“Kang Qi!” Qiao Henian called out, and Kang Qi, the attendant who was straddling the cart shaft, poked his head through the cart curtain.

“Go find Staff Officer Shi who leads the troops, give him this bank note, and tell him this official is rewarding the brothers.” Qiao Henian instructed.

Kang Qi took it and looked – secretly he stuck out his tongue. Good heavens, this was ten thousand taels! Five hundred soldiers, twenty taels of silver each – that was worth three to four months of military pay.

The silver came from someone else. Yesterday, after finishing business at the Governor’s office and returning home, Li Wantang had sent someone to invite Qiao Henian over. Qiao Henian was also amazed at how well-informed Li Wantang’s sources were. When they met, Li Wantang was extremely cordial, setting out the finest banquet and inviting several renowned scholars from Jiangning City known for their poetry and prose, arranging for Qiao Henian to sit in the seat of honor. During the wine and conversation, he never mentioned a word about asking him to go to Yancheng to exonerate the Li family – they simply enjoyed themselves thoroughly. When parting, he gave him a red envelope, saying it was because his family affairs had troubled Qiao Henian to make this trip, considering it travel expenses.

This travel fee was substantial – twenty thousand taels of silver, plus the deed to an exquisite small courtyard not far from the Governor’s office, worth about eighteen thousand taels by market value.

Before long, Staff Officer Shi came personally to express thanks, saying the reward was truly too generous, and receiving such unearned compensation made him feel ashamed. Qiao Henian knew he must have pocketed a large sum himself, but it didn’t matter – being generous was precisely to buy Staff Officer Shi and his subordinate troops’ compliance with orders.

“Staff Officer Shi, the original plan was to go straight to Yancheng, but now I want to take a detour to handle some official business along the way.”

“Please give your orders, Your Honor.”

When Qiao Henian pointed out all the places he wanted to visit, Staff Officer Shi’s brows knitted into a big knot. This was clearly making more than one detour, passing through six or seven prefectures and counties along the way, and all these twists and turns would turn what should have been a three-day journey into a ten-day trek. This was urgent official business, yet Magistrate Qiao showed no urgency at all – instead, he seemed like he was leisurely touring various places for inspection. What medicine was he selling in this gourd?

He was about to ask, but then thought better of it – what did it matter to him? The business was Qiao’s to handle; he only bore the responsibility of protection. As long as he kept this man alive, if the mission failed later it would have nothing to do with him. Besides, having taken the man’s silver, he could hardly refuse to give face.

Hearing Staff Officer Shi loudly directing the carriages and horses to turn eastward outside, Qiao Henian nodded with satisfaction and turned his attention to the several thick volumes of documents before him – these were case files he had just borrowed from the Provincial Justice Office.

Ten days later, when Qiao Henian arrived in Nantong with his entourage, Gu Pingyuan had long been waiting anxiously. Following prior arrangements, he had brought Liu Heita and arrived in Nantong one step ahead, loading the disaster relief grain and supplies prepared by the Li family together with clothing and other items he had purchased with his own money, just waiting for Qiao Henian to arrive so they could proceed together to Yancheng. But though he should have arrived long ago by all reasoning, he waited left and right without him coming, making Gu Pingyuan frantically anxious.

Finally getting the man he’d been waiting for, Gu Pingyuan looked behind and couldn’t help asking: “What kind of people are loaded in those dozens of prison carts?”

“These are criminals who had bounty notices issued province-wide, now detained in various counties – bandits and brigands. The first one is the case that caused such a stir two years ago, where a brother seized his sibling’s property and strangled his nephew to death.”

Each prison cart held a disheveled prisoner, with hands and head locked in the wooden boards on top of the cart. Many were still vicious by nature, constantly cursing, while others were dazed and silent, heads hanging low.

Gu Pingyuan silently counted from the first prison cart to the last – exactly thirty, not one more or less. He was startled with alarm: “Magistrate Qiao, you intend to…”

“Silence!” Qiao Henian stopped him with a look and said in a low voice: “Your guess is correct, but it cannot be spoken aloud, otherwise if these prisoners start making trouble, it will ruin the great plan.” Seeing these people completely unaware that death was approaching, Gu Pingyuan’s face showed compassion. Qiao Henian noticed this and advised: “Don’t be soft-hearted like a woman. I’ve checked the case files at the Provincial Justice Office – these people have at least one or two lives on their hands, and many are criminals awaiting execution. Their deaths won’t be unjust. As for the others who face life imprisonment, being locked in prison is also living torment – better to sacrifice their lives to bring peace to the people of the two Jiang provinces, which could be considered a meritorious deed.”

In chaotic times, many suffered injustice. Thinking of his own past, there might well be those who suffered wrongful accusations among these people, but to investigate each case individually now was simply impossible. Besides, the method Qiao Henian had devised was already a last resort – if they didn’t do this, what else could they do? Gu Pingyuan sighed sadly in his heart and could only nod helplessly.

“May I ask about Mr. Zhang and Mr. Qi of Nantong…” Qiao Henian turned away from him, walked into the crowd, and loudly called seven or eight names – these were all famous local gentry. For neighboring counties’ disaster relief donations, their participation was naturally essential. Today they were all present, and hearing the official call their names, they stepped forward one by one, bowing and saluting, though their eyes showed confusion.

Qiao Henian smiled genially, and seeing everyone gathered, addressed them: “Gentlemen and distinguished elders, this official comes by order of Governor Zeng of the Two Jiang provinces to quell public resentment and rebuild the sea embankment. Though this concerns neighboring Yancheng County, when great disasters strike, many disaster victims will surely flood into Nantong, which would be no small burden on the local area.”

Mr. Zhang, who always spoke first among the gentry, said: “Your Honor speaks truly, which is why local gentry pooled money to purchase disaster relief supplies, already handed over to Master Gu to take together to Yancheng, fulfilling our modest contribution.”

“Excellent! When the disaster passes, this official will certainly request commendations for you gentlemen from Governor Zeng.” Qiao Henian clapped in approval, but his eyes flashed as he smiled: “However, there’s still one matter that requires you gentlemen’s small assistance.”

Mr. Zhang was startled and quickly said: “Your Honor, please give your orders.”

“Besides the supplies, I’d also like to ask several of you to accompany us to Yancheng to meet the disaster victims face to face.”

Hearing this, the gentry were frightened and trembled. The neighboring county was in chaos right at their elbow – they naturally knew clearly that these rioters had looted the granaries, burned the county office, and even killed a foreigner. Their eyes were already bloodshot with killing. Going to Yancheng at this time – wouldn’t that be seeking death?

“This…” Mr. Zhang looked around, about to make excuses, when he suddenly noticed that somehow two wolf-like soldiers had quietly positioned themselves beside him, their eyes fixed firmly on him.

Clearly, if there was any disagreement, they would order the soldiers to escort him by force. Mr. Zhang was both angry and anxious, staring wide-eyed at this unreasonable official, momentarily unable to decide whether to confront him directly.

Gu Pingyuan had always gotten along well with these Nantong gentry, and seeing the situation was about to speak on their behalf when Qiao Henian stepped forward: “You can rest assured. Going to Yancheng is merely to have you publicly testify that this person is indeed Master Gu who built sea embankments for Nantong, and that he comes here to build embankments for Yancheng. Once the words are spoken, there will be no further business for you. This official has received the Governor’s authorization to act as circumstances require – I hope you gentlemen will be understanding.”

Everyone understood this last sentence clearly. Mr. Zhang could only nod stiffly in stunned silence.

Only now did Qiao Henian have everything prepared. Without further delay, he ordered the troops to travel day and night at increased speed, arriving in Yancheng after one day. Entering the county town met no obstacles, but they saw the streets filled with people lying everywhere in disorder. Hearing the sound of carriages and horses, some barely opened their eyes while most were already at death’s door. The streets reeked with foul odors that made people want to vomit.

“Too tragic.” This was Gu Pingyuan’s first time seeing such a great disaster. If the disaster victims who had fled to the county town were in such condition, one could imagine what the villages near the sea embankment were like.

“Staff Officer Shi, send a clever person to inquire where that foreign woman died.”

The foreign legation’s note specifically demanded that the execution ground be at the scene of the murder to comfort the spirit in heaven. Qiao Henian then led the troops and convoy into the county office. The county office was now empty – it appeared that besides the fire that burned the main gate, it had been looted several more times afterward, with even the window frames torn off for firewood.

“Look, you’ve completely lost face for the imperial court.” Qiao Henian glanced at the Yancheng County Magistrate in civilian clothes cowering nearby and angrily rebuked him.

“Your Honor, it’s getting late. Should we act tonight or wait until tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow!” Qiao Henian replied without hesitation. “Send people to all townships and villages to announce that the imperial court has already dispatched special commissioners to handle disaster relief, and tomorrow there will be public execution of rioter criminals. Request that elders and gentry from all townships come.”

“Yes!” Staff Officer Shi readily agreed and went to assign personnel.

The night passed without incident, everyone resting in the county office. Near dawn, the soldiers Staff Officer Shi had posted at the gate suddenly ran in frantically, reporting that the soldiers sent out last night had returned. When they brought the men up for inspection, Qiao Henian and the others were all shocked – they saw these soldiers all beaten black and blue, though their faces showed relief.

“Your subordinate barely escaped with his life along with the men. Several brothers were beaten unconscious – we don’t know if they’re dead or alive.” The squad leader who led them burst into tears as he spoke.

“This is outright rebellion!” Staff Officer Shi was furious. “How many people attacked?”

“Unknown – people were everywhere.” The squad leader swallowed hard. “They also said they would come to the county town, and they might already be here.”

Staff Officer Shi frowned, then heard distant roars and angry shouts. His face changed first – he had someone set up a ladder, climbed onto the roof ridge, took the “thousand-li eye” telescope and looked around. His hands immediately trembled as he called down: “Quick, quick, bar the gates!”

Liu Heita saw the soldiers still bewildered, rushed to the gate in a few steps – before him was already a sea of people shouting for blood and death, with pitchforks, kitchen knives, axes, sickles, cleavers, hoes, and picks raised like a forest! The county office’s main gate had already been burned away and couldn’t stop these people at all. Liu Heita roared, drew his nine-section whip, spinning left and right to block them while shouting back: “Quick, think of something!”

Staff Officer Shi hurriedly directed men to help block the gate, then turned back: “Your Honor, we didn’t expect the situation to be so dire. These people seem determined to rebel. We should quickly withdraw from the county town and request the Governor’s office to send additional troops for suppression.”

“What did you say, suppression? These are all subjects under imperial rule. Do you really take them for bandits to be completely exterminated without leaving one alive?” Qiao Henian scolded.

He then turned to glare at the Yancheng County Magistrate with a dark expression: “I too have served as a county magistrate. For the people to be so enraged clearly shows your daily tyranny and oppression drove them beyond endurance. Your deserved punishment will be handled by the imperial court according to law, but today, to appease the disaster victims’ anger, this official cannot but humiliate you. Please forgive the offense!”

Saying this, he waved his hand, and several soldiers came forward, stripping the Yancheng County Magistrate of all his clothing without explanation.

“Leave half the men to guard the disaster relief grain and supplies. The other half push the prison carts forward as barricades and follow me in charging out of the county office!”

“Where to?” Staff Officer Shi asked urgently.

“The execution ground!”

Charging out of the county office and looking around the streets in all directions, it was truly a human sea with no end in sight. People’s eyes were all red, and everywhere on the streets were common people shouting to “kill corrupt officials.”

Fortunately, the several hundred soldiers sent by Zeng Guofan were capable, and Staff Officer Shi was also a veteran of the Xiang Army who had fought several hard battles. After the initial panic, seeing that even a civilian official like Qiao Henian remained calm in the face of danger, he naturally gained courage too, directing soldiers to use the prison carts as cover while protecting Qiao Henian, Gu Pingyuan, and the gentry in the center, slowly moving toward where the foreign woman had been killed.

Along the way, soldiers were constantly dragged out by people on both sides, thrown to the ground and beaten with fists and feet, hoes and picks falling like rain. At first you could still hear agonized screams, but soon there was no more sound. Qiao Henian and Gu Pingyuan looked at each other, both feeling cold sweat in their palms.

Fortunately it wasn’t too far – after walking two streets they reached the place. Staff Officer Shi ordered the prison carts arranged in a circle, short knives in front and long spears behind, forming a defensive position. However, seeing them stop, the people charged forward even more desperately. This formation could only hold temporarily, and Staff Officer Shi was so anxious that sweat poured from his forehead. Liu Heita’s eyes widened as he gripped his nine-section whip, standing in front of Gu Pingyuan – he didn’t care about others, but his brother-in-law had to be saved no matter what.

“Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhang!” Qiao Henian grabbed him and shouted sternly.

“Ah, ah!” Mr. Zhang had never seen such a scene – his legs had gone weak with fear all along the way, and the other gentry were also trembling with pale faces. “Your Honor, I’m scared out of my wits,” Mr. Zhang said with a mournful expression.

“Get your wits back! Go shout, stretch your throat and shout loudly that Master Gu who builds sea embankments has come!” Qiao Henian gestured toward the gentry and ordered: “You all shout too!”

These men reluctantly shouted a few words with miserable faces and trembling voices, but in the noisy crowd no one heard them, and even if they had, no one paid attention.

Qiao Henian was truly anxious. Seeing all the soldiers engaged in desperate resistance with not a single hand to spare, he drew the sword he carried for protection, came to a prison cart, had Kang Qi lie on the ground to serve as a footstool, and swung the sword fiercely at the neck of the criminal locked in the prison cart.

The sword fell and the head dropped! Blood spurted over a foot high, the head rolling to the ground as the crowd retreated in fright. Qiao Henian didn’t stop at one – he consecutively chopped off five heads. One had a particularly tough neck, requiring three full chops before the head fell, blood splattering all over Qiao Henian’s body and face, leaving only a pair of eyes visible, flashing with cold murderous intent.

Somehow, the crowd had quieted down. Though the people were angry and wanted to beat a few soldiers to death to vent their fury, suddenly seeing an official in government robes consecutively chopping off heads still left them all stunned.

Not only were they stunned – everyone Qiao Henian had brought, Staff Officer Shi and the soldiers, Gu Pingyuan plus the ten gentry, all stood like wooden chickens, shocked as they stared at Qiao Henian, blood-soaked like a living ghost crawled out of hell.

Qiao Henian wiped the blood from his face and pointed his sword viciously at Mr. Zhang: “Keep shouting!”

“Yes!” Mr. Zhang was so frightened his calves were cramping.

After Mr. Zhang and the others shouted in unison three times, Gu Pingyuan climbed onto a prison cart and bowed in all directions: “I am Master Gu who built embankments for Nantong. Everyone can see that the embankments I built haven’t collapsed – not even a single stone has fallen. Today I place my words here, and myself here as pledge – if I don’t properly repair Yancheng’s sea embankments, I absolutely will not leave this place.”

“Fellow villagers and elders, Nantong and Yancheng are not far apart – you must all know us few people, right?” Mr. Zhang bowed in all directions with tears streaming down his face: “I stake my life and property as guarantee that this Master Gu keeps his word. Please trust him, everyone.” The other gentry also kept bowing, pleading with kind words.

People seemed to gradually awaken from their madness, exchanging glances. Though they still surrounded them tightly, the hoes, picks, and axes in their hands were all lowered.

“Imperial disaster relief has arrived. As long as you return home to wait, this official guarantees that within one day you will have enough food and warm clothing.” Qiao Henian threw down his sword, also climbed onto a prison cart, and announced loudly: “This incident was caused by someone inciting good people to oppose the government. You are all loyal subjects of the imperial court who were temporarily deceived – that doesn’t matter. This official, representing the imperial court, promises absolutely no retribution. Since everyone has come today, you might as well witness how the real criminals are executed by imperial justice.”

After this commotion, when the common people regained their reason, they looked at the prisoners in the carts but recognized none of them – not only were they not the ones who had incited the looting and burning of the county office, they weren’t even locals.

But Qiao Henian paid no attention to this, calling over several burly soldiers and pointing to the prison carts, telling them just to keep chopping. Soon, the remaining twenty-plus heads also fell to the ground, blood pooling on the earth like a small pond, the bloody stench permeating the streets and alleys throughout the city.

This great slaughter shocked everyone into stunned silence as they stared at Qiao Henian, not knowing what he would do next.

Qiao Henian turned and had the stripped Yancheng County Magistrate brought over to kneel on the ground – by now he was trembling with fear, barely able to avoid collapsing.

“Isn’t this the County Magistrate?” Someone with sharp eyes recognized this naked man as the very one who once sat grandly in the county office’s main hall, daily exercising tyrannical authority.

“Come, put him up on the prison cart.” Qiao Henian gave the order.

“Don’t, don’t!” The Yancheng County Magistrate was sobbing with snot and tears. “Magistrate Qiao, considering we serve in the same court, please leave me some dignity.”

“Hmph!” Qiao Henian gave a cold laugh, leaning close to whisper: “Don’t blame Qiao – you saw yourself that without using you as an example, how could we appease the people’s anger?”

He then stood straight and declared loudly: “You gave yourself no dignity – since you are a beast in human clothing, you might as well strip off your human garments and be a beast!”

The soldiers were both amused and amazed – none had ever handled such duty. Finally Staff Officer Shi directed them, and with many hands they managed to tie the stark naked, face purple as pig’s liver Yancheng County Magistrate spread-eagle on the prison cart.

“The imperial court sent me to pacify the people. I thought and thought about how to pacify everyone, and finally devised a method – to let everyone vent their anger and resolve their hatred!” Qiao Henian pointed at the Yancheng County Magistrate. “Of course, this man has violated imperial law and will ultimately face death, but to let him die so easily would be too lenient. A hypocrite like him who speaks of benevolence and righteousness while harboring male theft and female prostitution must have his face stripped and dignity swept away. So I deal with him thus – to let everyone vent the evil anger in their hearts. Fellow villagers of Yancheng, are you now satisfied?”

“Satisfied!” the people shouted in unison, those nearby spitting at the magistrate.

“Are you all pleased with this official’s handling?”

“Pleased!” “Thank Your Honor for fair treatment!” Waves of cheers shook heaven and earth, the former murderous atmosphere instantly transformed into celebration, and Staff Officer Shi and his soldiers unconsciously relaxed their grip on weapons.

Qiao Henian had been sustained entirely by determination – now suddenly relaxing, he nearly collapsed. He forced himself to stand straight, wiped his face with a sweat towel, and said with a smile: “Since this is the case, Master Gu needs to take people to rush repairs on the sea embankments, and this official must distribute disaster relief. With you all blocking the streets so tightly, how can we conduct our business?”

This great drama performed by Qiao Henian left Gu Pingyuan thrilled and terrified. Only after the people had all dispersed did he approach, looking at the blood-covered Qiao Henian, not knowing how to begin speaking.

“Brother Pingyuan, what do you think of my methods? If I had been an official a few years earlier, who knows who would be sitting in Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang’s positions now.” Saying this, Qiao Henian laughed heartily.

But Gu Pingyuan couldn’t laugh, staring blankly at Qiao Henian as if looking at someone he’d never known.

The brilliant red of blood was stamped on a document, this paper held in Li Wantang’s hands, gently swaying as if mocking the person opposite him.

“Manager Wang. The contract was signed by your own hand, the fingerprint pressed with your own blood. Look carefully – is this the one?”

Still in Li Wantang’s study, but Wang Tiangui, who had been so arrogant last time, now had a face like death, breathing slightly hard, his eyes like a wolf driven to desperation.

“If you won’t speak, that’s fine too. This contract is registered with the county office clerks – a quick check will reveal its authenticity.” Li Wantang looked at Wang Tiangui’s defeated expression, a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth.

Wang Tiangui seemed not to hear. From when he formally took charge of the salt shop until yesterday had been exactly one month. But the salt shop’s profits weren’t even forty percent of last month’s, far short of the sixty percent minimum specified in the contract. Half a month ago, Wang Tiangui had already panicked – he couldn’t understand why a perfectly good salt shop, once in his hands, simply couldn’t sell goods, as if all the people of the Two Jiang provinces had overnight become vegetarian Buddhist monks who ate no salt.

Initially Wang Tiangui thought the old employees from the capital merchants in the shop were acting under Li Wantang’s instructions and weren’t trying hard, so he replaced them with new people. But business remained just as dead – sometimes a salt shop would open before dawn and by mid-morning hadn’t sold even one tael of salt.

Wang Tiangui grew desperate and simply cut prices – first reducing salt prices to eighty percent, seeing it still wouldn’t sell, then to seventy percent, sixty percent, finally even to fifty-five percent half price, but the shop remained empty as ever.

Had the people of the Two Jiang provinces stopped eating salt? Or did the salt he sold taste different from Li Wantang’s salt? Of course this was impossible. Wang Tiangui thought day and night but couldn’t understand. Watching the month-end accounting day approach daily, Wang Tiangui realized he was like a pig bound for slaughter, only able to watch the butcher approach step by step with no solution.

Now the butcher had revealed his sharp knife, and this blade was actually the very one he had desperately tried to place in the man’s hands initially. Wang Tiangui wanted nothing more than to snatch that contract and tear it up to swallow. But as Li Wantang said, the government still had records on file – even if the contract were gone, what was agreed upon initially would still be valid.

“This is only the first month,” Wang Tiangui managed to say.

“Oh. Could it be my eyes are dim and I missed seeing it – does this contract stipulate it must be two months, or three months or even longer? If so, I truly owe Manager Wang an apology. Even more, I must apologize to the four great managers, troubling you to travel back and forth in vain – truly sorry.”

Saying this, Li Wantang bowed to the managers of the “Four Great Hengs” sitting in the study. The Four Great Hengs’ managers were also furious – after all, they were top figures among the capital merchants, yet Li Wantang summoned and dismissed them at will. Such a long journey, coming immediately upon receiving a letter in such sweltering heat they nearly got heat rash. But there was no choice – the salt field dividends controlled by the Li family were indispensable huge profits for the Four Great Hengs. They dared not offend him under any circumstances, especially since what Li Wantang described in his letter was indeed a major matter for Lianghuai salt field shareholders.

Wang Tiangui listened to these words full of mockery, his belly swelling with anger. Suddenly his eyes turned, and he stood up, staring deadly at Li Wantang.

“Master Li, there’s something I can’t understand. From Jiangning to Beijing and back, even express courier to the capital then overland carriage return would take a month. This means from the day the contract was signed, you sent people to inform the Four Great Hengs’ managers to come witness this. So from a month ago, you predicted I definitely couldn’t achieve sixty percent profit, that I would definitely lose to you.”

His pointing finger trembled: “You played tricks, didn’t you?”

“Haha.” Just when everyone thought Li Wantang would deny it, he laughed and nodded, then his expression changed, coldly regarding Wang Tiangui: “You finally figured it out. This Lianghuai salt field was obtained by my Li family through tremendous hardship in cultivating relationships with court officials. You bring a few million taels of silver and think you can take what you please, pick and choose as you like? Hmph! Go ask around – in these decades, how many merchants who stiffened their spines before me, Li Wantang, can still laugh?”

Only now did they see the true power of capital merchant leader “Li Bancity.” Though the Four Great Hengs’ managers had many complaints about him, they couldn’t help but secretly admire his methods. Especially since they and Wang Tiangui were all leading figures in the banking world – Manager Wang of Shanxi Taiyufeng was famously cunning and never at a loss, yet was checkmated by Li Wantang in one move.

“Li Wantang, what exactly did you do to make all the people of the Two Jiang provinces stop eating salt?” Wang Tiangui asked with bloodshot eyes.

“Figure that out yourself. If you really can’t, take the question to your coffin.” Li Wantang’s voice wasn’t high, but it made people feel cold to the bone. “You must understand – the one who came to the door insisting on signing this contract was you, not me!”

“Good, good.” Wang Tiangui stared blankly for a long while, then smiled bitterly: “Master Li speaks truly. I brought this humiliation on myself, blaming no one else, certainly not Master Li’s superior methods. Ultimately, I’ve spent a lifetime hunting geese only to have a goose peck out my eye – what more is there to say!” He spoke as if his soul had left his body, looking blankly at Li Wantang: “Master Li, I await your decision. Whatever you say to do, I’ll do.”

“That’s simple – just follow what’s written in this contract. From now on, your money is no longer equity capital but deposited with the Four Great Hengs, then loaned to the salt fields as bank lending, with principal and interest repaid to you annually until fully settled. Today the bank managers are all here – let’s immediately write up the documents and handle this matter properly. From now on, the Lianghuai salt fields have no relationship with you.”

Only now did Wang Tiangui realize Li Wantang had called the Four Great Hengs’ managers here for this additional purpose – truly calculating without remainder, this man’s scheming mind was truly chilling.

“Master Li has thought of everything for me, not even leaving a moment’s respite. What more do I have to say? I bow in complete defeat, I admit total loss.”

Li Qin had been sitting in the corner the whole time. Li Wantang only allowed him to watch, strictly forbidding him from speaking a word, otherwise he would have jumped up clapping long ago. Seeing the once-invincible Wang Tiangui like a homeless dog, Li Qin felt incredibly vindicated.

“Since that’s the case, let’s not waste time unnecessarily.” Li Wantang said seriously, “The Li family has long-standing dealings with the Four Great Hengs, and we’ve prepared plenty of blank promissory notes. I’ve already calculated all the details for Manager Wang – the interest will be according to current market rates for deposits and loans. Look it over, and if there are no errors, just press your seal and we’ll be done.”

“Very well.” Wang Tiangui seemed to age ten years all at once, responding weakly as he took the document, glanced at it briefly, and nodded.

“No need to examine it closely. Since Master Li has already taken my king by charging straight to the heart, I suppose you wouldn’t be interested in those small pawns anymore.”

Li Wantang said nothing, smiling as he watched him, waiting for him to press his seal.

“Master Li!” Wang Tiangui suddenly wailed, threw himself to the ground and knelt before Li Wantang, his voice trembling as he pleaded: “Please show mercy and spare me a way to live! At my age, how many days do I have left? This time I truly didn’t know my place and angered Master Li. You are magnanimous – please overlook this once!”

No one expected Wang Tiangui to pull this move. The Four Great Hengs’ managers had all been in the money business with him, and seeing Wang Tiangui crying with tears streaming down his face, actually kneeling before his opponent to beg for mercy, they couldn’t help but frown deeply, feeling their own faces burn with embarrassment. Yet seeing his graying hair and whiskers, a man of such advanced age who had once held such high position in the banking world, having served as chief merchant of Shanxi banks, now reduced to kneeling and begging, their hearts felt pity despite themselves.

“Wang Tiangui, why are you playing dead dog? Where did that face go that you had when you tricked me into building sea embankments, then came here demanding to seize the salt shop?” Li Qin finally couldn’t restrain himself, standing up to scold.

Who would have thought that upon hearing this, Wang Tiangui actually seemed to have found a savior, crawling on his knees to Li Qin’s feet and grabbing his legs: “Young Master Li, I was wrong, I offended you. Please help me plead for mercy – I’ll never forget your kindness!” Saying this, he backed up half a step and kowtowed repeatedly to Li Qin.

Li Qin hadn’t expected Wang Tiangui to kowtow to him in front of everyone. If it were himself, he would rather slit his throat or hang himself than show such weakness publicly.

“Ahem.” Li Wantang had been frowning as he watched Wang Tiangui’s behavior. Now he coughed lightly and said slowly: “Manager Wang, you’ve really had it rough – at your age, kowtowing to my unworthy son. This is really too much to bear. What exactly do you want?”

“Master Li.” Wang Tiangui turned around eagerly: “I’m willing to withdraw from salt shop operations, and I no longer dare compete for salt field management. I only ask that Master Li still keep my silver in the Lianghuai salt field stock accounts, allowing me to receive dividends. I would be satisfied with that – I dare not ask for anything else.”

“From now on, both salt fields and salt shops will be operated by my Li family, while you and the Four Great Hengs alike only receive dividends?”

“Yes, yes!” Wang Tiangui said repeatedly.

Li Wantang pondered for a long while, then asked the several bank managers present: “Gentlemen, the Lianghuai salt fields don’t belong to my family alone. What do you think?”

The Four Great Hengs managers’ minds worked quickly too, instantly thinking of the saying “when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.” The most senior Manager Zhang leaned forward slightly in his seat: “Properly speaking, this Manager Wang did contribute considerable effort initially, but since he made a contract with Master Li, we dare not say anything. We leave everything to your decision.”

Li Wantang understood immediately – this was still speaking up for Wang Tiangui. His mind raced as he glanced at the ground and sighed: “Very well, since that’s the case, I won’t be too extreme. Let’s rewrite the contract, stating that Manager Wang gives up management rights and only holds shares for dividends. Let this matter end here.”

“Thank you Master Li for your magnanimity, thank you Young Master Qin for your tolerance, and thank you all managers.” Wang Tiangui bowed and scraped, paying respects to each one.

His dejected appearance made even the Four Great Hengs managers feel pity – after all, he had once been the mighty chief manager of one of Shanxi’s three great banks, now reduced to kneeling and begging. So Manager Jiao, who had the most generous nature, helped him up and invited him to Tongqing Restaurant for drinks to calm his nerves. Wang Tiangui thanked him profusely, but just as he stepped out of the study door, he glanced back for an instant, revealing infinite malice and poison in his eyes.

He hid it very carefully, immediately returning to normal and chatting and laughing with the four managers. But that lightning-quick moment was caught by Li An, who was serving in the corridor. He watched Wang Tiangui leave, preparing to enter the study to tell Li Wantang what he had seen, when he heard the Li father and son talking inside and hesitated, stopping where he stood.

“Father, you could have permanently expelled Wang Tiangui from our family business once and for all. Why let him stay on like a mangy dog?” Li Qin completely couldn’t understand his father’s actions. If it were him, he would have cursed Wang Tiangui out long ago. “Could it be that those few kowtows softened your heart?”

Li Wantang’s voice was flat: “The kowtowing and apologies were merely a prelude to future offenses.”

“If that’s the case, why spare him?” Li Qin’s eyes widened.

“Because I’m afraid!”

“Afraid?” From childhood to adulthood, Li Qin had never heard Li Wantang say the word “afraid.”

“If this man had made a great fuss and threatened with harsh words, that wouldn’t be frightening, and I would have thrown him out long ago. But his ability to humble himself so completely is already fearsome, especially when he still has several million taels of silver in hand. Money can move the gods – and that’s not just referring to our Li family. So I changed my mind and decided to temporarily appease him. As for the future…” Li Wantang’s eyes flickered. “When he comes to plead again next time, I won’t let him leave Lianghuai with a single tael of silver.”

Seeing Li Qin still looked unconvinced, Li Wantang added: “Besides, you should know in your heart what caused this whole affair.”

“I know. I shouldn’t have fallen for that old dog’s trick and lost our Li family’s perfectly good position as Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner.” Li Qin said with chagrin.

“It wasn’t lost by you, but by me.” Li Wantang’s gentle words made Li Qin’s head snap up, staring blankly at his father.

When Su Zixuan came to Li Wantang that day, she offered to expel Wang Tiangui from the Lianghuai salt fields in exchange for Li Wantang’s agreement to use his Beijing connections to arrange for Lianghuai salt taxes to be deposited in the Jiangsu Provincial Treasury, then shipped to Beijing at year’s end. Li Wantang thought it over – this salt tax would be the same amount regardless of where it was paid, causing him neither loss nor benefit. If this could achieve his long-cherished goal of expelling Wang Tiangui from the salt field business, why not do it?

After careful consultation with Su Zixuan, Li Wantang decided to exploit Wang Tiangui’s “greed” in a series of interconnected schemes. First, Su Zixuan would persuade Wang Tiangui using completely opposite arguments, getting Wang Tiangui to urge Li Qin to build “bamboo cage embankments” along the coast. When the sea embankments eventually collapsed and flooded the salt fields, Wang Tiangui could naturally negotiate with Li Wantang, demanding to exchange salt fields for salt stores.

Su Zixuan’s purpose in designing this type of sea embankment from the beginning was to make it appear solid and durable while actually being easily destroyed without leaving traces. She had Bai Yimei send over a dozen Canal Gang brothers with exceptional swimming skills to dive into the sea and cut through the bamboo strips and splints of the “bamboo cage embankments.” When the hurricane struck, embankments made of piled stones without mud and lime binding naturally collapsed immediately.

Using this pretext, Wang Tiangui successfully obtained the salt shop, thinking he would make great profits, but instead fell perfectly into Su and Li’s “lure the enemy into the trap” scheme. Though Li Wantang supplied the salt shop as agreed, he secretly hired people to increase salt field production by thirty percent, and combined with previous salt stores, secretly delivered everything to Su Zixuan. Then Bai Yimei mobilized all the Canal Gang’s “Tonghai Gang” brothers to sell at extremely low prices throughout the villages and towns of the three Two Jiang provinces.

Salt was strictly controlled goods under the Qing Dynasty – both selling and buying “private salt” carried heavy penalties. Common people had long grown accustomed to this and would never speak openly about purchasing salt from private dealers, so Wang Tiangui naturally knew nothing about it. Though his shop’s salt prices dropped repeatedly, they were still much higher than private salt prices, so naturally no one was interested. In fact, given time, the truth couldn’t remain hidden, but Li Wantang had anticipated this and struck swiftly, making Wang Tiangui surrender within a month.

As for the position of Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner, Li Wantang truly hadn’t expected Zeng Guofan to reward him so generously when he first conspired with Su Zixuan. When he later realized the sea embankments would eventually fail and this position was merely a mirage, he couldn’t help feeling heartbroken. But one cannot have both fish and bear’s paw, and since the die was cast, he let it go. Su Zixuan’s request had already been successfully fulfilled through Grand Secretary Baojun, who managed the Ministry of Revenue.

“Now do you understand? Su Zixuan manipulated the chess game, with the Li family, Wang Tiangui, and the Canal Gang all as her pieces. Originally I only played chess and never personally entered the game, but this time Su Zixuan clearly told me that if the Li family helped her win this game, we could monopolize Lianghuai salt field operations. With such great profit at stake, I agreed.”

“So, so this was all a trap you set up, and those arguments Wang Tiangui used to deceive me were scripted by Su Zixuan?” Li Qin was both shocked and angry.

“No! I told her what to say. No one knows a son like his father.”

Li Qin angrily stood up, but didn’t know at whom to direct his anger, glaring furiously with trembling hands and feet.

“Qin’er.” Li Wantang sighed gently. “Actually, monopolizing the Lianghuai salt fields, the position of Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner – even if this plan had failed, I would have found ways to obtain these things eventually. What I most wanted to hear was Su Zixuan returning to tell me that you didn’t rise to Wang Tiangui’s bait, didn’t fall for her trick, and her scheme failed from the very beginning with you. If that had happened, I would be much happier than I am now.”

Li Qin stared into his father’s eyes, too stunned to know how to respond.

“I heard you used money skimmed from the embankment project to rent out Tongqing Restaurant for daily drinking and entertainment?”

“Didn’t you say I needed to cultivate relationships with officials to succeed everywhere?” Li Qin weakly defended.

Li Wantang shook his head disappointedly: “I thought that being by my side, watching me conduct business, you would understand what commercial principles mean, but unfortunately you haven’t grasped it at all. What use is cultivating relationships with those vulgar petty officials? What’s truly useful are people like Zeng Guofan, ‘the empire’s foremost minister,’ who can determine fate with a single word, or people like Su Zixuan, who can move a thousand catties with four ounces. These are the useful people we should befriend and utilize. Only when you can distinguish between profit and bait, whether there’s a hook attached, can I feel confident entrusting vital business to you. As for the future, the salt business’s profit lies in salt shops, but its foundation is in salt fields – neither can be lacking. I plan to oversee the salt fields personally, properly reorganizing salt affairs and creating a genuine system that allows salt production, transport, and sales to flow like water. The salt shops have now begun to take shape, spread throughout the three Two Jiang provinces, requiring someone young and capable to manage them seriously. Originally this position of chief salt shop manager was meant for you alone, but thinking it over, I’m still not confident.”

Li Qin’s heart pounded. Managing hundreds of salt shops across the three Two Jiang provinces, being attended by crowds wherever he went, having countless people watch his expressions – wasn’t this exactly the glory he had dreamed of? Hearing his father say he wasn’t confident, he anxiously tried to speak, but Li Wantang stopped him with a gesture.

“I’ve already decided to split the salt shops in two, with you managing Jiangxi and half of Jiangsu.”

“What about Anhui and the other half of Jiangsu?” Li Qin asked urgently.

“I plan to give those to Li An.”

“Him? He’s just a servant – why should he share the salt shops equally with me, his master?”

“Silence!” Li Wantang scolded. “It’s precisely because you’re my son, the future head of the Li family, that I’m giving you salt shops. To speak frankly, it’s for you to learn business. As for actually making money and profit, that must rely on Li An’s half!”

Li Qin never imagined that in his father’s eyes, he was worth less than a servant. His expression immediately turned extremely ugly – if the person before him hadn’t been his father whom he’d always feared, he would have loved to smash this study to pieces.

Before he could speak again, Li Wantang called out: “Li An, come in.”

Li An had been standing by the door, clearly hearing every word spoken inside. When he heard Li Wantang say he would give him half the salt shops to manage, his face remained expressionless, but in his heart he made a decision: having just seen the hatred and viciousness in Wang Tiangui’s eyes, since only he had witnessed it, he would keep it to himself for now.

When Li Wantang called him, Li An waited a moment before pushing open the door and standing with hands at his sides.

“Do you have orders, Master?”

“You’ve followed me for so many years too, with both merit and toil. Zhang Guangfa, who came to the mansion with you, has long been a chief manager, yet you’re still my personal attendant. This has truly wronged you.”

“How dare this humble one complain. Being able to serve at Master’s side, everything I hear and see is this humble one’s good fortune.”

Li Wantang glanced at his son and said to Li An: “I know you’ve always been very attentive in learning. I heard you have a silk shop in Beijing’s southern district – is that correct?”

His sudden question made Li An’s body tremble as he quickly bowed to reply: “Master is perceptive. That was opened in partnership using my monthly allowance silver, having no relationship whatsoever with the Li family business. I’ve never dared use Li family business to benefit that silk shop.”

“I naturally know this, otherwise how could I tolerate it?” The matter had long been thoroughly investigated. Li Wantang simply hadn’t mentioned it before, but today, planning to make great use of Li An, he deliberately brought up this matter to let him know that his every move was under control – he shouldn’t harbor any improper thoughts.

When Li Wantang announced his decision, Li An immediately dropped to his knees, sobbing: “Master’s kindness to me is as vast as heaven and earth. I will listen to everything Master says. If you want me to earn money for the Li family, I’ll become a manager. If someday you say you no longer need me, I’ll return to continue serving at your side.”

“Good, you’re loyal.” Li Wantang praised him, then his eyes suddenly turned cold, his tone becoming ominous: “However, I must first give half those salt shops to someone else, then it will be your turn.”

Li An was startled, and even the angry Li Qin couldn’t help looking up at his father.

Both were shocked to discover that this person they knew so well suddenly showed a fury in his eyes they had never seen before.

Gu Pingyuan was completely exhausted, so dark and thin he was almost unrecognizable, but his heart felt very satisfied. For no other reason – after days of hard work, everything was finally complete, and a tall, solid sea embankment had been rebuilt.

The money all came from the Li family. Gu Pingyuan was not polite at all, asking Manager Zhu to help find seven or eight wood and stone merchants, demanding that stones supplied for the sea embankments be superior to Langshan bluestone, absolutely refusing inferior materials. With money, things got done easily, and those fine stones were transported to the construction site cart by cart. Gu Pingyuan was meticulous, following Nantong’s “five vertical, five horizontal fish-scale grand embankment” method, having workers cut mortise and tenon joints in the stone materials, laying horse-tooth stakes and plum-blossom stakes under the stone foundation, ensuring unshakable solidity.

Seeing the severe disaster conditions, all caused by Li family errors, Gu Pingyuan simply gave every disaster victim family a position in embankment construction work, paying monthly wages. This silver flowed out like water.

The embankment construction silver sent by the Li family was completely spent three times over. Each time Gu Pingyuan dispatched people overnight to Jiangning for more funds, Li Wantang was quite generous – probably feeling guilty, he paid immediately upon receiving word, never haggling over detailed accounts.

Thus, over two months, using more than three times the silver Li Qin had previously spent, the sea embankment was finally properly repaired.

On the night before completion, Gu Pingyuan knew the villagers planned a grand banquet, hiring opera troupes for three days and nights of performances – not only celebrating the embankment’s completion but mainly thanking him for his dedicated service to the locality. The villagers had already suffered disaster yet still needed to spend considerable silver, making Gu Pingyuan feel guilty and worried about burdening the community, so he planned to quietly slip away.

He only told Liu Heita, who loved festivities and was initially disappointed, but after hearing the reasoning, readily agreed. Gu Pingyuan left a letter, and the two quietly mounted horses at midnight to return to Jiangning.

Reaching Jiangning’s outskirts after several days, darkness was falling when both noticed something amiss. Common people in groups of twos and threes hurried from outside toward the city, yet their expressions were excited as they talked and chattered – not like something bad had happened, but rather like rushing to a fair.

Returning to Shunde Tea House, Peng Haiwan rushed out with clerks to welcome them, and Chang Yu’er hurried out from the back upon hearing the news. With Yancheng’s civil unrest, Gu Pingyuan worried about danger and firmly refused to bring Chang Yu’er along. This trip began because of Bai Yimei, and thinking about it made him feel he had wronged his wife. When busy with embankment work it was bearable, but returning now, the closer to Jiangning, the worse he felt – he was almost afraid to face Chang Yu’er.

Unexpectedly, upon meeting, Chang Yu’er only inquired about his health and comfort, seeming to have completely forgotten about Bai Yimei. Liu Heita had also been worried, but seeing his sister had forgotten, he relaxed. However, Gu Pingyuan knew this was impossible – the more it wasn’t mentioned, the deeper the concern probably ran.

The couple tactfully avoided a mutually understood topic, making the atmosphere inevitably awkward. Peng Haiwan naturally understood such social dynamics and proactively raised another topic.

“Master, Master Liu, when you entered the city just now, did you see many people rushing into town?”

“Yes, seemed like some exciting event.”

“It’s a huge event indeed.” Peng Haiwan clapped his hands.

Tonight, capital merchant Li Wantang had invited forty to fifty of the most prominent merchants from the three Two Jiang provinces to gather at Tongqing Restaurant by Xuanwu Lake, saying he would join hands with a Yangzhou salt merchant to jointly operate the Lianghuai salt fields. Yangzhou salt merchants were once the wealthiest in the world, but since Tao Shu’s salt system reforms, they had been in decline for decades. No one expected Li Wantang to use this banner – everyone wanted to see which salt merchant had such fortune.

For common people, who operated the Lianghuai salt fields wasn’t important – what mattered was that the Li family announced they had assembled dozens of master craftsmen to create hundreds of fireworks, all “sky-full-of-color” grand displays, to be set off from bamboo rafts on the lake when contracts were signed tonight, celebrating the occasion.

This spectacle couldn’t be missed. Since the Great Southern and Northern Camps had surrounded Jiangning City, battle cries had been constant for ten years, leaving local people daily on edge – forget about drinking and entertainment, even smiling was rare. It was said this fireworks display imitated the one from when Emperor Qianlong toured the south, when Yangzhou salt merchant chief Jiang Chun set off fireworks on Slender West Lake that even the emperor praised – many were rare secret treasures normally unseen.

After such hardship for so many years, who wouldn’t want to enjoy this spectacle and broaden their horizons? Missing it would probably mean nightly regret and waking from dreams slapping their thighs for the rest of their lives. Therefore tonight, over 100,000 people from several counties outside Jiangning City plus nearby villages and towns flooded into this Stone City, planning to feast their eyes.

This was no small matter. The Military Patrol Office worried about troublemakers taking advantage and initially wanted to block access, but hearing that Li Wantang had even invited Governor Zeng Guofan to the banquet, they had no choice but to mobilize all city patrol units and officers to set up checkpoints along routes, searching people for weapons before allowing passage.

With already many people plus poor traffic flow, roads to Xuanwu Lake were packed solid. Among them were Gu Pingyuan and Liu Heita. After Peng Haiwan told this story at the tea house, no one expected that instead of Liu Heita who loved spectacles speaking up, Gu Pingyuan would actively suggest going to see.

Chang Yu’er worried about his fatigue, and Peng Haiwan said there were really too many people – going now would probably mean getting stuck halfway. But Gu Pingyuan insisted on going.

He wasn’t going to watch fireworks for entertainment, but because his heart was puzzled. Li Wantang had always monopolized everything – first trying to eliminate all Shanxi banks, then monopolizing “the world’s first tea,” and now apparently dominating salt trade. Given his temperament, why would he cooperate with others? There must be something suspicious. The Li family stirred up wind and rain in the Two Jiang provinces, and tonight’s grand display was clearly intentionally creating a big scene. Something unusual was happening – what did it mean? Gu Pingyuan decided to see for himself, also using this opportunity to understand Li Wantang better, as the saying goes: “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.”

The roads were indeed terribly blocked, but Gu Pingyuan had other methods. Before leaving, he had Peng Haiwan take many small silver pieces of one or two taels plus banknotes of five and ten taels from the counter.

Along the way, whenever he encountered checkpoints, Gu Pingyuan would discreetly slip a silver coin to someone when no one was looking, and when meeting military officers, he would use banknotes to clear the way. In just half an hour, he smoothly arrived beneath Tongqing Restaurant.

Tonight Tongqing Restaurant was decorated with lanterns everywhere. From each of the four eaves corners stretched a long rope, with large red lanterns hanging every foot apart – counting them revealed exactly one hundred. The entire restaurant had been rented by the capital merchants, and not only the second-floor private rooms but even the first-floor main hall was inaccessible. Gu Pingyuan used the same method, slipping a fifty-tael banknote to a waiter – equivalent to a year’s wages. Without a word, the waiter led Gu Pingyuan and Liu Heita upstairs to an inconspicuous corner with a square table meant for merchants’ attendants to wait for their masters’ summons. There weren’t many people at the table since banquets were also being held downstairs, and these attendants had gone down to eat.

“Gentlemen, please don’t speak, just watch quietly – that would be considerate of this humble one,” the waiter whispered.

“Don’t worry, we won’t cause you trouble,” Gu Pingyuan assured him. Soon the waiter brought hot tea and some pastries. Liu Heita, hungry from the long squeeze through crowds, wolfed down most of them quickly.

While he ate, Gu Pingyuan kept looking around, noticing that the screens dividing the second-floor private rooms had been removed, creating one brightly lit great hall. Eight large tables were arranged according to the eight trigrams pattern, with a screen in the northwest corner behind which red skirts and green jackets could be glimpsed – obviously the female family members brought by various families to the banquet.

In the large space between the eight tables, eight musicians were performing exactly what Gu Pingyuan had mentioned that day – “Eight Sounds in Harmony.”

Looking at the table settings, seven of the eight tables already had their dishes served – steaming bird’s nest and shark fin banquets with all manner of delicacies. Only the main table remained empty with the central seat vacant. Gu Pingyuan understood – Zeng Guofan hadn’t arrived yet, so dishes couldn’t be served out of respect. Though no food was served, the tableware was dazzling – a complete set of Kangxi five-color porcelain rarely seen even in princely mansions. Tongqing Restaurant certainly didn’t own such treasures – undoubtedly Li Wantang had brought them.

Looking at the seating on both sides, on the left sat the beaming Li Wantang with Li Qin and several capital merchant managers beside him. On the right, next to the head seat, sat an unfamiliar person – somewhat wretched-looking with a thin face full of the pallor of an opium smoker, about Li Wantang’s age, wearing brand-new clothes and hat clearly made for this occasion.

“Boss Pan, in the great days of Yangzhou salt merchants, there were eight chief merchants – people like Jiang Chun, Jiang Guangda, and Mrs. Wang were all celebrated salt merchant predecessors, though I Li regrettably never met them personally. I hear Boss Pan’s family was also one of the eight chief merchants. Though times aren’t so favorable now, having experienced those glorious days must have left deep impressions,” Li Wantang said, holding tea and smiling broadly at the middle-aged man in new clothes.

The man surnamed Pan, when asked, bowed in his seat with a face full of smiles and some fawning manner: “Master Li speaks truly. Even twenty or thirty years ago, though Yangzhou salt merchants weren’t as prosperous as in Qianlong’s reign, they still had vast family businesses, sitting atop mountains of gold and silver, each wealthy enough to rival nations.”

“That’s rather exaggerated. Even emperors who possess all under heaven only have the inner treasury – national treasury silver can’t be spent at will.”

“What does the national treasury matter!” Boss Pan blurted out, drawing shocked stares from around. Realizing his slip, he smiled awkwardly. Li Wantang encouraged: “We’re just chatting – Boss Pan, please continue. Let us from the capital gain some knowledge about how mighty Yangzhou salt merchants were in their day.”

“I dare not presume. These are all past matters…” Boss Pan’s face showed melancholy as if suddenly recalling many memories. “Well, let me tell you all, consider it entertainment over drinks. First about the national treasury – in Emperor Daoguang’s time, annual national treasury income was thirty million taels of silver, but that supported the entire realm. The eight chief Yangzhou salt merchants’ annual income was twelve million, just for their own spending. Comparing the two, the national treasury truly counted for nothing.”

“Put that way, there’s indeed some logic,” Li Wantang nodded.

Encouraged, Boss Pan grew bolder: “The story of Jiang Chun building Yangzhou’s White Pagoda overnight – you’ve all surely heard it. Such grand gestures were countless among Yangzhou salt merchants. Let me tell you a few more. One Yangzhou salt merchant loved horses. Others might prefer white ones or black ones, or four white hooves, or date-red or black stallions, but he was different – he specifically loved exotic multicolored breeds. Such horses only existed in the eastern islands of Japan, requiring ocean voyages to purchase, each worth over a hundred taels of gold. This salt merchant could buy hundreds of such horses, hiring hundreds of riders daily to drive them year-round from Yangzhou’s south gate, soon entering through the north gate in endless cycles, dazzling to watch. Gentlemen, imagine how much silver that cost per year for men and horses combined? Another once spent vast sums buying thousands of tumbler dolls produced in Suzhou, transporting them to the upper reaches of the Grand Canal and dumping them in the water. These tumblers floated downstream, nearly blocking the waterway as people along the banks, not understanding what was happening, came out with old and young to watch by the roadside. Spending so much money just to amuse that salt merchant – what a grand gesture! Don’t mention others – even this humble one once casually spent ten thousand gold to have thousands of gold leaf sheets made, taken up the twenty-plus zhang high Gaoming Temple’s Tianzhong Pagoda to scatter in the wind. They dispersed instantly, causing a sensation throughout Yangzhou as people rushed to the grass around Gaoming Temple to collect gold leaf, while only I stood high above, laughing uncontrollably at the crowd below. Unfortunately, the Tianzhong Pagoda was burned down by the Taiping rebels, though I hear shepherd boys occasionally still find gold leaf I scattered years ago in rock crevices.”

Li Wantang clicked his tongue repeatedly: “Boss Pan has indeed seen the grand world. I heard salt merchants’ breakfast eggs in those days cost ten taels of silver each, while market price was only three copper coins – why such a huge difference?”

“Hai, Master Li, you don’t understand. Do you think those egg-laying hens were raised on grass and insects? The chicken feed was mixed with the finest Changbai mountain ginseng plus valuable medicinal herbs like white atractylodes and astragalus. Common people couldn’t afford such good medicine even to save their lives – do you think ten taels per egg was expensive?”

“Not expensive, truly not expensive.”

Boss Pan, carried away with pride, swayed his head unconsciously: “I still remember in my youth, when Young Master Pan walked the streets, even the Yangzhou Prefect had to pay his respects to me. While others used handsome servants, I naturally had to be unique – my servants were all ugly and strange-looking. Ha! Some actually disfigured themselves just to serve me, coveting the generous rewards I gave servants. My family’s women wore clothes specially made by Suzhou’s master weavers, exclusively for the Pan family – outsiders couldn’t imitate them even if they tried.” He fumbled in his sleeve and produced a red handkerchief, holding it in his palm. “For instance, this ‘pampered red’ is cut from leftover silk in my family. It looks extremely rich at first glance, but under lamplight appears quite pale. The dyeing recipe has been lost – besides the half bolt remaining in my family, you couldn’t find another piece searching all the silk shops from north to south.”

“Oh, this deserves a look.” Li Wantang reached over to take the handkerchief, examining it carefully under the lamp, then passing it to guests at other tables. After making the rounds, it was returned to Boss Pan.

“If Master Li likes it, I’ll send the remaining half bolt to your mansion tomorrow – unfortunately my wife cut it up for clothing materials in recent years, so it’s not a complete bolt.”

“How could I take what someone treasures?” Li Wantang waved his hand dismissively, while Li Qin beside him snorted disdainfully, thinking: “Our family has countless rare treasures – you dare show off with half a bolt of cloth?”

Gu Pingyuan sat in the corner, his eyes never leaving Li Wantang and his table throughout. What puzzled him greatly was that this Boss Pan, judging by his appearance and behavior, was clearly a fallen playboy from a declining family, moreover unambitious, his heart dwelling on past days of luxury and ease. Such a good-for-nothing would squander even a small shop within a year. With Li Wantang’s talent and insight, if he could see this at a glance, how could Li Wantang not? Yet why had he chosen such a treasure from among old Yangzhou salt merchants to be chief manager of the salt shops? Gu Pingyuan couldn’t figure it out despite racking his brains, so he concentrated on watching the table’s developments.

“Gentlemen, this ‘Eight Sounds in Harmony’ I’ve presented today – merely listening with your ears, it’s just ordinary music. Only by watching with your own eyes can you appreciate its subtlety.” Li Wantang glanced at the screen hiding the female family members and smiled: “Everyone here are respected great merchants, and peddlers can’t reach this floor. I think we needn’t maintain such pretense. Today’s rare gathering, celebrating the cooperation between capital merchants and Yangzhou salt merchants – new and old masters of the Lianghuai salt fields joining hands – the ladies should also fully enjoy themselves. Why not remove this screen?”

Since the host suggested it, others naturally had no objections. Several handsome servants removed the screen, revealing just one banquet table behind it where wives and family members of various trade association leaders sat. Mrs. Li was among them, given the seat of honor. Her manner was extremely dignified without casual smiles, while Boss Pan’s wife and daughter were very deferential, smiling obsequiously as they made stilted conversation with her.

Just then, an attendant clattered upstairs to report that Governor Zeng’s carriage had reached the street corner. Li Wantang quickly left his seat, along with several capital merchant managers, to welcome him. Boss Pan also hesitantly stood, wanting to follow but feeling somewhat ashamed, ultimately remaining at the table.

Soon, like stars surrounding the moon, Zeng Guofan arrived with the Jiangning Prefect, county magistrate, and his staff advisors. The entire assembly rose to greet them, bowing in salute. Li Wantang led the way, guiding Zeng Guofan to the head seat. Though everyone present were great merchants, officials and civilians followed different paths – being able to dine with the Governor of Two Jiang provinces was truly a first in their lives, while all marveled at this Li Wantang from the northern capital, truly a figure with connections reaching heaven.

This single event already awed all the southern merchants.

After Zeng Guofan took his seat, the vast Tongqing Restaurant fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. Seeing this, he smiled genially and gestured: “Gentlemen masters and managers, this governor comes here today at the invitation of capital merchant Master Li to personally witness this great event in Jiangnan’s commercial world. Yet you neither speak, nor make sounds, nor move – this governor thought he’d entered the Hall of Heavenly Kings, facing wooden and clay sculptures.”

After the Governor’s jest, the atmosphere livened considerably. Li Wantang quickly ordered tea removed and wine and dishes served. When all dishes were arranged, he said to Zeng Guofan: “Your Excellency, except for this head table, all other settings are Tongqing Restaurant’s specialty bird’s nest and shark fin banquets.”

“From what you say, the head table where this governor sits isn’t Tongqing Restaurant’s specialty dishes?” Zeng Guofan knew Li Wantang must have more to say, asking with a smile.

“The dishes at this head table were specially prepared by chefs who once served Yangzhou salt merchants. All dishes are their privately created secret specialties, each with unique conception. Many were devised by literary guests employed by salt merchants after wracking their brains – unknown to the outside world, never before tasted by others. Today being the auspicious occasion of capital merchants joining hands with Yangzhou salt merchants, this humble one thought the food and wine should match the occasion.”

“Oh, hearing you say this, I’m quite curious to see.”

“Yes.” Li Wantang agreed, listing dish names for Zeng Guofan: “Wu Yishan’s Stir-fried Tofu, Tian Yanmen’s Deep-fried Chicken, Jiang Zhengtang’s Ten-style Pig Head, Wang Nanxi’s Mixed Sturgeon, Shi Pangzi’s Pear-shred Fried Pork, Zhang Sihui’s Whole Lamb, Wang Yinshan’s Boneless Fish, Wang Wenmi’s Mitten Crab Cakes, Guan Dashan’s Antique Soup, Kong Xuan’an’s Crab Noodles, Wensi Monk’s Tofu, Xiaoshan Monk’s Ma’anqiao…”

Each dish was prefixed with a person’s name – some salt merchants, some family cooks. The dishes were truly ingenious, fragrant throughout the building, with knife work, fire control, and ingredients all exquisite – all representing unparalleled techniques.

Though Zeng Guofan held the high position of Governor, his lifestyle was simple. Suddenly seeing these artfully crafted dishes, he couldn’t help exclaiming in wonder, then shook his head: “Heaven abhors excess. Yangzhou salt merchants of old pursued extreme luxury, fearing nothing wasn’t refined enough, no affair grand enough. Later when things reached their extreme, reversal was inevitable – also heaven’s will.”

Li Wantang pointed to two lower tables: “Your Excellency, the merchants at these two tables include Yangzhou salt merchants and their descendants. Though no longer in the salt business, they all conduct various trades.” Zeng Guofan looked down and found these merchants, compared to the industry leaders at other tables, not only lacked presence but dressed poorly, some even showing signs of malnutrition. Yangzhou salt merchants once dominated the world’s wealth, yet in merely twenty years had fallen so completely. Well-versed in history with rise and fall constantly in mind, he couldn’t help sighing, naturally thinking of Kong Shangren’s “Peach Blossom Fan.”

“Secretary Xue, do you remember the complete verse ‘I once saw golden Jinling palaces with orioles singing at dawn…’?”

Xue Fucheng was also a literary scholar, versed in all poetry and lyrics. With the Eight Sounds in Harmony playing melodiously, he tapped his chopsticks against his cup and sang in a gentle voice:

“I once saw golden Jinling palaces with orioles singing at dawn, Qinhuai pavilions with flowers blooming early – who knew they’d melt away so easily! I watched them build red mansions, watched them feast guests, watched their buildings collapse! These green-tiled ruins where I once slept in romantic dreams, having witnessed fifty years of rise and fall. Wuyi Lane no longer bears the Wang surname, Mochou Lake echoes with ghostly weeping at night, Phoenix Terrace roosts with owls. Mountain dreams are most real, old scenes hard to abandon – don’t believe this map will change! Compose a suite of ‘Lamenting Jiangnan,’ letting sorrowful voices sing until old.”

“Peach Blossom Fan” told the tragic story of Ming’s fall and Qing’s rise, precisely what happened in Jiangnan’s Jinling. With Yangzhou salt merchants present, these melancholy, fearful verses seemed as if Kong Shangren had prophesied a century ago the salt merchants’ coming decline from peak to ruin, written specifically about them. Each word and sentence was like a dull knife cutting flesh – how could those salt merchants bear it? Their hearts felt stabbed by needles. Several who had once reached great heights, looking at their northern and southern colleagues present, then thinking of these past dozen years of decline – selling houses and land, from rich banquets to empty stomachs, from grand mansions to shabby rooms, with creditors pounding at doors, not daring to return home even on New Year’s Eve. These tragic circumstances were truly like falling from heaven straight to hell in one step. Overcome with grief, some actually sobbed and covered their faces publicly.

Zeng Guofan sighed at the sight: “I heard that when former Two Jiang Governor Tao Shu reformed the salt system, blocking salt merchants’ wealth, they hired opera troupes to create a new play about two woodcutters going up the mountain who encountered a peach tree spirit and chopped it in half with their axes. Using the homophone between ‘peach tree’ and ‘Tao Shu,’ they cursed him to be beheaded and die early. Some salt merchants also paid to modify popular Jiangnan card games, drawing an official’s daughter on one card called ‘Miss Tao,’ alluding to Governor Tao’s female family members. They ruled that drawing ‘Miss Tao’ meant losing the entire hand, so whoever drew this card would curse and abuse it most viciously, calling it ‘The whole province curses Miss Tao!’ Cursing court officials and insulting their families – how poisonous their hearts, how vicious their methods! From this we can imagine the Yangzhou salt merchants’ various illegal activities when controlling salt administration. Their subsequent complete defeat was merely heaven’s justice.”

He looked at the two tables of salt merchants: “Master Li’s willingness to join hands with former salt merchants gives you all a rare opportunity. Whether you can rebuild your family businesses in your old trade depends on remembering past lessons, truly repenting, and dealing honestly.”

Unconsciously, the Governor had begun lecturing. All Yangzhou salt merchants including Boss Pan stood up, answering fearfully: “We will certainly follow Your Excellency’s teachings and never dare commit unconscionable acts again.”

“Sit down. On this joyous day I merely offer reminders – don’t let this spoil the mood. Master Li, wouldn’t you agree?”

Li Wantang had remained silent, just watching those salt merchants with a half-smile. When Zeng Guofan asked, he bowed: “Your Excellency speaks truly. Not only reminding Yangzhou salt merchants, but we capital merchants now entering salt fields should also follow Your Excellency’s words as our guide, never daring to repeat salt merchants’ past mistakes.”

Zeng Guofan silently praised Li Wantang’s exceptional understanding, immediately grasping the subtext in his words.

“Time grows late – please Your Excellency preside. Once Boss Pan and I sign the contract, all will be well and everyone can sit peacefully drinking and enjoying flowers.”

The flower-viewing referred to the spectacular fireworks display. At this moment, bamboo rafts made from eighteen large bamboo poles in neat squares had gathered in groups at Xuanwu Lake’s center, loaded with various types of fireworks of different heights, awaiting the signal. The “Eight Sounds in Harmony” was removed from the banquet, replaced by a writing desk with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, with two attendants serving. Li Wantang and Boss Pan stepped forward together. Li Wantang signed his name first and pressed his seal, then it was Boss Pan’s turn.

Boss Pan was at the height of satisfaction and pride. Among descendants of Yangzhou’s eight chief salt merchants, only he could handle Yangzhou salt business again. Seeing the envious yet flattering looks from old friends at the two lower tables, hoping to get some scraps from him, his heart felt especially bright. This was his family’s old trade – in the past, sitting motionless, money flowed into the house like water, truly unforgettable.

Originally among the eight chief merchants’ descendants, he had fared worst. Though he could still wear a long gown and put on airs when going out, he had actually been secretly relying on his wife and daughter’s prostitution for two years. Otherwise, even if he could endure hunger, Boss Pan’s opium addiction was truly unbearable. He still minded appearances, only helping his wife and daughter solicit customers with northern accents.

A few days ago when capital merchant representatives found him, saying Li Wantang planned to use the Yangzhou salt merchant banner and invite him to be chief manager of half the salt shops – this was truly a blessing you couldn’t find with a lantern. He nearly went mad with joy, quickly urging his wife and daughter to do one last “business transaction” and used the money for several sets of respectable new clothes.

Coming to today’s banquet, Boss Pan’s head was full of dreams about tomorrow’s return to silk and satin, delicacies, and crowds of attendants. As he daydreamed, he suddenly heard a not-too-loud “Eh?” right by his ear.

Turning his head, he saw the sound came from one of the Li family’s attendants, looking at him with complete amazement.

“Oh, it’s you,” the attendant said with a strange expression, ignoring his master’s presence and the Two Jiang Governor at the banquet, boldly stepping forward to stand before Boss Pan, looking him up and down.

Even beating a dog requires considering the owner. Seeing Li Wantang say nothing while this person kept staring at him, Boss Pan could only smile reluctantly: “Oh, is there something?”

“Nothing really, just some money matters I’d like to settle with Boss Pan.”

Boss Pan thought: “Trouble!” He owed money everywhere – debts upon debts, interest compounding. Could this be another creditor? But all his possible borrowings were small amounts, at most a hundred or so taels. Once the contract was signed, he could clear these debts with a casual gesture tomorrow. For now, he must preserve face at all costs and not let this affect the contract signing.

“Brother, regardless of how much I owe, after today I’ll repay you tenfold – I won’t break my word.”

The attendant smiled strangely: “Not at all – I’m the one who owes Boss Pan money.”

“That’s not urgent, we can settle later,” Boss Pan said, somewhat confused, thinking he’d mistaken him for someone else.

“No, no.” The attendant waved his hand. “Some debts can’t be owed. For instance, money for flower wine and sleeping with girls can’t be owed.”

Boss Pan shuddered, looking carefully at the person before him, his face suddenly changing dramatically.

The attendant ignored him now, turning to address everyone in a clear, unhurried voice: “On the eighth of last month, this humble one went to Yangzhou on business. After dinner, strolling the streets, I met this Boss Pan soliciting customers on Shantang Street, so I went to his house for a flower wine banquet with two females for company. From their conversation, they seemed to be mother and daughter – one a mature woman, one barely twenty. I simply slept with both of them. After that night of spring pleasure, returning to Jiangning, I realized I’d only paid the girls but forgot to pay for the flower wine.” He turned back, pulling a ten-tael banknote from his pocket and offering it with a dry laugh. “We don’t understand southern customs, but in the capital, ten taels of silver is enough for a decent spread. Boss Pan, please accept this.”

Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky producing a death-claiming ghost, Boss Pan’s hands and feet turned ice-cold, his whole body shaking violently as he stared at the attendant in stunned silence. Looking around, people gazed at him as if seeing demons, their expressions utterly shocked.

“No, no…” Boss Pan pushed outward unconsciously with both hands, then suddenly said viciously: “You dare slander innocents as prostitutes – believe it or not, I’ll drag you to the authorities!”

“Hey, Boss Pan, that’s not right of you to say. You were the one who said that old one and young one at home were both Yangzhou thin horses, telling me to have a good taste. I tasted them – they were indeed fine. I even gave an extra five taels as reward money the next morning, and that money went into your pocket, didn’t it? How can you deny it now?” The attendant said unhurriedly, pointing to the women’s table: “Look there – those two women. One night as husband and wife creates a hundred days of affection – how could I fail to recognize them?”

He was pointing at Boss Pan’s wife and daughter, who now also stared at him pale-faced, their teeth chattering.

“Complete nonsense! My Pan family is one of the eight chief merchants, with mountains of gold and silver at home – how could we do such things? You have no proof – who would believe you!” Boss Pan said, stepping forward to grab the attendant.

“No proof? You’re wrong about that.” The attendant’s face darkened. “Your eldest daughter is truly lovely – honestly, I was quite reluctant to leave her. That morning I took one of her undergarments as a keepsake. Look here, I’m still carrying it close to my body.” The attendant actually pulled a red undergarment from his bosom, grinning: “Everyone look – isn’t this the unique ‘pampered red’ that Boss Pan just said only the Pan family could use?”

This truly drove Boss Pan to desperation. He stared blankly at the gauzy undergarment, unable to say another word in refutation. Time seemed frozen – who knows how long passed before a sharp scream was heard. Boss Pan’s daughter covered her face and rushed from the building, tumbling headfirst down the stairs. Cries of alarm immediately arose from below. Boss Pan’s wife let out a brief shriek, then fainted to the floor.

The lightning-quick tragedy left the entire assembly in dead silence. Boss Pan stiffened his neck, staring with lifeless eyes at the contemptuous yet pitying gazes from all directions. Suddenly he looked up to heaven and laughed wildly, swaying unsteadily as he walked out in his maniacal laughter.

Xue Fucheng, though well-traveled and experienced, had never seen such a thing. Though he watched in dazzled confusion, he knew clearly that calling this coincidence would be deceiving ghosts – this was obviously a trap set by Li Wantang, precisely to completely strip Boss Pan of face before the public. He couldn’t imagine that Li Wantang, so refined in appearance, could be so ruthlessly calculating. Whatever grudge he had with this Pan fellow, to go to such elaborate lengths, specially inviting the Two Jiang Governor and commercial leaders to stage this drama before the entire city’s people! Without waiting until tomorrow, tonight’s events would spread throughout the three Two Jiang provinces like wings, becoming known nationwide within a month.

The Pan family was finished, their ancestors also disgraced. Even if Boss Pan didn’t go mad or die, no one would ever treat him as human again.

Not only killing a person, but stripping away their last shred of dignity before the killing – this was Li Wantang’s method! Xue Fucheng looked at Li Wantang, who maintained his smile and showed no emotion, feeling chilled to the bone.

In the silence, Li Wantang slowly spoke: “I truly didn’t expect such a thing to happen. Boss Pan being so shameless, not even sparing his wife and daughter, naturally wouldn’t show any integrity to others. It seems heaven favors the capital merchants, exposing his true nature at this moment to prevent the Li family from signing contracts with such a person – that would truly be a great misfortune.”

No one spoke or responded; everyone seemed to have lost the ability to react, only watching Li Wantang with their eyes, seeing what he would do next. Xue Fucheng glanced sideways and noticed that though Zeng Guofan’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes had narrowed long ago, also focusing intently on this capital merchant leader.

Li Wantang delicately picked up the half-signed contract with two fingers – only bearing his own signature and seal. Holding this paper, he walked several steps to stand between the two tables of Yangzhou salt merchants, raising one hand and shaking it slightly. Looking left and right at these former salt merchants: “I Li am most reasonable. Since I’ve already said I would select someone from among Yangzhou salt merchants to be chief manager of half the salt shops in the three Two Jiang provinces, I will certainly keep my word. Though the previous choice was wrong, fortunately no great mistake was made. I’ve already signed this contract – may I ask which of you present former masters of Lianghuai salt fields will complete it by adding the other name?”

The dozen-plus salt merchants looked at each other, then simultaneously raised their eyes to the contract in Li Wantang’s hand, all pale as earth. If previously they envied Boss Pan, thinking that document was a treasure bowl, now they were grateful not to have been chosen by Li Wantang, not to have stepped into this trap full of venomous snakes.

“How is it that among Yangzhou salt merchants, no one is willing to take charge of salt shops?” Li Wantang asked again.

Who would dare! These merchants had just witnessed Li Wantang using salt shops as bait to destroy a Yangzhou salt merchant’s family before the public. Examining themselves – whether in scheming, capabilities, influence, or wealth – none could compare with the Li family. Rashly accepting the contract might result in an even worse fate than Boss Pan’s.

Li Wantang shook his head: “Fellow merchants all saw – I offered the opportunity, but all Yangzhou salt merchants are unwilling to do salt business anymore. The Li family cannot force anyone.” He paused, then called: “Li An!”

Li An had been waiting for this call. Today’s events were actually all arranged by him behind the scenes, everything proceeding according to plan. The Pan family was finished, salt merchants were all silent as cold cicadas – now it was his turn to take the stage. After serving as a subordinate in the Li household so long, he could finally hold his head high as chief manager of hundreds of salt shops. Though he usually kept his composure, now he was so excited he could barely contain himself. Just as he was about to respond, suddenly an indignant shout came from the corner: “Master Li, I’ll sign this contract with you!”

Gu Pingyuan had been quietly watching from the corner. Seeing Li Wantang’s ruthless destruction of Boss Pan’s family, anger immediately blazed in his heart. He instinctively felt that Li Wantang’s actions were “killing the chicken to warn the monkey,” using this occasion to warn all Jiangnan merchants who might compete with capital merchants and the Li family for profit, telling them to stay away from Li family territory. In other words, Li Wantang was clearly announcing that whatever profits the Li family wanted, others must step aside – otherwise Boss Pan’s fate awaited them.

Li Wantang was too domineering! Even monopolizing business couldn’t be done this way. The marketplace being like a battlefield was true, but this life-and-death approach, where whatever profits the Li family wanted, others who even reached out would either have fingers severed or families destroyed – this was too harsh.

Only at this moment did Gu Pingyuan truly understand what Old Master Hu had told him at Qiyun Mountain: “Li Wantang is a man-eating tiger who spits out no bones. With him watching covetously nearby, Anhui merchants will have no good fruit to eat sooner or later.” Not just Anhui merchants – Li Wantang was pointing his spear at all Jiangnan merchants who might compete with him for profit. Seeing no Yangzhou salt merchant dare rise to the challenge, Gu Pingyuan couldn’t help but slam the table and stand up. At this moment, he decided to accept what he hadn’t agreed to do for Old Master Hu previously.

“You?” Li Wantang hadn’t expected Gu Pingyuan to be here. Slightly startled, before he could speak, Li Qin had already sprung up: “Gu Pingyuan! The Li family didn’t invite you – how dare you crash this banquet! Get out!”

His shout of “Gu Pingyuan” made Mrs. Li’s pupils immediately contract, staring unblinkingly at this young man. But Gu Pingyuan wouldn’t lose his manners, walking to the center to bow to his fellow merchants, then stepping forward to pay respects to Zeng Guofan.

“So it’s Master Gu – just returned to Jiangning? You’ve worked hard. Regarding the sea embankment matter, the new Yancheng County Magistrate already sent a special report a few days ago. You did very well – this governor is very satisfied.” Zeng Guofan, who had remained silent, suddenly brightened and warmly praised him.

Gu Pingyuan humbly responded, then turned to Li Qin: “Young Master Qin, don’t be anxious. Once I sign the contract, I’ll naturally leave.”

“Contract? Ridiculous – what contract do you want to sign!” Li Qin glared at him.

“Of course the unfinished contract in Master Li’s hand. I’m willing to accept this business and become chief manager of half the Lianghuai salt field’s salt shops.”

“Bah!” Li Qin, disregarding the Governor’s presence, scolded: “You’re dreaming! Didn’t you hear clearly? The Li family is asking if any Yangzhou salt merchants are willing to cooperate in business. You’re neither a Yangzhou salt merchant nor have any connection to salt fields – what qualifies you?”

“Master Li.” Someone at the banquet suddenly spoke deliberately – when he opened his mouth, others had to listen carefully. “In this governor’s view, Master Gu cannot be said to have no connection to salt fields. Don’t forget – he built the entire sea embankment, not only protecting farmland but also safeguarding the Lianghuai salt fields’ salt lands.”

Xue Fucheng quickly glanced at Zeng Guofan. Zeng Guofan had clearly seen through Gu Pingyuan’s intentions in rushing to build the sea embankment at the government office, and today he directly revealed the deeper meaning, obviously supporting Gu Pingyuan.

“Your Excellency… what do you mean?” Li Wantang inquiringly looked at Zeng Guofan.

“This governor won’t interfere with Li family business. Who to choose as salt shop chief manager is naturally Master Li’s decision – this governor has no authority and no desire to intervene. I’m merely saying that Master Gu seems qualified to sign this contract with you.”

Though he said this, Zeng Guofan’s meaning was completely clear – pretending not to understand or stubbornly refusing to acknowledge Gu Pingyuan’s qualifications would be directly snubbing the Two Jiang Governor’s face.

Who would dare do such a thing? Li Wantang hesitated briefly, then smiled: “Your Excellency is absolutely right. Without Master Gu’s dedicated embankment work, the salt lands would have been lost long ago – what salt shops would there be to discuss?” He then addressed Gu Pingyuan: “Master Gu, do you truly wish to cooperate with the Li family in operating salt shops?”

Gu Pingyuan said nothing, walked to Li Wantang, extended his hand for the contract, picked up the brush to sign his name, pressed his bright red seal, and looked up at Li Wantang.

“Haha.” Zeng Guofan laughed happily, not only laughing but gently clapping. With his lead, though others had various thoughts, they all followed suit in applause.

“Though there were minor complications earlier, everything has concluded satisfactorily. Come, everyone drink this cup in celebration.” Zeng Guofan raised his cup first, others naturally following. Servants brought two cups of wine – Gu Pingyuan and Li Wantang each took one, eyes meeting. Gu Pingyuan’s gaze was sharp as a blade, while Li Wantang’s eyes were like bottomless depths.

“Master Li, please!”

“Master Gu, please!”

Cups touched, both drained them in one gulp, and everyone also drank this cup of unknown flavor. Just as they were in a daze, suddenly came a “crack” from the women’s table – whether Mrs. Li hadn’t held it steady or what, her wine cup fell and shattered on the floor. Looking at her, her face was fierce, staring deadly at the scene – unclear whether she was watching Li Wantang or Gu Pingyuan.

Tongqing Restaurant’s staff had long received instructions – once the contract was signed, they must immediately signal the bamboo rafts on the lake. They didn’t care who signed contracts with whom – the signing was complete, so large lanterns were quickly raised in lakeside trees.

Immediately came earth-shaking sounds as fire dragons danced skyward, transforming into trees of fire and silver flowers. Lakeside people desperately stamped their feet and cheered, suddenly filling the city with clamor and sky with fireworks.

In this flickering light and shadow, the faces of everyone upstairs at Tongqing Restaurant were also difficult to read for good or ill fortune, except that Li Wantang, Li Qin, Li An, Mrs. Li, plus Zeng Guofan, Xue Fucheng and those great merchants – all their gazes were focused on one person.

Night was deep, yet in the pavilion of the Governor’s residence back garden, listening carefully, one could still hear the din of voices across several streets. This ancient capital of six dynasties, this Stone City, hadn’t been so lively for many years.

“Secretary Xue, what do you think of today’s events at Tongqing Restaurant?”

Xue Fucheng pondered briefly: “I think Your Excellency’s judgment was truly accurate.”

“Hehe.” Zeng Guofan chuckled. “This governor asked for your opinion, not for flattery.”

Xue Fucheng smiled: “I still remember when Your Excellency first met Li Wantang, you said he was no ordinary man. Observing his actions, one indeed cannot help but be wary. Later Your Excellency also mentioned that Gu Pingyuan’s eagerness to build sea embankments showed his intention to move against the capital merchants’ territory – today’s banquet proved this completely.”

“Gu Pingyuan forcibly wedged himself into Li family territory. Henceforth they’ll inevitably engage in open and covert struggles, which this governor doesn’t wish to see. Remember that at the Lianghuai salt fields’ peak, half the nation’s tax revenue came from there. If Li Wantang’s seasoned scheming combines with Gu Pingyuan’s sincere dedication, the Lianghuai salt fields could quickly restore their former glory, perhaps even surpassing Qianlong’s era in prosperity.”

Xue Fucheng nodded in agreement. Though the Two Jiang Governor handled countless daily affairs, most ultimately came down to one word – “money.” If the Two Jiang provincial treasury were wealthy, many problems would be easily solved without great mental strain.

“No wonder Your Excellency secretly helped Gu Pingyuan today – you want him to display his talents at the Lianghuai salt fields, quickly opening financial sources for the Two Jiang provinces. Your Excellency is right – these two working together would have more money-making ideas than anyone.”

“However, these two have old grudges. This governor worries they cannot work harmoniously together, instead spending all their time scheming against each other – wouldn’t that defeat the purpose?” Zeng Guofan frowned again. “We must find a method.”

“Hey, you didn’t see! Throughout Tongqing Restaurant, even Two Jiang Governor Zeng was intimidated by Li Wantang, but only Brother Gu stood up and shouted: ‘Li Wantang, I dare sign a contract with you!’ This scared Li Bancity so badly he nearly fainted!” Liu Heita, having witnessed events firsthand, was now surrounded by Shunde Tea House’s managers and clerks, gesticulating excitedly with foam flying from his mouth.

Chang Yu’er, seeing others listening in stunned silence, was first to burst out laughing: “Big Brother, I don’t believe what you’re saying. Besides you, who else speaks so crudely? How could Ancient Brother shout and call himself ‘laozi’? That’s clearly you describing yourself!” Everyone realized this was indeed true, so they all shook their heads.

Liu Heita most feared being called a braggart. Glaring with copper-bell eyes, he took two steps to Gu Pingyuan’s side as he drank tea, saying roughly: “Brother Gu, tell them yourself – didn’t you seize half the capital merchants’ salt shops and make that bastard Li Wantang eat humble pie?”

Gu Pingyuan smiled without speaking. Peng Haiwan laughed: “Li Wantang was so arrogant, never expecting Master Gu to outflank him and seize half his financial sources – he’s probably raging at his mansion now.”

Only then did Gu Pingyuan speak: “You’re all making it sound too easy. What half the salt shops, half the financial sources – don’t forget, I’m not a Lianghuai salt field shareholder but a manager hired by the Li family to operate salt shops. If I don’t perform well, Li Wantang and other shareholders could gather and dismiss me with a single word.”

“Ah, Brother Gu, you mean after all this trouble, you’re going to work as Li Wantang’s laborer? Help him earn silver?” Liu Heita finally understood, his face immediately changing. Seeing Gu Pingyuan slowly nod, he exploded: “This won’t do!”

“To be fair, the Li family’s contract is quite generous – one-tenth of salt shop net profits goes to the chief manager, meaning me, four-tenths to the Li family, remaining five-tenths to the common fund, divided among shareholders at year’s end. Li Wantang was very generous, giving the chief manager without capital one-tenth of net profits – this percentage was probably specially set for his own people, never expecting me to get there first.” Gu Pingyuan wasn’t wrong – this ten percent had originally been promised to Li An. He pointed to the contract on the table: “But even if he only gave one percent profit, I wouldn’t complain. I’m determined to be this chief manager and will work hard at it, making my salt shops earn gold daily.”

“That just lets Li Wantang take huge advantage! Brother Gu, are you… are you ill?” Liu Heita exclaimed.

“When Brother Gu does things, he naturally has his reasons. Remember when he wanted to build sea embankments, you all said he was making wedding clothes for capital merchants – now hasn’t it come in handy?” Chang Yu’er always sided with her husband, leaving Liu Heita speechless with a few words.

Peng Haiwan also realized he’d been thinking wrongly, smiling embarrassedly: “Master, you’ve indeed entered the Lianghuai salt fields and obtained management rights to half the salt shops – honestly not easy. But what’s the next step? If the Li family and other shareholders won’t sell shares, you’ll forever be just a chief manager, only able to obey orders, never able to compete as equals. Still doing whatever they say – what’s the point?”

Liu Heita perked up again: “That’s exactly what I’m thinking, just couldn’t express it as clearly as Manager Peng.”

“Everything requires dedicated effort before natural success can follow. When I first built sea embankments, it was only to connect with salt fields – I never imagined it would make me salt shop chief manager. Now I’m much closer to Old Master Hu’s hopes – might as well slowly apply persistent effort. Great things are possible.”

“Does Master Gu want to drive Li Wantang from the Lianghuai salt fields?”

Gu Pingyuan laughed: “Manager Peng, you’re thinking too simply. Remember that Li Wantang has already voluntarily abandoned Beijing business, transferring the Li family’s entire lifeline to the Lianghuai salt fields. Attacking salt fields equals cutting the Li family’s vital roots – wouldn’t he fight desperately? Ask yourself – what merchant in the world could withstand the Li family’s full retaliation? Such mutual destruction isn’t proper business practice.”

“Then… does Master plan to cooperate with him?”

“Not exactly.” Gu Pingyuan gazed at the eaves outside the window, thinking as he spoke: “Cooperation is my first principle in dealing with people, but someone like Li Wantang – doing joint business with him requires constant vigilance, like sleeping with snakes. I want to find a method to restrain the Li family, preventing them from monopolizing everything and turning the Two Jiang commercial world into a smoky mess.”

“What method?” Several people around asked in unison.

Gu Pingyuan spread his hands: “You just heard how cold and domineering Li Wantang’s methods are. To control him requires making him completely convinced. But making someone like him submit is probably harder than bankrupting him. I have no idea right now – can only take things step by step. Next I must operate the salt shops well, not giving Li Wantang excuses to attack, first stabilizing our position.”

“Master, though I’m an outsider to salt business, wherever you can use me, just say the word.” Peng Haiwan was first to pledge support, other clerks also responding.

“Everyone guard the old base, leaving me a retreat – I’ll be endlessly grateful.” Gu Pingyuan bowed, then said to Peng Haiwan: “As for Manager Peng, you’ve already helped me tremendously with salt shop business.”

“Me?” Peng Haiwan pointed at his own nose, blinking hard: “I’m confused – what help did I give?”

Gu Pingyuan smiled, looking toward his wife. Chang Yu’er had already gone to fetch a ledger from their room, now placing it in her husband’s hands, saying softly: “As soon as I heard you’d taken over hundreds of salt shops, I knew this ledger would definitely be useful.”

The couple’s minds were in perfect harmony. Gu Pingyuan opened the ledger, and Peng Haiwan craned his neck to see – this was exactly the register of capable managers and clerks he’d compiled with several colleagues throughout the Two Jiang provinces at Gu Pingyuan’s request.

“Here, and here – I’ve marked them all. Some people I’ll visit personally, the rest will require Manager Peng’s personal efforts to invite them to Jiangning for meetings.”

“I’ll go too.” Liu Heita, unable to sit idle, volunteered.

“Big Brother.” Chang Yu’er worried: “If people won’t come, don’t start fights with them.”

“Hey, I’m going to invite people, not arrest them.” Liu Heita was somewhat impatient, then said something that nearly made everyone burst with laughter: “Brother Gu, don’t worry – if anyone won’t come, I’ll tie them up and bring them to see you.”