Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Hearing the news of the Ming family bidding, Fan Xian furrowed his brows as if he had not expected the other party to respond so quickly and shrewdly. However, his heart was still calm. This was something he had expected; the Ming family was not a pig waiting for slaughter. Although the events before them had happened suddenly, someone intelligent and scheming like Ming Qingda must have a decent method of response.
After Eunuch Huang and Guo Zheng heard the news, their spirits were roused and long-seated buttocks finally shifted forward slightly. They listened to the sounds in the yard with anticipation.
Only Xue Qing remained as he was, unperturbed, savoring the fine tea in his bowl.
This was the fifth lot and it not one the Ming family wanted. However, they chose to make a bid now and take the initiative among all those who did not dare to act and push down a little on the arrogance of Xia Qifei and his group in room B4. There was also an even more important reason. They were using a traceless underhand method to drag out the time and slow down the proceedings.
Thus, this round of bidding was particularly unamusing, even boring. It was a far cry from the first exciting round when Xia Qifei and the Xiong family of Lingnan had targeted each other as if their knives clashed. It couldn’t even compare to the previous few rounds.
The Ming family bid a very low price. There wasn’t a shred of sincerity to be seen. Ming Qingda did not care about this. He watched with a smile as his son and the shopkeepers of his clan dawdled away the time.
One round of bidding took many quarters of an hour. The Ming family calculated accounts shakily like a beginner. They made bids as shyly as virgin maiden. When they handed over the leather envelope, they moved as inconveniently as a toothless old woman.
They dragged out time in any way possible. Their master went to the accounts room and cooperated with great tacit understanding. It indeed made everyone anxious with waiting, but they had no way of finding a problem. The transport company official responsible for making announcements was beginning to yawn on the stone steps. The bidding for the fifth lot still had not ended.
Xia Qifei’s price had always been much higher than that of the Ming family’s, but before the end of the third round of bidding, no one was allowed to skip to the next step.
The Jiangnan merchants began to chat and drink tea. These old foxes could all see what the old Ming master intended to do and knew that, for today, it would probably only be possible to reach the fifth lot.
The sun above them slowly but surely moved toward the west. The words and actions of the Ming family progressed slowly and sloppily. A little bird landed in the yard and looked curiously around at the yawning people. It did not seem to understand why everything in this yard was moving in slow motion.
The Ming family were not in a rush.
The Jiangnan merchants were not in a rush.
Jiangnan governor, Xue Qing, was even less of in a rush.
One wondered if the bandits in room B4 would be driven mad by this patient simmering of soup over a low heat. However, Fan Xian, under the careful scrutiny of the crowd, hid the sign of impatience between his brows. He was at peace in his heart, full of approval for the Ming family’s shrewd patience and shameless methods.
The sun gradually approached the western mountains. It dragged out the shadow of the palace treasury manor’s main door like a girl’s long dress. The little bird on the stone step, that did not even find a strand of grass, raised its head to look around. Full of hidden bitterness, it chirruped a few times before spreading its wings and flying away.
Dong! The bright gong sounded. The firecrackers signaling the end of the palace treasury bidding did not sound because the third round of bidding on the fifth lot had just ended. Xia Qifei once again won against the Ming family with great difficulty and obtained the right to sell glassware in the North. The first day of the palace treasury’s spring opening bidding was forced to end.
The merchant families in the yard let out a breath and stretched. They moped at their cold sweat with some lingering fear. Fortunately, the Ming family acted in the end and forcefully wasted the time. Otherwise, given vigor with which room B4 had started, who knew how many drops of soup would be left of the meaty 16 lots of the palace treasury?
Eunuch Huang and Guo Zheng met each other’s eyes and smiled joyfully. Xia Qifei’s actions had indeed taken them by surprise. Fortunately the end dragged out, so the other party lost all of their imposing manner. The Ming family was sure to make suitable arrangements tonight for tomorrow’s matters.
Fan Xian sat on the chair and raised his eyes over the tall wall of the large courtyard. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the smudge of red at the horizon, but could not see the setting sun.
In the courtyard, the cleanup and sealing of bids began. The banknotes and tools the merchants had brought in did not need to be taken out, partially for convenience but also for safety. Tonight, Jiangnan Road, the Overwatch Council, transport company and Suzhou government would work together to put up a defense. They would guard the palace treasury courtyard tightly. It could be said it was the safest place in the world.
The soldiers began to stick seals on the rooms along the corridor and outside the Flower Hall. The merchants had already come out and were standing in groups of three and five in the yard talking. Seeing the Ming family’s old and young master coming out from room A1, everyone rushed over to greet and salute them. Everyone’s speaking voices were quite low, but the talking point was the bandit in room B4.
Xia Qifei wore a somber expression and led his subordinates to stand by the wall closest to the front door. That area was in a patch of shadow.
As the people talked, they gazed over at the group of people in the shadows. They remembered the methods of the bandits and felt some fear in their hearts.
The four major officials in the main hall then walked out.
Greetings Eunuch Huang.
Greetings Sir Xue Qing.
Sir Fan junior, you must leave a bite for me, ah.
The merchants suddenly swarmed up and circled the four officials in the center. Some offered greetings, and others offered their grievances. It was very lively. Fan Xian couldn’t resist smiling. Seeing the slightly angry expression of Xiong Bailing, he comforted and then mocked,
There are still 11 lots. What are you all anxious about?
The hearts of the representatives of each clan cried out bitterly, thinking, there were only 11 lots left. The Ming family were certain to obtain the eight lots that were bound together; there would be nothing left for themselves.
Fan Xian sighed again and said,
There are too few lots, some will always miss out. These are the court’s rules. I can do nothing.
Hearing these words, the crowd immediately remembered Fan Xian’s suggestion at the beginning. Hearing him say the word
rules,
their eyes couldn’t help lighting up. Xiong Bailing suddenly chuckled, and lowered his voice to say,
The rules…are they not set by people?
These merchants did not manage to win any benefits today. Of course, they couldn’t help developing a certain thirst for the lots tomorrow.
Ming Qingda, who had been standing outside the group watching coldly, furrowed his brows. He knew that the imperial envoy was quietly encouraging those merchants to compete with the Ming family for shares. He laughed coldly in his heart, but a light smiled remained on his face. Without the others noticing, he glanced at Eunuch Huang.
Eunuch Huang understood and cut into the conversation with a slight smile.
Everyone, I also think this way.
Everyone felt joyful. Even the representative of the Palace had agreed to the suggestion of finely dividing the lots, so it looked like this matter was doable. Unexpectedly, Eunuch Huang sighed and said,
It is unfortunate that the court’s rules are thus, and no one dares to change them without authority. This matter will have to wait until I return to the capital and speak with the empress dowager and Emperor to persuade them on your behalf. I dare say, next year will certainly be better than this year.
Everyone paused with awkward expressions. They were cursing this castrated man for only knowing how to say pretty words.
As Fan Xian talked with the crowd, his mind was focused on the Ming family. He found that although the old master Ming had encountered sudden changes today, his mind remained clear and emotions unaffected. His judgements were still quick and accurate. Fan Xian couldn’t help feeling a little worried.
Since they wanted to daze the Ming family, it seemed like the stakes needed to be raised.
…
…
After the sealing work was completed and defenses prepared, the great doors of the palace treasury courtyard were slowly pulled open for the second time that day. The fresh air on the street flowed into the yard, and shocked everyone’s spirits. They decided to go home to discuss anew and come back again tomorrow to compete for lots. Since things had already reached this stage, regardless of the Ming family or the Fan family, they had to grab a few deals with which to do business.
The various giant merchants had already pieced together from Fan Xian’s isolated phrases the intention of one of the powers at court. They were targeting the Ming family, using gains as a lure and power as a guide. The merchants began to drool over the Ming family they had never dared to clash against openly. The heads of the Lingnan Xiong family and Quanzhou Sun family, as well as a few other heads of large families, met each other’s eyes and began to smile strangely. In their laughter, they agreed to eat together that night at Jiangnan Restaurant.
The crowd was secretly discussing stealing the Ming family’s lots, so naturally they were paying attention to old master Ming’s movements. He was talking with the imperial envoy. One old; one young. The two faces both wore a slight smile, and they looked incredibly close. No one was surprised. Officials and merchants were both extremely fake professions, so these superficial efforts were made.
As they were about to leave, the merchants saw the imperial envoy gesturing lightly with his hand and summoned over Xia Qifei, who had long been standing in the shadows.
The merchants all stopped from heading out of the door and looked curiously at the scene in front of them.
Fan Xian’s expression was calm. He smiled shallowly as he looked at Xia Qifei. His hands were in front of him and made a gesture understood only by the two of them, yet his mouth said,
Sir Xia, today you have stepped into the limelight.
Xia Qifei smiled and raised his hand to salute in all directions.
It all depended on the other bosses’ kindness.
No matter how much the merchant families hated him, they knew that the other party was a figure of the underworld. It was best not to offend him directly. Furthermore, it was clear that he was the imperial envoy’s trusted aide. So, they returned a few superficial words saying,
Although Sir Xia does not make an appearance often, when he does it shocks everyone,
and so on.
Ming Qingda narrowed his eyes at this enemy that suddenly appeared in front of him.
Master Xia, why your sudden interest in business?
The space quieted down.
Xia Qifei lowered his head and only raised it slowly a while later. Looking at the master of a generation of the Ming family, he gave a sly smile and said,
Although I have long been on the jianghu, my family has been merchants for generations. Reaching my generation, no matter how useless I am, I will continue the mission my father left behind.
Oh?
The lines around Ming Qingda’s eyes crinkled fiercely. He asked tiredly,
So the Xia family is also one merchant family. I did not know they were itinerant traders of various regions, perhaps I have once had friendly relations with your father back in the day.
The merchants were all watching this scene with curiosity. Hearing these words, they were also curious as to what Xia Qifei’s family originally did.
Xia Qifei peacefully gazed at Ming Qingda’s face, one which still often appeared in his nightmares. An unknown emotion surged up in his heart. A moment later, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly and he said peacefully,
Naturally there were friendly relations. My father was your father, how could Master Ming not know him?
…
…
The people present did not quite understand those words. Xiong Bailing began unconsciously digging in his ears. Ming Qingda was slightly startled. He looked at Xia Qifei and did not say anything.
Although Xia Qifei did not understand why the imperial envoy had him reveal his identity early, standing again in front of someone of the Ming family had been his greatest wish. Today, his dream had come true, and his emotions were impossibly turbulent.
However, his expression remained calm.Only his right hand hidden in his sleeve beside his body was slightly shaking. He gazed at Ming Qingda and said clearly and lightly, but also slowly and coldly,
Big brother, it’s been a dozen years since we met, Do you not recognize Seventh?
…
…
Xia Qifei was the Seventh young master of the Ming family. The one rumored to originally be meant to inherit the Ming family property, but strangely disappeared in the end.
The Seventh young master of the Ming family!
The merchants stared in disbelief at Xia Qifei. It was like they had seen a demon crawl out of hell, a strange creature that should not exist in this world. How could it be? Although no one dared to discuss it, everyone could guess that it was the old matriarch of the Ming family and the old Ming master in front of them that had the Seventh young master killed. How could he be alive? And, how had he become the head boss of the Jiangnan water bandits?
Ming Qingda stared in a daze at Xia Qifei. He looked at the face before him a very long time. Suddenly, his body began to shake. He finally found a familiar shadow on that face. Back then—the young, inexperienced, and ignorant little brother, that slight and thin body that had been whipped viciously by him—that face that was filled with hatred and the thrill of revenge.
Father!
At this moment, Ming Lanshi’s heart was unbelievably shocked and scared. He stared like an idiot at Xia Qifei, the uncle of the rumors. He saw that his father’s body was swaying, and he quickly held him up.
In Ming Lanshi’s view, the palace treasury courtyard was like an evil manor. It was not somewhere to linger. He helped his father, who seemed to have suddenly aged a great deal, and led the members of his clan toward the outside of the palace treasury courtyard.
The merchants were still staring with faces full of shock at Xia Qifei and discussing something in low voices.
When the Ming family had reached the front doors, out of everyone’s expectations, Ming Qingda fought free of his son’s grip, forced his body straight, and turned around.
His face was a bit pale, but he used his strong power of self-control to reply to the momentarily quiet. He gazed at Xia Qifei in the yard and serenely said,
Master Xia is joking. My poor seventh brother died unfortunately of an illness a dozen years ago. Please do not tell such jokes to stir up emotions in my old heart.
The merchants were silent. They knew that it was fortunate that the old Ming master had stood at this time and turned around to say these words. Otherwise, if, in their shock, they left the door unguarded and allowed this information to spread in all directions without it being refuted by the Ming family, this matter would become more and more difficult to control.
Fan Xian tilted his head slightly, looking at the old and tired master of the Ming family on the stone steps. He sighed in his heart. It’s a pity, but very admirable
