by her ear, then everything went black and she knew nothing more.

Ruyi dropped the club in her hand, looking at the unconscious Chang Yu’er with a cold smile.

“Come out already!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming. You think I wasn’t anxious? I’ve been waiting forever.” A sleazy voice came from behind the god statue, revealing Chen Laizi.

“Making me find women for you, running the mistress ragged – what a blessing for me.” Chen Laizi grinned lewdly.

“Stop the nonsense.” Ruyi pointed at Chang Yu’er. “Lucky you.”

Chen Laizi also looked at Chang Yu’er, smiling smugly and muttering to himself: “You think about that Gu all day – today I’ll make you think about Chen instead.”

Ruyi watched Chen Laizi tear open Chang Yu’er’s clothing, then closed the temple door. She walked a few steps to the cliff edge. Dawn was breaking, and the mountain’s branches and rocks were tinged with pale gold.

“So beautiful!” Ruyi murmured. Her mind suddenly flashed like a kaleidoscope with scenes from the past – from her earliest memories through coming to the Gao family, meeting Gao Dehui, their mutual affection, their betrothal, then that night under the moon with her hopes and his promises, followed by his retreating figure growing ever more distant.

Ruyi stopped thinking. She stepped forward, feeling herself floating, higher and faster…

Gu Pingyuan had now reached the boundary stone of Taigu County, about to leave Taigu. He suddenly felt uneasy, touching the jade ring in his breast pocket and looking back at the county town where cooking smoke was rising in the distance. His eyes held some reluctance, but finally he spurred his horse toward Huizhou and galloped away.

End of Volume Three