Master Hao brought news from the provincial capital, saying that Qiao Henian had unexpectedly completed his disaster relief assignment. The Provincial Commissioner had originally promised to give him a real position as a prefect or county magistrate, but at the last moment changed his mind and only assigned him the post of Xin’an River Waterway Inspector. As soon as Qiao Henian received his appointment, he took on the task of repairing wharves, with an extremely tight deadline, so he couldn’t come to Gu Family Village in person and asked Master Hao to send word to Gu Pingyuan.

“Anyone else would have been furious enough to fall ill,” Master Hao said with dissatisfaction. “A stable position turned into a post that could be revoked at any time, yet Master Qiao accepted the appointment without showing any displeasure.”

Gu Pingyuan immediately expressed his admiration: “The ability to endure is what makes one exceptional. The principles of being an official and doing business are the same – you must greet customers with a smile to do business well. For us merchants, customers are naturally our patrons, but officials have many more ‘customers’ – the common people under their governance, fellow officials around them, superiors above them. If you fail to handle any of these relationships properly, problems will arise.”

“Oh my!” Master Hao was greatly surprised. “Brother Gu, you’ve never been an official, yet what you say is truly insightful. So while officials may appear dignified sitting in sedan chairs with gongs clearing their way, they know their own hardships. Just like the position Master Qiao holds now – in less than three years, it has already changed hands several times.”

The Xin’an River waterway was complex, with grain boats from the Canal Guild, troop transport vessels from the Jiangnan Grand Camp, passenger boats traveling between Anhui and Zhejiang, and official boats from Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province. Especially the official boats, which carried officials of fifth rank and above, while the Inspector was only seventh rank – whenever encountering them, he had to board and pay his respects. At least a dozen official boats traveled the Xin’an River daily. To avoid such trouble, waterway inspectors would instruct boatmen to steer into branch channels to hide whenever they spotted official boats, but on the broad, mirror-like river, there were always times when hiding was impossible. Then not only did they have to board with smiles and greetings, but they also had to spend money – at minimum a banquet of bird’s nest and shark fin for the master, plus tips for the servants. Each encounter cost at least ten taels of silver, making the annual expenses truly considerable.

“The Inspector’s salary is fifteen taels of silver per month. Can you guess where this spending money comes from?” Master Hao’s question made Gu Pingyuan smile knowingly.

This needed no asking. As the saying goes, ill-gotten gains lead to ill-gotten losses. Money spent on official boats couldn’t be claimed as official expenses, so inevitably it had to be extorted from passing grain boats and passenger boats. Boatmen had always stuck together and were mostly rough characters. When they finally became enraged enough, boat owners would band together to stop boats and block the waterway, forcing the authorities to dismiss the inspector to calm the storm. This was why the position had changed hands several times in three years.

“However, later appointees would inevitably walk the same path, making this position truly deserving of being called a ‘disaster post.’ So I say Master Qiao would have been better off not getting it. Now the authorities say all the dozens of large and small wharves on the Xin’an River are in disrepair, demanding that Master Qiao repair them within one month of taking office. The allocated public funds have no surplus whatsoever. If they can’t be spent carefully, there might even be a deficit in the end. It’s truly meaningless.”

“Hmm.” Gu Pingyuan seemed to have discovered something, repeatedly murmuring to himself: “Repairing wharves… deficit…”

A few days later, Gu Pingyuan called his younger brother to his room and gave him two hundred taels of silver.

Ancient Pinwen didn’t understand the meaning. Gu Pingyuan said: “Pinwen, I was originally worried about being unable to handle everything myself. Since you’re willing to do business, I’ll assign you a task. Take this money and open a general store in Qiankou Town.”

“Ah!” Gu Pingwen hadn’t expected his elder brother to immediately ask him to open a shop and become a shopkeeper.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already selected and rented a location. Though the storefront isn’t large, it’s situated on the busiest street in town. I’ve also hired two assistants – one clever, one diligent, both experienced in shop work and sure to be good helpers. I’ve also asked a relative from our clan to help you purchase goods. So when you get to the shop, you’ll only need to keep the accounts of income and expenses – it’s quite simple.” Gu Pingyuan knew he was afraid and first tried to dispel his doubts and boost his courage.

“Elder brother, you’ve done so much these past days without saying a word?” Gu Pingwen’s mouth fell open, then he felt somewhat ashamed. “I’m afraid little sister was right – I don’t have elder brother’s capabilities. I originally thought helping elder brother with business just meant managing the tea garden.”

“I’ll handle the tea garden myself. The general store is mainly about dealing with people. Your personality is reserved, so to learn business, you should train in such a place. However, for this general store, training isn’t the main purpose, nor is making money.”

This statement confused Gu Pingwen again: “Then, then why open it?”

“Naturally it has its uses.” Gu Pingyuan pulled his second brother to sit down, having some enlightening words to say. “Let me give you an example. If you and the neighboring shop both sell horse fodder, with each shop selling roughly the same amount daily at similar prices, after doing this business for ten or twenty years, would you earn more or would your neighbor earn more?”

Gu Pingwen answered without hesitation: “Naturally it would be about the same.”

“Exactly. Not just ten or eight years – even after one or two hundred years, the result would be the same. He earns some, you earn some, barely maintaining the business.”

“Elder brother, what are you trying to say?” Gu Pingwen asked in confusion.

Gu Pingyuan ignored him and continued: “Good. Suddenly one day, the court needs to deploy troops nearby and requires large quantities of horse fodder. As long as you can supply it, the court will take everything you have at premium prices. What would happen between you and the neighboring shop then?”

“Naturally we’d compete to collect horse fodder and sell it to the government troops.”

“But what if you knew this news while your neighbor didn’t?”

“Then, then I’d naturally earn much more than him, and after completing this deal, I might even be able to buy out his shop.”

Gu Pingyuan smiled: “Then why would you be able to buy out his shop?”

Without waiting for Gu Pingwen’s answer, he answered himself: “Because your information is more current than his, your reaction faster than his. With faster reactions, you naturally earn money before he does. Moreover, if you buy up all the horse fodder first, even if he learns the news later, it’s too late – he can only watch helplessly as you make big money. So one piece of information might determine a shop’s survival, depending on whether you learn it first, later, or not at all.”

At this point, Gu Pingwen gradually understood the idea and asked tentatively: “Does elder brother want me to gather information in town?”

“Correct.” Gu Pingyuan nodded affirmatively. “General stores have the most diverse customers and the most extensive, fastest information. I positioned the shop on the town’s busiest street for this reason. When our business gradually grows, I’ll open shops in the prefectural capital and even the provincial capital – then we’ll truly have information from all directions.”

“When that time comes, elder brother, you can send someone else. I couldn’t handle business in the provincial capital.” Gu Pingwen said honestly.

Gu Pingyuan was amused by him: “Who is born knowing how to do business? I learned these few tricks while in the frontier, chatting with merchants from north and south who came to buy ginseng and furs. If you focus on business, though it’s small-scale, the principles are the same. In a few years you’ll catch up to elder brother.”

Gu Pingwen blushed as he agreed. Gu Pingyuan carefully instructed him on the important points again, then invited the clan relative to accompany Gu Pingwen to town.

When the shop’s furniture and shelves were ready, Gu Pingyuan delayed giving permission to stock goods and open, instead repeatedly running to the wharf. At the wharf he would seek out Qiao Henian, who was busy supervising craftsmen. Strangely, whenever Gu Pingyuan arrived, Qiao would invite Master Hao to join them in secret discussions in the work shed.

After several such visits, Gu Pingyuan told his brother to buy up all the hemp rope suitable for cable use throughout Huizhou Prefecture, while temporarily focusing the general store’s inventory on maritime supplies. Gu Pingwen was bewildered, but the two assistants secretly found it amusing. Qiankou Town was far from the Xin’an River wharves – who would come here to buy cable rope for no reason? The new owner seemed not to understand business. This general store probably wouldn’t last long.

On opening day, over ten strings of firecrackers were set off, lions danced and the God of Wealth was worshipped, with three plates and six offerings arranged in order. Finally, shop owner Gu Pingyuan personally unveiled the red cloth over the shop sign, dipped his brush in thick ink, and filled in the missing dot above the character “記” in “Ping Ji,” marking the grand opening.

Though small, this was Gu Pingyuan’s first business, and he couldn’t help feeling excited. He stared for a long while, recalling the experiences of recent years, feeling truly mixed emotions that were hard to distinguish. But on such a joyous day, dwelling on the past wasn’t appropriate. He quickly refocused and directed his brother and assistants in greeting customers.

Quite a crowd gathered around, including dozens of onlookers, but most were waiting to see a joke. Normally, general stores sold oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, needles, thread, bowls, and chopsticks – things people definitely needed. Regardless of having regular customers, honest business would never lack buyers. But “Ping Ji” had spent big money on cable rope – no one had heard of such a business strategy. Cable rope had no use for ordinary people. This fellow surnamed Gu must be mad to stock such goods. It seemed he wouldn’t be able to open today.

Many people browsed inside the store, discovering besides cable rope, many other maritime supplies – iron stoves and pots for cooking on boats, large needles and thread for mending sails. These weren’t items ordinary general stores would stock, prompting cold mockery.

“This shop opened in the wrong place. It should be at the wharf.”

“Perhaps he lacks earth in his five elements and insists on opening a waterway shop in the mountains.”

People spoke with increasing boldness, laughter growing louder. Gu Pingwen, thin-skinned, stood embarrassed and red-faced to the side. The two assistants, seeing no business, stood with puffed cheeks. Since the owner wasn’t anxious, hired help needn’t worry either.

Yet Gu Pingyuan remained unchanged in expression, smiling at customers entering the shop, bowing with clasped hands, though his eyes occasionally glanced toward the street. After about an hour with no genuine customers, Gu Pingwen felt ashamed and embarrassed, even somewhat resentful toward his elder brother. Just then, Gu Pingyuan’s eyes lit up as he walked toward someone on the street.

“Greetings, elder brother.” He bowed with clasped hands, and the man quickly returned the courtesy.

“Is there a Ping Ji general store around here?”

“What luck – I am the owner of Ping Ji.”

“Ah, then let me ask – do you have cable rope?”

Someone actually came to buy cable rope! This question made surrounding people open their eyes wide. Gu Pingwen thought he’d misunderstood, but after reflection realized he’d heard correctly – they were asking about cable rope. Fearing to lose this customer, he quickly came out from behind the counter.

“Yes, yes. We have as much as you need.”

The man specified measurements, so Gu Pingwen led him to the back courtyard to cut rope, with assistants quickly following.

“Hey, someone really came to town to buy cable rope, tsk tsk.” Someone clicked their tongue.

“Mustard seed falling into a needle’s eye – pure coincidence! If he can sell another one today, you can pick any place for lunch – my treat.”

But this person was destined to pay for lunch. Within one morning, people came one after another to buy cable rope, leaving shopkeepers on this commercial street dumbfounded. Eventually everyone realized these customers were mostly dressed as sailors, but why would boatmen from the river travel so far to Qiankou Town specifically to buy cable rope from “Ping Ji”? This was utterly puzzling.

In any case, after a day’s business, while other shops on the street went unmentioned, the dozen or so general store owners all swallowed hard watching. Gu Pingwen and the two assistants couldn’t stop grinning. The assistants said they’d seen many shop openings but never one so prosperous on the first day.

After closing and boarding up, Gu Pingyuan also hosted a meal, treating his brother and the two assistants to show appreciation. He would return to Gu Family Village tomorrow to tend the tea garden, earnestly entrusting the business to the two assistants at dinner. Gu Pingwen disagreed. After two cups of wine, he waved his hand: “Elder brother, don’t worry. With business like today’s, what’s difficult about it? Within a few months, I’ll buy out another shop to show you.”

Gu Pingyuan was toasting the assistants when he heard this, feeling very displeased inwardly, though he didn’t show it.

After the assistants left, Gu Pingwen picked up the account book with a beaming smile: “Elder brother, do you know how much silver we earned today?”

“I don’t know, nor do I want to know.” Gu Pingyuan’s expression calmed as he quietly observed his elated brother.

Gu Pingwen was in high spirits when this cold response stopped him short.

“Have you thought about why so many people traveled far to buy cable rope, and how I could predict to stock so much in advance?”

“This…” Being so successful all day, Gu Pingwen in his excitement hadn’t considered this at all.

“Do you remember my example about two shops selling horse fodder?”

“I remember.”

“When opportunities arise, seize them, but what if there are no opportunities? Just keep waiting?”

Gu Pingwen asked puzzledly: “Elder brother, you mean…”

“When there are no opportunities, you must know how to create one. What I’m about to tell you must be kept secret.”

This entire transaction was actually designed by Gu Pingyuan and Qiao Henian. While repairing the wharves, Qiao Henian, following Gu Pingyuan’s suggestion, shortened the wharves by four feet toward shore. This saved labor and materials, and when floods came, the wharves wouldn’t be easily destroyed – a long-term solution. When reported upward, it immediately received approval from the Provincial Commissioner’s office.

With shortened wharves, the original underwater pilings remained, so boats had to anchor farther out, requiring longer cable ropes. Gu Pingyuan had anticipated this, buying up all cable rope in Huizhou Prefecture and timing everything so that “Ping Ji” opened just as wharf repairs completed. When boatmen needed new cable rope and learned it had all been bought by Ping Ji in Qiankou Town, naturally they hurried to find it.

“Cable rope wears out easily and needs frequent replacement. The Xin’an River has over a thousand boats traveling it. This business will continue, and others will be envious. Pinwen, don’t just stare at the account books or get carried away, lest you invite more jealousy.”

Gu Pingwen’s face reddened as he stammered: “Yes. But elder brother, isn’t this somewhat…”

“Somewhat unscrupulous?” Gu Pingyuan smiled. “I guessed you’d think this. Previously when wharves were destroyed by floods, they’d collect additional fees from passing boats for repairs. Now with shortened, more solid wharves that won’t fear future floods, though boats must change cable ropes, in the long run they save considerable money. The boatmen actually benefit.”

“Boatmen benefit, we earn money – isn’t everyone happy?”

“Exactly. This is how business should be done. Making money isn’t difficult, but earning money while making people happy – that’s not simple. Pinwen, business methods change endlessly, but they’re founded on ‘sincerity.’ Though we’ve cornered the cable rope market, we mustn’t hoard goods or sell inferior products as superior ones. Instead, focus on attracting customers. As for flexibility, don’t be rigid – know that business opportunities exist everywhere, depending on whether you have the vision and courage.”

Seeing his brother listening intently, Gu Pingyuan nodded with satisfaction and continued: “Though we’ve secured this exclusive business, others will surely stock cable rope to compete with us soon. Whether we can use this current advantage to establish the ‘Ping Ji’ brand on the Xin’an waterway depends entirely on you.”

Hearing his elder brother’s instructions, Gu Pingwen abandoned his somewhat arrogant attitude, pursing his lips and lowering his head to earnestly reply: “I don’t know if I can do it, but I’ll certainly try my best.”

“Young master, this absolutely won’t do. If you act this way, you’ll surely anger the master and mistress.”

The Li family residence in Beijing’s western district was among the most luxurious in the capital. Built using a connecting method, four large mansions were joined by corridors and passages into one complex, larger than princely mansions yet not violating regulations. Though forbidden to use bright yellow glazed tiles due to regulations, master craftsmen created ingenious color-changing glazed tiles that appeared bright yellow in bright daylight but were actually earth-colored upon close inspection. No one could find fault, yet this tile set alone cost over one hundred thousand taels of silver. Thus Beijing had a saying: “The Yellow River has much water, the Li family has much gold; the Yellow River flows a thousand li, the Li mansion stretches endlessly.”

Li Wantang’s personal attendant Li An stood on the Li mansion steps, constantly bowing and showing extreme anxiety.

“Stand aside!” The speaker’s voice was cold and hard – Li Qin, eldest son of the Li family and only child of “Li Half-City.” His face was rigid as stone as he strode toward the inner quarters, but Li An desperately blocked the doorway.

“Young master, please remove these clothes. The master and mistress are both furious. With you dressed like this, what would it look like?” Li An gestured left and right: “Quickly, help the young master change clothes.”

“Who dares!” Li Qin roared, glaring viciously at Li An. “You’re just a slave, a dog my family keeps. When I’m happy, I reward you with food; when I’m not, I tell you to scram! How dare a mere slave block me from entering my own home? Will you move or not? If not, I’ll beat you!”

Li Qin was about to strike when a cough came from behind the spirit wall, followed by a calm voice: “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”

Li An quickly turned and stood respectfully: “Master.” The doorkeeper, grooms, and all servants did likewise, except Li Qin, who still kept his neck stiff but unconsciously relaxed his clenched fists.

Li Wantang slowly emerged from the main gate, looking Li Qin up and down before his face darkened: “Did your father die or your mother pass away that you wear mourning robes and hemp rope for no reason? Have you gone mad?”

“I, I…” Under Li Wantang’s scolding, Li Qin’s eyes showed slight fear, but he quickly raised his head: “I’m wearing mourning for Uncle Zhang. He had no sons or daughters, and he died saving me!”

Li Wantang said nothing to this. Just then a maid ran out from the rear quarters, glancing fearfully at Li Wantang.

“What is it?”

“The mistress says to have the young master quickly remove the mourning robes. It’s just a dead clerk – there’s no precedent for masters wearing mourning for servants. Such nonsense would be laughable if it got out.”

“I won’t remove them!” Li Qin shouted sullenly.

Li Wantang glanced at the growing crowd outside the gate and said expressionlessly: “Go tell the mistress I know about this matter.”

After the maid left, Li Wantang stepped forward beside Li Qin. Li Qin instinctively dodged, thinking Li Wantang would publicly punish him. But Li Wantang only straightened his mourning robe collar and tightened the loosened hemp rope.

“Since you’re fulfilling filial duty as a son, don’t forget the forty-nine day period.” After saying this, Li Wantang turned and entered the inner quarters, leaving Li Qin standing dumbfounded, wondering if he’d heard correctly.

“Master, this might not be proper,” Li An followed into the inner quarters, trailing behind Li Wantang with uneasy words.

Li Wantang stopped at the lotus pond, turning back to glance at him.

“Putting aside outside gossip for the moment, how do we explain this to the mistress?” Li An observed Li Wantang’s expression.

“You have it backwards. Outside gossip is what should be considered. Send our people out to spread word throughout the capital that the Li family’s young master is observing mourning for a great merchant shopkeeper – the faster the better.”

“What?!”

“Also, arrange a memorial service at the Beijing Merchant Guild in three days. Notify all proprietors and head shopkeepers to attend – I want to hold a public funeral for Zhang Guangfa.”

“Master, though Zhang Guangfa died on official business, he ultimately failed in his mission. Won’t this expose our devastating defeat to the Shanxi merchant banks?”

Li Wantang said nothing, merely extending one finger to gently tap the pond’s rim. The goldfish, thinking it was feeding time, swarmed over.

Li An watched, his eyes suddenly showing understanding and admiration. “Master, I understand. I’ll arrange it immediately.”

Li Wantang lingered in the courtyard, quietly contemplating. The servants knew his temperament – no one was permitted to disturb him at such times. However, one person was an exception. A maid from the rear quarters approached timidly, saying the mistress requested his presence. Only then did Li Wantang reluctantly move toward the rear quarters.

As soon as he entered the inner courtyard, there was a loud “crash” as a porcelain piece was thrown from the main hall, shattering on the water-polished blue bricks in the courtyard center.

It was Li Wantang’s favorite five-child lotus-heart blue and white vase, a Song Dynasty heirloom that Cai Jing had once handled. The vase was exquisitely crafted, thin as paper, transparent – for over a thousand years, each generation of owners had treasured it immensely, never even chipping it. Yet today it met its end under Mrs. Li’s hand.

Without question, Mrs. Li had stationed someone at the door to watch for Li Wantang’s arrival and deliberately smashed it for his benefit. The servants were all terrified, but Li Wantang showed no anger, only staring intently at the porcelain fragments as if to imprint their image in memory. After a long while, he slowly ordered: “Sweep it up,” then entered the house.

Inside was an extremely spacious hall, with the Li couple’s bedroom on one side and the night-duty maids’ quarters on the other. Seated at the marble round table in the center was Mrs. Li, wearing an eight-treasures skirt of fine Suzhou silk, holding her Persian cat called “Qingnu.” Though currently scowling, traces of former beauty were still visible. Maids and servants stood with lowered hands on both sides, not daring to lift their heads or even breathe audibly.

Mrs. Li knew Li Wantang had entered but remained silent, stroking Qingnu’s thick, long fur and leaving Li Wantang to one side.

Li Wantang waited a while. Seeing she wouldn’t speak, he asked: “What are you doing? Why this groundless tantrum?”

“Groundless?” Mrs. Li seemed to have been waiting for this question, laughing coldly. “Master, are you perhaps asking despite knowing the answer?”

Li An, arriving from behind, saw that no maid had brought a chair for the master after he’d been inside so long. Knowing they didn’t dare, he stepped forward to fetch a chair. Just as he was about to deliver it to Li Wantang, the Persian cat let out a piercing shriek, startling him. Turning to look, he saw Mrs. Li glaring at him viciously, her fingers pinching Qingnu’s tail tip with whitened knuckles, clearly using considerable force. Perhaps due to Mrs. Li’s usual tyranny, even the cat was terrified of her – despite the pain, it dared not struggle free.

Mrs. Li’s voice was cold as wind from an ice cave: “Li An, how wonderful you are. You’re the master’s personal servant and feel sorry for him, don’t you? If the house caught fire someday, you’d probably leave me alone and save the master first, wouldn’t you? Don’t you respect me at all?”

Li An dared not make a sound. He set down the chair, knelt and kowtowed to the mistress, then stood and retreated to one side.

“You’re deliberately making trouble for me today,” Li Wantang finally understood.

Mrs. Li slammed the table: “Exactly, I am making trouble for you. Let me ask you – in that courtyard house in Kan’er Alley outside Desheng Gate, you’re keeping a whore dressed as a man, aren’t you?”

Li Wantang was secretly alarmed. Few people knew about Su Zixuan, yet it was now being questioned before everyone. He remained composed: “Nonsense. Where did you get such an idea?”

“No? If that’s what you say, tomorrow I’ll send people to smash the place and drag that whore out for a public parade – after all, it’s none of your business.” Mrs. Li looked at Li Wantang sideways.

Li Wantang frowned: “Since you’ve inquired so thoroughly, you should know I’ve never visited that courtyard even once, and my relationship with that woman is completely pure.”

“Hmph! If you had gone, I would have burned down that turtle’s nest long ago. I just don’t understand why you keep a woman for no reason – that’s why I’ve endured until today.” Mrs. Li’s temperament was impulsive, not at all deep or scheming. Having restrained herself repeatedly, Li Qin’s actions today finally ignited her anger, and she decided to demand answers to everything.

Li Wantang was silent for a while: “I keep this woman for important purposes – not for myself, but for our Li family. Don’t ask any more about it.”

After all, they were husband and wife. Mrs. Li could tell Li Wantang spoke the truth. She considered for a moment: “Very well, I’ll trust you this once.” Her tone shifted: “But what about Qin’er? He’s acting so outrageously, and you don’t care? Tomorrow I’ve arranged for several ladies to come play mahjong. Do you expect Qin’er to greet them in mourning robes? What about my face?” She grew angrier as she spoke, repeatedly pounding the table.

“This is business from outside – don’t interfere. Though Qin’er is acting wildly, it’s not entirely useless. The reasoning behind it wouldn’t make sense to you even if I explained.”

“Oh, you tell me not to interfere with the whore you keep outside, and not to interfere with our own son wearing mourning in the mansion. Tell me, am I still the mistress of this household?” Mrs. Li laughed coldly.

“No one said you weren’t,” Li Wantang remained calm throughout, contrasting sharply with Mrs. Li’s harsh words. “It’s just that the Beijing Li family is after all a great merchant household in the capital. You should show some discretion in words and actions, lest others see cause for ridicule.”

Without waiting for Mrs. Li’s response, he concluded: “There are important matters to discuss at the guild hall. We’ll talk about other things tomorrow.” With that, he turned and left.

Mrs. Li’s face went deathly pale with rage. She muttered to herself: “Ridicule? Fine, we’ll see who ends up being ridiculed!”

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a soft but sharp “snap,” accompanied by Qingnu’s shriek several times more pitiful than before. This sound made even the lowered-head maids shudder – Mrs. Li had squeezed her palm and broken the Persian cat’s tail.

Now Qingnu could bear the pain no longer. It leaped from Mrs. Li’s body, claws scraping the ground, and ran off in a few bounds to disappear.

Mrs. Li looked at her hand – Qingnu had clawed several long bloody scratches on the back in its desperation. A maid immediately approached with a handkerchief to wipe the wounds, but Mrs. Li slapped her away.

“Mrs. Wang,” Mrs. Li called, stroking her hand.

A servant woman stepped forward from the crowd: “Yes, mistress, please give your orders.”

“From now on, pay attention to everything the master does outside. Whether public or private, large or small, report everything to me.” Mrs. Li’s voice was ice-cold, devoid of any emotion.

“Yes.” Mrs. Wang was about to withdraw.

“Wait.” Mrs. Li continued: “Find Qingnu. When you do, don’t frighten it – treat its injuries.”

“Yes, mistress, don’t worry.”

“After treating its wounds, put it in a cloth bag and drown it in the lotus pond.”

“…” No one spoke. Servants and maids all felt their hearts contract, waves of coldness sweeping through them.

Mrs. Li spoke slowly to herself: “Something I raised dares to run when it grows up, even dares to scratch me. Hmph, it’s truly rebelled!”

Having entrusted the general store business to his younger brother, Gu Pingyuan focused entirely on managing the tea garden. Everyone knew tea plants loved moisture and hated dryness – whether burned tea gardens could still produce tea was uncertain to all.

Treating a dead horse as if it were alive, Gu Pingyuan hired two people to turn over the surface soil in the tea garden and spent money to transplant a batch of tea plants from nearby Songluo tea gardens. Though skilled at tea tasting, he was inexperienced in tea cultivation, so he hired a tea field master to manage the garden while learning alongside him.

During this period, he spared no expense in hiring renowned local physicians to treat his teacher’s illness. But Master Bai was advanced in years and too severely injured – he showed no significant improvement. For some time, Master Bai sometimes recognized Gu Pingyuan, sometimes was confused and didn’t. But this morning his eyes were bright and alert, completely different from his usual dazed state. When Gu Pingyuan entered to check on him, his heart lifted with joy.

“Pingyuan, sit, sit down.” Master Bai extended a skeletal hand from under the covers, pointing to the chair beside the bed with difficulty.

“Child, I knew you had returned, but only today do I truly believe it. These past days I thought I was dreaming.” Master Bai grasped Gu Pingyuan’s hand, tears streaming from his eyes, sighing slowly.

“Teacher…” Having no father since childhood, Gu Pingyuan truly regarded his teacher as a father. Hearing the old man speak tremblingly while staring at him eagerly, as if afraid he might disappear with a blink, his heart thundered and tears flowed like opened floodgates.

Teacher and student faced each other with tearful eyes, holding hands speechlessly. After a long while, Gu Pingyuan broke the silence. He planned to tell his teacher about his experiences these past years, about Chen Fu’en receiving his comeuppance, and about the shrine common people had built for his teacher on the Yellow River bank. But Master Bai waved his hand weakly, coughed twice with effort, and said breathlessly: “I can see you’ve suffered much hardship these years outside, and surely gained much wisdom. ‘Heaven moves vigorously; the gentleman strives constantly for self-improvement.’ Suffering hardship isn’t necessarily bad, while indulging in comfort isn’t necessarily good. I only want to hear about one thing you did that you’ve never regretted.”

“Something I did that I’ve never regretted…” Gu Pingyuan pondered his teacher’s words. Something that others might think deserving of regret, yet he had never regretted. Thinking of this, he blurted out: “Before returning to Huizhou this time, I used a million taels of silver to save someone’s life.” He spoke of Chang Yu’er, and unconsciously touched the jade thumb ring through his clothing.

Master Bai listened with closed eyes, smiling with satisfaction. He neither asked where Gu Pingyuan obtained a million taels nor who he had saved.

“Teacher.” After waiting a long while without hearing his teacher speak, Gu Pingyuan called softly.

“That’s enough – no need to say more. You haven’t forgotten the Confucian teachings I gave you, valuing righteousness over wealth. You’re truly my good disciple.”

“Yes, teacher. The principles you taught me, Pingyuan will remember all his life. No matter where I go, I dare not forget them for even a moment.” Gu Pingyuan bent forward, studying his teacher’s white hair, thinking of how he had labored for the people in the Yellow River’s current and taught him to read in mountain wilderness huts. His throat choked with emotion again.

Master Bai spoke for a while, apparently becoming tired and seeming ready to doze off, when he suddenly remembered something and gripped Gu Pingyuan’s hand again: “Child, you were exiled to the frontier and it’s fortunate you could return. From now on, live peacefully and quietly in retirement. I served as an official for a few days in my lifetime – in these times, if an official doesn’t act against his conscience, neither superiors nor subordinates will tolerate him. It’s very difficult!”

Gu Pingyuan knew these were his teacher’s heartfelt words and nodded solemnly in agreement, then said: “Teacher, please save your strength and rest before speaking more.”

“No, while I’m still lucid,” Master Bai coughed several times and said with effort: “I watched you grow up and have long regarded you as a son-in-law. I won’t make it, but I only hope you’ll treat Yimei well. If you two can live harmoniously together in the future, I can close my eyes even in death.”

Master Bai didn’t know his daughter had been kidnapped by soldiers, her life or death now uncertain. Gu Pingyuan’s heart churned with mixed emotions. He lowered his head and answered in a low voice: “Teacher, rest assured. I will never let down Sister Yimei in this lifetime.”

“Good, good. Now I can rest easy, truly rest easy.” Master Bai looked relieved, pointing toward the door: “Actually, while I’m still lucid, call Yimei in too. Let’s discuss this matter openly before you both.”

Gu Pingyuan froze, realizing his teacher in his confusion had mistaken his own sister Gu Yuting for his daughter.

“Why? Call her in.”

Gu Pingyuan had always revered his teacher and never told a lie before him. Now tongue-tied, when Master Bai pressed him several times, he had no choice but to tell the truth. Unexpectedly, the old man suffered acute emotional distress, immediately vomiting blood and fainting. When he awoke, he had developed a stupor condition, remaining silent all day with vacant eyes like an imbecile.

Gu Pingyuan felt both regret and pain, unable to think of any solution. He had considered that finding Bai Yimei might cure his teacher’s illness, but when the incident occurred, Taiping rebels, government troops, and Miao Peilin’s bandits were fighting in complete chaos – who knew which group had taken Bai Yimei? Gu Pingyuan had asked people to inquire whenever possible these days, but all efforts were like stones dropped in the sea with no news whatsoever.

Thus Gu Pingyuan worried about his teacher’s family while managing the tea garden. Unexpectedly, eight or nine out of ten transplanted tea plants survived. The hired tea master said this season’s tea garden harvest might be quite good. After Gu Pingyuan’s half year of hard work, seeing autumn tea was promising, he could finally set his mind at ease.

“Master Crane, this small amount of silver will certainly be useful to you. Please accept it.” Gu Pingyuan placed a money pouch on the table, gently pushing it toward Qiao Henian seated across the eight-immortals table.

He had taken time today to visit the Waterway Inspector’s office, coincidentally encountering a collision between grain boats and troop transports on the river. The soldier officers were hot-tempered, and Canal Guild sailors were equally unyielding. Qiao Henian was frantically busy mediating the dispute, not entering the official hall until sunset, wiping sweat from his brow.

The so-called official hall was merely a requisitioned civilian residence. Qiao Henian, being from the north, couldn’t tolerate southern heat. He had holes cut in all four walls covered with thin gauze, and ingeniously channeled river water to dig pools on the left, right, and rear of the tile house, leaving only the front as a pathway. This arrangement actually resembled a water pavilion – cool, pleasant, and quite distinctive.

“Master Crane’s ingenuity is admirable. This river-surrounded water pavilion enjoying proximity to water would make even the Provincial Governor envious.”

“Playing music under a coptis tree – merely finding joy in bitterness. Yesterday when escorting the Two Huai Salt Commissioner through the territory to pay respects to Prefect Meng in Huizhou, his signing room had fire braziers in four corners suspending ice that was replaced when melted – that was truly divine comfort.” Qiao Henian accepted the pouch and opened it, moved by its contents. “This is truly generous – Pingyuan, I’m ashamed to accept it.”

“Ping Ji’s business has been thriving recently, and fundamentally it’s thanks to Master Crane’s help. One mustn’t forget the well-digger when drinking water.” Gu Pingyuan leaned forward slightly. “I’ve heard Master Hao mention waterway affairs – you must have run a deficit these past two months. If you continue adding fees to passing vessels, wouldn’t you follow your predecessor’s path?” He glanced at the money pouch. “Master Crane, rest assured – Ping Ji can still afford this expense and certainly won’t put you in a difficult position.”

Qiao Henian’s eyes brightened: “If I can fulfill my duties without troubling the people, this official position would be much easier.”

“Master Crane, do you know the county magistrate of She County has had his official cap and robes stripped?”

“I only learned yesterday at the prefectural office. Since I wasn’t killed as a scapegoat, naturally they had to find another to kill.” Qiao Henian’s tone was calm, but his heart wasn’t. He and Gu Pingyuan exchanged glances, realizing they were both thinking the same thing.

“It’s too early to discuss now. I’ve only just been assigned this post with no achievements to speak of. Moreover, there are countless alternate officials in the province wanting this position. Currently the Provincial Commissioner has the deputy magistrate temporarily managing affairs – his intentions are obvious.” Qiao Henian sipped river water and shook his head.

Ping Ji providing funds for Qiao Henian to handle official boat relations was already quite strenuous. To also raise money for connections at the Provincial Commissioner’s office was truly beyond their means. Gu Pingyuan could think of no solution, and the official hall fell silent.

“Pingyuan, don’t trouble yourself. Honestly, I have little interest in buying official positions.” Qiao Henian spoke first, then turned to matters concerning Gu Pingyuan: “There’s currently a business opportunity that could be profitable – I wonder if you’re interested.”

“Master Crane, what do you mean? Naturally I’m interested in profitable business – I just don’t know what kind of wealth this involves.”

“Speaking of it, this matter truly involves accumulating virtue through good deeds.”

The news came from Xin’an River sailors. Since the Taiping Army’s Loyal King Li Xiucheng led forces to capture Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, almost all civil and military officials from the governor down were killed or wounded – the most devastating battle since the court began suppressing the Taipings. Hangzhou, praised as “Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below,” hadn’t seen warfare for a hundred years. Being in the most prosperous region of Jiangnan, families hiding ten thousand gold numbered not one thousand but eight hundred. When the Taipings arrived, to protect both wealth and lives, people had no choice but to flee with elderly and children. Yet reluctant to go far from home, they fled while watching, discovering the Taipings weren’t pursuing closely. They stopped at a place called “Heaven Beyond Heaven” south of Hangzhou city.

They fled there because Heaven Beyond Heaven was a Buddhist garden – a place for releasing living creatures. Generally in prosperous areas, families often had Buddhist elderly ladies who would go to markets when free, buying chickens, ducks, fish, and turtles to release at Heaven Beyond Heaven. In places like Hangzhou with daily markets, many families lacked three days’ food reserves. During the hasty flight, they couldn’t bring provisions, so Heaven Beyond Heaven’s chickens and ducks suffered – within ten days, only scattered bones and feathers remained.

“Hangzhou’s fall was over a month ago. According to sailors, refugees at Heaven Beyond Heaven are so hungry they’re digging food from rat holes.”

“Master Crane suggests I go there to sell grain?” Gu Pingyuan understood.

“Sell grain? Even if you dug up grass roots to take there, you wouldn’t worry about sales. The key is whether you have the courage – the Taipings are very close. If they decide to attack, they could crush that place to powder in just two hours. Otherwise, with such obvious good business, why hasn’t anyone done it?”

Gu Pingyuan walked to the doorway, gazing at the eastward-flowing river in thought, then suddenly asked: “Li Xiucheng – I’ve heard he’s a scholar among the Taipings. Is that true?”

“Absolutely true. If the Taipings still have talent, in literature it’s the false Loyal Prince Li Xiucheng, in military affairs the false Heroic Prince Chen Yucheng.”

“Is this person bloodthirsty?”

“Not only is he not bloodthirsty, he pays great attention to popular support. Honestly, in terms of reputation among common people, none can compare to him.”

“That explains it. Since he could take Heaven Beyond Heaven in two hours yet hasn’t moved for a full month, Li Xiucheng must have ordered his troops not to disturb these refugees. From this perspective, transporting grain there seems treacherous as walking on thin ice, but is actually like walking on flat ground.”

“Have you decided? If you really get trapped there, calling heaven won’t answer, calling earth won’t respond.” Qiao Henian was genuinely worried for him.

Gu Pingyuan smiled: “Wealth comes from risk, and moreover, as Master Crane said, this is truly a virtuous deed – Heaven will bless this business to succeed.”

Knowing business opportunities couldn’t be missed, especially such ventures where chances were fleeting, Gu Pingyuan had his brother order several hundred jin of white flour steamed buns from Qiankou Town’s mill houses while purchasing dried salted fish from river fishermen. Though goods were easy to obtain, finding workers to transport them was difficult – he spent considerable money to hire several tough men willing to risk their lives for payment. Loading everything including wheelbarrows onto an empty returning grain boat, they traveled along the Xin’an and Fuchun Rivers eastward, heading straight for the outskirts of Hangzhou city.

Gu Pingyuan knew that although Li Xiucheng had military orders, his own shipment of grain was not protected, so he proceeded with extra caution while traveling by boat. Fortunately, the canal boat sailors were experienced and could navigate in darkness without lights, which reduced many dangers. Heaven Beyond Heaven originally had one side connected to the riverbank, so after disembarking, several wheelbarrows creaked along and soon they could see many shadowy figures.

When they drew near, though Gu Pingyuan was bold, he couldn’t help but feel his heart skip a beat. These were no longer people – they were clearly starving ghosts, reduced to skin and bones, like bamboo frames draped with clothes. Seeing how they swayed when walking, they might collapse and die at any moment.

Gu Pingyuan directed several assistants to push the wheelbarrows into the crowd, then lifted the oilcloth covering one cart. The aroma of steamed buns immediately drew all the refugees’ eyes, and they involuntarily shuffled closer on their legs.

The refined courtesy of Jiangnan people showed clearly even now. In such circumstances, an elderly man still managed to bow weakly forward, opening his mouth several times before making sound: “Young sir, may I ask if these steamed buns are for sale?”

“Yes.” Gu Pingyuan, worried he might fall, reached out to support him.

“Then… how much money for one steamed bun?”

This question had been asked by both Gu Pingwen and Qiao Henian before departure, but Gu Pingyuan had never answered. Now he turned back to fetch a tea-picking basket and placed it on the ground.

“Everyone just give what you think appropriate. If you truly have no money, eating for free is also fine.”

No one expected this method of selling. The accompanying assistants all opened their eyes wide, thinking this Boss Gu had truly gone mad. Taking such risks to transport grain here, asking sky-high prices wouldn’t be excessive, yet he said “eating for free is also fine” – apparently he’d come to do good deeds.

These people looked at each other, momentarily at a loss. The old man seemed to be an elder from Hangzhou city. He studied Gu Pingyuan carefully and asked again: “Where did you transport this grain from?”

“Huizhou, coming along the Xin’an River,” Gu Pingyuan answered honestly.

The old man nodded: “That’s quite far.” As he spoke, he reached over to take a white flour steamed bun from the wheelbarrow.

The assistants thought: Look, there’s one eating for free – that sets a precedent. If no one pays, we’ll lose even our transport costs on this trip.

“Clang.” The old man took the steamed bun, then dropped something into the basket and walked away trembling, taking a big bite while walking, making the surrounding crowd swallow their saliva with envy.

One assistant curiously looked into the basket and was startled – a piece of gold weighing no less than ten taels lay at the bottom.

Ten taels of gold equaled over two hundred taels of silver, more than the cost of goods for this entire trip. The assistant’s eyes nearly bulged out, and even Gu Pingyuan’s face showed a trace of surprise, though it quickly passed.

With someone setting the precedent by paying, others followed suit. Some threw gold ingots into the basket, others threw bank notes, and still others threw jewelry and valuables. Soon the basket overflowed with silver, money, pearls and treasures, while the steamed buns in the wheelbarrows were far from depleted.

The assistants had long been dumbfounded – this trip was beyond profitable by ten thousand times. Gu Pingyuan was also secretly amazed. He had thought that once they reached Heaven Beyond Heaven, if there were reasonable people here, they would certainly pay high prices for these steamed buns, but he hadn’t expected Hangzhou’s wealthy households to be so rich and generous. This trip truly filled their coffers.

“Young man, you’ve made a fortune on this trip,” the old man said, having eaten his fill and regained his composure, smiling at Gu Pingyuan.

“Honored sir, I’ll speak honestly – I never expected to earn so much when I came.”

“That you can say this shows you’re an honest merchant. But do you know why I paid ten taels of gold when you said people could eat for free?”

“These steamed buns will at most feed everyone here for three days. You were afraid I wouldn’t come after three days, and then you’d have to go hungry again.” Gu Pingyuan answered without thinking.

“So even if you were truly generous, we wouldn’t dare eat for free.” The old man’s eyes sparkled with more amusement.

Gu Pingyuan smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

“But do you know why I paid ten taels of gold instead of one tael? Even one tael would be considerable – you’d still come next time.”

“This… please explain in detail.” Gu Pingyuan was momentarily stumped.

The old man glanced slyly at the assistants who were whispering nearby: “Because I want them to spread this news. The more people who know, the more grain sellers will come in the future. With competition among themselves, prices will naturally fall without haggling. So while we seem to suffer a great loss this first time, next time and the time after, we’ll spend less and less money. Overall, we still don’t lose out.”

Only then did Gu Pingyuan understand, secretly clicking his tongue in amazement. Hangzhou people truly deserved their reputation as “Hangzhou iron heads” – even in dire straits they didn’t lose their character. He would truly need to be careful and attentive when dealing with Zhejiang merchants in the future.

“Initially I worried you’d come to ‘slaughter plague pigs,’ but now I see you’re an honest person. I was overly concerned.” “Slaughtering plague pigs” meant price gouging. Gu Pingyuan would naturally never do such a thing to profit from disaster. Just then, a faint groan came from a nearby wooden shed.

“Oh, I forgot about him.” The old man took a steamed bun and walked over.

In the wooden shed lay a sick monk in his thirties, ragged clothes, gaunt face, his whole face burning red with fever – clearly suffering from malaria with unclear consciousness.

“He’s the monk in charge of releasing living creatures at Heaven Beyond Heaven. Several Buddhist wealthy families from the city pooled money to hire him to watch these creatures so they wouldn’t be stolen and eaten.” The old man spoke with bitter laughter: “When we first arrived he was fine, but a few days ago he caught cold and suddenly fell ill.”

A cold wasn’t a serious ailment, but with no medicine available here, it became dangerous. By his appearance, if he didn’t receive medicine soon, his life would be hard to preserve. This place lacked doctors and medicine – if disease spread, it would be a major disaster. Gu Pingyuan mentally noted to bring some prepared medicines next time along with grain.

The old man was completely correct. News that Gu Pingyuan had returned from Hangzhou with a mountain of gold spread like it had legs, reaching throughout Huizhou within days. When Master Hou heard this, he was furious, summoning his capable assistant Zhu Zhi and cursing repeatedly: “That bastard surnamed Gu ruined my good business before, and I was pondering how to settle accounts with him. Now this is wonderful – he’s made such a fortune by taking advantage!”

“This won’t do. Such a good opportunity absolutely cannot be handed over to others. You,” he pointed at Zhu Zhi, “copy his method exactly. Immediately procure grain, load ships, and go to Heaven Beyond Heaven in Hangzhou.”

Zhu Zhi was startled: “Master, those Taipings kill without blinking!”

“Useless! How is the fellow surnamed Gu not afraid?” Master Hou used both coaxing and threats to finally make Zhu Zhi take a shipload of grain.

Two days later, Zhu Zhi returned with a mournful face. The shipload of grain went as it came back – he didn’t earn a mountain of gold and silver, not even a single copper coin.

“What on earth happened!” Master Hou was about to explode with rage.

“Master, listen to me.” Zhu Zhi was also full of grievances.

He had taken the grain to Heaven Beyond Heaven without incident on the journey. But when he arrived and prepared to sell grain, the prices followed Master Hou’s instructions exactly – sky-high prices that could only rise, never fall.

“No one bought anything. They still had leftover grain from Gu Pingyuan’s previous visit. So I planned to wait two days until their grain ran out – then they’d naturally have to buy our family’s grain. At that time it would be like a scorpion’s droppings – unique goods – and they’d have no choice but to pay gold.”

“That plan wasn’t wrong. But how did you not earn even a single copper?”

“When they were about to run out of grain again, that Gu Pingyuan came back. Apparently he was timing it perfectly. His prices were lower than last time – less than half of ours. Naturally the Hangzhou iron heads bought his grain. Master, you said not to lower prices without permission. I didn’t dare make that decision. Seeing nothing would sell, I had to bring the grain ship back.”

Master Hou felt his throat choking as if a white flour steamed bun was stuck there – couldn’t swallow it, couldn’t spit it out. Glaring with wide eyes, just about to say something, Zhu Zhi continued: “On the return journey, several more grain ships heard the news and went to sell grain. I think from now on, Heaven Beyond Heaven’s grain prices will inevitably fall. There’s no more chance to make big profits like Gu Pingyuan did.”

Master Hou listened with jealousy and hatred, gritting his teeth helplessly, when Zhu Zhi approached and whispered: “Master, there’s something I don’t know whether I should mention.”

“Speak.” Master Hou was in no good mood.

“I saw someone at Heaven Beyond Heaven.”

“Nonsense, wasn’t everyone there people?”

“This person was extraordinary. Do you remember? Early last year, General Li Xubi led troops near Sanhe Town to fight the Taipings. Local merchants jointly invited General Li to a banquet. At the feast was a camp assistant, only a sixth-rank magistrate with blue feathers, but General Li was extremely respectful to him.”

With Zhu Zhi’s reminder, Master Hou remembered: “Right, that happened. But that person’s identity…” He suddenly realized what Zhu Zhi was implying. “Wait, the imperial army was ambushed by Chen Yucheng and almost completely annihilated. This person already died in battle.”

“But I saw him, still chewing white flour steamed buns.” Zhu Zhi had attended the banquet with Master Hou that day and spoke with complete certainty.

Master Hou’s mouth half-opened, his eyes rolling for a long time before exclaiming “Ah!” and saying: “I understand. No wonder the government notice said ‘died fighting bravely, remains unrecovered’ – it was a cover-up.”

“Yes. But in my humble opinion, we should pretend not to know about this matter.”

Master Hou said nothing, standing up to pace back and forth in the hall several times before suddenly turning: “You said that fellow surnamed Gu was timing his grain deliveries?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Don’t you have a blood uncle called Sixth Uncle Zhu who’s a peddler?”

Zhu Zhi responded strangely to this, and Master Hou continued: “I heard he often goes to Taiping territory to sell things.”

Zhu Zhi was alarmed: “Master, you understand clearly – my uncle is absolutely not a rebel, just somewhat greedy for small profits. Rest assured, I’ll go back and tell him never to sell things in Taiping territory again.”

“Don’t worry, I have no intention of making things difficult for him. On the contrary, I want to help him earn more money. Go tell your uncle to come to my house tonight after the lamps are lit.” As he spoke, Master Hou’s face showed a mysterious smile.

Zhu Zhi had followed him for seven or eight years and immediately knew he was up to no good. But with his uncle’s weakness in the man’s grasp, he had no choice but to nod in agreement. No matter who was going to be unlucky, as long as it didn’t involve himself, he’d thank heaven and earth.

“Old Master, this is terrible!” The elderly man who had previously dealt with Gu Pingyuan was surnamed Li, a veteran Zhejiang merchant who had run silk shops all his life. Now retired from business, he had purchased a fifth-rank official position for his son, who served in Beijing’s Court of State Ceremonial. With such family background and seniority, this group of refugees all respectfully addressed him as “Old Master.”

He was in the wooden shed, speaking to the monk: “Buddhist master, it’s entirely thanks to Boss Gu’s help that you saved your life. Without the medicine he brought, you would have gone to see Buddha several days ago.”

The monk struggled to sit up, staring blankly without speaking, his eyes vacant and lifeless as if he hadn’t heard anything.

“How can you monks be like this – someone saved you yet you don’t have a word of thanks.” The Old Master was somewhat displeased.

Gu Pingyuan didn’t think much of it, assuming monks who saw through life and death cared about nothing. What struck him was that a few days ago when caring for this delirious monk, the man had confusedly pressed a jade pendant into his hand, mumbling something about “if a person cannot enter the ancestral tomb, can jade also not enter the ancestral tomb?” Gu Pingyuan didn’t understand and had temporarily kept the jade pendant. Now seeing the monk had awakened, he was about to take the pendant from his chest to return it when he heard someone outside shouting and rolling as they ran over.

These people were all frightened birds – seeing this scene, they immediately panicked.

“Don’t panic, don’t panic. Speak slowly.” The person who ran over was a scout sent out by the Old Master. They heard him gasping: “Li, Li Xiucheng has sent troops to attack Heaven Beyond Heaven.”

“Where did this news come from?”

“I heard it from Wu Ergou in the lower city. He joined the Taipings and became a minor officer. He also said those sent are all Loyal Prince’s palace guards – Li Xiucheng’s personal troops, each brave and skilled in battle.”

“It’s been nearly two months, why suddenly attack now?” Gu Pingyuan couldn’t understand, but with the situation urgent, there was no time for further thought.

Gu Pingyuan knew he could escape easily – the boat at the riverside was still waiting – but so many people couldn’t all evacuate without eight or ten boats. Seeing this group had become like ants on a hot pot, Gu Pingyuan sought out Old Master Li to speak: “Old Master, this is no time to be nostalgic about homeland – we must go as far as possible.”

“I know, I know.” The Old Master nodded repeatedly, then shook his head: “We truly took the wrong step initially. It’s my fault – being old, I couldn’t bear to leave home. Now wanting to flee, we have no carts or horses. I fear I’ve harmed everyone. Sigh!”

“Don’t worry. There are two mountain paths. I estimate the Taipings will certainly divide forces to come by both routes. We must act quickly – tear down all the wooden sheds and transport them to the road with wheelbarrows.”

“That won’t stop their horses.”

“Don’t worry, I have a plan.”

Seeing Gu Pingyuan speak with certainty, the Old Master gathered everyone to tear down sheds and transport them to the road.

Gu Pingyuan wasn’t idle either. He ordered an assistant to immediately return to the riverside, take the boat back, and within half an hour intercept any boats encountered. Explain to the boat captains that regardless of whether they carried grain or salt, dump everything into the river, then rush to rescue people. The cargo costs would be compensated tenfold by these wealthy households later.

After dispatching his assistant, Gu Pingyuan rushed to the mountain path and set fire to the wood used for blocking roads. Once the flames rose, it would delay pursuit for at least half an hour.

“Now preserving life is important – abandon material possessions when possible.” Gu Pingyuan threw all the money earned from this grain venture onto the road. The Old Master was startled, then understood: “Boss Gu is right – sacrifice money to save lives. Quickly, quickly!” He removed a pure gold ring and threw it on the ground, where it glittered enticingly.

Though wealth was hard to abandon, life was ultimately more important. Soon the road behind the fire was scattered with gold, silver, pearls and treasures. Gu Pingyuan still felt it insufficient – he picked up some jewelry and threw it into roadside shallow grass where it could just be discovered.

“Let these Taipings search through the grass piles.” Gu Pingyuan noticed the monk also standing in the crowd. He walked over and took out the jade pendant: “Master, here’s your jade pendant back.”

“What use does a monk have for such things? Abandon it.” Someone nearby felt sorry for their own possessions and naturally spoke unkindly seeing the monk fondling the jade pendant absent-mindedly.

The monk smiled bitterly upon hearing this, suddenly quickened his pace and leaped toward the blazing fire before them.

Gu Pingyuan reacted quickly, grabbing his shoulder: “Master, absolutely not!”

“If I die, you can all live!” Though the monk was weak from recent illness and couldn’t struggle much, he said this one sentence.

Gu Pingyuan was greatly suspicious but the current situation allowed no questioning. He had two strong men half-drag, half-carry the monk while leading everyone straight to the riverside.

Reaching the riverside, they found the riverbank empty without a single boat. Gu Pingyuan felt his heart sink. Had his own boat’s crew fled in cowardice and never returned? Or did the boat captains not believe that just one sentence promised ten times cargo compensation, so not even one boat came? With boats at the riverside being a lifeline and no boats being certain death, if he had led these people to a dead end, with lives at stake, he truly couldn’t bear such responsibility.

Just as his heart was in turmoil, he saw a boat speeding from the river bend with over ten more following behind. A man stood at the bow of the lead boat – Gu Pingyuan was overjoyed at the sight.

This person was Qiao Henian!

“Master Crane, how did you come?” Gu Pingyuan stepped onto the gangplank and grasped Qiao Henian’s arm.

“I was patrolling the river today and felt uneasy, as if something would happen, so I ordered the boat beyond provincial boundaries and happened to encounter your boat sent for help.”

Having an official present made things easier. Qiao Henian had done much for river boatmen these past months without adding fees – the boatmen remembered this and now was time to repay. With Qiao Henian’s call, they organized a boat fleet in less than half an hour.

Gu Pingyuan felt warmth in his heart. Qiao Henian was also moved. Looking at these frightened refugees on the riverbank, he ordered the boatmen: “Getting people onto boats is the priority.”

Though refugees were numerous, there were many boats – enough to load everyone and sail away. Qiao Henian, looking thoughtful, called a boatman over for quiet instructions.

Gu Pingyuan watched as boats carrying large numbers of refugees departed, but the boat he was on only traveled an arrow’s distance before stopping.

“Master Crane, what’s the meaning of this? And why is there still an empty boat moored at the riverside?”

Qiao Henian smiled with slight satisfaction: “Pingyuan, don’t be anxious. Watch this performance of ‘inviting the enemy into the trap.'”

Soon, horse hooves thundered as a Taiping cavalry unit galloped up. The mounted soldiers were all elite troops who dismounted with swords and sabers, advancing menacingly toward the riverside. Gu Pingyuan nervously glanced at Qiao Henian when suddenly panicked shouts came from the empty boat at the riverside.

“Terrible, the Taipings are coming!”

“Run quickly, run! Don’t mind the boat – saving lives is important!”

With these shouts, several boatmen ran from the empty boat and without a word dove into the water with splashes, swimming and paddling to quickly reach Qiao Henian’s boat.

“Set sail, slowly.” Qiao Henian said quietly, then shouted loudly: “You killers, why don’t you sail faster?”

The oarsmen also called out loudly: “Too many people on board – can’t row fast!”

The river was quiet – not just at one arrow’s distance, but even several li away, such shouting could be heard clearly.

Among the Taipings was a leader who saw the nearby boat indeed moving slowly, so he led his men hurriedly aboard the empty boat at riverside, rowing swiftly toward Qiao Henian’s vessel.

Soon the two boats were about to collide, but the Taipings on the rear boat suddenly panicked. The oarsmen stopped rowing and the rest put down their weapons, all crouching low doing something unknown.

Qiao Henian glanced to the side. One of the boatmen who had just climbed aboard said: “My lord, rest assured. They’ve discovered it now but it’s too late – can’t be stopped. It must sink to the bottom.”

They had sabotaged the boat. Gu Pingyuan looked at Qiao Henian admiringly and reminded: “Master Crane, capturing them alive would be better. Otherwise with bodies sunk in the river, no one would know of your lordship’s achievement.”

Qiao Henian nodded and ordered the boat to stop. Soon the rear boat took on water and slowly sank into the river. Dozens of Taipings thrashed about in the water, bobbing up and down. Several boatmen, hearing they should capture prisoners alive, were eager to jump in and seize people.

“Wait a bit longer. Let them nearly drown before rescuing them, lest they try to act fierce after boarding.” Qiao Henian calmly instructed.

Gu Pingyuan saw the Taipings being dragged aboard one by one, knowing the matter was successfully settled. While Qiao Henian arranged personnel to guard the prisoners, he entered the cabin to see the monk.

“What did you mean earlier when you said ‘If I die, you can all live’?” Gu Pingyuan’s question had been weighing on his mind.

The monk initially said nothing. Later, seeing everyone had left the cabin, he handed the jade pendant to Gu Pingyuan again, then pressed his palms together in salute: “Before this poor monk became a monk, I had a posthumous name – ‘Min Lie.'”

Sometimes few words are needed – one shocking statement suffices. Like what this monk said left Gu Pingyuan so astonished he couldn’t speak for a long time.

Posthumous names were honors the court bestowed on ministers after death. In other words, only dead people had posthumous names. Moreover, according to posthumous naming principles, the two characters “Min Lie” were both used for officials who died in battle. Who exactly was this person?

“Look at that jade pendant. Father gave one to each of us four brothers with our names on them, meaning brotherly unity.”

Gu Pingyuan looked as told and indeed saw four characters carved on the jade pendant: “Fan Quan Hua Bao.” He heard the monk’s voice again: “My name is Zeng Guohua, third in the family.”

Gu Pingyuan’s mind was quick. Looking at this jade pendant, thinking of this name, and seeing the first character, he couldn’t help but be moved with alarm: “Could it be that your elder brother is…”

“Yes.” Zeng Guohua nodded slowly, continuing: “Initially, in the chaos of war, false news of my death was mistakenly reported. The court, receiving this report, bestowed a posthumous title, posthumously promoted me to Cavalry Captain, inducted me into the Loyal Memorial Shrine for worship, commissioned a biography for the National History Archive, and awarded an imperial-inscribed plaque reading ‘Family of Loyalty and Righteousness’ to hang in the main hall of our Xiangxiang ancestral home. After I recovered from my wounds and found elder brother, I thought surviving near-death was a great fortune. But elder brother asked me – would I really want the court to revoke all these generous benefits and take down the plaque symbolizing the Zeng family’s honor? What a disgrace that would be for the Zeng clan! So from then on, the world gained one more wandering ascetic monk with no family or connections.”

Gu Pingyuan listened with growing coldness from his heart to his feet, asking numbly: “So you’ve been wandering in Hangzhou all this time?”

Zeng Guohua shook his head: “Elder brother had me escorted all the way to Annan. That foreign wilderness was unbearable, so I secretly fled back. I only arrived at Heaven Beyond Heaven three months ago, originally planning to live anonymously forever, but unfortunately the Taipings still discovered me.”

“If they capture you, they can threaten Master Zeng.”

Zeng Guohua’s face was full of bitterness: “My elder brother won’t be threatened by anyone. But if the Taipings capture me and make it public, the court would have to prosecute my elder brother for deceiving the emperor to maintain discipline, and the Taipings would eliminate their greatest opponent.”

“No wonder Li Xiucheng urgently sent people to capture you.”

“If captured, the Zeng family would be finished, and even this Great Qing dynasty might be finished too.”

Only then did Gu Pingyuan understand the enormous consequences weighing on this person before him. Not having thought through his next steps, Zeng Guohua spoke: “Boss Gu, I’ve observed clearly these past days – you’re someone worth entrusting. Please take this jade pendant. When my elder brother destroys the Taipings, help me return this pendant to him for burial in my cenotaph at home. No matter where I die in the future, my soul will follow this jade pendant back to my hometown.”

“Very well.” Gu Pingyuan knew this was troublesome but still nodded in agreement. However, suspecting Zeng Guohua still harbored thoughts of suicide, he was about to offer consolation when Zeng Guohua said: “Don’t worry, I don’t want to die like this. The Taipings have made me neither man nor ghost – I’ll only die after every last Taiping is dead.”

“Then you must take good care of yourself. This time someone definitely informed the Taipings. In the future, others might recognize you again.”

Zeng Guohua grinned: “I’ve already thought of a way to avoid recognition.” As if casually, he picked up a candlestick from the table, suddenly pulled out half the candle, and used the iron spike to frantically scratch his face. Gu Pingyuan was about to stop him but reconsidered, sat back down, sighed and closed his eyes, listening only to the tooth-aching sound of iron scraping bone – truly hair-raising.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw Zeng Guohua’s face covered in blood, with over ten deep bone-visible scars crisscrossing his features. Convulsing with pain, he hoarsely forced out one sentence: “When you see my elder brother in the future, tell him what you witnessed!”

Returning to Huizhou wharf, Qiao Henian excitedly prepared to escort these captured Taipings to the provincial capital’s Judicial Commissioner’s office. But Gu Pingyuan invited Master Hao for secret discussions, after which they felt there was much potential in this situation and asked Qiao Henian to temporarily detain the Taipings at the wharf under special guard.

Gu Pingyuan and Master Hao divided tasks. Gu Pingyuan arranged transportation for the rescued Hangzhou refugees to the provincial capital, especially instructing those with relatives in Beijing to write letters en route reporting their safety, taking personal responsibility for finding couriers to rush these to the capital.

Zhejiang was the province with the most literary culture, with countless Zhejiang natives serving as officials in the court. They worried daily about their homeland being ravaged by war, so when good news finally arrived, it immediately spread throughout court and countryside. Within days even the Grand Council learned of it, but not knowing details, they issued instructions to Anhui Governor Yuan Jiasan requesting a detailed report.

Yuan Jiasan, receiving Grand Council instructions, was also completely puzzled. Just as he was about to order an investigation, Master Hao’s official document on behalf of Qiao Henian “coincidentally” arrived at the Governor’s office signing room. The document detailed the entire incident thoroughly, except changing being pursued by Taipings into Qiao Henian deliberately luring the Taipings into a trap – everything being the result of careful planning.

Yuan Jiasan had recently been pressed down by Chen Yucheng’s forces at the city gates, unable to lift his head. The Grand Council issued reprimands and orders constantly, making this governorship extremely unlucky. Now his subordinate had captured dozens of Li Xiucheng’s personal guards without losing a single soldier – truly a beautiful achievement arriving at just the right time. After Qiao Henian delivered these Taiping prisoners to the provincial capital, Yuan Jiasan received him at the Governor’s office, praising him warmly while carefully questioning the details. Qiao Henian responded cautiously with neither arrogant nor servile tone, attributing all credit to Yuan Jiasan’s virtuous governance of the people, which made citizens willing to help government forces in critical moments, thus achieving success.

Yuan Jiasan saw this Qiao Henian, though newly appointed, was sensible and understanding, making him even happier. He ordered the office secretary to draft a merit-reporting memorial with Qiao Henian. Qiao Henian’s line written for Yuan Jiasan – “crossing borders to protect people, brave in responsibility, inspiring patriots while intimidating rebels” – made even the document secretary applaud, further impressing Yuan Jiasan with this person.

Soon after, the imperial edict arrived with rewards for all meritorious participants. Yuan Jiasan, for proper command, was awarded the privilege of wearing a yellow jacket; Qiao Henian, for personally facing the enemy, received promotion by one rank and the title of magistrate, with priority for vacant positions. The edict especially mentioned the four characters “crossing borders to protect people,” instructing all provincial governors to learn from the Anhui Governor. With imperial orders issued, the displeased new Zhejiang Governor Li Hongzhang had no choice but to send representatives to thank Yuan Jiasan, since the rescued were all people from his governed territory. Yuan Jiasan’s face cleared of gloom, becoming as proud as if gilded, deciding to properly reward Qiao Henian.

“She County is a major county with complex administrative affairs, being a rich tax-collecting area of the province, traditionally governed by a sixth-rank magistrate serving as county magistrate. My intention is to have Brother Qiao fill the vacancy as assistant sixth-rank, while the Waterway Inspector position – I hear you’ve always handled it capably with good evaluations from both officials and people. Since this is so, there’s no need to appoint someone else – you can manage both positions simultaneously. After all, Brother, I already know your talents fully and have no doubt of your competence.”

With Yuan Jiasan’s word, the Provincial Commissioner’s office immediately posted the appointment notice. The next day, Qiao Henian became She County’s magistrate. As the saying goes, “county magistrates kill people, prefects destroy families.” A year ago he was still a poor scholar, now he had leaped to become magistrate of a first-class county in the province, wielding life-and-death power over an entire county. Looking at the mandarin duck patches on his clothing and the newly changed giant clam button on his hat, Qiao Henian suddenly felt as if in a dream.

Turning around, he saw Gu Pingyuan and Master Hao both smiling at him. Qiao Henian cupped his hands: “This matter succeeded thanks to both of you gentlemen’s dedication. Qiao is infinitely grateful.”

“Why speak as strangers? I needn’t mention myself – it was entirely thanks to Master Crane that we escaped danger. As for Elder Brother Hao…” Gu Pingyuan glanced at the “old romantic,” “he’s been bouncing between miscellaneous posts these years. Please, Master Crane, provide cultivation.”

“Master Hao is very proficient in legal matters. I was planning to rely on his expertise. Since we’re discussing this, I’d like to hire you as county office secretary. She County is a major county – presiding over court sessions, managing civil administration, and these waterway matters will keep me too busy. Please help me, Master Hao. I’ll issue an official appointment making you Waterway Assistant.”

This meant one secretary’s salary plus one assistant’s stipend – a steady hundred taels monthly, plus additional gifts at three festivals annually. This was quite comfortable. Master Hao was delighted: “Thank you, employer. From now on I’m Secretary Hao, hehe.”

“Congratulations, Master Crane. Congratulations, Elder Brother Hao.” Host and guests were all pleased, and Gu Pingyuan was happy for them. Qiao Henian felt even more satisfied – receiving imperial praise and special promotion, he finally felt he’d vented some of the frustration suffered from Prince Gong and Baojun in Beijing.

Prince Gong was currently angry with Baojun.

His temper had been fiery these past days, stemming from Jiangnan war situations turning from favorable to unfavorable, and tracing to the root cause – his trusted Minister of Revenue Baojun.

The Jiangnan Grand Camp and Jiangbei Grand Camp had planned painstakingly for years. Just as they were about to converge and besiege Jiangning, destroying the Taiping stronghold imminently, the Ministry of Revenue suddenly cut off military provisions. Without pay, forget fighting – maintaining troops without mutiny was already difficult.

Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, Zeng Guoquan – these great ministers relied upon by the court to suppress bandits – were frantic as ants on a hot pot, sending increasingly urgent memorials to Beijing requesting funds. Seeing the Ministry of Revenue unresponsive, they sent private letters to Prince Gong’s mansion with one theme – “need money.” Zeng Guofan’s letter was most explicit: “Exerting all efforts for this final push, success or failure depends entirely on military provisions. Should this effort fail, ten thousand deaths wouldn’t cover the guilt.” This was tantamount to pointing fingers at the Ministry of Revenue, and everyone knew the Minister of Revenue was Prince Gong’s direct subordinate. Withholding military pay like this – if time dragged on, people would inevitably suspect Prince Gong of interference.

However, Prince Gong truly didn’t understand why Baojun would throttle the government army at this critical moment. Baojun and Zeng Guofan were examination year colleagues with no previous conflicts – why this sudden turn?

Worried about criticism and suspicion plus confusion, when Prince Gong saw Baojun entering from outside with a casual smile, his anger immediately flared. He snorted and turned away without acknowledgment.

“This humble servant greets Your Highness.” Baojun was quick-witted – what old Beijing folk called a “clever ghost.” Seeing Prince Gong’s displeasure, he immediately smiled and gave a full bow.

He and the Prince were usually informal in private residences, so this formal greeting became mockery. Prince Gong was truly angry, turning back to question: “Why are you withholding military pay from the Hunan Army? Don’t you know the Jiangnan battlefield has reached the crucial moment of success? Li Xiucheng is desperately fighting northward from Hangzhou to relieve Jiangning’s siege. If the Jiangnan and Jiangbei Grand Camps can’t converge quickly, once he passes Yixing, Chen Yucheng at Sanhe Town will respond – these two bandits joining forces will surely tear a gap in our encirclement. If Hong Xiuquan and other bandit leaders escape, years of hard work will be wasted. Then not just the court, but even these commanding generals won’t spare you!”

Prince Gong slumped down, reached for his tea cup, found it cold, angrily threw it at the front steps, frightening the attending servant boys who scrambled to clean up.

He had never been so harsh with Baojun before. Strangely, Baojun wasn’t afraid either. Calmly listening to Prince Gong’s tantrum, he pulled a small booklet from his sleeve, placed it on the desk, indicating the Prince should look.

“What’s this?” Prince Gong picked it up while frowning.

“Since taking over the Ministry of Revenue last year, I began auditing accounts. With daily war funding needs in the south and no account closing for auditing, it was slow. I only finished last month, roughly tallying numbers and just organized this booklet yesterday.” Baojun pointed to the booklet: “Your Highness asked why I won’t release funds – the reason is in this booklet.”

Prince Gong opened it to find military expenses from the beginning of Taiping suppression in Xianfeng’s first year – ten full years of war costs plus annual treasury income accounts. Naturally these weren’t detailed items but annual income and expense totals with remaining treasury balances. Prince Gong, in poor spirits and impatient, flipped several pages before seeking the final figures.

This look was catastrophic – Prince Gong’s hand trembled, dropping the booklet as he involuntarily stood, knocking over the fresh tea just served by servants.

Prince Gong’s shock paralleled Grand Secretary Zhang Tingyu’s experience in Kangxi’s final years when walking while listening to Ministry of Revenue reports of regional deficits – upon hearing the total, he was so frightened he missed a step and injured himself falling on flat ground.

“One million taels! Only one million taels?” Prince Gong nearly shouted, staring dumbfounded at Baojun, then at the booklet on the floor, as if experiencing a nightmare.

The mighty Great Qing treasury currently held only one million taels of silver!

Even without other expenses, just paying three hundred thousand Hunan Army troops once required one million five hundred thousand taels. No wonder Baojun wouldn’t pay – even emptying the treasury, he couldn’t afford it.

“How… how did this happen?” Prince Gong finally collected himself.

Baojun sighed: “Your Highness, need you ask? Since military campaigns began, money has flowed like water, plus that massive indemnity in Gengshen year – over ten million taels to Britain and France. Though the court’s annual income is thirty million, that’s gross receipts – actual treasury deposits are less than thirty million. Coming and going like this, we’re naturally impoverished. In my view, this is the poorest the Great Qing has been since founding.”

“But this won’t work. Continuing like this, we can’t fight wars, provide disaster relief, or even pay officials’ salaries. Our Great Qing would be like a failed business that lost its capital and must… must…” Prince Gong couldn’t continue.

Baojun finished: “Must close down.”

“Sigh!” Prince Gong sighed deeply, slumping back in his chair. With matters reaching this point, he didn’t know what to do.

“Regrettably, our dynasty has maintained ‘never increase taxes’ since Shunzhi’s reign, so we can’t consider farmland taxation. Fortunately, among ‘scholars, farmers, craftsmen, merchants,’ one source of wealth remains.”

Prince Gong heard implications in Baojun’s words and looked up at him.

Baojun approached closer, lowering his voice: “Your Highness, officials have power, merchants have money. I have a strategy to extract eight to ten million from those wealthy fellows.”

“Oh?” Prince Gong perked up: “What’s your method?”

Baojun mysteriously pointed at the tea cup: “Your Highness, your favorite tea is Wuyi Mountain’s Da Hong Pao, right?”

“What are you getting at now?” Prince Gong was both annoyed and amused.

“Your Highness, please listen patiently. Tea tax is an important source of Great Qing revenue. However, though famous teas are numerous nationwide, they’re all ‘sellers praising their own wares’ – who ranks first, second, third in the realm has never been determined.”

“Naturally. Everyone has preferences – how could there be rankings?”

“Your Highness speaks incorrectly.” Baojun waved his hand: “Rankings don’t exist because regional tea merchants promote different tea origins for their own benefit. If the court would speak definitively, the title ‘Number One Famous Tea Under Heaven’ would be a golden signboard.”

“So what? It’s just an empty title.” Prince Gong remained dismissive.

Seeing he still didn’t understand, Baojun had to be explicit: “Your Highness, do you know how much these six characters ‘Number One Famous Tea Under Heaven’ are worth?” He made a “six” gesture: “No more, no less – one million taels per character, six characters totaling six million taels.”

“What! Six million taels? Haha, I think you’ve gone mad.” Prince Gong didn’t believe it.

Baojun anxiously revealed the truth: “This is no lie – Beijing merchants will pay this price!”

Prince Gong paused, then understood: “So this is Li Wantang’s idea.”

“It’s him.” Seeing concealment was useless, Baojun told everything: “Li Wantang heard the treasury lacks funds and voluntarily offered six million taels, requesting only that Beijing merchants’ tea be designated ‘Number One Famous Tea Under Heaven.'”

“How does he plan the designation? Surely not requiring an imperial edict?” Prince Gong, remembering Li Wantang’s previous claim of “no requests,” showed a mocking smile.

“Li Wantang wants to organize a ‘Ten Thousand Teas Assembly’ in Beijing, gathering tea merchants nationwide to publicly evaluate the realm’s supreme ‘Ten Famous Teas.'”

“I see – quite an ingenious idea.” Prince Gong considered while slowly nodding.

Baojun stole glances at the Prince’s expression, saying slowly: “For this evaluation to carry weight and gain recognition from tea merchants and connoisseurs nationwide, judges must be high-ranking, authoritative figures whose word is final.”

“For example?” Prince Gong asked deliberately.

“Hehe, for example… Your Highness…” Baojun boldly ventured.

A thousand-li dragon reaches its destination here. With this said, Prince Gong clearly saw Baojun’s intention. After consideration, he feigned anger: “Outrageous! With my noble status as state-governing prince, could I judge for merchants? Wouldn’t this invite universal ridicule? How could I lead the Grand Council afterward? Truly absurd.”

Baojun was only testing – he caught every word of Prince Gong’s response. Hearing this, he knew Prince Gong didn’t oppose the “Ten Thousand Teas Assembly” but merely felt his status too noble for personal participation.

Clever Baojun had already left room in his words, immediately redirecting: “Your Highness, you misunderstood. I only said Your Highness should judge – but you’re not the only prince in Beijing.”

“Hehehe, smooth talker!” Prince Gong laughed scoldingly: “I wonder which prince will be unlucky because of you.”

“How about Prince Chun?” Baojun quickly followed up.

“Seventh Brother? Would he agree?” Prince Gong asked hesitantly.

Prince Chun was Emperor Daoguang’s seventh son, Prince Gong’s younger brother, and current Emperor’s uncle. His relationship with Emperor Tongzhi was even closer since his primary consort was Empress Dowager Cixi’s sister. Though currently only a commandery prince, promotion to prince was inevitable. Prince Gong worried he would also stand on status and refuse this trivial matter.

“Your Highness is his sixth brother. The imperial clan values hierarchy most – if you speak, Seventh Prince won’t dare refuse. Even if you wanted the assembly held in Prince Chun’s main hall, he’d probably agree.”

Seeing Prince Gong still hesitant, Baojun added: “Beijing merchants promised six million taels, plus the other nine selected tea merchants will certainly contribute – this way, ten million taels might be conservative.”

Prince Gong was truly frightened by the empty treasury. After much consideration, he decided: “Fine, do as you say. I’ll speak with Seventh Brother later. Give the ‘first place’ to Beijing merchants, but have Li Wantang pay first to relieve the treasury’s urgent needs. However, notifying tea merchants nationwide to bring teas to Beijing is impossible this year – and since it’s called ‘Ten Thousand Teas Assembly,’ too few merchants would be inappropriate. Schedule it for next spring after spring tea harvest.”

“Yes!” Baojun was so delighted he bowed again to the Prince. For this matter, Li Wantang had given him two hundred thousand taels benefit – the bank notes were in his chest pocket. No risk of loss now, naturally bringing joy.

Baojun exited the prince’s mansion and immediately saw Li Wantang waiting by the stone lions, beckoning him over.

“This matter wasn’t easy – I wore out my lips persuading the Prince to agree.”

“Thank you, Lord, for your mediation.” Li Wantang answered as if he’d expected this, showing no surprise.

“Brilliant of you to devise withholding military pay – the Prince was frantic. At this moment, forget ‘Number One Famous Tea,’ even if you wanted ‘Number One Famous Person,’ the Prince would probably agree.” Finishing, Baojun and Li Wantang laughed together.

“You’re truly clever. Even non-tea drinkers hearing ‘Number One’ would certainly buy some to try. You Beijing merchants have essentially obtained a treasure basin – you’ll surely profit enormously.” Baojun glanced at Li Wantang while speaking.

“All thanks to your lordship’s help. Beijing merchants certainly won’t forget your lordship when the time comes.” Li Wantang replied respectfully.

Baojun wanted to hear exactly this, nodding with satisfaction. “The Prince wants you to quickly pay those six million taels. Go raise the silver.”