What was Pei Yan, whom Yu Tang was thinking about, doing right now?
He was twirling a string of eighteen purple sandalwood prayer beads in his hand, leaning casually against the large pillow on the arhat bed, listening to people from the Wu and Peng families engaging in pointed exchanges.
Tao Qing sat in the seat below Pei Yan. Seeing this scene, he lowered his eyelids and said to Pei Yan in a low voice: “What exactly do you mean? Give me the bottom line so I’ll know what to say later.”
Hearing this, the corners of Pei Yan’s mouth curved up. In an equally low voice, he replied to Tao Qing: “What can I do? This isn’t just the Pei family’s matter alone! Of course, if someone thinks this is our family’s matter alone, that’s fine too. Everyone can just go home. Whatever happens, the Pei family will shoulder it—we’ll have no second thoughts.”
“What do you mean by that?!” Tao Qing was displeased hearing this and said: “When the nest is overturned, how can any eggs remain intact? This is a time when we need to unite and overcome difficulties together. How can you say such things? Had I known this would be your attitude, I wouldn’t have come. After all, whether the Maritime Trade Offices in Ningbo and Quanzhou are abolished has nothing to do with our Tao family, does it? If anyone should be anxious, it’s not me.”
Pei Yan pursed his lips and discovered that the hall, which had been like a marketplace moments ago, had suddenly fallen silent—even his breathing could faintly be heard. Pei Yan couldn’t help but glance around. Only then did he discover that at some unknown point, everyone had quietly sat there looking at him, as if waiting for him to speak and make decisions.
When had he become so important?
Or was it that these Jiangnan aristocratic families had suddenly discovered he still had some use?
Pei Yan sneered twice inwardly, but his face showed nothing. He still said with a stern expression: “If everyone still has any thoughts, speak them all now! So as to avoid discussing behind backs, complaining, and playing tricks.”
Tao Qing very much agreed with this viewpoint and immediately said: “Once we leave this room, everyone must present a united front and work together wholeheartedly. Whatever objections or dissatisfaction you have, hold it in, hide it. We’ll talk about it after we get through this crisis.”
Lord Peng’s heartstrings relaxed.
Things like the Third Prince amassing wealth in Jiangnan—there was nothing to worry about. People who did this had only two objectives. One was to use this to strike at the Third Prince; two was to use this reason to extort another round. Whether the former or the latter, for them it was just a matter of paying more money. But if someone used this as an excuse, feeling that the Jiangnan aristocratic families’ businesses were too large and suggested closing the trading ports, that would be trouble. Guangzhou was still manageable—it had always been the most important trading port. Ningbo and Quanzhou were another matter. The coastal areas of Fujian and Zhejiang were rampant with Japanese pirates, becoming increasingly brazen. Sometimes they would even come ashore to burn, kill, and plunder. Many people felt these pirates couldn’t be suppressed because merchant ships provided them cover, making it difficult to distinguish which were pirates and which were sailors. The best method was scorched earth—close the Maritime Trade Offices in Ningbo and Quanzhou and implement a sea ban. Moreover, such policies had been tried in the previous dynasty and at the beginning of the current dynasty’s founding, and indeed the pirates had decreased significantly.
The Peng and Song families and others relied on either Quanzhou’s port or Ningbo’s port for maritime trade. If the Maritime Trade Offices in these two places were abolished, it would be a fatal blow to their businesses. But for the Tao family, occupying Guangzhou’s geographical position, their business could reach even greater heights.
He wanted to mislead Tao Qing into thinking that this time the court was actually targeting not just the Jiangnan aristocratic families, but was envious of the wealth in their hands. Dealing with the Pei family was just an excuse for the court to make an example of them. This way, he could use this opportunity to get the Tao family to open their Guangzhou port to these Jiangnan families.
And Tao Qing had indeed fallen for his scheme, agreeing to advance and retreat together with them.
He contentedly took a sip of tea, feeling that Tao Qing was still a bit green, too emotional. The Tao family could only go so far.
What a waste of the Guangzhou port!
Lord Peng calculated inwardly whether he could form a marriage alliance with the Tao family or something, then slowly expand the Peng family business to Guangzhou through this connection.
Over there, Fourth Master Song couldn’t hide the joy in his heart.
He knew how formidable the Pei family was, but that was under Old Master Pei. The current Pei Yan simply followed the rules left by Old Master Pei and hadn’t demonstrated any extraordinary abilities. Now the Tao and Pei families stood together. With Tao Qing’s capabilities, he would definitely be able to lead them through this crisis.
Fourth Master Song immediately became completely confident and was the first to stand up and declare: “Brother Tao, rest assured. We can’t control others, but our Song family will definitely advance and retreat together with everyone. Whatever we have to say, we’ll say it now. Once we leave this hall, we won’t complain even half a sentence. If I speak too bluntly later, I ask everyone here in advance to be understanding!” After speaking, he even bowed to everyone, thinking himself quite humorous.
Lord Wu barely suppressed a snort.
This fool—how did he become the Song family patriarch? The Song family also had substantial assets and business, yet he hadn’t squandered it all with such antics. Truly enviable.
Thinking this, he glanced at Pei Yan.
In the somewhat dim hall, pale and luminous, handsome to the point of breathlessness, and holding the wealth and connections built up over generations of the Pei family’s struggles—how could one not be jealous?
If they had such a son-in-law, how many benefits could the Wu family gain?
Especially since he’d watched the Song and Peng families begin partnering in shipbuilding, and the Pengs—what arrogant people they were—had been rendered docile by the Pei family backing the Songs. This showed the Pei family was completely capable of shipbuilding and maritime trade. Why didn’t they do it? Were they afraid having too much money would make people jealous and target them?
Just how many businesses did the Pei family have?
Lord Wu stroked his chin, feeling that for the Wu family’s desire to form a marriage alliance with the Pei family, he needed to personally take action. As long as the Wu and Pei families became in-laws, at least on the waterways from Taihu Lake to Suzhou, he was confident he could make the Song family stand by and watch helplessly.
Lord Wu pondered this in his heart and decided to speak last, first listening to what others had to say.
Lord Peng didn’t take the Wu family seriously at all—a momentary nouveau riche who had only risen in recent years through Jiang Hua. The Wu family should listen when they spoke—this was as it should be. Therefore, he paid no attention to the Wu family and addressed Pei Yan directly: “What does Gu Chaoyang mean? Isn’t the Gu family a Jiangnan clan? Yet he actually came to Jiangnan Circuit on orders to investigate the Third Prince’s case. What does he want to do? What does the Gu family mean? Didn’t he come to visit you first thing upon arriving in Jiangnan?”
He was asking Pei Yan.
Although the Gu family was a prominent surname in Hangzhou, generations of officials, a scholarly family of cultivation, they had declined severely in recent years. There weren’t many family members who were officials above the fourth rank, and as for business affairs, there was even less to say. In the Peng family’s view, they could barely make ends meet. There was no need for them to appear on such an occasion.
The Pei family had just formed a marriage alliance with the Gu family, and the Gu family daughter was marrying the eldest grandson of the Pei family’s main branch.
Pei Yan once again felt the trouble of forming a marriage alliance with the Gu family.
He said indifferently: “It’s better that Gu Chaoyang is a censor. As Lord Peng said, the Gu family is also a Jiangnan clan. He couldn’t possibly do something that betrays his ancestors unless he doesn’t want the Gu family to stay in Jiangnan anymore. Speaking of which, although our Pei family is hosting this gathering, it was the Peng family’s idea. I’d like to ask, should we first resolve the Third Prince’s case? Or first resolve the matter of abolishing the Maritime Trade Offices? Gu Chaoyang happens to be here too. If necessary, we might as well have him come over to chat. Pool our wisdom!”
Fourth Master Song thought this was good: “People should meet face to face. Whatever matters there are, it’s best to discuss them in person!”
He didn’t believe Gu Chaoyang would dare make decisions detrimental to the Jiangnan aristocratic families in front of everyone.
Lord Peng despised Fourth Master Song inwardly.
Afraid of even a Gu Chaoyang who had just entered officialdom—what could he accomplish?
Had he known back then that he was such a coward, he would have partnered with the Wu family in shipbuilding.
Now it was too late for regrets!
“Then let’s invite Gu Chaoyang over to chat.” Tao Qing made the decision immediately: “Whatever we have to say, we’ll say it clearly to his face. That’s better than guessing behind his back.”
Pei Yan didn’t care either way.
Gu Chaoyang had come to find him to discuss Miss Gu and Pei Tong’s marriage. He probably didn’t think highly of this match and wanted to support Miss Gu. He had proactively stated his purpose and even asked if Pei Yan needed help.
Then he might as well provide a venue for him to perform.
He called out to Pei Qi, who was guarding the door, and had him go invite the person.
Pei Qi responded and left.
Lord Wu then brought up Old Master Pei with Pei Yan: “The mourning period ends in September, right? Taihu Lake is a bit far from here. Give me advance notice so I can come pay my respects to the old master.”
Because Old Madam Pei had high seniority, Lord Wu and Fourth Master Song considered each other brothers. By the Song family’s reckoning, Old Madam Pei could barely be considered Lord Wu’s elder. But Jiangnan aristocratic families often intermarried—there were even cases of aunt and niece becoming sisters-in-law. Kinship was always calculated through the male line.
Pei Yan had been closely associated with Jiang Hua for a period and was very familiar with the Wu family’s flattering methods. He treated the Wu family people with courtesy tinged with distance and said with a smile: “I’ll definitely let you know in advance.”
Lord Wu then brought up maritime trade: “The ships have already been launched for trials and feel quite good. I originally wanted to set sail from Ningbo. If the Maritime Trade Office in Ningbo is closed, won’t we have to drag these ships to Guangzhou? That would be a huge loss.” As he spoke, he revealed a bitter smile.
Pei Yan was unconcerned.
The Wu family still had the grain transport business!
If they couldn’t go by sea or the Grand Canal, they could take a detour via river routes.
Lord Peng, who had been listening with pricked ears all along, immediately said: “How is this year’s grain transport business? I heard there was a poor harvest in the Two Lakes region. Where have the salt permits gone?”
Lord Wu didn’t want to discuss his family’s core business much and stammered with Lord Peng for a long time without producing any coherent information.
Fortunately, Gu Chaoyang arrived, leaving the two no time to engage in close combat.
Gu Chaoyang told everyone that the Chief Eunuch Wang Qibao from the Directorate of Ceremonial had also come: “He came following Wei Sanfu. Wei Sanfu is in the open, he’s in the shadows. I don’t know where Wang Qibao has gotten to now.”
Everyone exchanged glances.
Wei Sanfu was a prominent eunuch in the Directorate of Ceremonial who enjoyed deep trust from the Emperor—otherwise he wouldn’t have been sent to Jiangnan. But this Wang Qibao was the Emperor’s chief companion from his days as a prince, a true confidant, a big shot among the Twenty-Four Offices who rarely left the capital.
That he had also come along this time—it was probably not as simple as just the Third Prince’s case!
One must know, the Third Prince had grown up riding on Wang Qibao’s back when he was young. And Wei Sanfu, it was said, had always been privately close with the Second Prince.
Lord Peng’s head ached.
He wasn’t afraid of these princes demanding money from them. He was afraid of these princes forcing them to choose sides.