Gu Pingyuan stayed at the embankment construction site day and night with Liu Heita, directing the civilian laborers in building the dike. After a full month of hard work, the project was finally half completed. Seeing that the sea embankment could protect the fertile fields’ harvest, all the common people were overjoyed. The local area had a custom of “setting beacon fires,” and since the warfare had ceased for several years, this year at the Zhang family’s suggestion, they revived the old tradition. It served both to restore the ancient custom and to celebrate the halfway completion of the embankment project.

The banquet was held in the open air. Looking from afar, fires blazed everywhere – across the rural paths and fields, farmers held torches to drive away insects and beasts, protecting their crops. Tonight’s main guest was naturally Gu Pingyuan. Though he repeatedly declined the honor, in the end he and his wife Chang Yu’er took the seats of honor.

“The mountain village is lovely when evening breezes first rise, beacon fires stretching across the sky surpass any brocade. We only pray these flames can illuminate all harmful insects, so we may return to buy wine and feast on pond fish.” County Magistrate Du recited a bamboo branch poem, laughing as he said to Old Master Zhang, “In previous years, if we wanted to pray for a good harvest, we could only ask Heaven. This year is different – this ‘buying wine and feasting on pond fish’ is within reach, and much of it is thanks to Master Gu.”

“How dare I, how dare I.” Gu Pingyuan quickly declined with modesty. “I dare not claim Heaven’s accomplishments as my own. It’s entirely due to Your Honor and Old Master Zhang’s wholehearted assistance, and the villagers’ willingness to contribute their efforts. Otherwise, how could an outsider like me have accomplished things so smoothly?”

“Master Gu, you spared no expense to build this embankment for Nantong – we all see it clearly.” Old Master Zhang raised his hands in salute to the gathering. “Honestly speaking, I never had much good feeling toward merchants in the past, but now it’s different. Master Gu’s righteousness and generosity have truly opened my eyes – I’m filled with admiration.”

“Indeed.” Another local gentry member in the gathering also said, “We’ve seen many large projects before – some sponsored by the government, others donated by merchants – but we’ve never seen anyone treat workers so generously. I heard from the laborers that before coming to work on the embankment, they went hungry every day with their hearts panicking from emptiness. But now they not only eat their fill and dress warmly, they’ve even gained considerable weight. Their families don’t know this and think they’re hiding somewhere enjoying good fortune.”

“Master Gu has been nothing but good to us Nantong people – everyone won’t forget your kindness. When the sea embankment is completed, we’ll definitely petition the county office jointly to erect a merit monument for Master Gu.”

With these words, Old Master Zhang raised his cup first, and everyone in the gathering toasted Gu Pingyuan together. Others aside, Chang Yu’er watched her husband receive such respect from local officials and gentry, sitting beside him with indescribable joy in her heart. A sense of shared honor welled up, and she quietly wiped away two tears from the corners of her eyes.

“Sister, everyone’s celebrating – why are you crying?” Liu Heita noticed immediately.

“Don’t talk nonsense. How am I crying? It’s just sand blown into my eyes by the wind.” Chang Yu’er had spent recent days preparing exquisite meals daily, delivering three meals a day to her husband and elder brother at the construction site. Sometimes when Gu Pingyuan and Liu Heita weren’t in the same location, no matter how far apart, Liu Heita would ride swiftly over just to eat Chang Yu’er’s cooking. After a month, everyone at the construction site praised this Master Gu’s wife as gentle and virtuous – truly a rare perfect match.

Her husband had become dark and thin from continuous hard work, but at least his efforts hadn’t been in vain. Chang Yu’er naturally felt both gratified and happy.

“I’ll substitute tea for wine and toast you husband and wife as well. May you two good people receive good rewards and have a precious child soon.” Zhang Jian appeared from somewhere, his small stature holding a teacup, his serious expression making everyone laugh heartily. Chang Yu’er was so embarrassed she lowered her eyebrows and eyes, not daring to look at anyone present.

“Oh my, what kind of talk is this from a child?” Old Master Zhang was both angry and amused. “Where did all your book learning go?”

“Who has patience for studying? I want to follow Master Gu and learn to do business.” Zhang Jian replied in his clear voice.

“More nonsense. If you pass the county examination to become a scholar, naturally you should take the provincial examination, then the metropolitan examination. If you could achieve one of the top three ranks or even become the top scholar, that would bring glory to our Zhang family. How can you talk about doing business?” Old Master Zhang said displeasedly.

“But Father, you just said Master Gu opened your eyes and you greatly admire him. Since Father admires merchants, why can’t I become a merchant?”

“This… this…” Old Master Zhang was speechless, and with everyone watching, he felt somewhat embarrassed. “Absolutely not means absolutely not. Reading books and taking examinations is the proper path. What kind of damn business…” As soon as these words left his mouth, he realized his slip of tongue and immediately showed an embarrassed expression. “Master Gu, my worthless son made me lose my head with anger. Please don’t take offense.”

Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yu’er exchanged glances, their hearts filled with mixed feelings, though their faces showed nothing. They only smiled slightly, but their smiles carried some bitterness.

The next day when work resumed, according to old custom, they had to slaughter three sacrificial animals to worship the gods – both to thank the deities for blessing the first half of the project with safety, and to pray for smooth progress in the second half.

After casting the three sacrificial animals into the sea, just as Gu Pingyuan was about to loudly announce the resumption of work, Liu Heita pointed to the distance and asked: “What are all those people coming this way doing?”

Gu Pingyuan also immediately saw them – several hundred people walking unsteadily in the distance, as if being driven toward the sea embankment construction site. He furrowed his brow in puzzlement and strode forward to meet them, with Liu Heita following.

“It’s you, old bastard!” Liu Heita had excellent eyesight and recognized Wang Tiangui leading the group from over ten zhang away. The occupation of their family home, Chang Si’s father’s wrongful imprisonment, and the terrible disaster that befell the beggar gang at the city gate – all these events flooded back to his mind. Liu Heita roared like a tiger and pulled out his nine-section whip from his waist, ready to charge forward.

Gu Pingyuan failed to grab him in time, and Liu Heita had already reached Wang Tiangui, raising his whip to strike down.

Wang Tiangui was so frightened he retreated more than ten steps, shouting repeatedly: “Stop him, stop him!”

The gang of thugs and overseers he’d brought surged forward to block Liu Heita’s path.

Liu Heita glared with his bull-like eyes: “Get lost! Anyone who dares block me – do you want to die?”

Fortunately, Gu Pingyuan had also followed within a few steps, pressing down Liu Heita’s hand and sternly saying: “Put down the whip!”

Liu Heita was stunned: “Big Brother Gu, he’s our Chang family’s enemy. You won’t let me take revenge?”

“In broad daylight, if you beat him to death, then what?” Gu Pingyuan said slowly. “Is it worth trading your life for such a person?”

“Heh heh.” Seeing more than ten people blocking his path and Gu Pingyuan restraining Liu Heita, Wang Tiangui relaxed and laughed heartily. “Gu Pingyuan, we meet again. Thanks to those millions of taels of silver of yours, this old man is living quite comfortably now. Hearing that an old acquaintance was building an embankment nearby, I came specially to visit. How is it that your subordinate treats guests this way?”

“So it’s Master Wang. Instead of staying in Shanxi to spend that blood-stained ill-gotten money, you’ve traveled all the way to Jiangnan. You must have your eye on some other unconscionable business.” Gu Pingyuan’s words were sharp as knives, his tone extremely disdainful.

Wang Tiangui didn’t mind at all. Seeing Liu Heita had lowered his nine-section whip, he emerged from behind the crowd and pointed at Gu Pingyuan: “You haven’t changed a bit – still thinking about what’s unconscionable, what benefits the people. Hmph, business is business – there’s only good and bad. Business that makes money is good business, business that doesn’t make money is bad business. Merchants need only think about this. If you want to save the world, go take the imperial examinations and become a high official.” He suddenly slapped his forehead. “Look at my memory – I almost forgot that Master Gu’s scholar status was revoked. For the rest of your life, you can never enter the examination halls again, so you can only be like me – a merchant reeking of copper.

But you and I are still different. I know that business is simply about making money – there’s no benevolence or morality to discuss. But you want to be a whore while building a memorial arch, trying to be some kind of Confucian merchant. Isn’t this like a little devil pretending to be Buddha – forcibly putting gold on your face?”

Finishing his speech, Wang Tiangui threw back his head and laughed loudly. Hearing this vicious mockery, Liu Heita ground his teeth with audible crunching sounds. If not for Gu Pingyuan blocking his path, he would have struck with his whip regardless of consequences.

Gu Pingyuan’s pupils contracted as he stared at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled broadly: “Wang Tiangui, you’ve come from far away – surely not just to say these few words. Honestly, I know you hate me – hate that I returned all the provincial banking merchants’ shop deeds, yet specifically sold your shop to raise money and compensate those villagers and small traders for their losses. As a result, you, the all-powerful chief manager of ‘Taiyufeng,’ became the laughingstock of Shanxi’s commercial circles. I imagine your old colleagues – like Granny Lei, Master Manager Mao and the others – still mention you from time to time when they meet at the banking guild, don’t they? Guess what they say?”

“Haha, they must say this old bastard played tricks for most of his life, only to fall into someone else’s trap in the end.” Liu Heita listened with growing delight and immediately added his comment.

“Shut up!” This was Wang Tiangui’s greatest sore spot. Gu Pingyuan hit the nail on the head, mercilessly exposing it before everyone, stabbing his heart until it bled. He had originally planned to anger Gu Pingyuan, but ended up being choked with rage himself. However, being an old fox, he regained his composure after a brief loss of control.

“Hmph, Gu Pingyuan, I didn’t come today to trade barbs with you. You probably don’t know yet – this old man has partnered with the Li family from the capital in a joint venture, operating the Lianghuai salt fields together. Your building of the sea embankment to protect the salt fields is essentially running errands for me. Your silver is essentially adding to my profits. I came specially to thank you. When this sea embankment is completed, I’ll even treat you to a flower wine feast.”

Gu Pingyuan truly didn’t know about this matter. Hearing it suddenly was hard to believe, and Liu Heita loudly demanded: “What nonsense are you spouting!”

“It’s not nonsense.” Li Qin pushed through the crowd and walked out leisurely, his face full of smugness as he smiled at those opposite.

“Master Wang now manages the salt fields, while my Li family operates the salt shops. He spoke correctly – this time you’re working for the Lianghuai salt fields. I heard you’re using Langshan bluestone to build the embankment – well done. This young master has a reward!”

With Li Qin’s gesture, over ten servants carried forward ten loads of white rice, twenty jars of good wine, and whole sides of pork and beef, along with slaughtered white chickens and ducks.

“Work harder, and when the sea embankment is completed, this young master will have monetary rewards too.” Li Qin’s face was full of arrogance, deliberately treating Gu Pingyuan like a servant before everyone.

By this time, the civilian laborers had all gathered around. Gu Pingyuan treated his workers generously – not only the laborers working on the sea embankment themselves, but if their families had any difficulties with medical care or medicine, Gu Pingyuan would certainly provide financial assistance upon learning of it. After a month, he had already accumulated very high prestige among the laborers. Now seeing a richly dressed young man humiliate Gu Pingyuan this way, everyone was indignant and cursed loudly.

Liu Heita’s voice was loudest: “Bastard! Take all this stuff back. If you dare leave it here, don’t blame me for being impolite – I’ll throw it all into the sea.”

“Wait!” Hearing that the Wang and Li families had joined forces, Gu Pingyuan was immediately alarmed. Li Wantang was brilliantly cunning, and Wang Tiangui was crafty and sinister. With these two controlling the Lianghuai salt fields, Jiangnan’s commercial circles would likely never have peace again. His thoughts were entirely focused on this matter, and for a moment he was lost in thought and hadn’t really paid attention to Li Qin’s words.

Now seeing the crowd’s indignation, his eyes rolled and he turned back to block them, shouting loudly: “Pigs, cattle, chickens, and ducks are all beasts – why should we lower ourselves to their level? Since someone’s delivering, we’ll eat them. Brother Heita, accept all these things. Tonight we’ll give everyone a good feast – they’ll have strength to work well.”

“Ah!” Liu Heita understood too and grinned widely: “Right, why lower ourselves to beasts’ level? Everyone help carry these things back – this is all good food and drink, don’t waste it.”

Gu Pingyuan’s clever use of words to curse people made Li Qin’s face turn white with rage, glaring at him as if he wanted to bite off a piece of flesh.

Gu Pingyuan smiled: “Young Master Qin, do you have other business?”

“Yes, of course I do.” Li Qin said viciously. “I’m building the northern half of the sea embankment, and now only about ten li remain to be completed. My workers are all salt workers from the salt fields. Since the sea embankment is nearly finished, I’ll be returning to Jiangning. Seeing that your side still needs another month or so, I’ll simply send you several hundred people to help. After all, we’re old acquaintances.”

Gu Pingyuan knew this was just another method Li Qin was using to mock him. Before he could speak, Liu Heita had already jumped in: “Get lost, get lost, get lost! We don’t lack people, and we certainly won’t use your people. Take them back immediately.”

“If you don’t want them, then I’ll take them away.” Li Qin never expected Gu Pingyuan to keep these people anyway. It was just that his own sea embankment construction was nearly complete, and with victory in sight he was in high spirits, so he came specially to show off to this old rival and humiliate him.

“No!” Gu Pingyuan suddenly said something no one expected. “Keep all the people. Brother Heita, go arrange work for them. Provide food, drink, and lodging according to the laborers’ standard, and pay them wages too.”

Li Qin was taken aback, then sneered coldly: “You still have half the sea embankment left unfinished. Even with several hundred more people, let alone several thousand, you can’t hope to catch up with me.”

“We have enough people assigned for transport, embankment building, and reinforcement work everywhere. What do we need those salt workers for? Why accept this favor from Li Qin and Wang Tiangui? When the sea embankment is completed later, they’ll use this against us again. How wronged we’ll be.” After Li Qin and his group left, Liu Heita was completely puzzled.

Gu Pingyuan listened quietly until he finished, then glanced toward the salt workers, his eyes showing compassionate sorrow: “I didn’t really want to keep them, but seeing these people all have injuries and have clearly suffered considerable torment, I couldn’t bear it. Having them stay here for a month will at least be much better than suffering under Wang Tiangui’s exploitation at the salt fields.”

Liu Heita opened his mouth wide, looked back at the group of sallow, emaciated salt workers, then at Gu Pingyuan, and could say nothing more.

That evening, the Gu Pingyuan couple made a special trip to the work sheds to visit these salt workers. Their leader was a yellow-bearded man, only just over fifty but appearing very aged, his face covered with knife-cut wrinkles. People called him “Uncle Fu.”

“I see many of you have injuries and can’t do full work. Just do half days, or if that’s not possible, rest and recuperate in the sheds. Here with me, there will absolutely be no beatings or scoldings.” Gu Pingyuan said to Uncle Fu.

“How can we accept this? How can we let you support a bunch of idle people who only eat without working?” Uncle Fu’s voice trembled.

“Human life is supremely important – what work is more important than a life? You’ve probably all suffered flesh wounds. I specially had my wife go to the town pharmacy to buy plenty of blood-activating medicinal wine and bruise ointments.” As Gu Pingyuan spoke, Chang Yu’er took a bundle from a servant’s hands and stepped forward with a smile to offer it.

“You are… you are…” Uncle Fu’s body shook, his hands hastily reaching out to take it. Suddenly he gave a low cry of pain, gripping his wrist and biting his teeth in silence.

Only then did Gu Pingyuan see that Uncle Fu’s left wrist was completely purple and black, swollen very high. He quickly took a plaster, had Chang Yu’er warm it by the oil lamp, then personally rubbed Uncle Fu’s wrist with medicinal wine for a while before applying the plaster.

“With an injured hand, you absolutely cannot work anymore. Just recuperate here with me until the injury heals before leaving.”

“You truly are a kind-hearted person.” Uncle Fu looked toward the group of salt workers around him. “We must never forget Master Gu’s great kindness and virtue.”

“I heard that salt workers at the Lianghuai salt fields often can’t eat three meals a day, frequently suffer beatings, and have to work seven or eight hours straight under the blazing sun extracting and boiling salt. Is this true?” Gu Pingyuan asked.

“Three meals? We’d be lucky to have one filling meal. As long as we don’t starve to death, we have to work. When they’re eager to make money, we have to work until the rooster crows at dawn before we can sleep fitfully for an hour. As for beatings, heh, that Master Wang said it well: ‘Beating you to death would be doing a good deed – otherwise living is just prolonged suffering.'”

Gu Pingyuan’s face darkened: “Hmph, they really don’t treat people as human beings.”

“We’re criminal convicts. If we die from exhaustion, illness, or beatings, there’s no need to report to the authorities – just dig a hole and bury us on the spot. There’s nowhere to seek justice.”

“Old sir, you don’t look like someone who committed crimes. Did you end up in prison because you owed the government money or grain, or for some other reason?” Gu Pingyuan felt compassionate. Since they’d met, it was fate, and if he could help, he wanted to pull people from this sea of suffering.

“Ah, don’t ask. I deserve my punishment.” Uncle Fu’s face suddenly showed a strange smile, waving repeatedly with his plastered hand.

Since the person was unwilling to speak, Gu Pingyuan couldn’t insensitively press further. Besides, the work shed had become lively – Liu Heita led a group of people carrying plates and bowls, bringing a large table of steaming hot food, all made from the ingredients Li Qin had delivered during the day. Large plates of stewed meat and large bowls of wine gave off enticing aromas that could practically draw out the hunger worms from one’s belly.

“Since we’re building the embankment together, we’re brothers. Don’t be polite – everyone eat together, eat until your bellies are round and you’re burping with fullness. If there’s not enough, there’s more in the kitchen over there – feel free to get more.” Liu Heita shouted cheerfully.

“Exactly. Here with me, I absolutely won’t mistreat anyone. Just put your minds at ease. This Foreman Liu may look fierce, but he absolutely won’t abuse you. If you truly suffer any grievances or have difficulties, feel free to come find me.”

“Yes, yes.” Uncle Fu seemed emotionally stirred, his throat choked, keeping his head down and shaking continuously. Gu Pingyuan saw that everyone’s eyes were red, each holding their bowls and looking at him. He knew that if he didn’t leave, they would ultimately find it difficult to eat this meal with peace of mind. Chang Yu’er was even more considerate of people’s feelings than her husband, saying first: “It’s getting late. We should go back and let everyone finish eating and rest early.”

“Right, right. Brother Heita, let’s all go.” Gu Pingyuan cupped his hands in farewell, and several people left the work shed.

When even the last person’s footsteps were covered by the sound of ocean waves, the work shed seemed to suddenly be swept by a sinister wind. All the people eerily stopped their movements simultaneously. Some had drunk half a bowl of wine but froze with the bowl still at their lips; some had picked up a chopstick of meat but stopped in mid-air and moved no more. Everyone seemed under a paralysis spell – in an instant, this shed full of living people became like wooden carvings and clay sculptures.

“Uncle Fu, is this the person – this Master Gu?” someone suddenly spoke.

“Yes, it’s him.” Uncle Fu stroked his left wrist, his voice no longer trembling, his head no longer shaking, his words carrying tremendous hatred.

“I saw with my own eyes in the English King’s camp – it was he who turned Cheng Xueqi, causing our defeat at Sanhe Town. It was also he who with honeyed words persuaded the English King, resulting in His Highness being killed by the monk demon at Shouzhou, and tens of thousands of our brothers being captured by the Qing demons and brought here.”

“Crack!” “Crack!” More than ten consecutive sounds – everyone smashed the bowls and dishes in their hands, the crisp crashes echoing endlessly. Uncle Fu also silently tore off the now-cold plaster from his wrist and threw it on the ground.

“False benevolence and righteousness! At least Heaven has eyes and let us encounter him again.”

Over the next few days, dark clouds frequently obscured the sun, with heavy rain falling from morning to night. The seaside had fierce winds and high waves – building the embankment now would be risking life itself. One careless moment swept away by the waves meant nine chances of death out of ten. Ever since Liu Heita heard that Li Qin’s side was nearly complete, he’d been extremely anxious, wanting to work even in such weather wearing rain gear. Gu Pingyuan firmly stopped him.

“Your anxiety is useless. ‘Haste makes waste.’ If Li Qin wants to rush, let him rush. I won’t compete with him on this. Building embankments is a good deed and should have harmonious energy. If we really cause deaths from petty competition, with orphans and widows crying, even the best endeavor would be marred.”

“It’s just a pity Li Qin and Wang Tiangui don’t think like you. I heard from those salt workers that since starting the sea embankment construction, Li Qin has been like a madman pushing work day and night. If they can’t meet daily quotas, he doesn’t give them food and drink. Dozens of salt workers have already died from exhaustion and illness, and even over ten local conscripted laborers have died. When their families came to the construction site to seek justice, that bastard Li Qin not only refused to be reasonable but had people beat away the grieving families with clubs.”

“The reason his embankment work proceeds so quickly is that the stones are stained with blood.” Gu Pingyuan furrowed his brow and sighed. “We cannot follow his example. When wind and rain don’t stop, we absolutely won’t work.”

“However, these strong winds and waves come at just the right time.” Gu Pingyuan felt this was perfect for testing whether the newly built sea embankment was solid, so he and Liu Heita braved the wind and rain together to inspect the sea embankment.

In the work sheds where the salt workers lived, people were also whispering secretly. The young man who came to report the news was sobbing so hard he could barely speak.

“The Li family forced people to go into the sea to lay stone foundations, and a huge wave swept away dozens of people. My younger brother, my younger brother was among them, woo woo…”

“Cry then. We only shed tears when mourning our dead brothers.” Uncle Fu’s face was grim. He glanced outside and saw Gu Pingyuan hurrying past with Liu Heita.

“In the end, it’s all that man named Gu’s evil doing. We won’t wait any longer – strike tonight!”

Gu Pingyuan inspected over ten li, visiting only dangerous shoals and specifically choosing places where wind and waves were strongest to examine. The results were very satisfactory. This five-horizontal, five-vertical fish-scale large stone embankment was truly incredibly solid. Despite the fierce winds and massive waves, it remained absolutely motionless. Previously, to verify its strength, Gu Pingyuan had deliberately painted red marks at the stone joints. Looking now, those marks showed no trace of movement, proving the newly built sea embankment could withstand the assault of strong winds and waves.

By this time the wind and waves had gradually subsided. Though sunset was near, the sky began to brighten at the horizon – tomorrow would certainly be clear for resuming work, making things even better. The two men returned excitedly to the embankment construction site, where they saw Chang Yu’er holding an oiled paper umbrella, standing anxiously in the rain looking toward the sea embankment.

She had also braved the wind and rain to come from the county town, both to bring food and because she was worried about the bad weather. Learning that Gu Pingyuan and her elder brother had gone to inspect the embankment, Chang Yu’er’s heart remained suspended until she saw both men return safely. Only then did she relax, lighting a wind stove to brew ginger tea she had prepared earlier to warm them, and calling for people to bring two foot basins with water boiled with mugwort leaves for them to soak their feet.

“Big Brother Gu, my sister is truly good to you. I understand clearly – this hot water, hot tea, and that table of delicious food are all because I benefit from your good fortune.” Liu Heita winked at Gu Pingyuan.

Gu Pingyuan walked to Chang Yu’er’s side. Seeing her still busy preparing change of clothes for him while her bow shoes were already soaked and covered with mud, he couldn’t help feeling tender affection and reached out to gently grasp his wife’s hand.

“You should rest too. The roads are muddy – don’t go back tonight.” He said softly.

Chang Yu’er looked back at her husband, then lowered her eyes and nodded gently. The faint smile at the corners of her lips seemed to carry girlish shyness.

Just then, someone came running breathlessly and rushed in, looking at this person and that person. After a long while, he finally caught his breath and asked: “Is the sea embankment alright?”

“Young Master Zhang, how did you come here?”

“Seeing such fierce wind and rain, I was afraid something would happen to the sea embankment. When I saw the rain lessening, I came to take a look.” Zhang Jian said, gasping heavily.

Gu Pingyuan’s heart sank, and for a moment he was so moved he couldn’t speak. No longer daring to joke casually as he would with a child, he said solemnly: “Please rest assured. I just inspected it thoroughly – the sea embankment is completely safe. This ‘horizontal-vertical fish-scale embankment’ has already shown great effectiveness.”

“That’s good.” Zhang Jian’s expression relaxed, then he suddenly grimaced and clutched his stomach. “Is there hot tea? I ran so urgently I got a stitch in my side – it’s killing me.”

After keeping Zhang Jian for dinner and seeing night had fallen deep, Gu Pingyuan insisted on sending him home. Zhang Jian didn’t refuse. When they left the embankment site, he suddenly said: “I’ve never seen the sea embankment at night. Look, the moon has come out – perfect for catching poems.”

Gu Pingyuan smiled slightly and walked toward the embankment edge: “Catching poems? Haha, others come to the seaside to catch fish, but Young Master Zhang is truly elegant, wanting to use moonlight and sea breezes to catch poems. Unfortunately, I’m a businessman who only knows how to use an abacus – I don’t understand such things, making you laugh at me.”

“That’s not right.” Zhang Jian said as they walked. “How did I hear that you were once a scholar?”

“Who said that?”

“The Beijing merchant building the embankment in the neighboring county said so. Didn’t he bring salt workers that day? He mentioned this matter, and someone spread it to town.”

“Oh.” Gu Pingyuan remembered that Wang Tiangui had indeed said this before everyone that day, but it was to humiliate him.

“Those are all past matters. Sometimes thinking about them feels like a previous life.” Gu Pingyuan let out a long breath.

“I don’t want to ask why your scholar status was revoked. I only want to ask – having cast aside the Four Books, Five Classics, and eight-legged essays to take up the abacus, weighing scale, and account books, do you have no regrets in your heart?”

Since Gu Pingyuan abandoned Confucianism for commerce, this was the first time anyone had asked this question – and the questioner was actually a ten-year-old child! Gu Pingyuan was momentarily overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Knowing he couldn’t treat Zhang Jian like an ordinary child, or even like a common scholar, he thought for a moment and said: “What is the purpose of studying?”

“To regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world!” Zhang Jian answered without hesitation.

“How does one accomplish this?”

“By becoming an official! Either governing the people of one region, or administering one province, or even becoming prime minister to manage the nation’s civil administration – then one can benefit the entire country.”

“Mm.” Gu Pingyuan smiled faintly. “‘Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants’ – scholars rank first. This was established by Confucius, Mencius said the same, and Dong Zhongshu, Fang Xuanling, and Zhu Xi all said likewise. So everyone in the world follows this saying.”

His smile carried some mockery: “You think scholars’ greatest achievement is becoming prime minister to give common people good lives. Li Linfu, Cai Jing, Qin Hui, Yan Song, and in our current dynasty – Mingzhu during Kangxi’s reign, Heshen during Qianlong’s, Cao Zhenyong during Jiaqing’s, Mu Zhang’a during Daoguang’s – which of these wasn’t a scholar, and which wasn’t a chief minister? You’ve surely heard their reputations. Do you truly believe they had the people in their hearts? Could the people really live good lives depending on them?”

“Your words are somewhat one-sided.” Zhang Jian was unconvinced and argued back.

“Seeing one spot reveals the whole leopard. True, those I just mentioned were indeed famous treacherous ministers and powerful chancellors. But what about the others? Nothing more than mediocre incompetents occupying positions while eating salary, taking their government stipend plus the benefits they’re entitled to by custom. Such officials are already considered good nowadays. I once heard a merchant say that in his decades of business, he used silver to pave his way everywhere, achieving victory without exception. Think about it – in one corner of land, one city’s merchants can bribe their way to unlimited success. What about extending this across the four seas? Young Master Zhang, let me tell you something else – this merchant I mentioned who paved his way with silver is Li Wantang, leader of the Beijing merchants at the foot of the Son of Heaven. Even the imperial capital is like this, let alone the provinces and counties – everything is murky, far from the enlightened world you read about in books.”

Zhang Jian remained silent, then asked reluctantly: “According to you, are the books of sages and worthies useless?”

“Who says studying is useless? If people don’t understand principles, how are they different from beasts? What I’m saying is that to live good lives, one cannot depend on officials showing great mercy. Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, the most useless are actually the scholars. Farmers grow grain, artisans build houses, merchants travel everywhere facilitating trade – they don’t need officials to manage them at all, and common people can still live good lives.”

This was truly unheard-of discourse. Zhang Jian listened with wide eyes: “You mean we don’t even need the imperial court?”

“Why not?” Gu Pingyuan looked into Zhang Jian’s eyes, suddenly remembering what he had said to Empress Dowager Cixi in the back garden of Prince Chun’s mansion, and said slowly: “Actually, merchants can also establish a nation.”

“Merchants establishing a nation?” Zhang Jian seemed to suddenly see something novel and interesting. His eyes shone brightly, both confused and excited. After thinking for a long time, he said: “I’ve inquired about your affairs – in Shanxi you took possession of eighteen major banks then returned them, and in the capital you obtained the world’s finest tea. It was truly more impressive and satisfying than being an official in court.” Zhang Jian’s eyes showed yearning.

Gu Pingyuan spoke on impulse, telling Zhang Jian many things he usually kept in his heart. Coming to his senses, he found it somewhat amusing and feared misleading the young man. He bent down and patted Zhang Jian’s shoulder: “Those impressive deeds are nothing more than exaggerated rumors, not to be taken seriously. As for ‘merchants establishing a nation,’ even if such a thing were possible, it would be far in the future. Neither in my lifetime nor yours might we see it. Your desire to become an official to govern the world and let people live in peace and contentment isn’t wrong. I still hope for an understanding, honest official to appear – then we merchants would have easier lives.”

“You’re the one who tears down temples and builds shrines.” Zhang Jian rolled his eyes and said with sudden understanding: “Right, you’ve been both a scholar and a businessman. Tell me – is doing business better, or taking examinations to enter officialdom?”

Gu Pingyuan looked up thoughtfully and answered meaningfully: “Being a good person is good enough.”

Zhang Jian was pondering the meaning of these words when suddenly his vision blurred and he saw several black shadows suddenly rush out from the roadside. One of them held a dark burlap sack to throw over Gu Pingyuan’s head.

Gu Pingyuan had his back to them and was completely unprepared. Zhang Jian was more alert – seeing someone rushing to grab him, he fell backward and the person missed. Zhang Jian rolled twice on the ground, avoiding them by two or three steps. Looking back, he saw Gu Pingyuan had been completely covered from head to toe, so he ran like the wind back the way they came.

“That kid got away.”

“Just a little brat – he’s lucky if he doesn’t wet his pants from fright. Don’t worry about him.” A voice said coldly.

“What about this man named Gu? Stab him to death?” Several people chattered viciously.

“That would be too easy for him. I plan to let him think about all the ‘good deeds’ he’s done in his life before he dies.” That person gave an order: “Dig a pit in the sand and bury him alive.”

“Right!” Several people agreed.

“Who exactly are you? Let me die knowing the truth.” Gu Pingyuan struggled in the sack.

“Hmph!” The leader sneered coldly. “So many people died unclear deaths at your hands – why should you get to be an enlightened ghost? Bury him!”

Digging pits in sand was easiest. Before long, a shaft-like pit was dug. At this person’s command, the sack containing Gu Pingyuan was lifted head-down and stuffed into the pit, filling it completely with Gu Pingyuan’s entire body.

These people tamped down the sand and soil, finally stomping firmly on top several times.

“Uncle Fu, this time we’ve truly avenged the blood debt for His Highness the English King and all our brothers.”

“Blood debts aren’t so easily fully repaid, but this man named Gu was the instigator – letting him die quickly is already being generous.” Uncle Fu looked around in all directions, broke off several reed stems to stick in the ground, knelt down and bowed, silently praying: “English King, we’ve captured the man named Gu to accompany you in death. You were a hero in life and remain a heroic spirit in death. If you have knowledge in the netherworld, please protect all our brothers so they may turn misfortune to good fortune.”

Before he finished praying, he heard someone nearby whisper in alarm: “A group of people over there, carrying lanterns.”

Uncle Fu leaped up and looked into the distance. Indeed, many people were coming – it looked like a hundred and eighty of them.

“Scatter!”

“What about the man named Gu? Dig him up and give him another stab?”

Uncle Fu pondered briefly: “No need. Buried for the time of smoking a pipe – even immortals couldn’t save him now. Let’s go quickly!”

The approaching group was led by Liu Heita, with a crowd following behind. Chang Yu’er and Zhang Jian rode together on a large braying donkey. Fortunately Zhang Jian ran fast – still dozens of steps from the work sheds, he began shouting at the top of his voice: “Disaster! The sea embankment collapsed! Come quickly!”

This cry alerted everyone. When people ran out to look, Zhang Jian pointed breathlessly behind him: “The sea embankment is fine, but Master Gu is in trouble.”

He briefly explained what happened. Liu Heita’s roar nearly reached the sky as he strode toward the direction Zhang Jian indicated. These laborers were all strong men – hearing that Master Gu had been kidnapped by bandits, they grabbed wooden poles and ran after him. Chang Yu’er was naturally most anxious, but she couldn’t keep up with these men. Zhang Jian reacted quickly, leading over a coal-hauling donkey, helping Chang Yu’er onto its back, then climbing up from the donkey’s rear and whipping it to catch up from behind.

“Here, here.” Zhang Jian shouted from behind. “This is where we encountered the bandits.”

“Where are they?” Liu Heita stopped and looked around frantically, stamping his feet in anxiety.

Zhang Jian ran over, looked left and right, then suddenly crouched down: “Everyone move aside – we can tell where they went by looking at the footprints.”

Liu Heita stared with his large eyes but couldn’t make anything out. Zhang Jian crouched on the ground carefully examining, then suddenly saw those reed stems stuck in the ground.

“What are these for?” Zhang Jian pulled out one, his eyes turning as he looked at a patch of fresh earth in front of him. He immediately shuddered and pointed at the ground: “Dig quickly, dig quickly! Master Gu, Master Gu…”

Chang Yu’er was first to understand. In an instant she seemed drained of blood, her face turning pale. She muttered once, then suddenly threw herself to the ground, frantically clawing at the earth with both hands. Seeing his sister in such panic, Liu Heita was stunned for a moment before understanding, then threw himself down to dig in the sand. Everyone hurried to help.

Actually, they didn’t need to dig deep – scraping away the top layer of sand revealed a large burlap sack buried in the earth. Chang Yu’er wanted to continue digging, but Liu Heita gathered his strength, grasped one corner of the sack with each hand, his arm muscles bulging as he shouted loudly and pulled the entire sack from the packed earth.

Chang Yu’er almost crawled over, using trembling hands to untie the sack’s knot. Several people came to help extract the unconscious Gu Pingyuan and lay him on the ground.

“Master Gu!” “Big Brother Gu!” People called urgently, but Gu Pingyuan showed no response. An older man came to feel Gu Pingyuan’s wrist pulse. After a moment, he disappointedly let go and shook his head at Chang Yu’er.

“No, it can’t be.” Chang Yu’er stared blankly at Gu Pingyuan’s gradually bloodless face. Two streams of tears fell like pearl strings, her face showing such anguish that anyone who saw it couldn’t bear to look further.

“Whoever killed Big Brother Gu – I’ll slaughter his whole family.” Liu Heita clenched his fists and roared wildly.

“Don’t shout yet.” Zhang Jian squeezed into the crowd, still holding those reeds. “Who has a fire steel?”

“I do.” Smokers all carried these implements. Someone immediately took out a fire steel and struck it.

Zhang Jian lit the reeds, calling for people around him to form a circle to block the wind. He had Chang Yu’er lift Gu Pingyuan’s head slightly and brought the smoking reeds to Gu Pingyuan’s nose.

Everyone involuntarily held their breath, staring intently at the rising wisp of smoke. Suddenly the smoke seemed blown by wind, scattered briefly, then regathered and rose steadily.

Chang Yu’er’s eyes suddenly widened as she called repeatedly to Gu Pingyuan: “Big Brother Gu, you won’t just die like this. Doctor Li saved your life, and the Black Water Marsh couldn’t swallow you either. You’re a person of great fortune and long life – you won’t just die like this.”

She looked at Zhang Jian like grasping a lifeline: “Young Master Zhang, is there still hope? Please speak! If you can save my husband, I’m willing to trade my own life.”

Zhang Jian scratched his head in difficulty: “It looks like there’s still one breath left, but if we carry him to town to find a doctor, that would be too late.”

“Then what can we do? Please tell us!” Liu Heita was nearly frantic with anxiety. “I’ll give my life too!”

Zhang Jian paced anxiously on the ground. Pressed beyond endurance, he stamped his foot: “I’m not a doctor, and even if I were, I couldn’t bring back the dead! Sister-in-law Gu, I read in ‘Miscellaneous Records from East of Qi’ that for people who hang themselves, if discovered early while the body is undamaged and the soul hasn’t gone far, using the yang energy from a living person’s mouth to transfer to them might restore them to life. Master Gu was buried alive and lost breath – it’s similar to hanging. Perhaps this method might work. But doing this would greatly shorten the life of the person transferring breath.”

Before he finished speaking, Chang Yu’er ignored the crowd around her and immediately placed her mouth against Gu Pingyuan’s, silently praying as she breathed: “Heaven have mercy – if Big Brother Gu can live, I’m willing to lose ten years, twenty years of life. Even if I die immediately, as long as I can see him once more and say one word to him, I’m completely willing.” Thinking this, tears fell drop by drop as she held Gu Pingyuan tighter, fearing he would leave her.

“He moved, he moved!” Zhang Jian blinked excitedly.

Indeed, Gu Pingyuan’s throat made gurgling sounds, as if breathing his first breath in this lifetime – extremely difficult, but in this single inhalation and exhalation, the great tribulation between life and death had passed.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. First he saw Chang Yu’er smiling through tears, then looking further, every face showed expressions of wild joy.

“Kid, you’re amazing. I’m convinced.” Liu Heita lifted Zhang Jian up. “I’ll carry you back.”

Uncle Fu led his men by a roundabout route back to the work sheds. Approaching, he was startled – there was actually dim lamplight in the sheds.

“Who are you people?” Uncle Fu stepped inside and saw a neat, efficient young man standing steadily beside a chair, with a woman in a dark jacket and loose pants sitting with her back turned.

Hearing someone ask, the woman stood and turned around.

“Auxiliary King, do you still recognize me?” She gazed at the person before her.

Uncle Fu was shocked to hear this. His true identity was Yang Fuqing, Auxiliary King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. On that night of slaughter at Shouzhou, twenty-eight generals under the English King were executed together, but he alone escaped with his life. At that time he was in camp talking with brothers from Guangxi, and a personal guard using his name was killed by Miao Peilin in his place.

In the later period of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, royal titles were lavishly bestowed. “Kings” alone were divided into five ranks, with over two thousand people total receiving royal titles. Even speaking a few pleasant words at Hong Xiuquan’s birthday celebration could earn someone a royal title. Of course, kings like English King Chen Yucheng, Loyal King Li Xiucheng, and Gan King Hong Rengan who held real power and commanded large armies were vastly different from those in the era when “kings were everywhere while common people wept.”

In comparison, the Auxiliary King was also not insignificant. He became a Taiping follower during the Jintian Uprising, donating all his family property, so he was already enfeoffed as Auxiliary King before the capital was established at Tianjing. Being from a wealthy family background, he understood finances somewhat and had no great talents, but conversely had no airs and was well-loved by soldiers in camp.

For the tens of thousands of captured former English King troops, the Auxiliary King’s existence was the greatest secret. He disguised himself as an ordinary Taiping soldier, hiding among the salt workers. If anyone harbored ill intentions, the authorities would immediately arrest and execute them. Though not everyone knew this secret or recognized him, keeping this secret watertight demonstrated Yang Fuqing’s prestige among his former troops.

Having served under Chen Yucheng for years, Yang Fuqing naturally recognized the woman before him and exclaimed with mixed surprise and joy: “Is… is this the English King’s consort?”

But immediately he thought of something, drew a breath and stood still, looking at Bai Yimei with an uncertain expression, then suddenly said harshly: “Why have you come? Did you bring government soldiers to arrest me?”

“Auxiliary King, how can you say such a thing? I am His Majesty the English King’s wife – how could I bring Qing demons to arrest his old subordinates?” Bai Yimei hadn’t expected Yang Fuqing to say such a thing.

“Hmph. You’re still a royal consort, but we don’t know which family’s now.” Yang Fuqing looked around and ordered: “Look around everywhere. If there are government troops in ambush, we’ll fight to the death rather than surrender. At worst we die and can speak honorably to the English King below.” As he spoke, he looked sideways at Bai Yimei with obvious contempt.

“What do you mean by that? Are you saying I won’t be able to face the English King in the future?” Bai Yimei was both angry and annoyed.

“Hmph, you willingly became the monk demon’s concubine – everyone knows this. Now that Sengge Rinchen is dead, whose bed have you crawled into? Is it the Zeng brothers? Since days are odd and even, you could alternate accompanying one each day.”

Bai Yimei trembled with rage, and Zhang Pigeng beside her roared angrily: “Watch your mouth, or even if you’re a Heavenly Kingdom prince, I’ll still beat you up!”

“And who are you?” Yang Fuqing rolled his eyelids and asked arrogantly.

“A Nian rebel!”

“Nian rebel? You’re one of Zhang Zongyu’s men.”

“Right, I’m the one who cut off Sengge Rinchen’s head – I helped avenge the English King.” Zhang Pigeng proudly raised his head.

Yang Fuqing didn’t believe it at all, turning back with a mocking smile: “Anyone can boast. I might as well say I set up an altar last night and used flying swords to kill Tongzhi in the Forbidden City.” His brothers behind him all laughed loudly. Zhang Pigeng clenched his fists in anger, but he truly had no proof and really wanted to charge over for a fight.

“Waa, waa…” Suddenly a baby’s crying came from the tent. No one expected to hear such sounds at this time and place, startling Yang Fuqing and his men.

Bai Yimei’s face turned deathly pale as she bit her lower lip and bent to pick up a large basket from the ground, covered loosely with a thin blanket.

“Auxiliary King, do you remember why His Majesty invited you several old brothers to drink wine the day before reaching Shouzhou city?”

At Bai Yimei’s prompting, Yang Fuqing remembered. That night Chen Yucheng was unexpectedly in high spirits. Though everyone was somewhat dispirited about surrendering to Miao Peilin, Chen Yucheng drank heartily, constantly raising his cup to toast others. After toasting everyone, he said this wine had great significance – the English King’s consort was already six months pregnant. That very day, the couple had decided on the child’s name: Chen Quanguang. “Quan” meant preservation, “guang” was for Guangxi, hoping that after the army surrendered to Miao Peilin, the Taiping forces led by Guangxi veterans could be preserved.

Remembering this, Yang Fuqing stared blankly as Bai Yimei lifted the thin blanket, revealing a tender baby face. The child was waving hands and feet in the basket, frowning and crying.

“What… what is his name?” Yang Fuqing actually already knew, looking at that square face so like Chen Yucheng’s, tears nearly bursting from his eyes. “Is it a boy?”

“Yes, according to his dying wish, named Quanguang.”

“Let me hold him, let me hold him.” Yang Fuqing pleadingly extended his hands, trembling as he took the child and examined him carefully. “Everyone come look – this is His Majesty the English King’s child. Heaven has eyes – the English King has an heir!”

He looked around. Everyone gathered close, and seeing this child was like seeing the English King’s resolute face again. Many turned away to wipe their tears.

Strangely, being held by a stranger, the child stopped crying and stared with jet-black eyes, curiously looking at this person and that person. After a long time, Yang Fuqing reluctantly let go. He asked Bai Yimei in bewilderment: “You were in Sengge Rinchen’s camp – how did this child escape the Qing demons’ murderous hands?”

Bai Yimei was silent for a moment: “Someone helped me. When the child was born, we said he had been drowned in a water vat, but actually switched him out.” The helper was Su Zixuan, whose intelligence made such deception easy as turning one’s hand.

“Since you know this child’s name, you should know the meaning contained in it. His Majesty the English King was determined to preserve his subordinates. I am his widow, and having already avenged him, I should next help him fulfill his dying wish by rescuing you all.”

Yang Fuqing grew more confused, looking at Bai Yimei in bewilderment. Since serving as bodyguard, Zhang Pigeng had learned much about this “English King’s consort.” Being eloquent, in the time of one meal he explained how Bai Yimei endured humiliation, first angering Sengge Rinchen into killing Miao Peilin, then cooperating with the Nian rebels to drag him to Gaolou Fort in Caozhou, letting the Nian rebels execute a surprise attack from a thousand li away.

“I followed the secret marks left by the English King’s consort to catch up with the monk demon in those hundred li of green gauze tents and cut off his head with one blow.” Zhang Pigeng looked at the dumbfounded crowd before him and smiled smugly, thinking now you believe me.

Yang Fuqing naturally believed. Being someone who had fought for over ten years, as he listened to Zhang Pigeng’s animated account, he mentally mapped the situation. Before finishing the story, he knew Sengge Rinchen’s defeat at Gaolou Fort was entirely due to tactical errors, and besides the Nian rebels’ swift attack, much credit belonged to Bai Yimei.

“Aiyo!” Yang Fuqing slapped his forehead hard and knelt on one knee. “English King’s consort, I was confused and gave great offense just now. This truly deserves a hundred deaths, a hundred deaths.” Extremely remorseful, he suddenly drew a sharp awl from his leg bindings and stabbed it toward his own thigh.

Bai Yimei cried out in alarm. Zhang Pigeng was closest and reacted fastest, bending to grab his hand, but was a step too late – the awl had already penetrated half an inch.

“Auxiliary King, you absolutely mustn’t do this. You are all His Majesty the English King’s old brothers. Even if you said something wrong, how could I blame you? If you harm your life, the English King’s spirit would certainly blame me for not taking good care of you.” Bai Yimei took out a handkerchief to bandage Yang Fuqing while giving him a reproachful look.

Yang Fuqing sighed deeply, looked again at the little baby in the basket, his face showing mixed sorrow and joy.

“You should leave quickly with the child, the farther the better. Don’t bother with us anymore. As long as this child can grow to adulthood, even if tens of thousands of our brothers die here, our hearts would still be joyful.”

“No! The child must certainly be raised to adulthood, but I cannot ignore you all either.” Bai Yimei stood up with a resolute tone, which startled Yang Fuqing. In his memory, the English King’s consort had always been Chen Yucheng’s virtuous helper, gentle and kind to everyone. The generals’ wives all very much enjoyed her company. But after being separated for over a year, Bai Yimei had changed completely. Her formerly slightly shy smile had vanished without a trace, her eyes were very determined, as if she would never give up until achieving her goal.

“The salt fields are guarded by Qing troops. They’re quite clever – they don’t watch over us tens of thousands of people, but lock up all the women and children together with just a few hundred guards. They’ve spread word that if we dare escape, they’ll butcher the women and children. This is why they confidently let us come out to work on the embankment.”

“I know all this. Brother Zhang has already investigated everything clearly and reported to me. You probably don’t know yet that he’s infiltrated the salt fields several times and long ago found out where you were, which is how I was able to find you.”

Yang Fuqing glanced at Zhang Pigeng. His own identity was classified, and the salt fields were guarded by soldiers and overseers, yet this man could come and go freely and gather such important intelligence – he truly had capability.

Zhang Pigeng smiled at him: “Nian rebels were originally private salt dealers. Haven’t you heard that song? ‘Selling private salt, selling private salt, no land or fields at home; selling private salt, selling private salt, life’s hardships make things difficult; selling private salt, selling private salt, poor men band together as Nian rebels, to hell with bowl-sized scars, from now on Nian rebels will revolt!'”

Zhang Pigeng spoke fluently, making everyone in the tent laugh. He continued: “My family used to be legitimate salt merchants too. Later when Yangzhou salt merchants failed, we also started selling private salt. I won’t claim to know other trades, but regarding salt – from black market to legitimate – there’s nothing I don’t understand.”

Bai Yimei nodded beside him. Zhang Zongyu assigning this young man to her was extremely helpful, especially these past two months – entirely relying on him, she could control the overall situation and had hope of rescuing these English King veterans.

“Now we must endure humiliation while waiting for opportunity. If Zeng Guofan turns against the Qing court and both sides suffer mutual destruction, only then can we seize the chance to rise again. Who says the Chu-Han struggle can’t become the three-way division of Wei, Shu, and Wu?” This was exactly what Bai Yimei had been planning with Su Zixuan recently – by inducement or coercion, they must make Zeng Guofan rebel.

“This is quite a grand strategy.” Yang Fuqing took a deep breath. Speaking of “enduring humiliation while waiting for opportunity,” the English King’s consort before him was the perfect example.

“I’ll definitely convey these words to the brothers. With hope, everyone can endure.” Yang Fuqing nodded deeply, then said: “Fortunately the English King’s great revenge has been avenged. Tonight even the last enemy died a horrible death.”

“The last enemy?” Bai Yimei unconsciously asked: “Who are you talking about?”

“That merchant named Gu.”

“Who?” Bai Yimei’s heart constricted as her eyes widened in alarm.

“Gu Pingyuan, who’s directing the embankment work here. He betrayed the English King and deserved ten thousand deaths. Tonight I led the brothers to capture him and bury him alive. Now he’s probably kowtowing to the English King in the underworld.”

Having said this, Yang Fuqing fully expected Bai Yimei to be pleased, but looking up, he was completely wrong. Bai Yimei stared blankly ahead, her whole person appearing lost and dispirited, mumbling something under her breath.

She sat for a while, no longer paying attention to anyone else, then stood and slowly walked out. Yang Fuqing knew she couldn’t stay here long. As he escorted her out, he heard Bai Yimei still murmuring quietly: “Could he really have died just like that, just like that…”

Chang Yu’er tucked in the bedcovers for her husband, watched him fall into deep sleep, then walked out of the room. Liu Heita was standing guard outside and came over to ask: “How is Big Brother Gu?”

“The local doctor says it’s nothing serious. A few doses of medicine to calm shock and regulate qi, and he’ll be fine in two days.” Chang Yu’er had been thinking about something. She said to Liu Heita: “Big brother, promise me one thing.”

“Tell me.”

“From today until we finish the sea embankment and return to Jiangning, whether morning or evening, don’t leave his side for even a moment.” Chang Yu’er walked slowly, thinking as she spoke. “According to what Zhang Jian said, those men weren’t bandits. How could bandits not want money and just kill their victim? As for robbers, the several bank notes on him were completely untouched. Those men came specifically to kill, and as for who sent them…” She cast her gaze toward the neighboring county’s sea embankment direction. It wasn’t Li Qin then it was Wang Tiangui, or perhaps they conspired together – after all, only these two enemies existed in this area.

“Without evidence we can’t speak carelessly, and we certainly can’t report to officials. We can only be carefully on guard.” She turned to look at Liu Heita, her expression extremely grave. “I’ll say this upfront – if anything happens to him, I cannot live alone. One death means two deaths.”

Liu Heita was stunned for a long while, then nodded heavily: “Alright! Sister, don’t worry. I’ll follow Big Brother Gu even when he relieves himself. That should be enough.”

Liu Heita did exactly as he said. From the second day when Gu Pingyuan awoke and got up, he stayed within arm’s reach.

“I tell you, stop following me. This is our own sea embankment construction site with all our own people. Who would be crazy enough to come here and openly murder me in front of everyone?” At first Gu Pingyuan found it amusing, but within an hour felt completely uncomfortable. Liu Heita absolutely wouldn’t listen, staring intently at everyone nearby as if anyone might suddenly pull out a knife. Before long, no one dared approach Gu Pingyuan anymore.

Zhang Jian was an exception. He had now become the hero everyone admired. Last night after everything settled, it was nearly midnight, so he had slept at the construction site. Learning that Gu Pingyuan was unharmed and that Zhang Jian had saved his life, Gu Pingyuan came specially to thank him.

Zhang Jian didn’t dare claim credit: “In my view, it was Sister-in-law Gu’s sincere heart that moved some passing immortal, who released you from the Palace of Hell.”

He wanted to go home. After last night’s events, Gu Pingyuan feared the roads weren’t safe, so he specially assigned two people to escort him and accompanied him to the embankment entrance himself.

“Eh.” Zhang Jian suddenly looked at a work shed where several people had just emerged. The leader was limping with fresh bandages on his leg, still showing bloodstains. As soon as these men left the shed and saw Gu Pingyuan approaching, their faces all changed color simultaneously, showing surprise, anger, and complete disbelief. Others didn’t notice, but Zhang Jian saw it clearly.

“Are you all workers at the construction site?” Zhang Jian asked casually as he passed by.

“Yes, young master. We’re all salt workers assigned to build the embankment.” Yang Fuqing was greatly surprised to see Gu Pingyuan still alive, but now had to gather his spirits to answer Zhang Jian’s questions.

“Oh, have you been at the construction site these past few days?” Zhang Jian stopped. “These days you’ve all been at the construction site, haven’t gone out for walks or wandering around?”

“After work and meals, we all just want to sleep well. Besides, thanks to Master Gu’s care, we don’t lack medicine and even got new clothes. There’s nothing requiring us to go out.” Yang Fuqing smiled ingratiatingly.

“Really never went out?” Zhang Jian pressed repeatedly.

“No, no. Since arriving at the construction site, we’ve never left.”

“That’s strange then. This area near the sea embankment is all sea sand with sandy ground. Since you haven’t left the construction site, where did the fresh mud on your shoes come from? Could it be from digging earth and holes?”

This lightning-bolt question stunned everyone, as if encountering living ghosts on flat ground. All eyes fixed on Yang Fuqing and his companions.

“We’re in trouble.” Yang Fuqing quickly assessed the situation. Though his side had several hundred people, they lacked proper weapons. The thousands of laborers at the construction site would certainly help Gu Pingyuan. If fighting broke out, the locals could call for reinforcements, and authorities would send troops upon hearing news. This battle was certain to end in defeat.

Before he could decide what to do, Gu Pingyuan had already walked over, first staring at the wound on Yang Fuqing’s thigh, then asking: “Before becoming salt workers, what exactly did you do?”

Yang Fuqing took a deep breath. Even if he didn’t speak or lied, Gu Pingyuan could send someone to the salt fields to inquire and learn the truth.

“We were all Taiping rebels, captured prisoners assigned to the salt fields as laborers.”

“Then… whose subordinates exactly?”

Yang Fuqing’s previously honest, almost cowardly expression disappeared. He pressed his lips together, glaring fiercely at Gu Pingyuan, and after a long while spat out five words: “English King Chen Yucheng!”

Gu Pingyuan’s body swayed almost imperceptibly. Looking into Yang Fuqing’s eyes, he nodded slightly: “I understand. So you were escorted to Lianghuai from Shouzhou city.”

Yang Fuqing didn’t answer, only continued staring coldly at Gu Pingyuan, as did his companions behind him.

“I’ll say something, and you repeat it.” Gu Pingyuan said word by word: “So many people died unclear deaths at your hands – why should you get to be an enlightened ghost?”

Yang Fuqing remained silent, his Adam’s apple constantly moving up and down. The air seemed to congeal into a large lump that even the howling sea wind couldn’t disperse. Chang Yu’er had also received word and hurried over to stare blankly at this scene. Liu Heita glared with wide eyes, his hand already reaching for the nine-section whip at his waist.

Yang Fuqing understood clearly – with just this one sentence, Gu Pingyuan could identify him on the spot. But he disdained disguising his voice. Determined to die like a man, he used exactly the same voice as last night: “So many people died unclear deaths at your hands – why should you get to be an enlightened ghost?” The words carried thick killing intent, making Zhang Jian’s heart tremble.

Having finished speaking, Yang Fuqing prepared to draw his weapon for a desperate fight, but saw Gu Pingyuan turn and walk away, leaving behind one sentence: “Last night’s events have nothing to do with them. Let everyone get back to work.”

“Today we’re completing the connection. I heard Old Master Zhang specially sent people to bring two large carts of Shaoxing wine from Shaoxing for a flowing banquet to treat all the laborers. He even invited chefs from Yangzhou. I got the menu from Zhang Jian and looked it over.” When it came to written records, Liu Heita couldn’t remember other things, but the menu was solid in his memory. Opening his mouth like a tongue twister, he rattled off: “Clear-braised crab roe lion’s head, da zhu gan si, three-layer duck, soft-pouched eel, crystal pork, squirrel mandarin fish, Liangxi crispy eel, and also…”

Gu Pingyuan found it amusing. These past two days, because the sea embankment was about to be completed, he had gone to the county to settle accounts with County Magistrate Du, adding three taels of silver to each worker’s agreed wages as hardship pay.

Li Qin’s contracted sea embankment had long been completed. To show his work was clearly distinct from Gu Pingyuan’s side, he had deliberately ordered people to dig away over twenty zhang of old embankment connected to the new one. Otherwise, this junction between new and old could have been connected, but now Gu Pingyuan had to build new embankment to link up with Li Qin’s construction for completion.

“Just for this, that Beijing merchant young master is really not a decent person. We should really call the officials to see and file a strong complaint against him.” Liu Heita said indignantly.

“If he’s unrighteous, we can’t be without honor. Besides, Li Qin isn’t stupid – he could completely claim he had to demolish the old embankment because it blocked his project. He also built a hundred-li long dike, so officials won’t quibble with him over such small matters.”

As they spoke, Gu Pingyuan had reached the embankment mouth. Seeing only a few zhang remained between his “five-horizontal, five-vertical fish-scale great embankment” and the seemingly endless sea embankment ahead, his face involuntarily showed a smile.

“Hmm?” As Gu Pingyuan smiled, he suddenly frowned. As the two embankment sections drew closer, the naked eye could see that Gu Pingyuan’s sea embankment was both tall and wide, while Li Qin’s was much shorter and only half as thick.

“What kind of strange embankment is this? Why are the stones surrounded by chains?” Old Master Zhang looked ahead and muttered.

Only upon closer inspection could they see these weren’t chains at all, but large bamboo cages filled with crushed stones piled together.

“This method is quite ingenious. No wonder they could complete the sea embankment so quickly.” Gu Pingyuan silently walked over and tugged at the bamboo cage, finding it tightly woven with strips binding the cages together, making the entire sea embankment unified.

“Hmph, that Li family brat only knows such tricks. Obviously cutting corners and materials. Look at our great stone embankment – thicker than Jiangning’s city walls. Now look at his embankment – about the same as a pig pen built by a stingy landlord. Clever thinking and fast construction – so what? It’ll last at most three to five years before needing reconstruction.” Liu Heita said in his deep voice.

“Right, his embankment is far inferior to ours, only winning on speed.” Old Master Zhang nodded deeply. Even the famous Li family merchants from the capital had only done such shoddy work. By comparison, Gu Pingyuan seemed even more precious, earning constant praise from nearby gentry.

Gu Pingyuan didn’t hear their words at all. He kept frowning and bending over, concentrating entirely on studying this “bamboo cage embankment.” Only after a long time did he slowly straighten up.

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard thunderous cheering all around. All the laborers and common people who had come to watch were shouting in unison. Looking back, he saw a huge bluestone being carried by eight strong men using rope poles, slowly lowered into the prepared socket. This stone was specially made – while other stones were one foot thick and one foot eight inches wide, this stone was three times larger, called the “Sea-Stabilizing Stone.”

Once this stone was in place, the entire sea embankment would be completed. No wonder thousands of people cheered loudly, constantly applauding and stamping their feet in approval. Zhang Jian came over grinning with a group of people who surrounded Gu Pingyuan and lifted him up, carrying him like a sedan chair around the construction site. Everywhere they went, they could hear common people constantly expressing gratitude.

This time Gu Pingyuan had truly helped the Nantong people enormously. The sea embankment’s solidity went without saying – anyone with eyes could see it. With this sea embankment, even farming at its base would be completely safe. Additionally, Gu Pingyuan had secured grain for Nantong people, plus generous wages. Compared to various prefectures and counties in Jiangnan, even prosperous places like Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Yangzhou, Nantong seemed like paradise on earth. For months, many outsiders had brought their families to Nantong to escape famine, just to get one more mouthful of grain.

Justice lies in people’s hearts. These benefits all originated from Gu Pingyuan, so common people all loved him wholeheartedly. That evening the sea embankment was brilliantly lit, the celebration banquet stretched over a li long, with almost everyone coming to toast Gu Pingyuan. Having little alcohol tolerance, within half an hour Gu Pingyuan was already tipsy. After that, Liu Heita helped him deflect drinks, but there were too many toasters. Even Liu Heita the “wine jar” couldn’t withstand it. By midnight, he collapsed on the table snoring like thunder.

Several days later, all embankment affairs were concluded. Gu Pingyuan opened his diary and calculated – from requesting permission to leave Jiangning, a full two and a half months had passed. Now that everything was completed successfully, he could return to report to Zeng Guofan.

Learning he was leaving, Old Master Zhang brought all the county’s gentry to see him off. Hundreds of common people gathered upon hearing the news, escorting him for one stretch after another. Every two or three li, Gu Pingyuan would bid farewell, but the crowd wouldn’t disperse. Not until they had escorted him twenty li out did Gu Pingyuan say that if the villagers continued, he would have to stay and leave tomorrow instead.

“Alright, we’ll see you off to here to avoid troubling Master Gu.” Old Master Zhang waved his hand. Suddenly several men rushed forward and without explanation removed Gu Pingyuan’s shoes, placing them on a wooden tray covered with red cloth, raising it high overhead before retreating.

“Master Gu, don’t take offense. The villagers are grateful and want to keep something to remember you by.” Old Master Zhang said with a smile.

This “shoe removal” ceremony was performed by gentry and common people to praise local officials’ virtuous governance. When officials left office, they would remove the shoes from their feet on the spot, expressing hope they would stay in office. Throughout history, only extremely virtuous officials who left beneficial policies for the locality could receive such great honor. Unexpectedly, today Gu Pingyuan received such heartfelt love from the people for wholeheartedly building this sea embankment.

In his youth, Gu Pingyuan had also thought about how to achieve great ambitions in life, realizing great aspirations. Like Zhang Jian’s “regulate family, govern state, bring peace to world,” he had often imagined passing the metropolitan examination and serving as a county magistrate, carefully following his teacher’s instructions to love the people like his children. Upon leaving office, people would present him with a ten-thousand-people umbrella and perform the shoe removal ceremony.

This notion had long disappeared from his mind after abandoning Confucianism for commerce. Now his childhood dreams suddenly appeared before his eyes, and he was receiving this honor as a businessman. Gu Pingyuan’s heart thundered, his eyes immediately reddened, and he said tremblingly: “I merely did a small thing for your honored county, yet receive such overwhelming love from the villagers – I’m truly ashamed. The heartfelt sentiment of Nantong people, I’ll never forget in this lifetime. I bid you farewell here.”

“Don’t go.” Zhang Jian’s small figure squeezed out from the crowd, his eyes also red. “That night, the words you said – I’ve thought about them until today but still don’t understand, still don’t know what I should do.”

“Jian’er, be good. Master Gu still has important business. When he comes to Nantong again in the future, you can ask then.” Old Master Zhang knew his son, who usually didn’t submit to people, unexpectedly greatly admired Gu Pingyuan. Seeing him leave naturally felt bad, so he spoke gently to persuade.

Gu Pingyuan also comforted him kindly, then bid farewell to everyone. After walking dozens of steps, he looked back and saw Zhang Jian still staring at him blankly. Unable to bear it, he beckoned to him.

Zhang Jian ran over quickly. Gu Pingyuan bent down and said to him: “Study hard. When you pass the examination to become top scholar, then come learn business from me.”

“Really?” Zhang Jian’s eyes brightened.

“Really!” Gu Pingyuan extended one finger. “Let’s pinky swear – a word once spoken!”

Gu Pingyuan didn’t rush back to Jiangning but detoured through Zhenjiang to visit his mother first. After several more months, he harbored hopes that perhaps his mother would change her mind or her mood would improve, and the family could be harmonious and happy again.

Gu’s mother had learned from family letters that her eldest son had been building the sea embankment and worried he had exhausted himself. Seeing him naturally showed great concern, asking warmly and at length. Gu Pingyuan’s heart was also warm. He brought local pastries from Nantong as refreshments and personally brewed a pot of good tea. Seeing his mother in good spirits, he gathered courage and tentatively said: “Son was indeed exhausted at the construction site, but fortunately Yu’er came daily from over ten li away to bring son’s favorite meals, constantly showing care and concern, so son didn’t even catch a cold.”

Gu’s mother had been slowly chewing a pastry, but hearing these words, her mouth suddenly stopped moving and the smile on her face froze.

Gu Pingyuan’s heart was in turmoil. Studying his mother’s expression, he couldn’t tell if it was good or bad, but thinking he’d already spoken, he might as well continue.

“Yu’er also came. While in Nantong, she bought local fabric and made several pairs of thick cloth shoes for mother, saying the floor tiles in Jinshan Temple’s main hall are cold and she feared you’d catch chill.”

Gu Pingyuan felt his words were appropriate, but unexpectedly Gu’s mother stood up without a word, lifted the curtain and entered the inner room. After waiting a quarter-hour with no sound, she still didn’t emerge.

Gu Pingyuan sighed quietly, stood up and smiled toward the inner room: “Mother must be tired. Then son won’t disturb your rest. I must report the embankment work to Governor-General Zeng. I’ll leave early tomorrow for Jiangning and won’t come to bid farewell.”

The room remained silent. Having no choice, Gu Pingyuan turned to leave, but just as he turned around, something was thrown from the inner room with a “plap,” landing on the floor.

Looking closely, Gu Pingyuan saw it was the pair of cloth shoes he had brought his mother last time. At that time, Yu’er had worried mother-in-law wouldn’t wear them and specially instructed not to reveal she had made them. Gu Pingyuan had only said they were bought at a shoe shop in Jiangning. According to his younger sister, his mother loved wearing them.

Looking at those cloth shoes, Gu Pingyuan felt a sour, swelling sensation rising up. He wanted to lift the curtain and enter the inner room to ask clearly why his mother treated Chang Yu’er this way. However, thinking of his loving mother who had single-handedly raised him and his siblings for decades, enduring countless hardships and weariness – just the clothes on the children’s bodies and shoes on their feet required spring, summer, autumn, and winter sewing and mending under lamplight until deep night. During his years in exile, his mother had worried and wept nightly until her eyes grew dim early. Thinking this way, he lost heart. The resentment in his heart disappeared without trace as he dragged his feet out listlessly.

Gu Pingyuan had long rented a courtyard at an inn in Zhenjiang county town. Originally the whole family lived there, but now his second brother had gone to Hangzhou to open a warehouse and wharf. He himself only returned occasionally, so his younger sister Gu Yuting cared for their mother with two servant women.

Since Gu’s mother disliked Chang Yu’er, naturally she couldn’t bring her to live there. Instead, he found another nearby inn, taking two upper rooms – one for the Gu Pingyuan couple and one for Liu Heita.

This inn had originally been a large dye works with a spacious rear courtyard for drying cloth. Liu Heita favored this place for morning and evening martial practice. His habit was practicing boxing before breakfast and after dinner, then demonstrating whip techniques.

After finishing his whip routine, Liu Heita gathered the nine-section whip in his hand and turned to see Gu Yuting standing at the courtyard gate, staring blankly at him.

“Oh, it’s you. Are you looking for Big Brother Gu or your sister-in-law? Big Brother Gu went out, and my sister is in her room.” Having met Gu Yuting last time, Liu Heita had learned a secret he’d kept in his belly, never telling anyone. But every time he thought of it, his heart felt panicked, always regretting why he had asked. So this time coming to Zhenjiang, the person he least wanted to see was this Third Miss of the Gu family, hoping to say a few words and send her away.

The Gu family now had a joint venture with Huizhou’s top tea merchant, their circumstances completely different from before. Gu Yuting had also acquired several beautiful outfits and jewelry. Today she wore her favorite scattered-flower green grass pleated skirt. When Liu Heita spoke, she seemed not to hear, staring fixedly at him until Liu Heita felt thoroughly uncomfortable.

“Ah? You… you came looking for me?”

Gu Yuting stepped forward, walking until she was half a step away from Liu Heita before stopping. Liu Heita blinked, looking at Gu Yuting so close at hand, unconsciously stepped back. Who knew Gu Yuting would follow with another step forward.

“Big Brother Liu, I want you to look at me and tell me something.”

“What thing?” A delicate fragrance drifted over. Liu Heita’s heart pounded as he asked in panic. From childhood to adulthood, except for his sister Chang Yu’er, he had never been so close to another woman. Even with Chang Yu’er, after growing up, the siblings maintained propriety and never spoke so closely.

“Are you willing to marry me as your wife?”

Liu Heita never dreamed that Big Brother Gu’s sister would ask him such a question. His face immediately turned red, then from red to purple. In his confusion, he somehow shook his head.

Gu Yuting’s expression immediately changed. The proper distance between men and women, the importance of reputation – from childhood, her mother had taught her countless times. But she truly liked Liu Heita. This was a daughter’s lifelong matter – she couldn’t have a sweetheart then muddle-headedly marry some stranger introduced by a matchmaker. These past days of constant thinking, today she finally gathered courage to ask this question. Her heart nearly jumped from her chest, but unexpectedly Liu Heita’s response was to shake his head in refusal.

Both ashamed and embarrassed, tears spinning in her eyes, Gu Yuting was still unconvinced and determinedly pressed further: “Could it be you have someone you like?”

“No.” Liu Heita answered sullenly.

“Then you… then I…” Gu Yuting still had to maintain a daughter’s modesty and couldn’t brazenly ask the next question, so she could only look at Liu Heita anxiously.

Liu Heita was also extremely awkward. He truly hadn’t expected Gu Yuting to be so bold, discussing marriage face-to-face. Actually, Gu Yuting spoke straightforwardly and acted decisively, very much to Liu Heita’s taste. When they had been together viewing tea gardens in Huizhou, they had gotten along quite well. Gu Yuting’s cooking inherited her mother’s true teachings, and Liu Heita especially loved several dishes she made. Marrying such a woman would truly be perfect.

However, Liu Heita now had his own difficulties. He walked two circles in the courtyard, then looked back to see Gu Yuting still gazing at him pitifully. Though he was a tough man, his heart was softest. He suddenly stamped his foot: “Fine, I’ll tell you everything.”

Liu Heita’s explanation left Gu Yuting stunned. It turned out Liu Heita had seen his own sister suffer his mother-in-law’s cold treatment, especially when Gu’s mother had initially wanted her son to divorce his wife, which particularly troubled him. He had heard storytellers in Shanxi tell the tale of the Jiao and Liu families’ “Peacocks Fly Southeast,” and worried that Chang Yu’er and Gu Pingyuan’s marriage might also become discordant because of Gu’s mother. If Chang Yu’er were divorced and sent home, how would her future days be? Though Liu Heita was rough, his whole heart belonged to the Chang family. After much consideration, he made a decision.

“The Chang family gave me this life. With father gone now, I must protect this sister even if it costs my life. If your Gu family really drives my sister out, then I’ll take her away. I’ll care for her my whole life. At worst, I’ll marry her – I can’t let her suffer alone and bullied. So I can’t marry. If I bring a wife home, what if she can’t tolerate my sister?”

Gu Yuting’s long-held tears finally rolled down, but not from anger or grievance – she was overwhelmed with emotion.

“Big Brother.” A soft call came from behind. Liu Heita quickly turned to see Chang Yu’er standing in the doorway.

“You…” Liu Heita was stunned.

“I heard everything.” Chang Yu’er looked at him, her face showing mixed gratitude and affection. Without looking at Liu Heita again, she slowly walked to Gu Yuting’s side, supporting her shoulder and drawing the sobbing girl into her embrace, only then realizing her own tears had unknowingly dampened her clothes.

“Little sister. You haven’t seen wrong or chosen wrongly. This big brother of mine is the very best person under heaven.” After a while, Chang Yu’er helped Gu Yuting wipe her tears. “I’m both your sister-in-law and his sister. From either perspective, I will certainly help you two succeed.”

Chang Yu’er spoke with complete certainty. Gu Yuting unconsciously nodded along, but then thinking of Gu’s mother, her face involuntarily showed worry again.